Before the mountain gate of Qingxu Temple, a jade carriage pulled by nine seven-colored phoenix birds slowly descended. The carriage was carved from ten-thousand-year warm jade, and wind-chime pendants hung from its eaves, producing pleasant chimes as it moved. When the curtain was lifted, the cultivator who stepped out drew sideways glances from all the onlookers, the person wore flowing cloud sleeves and Taoist robes, a seven-star crown on his head, a white jade horsetail whisk in hand, and his spiritual energy was so concentrated it appeared substantial. He was actually a cultivator at the Great Circle of Nascent Soul!
"Penglai Immortal Sect envoy Qingxu Zi, specially visiting to pay respects to Alliance Leader Tang." The elderly Daoist's voice was gentle yet carried an air of condescension. Behind him followed eight disciples, each at the late Golden Core stage, their bearing extraordinary.
Mu Qingfeng personally welcomed him at the mountain gate, yet his heart sank. Penglai Immortal Sect was the leader of the overseas cultivation world. It was said their sect had Deity Transformation stage ancestors in seclusion, and they usually disdained contact with the mainland. Their sudden visit probably meant they came with ulterior motives.
"Qingxu Temple's Acting Sect Master Mu Qingfeng, respectfully welcoming the Immortal Envoy." Mu Qingfeng greeted neither servilely nor haughtily. "The Alliance Leader is in seclusion. I will temporarily handle reception."
Qingxu Zi nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Qingxu Temple's protective grand formation, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes before he regained composure: "No matter. This old man's visit mainly wishes to understand the mainland's recent situation."
The talks were held in Qingxu Temple's main hall. When Qingxu Zi saw the Heaven and Earth Map hung inside the hall, his brow slightly rose: "It seems Alliance Leader Tang aspires greatly. Is this your intention to unify the three realms?"
Mu Qingfeng remained expressionless: "The Immortal Envoy jests. This is merely for coordinating reconstruction work."
Qingxu Zi made a noncommittal sound, flicked his horsetail whisk, and a map of overseas territories unfolded in the air. This map was several times more detailed than Qingxu Temple's, marking thousands of islands, each with detailed resource introductions. What shocked people more was that the spiritual energy concentration shown on the map was generally thirty percent higher than on the mainland.
"My Penglai Immortal Sect governs thirty-six thousand islands, with seven Deity Transformation cultivators and over a thousand Nascent Soul stage masters." Qingxu Zi's tone was flat yet carried intangible deterrence. "Having heard the mainland suffered a catastrophe, I specially come to inquire. If assistance is needed, the overseas cultivation world is willing to offer aid."
These words were polite, yet whose arrogance could not be heard within them? The implication was that the mainland cultivation world had declined to the point of needing overseas charity.
Mu Qingfeng was about to refute when a calm voice suddenly came from outside the hall:
"Thanks for the concern. Although the mainland suffered a catastrophe, it can still manage its own affairs."
Xiao Qi slowly walked into the hall. He had just emerged from seclusion, his aura still somewhat unstable, yet his Deity Transformation Dao rhythm was already complete. The moment he stepped through the hall's door, the spiritual energy throughout the entire hall rejoiced.
Qingxu Zi's pupils contracted slightly. Clearly he had not expected Xiao Qi to have already broken through to Deity Transformation. He stood to bow: "Congratulations, Alliance Leader Tang, on achieving Deity Transformation."
"Merely by chance." Xiao Qi sat at the main seat, his gaze sweeping over the overseas map. "The foundation of your esteemed sect is indeed impressive."
Qingxu Zi sat down again, his tone considerably more relaxed: "Alliance Leader Tang is too modest. Achieving Deity Transformation at less than a hundred years of age, such a thing has rarely been seen even in our overseas lands."
He changed the topic: "I have heard that mutated demons have appeared on the mainland, even giving Alliance Leader Tang trouble?"
Xiao Qi smiled coldly in his heart. So this was the real business. He replied without revealing anything: "Indeed somewhat troublesome, but still within controllable range."
"My Penglai Immortal Sect has considerable research on demonic energy." Qingxu Zi produced a jade slip. "This is the formula for our sect's Demon Purification Pill. Perhaps it could be useful to the Alliance Leader."
Xiao Qi accepted the jade slip. After his divine sense scanned its contents, he was secretly startled. This Demon Purification Pill's refining technique was indeed exquisite and had remarkable effects against demonic energy. Yet what concerned him more was that one of the main ingredients required in the formula, Heart-Clearing Grass, could only be cultivated on spiritual fields unique to Penglai Immortal Sect.
"I appreciate the kind intentions of your esteemed sect." He pushed the jade slip back. "However, the mainland's demonic energy mutations are occurring too rapidly. This pill's effects are probably limited."
A hint of displeasure flickered in Qingxu Zi's eyes, quickly concealed: "Perhaps the Alliance Leader could try it. Should Heart-Clearing Grass be needed, our sect can supply it at a discount."
The talks concluded in seemingly friendly atmosphere. Qingxu Zi was arranged to rest in the finest guest quarters, yet the pressure he brought made all of Qingxu Temple's high-ranking members feel heavy.
"This is clearly coming to take advantage while we are vulnerable." Mu Qingfeng said with worry. "If we accept their aid, we are probably going to be at their mercy later."
Xiao Qi fiddled with a bottle of Demon Purification Pills Qingxu Zi had left behind, suddenly asking: "What do you all think? Why would the overseas cultivation world choose to visit at this time?"
Zhao Tiezhu said bluntly: "They are definitely seeing we are weakened from the demon calamity and want to take advantage!"
"Not only that." Liu Yun analyzed calmly. "The map he displayed has several areas with abnormally high spiritual energy concentration. They probably discovered some important resources."
Second Senior Brother Luo Feng suddenly said: "I just remembered! One core material needed for the Spiritual Network Plan, Void Nether Stone, is mainly produced overseas!"
Everyone suddenly understood. So Penglai Immortal Sect had set their sights on the mainland's need for massive resources during reconstruction, wanting to use this to control the mainland cultivation world.
"Clever scheme." Xiao Qi coldly laughed. "First show goodwill, then display strength, finally dangle resources we urgently need. If this were an ordinary period, they might really have succeeded."
He stood up, a decisive light flashing in his eyes: "Issue orders, three days later, hold the Alliance Grand Ceremony. I will personally demonstrate the achievements of the Spiritual Network Plan."
"But Sect Master," Luo Feng said worriedly, "the Spiritual Network Plan is still in the testing stage..."
"It is enough." Xiao Qi gazed toward the guest quarters. "We must let the overseas cultivation world know that the mainland is not something they can casually push around."
Three days later, myriads of rosy clouds filled the sky above Qingxu Temple. Under the watchful eyes of representatives from all parties, Xiao Qi activated the initially completed Spiritual Network's core. When countless rays of spiritual energy light pillars rose from various locations, intertwining in the air to form a massive web covering the entire mainland, everyone was shocked.
Qingxu Zi stood on the observation platform, his expression shifting uncertainly. He had originally thought the mainland cultivation world had declined, never expecting them to still produce such astonishing technology.
After the ceremony concluded, he once more requested an audience with Xiao Qi, his tone much more respectful: "Alliance Leader Tang, my sect is willing to exchange Void Nether Stone for Spiritual Network technology..."
Xiao Qi smiled and shook his head: "The Spiritual Network is the mainland's foundation and not convenient to share externally. However, we can exchange other technologies for Void Nether Stone."
This time, it was Qingxu Zi's turn to fall into contemplation. He realized that this young mainland Alliance Leader was far more difficult to deal with than he had imagined.
The game between overseas and mainland had just begun. And Xiao Qi knew he must, within this game, secure sufficient development space for the mainland. Otherwise, after the demon calamity, the mainland might again face erosion from overseas forces.
This road was destined to not be smooth.