Chapter 2276: Cooperation

The mysterious Azure Luan was somewhat surprised by Qin Sang's sudden question. "You... why do you say that?"

"I just feel that you shouldn't be completely unaware, Senior," Qin Sang replied calmly.

Since he had decided to lay his cards on the table, there was no need to conceal anything further.

All signs indicated that the realm was an existence between reality and illusion, not an independent space completely isolated from the illusion. The mysterious Azure Luan even had the ability to send people into it.

The first time he entered that realm, Qin Sang had been wary of the mysterious Azure Luan, always cautious not to let his aura leak, lest he attract the demonic shadows and expose his identity.

As Qin Sang's cultivation progressed day by day, his communication with the mysterious Azure Luan became smoother, indicating a deepening connection. The mysterious Azure Luan's perception of him must also have deepened.

Perhaps the mysterious Azure Luan was restricted in that realm, but it was absolutely impossible for it to perceive nothing at all.

Furthermore, there were several unusual signs.

For example, Qin Sang used the excuse of resolving his inner demons to ask the mysterious Azure Luan to help him find the stone pavilion repeatedly, yet the other party never questioned him even once.

For another, the supreme treasure was repeatedly shattered. Initially, the mysterious Azure Luan would ask about it, but later, whatever Qin Sang said was taken as truth, and it didn't care about the details, as if it completely trusted Qin Sang.

And another example: the mysterious Azure Luan's perception was cut off. It should have tried every possible method to solve this problem.

The mysterious Azure Luan had personally stated that the supreme treasure must not be lost and absolutely could not be seized by outer-realm devils. Yet, for such an important treasure, it completely let go, allowing Qin Sang, a junior of its own race whom it had never met, to contend for it, and repeatedly return empty-handed.

From the mysterious Azure Luan's perspective, each time Qin Sang failed, it would have to wait in vain for decades, enduring decades of torment.

Qin Sang only trusted himself, and he believed the mysterious Azure Luan was the same; otherwise, it wouldn't have cultivated to such a realm. Logically, it should have tried every means to intervene, break through the barrier, and at least grasp the situation on the battlefield.

Yet, the mysterious Azure Luan did nothing.

This couldn't be explained by 'master-disciple affection.' They hadn't even met, so their 'master-disciple affection' couldn't be that deep.

If their roles were reversed, Qin Sang would never be at ease, unless he knew how the situation would unfold and had a clear understanding.

If one assumed the mysterious Azure Luan knew that Qin Sang was the true mastermind behind repeatedly shattering the supreme treasure, and had guessed Qin Sang's reasons for doing so, then it would be logical. Because unless Qin Sang achieved his goal, he wouldn't fear the treasure falling into others' hands at all.

"Heh heh..."

The mysterious Azure Luan chuckled, seemingly mocking Qin Sang for being too suspicious, and also carrying a hint of anger. "I had... no need... to deceive you. Haven't I... been good... enough to you? You... actually suspect me?"

"Without your guidance, Senior, this junior would not be where I am today. I am deeply grateful. But, Senior, have you truly never deceived me?"

A slight curve appeared on Qin Sang's lips, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

He indeed had no concrete evidence; the previous reasons only aroused his suspicion and wariness, but couldn't lead to a definitive conclusion.

What truly made Qin Sang vigilant was the mysterious Azure Luan's attitude towards Qin Sang's attempt to seize the Azure Luan clan's sacred artifact, as well as those Bone Luan!

According to common sense, Qin Sang's inner demons had long been unresolved, and acquiring the Azure Luan clan's sacred artifact was his only way to improve his cultivation. As an ancestor of the Azure Luan clan, holding a high position and power, was the mysterious Azure Luan truly helpless?

In fact, the mysterious Azure Luan had always shown little interest in this, declaring it impossible without even trying. It wasn't until later, when the Bone Luan was refined, requiring Qin Sang to refine it with his essence blood, that it used the Azure Luan clan's sacred artifact to tempt him.

"You... you think too much!"

The mysterious Azure Luan sighed lightly, advising, "It seems... that repeatedly entering... that realm... has greatly affected you. You've endured... too much pressure; you should... rest a bit."

"I dare not relax, Senior! Since your divine ability can transfer divine powers, can it not transfer other things? Even if it couldn't before, centuries have passed; have you made no improvements at all?"

Qin Sang's tone was deep, his words startling. "I have always been afraid, afraid that the next time what is transferred won't be a divine power, but your will, Senior! Or even that you will directly descend upon me!"

These words dropped like a bombshell.

The mysterious Azure Luan fell silent.

As Qin Sang transmitted his message, he released all his Bone Luan, his face full of wariness, his mind taut.

His right hand was hidden in his sleeve, holding a small mountain: it was the Immortal Mountain of Daiyu!

That's right, Qin Sang had already recalled the Immortal Mountain!

The reason Qin Sang initially dared not recall the Immortal Mountain was his fear that the commotion would be too great, causing unforeseen changes.

However, the earth-shattering collision of divine abilities between two Soul Fusing stage mighty experts was enough to conceal all unusual phenomena.

Just as the divine abilities collided, Qin Sang attempted to recall the Immortal Mountain while fleeing. Of course, his primary goal was still to escape; he wouldn't force it if it became impossible.

The process of recalling the Immortal Mountain was far smoother than imagined. Qin Sang had refined the stone tablet on the mountain and received guidance from True Man Ning, already qualifying him as the master of the Immortal Mountain.

At that moment, under the cover of the divine ability's anomalies, a void appeared, and the Immortal Mountain emerged from within it.

However, the Immortal Mountain was, after all, a towering peak. If it fully manifested, it would cause considerable disturbance. But as soon as a thought flashed through Qin Sang's mind, the Immortal Mountain immediately reined in its aura, its body rapidly shrinking into a miniature mountain.

In the past, Qin Sang would never have controlled the Immortal Mountain of Daiyu with such ease, proving that the Immortal Mountain of Daiyu had undergone earth-shattering changes after devouring the essence of the Immortal Mountain.

Seeing this, Qin Sang no longer hesitated and quietly stored the Immortal Mountain in his sleeve!

After returning to the illusion, Qin Sang again lost his real-world cultivation and treasures, but to his pleasant surprise, the Immortal Mountain of Daiyu remained in his sleeve and had not disappeared.

The Immortal Mountain of Daiyu was indeed very special, capable of traversing between reality and illusion!

With the Immortal Mountain by his side, Qin Sang had ample confidence to confront the mysterious Azure Luan.

After refining the Bone Luan, Qin Sang had already begun to suspect the mysterious Azure Luan's intentions.

Reviewing the Bone Luan's refinement process, although Qin Sang had personally undertaken it from beginning to end, the most crucial step had been the mysterious Azure Luan's doing.

Was the true master of the Bone Luan Qin Sang, or the mysterious Azure Luan? Or rather, did it seemingly obey Qin Sang's commands, yet the mysterious Azure Luan could reclaim control at any time?

The mysterious Azure Luan's urging for Qin Sang to anoint the Bone Luan with his essence blood further fueled Qin Sang's suspicions.

The importance of essence blood to cultivators was self-evident.

What if the Bone Luan was the vessel chosen by the mysterious Azure Luan to escape its predicament? Once the Bone Luan absorbed enough of Qin Sang's essence blood, if the mysterious Azure Luan were to descend, it might be able to control Qin Sang through that essence blood.

A Soul Fusing stage mighty expert possessed vast divine powers; Qin Sang would not dare underestimate them. He suspected that once enough essence blood was controlled, even if the mysterious Azure Luan only sent out a wisp of its primordial spirit, it could still turn him into a puppet!

This was not impossible. As mentioned before, such powerful beings only trusted themselves. The mysterious Azure Luan outwardly relied on Qin Sang to seize the supreme treasure, but in reality, it was misleading Qin Sang, secretly manipulating him to help it escape its predicament.

Last time, although Qin Sang had suspicions, he dared not openly confront the mysterious Azure Luan and could only feign ignorance. In truth, his consumption hadn't been that great; he was merely trying to buy time. But this was not a long-term solution. Qin Sang had been waiting for the right moment, and now that moment had arrived.

The mysterious Azure Luan clearly hadn't expected Qin Sang to dare to proactively expose the truth. It remained silent for a long time before saying, "You are also... a minion of those outer-realm devils, aren't you?"

"When did you start suspecting me, Senior?" Qin Sang did not deny it.

Hearing Qin Sang's personal admission, the mysterious Azure Luan let out a long, faint sigh. "Why... not just have an unspoken understanding? It's clear... that you and those devils... are not cut from the same cloth."

"Your insight is indeed sharp, Senior!"

Qin Sang glanced at the Bone Luan, seeing no unusual movements from the six statues, and felt a slight ease. He respectfully said, "I came here merely to find someone who, for some reason, ended up stranded here. To get in, I had to obey the commands of those mighty experts and help them seize the supreme treasure, as I had no choice."

The mysterious Azure Luan suddenly realized, "That stone pavilion is related to her?"

"Precisely!" Qin Sang admitted frankly.

"Why you?" the mysterious Azure Luan asked again.

Qin Sang knew what the mysterious Azure Luan wanted to ask and pondered, "I am also very puzzled. Perhaps it's because I have some connection with the Azure Luan clan; in the realm I come from, there are also members of your clan, Senior."

He spoke vaguely, for even Qin Sang himself couldn't clearly explain the exact nature of the connection.

The mysterious Azure Luan didn't press further, letting out a chuckle. "Deceiving both sides... maneuvering between... me and those outer-realm devils... and actually succeeding... to this extent... you certainly have considerable courage! What a pity, though, that you are not... my descendant."

Qin Sang replied "I wouldn't dare," and then said from the heart, "I am truly trembling with fear!"

For a mere Void Refinement stage mid-phase cultivator to deceive a mighty expert of the Azure Luan clan and outwardly obey while secretly defying mighty experts of the alien race—calling it 'seeking a tiger's hide' would be an understatement.

"In that case, you proactively revealed everything... just... what is your intention?" The mysterious Azure Luan was now unable to fathom Qin Sang's intentions.

Qin Sang's reasons for doing this were multifaceted.

Firstly, Qin Sang didn't want his essence blood to fall into the other party's hands; a confrontation was inevitable sooner or later.

Secondly, it was undeniable that Qin Sang had coveted the Azure Luan clan's sacred artifact for a long time.

If he continued to deceive, the mysterious Azure Luan would still use various excuses to evade and force Qin Sang to refine the Bone Luan with his essence blood. It would be better to have an open and honest discussion; the chances were greater.

Thirdly, Qin Sang was currently facing immense pressure.

The alien race already knew he was the mastermind behind shattering the supreme treasure.

Qin Sang speculated that Hong Tian would next prevent other mighty experts of the alien race from interfering with the illusion, buying him time.

However, this was ultimately just speculation. What if Hong Tian didn't trust him and didn't do so, or if Hong Tian was willing but unable, suppressed by other mighty experts working together? Should such a situation arise, the next time he entered that realm, Qin Sang would have to directly confront the alien race's mighty experts.

The Azure Dragon was already lost, leaving only the Immortal Mountain of Daiyu as a reliance, but it wasn't foolproof. Only by leveraging the power of other mighty experts could he truly contend against them!

The mysterious Azure Luan was the external aid Qin Sang intended to bring in.

As the mysterious Azure Luan said, having an unspoken understanding between them was also an option, but there would always come a time when the charade could no longer be maintained. At that point, Qin Sang would be caught in the crack between mighty experts, utterly lacking the strength to maneuver, and the more likely outcome would be to be killed with a single palm strike.

Therefore, he needed to have a good talk with the mysterious Azure Luan: "Cooperation!"

"You want... to cooperate with me?"

Upon learning Qin Sang's intention, the mysterious Azure Luan did not mock him for overestimating himself. After careful consideration, it asked a question.

"What can... you do for me?"

"Have you not noticed a problem, Senior?" Qin Sang retorted. "You previously said that the demonic shadows were manifestations of heavenly secrets, and that the will of this realm was also helping you expel external devils. But what have the demonic shadows, on which you placed so much hope, done? Some were slain by me, benefiting me instead; of course, because of me, more people were possessed by demonic shadows. But where did those demonic shadows go after possessing me? Not only did they not appear to contend for the supreme treasure, not even a shadow of them could be seen. If not for my meddling, the supreme treasure would have been taken long ago!"

The mysterious Azure Luan was silent. This was an undeniable fact: the external devils had likely long anticipated the existence of the demonic shadows.

"Senior, you are trapped in a cage. Unless your true self breaks free, you can only cooperate with me! If you try to forcibly descend, I will certainly not sit idly by and wait for death! Please believe me, Senior, unless you can recover your peak strength after descending, I have the ability to make you pay a heavy price!"

Qin Sang's tone exuded strong confidence. "And by cooperating with me, I can help you seize the supreme treasure!"

"Oh?"

The mysterious Azure Luan was moved, and said without revealing emotion, "You... are their pawn. How can you help me?"

"Before I set out, they revealed to me that there was more than one supreme treasure. It is now evident that the so-called supreme treasures are likely the fruits borne by that mystical tree."

Qin Sang had long prepared his thoughts and spoke eloquently, "It's impossible for you, Senior, to monopolize all the fruits. It would be better to acknowledge reality and aim for just one! The stalemate in the battle so far indicates that they cannot kill you or the others, Senior. Once they acquire a supreme treasure, they should retreat. At that point, you will not only be able to escape your predicament but also obtain a supreme treasure. Furthermore, you must rely on my hands, because I am their pawn. Only by seeing me act will they not react fiercely, and those behind me will also intervene to restrain others. This way, there will be an opportunity to secretly reserve one for you! As for how to deceive them and deliver the supreme treasure into your hands when the time comes, that will require your ingenuity, Senior."

Then, Qin Sang's tone shifted. "Of course, I also have conditions. You, Senior, must help me find that person, and also help me obtain the sacred artifact of your clan. Only when my cultivation greatly advances can I bear stronger divine abilities."

"Hmph! All the benefits... are yours! What if you... in the end... go back on your word? Won't I have... done all this... for nothing?"

The mysterious Azure Luan snorted angrily, but without much confidence. This was because Qin Sang had hit the mark: the demonic shadows had not played their intended role, and Qin Sang was its only option.

The Bone Luan's master was still Qin Sang; it had only left a hidden trick. Before controlling enough of Qin Sang's essence blood, even if it were to forcibly descend, it wouldn't be able to contend with Qin Sang.

"I am willing to make an oath!" Qin Sang said solemnly.

Qin Sang wasn't afraid of the mysterious Azure Luan turning ruthless, because this was an illusion. The beings within the illusion should all be illusory. Even if the mysterious Azure Luan could break through the boundary between reality and illusion and enter the real world, there were still so many mighty experts of the alien race waiting outside. It would be even better if it could go out and stir up trouble.