Chapter 1026: The Deal

After waiting for a while, the young girl could no longer hold back and quietly approached the direction where the sound had vanished.

She moved with great caution, not daring to get too close, continually deducing the changes within the illusion array as she advanced.

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

In the end, she was surprised to discover that the direction ahead was indeed a path of life. Still, she was uncertain whether the other person had already noticed her.

Two options lay before her: she could either leave through this path or try to deduce another route on her own. Within an illusion array, there was never only one path of survival. If she followed too closely, she might end up ambushed.

Just then, a voice suddenly sounded from the nearby forest. "Within an illusion array, you and I should each walk our own way. Daoist, why have you been following me? What are your intentions?"

The girl was startled, but rather than flee, she looked calmly in the direction of the voice and replied evenly, "Daoist, please don’t misunderstand. I’ve been trapped here for too long and grew anxious. Seeing that you found a path of life, I only wished to borrow your strength to escape. I didn’t expect that you hadn’t yet left."

There was a brief silence before the voice came again. "Daoist, you hold a Life Talisman. Surely you aren’t afraid of a mere illusion array?"

Behind an ancient tree, Qin Sang’s eyes were cold as he looked at the girl. He knew his movements through the array had made enough noise for others to notice. He had no desire for anyone to follow him, so he had pretended to leave while actually lying in wait.

Anyone who dared to tail him would not be leaving. However, what surprised him was the girl’s identity.

Before the trial began, Old Ghost Mu had exchanged his qualification for a Life Talisman and handed it to this very girl. Qin Sang did not know what the Life Talisman’s true purpose was, so he had not acted rashly.

A treasure sought by a Spiritual Infant grandmaster would never be simple. It might even contain power beyond the Core Formation Realm. His caution proved wise.

Although the girl was at the late stage of the Core Formation Realm, her aura was far from top-tier. Yet when faced with a potential ambush, she showed no fear, only calm confidence.

Either she carried a treasure given by a Spiritual Infant master for protection, or the Life Talisman itself gave her such confidence.

Since there was more than one portion of the Soul-Cleansing Liquid in the trial realm, Qin Sang preferred to avoid conflict with someone like her. If he could simply scare her off, all the better.

But the girl made no move to leave. The vigilance in her cloud sleeves slowly faded as she spoke again, "Daoist, you may not know this, but the Life Talisman can indeed save my life. However, within the Thousand-Mountain Array, its power is greatly limited. What troubles me most now is how to leave this place quickly before others seize the treasure. Otherwise, all my grandmaster’s efforts will be wasted."

Qin Sang frowned slightly and said coldly, "Whether you obtain the treasure or your grandmaster’s effort is wasted has nothing to do with me. Don’t you think following me secretly is improper? You are my rival in this trial. Do you expect me to help you?"

At these words, the girl’s lips curved slightly, and she changed the topic. "My name is Ming Wei. May I know how to address Daoist?"

"My surname is Qin. Consider this a warning. Don’t follow me again. Take care not to bring trouble upon yourself," he replied indifferently.

With that, he turned to leave. Ming Wei’s expression grew anxious. "Daoist Qin, wait. I have a proposal, a deal I’d like to make with you. Hear me out before deciding."

Qin Sang paused, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "A deal? Do you mean to hand over your treasure to me?"

"Hand it over? Impossible!" Ming Wei shook her head. "But we can cooperate. Daoist, your strength must be extraordinary to have reached this place so quickly. You must also desire the Soul-Cleansing Liquid, right? It’s not as if there’s only one portion. Why not work together to seize it? The disciples of great sects all travel in groups. You and I, fighting alone, are at a clear disadvantage."

Qin Sang sneered. "The Soul-Cleansing Liquid may not be unique, but there won’t be many portions either. You can’t even pass the Thousand-Mountain Array, while I can move ahead and leave you far behind. Why would I burden myself with an extra competitor?"

Ming Wei’s face flushed with embarrassment and anger. Gritting her teeth, she said, "It’s not that I can’t pass! Deducing the array’s changes takes immense focus and time. If not for your skill in illusion arrays, do you think I’d need your help? Were it not for this strange array, I’d already have surpassed you and left you behind!"

Qin Sang touched his chin. "Daoist, why cling to meaningless pride? There are no if's in this world. Cooperation isn’t impossible, but what can you offer me?"

"The Life Talisman is not mine alone to use, it can protect you as well. As long as we are within the trial realm, once I activate it, no danger can harm us. Is that enough?" She lifted her chin, confidence in her tone.

"No danger at all?" Qin Sang was secretly startled. No wonder Old Ghost Mu had been willing to trade away his qualification for it. It was not merely a gift but a way to pave the path for his successor.

Unquestionably, a single Life Talisman was nearly equivalent to a share of the Soul-Cleansing Liquid.

"Indeed," Ming Wei said. "Let us swear by our heart devils. You will guide me through this trial, and when we reach the final trial, we will join forces to seek the Soul-Cleansing Liquid. If we face mortal danger, I will activate the Life Talisman to protect us both. You should know how perilous the last trial is. But I have one condition..."

Her tone hardened. "If there are two or more portions of Soul-Cleansing Liquid, we will each take one. But if there is only one, you must yield it to me."

Her words were firm and left no room for debate. Qin Sang refused without hesitation. "No!"

"You..."

"Even without you, I have confidence in my ability to claim a portion," Qin Sang said coldly, "I’m curious to see how capable those disciples from the great sects truly are. I only agreed to cooperate to avoid unnecessary trouble, not to hand you my share. However, we can agree to this, if the situation truly reaches that point, our pact will be nullified. Whoever claims the Soul-Cleansing Liquid will do so by their own strength. What do you say?"

The reason he accepted Ming Wei’s proposal was because she was Old Ghost Mu’s true disciple, clearly valued and likely privy to many secrets. His own understanding of the trial realm was limited. Compared to the disciples of major sects, he was at a disadvantage. With Ming Wei’s help, he could avoid unnecessary detours.

His confidence came from his own strength. Even if Ming Wei possessed a Life Talisman, it would be of little use when the time came to fight for the Soul-Cleansing Liquid.

After a moment of silence, Ming Wei nodded. "Fine, I agree to your terms. Let us swear by our heart devils now. After we leave the Thousand-Mountain Array, we will meet at the agreed place before the final trial."

"Alright!" They discussed the details and swore their oaths together.

Ming Wei exhaled in relief and looked into the depths of the mist. "You may show yourself now, Daoist. Time is precious, we should move quickly."

The mist rippled. Wearing his mask, Qin Sang stepped out from the shadows. They sized each other up for a moment, then departed together into the mist.