Star Gate

Chapter 796: Probing for Partnership (IV)

“Then why go to Silver Moon?” Li Hao asked. All sides could just quietly wait for the second awakening, why fixate on Silver Moon? He’d never understood what was in the province for the rest of the world and ancient monster spirits.

“We want to go to Silver Moon because of the ancient existences there. If they haven’t died yet, then almost none of them are fully awakened!” Chen Yao answered honestly. “You must understand that to the ancient spirits elsewhere, they weren’t the strongest back in the day. The truly great were all in Silver Moon! If those outside devour the protective plant spirits of Battle Heaven, they would take a large step forward and smash through their previous cultivation restrictions.

“For us, once Silver Moon’s ancient monster spirits and modern cities shatter, it represents another awakening of the entire Skystar Dynasty! Whether it is these ancient cities or ancient powerhouses, they keep a lot of things sealed away and cause the world to grow ever poorer!

“Silver Moon was the center of the world during the ancient civilization. As such, treasures abound within it. Heritage from powerhouses, ultimate arts of martial dao, corpses of ancient monster spirits, and lands of enlightenment from heavyweights... Only there can we break our shackles and take another step forward! Victory is possible only when the Silver Moon heavyweights are still in slumber. That is the only possible chance to rise to higher heights!”

Chen Yao looked at Li Hao. “The legends also say that it is through Silver Moon can we walk out of this world and enter a bigger world! It is the passage to the ancient civilization, and that the eight families protected this passage. Do you... know about this?”

The Star Gate?

It wasn’t Li Hao’s first time hearing of this. The eight families encircled the Star Gate and protected the passageway. Perhaps one could utilize the Star Gate to locate the ancient Human King and others. Of course, the Human King was long dead in the eyes of most and the ancient civilization completely destroyed.

But no matter what, it was a path to a higher level of being. Therefore, Silver Moon became a place that these people always fought over.

“And then?” Li Hao inclined his head.

“And then?” Chen Yao was speechless, so he had to put it more plainly. “Therefore, it won’t be the ancient powerhouses of Silver Moon that first appear after the second awakening, but the plant and monster spirits that back the royal family and nine ministries. They will attack Silver Moon at first light, seize the bodies of the strong, devour their core origin, break through the Star Gate...

“That’s why I say your true troubles will begin then, that Silver Moon’s troubles will officially arrive then! You’ve demonstrated your strength at present, so everyone is biding their time. They simply think that there’s no need to go toe-to-toe, that they can just wait.

“This is why you can withstand their combined offensive. It won’t last long as the second awakening should be arriving soon. Skystar City is the key. Both the nine ministries and royal family know that the second awakening might have something to do with the enormous mine at Skystar City...”

“So the minister means to say that that will be the day of my death?” Li Hao finally understood.

“Not exactly... but the best course of action for you then is to run back to Silver Moon! I know that Silver Moon is very strong, that there are many martial masters, and many of the old guard still alive. They once attacked Skystar City and sought to seize some ruins. Most of them died, but a portion survived.

“And yet, can they stand against these existences that have survived for countless years?”

“I understand your meaning!” Li Hao laughed. “The minister would like to ask if I have a patron, do I? To be honest, no. You said so yourself, the powerhouses of Silver Moon are hard to awaken. When it really comes to that time, how are we to stand against the plant and monster spirits backing you guys?”

“......” Chen Yao was growing weary of this conversation. Do you, or do you not, understand what I mean? “You can... quickly set foot into five elements, but my senses tell me that that will be hard for me. I’m thinking that if you can cross into seven elements before the second awakening, then you’ll have the ability to eliminate a batch of enemies before the awakening arrives. Perhaps you can partner with some plant spirits, such as the one of the Hus. The plant spirits need our help too, it’s just a matter of mutual benefit...”

“No, wait!” Li Hao interrupted him. “The plant spirits are incomparably powerful after awakening, so aren’t you afraid that they’ll eliminate you instead? Why do you think they’ll help you?”

Where did he get the confidence from?

“We naturally have our guarantees if we dare to work with the plant spirits,” laughed Chen Yao. “Silver Moon Territory is no longer suited for core origin dao, so the ancient plant spirits will have to attach themselves to a modern powerhouse if they wish to leave this land. That holds true even after they fully awaken and devour heavyweights of core origin dao. Under normal circumstances, we sign mutual beneficiary agreements...”

“What do you mean by that?”

“It means that we mutually benefit from each other!” Chen Yao explained. “Just as these agreements existed in the ancient civilization, we share our lives, energy, and great dao with each other. Neither side is able to hurt one another in this way.”

A mutual beneficiary agreement? Li Hao sent his consciousness into the storage ring. “Senior Little Tree, do you know about the mutual beneficiary agreement?”

The little tree trembled before sending back mental ripples moments later. “Do you... want to sign one with me?”

“No, I’m just asking.” Li Hao wanted to roll his eyes. What was it so afraid for? I don’t want to sign with you! But seeing at how afraid the tree is, this looks like it does exist.

“Mutual beneficiary agreements existed between humanity and plant spirits back in the day. They were a special method meant to prevent betrayal from either side. The two sides signed agreements to share their lives and depend on each other. Humanity could receive longevity and plant spirits would receive some benefits from humans.

“It was an arrangement of mutual benefit, but it was gradually abolished.”

“Why?” Li Hao asked curiously.

“There are certain drawbacks to mutual beneficiary agreements. For instance, if one side wanted to die, it would easily drag in the other. If one side is too weak, that easily implicates the other. Killing the weakling would easily cause the death of the strong.”

That made sense!

“And another thing, interference appears between the daos of humans and plant spirits. Hence, mutual beneficiary agreements are quite limited in the peaks that they can reach.”

Is that so? Li Hao asked further, “So they really do exist and are effective, is that so?”

“Right!” answered the little tree. “But you should be careful if you wish to sign a mutual beneficiary agreement. A lower level agreement was crafted later on to avoid some troubles—sharing a part of core origin, sharing a part of life. My replica can sign an agreement with you, but if anything happens, only my replica dies. My primary body is fine.”

Li Hao’s heart shook. That was confidential, wasn’t it? The little tree had just outright told him about it!

“I tell you this just to remind you to not easily trust mutual beneficiary agreements.” The little tree seemed to know what was going on in his mind. “If you place your trust in them, the other can condemn you to death with just the willingness to lose a portion of their core origin. However, most plant spirits will not do so unless they have absolutely no choice. Losing core origin is especially troublesome in this era!”

Li Hao understood, that made sense.

“Besides... you are the heir of the Sword Sovereign. Signing an agreement with you doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a poor bargain for me.”

Essentially, the little tree was saying that it would agree if Li Hao truly wanted to sign one. After all, his status was acceptable and his potential was good. They could sign one!

Li Hao was speechless. He didn’t want to engage in that course of action!

Across the table, Chen Yao frowned to see the young man deep in thought.

“Minister Chen,” Li Hao suddenly said. “You guys haven’t signed these agreements yet, have you?”

“No, we haven’t,” Chen Yao confirmed. “For one, we are too weak and so the plant spirits are unwilling. For two, they haven’t fully awakened yet. Signing an agreement now is a burden to them. If their person on the outside dies, it would implicate them in numerous ways. But once the second awakening begins, we’ll sign the agreements to prevent them from swiftly turning on us when they leave the ruins.”

I understand!

No wonder these guys weren’t worried about the plant spirits outright killing them. But if these plant spirits did as the little tree revealed and only used part of their core origin to sign... then that was all they would lose in the event of a betrayal. Those of the nine ministries and royal family would still die.

Did they know about the lower level agreements?

Perhaps they did, perhaps they didn’t. The plant spirits weren’t likely to kill their human and sacrifice that portion of their core origin before the crucial moment arrived.

Li Hao mostly understood Chen Yao’s meaning and smiled mysteriously at the man. “Did Minister Chen come to me today just to tell me this? You want me to be careful, and that I’m done for after the second awakening?”

“Does Commander Li really not understand?” Chen Yao’s frown deepened.

“What do you want me to say?” Li Hao burst out laughing. “Say that I’m sure I can find a big backer before the second awakening, or that I’ll become a supreme powerhouse myself and can defend against plant spirits? or what else?”

Exactly that! Chen Yao cursed. “You set foot into five elements so quickly... Do you... have a way... to avoid some trouble... and enter seven elements?”

He cut straight to the chase!

“How would I know!” Li Hao’s laughter continued. “I’ll tell the minister if I succeed. Wouldn’t I just be painting a pretty picture without substance otherwise?”

That’s right, aren’t you even willing to paint a pretty picture for me?

The young man chuckled. Deputy Zhou had once mentioned that painting a pretty picture would sometimes bring hope. But... why should I paint one for you? I want kindred spirits, not just to grow my faction. This Minister Chen wavers between various decisions and can’t make up his mind. I see right through you!

Chen Yao was here to inquire whether Li Hao could take care of some troubles before the second awakening and if he could locate a major backer. If he could, then the minister would throw his lot in with the young man.

And yet, Li Hao refused to give him that assurance! Come if you want, don’t if you don’t want to! He’d spoken of so many secrets, explained the origins of the nine ministries, and described the trump cards of the royal family in order to tell Li Hao that these two sides would instantly grow stronger after the second awakening. The enemy is very strong, do you have more aces up your sleeves?

But to the young man, his thoughts were that I don’t even know if you’re a good guy or bad. Why should I tell you this?

Chen Yao was growing agitated. Li Hao knew of his meaning and he displayed an intent to work with Li Hao, but the young man wasn’t continuing the conversation. Does he think so little of me??