Chapter 392: Chapter 277: Negotiating Again, The Spiritual Talismans’ Convergence and Looming Chaos (Part 2)

"Of course, it doesn’t matter if you’re unwilling to provide this intelligence. We’ll just get it from Zeno. It’ll just take a bit more effort. However, we can’t guarantee what state he’ll be in by then."

"Also, don’t even think about trying to fool us with false information. The intelligence we have is far greater than you imagine. Once we confirm that your intel is misleading, you should know the consequences."

Yi Beidou’s expression was calm, and he had no intention of making things difficult for Cheng Zhihong. He relayed the key pieces of intelligence they required—which Zhou Qingchen had previously summarized—one by one. He specifically demanded a detailed account of the Seven Great Secret Organizations.

Cheng Zhihong’s expression shifted slightly at Yi Beidou’s words. The nature of their requests alone proved they had access to secrets unknown to the Mortal World. More importantly, it was highly likely that he and Yuna were the source of those leaks.

’I wonder what kind of punishment awaits me.’

Cheng Zhihong departed with a heavy heart. Before long, he had relayed the demands of Yi Beidou’s group to Hua Yuanhang and the others.

’Detailed intelligence on the Twelve Spiritual Talismans and how to sense them?’

’Detailed intelligence on the Seven Great Secret Organizations?’

’They even know about the Sleepers and the Celestial Monarch Level?’

Even Hua Yuanhang was shaken by this news.

"This intelligence is too critical. If Yi Beidou’s people find out, it means the entire Mortal World will know. Won’t we be completely exposed then?"

"The higher-ups will probably never agree to such harsh conditions."

Even Dailina, who usually preferred to stay out of such matters, was slightly taken aback by these terms.

"Actually, refusing probably won’t do us much good. That Broken Monk among the Donghua Martial Artists, Ding Huiyuan, has a terrifyingly powerful Spiritual Influence Ability. They likely obtained much of the intel they possess by influencing Yuna and me after the battle."

"Celestial General Zeno is in their hands right now. If we refuse, they can find ways to extract the information from him. With negotiations broken, they won’t hold back. I fear things will not end well for Celestial General Zeno."

"The fact that they’re proposing these terms now suggests two things. First, they want to save time. Second, they probably don’t want any ’accidents’ to happen to Celestial General Zeno, which would mean burning all bridges with us."

Cheng Zhihong said with a bitter smile.

The group fell silent at his words.

"Report the Donghua Martial Artists’ conditions to the higher-ups. Let them make the final decision."

Hua Yuanhang said with a sigh.

「Sometime later, in a conference room in a Gibraltar skyscraper.」

"Sleepers? I can’t believe they even know about the Sleepers. Has the leak really gotten that bad?"

The young Asian man said, frowning.

"Information on the Sleepers must absolutely not be leaked to the Mortal World. You all know what their existence represents and the maelstrom of desire it would unleash. If the Mortal World finds out, even the highest echelons of humanity would descend into madness."

The stooped old man, his head wrapped in gauze, slammed his hand on the table and barked in a low voice.

The room fell silent.

The Sleepers were beings who had achieved a form of ’quasi-longevity.’ And since the dawn of time, Longevity was fated to be an object of frantic pursuit.

"Elder Kada, the situation isn’t that dire. Ever since the existence of the Earth Immortal Remains became known to the Mortal World, it’s been inevitable that certain things would come to light."

"Times have truly changed. Before globalization, news spread only within small circles. Now, a story can cross the globe in less than a second. How long can a handful of people like us keep this information under wraps? How much longer can we, the Secret Organizations, remain in the shadows?"

"Besides, becoming a Sleeper involves strict and clandestine methods. Merely revealing intel on their strength is hardly a major issue. Moreover, it’s highly likely a Sleeper will take action this time. If our opponents witness such a being with their own eyes, they’ll probably figure out the secret anyway, wouldn’t you agree?"

"Since they’ve earned the right to participate in this conflict, what’s the harm in letting them know a little about their adversaries?"

The young Asian man said.

"Mr. Jiang has a point. Besides, even if we refuse, they might still get the information from Zeno. That might be a bluff, but it’s wiser to keep the initiative in our own hands."

"Alright then. Let’s have a vote. All in favor of exchanging intelligence and continuing negotiations, raise your hands."

The gentlemanly old man said, raising his hand.

The young Asian man, the curvaceous beauty, and the final member, a tall man, also raised their hands.

Of the Five Divine Sealing Veins, the vote was four in favor.

Not long after, Hua Yuanhang and several other Divine Sealers arrived with the requested intelligence.

"Before I hand over the intelligence, I need to see Zeno and confirm he is safe."

Without any pleasantries, Hua Yuanhang got straight to the point.

Yi Beidou’s group was prepared. Immediately, the tightly bound Zeno was carried in.

Zeno was already awake. His mouth was gagged with a cloth, and his eyes, wide and bloodshot, were filled with horror. He was still struggling violently.

But the ropes he could normally have snapped with ease now held firm, not budging an inch.

While Yi Beidou’s Demon-Suppressing Seven-Star Needle was still in effect, his Physical Ability was less than that of an ordinary person.

’For Zeno, this was the greatest humiliation of his life.’

’A great Celestial General like him... When had he ever been reduced to such a state?’

’If his body weren’t sealed, he would rather commit suicide than suffer such a disgrace.’

One look at Zeno’s eyes told Hua Yuanhang that his mind was still sound.

Without further hesitation, he handed the prepared intelligence to Yi Beidou.

Then, both sides began their inspection.

Yi Beidou’s group reviewed the intelligence, while Hua Yuanhang’s people examined Zeno’s condition.

First was the intelligence concerning the Twelve Spiritual Talismans.

"The Twelve Spiritual Talismans form a single, complete Spirit Treasure. Each individual talisman possesses an inclination to converge with the others. Right now, every talisman is sealed, making them impossible to sense or locate. However, as the seals weaken, this convergent tendency will grow increasingly intense until it can no longer be suppressed. They will then release a subtle fluctuation, at which point their locations can be perceived via specific methods."

"The specific methods are as follows: First, using one Spiritual Talisman to sense another. Second, establishing a Sensing Array with the Antarctic Array Map as its foundation. Once the talismans’ power erupts, the Sensing Array will react, revealing their locations."

"Current projections estimate that in five days at most, the Spiritual Talismans will become completely irrepressible and enter a volatile state, which could potentially trigger massive chaos."

’Five days?’

This intelligence was critical. It also filled everyone with a strong sense of foreboding, as if they could already foresee the terrifying chaos that would soon erupt.

The Spiritual Talismans had a convergent tendency. They could no longer be suppressed and would now constantly emit an aura, exposing their locations. This meant that unless someone could gather all twelve of the talismans, there would be no way to suppress this fluctuation and conceal them again.

Until then, no matter who held the Spiritual Talismans, their owner would become a target for everyone.

It was impossible to imagine what a cruel and terrifying conflict this would become.

Everyone took a deep breath, as if they could already see the bloody storm that the Spiritual Talismans would unleash.

But then, another piece of intelligence caught their eye, causing everyone’s pupils to contract.

"Sleepers: beings who have, in a sense, achieved ’quasi-longevity.’ By sealing themselves using special methods, they can minimize the depletion of their lifespan and suspend their own metabolism, thereby extending a single lifetime to last for several hundred, or even thousands of years."