Xu Tianhao looked at the doubt and coldness flashing in the Evil Emperor's eyes, his expression remaining calm as he spoke softly:
"Senior Evil Emperor, do you have these concerns because you're worried about being schemed against after going to the Mingdu, or are there other worries? Please speak freely."
Hearing this, a cold smile curled on the Evil Emperor's lips, his laughter carrying a hint of self-mockery and distrust toward humans as he said coldly:
"I am not worried about my own safety. With my strength, even if your Mingdu is full of experts, it wouldn't be difficult for me to retreat unscathed."
"I am afraid that you humans are narrow-minded and full of suspicion, unable to feel at ease with my existence."
"If I truly step into the Mingdu and reside in Sun Moon City to construct the Soul Spirit Space, your Sun Moon Empire's emperor would probably toss and turn all night, unable to sleep at all, wouldn't he?"
"After all, I am one of the ten great savage beasts you speak of, an anomaly in the eyes of you humans."
"Any human emperor would not allow a threat like me to remain in their capital."
These words expressed the Evil Emperor's full wariness toward humans.
It also pointed out the core contradiction of the cooperation between the two sides—trust.
Humans and Spirit Beasts have hunted each other for tens of thousands of years, and their resentment runs deep. Breaking this barrier to achieve deep cooperation was as difficult as reaching the heavens.
Let alone allowing the leader of the Vicious Beasts to enter a human capital; this suspicion could not be easily erased no matter what.
Listening to the Evil Emperor's words, Xu Tianhao was not annoyed at all. Instead, he smiled indifferently: "What Senior says is indeed the long-standing barrier between humans and Spirit Beasts."
"But cooperation values sincerity. As the saying goes, 'If you suspect someone, don't use them; if you use them, don't suspect them.' Since we have decided to join hands to create the Soul Spirit System and seek welfare for both sides..."
"...we should put aside past suspicions and prejudices and give each other at least a basic level of trust."
"If we can't even achieve this bit of trust, then the so-called cooperation is just empty talk. How can we speak of benefiting future generations or blessing both the Spirit Beast and Spirit Master's worlds?"
His words were powerful and resonant, without a hint of hypocrisy or perfunctoriness. The frankness in his eyes made Kong Deming, who was standing to the side, nod secretly.
In the eyes of Kong Deming and the others, Xu Tianhao's move was a gamble on the future of the Sun Moon Empire and the future of the Soul Spirit System.
This kind of courage was not something an ordinary person could possess.
The Evil Emperor stared into Xu Tianhao's eyes for a long time. He couldn't see any hypocrisy or scheming in his gaze, only pure determination and sincerity.
Long after, the Evil Emperor slowly nodded, his tone softening slightly as he said: "You're right. Cooperation should be based on trust."
"Since you have such breadth of mind, I will no longer dwell on it. I have no objection to going to the Mingdu."
At this point, the Evil Emperor's tone shifted, a hint of caution flashing in his eyes again as he continued: "Your concept of the Soul Spirit Space is indeed a marvelous idea of the ages, extremely beautiful."
"If this plan can truly be fully realized, it will not only end the grievances between Spirit Beasts and Spirit Masters but also be of immense benefit to my entire Spirit Beast race."
"For my Evil Eye Clan, it will allow our tribe to escape the survival crisis and achieve reproduction and growth, bringing profound benefits."
Pausing for a moment, the Evil Emperor looked at Xu Tianhao with a solemn gaze, his tone becoming incredibly serious as he said word for word:
"However, to ensure both sides can be completely at ease and eliminate the possibility of future regrets or schemes, I have one more proposal. I wonder if you will agree to it?"
Hearing this, Xu Tianhao did not hesitate at all. He raised his hand in a gesture of invitation and said loudly:
"Senior, please speak freely. As long as it is a proposal that can stabilize our cooperation and ensure a win-win for both sides, I can consider it."
The Evil Emperor leaned forward slightly, the power of time and space around him fluctuating faintly. A pressure originating from the depths of his Soul slowly spread out.
He stared closely at Xu Tianhao and said coldly and solemnly, word for word: "You and I shall sign a Soul Contract."
"The contract will stipulate that neither of us shall violate the oath of cooperation in this life, nor shall we secretly scheme against each other or harm the interests of each other's races."
"If either party violates the contract or breaks the oath, they shall suffer the heavenly punishment of their Spirit shattering, their cultivation being completely lost, and their Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, never to be reincarnated for all eternity!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of Kong Deming and the accompanying members of the Sun Moon Empire changed slightly, and the aura around them tightened.
A Soul Contract was different from an ordinary verbal agreement or written pact. It was a solemn oath made by using one's own Soul and Spirit as stakes, invoking the rules of heaven and earth.
Once established, it would be bound by the Laws of heaven and earth, with no possibility of regret. Violators would surely suffer the most cruel heavenly punishment, without exception.
But despite their shock, no one present spoke up to object.
They all knew in their hearts that it was only reasonable for the Evil Emperor to make such a request.
What the Evil Emperor feared was nothing more than Xu Tianhao's talent being too much of a Prodigy; with such world-startling brilliance at a young age, his future growth path was limitless.
Once he fully rose to power, it was highly likely he would be the first to target the Evil Eye Clan to settle the old grievances between humans and Spirit Beasts.
Meanwhile, Kong Deming and the others were also worried about the Evil Emperor's naturally unruly and fickle nature.
If there were no strong constraints, he might suddenly cause trouble during the cooperation in the future.
Then, whether it was the construction of the Spirit Pagoda, the Sun Moon Empire, or even the entire Soul Spirit System, a destructive hidden danger would be planted.
This Soul Contract seemed harsh, but it was actually the most stable shackle maintaining the cooperation between the two sides and the best way to dispel each other's concerns.
Xu Tianhao looked at everyone's expressions, then at the Evil Emperor's solemn eyes. Without any hesitation or delay, he immediately responded loudly:
"Fine, I agree! We shall sign the Soul Contract. Let this be our witness; I will never betray this pact of cooperation!"
His decisiveness slightly surprised even the Evil Emperor, who clearly hadn't expected Xu Tianhao to agree so readily to a contract that used his Soul as a stake.
The Evil Emperor said no more, knowing that this matter should not be delayed. He immediately closed his eyes and channeled his Soul's Origin, a faint dark-purple divine light rising around him.
That divine light contained endless power of time and space and Soul pressure. He used his Soul's Origin as a medium to swear the oath.
The Evil Emperor's voice was low and solemn, echoing over the entire Evil Demon Forest: "I, using my Soul's Origin, swear to the Dragon God that I will sincerely cooperate with the Sun Moon Empire to jointly create the Spirit Pagoda, construct the Soul Spirit Space, promote the Soul Spirit System, end the fate of hunting between Spirit Beasts and Spirit Masters, and benefit the future generations of both sides and all beasts."
"If I have ulterior motives, tear up the contract, or violate the oath, I shall suffer the punishment of heaven, my cultivation shall vanish, my Soul and form shall be destroyed, and I shall never be reincarnated for all eternity!"
Xu Tianhao Seeing this, similarly solemn, raised his right hand and channeled his Spirit power.
The light of his Spirit slowly bloomed around him. Using his Spirit as an oath, his voice was clear and firm as he swore to heaven and earth:
"I swear by my Spirit that I will sincerely cooperate with the Evil Emperor to jointly create the Spirit Pagoda, construct the Soul Spirit Space, promote the Soul Spirit System, benefit the entire Spirit Master's world, resolve the grievances between humans and Spirit Beasts, and benefit all beasts."
"If I have ulterior motives, tear up the contract, or violate the oath, I shall suffer the punishment of heaven, my cultivation shall vanish, my Spirit shall shatter, and I shall experience Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, never to be reincarnated!"
The two oaths fell one after another. In the unseen, an invisible golden brand descended from the sky, deeply imprinting itself into the depths of Xu Tianhao's and the Evil Emperor's Souls.
At this point, the last trace of doubt in the Evil Emperor's heart completely dissipated, and he was finally at ease.
He was indeed wary of Xu Tianhao's Heaven-Defying talent and world-startling brilliance, fearing he was nurturing a tiger that would cause trouble later.
But now, with the constraint of this Soul Contract, it was impossible for Xu Tianhao to go back on his word, let alone strike a lethal blow against the Evil Eye Clan.
As for Kong Deming and the other experts of the Sun Moon Empire, although their strength was decent, in the Evil Emperor's eyes, they were not enough to pose a threat.
Human Spirit Masters were countless, but only a person of startling talent like Xu Tianhao could truly make him somewhat wary.
Powerstones🥺🥺?