A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 174 - 144: Four Gifts

Han Wen turned his head, only to hear Lu Qian say in a deep voice, "What does Gang Leader Han intend to exchange for this Spirit Pill with the Yunshan Sect?"

The fatty put on a harmless smile again: "Just like before, to jointly attack the Spirit Talisman Sect with me."

"Impossible." Lu Qian snorted, "Such a vast territory downstream of Lingsha River and four hundred thousand mortals, I can’t agree to that. Just for a single elixir... what a joke you’re making."

"Then I’m taking a big loss, giving both to Sect Leader Lu! Downstream of Lingsha River, plus this elixir, is that acceptable now?" Han Wen persisted, his belly protruding.

Lu Qian, whom he thought would be tempted, shook his head directly: "This condition is unacceptable. Gang Leader Han, please return."

Lu Qian even picked up a teacup, setting a tone of sending off a guest, leaving Han Wen dumbfounded.

What’s going on, is Lu Qian set on siding with the Spirit Talisman Sect? What benefits did the Spirit Talisman Sect provide Lu Qian? What agreement did they reach?

Seeing Lu Qian’s calm expression, Han Wen was both shocked and angry, reflecting on many things.

Regardless, even if one cannot get Yunshan Sect to attack the Spirit Talisman Sect, he certainly can’t let the Yunshan Sect, Spirit Talisman Sect, and Northwest Two Sects jointly attack himself.

So Han Wen held the medicine bottle in his palm, changing to an extremely earnest tone: "Since Sect Leader Lu is unwilling to send troops, I, Han, could take a step back. Use five years in exchange for five years, give this elixir to Sect Leader Lu, and sign an oath, within five years, the Shuangye Alliance cultivators will not proactively attack or incite others to attack my Shahe Gang disciples, my Shahe Gang disciples also will not proactively attack or incite others to attack Shuangye Alliance cultivators."

Exchanging the Innate Spirit Storage Pill for a five-year peace treaty?

This is truly... too profitable! Greatly profitable!

In recent years, the Shuangye Alliance barely has the capability to launch an attack. This is also an important reason why Lu Qian would not agree to attack the Spirit Talisman Sect. Conversely, the same applies, only agreeing to maintain harmony with the Spirit Talisman Sect, and partner in doing business in the marketplace, cannot agree to jointly attack Shahe Gang’s request by the Spirit Talisman Sect.

Unexpectedly, Han Wen actually proposed a peace treaty himself! Today’s military exercise surprisingly achieved such magical results. Lu Qian’s heart blossomed with joy, thinking it was well worth the fifty-day painstaking preparation far beyond usual value.

However, regardless of the excitement in his heart, having learned from the past, Lu Qian remained composed and calmly said, "Three years, this elixir can only exchange for a three-year peace treaty at most."

Han Wen was startled, did the Shuangye Alliance indeed plan to attack him? At that moment, his stance was extremely firm: "Sect Leader Lu, what I have offered is the bottom line, absolutely no less than five years."

Lu Qian probed a sentence or two again, Han Wen was unmoved, it seemed indeed this was Shahe Gang’s bottom line. What does the Shahe Gang intend to accomplish in five years?

Regardless of its intent, he must obtain this elixir.

Lu Qian put on an impatient look: "How do I determine if this Spirit Pill is genuine?"

Seeing Lu Qian’s tone loosen, Han Wen joyfully laughed: "I will unscrew the bottle slightly, and the True Spirit Qi will overflow, Sect Leader Lu and Fairy Guh can try it, and I can vow, absolutely no tampering was done to this Spirit Pill."

An incense stick’s time later, the guestroom door opened, the vigilant gazes of Jiang Qingfeng, Tan Hong, and others guarding the door watched, but the expected conflict did not occur.

Han Wen wobbled out, a broad smile on his face, squinting his small eyes into slits: "Sect Leader Lu, being able to reach an agreement this time truly is a blessing for both our families. These five years, we can also interact more, and you will see, if you are to choose a business partner, Shahe Gang is absolutely more reliable than the Spirit Talisman Sect."

Lu Qian merely nodded; that Innate Spirit Storage Pill had already been placed in his bosom, his heart immensely joyful.

Both obtained what they desired and spoke no further. Lu Qian saw Han Wen’s group off at the mountain gate, watching their escape light fade into the deep night, under the high hanging bright moon.

Turning back to see the concerned looks of the elders and disciples, Lu Qian finally couldn’t suppress his emotions, he burst into loud laughter, echoing through the valley.

My Yunshan Sect is indeed blessed by the ancestors, protected by heaven, not only was the founding ceremony a complete success, but I even obtained the Innate Spirit Storage Pill! In two or three years, when my merit and conduct reach perfection, once Foundation Establishment is successful, in Chongming County, besides Xuanguang Sect, I will be able to dominate without restraint!

At the moment, only feeling full of grandeur, broad skies and lands, the oppressive vexations long burdening his chest completely dissipated.

Although they did not understand fully, seeing the Sect Leader so happy made everyone delighted as well.

Suddenly, Jiang Qingfeng said: "Since the Sect Leader is so happy, it seems Shahe Gang intends to curry favor; soon, various beautiful female cultivators will be delivered at the door."

Lu Qian’s heart jolted, his face flushed, seeing the moonlight like water, Qingfeng stood prettily amidst the melting snow, her eyes deep, gazing straight at him, while the other elders and disciples had mischievous expressions, holding back laughter.

Lu Qian hurriedly waved his hand: "Senior Sister, I, how could I..."

Jiang Qingfeng suddenly smiled, like a lotus blooming in the silver-white snow: "Alright, it was just a joke after all, I naturally believe in my junior brother."

Her voice soft and tender, her pretty face like a flower, Lu Qian was deeply captivated, nearly blurting out a word.

Fatty Han has a point too, now that the foundation is laid, if accompany with a confidante, it would also be a beautiful thing...

I’ll consider this after I achieve Foundation Establishment.

They chatted and laughed as they returned to the sect. Jiang Qingfeng also took out the congratulatory gifts from various sects she received and invited Lu Qian to review them one by one.

At this moment, Lu Qian suddenly realized, as he looked at the four gifts. Han Wen, that damn fatty, claimed to come to congratulate the founding of Yunshan Sect, yet in the end sent nothing, what he called gifts were all business transactions.

Pah, truly shameless.

He disdainfully scorned Han Wen a bit, then looked towards the other four gifts.

The Spirit Talisman Sect gifted the Eight Trigrams Lock Dragon Array Secret Manual, though Lu Qian scanned it quickly, it was a remnant scroll, lacking in essentials. However, future cultivation could help draw inferences, ultimately benefiting his expertise in arrays greatly.

The Kong Family Castle sent a batch of rare ores. Within the Northwest Kong Family’s jurisdiction, spiritual ores are abundant, gifting such a present is common, it’s just unfortunate Yunshan Sect only has one disciple with some talent in Artifact Refining, might be burying treasures in the dust.

Lu Qian suddenly had an idea, recalling during the Plum Blossom Marketplace investigation, the merchant’s mention of "Array Forgers," requiring both array knowledge and Artifact Refining understanding, only then could forge Array Base and Array Map, gaining substantial profits.

If there’s time, I should try exploring the path of Artifact Refining myself.

The Shouzhuo Sect gifted a few rare spiritual medicines and corresponding seeds, which greatly enriched Yunshan Sect’s Spirit Medicine Garden. Whether these spiritual medicines could be used by Guh Niqiang during Alchemy, I do not know.

Finally, to Lu Qian’s great surprise, the congratulatory gift from Xuanguang Sect, or rather, from Hee Yangchen, was...

A Pill Formula.