304: negotiation

Not only was the quantity large, but even the quality was somewhat abnormal.

Even with Jiangcheng City's large population, the number of S-Rank Talent Users shouldn't be this high, let alone the appearance of figures like Tang Ping, Seat of Wang, Yao Xiaoyue, and Wang Haitao. Oh, and also Miao Qingshi, Tao Yumian, and Sheng Tianqi, who have since left—these individuals were all in Jiangcheng City before the apocalypse arrived!

Tang Ping's thoughts were meticulous. Combining the fact that the later generation's Heaven's Chosen Trial was spearheaded by the Star Council and that the Star Council's geniuses present at the time were clearly superior to those from other Hegemon-level Powers, along with his early exposure to items of destiny, led him to this speculation.

Moreover, aren't there numerous ancient sayings that have described this place as 'a land of outstanding people and spiritual essence'?

Wang Haitao mused, "Are you saying that the appearance of so many strong individuals in our Jiangcheng City is not a coincidence?"

Yao Xiaoyue also lowered her head in speculation. Indeed, the number of high-level Talent Users in Jiangcheng City far exceeded most places. And many cities with similar populations before the apocalypse now don't even have a few large bases, let alone ones like the Star Glory, Spark, and Vast Sea Survivor Bases.

Yao Xiaoyue said, "In that case, it does seem quite inconceivable. It appears that, apart from Beijing and Zhongzhou City, there are hardly any other places in Great Xia that can compete with our Jiangcheng City in terms of the number of strong individuals. Beijing, of course, is naturally stronger than us, not to mention its numerous mysterious families with long-standing legacies.

As for Zhongzhou City, although its development lagged behind other coastal regions before the apocalypse, that was only for the past sixty or seventy years. Throughout Great Xia's long history, it has always been a prosperous land with deep foundations. Now, I fear many secrets are resurfacing. I heard before that many sects have appeared, including the Xuan Yuan Temple and other Taoist and Buddhist temples, all of which are extraordinary.

It is only natural that both of them are stronger than us.

But it seems that, apart from these, there are hardly any other places that can compare with the people of our Jiangcheng City."

Seat of Wang's eyes flickered, "Jiangcheng City was formerly known as the Ancient Capital. I was once curious about its history for a period and read in an extremely ancient unofficial history book that the land of the Ancient Capital often saw spirits, monsters, and enchantments. At the time, I thought it was just a playful tale of the strange, but now, seeing this Undead Clan Secret Realm, it might not be false after all. Perhaps this place, in the past, was not a city controlled by humans!"

Tang Ping said, "No matter what, we must now take a significant chunk out of them. It's impossible for them to expect us to do all the work."

After the four finished their discussion, they all looked towards the projection of the Secret Realm in the void.

Seat of Wang spoke, "Our Star Council Alliance is merely a group of people without any deep roots or foundations, who were even ordinary people half a year ago and had never even encountered some of the mysteries of this world. How could we possibly contend with this Infected Mother Queen?

Senior, you are well-informed, and the Undead Race's legacy dates back to the previous epoch. We plan to withdraw from Jiangcheng City. From now on, this land of Jiangcheng City will belong to the Undead Race. Senior, farewell, we shall not meet again."

Saying this, Seat of Wang was about to control the star source tower to leave.

At this, the three Undead Race ancestors grew anxious. The three of them could not leave the Secret Realm, and their clan's Great Elder and Second Elder had tragically died. Sending their subordinates to deal with the Infected Mother Queen would be no different from sending them to their deaths.

The Three-Eyed Human Corpse Ancestor quickly spoke, "Wait! Everyone, with the changing of epochs, our race is merely barely surviving. How could we have any profound heritage? There's no need for you all to call us 'seniors'; we are merely survivors.

I was once a member of the human race. If you don't mind, you can call me Elder Yang or Old Yang. For this Flood Dragon Old Corpse, just call him Old Jiao. And that toad, just call him Old Toad. The four of you possess extraordinary Talent and are clearly favored by this epoch. Your future achievements are limitless. We should simply treat each other as equals."

Old Jiao quickly said, "That's right, that's right. Now we can say we've become acquainted through conflict. As for what happened before, let's put it behind us. If you are willing to join forces with our race to resist this evil creature, we..."

Old Jiao glanced at Old Yang, who subtly nodded, and then continued, "As long as you are willing to join forces with our race, afterwards, our race can share this place with you. This place is extraordinary, and in the previous epoch, it was even called the City of Ten Thousand Demons. If you agree, I am willing to tell you the great secret of this place!"

Old Toad's mouth twitched, seemingly very resistant to this title, but due to Old Yang's authority, he accepted it with humiliation, for he was the weakest.

Old Toad spoke in a tempting tone, "Indeed, this place contains a great secret. If you and our race join forces in the future, it will be easy not only to become famous throughout the boundless Star Realm but even to become a top-tier power and race within the Star Realm! Moreover, our race has collected many Mystical Art inheritances from your human race. As long as you are willing, these Mystical Art inheritances can be freely perused!"

Tang Ping leisurely said, "A great secret, but one must be alive to enjoy it. We feel too weak to contend with this Infected Mother Queen. You should find someone more capable. I imagine you also know of many other great clans in Secret Realms.

As for what a top-tier power in the Star Realm is, let's not even talk about what that 'Star Realm' is. Currently, all we want is to live well and have the remaining strength to protect a portion of humanity. It seems that this land of Jiangcheng City is no longer a place we can stay."

How could the three Undead Race ancestors be willing to invite other races? Those races have survived from the previous epoch until now. Any Secret Realm that hasn't collapsed has unfathomably deep foundations. How could they be as easy to control as these humans? Once they could emerge from the Secret Realm, any so-called alliance would be suppressed with a flick of a hand.

And there's also that exotic treasure... it absolutely cannot be known by other great clans of the Secret Realm!

But of course, the three ancestors could not say these things. Old Yang extended his hand, "Wait! Besides the secret of this place, if you agree to help, I can now open our clan's secret vault for you. You can choose one of the many treasures inside in advance, and then take two more afterwards! Furthermore!"

Old Yang gritted his teeth and waved his hand, throwing out four milky-white stones.

Old Jiao and Old Toad both paled in shock.

"Old Yang, how could you bring out this thing!"

Old Yang took a deep breath, "This is a World Origin Stone, the condensed origin of a world. You only need to refine and absorb it to greatly enhance your strength. If you agree, this thing is yours right now!"

World Origin Stone—this was something Tang Ping and the others had never heard of, but upon sensing the aura emanating from it, all four felt their hearts leap. This, this aura, why did it feel so similar to an experience stone!

It's just that the energy within was too concentrated! And it was an experience stone without any Talent restrictions!

Seat of Wang, Tang Ping, Yao Xiaoyue, and Wang Haitao looked at each other, seeing burning desire in each other's eyes.

But with such a treasure, they also feared hidden dangers. A piece of paper appeared in Seat of Wang's hand.

"Good, but before that, both sides need to sign this contract."

The three ancestors' expressions changed, "A Star Realm Contract!"