"Hey! Hey! Wait a minute, I am not here to fight or capture you or anything. Let me explain."
After hearing the words of Xuan Ye, Hei Qin didn't do anything—rather, he couldn't. He could barely move his body now, so how could he be ready for another skirmish?
There was silence in the blood mist for a moment. Not an awkward silence, but one meant to replenish their Qi—in case another fight broke out.
"What?"
Finally, Hei Qin broke the ice cautiously. His mind was still wavering with various thoughts.
"Like I said, I am not here to fight. I have a deal. How about that?"
Xuan Ye chose his words carefully. He was completely different from his previous eerie state.
'Is he stalling for time?' Hei Qin thought.
"I am not stalling for time or anything…"
Xuan Ye suddenly said, as if he had heard what Hei Qin was thinking. "…I am sorry for earlier. I just lost control when the ghosts in my body sensed you… You know, right? I am from the Thousand-Ghost Convergence Branch."
The Thousand-Ghost Convergence Branch is another branch of ghost cultivation. Those who choose this path have their entire bodies reconstructed using ghosts. Most people don't choose this path for obvious reasons. If they do, they likely have some mental issues.
Who in their right mind would choose to have their entire body reconstructed using ghosts and walk the path of madness? Yet, he is the embodiment of a true Ghost Cultivator. After all, he is a cultivator of ghosts.
That's why it was hard for Hei Qin to believe Xuan Ye. He didn't think Xuan Ye was in his right mind.
"Every time I see you, the ghosts within me become a little restless. They want to observe you… This time, you're lucky to have that lantern… uh… that's right, what is that lantern anyway? It absorbed a few of the ghosts in my body."
It felt strange to Hei Qin that one of the eerie seniors was this talkative.
"That's none of your concern. What's your deal, anyway? Let's hear it." Hei Qin's voice carried a hint of irritation.
"Alright. You killed Gui Ling. So, the sect will definitely hunt you down. I can help you with that. I can help you get out of here, and in the future, if the sect locates your position, I will warn you. How about that..." Xuan Ye paused for a moment and continued. "...And don't ask useless things like, 'Do you think I can't kill you?' or 'How can I believe you?' Give me the answer quickly. I am not the only one searching for you."
"What do you want, Senior Brother Xuan Ye? It is my honour to help you."
Hei Qin returned to his usual self and politely asked. He had been very cautious before because he knew how deadly his senior was in a fight. However, the situation was better compared to before.
"…Now, it is a deal. What I want is revenge. Simple, right?"
"Who?" Hei Qin asked.
"One of the first-ranked disciples. Yin Xue. She is last in rank, so don't worry, she is not that powerful."
"Are you mad? Not powerful? Don't you know the first-ranked disciples are monsters? And if she isn't powerful, then why can't you do it?"
Hei Qin wanted to continue the deal with a calm head, but he couldn't when he heard the offer.
"If her cultivation is not in the Master of Foundation Realm—"
"Then why can't you wait until you reach the same level as her? And furthermore, how can I kill her when I can't even beat you? What's your plan?"
Xuan Ye said vengefully, his eyes emitting such killing intent that even Hei Qin shivered a little. "There was a time when I wanted to take my revenge with my own hands, but now I don't have time for that… All I can do is try other methods, and one of the methods I am willing to bet on is you.
"That bitch! She will come to hunt you with or without the master's order. She is like a bloodthirsty monster, and moreover, she feels ecstasy when she hunts someone. You are the sect's traitor, the perfect prey for her."
His tone then returned to normal.
"And as for how you are going to defeat her, I don't know. All I can do is wish you good luck. Raise your cultivation before you encounter her. Take it as motivation to fight enemies stronger than you… like some hero, or those so-called Sons of Heaven. Haha." He took out something and threw it to Hei Qin. "Here, take it."
"What's this? A communication jade?"
"Yes. We will exchange information through that. Listen, I don't care even if you die… I am just betting on probability."
Hei Qin wondered about the relationship between them and how deep their grudge ran. Yet, he didn't ask. Even if he did, there would be no answer from Xuan Ye. As for the deal, he could only shake his head and accept.
'I am not betting on probability here... Master seems to be planning something big for him, so I don't have to worry about him at all. Even if he dies, why should I care? As long as that bitch dies, I will do anything,' Xuan Ye thought coldly.
It seemed there was a deep grudge between him and Yin Xue.
Hei Qin put away the communication jade and the Lantern of Parting in Soul Sea, then slowly stood up. He then said his farewell to Xuan Ye.
Xuan Ye watched the figure slowly disappear into the deep mist.
"What a pity. I had hoped to seize him and plant one of my Obedient Ghosts within his soul to bind him to my will. But who could have guessed that cursed lantern possessed the power to observe my ghosts? Still, it was a worthy outcome."
After he knew that his plan wasn't going to work, he had no other choice but to put on a nice guy act.