Elder Qing Ji really doesn’t take several Nascent Soul Initial Stage cultivators seriously. Presently, with Jinwu, Taixu, and Xuanshui Sect present, numbering in double digits of True Immortals and three Nascent Soul Initial Stage cultivators, can they really overturn the heavens?

She glanced at Xia Nichang, "Nichang, I’ll leave this matter to you, alright? Consider it your trial in forming a Nascent Soul."

True Immortal Jing Quan narrowed his eyes, carefully assessing Xia Nichang — is this the newly ascended True Immortal from Jinwu?

"Trial..." Xia Nichang frowned with distress, "To evaluate these three, I don’t have any acquaintances in Jinwu."

"I’ll arrange it," Feng Jun spoke calmly. She was not only a fellow from Kunhao but also a True Immortal he had deduced through his own maneuvering, certainly he would provide cover for her, "When the time comes, find Wu Nan, or if that doesn’t work, seek Elder Qinghuang."

"Hey, hey, is that your place to decide?" Elder Qing Ji laughed, "After all, I’m an Elder of Jinwu too."

"Then let’s consider this matter settled." Jing Quan saw that his goodwill was not only acknowledged but subtly managed by the opposition; he needed to steer away from this topic yet was not in a position to urge the matter of deduction, "Elder Cang Jing, what kind of mine is this?"

Elder Cang Jing sighed at him and hummed lightly, "Spirit Stone Mine."

This was something that would inevitably come to light, and being one of the esteemed seven sects, Xuanshui Sect couldn’t afford to be petty.

While Jing Quan listened to their conversation, he contemplated the Spirit Stone Mine issue. He was rather knowledgeable about the Xuanshui Sect Branch on the Ice Plate, considering the larger situation. However, specifics on how resources in the Ice Plate were distributed were unknown to him.

Regardless, he also knew that the Ice Plate counted as being within Taixu’s influence range, thus he raised an eyebrow, "With regards to the Spirit Stone Mine... can Xuanshui Sect independently exploit it, or has there been cooperation with Taixu, unbeknownst to me?"

The latter part of his question was purely an expression of goodwill, as he instinctively knew it had nothing to do with Taixu Sect.

It wasn’t that he had close relationships with fellow cultivators in the Ice Plains and could ascertain that nothing was reported to Taixu — information about ordinary Spirit Stone mines was of little interest to him, but he surmised this because no Taixu member had stood up to greet.

Thus, from his perspective, there was a suspicion of unauthorized mining on their part, but as someone with understanding, he wouldn’t hastily impose accusations.

Yet hearing him ask this, Elder Cang Jing did not agree, she answered seriously, "The land here was purchased by my Xuanshui Sect from Taixu, and any mineral deposits that appear are our personal affairs. If you have doubts, you can inquire at Taixu Sect."

"Why wouldn’t I believe you," True Immortal Jing Quan smiled, despite his extensive understanding of various matters, he was unfamiliar with mining development and wasn’t keen on finding out more — there were True Immortals from Taixu responsible for this, why should he meddle?

Thus he enthusiastically indicated, "If you wish to communicate with Taixu, I can facilitate introductions."

True Immortal Cang Jing studied him briefly, pondering: Is it appropriate to let him help?

Actually, Taixu and Xuanshui Sect disciples on the Ice Plate are more familiar with each other, many having connections, thus introductions weren’t necessary usually.

However, this matter carried an impropriety, notably the fact that Xuanshui Sect discovered the Spirit Stone Mine. Even permanent Taixu cultivators in the Ice Plains would not speak in favor of Xuanshui Sect due to avoiding suspicion.

Otherwise, people might suspect connections: How much benefit did you receive from Xuanshui Sect to speak for them?

Considering this, a Taixu True Immortal from elsewhere was a more suitable spokesperson, and this individual seemingly was seeking something from Feng Jun and had good relations with Immortal Yi Jue, suggesting reliability.

She nodded slowly, "Then do trouble you, fellow cultivator, to inform Taixu Sect... The land Xuanshui Sect purchased was agreed by both parties, not just a unilateral demand from us."

She had worked hard for this Spirit Stone Mine, even verifying the details of the initial purchase.

This was settled between two out-of-body True Sages from Xuanshui and Taixu, a meeting just requiring a word akin to:

— Little Zhang, your newly developed Ice Plate is quite suitable for Xuanshui Sect’s expansion, could you allocate a plot?

— Then sure, allocate a plot, it’s no big deal, let people handle it below, but Old Li, the youngsters too have it tough; can’t just gift you the land, else they might talk behind my back as their ancestor.

The land purchase process encountered some twists; Xuanshui Sect picked the most suitable plot for their development, but Taixu Sect refused — claiming members of Taixu with Ice attributes also needed cultivation resources reserved.

Thus, the plot Xuanshui Sect currently holds indeed came from negotiations between the two parties.

Jing Quan nodded, signalling his understanding that this type of issue wasn’t really disputable — Xuanshui City buying land from Taixu would intrinsically require Taixu’s approval, their owner’s stance being paramount.

What he cared about more were the details of the operation—smart people are like this, "Do you think it’s better to inform the local people or directly notify the headquarters?"

Cang Jing, the True Immortal, pondered for a while. The person in charge of the Ice Plate Taixu Sect was also at the Nascent Soul Middle Phase, but the True Immortal beside her spoke, "Then inform the locals. If someone from headquarters comes to investigate without the locals knowing about the Spirit Stone mine, that seems inappropriate."

Jing Quan had the same intention. However, if Xuanshui Sect really insisted on contacting Taixu headquarters, he would comply, because this would mean that the local Taixu people had already displeased the Xuanshui Sect, and informing the locals might quickly escalate the conflict.

"Alright," he nodded with a smile and then asked, "Is there anything else to add?"

Cang Jing, the True Immortal, blinked and spoke solemnly, "Daoist Yi Jue has shares in this mine."

"Hmm?" Jing Quan was noticeably taken aback before nodding with a smile, "Okay, got it... anything else to add?"

"I have shares too," Feng Jun replied solemnly. Since he had shares, he had to take responsibility. "I deduced this mine, back in the time when Ouyang Beishan set an ambush."

Jing Quan was initially puzzled, thinking that regardless of Feng Jun’s deduction skills or reputation, he shouldn’t forcibly seize Xuanshui’s shares. But upon hearing that he had deduced the Spirit Stone mine, he suddenly understood: so that’s how it is.

Elder Qing Ji saw Feng Jun standing up, so she couldn’t remain silent, "At that time, two Nascent Soul disciples were ordered to protect Mountain Master Feng, so they also got some shares."

"Hmm?" Jing Quan was surprised upon hearing this and then laughed, "So only my Taixu people don’t have shares?"

Knowing that he was joking, everyone was inevitably a bit embarrassed upon hearing this, but Feng Jun reacted quickly, "Jing Quan, are you completely banishing Immortal Yi Jue with that?"

Jing Quan, the True Immortal, shook his head with a helpless smile, "Alright, I’ll contact the fellow sect members, should have a reply soon."

He walked to the side, and Elder Cang Jing had someone ’invite’ the three Nascent Soul Initial Stages over, "Please briefly introduce yourselves. There was a battle here recently, so it’s best everyone be honest to avoid misunderstanding."

The three reported their identities; two were from the Artifact Refining Path and one from the Chess Sect. To confirm they weren’t lying, Feng Jun was on the side checking his mobile phone.

But instead of going to White Pebble Beach, these three pursued Feng Jun to buy Void Material. This situation made it hard for people to believe that they had no malicious intent, yet, judging by their strength, they seemed incapable of anything too outrageous.

It’s hard to pinpoint a standard of judgment for their malicious intent, so these three... are difficult to handle.

However, such matters didn’t trouble seasoned Cang Jing; she straightforwardly stated, "You’ve repeatedly attacked Mountain Master Feng; even though you could approach directly to find someone, you’re instead following him, which easily leads to misunderstandings... you can’t deny this, can you?"

The three of them certainly couldn’t deny it; indeed, they had imagined ’pressuring Feng Jun for his inventory,’ but Wu Si considered his request legitimate, taking some risks was worthwhile.

Seeing no disagreement from the three, Cang Jing announced, "To prevent others from inquiring you about Feng Jun’s whereabouts again, my Xuanshui Sect decides to keep you as guests while our disciples continue refining some Magical Treasures and True Artifacts, for ten years..."

Wu Si, the True Immortal’s expression, instantly darkened, "Elder Cang Jing is planning to detain us?"

"For someone so young, your words are really unpleasant," Elder Cang Jing glanced at him and spoke righteously, "I’m protecting you. If I release the news of you following Mountain Master Feng, guess what... how many people would come for you?"

"Mountain Master Feng has treasures that would tempt many, but he also has many seeking his help," Elder Qing Ji spoke softly, "Jing Quan just said earlier, ’kill one to save one,’ that’s his principle..."

Xia Nichang also spoke, "Do you know how many people were killed in the Kunhao Realm just to seek Mountain Master Feng’s assistance?"

Elder Cang Jing leisurely added, "Don’t just focus on the Speculator and Void Material; he also helped my Xuanshui Sect uncover a Spirit Stone mine."

Wu Si, the True Immortal’s face turned a shade of blue and white, struggling to respond, "The Speculator... we wouldn’t dare covet it."

"Haha," several True Immortals chuckled disdainfully, not bothering to argue—it’s pointless.

The True Immortal from the Chess Sect knew arguing was meaningless, so he spoke seriously, "I appreciate Elder Cang Jing’s protective intent, but I’m unwilling to do artifact refining and wish to assume responsibility for my own fate... would that allow me to leave?"

"Of course," it wasn’t Cang Jing who spoke, but Feng Jun. He stared at him emotionlessly and stated, "Before leaving, please leave a statement saying it was your insistence to leave; should anything happen, it’s unrelated to us!"

The True Immortal remained silent, fully understanding that if he really left a statement, the chance of something happening wasn’t ’if’ but ’certainly.’

As for who would certainly act—does that even need asking?