Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Zhao Yan opened his mouth, wanting to argue for the five hundred spirit stones again, but seeing Su Xiao's eyes that seemed to see through everything, and remembering the sect's secret instruction before his departure that "we must not easily break ties," he finally sighed in despair, cupped his hands, and said, "I will follow Elder Su's words."

"As for the priority purchase right of the red copper essence..." Su Xiao changed the subject, bringing up another target that Shen Mo had mentioned.

Zhao Yan's expression changed slightly. Crimson Copper Essence was an important material for the Blazing Sun Sect's weapon forging, and it was always in high demand. He instinctively wanted to refuse.

Su Xiao didn't give him a chance, and smiled, "Deacon Zhao, our sect has recently acquired several mineral veins, and the production of red copper essence may increase in the future. If your sect has priority, wouldn't that be convenient for both of us? Of course, the price can be increased by half a percent above the market price to show our sincerity."

By prioritizing the production of copper concentrate, which may increase in the future but is not currently in high demand, we can gain tangible current benefits and strategic initiative!

Zhao Yan quickly calculated in his mind, and finally, under Su Xiao's seemingly sincere gaze, he reluctantly nodded: "This matter... I need to inform my superiors, but I can do my best to facilitate it."

The negotiations, which lasted nearly two hours, finally came to an end. The two sides signed a provisional agreement detailing the terms of the agreement.

On the surface, the Lieyang Sect gained an advantage in the pricing of major commodities, but the Qingyun Sect held its ground at key points such as market fees and patrol areas (the 300-mile stretch of the eastern front that it ceded was mostly barren land). It also unexpectedly obtained the intention to purchase the red copper essence first, so the gains and losses were roughly equal.

After seeing off Zhao Yan and his group, who left in a hurry with complicated expressions, only the Qingyun Sect members remained in the Xieli Hall.

"Elder Su, you're amazing!" a young deacon exclaimed excitedly in a low voice. "Zhao Yan was so arrogant at first, but in the end, you managed to shut him up!"

Su Xiao let out a soft sigh, rubbing her throbbing temples, a weary smile appearing on her face: "It's not that I'm particularly skilled, but rather the strength of the sect and the strategic planning of our senior brother, the sect leader. Without the victory in the secret realm battle, without the bloodshed of our junior brothers in the Battle Hall protecting our territory, where would we find the slightest confidence to negotiate?"

She walked to the window, watching Zhao Yan and the others ride away in their escape lights, her gaze becoming profound: "Today's conflict is just the beginning. The Blazing Sun Sect will never be content to let our sect develop peacefully. The subsequent frictions, tests, and suppression will only increase and become more covert."

"Pass down the order: the contents of today's agreement must be kept strictly confidential. The Shadow Guards are to intensify their surveillance of the Blazing Sun Sect envoy and surrounding activities. Report any unusual activity immediately!"

"Yes, Elder!"

Su Xiao turned around and looked towards the main peak of Qingyun Mountain. She knew that Senior Brother Shen Mo must be watching this place. The struggle with the Lieyang Sect was like walking a tightrope over a bottomless abyss. Every step required treading on thin ice. They had to flex their muscles to avoid being looked down upon and bullied, while also skillfully maneuvering to avoid triggering a full-scale conflict prematurely, thus buying the sect the most precious time to grow.

How long this tightrope can be traversed depends not only on the strategic maneuvering at the forefront, but also on the growth rate of the sect's strength at the rear.

She gripped the jade slip in her sleeve, which contained a detailed record of the negotiations and Shen Mo's instructions. Resources, talent, time... the sect needed so much more.

As the light faded into the distance, Zhao Yan's face darkened. He instructed his trusted disciple, "Immediately send a message back to the sect, reporting the details of today's negotiations. Emphasize that the Qingyun Sect's attitude is firm, especially that Su Xiao. He is meticulous and must be guided by Shen Mo. He is extremely sensitive about resources and borders, and is unlikely to remain subservient for long."

"It is suggested that the sect should be more discreet in its economic blockade, or perhaps it could try to sow discord by working among its internal vassal forces..."

In the main hall of Qingyun Mountain, in the quiet room "Moyunxuan" where Shen Mo usually handles sect affairs, the fragrance of sandalwood wafts through the air, yet it cannot dispel the quiet, heavy atmosphere.

Su Xiao walked lightly yet with a barely perceptible urgency through the corridor to the outside of the pavilion, where she gently knocked on the door. Remember this name: Cola Novels. Remember this domain name: . Good books don't get lost.

"Sect Leader, Xiao'er has urgent news to report."

"Come in." Shen Mo's calm voice came from inside.

Su Xiao pushed open the door and entered, only to see Shen Mo standing with his hands behind his back by the window, gazing at the clouds drifting by outside, his back as straight as a mountain. She quickly stepped forward, bowed, and her usual gentle composure was gone from her pretty face, replaced by an unyielding worry.

"Senior brother, the Shadow Guard just sent several urgent reports. The situation... is not good." Su Xiao's voice was very low and tense.

Shen Mo slowly turned around, his gaze falling on Su Xiao's slightly pale face, signaling her to continue.

"Multiple sentries along the border have reported that the activities of Burning Heaven Valley and Five Poisons Sect have suddenly intensified recently."

Su Xiao took out a jade slip that emitted a faint spiritual energy fluctuation and presented it with both hands. "Several elite teams from Burning Heaven Valley have been frequently appearing on the edge of the 'Blood-Weeping Wasteland' that borders Eagle Beak Gorge in the east of our sect, under the guise of 'hunting demonic beasts.' Their movements are mysterious, and they seem to be surveying the terrain and looking for something."

"The Five Poisons Sect members are even more secretive. They break into small groups, infiltrate caravans or disguise themselves as rogue cultivators, and infiltrate the southern region of Blackwater Marsh. Their targets are suspected to be several dangerous areas on the southwestern outskirts of the Flowing Cloud Secret Realm."

She paused, her breathing becoming rapid: "That's not all. What's even stranger is that the remnants of the 'Heavenly Sword Sect,' which are tens of thousands of miles away and have never had any dealings with us, as well as the remaining forces of the 'Mysterious Yin Sect,' which were originally holed up near the Myriad Ghost Cave, the stronghold of the Mysterious Yin Sect, have also sent spies to loiter outside the border of our sect's newly demarcated territory! Although their numbers are small, their intentions are unclear!"

Shen Mo took the jade slip, his divine sense sinking into it as he quickly browsed through the detailed information recorded inside, including personnel movement maps drawn by the Shadow Guards, cultivation level assessments, and contact records. His brows furrowed slightly, and his fingertips unconsciously tapped lightly on the jade slip.

"And..." Su Xiao's voice carried a hint of coldness, "Last night, the Lin family branch in 'Qingmu Town,' located three hundred miles north of Black Stone Village, which had just submitted to our sect, suffered a mysterious attack on their family's medicinal garden! Three Qi Refining stage disciples guarding the garden died, and their bodies were found to contain strange fire poison and corrosive toxins. Several hundred-year-old 'Qingyu Ginseng' plants that were about to mature were stolen from the garden."

"The scene had been deliberately cleaned up, but the Shadow Guards discovered a crushed jade pendant fragment with a faint aura of 'burning evil' at the edge of the scene, as well as a wisp of almost imperceptible poison powder with a sweet and fishy smell!"

"Burning aura...fire poison...sweet and pungent poison powder..." A cold glint flashed in Shen Mo's eyes. "Burning Heaven Valley's 'Burning Heaven Killing Technique,' and the Five Poisons Sect's 'Corrosive Heart Mist'?"

"Very likely!" Su Xiao nodded emphatically, her beautiful eyes filled with anger and worry. "Although we can't be completely certain, they are the most suspicious! They are testing us! Attacking an insignificant small family won't immediately trigger a large-scale conflict, but it will still be a slap in the face, testing our sect's bottom line and reaction speed! Furthermore, it can create panic and shake the confidence of newly affiliated forces!"

Just then, the door to the quiet room was flung open with a bang, and a scorching, volatile aura swept in. Shi Tie's tall figure appeared in the doorway. He had clearly been tipped off; his large, copper-bell-like eyes were bloodshot, his beard and hair bristling, and his voice preceded his arrival:

"Sect Leader! I've heard everything! Those bastards from Burning Heaven Valley and the Five Poisons Sect have gone too far! They dared to come to our territory to kill and rob! How can we tolerate this? Let me, Old Shi, lead a team of elites to drag out those cowardly rats, chop them up, and feed them to the dogs!"

Behind him followed Han Lin, Zhao Qingyan, and Li Xiaocao, who had rushed over upon hearing the news. Han Lin looked worried, Zhao Qingyan's face was ashen, and Li Xiaocao's face was deathly pale; they were clearly shocked by the sudden bad news.

"Junior Brother Tie! Calm down!" Shen Mo said in a low voice, which, though not loud, carried an undeniable authority that instantly suppressed Shi Tie's agitation. He glanced at everyone, "Come in and we'll talk."

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