Zhang Deming was very moved by the newly discovered spiritual vein.
The spiritual vein was discovered jointly by the Cyan Mountain Sect and the Zhang family. The issue of its ownership to either party needs careful negotiation.
This matter is no small affair and might lead to conflict if mishandled.
Song Minghui understands the gravity of the situation and dares not to be sloppy.
She promptly communicated the matter to the sect and reported it to Lu Yuanshan.
Upon receiving the communication, Lu Yuanshan immediately gathered Lu Changfeng and Lu Zhiwei, and the three siblings left Cyan Lotus Mountain together to meet with Zhang Nianchuan and his group.
The exploration of this new spiritual vein must continue; its size and range need to be determined.
With the involvement of three Foundation Establishment Cultivators, the investigation becomes fairly easy.
Moreover, Lu Yuanshan reported the matter to Lu Ping, who upon understanding the situation, also descended into the Marching Ant Nest.
With the experience of a Golden Core Ancestor and the advantage of a consciousness body, Lu Ping discovered upon thorough exploration that the area covered by this spiritual vein is comparable to that of the Cyan Lotus Mountain spiritual vein, stretching over three thousand miles.
The vast area covered by this spiritual vein prompted Lu Ping to strongly desire to secure it.
Consequently, the upper echelons of the Cyan Mountain Sect and the Zhang family discussed for a night, negotiating the ownership of this spiritual vein.
"This spiritual vein was discovered by both our Cyan Mountain Sect and your Zhang family; it is indeed a pleasant surprise."
"The Cyan Mountain Sect is not keen on forcibly taking and solely occupying this spiritual vein, nor are we willing to give it up readily. What are your thoughts, Clan Leader Zhang, on how to handle this matter?"
Lu Yuanshan directly expressed the intentions of the Cyan Mountain Sect, not wanting to beat around the bush.
"Indeed, my Zhang family also has aspirations regarding this spiritual vein."
Zhang Deming chuckled, quite frank.
"Hmm, wanting it is not inappropriate."
Though Lu Yuanshan wore a friendly expression, his tone was rather serious.
"However, forgive my bluntness, but given your Zhang family’s strength, having only over a dozen Qi Cultivators, it might be challenging to guard this spiritual vein."
"I happen to have a good idea."
"It’s quite simple. The Zhang family is not currently allied with any force, correct?"
Zhang Deming, realizing Lu Yuanshan’s intention, showed a thoughtful expression.
"Could Sect Leader Lu mean that you wish for the Zhang family to ally with the Cyan Mountain Sect?"
"That’s roughly the idea."
"So far, the Cyan Mountain Sect hasn’t allied with any force. Since your Zhang family is interested in this spiritual vein, perhaps you could vassalize under our Cyan Mountain Sect."
"In this way, not only can you enjoy protection from our Cyan Mountain Sect in the future, but we are willing to share the usage rights of this spiritual vein with you."
"If you agree, you can even relocate your family’s territory to this spiritual vein, allowing us to share it and advance together in the future."
"As part of the alliance benefits, should the Zhang family encounter difficulties, the Cyan Mountain Sect will do its utmost to assist and not sit idly by."
"What does Clan Leader Zhang think?"
Lu Yuanshan’s suggestion was revealed leisurely.
To be blunt, the Cyan Mountain Sect wished for the Zhang family to operate on the same front, establishing an ally relationship, allowing mutual aid in the future.
Given the enormous land area this new spiritual vein covers, even if monopolized by the Cyan Mountain Sect, it would leave a large range of unused spiritual vein territory.
Rather than occupying surplus resources without utilization, sharing it with the Zhang family would be preferable.
The Zhang family has decent prestige in Guangde County, being part of the Righteous Dao cultivation clan.
Their clan leader Zhang Deming is also an old acquaintance of Xu Mengyuan, who holds a favorable opinion of Zhang Deming, which Lu Yuanshan knows, hence proposing to share the spiritual vein.
If the Zhang family became the Cyan Mountain Sect’s ally, and moved its territory here, it would benefit the sect’s protection of Guangde County.
At the very least, it would add another force to help alleviate difficulties for the Cyan Mountain Sect, enhancing the strength of Guangde County.
In times of trouble for Guangde County, the Zhang family could first respond, assisting Xu Mengyuan in its defense.
This mutually beneficial relationship is worth establishing.
Upon understanding Lu Yuanshan’s proposal, Zhang Deming only pondered briefly before nodding in agreement.
Not only could he obtain the usage rights to the spiritual vein, but also receive protection from the Cyan Mountain Sect; such a favorable deal would be foolish not to accept.
Though straightforward, Lu Yuanshan pointed out that the Zhang family could not safeguard this new spiritual vein due to limited family strength, which is indeed true.
Understanding the reasoning behind ’a commoner possesses no sin, the treasure contains the sin,’ Zhang Deming was cognizant.
The current Cyan Mountain Sect, with three Foundation Establishment practitioners, is well worth the Zhang family’s affiliation.
Subsequent details about the alliance were slowly negotiated by Lu Yuanshan and Zhang Deming and formalized in writing.
These developments were merely part of the ongoing discussions.
Once the alliance was formed, the Zhang family began collaborating with the Cyan Mountain Sect to excavate this new spiritual vein, ensuring it was properly extracted from underground.
For cultivators, excavating an underground spiritual vein isn’t particularly challenging.
Lu Yuanshan dispatched disciples with Earth Attribute Spirit Roots, along with some Zhang family cultivators, utilizing Earth Attribute magic and divine techniques to excavate the new spiritual vein.
At the same time, the Ant Queen was brought back to the sect and entrusted to Lu Xuelian.
The Ant Queen, still in a drowsy poisoned state with limited capability, was in Lu Xuelian’s hands.
Lu Xuelian knew how to tame and breed Marching Ants.
Meanwhile, upon returning to the sect, Lu Ping was also contemplating matters regarding spiritual veins.
He was focused on the Cyan Lotus Mountain spiritual vein.
Since utilizing the two-star Spiritual Vein Upgrade feature, investing a year to elevate the Cyan Lotus Mountain spiritual vein from Tier Two Lower Grade to Tier Two Middle Grade, its spiritual qi purity has improved.
However, with Lu Yuanshan, Lu Zhiwei, and Lu Changfeng having progressed to the Foundation Establishment Stage, this spiritual vein urgently needs enhancement.
Lu Yuanshan’s current strength, reaching the Fourth Layer Foundation Establishment, falls under mid-stage Foundation Establishment.
A Tier Two Middle Grade spiritual vein can only accommodate mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator practices.
Should the spiritual vein tier prove insufficient, the aspiration becomes quite arduous. Official source is novel⸺fire.net
Under such conditions, Lu Yuanshan struggles to break through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment.
Thinking about crystallization is simply not feasible.
Hence, Lu Ping intends to elevate the tier of the Cyan Lotus Mountain spiritual vein further.
Enhancing the spiritual vein tier through a Spirit Gathering Array is an excellent approach.
Nevertheless, considering the existing system, attempting system utilization could provide additional enhancement.
After checking the current Reputation Points, they aren’t many.
Lu Ping glanced at the system inventory’s material reward, the Seven-Colored Treasure Bracelet.
It’s an ice attribute Tier Two High-Grade spiritual artifact, obtained by clearing the remnants of loose cultivators from Dan Cloud Mountain.