“Welcome,” a familiar face said with a smile as soon as Li Lang and Long Yi stepped down from the Skyrunner. “I’ve heard the summary of what happened. I’m glad everything went well. Please follow me somewhere we can talk more privately about what comes next.”

Long Yi politely nodded as he watched Chen Kan bow to his teacher and fall in line behind her shimmering hair that constantly changed between blue and white. As the two Rolling Tide disciples began to lead the way into the nearby colossal building, he lightly shoved Li Lang to awaken him from his stupor.

“Let’s go,” he whispered. “That elder is someone you know, right? Give them some face and at least acknowledge them.”

“Sure, sure,” Li Lang apathetically replied, as his gaze never left the wonders around him.

Seeing how his friend and headmaster weren’t going to snap out of it while still outdoors, he couldn’t help but push him forward himself. In hindsight, he should’ve expected this to happen the moment the Rolling Tide elder’s Skyrunner began veering down into the ocean.

At first, they had thought the Rolling Tide Sect was located in the modest seaside town they saw. They were confused at first when they didn’t stop there and continued to fly out into the ocean. For Li Lang, any confusion quickly turned into excitement as they began to plunge into the water. It grew in intensity when his expectations were met, arriving at an underwater settlement, protected by a grand formation that kept the water at bay.

“We should’ve thought of a similar idea—no, we don’t have the power to defend against the powerful Qi beasts at sea,” he muttered.

“Save your speculations for later. We have business to attend to,” Long Yi coldly stated as he shoved the troublemaker through the doorway.

He swiftly closed the doors behind them, obscuring any view of the outside water world. As he suspected, it was effective in getting Li Lang to settle down, albeit with some incoherent grumbling. Thankfully, he didn’t have to put up with it for long as they arrived in a normal-looking meeting room, save for the coral table at its center.

Before Li Lang could get distracted, the elder they had been following took the initiative and started the discussion right away.

“Allow me to introduce myself,” she said as he flashed Long Yi an amiable smile. “I am Lu Fengxian, an elder of the Rolling Tide Sect who has been entrusted with the responsibility of being the representative of our sect while we engage in official talks with the Star Gem Academy. I take it we all know what will be on the agenda of today’s discussion?”

“Yes,” Li Lang replied, “what does your sect have in mind?”

“We would like to request the help of the member of your academy who has managed to subdue a portion of the Voracious Mire.” Both she and her disciple glanced toward Long Yi. “Of course, adequate compensation will be included.”

“And what does that entail, specifically?” Li Lang couldn’t help but ask.

“There are numerous possible options. While I can’t boast our sect for being the wealthiest, we do have many years of accumulation to rely on. We can provide most items that cultivators at your level may need. Saint-grade materials or pills like Core Formation Pills or Heaven’s Renewal Pills are possible in limited quantities. Tell us what you need and we’ll most likely have it or will be able to obtain it.”

“Does that include other heavenly elements?”

Elder Lu let out a soft chuckle. “Surely you jest. If our Sect could readily access other heavenly elements so easily, we wouldn’t be prioritizing this matter so heavily.”

In response, Li Lang grinned. She was right in that he wasn’t entirely serious when he asked the question, but he still wanted to ask. He observed her for a few moments, trying to decipher if her words meant their sect truly had no access to other heavenly elements or that they weren’t open to revealing their existences. Unfortunately, all he saw was a friendly smile, with no visible emotions underneath the facade.

As expected of an elder in the Violet Core Realm. She’s hard to read.

“Headmaster Li?” Her eloquent voice genuinely came across as asking about his well-being, but he knew it was urging him to continue.

“Excuse me, I was just thinking.”

“Oh, please take your time. I didn’t mean to rush you, but I suggest voicing what’s on your mind. It may make these talks easier for both sides when we are both honest with our desires and concerns.”

“Yes, yes. Of course,” Li Lang nodded along, offering only lip service.

Of course, you would want that. It will just give your side, which has more resources, more leverage.

“Then I’ll be forthright with you,” he continued. “While our Star Gem Academy would be happy to help your sect members attempt to subdue fragments of the Voracious Mire, our intention is to bring the main body back to Starpoint Island.”

Lu Fengxian’s warm smile froze. Despite her unchanging expression, her displeasure was somehow conveyed.

“That is quite—startling to hear, Headmaster Li. The Voracious Mire is a heavenly element that resides in our Azure Mist Province. I believe it was your member who conveyed its desire to be left undisturbed. How could you possibly think to go against its wishes and risk earning its ire?”

“I believe what Long Yi conveyed was that it wishes not to be disbursed by your disciples, who had already earned its ire by killing a significant number of the Qi beasts in its territory. As Long Yi has subdued a fragment of it, it now has a special connection with him. The main body of the Voracious Mire will no doubt listen to our request to relocate once we promise it a more ideal environment conducive to its growth.”

“That means nothing,” Elder Lu said with more strength in her voice. “One of our disciples will surely subdue a fragment of it in due time as well. It does not excuse taking a valuable resource from our province. None of the sects within the Azure Mist province will allow that.”

“Oh, did the orthodox sects of your province already come to a consensus on what to do with the Voracious Mire? I’d love to hear it, so I can make a proper decision.”

“That—”

Elder Lu quickly raised her hand to silence her disciple.

“While the sects of our province haven’t agreed on any specific solutions, it’s indisputable that we agree that the Voracious Mire is to be shared amongst ourselves. As we were the ones credited with its discovery, we do have more say on how access to the heavenly earth will be divided. If your wish is to obtain the Voracious Mire’s power for your academy, there may be some leeway to include your organization, despite it being located out of province.”

“I truly do appreciate your sect’s consideration for including an outsider like us,” Li Lang replied. “However, I still think the best choice is for the Voracious Mire to return to Starpoint Island with me. Do let me finish, though. Why I say this is not because of any selfish reasons, but wanting to grow the pie so we all have a bigger slice.”

“Pie?”

“Excuse me, I mean something akin to white sugar cake.”

“You mean to say the Voracious Mire will become more powerful and allow for more people to subdue a fragment of it if it moves to Starpoint Island?”

“Yes, but more specifically, the Crucible.”

The Rolling Tide cultivators drew in a sharp breath at the mention of the famed Spirit-grade artifact. They no longer had the grounds to argue, as they truly did not know or dare to question the capability of such a powerful artifact.

“Regardless,” Elder Lu continued, but her tone was no longer as confident. “The only way I see the various forces of our province agreeing is if you can assure them that their quota will be more than if the heavenly earth stayed.”

“Of course, of course. However, perhaps because of my age, I’m not patient enough to test and compare, so why don’t I give them some tangible benefits so we can move things along?” Li Lang lied with a straight face. “The quota allocated won’t just be for accessing the Voracious Mire, but also all the other trials within the Crucible. It’d be more efficient that way, and everyone will be happy. ”

“I can only agree on behalf of my sect. As for the other—”

“I’m sure they’ll agree, too. Just put in a good word for me. After all, the only concern left is the Voracious Mire leaving their province, right? It shouldn’t matter that much, though, considering Starpoint Island to be so close. Having a treasure on your territory doesn’t actually give any of you tangible benefits, but relocating to my Crucible does. Don’t you agree?”

For a moment, nothing was said as Elder Lu ran through the calculations of benefits and political considerations between the powers of their province. She couldn’t find any areas to nitpick, as having the hot potato thrown to Star Gem Academy would mean their sect wouldn’t have to spend any political capital on keeping control of it. It would keep the waters around the Azure Mist from being muddied in the short term as sects fight over the right to access the heavenly earth.

Nothing was stopping her from agreeing, but there was still one topic entrusted to her to broach. Seeing how the winds were blowing, she decided she had the leeway to add it as a condition instead.

“Your suggestion has some merit to it, but our sect does have a condition.”

“Oh, let’s hear it,” Li Lang said, trying not to let his brows crease.

“Your academy is quite new and enigmatic to most parties. I’m sure you recognize this and will work to remedy it soon, as many other problems will eventually arise when a sect is too isolated. I can tell you the first step to addressing this issue is to open up trade for the mortals, which would require a town for them to operate in. Our sect would like mortal territory under us to be the first among your trade partners, and permission to establish an outpost there to improve our relations. Of course, your academy is welcome to establish the same in our territory.”

“Hmm, I see.” Li Lang put on a thoughtful look, hiding the fact that the gears in his head were turning at max speed.

She’s talking about an embassy of sorts? And what is this about establishing a mortal city? That isn’t something I’ve considered yet!