Ch. 211 - Death God Qin

As the figure stepped forward, his body emanated an endless wave of immortal energy. Space shattered around him, and the deck beneath his feet cracked with every step.

“You’re one of the few who dares to openly challenge our Dark Primordial Race,” the black figure said coldly, eyes fixed on Xu Zimo.

“I’m just curious,” Xu Zimo smiled, “which of the Ten Death Gods are you?”

“Death God Qin,” the shadowy man replied in a deep voice.

He slowly lifted his head, his face was deathly pale, covered in purple markings resembling ancient curse seals.

“Clear the others out. Let’s talk alone,” Xu Zimo said calmly.

Death God Qin chuckled. “I don’t know where your confidence comes from. Let your God Meridian beast come out. If that’s your trump card, I’m afraid it’s not enough to negotiate with me.”

Xu Zimo smiled faintly. Suddenly, endless demonic energy gathered in the air.

In that moment, Death God Qin felt like some ancient, dreadful existence had set its eyes on him. The aura was suffocating.

Spiritforce surged around him. He coldly glared at the magic haze without replying.

“I think you misunderstood something,” Xu Zimo said with a calm grin. “I’m willing to talk with you, that’s me showing you respect. If not for the value I see in Dark Primordial Race’s strength, someone like you wouldn’t even be qualified.”

Death God Qin didn’t argue this time. He could clearly feel the terror within that demonic force.

With a wave of his hand, the hundred shadowed figures around them silently disappeared into the darkness.

The cool night wind blew across the river, and the ship, once again, resumed its journey.

“What do you want to talk about?” Death God Qin asked from the deck, his tone flat.

“Have you heard of Buddhist Burial Temple?” Xu Zimo asked.

“One of the Ten Forbidden Grounds. Its name rings loud,” Death God Qin’s expression sharpened slightly.

“There’s something in there I need,” Xu Zimo said.

“What’s that got to do with us?”

“You want something from there too, don’t you?” Xu Zimo turned to look at him.

During his time drifting through the River of Fate, led by the Primordial Chaos Bead, he had seen many events unfold, among them, Dark Primordial Race’s past.

“How do you know that?” Death God Qin’s face changed slightly.

“That’s not important,” Xu Zimo said. “So? Want to cooperate?”

“No need,” Death God Qin replied coldly. “If the Dark Primordial Race wants something, we’ll take it ourselves.”

“If this were the Dark Primordial Race of the Desolate Era, I’d believe you,” Xu Zimo said. “But now? Of the so-called Ten Death Gods, how many remain? How many of you are still battle-worthy?”

Death God Qin was silent for a moment before replying evenly, “That’s none of your concern. We don’t need allies, just as we once stood alone against the Three Great Races.”

“I’m just offering advice. Think it over,” Xu Zimo said with a smile. “Until I find another partner, the offer stands.”

“If this is all you wanted, then we’re done here,” Death God Qin said as he turned his back, voice calm.

“You know how important that item is to you,” Xu Zimo smiled. “And we’ve no grudge. Wouldn’t mutual benefit be better?”

“You stole the fruit of Dark Primordial Race’s research of a million years,” Death God Qin replied flatly.

“Stole? No,” Xu Zimo chuckled. “Call it shared custody.”

With that, he turned and walked back into the cabin.

“Think it over.”

Death God Qin stood there silently for a long time before slowly vanishing into the darkness.

……

The night passed in silence.

When the morning sun warmed the deck, the surviving passengers stepped out, nervous and shaken.

Only Xu Zimo, Little Gui, the elderly Martial Magnificence Mountain couple, and Yao Shengnan remained.

The Yuan Clan had been completely wiped out. Their bodies lay in the cabins, dried blood congealing in thick, rotting pools.

“Thank you for saving our lives, young master,” said Wu Qianjun, head of Martial Magnificence Mountain, bowing in gratitude.

Had it not been for Xu Zimo, they’d have died like the Yuan Clan, cold corpses staining the deck.

“They weren’t planning to kill you anyway,” Xu Zimo smiled.

“Are you connected to Dark Primordial Race?” Yao Shengnan asked flatly.

“Whether I am or not, I owe you no explanation,” Xu Zimo replied.

“Dark Primordial Race is the enemy of all races. You should understand that,” Yao Shengnan said.

“Never trust only what your eyes see,” Xu Zimo said, shaking his head. “What you call truth is just history written by the victors. The real truth has long been buried beneath the dust of time.”

“I believe what you said before,” Yao Shengnan said after a pause.

“What did I say?” Xu Zimo asked.

“That you have the power to destroy an Imperial Lineage,” she said, one word at a time.

“Now it’s your turn to convince me,” Xu Zimo smiled.

“I’m a Celestial, I assume you’ve guessed that,” Yao Shengnan said, eyes distant as she gazed at the river. “In our clan, there is a Mother Leaf of the Tree of Life. With it, and our clan’s unique teleportation array, one can reach the Tree itself.”

“That alone isn’t convincing,” Xu Zimo said, shaking his head.

“When I left the clan, I took the Mother Leaf and hid it somewhere safe,” she continued. “I’m willing to give you the Mother Leaf first.”

“You’re not afraid I’ll break my promise?” Xu Zimo asked with a grin.

“I am,” she admitted. “That’s why I’ll only give you the Mother Leaf. After you destroy that Imperial Lineage, I’ll teach you our teleportation method. Otherwise, the leaf is just a worthless scrap to you.”

She paused a long time, then added in a hoarse voice: “Also… don’t bother trying to ask any other Celestials about the array.”

“Why not?”

“Because…” she said quietly, “I’m the last one.”

“So, it was that sect that wiped out your people? That’s why you want revenge?” Xu Zimo asked with a faint smile.

“Just answer me, will you help or not?” Yao Shengnan asked calmly.

But in that calm, he could still see a hint of desperate hope.

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