Batian Martial Soul

Chapter 14619 Conditions of Cooperation

Ling Xiao gazed into her eyes, speaking each word with firm conviction:

“It’s not that you can’t move, it’s that you’re incapable of moving. I don’t believe in human nature, I only believe in my arrangements… In this Batian Academy, if you dare to lay a hand on her, even if the old monsters of the Holy Temple come in person, they can’t protect you.”

Mu Qianxue's smile froze instantly, a hint of shock flashing in her eyes, which then turned into deep apprehension.

She could sense the absolute confidence in Ling Xiao's words; it was not mere boasting.

After a long while, she sighed softly, and a complex and unfathomable emotion appeared in her eyes as she looked at the little fox.

"Young Master Ling, let's talk privately."

Ling Xiao nodded and said softly to the little fox, "Go back and cultivate first. I need to talk to your sister Mu about something."

"Okay!" The little fox nodded obediently and hopped back into the palace.

The two walked side by side to the cloud platform at the back of Batian Academy and sat facing each other. The sea of ​​clouds surged below them, and in the distance, the first rays of dawn appeared, spreading golden light across the sky and earth, but they could not dispel the undercurrent between them.

"I'm not beating around the bush anymore." Mu Qianxue put away all her playfulness, her expression suddenly becoming serious. "I've come here not to provoke you, but on behalf of the Holy Temple to formally discuss cooperation with you."

"Negotiation?" Ling Xiao lazily raised an eyebrow, his fingertips casually stroking the Demon Lord Black Sky Sword at his waist, his tone carrying a hint of cold mockery.

"I remember the Holy Temple didn't have this attitude at the beginning... They clearly wanted to take direct action to seize it and flatten my Overlord Empire, right?"

"The situation has changed." Mu Qianxue met his gaze calmly, without the slightest hesitation.

"Since the fall of the Holy Lord of Annihilation, some factions within the Holy Temple have advocated changing their external strategy. However, at that time, the higher-ups still pinned their hopes on Chi Ling. If she could take you down, there would be no need for much trouble. But she... gave up."

She paused, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, and gazed at Ling Xiao as she said:
"Not only did she give up herself, but she also strongly urged everyone at the high-level meeting of the Holy Temple not to be your enemy anymore. You should know how much prestige Chi Ling has in the border city, and how much weight her words carry. Therefore, we have no choice but to sit down and talk."

Ling Xiao chuckled lightly, but the smile didn't reach his eyes: "What if I don't want to talk?"

"That means a full-scale war to the death." Mu Qianxue said bluntly, her tone filled with unwavering determination. "The Holy Temple has no way out. The Demon Lord's Black Heaven Sword concerns the lives of too many people. We cannot afford to gamble."

"Just because that sword can help you leave the Realm of Annihilation?" Ling Xiao frowned slightly, his confusion deepening. "But you are members of the Holy Temple. The Holy Temple should have methods to break through realms. Why are you so fixated on a demonic sword?"

Mu Qianxue looked up at the distant horizon, where thick clouds seemed to conceal endless despair, and her voice suddenly lowered:

"Young Master Ling, do you know how many geniuses' bones are buried beneath 'Breaking Boundary Mountain'? For tens of thousands of years, all the powerful figures who reached the peak of the Realm Lord level, if they could not find an opportunity to leave, would eventually be trapped there, exhausting their lifespan and turning into a handful of yellow earth."

Her voice carried a hint of sorrow:

"Have you ever seen one? A powerful figure who once moved mountains and filled seas with a wave of his hand, and dominated the world, ended up so old that he couldn't even lift a sword. He could only curl up in the cracks of the rocks in Broken Boundary Mountain, watching helplessly as his physical body decayed and his soul dissipated, without even the slightest strength to resist."

Ling Xiao fell silent.

The scene was so brutal that even without witnessing it firsthand, one could feel the despair within it.

“The Demon Lord Black Sky Sword is their last hope.” Mu Qianxue withdrew her gaze, her tone solemn. “Of course, currently only the core high-ranking members of the Holy Temple know that this sword is in your possession.”

She suddenly gave a self-deprecating laugh, her tone tinged with resentment:

"We, these so-called high-ranking officials and so-called monitors, are nothing more than pawns abandoned by the Holy Temple. Even if we hold high positions, we are still trapped in this Realm of Annihilation, unable to leave for the rest of our lives. It is called 'atonement,' but in reality, it is no different from imprisonment!"

"So, you want to cooperate?" Ling Xiao finally understood the crux of the matter, his tone calm and indifferent.

"Yes." Mu Qianxue's expression suddenly became serious. "Please accompany me, Young Master Ling, to the border city of the Holy Temple. The Supreme Lord wishes to see that sword with his own eyes and discuss it with you in person."

Ling Xiao scoffed: "If I went, would I come back alive?"

"Yes." Mu Qianxue replied decisively.

"I do not believe."

"Is there a difference between him coming to see you and you going to see him?" Mu Qianxue retorted sharply. "If a top-tier Realm Lord level expert really wanted to force his way into Lin Yuan City, how long do you think the Ba Tian Empire's protective formation could hold him back?"

Ling Xiao remained silent.

He knew very well that Mu Qianxue was telling the truth. The strength of a top-tier realm lord had already touched upon the very essence of the laws; ordinary grand formations were no different from paper in front of them.

"The Holy Temple doesn't want a fight to the death with you." Mu Qianxue softened her tone, becoming more sincere.

"Even if we can truly obtain the Demon Lord's sword, the beings behind you... the Black Soul King, the Azure Phoenix Fairy, and that mysterious senior sister from the Snowfield Divine Palace—the Holy Temple cannot afford their revenge. It would be better to cooperate, each getting what they need, and everyone would be happy."

"What do I need to do? And what will I get in return?" Ling Xiao finally relented and got to the point.

"We only seek to comprehend the secrets of leaving the Realm of Annihilation within the Demon Lord's sword, and if possible, use it to guide us on the path to breaking through the realm." Mu Qianxue smiled slightly, throwing out the bait, "In exchange, the Holy Temple can solve all your current troubles for you."

She pointed to the sky above her head, her tone meaningful: "Young Master Ling, do you know how many World Lord-level experts are hiding in the shadows of the Overlord Empire right now? They are all after the Demon Lord Black Sky Sword."

Ling Xiao shook his head... With his current cultivation level, he indeed could not sense the hidden aura at that level.

“At least eight,” Mu Qianxue gave an astonishing number.

"The Sanctuary can shield you from all their spying and attacks. Moreover, the Sanctuary possesses a vast amount of cultivation resources and ancient sword manuals, which can help you improve your cultivation and perfect your swordsmanship. What do you say?"

Ling Xiao pondered for a long time before slowly speaking, "The suggestion is acceptable. But I have two conditions."

"You said."

"First, during my absence, the Holy Temple must send two Realm Lord-level experts to oversee the Overlord Empire and protect my relatives, friends, and people." Ling Xiao raised a finger, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Mu Qianxue pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement: "Okay. After you leave, those powerful figures who covet the Demon Sword will naturally follow you. Those who remain in the Overlord Empire are nothing but petty villains, which two ordinary realm lords can handle."

“Second,” Ling Xiao held up another finger, a sly smile playing on his lips, “I’ll save the other condition for later.”

Mu Qianxue's pupils suddenly contracted, then she sighed helplessly: "You are indeed cunning. Fine, I agree. I will go back and report to the lord first, and then come to pick you up in three days."

With that, she flashed and disappeared into the horizon as a streak of light.