Chapter 1291: Opportunity
Chapter 1291: Opportunity
Only Qin Sang, Jingyu, Elder Ji of Tianxing Alliance, and Cangqing, a trusted aide of Devil Lord Tongyou had come on this trip.
The output of these mining veins was quite valuable, and the Two-Domain Alliance attached great importance to them. Qingjun sent Qin Sang personally, which naturally meant he would have a chance to claim a share. This would benefit the future development of his sect.
The recovery of the southern foothills of Tianxing Highland had been a joint effort of Tianxing Alliance and Small Cold Domain. Qin Sang had always acted in step with Qingjun, and their interests were something Daoist Master Zhenyi and Devil Lord Tongyou had to take into account.
As the saying went, destruction came before rebuilding. The spoils of war could not simply be returned to their original owners. They had to be redistributed according to merit. This was the opportunity for Qin Sang and Qingyang Temple.
Qingjun herself showed little interest in such matters, but she knew Qin Sang intended to establish a sect, so she did her best to secure benefits for him.
"The fragrance of green grass... I have not breathed in the refreshing scent of the plains in a long time." Elder Ji drew a deep breath and showed a nostalgic expression.
Cangqing smiled. "Those Spiritual Infant old ghosts were all cunning and valued their lives greatly. But during the retreat, the low-tier cultivators of Sin Abyss did not have so many means to escape. Their casualties were immense. After this battle, the foundation of Sin Abyss was shaken, and their losses were devastating. Their vital energy suffered a great blow. For the next hundred years, they will likely remain confined to their lair and lack the strength to stir up trouble. During that time, you can roam freely across the wilderness."
"To be honest with you, at one point, I thought we could not hold Tianxing City and would end up like stray dogs," Elder Ji said with deep emotion. As he looked at the surrounding landscape, it felt both unfamiliar and familiar at the same time.
The war, which had dragged on intermittently for two hundred years, had changed too many things.
"Daoist Qin," Elder Ji suddenly turned his head and asked, "I heard that several of your disciples are also outstanding young talents, yet they call themselves disciples of Qingyang Temple. You must be planning to establish a sect. Have you decided where to place Qingyang Temple?"
Qin Sang paused at the sudden question, then understood. With a faint smile, he said, "The top-tier spirit veins of Beichen Realm all have owners. Even if I wished to found a sect, I lack the means."
"That's nothing difficult!" Elder Ji’s eyes lit up. "You personally recovered the southern foothills of Tianxing Highland, so you must have seen that several top-tier spirit veins are there. The sects originally built on those veins were either driven away by Sin Abyss or, more tragically, massacred almost to extinction. If you are willing, I will report this matter to Daoist Master. You have rendered great merit. Compared to your contributions, what is a mere spirit vein? If any descendants of those sects remain, I can mediate on your behalf. The cultivators of Tianxing Alliance all understand righteousness. As long as you agree to offer them some protection in the future or accept them as disciples, they will gladly agree."
As he spoke, Elder Ji’s gaze subtly drifted toward Jingyu. Both domains of the Two-Domain Alliance had already learned of Jingyu’s origins.
This demon king’s strength was equally unfathomable. Even during her time in seclusion in Endless Valley, she had already gained a fierce reputation.
What shocked them even more was that ever since the battle of Shuangjing Mountain, Jingyu had remained by Qin Sang’s side almost constantly, never leaving even a step, as if she regarded him as her leader.
It should be known that after the Two-Domain Alliance launched its counterattack, the Feathered King had ordered the Heavenly Demon Hill to withdraw and remain neutral. Even when the Two-Domain Alliance offered great rewards, they could not invite a single demon king.
This led many to speculate about the relationship between them.
Qin Sang’s close association with Qingjun was widely known. Dongyang Bo had even publicly revealed that the mysterious beauty Chenyan, who appeared briefly in the past, seemed to have deep ties with Qin Sang.
Because of this, some people envied Qin Sang’s charm, claiming it was so great that even female demons were captivated by him.
The bolder ones suspected Jingyu had already been subdued as his spirit beast. More reasonable guesses linked it to the battle at Blood Lake, believing Jingyu sought to repay a debt of gratitude.
In any case, their bond was clearly profound. If Qin Sang could be persuaded to establish a sect in Tianxing Highland, it would not be just him they would gain.
"All Daoists of Tianxing Alliance would warmly welcome Daoist Qin." Elder Ji spoke with hidden meaning.
Seeing Elder Ji openly attempt to win over Qin Sang, Cangqing’s expression stiffened. He felt a surge of irritation, but the enmity between Dongyang Bo and Qin Sang could not be resolved, which gave others an opening.
Cangqing snorted coldly. "Sin Abyss is ambitious. One day, they will surely make a comeback. Tianxing Highland is not a good choice. It carries the risk of being dragged into war again. Small Cold Domain may be smaller, but it can easily accommodate Qingyang Temple, and it can also support each other with the Yuanshen Sect. Some sects inherited the legacy of their ancestors, but in truth, they were already hollow inside and contributed nothing in this great war. Natural treasures belong to those with virtue, and the same applies to spirit veins!"
Qin Sang appeared to be weighing his options and did not state his position, skillfully steering the conversation away.
Seeing Qin Sang remain vague, Elder Ji changed his tone. He looked at the murderous Cangqing and said calmly, "Daoist Cangqing, what do you think of the future situation? Is it still necessary for Small Cold Domain and Tianxing Alliance to remain so clearly divided?"
Cangqing paused and fell into thought.
Qin Sang felt slightly surprised. "Is this Daoist Master’s intention?"
Elder Ji neither confirmed nor denied it and continued, "Small Cold Domain and Tianxing Alliance were originally one entity. Later, for various reasons, they split apart, creating estrangement and even hostility. Over the years, we fought together against Sin Abyss, sharing the same enemy. The cultivators of both regions have cooperated closely and grown familiar with each other. This is the best time to resolve past grievances. I have long held this thought, but the war was urgent, so I kept it to myself."
Qin Sang remained silent. This matter carried great implications, and he could not express his stance lightly. He would need to discuss it with his senior sister.
However, if the two domains could set aside their differences, his senior sister would likely welcome it. Her goal had always been simple. She only wished to prevent Small Cold Domain from falling.
Cangqing let out a cold laugh. "Elder Ji, you speak lightly. If the two domains merge, Tianxing Alliance would gain a share of Ancient Immortal Battlefield without effort. What benefit would we receive? And afterward, would Tianxing Alliance listen to the Small Cold Domain, or would Small Cold Domain listen to the Tianxing Alliance?"
Facing the questioning, Elder Ji remained calm. "All of that can be negotiated! I believe that as long as everyone is willing, we can reach an arrangement that satisfies all parties."
After that, Cangqing fell silent, and Elder Ji stopped pressing the matter. As they spoke, the group had already flown several thousand li across the wilderness.
The white cloud suddenly halted in mid-air. Elder Ji took out a geomantic map, compared it, and pointed toward the northeast. "Not far ahead lies the Secret Brilliance Stone Mine. Its value is second only to the largest spirit stone mine. The Spiritual Infant cultivator of Sin Abyss guarding it is well aware of the principle of having more than one string to their bow. Even our insider could not locate his cave dwelling. Be prepared. We may have a chance to ambush and kill him here!"
"Alright!" The group activated their astras, quietly left the cloud, and with a flicker, vanished into the shadows.