Chapter 162

Chapter 162: No Lies, I’m Out of Luck!

Qiongying Celestial Mansion, Extreme Ice Celestial Palace.

In the grand hall.

Qin Jian dropped a bombshell, and as his chilling words fell, all the female cultivators present had their faces change, showing expressions of disbelief.

“Join forces? To take down the Desolate Heaven Emperor?”

Su Sha, snapping back to reality, deeply glanced at Qin Jian, thinking it was all ridiculous. Who gave you the guts?

At the head of the hall.

Han Xingmian narrowed her eyes slightly, a glimmer of murderous intent flashing within. She then asked, “Do you know where the Desolate Heaven Emperor is hiding?”

Rather than rushing to agree or disagree, she was intrigued to find out if Qin Jian had a concrete plan. Did he actually know where the Desolate Heaven Emperor was?

Qin Jian quietly observed Han Xingmian’s reaction. Upon hearing her question, he thought maybe he had struck gold.

He had indeed come here with some gamble…

From the current diary entries circulating, it looked like the Desolate Heaven Emperor was attempting to infiltrate the Extreme Ice Celestial Palace, likely up to no good, deceiving Han Xingmian.

Han Xingmian had been sending people to scout the Desolate Heaven Emperor’s whereabouts since returning to the Nine States. This wasn’t exactly a closely guarded secret.

Qin Jian concluded that she had a vendetta against the Desolate Heaven Emperor!

Revenge was on the way!

If this was true, with the Nine Heavens Sword Sect teaming up with the Extreme Ice Celestial Palace, their chances of success would dramatically increase.

Plus, Qin Jian had other hidden support behind him!

After a moment of contemplation, Qin Jian finally replied, “I don’t know where the Desolate Heaven Emperor is.”

A flicker of disappointment passed through Han Xingmian’s eyes, and she lost interest.

But then Qin Jian continued, “However, the Desolate Heaven Emperor has deep connections with several forces in the Nine States, such as the Xuanqing Sect, the Jade Pool Sacred Land, and the Liyue Celestial Dynasty…”

As he spoke, his tone suddenly turned cold, filled with murderous intent: “If we join forces and systematically eliminate these forces, the Desolate Heaven Emperor will definitely be provoked into action!”

“And that’s when we can eliminate him for good!”

Han Xingmian looked at him deeply, her smile growing brighter. Suddenly, she asked, “Qin Clan Leader, you definitely have guts! But aren’t you afraid the Desolate Heaven Emperor would be the first to extinguish you when he shows up?”

Qin Jian’s face turned dark, teeth gritting, silently thinking, “I’d love to have guts, but I’m out of luck!”

“This is all the Desolate Heaven Emperor’s fault! Who can be this treacherous?”

Besides, he wasn’t sure if Han Xingmian was just toying with him. It made him incredibly uncomfortable.

Endure!

After all this time, he had been patient, and now he needed Han Xingmian’s help, so Qin Jian had no choice but to swallow his anger.

If he couldn’t obtain the secret techniques of the Mud Pill Ancestor Palace, he’d never see growth in his life again…

Qin Jian took a deep breath and said solemnly, “So there’s no need for Palace Master to worry!”

He fixed his gaze on Han Xingmian, unyielding, and declared, “I promise, as long as the Desolate Heaven Emperor dares to show his face, he’ll surely d*e!”

Han Xingmian’s eyes narrowed. She was baffled by Qin Jian’s confidence. No one among the realm lords dared to claim they could definitely defeat the Desolate Heaven Emperor. What gave him the right?

Yet his tone didn’t sound like a bluff.

This left Han Xingmian feeling a bit anxious. With various powers from all celestial mansions returning to the Nine States, even some hidden old monsters were getting restless.

The current situation was far more complicated than it seemed.

Just as she was pondering this, Qin Jian’s voice broke in again, as if he sensed her doubt. He explained deliberately: “Palace Master Han, do you think, no matter how strong the Desolate Heaven Emperor is, he could possibly be stronger than a true immortal?”

Han Xingmian’s pupils widened, and her smile slowly faded.

She fixed her burning gaze on Qin Jian!

Could it be that those previously vanished immortals were really coming back now?

Was this the source of Qin Jian’s courage?

With a whirl of thoughts, countless possibilities flashed through her mind in an instant.

She assessed that Qin Jian must know some insider information; he wouldn’t come all this way just to pitifully deceive her!

“Where did those immortals go? Why did they disappear? And why did they come back at this time?”

“And most importantly…”

“What do their returns mean for the Nine States? Are they here with ulterior motives?”

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Qin Jian knew that Han Xingmian’s internal conflict was complex at this moment.

He sat down and sipped some tea, not rushing.

In fact, when he first learned about it, he couldn’t believe it himself, until he saw a former immortal with his own eyes at the Azure Mystic Celestial Mansion!

Realizing the insurmountable gap between immortals and mortals, he believed without a doubt that the former missing immortals had truly returned!

Since that day, he had resolved to follow Shen Baixiu and Shen Tu Lie. If they could summon immortals, what was there to worry about?

What was the Desolate Heaven Emperor to him?

You see, in Shen Baixiu and others’ plans, the Desolate Heaven Emperor was merely one among many.

All the hidden Emperors lurking in the shadows must be dealt with: either surrendering to the Azure Mystic Celestial Mansion or being eliminated.

As for the recent troubles of the Nine Heavens Sword Sect, Shen Baixiu had intervened to resolve them.

Of course, the Nine Heavens Sword Sect had paid quite a price for it.

Time passed slowly…

The more Han Xingmian thought about it, the more unnerved she became. The situation was growing increasingly tricky.

Yet, no solutions were in sight!

With immortals returning, all major powers would likely face a storm, and to ensure their survival, they had to transcend tribulations!

“But what if the appearance of these immortals is precisely to force everyone into transcending tribulations?”

“In that case, wouldn’t that play right into their hands?!”

Han Xingmian furrowed her brows tightly, suddenly recalling Lin Feng. Where on earth had he gone?

If he didn’t return soon, all cultivators would be in grave danger!

Even her Extreme Ice Celestial Palace wouldn’t escape!

Qin Jian finished his third cup of tea, lifted his head, and impatiently asked, “Palace Master Han, have you thought about it?”

Han Xingmian fell silent for a moment before asking, “Qin Clan Leader, if we’re to cooperate, what does the Extreme Ice Celestial Palace have to contribute?”

Qin Jian’s expression brightened, thinking that the deal might just work out. He smiled, saying, “To be honest, I’m extremely interested in your palace’s Mud Pill secret technique!”

As soon as his words fell, the hall fell into an awkward silence again.

Su Sha and the other female cultivators on both sides silently shot Qin Jian a glare. Finally, the fox tail is showing!

Moments later, Han Xingmian suddenly broke into a smile, her tone rich with meaning as she asked, “Qin Clan Leader, do you… really mean it?”

As soon as those words left her mouth, Su Sha and the other female cultivators almost burst out laughing, unable to hold it back.

All eyes landed squarely on Qin Jian.

Qin Jian’s face turned beet red. After all, he was a sect leader with a noble status. He didn’t expect Han Xingmian to ask such an uncomfortable question right in front of him.

Just as he was about to deny it, he opened his mouth but couldn’t get the words out.

Then it suddenly struck him that everyone already knew the answer, so he might as well admit it.

This way, Han Xingmian would understand just how deep his hatred for the Desolate Heaven Emperor ran, further solidifying their cooperation!

With this thought, Qin Jian gritted his teeth, his face flushed, and said, “I feel quite embarrassed; indeed, I have…”

“Cut it!”

Those last two words made his heart bleed.

“Giggling…”

Who would’ve thought, after he finished, instead of sympathy, Han Xingmian, this female demon, would actually burst out laughing in public!

Then, Su Sha and the other female cultivators saw their Palace Master laugh, so they too couldn’t hold back and all burst into hearty laughter.

Qin Jian was dumbfounded, his head buzzing, the laughter sounding especially jarring to his ears!

What does this mean?

I’m here to discuss cooperation! At least I’m a guest here—don’t you have any face to give me?

Is this how you treat guests at the Extreme Ice Celestial Palace?

Furious, Qin Jian opened his mouth to speak, only to hear Han Xingmian’s voice rise again.

She suppressed her laughter, saying lightly, “Qin Clan Leader, I truly feel… cough, deeply unfortunate for your plight. Please accept my condolences.”

Qin Jian’s face softened a little.

But then he heard Han Xingmian’s voice once more: “However, I genuinely have to apologize. This palace doesn’t collaborate with eunuchs!”

Boom!

Qin Jian felt darkness cloud his vision, fury coursing through his body, nearly spitting out a mouthful of bl**d.