Chapter 255: Chapter 216: Dark Clouds over the Treasure Conch

The final spoils of war include spirit stones and other valuable resources.

This time, a total of eighteen Spirit Crystals were seized, along with over twenty-seven thousand Spirit Stones. Other resources included the Four Symbols Grand Array Map from Ziluo Mountain. Previously, Lu Qian used an array-breaking method to trigger an explosion, and the Array Base was blown away somewhere. Due to time constraints, it was too late to find it, so only the Array Map hovering above Ziluo Mountain’s Spirit Vein was taken. Just this map alone can be worth several thousand Spirit Stones.

Furthermore, the ten thousand Spirit Stones profit from the Plum Blossom Marketplace festivities has gradually been deposited into the Yunshan Sect’s treasury, which is now well-stocked, alleviating financial worries in the short term.

The only thing to ponder is how to spend money wisely, invest wisely, using money to generate more money, and build wealth like a snowball.

However, an imminent threat looms that needs to be considered first.

Illusory Sound Treasure Conch, Third of October.

Even though the mysterious Golden Core cultivator on the other end of the conch has been in seclusion for three years, it’s unlikely to be so precise. What if he exits two months earlier? Preparations must be made.

Thinking of this, Lu Qian ordered, "Settle the construction payment for the second Void-Soaring and Distant-Guarding Divine Ship immediately, and build the ship as quickly as possible, even if it costs more Spirit Stones. Also, for the other two ordinary Floating Battleships, repurchase and install the Spiritual Power Cannons."

Building a Divine Ship from start to finish costs tens of thousands of Spirit Stones. The first ship’s Spiritual Power Cannons were all salvaged from old Floating Battleships, making it cheaper. Still, due to a shortage of Spirit Stones, the construction of this elite Floating Battleship was stop-and-go, taking two years to complete.

Later, the Yunshan Sect put the construction of the second ship on the agenda, but again due to insufficient Spirit Stones, only the Dragon Bone and hull have been completed. Fortunately, these two components take the longest time to build. Once sufficient Spirit Stones are in place, it will take just about a month to finish.

The news of Lu Qian wanting to build a Divine Ship surprised everyone. In recent days, Yang Jiye and Wang Yu, while understanding the current state of the Yunshan Sect, personally visited the Void-Soaring and Distant-Guarding Divine Ship and were impressed by this elite-level Floating Battleship. Now with Lu Qian urging the completion of the second ship, they sensed the approach of danger.

"Sect Leader, is this leading to a war?" Yang Jiye asked hastily.

Seeing the elders’ anxious expressions, Lu Qian pondered for a moment before deciding to inform them, making preparations early.

"Come with me," Lu Qian called and led them out of the reception hall, instructing a disciple to find Guh Niqiang, and then entered his sleeping chamber. He gently turned a mechanism, and with a click, the copper mirror on the wall flipped to reveal a dark passage.

Everyone looked shocked, and Senior Sister Qingfeng was visibly tense. She had been involved in this affair all along, and now recalling the three-year agreement, as well as the prospect of facing the Golden Core cultivator on the other end of the conch, naturally filled her with unease, unsure of what to do.

But seeing Lu Qian’s composed demeanor, she calmed herself.

As long as Junior Brother is here, everything will be alright.

After a brief wait, Guh Niqiang arrived. Everyone greeted her, and she nodded faintly without speaking much.

This was Lu Qian’s first interaction with her after the drunken incident. As their eyes met, Lu Qian saw that Guh Niqiang’s beautiful face held no expression, her gaze cool and indifferent, seemingly even more detached than before. This suddenly filled Lu Qian’s heart with melancholy, and he sighed inwardly.

Seeing Lu Qian hesitate and remain silent, Guh Niqiang averted her gaze. "What’s the matter?" she asked.

Lu Qian rallied his spirits and pointed to the entrance. "According to the agreed time, in less than three months, the person on the other end of the conch will come out of seclusion. Everyone needs to discuss what to do about it and come up with a plan."

Guh Niqiang looked at the dark entrance, recalling the Illusory Sound Treasure Conch, the treasure retrieval in the Sea Abyss Pavilion, her own loss of control in Meihua Square that night, with Lu Qian firmly gripping her hands, and Lu Qian’s severely burned palms...

She suddenly lowered her eyes and turned to leave. "There’s nothing much to discuss. Just tell me what to do."

No sooner had she spoken than the red figure flew up from the door, disappearing without a trace.

What’s wrong with Elder Guh? Why is she acting differently, as though she had a spat with Junior Brother and is feeling awkward? Jiang Qingfeng glanced at both Lu Qian and the doorway, filled with questions.

The other elders were equally puzzled, asking loudly, "What about the Conch?" "What happens in three months?" "Why is a Golden Core involved, and why would a Golden Core Master attack our Yunshan Sect?"

Lu Qian snapped out of his reverie, motioning for everyone to remain calm. He then led them into the secret passage, straight into the secret chamber. Standing before the Illusory Sound Treasure Conch, Lu Qian explained everything in detail to them.

After hearing it all, Yang Jiye hurriedly asked, "In that case, why not report it to the Xuanguang Sect?"

Lu Qian shook his head. "We’re on a tiger’s back. If we report this secret and the Xuanguang Sect intervenes, and the Golden Core doesn’t get Yuqing Mountain, we’ll truly have offended him greatly. If he seeks revenge, how could we possibly withstand it? Do we expect Master Fengfeng of the Xuanguang Sect to stay at Bichao Mountain forever to protect us?"

Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Yang Jiye still seemed indifferent, and the others’ expressions also lightened. "Then it doesn’t matter if we can’t report it. After all, what he wants is Yuqing Mountain, not our Bichao Mountain. If that Golden Core really comes looking for trouble, we can just have the Zhou Family move away."

Lu Qian was momentarily stunned, then realized that they didn’t have much interaction with the Yuqing Zhou Family, nor could they be said to share a bond of adversity, so naturally, they were reluctant to consider it for the Zhou Family’s sake.

Moreover, a Golden Core Master’s reputation and influence are immense, and since a Golden Core has issued orders, for the Zhou Family, which hasn’t even reached Foundation Establishment and is practically a Qi Cultivation Minor Sect, there’s no point in resisting. The Yunshan Sect also has no need to offend a Golden Core cultivator for the Zhou Family’s sake.

Lu Qian said slowly, "Senior Brother Yang is not wrong. If it comes to the worst-case scenario, we can only sacrifice the carriage to protect the commander. But before that, interaction and negotiation must be tried."

"First, this mysterious Golden Core can casually produce so many good things, indicating an extraordinary background and surely grand ambitions. If he gets Yuqing Mountain and something significant happens in Zhongming County later, we won’t be able to explain to the Xuanguang Sect."

"Second, as the Shuangye Alliance Leader, our Yunshan Sect must naturally uphold the responsibilities of the leader. The Zhou Family contributed significantly during our sect’s re-establishment. If we give up on them without effort, it may harm the Alliance Leader’s prestige."

"In sum, our worst plan would be to concede Yuqing Mountain. But before that, we must make our best effort."

Seeing that Lu Qian also accepted the contingency plan, not opting for a stubborn resistance, everyone felt slightly relieved and said in unison, "Please instruct us, Sect Leader."