Chapter 15: Negotiations
Tian E stormed into Douluo Hall.
From Star Dou Great Forest to Spirit City, even with injuries, a 98th-level Super Douluo at full speed arrived swiftly.
"Elder Brother! Shuang'er's in trouble—summon every Titled Douluo in Spirit Hall immediately!"
He could have issued the order himself, but this operation couldn't proceed without Qian DaoLiu. Without him, who would face that black dragon? Certainly not Tian E.
"No need to panic. If all goes as planned, Shuang'er will be back by tomorrow at the latest."
Qian DaoLiu remained calm, as serene as ever.
"All goes as planned?!" Tian E's face twisted in fury as he stepped right up to Qian DaoLiu. "Are you telling me this was your plan all along? Do you even understand how vital Shuang'er is to Spirit Hall?!"
"If it weren't for our years of brotherhood, I'd have you by the collar already."
"Yes," Qian DaoLiu replied evenly, meeting his gaze. "I anticipated this. I can't explain why yet—that comes when Shuang'er returns. But I swear to you: she is in no danger."
Facing the God Realm as an enemy, the chance to gain an ally was worth the gamble. And he trusted the Ancestor would succeed.
"Then I'll be watching closely to see what reason could possibly justify handing Shuang'er over to those凶 beasts! And how will you face Xue'er?!"
Tian E's anger showed no sign of cooling. He couldn't fathom what cause could be so great as to use Qian Ningshuang as a pawn. In all of Spirit Hall, was there anyone more important than the Qian sisters?
At the mention of Qian Ren Xue, Qian DaoLiu sighed.
He knew how deeply she cherished Qian Ningshuang. He knew she wouldn't accept this easily. But again—the God Realm left no room for sentiment. Every sacrifice was permissible.
"I'll go wait for Shuang'er at Star Dou. And… calm Xue'er down."
He had to face it. Better to meet her now than endure her wrath upon her return.
…
"An alliance? Given the current enmity between humans and魂 beasts, I see no reason for one."
The Silver Dragon King's violet eyes studied Qian Chongling. She understood why he proposed it—both bore grudges against the God Realm. An ally was better than solitude.
But negotiations were negotiations. She wouldn't leap into battle just because someone said "alliance."
"The very reason humans and魂 beasts are at war should be clear to you, Lady Silver Dragon King. Using that as an excuse shows poor faith."
Qian Chongling's translucent face curved into a faint smile.
As long as she was willing to talk, that was enough. The so-called "human-魂 beast conflict" was built on a lie—魂 rings. Ancient records from the God Realm hinted that in the Dragon God era, humans never needed魂 rings. It was all a scheme by the gods.
"As Sovereign of all魂 beasts, I must consider my kin. Let's speak plainly: if we ally, what must we do—and what do we gain?"
The Silver Dragon King fell silent for a moment before continuing.
"Stand together against the God Realm. As for gains… while those wretched gods still sit on their thrones, you and I are nothing but pieces on their board. Discussing rewards now is meaningless."
It was true. Merely surviving was a miracle. Talking of spoils was the delusion of the defeated.
"If we're merely pieces," she added, "then what is your true leverage, Lord Qian Chongling? Surely you don't intend to rebel just to show the gods a pawn's defiance?"
"My leverage?" Qian Chongling gestured toward Qian Ningshuang. "You've already seen it."
Since Qian Chongling appeared, Qian Ningshuang had stood quietly, eyes wide and obedient—but inside, she was screaming for Youlan Dai'er.
No response. Not a single ping.
Despair crashed over her. So it was true—Youlan Dai'er really did devote all processing power to parsing the world's rules, only sparing a sliver during breakthroughs. She hadn't been bluffing!
And now… a ghostly crimson figure floated before her.
*Oh no. Oh no no no.*
She remembered the name. In Spirit Hall's archives, she'd read about him.
Qian Chongling—the Blood Pope. The single most pivotal leader in Spirit Hall's history. He laid the foundation for its rise as the continent's supreme power. More than that—he was the origin of Spirit Hall's obsession with unification.
But… he'd vanished centuries ago! How was he now emerging from the bracelet Qian DaoLiu gave her?!
She'd caused some ripples as a transmigrator, but this butterfly effect was absurd!
"Ahh?"
Jolted by Qian Chongling's gesture, Qian Ningshuang blinked up at the dragon and the spirit, her mind spiraling again.
*Okay, sure—I'm a transmigrator from Zhonghua, I've got a god-tier cheat, I'm firmly on Spirit Hall's side, and yeah, I'll eventually clash with those divine zealots…*
*But making me the linchpin of anti-God resistance? I just got my first魂 ring!*
Ignoring her internal panic, Qian Chongling pressed on.
"You've felt it yourself, Lady Silver Dragon King. The life energy from this girl's martial soul is beyond absurd—even the God of Life pales in comparison."
"And you've surely sensed her ability to veil fate."
The Silver Dragon King didn't speak. She simply turned her massive head to fix her gaze on Qian Ningshuang.
At first, she'd been too absorbed in healing. Then came the negotiation. Only now, prompted by Qian Chongling, did she realize:
Ever since Qian Ningshuang entered Star Dou, the God Realm's watchful gaze had vanished. She'd assumed the gods were distracted. But no—it was Qian Ningshuang's fate-veiling power at work.
She knew that power well. Back when she was part of the Dragon God, she'd seen its value. On the surface, it seemed minor—but against the God Realm, it was a strategic weapon. After all, divine "sight" was really the observation of fate itself.
Suddenly, everything clicked.
Qian Ningshuang wasn't just useful—she was *made* for this war.
First, her life energy could rapidly heal both her and Qian Chongling. Without godhood, they were ants before the gods. No number of Limit Douluos or凶 beasts could match a single deity.
Second, her fate-veiling let them operate unseen—free to scheme without divine interference.
Third… Qian Ningshuang herself. The life energy of Hei Yuan Bai Hua had stunned her—but that was merely a side effect. What then, was the true nature of Hei Yuan Bai Hua? Even a Supernal Divine Artifact as a martial soul wouldn't be this absurd!
If this girl ascended… she'd be a God King at minimum.