Deities: Starting From Goblins

“You all claim to be from reputable sects, and here I am but a mere negotiator. Surely you wouldn’t stoop to the level of scoundrels, would you?” Dashiell Skyward was not intimidated; on the contrary, he found himself a seat with an air of nonchalance, shooting a glance at the crowd with a mix of disdain and arrogance.

Samuel Westman was seething with rage, struggling to restrain his desire to attack: “The people of Demonic Sky Gate deserve death. Do you not fear wreaking havoc and calamity? We have always kept to our own waters, but since you leave us no room to survive in the Western Wilderness Forces, let’s go to war!”

“That’s from your perspective. We at Demonic Sky Gate have been content in our corner of isolation, but it’s a desolate place, and we’ve run out of resources we had saved up. If we don’t take action, are we supposed to just sit and wait for starvation?”

Dashiell Skyward was disdainful and even mocking: “All you great forces, do you really believe your sects were established in ancient times without violence? They were built on fighting and killing, so why do you pride yourselves as reputable sects, while branding us of the Demonic Sky Gate as the Demon Path?”

Seeing the growing unrest among the crowd, Cain Scarlet called for calm and then spoke, “Let’s get straight to the point. Why are you here? Are you here to mock us with your superiority, or does Demonic Sky Gate have concessions to offer? In any case, unleash whatever schemes you have.”

“I am the Vice Sect Leader of Demonic Sky Gate, and I come with our Sect Leader’s intent. Demonic Sky Gate has put forth three conditions, and if all are met, a great war can be avoided.”

Dashiell Skyward glanced at the crowd and began, “The first condition is thirty million Spirit Stones, and this payment must be made annually. Out of which, ten million would be in Spirit Stones and the rest would be equivalent cultivation resources. This is for the forces among you to discuss and divvy up.”

“The second condition is that each Great Sect Leader’s son must go to Demonic Sky Gate as hostages. Should you harbor any treachery, Demonic Sky Gate can take their lives at any time. In addition, Demonic Sky Gate will send a Half-step Saint Seat to oversee each Great Sect, to be treated with the same respect as an Elder.”

The leaders of the various forces exchanged looks. Naturally, they initially found the demands too harsh. Thirty million Spirit Stones a year—what kind of concept was that? Even for the relatively affluent Wexler Clan, an annual yield might only amount to five or six million Spirit Stones, and that’s before expenses are considered.

If carried out as proposed, within a decade all forces would be skinned, demoted from first-rate sects to third-rate. Especially as Demonic Sky Gate would continue to grow stronger using these resources, wouldn’t that be like nurturing an enemy with their own Spirit Stones?

The second condition was even less tolerable. Everyone in the tent was a Sect Leader; who would willingly send their child to Demonic Sky Gate? How was that any different from sending them straight to Hell? To put it nicely, they were hostages; putting it bluntly, it was just a delay of death.

Most were filled with righteous indignation, decrying, “Demonic Sky Gate is really playing a clever game. Do you truly think we are so easily defeated? In an actual battle, it’s still uncertain who will perish! If you think Demonic Sky Gate can outnumber us, just wait until all the forces of the Western Wilderness unite.”

“It’s only because you lack a Strong One that declarations of victory or defeat are meaningless,” responded Dashiell Skyward casually, though his statement carried an implicit threat to all present. Although unemotional, the mere mention of a ‘Holy See’ felt like an unbearable and incomparable boulder pressing on their backs.

While most Great Sects were unwilling to comply, a few thought it might be acceptable. After all, even if it was thirty million Spirit Stones, along with the Lords and Great Sects sharing it, their smaller sects would only have to contribute a few hundred thousand each. It seemed worthwhile if it could buy peace and tranquility.

As the debate raged on, Dashiell Skyward waved his hand, “Don’t be hasty; I’ve only proposed two conditions so far. Let’s wait until I’ve stated the third. You’ll have plenty of time to consider it, as it’s still too soon to decide.”

“The third condition is that Demonic Sky Gate intends to strike at the Central Region to take revenge on former foes. We require the aid of all Western Wilderness Forces. You won’t need to fight to the death; just a force of a thousand from each sect will suffice. Naturally, this must include at least one Semi-Saint and one Dominator.”

“Afterward, all of your sects must collectively retreat ten thousand miles, making way for our Demonic Sky Gate, allowing us to confront the Saint Sky Sect forces in the Central Region. This is the sincerity of the Demonic Sky Gate. Of course, you may also choose not to retreat, and then everyone from your sects will accompany us to the Central Region.”

Upon these words, the whole venue fell silent. Who could have imagined that the Demonic Sky Gate would be so formidable as to even consider going to war with the Central Region forces in one fell swoop? One must know that the Central Region is not like the Western Wasteland—there is more than one Sanctuary Powerhouse there. How could the Demonic Sky Gate rely on just one Sanctuary Powerhouse?

Even rumors had it that there were realms above the Sanctuary Powerhouse, and one of the Central Region’s Strong Ones had reached such a height. What did the Demonic Sky Gate intend? Everyone was puzzled, as the Demonic Sky Gate could only contend with the sects of the Western Wasteland because they lacked a Sanctuary Powerhouse.

People regained their composure. Regardless of the Demonic Sky Gate’s intentions, the thought of each sect dispatching a thousand members to aid the Demonic Sky Gate seemed farcical. How could such irreconcilable factions submit to the Demonic Sky Gate?

Moreover, they knew in their hearts that, should they truly send troops to assist the Demonic Sky Gate, once the Central Region Powerhouses unleashed their fury, everyone would suffer. The first two demands were already unacceptable; the third was even more out of the question. The Demonic Sky Gate was oversimplifying matters.

Samuel Westman’s eyes were full of disdain as he questioned, “Relying solely on a Sanctuary Powerhouse as your guard of honor, with such contempt for others, are you not afraid that the Demonic Sky Gate will disappear from the world? There are no fewer than ten Sanctuary Powerhouses in the Central Region. Do not forget how you were driven out of the Central Region in the past.”

“If you wish to be domineering, that’s fine, but win against us first. Isn’t it too early to act at this moment?” Sandy Wexler’s heart was also filled with raging fury. The Demonic Sky Gate was not negotiating but giving orders from a high and mighty stance.

Indeed, the Holy See commanded everyone’s wariness, but was not truly invincible; otherwise, the world would have long been ruled by the Sanctuary Powerhouses, wouldn’t it? Was there anyone present who wasn’t a Lord or a leading Sect Leader, seasoned and worldly enough to be frightened this way?

Setting aside the latter two demands, even the first was not something Sandy Wexler would agree to. The Wexler Clan’s city, although the wealthiest in the Western Wasteland, couldn’t just give away thirty million Spirit Stones for nothing, unless the Demonic Sky Gate shared a debt of gratitude with the Wexler Clan like Logan did.

Dashiell Skyward’s coldness intensified, tinged with a trace of killing intent: “Actually, you should be grateful that the Demonic Sky Gate’s enemy is the Saint Sky Sect of the Central Region and not you. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be negotiations; you’d all be slain, wouldn’t that bring peace to the Western Wasteland?”

“Does the Demonic Sky Gate truly wish to proceed this way?” Unlike the others’ anger, Cain Scarlet instead showed a playful smile, seemingly taking pleasure in the situation.

“Three conditions, not a single step back,” Dashiell Skyward confirmed with determination, extending a finger: “One hour, consider it carefully.”

Logan gave a faint smile; he naturally knew what Cain Scarlet was thinking. If the Demonic Sky Gate insisted on this course, it would stir up troubled waters in the Central Region. Then, those forces would have to deal with the Demonic Sky Gate rather than waiting for the Western Wasteland forces to be both weakened after a mutual loss, in order to reap the benefits.

“Here’s a thought, you want to confront the Saint Sky Sect, right? All forces of the Western Wasteland will contribute Spirit Stones to help you power your way to the Central Region. And we won’t give merely thirty million Spirit Stones, but ninety million directly. However, dispatching a thousand troops is definitely off the table,” Cain Scarlet stated righteously, prompting the others to support his idea, turning their collective gaze towards Dashiell Skyward.

Dashiell Skyward was momentarily stunned; this wasn’t what he expected. He had assumed that these people would definitely refuse, and even if they agreed, it would involve a long dispute. How did their attitude change in the blink of an eye?