Within the Welcome Pavilion of the Penglai Immortal Sect, seventy-two water mirrors floated suspended in the air, reflecting the solemn faces of overseas sect representatives. Tang Xiaoqi sat at the main seat in his true form. His spiritual sense avatar's impressive display at the Discussion of Dao Assembly had compelled these overseas cultivators—usually arrogant toward outsiders—to reassess this young mainland Alliance Leader.
Xuanji True Person spoke first, his tone considerably more respectful than before: "Alliance Leader Tang, your divine might is extraordinary. Today you've truly broadened our horizons. May I ask what your views are on the relationship between overseas and mainland?"
Xiao Qi's gaze swept across the representatives in the water mirrors as he slowly spoke: "The demonic calamity is a common enemy of all three realms. There should be no distinction between overseas and mainland. Today I've invited everyone here to discuss cooperation against the demons."
"Cooperation?" A sharp voice emerged from one of the water mirrors—it was the Spirit Turtle Island Master. "But may I ask, Alliance Leader Tang, what kind of cooperation do you desire?"
Xiao Qi answered with a counter-question: "Do you all know why the overseas cultivation world was able to escape this demonic tribulation?"
This question left everyone present momentarily stunned. Indeed, the mainland cultivation world had suffered devastating losses during the demonic tribulation, while the overseas regions were almost completely unaffected.
"Because of distance?" someone guessed.
"No." Xiao Qi shook his head. "It's because the cultivation techniques practiced in the overseas world differ from those on the mainland."
He produced a jade slip, gently pushed it forward, and the slip transformed into countless light particles in the air, displaying a comparison showing the differences between mainland and overseas cultivation methods.
"Overseas cultivation techniques lean toward the yin aspect, focusing on spiritual sense cultivation; mainland techniques lean toward the yang aspect, emphasizing the accumulation of spiritual power." Xiao Qi pointed at the light particles. "This is precisely why demonic energy cannot run rampant in overseas regions—demonic energy is utterly yin and evil, most sensitive to yang spiritual power."
The overseas cultivators exchanged bewildered glances. This analysis had never occurred to them.
"So," Xiao Qi continued, "if we could integrate the two types of cultivation techniques, perhaps we could find more effective methods to combat demonic energy."
A sharp light flickered in Xuanji True Person's eyes: "Alliance Leader Tang, you mean... technique sharing?"
"Not just techniques." Xiao Qi produced several more items. "Also resources, technology, intelligence... comprehensive cooperation."
The items he displayed drew eager attention from the overseas cultivators: purification talismans specially crafted by Qingxu Temple, models of the Spirit-Demon Engine developed by Second Senior Brother, and jade slips recording the characteristics of various mutated demons. These were all things desperately needed overseas.
"What do you need from us?" the Spirit Turtle Island Master asked directly.
Xiao Qi didn't beat around the bush: "Void Spirit Stone, Deep Sea Mysterious Iron, Ten Thousand Year Coral... these overseas specialties are all urgently needed materials for mainland reconstruction. Additionally, we hope to establish several observation points overseas to monitor demonic energy movements."
This demand was not excessive—in fact, it was quite restrained. The overseas cultivators exchanged glances, all weighing the pros and cons.
"We can provide these materials." Xuanji True Person finally stated. "But we hope the mainland can also open several secret realms for overseas disciples to train in."
"Agreed." Xiao Qi readily accepted. "But they must follow mainland rules."
Over the next three days, both sides conducted detailed negotiations on the specific terms of the pact. The negotiation skills Xiao Qi displayed impressed the overseas cultivators greatly. He could stand firm on matters of principle while making appropriate concessions on details. The final "Overseas Alliance Pact" satisfied both parties.
The main contents of the pact included:
First, establishing a regular exchange mechanism between overseas and mainland, with a Discussion of Dao Assembly held every ten years;
Second, opening thirty-six trade ports, reducing tariffs, and promoting resource circulation;
Third, establishing a Joint Research Institute to jointly research methods against demonic energy;
Fourth, sharing demonic energy monitoring data and establishing early warning mechanisms;
Fifth, exchanging disciples for mutual study and learning...
The pact signing ceremony was held in the Ancestor's Hall of Penglai Immortal Sect. When Xiao Qi and Xuanji True Person left their spiritual sense imprints on the pact together, auspicious clouds gathered in the sky and faint celestial music drifted down—this was a sign that Heaven acknowledged the pact.
"The pact is sealed." Xuanji True Person sighed with emotion. "From now on, overseas and mainland shall work together with one heart to resist the demonic calamity."
Xiao Qi nodded: "Let's hope so."
After the ceremony, the first batch of overseas materials was transported to the mainland via transmission arrays. The arrival of these resources greatly eased the pressure of mainland reconstruction. Even more precious were the various new technologies brought from overseas: exquisite artifact refining techniques, unique alchemy formulas, and several ancient formation methods long lost to the mainland...
At the same time, the mainland exported demonic energy purification technology to overseas regions. After the Spirit-Demon Engines were installed on various overseas islands, they effectively curbed the spread of demonic energy, making the overseas cultivators look at the mainland's technological prowess with newfound respect.
The most delightful change came from the exchange of cultivation techniques. After mainland cultivators borrowed overseas spiritual sense cultivation methods, their control over spiritual power became more refined; overseas cultivators, after learning mainland body-tempering techniques, saw their physical strength increase significantly. Both sides benefited greatly from the exchange.
Three months later, the first Joint Research Institute was established on Penglai Island. Xiao Qi served as honorary dean, Xuanji True Person as executive dean, gathering the top talents from both overseas and mainland. Their first research topic was how to completely purify land corrupted by demonic energy.
"With overseas technology support, the Spiritual Web Plan can be accelerated by thirty percent." Second Senior Brother Luo Feng reported excitedly. "The Void Spirit Stone, in particular, solved the critical problem of spatial stability."
But Xiao Qi reminded him: "Cooperation is cooperation, but core technologies must remain in our own hands."
He clearly understood that the cooperation between overseas and mainland was built on a foundation of equal strength. If the mainland showed weakness, overseas forces would likely become overbearing.
Indeed, during the course of cooperation, some discordant voices also appeared.
"Alliance Leader, some overseas sects are privately researching military applications of the Spirit-Demon Engine." Mu Qingfeng reported. "They want to transform it into an offensive magical artifact."
Xiao Qi coldly smiled: "Cancel all cooperation with Lingxiao Pavilion and publicize their behavior."
This decision made the various overseas factions considerably. They realized this young Alliance Leader was not only powerful but also quite shrewd in his methods.
As time passed, overseas and mainland cooperation grew deeper and more fruitful. Both sides made progress not only in combating demonic energy but also achieved abundant results in other fields. The mainland introduced overseas spiritual plant cultivation techniques; overseas learned mainland formation methods...
A year later, when Xiao Qi stepped onto Penglai Island again, he sensed an entirely different atmosphere from before. The overseas cultivators no longer looked at him with condescending eyes but with genuine respect and a cooperative attitude.
"Alliance Leader Tang," Xuanji True Person greeted him personally, "the Joint Research Institute has achieved a breakthrough in purification technology. We'd like you to come and provide guidance."
Xiao Qi smiled and nodded. He knew that although this path of cooperation was bumpy, it was indeed the right choice. Only when overseas and mainland truly joined hands could they face the greater crises that might emerge in the future.
And in the depths of the distant Demon Abyss, the demonic entity also sensed this change. It roared with rage, yet could do nothing. The alliance between overseas and mainland had completely deprived it of the chance to defeat them one by one.
This cross-ocean cooperation was quietly changing the dynamics of the three realms.