The Star-Eye Clan's assault team used a series of overlapping blade light attacks, overwhelming the Su Clan warriors despite their superior strength. Though the Su Clan adapted their tactics, successive powerful assaults decimated their numbers, leaving only a handful.
"Make your wish."With these four simple words, the remaining assault team members plunged their weapons into the ground before them.Unsure of their intent, the Su Clan warriors and Kelan Su cried out in unison, "Stop them!"Four figures sprinted forward like arrows loosed from a bow, their weapons slashing at the ground, not the Star-Eye Clan members.To them, the Star-Eye Clan's low-level warriors, now at their wit's end, posed little threat. Their true fear lay in this mysterious formation.At this critical juncture, the assault team members displayed a fearless resolve, placing their bodies before the incoming attacks, using flesh and blood to shield against the enemy's assaults.One, two... five, six! Six Star-Eye Clan members were felled, managing only to shatter a single Su Clan warrior's weapon.Now, with only four combatants left on each side, their expressions told a different story. The Su Clan side was fraught with anxiety and suspicion, while the Star-Eye Clan side radiated relief and burgeoning joy.The remaining nine weapons erupted from the earth, soaring several meters into the air before shattering spectacularly. Countless metal fragments, enshrouded in energy, then rained down upon the Su Clan warriors."Give it your all!"Evasion was impossible; the sheer volume of fragments made it so. Defending seemed equally daunting. Their only recourse was to eliminate the remaining Star-Eye Clan members before the deadly barrage struck them.Pfft! The first fragment found its mark on a Su Clan warrior, a spray of blood erupting. Soon after, the sounds of impact became an overwhelming, indistinguishable cacophony.Having executed their final maneuver, the remaining assault team members could only move sluggishly. It wasn't a lack of will, but their bodies simply refused to cooperate. Were it not for the ongoing battle, they would have collapsed to the ground.Despite their weakened state, the four remaining fighters attempted to retreat, understanding that perhaps a single step could be the difference between ultimate victory and crushing defeat.Every spectator, including Ye Zhongming, watched with bated breath. He had underestimated the Su Clan's unwavering determination and decisiveness. He also realized he had overestimated the assault team's proficiency with this ability; their strength was still too limited, otherwise, this should have been a resounding triumph.All the weapon fragments finally settled. The air was cleared of the agonizing, tearing sounds. In the center of the arena, only two figures remained standing: a Su Clan warrior ensnared by weapon fragments, and Shi Yong.However, by this moment, the Su Clan warrior's blade was buried deep within Shi Yong's body, with Shi Yong's hands gripping the hilt. They held this pose for a tense moment before both vanished simultaneously from the virtual battlefield."It actually ended in a draw."Few had anticipated such a result. In the final instant, the Su Clan warrior had lunged towards Shi Yong, who had taken several steps back, delivering a fatal blow, but in doing so, had also succumbed to the fragments himself.The leader of Kelan Su's faction let out a disheartened sigh. He understood that a draw was tantamount to a loss. To argue further would invite contempt from others.He turned a serious gaze towards Ye Zhongming and stated, "We shall discuss cooperation with the clan leader. However, ensure the benefits are shared amongst our other two factions as well."After a brief pause, he added, "I hope neither of our choices proves to be a mistake."With his words delivered, he departed with his contingent. The other faction remained, needing to witness the negotiation firsthand.Ye Zhongming summoned a Gold Mask warrior, retrieved medicine from his spatial equipment, and entrusted it to him for the assault team.Upon receiving the medicine, the Gold warrior was filled with profound awe for this Order Leader. A group of subordinates, whose average power level was merely six thousand, had fought to a draw against opponents several times their strength – it was simply astounding. While the Su Clan warriors' power wasn't vastly superior, it implied that even a direct confrontation might have resulted in a win for his comrades.The Star-Eye Clan certainly lacked such techniques; this capability clearly belonged to the Order Leader. Possessing such miraculous arts made admiration a natural response.If their belief in the Star-Eye Clan's resurgence had been wavering before, it was now unshakeable.Yaohan Su convened a meeting in a conference room, accompanied by his people. As cooperation between two major clans was on the table, the setting demanded a certain formality."State your terms first," Yaohan Su declared, cutting directly to the chase and addressing Ye Zhongming. Now that cooperation between both sides was essentially confirmed, as the Su Clan's primary leader, his demeanor had shifted entirely. Previously, he had sided with Ye Zhongming, offering unreserved support. Now, he adopted the perspective of the Su Clan, viewing Ye Zhongming as a negotiation adversary.
Right off the bat, Ye Zhongming began to lay out his demands.
"First, you will establish three of your most potent major formations at specific locations within the Star-Eye Clan and other areas I designate."
"And who will be supplying the necessary materials?"
"That would be you."
"That's impossible! Three of the absolute best major formations – do you have any idea of the exorbitant cost involved?"
"Then you supply the core components. If we were to gather these materials ourselves, it would take an inordinate amount of time."
"I'll give you five thousand pounds of Purple Luo Zinc."
"That’s far too much. You’re certainly aware of this material’s rarity, perhaps even more so than I am. We’ll settle for one thousand pounds."
"That is insufficient."
"Very well, two thousand pounds then. That’s my final offer."
"...Agreed."
From the very beginning, an intense negotiation unfolded between Yaohan Su and Ye Zhongming, with neither party willing to concede an inch. While the Su Clan appeared to be at a disadvantage, it was clear they would also present their own set of conditions later on.
"Second, an interest-free loan of one hundred million Moonspan Gold."
"Do we look like complete fools to you?" Yaohan Su scoffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"No, rather it is I who appears foolish, because this hundred million Moonspan Gold will empower both myself and the Star-Eye Clan. Consequently, the benefits we bestow upon you will undoubtedly far surpass this sum."
"Are you expecting us to simply believe your words with no proof?"
"Haven't I provided sufficient evidence already? Had the Gold Mask warriors unleashed that particular ability sooner, how many of your clansmen could have possibly withstood their onslaught?"
Yaohan Su’s gaze sharpened as he glared at Ye Zhongming, acknowledging the young man’s skill in striking sensitive points without hesitation.
"You don't seriously believe that all warriors of our Su Clan possess a Furelai exceeding fifty thousand, or even a hundred thousand, do you?" The leader of the opposing faction couldn't resist interjecting, his eyebrows knitted in disbelief.
"Soon, the Star-Eye Clan will also possess top-tier experts."
"Very well. You will hand over the technique your people employed earlier. Regarding this hundred million, you will not be required to repay it."
Following Yaohan Su’s pronouncement, he subtly glanced at the leader of the other faction. That individual considered the offer for a moment before nodding in agreement.
They had personally witnessed the formidable power of that particular formation. If they could acquire the knowledge to replicate it, one hundred million Moonspan Gold would indeed be a justifiable price.
Ye Zhongming stroked his chin, a flicker of hesitation and consideration crossing his features. Then, steeling his resolve, he declared, "Two hundred million."
