"I admit, I underestimated the hero of Zhaozhou." The Saintess's tone shifted slightly as she spoke, her voice deep and measured. "I hadn't expected the reaction from Beilan Mountain to be so swift—experts pouring out, and the city is already guarded by a Nascent Soul Elder. What’s even more astonishing is that female at the twelfth layer of Foundation Establishment... Well, regardless, only the Prophet and I have made it this far. While the Prophet is undeniably powerful, I doubt he can defeat two Horned Clan Elders single-handedly. I ask the Demon Lord to reconsider this cooperation."

Lei Dong glanced at the Saintess, her presence shrouded in mystery. He couldn't discern her cultivation level. However, since there were only two of them—one being the formidable Prophet—the other must have entered the Divine Temple. By deduction, this woman should be at the Foundation Establishment stage. Yet, no matter how Lei Dong looked, he couldn't see through her; everything appeared hazy, almost as if she were significantly stronger than him.

"This woman isn't old, so her cultivation probably isn't much higher than yours, little brother," the White Bone Demon Lord transmitted telepathically. "However, since she is the Saintess of the Barbarian Tribe, she should possess considerable means. Still, big brother trusts your strength; you should be able to handle her."

"Does the Demon Lord mean he wishes to cooperate with them?" Lei Dong stood with his hands clasped behind his back, transmitting his thoughts calmly. Of course, given Lei Dong's current strength, his telepathic communication wouldn't escape the notice of the powerful and enigmatic Prophet. However, for the Prophet to glean the content of Lei Dong's message would be highly improbable, as Lei Dong's current power was leagues beyond what it once was.

"Heh heh. Rather than cooperation, it's better described as mutual utilization; in the end, it will depend on our individual capabilities," the White Bone Demon Lord coldly chuckled twice before continuing his mental transmission. "In short, I will be responsible for keeping that Barbarian Prophet occupied outside, while you, little brother, will handle the Saintess inside. This way, the spoils of our cooperation will be split evenly. You won't feel unbalanced, right, little brother?"

Lei Dong showed no outward reaction to the Demon Lord exposing his inner thoughts. That was simply the way of the world: the strong preyed upon the weak. The White Bone Demon Lord's inherent power far surpassed his own, so even if the Demon Lord did take an unfair advantage, Lei Dong truly had no grounds for complaint, much like how he himself would hold a dominant position if cooperating with an early-stage Qi Refining cultivator.

What troubled Lei Dong wasn't the distribution of ordinary loot, but rather special items. The little fox had previously mentioned that the Divine Temple contained numerous heavenly materials and earthly treasures; the Soul Fruit was merely an example she had used to tempt him. Now, it seemed the Horned Clan and the Barbarian Tribe were going to great lengths to enter this temple. It suggested there must be something truly extraordinary inside.

For something that could captivate an entire clan to the point of risking a war as a diversion, Lei Dong couldn't imagine the White Bone Demon Lord being content with merely splitting it equally with him. Even if he had saved the Demon Lord’s life, even if the Demon Lord respected the background Lei Dong represented, he would undoubtedly move to eliminate him.

In the space of a few breaths, Lei Dong had come to a clear conclusion: he should either forgo this Divine Temple expedition entirely, or if he participated, he was committed to taking everything for himself.

Once his objective was set, the tension visibly eased from Lei Dong's expression, which, to the White Bone Demon Lord, looked like a great weight had been lifted. He adopted a serious tone in his mental message: "This is only natural, Demon Lord. However, let's put the ugly details on the table first. Even blood brothers settle accounts clearly. Therefore, I suggest we place mutual restrictions upon each other. I happen to have a Nine Nether Soul Devourer Worm gifted to me by my ancestor..." As he mentioned the Nine Nether Soul Devourer Worm, Lei Dong's voice took on a sinister edge.

The White Bone Demon Lord nearly choked on his breath, nearly falling from the sky. A Nine Nether Soul Devourer Worm? A Soul Devourer Worm rumored to only exist in the deepest parts of the Nine Nether? This brat actually possessed one? Merely hearing the name sent shivers of apprehension down the Demon Lord’s spine, a chilling cold creeping into his heart. Though he wasn't the ultimate master of ghostly arts, he deeply favored the demonic path. Naturally, he understood the terrifying nature of the Nine Nether Soul Devourer Worm—it was the bane of all vicious souls and fierce ghosts, preferring the more powerful ones.

Furthermore, it was extremely lethal to human cultivators. Once it burrowed into a person's divine soul, it could completely devour the soul of even a Nascent Soul cultivator—a truly terrifying prospect. Of course, if someone used such a vicious worm offensively, the wary White Bone Demon Lord would be tense but not genuinely terrified. But to allow Lei Dong to use it as a binding restriction, sealing it within his divine soul, was tantamount to handing his very life over to Lei Dong, his fate resting entirely in the young man's whim.

Previously, when fighting the Barbarian Tribe, he chose death over surrender—that was his Demon Lord's pride. But to yield his life over to Lei Dong for a mere formality like this restriction was something he absolutely refused to do. Even mutual restrictions were out of the question. Especially with the Nine Nether Soul Devourer Worm, which wouldn't allow its victim to die quickly while consuming the divine soul; rather, it would find ways to keep them alive, devouring their soul bit by agonizing bit. This was an intensely horrifying prospect, enough to make the hackles rise even on the ancestor of the evil path like the White Bone Demon Lord.

"Little brother, what is our relationship?" The White Bone Demon Lord’s original plan had been mutual restrictions. He had assumed that no matter what restriction a mere Foundation Establishment brat set, it posed no threat to him. However, he hadn't expected Lei Dong to possess a Nine Nether Soul Devourer Worm. Had it been anyone else, the White Bone Demon Lord might not have believed it, but Lei Dong had already delivered too many shocks. At this point, he could only retreat a step, laughing evasively through their mental link: "What need is there for restrictions between us? Let's just swear a solemn oath." The crucial point was that the White Bone Demon Lord already harbored ill intentions; he had planned that if the treasures were merely ordinary, he would spare Lei Dong's life. But if there were truly world-shaking treasures, he doubted he would ever let Lei Dong have the chance to hold leverage over him.

In truth, Lei Dong held similar thoughts. Forget possessing the Nine Nether Soul Devourer Worm; even if he had one, he would never agree to mutual restrictions with the old devil. His previous arguments were merely a strategy of advancing by retreating. Hearing the old devil’s suggestion, Lei Dong feigned hesitation, transmitting thoughtfully, "Demon Lord, it’s not that I don't trust you. However, it’s better to settle certain matters beforehand, lest we damage our harmony later on."

The more Lei Dong insisted on mutual checks and balances, the more the White Bone Demon Lord refused. He responded with a hearty laugh through the link: "What kind of talk is that, Brother Lei? My very life was saved by you. Surely, you don't think I am an ungrateful wretch? Even if I suffer a small loss later, I won't hold it against you. Consider it repayment for saving my life. How could I, a dignified Nascent Soul cultivator, haggle with you over trifles?"

Lei Dong scoffed internally but maintained a facade of excitement in his communication: "Yes, yes, I was reckless. Then let's forgo the solemn oath; I trust the Demon Lord." Yet, he muttered under his breath, Ungrateful? Indeed, if given the chance, no one wishes to be ungrateful. But when faced with absolute benefit, what does saving a life amount to for you, old devil?

The only thing Lei Dong regretted was that his prior investment had failed. With an incident like this, concerning the items within the Divine Temple, let alone their current relationship, even father and son, husband and wife, master and disciple relationships might shatter over it.

After a round of deceitful maneuvering, they reached an internal consensus. As for cooperation with the Barbarian Saintess’s faction, both sides quickly reached a verbal agreement, not even swearing an oath. Furthermore, they discussed no safeguards whatsoever regarding this pact. It seemed Lei Dong’s side wasn't the only one harboring malicious intent; the Barbarian Saintess’s group also appeared ready to play dirty.

Naturally, both parties were fully aware of this. Yet, after the agreement, they both wore smiles, appearing as if they had truly formed a blood alliance.

"The strength of those two Horned Clan Elders shouldn't be underestimated. We might win a frontal confrontation, but we definitely won't be able to kill them. If they manage to escape, they could very well spread word of this," the Saintess finally began outlining her plan. "We only need to keep those two Elders tied up. As for the young Horned Clan man, let him enter the Divine Temple. After all, with my and Brother Lei's combined strength, eliminating him inside the temple will be as easy as turning over a hand. Don't you agree, Brother Lei?"

"Indeed." Lei Dong's eyes narrowed. He sensed a hint of apprehension in the Saintess's gaze directed toward him, which brought him a slight measure of relief. However, he too felt a degree of caution toward her; based on her demeanor, she was clearly not someone to be trifled with. With that said, he unleashed a Nether Ghost Claw, snatching the little fox—now completely ignored by everyone—and pulling it close. He laughed, "Little Fox, you're lucky today. Lead us to the entrance of the Divine Temple, and I will let you go."

"Brother Lei, there's no need. The Prophet’s Great Perception Art has already located the Horned Clan Elders' whereabouts; that must be the Divine Temple entrance." The Saintess's eyes flickered briefly toward the little fox. "This Three-Tailed Spirit Fox, Brother Lei, you might as well kill it and take its treasure."

"Yes, yes, that's a good idea." A cruel smile touched Lei Dong's lips as he glanced at the little fox. The fox was so terrified it nearly fainted, lamenting that its life was about to end. However, Lei Dong let out a cold chuckle again. "A pity. Since I already accepted her offer—exchanging information about the Divine Temple for her life—I have no reason to kill her now."

With that, he moved his divine sense, dissolving the Nether Ghost Qi around the fox. He then tossed the little creature away, transmitting directly to it, "Alright, hurry and go. Find a place to heal your injuries, and don't let anyone catch you again."

The little fox stared intently at Lei Dong with its bright eyes, then turned, transforming into a streak of startled light that swiftly vanished, disappearing within a few moments.

……RO