The Great Elder wore a smile. He carried himself with studied humility, yet there was still a quiet dignity in the way he stood.


    He gave a slight bow, his tone respectful and courteous.


    "Chieftain Darian, I have long heard of your great name. Now that I see you today, your presence truly is extraordinary. Youmand awe across thend."


    The corner of Darian''s mouth lifted a little, pulling into a half-smile that didn''t quite look like one. "The Great Elder of the Celestial Pce hase in person. That does surprise me a little. What exactly brings you here today, Great Elder?"


    The Great Elder smiled faintly and drew a jade slip from his sleeve. It was the same dark-red contact jade slip.


    "Chieftain Darian, before your people left the Draconians and joined the demon race, there was once a brief period of cooperation between your side and the Celestial Pce.


    This jade slip was the token left behind for contact back then. I havee with it today because I want to discuss a deal with your people."


    "A deal?"


    A flicker of amusement passed through Darian''s eyes. He raised a hand, signaling for the Great Elder to continue.


    The Great Elder nodded, and his expression turned grave. "Chieftain Darian has surely heard by now that, in the Fourteenth Firmament, a young cultivator with the Golden Dragon Bloodline has appeared in recent days. His name is Jared.


    This son is only at High Immortal Realm Level Three, yet he has already destroyed three Sacred Mountains of my Celestial Pce, in three True Immortal elders, and even two Ghost n Sacred Paragons that were on the verge of revival."


    He paused, his eyes fixed tightly on Darian. "Word has it this son is a descendant of the dragon emperor and has close ties with the orthodox Draconians. And your people and the orthodox Draconians have been mortal enemies for generations.


    The enemy of an enemy is a friend. I came here to join hands with your people and kill this son together."


    After hearing him out, the smile on Darian''s face did not change at all. Only deep in his eyes, a trace of coldness flickered and disappeared.


    "Join hands to kill Jared?"


    He repeated it softly, a trace of amusement in his voice. "Great Elder, you make that sound easy enough. But why should I believe you?"


    The Great Elder''s expression did not shift. His tone stayed earnest. "Chieftain Darian, there is no grudge between the Celestial Pce and your people. Jared is your mortal enemy, and he is also the great enemy of my Celestial Pce. We share the same enemy. That alone gives us a basis for cooperation."


    "The same enemy?"


    Darian suddenlyughed, and there was mockery in thatugh.


    "Great Elder, your Celestial Pce is vast, and your experts are asmon as clouds. Is a mere little cultivator at High Immortal Realm Level Three really worth this much trouble from you? If you ask me, you couldn''t do anything to him yourselves, so now you''vee to use us as your weapon, haven''t you?"


    The Great Elder''s face shifted for an instant, then settled right back into ce. Smiling, he said, "Chieftain Darian jests. If my Celestial Pce truly could do nothing to him, why would wee to cooperate with your people?


    It''s only because Jared carries the Golden Dragon Bloodline, and there may be Draconians backing him. If the Celestial Pce acts rashly, we may end up walking straight into a trapid by the Draconians."


    "And your people have been enemies with the Draconians for generations. No one knows them better than you do. If your people are willing to act, the odds of winning would naturally be much higher."


    Darian said nothing. He only sat there and looked at the Great Elder in silence.


    That gaze was like it could see straight through a man''s heart.


    The Great Elder grew a little ufortable under that look, but he kept smiling all the same, without letting the slightest w show.


    A momentter, Darian finally spoke, slow and measured. "Great Elder, after saying


    all that, what you really want is for my Demon Dragon Lineage to make a move and get rid of that Jared for your Celestial Pce.''


    But have you thought about one thing? Why should I help you?"


    The Great Elder answered at once. "Chieftain Darian, that''s not right. This isn''t helping the Celestial Pce. This is helping your own people.


    That Jared carries the Dragon Sovereign Bloodline. He''s the hope of the orthodox Draconians. Once he grows strong enough, he''ll definitely lead the orthodox Draconians back to settle old scores with your people.''


    When that dayes, your people will likely..."


    "Likely what?"


    Darian cut him off. His voice turned cold without warning.


    "Great Elder, are you threatening me?"


    The Great Elder''s face shifted. He hurriedly waved both hands. "I wouldn''t dare. I wouldn''t dare. I''m only speaking the truth. I have absolutely no intention of threatening you."


    Darian looked at him coldly as the aura around him stirred.''


    An invisible pressure spread out and covered the entire great hall.


    Cold sweat beaded on the Great Elder''s forehead, but he forced himself to stay


    where he was and did not take a single step back.


    After a brief silence, Darian suddenlyughed.


    This smile was different from the mocking one before. There was a trace of approval


    in it, and something yful underneath.


    "Great Elder, you really are somebody."


    He spoke lightly. "To say things like that to my face, you''ve got guts."


    The Great Elder quickly bowed. "You''re too kind, Chieftain Darian. I only came with


    sincerity. I truly want to cooperate with your people."


    Darian nodded, and his tone eased a little. "As for this cooperation, I''ll think it over: This matter is too important for a quick decision. Great Elder you


    Onceive it through, dll give


    I return for t


    you an answer."


    The Great Elder paused for a beat. A flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes, but


    he also knew he could not press any further.


    He bowed deeply and said with respect, "In that case, I''ll take my leave. If Chieftain Darian reaches a decision, you may send word to the Celestial Pce at any time. The gates of the Celestial Pce will


    always remain open to your people."


    Darian gave a small nod and lifted a hand, signaling for the guest to be shown out.


    The Great Elder turned and left, and before long he disappeared beyond the Demon Dragon Hall.


    The great hall fell silent again.


    A burly Demon Dragon Elder stepped forward and frowned. "Chieftain, why didn''t


    you just agree to it? If Jared really carries the Dragon Sovereign Bloodline, then he''s bound to be a mortal threat to our Demon Dragon Lineage.''


    If we can use the Celestial Pce''s strength to get rid of him, wouldn''t that be a good thing?"


    Another Elder nodded and spoke up in agreement. "Exactly, Chieftain. Jared already destroyed three Sacred Mountains of the Celestial Pce and killed three True Immortal elders. His strength can''t be underestimated.


    If he keeps growing, he''ll be a huge disaster sooner orter. Better to strike while his wings still haven''t fully grown and join forces with the Celestial Pce to eliminate him."


    Darian nced at them and said tly, "Do you really think the Celestial Pce wants to work with us sincerely?"


    Several Elders looked at each other, but no one answered.


    Darian let out a coldugh. "That pack of old foxes in the Celestial Pce has never


    once moved without profit in sight.


    They came to us for cooperation for


    one reason only. They want to


    borrow our de and have us dea


    with Jared while they sit back and reap the benefits As for whether they turn around and deny O everything after it''s done... that''s harder to say."


    He paused, then went on. "And more than that, this Jared... is he really of the Dragon Emperor''s bloodline? Even if he is, does he really have the Draconians backing him? We don''t know any of that yet.''


    If we act rashly, we''ll only be walking straight into the Celestial Pce''s trap."


    Several Elders nodded slowly, each of them turning the words over.


    Darian waved a hand. "There''s no rush. Send people to investigate Jared''s background first. Once we''ve confirmed everything, then we''ll decide what to do."


    "Yes!"


    One Elder epted the order and quickly left.


    Right then, a Demon Dragon Elder in charge of intelligence hurried into the great


    hall. He dropped to one knee, his voice urgent. "Chieftain, something terrible has


    happened!"


    Darian''s brows drew together. "What happened? Why are you so flustered?"


    The Elder lifted his head and said in a heavy voice, "I just received word. The Sky


    Dragon Lineage... hase out of hiding!"


    "What?!"


    Darian shot to his feet. Shock shed through his eyes.