Main Hall of the Xiao Clan, everyone seemed much more harmonious this time.

Zhang Yang and Qingyunzi sat in the seats of honor, while Xiao Jianchun and Liang Fang sat as guests, wearing polite smiles.

"We started mining the copper ore ten years ago," Xiao Jianchun began straightforwardly, "The annual output is about a hundred thousand jin... The miners are just too slow, that's really all we could extract. If you two don't believe it, you can inspect the mine."

Zhang Yang didn't bother with the truth of Xiao Jianchun's words and asked, "So, over ten years, you've extracted a million jin of copper ore? Last time, I took back about fifty thousand jin of copper ore, and after refining, we got a thousand jin of refined copper, twenty jin of violet copper, and about one jin of copper essence. Your Xiao Clan has made quite a profit over these ten years!"

These materials were all used for crafting magical treasures.

Lingyunzi's gaze turned cold at the thought of so many materials being stolen from Azurecloud, while they were so poor they couldn't even afford spirit stones.

Seeing Lingyunzi's expression, Xiao Jianchun quickly explained, "Uh... the initial copper ore didn't have as high a content as the current ore. But since Azurecloud Sect is willing to entrust the copper ore mining to our Xiao Clan in the future, we can compensate for the past amounts according to the current ratio. What do you two think?"

He was afraid Azurecloud Sect wouldn't agree, so he hastily added, "No matter what, we've put a lot of effort into mining the copper ore over the years!"

He knew very well that he couldn't afford to be vague now.

Not being able to match them in strength, he had to concede.

If they upset Azurecloud, and they stopped letting them mine the copper ore and pursued past profits, the Xiao Clan would be finished.

Zhang Yang pondered for a moment, nodded, and agreed, "We can agree, but you must repay the past amounts to us as soon as possible."

Xiao Jianchun breathed a sigh of relief, a smile appearing on his face, as long as the past issues could be resolved.

He then asked, "How about a sixty-forty split on the copper ore?"

Zhang Yang was a bit surprised, "You're willing to take only forty percent?"

"No, no, no!" Xiao Jianchun quickly waved his hand, "Our Xiao Clan is responsible for mining and refining. If we only take forty percent, it would be too much of a loss."

"Just forty percent!" Zhang Yang said calmly, "You don't need to refine it; just mine it, and we'll collect it ourselves."

"This..." Xiao Jianchun hesitated.

Zhang Yang snorted coldly, "Your Xiao Clan is already getting a good deal, be content."

Xiao Jianchun forced a smile and nodded, "Alright, forty percent it is."

The Xiao Clan still had to share a portion with the Clearwind Sect, leaving even less for themselves.

But given the current situation, they had no choice but to agree.

"Our Azurecloud Sect will send people to inspect the mine. I hope there won't be any tricks in the mining process, or it won't be so easy to resolve next time," Zhang Yang said, staring at Xiao Jianchun, "Also, prepare the compensation for us to take back to the sect."

Xiao Jianchun immediately said, "Rest assured, our Xiao Clan has no other intentions. As for the compensation, we don't have that much on hand, so please give us some time to gather it."

Part of the cultivation resources went into the pockets of the Clearwind Sect, so they would definitely have to contribute to the compensation.

But they couldn't discuss this in front of Azurecloud Sect.

They planned to deal with Azurecloud Sect first, then discuss it properly.

"You have three days to prepare!" Zhang Yang stood up and turned to Lingyunzi, "Uncle Master, let's go to the inn; we have other matters to discuss."

He had advertised his talismans, and now he needed to sell them.

Additionally, he needed to purchase some other resources to take back to Azurecloud Sect.

Xiao Jianchun quickly stood up, smiling, "You two esteemed guests are welcome to stay at our Xiao Clan, and we would also like to purchase some talismans."

Zhang Yang looked at Xiao Jianchun with a half-smile, "No money to compensate Azurecloud Sect, but money to buy talismans?"

Xiao Jianchun's face changed, and he smiled awkwardly.

Zhang Yang didn't pursue the matter further and left with Lingyunzi.

Liang Fang and Xiao Jianchun escorted the two out of the Xiao Clan, and once they were out of sight, Xiao Jianchun slapped his thigh in frustration, "Fellow Daoist Liang, doesn't your sect have other experts who can deal with Azurecloud?"

Liang Fang smiled wryly, "Our Clearwind Sect has only been established for a century, while Azurecloud Sect has been around for five thousand years. Do you know what a five-thousand-year sect means?"

Xiao Jianchun frowned, "But didn't you say Azurecloud Sect wasn't strong?"

If they were truly that strong, would they have dared to provoke them in the first place?

Liang Fang mused, "It's said that Azurecloud Sect encountered some misfortune, which led to their current state. But even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. Even in its current state, Azurecloud Sect is not something our Clearwind Sect can compare to. We gambled on Azurecloud not caring, but now that they've come knocking, we have no choice but to concede!"

Xiao Jianchun felt aggrieved, "So many materials in hand, just given away like that, it's really frustrating! But now there's no other way, we have to give it. However, Fellow Daoist Liang, your Clearwind Sect must contribute to the compensation."

Liang Fang chuckled, "We'll provide thirty percent... Don't worry, it's just that we've already used most of those materials, so there's not much left. We can compensate your Xiao Clan from other resources, like alchemical pills and magical treasures. After all, we still need to continue our cooperation, right?"

Xiao Jianchun considered for a moment and nodded in agreement.

"Then I'll go back to gather materials and explain the situation to the sect leader." Liang Fang cupped his hands and flew away.

After seeing Liang Fang off, Xiao Jianchun began ordering the collection of resources.

At the same time, he summoned a trusted aide and instructed, "Go to the capital and inform His Highness of this matter. The most important thing is to explain that our Xiao Clan won't have as many materials to offer in the future."

"Yes!" The steward departed swiftly.

After arranging everything, Xiao Jianchun pondered for a while, then sighed deeply.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yang and Lingyunzi hadn't gone far from the Xiao Clan when they were stopped by an elderly man in a brocade robe.

"Gentlemen, my master invites you, please follow me," the elderly man said politely.

Zhang Yang acted as if he hadn't heard, continuing to walk forward.

Seeing Zhang Yang leave, Lingyunzi also kept moving.

Though he was more advanced in cultivation, he had to admit that Zhang Yang was much smarter, so he naturally followed Zhang Yang's lead in actions.

The elderly man's face turned grim, and he quickly caught up, lowering his voice, "Gentlemen, I am the steward of the City Lord's Mansion. Please give us some face. We are here to purchase talismans; we want all of them."

Zhang Yang finally stopped and asked, "The price?"

"How about two hundred spirit stones per talisman?" The steward of the City Lord's Mansion said with a smile.

Zhang Yang felt anger rising; were they treating them like beggars?

He smiled faintly, looked around, and raised his voice, "We will hold a public auction at Hongqing Pavilion. If you want to buy talismans, come find us there! Oh, and tell your master, we're not selling a few pieces, but directly collaborating with Azurecloud Sect. So, show some sincerity."

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With that, he walked away, not giving the steward a chance to speak.

Around them, several figures quickly disappeared.

The steward's face changed, and he hurried away as well.