Chapter 782

Qingtian Holy Land, having fled back in disarray from Dao Yi Sect, the defeat in this battle can be said to have directly shaken the foundation of Dao Yi Sect.

Disciples suffered heavy casualties, with over half dead or wounded, and only three Great Saint Elders remained alive; such a blow to Qingtian Holy Land is certainly not small.

Therefore, after returning to the sect, the three patriarchs of Qingtian Holy Land contacted the commerce association behind them.

Unfortunately, some of the commerce associations that had previously supported them, upon hearing of Qingtian Holy Land's defeat, each chose to adopt a wait-and-see attitude.

Because they were uncertain whether Qingtian Holy Land could survive this crisis.

If Dao Yi Sect were to truly destroy them, then aligning with Qingtian Holy Land at this point would be tantamount to seeking death.

Originally, several major commerce associations stood behind them, but in the end only the Dingming Commerce Association continued to support Qingtian Holy Land.

At this moment, inside the holy land's main hall, the three patriarchs were communicating via the Xiǎnyǐng zhèn pán with the president of the Dingming Commerce Association, Guo Ding.

"Reporting to the patriarchs, the various talisman seals, medicinal pills, and formation disks needed by the holy land have been procured in the first batch and are now en route."

"Well done."

Upon hearing this, the three patriarchs nodded, very satisfied with Guo Ding's performance, and their tone grew gentle.

In such circumstances, Guo Ding's steadfast choice to support Qingtian Holy Land shows his loyalty.

Faced with the patriarchs' praise, Guo Ding appeared somewhat flustered, repeatedly saying that this was merely what he ought to do.

After urging Guo Ding to continue procuring various resources, they then ended the formation communication.

"With these resources, the disciples should recover quickly, and the holy land's defenses can be considerably strengthened."

"What Senior Brother said is correct; Dao Yi Sect consumed many talisman seals and formation disks in this battle, I reckon they surely have little left."

"Without sufficient talisman seals, medicinal pills, and formation disks, attempting to take down Qingtian Holy Land is simply absurd."

"Most importantly, Dao Yi Sect lacks backing from any commerce association and has no foundation in Zhongzhou; even if they wanted to resupply, the only option would be Dongzhou, but a round trip would definitely take more than a month."

"Indeed."

This is Qingtian Holy Land's only hope at present.

Meanwhile, inside Shanhaiguan, the vice president of the Heiyan Commerce Association also found Qi Xiong and truthfully informed him of the Dingming Commerce Association's situation.

Coincidentally, Li Zhengqing was also present; after hearing the Heiyan Commerce Association vice president's words, Li Zhengqing spoke with some concern.

"Qi Brother, if that's truly the case, then the matter is indeed somewhat troublesome."

"What do you mean by that, Li Brother?"

"Although the commerce associations are not strong in strength, their wealth is unimaginable, and when two sects fight, besides strength, resource comparison is also indispensable."

"If the Dingming Commerce Association can continuously provide various resources, Qingtian Holy Land could fully recover in the shortest time and simultaneously strengthen its defenses."

"Looking at you, Qi Brother, although you won a great victory in this battle, there remains an unchangeable fact: your foundation."

Li Zhengqing's remark hit the point directly, though Qi Xiong instantly understood.

Qingtian Holy Land can continuously obtain various resources from the Dingming Commerce Association, whereas Dao Yi Sect cannot obtain sufficient replenishment in a short time.

Even though the Heiyan Commerce Association vice president has sent many talisman seals and formation disks to Dao Yi Sect during this period.

But frankly, compared to the Dingming Commerce Association's full support, that is merely a drop in the bucket.

Currently, within the Heiyan Commerce Association, many people oppose the vice president's approach and do not endorse going all-in to support Dao Yi Sect, because if Dao Yi Sect ultimately loses and is overturned by Qingtian Holy Land, the Heiyan Commerce Association would suffer.

Seeing Qi Xiong quickly grasp the key point, Li Zhengqing suddenly smiled and looked toward the Heiyan Commerce Association vice president.

"However, Qi Brother, you need not worry too much; isn't there still an opportunity now?"

Upon hearing Li Zhengqing's words, the Heiyan Commerce Association vice president naturally understood the implication and spoke solemnly.

"Sect Master Qi, I am willing to return to the association and give it a try."

Qingtian Holy Land has the Dingming Commerce Association; if Dao Yi Sect could also obtain support from the Heiyan Commerce Association, that would be entirely reasonable.

Although the Heiyan Commerce Association has somewhat declined now, it was once one of the Ten Merchant Guilds.

In terms of foundation and wealth, even if it is not as strong as the present Dingming Commerce Association, it is certainly not far weaker.

After all, the Dingming Commerce Association ranks only last among the Ten Merchant Guilds.

As a diehard loyalist of Dao Yi Sect, the Heiyan Commerce Association vice president left Wan Yao Pass that very day and rushed back to the association.

The headquarters of the Heiyan Commerce Association is located east of Wan Yao Pass, in Heiyan City, which is less than ten thousand li away.

The city is large and extremely prosperous, with a constant flow of cultivators coming and going.

Moreover, here you can practically find any kind of heavenly treasure or medicinal pill, etc.

Each day, at least several dozen auction houses hold auctions.

Thus, Heiyan City can practically be said to have lights burning year-round.

At this moment, the vice president who had rushed back all the way, dust-covered, directly found the association president Li Jue at the Heiyan Commerce Association headquarters in the city center.

He then convened the senior members of the Heiyan Commerce Association.

Among them were two vice presidents and eighteen elders; all those not present in Heiyan City aside, everyone attended.

"Today I have summoned you all primarily concerning the matter of Dao Yi Sect."

"Vice President He just told me that delivering charcoal in the snow is far more meaningful than adding icing on the cake; now supporting Dao Yi Sect is the best choice—what do you all think?"

This is not mere cooperation, but full support for Dao Yi Sect, without regard for cost or loss.

Moreover, once a decision is made, the amount of spirit stones the Heiyan Commerce Association will consume in this endeavor will be an astronomical figure.

In short, this is a war visible only between the two major commerce associations, although it is not as directly bloody as the conflict between Dao Yi Sect and Qingtian Holy Land.

Yet this invisible struggle is certainly not as simple as it appears on the surface.

This is a contest of wealth.

Thus, upon hearing Li Jue's words, everyone present fell into silence; after a while, an elder finally spoke.

"President, I think we still need to consider this carefully; if Dao Yi Sect ultimately loses, our Heiyan Commerce Association will also be implicated, after all, everyone knows the temperament of Qingtian Holy Land."

"Indeed, although Dao Yi Sect won a battle, after all, their foundation is not in Zhongzhou."

"I agree."

"I also agree."

"As soon as he spoke, most of those present felt it was too early to decide now; at least they should wait and see, holding off until the situation became completely clear before making a choice."

"As for the others, they chose to remain silent."

"Hearing these opposing opinions, Vice President He, who had rushed back from Ten Thousand Monster Pass, stood up and spoke in a firm voice."

"Waiting and watching, is that all you know how to do? Why has my Heiyan Commerce Association fallen to this state? Put bluntly, it's because of your hesitation."

"Nothing in this world is a sure thing. If we waited for everything to be settled before acting, the daylily would be cold."

"If we don't make a choice now, once the Dao Yi Sect truly attains the status of a holy land, what role will our Heiyan Commerce Association have left? Even if we eventually cooperate, we'll be insignificant."