Chapter 3327: Negotiations Laid Bare on the Table
Xuan Yuan Lian fell into silence.
At present, the Heavenly Court had to deal with internal troubles like the Ji Clan, the Demon God Hall, and the Space Divine Temple, while also facing the external threat of the Starry Sky Defense Line.
Maintaining the current stable situation had already drained her energy and left her exhausted.
If the Heavenly Realm Faction were to strike against the Kunlun Realm again, or incite other Heavenly Court realms to attack Xinghuantian, the situation would only become more difficult.
But Xuan Yuan Lian was well aware that Zhang Ruochen's true body coming to the Witch God Civilization was definitely not to help her solve her problems.
Xuan Yuan Lian quickly adjusted her mindset, regaining her confidence and composure. She said, "Zhang Ruochen, you're right. I do have these concerns. But what about you?"
"Your worries are even greater than mine."
"In the past, Xinghuantian was too weak—so weak that no one in the Heavenly Court or Hell Realm took you seriously, never seeing you as a primary opponent. Instead, they deliberately tried to win you over, which allowed you to play both sides and survive in the cracks."
"But now, Xinghuantian has Desolate Heaven, Qiangu Nüdi, Wu Yue, Xiu Chen Heavenly God, Cang Jue, Xu Wenzhi, Yu Yao, Yu Ling Shen, Li Mo, and you, Zhang Ruochen, along with the Divine Ancient Nest."
"Or perhaps, also Chi Xingtian, Shen Ba, the Moon God, and the gods of the Heavenly Beginning Civilization."
"Just this lineup of top-tier powerhouses below the Infinite Realm has already made the rulers of the Heavenly Court and Hell Realm sit on pins and needles, feeling an unprecedented threat."
"Do you think it's still far off before Xinghuantian is jointly annihilated by the Heavenly Court and Hell Realm?"
Xuan Yuan Lian was clearly extremely shrewd, seeing right through Zhang Ruochen's hidden worries.
Her words were like sharp swords, stabbing straight at him.
Moreover, she was also clearly telling Zhang Ruochen that she had complete knowledge of his information.
The two were both enemies and friends, each wielding immense power, and every word and action could influence the world. Their verbal sparring was no less intense than a battle of the gods.
It could determine the life and death of countless beings!
Seeing through each other was only the most basic step.
Zhang Ruochen looked into the depths of the purple mist and smiled, "Lian Gongzi, aren't you overestimating Xinghuantian? Besides, Chi Xingtian, Shen Ba, and the Moon God are gods of the Heavenly Court."
"The Divine Ancient Nest emerged solely to resolve the conflict between the Hell Realm and the Hundred Clans Royal City, and to prevent the war from escalating further."
"In terms of foundation and strength, Xinghuantian is still very weak right now. Any one of the ruling worlds could crush it with ease."
"Saying that Xinghuantian is a threat to the Heavenly Court—isn't that a bit too harsh?"
Xuan Yuan Qing shot Zhang Ruochen a sidelong glance, completely unconvinced by his words. "Didn't you just say you didn't take the Paradise Realm seriously at all?"
"That's because the Paradise Realm's main opponent is the Hell Realm."
Zhang Ruochen continued, "If it were a direct confrontation, the Paradise Realm could form a divine army and sweep through Xinghuantian and the Hundred Clans Royal City. When a ruling world gives the order, a thousand gods form an army, and a hundred million sacred beings become soldiers—who wouldn't be afraid?"
"Moreover, with the War Method Divine Hall, Realm-Destroying Divine Artifacts, God King Battle Formations, God Venerable Talismans, All Heavens War Banners, Ancestor Altars… and all sorts of secret powers and foundational methods brought to bear, Xinghuantian and the Hundred Clans Royal City would collapse like a storm sweeping away withered leaves, turning into cosmic dust."
Xuan Yuan Lian's voice came through, "Are you trying to say that a ruling world could bypass the Heavenly Palace and launch a divine tide-level war?"
"Of course not. The Heavenly Court is definitely under your control now. With you around, Ke Yangshan doesn't have that kind of influence!" Zhang Ruochen said.
Xuan Yuan Qing's expression softened slightly, her chin lifting a little, a hint of pride hidden within.
Xuan Yuan Lian said, "Zhang Ruochen, I came to see you in secret and brought you into my carriage. That means I don't consider you an outsider."
"Naturally," Zhang Ruochen said.
Xuan Yuan Lian said, "So there's no need for us to be hypocritical or beat around the bush. We can speak openly about anything."
"I know that the Kunlun Realm is disappointed with the Heavenly Court and has thoughts of leaving. That's not something we can decide; the Heavenly Venerable and Tai Shang will have their own discussions."
Xuan Yuan Lian brought this matter to the table, and Zhang Ruochen was somewhat surprised.
Xuan Yuan Lian said, "Although we don't have a deep friendship, Qing Qing has always regarded you as a good friend. She believes that your ideals are closer to the Heavenly Court's, that you abhor war and killing, and that you would never side with the Hell Realm."
"That's why I have never regarded you as an enemy. I truly see you as an ally, or perhaps a fellow Daoist. We share many common goals—we are on the same path!"
Zhang Ruochen looked at Xuan Yuan Qing and gave her a smile.
Xuan Yuan Lian continued, "I will do my best to mediate the situation in the Paradise Realm. You're right—the Heavenly Court cannot afford an internal conflict right now, let alone a war with Xinghuantian."
Zhang Ruochen asked, "What are your conditions?"
"First, Shen Ba can no longer act against the Paradise Realm. She must settle down."
Zhang Ruochen said, "I have no authority over her matters, nor can I control her. With ten thousand years of imprisonment and the blood and tears of that era, her heart's knot won't be easily untied."
Xuan Yuan Lian said, "I don't care about that. If you can't persuade her and she continues to unite various factions to create conflict within the Heavenly Court, then I will have no choice but to believe that you are behind it all, aiming to weaken the Heavenly Court. When that happens, don't blame me for disregarding our past friendship!"
Very forceful!
Clearly, Princess Shen Ba's influence within the Heavenly Court exceeded Zhang Ruochen's expectations, putting even Xuan Yuan Lian under pressure.
After all, she was the daughter of the former strongest in the Kunlun Realm, and Wen Tianjun's final battle ten thousand years ago had shown strength no less than Hao Tian's.
Zhang Ruochen said, "I'll try to persuade her."
Zhang Ruochen had sent Princess Shen Ba to contact old friends solely to prevent retaliation from the Paradise Realm. It was to protect the Kunlun Realm until Tai Shang returned.
As for actively provoking the Paradise Realm, even if Princess Shen Ba had that intention, the gods of other major powers wouldn't have the courage.
No matter how deep the friendship, they wouldn't willingly make an enemy of a ruling world.
But with that friendship, when the Paradise Realm came for the Kunlun Realm, the Kunlun Realm wouldn't be left isolated and helpless.
Xuan Yuan Lian said, "Second, you must help the Heavenly Court repel the Hell Realm army."
"Xinghuantian's foundation is too thin. How can it clash head-on with the Hell Realm army?" Zhang Ruochen deliberately put on a troubled expression.
Xuan Yuan Lian knew Zhang Ruochen wouldn't act easily, which was why she had set the condition high. Now, she took a step back. "The Hell Realm army has been rampaging through the star region of the Hundred Clans Royal City, killing and plundering. Countless races have been wiped out, and countless beings have died."
"Even now, they refuse to withdraw, entrenched in that star region, completely ignoring your earlier warnings."
"The Heavenly Court is willing to help you drive them back and reclaim the entire star region. What do you think?"
Xuan Yuan Lian said "help you," not "join forces."
She said "drive back," not "annihilate."
She was very careful with her words!
But once war breaks out, who knows what will happen?
Getting Zhang Ruochen to agree was the most important thing.
Zhang Ruochen pondered for a moment, then immediately put on an angry expression. "Truly hateful. It seems if we don't make them fear us, they won't retreat."
"So you agree?"
Xuan Yuan Qing, standing nearby, showed an expectant look.
Zhang Ruochen nodded. "The blood debt of the Hundred Clans Royal City must be avenged. But there's no need to trouble the Heavenly Court with this. A mere rabble from the Hell Realm—this Realm Lord hasn't taken them seriously yet."
"Don't underestimate the enemy."
Xuan Yuan Qing warned, "The turmoil within the Hell Realm is gradually calming down. A large number of divine realm powerhouses will surely head to the Hundred Clans Royal City…"
Zhang Ruochen waved his hand. "Qing Qing, no need to say more. If I can't even deal with those Hell Realm troops in the Hundred Clans Royal City, then this Realm Lord would be no different from your brother… Sorry, Lian Gongzi, I meant no offense."
Xuan Yuan Qing's brows were tightly furrowed. She felt that this guy was doing it on purpose.
But she could also see that Zhang Ruochen could at most be a distant ally of the Heavenly Court, never forming a true strategic alliance.
In a three-way struggle, the weakest side often lived the most comfortably.
As soon as this thought crossed her mind, Xuan Yuan Qing was startled.
Unconsciously, she had already placed Xinghuantian on an equal footing with the Heavenly Court and the Hell Realm.
Could it really be, as the gods of various realms had been discussing lately, that the universe was about to enter a new pattern, evolving from a two-pole struggle into a three-way standoff?
After a long silence, Xuan Yuan Lian's voice came from within the lotus. "Since you're so confident, how about agreeing to one more condition from me?"
As soon as she said this, Xuan Yuan Lian regretted it, feeling she was being too petty, lacking the bearing of a leader.
But contrary to her expectations, Zhang Ruochen didn't show anger or displeasure. Instead, he readily agreed. "Alright, as long as Lian Gongzi also agrees to one condition from this Realm Lord!"
"You agreed without even asking what condition I was going to propose?" Xuan Yuan Lian said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "I can roughly guess."
"Then guess. If you're right, I'll give you a generous gift," Xuan Yuan Lian said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "It's not hard to guess. Right now, the person Lian Gongzi hates the most, but can't kill, and that I can kill, is only one: the Blazing Sun Heavenly Lord. Or rather, the entire Blazing Sun Civilization."
Xuan Yuan Qing looked at Zhang Ruochen in shock.
Soon, the shock in her eyes faded, replaced by a cold expression. "That's right! My brother hates the Blazing Sun Civilization to the bone. If not for their betrayal and sabotage, the first Starry Sky Defense Line would never have been breached so easily."
"Fortunately, the incident at the North Marsh Great Wall happened, forcing the Infinite to march north. Otherwise, the second Starry Sky Defense Line might not have been held."
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