Chapter 982: Chapter 13: Crusade Against the Demon Sect!

The Nine-colored Deer widened its eyes, taking a while to react.

It wasn’t a dream, nor an illusion; indeed, it was a human contacting him. The Divine Deer rose, emitting a glow of nine-colored auspicious rays, directly asking, “What skill did you use to contact me?”

Li Guanyi thought for a moment, raising the Golden King Seal in his hand:

“It’s this.”

The Nine-colored Divine Deer sensed the item in Li Guanyi’s palm, its expression slowly relaxing: “Hmm? That’s the Golden Tiger King Seal of that child Tuyuhun, how is it in your hands…”

She paused, a bit dazed, answering herself with a complex tone:

“Indeed, Tuyuhun has been dead for almost two hundred years.”

“The lifespan of humans is short, bearing the human Tao, it’s even harder to achieve longevity.”

Li Guanyi felt a slight movement in his heart; the Nine-colored Divine Deer seemed to know the King of Tuyuhun. The Nine-colored Divine Deer said, “I see the people behind you increased from a thousand to several tens of thousands, have a few years passed while I took a nap?”

Li Guanyi calculated the time, replying, “It’s been over half a month, perhaps?”

The Nine-colored Divine Deer responded, “…Half a month?”

Her tone carried a significant amount of incredulity, tilting her head:

“Are you saying you took half a month to occupy such a place, gathering thousands of people?”

Li Guanyi answered, “Luck.”

The Nine-colored Divine Deer appeared more solemn, saying, “This cannot be explained solely by luck; it seems, as that ancient dragon said, you indeed possess numerous skills.”

The Nine-colored Divine Deer recalled the words of the Ancient Red Dragon, suggesting her to aid Li Guanyi.

A slight hesitation arose in her heart.

But recalling the time she aided Tuyuhun, who later became a domineering and tyrannical king, originally fleeing to save this land, yet upon returning brought endless slaughter, those ascending thoughts gradually dispersed.

Should I help or not?

The Nine-colored Divine Deer was silent for a long time, then spoke:

“Remarkable.”

“I won’t elaborate on why this King Seal connected with me.”

“However, the Western Regions have been chaotic for a long time, many heroes emerge. Your skills are formidable, but not the most outstanding.”

“I once vowed not to aid the kingdoms of the human world.”

“Unless you’re the most remarkable hero of the Western Regions.”

Li Guanyi felt the change in the aura of the King Seal, vaguely understanding that the Nine-colored Divine Deer was somewhat swayed; however, despite the wavering, this Divine Beast remained stubborn.

The Nine-colored Divine Deer’s stubbornness, the Ancient Red Dragon’s arrogance, and the Fire Qilin’s gluttony.

Do ancient Divine Beasts have such quirks?

Li Guanyi wondered, asking internally, “Though I’m not the remarkable person you speak of, please tell me, what would make someone the hero you refer to, so you’d offer your help?”

The Nine-colored Divine Deer thought of what Li Guanyi said about uniting the world under one nation without believing it; she was supposed to refuse directly, yet after these two interactions, she hesitated again, decided to raise the stakes.

If Li Guanyi could achieve it, she’d help; if not, the thought could be dismissed.

After a moment’s thought, the Nine-colored Deer said:

“Unless, in the remaining half-month, you conquer a city.”

“And make the Western Regions proclaim your name.”

“If you achieve that, I’ll acknowledge you have the potential of a first-class hero of the world and would assist you as the Ancient Red Dragon suggested. But if you’d have me join you, then accomplish the feats of heroes from ancient times.”

“Unite all tribes of this land under your banner.”

“Let them all chant your name.”

This was a deliberately high demand.

Yet, on the other side, Li Guanyi merely smiled:

“Perhaps we really are destined, Nine-colored Divine Deer.”

“I agree to your terms.”

The Nine-colored Divine Deer paused, then tilted her head, seriously saying:

“Didn’t you mishear? I said conquer a city within the remaining half-month, a true major city, not just petty skirmishes, meaning, my requirement is for you to become a force in the Western Regions within your first month.”

Li Guanyi replied: “Only then are you referring to a hero?”

She paused, earnestly suggesting: “There’s a saying in the Central Plains, about bargaining.”

“Though it might not be appropriate, but…”

“You could haggle.”

The Nine-colored Deer said: “Your simple trust in others easily leads to deception.”

Li Guanyi extended his hand, smiling: “Then, it’s settled.”

The Nine-colored Divine Deer watched the distant little town, responding only after Li Guanyi extended his hand; between him and the Nine-colored Deer, it was only through the connection of the Tiger King Seal, separated by an unknown distance.

Li Guanyi smiled apologetically, retrieving his hand.

The Nine-colored Divine Deer seemed to sigh, and in the next instant, the Tiger King Seal emitted flowing light, pale golden light surged and gathered, forming a figure, which in the next instant transformed into the antlers of the Nine-colored Divine Deer.

Magnificent and splendid, crystal-clear as a precious jewel.

It gently touched Li Guanyi’s forehead.

The Tiger King Seal emitted a deep tiger roar, golden light fiercely flared, then restrained, ultimately pristine as on the day it was newly forged, finally resting in Li Guanyi’s palm.

In that instant, Li Guanyi gained an insight.

Previously when attempting to forge the cauldrons, the confirmed Western Regions cauldron indicated storm-calming powers seemed concentrated in this Tiger King Seal, although its abilities are incomparably less than the truly complete two of the Nine Cauldrons, undeniably, the capabilities as a political weapon have a strong connection with territory and the people’s hearts.