148: cooperate

The Yao Sovereign spoke, making an exorbitant demand: "A 30/70 split; this is the maximum concession I can make."

The Celestial Master almost couldn't suppress his anger. Although he knew a 50/50 split was unlikely, the most he could accept was 40/60. A 30/70 split? One-tenth of the revenue from a Minor Thousand World was a massive amount of resources. This was not something to concede on. Even if they argued until they were red-faced, looking not like respected Soul Transformation Stage Seniors but like aunties at a wet market, they had to fight for this.

"This shows a complete lack of sincerity. Even if I agreed to a 30/70 split, other human forces wouldn't. Whether it's Mount Shu or the Great Yong Dynasty, they both have Soul Transformation Stage powerhouses. I still have to persuade them. I simply can't bring up a 30/70 split."

The Yao Sovereign laughed outright: "Oh, I forgot. Your Human Race isn't a one-man show, unlike my Yao Race. Although the Fox Immortal is also a Soul Transformation Stage powerhouse, she follows my lead on major matters. How you persuade them is your business, not mine. If you can, do it; if not, forget it."

The initiative was in the Yao Sovereign's hands, making bargaining difficult. But the Celestial Master immediately found an opening: "You want to interact with the Human Race, and this matter still falls on the Great Yong Dynasty. Whether it's my Dragon Tiger Mountain or Mount Shu, we are Daoist sects that value transcendence and don't hold much territory. Most human territory is still in the hands of the Great Yong Dynasty. If you want to absorb the advanced capabilities of the Human Race, you still need to handle them. You'll have to offer some benefits."

The Yao Sovereign also knew that a 30/70 split was unlikely. Such a distribution was indeed too imbalanced. Even if the talks collapsed, the other party wouldn't agree. What he wanted was for the other party to cough up more things.

"Then you tell me, how should we split it? And what kind of cooperation are you willing to promote?"

The Celestial Master thought for a moment: "55% for you, 45% for us. For cooperation, we can use official institutions. For example, launching a Prodigy Arena Battle between the two races, an Alchemist Convention, and so on. These are things the lower-level Cultivators want to see and are the best way to eliminate barriers. What do you think?"

The Yao Sovereign was satisfied in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face. If he did, there would be no need for further bargaining.

"Your methods are quite good; at least I'm satisfied. But you're asking for too much in the split. I'll state my bottom line: a 40/60 split. Anything beyond that, I absolutely cannot accept."

Coincidentally, the Celestial Master's bottom line was also a 40/60 split. However, he still wanted to struggle a bit. But seeing the Yao Sovereign's refusal to communicate further, he gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and agreed.

"Fine, I agree. I can guarantee I'll persuade the Human Race to proceed as you said. But how shall we sign a contract?"

The Yao Sovereign had done his homework on this. For real cooperation, there must be constraints; one cannot rely solely on morality. Morality is very fragile in the face of profit and can be discarded at any time under temptation. Therefore, there must be other constraints.

The Yao Sovereign took out two contracts: "This is the Heavenly Dao Contract of our Qingyun Realm and a contract from the Abyss World. You can take out a Daoist Sect Contract. We'll sign three to ensure both sides must act according to the contracts without any violation. What do you think?"

The Yao Sovereign had shown his attitude, which was a strong desire to cooperate. The Celestial Master naturally had to show his as well. He also took out a Daoist Sect Contract.

All three were very effective. The first was the Heavenly Dao of their Qingyun Realm. As long as they were still active in the Qingyun Realm, they would be subject to its constraints. Defying the Heavenly Dao sounds impressive, but the actual consequences are dire. Even without Heavenly Dao punishment or Divine Lightning descending, it would be difficult to comprehend Laws or find Opportunities in this world; one would have to move to another world.

The second was the Abyss Contract, which the Yao Sovereign used to scheme against Venerable Faming. This was a very powerful item. The status of the Abyss World might not be as high as the Immortal Realm, but it was a Major Thousand World, even more powerful than their Upper Realm, the Spirit Realm. If one truly didn't follow this contract, the backlash would be enormous. Just like Venerable Faming, one's path to the Dao would be completely severed.

The last was the Daoist Sect Contract of Dragon Tiger Mountain. Dragon Tiger Mountain was a lineage of Cultivators from the Heavenly Court; they had people in the Upper Realm. Their contract was connected to the Heavenly Court. Once violated, the matter would be even more serious, and one might not even keep their life. Signing the three contracts ensured neither would dare to have ulterior motives.

Soon, they signed the contract and agreed to deploy troops together in a year. In six months, a Prodigy Competition would be held for all Cultivators under thirty years old. Those who performed well and ranked high would be heavily rewarded. It was also a way to assess the prodigies of both the Human Race and Yao Race, build initial momentum for them, and cultivate them.

The matter was settled. At this time, Gu Yuchuan, having slept all night, opened his eyes and stretched. He wasn't fully awake yet, but a Jade Slip was already before him. Opening it, he found it was from Pei Yu.

In the Jade Slip, Pei Yu told him that the war between the Human Race and Yao Race had ended, but she would wait two days before returning. Her cultivation was at a critical point of breakthrough; she was about to reach Qi Refining Great Perfection. This made Gu Yuchuan extremely happy. After Qi Refining Great Perfection, she could seek Foundation Establishment. He still had some Foundation Establishment spiritual items to ensure her success. By then, a major pain point—not having a second Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator—would be resolved.

He happily began reciting the Golden Light Incantation. Reciting it daily had become a habit. He knew very well that his most powerful means currently was the Golden Light Incantation, and it was a technique he could use indefinitely. Even if he one day truly achieved Immortal Ascension, this Golden Light Incantation would remain a powerful tool. As a secret Daoist transmission and one of the seventy-two Earthly Fiend Divine Abilities, it was no joke.

Soon, the twenty recitations ended. He still didn't leave his room. Today, he had one more task: to simulate. He currently knew nothing about the future, which was clearly a very uncomfortable situation for him. He needed to know the future again.

Besides, the so-called dragon gate selection was almost here. He wanted to see what it specifically entailed. He couldn't afford to lose; he had to pass the selection. After all, he had spent so many Spirit Stones to buy that spot.