Chapter 652 - 645: Breaking Open
"Cooperation?"
Zhou Yuanjue looked a little surprised by what Ji had said.
’Humanity and the Celestial Demons shared a deep, bitter enmity. What kind of cooperation could she, one of the Celestial Demon Ancestors, possibly have with him?’
"Correct."
"Though you are only one person, I suspect we cannot defeat you. Thus, I wish to find a way out in advance."
"This is what my logic dictates."
Ji nodded, her expression calm as she spoke.
"Oh? You certainly have a lot of confidence in me."
Zhou Yuanjue smiled. "Then tell me, what can you offer me? If it’s a matter of strength, that won’t be necessary. Frankly, even though I’m alone, the power you currently possess is no longer a threat to me. Suppressing all of you is just a matter of time."
"I know that. But besides strength, I can offer you much more."
Ji nodded and pointed to her head. "My memories. My knowledge. The secrets and intelligence I possess. The history of the Celestial Demons, secrets about the universe and the True Realm, and... information about the coming ’disaster’."
Then, she slowly spread her hands. Her arms were slender, long, and exceptionally pale and smooth, betraying no hint of the terrifying power they contained.
"If you wish, this body can be yours as well. At our level, gender is no longer important, but there is one thing I am quite curious about."
"Namely, what kind of offspring could be produced by mating with a being as powerful as yourself."
Ji spoke calmly. Though the topic was sensitive, and her appearance and physique were flawless, her tone always gave one the impression she was conducting a scientific study.
"I have no interest in your body, but I am very interested in the information you mentioned. However, even if we are to cooperate, it won’t be now. It will be after I have suppressed all the Primordial Ancestors."
"So, right now you have two choices. One: cooperate with me, break the seal of the Kunlun Immortal Palace, reclaim your peak power, and then be sealed by me."
"Two: I break the seal, you reclaim your peak power, and I then suppress you."
Zhou Yuanjue said with a calm expression.
"There doesn’t seem to be a difference,"
Ji said.
"Of course. That’s because, in reality, you have no choice at all."
Zhou Yuanjue nodded and said.
"You’re right."
"However, I am willing to cooperate. I believe you when you say we’ll have an opportunity to work together."
Ji gave a slight nod, ultimately choosing not to resist.
’In truth, resistance would be useless. She knew full well that Zhou Yuanjue had complete control of the situation. She had no power to fight back; she was completely at his mercy.’
’Besides, she believed that if Zhou Yuanjue ever did manage to seal the Twelve Primordial Ancestors, he would certainly become very interested in the information she’d offered. Getting him to trust her right now was impossible.’
’For that reason, she was willing—and had no choice but—to take this risk. Resistance was meaningless.’
"Then, come with me."
Zhou Yuanjue nodded, turned, and in a flash, shot toward the Sealing Realm Image.
With a light step, Ji followed closely behind Zhou Yuanjue.
Seeing Ji return with Zhou Yuanjue, the people within the Sealing Realm Image couldn’t help but look wary.
"Relax, everyone. I’ll take it from here."
Zhou Yuanjue spoke, a gentle smile on his face.
The crowd nodded, watching as Zhou Yuanjue led Ji’s avatar deeper into the Sealing Realm Image until they reached Tu Junshan’s side.
Tu Junshan was still holding the Blood Bone Sword—the one Zhou Yuanjue had formed from his own body. The blade was plunged deep into the ground, pinning a body as white as jade to the earth. A mass of flesh and bone spread out from it, binding the body tightly.
The body of Ancestral Ji.
"Elder Tu, thank you for your hard work. It’s time to return the sword to me."
"You’ve stood guard here for so long. It’s finally time to pull out this nail that’s been stuck in the Northwest of Donghua."
Zhou Yuanjue said to Tu Junshan.
"Alright, it’s all yours. I’ve been sitting stock-still in this godforsaken place for three whole years. I was about to go stir-crazy."
Tu Junshan said with a smile, slowly loosening his grip on the Blood Bone Sword and cutting off the supply of his power.
It was the first time in three years his hand had left the longsword.
Tu Junshan let out a sigh, feeling his entire body relax as if a great mountain had been lifted from his shoulders.
’He might have looked relaxed on the surface, but only he knew the immense pressure he’d been under.’
’The security of a Primordial Ancestor’s Seal, and even the safety of all of Donghua, rested on him. If anything had gone wrong on his watch, it would have been a massive disaster for all of humanity.’
’The weight of that responsibility was unimaginable, but now, he could finally set it down.’
’A burden that heavy wasn’t something he was meant to carry. Best to leave it to someone who could.’
’Someone like the young man standing before him now.’
CRACK! CRACK!!
As Tu Junshan let go, the entire Blood Bone Sword began to shake. Ji’s Body, which it impaled, seemed to tremble slightly, as if it might break free at any moment.
But just then, Zhou Yuanjue reached out and gripped the hilt of the Blood Bone Sword. He didn’t channel any power into it; instead, with a gentle pull, he drew the entire sword out.
SCHLICK!!
As the Blood Bone Sword was withdrawn, all the restraints on Ji’s Body vanished. A terrifying, threatening aura radiated from the form, making everyone nearby feel as if they were suffocating.
"Go on. Reclaim your power."
Zhou Yuanjue said, turning to Ji behind him.
Ji nodded, walked slowly to the body on the ground, and placed her hand upon it.
GURGLE GURGLE!!
The indestructible body rapidly "melted," flowing up her arm and slowly merging into her own body until the two had completely combined.
At this moment, her body was finally whole.
And now...
She looked up at the sky as the Power of the True Realm within her suddenly converged, and she thrust a palm upward.
BOOM!!
The sky of the Immortal Palace Illusion Realm suddenly collapsed, revealing a massive black void. A figure exuding a terrifying pressure shot out from the rift and dove into her body.
An immense aura instantly erupted from within her.
Killing intent surged from her, seeming to possess a corrupting power that could infect the hearts of others.
Her eyes instantly turned blood-red, filled with a savage aura, and her gaze locked fiercely onto Zhou Yuanjue’s face.
At this sight, everyone instantly grew alert.