Chapter 1903 - 2000: Negotiating with a Tiger for Its Skin
Chapter 1903: Chapter 2000: Negotiating with a Tiger for Its Skin
Under a Sky-Grazing Ancient Tree, Fang Lin sat cross-legged by the stream, the powerless Clear Rainbow Sword leaning quietly against the ancient tree.
Fang Lin exhaled a turbid breath, opened his eyes, and looked at the Clear Rainbow Sword beside him. His expression was somewhat dazed, as if the dashing figure of the silver-haired elder appeared before him once again.
Though the Clear Rainbow Sword remains, the person is no longer here.
These past few days, Fang Lin had been reluctant to think about Jin Zhulong’s death, because every time he recalled it, his heart felt extremely heavy.
To Fang Lin, Jin Zhulong was both a mentor and a friend, someone who supported him during his weakest moments. Without Jin Zhulong, Fang Lin feared he wouldn’t have survived until now and would have perished somewhere unknown long ago.
The two had once been wary of each other, especially Fang Lin, who for a long time believed that this former Demon Saint was plotting against him, intending to seize his body.
Only after enduring many hardships together did they gradually dispel their misgivings, and Fang Lin regarded him as a mentor and elder-like figure.
Until Fang Lin crafted the Nirvana Pill and restored Jin Zhulong’s physical body, after which they each went their separate ways to pursue their own endeavors.
It was upon learning of Jin Zhulong’s death that Fang Lin realized that since their last farewell, they had never met again.
"The old dried corpse is dead, and even you have become like this." Fang Lin held the Clear Rainbow Sword in his hand. Though the sword’s edge remained sharp, Fang Lin knew it was now useless, having lost all its power, now just an ordinary sword. Jin Qinghong’s remnant soul had left the sword, its whereabouts unknown or perhaps dissipated.
At this thought, Fang Lin could not help but sigh again. He had thought about searching for Jin Zhulong’s body across the mountains and rivers. Though the person is dead, he should at least be laid to rest. For a once-glorious Demon Saint to have no one to collect his remains after death would be truly tragic.
But the matters concerning Dugu Nian and the others were more pressing, and Fang Lin had no way to leave the Ancient Demon Ridge, only to look for an opportunity later to retrieve Jin Zhulong’s body for burial.
"It’s clear now, Liao Can Sheng is within Qin Capital." The Great Sage Equal to Heaven appeared and said to Fang Lin.
Fang Lin nodded, and a duplicate appeared, standing beside him, identical to Fang Lin.
This was no ordinary duplicate, but one formed from Fang Lin’s own flesh and blood, possessing nearly eighty percent of Fang Lin’s strength, and mixed with True Dragon blood and flesh, making its physique exceptionally strong.
Though a duplicate, its power was enough to crush any Immortal realm expert and could battle against those with one or two levels of the Heavenly Mandate.
However, being a duplicate, it was inferior to the original in many ways, such as being unable to use treasures. But Fang Lin intended for this duplicate only to negotiate with Mo Shouhe, not to fight to the death, so the strength aspect wasn’t very important.
Fang Lin glanced at the duplicate, their minds connected, and it directly left the Ancient Demon Ridge, heading towards Qin Capital.
"Are you sure it will succeed?" The Great Sage Equal to Heaven couldn’t help but express some concern.
Fang Lin sighed, "Success or failure, we have to try first to know. If this path doesn’t work, I have other methods."
Upon hearing that Fang Lin had other methods, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven was a bit curious, "Other methods? Then why risk meeting Mo Shouhe?"
Fang Lin hesitated. The so-called other method was the most extreme; using his own soul to save Dugu Nian and the others.
After all, within Fang Lin’s soul existed the Life and Death Reincarnation Pill. If he sacrificed himself, channeling the power of his soul into Dugu Nian and the others, there was a high chance to preserve their lives.
But doing so would surely mean death for Fang Lin, as giving away one’s soul leaves no chance of survival.
It was the last resort; if all hope was lost, Fang Lin would sacrifice himself to save Dugu Nian and the others.
"The Demon Saint will know when the time comes." Fang Lin did not elaborate, simply saying this one sentence.
The Great Sage Equal to Heaven saw that Fang Lin had unspeakable concerns and did not press further.
····
The Nine Countries Seven Seas, all factions submitted to the Supreme Saint Hall, even the top masters hidden behind the three sects—Black White Taoist Sage, Golden Tripod Buddha Emperor, and others—chose to surrender.
Throughout the world, only the Demon Beast race remained autonomous, thanks to the Great Sage Equal to Heaven and the Demon Clan’s Sacred Tree.
The Supreme Saint Hall naturally revered Mo Shouhe, but as an invincible expert in the Martial Arts Supreme realm, he stood above it all. The affairs of the Supreme Saint Hall were generally managed by his disciple, Liao Can Sheng.
In Qin Capital, the atmosphere was heavy, the era of the Three Emperors ruling the Nine Countries had passed, and the Qin Imperial City had become Liao Can Sheng’s stronghold.
The experts of the Sealing Sword Pavilion, who had once followed Liao Can Sheng, were also in Qin Capital, forming a concentration of elite talents.
Even the Sky Swallowing Palace of the past could not compare to the Sealing Sword Pavilion now.
Fang Lin arrived in Qin Capital!
The moment he stepped into Qin Capital, he was already discovered, and Fang Lin was aware of this, so he didn’t hide, heading straight towards the imperial capital.
As he approached the imperial capital, a figure stood at the resplendent city gate, coldly watching Fang Lin, who came from afar.
This person was Liao Can Sheng!
"You’ve finally come," Liao Can Sheng said with a smile to Fang Lin.
Fang Lin glanced at him expressionlessly, "Where is Mo Shouhe?"
Liao Can Sheng said, "Master is not here."
Fang Lin frowned, "I want to see him."
"I know your intentions. If you wish to save the people of the Sky Swallowing Palace, you should know what it costs," Liao Can Sheng said with a slight smile.
Fang Lin cast a cold glance at Liao Can Sheng, "Let Mo Shouhe talk to me; you are not qualified."
Liao Can Sheng was unperturbed by Fang Lin’s tone. Such a person was long beyond caring for insult or glory.
"I am indeed not your equal, Pill Sovereign Fang, but it is you who seeks my master," said Liao Can Sheng as he looked at Fang Lin, waiting for his response.
Fang Lin said, "I can offer Mo Shouhe a pill not inferior to the Life and Death Reincarnation Pill."
Liao Can Sheng’s pupils narrowed, but he remained calm, "Master only needs the Life and Death Reincarnation Pill."
"The Life and Death Reincarnation Pill is long gone and there aren’t enough resources to craft another," Fang Lin replied.
Liao Can Sheng’s mouth curled into a playful smile, "The Life and Death Reincarnation Pill is with you. It’s just a matter of whether Pill Sovereign Fang is willing to part with it."
Fang Lin fell silent, realizing Mo Shouhe’s intentions were clear: he wanted Fang Lin himself to offer the Life and Death Reincarnation Pill.
However, doing so would undoubtedly be colluding with a tiger, and if Mo Shouhe truly obtained the Life and Death Reincarnation Pill, the consequences would likely be even more severe.