When news arrived of the Demon Suppression Bureau's initial victory in the Northern Plains, a different kind of tension pervaded Qingxu Temple. Around a round table in the side hall of the deliberation hall, several elders responsible for resource allocation spread open a massive map marked with the three realms' resource distribution, engaging in heated debate.
"The Northern Plains' Snow Wolf Tribe requests priority allocation of mining rights for three spirit stone mines, claiming they need to rebuild tribal defenses." The elder from the Resource Department pointed at marks on the map. "But their contribution ranking last year was only thirty-seventh."
"The Southern Sea's Flood Dragon Clan applies to requisition the stored ten-thousand-year pearls, saying they are urgently needed for refining water-avoiding artifacts." Another elder frowned. "But this batch of pearls was reserved for the Pill Department to refine longevity pills."
Mu Qingfeng rubbed his brow, this was already the seventh resource allocation meeting this week. With comprehensive reconstruction underway, demands from various sects had multiplied, yet after the Demon Calamity's devastation, the three realms' resource reserves were already stretched thin.
"List the most urgent applications first." He said wearily. "Following the principles the Alliance Leader established, prioritize civilian welfare and defense."
Just then, an executive disciple hurried in, handing over a messaging jade slip: "Elder, Jingangmen and Xuantian Sword Sect have been in conflict at Luoxia Mountain Range. Both sides' disciples have been facing off for three days."
Mu Qingfeng accepted the jade slip. After scanning its contents, his expression immediately darkened. A new spirit jade vein had been discovered at Luoxia Mountain Range. Jingangmen claimed they discovered it first, while Xuantian Sword Sect insisted that territory belonged within their sphere of influence.
"Order the law enforcement team to immediately go mediate." He said in a deep voice. "Tell them all newly discovered veins belong to the alliance for unified allocation."
Yet barely had this order gone out when another bad report arrived: several Eastern Sea islands had clashed over fishing grounds, resulting in casualties among more than ten people.
Similar conflicts erupted everywhere. On the extreme northern ice plains, several cultivation families disputed hunting ground boundaries endlessly; beside Western Desert oases, the Rogue Cultivator Alliance and local sects were at daggers drawn over water distribution; even several affiliated families under Qingxu Temple began squabbling over spiritual field ownership, the disputes growing unsolvable.
"The Alliance Leader has only been in seclusion for a month, and things have already become chaotic like this..." An elderly cultivator sighed.
At this time, Xiao Qi was deep in seclusion at the rear mountain's forbidden area. Before him floated three jade slips, respectively the subsequent volumes of the Scripture of World Purification, cultivation insights sent by various races, and reports of resource disputes from across the regions.
Even while in seclusion, he still followed the alliance's operations. When he saw that thirty-seven resource disputes had already occurred this month, his brow furrowed deeply.
"It seems it is time to adjust the allocation strategy."
He took out a blank jade slip and began drafting a new resource allocation plan. This plan no longer simply allocated based on contribution ranking but introduced a complex points system: battle records in demon suppression, area of purified land, number of disciples trained, all of these could be exchanged for points, which could then be exchanged for resources.
At the same time, he designated several Special Development Zones, allowing various sects to independently develop within alliance rules, with a portion of the proceeds contributed to the alliance.
This plan seemed fair, yet Xiao Qi knew it would inevitably touch the interests of certain forces.
Indeed, when the new plan was announced, undercurrents stirred within the alliance.
In a secret chamber of a certain overseas spiritual island, several island lords were meeting in discussion.
"Tang Xiao Qi is cutting off our source of wealth!" An obese island lord said indignantly. "The Special Development Zones are all in remote areas, the development costs are too high!"
"The points system is even more ridiculous." Another gaunt elderly man coldly laughed. "Our overseas sects are farthest from the demon-plagued areas. Where would we get battle records to exchange for points?"
"Why do not we..." A middle-aged cultivator who had been silent all along made a gesture. "...temporarily withdraw from the alliance, then come back to negotiate when they cannot hold on anymore."
Similar secret meetings were simultaneously taking place among major human sect powers, various demon clan tribes, and sea clan branches. Some forces began paying lip service while actually opposing, secretly hoarding resources; others publicly questioned the alliance's authority, demanding renegotiation of allocation rules.
The most serious incident occurred three days later. Seven sects led by Lingxiao Pavilion jointly issued a statement demanding the alliance reconsider its resource allocation plan, otherwise they would suspend all cooperation.
When this news reached Qingxu Temple, Mu Qingfeng was furious: "Are they trying to rebel? The soldiers of the Demon Suppression Bureau are fighting desperately on the front lines, and they are dragging things behind!"
Yet Liu Yun was very composed: "This was expected. These people originally joined the alliance for profit; now that profits are damaged, of course they will jump out."
"Should we invite the Sect Master out of seclusion?" Zhao Tiezhu rubbed his fists, eager for action. "Let me go teach these ingrates a lesson!"
"No need." Mu Qingfeng calmed down. "The Sect Master is at a critical moment in seclusion and cannot be disturbed. We will handle this."
He immediately convened an emergency meeting, making a bold decision: suspend all resource supplies to Lingxiao Pavilion and the six other sects until they retracted their statement.
This decision was like a boulder dropped into a still lake, causing an uproar within the alliance. Supporters believed this was a necessary means to uphold alliance authority; opponents worried it might trigger greater division.
Just as the two sides were deadlocked, news arrived from the front lines that shook everyone: due to insufficient material supplies, a Demon Suppression Bureau squad had fallen into an encirclement while purifying the Miasma Demon, with heavy casualties!
When this news spread, public opinion immediately reversed. Everyone saw clearly that fighting amongst themselves at such a time would ultimately harm the soldiers fighting desperately on the front lines.
Lingxiao Pavilion and the six other sects immediately became the target of public condemnation. Under immense pressure, they had no choice but to retract their statement and publicly apologize.
Although this disturbance was quelled, after Xiao Qi emerged from seclusion and learned of this, he fell into deep contemplation.
"Resources... are always the root of chaos." He said softly. "It seems it is time to implement that plan."
He took out an ancient jade slip, on which three characters were written: Spiritual Network Plan.
This was the concept Second Senior Brother Luo Feng had proposed: establish a spiritual energy network covering the three realms, connecting spiritual veins everywhere, achieving real-time resource allocation and sharing. Once completed, it could fundamentally solve the problem of unequal resource distribution.
However, this plan required mobilizing all array masters throughout the three realms, and the consumed resources were astronomical. More importantly, it required various sects to open their spiritual vein nodes, a prospect unacceptable to many sects that viewed spiritual veins as their lifeblood.
"In extraordinary times, one must take extraordinary actions." Xiao Qi's gaze gradually grew resolute. "This plan must be implemented."
He walked out of his seclusion cave, gazing toward the distance. There, a new round of turmoil was brewing. And this time, what he had to face was not only the threat of demons but also the greed and suspicion deep within people's hearts.
This road was destined to not be smooth.