Chapter 1216: United in Life and Death

Helian Qi sat at the head of the table, facing an elder.

Standing behind the elder were Jin Yuan and Sword Immortal Shi.

Helian Qi greeted with a faint smile, "Elder Gu."

Elder Gu was the vice leader of the Shikigami Mercenary Group.

Elder Gu stared coldly at Helian Qi. "You're not qualified to negotiate with me. Bring your father here."

With that, he closed his eyes, exuding an air of defiance.

Helian Qi's expression turned icy, but before she could respond, another elder stepped into the hall. It was Helian Yu, her father.

Seeing Helian Yu, Helian Qi stood and bowed slightly. "Father."

Helian Yu nodded faintly, and then he turned his gaze to Elder Gu, smiling. "You want to negotiate with me? I don't think you're qualified. Send your leader here."

Helian Qi couldn't help but smirk faintly at her father's words.

Elder Gu's eyes narrowed in response, and his face darkened.

Sword Immortal Shi took a step forward, and his sword aura engulfed the hall.

Before he could do anything, a mysterious force locked onto him.

Sword Immortal Shi squinted and turned to look toward the doorway. There, leaning casually against the frame, was a middle-aged man chewing on a piece of grass. He was smiling lazily toward Sword Immortal Shi.

"Helian Fu!" Sword Immortal Shi exclaimed.

At the mention of the name, Elder Gu's expression shifted subtly.

Helian Fu was no ordinary figure. Years ago, he ranked sixth on the Nine Continents List, a position reserved for the most fearsome talents.

To even break into the top ten was a feat reserved for the monstrous elite.

Even with Sword Immortal Shi's best performance, he only reached thirteenth place.

𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Sword Immortal Shi's expression grew grave. He had fought on the Nine Continents List and knew firsthand how terrifying those who made it to the top ten could be, and Helian Fu was ranked sixth.

Elder Gu glanced at Helian Fu before addressing Helian Yu. "Clan Leader Yu, are you really determined to protect Ye Guan?"

Helian Yu waved dismissively. "Ye Guan? I don't know him. What I can't tolerate is your attitude. You waltzed in here acting like you own the place. Outsiders might think that the Helian Clan is afraid of your Shikigami Mercenary Group!"

Elder Gu's face darkened, but before he could retort, Helian Yu beat him to the chase, saying, "Enough with the nonsense. You're not qualified to speak with me. Bring your leader."

Elder Gu's face turned an angry shade of red, his glare sharp and unforgiving.

"Leave," Helian Fu said authoritatively.

The single word sent a shockwave through Elder Gu and his people.

Elder Gu shot Helian Yu a glare, but he turned around and led his people out. At the doorway, he paused and sneered, "The Helian Clan... is quite impressive."

With that, they vanished into thin air.

Helian Yu's face was dark. He was silent, deep in thought.

Helian Qi approached her father. "Father."

"Your third uncle has told me about your proposal," Helian Yu's expression softened.

"What do you think, Father?"

"I agree with you. If we were to hand Ye Guan over now, even if we wouldn't make enemies of him and the forces behind Ye An, it would sever your ties with Ye An. Moreover, it would make the Helian Clan look cowardly and untrustworthy."

Selling out an ally was universally despised.

Helian Qi solemnly asked, "But what about the Genesis Daoist Temple?"

Helian Qi's expression turned grim at the mention of them.

Though not based in the Nine Continents, its power was immense. Especially the legendary Creation God, who was rumored to have stepped into the realm of Tier Nine Civilizations.

Helian Yu's voice was low. "We need to meet Young Master Ye in person."

Loyalty and honor were important, but so was the clan's interest. He couldn't act recklessly out of sentiment. To make an informed decision, he needed to meet Ye Guan.

Helian Qi immediately said, "I'll bring him here."

After a while, she returned with Ye Guan in tow.

Helian Yu greeted him with a smile. "Young Master Ye, I'm Helian Yu, Little Qi's father. My daughter and your sister are like family, so by extension, you can consider me an uncle."

Ye Guan clasped his hands respectfully. "Uncle Yu, I heard the Shikigami Mercenary Group paid you a visit?"

"They did."

Ye Guan earnestly said, "I've caused you too much trouble. I'll leave right away to avoid dragging you into this."

"Young Master Ye!" Helian Yu interrupted. "You're being too polite. You're one of us now. I've already sent those mercenaries packing."

Ye Guan was taken aback. "Uncle Yu, you mean...?"

"Didn't I just say it? My daughter and your sister are as close as family. If we were to hand you over, what would the world think of us?"

Ye Guan hesitated briefly before revealing the tiny pagoda in his palm. Smiling, he said, "Uncle Yu, everyone, let's continue our conversation somewhere else."

With that, he transported them all into the tiny pagoda.

He was no longer the naive youth he once was. He understood perfectly well that the other party wouldn't help him without any reason. Inviting him over and saying those words had a clear purpose—to gauge his true capabilities. If he failed to see through their intentions and responded foolishly, it would only make them look down on him.

For powers like the Helian Clan, personal connections alone were meaningless. They needed to profit as well.

Once the group entered the tiny pagoda, Helian Yu's expression grew solemn, and even Helian Fu's eyes flickered.

This place was extraordinary.

Helian Yu turned to Ye Guan. "Young Master Ye, where are we?"

Ye Guan smiled. "We're in a special spacetime created by my relative. I mainly come here to cultivate."

Helian Yu hesitated. "Your relative?"

"My aunt."

Helian Yu didn't press further, sensing that Ye Guan wasn't inclined to elaborate. Instead, he asked, "Young Master Ye, what's your cultivation realm?"

Ye Guan replied, "My cultivation base is currently sealed. I came to the Nine Continents to regain it."

"Once your cultivation base is unsealed, how strong are you going to be?" Helian Fu asked.

Ye Guan thought for a moment before replying, "Stronger than Sword Immortal Shi but weaker than you, Senior."

Helian Fu was the strongest among them instead of Helian Yu.

Helian Fu chuckled. "Impressive."

Ye Guan's talent was exceedingly high if he hadn't lied to them. He was still so young, after all.

Ye Guan's tone turned serious. "Seniors, I do have an ongoing conflict with the Genesis Daoist Temple. This matter is between us, so I deeply regret involving you—"

"You're overthinking it," Helian Yu interrupted. "At this point, it's too late to distance ourselves. No matter what happens, we'll face it together. Stay at the inn for now. The Shikigami Mercenary Group won't bother you there."

Ye Guan hesitated but eventually nodded. "Thank you."

After leaving the tiny pagoda, Helian Yu convened with the core elders of the Helian Clan.

"What do you think?" Helian Yu asked Helian Fu.

Helian Fu's voice was serious. "Whoever created that space is an unfathomable expert."

Helian Yu's expression turned grave. Helian Fu's pride was well-known, and for him to make such an assessment spoke volumes. One day inside the pagoda was ten years outside. The one who created that space was a god-like expert!

Helian Qi added, "The Shikigami Mercenary Group won't back down so easily."

Helian Yu nodded. "They won't, but it doesn't matter. I've just learned that they've also antagonized Panzhou by attempting to assassinate Pan Ling. Panzhou has agreed to join forces with us against them."

Helian Qi was surprised at first but quickly understood.

Her father hadn't just decided to help Ye Guan out of loyalty to him or his connections. He also saw the strategic advantage of getting into an alliance with Panzhou.

Over the years, the Helian Clan had been trying to establish a foothold in the Nine Continents. However, they had few allies, so their efforts had amounted to little more than small, haphazard moves.

If they could join forces with Panzhou, it would significantly boost their plans.

Moreover, the Shikigami Mercenary Group had enmity with the Bandit Mercenary Group. This was an opportunity for the Helian Clan to become allies with the Bandit Mercenary Group.

Unfortunately, since the disappearance of the Bandit Mercenary Group's leader, the group had been in decline, with much of their territory falling into the hands of the Shikigami Mercenary Group.

Breaking his silence, Helian Fu remarked, "To be on the safe side, we must quickly summon all of the clan's top elites here."

"Exactly!" Helian Yu nodded. He turned to Helian Fu and said, "Stay here to hold the line and guard against an ambush from the Shikigami Mercenary Group."

Helian Fu gave a slight nod. "Understood."

Helian Qi interjected, "The Shikigami Mercenary Group is manageable, but what concerns me is the Genesis Daoist Temple. We know nothing about their strength..."

After a moment of silence, Helian Yu said, "I've already dispatched people to investigate the Genesis Daoist Temple."

Helian Fu suddenly remarked, "It's not a problem. Someone capable of creating that special spacetime is already beyond our understanding. With such a person backing us, even ten Genesis Daoist Temples won't be a threat."

"This time, what our Helian Clan needs to do is raise the bet—go all in; we have to go crazy and go all-in." Helian Fu looked at Helian Yu and added, "This matter is for you and the others to decide."

After another pause, Helian Yu said, "This decision concerns the life and death of the Helian Clan. If you're willing to bet, raise your hand."

With that, he raised his hand.

Helian Qi followed suit.

Helian Fu raised his hand as well.

Many elders of the Helian Clan in the hall began to raise their right hands one after another.

An elder thrust his hand into the air and declared, "The clan stands united in life and death and in glory and prosperity!"