426 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

Chapter 426: Farewell to Good Times In the northwest of Baishan lies the Chu-Qin Alliance, directly facing the Southern Chu Gate across the Dead Swamp. To the east is the former territory of the Qi-Fu Alliance, home to numerous independent cultivator families and small sects. Moving further east from Qi-Fu City, one will reach the northern territories of the Lianshui Alliance. These three regions collectively form the northern part of Baishan. Traveling southward, you first encounter the northern sections of the Lingmu Alliance, Lihuo Alliance, and the southern part of Lianshui Alliance, followed by regions like the Dan Alliance and Jiuxing Workshop, among others in the southern Lihuo Alliance. Eventually, you reach the area surrounding Baishan, surrounded by numerous small Buddhist sects. Despite their varied styles, they share a common philosophy of detachment from worldly affairs, maintaining a low profile. Although not a Buddhist sect, the Star Plucking Pavilion is located in this area and, like the others, remains quite inconspicuous, being the least prominent among Baishan's top ten Nascent Soul sects. To the south of this region is the Hehuan Sect's territory. With its overwhelming power over Lingmu Alliance in both high and low tiers, Hehuan Sect is a major player in central Baishan, always maintaining neutrality. Due to the wilderness and the Dead Swamp, the central region of Baishan narrows dramatically, allowing Hehuan Sect to control the north-south transit routes completely. The northern region is vast while the southern part is narrow, making the southern part of Baishan a forgotten corner, largely unnoticed by the north. The lack of interaction between the Lingmu, Lihuo, Lianshui Alliances, and the southern Rui Jin and Hou Tu Alliances is telling of this divide. Yao Qing, the second-generation "Know-It-All," gained his reputation over the omnipotent knowledge bearer thanks to Qi Xiu's support, offering a more detailed depiction of the southern Baishan's conditions, establishing himself as Baishan's true "Know-It-All." Whether north or south, many sects do not share borders directly. Numerous independent cultivator families and small sects, and even lone cultivators, reside in the gaps between their domains, contributing to Baishan's unique culture of independent cultivators. In the Baishan south, where Rui Jin Alliance, Hou Tu Alliance, Baishan Sword Sect, and Illusory Sword Alliance reign supreme, conflicts among these groups run shallow. After thousands of years of intermarriage, many are related by blood or marriage. Despite that, Yao Qing failed to uncover the motivation behind their war. The surface conflict appeared to be sparked by a feud between the younger generations of Baishan Sword Sect and Rui Jin Alliance, but no one believed it truly caused the mighty bloodshed among the southern four. "Judging by Chai Yi's sudden peace negotiations, the Five Elements Alliances definitely share some tacit understanding; perhaps preparations were made long ago. Considering Chai Guan's past assassination, the crux might still lie atop Baishan," Xiong Tiebing said, with everyone present nodding in agreement. It was the first formal meeting for the leaders of the four vassal families; being unable to set the agenda, they eagerly chimed in, offering suggestions that amounted to nothing. Information on Baishan's summit was unattainable, and the Nascent Souls did not reveal anything to their own, leaving Chu-Qin Gate grasping in the dark. "No wonder you're under my command..." Qi Xiu internally scoffed, listening to the nonsensical chatter like passing wind. "Master Gu Rong has arrived," a disciple reported. "Why would he come at such a time?" Qi Xiu wondered, puzzled since Lihuo Alliance's southern expedition is imminent; Gu Rong shouldn't be this leisurely. However, Gu Rong has the closest ties with Chu-Qin among the Five Elements Alliances, making him an excellent source for gathering intel. "I don't know anything!" Pulling Qi Xiu into a private chamber, Gu Rong appeared dejected, "I've been sent out on an errand..." Gu Rong was sent to purchase supplies. With a battle of such magnitude in the southern Baishan, prices of various cultivation cities and markets soared. Uncertain about the outcome of their southern campaign, the Lihuo Alliance assigned Gu Rong, an artifact master and connoisseur, the task of procuring supplies. "About this..." Considering the implicit request, Qi Xiu hesitated. With Chai Yi investing heavily in peace negotiations, the Chu-Qin Gate is fully aware of their intentions and naturally does not wish to wait passively for them to sweep through the south, eventually turning their attention back to Chu-Qin. Qi Xiu was actually more inclined to sell supplies to the Five Elements Alliances' enemies. "Any issues? It's not like you don't want to sell to me, right?" Anyone could see through this, but Gu Rong feigned ignorance. Given the situation, Qi Xiu couldn't outright refuse, especially since Gu Tiesheng, Gu Rong's brother, was a sect elder, deserving at least some respect. This intricate situation is a hidden danger within the sect, as future relations with the Lingmu Alliance and other Five Elements Alliances would be challenging. Gu Rong, though seemingly rough, is meticulous and aware of the subtleties. For him, the current state is most advantageous and comfortable. The Chu-Qin Gate clearly holds a weaker position against the Lihuo Alliance, and Gu Tiesheng's allegiances could shift anytime, leaving Qi Xiu only to react passively. "Alright, I’ll sell to you, but about the price..." "It won't be at your expense," Gu Rong assured forcefully, prompting Qi Xiu to summon Nan Gong Yanran for negotiations with Gu Rong. Among Chu-Qin's offerings, few items were truly desirable to the Lihuo Alliance: Tier Four Spirit Stones from Tian Yin Mountain and Mountain Du’s mines, medicinal pills crafted by Zhang Shengnan and Duoluosen, magical artifacts forged by Gu Tiesheng, and the flying swords made by Mo Jianxin. Uncertain of forming a Golden Core, Mo Jianxin resumed his sword crafting as a means of distraction. Moreover, Qi Family offers quality talismans and magical artifacts. Despite Qi Wushuang's death, leaving the Qi family pillaged by Lingmu Alliance, most capable craftsmen either relocated or joined Southern Chu Gate, but they retained part of their legacy as descendants of the Qi-Fu Alliance. The Xiong, She, and Gan families, however, lacked any notable offerings, having emerged as white-cultivator clans with shallow foundations, raised through fighting and plunder. Nonetheless, Sanduo's twin spouses, adept in cultivating rare spiritual herbs, caught Gu Rong's attention, fetching a high price. Though providing supplies to enemies, watching others fight to the death while making a fortune from the war was something Qi Xiu relished most. "The good times of war profiteering are back!" he excitedly declared to Mo Jianxin, Xiong Tiebing, and other veterans. Indeed, within days, Baishan Sword Sect and Illusory Sword Alliance came seeking trade. Their closed-off southern locations required a broad appetite yet limited options. After Gu Rong's selections, Qi Xiu was still able to profit generously, further facilitating Southern Chu Gate's lucrative deals. He didn’t need Gu’s permissions this time, engaging officially in large-scale trade with Baishan Sword Sect and Illusory Sword Alliance, reaping goods in excess. Undoubtedly, Baishan Sword Sect and others weren't blindly throwing resources. Instead, Chu-Qin and Southern Chu had to ensure delivery of goods. Given the severed north-south link across even Lisui, Lihuo, and Lingmu corridors, the Five Elements Alliances stood collaboratively against trade. Even Lianshui wasn’t exempt from standing firm, barring even beasts and loners from Baishan Sword Sect and Illusory Sword Alliance lands. Nonetheless, the recently signed peace pacts allowed Chu-Qin Gate alternative routes. Large shipments too cumbersome for storage bags were transported via shuttle craft, covertly passing through Lingmu territories to Jiuxing Workshop. Feigning sales to neutral, third-generation protected Yanguimen, they quietly transferred them to Dan Alliance, coupling with Hehuan Sect as intermediaries, segment by segment supplying besieged Baishan Sword Sect and Illusory Sword Alliance. Dan Alliance, desperate to circulate commodities amid siege, sought such alliances, and with elevated prices greedily gouged at Hehuan, still yielded massive profits to Chu-Qin and Southern Chu. Items manageable with storage bags were discreetly carried by messengers, leveraging the sprawling independent cultivator population. Total isolation wasn’t feasible for Five Elements. If need be, Golden Core cultivators could circumnavigate the Dead Swamp, ensuring delivery. Qi Xiu acted for the first time as a key intermediary, witnessing trade contracts between Southern Chu Gate and Baishan Sword Sect. A third-party arbiter typically enjoys acceptance and credibility from both parties—a testament to Qi Xiu's respected stature. The contracting entities were all acquaintances: Chu Shen of Southern Chu Gate, an obvious spouse, and he was undergoing a breakthrough; Baishan Sword Sect was led by Cui Yuanqing, who had previously challenged Qizhuang only to be severely thwarted by Qin Changfeng. Having since reached the early Golden Core stage, his steady demeanor marked maturity over past bickerings. "Time is critical, and the return journey perilous. I must leave promptly for future rendezvous!" Cui Yuanqing, appearing unchanged, urgently departed, absent any trivial boasts about weapon list rankings post-document ratification. "This turn they've got Five Elements under control, our assistance stems from duty…" Seeing off Cui Yuanqing, Chu Shen expressed some hesitance. As the broker of the negotiations, Chai Yi’s grand ambitions startled him, enticing him to support Baishan Sword Sect genuinely instead of profiting similarly like Qi Xiu. "Our relations with them are non-existent. For now, this suffices. If they seek help, they will approach us. We'll consider when that time comes." Left dealing with the Lihuo Alliance and right accommodating the two sword sects, Qi Xiu felt no psychological burden. In an environment like the south, merely getting supplies across was an accomplishment. "Besides, it's not as if this method will fool the Lingmu Alliance forever. Soon enough, they'll likely catch on to the Yanguimen and Dan Alliance route. Just wait and see," Qi Xiu remarked. "Will we sever ties completely, then?" Chu Shen questioned, furrowing his brow. "We'll transport as much as we can for as long as we can. If it's no longer viable, then yes, we’ll have to sever ties. After all, we can't sacrifice ourselves for their sake. Excluding the Dan Alliance, the other nine Nascent Soul sects in Baishan have deep roots. We are outsiders and disruptors of the balance. Without us, I trust they will find their own equilibrium." Having signed the peace treaty, anything beyond it would be futile. This agreement, signed at great risk, was a soul-binding contract of survival; the death of Sheng Gu served as a stark warning. Qi Xiu would not risk it, so he persuaded Chu Shen to focus on gathering and dispatching the first batch of trade goods from various sources. ... “Trade?” The old lion, diligent in his studies, couldn't quite grasp the concept. "It's about give and take," Huo Guan explained patiently. "You have what I don’t, and I have what you don’t. We exchange them— that's trade." "But haven’t you lost everything?" The old lion questioned, puzzled. "Uh..." Huo Guan was left speechless, recalling his family at Yushoumen, his gravely ill companion beast, and his corporeal form—indeed, he had nothing left. "If only I could return..." he secretly contemplated his plans. (To be continued...)