Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 162 - 146: Du Bu, Celestial Treasure, Doubtful Clouds (2)

Only when all their interests are simultaneously infringed upon will everyone unite against the external threat.

"You can't just say that."

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the hall retorted:

"If everyone thinks like this and refuses to step forward when something happens, then what is the purpose of forming an alliance?"

"Exactly, everyone is supposed to band together for warmth. If we all only sweep the snow in front of our doors, then the Du Bu Alliance is as good as dead in name..."

"Although Feng Dujuan is indeed a useless waste, we still can't just watch and not help. We must at least find a way to negotiate with the Haihe Association."

Seeing that the ten or so Foundation Establishment Cultivators had split into two factions and were arguing incessantly, the main hall was noisy and chaotic.

Sitting high in the main seat, Du Bu Daoist watched coldly, with no intention of intervening.

After a while of arguing, many Foundation Establishment Cultivators realized something was off, and gradually quieted down the great hall.

"Alliance Leader."

A young scholar, adorned with a feather fan and silk robe, looked up at Du Bu Daoist in the main seat, showing a hint of inquiry:

"What do you think, venerable leader?"

Many Foundation Establishment Cultivators' gazes also gathered on Du Bu Daoist's face.

"...My thoughts are quite simple."

Du Bu Daoist slowly spoke, his expression remaining calm throughout:

"The matter of mining ore is purely fictitious, entirely the Haihe Association's slander against us."

"As for Feng Dujuan and the Feng Family, they are obviously framed by them. The evidence they hold is fabricated, a laughable trick."

"Feng Dujuan himself is an important member of our Du Bu Alliance, and now he's been schemed against, captured, and locked away by them. We should be the ones seeking retribution!" 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

As these words were spoken, many of the Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the hall secretly breathed a sigh of relief, with some even showing a slight smile.

The strange situation earlier had nearly made them think that the Alliance Leader, Du Bu Daoist, was about to abandon his usual strong approach and leave the matter unattended.

If that were really the case, then losing the core and sole mediator of Du Bu Alliance would cause it to collapse in an instant.

Fortunately, Du Bu Daoist's attitude seemed to remain as ever, which reassured many.

"Alliance Leader."

The burly man with a face full of scars couldn't help but speak up:

"So, what do you plan to do?"

"Old rules."

Du Bu Daoist spoke calmly, as if he already had a plan in mind:

"The people of the Haihe Association want us to compensate for losses, but I want them to cede a few Profound Gold Ore Veins to us."

"Arguing with words won't resolve anything. Eventually, it must be shown in action."

"Just as well, it's been years since I last fought, and I want to stretch my muscles..."

As he said this, his gaze swept over the many Foundation Establishment Cultivators below, he said softly:

"Does anyone have any objections?"

Among the Foundation Establishment Cultivators, some remained silent, while others frowned slightly, but no one publicly objected.

Du Bu Daoist's influence and status were hence evident.

......

Two days later.

Within the Cangjiang Water Mansion on Fang Continent.

Lord Haihe gathered everyone to discuss developments regarding the Du Bu Alliance.

"That Du Bu Daoist is indeed still that martial arts fanatic..."

Peng Yue Xian sighed, then spoke:

"He's able to twist things that clearly don't make sense, and eventually force an open magical battle."

"Years ago, he used this exact tactic to make his mark in Da Li. I didn't expect him to still be using the same old trick so many years later..."

Fairy Li Chen furrowed her brow and couldn't help but say:

"His plan is wishful thinking. We can't possibly just let him have his way, right?"

Her thoughts were simple:

Feng Dujuan's theft of Haihe Association's property was an indisputable fact, totally undeniable.

With Haihe Association's background, as long as they exert pressure through the Fuhai Sect, wouldn't the insignificant Du Bu Alliance have to comply obediently?

"Li Chen, you're thinking too simply..."

Her companion, another female cultivator, the second middle-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator 'Fairy Yuan Meng' of the Haihe Association, shook her head and said softly:

"Since the founding of the Du Bu Alliance, it's been a motley crowd, harboring many wanted fugitives, and is viewed with hostility by many forces."

"Yet, they remain unyielding to this day, naturally with reason."

"Apart from Du Bu Daoist himself being indeed formidable, many Foundation Establishment Cultivators don't realize he actually has a secret patron: Yuwen Tower Master of the Celestial Treasure Tower..."

"Yuwen Tower Master?"

Fairy Li Chen and several younger Foundation Establishment cultivators couldn't help but change their expressions.

The reputation of this number-one person under the Golden Core within the Da Li Territory was thunderously loud, known by everyone.

If Yuwen Tower Master indeed secretly supports the Du Bu Alliance, then even the Fuhai Sect alone would struggle to force compliance.

After all, the influence of the Celestial Treasure Tower isn't trifling, and such minor affairs wouldn't disturb the Golden Core Ancestor.

"Hmm..."

Lord Haihe pondered for a moment, then suddenly looked at Zhang Yao, saying:

"Qingxu, what do you think?"

Upon these words, the many Foundation Establishment cultivators in the hall again focused their gazes on Zhang Yao.

Since the battle at Suiyu Mountain, Zhang Yao's status within the Haihe Association had changed drastically, making his opinion weigh heavily.

"I don't have much of an opinion."

Zhang Yao shook his head and spoke directly:

"It's entirely up to the Association Leader's decision."

In reality, Zhang Yao didn't care much about the affairs of the Du Bu Alliance.

Although Feng Dujuan was captured by him, if they could indeed leverage this as an excuse to seize benefits from the Du Bu Alliance, he'd get a large share.

Yet, his main focus was still on enhancing his cultivation and searching for Six-sided True Blood, preferring not to bother with these matters unless absolutely necessary.

"This..."

Lord Haihe furrowed his brow, evidently still undecided.

If they didn't respond to this battle, not only would they weaken their own momentum, but they'd also miss this opportunity.

But should they engage in this open magical battle, he had no guarantees of winning, risking potential losses.

"Let me think it over."

In the end, Lord Haihe remained undecided, and everyone had no choice but to disperse.

After returning to his own residence:

Zhang Yao was just about to resume his arduous cultivation when the array outside was suddenly activated, delivering a familiar voice:

"Qingxu, it's me."

"Association Leader?"

Zhang Yao was somewhat surprised, he quickly went to the entrance of his residence and dispelled the array.

After exchanging greetings, they proceeded to the hall and seated according to host and guest positions, Lord Haihe spoke directly:

"Qingxu, this unsolicited visit is actually to request something from you."

Zhang Yao showed a subtle expression and said:

"The Association Leader wouldn't be planning to agree to the open magical battle, hoping I'll participate, right?"

At the moment, he is considered the second strongest in the Haihe Association.

Peng Yue Xian and Fairy Yuan Meng have both openly acknowledged being inferior, at least overtly.

If Haihe Association genuinely plans to engage in an open magical battle with the Du Bu Alliance, he would certainly participate, and Lord Haihe privately consulting him in advance also makes sense.

"No, of course not."

Lord Haihe shook his head, speaking cautiously:

"Actually, I plan to refuse the open magical battle this time and am currently stalling for time."

At this point, he hesitated before continuing:

"To be honest, I actually have a mole planted within the Du Bu Alliance, gathering some inside information for me."

"According to the intelligence he's sent, Du Bu Daoist's attitude towards this matter is somewhat suspicious..."

"Suspicious?"

Zhang Yao squinted slightly, asking:

"Does the Association Leader suspect Du Bu Daoist has other schemes?"

"That's still unclear for now."

Lord Haihe shook his head, speaking in a deep voice:

"Lately, Du Bu Daoist's behavior has become somewhat peculiar, even markedly different from before in certain details."

"Especially when it comes to the recent open magical battle, he's more aggressive than usual, causing me to harbor suspicion..."