"Once the protagonist grows into a supreme powerhouse, these ’spirit guides’ also reap the rewards. They almost all get new bodies, are brought back from the dead, and their power and status might even surpass what they had before."
"And you are now my ’spirit guide.’ Why would you think I’d kill you? What kind of protagonist kills their own spirit guide?"
The second step, after breaking down his opponent, was to dangle a carrot—to paint a picture of a beautiful future.
Although Mu Wang found it a bit far-fetched, he couldn’t immediately think of a counterargument.
After all, what Su Ze said made a certain amount of sense.
He was especially tempted when Su Ze mentioned that those ’spirit guides’ all eventually got new bodies. The thought made his heart race.
Mu Wang’s silence told Su Ze he was genuinely tempted. At the very least, he was contemplating the possibility of working together.
Now was the time to build him up again, to emphasize his importance—’In this whole world, no one needs you but me!’
"You don’t have to worry that you’ll lose all your value once you tell me about the mysterious inheritance. In my eyes, your knowledge of the inheritance isn’t your most valuable asset. Even if you don’t tell me, I can still explore the mysterious inheritance on my own."
"What I value most is the insight and experience you’ve gained from surviving in the cosmos for so many years—the knowledge you hold, your understanding of the universe. That’s not something I can learn just by asking a few questions."
"Your insight and experience might not be a big deal out in the universe, and maybe no one else needs it, but to a native of Blue Star like me, it’s incredibly important. I’ve never left Blue Star. I know nothing about the cosmos. So if I venture out there someday and want to find my place, I’ll need you as an advisor. I’ll need your counsel."
Su Ze’s words were sincere; a part of what he said was, in fact, what he truly thought.
And Mu Wang, listening, grew even more tempted.
Su Ze’s meaning was clear: when he eventually traveled to the cosmos, he would need a "guide" familiar with it to help him integrate and establish a foothold.
Mu Wang was aware of Su Ze’s growth rate. Even on the Nian Race’s Mother Star, Su Ze would absolutely be considered a top-tier genius.
Moreover, he knew Su Ze possessed the "Divine Grace of Evolution" skill and had limitless potential. As long as he didn’t meet an untimely end, Su Ze was destined to achieve great things, even in the vastness of the cosmos.
’If Su Ze could truly win the favor of that mysterious inheritance, then that would be...’
’Perhaps he really could enjoy the treatment of a ’spirit guide’ one day.’
Leaving aside such long-term prospects, the reality for Mu Wang was that he had no better options. By following Su Ze into the cosmos, he might have a slim chance of survival.
However, he wasn’t so swept away by Su Ze’s words that he lost his head. He countered, "People like me are a dime a dozen in the universe. You said it yourself, my experience and knowledge don’t amount to much out there. Once you get to the cosmos and meet other people, you could easily replace me."
Su Ze smiled. "Exactly. That’s why we need to start building trust now."
Mu Wang froze for a moment.
’There might be plenty of people in the universe with his experience and insight, but Su Ze didn’t know or trust a single one of them.’
’If he could build that trust with Su Ze beforehand, Su Ze naturally wouldn’t risk replacing him.’
’After all, who could be easier to control than a Consciousness Body that could be devoured at any moment?’
Mu Wang hesitated. Logic told him he had no better choice. Maybe he should try trusting Su Ze and team up with him.
And yet, he didn’t want to compromise so easily and be led around by the nose.
Su Ze knew that empty promises weren’t quite enough. The final step was to offer a little something sweet.
A small vial, about the size of a fingertip, appeared in his hand. It was filled with a liquid as black as ink. "I’ve obtained another one of the materials you asked me to collect," he said. "It’s called ’Night of Falling Dreams.’ If you agree to cooperate, this vial of Night of Falling Dreams is your reward."
Su Ze deliberately called the Night of Falling Dreams a "reward" rather than an item to be traded for Mu Wang’s information.
Yet, Mu Wang didn’t find anything amiss with this framing.
Unconsciously, the dynamic between them had already shifted. They were no longer the equal trading partners they had been before.
The vial of Night of Falling Dreams that Su Ze produced was what finally made Mu Wang come to a decision.
After all, Su Ze had used the Soul Awakening Wood Charcoal to hasten the Sun God Consciousness’s awakening. In another two or three months, Mu Wang would once again face the danger of being devoured by it. This Night of Falling Dreams was a lifesaver.
"Fine. I’ll trust you this once," Mu Wang conceded, trying to sound tough.
Su Ze paid it no mind. They called it a partnership, but he held all the cards.
With this beginning, Mu Wang would soon adapt to the new dynamic. He wouldn’t be able to keep up his tough act for long.
Next, Mu Wang described his experience exploring the mysterious inheritance.
It was after he had become a Saint-rank Overlord that he had accidentally discovered the entrance to the site of the inheritance out in the wilds.
"The site of the inheritance is divided into two layers, an inner and an outer. The trials for the outer inheritance are relatively simple, mainly testing for talent, aptitude, skill levels, future potential, and so on. The original Mu Wang whose body I possessed was already an outstanding genius among you Blue Star humans, so I passed the trials with ease."