Chapter 226: Cooperation

Ordinary flowers are admired by some.

Exceptionally beautiful flowers make others wish to possess them.

If such a flower lacks the strength to protect itself, it may be casually trampled upon.

The Liangqiu family’s influence is not weak, but within the major provinces, it is not strong either—merely a second-tier force.

They have seven or eight High-Rank Martial Artists and one Stellar Body Martial Artist.

“My grandfather was a Stellar Body Peak Martial Artist. Back then, to witness the starry sky and seek a breakthrough, he embarked on a distant expedition and has not returned since,” Liangqiu Xuanyi recounted calmly. “Over the past decade or so, although our Liangqiu family has produced Stellar Body Martial Artists, the strongest only reached the Stellar Body Mid-Stage.”

Jiang Changkong listened quietly. Because the Liangqiu family’s patriarch had ventured far into the starry sky, the family’s influence had declined.

Their voice in the Void Realm had weakened accordingly, and the resources they could obtain had diminished.

Those who previously dared not set their sights on the Liangqiu family were now beginning to do so.

Some time ago, that organization approached Liangqiu Xuanyi.

Their goal was to claim her, this flower, in exchange for ten years of stability for the Liangqiu family.

Liangqiu Xuanyi set down the flower and said plainly, “Without a protector, this flower becomes a plaything.”

“You don’t seem worried,” Jiang Changkong remarked softly.

Liangqiu Xuanyi was too calm, showing no trace of panic.

She tugged at the corner of her mouth. “I’m used to it. My grandfather taught me to learn how to conceal my emotions.”

Jiang Changkong smiled. “Then you’ve done well. I know even less than you do—only that it’s a group formed by self-proclaimed geniuses. I’ve merely killed a few people and disrupted some of their plans. If Xuanyi is looking for a protector, Nantian Pang is one.”

Nantian Pang quickly thumped his chest in assurance. “If Xuanyi has any difficulties, just speak up.”

Liangqiu Xuanyi sighed softly. “Young Master Nan cannot protect Xuanyi, and Xuanyi does not wish to bring trouble upon you. This time, I sought Changkong not to find a protector but to seek a partner for cooperation.”

“A partner for cooperation?” Jiang Changkong was puzzled. “How would we cooperate?”

Liangqiu Xuanyi fell silent for a moment, then took out a piece of paper and handed it to Jiang Changkong.

Jiang Changkong accepted the paper, examined it, and his expression changed slightly. “The Sin Domain Passage—how did you know about this?”

“The information is absolutely accurate. Xuanyi knows a bit more than you do,” Liangqiu Xuanyi said softly. “That organization is called the Immortal Palace, formed by recruiting many disheartened geniuses. They can borrow the power of various major forces to conceal themselves. How, then, can these forces track them down?”

Nantian Pang’s expression shifted. “The Immortal Palace? That organization appeared many years ago. There must be Top-Rank Martial Artists backing it, right?”

“There are,” Liangqiu Xuanyi replied, her calm face now tinged with gravity. “The people Changkong killed were merely peripheral members of the Immortal Palace—not even truly part of the periphery. They were simply being used by the Immortal Palace.”

Nantian Pang frowned and was about to say something when Liangqiu Xuanyi continued, “Heng Xuanqing could have joined, and your fifth uncle could have as well, but they died in Anding Province. Only those with considerable status can be considered true members. They fulfill the wishes of their members, making those less important geniuses fight desperately for them.”

“Fight desperately? Are those people willing to be used?” Jiang Changkong frowned.

“What choice do they have? Most of those selected by the Immortal Palace have injuries or hidden flaws that are difficult to eradicate.”

“They hold something they must have, unless they’re willing to waste their lives like this.”

Liangqiu Xuanyi’s expression returned to its usual calm.

“The condition they gave you is ten years of peace for the Liangqiu family?” Jiang Changkong asked.

“Not just that. They’ll also nurture the Liangqiu family to produce a Star Body Peak expert. In return, I must give myself up, becoming a servant forever.”

Even when mentioning becoming a servant, Liangqiu Xuanyi’s expression remained unchanged.

“That’s just too much. With your talent, Xuanyi, reaching Star Body Peak wouldn’t be difficult in the future.”

Nantian Pang said angrily.

Liangqiu Xuanyi’s talent was exceptional, no weaker than any prodigy’s, especially if she had resources for cultivation.

With such talent, reaching Star Body Peak wouldn’t be hard in the future. She even had great hope of breaking through to become a Top-Rank Martial Artist.

It was a completely losing deal. Liangqiu Xuanyi would never agree unless she reached a point of absolute despair.

Jiang Changkong said calmly, “You want to cooperate with me. What do you want me to do?”

“Divert their attention so they can’t spare the effort to deal with me.” Liangqiu Xuanyi replied.

“Sounds like I’m getting the short end of the stick.” Jiang Changkong remarked.

“The Liangqiu family will secretly help you grow and establish yourself in the Void Realm. The terms of cooperation include a Seventh-Order Mecha.”

Liangqiu Xuanyi made her promise: “Besides, even without cooperation, you’ve already caught their attention.”

“Once I enter the Void Realm, the enemies I’ll face will be High-Rank, or even Top-Rank Martial Artists.” Jiang Changkong’s expression shifted slightly.

Nantian Pang waved his hand dismissively. “Top-Rank Martial Artists are impossible. The entire Federation has limited Top-Rank Martial Artists. They wouldn’t have time to deal with you.”

“But High-Rank Martial Artists aren’t something I can handle either.” Jiang Changkong shook his head.

“If we can expose the Immortal Palace, the Nan family, the Yaoguang Chamber of Commerce, and the Heng family will definitely stand by your side. So will the Federation.”

Nantian Pang pondered, then said, “At the very least, we can ensure your friends’ safety, just like with this Sin Domain Passage operation—we’ll act together.”

“With my current strength alone, trying to attract the Immortal Palace’s attention might still be somewhat difficult.”

Jiang Changkong said calmly. It wasn’t that he underestimated himself, but before reaching High-Rank, even at the Stellar Embryo Level, he was just a small ant in the eyes of these major powers.

Liangqiu Xuanyi said plainly, “The Sin Domain Passage is the first step. After you emerge and step into the Void Realm, that will be the second step.”

Jiang Changkong smiled faintly. “Cooperation is possible, but give me some practical support, like Star Stones or Star Crystals.”

“Money-grubber.”

Nantian Pang muttered, just as Yao Meng and Heng Xueyue had said—Jiang Changkong only cared about Star Stones, and now Star Crystals too.

Liangqiu Xuanyi was taken aback, then chuckled. “If you reach High-Rank and complete the second step, I’ll give you information about a Small Star Crystal Vein.”

“Small…” Jiang Changkong wasn’t entirely pleased.

“A small one can still yield tens of thousands, or even more, Star Crystals.” Nantian Pang rolled his eyes.

“Fine. As long as it’s truly about the Immortal Palace and not tricking me into doing something else, I’ll definitely complete the second step if I have the ability.”

Jiang Changkong agreed. After all, he was already at odds with the Immortal Palace.

Whether intentionally or not, he had already drawn their attention.

Since they wanted him dead, it would be a fight to the end. Having Liangqiu Xuanyi as an unexpected gain was a pleasant surprise.

Next, they discussed the specific actions.

Jiang Changkong originally didn’t know much about the Sin Domain Passage, but Liangqiu Xuanyi wasn’t entirely clear about it either.

It can only be confirmed that it is at the bottom of the isolated island, and it was only discovered by accident by the Immortal Palace that they were able to bring people out from there.

Of course, bringing people out is also extremely difficult. At the very least, a Stellar Body Peak Martial Artist must take action to suppress the Void channel and bring them out.

Jiang Changkong wanted to handle it alone, but it was simply impossible.

This matter still required the help of the three major forces. They could not only send a Stellar Body Peak expert but even someone Beyond Stellar Body.

Nantian Pang had no objections to this matter, and the Nantian family naturally wouldn’t either, as they also wanted to rescue people from the Sin Domain.

After gaining a detailed understanding, Nantian Pang left.

Liangqiu Xuanyi stayed behind with Jiang Changkong and whispered, “Don’t tell Nantian Pang and the others everything.”

“I understand. None of the major forces are truly safe. But aren’t you worried that Nantian Wang might reveal our cooperation?” Jiang Changkong asked.

“He’s not foolish. Besides, he doesn’t know about the second step.”

Liangqiu Xuanyi said calmly, “From now on, we can be considered life-and-death partners.”

“Hah, cooperation is one thing, but life-and-death partners? Let’s not go that far.”

Jiang Changkong chuckled lightly and stood up to leave.