"This is unfair."

Upon hearing these words, the two Core Formation Elders from Profound Sand Valley exchanged glances.

They thought that Profound Sand True Monarch was referring to the previous deal with Qi Chuan.

"Thirty percent higher in price, how is that unfair?"

"Could it be that the Supreme Elder feels the price is still too low?"

...

Meanwhile.

In another direction, within the Cave Mansion of the Flame Sect’s Supreme Elder, not far from the Shaheng Mountain Range.

"Have you figured it out? What was that disturbance from the Shaheng Mountain Range just now?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Nong Yan True Monarch’s expression was somewhat unpleasant, eyes fixed on the Core Formation Elders in front of him.

"Reporting to Supreme Elder, according to transmissions from our spies among the disciples of Profound Sand Valley, the massive disturbance happened on a high peak in the Shaheng Mountain Range, where it should be the location of Profound Sand True Monarch’s Cave Mansion, making it hard to investigate. Therefore, even they didn’t know much."

A Core Formation Elder clasped his hands and said.

"Profound Sand’s Cave Mansion over there? How could it be?"

"How could such a massive noise be caused by Profound Sand within the Cave Mansion? Alchemy and Talisman Making explosions shouldn’t have that much power, unless the Array covering the Cave Mansion was blown, then maybe!"

"But you’re telling me, could Profound Sand’s Cave Mansion have been blown up?"

Nong Yan True Monarch said with a gloomy face.

"This... seems unlikely..."

The Core Formation Elders exchanged another glance, all bowing their heads and speaking quietly.

To say Profound Sand True Monarch’s Cave Mansion was blown up, it would have to be a sudden attack by a powerful external enemy.

However, according to their investigation, apart from that massive noise, there seemed to be no unusual movements at the Shaheng Mountain Range.

If it were a magical combat between Nascent Soul True Monarchs, how could it be so quiet?

And if an assailant had the strength of Core Formation, it wouldn’t be possible to disturb Profound Sand True Monarch’s Cave Mansion.

Thus, the cause of this event remains an unresolved mystery.

"What on earth is that Profound Sand up to? Could he be up to something sinister?"

Failing to get answers, Nong Yan True Monarch raised his eyes, gazing in the direction of the Shaheng Mountain Range, pondering with some unease.

Originally, he was already unhappy that Profound Sand True Monarch had unexpectedly obtained such a High Tier Spirit Ore Vein.

Especially, Flame Sect previously had quite a chance to seize this High Tier Spirit Ore Vein, only to miss the opportunity due to carelessness.

Afterward, Profound Sand True Monarch directly descended upon the Shaheng Mountain Range, stationed there, making it so that, even if Nong Yan True Monarch went personally, there wasn’t much he could do to get that High Tier Spirit Ore Vein.

He had been troubled by this lately.

Now, such a strange incident had occurred, leaving him inwardly uncertain.

"Investigate further," he instructed the Core Formation Elders.

"Yes!"

The Core Formation Elders took their orders and left.

"If further investigation still yields no results, this High Tier Spirit Ore Vein, as reluctant as I am, can only be abandoned..."

"Or, while Profound Sand keeps his focus here, find opportunities elsewhere..."

Nong Yan True Monarch’s eyes glowed uncertainly.

The enmity between Profound Sand Valley and Flame Sect was deep and unresolvable.

If one plan doesn’t work, another is devised.

...

Whish! Whish!

In the void, two escape lights flew by swiftly.

They were none other than Qi Chuan and Qingyun True Monarch.

Regarding the grudges and enmity between Profound Sand Valley and Flame Sect, neither of them wanted to delve too deeply, and at this moment, they were on their way back to the Myriad Flowers Immortal Sect.

Both Qi Chuan and Qingyun True Monarch didn’t expect their trip to go so smoothly.

Not only did they manage to secure the already extracted Tier Four Middle-Upper Grade Metal, but they also agreed to buy the future output of Tier Four Middle-Upper Grade Metal from the High Tier Spirit Ore Vein, far exceeding their goals.

Even though the target was surpassed, Qingyun True Monarch’s heart wasn’t particularly elated.

After all, he had expected at least one battle today, yet nothing happened.

He felt he needed to do something more, lest this trip to the Celestial Desert State be in vain.

"Junior Brother Qi Chuan."

Thinking this, Qingyun True Monarch reduced his speed and addressed Qi Chuan.

"What is it, Senior Brother Qingyun?"

Qi Chuan also slowed down and inquired.

"You agreed to so many Tier Four Middle-Lower Grade Talisman and Elixirs this time, isn’t refining them particularly troublesome and time-consuming?" Qingyun True Monarch asked.

"Not particularly troublesome, I find it quite easy." Qi Chuan shook his head and said.

Thanks to the Hundredfold Critical Strike’s solid foundation in Alchemy and Talisman Making, the success rate for both is very high, and the quality of what I refine is exceptionally good, especially with alchemy, which can consistently yield six Perfect Elixirs post-refinement.

Therefore, even if it required providing many Tier Four Middle-Lower Grade Talisman and Elixirs to acquire those Tier Four Middle-Upper Grade Metals from Profound Sand True Monarch, Qi Chuan believed he could complete the task well without taking too much of his cultivation time.

"However, it requires quite a number of Tier Four Middle-Lower Grade spirit grass materials and talisman making materials, right?" Qingyun True Monarch continued.

"Indeed," Qi Chuan nodded, looking at Qingyun True Monarch, "What is Senior Brother suggesting?"

"Ahem, what I mean is, I know a place in the Celestial Desert State where there are some resources that others don’t want, and there should be some Tier Four spirit grass materials inside," Qingyun True Monarch coughed and said, "I wonder if Junior Brother Qi Chuan is interested in collecting them with me. They could be used for your alchemy and talisman making, to pay back those Tier Four Middle-Upper Grade Metals."

More unwanted resources?

Upon hearing this, Qi Chuan immediately recognized that Qingyun True Monarch was up to no good.

After all, over the past decades, they had collaborated many times and were quite accustomed to each other’s style.

"Whereabouts is this place?" Qi Chuan asked.

"Uh... it’s over by the Flame Sect’s side," Qingyun True Monarch replied.

"It isn’t within the Flame Sect itself, is it?" Qi Chuan asked.

Flame Sect, after all, was a Nascent Soul Major Sect, and Nong Yan True Monarch was in the Nascent Soul Middle Stage Realm.

If that resource area were within the Flame Sect, protected by the Sect Protection Array, even if Nong Yan True Monarch was away for a short while, it would still be tough for Qi Chuan and Qingyun True Monarch to take the resources quietly.

"No, it’s within the Sect Domain of Flame Sect," Qingyun True Monarch chuckled softly, "In fact, Profound Sand Valley isn’t the only one getting lucky recently, having discovered a High Tier Spirit Ore Vein."

"Flame Sect itself unexpectedly discovered a resource field not long ago, with plenty of High Tier Spirit Grass Materials inside. However, they’re mostly Tier Four Middle-Lower Grade spirit grass, none of Upper Grade."

"Flame Sect isn’t discontent with their own good fortune; they simply can’t stand Profound Sand Valley having better prospects, so when they saw others discovering a High Tier Spirit Ore Vein, they immediately wanted to stir up trouble."

"Couldn’t Profound Sand Valley tolerate it? Why didn’t they cause trouble at the resource area discovered by Flame Sect previously?" Qi Chuan curiously asked.

"Didn’t they try? But that place is situated deep within the Flame Sect Domain, unlike the High Tier Spirit Ore Vein located in the Shaheng Mountain Range, near the border of both sects’ domains, limiting what Profound Sand Valley could do," Qingyun True Monarch shook his head and said.

"That area has probably been partially harvested of Tier Four Middle-Lower Grade spirit grass by Flame Sect, but the thing with spirit grass is, it has fixed harvest cycles and maturation periods. Flame Sect likely wouldn’t harvest all the Tier Four Middle-Lower Grade spirit grass at once; they would leave some to grow, which gives us two an opportunity."

"So, are you in or not?"

Hearing Qingyun True Monarch’s words, Qi Chuan pondered slightly before nodding his agreement.

"Alright, we’ll make a trip."

The saying goes, familiarity breeds ease.

Qi Chuan and Qingyun True Monarch had collaborated multiple times, so he didn’t mind.

Just as it happened, Nong Yan True Monarch wasn’t there, making it a good opportunity.