97: Danta held secret talks to initially discuss the alliance.

The night had not yet faded; it was the darkest hour before dawn.

Li Ao finished clearing the traces of battle, but did not return to the cave that had been discovered.

Like a ghost in the dark night, relying on his powerful Soul perception, he found another more hidden hollow in the Soul Realm, where natural Soul Power formed a vortex, and once again set up layers of Restrictions.

Although the powerful enemy had temporarily retreated, he knew very well that the Hall of Souls would never let it go.

A Protector at the Peak of Three-Star Dou Zong led the team, yet they were still defeated; next time, it would probably be a true Elder Zun, or even a higher-level existence.

He had to quickly improve his strength and seize the opportunity with the Pill Tower.

He sat down cross-legged, not immediately continuing to treat Medusa.

Although the battle just now was short, using the Annihilation Rule to kill three high-level Dou Zongs, especially the rune-faced Protector at the end, the Soul curse and netherworld backlash he unleashed before his death also caused his Qi and blood to slightly fluctuate, requiring a short period of adjustment.

At the same time, he was also waiting.

Waiting for the people from the Pill Tower.

He believed that his previous warning in the Ten Thousand Herbs Plaza, and the battle just now, though short, with its intense energy fluctuations, could absolutely not have escaped the notice of the Pill Tower's giants who presided over the Soul Realm.

Sure enough, just as the first hint of dawn appeared on the horizon, a gentle yet irresistible Soul message quietly penetrated the layers of Restrictions he had set up, resounding in his mind:

"Junior Li Ao, this old man is Xuan Yi.

If you are well, please follow the guiding Spiritual light to have a talk."

As the words fell, a soft white Spiritual light, like a firefly, ignored the Restrictions and appeared before Li Ao, flickering slightly, seemingly waiting.

Li Ao opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing through them.

He stood up, tidied his green robe, his expression calm.

What was meant to come would always come, and this meeting with the Pill Tower was crucial.

He did not resist, following the Spiritual light, his figure merging into the hazy morning mist.

The Spiritual light led not towards the exit of the Soul Realm, but towards the deeper parts of the Soul Realm, in the direction of the floating lotus platform enveloped in seven-colored light.

Along the way, it passed through several mountain walls and mists that appeared to be dead ends, evidently some sophisticated spatial Restrictions.

Without the guidance of the Spiritual light, outsiders would never find the path.

A moment later, the view suddenly opened up.

This was a serene mountain valley located in the heart of the mountain range beneath the floating lotus platform.

Streams babbled in the valley, exotic flowers and plants grew everywhere, and the Spiritual Qi and Soul Power were several times more concentrated than the outside world.

A simple green bamboo building was built by the stream.

By the stone table in front of the bamboo building sat two people.

One was Elder Xuan Yi, and the other was an old man dressed in plain linen clothes, with an ancient face, but eyes as deep as the vast starry sky.

This old man's aura was restrained, as if he had merged with the surrounding valley, but Li Ao's Soul perception told him that this old man's strength was far above Xuan Yi's, probably an terrifying existence that had already stepped into the Peak Dou Zun!

"This is another giant of our Pill Tower, Tian Leizi," Elder Xuan Yi introduced, with a hint of respect in his tone.

One of the three giants of the Pill Tower, Tian Leizi! Famous throughout the Central Plains for his thunderous fire and uprightness!

Li Ao's heart slightly tensed, but his expression remained calm.

He cupped his hands in greeting: "Junior Li Ao greets Elder Xuan Yi and Senior Tian Leizi."

Tian Leizi's eyes, which seemed to contain thunder, fell on Li Ao, scrutinizing him carefully, and he slowly spoke, his voice like rolling muffled thunder, carrying a natural pressure: "Young man, what you said earlier in the Ten Thousand Herbs Plaza, about the Hall of Souls sacrificing billions of Souls, how did you come to know of it?"

No pleasantries, cutting straight to the core issue, showing Tian Leizi's resolute character.

Li Ao had already prepared his speech, and replied neither humbly nor arrogantly: "To answer Senior, this Junior once accidentally entered an Ancient Ruins in his early years, and obtained some incomplete Legacy and information fragments from it.

Combining this with the Hall of Souls' actions in recent years and the characteristics of their Cultivation Technique, I pieced together and deduced it.

The Ruins have been destroyed, so there is no way to verify it, but this Junior believes that there is no smoke without fire.

The scale and purpose of the Hall of Souls' Soul collection are certainly not ordinary."

He spoke half-truths, attributing the Transmigration's foreknowledge to the Ancient Ruins, which was the most difficult to disprove and most acceptable explanation.

Tian Leizi and Xuan Yi exchanged glances, both with grave expressions.

They naturally couldn't fully believe it, but Li Ao's demonstrated understanding of the Hall of Souls' methods (soul fiend barrier-breaking pill), and his strange Rule that countered netherworld power, made them unable to ignore this possibility.

"What you said... is not entirely impossible," Elder Xuan Yi mused, "Our Pill Tower has also discovered in recent years that the Hall of Souls' activities are becoming more frequent and secretive.

Their targets are no longer limited to the Souls of powerful individuals, and they have even begun to target ordinary people with special Soul Physiques.

If it is truly as you deduce, their ambition... is indeed shocking."

Tian Leizi's gaze was like lightning, staring at Li Ao: "Even if what you say is true, what is your intention in telling us today?

Do you think that with just you alone, plus a Medicinal Pill, you can make our Pill Tower go to war with the Hall of Souls?"

"This Junior would not dare," Li Ao shook his head, his tone firm, "This Junior is insignificant and knows that he cannot shake the Foundation of the Hall of Souls.

Today's frankness is, firstly, a warning, hoping that the Pill Tower and the Righteous Path of the Central Plains will prepare early, and not wait until disaster strikes to awaken.

Secondly, for self-preservation, the Hall of Souls already sees this Junior as a thorn in their side and has repeatedly pursued and killed me; this Junior needs allies."

He paused, and continued: "This Junior is not asking the Pill Tower to immediately go to war with the Hall of Souls.

But perhaps, we can start with intelligence sharing and limited cooperation.

For example, clearing out the Hall of Souls' hidden operatives lurking in the Pill Domain, and even in various major forces."

As he spoke, his gaze swept towards Elder Xuan Yi: "Presumably, both Seniors also have some doubts about that representative from the Heluo Family on the viewing platform, do you not?"

Xuan Yi and Tian Leizi's pupils simultaneously constricted!

The Heluo Family was precisely the force to which the Family representative who had previously reprimanded Li Ao belonged!

The Pill Tower had indeed noticed some anomalies in the Heluo Family in recent years, but lacked concrete evidence.

Li Ao's words were almost a direct revelation!

"Do you have evidence?" Tian Leizi's voice was low, carrying a hint of pressure.

"No direct evidence," Li Ao stated frankly, "but this Junior's Soul perception is particularly sensitive to his aura.

If Seniors trust me, perhaps you can start with this person and investigate thoroughly.

Even if he isn't, it can serve as a warning to others, preventing other lurkers from acting rashly."

He did not reveal all his suspicions, stopping at a hint, both demonstrating his value and leaving room for maneuver.

A brief silence fell before the bamboo building.

Xuan Yi and Tian Leizi were rapidly communicating via Soul transmission.

A moment later, Elder Xuan Yi looked at Li Ao, his expression serious: "Junior Li Ao, what you have said is of great importance and cannot be decided by the two of us; we need to discuss it with the Pill Tower Master.

But your warning and suggestions have been noted by the Pill Tower.

Regarding the Heluo Family, we will begin investigations."

He changed the subject: "As for cooperation... the Pill Tower can provide you with a certain degree of protection and limited intelligence sharing.

However, the prerequisite is that you need to prove your greater value, and... your goodwill towards the Pill Tower."

This was to see what else Li Ao could offer, and what his stance was.

Li Ao understood; he knew that a solid Alliance could not be achieved in a single conversation.

He pondered for a moment, then said: "This Junior understands.

To show my sincerity, this Junior can offer an ancient Pill Formula, the 'Soul Cleansing and Spirit Purifying Pill'.

Although it is only a sixth-grade, it has remarkable effects in removing subtle erosions from the Soul and stabilizing the mind, and may help the Pill Tower identify and treat some Disciples and friends who have been secretly affected by the Hall of Souls."

He pointed his finger in the air, and a stream of Soul information containing the complete Pill Formula for the "Soul Cleansing and Spirit Purifying Pill" flew towards Elder Xuan Yi.

This Pill Formula was not something he fabricated, but rather something he deduced by combining the pharmacology of this world with his own understanding, perfectly suited to the current situation.

Elder Xuan Yi received the information, and after a brief examination, his eyes immediately lit up with surprise!

The conception of this Pill Formula was ingenious; although the Medicinal Pills were not extremely rare, the combination and refining techniques were unheard of, and the described effects were precisely what the Pill Tower urgently needed!

This "pledge of allegiance" was not light in weight!

"Good!" Elder Xuan Yi clapped his hands, a smile appearing on his face, "Junior's sincerity, this old man has received it.

This Pill Formula is indeed of great benefit to our Pill Tower."

Even Tian Leizi's usually placid face softened a little.

"Junior, please rest in this valley for now; this place is absolutely safe.

After we discuss with the Pill Tower Master, we will talk about cooperation in detail with you," Elder Xuan Yi arranged, "As for treating your friend, if you have any needs, you may also bring them up; some Soul-nourishing auxiliary Medicinal Pills from the Pill Tower's stores are available for Junior to use."

This was already a great show of goodwill.

Li Ao's heart settled, knowing that initial trust had been established.

He cupped his hands and said: "Thank you, both Seniors.

This Junior indeed needs a few Medicinal Pills; here is the list."

He handed over a prepared list, which contained some precious auxiliary Medicinal Pills to help the seven-colored soul nurturing lotus seed's medicinal power dissolve and gently nourish the Origin.

Elder Xuan Yi took it and glanced at it, nodding: "These Medicinal Pills are all in the stores; someone will send them over shortly."

With matters settled, the atmosphere became much more relaxed.

After a few more casual words about alchemy and Cultivation, Li Ao took his leave, guided by a Pill Tower attendant to a quiet room prepared for him in the valley to rest.

Watching Li Ao's retreating figure, Tian Leizi slowly said: "This young man is meticulous in thought, possesses extraordinary means, and harbors a great secret.

Whether it is a blessing or a curse remains to be seen."

Elder Xuan Yi's gaze was profound: "At least for now, he is a mortal enemy of the Hall of Souls, and his goals align with our Pill Tower.

Moreover, his potential is boundless; if a genuine Alliance can be formed, he may become a great help in resisting the Hall of Souls.

As for other matters... we shall see."

Their figures slowly disappeared into the bamboo building, evidently going to have a more important discussion with the mysterious Pill Tower Master.

Meanwhile, in the quiet room, after receiving the auxiliary Medicinal Pills from the Pill Tower, Li Ao could finally calm down again and prepare to fully treat Medusa.

The real challenge had just begun.

And the Alliance with the Pill Tower had taken its first solid step.

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