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「Several days later.」

Qin Xuan was meditating cross-legged to consolidate his Cultivation.

A subtle fluctuation suddenly emanated from outside his Cave Mansion.

Qin Xuan opened his eyes. He swept the area with his Divine Sense, and a flash of surprise appeared in his eyes.

’Why is he here?’

With a wave of his sleeve, he deactivated the Restriction on his Cave Mansion.

A cyan-robed figure drifted inside. It was none other than Wei Qingyi.

"I apologize for visiting so late and disturbing your peaceful cultivation, Junior Brother Qin," Wei Qingyi said with a cupped-fist salute. A smile touched his lips, his tone perfectly natural.

"You’re too kind, Senior Brother Wei. Please, have a seat. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

Qin Xuan was wary, but he let none of it show on his face as he bowed respectfully.

Wei Qingyi took a seat with composure, smiled, and cut straight to the chase. "Junior Brother Qin, you’re an intelligent man, so I won’t beat around the bush."

"The final selection for the Demon Child is upon us. We three must face the Cyan Cloud Sect’s Daoist in a battle to the death. Liu Mobai is a formidable force. He has four Demon Monarchs backing him, and his resources, intelligence, and even potential hidden support far surpass our own."

Wei Qingyi paused and looked at Qin Xuan, his gaze frank.

"If we continue to fight alone, or worse, waste our energy watching each other’s backs, we’ll just be like the snipe and the clam, allowing Liu Mobai to swoop in and reap the rewards like the fisherman. Or even... we might just be handing victory to the Cyan Cloud Sect’s Daoist on a silver platter."

Qin Xuan gently tapped his fingers on the armrest of the stone chair, remaining noncommittal. "And what are you suggesting, Senior Brother Wei?"

"Join forces," Wei Qingyi uttered the two words, clear and firm.

"At least until we find and critically wound the Cyan Cloud Sect’s Daoist, we should join forces. We’ll share intelligence and cover each other."

"Once the Daoist reveals a weakness, it will be up to our own skills to see who lands the final blow and claims the title of Demon Child."

There was a perfectly measured sincerity in Wei Qingyi’s tone.

"I know you may not trust me, Junior Brother Qin. But for both of us, this proposal is the best option we have. I may have two Demon Monarchs backing me, but the pressure from Liu Mobai is immense all the same. It’s better to have one more ally than one more rival who could stab you in the back at any time, don’t you think?"

Qin Xuan fell silent for a moment, his mind racing as he weighed the pros and cons.

’Wei Qingyi isn’t wrong. Liu Mobai has too great of an advantage. If either of us faces him alone, our chances of victory are slim to none.’

’Cooperating is certainly one way to break the stalemate.’

’But how solid would this alliance be? It’d be as fragile as thin ice, I’m afraid.’

"How would we share intelligence? I’m on my own and lack power. How can I be sure I won’t get a knife in the back?"

"And if I’m backstabbed like last time... well, I don’t think I could handle that, Senior Brother!"

With a smile, Qin Xuan cut right to the crucial point.

Wei Qingyi seemed prepared. He took out an oddly shaped Unity Jade Talisman. "This is a Mother and Child Unity Talisman. We will each hold one of the Child Talismans. Within a hundred *li*, we’ll be able to vaguely sense each other’s position. If one of us is in danger, it can be activated as a warning. As for backstabbing..."

Wei Qingyi smiled, but there was a chilling edge to it.

"I’m sure you don’t want to be fighting for your life against the Daoist while also worrying about a sneak attack from me, do you, Junior Brother Qin? The same goes for me. Until our common enemy is eliminated, infighting is suicide. We both should understand that. As for what happens after we find the Daoist... well, that will come down to our own skills and fate."

Qin Xuan accepted the smooth, warm Child Talisman. He scanned it with his Divine Sense and confirmed it was free of any traps. Wei Qingyi’s terms sounded fair and aligned with both of their interests.

"Alright."

Qin Xuan put the Jade Talisman away and looked up at Wei Qingyi, his gaze sharp. "Then we’ll do as you say, Senior Brother Wei. We’ll cooperate—for now. But if one of us betrays this alliance first..."

He left the threat unfinished, but the temperature in the hall seemed to plummet as a flash of icy killing intent flickered and vanished.

Wei Qingyi’s expression remained unchanged. He nodded with a smile. "Of course. Whoever breaks the pact shall be forsaken by heaven and earth."

They locked eyes, each seeing the deep, unconcealed vigilance in the other’s gaze.

A temporary alliance was thus formed.

Wei Qingyi then spent some time in hushed conversation with Qin Xuan, sharing intelligence and speculating on the current Cyan Cloud Sect Daoist’s possible whereabouts. They also discussed some initial strategies for dealing with potential pressure from Liu Mobai. After a good while, Wei Qingyi rose to take his leave.

After seeing Wei Qingyi out, Qin Xuan stood alone in the hall. He glanced at the Unity Talisman in his hand and tossed it away without a second thought.

FWOOSH!

The True Sun Fire flared, and the so-called Third-rank Talisman was instantly reduced to a pile of black ash.

’Cooperation? Nothing but striking a deal with a tiger.’

’But for now, this tiger might just help me take down an even more troublesome foe first.’

...

After leaving Huaizhong Altar, Wei Qingyi didn’t return to his Cave Mansion. Instead, he made his way silently to another location.

Deep within the Divine Sword Pavilion, a faint wisp of cyan smoke materialized.

"Qingyi pays his respects, Senior Brother Liu!"

Inside the hall, Liu Mobai sat cross-legged at the center of a Soul Gathering Array. He was wreathed in the wailing, illusory souls of Cultivators, which writhed around him, baring their teeth and claws.

He was nourishing the newly refined Ten Thousand Souls Bone-Eating Banner.

Sensing Wei Qingyi’s arrival, Liu Mobai slowly opened his eyes. He wore pristine white monastic robes that radiated a holy aura, a stark contrast to the grim demonic energy that filled the air.

"Why have you come, Junior Brother Wei?" Liu Mobai asked, his tone detached.

The same gentle, humble smile that he had shown Qin Xuan appeared on Wei Qingyi’s face.

He took a few steps forward and respectfully presented a roll of dark, ancient parchment that radiated an aura of great age.

"I came to pay my respects, of course, Senior Brother Liu."

Wei Qingyi’s tone was earnest, laced with just the right amount of deference. "The position of Demon Child is crucial to the Holy Sect’s future destiny. Senior Brother, you are the reincarnation of a Venerable and have the support of four Demon Monarchs. This Qingyi knows his own abilities are lacking and can’t possibly compare to your esteemed status as a reincarnated Venerable. I would never dare to harbor any presumptuous ambitions."

"However, the Holy Sect’s rules are absolute. I dare not defy them, but I also fear for my life. Therefore, I have come to present you with this offering."