Chapter 2: Mount Saint Slaughter (Part 2)

Ba Zhuo never expected the Chenxiao Sect to send out a Grand Saint Master. He also recognized Yan Long, knowing that this guy was one of the top experts in the Chenxiao Sect. They came out in a hurry after receiving a message from the exploration team, which said they had discovered a natural Rune Fire Zone in a new secret realm. Only one member of the exploration team managed to escape, claiming there were Saint Master-level experts in the Rune Fire Zone, but not Grand Saint Master-level ones—this led Ba Zhuo to make a wrong judgment. Now he realized that it was the Chenxiao Sect that had discovered this Rune Fire Zone first.

Ba Zhuo wasn’t giving up. After all, natural Rune Fire Zones were extremely precious—they were essential for igniting the Soul Flame. Even on the advanced continents, discovering such Rune Fire would spark battles over it.
“Hmph, let’s go! Don’t think just because your Chenxiao Sect has a Grand Saint Master that we won’t meet soon!”
Ba Zhuo knew he couldn’t win a fight now. The only way to compete with the Chenxiao Sect was to return and bring in the Grand Saint Master from Mount Saint Slaughter. So, he wisely decided to retreat.

Yan Long’s expression turned serious. He said coldly, “Just come when you want? Leave when you want? There’s no such thing in the world!” How could he let his opponent go? He must subdue them now.
Ba Zhuo’s face changed drastically. He asked, “What do you want?”
Yan Long replied indifferently, “Nothing much… Just have you sign a Rune Agreement! Acknowledge that this place belongs to our Chenxiao Sect! With your status, this agreement will be binding enough.”

Guo Shier heard of a Rune Agreement for the first time. He asked softly, “Masteress, what is a Rune Agreement?”
Monier smiled and said, “A Rune Agreement… is a rule established by various sects to prevent large-scale conflicts. It has some binding force. But… when there’s a huge difference in strength, a Rune Agreement is just worthless paper. Only agreements signed by sects of equal strength are effective.”

Ba Zhuo glanced at the others. He had a dozen or so Saint Masters and twenty or so Mad Masters—totaling just over forty professional experts. On the other hand, besides one Grand Saint Master, they had at least thirty more Saint Master-level experts, not to mention even more Mad Masters and Masters. The two sides were completely uncomparable. He inwardly cursed that guy from the exploration team for claiming there were only a few Saint Masters.
“That’s impossible!” Ba Zhuo snapped through gritted teeth.
Yan Long narrowed his eyes and said coldly, “The lives of your forty or so people… aren’t even worth a single Rune Agreement?” He issued a direct threat.

Witherwood’s lips twitched slightly. Given his temperament, he would kill first. But Yan Long was a Great Sage, so he couldn’t act rashly and could only stand aside patiently, feeling extremely annoyed inside.

This threat was no trivial matter. After all, a Sage was the highest-ranking existence in a sect. If Yan Long seized the opportunity to kill them, Sacred Slaughter Mountain’s strength would be greatly weakened. Ba Zhong began to hesitate.

Guo Shier knew that a fight might not even be possible. With a super expert like Yan Long around, his deterrent power was immense. Even if the Sages of Sacred Slaughter Mountain were arrogant, they wouldn’t dare to act rashly. At their level, large-scale battles had to be avoided at all costs.

In fact, even without Yan Long, Chenxiao Sect and Sacred Slaughter Mountain wouldn’t fight. Though they were old rivals, they weren’t mortal enemies. They would secretly undermine each other, but as long as it didn’t happen openly, both sects would pretend not to see it. If large-scale battles between high-level professionals occurred, both sides would face a situation of no peace until death, which would be extremely detrimental to both. Therefore, Yan Long only made threats without actually taking action.

The situation stalled for a while. Yan Long said impatiently, “Ba Zhong, what do you say?”

Ba Zhong trembled with anger. He wasn’t stupid—he certainly knew that if he mishandled this situation, it would immediately lead to war between the two major sects, something he didn’t want to see. Having grown into a high-level Sage, he had top-tier combat skills and experience. He wouldn’t start a war recklessly. He said gravely, “Sacred Slaughter Mountain deserves a share!”

Yan Long shook his head. “With your current strength, you won’t get a share! We discovered this place. Just because you saw it doesn’t mean you deserve a share. That reason doesn’t hold!”

Ba Zhong already thought about retreating. He knew Sacred Slaughter Mountain had been misled by that guy from the exploration team. Judging from the situation, this was indeed Chenxiao Sect’s territory. He stubbornly said, “You haven’t announced that this is your secret realm, your Symbol Fire Zone… Of course, we deserve a share!” He refused to give up. This Symbol Fire Zone was too important—even a small piece would do.

Yan Long stared at him, clearly impatient. Ba Zhong involuntarily broke into cold sweat. He gritted his teeth and kept looking at Yan Long, silently encouraging himself: Never give up!

Silence reigned around, broken only by the roar of the flames.

A sharp sound of something cutting through the air came from afar. Everyone looked up and saw a streak of colored light streaking across the sky, flying swiftly toward the area of flames. Yan Long’s expression immediately turned angry. He inwardly smiled bitterly—so the other side also had a Great Saint Master. Things were getting difficult now.

That streak of colored light moved at incredible speed and landed right beside Ba Zhong and the others. When the figure revealed itself, Ba Zhong was filled with both joy and surprise. He stepped forward and bowed, saying, “Greetings, Senior Brother Chen Kui. How did you come here?”

Chen Kui replied calmly, “It’s Ba Zhong, right? I received word that a natural talisman fire zone had been discovered, so I rushed over… I just happened to need natural talisman fire… Hm? Yan Long? How are the people from the Chenxiao Sect here? So many of them…”

Guo Shier sighed inwardly. The other side also had a Great Saint Master—this was troublesome.

Yan Long said nothing, staring coldly at Chen Kui, filled with extreme anger. He knew very well that it had become very difficult to monopolize the talisman fire zone.

Guo Shier quietly observed this top professional expert from Sacred Slaughter Mountain. The man seemed quite young. His hair was as white as that of MasterMaster (MasterMaster) -> MasterMaster (MasterMaster), like snow. He wore a black robe, with a dark green talisman beast belt around his waist. His expression was kind and friendly, without any fierce aura. There was also a disciple around seventeen or eighteen years old by his side.

Ba Zhong quietly recounted what had happened. Chen Kui remained expressionless, still smiling, nodding to show he understood. Then he turned and flew over, saying, “Brother Yan, long time no see. How have you been?”

In Guo Shier’s mind, Chen Kui was someone with excellent manners. If he wasn’t a smiling tiger, then he was definitely a very good person.

Yan Long replied irritably, “Not well!”

Chen Kui smiled and said, “Brother Yan, there’s no need to be so upset. There are many good things in this world, and it’s not as if the Chenxiao Sect can have them all. Besides, this talisman fire zone is so large. If people from the higher continents discover it, you won’t be able to keep it either. Hehe, even if Sacred Slaughter Mountain is excluded, you may not be able to monopolize this place!”

After hearing these words, Guo Shier realized this man was extremely powerful. He had immediately grasped the key issue, which was precisely the Chenxiao Sect’s weakness. If Yan Long didn’t agree to Chen Kui’s demands, he might spread the news here at any time, leaving neither side any benefit.

Yan Long thought for a moment and realized he couldn’t push things any further, or it would cost him more than it was worth. Since the opponent had sent a Great Sage Master, the nature of the situation had changed. Great Sage Masters rarely fought with each other, and no sect could afford to lose one—after all, they were the pillar of deterrence for their sects, the ones that held back threats at the sect gates.

“Since you’re stepping in, I’m willing to negotiate. But it goes without saying that we were the first to discover this area ofFulu fire! fire!”

Chen Kui said generously, “No problem. I acknowledge that!”

Ba Zhong couldn’t help but call out, “Elder Brother!”

Chen Kui glared at him and said, “I’ll handle this matter here!”

Ba Zhong reluctantly flew back a few steps. Once Chen Kui confirmed that the opponent had discovered the place first, Sheng Tu Shan would be at a severe disadvantage in the negotiations, and the portion of theFulu fire! fire area it could get would certainly not exceed half.

Yan Long nodded and said, “Additionally, if Sheng Tu Shan wants a share of this area ofFulu fire! fire, it must offer compensation to Chen Xiao Sect so that I can gain my sect’s approval.” This was part of the issue at hand. Chen Kui also nodded and said, “No problem. How to compensate will be decided by the negotiators from both sides.”

Guo Shier sighed, “This guy is amazing!”

Monier said, “Of course a Great Sage Master is amazing… He’s a top-tier professional expert.”

Guo Shier shook his head. “I’m not saying he’s good at his profession, but rather his negotiation skills are outstanding.”

Monier said, “How didn’t I notice? He’s just kept agreeing to our conditions, right? I didn’t see how amazing he was.” She knew almost nothing about negotiations, so of course she couldn’t understand how much of an advantage Chen Kui had. Originally, this area ofFulu fire! fire had nothing to do with Sheng Tu Shan, but now it was completely different. If Chen Xiao Sect wanted to occupy this land, it had to negotiate with Sheng Tu Shan to divide the territory.

Guo Shier said, “That doesn’t matter. What’s important is that Sheng Tu Shan now has the right to negotiate. From now on… two sects will occupy this place separately.”

Monier blinked indifferently and said, “Anyway, I’m not coming here anymore. Let them deal with it however they want.”

Guo Shier broke into a cold sweat. This sect master was truly powerful. But he wasn’t too concerned about it—how the territory was divided had little to do with him. With what they had gained here in half a year, they wouldn’t need to collectFulu fire! fire anymore in the future. With such a large area ofFulu fire! fire, they had almost taken all the valuable ones. It would take at least a hundred years to restore things to their original level.

The tense atmosphere between the two sides quickly eased as the two great masters began to talk. Not only did the people from Sacred Slaughter Mountain breathe a sigh of relief, but those from Chenxiao Sect did the same. No one wanted to fight—this was different from ordinary battles. Fights between sects were terrifying; once war broke out, countless lives would be lost, and no one wanted to go that far.

As the atmosphere relaxed, everyone’s attention turned to the flames on the ground. Kuumu said coldly, “No one is allowed to take the talisman flames until negotiations succeed!”

Yan Long and Chen Kui immediately restrained the crowd. These people didn’t know that the high-quality talisman flames here had already been taken. Seeing so many talisman flames at once, it was hard for them to resist the urge to act. Fortunately, both Yan Long and Chen Kui had great authority, and upon hearing them speak, no one dared to act recklessly.

Chen Kui smiled and said, “Feng Er, come meet your strict uncle.” There was clearly a hint of pride in his tone.

Yan Long asked, “Is this your youngest disciple?”

Chen Kui replied happily, “Hehe, this kid has extraordinary potential. He became a junior grand talisman caster at fifteen and a senior grand talisman caster at seventeen. In another year or two, I’m confident I can get him to become a Mad Master… Hehe, a Mad Master at eighteen!”

A strange smile appeared on Yan Long’s face. Kuumu tilted his lips coldly.