Wilderness: I Tame Beasts to Survive

Chapter 426: Chapter 288: High Priest (2)

Everyone looked at each other, but no one spoke.

As experienced as they were, just seeing this gathering told them that something major must have happened.

Otherwise, Han Ning wouldn’t have summoned everyone for no reason.

"Han Ning, what’s happened? You even called for Teacher Sage?"

Once everyone had arrived, Dean Wu cleared his throat and was the first to break the silence.

"It’s about the Dragon Blood Race and our future."

Han Ning frowned and briefly explained to everyone what had happened at Celestial Abyss Canyon.

"As for the matter of accommodating the Cyan God Armor Second Elder, what are your thoughts?" Han Ning looked at the others, his gaze pleading for help.

After all, he was just a young man in his early twenties. Although he was the strongest in the human faction, when it came to handling interpersonal relationships and making plans, he still needed the experienced elders to offer their counsel.

"Even without the Second Elder, the Dragon Blood Race’s strength already far surpasses ours... If he joins them, the power balance between us will become extremely lopsided. I’m worried that at some point, they might suddenly seize control of the Gray Demon Whale and drive us away," Teacher Zhou said, his tone grave.

"Exactly. Akatos is Akatos, and the Dragon Blood Race is the Dragon Blood Race. In fact... the former is little more than a revered figure within their clan. Now that Akatos is confined to the Jade Forest, the Dragon Blood Race probably won’t hold back much anymore," Teacher Liang also shared his opinion. "I don’t think we can allow the Second Elder to join."

"But... if we don’t allow the Second Elder to join, our relationship with the Dragon Blood Race will certainly deteriorate... I’m afraid it will sow the seeds of a crisis."

"Nearly eighty percent of our current supplies depend on the Dragon Blood Race, and they provide the vast majority of our Soul Beast Crystal Stones. If a conflict breaks out, I fear we’ll face the danger of our energy sources running dry," Teacher Zhou said with a worried expression.

"Dean Wu, what do you think?" Han Ning turned his gaze to Dean Wu, who had remained silent.

"I think... we should let the Second Elder join us on the Gray Demon Whale. Now is not the time for a conflict with the Dragon Blood Race. As long as you and Mingkai maintain firm control over the Gray Demon Whale, they will have to be cautious and won’t dare to act recklessly."

"Yes, I also think we should allow the Second Elder to join. The Dragon Blood People don’t know the specific method for navigating the Gray Demon Whale. Even if they seized it, they wouldn’t be able to pilot it. They have several thousand people. As the Clan Leader, Qing Dou must consider the safety of his people. He would never risk the lives of thousands of his kin to have a complete falling out with us," Zhou Mingkai added in agreement.

"There is actually a relatively safe solution to the problem you’re worried about."

Just then, Sage, who had been listening from the side, suddenly spoke up.

"What is it?" Hearing this, everyone turned their heads.

Sage tapped lightly in the empty air, and a simple Spiritual Model made of Fire Element light motes was constructed.

"Among the races of the Purple Crystal World, there is a Secret Technique known as a ’Spiritual Contract.’ Two or more Beast Masters can sign this Spiritual Contract through a special method, forming a binding relationship. If one party violates the terms of the Spiritual Contract, the mildest consequence is the collapse of their Spiritual World. The most severe is instant death..."

"You can choose to sign a Spiritual Contract with Qing Dou. The two of you can agree on a series of suitable terms. That way, the Dragon Blood Race won’t dare to act recklessly, and it will at least buy you time until you successfully reach a safe destination."

As he spoke, he looked at Han Ning.

"Conveniently, your Spiritual Power Level is comparable to Qing Dou’s. If he breaks the contract, the backlash will be enough to kill him instantly. Furthermore, the method to break the contract is only passed down among a very small number of high-level races. Not even the Witch Spirit Race has mastered it. The mere Dragon Blood Race would have no way of breaking it."

"I will first transmit the method for constructing the contract to you. As for how to negotiate the agreement, that will be up to the two of you to discuss."

Sage extended a finger, gesturing for Han Ning to come closer.

’The word "contract" wasn’t unfamiliar. Before he’d transmigrated, paper and electronic contracts had been everywhere.’

"If the Spiritual Contract is as effective as Your Excellency Sage says, then it’s worth a try," Dean Wu suggested.

The others also nodded one after another, agreeing that they could give it a try.

"Alright. Once Qing Dou returns to Night Nether City, I will arrange for the leadership of both the humans and the Dragon Blood Race to sit down and have a proper discussion about this. Thank you, Teacher Sage."

Han Ning nodded and leaned his head toward Sage.

Sage said nothing, placing his long, slender finger on the center of Han Ning’s brow. A stream of unfamiliar spiritual information swiftly flowed into his mind.

This Spiritual Contract had a special name—Purgatory. It was a special Secret Technique used by the Divine Teachings that Sage belonged to in his previous life. As the name implied, anyone who violated the contract would have their Spiritual Body subjected to treatment akin to being cast into purgatory. After experiencing immense suffering, they would be completely destroyed. The consequences, it could be said, were extremely severe.

"The method for constructing the Purgatory contract is not part of the restricted teachings of the Divine Teachings, so I can transmit it to you. But you must remember not to transmit it to a third party."

Sage withdrew his finger and warned him.

"Understood. Thank you again, Teacher Sage," Han Ning thanked him again.

Having discussed the specifics of how to handle the Dragon Blood Race, the tension in Han Ning’s heart eased slightly.

Before long, Qing Dou returned, protecting the second transport convoy of the Dragon Blood Race as they entered Night Nether City.

Han Ning found Qing Dou at the earliest opportunity and arranged a meeting with the various elders of the Dragon Blood Race. That evening, in the small plaza within the rest area, members of both races would sit down together to properly discuss a plan for coexisting on the Gray Demon Whale after the voyage began.

「Time passed.」

In the blink of an eye, night had fallen.

In the small plaza in front of the rest area, several Flowing Fire Flying Fireflies, raised by the human side, stood up on their hind legs. They walked shoulder to shoulder, carrying a long red carpet on their backs as they solemnly entered the great hall.

Then, a multitude of little wolf pups ran in, carrying all sorts of strange and rare fruits in their mouths, along with spring water in metal containers.

Qing Dou led a dozen or so tall and burly Dragon Blood Race elders across the bright red carpet and into the great hall.

Inside the hall, a long table large enough to accommodate several dozen people for a meeting had been placed.

On the other side of the long table stood a dozen or so administrators from the human side.

"Qing Dou Leader, please, have a seat." Han Ning pulled out a chair and made a welcoming gesture toward Qing Dou opposite him.

Qing Dou looked around at the arrangements with great interest. A smile appeared on his coarse, lizard-like face, and he was the first to sit down.

The Dragon Blood Elders, lined up in a row, followed his example and sat down in order next to Qing Dou.

Han Ning took the initiative to walk over and sit directly opposite Qing Dou.

The rest of the humans also sat down, facing the Dragon Blood Elders.

More than a dozen powerfully built Cyan Sky Wolves fanned out around the carpet, standing majestically on all sides like a squad of guards.

With this formation set, the simply decorated hall was instantly filled with the solemn atmosphere of an important negotiation.

"Everyone is here, so let’s begin..."

"Qing Dou Leader, may I ask if you have ever heard of a Secret Technique called the Spiritual Contract?"

"I’m all ears."

"..."

Next, the human and Dragon Blood Race parties held an in-depth discussion on how to establish harmonious and friendly communication and trade.

The humans agreed to allow the Second Elder to board the Gray Demon Whale and promised to designate a special area for the daily life of the Cyan God Armor Beetle Masters. Others would not be permitted to enter without permission. They also proposed a reasonable plan for the trade of various resources.

Compared to the humans’ desire for resources, the Dragon Blood side was more concerned with the division of living space. Due to their large numbers, they wanted to occupy nearly two-thirds of the Gray Demon Whale as the activity area for the Dragon Blood People. Of course, humans and other races would be free to move about in this area, but they were not to interfere with the Dragon Blood People’s farming and customs.

An area of two-thirds was too large. As soon as the humans heard this, they refused...

Then, both sides fell into a heated discussion.

At first, the proud Dragon Blood Elders, who still somewhat looked down on the humans’ strength, refused to yield an inch on the division of living space.

It wasn’t until Suo Ling, who had just been recruited by Han Ning, appeared silently by the long table with their Soul Beast and Qingyao in tow that the elders’ tone gradually softened.

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