Yang Jian looked at Ye Ling deeply and asked in a deep voice, "The rest is up to you... can I really trust you?"
"You've seen my strength. I believe that no amount of sweet talk can be as convincing as what you've witnessed with your own eyes," Ye Ling chuckled. "Besides, without the Heavenly Three Yuan Star Lords' bodies for possession, your chances of escaping Xuan Xiao have become extremely slim."
"Of course, you could also choose to continue lurking by Xuan Xiao's side, but if I become enemies with Xuan Xiao in the future, I will automatically assume you have sided with him."
"You know the consequences of choosing the wrong side, I don't need to tell you."
Yang Jian: "..."
Hearing Ye Ling's words, Yang Jian fell silent again, weighing the pros and cons.
He was an absolutely rational person and wouldn't change his mind easily based on Ye Ling's few words.
However, he had to admit that Ye Ling's words made sense.
If he continued to lurk under Xuan Xiao, his chances of regaining freedom in the future would become very slim.
Moreover, Ye Ling's sudden appearance would inevitably change the entire situation in the immortal realm. With Xuan Xiao's ambition, it was highly likely he would become Ye Ling's enemy!
If he refused to cooperate with Ye Ling now, it would be equivalent to him openly siding with Xuan Xiao in front of Ye Ling!
Although Ye Ling said nothing at the moment, Yang Jian believed that as soon as he refused Ye Ling's cooperation request, Ye Ling would attack him without hesitation!
This wasn't seeking cooperation; it was a threat!
Realizing this, Yang Jian also shook his head and smiled, looking at Ye Ling. "Alright, I agree to cooperate. I will tell you everything I know."
"As for what you do next, I won't ask. I just hope you can fulfill your promise and handle everything properly."
Ye Ling chuckled. "Naturally. You do your part, I do mine. We cooperate, and dealing with Xuan Xiao isn't as difficult as you might imagine."
"Perhaps you'll win without even trying."
Since seeing Xuan Xiao in the dilapidated Tongtian Tower before, Ye Ling had expected to have some interaction with Xuan Xiao after some time.
He hadn't expected to have multiple encounters with Xuan Xiao before even leaving this ancient ruin, and now he was about to confront him...
Thinking of this, Ye Ling felt a profound sense of emotion.
Yang Jian was unaware of Ye Ling and Xuan Xiao's past. He didn't even think Ye Ling and Xuan Xiao knew each other. He said, "Xuan Xiao has a force in the immortal realm called the Dark Shadow Hall, and the current immortal realm is secretly controlled by the Dark Shadow Hall."
Ye Ling asked, "What is the relationship between the Red Dust Pavilion and the Dark Shadow Hall? Most of the matters in this ancient ruin are driven by the Red Dust Pavilion, and as far as I know, the Red Dust Pavilion also has connections in the immortal realm..."
Yang Jian shook his head. "I'm not very clear about that... However, according to the information I've gathered, the Red Dust Pavilion should be a subordinate organization to the Dark Shadow Hall. The Dark Shadow Hall controls the immortal realm, and the Red Dust Pavilion controls the mortal world, with a clear division of labor..."
"However, although the Dark Shadow Hall is connected to the Red Dust Pavilion, they are not controlled by the same person. Xuan Xiao can only control the Dark Shadow Hall, while the Red Dust Pavilion is controlled by someone named Zhang Xiao Ling."
"The Red Dust Pavilion is actually controlled by Zhang Xiao Ling?" Ye Ling's eyes narrowed slightly as he continued, "Do you know who Zhang Xiao Ling is?"
Regarding Xuan Xiao, Ye Ling at least understood his past.
But for Zhang Xiao Ling, Ye Ling had no information at all. He didn't know his cultivation level, who he was, or what his purpose was on Earth.
Zhang Xiao Ling, as the first lord of the Red Dust Pavilion, was clearly working for Xuan Xiao. Yet, Zhang Xiao Ling was secretly contacting Ye Ling, claiming to be on Ye Ling's side.
Facing such a complex individual, Ye Ling couldn't immediately determine his allegiance.
Yang Jian said, "I'm not sure... Zhang Xiao Ling's identity is as mysterious as yours. He also appeared out of nowhere and possesses strength comparable to a saint."
"However, although he is the one who actually controls the Red Dust Pavilion, he doesn't seem to care about its development, completely allowing the various lords of the Red Dust Pavilion to develop freely."
"The fact that the Red Dust Pavilion is now working for the Dark Shadow Hall, becoming its subordinate organization, is also related to Zhang Xiao Ling's laissez-faire attitude."
Ye Ling frowned slightly. "In other words, Zhang Xiao Ling is the actual controller of the Red Dust Pavilion, but he doesn't truly control it. Instead, he allows the Red Dust Pavilion to be manipulated by the Dark Shadow Hall?"
Ye Ling found the logic of this somewhat bizarre.
Yang Jian said, "Although it sounds incredible, that's how it is. I've also tried to investigate Zhang Xiao Ling's past, but I couldn't find anything no matter what."
"His past is a complete blank."
Ye Ling said solemnly, "A person must have their own growth trajectory. Zhang Xiao Ling's cultivation couldn't have come out of nowhere."
"Since his life trajectory cannot be found on Earth, he must have cultivated in another realm, just like me, and returned from it..."
Ye Ling's thoughts raced, but he couldn't figure out Zhang Xiao Ling's principles or motives.
Zhang Xiao Ling seemed like a chaotic neutral faction, not siding with anyone, helping everyone a little, and generally stirring up trouble, preferring chaos!
Unable to fathom Zhang Xiao Ling's purpose, Ye Ling shook his head and temporarily put Zhang Xiao Ling's matter aside, saying to Yang Jian, "Never mind, Zhang Xiao Ling is not within our current scope of discussion. Let's continue talking about Xuan Xiao."
"What did you tell the Howling Celestial Dog to report?"
Yang Jian said, "I only told it to report that someone had intruded into the hidden space. I didn't say any more details."
"Based on the time, the Howling Celestial Dog should be bringing back the message now."
As soon as Yang Jian finished speaking, a black light streaked from a distance, rapidly approaching him.
The Howling Celestial Dog, riding the clouds, quickly bypassed the battlefield between the Heavenly Disaster Mother Body and the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, and arrived beside Yang Jian.
Yang Jian stroked the Howling Celestial Dog's head and asked, "Howling, has Xuan Xiao responded?"
The Howling Celestial Dog glanced at Ye Ling and hesitated, "True Lord, he..."
Yang Jian said, "It's fine. Ye Ling and I have reached some consensus, and we are currently allies. Speak in front of him."
"Okay..."
Hearing Yang Jian's words, the Howling Celestial Dog no longer hesitated and immediately said, "I have informed Xuan Xiao of someone intruding into the hidden space as you instructed, True Lord. However, Xuan Xiao's reaction was not as surprised as you expected; instead, he was very calm."
"Calm?" Yang Jian frowned.
The Howling Celestial Dog nodded. "That's right... Xuan Xiao acted as if he already knew someone would intrude into the hidden space. He also gave me a brocade pouch to give to you, True Lord."
"A brocade pouch?" Yang Jian became even more confused. He took the brocade pouch from the Howling Celestial Dog and immediately opened it.
A surge of dark demonic energy erupted from the brocade pouch!
A phantom, filled with evil energy and looking exactly like Ye Ling, flew out of the brocade pouch!