Chapter 551 - 382: Each With Their Own Agenda
Chapter 551: Chapter 382: Each With Their Own Agenda
As Zhao Chongguang mulled it over, his thoughts soon turned to the Black Ghost Cave.
With the Celestial Cloud Sect growing ever stronger, the Black Ghost Cave was most likely just as anxious as his Demon Spirit Sect. From what he knew, the Black Ghost Cave also had a decent relationship with the Ghost-Controlling Sect.
Using the Black Ghost Cave as an intermediary, it seemed very likely he could solve their current problem.
With this thought in mind, Zhao Chongguang began his preparations, intending to act on it.
He would go to the Black Ghost Cave himself.
He spent some time preparing.
「Three days later.」
He arrived at the Black Ghost Cave’s sect grounds.
A dimly lit hall was where they received visiting Core Formation cultivators.
As Zhao Chongguang entered, he saw the Great Cave Master of the Black Ghost Cave seated above.
Unless one specifically requested to see the Cave Master of the Black Ghost Cave, it was the current Great Cave Master who handled such affairs.
"Great Cave Master."
"Isn’t this Fellow Daoist Zhao? I didn’t expect you to come to our Black Ghost Cave in person."
Zhao Chongguang was the most powerful Supreme Elder of the Demon Spirit Sect. The members of the Black Ghost Cave were Ghost Cultivators, while Zhao Chongguang was a Demon—two entirely different factions. Even to discuss cooperation, a sect would not normally dispatch its highest-ranking Core Formation cultivator.
This was truly unexpected for the Great Cave Master of the Black Ghost Cave.
"Great Cave Master, my presence here naturally means I have something important to discuss." Zhao Chongguang looked up at the Great Cave Master on his high seat.
"An important matter... What? Does your Demon Spirit Sect still want to make a move against the Celestial Cloud Sect?"
"That depends on your intentions, Great Cave Master. If the Black Ghost Cave is willing to make a move, the Demon Spirit Sect would be more than happy to join you."
"Forget it. No one wants to court that disaster." The Great Cave Master shook his head.
The current Celestial Cloud Sect was undoubtedly extremely powerful. It was the strongest sect among the four Core Formation Influences of Spirit Refiners in this region.
The Celestial Demon Sect had already suffered a great loss at the hands of the Celestial Cloud Sect, which ultimately led to the Celestial Demon Sect’s destruction.
Neither their Black Ghost Cave nor the Demon Spirit Sect wanted to follow in the Celestial Demon Sect’s footsteps.
"If you wish to try, Fellow Daoist Zhao, by all means, go ahead. I suppose our Black Ghost Cave could offer you some assistance."
’Some assistance?’
’Just how much assistance would that be?’
After a moment’s thought, Zhao Chongguang suspected the Black Ghost Cave was trying to push the Demon Spirit Sect toward its own destruction.
"Hahaha, you’ve tossed the problem right back to me, Great Cave Master." Zhao Chongguang cracked a smile and then continued, "But my appearance here today has little to do with the Celestial Cloud Sect."
"Oh? Little to do with the Celestial Cloud Sect? Then please, elaborate, Fellow Daoist Zhao."
"It has to do with the Ghost-Controlling Sect."
When Zhao Chongguang uttered these words, the Great Cave Master of the Black Ghost Cave quickly realized something.
Recently, the Ghost-Controlling Sect had indeed made quite a few moves against the Demon Spirit Sect.
However, this had little to do with their Black Ghost Cave, so they hadn’t bothered to inquire too deeply.
The old ghost currently leading the Ghost-Controlling Sect never liked people asking too many questions about his affairs.
The Great Cave Master’s thoughts churned as he listened to Zhao Chongguang speak.
"...Great Cave Master, you are also aware of the Celestial Cloud Sect’s current power. According to the intelligence we’ve gathered, their losses from eliminating the Celestial Demon Sect were not significant. Right now, whether for your Black Ghost Cave or our Demon Spirit Sect, the Celestial Cloud Sect is the greatest threat.
"I believe that as long as our two factions stand, the Celestial Cloud Sect is unlikely to make any rash moves. But the Ghost-Controlling Sect’s current actions are draining the strength of my Demon Spirit Sect, which is a detriment to your Black Ghost Cave as well."
"Fellow Daoist Zhao, is this what you meant by ’little to do with the Celestial Cloud Sect’?" The Great Cave Master knew what Zhao Chongguang was getting at, but he refused to address it directly, instead steering the conversation back to the Celestial Cloud Sect.
Zhao Chongguang’s desire for the Ghost-Controlling Sect to cease its actions was, when it came down to it, still all about the Celestial Cloud Sect.
If this were in the past, no matter how aggressive the Ghost-Controlling Sect’s actions were, no Demon from the Demon Spirit Sect would have appeared in their Black Ghost Cave.
"Great Cave Master, that’s not the point, is it?"
"Then what is the point?"
"The point, naturally, is the Ghost-Controlling Sect," Zhao Chongguang replied.
"Then your Demon Spirit Sect should go find the Ghost-Controlling Sect." The Great Cave Master of the Black Ghost Cave even pointed in the direction of the Ghost-Controlling Sect.
"The point should be..."
Zhao Chongguang understood that he still had to say it.
If he kept emphasizing the Ghost-Controlling Sect, the Great Cave Master would probably show him the door.
He was avoiding saying those words because he didn’t want the Black Ghost Cave to gain an advantage.
The Great Cave Master’s attitude right now clearly showed he wanted to take advantage of the Demon Spirit Sect.
Though he had phrased his earlier words skillfully, they were all true and made perfect sense.
The existence of the Celestial Cloud Sect indeed threatened not only their Demon Spirit Sect but also the Black Ghost Cave—unless the Black Ghost Cave had absolutely no conflict with the Celestial Cloud Sect, but that was impossible.
The Black Ghost Cave was likely aware of the conflict between the Demon Spirit Sect and the Celestial Cloud Sect, and likewise, the Demon Spirit Sect was aware of the conflict between the Black Ghost Cave and the Celestial Cloud Sect.
"...It is our Demon Spirit Sect that needs the help of your Black Ghost Cave."
"Now, that’s more like it."
The Great Cave Master of the Black Ghost Cave nodded. Those were the words he had been waiting for from Zhao Chongguang.
Zhao Chongguang had come to their Black Ghost Cave precisely to seek their help.
If not to ask for their help, then why come at all?
Coming here to cooperate with the Black Ghost Cave and coming here to seek the Black Ghost Cave’s help were two entirely different matters.
The Great Cave Master needed Zhao Chongguang of the Demon Spirit Sect to say those words, not to demand some kind of reward, but to seize the dominant position in their cooperation.
This point was extremely important!
What Zhao Chongguang of the Demon Spirit Sect said was true; faced with the mighty Celestial Cloud Sect, if the two of them could reach an agreement, they would be better able to deal with them.
After seizing the dominant position, he could, of course, also demand a reward.
However, such a reward would be difficult to obtain. Demanding one might also cross Zhao Chongguang’s bottom line. As the Great Cave Master of the Black Ghost Cave, he understood this principle well enough not to push someone too far.
"Fellow Daoist Zhao, now you can properly explain how you need our Black Ghost Cave to help you." The Great Cave Master gestured for Zhao Chongguang to state his request.
"I hope the Great Cave Master can persuade the Ghost-Controlling Sect to cease their operations against our Demon Spirit Sect."
"Well, about that..."
The Great Cave Master hesitated, not giving Zhao Chongguang a direct answer, letting the question hang in the air.
He now seemed to be weighing the pros and cons.
For him to finish weighing his options quickly, a little push was needed.
At this moment, Zhao Chongguang, knowing full well what was needed, understood what he had to say.
"If the Great Cave Master can accomplish this, then in the future, anything you need from our Demon Spirit Sect will be... negotiable." As he said this, Zhao Chongguang also left himself some wiggle room.
The Great Cave Master of the Black Ghost Cave was still thinking.
Achieving this result was already enough to satisfy him.
The Demon Spirit Sect would likely find it difficult to make any further concessions.
"Alright. I will find an opportunity later to make a trip to the Ghost-Controlling Sect. But, Fellow Daoist Zhao, I can’t guarantee that my visit will be successful in persuading them to stop their actions against you."
"Understood." Zhao Chongguang nodded.
He said as much, but he knew that if the Great Cave Master of the Black Ghost Cave went personally, the matter was as good as settled. Unless the Black Ghost Cave had no intention of helping them at all and just sent an Elder to the Ghost-Controlling Sect—then it would be a different story.
In the current climate, Zhao Chongguang couldn’t think of any reason why the Great Cave Master would do that, so he felt reassured.
"Once the Ghost-Controlling Sect ceases its actions, our Demon Spirit Sect will have enough energy to focus on the Celestial Cloud Sect. At that time, Great Cave Master, you and your sect can devote less of your own energy toward them."
After their business was concluded, Zhao Chongguang continued to emphasize the benefits the Black Ghost Cave would gain from this arrangement.
By helping the Demon Spirit Sect persuade the Ghost-Controlling Sect to stand down, the Black Ghost Cave was also helping itself.
Right now, the greatest adversary for both of their Core Formation Influences was the Celestial Cloud Sect.
"You jest, Fellow Daoist Zhao. The precautions our Black Ghost Cave takes against the Celestial Cloud Sect will never be reduced, no matter the circumstances. Otherwise, we could easily end up just like the Celestial Demon Sect."
"It is good that you are so vigilant, Great Cave Master. It allows our Demon Spirit Sect to rest easier." Zhao Chongguang smiled.