Chapter 3208 – Negotiation

Jin Hong asked about their situation. He had far too many doubts and confusions after accidentally encountering Jian Chen in the Darkstar World.

In particular, the helplessness on the faces of the Primordial realm experts of the Darkstar expert when Jian Chen suddenly appeared and forcefully took him away earlier left Jin Hong extremely puzzled.

He could clearly sense that Jian Chen’s relationship with the Darkstar race was not what he imagined it to be.

Jian Chen controlled the fire and boiled the tea carefully as he said in thought, “You can say my relationship with the Darkstar race is cooperative. Of course, you can also interpret it as a deal.”

“What? You’ve even established a cooperative relationship with the Darkstar race?” Jin Hong was visibly surprised. He stared at Jian Chen with widened eyes as he asked in complete doubt, “But according to the information that I possess, the Darkstar race was like ice and fire with you after the great ceremony had failed. How are you so close to the Darkstar race a-a-all of a sudden?”

Jian Chen chuckled. “Brother Jin Hong, I think you’ve heard this before, but there are no eternal enemies in the world, nor are there eternal friends. There is only eternal benefit.”

“I don’t really agree with that saying. It’s a little too surface level, but I have to admit that it is correct to a certain degree. The improvement in my relationship with the Darkstar race is based on that.”

“Jian Chen, j-just how did you do that? I’m a Primordial realm expert just like you. I’m even a Grand Exalt’s successor on top of that, yet the treatment we receive in the Darkstar World is completely different.” Jin Hong felt wronged when he mentioned this.

Jian Chen smiled. “If you want to succeed with that, it’s very simple. You just need to possess strength so great that the Darkstar race fears you, such that even if they muster the strength of their entire race, they pose no threat to you. At that level, the Darkstar race obviously can’t do anything to you, as they’re not capable of that. They’ll be forced to accept your existence.”

“My cooperation with the Darkstar race is completely built off great power. Without the strength to overwhelm their entire race, it’s completely impossible for foreign Primordial realm experts to exist here given their caution towards outsiders, much less cooperate with them.”

Jin Hong became more and more shocked as he listened to Jian Chen. He was tongue-tied. “Y-y- you mean- you mean you already- already possess the strength to overwhelm the entire Darkstar race?”

Jian Chen nodded. By now, the tea had already been made. He personally poured a cup for Jin Hong. “Come, have some tea. Drink it while it’s hot.”

Jin Hong stared at Jian Chen blankly, remaining silent for a very long while. He subconsciously lifted up the tea cup and drank all the Comprehension Tea in a single gulp.

As soon as the tea entered his mouth, the heavy presence of ways immediately filled his face. The indiscernible ways and laws originally hidden within the mist directly cleared up, presenting themselves before Jin Hong clearly.

Under this state, Jin Hong immediately felt like his comprehension of the ways was soaring.

He subconsciously shut his eyes and immediately sank into cultivation.

The presence of ways within Comprehension Tea was even heavier than Fortune God Jade, but it possessed a major flaw—it only lasted for a very short time. It was nowhere near as sustainable as Fortune God Jade.

As a result, in just a single day, Jin Hong sobered up from comprehending the ways. Shock filled his eyes as he stared at the empty cup before him in disbelief. “I-is this the legendary Comprehension Tea?”

“Yes, it is Comprehension Tea, fifth grade God Tier comprehension tea. However, your strength has advanced far too aggressively recently, so your cultivation is not consolidated enough. Otherwise, the cup of Comprehension Tea should have been enough for you to advance by a minor realm of cultivation. After all, my Comprehension Tea is no ordinary Comprehension Tea,” Jian Chen said casually.

Jin Hong’s eyes burned with interest. He stared straight at Jian Chen. “I- if you can spare me a few more cups, I’ll definitely be able to make a breakthrough.” When he said that, Jin Hong turned slightly red for once.

Jian Chen laughed. “I don’t have a lot of Comprehension Tea on me, so I can only invite you to a cup. I don’t have any more for you.”

A smear of disappointment appeared in Jin Hong’s eyes, but he seemed to remember something. He immediately looked at Jian Chen solemnly. “Jian Chen, since you already possess the strength to overwhelm the entire Darkstar race, then I hope you can help me out with something.”

Jian Chen glanced at Jin Hong and said nothing. He already had a few guesses.

“I’ve actually been burdened with the hopes of many peak organisations of the Saints’ World for coming into the Darkstar World. They all hope to convince the Darkstar race into establishing the same relationship as before through me, where we can engage in trade and obtain what we need.”

“As long as the Darkstar race agrees, they’ll drop the fact that they destroyed the Hundred Saint City. They will even forget about all of their clansmen that died here.”

Jin Hong let out a sigh and said helplessly, “I originally planned on negotiating with the Darkstar race, but you’ve seen what happened as well. They had no intention of talking with me. Instead, they’re basically tempted to kill me on the spot as soon as they see me.”

“As a result, it’s almost impossible for me to negotiate with them through my abilities alone. I hope you can help me.” Jin Hong stared at Jian Chen seriously. “If I can get your help, I’ll be able to complete this mission very easily.”

Jian Chen said nothing. He stood up slowly and arrived at the edge of the cliff, gazing at the sea of clouds in the distance with his hands behind his back. Only after a moment of silence did he say slowly, “Jin Hong, you can only rely on yourself for this. I can’t help you. I can only promise you that I will ensure your safety as long as you are in the Darkstar World.”

“Of course, that’s given that you don’t do anything against the Darkstar World.”

“Jian Chen-” Jin Hong did not give up. He wanted to convince Jian Chen, but he was interrupted by Jian Chen when he raised his hand. “Don’t talk about this anymore. I don’t want to become involved in the various organisations of the Saints’ World and the Darkstar race’s struggles and interests. I won’t become involved either.”

“However, there is something that I can tell you. I’ve already made a promise to the Heavenly Crane clan, so I will do my best to persuade the Darkstar Emperor to prioritise trade with the Heavenly Crane clan. He might even make the Heavenly Crane clan become the only ones that can trade with them.”

“Make the Heavenly Crane clan become the only ones that can trade with them? Don’t tell me it’s because of He Qianqian?” Jin Hong smiled wryly. He already understood that his chances at getting Jian Chen’s help had become slim.

“Not because of He Qianqian, but because I made a promise to ancestor Lan of the Heavenly Crane clan,” said Jian Chen.

As soon as Jian Chen mentioned ancestor Lan, Jin Hong became serious. The ancestors in his clan had mentioned her before. She was a terrifying figure that even their Dire Wolf clan feared.

Jian Chen’s expression changed, and he stared off into the distance. In the next moment, a figure silently appeared in the empty space.

He was young and extremely handsome. He maintained the same, stern expression all day long without smiling, except he had a head full of long, snowy-white hair.

He was the youthful emperor of the Darkstar race.