Chapter 674: World Merchant's Deal

In the collision of two transcendent worlds, there are no eternal enemies, only absolute rationality.

They naturally knew what the Cherry Blossom Emperor's objective was. Upon her initial arrival, she had no intention of ruling this world. Knowing she couldn't defeat them, and having no desire to infect or cause catastrophes, she merely wished to observe the inhabitants of this realm and explore the information of its transcendent civilization. However, upon realizing that Dao Monarch and Medusa had departed, and that this world was likely weaker than her, she altered her plans and decided to take action.

How pragmatic. Extremely pragmatic, indeed. Their current cessation of hostilities was also due to encountering an unyielding challenge. This is absolute rationality. From their positions, they represent a transcendent civilization and billions of sentient beings, not just individuals or personal emotions.

“What a pity, I truly believed we could become friends,” Caroline remarked with a look of regret.

“We can still be friends,” Alumin suddenly smiled, tossing her long whip into the void. “After all,” she continued, “true friends are typically those of comparable standing. Otherwise, it's simply a relationship between ruler and subject.”

Caroline stared, then began to smile as well, filled with emotion. “It seems this combat exchange has greatly benefited us both,” she said. “As fellow seekers exploring the path to the ninth order, it's rare to find such a kindred spirit. Perhaps we should discuss the deficiencies of our recent battle, along with its various gains and losses?”

“Precisely,” Alumin replied with a calm smile. “I am also very interested in your civilization.”

The two instantly connected, like old friends reunited after a long separation. They exchanged pleasantries, then swiftly withdrew their terrifying true forms, intending to enter the Underworld for further discussion. After all, the visitor was their guest.

“Their expressions changed faster than flipping a page—two cunning old foxes,” Mengmei stood speechless in the distance, returning Gui Xu to the unknown void, her eyelids twitching wildly. “But of course, there are no absolute friends, only absolute interests... Especially from the vantage point of leaders of two worlds, friendly exchange is the path to a win-win outcome. No one desires an additional adversary; having an extra ally is always preferable.” She found the world of these powerful figures truly daunting, yet she understood their rationale.

She quietly posted an update online, announcing that the crisis had been averted:

Today, the cosmic visitor, Emperor Sakura, made a friendly visit to the Six Realms. Both sides showcased their strategic-level nuclear armaments in a friendly military exercise. Subsequently, they engaged in amicable consultations and discussions, declaring at a joint press conference that each other's territory was sacred and inviolable, and that any invaders would be strongly condemned...

This live report was brought to you by our correspondent, Mengmei.

Online, people were utterly bewildered.

“Hahaha, this reporter really gets it!”

“Hold on, what secret weapon? Mengmei, post some pictures!”

“Post pictures of a ghost? Do you dare? Next thing you know, the ultimate weapon will be in the latest chapter update (LOL).”

“I knew it! How could Mengmei, such a cautious landlady, not have a multitude of backup plans to protect herself? (Doge meme)”

“Hahaha, a tragedy triggered by a cat's jump!”

“I disagree with that! The blame should be placed on the online author who updates too quickly every day! The updates are almost catching up with real-time events. Updates are good, but if they were slower, this problem wouldn't exist! The world wouldn't be facing a crisis of destruction! (Pensive face emoji)”

“Exactly, it's all because the novel updates too quickly, leading the world to destruction! (Serious face emoji)”

“Slow updates, starting with me!”

While the internet was abuzz with discussions, the Underworld had already commenced its exchange.

After Alumin and Caroline thoroughly discussed the insights gained from their battle, they also had the desired opportunity to meet the Alchemy Emperor. The Alchemy Emperor, for her part, engaged in a natural exchange, discussing various gains and losses, from which she greatly benefited. After all, alchemy and the ancient Ishtar people's gene modification medical technology, including beast transformation, shared significant connections.

“This is 'Essence'? The legendary Gate of Alchemy?” During her tour of the alchemy laboratory, Caroline's expression turned to surprise. “This bears a remarkable resemblance to how our entire race creates life—no, it's even more fundamental!” she exclaimed. “Our entire race is also life... the very genesis of our race originated from this minuscule 'Essence', and now, it's being extracted right before my eyes!”

“It's terrifying, yet so beautiful.” She gazed in awe at the water, fire, and earth elements. “Alchemy, the transmutation of life, has fully explored the beauty of existence.”

The Underworld, permeated with various formidable elements, seemed to transform into a fantastical and magnificent mystical realm. Even the Underworld's signposts had come to life. Even the road signs possessed the terrifying potential to become formidable cultivators! This Underworld realm was terrifying; it was practically brimming with formidable vitality, truly evolving into a supreme land of both death and life.

“A living world... its potential is unimaginable,” she murmured, wide-eyed. The miniature universe she controlled was simply too vast to ever achieve such exquisite, compact design. She even felt a twinge of envy for the Underworld, and indeed, for all Six Realms. Small yet refined—that was truly formidable. This also explained why the Three Pillar Gods could not compare to Caroline: she herself was an entire civilization, a reversed spiritual universe, not burdened by the bulk and immensity that typically hinder others.

And being compact meant that the spiritual energy of heaven and earth could be concentrated more easily. The spiritual energy and pervasive atmospheric energy within the Six Realms were dozens of times higher than in other worlds! What did this signify? It meant that living in such a concentrated environment drastically improved the basic levels of animal bloodlines, aptitudes, and cultivation, making it much easier for powerful individuals to emerge. Even now, the plant and tree spirits in the mortal realm no longer required small, high-concentration spaces to become Yokai; they could naturally transform into Yokai within this land. The natural increase in the birth of Yokai in a world signifies that its spiritual energy is fully rich, its accumulated foundation is sufficient, and it has fully progressed toward a higher transcendent civilization. This truly was a mature, ancient transcendent civilization.

“Could I trade for some 'Essence'?” Caroline asked.

“What would you offer in exchange?” Alumin asked with a smile.

Caroline did not hesitate. With an open-mouthed exhale, a clay figure materialized before them. “This is a second-generation member of my entire race,” she explained. “You can cultivate them to breed third, fourth generations... Although their bloodline will progressively weaken, their potential is still considerable.”

Alumin's eyes gleamed. “Excellent. Let's trade.”

Then, Alumin continued, “By the way, Your Excellency recently extracted the bloodline of our primeval humans and cultivated the authentic Nine Revolutions Profound Art.”

“Indeed, some exchange is certainly in order,” Caroline nodded, then reached out and produced a magic core. “This contains all the arcane data from the era of the Three Pillar Gods. Your unfamiliarity with their arcane arts was a notable weakness just now.”

And that's your payment? Mengmei's face darkened. These two old monsters, unable to prevail in battle, were now openly and cheerfully engaging in questionable dealings, acting as cosmic merchants, exchanging various unusual resources for mutual benefit.

And what on earth was that? Caroline just casually sold out the Three Pillar Gods! All that arcane knowledge? This was the essence of an entire era's civilization, the painstakingly acquired research of the Three Pillar Gods. How truly devastating for them! Although they had been secretly studying, with the Dream God continuously exploring, it would have taken at least several centuries to fully comprehend. This sudden convenience was simply too great.

“These people are truly too scheming,” Mengmei muttered, staring lifelessly at the sky. “I, your humble servant, am truly out of my depth! I must continue to study diligently!”