In essence, Elder Cang Jing intended to softly detain Wu Si and the others as a punishment for their "unorthodox behavior."

It might sound unreasonable, but where in the world is there always reason to be found?

In the adult world, one must learn to pay the price for their recklessness.

The True Immortal of Chess Sect, very astute in knowing when to advance or retreat, realized he couldn’t leave and admitted, "Elder Cang Jing, but I do not practice artifact refining."

"You can lecture; Chess Sect has its own teachings," Elder Cang Jing casually replied. "Of course, you can also contact the elders of Chess Sect to bring you away from Xuanshui Sect."

Upon hearing this, everyone’s expressions changed again: Was this a sign of a fallout with Chess Sect? Xuanshui Sect supporting Feng Jun, supporting him to such an extent?

Yet Elder Cang Jing remained unmoved; she was Yi Jue’s confidante and knew the unease between Chess Sect’s Yitian and Feng Jun, and that Lingmu Sect’s True Immortal Rongyang had unresolved issues, making the probability of Feng Jun clashing against Chess Sect rather high.

Her current stance actually represented Feng Jun’s interests; even if Chess Sect was somewhat displeased, the two sides were far from a complete fallout. However, should Chess Sect confront Feng Jun, Xuanshui Sect would have a reason to intervene.

True Immortal Qing Ji was not to be outdone, addressing Wu Si, "You can also contact Artifact Refining Path, let your elder find me, Qing Ji, to demand your release!"

Her attitude was more straightforward because Artifact Refining Path had demands on Jinwu, and they interacted frequently; compared to this, Jinwu Subordinates seldom sought Artifact Refining Path.

She was acquainted with several elders of Artifact Refining Path, especially Elder Lan Wen whom True Immortal Wu Si mentioned; they struck a deal through conflict.

"Forget it," the Nascent Soul cultivator from Chess Sect conceded first, dejectedly saying, "Having an elder come, it’s truly humiliating, and I cannot bear responsibility for affecting relations between the two sects. Let’s stay for ten years... please, Elder Cang Jing, lock the news."

He proactively requested Xuanshui Sect to conceal the real cause.

To say that Chess Sect members are adept in strategy is no exaggeration; their ability to perceive the larger picture far exceeds that of ordinary people.

Seeing him concede, True Immortal Wu Si could only agree; he did not dare invite elders from his sect to rescue him, otherwise, even if he could return, Elder Lan Wen would never forgive him.

However, he had other requests, waiting a moment, he cautiously stated, "If I am to engage in artifact refining, it will deplete my vitality. As for this... Elder Cang Jing?"

"We invite you to refine artifacts; of course, we would pay you," Elder Cang Jing rolled her eyes, replying irritably, "Xuanshui Sect wants to protect you, not detain you and then make you work for free! Any other issues?"

"No... no more," True Immortal Wu Si shook his head, then sighed deeply; I merely wanted to buy some materials, how did I end up being detained?

After they wrapped things up, Jing Quan also contacted his comrades; before long, three True Immortals and seven or eight Golden Core cultivators arrived swiftly, led by True Immortal Chaoshen who was responsible for the entire Ice Plate, possessing cultivation at Nascent Soul Fifth Level.

Don’t underestimate a sector head as only at the Nascent Soul Middle Phase, but in the entire Ice Plains, Taixu Sect had at least ten Nascent Souls, echoing the adage, the more peripheral the sector, the more adept individuals abound.

The Ice Plate was indeed quite peripheral, bordering on the urban-rural juncture, so although Nascent Souls were plentiful, the majority were at Nascent Soul Initial Stage; True Immortal Chaoshen was indeed considered notable.

Upon arrival, he first met Senior Brother Jing Quan, then approached Elder Cang Jing, courteously gestured, "Greetings, Elder Cang Jing and Elder Qing Ji, and fellow Taoist friends from Xuanshui Sect... This must be Mountain Master Feng Jun, I have heard much about you."

He had actually met Feng Jun before; last time Feng Jun was attacked, it was Chaoshen who investigated, although that prior interaction was far less courteous than this time.

His courtesy had a reason: Feng Jun and Yi Jue caused upheaval in Lingmu Sect, though the spotlight moments were mainly Yi Jue’s solo performances, Feng Jun’s prior provocations and subsequent entry into the Void, coupled with possession of the Speculator, were enough to draw attention.

However, for True Immortal Chaoshen, the key realization was understanding the genuine rapport between Feng Jun and Yi Jue as rumored.

The last time Feng Jun was attacked in the Ice Plains, Yi Jue was indeed present, but to ensure the success of the baiting strategy, she concealed herself post-battle; thus, Chaoshen only knew that Jinwu and Xuanshui had intervened.

This time, aware of Feng Jun and Yi Jue’s bond, he naturally showed considerable courtesy.

One must admit, Immortal Yi Jue was undeniably a figure who defined an era of the entire Taixu Sect; all her contemporaries in Taixu Sect were part of her backdrop, and these backdrop members bore no resentment, instead taking pride in existing within her era.

After the formalities, True Immortal Chaoshen raised the main topic, seeking to understand the situation regarding this Spirit Stone Mine.

Xuanshui Sect had made preparations while excavating the Spirit Stones.

Thus, they provided relevant documentation, explaining how the Spirit Stone Mine was discovered and how they intended to mine it, emphasizing that it was a fortuitous find by Xuanshui, and that the mine’s location lay in a region with indisputable ownership.

Witnesses were certainly present, besides Feng Jun and the True Immortal from the Jinwu Sect, there was even Wanhuan Sect’s Ouyang Beishan, as for Immortal Yi Jue, she was also brought up this time— the fishing operation had long ended, naturally, it could be declassified now.

The True Immortal Chaosheng saw this series of materials and evidence, and his expression wasn’t very pleasant.

Then, he learned about the general estimate of the Spirit Stone Mine, he heard it was just a small Spirit Stone Mine, and the probability of Upper Spirit Stones isn’t very high, his expression improved slightly, and then he dispatched his Golden Core subordinates to investigate the mine.

The Xuanshui Sect also showed face and let them in—after all, they are the nominal owners of the Ice Plate.

When the Golden Cores reported back that the mine corresponded with the estimates, the True Immortal Chaosheng fell into contemplation.

After quite a while, he struggled to speak, "Elder Cang Jing, the previous extraction can pass, but now that my Taixu Sect knows there’s a Spirit Stone Mine here, we can’t allow you to dig freely, we want to exercise plate sovereignty!"

"This land was purchased by my Xuanshui Sect, there is no issue of plate sovereignty!" Immortal Cang Jing replied without hesitation.

She felt the other’s reaction wasn’t too strong, but she still wanted to argue on principles, "Xuanshui and Taixu are both among the seven big sects, they are equal sects, the reason I spent Spirit Stones to buy land was respecting your Taixu’s sovereignty, but you should also respect my rights on this land!"

"That’s what is said, but things aren’t really done that way," the True Immortal Chaosheng responded with a bitter smile, "Anyway, this Ice Plain is within my Taixu’s sphere of influence, even if just showing some regard to Taixu, you must pay some management fee."

"Otherwise, everyone will follow suit, how can my Taixu effectively manage?"

"Everyone? Where are all these others?" Elder Cang Jing sneered, "Only the other six sects can talk on equal terms with Taixu; within this Ice Plain, which mere secret realm clan is fit to talk equality with Taixu? Who has the standing to challenge my Xuanshui Sect?"

"That’s what is said, but... my Taixu also has to save face," the True Immortal Chaosheng had no choice but to continue his bitter smile, "Before I came, I consulted with the sect’s elders; the Spirit Stone Mine within Taixu’s territory, yet we cannot take a stake, this is truly humiliating."

Want to invest? Elder Cang Jing pondered, to be honest, the reaction of True Immortal Chaosheng today was somewhat unexpected to her—not overwhelmingly strong as surprising, but... too weak!

When Feng Jun revealed the Spirit Stone Mine’s news, he had analyzed what psychology Taixu Sect would have upon knowing the Spirit Stone Mine was here—whether Taixu would feel slapped, or suspect Xuanshui Sect first discovered the Spirit Stone Mine and then set a trap.

Feng Jun speculated a lot, even considered himself the most suitable discoverer of the Spirit Stone Mine, hence insisting on a yuan water embryo.

Elder Cang Jing wasn’t easily deceived; she’s seen a lot in her years, what hasn’t she experienced?

She placed herself in Taixu Sect’s perspective and felt Feng Jun’s thought process was entirely reasonable and logical.

The Xuanshui Sect disciples specifically prepared a vast amount of material and evidence to prevent Taixu Sect from discovering the Spirit Stone Mine one day and negotiating with them.

Yet today, the Spirit Stone Mine was exposed, but it seems... True Immortal Chaosheng doesn’t want to overly pursue this?

Am I still being fooled by Feng Jun? Such a thought couldn’t help but flash through Elder Cang Jing’s mind, for she had heard True Immortal Chaosheng, as the guardian of the fringe plate, isn’t an easy person to deal with.

However, she quickly realized a fact: when Feng Jun revealed the location of the Spirit Stone Mine, the situation now cannot be compared with that time!

During this process, Feng Jun and Yi Jue made a big uproar in Lingmu, not only did Iron Bone, Transpatial Vine, and Dragon Scale Tree die, but they also captured three True Immortals, slew a Nascent Soul stage tree demon, and even broke into Iron Bone’s cave mansion within the forbidden land, seizing the Speculator.

In the end, they returned from the Void, truly drawing countless eyes.

Even though Feng Jun and Yi Jue only held dry shares in the Spirit Stone Mine, could the reactions of the True Immortal Chaosheng four months ago facing such a situation be the same as facing the same situation now?

Four months ago, those speculations were likely to happen, but now, ultimately, it is different.

Thus, the True Immortal Chaosheng can only choose to smile bitterly for now.

After all, choosing the right person is indeed important, Elder Cang Jing secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

In truth, she didn’t want to push Taixu too far for a simple reason; what if Xuanshui Sect encounters similar issues in the future? So she pondered a bit and stated, "Actually, we are also willing to respect Taixu’s sovereignty over fundamental resources when extracting this Spirit Stone Mine."

Fundamental resources refer to basic resources, including but not limited to Spirit Stones, which are monopolized as strategic resources by major powers.

The Fire Embryo within Jinwu Sect’s territory is similar, even if you dig it up on your own land, you can only use it for self-cultivation, otherwise sell it to Jinwu Sect, if you want to take it out for a high price sale... sorry, you must register at Jinwu and pay a hefty passage fee.

(Update completed, summon monthly ticket.)