"Junior Martial Nephew Zong Shou, might I borrow the Zeng Xuan Chi Fa Yi for a moment?" Upon hearing the request, Zong Shou didn't hesitate in the slightest. He folded the void using the Law of Time and Space, offering the Zeng Xuan Chi Fa Yi over.

This item was of paramount importance; he dared not let it out of his grasp, nor allow the slightest lapse in vigilance.

Meanwhile, the dark speck in the distance suddenly expanded in volume, seemingly preparing to act.

The Benevolent Dao Lord in the distance was already prepared. With an enigmatic smile, he swept the 'Yu Shu' in his hand across the area, instantly arresting the dark speck's movement.

Xiu Guan's gaze also turned sharp and cold, holding the Zeng Xuan Chi Fa Yi with solemnity in his hands.

With a flash of light and shadow, this divine treasure vanished.

Yet, behind him, a pair of wings had appeared.

In that single instant, Zong Shou felt that the aura of this foremost figure of the Cloud Realm had shifted, subtly different from before.

But where the difference lay, he couldn't quite articulate.

He only felt that the figure before him was exceptionally mighty at this moment.

As if it had existed here since the dawn of eternity, and would continue to exist forever after this day, even after myriad eons and the eventual ruin of this domain. Is this the Half-Step True Realm? Zong Shou mused internally. With Xiu Guan's strength at the peak of the Ultimate Realm, augmented by these wings, he must have reached a level infinitely close to the True Realm.

Xiu Guan stated calmly, "Ten thousand years of careful planning—my Dao Brother Benevolence and I originally only intended to find an opportunity to severely wound you, Your Majesty.

However, by a twist of fate, this Zeng Xuan Chi Fa Yi fell into the hands of my junior martial nephew.

It must be the will of heaven to see you perish here.

Martial Brother Xun Zi’s ultimate sacrifice was not in vain."

Zong Shou raised an eyebrow. How was this Zeng Xuan Chi Fa Yi connected to Xun Zi? But after quickly calculating the timing, he suddenly realized.

Wasn't the time of Xun Zi's disappearance shortly after Lü Wushuang fell in battle? How could that person overlook a supreme treasure like the Zeng Xuan Chi Fa Yi and allow it to fall into another's hands? It must have been Xun Zi's intervention that caused this ultimate treasure to drift into the outside world, preventing that individual from succeeding.

Xun Zi's death.

It wasn't just because he was secretly investigating the truth behind Xi Zi’s demise.

More likely, it was due to this Chi Fa Yi.

"Perhaps Your Majesty has already sensed some of the arrangements we two have laid out?" Xiu Guan continued. "We originally expected you to make your move during the battle at the Imperial Capital six months ago. We did not expect Your Majesty to possess such patience, enduring until this day..." Zong Shou was listening intently, but at that moment, a faint premonition stirred within his heart.

He suddenly turned his head, and then saw, tens of thousands of feet away.

A figure had materialized abruptly at that spot from an unknown time.

It was a soul- incarnation—bearing the appearance of the Night Demon Clan, its features resembling those of Ye Wuji.

Its brow was deeply furrowed, filled with sorrow.

Its eyes fixed coldly on Zong Shou as it scrutinized him.

Zong Shou moved initially, but then felt another surge of intuition.

"Are you the Venerable Profound Night?" Rumor had it that Ye Wuji was the direct descendant of the Profound Night Venerable's lineage within the Night Demon Imperial Clan.

However, this individual should currently be three hundred worlds away, defending against the Shura Clan's invasion.

Projecting a primordial spirit incarnation across hundreds of worlds was not difficult.

But would the two Ancestral Kings of the Shura Clan allow him to be distracted? He saw the Profound Night curve its lips slightly, then let out a soft sigh, "It is indeed this old man!" Seeing this, Zong Shou chuckled inwardly.

He likely guessed the reason for this person’s appearance here.

Yet, he feigned ignorance: "Venerable Profound Night possesses profound cultivation. To be able to divide one's divine thought to oversee this place under such circumstances is remarkable. I wonder, why has the Venerable chosen to appear now?" "Your Majesty asks what you already know. I am here to negotiate peace."

Venerable Profound Night lowered his eyelids. "At this juncture, neither our side nor yours holds the will to fight. Since that is the case, why not shake hands and make peace?" The Great Qian and the Dao of All Living Beings certainly had to face the unknown Half-Step True Realm opponent now.

The Night Demon Clan, too, was in an equally precarious situation and unwilling to become more deeply entangled. The demise of Xi Zi had led to the deaths of at least six Ultimate Realm experts in this region, one after another.

And today, there are already two individuals who have attained the Half-Step True Realm? Either faction possesses enough power to inflict devastating casualties upon the Night Demon Clan before being utterly destroyed.

"But what if I refuse?" Zong Shou sneered, unwilling to yield easily just because a great war loomed. The sixty million troops and the Twelve Military Governors of the Night Demon Clan were meant to be his spoils. "Furthermore, the Great Qian and the Asura Clan have formed an alliance; there is no reason to abandon our ally and seek peace alone."

"I expected Your Majesty would not agree so readily. Fortunately, the Dark World Demonic Court still holds two Divine Charms of Order in hand."

Seeing Zong Shou's composed face, still radiating an air of indifference, the Profound Night realized that this threat was ineffective. Judging by the state of the Twelve Nation-Guarding Bronze Statues, the influence of the Divine Charms of Order seemed minimal.

Crucially, the one holding the charms, Sha Ye, possessed slightly insufficient cultivation, while the others—Ye Yuan Miekong Ye—were all tied up, unable to spare any attention.

Wei Xu's Azure Sage Sword Array had also been unleashed.

Coupled with the Floating Spirit Sword Array of the Sword Sect, they had more than enough capability to respond.

Lin Xuanshuang held a divine treasure, her Primeval Spirit Inhalation Art ensuring an inexhaustible flow of vital energy, regardless of the expenditure.

No matter how outstanding Ye Yuan Miekong Ye was, he couldn't maintain the engagement for too long. Considering this, the bitterness in the Profound Night’s eyes deepened: "Without the Divine Charms of Order, the might of the Twelve Nation-Guarding Bronze Statues could likely increase by another percentage point. If Your Majesty agrees to peace, I can surrender these two Divine Charms, along with the Spirit-Piercing Profound Heart Needle, to Your Majesty. As for the Asura Clan, Your Majesty need not worry. If there were no prior understanding with them, how would the Profound Night dare to divide his focus to project his essence here?" Only then did Zong Shou show a change in expression. The Spirit-Piercing Profound Heart Needle? This divine treasure was a rare artifact somewhat similar to a Supreme Divine Ability. If the Great Qian could obtain it, it would be equivalent to acquiring another treasure for safeguarding the nation.

As for the Divine Charms of Order, they were indeed troublesome.

His original intent was not to continue the war with the Dark World Demonic Court, which prevented him from fully focusing on the situation at hand. His current posturing was merely a pretense.

After a moment of consideration, he decided to let the current flow: "Very well. However, the Dark World Demonic Court must provide me with compensation. Surrender thirty Minor Thousand Worlds, and our two factions can temporarily cease hostilities. No conflict shall arise within the next hundred years."

"Twenty at most!" The Profound Night’s entire form resembled a withered old tree. "Your Majesty surely understands the principle of not grasping for too much. As for the duration of the agreement, it must be set for either within three years, or for a term of one million years."

Zong Shou smiled, looking meaningfully at this Supreme Venerable of the Night Demon Clan.

The words they had just exchanged held significant implications.

After today's battle, it was impossible for Benevolent Xiu Guan not to sustain injuries. A hundred years should be sufficient for him to recover fully. If, within three years, the Great Qian’s strength remained weak, it would present an opportune moment. And after a million years, whether the Great Qian or the Night Demon Clan would still exist was an open question.

"A time limit of one hundred thousand years, and twenty-five Minor Thousand Worlds. I agree."

Zong Shou sighed helplessly. If his own strength were more substantial, this would be an excellent opportunity to annihilate the Dark World Demonic Court, but at this moment, his greater attention was focused on the direction of the Cloud Realm.

Qing Xuan Tai Huang had finally shown his figure as well.

(To be continued…)