Death... and me

Those who were in doubt whether to fight or not had their doubts intensified. As for the ones who wished to fight, doubt began to sprout in their minds as well.

Gal then looked at Erbec before asking.

"And can a simple Soul Forging Realm cultivator of a small country like Jialin really make such promises?"

Sure enough, that question came out. However, Erbec and Suan were waiting for that already.

"I can't. However, I can at least guarantee that we won't fall into a war against each other right from the get-go. Also, I can pretty much guarantee you one thing. The chances are that the Sasamil Empire will not opt for a war and will suppress any thoughts of revenge because of the cities."

Gal couldn't help but ask.

"Why do I feel like there's some problem behind all of this? The Sasamil Empire we knew about shouldn't be this passive."

Erbec nodded in response.

"You're right. The Sasamil Empire wouldn't take things easily in the past, but it has no other choice but to do so right now. Simply put, you guys chose the best time possible to come out."

Gal narrowed his eyes after hearing that. Seeing everyone's expressions, he knew that this place would not become a war place anymore. However, just as he was about to order everyone to go back to the valley, a voice echoed in everyone's minds.

"There's no need for you all to listen to the human's bullshit! Whatever the reason might be that got us down there, the humans can't be forgiven! Since they came to our doorsteps, let me send them to the next world!"

All of a sudden, an enormous Spiritual Pressure came out and assaulted the Jialin and Guntao forces. The Nascent Soul Realm cultivators could barely keep afloat while Erbec and Suan's expression showed a hint of fear.

"Saint Realm!"

Gal looked behind and immediately saw the figure approaching them.

"Elder Xila!"

He thought that it was weird. Xila was not supposed to come out of the valley, so why did he come out? However, he was happy about that. If Xila got rid of the humans, they would have the fight that he wanted.

Erbec and Suan immediately turned around before saying.

"All of you, run!"

However, Xila snorted after hearing that.

"Do you think you can run? Dream on!"

Xila increased his Spiritual Pressure, making it hard for any of the Nascent Soul Realm cultivators to move. Even Erbec and Suan were having some difficulties.

Erbec and Suan tried to use their own Spiritual Energy to alleviate the pressure on the others while they retreated. However, the opponent was a Saint Realm expert. There was little they could do about it.

Xila arrived at their position in a flash. Behind him, the ones who also wished for war followed, ready to help him strike the humans down. Except for Xila, who wasn't supposed to be here, everyone else wasn't doing anything wrong. After all, the rules were that the Nascent Soul Realm cultivators and above couldn't attack Core and Soul Fusion Realm and below. The opponents were all in the Nascent Soul Realm at least, so they could strike without fear.

Rean's group looked at that but didn't move. They were at most in the Core and Soul Fusion Realm. There was simply nothing they could do at their current level to help the Jialin and Guntao Country.

However, just as Xila was about to kill the first person, a shadow came from behind the cultivators of Jialin and Guntao. It rushed forward with tremendous might as it clashed against Xila had-on!

*Boom!*

All the Nascent Soul Realm cultivators from both sides were then sent flying by the attack's shockwave. Xila then looked at the newcomer as his expression turned dark. However, the other side didn't seem to care about it.

"Xila, I knew you wouldn't be able to hold yourself back. Sure enough, you ignored my orders and came out of the valley to attack these guys."

Xila snorted at those words as he replied.

"I only follow the ancestor's orders, not yours. The ancestor had never said that the Saint Realm experts couldn't come out of the valley. Am I wrong, Jana?"

Sure enough, it was Jana who just stopped him and the others.

"You aren't wrong about that. However, why did you ignore everything they've said? You should know very well since you also visited the ancestor in the past. Negotiation is what he exactly wishes, if possible. Us attacking the other side first is basically us showing that we have the power to do so. Now that they came at us asking to have a negotiation, why must you ruin everything?"

Xila didn't care as he continued to answer amidst his rage.

"Hmph! And what can two puny Soul Forging Realm cultivators do about it? Can they really negotiate under the Sasamil Empire's name? It might as well be nothing more than a trap. That said, let's just kill them all and wait for the ones who really have some decisive power after the ancestor gets free."

Jana could see behind Xila's intentions. It had nothing to do with the prevention of falling for traps. He just wanted to kill the humans until he couldn't anymore. If they simply negotiated and no battle came out of it, his own hatred wouldn't be quelled. Well, it's not like Jana couldn't understand him. After all, she was also refraining from killing the humans because of the ancestor's order. That's all.

"Enough! Whether they can do it or not, we will know once the ancestor is out. From now on, I'll be the one negotiating with them. If you have any complaints, go back to the valley and talk to the ancestor. I'm pretty sure he will back up my decision."

Xila was fuming, but he knew that Jana was right.

"Are you telling me to simply ignore everything, then?"

Jana shook her head.

"I'm telling you to think about the Lakure Race's survivor. Sure, we are strong! Sure, the ancestor definitely has the power to shake the world on his own. However, we are far, far below the human in numbers. If we really push it, we will be exterminated instead. Is that what you want? Make our race go extinct just so you can have your revenge?"

Jana then sighed before saying.

"Xila, we have known each other for so long already. Do you really think I'm happy with this negotiation thing? Do you really think I hate the humans less than you do? I'm only doing it for our race, that's all. If I can, I'm sure you can as well."

Xila looked deeply at Jana as the area went silent for a few moments. No one said anything as they waited for Xila's decision.

"Fuck! If not for that dammed brat talking too much those years ago, it wouldn't have turned out like this. Also, I really hate this side of yours."

Jana smiled, not minding it at all.

"It's because I'm a lot more cool-headed than you that I got to attend the ancestor up to this point."

Xila didn't try to deny that.

"True. However, don't think that I've already given up. If I see as much as a small problem with whatever happens in this negotiation, I won't hold back anymore."

Jana nodded, satisfied.

"Very well."

She then looked at Erbec and Suan's groups before saying with a cold expression.

"Now, then. Let's continue from where we stopped before. I'll be taking the role of initial negotiator here. Of course, this will have to be backed by your own powers' leaders like the Sasamil Family's experts. At that time, our ancestor will be the one to talk as well."

Erbec and Suan looked at each other and sighed in relief. They had truly avoided a calamity.

"We have no problem with that, Senior Jana. We are also just acting as initial negotiators. Since we don't have a way to get out of the natural formation, that's the most we can do."

Jana nodded.

"I'll tell you what the initial plan of our race was at first. It should go as no surprise to you that the natural formation won't operate forever. Once it's gone, we would spread out and attack the surrounding countries to display our power. Only then would the Sasamil Family pay attention to us."

"Our ancestor is more than strong enough to give a lot of trouble for your Sasamil Empire. Even Yulian, your actual emperor, would have to be respectful in front of him. After showing his presence by conquering all the surrounding countries, the Sasamil Family would have no other choice but to negotiate. At the same time, our Lakure Race members would have the chance to have the revenge they wanted so much."

"However, you said something that has piqued my interest. What do you mean by us choosing a very good moment to come out? It seems like it will be a lot easier to start a negotiation because of that."

Erbec and Suan nodded in response. They already agreed to talk about this anyway.

"Be aware that this is all unofficial. Many of the Sasamil Empire and the Chrole Empire's countries have no idea about it yet. In any case, it goes like this..."

They went through everything as thoroughly as possible before using Spiritual Sense messages to explain the situation to the high-level cultivators of the Lakure Race, including Xila.

Jana was taken aback by what she heard.

"So the Sasamil Empire already has to be ready for another war, so they can't use their resources on us."

Of course, that didn't mean Jana believed what Erbec and Suan said. It was then that she had an idea.

"I'm not sure if you are telling the truth, so I have a condition if you want to keep this status quo until this negotiation happens with the others outside."

Immediately, Xila's eyebrow raised in response. He understood what Jana wanted.

Erbec and Suan nodded before asking.

"What condition?"

Jana smiled as she said.

"Give me the white and black-haired twins."