The human head silhouette was very clear, highlighting the mentorship-apprenticeship system that Awakened individuals were fervently dedicated to the original cultivation methods.

In fact, the mentor-apprentice system was once quite popular in the Imperial, giving off the vibe that "only Awakened individuals who engage with this system have class."

However, the Imperial rulers discovered it was too easy to form factions this way, so they carried out targeted suppression.

Under such deliberate suppression, this trend quickly faded away.

Now, those who can maintain the mentor-apprentice system are basically fanatics of the system.

Thinking of this, it couldn’t help but ask, "May I ask if your mentor is still alive?"

Qu Jianlei rolled his eyes upon hearing this, "Are we that close? If you don’t show some sincerity, I’m really leaving."

The human head silhouette pondered for a moment, then spoke, "This array is very important to me, name your terms."

"Don’t even think about the array," Qu Jianlei shook his head, "Are you waiting for me to restore my cultivation level, then come and take it by force?"

It even guessed that? The human head silhouette was a bit surprised upon hearing this: It knew I want to rely on the array to restore my cultivation level?

However, it thought about it and didn’t find it strange; true strength cannot be bragged about, it must come with corresponding abilities.

Yet, it couldn’t lose its momentum, "So, are you trying to take it from me for free?"

It could see that the other party was coveting this array, so it felt somewhat reliant.

Qu Jianlei shook his head, "I never take things by force... but since you spied on me first, I can make an exception."

"Are you kidding me," the human head silhouette couldn’t help but retort, "You are moving soil on my territory... Wait, you’re setting me up?"

If the other party used this information to search for his main body, it would indeed cause him some trouble.

"Setting you up?" Qu Jianlei couldn’t help but sneer, "Do you even deserve that?"

"I bought this place with an Imperial land deed, you say it’s your territory, so I ask you... Where’s your evidence?"

What Imperial land deed... The human head silhouette wanted to burst out, is already supreme, why care about this?

It’s not being unreasonable, but in such a desolate place, who would want to sell land, and who would be bored enough to buy land?

So it claimed it first, thinking it was its own.

But at this moment, it had to admit, "Fine, you have a point. I don’t care much about these details."

"I originally planned to discuss with you later, but you just had to call me out."

"I’m really moving out," Qu Jianlei answered seriously, "Leaving this place for you... even the land deed?"

"You little schemer, don’t play these tricks," the human head silhouette spoke faintly, "State your conditions, I know you’ve thought it through."

Both sides understood, so let’s get it all out in the open.

"The array cannot be given to you, even borrowed, because what you offer isn’t worth it," Qu Jianlei stated calmly.

After a pause, seeing no response from the other party, he continued, "You’re capable of possession, it seems?"

"Possession?" The human head silhouette was stunned upon hearing this, then chuckled bitterly.

"Joking with you, just wanted to see your strength... I won’t cooperate with the weak."

"Is that so?" Qu Jianlei didn’t believe half of what it said, "Aren’t you quite fond of the Dark Attribute?"

The human head silhouette sighed, "You aren’t without inheritance, aren’t you clearer about the side effects of possession than I am?"

"If there were three alternatives, who would want to possess? Not to mention that pathetically low success rate."

Qu Jianlei spoke gravely, "What if I help you beat someone half to death?"

"Half to death..." The human head silhouette’s voice lowered, seemingly analyzing the feasibility.

Then it suddenly reacted, "So you’re not planning to lend me the array?"

"Not necessarily," Qu Jianlei wasn’t good at bargaining; he preferred speaking the truth, "But I’ll need to see your stuff first."

The human head silhouette thought for a moment and replied, "To me, possession is too risky..."

"Cut it out," Qu Jianlei interrupted without hesitation, "Then you’ll just have to stay here forever."

"Maybe someday you’ll encounter another destined individual."

"Alright, you win," the human head silhouette sighed helplessly, "But possession, I need to consider compatibility..."

"They must be young, no lower than B-level, male, and preferably Gold Attribute, and without family..."

"Expand your horizons," Qu Jianlei coldly interrupted, "Gold Attribute Supreme, male... is that enough?"

"Possession... Supreme? Gold Attribute?" The human head silhouette’s voice trembled, "And you want to beat them half to death?"

It’s not that it was narrow-minded; this was about capturing a Supreme of a specific attribute!

Choosing a specific attribute among many Supremes is already difficult, not just as simple as one-fifth.

Every Supreme has their own social circle, be it relatives or close friends, and matching attributes might not make it easy to act.

Also, everyone knows that defeating a Supreme is easy, but killing is very difficult, let alone capturing alive,

If you really piss off the Supreme, at the very least, they can destroy themselves with a fiery explosion. You won’t even have a chance to capture them alive.

Qu Jianlei nodded, "See, I knew it, there’s always a way around things."

"A workaround, my ass!" The silhouette of the head was initially pleased, but upon hearing this, it cursed furiously, "I’d rather borrow your array!"

In the end, seizing control is a last resort. Isn’t it better to use Spiritual Qi to restore oneself?

Seeing you so frustrated, I’m actually more at ease! Qu Jianlei spoke calmly, "So... you don’t want it?"

Upon hearing this, the silhouette of the head was at a loss for words; if it didn’t want it, it wouldn’t even have the chance to seize the Supreme.

Then it remembered something else, "With your superior skills, after seizure, you should be able to use your array, right?"

After seizing, his cultivation level would decrease, unable to exert combat power above the Supreme.

Even seizing the Supreme doesn’t allow one to exert the original combat power of the Supreme, leading to severe disharmony between the body and soul.

"It’s a bit early to discuss this now," Qu Jianlei said coldly.

"I think right now, you should first tell me who exactly you are and what your current state is!"

In this conversation, the basic framework was roughly set, which shows that if there’s genuine interest, nothing is impossible to discuss.

However, for Qu Jianlei, figuring out the other’s identity was very important.

This entity claimed to be with the Divine Text Association, a group he was deeply averse to, though he believed that the other was most likely bluffing.

The silhouette of the head hesitated for a moment, reluctantly saying, "In this situation, what’s there to say about identity? Just consider me a dead man."

People have their pride, especially those who once aspired beyond the Supreme, whose self-esteem is surely not lacking.

"Then there’s nothing to discuss," Qu Jianlei declared without hesitation, "I also have enemies, and I won’t enhance the power of my foes."

This reasoning is flawless. As the apex of Awakened beings, the Supreme simply can’t just enjoy the privileges without bearing any responsibilities.

Their responsibilities are inevitably linked to the distribution of topmost benefits, so how could they not have enemies?

Without knowing the other’s background, if someone aiding his enemies appeared out of nowhere, wouldn’t that make him a laughingstock?

You must understand, this is not merely a Supreme; it’s someone who once transcended the Supreme!

The silhouette of the head could understand this, but he really didn’t want to reveal his identity and could only sigh, "I truly have no face to speak of."

"Rest assured, with my current mindset, even if you are from the enemy’s camp, I wouldn’t dare acknowledge them."

This reasoning is also valid, but Qu Jianlei snorted, "So, you really do have a camp?"

What on earth are you focusing on? The silhouette of the head was somewhat frantic, "I have none, not anymore!"

"So you did before," Qu Jianlei actually pressed on this point, "Which camp, the Divine Text Association?"

"I’m from your camp, alright?" The silhouette of the head was a bit on edge, "Stop asking, can’t I just follow you?"

"No," Qu Jianlei shook his head, "I don’t want comrades with unclear origins!"

"My origins..." The silhouette of the head pondered for a moment and sighed heavily.

"Can we not talk about this? Instead, I could tell you how I ended up like this."

Qu Jianlei’s stubbornness kicked in, but after thinking for a moment, he nodded, "Go ahead."

To be honest, he was also curious about how an Awakened being ended up in such a ghastly state.

However, the silhouette of the head was perhaps ashamed of his condition and explained the entire process very simply.

In summary, he was originally a genius-level Supreme, and when he hit a dead end, he researched the path beyond the Supreme himself.

According to his account, there are "very many" people in the Imperial researching the path beyond the Supreme.

These people are mostly Supreme and are quite outstanding, making it understandable that none could persuade the others.

Qu Jianlei found this scenario very normal; just because he got along well with Qinghu Supreme didn’t mean anything, the latter was just trying to absorb knowledge.

With Qinghu’s pride, once she attempts to transcend the Supreme, she will definitely trust her own judgment more.

The silhouette of the head believed his theory was correct, yet he could not get recognized, and no one was willing to try his theory.

So he had to walk the path of "proving the way with his body" — because he also did not agree with others’ theories.

And then... he became like this.

Upon reaching this point, he couldn’t help but express his resentment, "Actually, I consider myself successful; only a minor slip occurred."

Was that a minor slip? Qu Jianlei listened, a bit speechless; you’ve already turned yourself into something unrecognizable!

"So how did your situation come about?"

The silhouette of the head was silent. If, when he proposed the advancement theory, any Supreme had been interested, he would have been happy to explain.

But now that he’s ended up like this, being asked about his theory seemed a bit mocking.

After a moment of silence, he let out a light sigh, "It happened just as you imagined."