Chapter 2285: Immortal Sect Follows Old Customs

Sect Master Yuan’s expression remained unchanged. "Our sect wishes to meet with Cang Yan officials. Why is Elder Liu here?"He was greatly surprised to see an elder from the Mirage Sect present.He knew that True Immortal Qianhuan was in seclusion in the Upside-Down Sea, and by all accounts, the Mirage Sect's whereabouts should be even more elusive than the Vermillion Cloud Sect's.

Liu Qingdao smiled. "I work for the Yuan Administration Bureau in Cang Yan. The Emperor assigned me, so here I am."Sect Master Yuan's gaze turned inquisitive. "An elder from the Mirage Sect serving as an official? Why choose Cang Yan? What is the relationship between the Mirage Sect and Cang Yan?"

Liu Qingdao's smile vanished, replaced by a serious expression. "During the last opening of the Upside-Down Sea, it was invaded by the Profound Azure Heaven. Immortal Venerable Qianhuan and Sect Master Xiao unfortunately passed away. Before his sacrifice, Sect Master Xiao specifically entrusted his sect to the Great Emperor of the Nine Underworlds. Since then, the Mirage Sect has been rooted in the Glimmering Gold Plains. As for me, I am merely in charge of the Yuan Administration Bureau, specifically overseeing extraordinary and esoteric matters within Cang Yan."

Sect Master Yuan's white eyebrows shot up.True Immortal Qianhuan, one of the helmsmen of Spirit Mountain and a rare Grand True Immortal in the world, had actually perished!How many major events had transpired during the Vermillion Cloud Sect's seclusion over the past hundred years or so?He also keenly grasped a crucial point:Sect Master Xiao had entrusted his sect not to Spirit Mountain, but to the Lord of Cang Yan? Why?Could it be that Spirit Mountain had declined over the past century?

Liu Qingdao also asked, "Spiritual energy has been recovering for quite some time now, and various immortals and demons have descended upon the world in the past few years. Why is your sect only now emerging from seclusion?"

"It so happened that I entered a death seclusion, and once I entered meditation, it lasted for many years. Regardless of external changes, the sect disciples had to wait for me to complete my cultivation before they could return to the mortal world." The opening and closing of their blessed land were controlled by Sect Master Yuan, preventing other Vermillion Cloud Sect members from leaving even if they wished.

Liu Qingdao could understand this. Back then, True Immortal Qianhuan had secluded himself for sixty years to refine the Grand Derivation Heavenly Pearl, and no one from the Mirage Sect could leave the Upside-Down Sea. What difference was there between such a 'blessed land' and a prison?He sighed. "Over the past hundred years, the world has been turned upside down, and sky demons are causing increasing havoc. The Vermillion Cloud Sect, secluded from worldly affairs, has certainly enjoyed peace and quiet, unlike us who are constantly entangled in mundane matters."

Was the other party satirizing the Vermillion Cloud Sect's reclusive inaction? Sect Master Yuan replied calmly, "When have sky demons not caused trouble? Humanity persists, and so do we. The rise and fall of spiritual energy tides over three millennia; this is merely another cycle."

Whether they acted or not, whether they contended or not, how much could the human world truly change?"There are significant differences, however. For instance, the Glimmering Gold Plains, which endured millennia of turmoil, have finally reunified. Our Emperor says this is a case of 'what has been divided long will unite'."

Sect Master Yuan scoffed, "What has been divided long will unite? Your Emperor is quite amusing. You and I have lived for several millennia; have we ever truly seen such a principle in action?"

Who could understand the true nature of this world better than those who had witnessed it firsthand? How long had Liu Qingdao been in Cang Yan to be brainwashed by these mortal fallacies?*Hmph*, he thought, *centuries of life, wasted.*

Liu Qingdao understood their mindset clearly. Knowing that words alone wouldn't convince them, he didn't dwell on the philosophical point and instead returned to the main topic:"Sect Master Yuan, the people of Weian City are innocent. Why must your esteemed sect make trouble for them?"

Sect Master Yuan gave a slight sneer. "The land beneath the feet of these innocent people belongs to my Vermillion Cloud Sect. The ignorant are, of course, blameless, but your nation must make sound decisions on their behalf."

How could ordinary people know this was Vermillion Cloud Sect's land? Furthermore, the expansion of Weian City was instigated by Cang Yan, so Cang Yan bore full responsibility.

Liu Qingdao chuckled. "This is the Glimmering Gold Plains. The land under Weian City has had many previous owners throughout history. We are unaware which one was the Vermillion Cloud Sect."

Given the historical volatility of the Glimmering Gold Plains, there have been at least two or three dozen, if not fifty, nations and powers that have risen and fallen here over the past millennium. To which one could the Vermillion Cloud Sect lay claim?

Before Sect Master Yuan could speak, another person appeared, saying with an air of ancient wisdom, "Everything must follow the principle of 'first come, first served'; otherwise, where would justice be in this world? You say this land had other owners in the past? Very well, summon them forth, and we will arrange ourselves in order."

The Vermillion Cloud Sect's occupation of this land dates back over a century. Past owners? *Heh*, their bones would be long gone by now.

"Elder Chu? Long time no see." Liu Qingdao shook his head. "Under heaven, every inch of land belongs to the king. This land, too, has only one shared sovereign: Cang Yan. With only three great nations in the world today, this principle applies universally, even in Beijia and Mou."

Even immortal sects and demon tribes emerging from seclusion in Beijia and Mou are not allowed to brazenly extort landowners.

Elder Chu observed playfully, "Oh? Is your nation planning to use force?"

The negotiations had finally begun; this was now the intimidation phase.

"Building mountains and diverting rivers consumes a great deal," Liu Qingdao said softly. "There are no impenetrable walls in this world, and Cang Yan has many capable individuals. The entrance to this blessed land will be discovered sooner or later. Why don't we turn hostility into friendship before the situation becomes irreversible?"

"That's fine," Sect Master Yuan smiled. "The Vermillion Cloud Sect is not fond of warfare. If we all put in the effort together, won't this matter be resolved?"

*What a sly old fox*, Liu Qingdao sighed inwardly. Outwardly, he said sternly, "Sect Master Yuan, please state your terms."

"The Vermillion Cloud Sect has just emerged from seclusion and is not yet familiar with the surrounding environment." He mused about the current production capacity of these cities and their monthly output. "Let's do this: we can follow the old ways of Spirit Mountain. If Elder Liu's bureau encounters any mystical or difficult issues, the Vermillion Cloud Sect is willing to offer its full assistance. Elder Liu knows better than anyone what our sect is capable of."

In other words, if Cang Yan needed help, the Vermillion Cloud Sect could provide it; otherwise, they preferred not to be disturbed and wished for peace.He mentioned "the old ways of Spirit Mountain" because this was precisely how several major sects and factions under Spirit Mountain's jurisdiction had cooperated with local authorities.

Thus, the Vermillion Cloud Sect's approach had precedent and wasn't out of line. As an old member of the Mirage Sect, Elder Liu should also be familiar with this model.

Liu Qingdao remained silent, knowing that the following statement would be the crux of the matter.

Sect Master Yuan paused before continuing, "As for the deserved compensation, we are not greedy. We only require the output from Weian City, Xicheng, and Chengpoutou, including their subordinate counties and towns. We will not quibble over whether the output is large or small."

Even before their emergence from seclusion, the Vermillion Cloud Sect disciples had observed the situation below the mountain through a water mirror. Weian City was visibly prosperous. While the other two cities were not as grand as Weian City in terms of area, geographical location, or night lighting, they were still superior to the cities the Vermillion Cloud Sect had previously controlled.

Sect Master Yuan had originally planned to request the output of five cities, but after a brief exchange with Liu Qingdao, he decided to reduce it to three.As an ancient immortal sect, the Vermillion Cloud Sect only requesting the output of three cities from a mortal nation, rather than seizing the cities themselves, was already a very reasonable and considerate concession.