278: Chapter 278 Cooperation and Win-Win: Forming an Alliance!

Seeing Daoist Yun Du leave, Shi Pan revealed a cold sneer.

"Once you've boarded the pirate ship, do you still think you can get off? You might as well walk the path to the end."

"He is a smart man. When I subdue Golden Crocodile and Wanxiang, and when Ancestor Cang Ya, Shi Yin, and you achieve your Breakthroughs..."

"He will be completely swept up in the torrent, unable to ever escape."

"The White Cloud Temple of today is no longer what it used to be. If any one of the three—Sun Yao, Great Elder Yun Tianfan, or that Chang He from a few years ago—were to form a Golden Core..."

"...Daoist Yun Du would not be in such a difficult position as he is today..."

"It is a pity, but everything is already set in stone."

Having said that, Shi Jian looked at Shi Pan and asked, "Tell me, how have the various branches and departments of the clan developed in recent years?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Pan shook his head and said with a regretful look, "Reporting to Old Ancestor, Ancestor Cang Ya of the Green Ape Clan attempted to break through to the Golden Core stage, but he died and his Dao dissipated."

"Bi Luo is in charge of the Holy Blood Sect. Later, she seized the heaven and earth qi of the Profound Water and Gang Yuan sects. The water qi was offered by her, to be given to Bi Luo later for her Core Formation Breakthrough."

"In addition, Elder Rat's Lifespan was running out, and he eventually passed away due to old age."

"Rat Two refined his own body to create the Wanbao Mountain, intending to open the third branch of the Rat Tribe. Later, Elder Shu Changfeng succeeded as Clan Chief, and I have already bestowed the qi of the wind dao upon him..."

"Also, news came from Yinfeng Valley that Rat Three has also passed away. The successor is named Rat Nine Yin, a ruthless individual."

After listening, a flicker of emotion flashed in Shi Jian's eyes.

The great demons of the older generation who followed him ultimately could not withstand the erosion of time. Thunder Badger and Elder Rat were both gone; who would be next?

The path to the rise of the Yao Race is destined to be paved with bones.

It is truly lamentable and tragic, yet it is also a necessary path...

Sacrifice is unavoidable.

"Ancestor Cang Ya and Elder Rat contributed to the clan. Their descendants should be heavily rewarded and prioritized for promotion and cultivation."

Shi Jian set the tone, and Shi Pan naturally obeyed the order.

"I have just broken through to Level Seven and need time to stabilize my Realm. Afterward, I still need to comprehend the Nascent Soul Dao to achieve a Breakthrough as soon as possible."

"From today on, the daily affairs of the various departments of the Yao Race are fully entrusted to you. Unless there is an existential threat to the clan, you do not need to report to me."

"Yes, Shi Pan obeys!"

After giving his instructions, Shi Jian waved his claw.

Shi Pan then took his leave, and Zixiao Peak returned to tranquility.

As Shi Jian walked back into the Lightning Pool, letting the purple-gold lightning liquid wash over his body, he did not rush to fall asleep again. Instead, he turned his head and looked thoughtfully toward the forest in the mountains.

On the mountainside, perched on a lightning-struck tree, stood an ordinary-looking White Crane with pure white feathers and a light physique.

The White Crane stood on one leg, burying his head in his wings, appearing to be resting.

"Your Excellency, have you seen enough?"

Shi Jian's voice exploded above the Lightning Pool, carrying the true intent of thunder, causing the surrounding air to ripple visibly to the naked eye.

The White Crane did not move, remaining as still as a mountain.

Shi Jian sneered, "A Golden Core Perfection crane demon, running to my Zixiao Peak and pretending to be a common feathered beast—it must be quite beneath you."

"What, do you want me to personally invite you down?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a massive, suffocating Nascent Soul-level Divine Sense locked directly onto that White Crane demon.

The White Crane stiffened.

He suddenly raised his head, his crane eyes filled with horror.

The concealment technique he cultivated was an ancient avian Legacy, and he was confident that even Early Stage Nascent Soul Cultivators would find it difficult to see through.

This bear had only just broken through to Level Seven Demon General; how could he possibly see through it at a glance?!

Moreover, this pressure from the Divine Sense... it had definitely reached the Nascent Soul Stage!

The White Crane stopped pretending.

With a flash of white light, the ordinary White Crane instantly transformed into a behemoth over ten zhang long.

His wings were like snow, shimmering with a crystalline luster, and the powerful demon might of a Golden Core Perfection stage creature was released without reservation.

He spread his wings and flew up, landing on the open ground opposite the Lightning Pool, staring vigilantly at Shi Jian.

"Your Excellency certainly has sharp eyes. I considered my concealment technique to be unparalleled under heaven, yet I did not expect to have nowhere to hide in front of you."

The White Crane spoke, his voice clear and resonant.

Shi Jian stood up from the Lightning Pool, water sliding down his fur.

"The guardian Spirit Beast of the Qingfeng Sect, taking advantage of the chaos in the Liang Kingdom, looted your own treasury and managed to defect from the sect."

"Instead of hiding outside, why have you come to my White Cloud Temple?"

The White Crane was shocked once again.

The other party not only saw through his cultivation but also knew his background clearly. Could the intelligence network of the White Cloud Temple be this terrifying?

Although this matter was widely rumored, knowing so many details...

This Thunder Bear really has many tricks up his sleeve!

The White Crane suppressed the shock in his heart, then folded his wings and bowed slightly to show respect.

"Since Your Excellency knows my origins, I will get straight to the point."

The White Crane looked straight into Shi Jian's eyes: "I am only one step away from the Nascent Soul Dao, but on this Xuanling Continent, the Human Race is powerful."

"If I undergo the tribulation outside, I will surely attract the covetousness of the Human Race's old Nascent Soul monsters."

"I have searched the entire Xuanling Continent, and only here with Your Excellency might there be the ability to protect me while I undergo the tribulation..."

Shi Jian lay back down in the Lightning Pool, his tone quite lazy: "Why should I help you?"

"Taking you in is equivalent to offending the three Righteous Path sects of the Liang Kingdom. Although I am not afraid, I do not want to invite trouble for no reason."

The White Crane stepped forward, his tone firm: "Because you need me."

"Although Your Excellency has a powerful Divine Sense and astonishing combat strength, you are ultimately only a Level Seven Demon General. The dangers of breaking through to the Nascent Soul Stage are far beyond those of the Golden Core stage."

"On the day you undergo the tribulation, you will also need strong support to protect the Dao..."

"Besides, with your talent and aptitude, do you really think the Human Race will not have the slightest bit of guard against you?"

"Fortunately, on the current Xuanling Continent, the Human Race does not have a Nascent Soul expert of the Way of Thunder."

"If there were a Nascent Soul expert of the Way of Thunder, I fear you would have long since been captured, refined into a Dao Pill, and eaten by Human Cultivators to assimilate your immortal foundation."

The White Crane paused, then threw out another bargaining chip: "I looted the Qingfeng Sect's treasury. I have countless resources in my hands, including many spiritual items to assist in forming a Nascent Soul."

"As long as Your Excellency is willing to provide a venue for me to Breakthrough and protect me from external enemies while I undergo the tribulation, I am willing to form an alliance with you."

"Once I achieve the Nascent Soul Stage, I will definitely do my utmost to assist you in your tribulation."

"When the time comes, with you and me joining forces, where can we not go on this Xuanling Continent?"

"Moreover, Brother Shi, how difficult and arduous it is to fight alone. Only by you and me joining forces can we have the capital to gain a foothold."

Hearing this, Shi Jian fell silent.

He only knew some simple information about how to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage. If the White Crane could set an example, he would have a little more certainty.

Furthermore, the White Crane was right.

When a member of the Yao Race breaks through to the Nascent Soul Stage, the commotion is huge and will inevitably attract attention from many sides.

The Nascent Soul Old Ancestor of the Shangqing Sect would never allow an uncontrollable Transformed Demon King to appear right under his nose.

Having one more Nascent Soul helper would increase his chances of winning by a fraction.

If it really came to a falling out, he would not be afraid.

Moreover, this White Crane carried the assets of the Qingfeng Sect; he was practically a mobile treasure vault. Perhaps he could obtain some spiritual pills and medicines to assist in forming a Nascent Soul. This deal was not a loss.

More importantly, what the White Crane said just now.

What did it mean to be refined into a Dao Pill and assimilate an immortal foundation? It seemed that after forming a Nascent Soul, there were still some hidden secrets...

After thinking for a long time, Shi Jian finally agreed.

"An alliance is possible."

"But you must swear an oath by your Dao Heart; only then will we have the basis for cooperation."

"That is naturally how it should be. Brother Shi, rest assured."

The White Crane not only did not refuse but readily agreed, even feeling relieved.

Since Shi Jian proposed the Dao Heart oath, he would not easily go back on his word. From this point on, the two sides were completely tied together.

Uniting the Yao Race right now, all the forces that can be united.

That is the fundamental principle!