Chapter 2285

Yuan Sect Master's expression remained unchanged: "Our sect wishes to see the officials of Cangyan; Elder Liu, how did you come here?"

The elders of the Huan Sect appearing here was beyond his expectation.

He knew Qianhuan True Person was in seclusion at the Inverted Sea; logically, the whereabouts of the Huan Sect should be even more elusive than that of the Qixia Sect.

Liu Qingdao laughed: "I serve in the Cangyan State and the Bureau of Yuan; the Emperor's decree sent me here."

The elder of the Huan Sect wants to become an official—why choose Cangyan? Yuan Sect Master's gaze turned probing: "What is the relationship between the Huan Sect and the State of Cangyan?"

Liu Qingdao wiped away his smile, his face solemn: "The last time the Inverted Sea was opened, it was invaded by Miao Zhantian; Qianhuan Xianzun and Sect Master Xiao unfortunately passed away. Before his death, Sect Master Xiao specially entrusted the sect to Jiugou Dadi. Since then, the Huan Sect has taken root in the Jinjin Plains. And I, Liu, being unworthy, oversee the Bureau of Yuan, specifically handling supernatural and profound matters within the State of Cangyan."

Yuan Sect Master raised both his white eyebrows.

Qianhuan True Person is one of the stewards of Ling Mountain, a rare great True Immortal in the world—yet he too has fallen!

During the over-a-century-long seclusion of the Qixia Sect, just how many major events have occurred?

Moreover, he keenly caught a key point:

The recipient of Xiao Wencheng's entrustment of the sect was not Ling Mountain but the Lord of Cangyan? Why?

Could it be that Ling Mountain has already declined over these past hundred-plus years?

Liu Qingdao also asked: "Spiritual energy has revived for quite some time now; in recent years, all kinds of immortals and demons have descended into the world. Why has your sect only now decided to emerge from seclusion?"

"It just so happens I entered closed-door meditation; once I enter samadhi, it lasts for years. No matter how the outside world changes, the disciples of our sect can only wait for me to complete my cultivation before returning to the mortal realm." The opening and closing of the blessed cave-heaven is under Yuan Sect Master's control; other disciples of the Qixia Sect cannot leave even if they wish to.

This point, Liu Qingdao could also understand. Back then, Qianhuan True Person secluded himself to refine the Great Evolution Heavenly Pearl, refining it for sixty years, and the disciples of the Huan Sect could not leave the Inverted Sea either—calling it a blessed cave-heaven, what difference does it really have from a prison?

He sighed: "Over these past hundred-plus years, the world has been turned upside down, and the heavenly demons have grown increasingly turbulent. The Qixia Sect, having closed its doors, hears nothing of outside affairs, thus remaining tranquil and untroubled, unlike us, entangled in worldly duties."

Are they mocking the Qixia Sect for withdrawing from the world and doing nothing? Yuan Sect Master said lightly: "When have the heavenly demons ever ceased to stir up storms? The mortal realm endures, and so do we. Over three thousand years, the tides of spiritual energy have risen and fallen; now it is merely another cycle."

Whether they act or not, contend or not—how great a change can the mortal realm truly undergo?

"Still, there is a great difference. For example, the Jinjin Plains have been turbulent for a thousand years, yet in the end still returned to unity; our Emperor said, this is 'long separation must end in reunion.'"

Yuan Sect Master chuckled: "'Long separation must end in reunion'? Your Emperor is quite amusing. You and I have lived for several thousand years—have we truly ever seen such a principle?"

What is the true state of this world? Who could know it better than those who have experienced it firsthand? Liu Qingdao has only been in the State of Cangyan for a short time—has he already been brainwashed by mortal fallacies?

Hah, a few thousand years of age, and all ended up in a dog's belly.

Liu Qingdao clearly understood their mindset, knew that verbal claims held no weight, and did not dwell on this issue, merely returning to the main topic:

"Sect Master Yuan, the people of Weian City are innocent—why must your sect make things difficult for them?"

Yuan Sect Master gave a faint smirk: "Beneath the feet of these innocent commoners lies the land of our Qixia Sect. The ignorant are naturally blameless, but your state must surely make proper arrangements for them."

How would ordinary commoners know this land belongs to the Qixia Sect? Moreover, the expansion of Weian City was driven by the Lord of Cangyan, so Cangyan must bear full responsibility.

Liu Qingdao laughed: "This is the Jinjin Plains; the land beneath Weian City has had many masters over time—unknown which generation the Qixia Sect represents."

According to the historical inertia of the Jinjin Plains, over the past thousand years, the number of states and powers that have perished here is no fewer than fifty, possibly twenty or thirty—where could the Qixia Sect possibly rank?

Before Yuan Sect Master could speak, another person appeared, calm and composed: "In all matters, one must speak of priority—otherwise, where would reason be in the world? You say this land once had other masters—fine, then summon them forth; we shall arrange them in order."

The Qixia Sect's possession of this land dates back over a hundred years ago; former masters? Hah, not even bone fragments remain.

"Is it Elder Chu? Long time no see." Liu Qingdao shook his head: "Nowadays, under heaven, all land belongs to the king; this land also has only one sovereign—Cangyan. Now there are only three great states in the world; this principle applies equally whether one goes to Beijia or Mouguo."

The immortal sects and demon clans emerging from seclusion in Beijia and Mouguo also cannot arbitrarily extort landlords.

Elder Chu said playfully: "What, does your state still intend to use force?"

Negotiations have finally begun; now we are in the stage of mutual threats.

"Building mountains and cutting off rivers consumes greatly." Liu Qingdao spoke softly: "There is no impenetrable wall under heaven; our Cangyan has many capable individuals—this entrance to the blessed cave-heaven will eventually be discovered. We had better, before the situation becomes irreparable, turn swords into jade and silk."

"Very well." Yuan Sect Master smiled: "The Qixia Sect is not fond of war; let us both strive—if this matter cannot be settled, then so be it."

Old oilcloth, it seems today will not end well. Liu Qingdao sighed inwardly, maintaining a solemn expression: "Sect Master Yuan, please speak."

"The Qixia Sect has just emerged from seclusion and does not yet understand the surrounding environment." I do not know the current productive capacity of these cities, nor how much they can yield each month—"Then let us follow the old ways of Ling Mountain: when Elder Liu encounters profound and mysterious difficulties, the Qixia Sect will gladly offer strong assistance. As for our sect's capabilities, Elder Liu knows them best."

That is to say: if Cangyan has affairs, the Qixia Sect may help; if there are none, let us not disturb each other—peace is best.

He spoke of "Ling Mountain's old ways" because the major sects under Ling Mountain's jurisdiction cooperate with local authorities in exactly this manner.

Thus, the Qixia Sect's approach has precedent to follow—it is not out of the ordinary. This Elder Liu, as an elder of the Huan Sect, should be familiar with this model.

Liu Qingdao remained silent, for the emphasis lies in what follows.

Yuan Sect Master paused, then continued: "As due compensation, we are not greedy—we only ask for the output of Weian City, Xicheng, and Chengbu Tou, along with the surrounding counties and townships. Whether more or less, we will not quibble."

Before the Qixia Sect emerged from seclusion, its disciples observed the mountain's conditions through the water mirror. Weian City is visibly prosperous; the other two cities, regardless of area, geographical location, or number of lights at night, fall short of Weian City, yet still surpass the cities formerly controlled by the Qixia Sect.

Yuan Sect Master originally planned to demand the output of five cities, but after these few exchanges with Liu Qingdao, he decided to reduce it to three.

As an ancient immortal sect, the Qixia Sect only requests the output of five cities from the human states—not the cities themselves—already showing great flexibility, reason, and human sentiment.