Chapter 937: Based on Interests Cooperation

He Lingchuan said calmly, "You just need to know that I can do it."

This fellow had been locked in the abyss for years, so his knowledge wasn't bad. He Lingchuan thought to himself that this was something the Great Square Pot had expelled through the Divine Bone Necklace, likely highly purified and solidified Earth Fiend energy it had consumed, which then took on this form.

He had no idea how it worked. At the time, he hadn't dared to touch it directly; instead, he had manipulated it with spider silk. Even Madam Zhu Er's incredibly tough spider silk, which was harder to break than divine weapons, had been corroded by it.

Since spiritual energy is the clear energy of heaven and earth, capable of transforming into Emperor's Nectar or solidifying into profound crystals when absorbed by the earth, then there's no reason why Earth Fiend, as the turbid energy of heaven and earth, shouldn't also be able to solidify, right?

He took it for granted, but he didn't know that the conditions for solidifying fiend pearls were far more stringent than for profound crystals. Given Longhao's age and experience, he had only seen a few before, which was why he found it so astonishing.

Once solidified into fiend pearls, the fiend energy became very stable and no longer volatile, just like profound crystals. He Lingchuan collected them, and they posed no harm to him. However, he still didn't dare to touch them directly, only storing them in sand—

After multiple trials, he found that sand was the most effective material for separating fiend pearls.

Observing the Serpent King's reaction, it seemed to value this substance highly.

Its high regard was a good sign; it meant leverage for negotiation.

Forcing a bull to drink won't work; mutual benefit is the foundation of long-term cooperation.

Under his gaze, the Serpent King tossed the fiend pearl into its mouth and swallowed it without seemingly chewing, then smacked its lips to savor the taste.

He Lingchuan secretly gave a thumbs-up. To dare swallow a fiend pearl raw, this fellow's digestive system was incredibly formidable.

In comparison, swallowing a little sand along with it was nothing.

"Very pure," its voice was filled with satisfaction, as if it had just enjoyed a grand feast. "Did you refine this from the fiend energy of Yangshan Archipelago?"

"Indeed, it's very beneficial for your cultivation, isn't it?" He Lingchuan smiled. "Before, you only occupied one fiend energy vent, and seven or eight out of ten parts of the fiend energy emanating from the ley lines went to waste. I can condense all of it into fiend pearls and deliver them to your 'dinner table.' All things considered, you'll be getting the better deal, won't you?"

"I want all these fiend pearls; you have no other use for them anyway!" Longhao became very direct upon hearing that more fiend pearls were available. "What other conditions do you have?"

These treasures could accelerate its cultivation and even greatly benefit its offspring.

He Lingchuan smiled. "Your offspring can leave the fiend energy area for a short period, right?"

Longhao hesitated. "Only the strongest ones."

The fact that a large number of its offspring had died on the very first day the fiend energy was absorbed could not be hidden from the other party.

"Good. If I have a need, you must deploy your Serpent army and follow my command!"

Longhao considered this. "My offspring cannot go too far from water, nor can they stay away from fiend energy for too long!"

He Lingchuan pointed to the fiend pearls in the box. "With these treasures, will they still be unable to leave the Yangshan Archipelago?"

Profound crystals were spiritual energy for cultivators, so fiend pearls were fiend energy for the Serpents. This old Serpent should have plenty of methods to transform them into sustainment artifacts for its army to fight off-island.

"..." This young man was as sly as a ghost and not easily fooled. "They can leave briefly, until the fiend pearls are depleted."

To be honest, with these fiend pearls, the Serpents' range of activity suddenly expanded significantly, no longer limited to the depths of the Yangshan Archipelago.

This change would not only affect the Serpent clan but also potentially influence the Golden Waterway, Blade Port, and even the State of Qing.

"I will not send your offspring to their pointless deaths," He Lingchuan said earnestly. "Otherwise, there would be no need to seek you out today."

He continued, "Since your Serpent clan resides on my territory, you are essentially my subjects. When the lord defends against enemies, you must also contribute."

Longhao merely wanted to sneer at this claim. But it ultimately swallowed its pride and focused on the negotiation: "We cannot fight your battles every day."

"Then a dedicated force must be assigned to me, ready to be dispatched at my command at any time," He Lingchuan had already planned this on his way. "The other Serpents can live in peace and prosperity. I will not cut off the fiend energy in the southwest of Dragonspine Island; it would be best if you could create a barrier yourself to prevent the fiend energy from escaping. As for the waters around Dragonspine Island, I won't impose restrictions, but you must still restrain your offspring from harming people."

The Serpents had a diverse diet and did not primarily feed on humans.

Longhao pondered for a moment. "The non-aggression clause can be agreed upon, as long as humans do not actively hunt my offspring."

"Excellent." The Serpent King's attitude softened, greatly increasing the likelihood of reaching an agreement. "Furthermore, if external enemies attack the Yangshan Archipelago, you must assist me with all your might to repel them!"

If He Lingchuan lost, the supply of fiend pearls would cease. The Serpent King didn't deliberate for long before nodding. "If you release the fiend energy, the enemies will retreat on their own. However, alright, I agree."

He Lingchuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. With the protection of these indigenous inhabitants, the Yangshan Archipelago's defensive capabilities would increase by at least two levels.

"As for residential territory..." Longhao added, "Besides the southwest area of Dragonspine, I also want to add Drum Island and Dragonflood Island for the use of my Serpent clan. The terrain of these two islands is very suitable for my clan's reproduction."

Recently, He Lingchuan had ordered the Rongshan people to meticulously survey the archipelago's map. At this mention of their locations, he roughly recalled the terrain of the two islands.

These two islands were rugged and rocky, with hardly three feet of flat ground. Their shores had many rock pits, and underwater, there were numerous hidden reefs. They were unsuitable for human habitation and certainly had no agricultural value.

So, he readily agreed.

Next, both parties thoroughly negotiated the boundaries of the Serpent dwelling area at the southwest end of Dragonspine Island, leaving additional clauses to be appended to the agreement.

Finally, He Lingchuan took out the Heavenly Accord Scroll.

The previous agreement on the Heavenly Accord Scroll could be nullified on the spot, provided both parties were willing to erase their signatures.

Min Tianxi had already crossed out his signature. As the Serpent King peeled off one of its scales, the writing on the Heavenly Accord Scroll gradually faded, transforming back into a gleaming blank golden parchment.

He Lingchuan then meticulously recorded the new agreement, clause by clause, word by word, on this golden scroll.

Both parties confirmed the terms were correct, then signed and affixed their marks, and the new agreement immediately took effect.

Only at this point did He Lingchuan let out a long breath and earnestly told the Serpent King, "It's been a pleasure doing business with you!"

Longhao grunted, still deeply displeased.

No one whose territory was encroached upon and was forced to sign an unequal treaty would be in a good mood.

However, with this agreement in place, at least the fiend energy vital for the Serpents' survival would no longer be taken away. Moreover, the fiend energy He Lingchuan collected would eventually solidify into fiend pearls and be returned to it.

From this perspective alone, it not only didn't suffer a loss but also gained from its misfortune, receiving several times more fiend energy than usual.

He Lingchuan's usual approach was a carrot and stick method.

First, he severely pressured the Serpent clan, stripping them of their arrogance and contempt until they were forced to submit, and only then did he negotiate terms.

Regardless of the process, he always ensured that the Serpent King received ample benefits in the end.

An agreement's long-term effectiveness doesn't rely on coercion or inducement but on mutual benefit.

Cooperation is only sustainable when both parties benefit.

After putting away the golden scroll, He Lingchuan finally thought to ask, "What's with the bone chains behind you?"

"I failed my challenge against my elder brother, and according to the rules of the Yin Dragon family, I left the Upside-Down Sea and found a new place to cultivate. These bone chains—" Longhao shifted, the heavy chains dragging on the ground with dull thuds—"belong to an elder in my clan. When I can break free from them, that's when my cultivation will be complete."

"No wonder these bone chains aren't corroded by fiend energy." This fellow made it sound good, but he was actually imprisoned, wasn't he? He Lingchuan consoled it, "You could say it's a blessing in disguise."

"A blessing in disguise?" Longhao scoffed with a low, cold laugh. "Trapped in a sunless abyss, year after year with no escape—how is that a blessing in disguise?"

"At least you're still alive. Besides, aren't you Serpents typically unable to be exposed to daylight anyway?"

"When I cultivate into a Flood Dragon, I will no longer avoid sunlight."

"What about your other kin?"

"I don't know. I haven't seen them in two millennia."

He Lingchuan then said, "Give me a token to stay in contact. You wouldn't want me constantly coming to the sinkhole to find you, would you?"

His arrival would mean absorbing more fiend energy.

Longhao pulled a scale from its body and tossed it to him. "Take it. Within five hundred *li* of Dragonspine Island, you only need to rub the scale three times to speak with me."

The scale, originally the size of a ping-pong paddle, shrank to the size of a copper coin once it landed in He Lingchuan's hand.

It was a dark, rough piece, with protruding fine lines in concentric circles.

"Within three days, please recall all Serpents to Dragonspine Island," He Lingchuan said with a serious expression. "After three days, I will clear all fiend energy from the archipelago and erect barriers along the borders of Dragonspine Island."

Longhao gave him a deep look, then turned and swam down the stone platform, disappearing into the darkness in an instant.

"It's done." He Lingchuan turned and smiled at Madam Zhu, waving the golden scroll in his hand. "Let's go back."

He and Madam Zhu climbed out of the sinkhole. A Serpent was still waiting at the entrance, ready to guide them back.

Halfway back, Madam Zhu suddenly asked him:

"Why did you leave the Serpents a way out? Do you truly believe heaven has a virtue for preserving life?"

If He Lingchuan continued to absorb all the turbid fiend energy from the Yangshan Archipelago on schedule, the Serpent clan would soon be doomed, perhaps with only Longhao remaining.

Why did he take the risk of negotiating with the Serpent King, and why did he designate living areas for these monsters?

He Lingchuan shook his head. "Madam, we're new here, and our manpower is still thin."

He had already put away the scroll, so there was no concern that the guiding Serpent would understand their conversation.

"Hmm? What do you mean?" Madam Zhu didn't quite understand. "If my sister were here, would she understand immediately? The Serpents' help to you is very limited; they can't travel far on land, so they can't capture cities or territories for you."

"I know," He Lingchuan said slowly. "But their very existence is a deterrent. The Serpents have caused trouble here for years, and the officials, common people, and pirates of Bailie and Blade Port have long held them in great fear. This psychological impact cannot be eliminated quickly."