"Forge...an alliance?"

Taoist Puyang's eyes were vacant, "Did I hear that right? What does the Lanjiang Water Mansion mean by this?"

Helian Boxiong and Elder Huayan exchanged glances, both with heavy brows, full of worries.

The common people only know that these forbidden lands are dangerous and that demons and ghosts lurk, but how could they not understand the severity within.

It's like a vicious wolf proposing an oath of brotherhood to a lamb, an elephant bowing down, extending its hand to an ant.

Gu Ziqing's eyes narrowed slightly, deep in thought, "It must have something to do with Taoist Friend Zhang."

The crowd suddenly understood, and Elder Huayan hurriedly entered the inner hall, soon emerging shocked, taking a deep breath as he spoke:

"The Sea Demon Race invaded, and young friend Zhang Kui slew their Mahayana Realm patriarch at sea, annihilating their entire clan!"

"What?!"

Everyone was astounded. They were preoccupied with Kaiyuan Sect matters and had not expected Zhang Kui to quietly pull off such a feat.

Helian Boxiong suppressed his shock, took a deep breath, his expression solemn, "The Lanjiang Water Mansion is different from others; seven Mahayana Realm figures have arrived here, there must be other reasons, quickly inquire with True Man Zhang..."

While people below discussed, there was also a conversation above the rolling black clouds.

"Hiss hiss, these humans are really troublesome."

"Taoist Brother Yuan Huang, although it's the Great King's order, for all of us to come... mere ant-like humans, it's giving them too much face..."

"Indeed, hurriedly waking us, speaking of Divine Beings descending, and it's a mere Divine Travel Realm, utterly absurd."

"I returned from the Underworld this time with serious injuries and need recuperation..."

"Gentlemen!"

Yuan Huang gave a sinister smile, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth, "To be honest, this was originally my opportunity, and I didn't intend to share it with you, but the Great King has a far-reaching vision, with his own calculations."

"You gentlemen are just here to put on a show, it will be over soon. I, Yuan Huang, am putting my words here today: if anyone hinders my opportunity, even if the Great King does not pursue it, I will fight him to the death!"

At first, there was a moment of silence among the others, then someone laughed it off.

"Taoist Brother Yuan, what are you talking about? We will surely advance and retreat together."

"There is reason in those words."

"Thank you all then..."

Yuan Huang also relaxed his expression, though his heart was filled with cold laughter.

With his exceptional talent and ruthless means, although he entered the Mahayana Realm the latest, he was the most formidable among the Water Mansion commanders. More importantly, he hadn't been tainted by these people's deathly aura.

Looking at the Heavenly Dao, prosperity inevitably leads to decline. The human race is in turmoil time and again, aren't these forbidden lands the same?

Within the Water Mansion, he only admired the Great King. Unfortunately, the Great King was trapped between life and death, unable to escape, so he became disheartened and formed the Immortal Path Alliance with the purpose of cutting off all means of retreat and forging a new path ahead.

With everyone having their own thoughts, Zhang Kui was also informed of the situation.

Zhu Sheng was stunned, shaking his head in exclamation, "This matter is truly some unheard-of event, is it good or bad?"

"Of course it's a good thing!"

Zhang Kui laughed freely, "The reasons and results will become clear in time, the Lanjiang Water Mansion made a brilliant move, Old Zhang cannot refuse and is happy to accept it."

Zhu Sheng frowned, "I don't understand these matters, but I can guess the forbidden land will not genuinely help the human race."

"Of course..."

Zhang Kui felt a sense of cheer, stood up, and tossed the wine bottle out, laughing: "The greatest significance of this event is that humans will no longer be treated like ants."

"Once it begins, if there is one, there will be a second, and the situation will be completely opened from henceforth!"

Zhu Sheng was also a wise person, immediately understanding, his expression becoming solemn, "Taoist Brother Zhang, this matter is very important, I will stand guard here, you must return immediately."

Zhang Kui did not hesitate, laughed heartily, "Very well, later we will plan a drunken revelry together, fat fool, go!"

Fatty Tiger immediately leapt over, Zhang Kui sat on his back and with a wave of his large sleeve, auspicious clouds rose swiftly, carrying the two higher and higher.

Zhu Sheng saw this for the first time, eyes wide with shock, then burst into laughter, "No wonder, no wonder...hahaha..."

...…

Soaring through clouds, riding the wind, its speed was no less than a Flying Sword, even more uninhibited and free.

Fatty Tiger looked curiously at the ground below, mountains and rivers receding rapidly, unable to help but exclaim, "Taoist, I've never been this high before, these clouds are so soft, won't they drop us?"

"Just don't move around!"

Zhang Kui reprimanded once, then calmed his mind, communicating through the Divine Court Bell from there.

Upon receiving Zhang Kui's confirmation, several National Guardian True Men were overjoyed. How could they not comprehend the significance of this matter, and immediately instructed the arrangements for the hall.

As everyone exchanged glances, Helian Boxiong nodded, stepped forward, and cupped his hands toward the sky, "Esteemed guests, please enter the hall to rest, True Man Zhang will arrive in two hours."

Above the dark clouds, Yuan Huang laughed heartily, "So be it, fellow Taoists, let us descend."

In an instant, fierce winds arose, black mist swirled, and seven figures appeared on Helian Castle plaza.

Yuan Huang need not be mentioned, dressed as a scholar in a black robe, with dark hair glistening black, but with sharp teeth and red eyes, clearly a demon.

Beside him stood a red-skinned Yaksha clad in scale armor, a fierce ghost in white robes enveloped in ghostly mist, a towering and robust giant frog, and a fish-headed human-bodied Black Mandarin Fish...

These Mahayana Realm evil spirits, any one of them was a nightmare for the human race; even with their auras restrained, their terrifying presence left those around trembling in fear.

As the most powerful, Helian Boxiong naturally assumed the role of host, clasped his fists, and said in a deep voice, "Everyone, please!"

The evil spirits from Lanjiang Water Mansion were generally tall, and there was even a giant serpent with cultivated bloodline. Even when it shrunk its body, it was still ten meters tall. Fortunately, the hall of Helian Castle was expanded and remodeled for the purpose of enshrining a divine statue, so it wasn't cramped.

An alliance with the Forbidden Land was a major event for the human race, and there had never been anything like it in the millennia-long history of dynasties, so it naturally required solemnity.

Just preparing the hospitality items already gave the National Guardians a headache. They couldn't very well bring out a few people and say this is premium human flesh, please enjoy it?

It would be better not to form an alliance then.

Fortunately, there were plenty of Mountain Spirit Fruits in the storehouse, and Elder Huayan also offered some medicinal wine.

Of course, it was all in vain, as none of the Mahayana beings paid any attention to these things. They sat quietly with eyes slightly closed, conserving their energy, with only Yuan Huang casually chatting with a few National Guardians.

Everyone knew that once Zhang Kui arrived, the matter could truly begin.

For Mahayana realm evil spirits, cultivation and hibernation were counted in years, so they had this bit of patience. Two hours passed in the blink of an eye.

Suddenly, Yuan Huang sensed something, looked south, and laughed, "Taoist Friend Zhang is here. Everyone, let's go greet him."

The other six Mahayana realm evil spirits turned black-faced, a bit displeased, but seeing the fierce light in Yuan Huang's eyes, they reluctantly left the hall, immediately taken aback and wide-mouthed.

In the sky, a white cloud approached, and on the cloud was a purple-robed Evil Taoist, riding a fierce tiger, with a serene demeanor.

"Auspicious... auspicious clouds..."

The Great Demon Toad's mouth stammered.

The Red-skinned Yaksha gasped in awe,

"This Taoist... has become an Immortal?"

This kind of thing had only been seen in ancient murals, it was a first in this world.

With the Immortal Path severed, Zhang Kui himself hadn't realized that this small auspicious cloud would bring such a shock to cultivators.

Although Yuan Huang had heard of it, his eyes still showed a moment of surprise, then he snorted coldly and said:

"Now you know what Innate Divine Being is, right? If you can cultivate an auspicious cloud in three years, the Immortal Path will naturally be within reach, and the Great King would have to give due respect. Taoist Friend Zhang descends to this world, and perhaps he will be the one to continue this Immortal Path!"

"Three years?!"

The other demons looked at each other, then took a deep breath, eyes shining, and bowed to Taoist Brother Yuan, "Thank you, Taoist Brother Yuan, for your guidance."

Though they spoke without sound, the other National Guardians instantly speculated.

Wild joy, anxiety, excitement... their thoughts ran wild.

As they spoke, Zhang Kui had gently landed, swept his wide sleeve, and strode over, smiling and cupping his hands, "Taoist Friend Yuan, fellow Taoists, I apologize for my tardiness."

Before Yuan Huang could speak, the Great Demon Toad laughed heartily, "True Man Zhang has myriad affairs to attend, what's a bit more waiting for us."

Yuan Huang's face instantly darkened, "Damn, this filthy toad, truly shameless!"

Just as he was about to speak, the Red-skinned Yaksha coldly harrumphed with a black face, "What is this talk? True Man Zhang came from afar, already giving us vast respect, a few more days would be no problem."

Yuan Huang's face instantly turned red with anger, suddenly regretting having agreed to the Great King bringing these people along.

The other National Guardians stood dumbfounded, feeling that everything before them seemed somewhat unreal.

Zhang Kui paused, instantly comprehending many things, and with a carefree smile said, "You all overvalue my words; let's go inside and talk."

Everyone entered the hall, and several evil spirits engaged in lively banter with Zhang Kui, clearly aiming to establish rapport.

While smiling and responding, Zhang Kui's heart fully understood: these evil spirits probably saw hope in him.

But mere talk isn't worth much to him. Having seen the world in both his past and current life, he had long known that observing a person isn't about what they say, but what they do.

If he couldn't show them a way in the future, they'd probably avoid him instantly.

But since things had come to this point, and he was mistakenly considered an Innate Divine Being, concerning the future of the human race, he decided not to deny it, letting them guess freely.

With this in mind, Zhang Kui became even more carefree in his mannerisms and secretly transmitted to Yuan Huang, informing him to postpone the meeting for a day.

Yuan Huang, initially displeased, instantly smiled, glanced at the others, and sipped his tea calmly.

Indeed a bunch of fools, difficult to achieve greatness.

During the casual talks, the first treaty between the human race and the Forbidden Land was formally signed. Both sides agreed to a non-aggression pact, humans retained their Divine Strange Pearl temples, and the Water Mansion would declare externally that both parties would send troops to assist when faced with life and death crises.

The treaty was simple, without any binding clauses, but its symbolic significance was the greatest benefit.

After signing the treaty, Yuan Huang immediately led the Mahayana realm evil spirits to bid farewell, while Zhang Kui agreed to visit Lanjiang Water Mansion at a later date.

As they watched the seven silhouettes vanish into the rolling dark clouds, everyone in the hall, looking at the Iron Certificate of the treaty, felt like they were in a dream.

"This matter... good!"

Helian Boxiong, touching the treaty, felt his hands tremble with excitement, not knowing what to say.

Elder Huayan laughed heartily, gulping down wine, "Tomorrow, we will announce this to the world; many will not believe it."

Taoist Puyang laughed, then frowned, "Not appropriate, should this be kept secret?"

"Keep what?"

Zhang Kui smiled indifferently, "Great Zhou, Great Yu, Great Qian, all strongly hide the truth from the world under the guise of stabilizing minds, but isn't it just stagnation and self-conceit."

"The people are muddled, only knowing of evil spirits causing chaos, but unaware of the vast realms and the Ten Thousand Races vying for dominance, with the human race in a precarious position."

"Only by jumping out of the dried well will one see the vastness of the world. New dynasty, new aspirations; let's begin by opening our eyes..."

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