Inside the main hall of the Sea God Pavilion, because there were only four people present, the serene environment created made the atmosphere seem slightly grave.
Since the upcoming negotiation was primarily led by Chen Junting, with Xuan Zi as support, and Di Tian was there to back up Chen Junting, Xuan Zi and Di Tian sat on either side of Chen Junting, allowing him to sit face-to-face with Chen Juntao.
Their gazes met, as if invisible sparks were flying.
"High Priest, if you want Wang Dong'er to follow you to the Sea God Family to participate in the Divine Trial, then we have a condition."
Chen Junting took the lead in breaking the silence. His steady and powerful voice carried an unquestionable tone, echoing in the empty hall.
Chen Juntao didn't speak. He only glanced imperceptibly at Di Tian before calmly asking, "What condition? You might as well speak directly."
"Apart from Wang Dong'er, we also want to let some other people on our side go to the Sea God Family together to participate in the Divine Trial."
"Furthermore," Chen Junting paused slightly, but showed no intention of backing down at all. "You must also be responsible for guaranteeing their life and safety."
Participate in the Divine Trial together?
Impossible!
Almost subconsciously, Chen Juntao shook his head in refusal.
"For ten thousand years, our Sea God Family has never had such a situation. Outsiders will absolutely not be accepted; this is the rule of our Sea God Family, and this point absolutely cannot be changed because of this."
"Nonsense!"
Before Chen Junting could say anything, Xuan Zi had already spoken up, "Where did this rule of yours come from? It definitely didn't exist ten thousand years ago."
"Elder Xuan."
Chen Junting stopped Xuan Zi, but he himself looked at Chen Juntao without retreating, "Is this a divine rule bestowed by the current Sea God, or an unspoken rule that your family evolved over the course of ten thousand years?"
As soon as this question was asked, before Chen Juntao could even respond, Chen Junting pressed his advantage, picking up where Xuan Zi left off, "After all, just as Elder Xuan said, whether this rule of yours existed over the past ten thousand years, we don't know, but it absolutely did not exist ten thousand years ago."
Seeing Chen Juntao slightly stunned, his face falling into deep thought, Chen Junting's tone also slowed down. He suddenly tapped his fingers on the table, which also seemed to tap against the Sea God Douluo's heart.
Tap, tap, tap—
While seemingly creating a certain atmosphere, regardless of whether Chen Juntao was aware of it, Chen Junting slowly recounted the events of ten thousand years ago. But in Chen Junting's view, even if the other Sea Soul Masters of the Sea God Family didn't know about this old matter from ten thousand years ago, it was impossible for the Sea God Douluo, who was both the High Priest and the Patriarch, to be unaware. Otherwise, their faith would have fallen into chaos.
"Ten thousand years ago, our ancestors—the first generation of the Shrek Seven Devils and Bai Chenxiang—went to Sea God Island together to participate in the Divine Trial, and the Sea God of that generation was one of the Shrek Seven Devils. How is the current situation any different from back then?"
Saying this, Chen Junting pointed above his head.
"You must have sensed the Light of the Sea God from this Golden Ancient Tree as well. This Light of the Sea God is the supporting evidence left behind. If the rule you speak of is indeed a divine rule, then you will know with a single question."
Hearing this, Chen Juntao's expression changed slightly.
Did he need to ask? Ask whom?
Without a doubt, he would naturally ask the Sea God.
However, this rule, from beginning to end, existed simply because after the previous Sea God became a deity, no foreign soul masters ever set foot on the island. Moreover, ever since Sea God Island was destroyed due to the continental collision and the Sea God Family secluded themselves from the world, this so-called unspoken rule became the family's established rule.
But just as Chen Junting and the others had said, this was, after all, not a divine rule. For the Sea God Family, if it wasn't a divine rule, it could be broken. Furthermore, that piece of history from ten thousand years ago was a fact they couldn't ignore. And Lord Sea God's relationship with the factions these people belonged to was indeed quite deep.
Of course, with the exception of the sole soul beast among the three.
Thus, after a moment, he slowly nodded.
"Alright, I can agree to this request."
"But I'll say the ugly words first."
Chen Juntao's expression turned serious. "If someone accepts a Black-level Trial but ultimately fails to pass it... then even I cannot guarantee their safety. Because this has been Lord Sea God's rule since ancient times, and even our own family members cannot violate it."
"Naturally."
Chen Junting appeared completely calm and frank.
He waved his hand broadly, showing his magnanimity. "If they die because they lack the ability and fail to pass the trial, it naturally has nothing to do with the Sea God Family."
"But if they meet with an unforeseen disaster that isn't caused by the trial itself... if that happens, then your Sea God Family will be unable to absolve yourselves of the blame. At that time, don't blame us for being discourteous."
Chen Juntao didn't change his expression; he just nodded. "I can guarantee this. As long as it is within the normal scope of the trial, the Sea God Family will definitely ensure their safety. My word is my bond."
Since this issue had been negotiated and both sides were satisfied, the topic gradually shifted to the number of people participating in the Divine Trial. After all, it was impossible to send everyone in.
Chen Junting was quite direct, holding up five fingers.
Seeing the five fingers, Chen Juntao nodded secretly in his heart, feeling that this number was within his acceptable range. So, having anticipated it, he guessed calmly, "Five people?"
However, Chen Junting smiled inexplicably. When he shook his head and spoke, it instantly made Chen Juntao lose his composure.
"Not five, fifty."
"Fifty people?!"
Chen Juntao's expression changed drastically, almost thinking that he, a dignified Limit Douluo, had gone deaf and misheard.
Even Xuan Zi and Di Tian's pupils constricted. They couldn't help but lean slightly to the side and back, looking in shock at Chen Junting's exorbitant demand... no, it should be said that it was a whale opening its mouth wide.
Fifty people?!
What kind of concept was that?!
After Chen Juntao came back to his senses, he also shouted loudly.
"Fifty people! Do you think this is a robbery?!"
Chen Junting didn't speak, merely staring at Chen Juntao.
Robbery?
Robbery was nowhere near this fast.
Facing the look Chen Junting cast over, even Chen Juntao couldn't help but twitch the corner of his eye. He suppressed the impulse to get up and leave immediately, shaking his head repeatedly in refusal, "Fifty people is absolutely impossible! There is simply no such thing as fifty people participating in the Divine Trial. This will definitely severely disrupt Lord Sea God's arrangements in the Divine Realm."
As soon as these words came out, Chen Junting's eyes lit up.
There's such a good thing?
Seeing that Chen Junting showed no intention of letting up, and even faintly sensing that he had other ulterior motives, Chen Juntao didn't care whether this feeling was true or false, and directly got up to leave.
Fortunately, Chen Junting was quick-eyed and quick-handed. He reached out and grabbed him. His immense strength made it impossible for Chen Juntao to break free for a moment, and then they heard him say:
"Hey! Who leaves just because a negotiation hits a snag at first? Have you not experienced this since you went into seclusion? Since we can ask for an exorbitant price, you can counter-offer a much lower one."
"You don't just walk away just because the first offer isn't satisfactory."
Chen Juntao paused slightly. He was a bit confused by the saying "counter-offer a much lower price," but he quickly understood its meaning.
After thinking for a moment, he returned to his seat. "Alright then, five. This is already the maximum condition I can provide."
This time, it was Chen Junting's turn to shake his head.
"You have too little sincerity. Five?"
Are you dismissing a beggar?!
"No, forty-five."
"No way, six."
Thus, the two began to bargain back and forth.
One side deducted five at a time, while the other added one at a time. Even when it reached "eight people," he refused to add any more, claiming under a high-sounding name: the number of people now should be the same as it was ten thousand years ago.
Naturally, Chen Junting refused to accept this.
Even though his bottom line was right around there.
So, after another fierce back-and-forth, the two sides finally reached an agreement, determining the number of participants for the Divine Trial to be ten.
"Ten it is then, deal!"
"Deal!"
The two shook hands, thus reaching an agreement.
Once the number of participants was confirmed as ten, the atmosphere in the hall relaxed slightly. Chen Junting slightly adjusted his sitting posture, his expression turning solemn as he looked at Chen Juntao and said:
"High Priest, there is one more matter I must inform you of. Currently, the various factions on our continent are preparing an alliance against Evil Soul Masters, and among them, the Deep Sea Demon Whale Empress, Demon Empress, is also categorized as an Evil Soul Master in our eyes. So, based on our previous cooperation, I wonder what stance the Sea God Family takes on this alliance, and whether you are willing to join?"
Hearing this, Chen Juntao's deep eyes narrowed slightly.
Demon Empress had always been a hidden danger to the ocean, and now she posed a threat to all sides. Moreover, Wang Dong'er's Divine Trial was inextricably linked to Demon Empress. Logically speaking, he had to weigh this cautiously, but fortunately, a conclusion had already been reached regarding this matter previously.
"The matter of Demon Empress is indeed tricky, and she is highly likely to appear in Wang Dong'er's trial, most probably in the Eighth or Ninth Trial. Therefore, to ensure that Wang Dong'er can pass the trial smoothly, we will dispatch the Sea Dragon Douluo to station here and monitor Demon Empress's movements alongside all of you. Before the trial rules explicitly restrict it, we will make a move and cripple Demon Empress to lend her a helping hand. In that case, it doesn't count as violating the rules."
Hearing this, Xuan Zi and Di Tian were immediately dumbfounded in their hearts, and even Chen Junting wasn't much better off.
Such an operation was actually possible!?
Just how desperately did he want Wang Dong'er to become a god?
Although they thought this in their hearts, they didn't interrupt him. So Chen Juntao continued speaking eloquently, "...Even if Demon Empress isn't part of the trial, she can still become a powerful soul ring for Wang Dong'er. As for the alliance, although we won't directly participate in its affairs, just as I said, if the Sea Dragon Douluo stays behind specifically to target Demon Empress, that can also be considered a form of assistance."
Chen Junting nodded to express his agreement and understanding. "That is very good. This way, it counts as an additional helping hand. Then I'll have to trouble you all to stay here for a while first. After we've selected the ten candidates, we will leave with you."
Chen Juntao nodded and replied, "Fine, but I hope you can be as quick as possible. After all, the matter of the Divine Trial shouldn't be delayed for too long."
Afterward, the four got up and left the hall.
However, compared to Chen Juntao, Chen Junting's trio walked behind, and Xuan Zi kept squeezing toward Chen Junting's side. Seeing this scene, even Di Tian found it both ridiculous and funny.
Chen Junting was also helpless and spoke bluntly.
"Elder Xuan, just say it if you have something to say. Stop squeezing."
"Hehe... I do, I do."
Xuan Zi rubbed his hands together and said, "Kid Chen, don't you think you should allocate some of these ten spots to our Shrek?"
"Allocate, of course we must allocate."
Chen Junting was straightforward and agreed immediately.
He then looked at Di Tian, but before he could even open his mouth, Di Tian blocked him back with a few words.
"Do you think we soul beasts can use the Divine Trial spots? Come on, they're useless. So, you can have my spots, and you can distribute them."
"I distribute them?"
The corners of Chen Junting's mouth turned up. "Then I won't stand on ceremony." Saying this, he turned his head to look at Xuan Zi. "Elder Xuan, how do you want to split it?"
As soon as Xuan Zi heard this, he immediately gestured with both hands.
"Four-six, how about it?"
"Who gets four and who gets six?"
"Of course, you get six, and we get four."
Xuan Zi naturally understood that if Di Tian hadn't arrived in time, Shrek wouldn't have had this condition at all, which was why he chose to "give in."
However, he didn't expect Chen Junting to be even greedier.
Because in Chen Junting's eyes, they were losing out on a four-six split!
"No way, no way. Look, Elder Xuan. A three-seven split."
"Three-seven!? That's way too little, only..."
Before Xuan Zi could finish his sentence, Chen Junting changed his tune from "three-seven" and declared decisively, "If three-seven doesn't work, then two-eight."
"Two-eight!? How did it get even less!?"
Hearing this, Xuan Zi grew anxious!
Who reduces the numbers like this!
This was simply too unreasonable!
But what choice did he have now? He could only decisively grab Chen Junting's hand and nod repeatedly in agreement.
"Fine! Three-seven it is!"
Seeing this scene, the corners of Di Tian's mouth curled up in amusement.
Right at this moment, the door was right in front of them.
When they walked out of the Sea God Pavilion, they saw the senior elders and teachers of Shrek Academy and the Sea Soul Masters of the Sea God Family standing clearly divided. When the crowd saw the four walk out, they hurriedly asked about the result.
Thus, Chen Junting and the others informed them of the outcome.
Shrek's side was naturally overjoyed, cheering one after another; in contrast, the Sea God Family's side was not in high spirits at all.
After all, sharing ten spots in this matter—who could feel good about it?
But the Patriarch had already spoken, so what could they do?
They couldn't change anything, so they could only endure it.
However, they didn't have the slightest complaint against their own Patriarch; instead, it was all directed at the guy who had proposed the conditions.
(Chen Junting: Who are you talking about? That's hard to guess.)
"Quiet!"
Chen Juntao's gaze was stern as he turned to look at the Sea Dragon Douluo.
"Sea Dragon, I have a task for you."
The Sea Dragon Douluo said respectfully, "Please give the order, Patriarch!"
Chen Juntao slowly said, "Regarding the previous cooperation with Shrek, you must already know about it. They have recently formed an alliance specifically targeting this aspect. In light of the cooperation we just negotiated, you will stay behind here for the time being. If any situation occurs, report to me in a timely manner."
The Sea Dragon Douluo immediately accepted the order, "Yes!"
Chen Juntao looked at the other clansmen and said, "Besides this, we must also be prepared to deal with any possible situations. Moreover, no one is guarding the family right now, so the rest of you hurry back immediately, in case someone takes the opportunity to cause trouble. As for me, I will bring the Inheritor and the ten participants of the Divine Trial back with me later."
The crowd responded in unison, "Yes!"
"Very well, you withdraw first."
Since the Patriarch had spoken, the Sea God Family naturally had to obey. Thus, in less than a breath, dozens of figures rapidly fled into the distance in the air, disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye.
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