Chapter 2286: Establishment of New Regulations by the Human Nation

Cang'an's territory was so vast, with countless cities. Sacrificing the output of three cities would be negligible, yet it could secure the cooperation of an ancient great sect. From any perspective, it was an incredibly cost-effective deal.

After Yuan's words, Liu Qingdao smiled kindly. "Are there any other requests, Sect Master Yuan? Please state them all at once. Does Qixia Sect need Wei'an City's help to renovate its mountain gate? Your sect has been in seclusion for over a hundred years; surely the buildings and facilities must be weathered and old by now?"

Sect Master Yuan subtly frowned at Liu's concern. "That's not necessary, Elder Liu, but I appreciate your thoughtfulness. However, our agreement must bear the blood-pact signature of the Cang'an monarch to ensure its enforceability."

So, Bingyuan Division wants to send people into Qixia Sect's territory? Hah.

He was also very considerate. "This is a significant matter. Elder Liu can report it to the Cang'an monarch, and they can deliberate at their leisure. We are not in a hurry."

Qixia Sect had also previously sent disciples into the world to serve as officials, so they knew how slow court deliberations could be.

In any case, it was Wei'an City that was in a hurry, with its water supply on the verge of depletion and millions facing thirst. The pressure naturally fell upon Cang'an. What did Qixia Sect have to be anxious about?

His attitude struck Liu Qingdao as rather peculiar.

Logically, maintaining the existence of such a large mountain was inherently energy-intensive. Furthermore, ensuring the mountain wasn't excavated meant confronting Cang'an's power, which would further exacerbate their consumption.

How long had Qixia Sect been out of seclusion? Logically, their mystic crystal reserves should be insufficient. How could they possibly sustain such consumption?

Could it be that they had another financial backer?

The first thing Liu Qingdao thought of was Lingshan.

Had Lingshan secretly contacted them and incited them to oppose Cang'an?

Having served in Cang'an for ten years and being in charge of the Bingyuan Division, Liu Qingdao understood the relationship between Cang'an and Lingshan very clearly.

In recent years, as celestials and demons from various regions entered the world, Lingshan's power had actually grown stronger. However, Cang'an's attitude toward Lingshan had always been polite but distant, often dealing primarily with the State of Mou and bypassing Lingshan entirely.

How vast was Cang'an's territory? How many resources, mystic crystals, and spiritual energy did it possess? Unfortunately, most of it could not be utilized by Lingshan, and Lingshan truly had no effective way to handle Cang'an. The interests of both sides occasionally clashed. For example, newly emerged great demons or immortal sects previously had only two options for allegiance: either Beijia or Lingshan. But now, in addition to these two, there were also the State of Mou and Cang'an as choices. Cang'an's spiritual energy was also very abundant, and emerging nations often had a fresh outlook, making them more welcoming to newcomers.

Thus, Lingshan occasionally tried to undermine Cang'an, a fact the latter had verified.

Was Lingshan behind this mischief once again?

Liu Qingdao's mind raced, but he shook his head outwardly. "That's not necessary."

"So Elder Liu can make that decision?"

Liu Qingdao smiled. "In recent years, many celestials and demons have successively entered the world, and quite a few have tried to negotiate terms and set rules with Cang'an. However, their methods were not as clever as yours, Sect Master Yuan. Therefore, Cang'an has long had a contingency plan for this, and it was an imperial decree personally issued by the Emperor—"

"Newly emerged immortal sects and demon tribes, if they wish to live alongside humans, must abide by the law and behave themselves. They must not slaughter, plunder, or oppress common people, nor may they abduct mortals as slaves or beasts of burden. Otherwise, they may return to the mountains and forests and be self-sufficient, but they must also simultaneously obey Cang'an's laws. Those unwilling to do any of the above must leave Cang'an's territory!"

These were the three paths Cang'an offered to immortal sects and demon tribes:

Those who wish to live within human society must not enslave commoners or ruthlessly exploit their wealth, as was done in ancient times.

Those who do not wish to live within human society can return to the deep mountains and vast swamps, competing with both new and old demons and other immortal sects, much like Zhenyuan Hall. After all, Cang'an is vast, and they are free to operate anywhere outside human settlements.

Those unwilling to take either of the above two paths would simply be expelled from Cang'an.

Every country has its laws, and every family has its rules.

To put it more simply: Immortal sects are not permitted to demand offerings from commoners in Cang'an!

If they wish to develop commerce or annex other immortal sects or demon tribes, they are free to do so, as long as it's by their own abilities.

But if they desire to gain without effort, to simply enjoy the incense and offerings from commoners? Hah, Cang'an will not permit it.

Sect Master Yuan also understood Liu Qingdao's underlying message:

Qixia Sect wouldn't even get the revenue from half a county, let alone from three whole cities!

This matter had long been settled in Cang'an; there was nothing to discuss.

So this meeting wasn't a negotiation, but a unilateral ultimatum from Cang'an to Qixia Sect? Sect Master Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Good, good. It seems Elder Liu already has a way to resolve Wei'an City's urgent problem. I hope Cang'an will continue to impress me."

"You and I were both once at Lingshan, Sect Master Yuan, please heed my advice," Liu Qingdao said solemnly. "The fact that you could plan to cut off Wei'an City's water supply means you sent people to gather information about the outside world. If so, you should know that great changes have occurred in the human world, and the laws of elemental power are vastly different. The divine powers of immortal sects are no longer as formidable as they once were in the face of a great nation's might. Alas, it's not easy for Qixia Sect to continue its three-thousand-year lineage, Sect Master Yuan, please think twice."

His expression was sincere, but to Sect Master Yuan, every word sounded like a threat.

"A great nation?" Sect Master Yuan smiled. "Since that's the case, let me first witness the might of this great nation."

In this world, the strong are revered; the status of a "great nation" cannot be authenticated by mere words.

With that, his figure slowly vanished from the riverbed stone.

This round of talks was concluded.

Inside Qixia Sect's stronghold.

Sect Master Yuan withdrew his divine power, gazing for a long time at Wei'an City as reflected in the water mirror.

Just then, a disciple came to report:

"Sect Master, someone approached the entrance of Guye Mountain earlier. It seemed a Heavenly Centipede was leading the way, going down to the bottom of the pit and circling twice."

Elder Chu snorted from the side. "That useless thing, it just turned around and sold out the sect's location."

Fortunately, Qixia Sect's small grotto-heaven had two entrances, and the Heavenly Centipede only knew one.

As soon as Tang Jingye brought back news of the Heavenly Centipede's capture, Qixia Sect immediately sealed off the entrance to Guye Mountain to prevent future trouble.

This was a decisive move; otherwise, the authorities might have already sent people to quietly infiltrate.

"These fools from Cang'an want to sneak into our mountain gate? Hahahaha, in their next life!" Elder Chu laughed heartily again. "Wei'an City is about to run out of water; I want to thoroughly enjoy watching them stamp their feet in desperation!"

Sect Master Yuan remained silent.

Elemental power laws?

In the mid-medieval period, human nations discovered and began utilizing elemental power.

However, in an era of surging spiritual energy, elemental power was not very useful.

Now Liu Qingdao claims that the human world has undergone drastic changes, and the laws of elemental power are vastly different. What does this mean?

After his conversation with Sect Master Yuan, Liu Qingdao returned to Ice River. City Guard Zhou immediately stepped forward to greet him. "Elder Liu!"

"Where are my two subordinates?"

Before negotiating with Qixia Sect, he had dispatched two demons to infiltrate underground and examine the substrate at the mountain's base, intending to uncover the reason for the continuous growth of this so-called "flying peak."

City Guard Zhou opened his mouth to reply, but then suddenly noticed one of the individuals behind Liu Qingdao who looked remarkably familiar.

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