Chapter 132. World's-End Sound-Transmission Mirror (Magic Treasure)

In addition to the provisions on troop deployment, the covenant also stipulated the method for calculating military merits in this campaign, along with detailed arrangements for the distribution of spoils after the war.

The monster materials obtained from this battle were all requisitioned for public use. They would be refined by Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) into magical instruments and elixirs to be distributed as rewards. The distinction lay in the fact that the merits rewarded this time exceeded those of the Qingyang Alliance by over 50 percent.

According to the Covenant of Solaris, slaying a Foundation Establishment, Early Stage (Cultivation Realm) demonic beast warranted a reward equivalent to 800 spirit stones. Yet Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) had granted compensation worth 1,200 spirit stones.

The reason for offering such a generous reward was twofold: first, to encourage all major immortal clans to fight valiantly in this battle, and second, because the materials obtained could be refined into pills and magical instruments, which would then be sold for more than double the price of the raw materials.

For example, the core of a low-grade, second-tier demonic beast would be priced around 5 to 6 100 spirit stones. However, if 1 were to infuse it with the essence of the 5 Elements, engrave it with formation patterns, and refine it into a second-tier magical artifact, its value would more than double—and this doesn’t even account for resources like flesh, blood, and hides.

Therefore, Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) still offered a profitable price, though the margin was far slimmer compared to what could be gained from the Azure Sun Sect.

They profited from the difference in between, so aside from the rewards, the compensation was also solely covered by Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location).

According to the covenant's stipulations, any cultivator who falls in battle against the beast tide shall receive compensation based on their cultivation realm: Qi Refining practitioners shall be granted 50 to 100 spirit stones depending on their level of attainment, while Foundation Establishment cultivators shall receive 1 Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object).

Although the compensation for Qi Refining cultivators is not substantial individually, it will amount to a colossal expenditure. After the Beast Tide subsides, the compensation for Qi Refining cultivators alone may cost several 100 1000 spirit stones.

With each outbreak of the beast tide, over 20 percent of Chu Kingdom's cultivators would inevitably perish in battle. In the event of a catastrophic defeat, casualties could even reach 30 to 40 percent.

This was organized resistance. Had they not banded together to fight back, the entire prefecture—nay, the entire province—would have fallen.

When that time comes, even Foundation Establishment and Purple Mansion immortal clans will be reduced to calamity ashes, with only a handful managing to escape with their lives—let alone those minor immortal clans and rogue cultivators with meager cultivation bases.

After each Beast Tide, the cultivation world of the Chu Kingdom would suffer devastating losses. Over 20 to 30 percent of Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators might perish, requiring several decades to restore their peak strength.

The compensation was not particularly generous, yet cultivators had no choice but to join the battle. For if they did not unite to resist the demonic beasts, their only fate would be to see their entire clan—nay, the entire province—reduced to bloody sustenance for the creatures.

Their only recourse was to preserve the young as embers of hope, while the aged cultivators stood against the demonic beasts.

Compensation ranging from a few dozen to over a 100 spirit stones per person—once the number of fallen warriors reached a certain threshold—would accumulate into a staggering sum.

As stipulated in this signed pact, should a disastrous defeat occur with too many cultivators killed or wounded, the profits gained would be utterly insufficient to cover such losses. I fear even Lyra would have to bleed her coffers dry.

A century ago, during the Great Beast Tide, the Azure Sun Sect suffered devastating losses across its 3 provinces. 6 or 7 Eldrin masters fell in battle, nearly a 100 Foundation Establishment cultivators perished, and over 30,000 Qi Refining disciples met their end beneath the claws and fangs of the rampaging beasts.

The outcome of this battle was utterly devastating. Across Qingzhou, Yangzhou, and Bianzhou, over 30 percent of the cultivators had fallen.

The death toll among mortals soared to tens of millions. Vast territories west of Scorched Sun Mountain (Location) in Yang Province fell into ruin, leaving tens of millions of mortals exposed to the claws of demonic beasts, transformed into bloody sustenance for the monstrous creatures.

That battle dealt a heavy blow to the Verdant Sun Sect. The compensation for fallen Qi Refinement disciples alone would cost nearly 2,000,000 spirit stones. Even with their substantial profits, they could only cover 70 to 80 percent of this deficit.

Over 2 million spirit stones—that was enough to purchase 2 5 Elements Spirit Fruits (Spiritual Object)! With a bit of luck, it could even produce 1 or 2 Golden Core cultivators.

However, the actual compensation disbursed by the Verdant Sun Sect amounted to less than 60%, as many immortal clans had already been eradicated, leaving no heirs to claim the reparations.

It is said that some immortal clans that were completely wiped out, such as the Wang Clan of Ink-Wash Ridge (Location) in Jiaoyang County, suffered the annihilation of 7 or 8 Foundation Establishment cultivators and over a 1000 Qi Refining disciples. Not a single compensation payment was distributed, saving the Qingyang Sect between 200,000 and 300,000 spirit stones.

Given the circumstances, it was utterly unreasonable that not a single 1 of the Wang Clan’s over 1,000 cultivators survived—not even the clan’s hidden legacy, who had long taken refuge in Qingzhou, inexplicably met their end in meditation.

The major immortal clans had a general idea of what had transpired, yet they lacked concrete evidence. Moreover, with no 1 stepping forward to champion the Wang Clan’s cause, the matter was ultimately left unresolved.

Moreover, with the Qingyang Sect withholding resources like the Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) under various pretexts, the actual compensation disbursed by the sect amounted to just over 1,000,000 spirit stones. In the end, they even profited by several 100 1000 spirit stones.

"In comparison, Lyra (Person Name) is far more impartial."

This thought flashed through Eldrin’s mind. After confirming that the covenant was free of issues, he signed his name and stamped it with the seal of the Chen Immortal Clan.

Soon, everyone finished reading the covenant and signed their names on behalf of their respective clans. Each of the great immortal families affixed their ancestral seals.

After the covenant was signed, everyone present revealed faint smiles, their hearts now holding a trace of security.

Such highly formal covenants typically carry immense binding force, with severe consequences for any violation. Breaching the pact would not only provoke joint extermination campaigns from all major immortal clans of Bianzhou, but also lead to complete ostracization from the entire cultivation world of the Chu Kingdom.

Moreover, when establishing the covenant, all participants must swear a Demon Heart Oath. Should they violate it, they would inevitably face the tribulation of inner demons in the future, making their path of cultivation exceedingly arduous.

"Not bad."

Seeing everyone sign the covenant and swear the Heart Demon Oath, Lyra felt a slight sense of relief in her heart.

She glanced at the assembly and raised her hand, releasing 3 beams of treasure light that descended into the grasps of Eldrin, Xu Daoyuan, and Yang Yuanhe.

Eldrin examined the treasure's glow and discovered it was actually a mystical mirror forged from Darkiron. Though the treasure measured only a foot in size, its weight exceeded 10,000 jin, truly extraordinary.

Seeing that the 3 had already obtained the dark tokens, Lyra (Person Name) remained utterly composed as she began to explain.

"This is the World's-End Sound-Transmission Mirror (Magic Treasure), comprising 1 primary mirror and 3 subordinate mirrors—a set of third-tier lower-grade magical artifacts capable of transmitting messages across 30,000 li."

"The main mirror is located at Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location), while these 3 are secondary mirrors. Bring these 3 secondary mirrors to the 3 prefectures and place them upon second-tier, superior-grade spirit springs. This will enable communication with the main mirror."

Upon hearing this, everyone could not help but reveal expressions of ecstasy.

Gripping the treasured mirror, Xu Daoyuan spoke with barely contained excitement, "With this mirror in hand, we could exchange messages at will, enabling flexible troop deployments between Bianzhou and Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location). We'd eliminate any risk of being defeated piecemeal."

A flicker of delight also surfaced on Eldrin's face. Although Yu County also possessed message talismans, those talismans could only transmit messages a mere 10 to 20 1000 li and were limited to just 9 uses.

Compared to this third-grade treasure capable of transmitting messages over 300,000 miles, the difference was like that between heaven and earth—utterly incomparable.

This treasured mirror was forged from Dark Iron.

"No wonder she asked me for 30,000 jin of Dark Iron—it was to forge this set of third-tier special magic treasures."

Chapter 1: Rebirth of the Immortal Monarch The sky tore open with a thunderous roar, crimson lightning dancing across the heavens like vengeful serpents. Amidst the raging storm, a figure stood tall upon the peak of Mount Celestial, his white robes stained with blood. "Fellow Daoists, have you truly come this far just for my Eternal Heaven Scripture?" Lin Xuan's voice remained calm, though his spiritual energy was nearly depleted. Before him stood tens of thousands of cultivators from the 3 immortal sects and 9 demonic clans. "Lin Xuan, hand over the scripture and we might spare your soul!" roared the white-bearded elder floating at the forefront, gripping his Frost Moon Sword. Lin Xuan chuckled, a trace of irony flashing in his eyes. "After 10 1000 years of cultivation, I finally understood the true meaning of the Eternal Heaven Scripture today. Unfortunately... it's too late." He closed his eyes, the fragmented memories of his past life finally merging completely. He was no mere Golden Core stage cultivator - he was the reincarnation of the Immortal Monarch who had dominated the immortal realm a 100 1000 years ago. "Since you all seek death... then don't blame me for being ruthless." Lin Xuan's hands formed seals, the remaining spiritual energy in his body burning violently. "Eternal Heaven Art - World Annihilation!" A blinding golden light erupted, devouring everything... *** When Lin Xuan opened his eyes again, he found himself in a simple wooden room. The familiar scent of medicinal herbs filled the air - this was the very room where he had begun his cultivation journey in his youth. "Did the World Annihilation technique actually triggered the Reincarnation Cycle?" He examined his 15-year-old body, feeling the faint spiritual energy within. Just then, the door burst open. A girl rushed in anxiously, "Brother Xuan! The clan competition is about to begin! The Patriarch specifically said that if you don't show up this time, you'll be expelled from the family!" Lin Xuan looked at the girl before him - his cousin Lin Xiaorong. In his previous life, she had sacrificed herself to save him during the family's extermination. A warm light flickered in Lin Xuan's eyes. "Don't worry, I'll go." He rose and walked out the door. Since the heavens had given him another chance, he would rewrite everything. Those who had betrayed him, those who had harmed his loved ones - none would escape retribution. The Immortal Monarch had returned. In the training ground, hundreds of Lin family members had already gathered. The clan elder presiding over the competition glanced coldly at the arriving Lin Xuan. "Lin Xuan, as a member of the younger generation with inferior talent, if you fail the assessment again today, you will be assigned to manage mortal word businesses." The surrounding clansfolk erupted in mocking laughter. "A waste who hasn't even reached the first level of Qi Refinement after 3 years still dares to show his face?" Lin Xuan completely ignored the taunts and walked straight to the testing monument. He pressed his palm against the cold stone. According to his memories, in his previous life he had indeed failed here and was expelled from the family, thus missing the great opportunity hidden within the Lin family ancestral land. But this time... A dazzling golden light suddenly erupted from the monument, so bright it forced everyone to close their eyes. The originally mocking crowd fell into dead silence. The clan elder stared wide-eyed at the monument, his voice trembling, "Ninth... ninth level of Qi Refinement! How is this possible!" Lin Xuan calmly withdrew his palm. This was merely the beginning.