Chapter 189 : Alliances Forged in Stone

As he spoke of the distribution of interests in the Border Province, the expressions of those present shifted subtly.

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

That Percival Pan immediately spoke up, smiling in agreement: "What Fellow Daoist Chen says is correct. Our four great clans of the Border Province should advance and retreat together. The Border Province Spirit Stone Mine and that Acrid Metal Ore Vein [a vein of ore imbued with sharp, metallic spiritual energy] should rightfully be guarded by us jointly."

Yang Yuanhe furrowed his brow, glancing at Percival Pan and saying, "The Chen Clan is, after all, a native Immortal Clan [a clan of cultivators] of our Border Province, having taken root here for many years. They have some standing when discussing the distribution of the Spirit Stone mine."

"But Fellow Daoist Pan has only just arrived and is already eager to take a share of the spoils. Isn't that somewhat excessive?"

Path Abyss Xu also nodded. Since the Pan Clan joined Yu County, they had contributed both funds and effort, thoroughly revitalizing Yu County and gradually turning it into the center of the two border provinces.

However, this had not brought significant benefits to the Fengling Two Counties, so naturally, they were reluctant to let the Pan Clan take a share.

At that moment, Percival Pan's eyes flickered slightly. He glanced around, then secretly sent a voice transmission to the several Violet Sanctum Patriarch [a cultivator who has opened their Violet Palace, a key spiritual center].

"You must surely be aware that during the previous Beast Tide [a massive, destructive surge of demonic beasts], my Pan Clan lost two Violet Sanctum Patriarch and over twenty Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation, where one builds a solid spiritual foundation] cultivators."

"I am aware of this matter," the Old Patriarch said, stroking his long beard with a grave expression. "The Verdant Sun Sect has ignored the Green Sun Covenant [a pact or agreement], and to this day has not issued a single Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] in compensation to your clan." Official source: audio_novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

"Exactly so."

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

"As I understand it," he continued, "the Verdant Sun Sect occupies the only Third Rank Superior Grade Cultivable Earth Vein [a spiritual land vein that can be farmed for resources] in the entire Border Province, located at Cangkun Mountain in Ling County."

His words caused a subtle shift in everyone's expressions. The Cultivable Earth Vein at Cangkun Mountain was indeed the sole Third Rank Superior Grade Earth Vein [a vein of concentrated earth-attribute spiritual energy within the land] in the Border Province.

That Cultivable Earth Vein not only yielded a great quantity of earth-attribute resources, but also produced a single Cultivable Earth Crystal [a crystallized essence of pure earth spiritual energy] every thirty years. Most crucially, within that Earth Vein lay a rare pool known as the Purple Sun Pool.

It was said that once every century, the Purple Sun Pool would give birth to a piece of Purple Sun Jade [a precious jade imbued with the essence of the purple sun], a treasure coveted by all. Even the Underground Fire Vein [a vein of fire spiritual energy deep underground] beneath Heavenly Ruins Mountain held no such precious object.

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

"Now that the Verdant Sun Sect has lost its virtue, it has long forfeited the hearts of the people," Percival Pan stated coldly, his expression stern and his gaze resolute. "I will be frank. I wish to use the pretext of collecting our debt to join forces with all of you and seize Cangkun Mountain."

Path Abyss Xu exchanged a glance with Eldrin Chen and the others, a glimmer of understanding flashing in their eyes. He too nodded and said,

"During the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive onslaught of demonic beasts], the Verdant Sun Sect did not send a single soldier or weapon to aid our Border Province."

"We risk our lives to protect the myriad beings of the Border Province, yet they sit idle, enjoying the greatest Earth Vein [a major spiritual energy convergence point] within it, reaping profits of over ten thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] annually. This is indeed excessive."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a stir within his heart. Patriarch Xu was severely wounded and had secluded himself, and the number of Violet Sanctum [the third major cultivation stage] cultivators within the Verdant Sun Sect had dwindled to a mere ten.

Of these ten, the majority were stationed in the Solar Province to resist the Azure-Maned Lion King [a powerful demon beast lord] from Scorching Sun Mountain. The present moment was indeed the best opportunity to seize Cangkun Mountain.

The Verdant Sun Sect was now overwhelmed with troubles. Internally, the seven or eight Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan [cultivation clans led by Violet Sanctum stage cultivators] within the Green Sun Two Provinces were eyeing them covetously. Externally, both the Firmament Sword Sect and the Purple Abyss Sect deemed them to have lost their virtue.

Within the Firmament Sword Sect alone, it was said a Golden Core Patriarch [a patriarch who has reached the Golden Core cultivation stage] had voiced the opinion that the Verdant Sun Sect might fail to guard their flanks next time. It would be better to absorb the Verdant Sun Sect to bolster their own strength and avoid being attacked from behind in the future.

As the foremost of the three great sects of Chu Nation, the Firmament Sword Sect had possessed a full three Golden Core Patriarch ever since Bright Dawn Path Master achieved his Golden Core [the fourth major cultivation stage] breakthrough sixty years ago.

Relying on their sharply increased power over the past century, the Firmament Sword Sect had even managed to suppress the Demon Cave within the Verdant Azure Mountains, resulting in no major demonic calamities within Chu Nation for a hundred years.

Given this situation, the others present also harbored thoughts of kicking someone who was down. Currently, the four great Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan of the Border Province collectively had seven Violet Sanctum Cultivator. Even if the Verdant Sun Sect wished to retaliate, they would likely find it difficult to do much against them.

Seeing that everyone had reached a tacit understanding, 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 well-prepared. With a grave expression, he stated, "The forces of the Verdant Sun Sect have now withdrawn and consolidated within the Green Sun Two Provinces. Only River Source Li remains to hold Cangkun Mountain."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. River Source Li was an Elder of Violet Sanctum of the Verdant Sun Sect. This individual had broken through to the Violet Sanctum realm less than thirty years prior, and his cultivation was merely at the second tier of the early stage.

Yet, instead of relaxing, Eldrin's expression grew even more solemn. "River Source Li himself is of little concern," he said. "The true trouble lies in the Third Rank Formation array protecting Cangkun Mountain."

Cangkun Mountain was no ordinary Earth Vein [a major terrestrial conduit of spiritual energy]. In the past, to safeguard this vital Earth Vein, the Verdant Sun Sect had not only nurtured a Third-order Spiritual Vein [a high-grade spiritual energy leyline] upon it but had also deployed a mid-grade Third Rank Formation known as the Cultivable Earth and Celestial Lunar Formation [an array that harmonizes terrestrial and celestial lunar energies].

Even with River Source Li's Violet Sanctum Early Stage cultivation powering a mid-grade Third Rank Formation, it was likely that even one or two cultivators at the Violet Sanctum Late Stage would struggle to breach its defenses easily.

It was at this moment that Path Abyss Xu spoke up. "While the Formation array is a significant obstacle, it is not without its counters," he declared. Support the author by reading on audi0-n0vel.c0m.

"My Shyu Clan possesses a treasured Third Rank Superior Grade Barrier-Breaking Talisman [a magical charm designed to weaken defensive barriers]. It can reduce the power of a superior-grade Third Rank Formation by thirty percent, and a mid-grade one like this by 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 deploy 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 laid out their terms.

"Very well," Eldrin said. "Our three families will compensate your clan with twenty thousand Spirit Stone or equivalent resources each."

"After the matter is concluded, the Border Province's interests will be divided as follows: the Pan Clan will receive fifteen percent, our Chen Clan and the Yang Clan will each receive twenty-five percent, and your Xu Clan will exclusively claim thirty-five percent. What do you think?"

Path Abyss Xu nodded. The Xu Clan possessed two cultivators at the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage [the fourth major stage of cultivation, where one forms a violet energy core within the dantian], making them the strongest force in the Border Province. While claiming this largest share of the spoils was 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 Cultivable Earth Crystal [a rare crystalline mineral that can nurture spiritual veins] produced from the future Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated earth-element spiritual energy] must be granted to my clan first."

Upon hearing this, the others present voiced no objections.

The group wasted no time, finalizing the specific details. With that, the Violet Sanctum [the fourth major realm of cultivation] banquet drew to a close.

As the banquet ended, the guests gradually dispersed. The major Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan [powerful clans whose patriarchs have reached the Violet Sanctum realm] also returned to their respective families to begin mustering their forces.

To achieve a swift resolution and capitalize on the presence of their family's Foundation Establishment [the third major realm of cultivation] experts, the Old Patriarch and Eldrin Chen immediately detained the clan's Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their spiritual foundation] leaders that very day.

After informing them of the plan, they decided to leave only four Foundation Establishment Cultivator behind to guard the family's four key Spiritual Vein [subterranean channels that concentrate and emit spiritual energy, vital for cultivation sites]. The remaining nine Foundation Establishment Cultivator would be transported via a treasure ark to the Pan Clan.

The Pan Clan had long harbored deep resentment towards the Verdant Sun Sect. Upon hearing of the plan to move against them, every single one of their Foundation Establishment Cultivator eagerly volunteered for the campaign. This chapter is provided by audio–novel.com. Support the original.