Chapter 189 : Veins of Discord and Alliance

As he spoke of the distribution of interests from the Bianzhou [a region within the Chu Kingdom], the expressions of those present shifted subtly.

Xu Darius and Yang Yuanhe wore looks of slight helplessness, while Percival Pan revealed a flicker of delight.

That Percival Pan immediately spoke up, smiling as he concurred, "What Fellow Daoist Chen says is correct. We, the Four Great Clans of Bianzhou, should advance and retreat together. The Bianzhou Spirit Stone Mine and that Metallic Essence Vein [a vein rich in Metallic Essence, a potent spiritual metal] should rightfully be guarded by us jointly."

Yang Yuanhe furrowed his brow, glancing at Percival Pan as he said, "The Chen Clan is, after all, a native immortal clan of our Bianzhou, having taken root here for many years. They have some standing when discussing the distribution of the Spirit Stone Mine."

"But for Fellow Daoist Percival, who has only just arrived, to be so eager for a share of the spoils... isn't that going a bit too far?"

Xu Darius also nodded in agreement. Since the Pan Clan joined Yu County, they had contributed both wealth and effort, transforming Yu County into a thriving hub, gradually becoming the center of the two provinces of Bian and Yang.

Yet, this brought no significant benefit to Feng and Ling Counties, so naturally, they were reluctant to let the Pan Family take a portion.

At that moment, Percival Pan's eyes flickered slightly. He surveyed his surroundings and then discreetly sent a voice transmission to the several Purple Mansion Ancestor [a cultivator who has reached the Purple Mansion Realm, a high stage of cultivation].

"You are surely aware," he transmitted, "that during the previous Beast Tide Calamity [a catastrophic invasion by hordes of demonic beasts], my Pan Family lost two Purple Mansion Ancestor and over twenty Foundation Establishment [cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Realm]."

"I am aware of this matter," the Old Patriarch stroked his long beard, his expression grave. "The Green Sun Sect has disregarded the Green Sun Covenant, and to this day, has not provided a single Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] in compensation for your losses." Find this and other novels at audio-novel*com.

"Indeed."

Percival Pan's gaze turned murderous, his expression icy as he declared, "The Green Sun Sect has shown no benevolence. We cannot simply allow ourselves to be slaughtered."

"As I understand it," he continued, "the Green Sun Sect occupies the only Third Rank High Grade Earth-Fortress Earth Vein [a subterranean spiritual energy channel aligned with the earth element] in all of Bianzhou, located at Cangkun Mountain in Ling County."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions shifted subtly. The Earth-Fortress Earth Vein at Cangkun Mountain was indeed Bianzhou's sole Third Rank High Grade vein of its kind.

That Earth-Fortress Earth Vein not only yielded vast quantities of earth-aligned spiritual resources, but also, once every thirty years, gave birth to a single Earth-Fortress Crystal [a crystalized essence of pure earth-element spiritual energy]. Most crucially, within that vein lay a rare pool known as the Purple Sun Pool.

It was said that once every century, the Purple Sun Pool would nurture a piece of Purple Sun Jade [a legendary jade imbued with the essence of the purple sun, highly prized for cultivation]—a treasure coveted by all, one that not even the Underground Fire Vein beneath Celestial Ruins Mountain possessed.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly. "What is your meaning, sir?" he asked.

"The Green Sun Sect has lost its virtue and the hearts of the people," Percival Pan stated coldly, his expression stern and his gaze resolute. "I will speak plainly. I intend to use the pretext of collecting a debt to join forces with all of you and seize Cangkun Mountain."

Xu Darius exchanged a glance with Eldrin Chen and the others, a flicker of understanding passing between them. He too nodded and spoke.

"During the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic invasion by hordes of demonic beasts], the Green Sun Sect did not send a single soldier or cultivator to aid us in Bianzhou."

"We risk our lives to protect the myriad beings of Bianzhou [a border region], yet they sit back and enjoy the greatest Earth Vein [a concentrated line of terrestrial spiritual energy] in Bianzhou, reaping profits of over ten thousand Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy] each year. That is indeed excessive."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a stir in his heart. Xu the Ancient Ancestor was severely wounded and had secluded himself, and the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual core] cultivators of the Green Sun Sect had dwindled to merely ten.

Of these ten, the majority were needed to garrison Yang Province to resist the Verdant-Maned Lion King [a powerful lion demon king] from the Scorched Sun Mountain. Now was indeed the best opportunity to seize Cangkun Mountain.

The Green Sun Sect was now overwhelmed with troubles. Internally, the seven or eight Purple Mansion Immortal Clans [powerful families with Purple Mansion cultivators] within the Qing and Yang Provinces were eyeing them covetously. Externally, both the Firmament Sword Sect and the Violet Abyss Sect considered them to have lost their virtue.

Within the Firmament Sword Sect, it was said a Golden Core Ancestor [a cultivator who has reached the fourth major realm, forming a solid golden spiritual core] had even voiced the opinion that the Green Sun Sect might not hold their ground next time. It would be better to absorb the Green Sun Sect to bolster their own strength and avoid leaving their rear vulnerable in the future.

As the leader of Chu Kingdom's Three Great Sects, the Firmament Sword Sect had possessed a full three Golden Core Ancestors ever since Jingxu the Daoist broke through to the Golden Core realm sixty years ago.

In the past century, riding on this surge of power, the Firmament Sword Sect had even managed to suppress the Demon Cave Cavern within the Cerulean Peaks Range, ensuring no major Demonic Calamity [a large-scale invasion or disaster caused by demonic forces] had befallen the Chu Kingdom for a hundred years.

In such circumstances, the others present shared the sentiment of kicking someone when they were down. Currently, the four great Purple Mansion Immortal Clans of Bianzhou collectively had seven Purple Mansion Cultivators. Even if the Green Sun Sect wished to retaliate, they would likely find it difficult to do much against them.

Seeing that a consensus had been reached, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Since we are to act, we must ensure a single, decisive strike."

"I have already investigated this matter."

Percival Pan was clearly prepared. With a grave expression, he stated solemnly, "The forces of the Green Sun Sect are currently concentrated within the Qing and Yang Provinces. Only Li Heryn remains to guard Cangkun Mountain."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. Li Heryn was a Purple Mansion Elder of the Green Sun Sect. This individual had broken through to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual core] less than thirty years ago, and his cultivation was merely at the Purple Mansion Second Layer.

However, Eldrin did not relax. Instead, his expression grew more serious. "Li Heryn himself is of little concern," he said. "The true trouble lies in the Third Rank Formation [a powerful, large-scale defensive or offensive magical array] upon Cangkun Mountain."

Cangkun Mountain was no ordinary Earth Vein [a concentrated line of terrestrial spiritual energy]. In the past, to protect this Earth Vein, the Green Sun Sect had not only nurtured a Third Rank Spirit Vein [a high-grade source of ambient spiritual energy] there but had also deployed a Third Rank Middle Grade Formation—the formidable Earth-Fortress Celestial Yin Grand Formation.

Even with Li Heryn's Purple Palace, Early Stage cultivation powering a Third Rank Middle Grade Formation, it was likely that not even one or two cultivators at the Purple Palace, Late Stage could breach it easily.

At that moment, Xu Darius spoke up. "While the Formation is a significant obstacle, it is not without its counters," he declared. Experience the full epic at audio-novel . com.

"My Xu Clan possesses a treasured Third Rank High Grade Barrier-Breaking Talisman [a powerful, single-use talisman designed to weaken or disrupt magical formations]. It can weaken a Third Rank High Grade Formation by thirty percent. Against this Third Rank Middle Grade one, its efficacy would be fifty percent."

"However," he continued, his tone turning pragmatic, "this Barrier-Breaking Talisman is valued at one hundred thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. If you wish for us to expend such a treasure, each of you must concede a portion of your share of the spoils."

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with the Old Patriarch, then looked towards Percival Pan and Yang Yuanhe. Finally, he nodded and stated their terms.

"Very well. Our three clans will compensate your clan with twenty thousand Spirit Stone or equivalent resources each."

"After the matter is accomplished, the Bianzhou interests shall be divided thus: the Pan Family shall claim one and a half parts, our Chen Clan and the Yang Clan shall each claim two and a half parts, and your Xu Clan shall exclusively claim three and a half parts. What say you?"

Xu Darius nodded. Although the Xu Clan possessed two Purple Palace, Mid Stage cultivators, making them the strongest force in Bianzhou, securing this largest share of the benefits still represented a slight gain for them.

Yet, after a moment's thought, he spoke again, "My Xu Clan holds the greatest strength and will contribute the most to this battle. Therefore, the first Earth-Fortress Crystal produced from the future Earth Vein [a vein of earth-attribute spiritual energy within the land] must be granted to my clan first."

Upon hearing this, the others present voiced no further objections.

The group wasted no time in finalizing the specific details, and with that, the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian] banquet drew to a close.

As the banquet concluded and the guests gradually dispersed, the several great Purple Mansion Immortal Clan also returned to their respective families to begin mustering their forces.

To achieve a swift resolution and capitalize on the presence of the clan's Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one establishes a solid foundation for the Dao] experts, the Old Patriarch and Eldrin Chen detained the Clan Patriarch and the other Foundation Establishment Cultivator that very day.

After informing them of the plan, they decided to leave only four Foundation Establishment Cultivator behind to guard the clan's four key Spirit Vein [a natural concentration of spiritual energy within the earth]. The remaining nine Foundation Establishment Cultivator would be transported aboard a Treasure Boat [a magical vessel used for travel] to the Pan Family.

The Pan Family had long harbored deep resentment towards the Green Sun Sect. Upon hearing they were to move against the sect, every single one of their Foundation Establishment Cultivator eagerly clamored to join the fight. This chapter is provided by (audio-novel.com). Support the original.