Grinding EXP From a Demon Hunting Ship

Chapter 370: Chapter 365: Deterrent Negotiation, Wary of Each Other

"Hm?"

Su Ye’s eyes flickered.

The Withered Wood Elder’s voice was laced with panic and urgency.

Gone was the calm and collected confidence he’d had when passing on the technique, as if he held all the cards.

This change in attitude sent Su Ye’s mind racing.

’The Withered Wood Elder didn’t care when I killed the Shadow-Binding Incarnation, but... he got anxious the moment I converted the Shadow-Binding Divinity into Creation Points?’

’Does the Withered Wood Elder place great importance on divinity?’

’That doesn’t seem right... He had no reaction when I took out the divinity of gods like the Jade Phoenix and the Thunder Axe.’

’So... is it the divinity extracted from Divine Incarnations that fall *within* this God’s Domain that’s so important to him?’

As his thoughts turned, Su Ye formed a hypothesis.

The moment he arrived at this conclusion, the corners of Su Ye’s mouth curled up.

His smile held a cryptic meaning.

Anyone familiar with Su Ye would see that expression and know he was up to no good.

He was about to set a trap.

"Heh..."

Su Ye let out a soft chuckle and stood firm on the deck.

"Divinity?"

"I killed the Shadow-Binding Incarnation with my own hands, so this divinity is naturally mine. What are you barking about?"

Su Ye questioned him bluntly, holding nothing back.

He spoke his mind and never pulled his punches.

...

’I’m so fucking screwed!’

The Withered Wood Elder’s mood could be perfectly described by those four words.

Using his control over the God’s Domain to lure the Shadow-Binding Incarnation here, forcing it into a fight to the death with Su Ye—that was his plan all along.

In the Withered Wood Elder’s eyes,

it would be best if Su Ye fell for his deception, consumed the Old God Heart Core, and became his pawn.

But even if Su Ye had a trick up his sleeve and managed to slay the Shadow-Binding Incarnation,

he still stood to gain. It was a no-lose situation.

Because,

there were restrictions within the God’s Domain.

These restrictions could transfer the divinity of any god who fell within the domain to nourish the golden fruit.

So what if Su Ye fought to the death and killed the Shadow-Binding Incarnation?

The Withered Wood Elder would just chuckle, give a thumbs-up, nod, and praise him, "Oh, impressive!"

Then, he would transfer the divinity away to nourish the golden fruit, leaving Su Ye with nothing for his hard work. Next, he would manipulate the God’s Domain again and lure another Divine Incarnation over.

By constantly applying pressure like this, he was certain Su Ye would eventually fall into his trap.

It was a delightful plan!

So when he saw Su Ye slay the Shadow-Binding Incarnation,

the Withered Wood Elder felt nothing at all.

’It’s dead. So what?’

’One of the Nether Mirror’s lackeys. Good riddance!’

’This Old God Scion has a few tricks up his sleeve. Not bad...’

However, what happened next was completely beyond his expectations.

"Where’s my divinity?"

"Where’s the divinity from the Shadow-Binding Incarnation?"

the Withered Wood Elder said in astonishment.

He had just seen Su Ye wave his hand, and without knowing what he did, the Shadow-Binding Divinity vanished without a trace.

Not even the faintest aura of it could be sensed. It was as if it had been completely erased from the God’s Domain.

"That’s impossible!"

"Even if it were stored in a spatial treasure, the divinity should have broken free and returned here!"

"What on earth did he do?"

The Withered Wood Elder’s expression changed drastically. He could no longer sit still and shot up from his rattan chair.

The divinity from these Divine Incarnations was crucial to his plans!

Unlike ordinary divinity, the fundamental imprints within the incarnations of these gods who fell in the God’s Domain were trapped here.

Only by using them to nourish the golden fruit could it have the desired effect.

To this end, the Withered Wood Elder had set up a massive Orbit that covered the entire God’s Domain, ensuring that the divinity of any fallen god would fall into his hands, no matter the circumstances.

But now, even this perfect arrangement had failed...

This Old God Scion had intercepted the Shadow-Binding Divinity using some unknown method!

"This..."

The Withered Wood Elder’s expression shifted, his face turning extremely grim.

He mobilized his stored Fog Forest Divine Power and replayed the scene of Su Ye collecting the divinity dozens of times before his eyes.

But the more he watched the replay, the deeper his brow furrowed. He muttered to himself in awe,

"I don’t understand..."

Given the Withered Wood Elder’s vast experience,

he could normally decipher at least some aspects of even a Transformation Secret Skill.

But the technique Su Ye had used...

Even after replaying it dozens of times, he still couldn’t perceive its mysteries!

The Withered Wood Elder couldn’t even tell what this Old God Scion had done!

"Such a method... It’s simply inconceivable!"

A look of dread flashed in the Withered Wood Elder’s eyes.

Only the ignorant can be fearless.

The more ancient, mysterious, and knowledgeable a being was, the more they feared the unknown.

This was especially true for a being like the Withered Wood Elder, who had personally witnessed the world-shattering, apocalyptic power of the Old Gods when they acted!

"Could it be... a technique of the Old Gods?"

"Or perhaps, a method of Immortal Cultivators?"

As he thought this, the reverence in the Withered Wood Elder’s heart grew even stronger.

In his eyes, Su Ye, who had once been a mere pawn, was now shrouded in a layer of mystery.

「A moment later.」

He took a deep breath, his heart steadying slightly.

He sent a message to Su Ye: "My young friend, the divinity of the Shadow-Binding Incarnation is quite important to me. I hope you might part with it..."

Hearing this, Su Ye’s eyes glinted.

’He took the bait!’

Just as he’d expected, the Withered Wood Elder placed extreme importance on this divinity!

With this thought in mind, Su Ye maintained a calm expression and shook his head. "I’m afraid not. the Shadow-Binding Divinity is also of great use to me..."

"Unless..."

"Name your price, young friend," the Withered Wood Elder said directly.

"Heh, in that case, I won’t be polite..." Su Ye said with a grin.

Although the Shadow-Binding Divinity had already been converted into Creation Points by Su Ye and was gone forever,

how could the Withered Wood Elder possibly know about the power of his system panel?

This gave Su Ye the ability to use this key bargaining chip to intimidate and negotiate!

"Hmm..."

He pondered for a moment.

Su Ye didn’t rush to extort him.

Even though he greatly coveted the complete Ancient God Formula in the Withered Wood Elder’s possession,

more than the complete formula, Su Ye wanted to know what the Withered Wood Elder’s plan really was.

Especially, why was he so insistent on making him consume the Old God Heart Core?

In response to Su Ye’s question,

the Withered Wood Elder fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly.

"All the gods of the Divine Continent are shackled by sin. This sinful power is a prison, confining us all."

"What I desire is to break free from these shackles and achieve transcendence!"

"With an Old God Scion leading the way, supplemented by the power of the Old God Heart Core, we can recreate the scene from the continent’s ancient past—the ’Annihilation of the Old Gods’—to destroy this God’s Domain and wash away all sin..."

"Destroy the God’s Domain?"

Su Ye was skeptical.

If the God’s Domain collapsed, how could a god survive alone?

"Therefore..."

"I need outside gods to fall within this God’s Domain, and I need their divinity for a sacrifice!"

"Only death can be exchanged for life. The destruction of the God’s Domain, the sacrifice of gods... all to grant me a new life!" the Withered Wood Elder said in a low voice.

"A sacrifice?"

Sacrifice.

’Is that the fundamental nature of this world?’

’Even the gods themselves have become offerings?’

’This is really...’

Su Ye sighed softly, feeling a wave of emotion.

"However..."

"The Withered Wood Elder wants to kill gods and offer them as a sacrifice?"

"Perhaps... we can cooperate?"

Su Ye suggested.