Chapter 1 A Proposal for Cooperation

Inside an unknown Lesser Thousand World, in an ancient land, clouds billowed and mist swirled. Several figures could be vaguely seen within. In the deepest part of an ancient cave dwelling, Jun Dao opened his eyes.

Before him stood another figure, shrouded in chaotic energy, profound and unfathomable. The aura of this figure had become immeasurably deep.

This person was none other than the Fallen God Child. He was deducing his own Dao, seeking to experiment. Now, he displayed extraordinary qualities, moving even Jun Dao.

"Hu Jue sent a message. A supreme Initial is seeking to cooperate with us." Jun Dao said to the Fallen God Child. They welcomed strong individuals to join, but they were unwilling to recruit enemies harboring malicious intentions, so they were always cautious.

"Oh? A supreme Initial wants to cooperate with us. He is qualified enough... What's the background of this person?" The Fallen God Child exhaled chaotic energy, appearing detached. His eyes revealed scenes of gods dying and demons perishing.

"He is called Ye Gucheng. His origins are unknown. He is a sword cultivator. With just a sword finger, he broke through Hu Jue's physical body." Jun Dao told the Fallen God Child the information he had received.

Their alliance was led by the Fallen God Child, because the Fallen God Child was the strongest, and his potential was also strong enough. In Jun Dao's view, if any being could take that step in the next era, the Fallen God Child would definitely be one of them.

"A sword cultivator? Interesting."

The Fallen God Child's eyes flashed, as if the heavens and earth were collapsing and the end was descending. He was already strong enough. Few in the Immortal Ancient could be considered his opponents.

He naturally knew about Hu Jue's physical body. To be able to break through it with a single sword finger, such strength was definitely not simple and could be compared to the most powerful Initials.

But precisely because of this, the other party's purpose was even more intriguing. With such strength, he could completely establish his own power, so why would he need to join forces with them?

"What do you think we should do?"

Jun Dao looked at the Fallen God Child and asked. They certainly would not easily trust such a supreme Initial with unknown origins and unclear purposes.

"Since he is here to cooperate, how can we refuse him? However... if he wants to form an alliance, he should show some sincerity."

The Fallen God Child smiled faintly. He had invincible confidence, because only he knew the extent of his power. Even the kings of ancient times were nothing more than that in his eyes.

"Very well, my spiritual body will go."

Jun Dao nodded. He planned to send his spiritual body to discuss the details with Jiang Xuan and see how the other party planned to cooperate.

...

In the Cloud Realm, inside the Fallen God Child's mansion, Jiang Xuan resided alone in a courtyard. In the eyes of the others in the mansion, Jiang Xuan was a man single-mindedly devoted to the sword, extremely cold in his dealings with others.

But this was a common ailment among geniuses. Many monstrous talents were like this, single-mindedly devoted to their Dao. So Jiang Xuan's behavior did not cause any discomfort.

"Brother Ye." Just then, two figures approached. One of them was Hu Jue. Beside him stood another figure, wearing a flowing Daoist robe, none other than Jun Dao.

However, unlike the Jun Dao that Jiang Xuan had seen last time, the aura of the person before him was significantly weaker. It was not difficult to deduce that he was merely a spiritual body.

But on the surface, he showed no abnormality, appearing calm and unperturbed. His eyes were like a bottomless abyss, like a piece of cold ice, naturally indifferent.

"Brother Ye, this is Daoist Jun Dao." Hu Jue introduced Jiang Xuan, then consciously retreated. He knew that there were some things he could not hear. Knowing them would only bring great disaster.

"Jun Dao greets fellow Daoist."

Daoist Jun Dao spoke with a smile, but Jiang Xuan did not react much, appearing very cold, merely looking at him calmly.

Jun Dao did not find this strange. From Hu Jue's description, he knew that this was a solitary and indifferent sword cultivator. His current attitude was about what he had expected.

"I heard that you wish to cooperate with us?"

"Yes."

Very concise, not a single unnecessary word, not even bothering to explain the reason. This made Jun Dao helpless. This person's character was indeed cold, always giving people a feeling of being kept at arm's length.

"Fellow Daoist's strength is sufficient for us to cooperate, but... since we are cooperating, shouldn't both sides show some sincerity?" Jun Dao asked. Only if sincerity was shown would they be able to trust Jiang Xuan and cooperate with him.

Otherwise, in the vast Immortal Ancient, there was no shortage of strong individuals. Even if they did not reach their level, there were still many who could be compared to Jiang Xuan. Why would they not cooperate with them?

It was simply because of mutual suspicion, each having their own worries, unable to trust each other.

"What do you want? Speak your mind."

Jiang Xuan frowned and said. Still very concise, but he made his meaning clear, agreeing to the request to show sincerity.

"Since it is sincerity, naturally it depends on what you are willing to offer. If it is worthwhile, we will naturally be willing to cooperate, and we will also show our sincerity." Jun Dao did not force Jiang Xuan to offer anything. Both sides were rare powerhouses in the Immortal Ancient, so he would not make demands.

Moreover, he was merely a spiritual body. Even if he forced Jiang Xuan to offer something, if the other party was unwilling, he would not be able to keep him here. It was better to say it this way.

Jiang Xuan fell into thought, as if he was considering something, frowning. After a long time, he looked at Jun Dao and said, "Da Luo Sword Embryo."

As soon as these four words were spoken, Jun Dao's expression changed dramatically. As an ancient freak, he naturally knew about this item, but it was precisely because he knew about it that he was so shocked.

"Fellow Daoist, are you referring to the Da Luo Immortal Sword possessed by the Five-Crown King of ancient times?" He couldn't help but be surprised. That was a legendary treasure.

Legend has it that the Da Luo Immortal Sword once belonged to a Five-Crown King, but that Five-Crown King eventually disappeared in the Immortal Ancient, and the sword's whereabouts became unknown.

This sword has a long heritage, but it is only a rough embryo, so it is also called the Da Luo Sword Embryo. But even if it has not been properly refined, its value is immeasurable. The material is supreme, Da Luo Immortal Gold. It is a naturally formed sword embryo, not cast, and its shape is determined by heaven.

This is a supreme immortal material. Legend has it that even True Immortals could hardly obtain it in the previous era. It was rare and precious beyond imagination!

Moreover, this sword is a naturally formed sword embryo, endlessly mysterious. There are many legends about it, the most famous of which is that on the sword embryo, there are mysterious ancient runes that evolve the scene of flying immortals!

Jiang Xuan nodded. He indeed knew where the Da Luo Sword Embryo was, but that damned place... even he was absolutely unwilling to go there.

As for now, he had no intention of telling the truth. It was just an excuse. It was very simple to deceive them.

"Does fellow Daoist have news of this sword? Where is it?"

Jun Dao asked repeatedly, but then he realized that he seemed too eager.

"Burial Realm, at the bottom of the Black Abyss."

Jiang Xuan said indifferently. Anyway, no one had yet reached the bottom of the Black Abyss, so he could say whatever he wanted. If you want to question it, first reach the bottom of the Black Abyss.

"The Black Abyss?"

Jun Dao revealed a strange expression. There were indeed many treasures beneath the Black Abyss, but no one knew exactly what they were. Where did Jiang Xuan get this information?

"Fellow Daoist, where did you get this information? Is it accurate?"

Jun Dao asked again, not because he didn't believe it, but because he didn't think the Five-Crown King would have died in the Black Abyss. The Five-Crown King's whereabouts were a mystery. If he had died in the Black Abyss, someone should have seen it and spread the news.

Jiang Xuan frowned, seeming impatient. He looked at Jun Dao and finally said, "I can swear on my Sword Heart. If what I said is false, then my Sword Heart will shatter and my Sword Dao will collapse."

Anyway, he didn't have a Sword Heart, nor had he entered the Sword Dao. It could shatter and collapse at will. He didn't care!

But hearing this in Jun Dao's ears, it was extremely shocking. This was betting on one's own Dao. Being able to do this showed that Jiang Xuan absolutely believed in this information. Even if it was fake, it could only mean that even he himself had been deceived.