Lu Qian pondered for a moment, carefully replying: "What does Zhenren want with Yuqing Mountain? If you wish to take something from Yuqing Mountain, why not let our sect handle it? Facing the Golden Core’s might, how dare our sect be greedy?"

"If it ultimately doesn’t affect Yuqing Mountain, I can also decide to temporarily lend Yuqing Mountain for Zhenren’s use."

Upon receiving the reply, a voice erupted cursing in the chamber: "You little bastard, dog! Do you dare question me? You have the courage of a bear and the heart of a leopard! I will say just once more, state your terms directly, I only give you this one chance!"

Everyone’s heart was in their throat, even though this Golden Core Master wasn’t right in front, his overwhelming presence made everyone breathless.

This is a Golden Core, can wield magical treasures, master divine techniques, and easily obliterate the Yunshan Sect!

Lu Qian pondered slightly, opening his Consciousness Collection fully, swiftly contemplating, and then discussed briefly with others.

Frankly speaking, Yunshan Sect is in an absolutely weak position, with no confidence to negotiate with a Golden Core Master. Facing this seemingly irritable Golden Core Master, it’s best to be direct, avoiding provocation.

"Zhenren may see clearly, Yunshan Sect neither dares offend Zhenren nor become a sinner to Xuanguang Sect. What we seek is merely survival; how dare we want benefits from Zhenren? Therefore, Zhenren wants Yuqing Mountain, Yunshan Sect surely will find ways to deliver it to Zhenren."

"However, I boldly guess that Zhenren needs to occupy Yuqing Mountain for a period, and will surely inflict severe damage on Yuqing Mountain. Therefore, our sect needs sufficient time to plan this, first obtaining another Spirit Vein, better than Yuqing, then persuading the Zhou Family to relocate, vacating Yuqing Mountain privately for the senior."

"This makes everything reasonable, Zhou Family won’t complain to Xuanguang Sect. Zhenren achieves your purpose and can walk away. Even if something unusual happens later on Yuqing Mountain, attracting Xuanguang Sect’s notice, our sect can feign ignorance. After all, if no one resides on the mountain, unawareness is quite normal. Even if punished, it wouldn’t be too severe."

"In front of Zhenren, indeed every word is sincere; this is our sect’s only plan, which is Yunshan Sect’s condition. Please, Zhenren, grant us ten years, and fund us a hundred Spirit Crystals to relocate for a new Spirit Vein."

"Also, please Zhenren, show mercy, besides this, our sect has no other way."

A long string of messages sent, Yunshan Sect members anxiously awaited.

The expression ’no other way’ blocked all other possibilities, this is Yunshan Sect’s only threat. It’s telling this Golden Core if he disregards Yunshan Sect’s survival, then Yunshan Sect can only report this secret to Xuanguang Sect, they’d part ways.

It seemed an eternity passed, every second felt exceptionally long, finally, the Treasure Conch glowed blue again, a blue bead appeared and was crushed by Lu Qian.

"You little bastard, indeed surprised me a bit. Obviously without prior dealings, yet you can deduce these matters fairly well, much smarter than Zhang Shouchang that idiot fool, no wonder he lost to you."

"Your idea is thorough, once you help me achieve Yuqing Mountain, no matter how Xuanguang Sect punishes you, I can compensate doubly. You are someone with potential, if there’s any good opportunity in the future, I shall remember you." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Upon hearing this, everyone’s expressions relaxed, yet Lu Qian chuckled helplessly.

By saying this, is it to make Yunshan Sect his undercover chess piece? Please, don’t imagine me, Yunshan Sect needs steady growth above risky wealth.

Yang Jiye beamed, about to speak, when another blue bead condensed.

The voice was exceedingly sharp: "However, I absolutely cannot agree on ten years! Already kept me waiting too long, I can only give you three years! And about Spirit Crystals, you brat are talking nonsense! Your Yunshan Sect earns plenty, thinking I have no clue? Previously acquired a batch from Sea Abyss Pavilion, consider it an advance of benefits. Not a cent more!"

They looked at each other, Lu Qian’s heart slowly settled down; once this Golden Core speaks, it’s a matter of haggling.

So amid everyone’s admiration, Lu Qian cried his grievances, lamenting Yun Mountain’s decline, the turbulent times, enemies’ arrogance, seeming Yunshan Sect’s doom is near. To sum up, three years are absolutely impossible, without funding cannot be done.

Yet this Golden Core refuted Lu Qian’s words forcefully with vile insults, crude remarks, leaving a final statement: "Give you some face, and you forget your surname? Understand this, though I want Yuqing Mountain, it’s not that vital! Last statement, five years, fifty Spirit Crystals; if you don’t accept, freely report to Xuanguang Sect, afterwards a flick of my fingers can squash you like vermin!"

Hearing this threatful utterance, observing Yunshan Sect’s worried faces, Lu Qian conceded. He couldn’t test this Golden Core’s limits; even intuitively knowing the Golden Core wasn’t truthful, Yuqing Mountain is important to him, still negotiable, but responsible for Yunshan Sect, Lu Qian dare not gamble.

Yunshan Sect lacks the right to speak more in the presence of a Golden Core.

Eventually, through Lu Qian’s utmost negotiation, Yunshan Sect obtained five years and fifty Spirit Crystals stored at Sea Abyss Pavilion.

"Don’t attempt any tricks! Starting today, once five years pass, if you fail to deliver Yuqing Mountain secretly to me, I can abandon this mountain and turn Yunshan Sect to ashes!"

At this point, Lu Qian heard this Golden Core Master’s name.

Master Moyun, Ao Zhao.

Five years, to discover a sufficient Spirit Vein, facilitate Zhou Family’s Mountain Gate relocation? Although the task remains arduous, there’s possibility of realization. After all, a new wave of conflict looms in Chongming County’s horizon.

Nonetheless, the horror cloud overshadowing Yunshan Sect finally dispersed, or rather, delayed considerably.

Concluding this negotiation round, Lu Qian felt quite weary, instructing everyone to keep silent, return to their respective posts. This issue requires long-term planning based on real circumstances, not urgent overnight.

Days later, Lu Qian retrieved fifty Spirit Crystals from Sea Abyss Pavilion, inspected the freshly built Void-Soaring and Distant-Guarding Divine Ship, and two Floating Battleships with Spiritual Power Cannons installed, everything seemed good, thus appointed Yang Jiye in charge, All Elders collaborating, disciples commencing rotational control, swiftly training combat array formations for the two Divine Ships.

As for the two ordinary Floating Battleships, once war starts, they shall serve as warships for other Shuangye Alliance sect cultivators.

After arranging this matter, facing rapidly assembled Elders, Lu Qian loudly stated: "Mountain Gate closure, continues for a while. Everyone notify disciples to cultivate well, ready, my intent is at December’s end, hold the first Yunshan Sect internal competition, all disciples except Elders must participate!"