Chapter 2613 - The Second Option
Inside the Ebonfiend, darkness consumed everything.
"Esteemed guests have arrived."
Following the cold, hoarse voice, a golden light lit up the black world. The source was a pair of eyes located on palms. Through the golden light emanating from the eyes, if one looked up, they would vaguely see a skull with a pair of completely black pupils like two deep pools of dark oil.
It was none other than the king of the ebons, Shenxi Xingtian!
Subsequently, the Ebonfiend trembled. Thousands of doors opened and a dark passage resembling a gullet extended all the way out of the immense astralship. At the end of the passage, a chubby, white, and rosy baby boy crawled in. There was a stark contrast between the pure-looking soul and Shenxi Xingtian with his black robes and skull head.
The baby blinked and appeared in front of Shenxi Xingtian in an instant.
The two sat across from each other, separated by a long table. The baby wasn’t tall enough, leaving only his head visible, while Shenxi Xingtian's hands, emitting eerie golden light, were pressed on the tabletop, giving him an aura of looking down from a higher position.
"The divine wonderians truly are a miracle. The vast expanse of the astralscape isn’t able to stop you from leaping through and mysteriously appearing," Shenxi Xingtian chuckled, his laughter dry and sounding worse than crying.
"Sometimes it's useful, sometimes it isn’t. For example, right now, I arrived here ahead of the astralship, but it’s useless," the baby said, smiling as he stared at Shenxi Xingtian.
"Who said it's useless? It's just right. It gives me the chance to welcome and entertain a good ally like you," Shenxi Xingtian said.
"Cut it out, let's skip the pleasantries. I came to see you today because there’s important matters to discuss," the baby said.
"Please, do go ahead," Shenxi Xingtian said.
"I've heard about the situation with the Myriadstar Zone and the Star Hunters. It's said that the fallen world is the source of the Gladean Ruins. It’s now restored its sanctuary-class status and has a guardian formation comparable to an ether class. The value of that world is... quite significant," the baby said in a serious tone, his voice occasionally sounding childish and sometimes mature, creating a strange dissonance.
"It is quite significant. I surmise that it originally was ether-class, but it could also be infinitum-class. However, in historical records, there are no mentions of an infinitum-class nova source world falling near our vicinity. To know the details, we’d probably have to 'occupy' it if we want an opportunity to find out," Shenxi Xingtian said. When he mentioned that, his cold gaze turned to the baby and his skeletal teeth trembled a few times before he continued, "Meng Ying, are you interested in that world?"
"If Rex Mundi Shenxi is determined to obtain it, as a 'little helper' who came from afar, I can only reluctantly part with it. However, given the unexpected contents of our prey now, we think that before the hunt, both parties should assign the spoils of war to better strengthen our alliance," the baby said with a faint smile.
"Is that so? You've thought it through quite thoroughly," Shenxi Xingtian chuckled dryly. After a pause, he continued, "I wonder what this esteemed one believes to be a rational distribution?”
"Let's be straightforward then," the baby said.
"Very well! Being forthright is a virtue," Shenxi Xingtian said.
The baby chuckled. He leaned forward, placing his fleshy chin on the wooden table and his wide eyes locked onto Shenxi Xingtian's skeletal head. He said, "In addition to Weisheng Moran, we also want the Gladean Ruins."
After hearing that, Shenxi Xingtian's head remained still for a long time. Evidently, he had anticipated that the other party would mention that.
"The effort we're putting in isn’t small, and we've even taken risks to come here for you. A fallen infinitum-class world belongs to you and the astralship belongs to me. It's like you’re eating the meat while I drink the soup. For the sake of the ebons' future, Rex Mundi Shenxi won’t be stingy, right?” the baby laughed.
Shenxi Xingtian couldn't see anything below the baby's head, so it seemed like he was just a head. The baby's words made Shenxi Xingtian remain silent for a long time and the Ebonfiend seemed to fall into prolonged silence once again.
However, Shenxi Xingtian unexpectedly laughed soon after, rhythmically drumming his palms on the long table. The table creaked out sounds like a ghostly wail. Shenxi Xingtian shook his head and extended a hand, placing it on his skull before leisurely saying, "The infinitum-class astralship was born in the Infinitum Mundus and is a treasure of the Infinitum Mundus. If I were to send it to the Skydome Mundus, I'd be seen as a sinner."
"Rex Mundi Shenxi is jesting. A lost infinitum-class world is the most significant treasure," the baby said with a grin.
"The problem is, there’s no evidence to prove that it is indeed infinitum-class. Furthermore, even if it is infinitum-class, our Infinitum Mundus has no unowned nova source that can transform it into another Ebonia," Shenxi Xingtian said.
"Not having it now doesn't mean you won't have it in the future. An infinitum-class world is a grand plan that spans millions of years! If you truly obtain it, what's to stop the ebons from thriving for another million, or even tens of millions of years?" the baby said, speaking faster.
"If it becomes another Ebonia, but doesn't have its own infinitum-class ship, it's equivalent to being neutered," Shenxi Xingtian said.
"Is Rex Mundi Shenxi implying that there's no room for negotiation at this time?" The baby raised an eyebrow, growing somewhat displeased.
"That isn’t the case. I only hope that you, esteemed one, can make some other demands? If possible, we’ll wholeheartedly fulfill them. This fallen world and the Gladean Ruins all appeared here. If they’re lost, the infamy we’ll bear is rather heavy," Shenxi Xingtian sincerely said.
The Sun had only appeared after they had come to an agreement. Initially, the baby hadn't even requested the Gladean Ruins.
When Shenxi Xingtian finished speaking, the baby's expression turned dark. He remained silent for a long time before saying, "Since that's the case, I won't make it difficult for Rex Mundi Shenxi. I do have a second option, but it's the wonderians' last resort. If Rex Mundi Shenxi is unwilling to cooperate, there might be no need for our collaboration."
"Please, go on," Shenxi Xingtian maintained a good attitude.
“The Star Hunter escapees said the fallen world has a coffin-like cosmic artifact. Li Tianming also has two women by his side, Jiang Feiling and Lin Xiaoxiao. Those will all go to us. Compared to an infinitum-class world, the Gladean Ruins, and Li Tianming, we’re asking for very little,” the baby emphasized.