Chapter 590 Signing the Contract, Each with Hidden Motives

After determining the final ownership of the Yin-Yang Treasure Ginseng Pill (Spiritual Object), the 2 delivered it to Violet Mist Mountain.

Yan Ziji gazed at the Yin-Yang Treasure Ginseng Pill (Spiritual Object) in her hand, her face lighting up with joy as she promptly exclaimed, "This Yin-Yang Treasure Ginseng Pill (Spiritual Object) truly comes at a critical time for me. I had been planning to accumulate more Heavenly Crystal (Spiritual Object) to purchase 1, but I never expected you to refine it so swiftly."

"Unfortunately, I don't have enough Heavenly Crystal (Spiritual Object) on hand. I'll owe you for now."

"No need for that," Eldrin smiled faintly, speaking with serene composure. "You've aided me this time as well. Consider this item our token of gratitude."

"This..."

Yan Zi Ji was about to say more when Lyra (Person Name) interjected, "There's no need for such formality between us. In the future, when the earth vein beneath Purple Mist Mountain yields Primordial Qi of the Earth, just grant us first priority to purchase it."

"If the Ji Clan hadn't spoken, I would have done the same."

Yan Ziji (Person Name) smiled faintly, deliberately pouring tea for the 2 before asking, "Regarding Purple Jade Lake (Location), have you initiated peace talks with them?"

"Not yet." Eldrin shook his head, a subtle movement flickering between his brows. "I've been occupied with alchemy refinement recently, digesting the gains from this battle, and haven't had the chance to address this matter yet."

Seeing this, Yan Zi’s expression grew slightly solemn as she said, “Although the Purple Jade Demon Emperor (Demon Beast) has been severely wounded, it remains 1 of the most formidable demon emperors.”

"Though we have gravely wounded him, he will likely recover partially within a 60-year cycle. Should he cast aside all dignity and assault your spiritual mountains across The Vast Sea (Location), I fear peace shall become but a distant memory for your kind."

Upon hearing this, both of them wore solemn expressions. Lyra (Person Name) nodded and said, "It seems we truly must have a discussion."

Departing from Violet Mist Mountain, Eldrin cast a glance toward the direction of Purple Jade Lake, his brow faintly twitching as he murmured, "That Purple Jade Demon Emperor will likely not let this rest easily. Seeking peaceful negotiations may prove far from simple."

Lyra also furrowed her brow, a trace of frost flashing in her gaze.

With the strength of the Purple Jade Demon Emperor (Demon Beast), recovering 70 to 80 percent of his combat power would be more than enough to dominate the world.

Should he venture alone deep into The Vast Sea (Location) and unleash his power unrestrained, even Eldrin (Person Name) and Lyra (Person Name) would likely struggle to withstand him. In that event, the entirety of The Vast Sea (Location) would plunge into endless calamity.

Even if Eldrin were to assemble his forces and even invite Magnus the Virtuous Lord to besiege such a supreme-level demon emperor, they would likely only manage to severely wound it—hardly capable of slaying it outright.

Dealing with such a troublesome and powerful foe would likely prove far from easy.

With this thought in mind, Lyra spoke up: "We must seek peace with Purple Jade Lake. Otherwise, not only will the 5 Elements essence from The Vast Sea cease to flow, but even our enterprises across the other continents will become unsustainable."

Eldrin gave a slight nod. Over the years, the Chen family had been continuously expanding their shop networks to acquire the 5 Elements Essence for Eldrin and Lyra.

The Chen Clan's Tianya Tower and Haijiao Pavilion had expanded to the Heavenly Abode Continent and Tianxing Province, with ongoing efforts to establish branches in other provinces. The vast majority of their earnings in spirit stones—amounting to hundreds of thousands—were allocated to acquiring the essence of the 5 elements.

If the war with Purple Jade Lake (Location) were to continue, these industries would become unsustainable due to manpower shortages. In the future, Eldrin (Person Name) would have no choice but to purchase the 5 Elements' Essence from various Nascent Soul clans at exorbitant prices.

Procuring the 5 elements' essence from other immortal clans not only came at a much higher price, but also made 1 overly dependent on others. In critical moments, it might not even be possible to acquire a sufficient quantity.

At this thought, Eldrin said, "I shall write another letter to the Purple Jade Demon Emperor. If he truly intends to tear all pretense of cordiality, I will have no choice but to summon Maris the Sea Steader."

Maris the Sea Steader (Person Name) signed the Enlightenment Tea agreement with the Chen family, which could be considered owing Eldrin (Person Name) a minor favor.

However, if 1 wished to secure his assistance, it would inevitably come at no small cost. Eldrin was unwilling to take this step unless absolutely necessary.

After returning to Spirit Lake Continent, Eldrin immediately wrote a letter, then captured a Zifu-level demon and dispatched it to deliver the message to Purple Jade Lake.

Within the Purple Jade Lake (Location), the Purple Jade Demon Emperor (Demon Beast) was in secluded meditation to heal his wounds, while the Crimson Serpent Demon Emperor was reconstructing his physical form. The 1 who received the letter was the 100 Venoms Scorpion.

That day, Scorpion Demon Emperor dared not delay upon receiving the letter. He immediately sought out Purple Jade Demon Emperor (Demon Beast) and personally delivered the letter into his hands.

"Peace talks? He seeks peace talks with the Emperor at this very moment?"

After reading the letter, the Purple Jade Demon Emperor (Demon Beast) flew into a rage and tore it to shreds.

The Scorpion Demon Emperor's face twitched slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he finally spoke: "Brother, your injuries have yet to heal, and the Return-to-Void Daoist has overwhelming numbers. Even if we continue this fight, I fear we won't gain any advantage."

"If you sustain severe injuries again during the confrontation, I fear it may endanger your path to immortality."

Hearing this, Purple Jade Demon Emperor (Demon Beast) slightly darkened his expression. Only after a long while did he speak: "The grudge between the Emperor and the Abyss of Returning Ruin is absolutely irreconcilable. I wish I could flay its sinews and tear its flesh—there is no possibility of resolution whatsoever."

"Brother, heed my words!"

Seeing that the Purple Jade Demon Emperor (Demon Beast) remained unmoved, the Scorpion Demon Emperor couldn't help but speak up: "Today's defeat was not our fault—we were simply overwhelmed by their numbers."

"Since we're clearly outnumbered, it's better to devise a proper plan than to fight on and suffer mutual destruction. We'll settle today's score another day."

Hearing this, the Purple Jade Demon Emperor (Demon Beast) furrowed his brow and fell into complete silence.

Seeing his expression, the 100 Venoms Sky Scorpion pressed his advantage: "The Abyssal Cataclysm is now merely 2 100 and some years away. If we simply wait until it concludes, chances are half of them will perish in the calamity."

"During this period, we will suppress the surrounding demon tribes while cultivating new Infant Soul Demon Emperors. Once the calamity of the Demonic Abyss concludes, we shall make that Abyssal Reverie Daoist taste the bitterness of being overwhelmed by superior numbers."

The Purple Jade Demon Emperor (Demon Beast) paced in place for a moment before finally nodding. "I've heard that the Eldritch Abyss couple maintains close ties with the Ji Clan. Moreover, the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor (Demon Beast) had his physical form destroyed by Dorian (Person Name)—this is no trivial grudge."

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Go to Emerald Wave Lake and deliver this message: if they are willing to eradicate the Chen Clan, the Huang Clan pledges to serve the True Dragon Demon Ancestor, joining forces to vanquish the Ji Immortal Clan together."

Not long after, within the Emerald Wave Lake, the incarnation of the Golden Flood Dragon Demon Emperor watched the departure of the 100 Venoms Scorpion, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes.

After the 100 Venoms Scorpion departed, he entered the seclusion chamber of the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor (Demon Beast) and relayed the situation.

The Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor (Demon Beast) fell silent for a long while after hearing this, then sneered coldly. "Before this father has even transformed into a true dragon, that Purple Jade Demon Emperor (Demon Beast) already addresses me with the honorific of True Dragon Demon Ancestor."

"This demon may appear to have pledged allegiance, yet in truth, it remains prideful, convinced it possesses the potential to become a Demon Ancestor."

The Golden Flood Dragon Demon Emperor also nodded, his gaze filled with mockery as he said, "That Purple Jade Demon Emperor (Demon Beast) keeps claiming to honor my father as his master and vows to annihilate the Ji Clan alongside him, yet he secretly schemes to have us eradicate the Chen Clan. What a flight of fancy."

Hearing this, the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor (Demon Beast) fell silent for a moment before shaking his head. "The Chen family are lackeys of the Ji Clan. Had I the power, I would indeed have to eliminate them."

Chapter 1 The biting cold wind howled through the mountain pass, carrying with it the scent of frost and decay. Li Ming, his tattered robes whipping about his frail frame, trudged through the knee-deep snow. His face was pale, his lips chapped, but a fire of stubborn defiance burned in his eyes. "Just a little further," he whispered to himself, his breath forming plumes of white in the frigid air. "The Rejuvenation Herb must be here somewhere." He had been searching for 3 days and 3 nights, braving the treacherous peaks of the Frozen Cloud Mountains. His cultivation had stagnated at the third layer of the Qi Refining Stage for over a year now. Without the Rejuvenation Herb to cleanse his meridians, he would never break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage. At just 16 years of age, he was running out of time. Suddenly, a faint spiritual fluctuation caught his attention. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but to Li Ming, who had honed his senses through countless hours of meditation, it was as clear as a bell. He pushed through a thicket of frost-covered brambles, ignoring the sharp thorns that tore at his skin. And there it was—nestled within a crevice of a large, moss-covered rock—a single Rejuvenation Herb, its leaves shimmering with a soft, emerald light. Joy surged through him. But just as he reached out, a cold, mocking voice sliced through the silence. "Well, well, what do we have here? A little rat scurrying about where it doesn't belong." Li Ming froze. He turned slowly to see a tall young man in pristine blue robes standing a dozen paces away. A sneer twisted the handsome features of the newcomer. It was Zhang Hua, the arrogant young master of the outer sect, flanked by 2 burly followers. "That herb," Zhang Hua said, his eyes glinting with avarice, "looks like it would suit me better. A trash like you, stuck at the third layer of Qi Refining, has no use for such a treasure." Li Ming's fist clenched. "I found it first." Zhang Hua laughed, a harsh, unpleasant sound. "In this world, possession is 10-tenths of the law. Hand it over, and I might let you leave with your pathetic life." Li Ming's mind raced. Zhang Hua was at the fifth layer of Qi Refining, his 2 followers at the fourth. A direct confrontation was suicide. But to give up the herb he had risked so much for? The herb that represented his only hope? Never. "Go to hell," Li Ming spat, his voice low but steady. Zhang Hua's face darkened. "Fool! You brought this upon yourself! Attack!" The 2 followers lunged forward, their fists glowing with gathered Qi. Li Ming reacted instantly, his body moving on pure instinct honed from thousands of sparring sessions. He sidestepped the first blow, the wind from the punch ruffling his hair. He ducked under the second, feeling the lethal force pass inches above his head. He couldn't win a battle of attrition. He had to be decisive. As the first follower overextended his punch, Li Ming channeled every last drop of his spiritual power into his right palm. A faint crimson aura flickered around his hand—the Flaming Palm technique, a low-level martial skill he had practiced to perfection. "Flaming Palm!" he roared, striking the man squarely in the chest. There was a sizzling sound, followed by a choked cry as the follower was sent flying backward, his robes smoldering. He crashed into a snowdrift and did not get up. The other follower hesitated, shock evident on his face. Zhang Hua's eyes narrowed. "You dare injure my man? You must have a death wish!" Zhang Hua's aura erupted, the pressure of a fifth-layer Qi Refining cultivator bearing down on Li Ming like a mountain. He drew his sword, the blade gleaming coldly in the pale light. "I'll finish you myself!" He thrust his sword forward, a simple but deadly move enhanced by surging spiritual power. The tip of the blade aimed directly for Li Ming's heart. Time seemed to slow. Li Ming knew he couldn't dodge. He couldn't block. This was the end. Despair, cold and absolute, washed over him. *Is this it? After all my struggles, is this how I die?* But then, something stirred deep within his dantian. A wisp of pure, ancient energy, golden in color, uncoiled from a place he never knew existed. It was a power he had inherited from a mysterious, fragmented jade pendant left by his parents—a secret he had guarded with his life. The golden energy surged through his meridians, mending the minor tears from his earlier exertion and flooding his limbs with strength he had never known. His senses sharpened to an impossible degree. The world around him became crystal clear. He could see the individual threads in Zhang Hua's robes, hear the frantic beating of his own heart, and perceive the minute flaws in Zhang Hua's sword technique. His body moved without conscious thought. He twisted at the last possible moment, the sword tip grazing his ribs instead of piercing his heart. A searing pain shot through his side, but he ignored it. His left hand shot out, fingers clamping onto Zhang Hua's sword wrist like a vice. *Crack.* Zhang Hua screamed as the bones in his wrist shattered. The sword clattered to the ground. "How... how is this possible?!" Zhang Hua stammered, his face a mask of pain and disbelief. "Your aura... it's at least at the sixth layer!" Li Ming didn't answer. He didn't understand it himself. He only knew that the power flowing within him was immense and... hungry. He looked at Zhang Hua, his gaze cold and detached. "You were going to kill me for a single herb," Li Ming said, his voice unnaturally calm. "You called me trash." He released Zhang Hua's broken wrist and delivered a swift, open-palmed strike to the young master's dantian. Zhang Hua's eyes bulged. A violent tremor wracked his body as the blow dispersed his cultivated Qi, crippling his foundation. He collapsed to his knees, vomiting blood, his cultivation shattered. "Mercy... Senior Brother Li, have mercy!" the remaining follower pleaded, kowtowing frantically in the snow. Li Ming looked at the Rejuvenation Herb, then at the broken forms of his would-be killers. The golden energy within him was receding, leaving behind a profound exhaustion and a dawning realization. The path of cultivation was cruel, a world where the strong preyed on the weak. He had nearly become a victim. Now, he had taken his first step as a predator. He plucked the herb and stored it safely in his pouch. He didn't spare the groaning Zhang Hua another glance. "Remember this day," Li Ming said to the terrified follower, his voice echoing faintly in the snowy pass. "Tell the others that Li Ming is no longer the trash they remember." He turned and walked away, his figure soon swallowed by the swirling snow. The wind whispered secrets of power and change, carrying with it the name of a boy who had just begun his ascent. The path ahead was long and fraught with peril, filled with countless trials and tribulations. But for the first time, Li Ming walked it with true hope burning in his heart.