Chapter 579: A Formidable Alliance
The orioles sing melodiously, clouds disperse and rain ceases.
True Master Illusion Flower’s eyes were hazy, collapsed on the soft bed, completely unwilling to move.
Beside her, Shen Xuan’s breathing was steady, his mind clear and refreshed.
True Master Illusion Flower felt complex emotions in her heart.
Two parts annoyance, three parts shyness, and five parts indescribable satisfaction.
This rascal was indeed quite troublesome.
Yet he also made her feel somewhat proud.
Actually, Shen Xuan didn’t think much of it.
Meeting again with someone you’ve had a relationship with, would surely involve revisiting old memories.
True Master Illusion Flower was different from Qin Yuehan.
Relatively speaking, True Master Illusion Flower was more carefree.
Shen Xuan could follow his heart and act freely.
No need to concern himself with True Master Illusion Flower’s feelings.
In Shen Xuan’s mind.
His connection with True Master Illusion Flower wasn’t even a fleeting romance.
At most, it was just a one-night stand.
With Shen Xuan’s current status, he could easily choose from the female True Masters in Song Country’s Fake Pill Realm.
Countless sect families would rush to offer them.
If Shen Xuan wished to formalize a connection.
He could pick a True Pill female True Master.
Ordinary cultivators might regard Core Formation female True Masters as unattainable.
To Shen Xuan, they were merely ordinary female cultivators.
The two intertwined for several days.
After leaving a Life-Extending Pill, Shen Xuan intended to leave True Master Illusion Flower.
At this time, True Master Illusion Flower, touched by the gift, said coquettishly, "Shen Lang, let me tell you a secret..."
After hearing this, Shen Xuan’s expression shifted slightly.
Unexpectedly, the Myriad Phenomena Sect possessed such a treasure!
When luck comes, not even immortals can stop it!
A well-known female writer once said the path to a woman’s soul is...
Just a Life-Extending Pill.
To Shen Xuan now, it’s insignificant.
Yet it moved True Master Illusion Flower profoundly.
So, are women all creatures of emotion?
The next day, at Shen Xuan’s suggestion, True Master Illusion Flower sent out invitations, inviting sect brothers to a banquet.
She invited Sect Leader Xuan Zun True Master, Golden Core Spiritual Essence True Master, True Pill Qing Xu True Master, City Lord Qing Xuan True Master, Deputy City Lord Shui Yuan True Master.
These five True Masters of the Myriad Phenomena Sect, except Qing Xuan True Master, had all met Shen Xuan briefly.
Shen Xuan reverted to his former appearance.
True Master Illusion Flower linked arms with Shen Xuan, sitting side by side, with a face full of spring’s brightness.
True Master Shui Yuan was the first to arrive.
Upon entering the reception hall, seeing Shen Xuan, his expression changed.
"Could it be Fellow Daoist Profound Ice of Cyan Cloud Sect in person?"
Shen Xuan cupped his fists, smiling and said, "Profound Ice greets Fellow Daoist Shui Yuan."
True Master Shui Yuan dared not be remiss, promptly bowed and returned the gesture.
"Fellow Daoist Profound Ice’s Ice Technique is wondrous, its renown shakes every country, I’ve admired you for a long time. It’s a great honor to meet you today."
"Fellow Daoist Shui Yuan is too kind."
The banquet was convened in the name of True Master Illusion Flower.
However, the true host was Shen Xuan.
True Master Illusion Flower had explained the reason in the invitation.
Otherwise, after parting hastily then, True Master Shui Yuan might not recognize Shen Xuan.
Soon after, Qing Xuan True Master arrived.
True Master Illusion Flower warmly introduced them.
Shen Xuan was very courteous, praising Qing Yun Immortal City under Qing Xuan True Master’s governance, being even more prosperous than Qing Yun Immortal City.
These were obviously pleasantries.
Qing Xuan True Master was extremely pleased, his attitude towards Shen Xuan becoming even more polite and friendly.
Shortly after, True Master Spiritual Essence and True Master Qing Xu arrived together.
Shen Xuan stood up to welcome them, proactively offering greetings.
These two True Masters had facilitated his use of Frost Valley Cave Mansion during his Core Formation.
"Everyone sit down. Sect Leader Brother has important matters to attend to, might be slightly delayed, but will arrive soon."
True Master Spiritual Essence left the most honorable main seat empty.
He and Shen Xuan took seats to the left and right of the empty space.
"Today we gather, borrowing Sister Illusion Flower’s residence, to celebrate Fellow Daoist Profound Ice."
Upon hearing this, True Master Illusion Flower clapped her hands.
Soon, maids served jade plates, with spirit wine and delicacies.
"Fellow Daoist Profound Ice, Spiritual Essence is a few years older, let me first toast you."
"I dare not. Profound Ice first toasts Brother Spiritual Essence!"
Everyone took turns toasting.
After three rounds of drinking, the atmosphere became lively.
True Master Illusion Flower said coquettishly, "Shen Lang, back when you formed your Core, Brother Spiritual Essence and Brother Qing Xu put in quite a bit of effort."
Shen Xuan laughed: "That’s exactly why I’m here."
He brought out six medicine bottles and six stacks of talismans, distributing them to each True Master’s table.
"These are Cold Jade Pill and Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Talisman refined by me, small tokens, not enough to express my respect, but Fellow Daoists, please don’t be polite."
Tier Two Spirit Pills and Thunder Talismans were of average value to these True Masters.
The fact that Shen Xuan personally refined them carried its own significance.
True Master Spiritual Essence glanced at the medicine pills and talismans before him, with a thoughtful expression.
"Fellow Daoist Profound Ice, there’s talk outside that you dual cultivate in Pills and Talismans, are a Tier Three Water Technique Alchemist, and Tier Three Ice Technique Talisman Master, is this true?"
Qing Xuan True Master chuckled and said: "Fellow Daoist Profound Ice, show us old fellows a thing or two."
Shen Xuan smiled slightly.
This time, he brought out Tier Three Life-Extending Spirit Pills, Life-Extending Pills, Tier Three Middle-Grade Ice Talismans, Ice Soul Flying Sword Talismans.
This was also the highest tier of spiritual elixirs and talismans he could currently refine.
The banquet suddenly quieted down.
True Masters of Lu Country’s sect had been focusing on the war between Yan and Song countries.
True Master Profound Ice’s combat strength was formidable, also skilled in Body Refining, defeating Late Stage Golden Core, his fame spreading far and wide.
Cold Jade Pill and Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Talisman were passable.
Even rare special spirit pills or mutated talismans.
Ultimately, being Tier Two, their value is limited.
But these Tier Three special spirit pills, Tier Three middle-grade ice talismans, held extraordinary significance.
These were spiritual objects Core Formation True Masters could utilize.
With Shen Xuan’s current combat strength and Pill and Talisman mastery, in middle-tier Golden Core Sects, he was firmly the sect’s foremost person.
The Sect Leader would voluntarily cede his position to him.
True Master Spiritual Essence sighed with admiration and said, "Fellow Daoist Profound Ice, your talents are truly outstanding. Spiritual Essence is impressed."
The other True Masters all complimented Shen Xuan enthusiastically.
True Master Spiritual Essence let out a light sigh.
Back then, Sect Leader Senior Brother True Master Profound, had him attempt to recruit and win him over.
He offered a Tier Three Middle Grade Spiritual Land, inviting Shen Xuan to serve as an honored guest elder of the Myriad Phenomena Sect.
At the time, Shen Xuan politely declined.
Now, with Shen Xuan’s magnificent display of power in the sect war between Yan and Song countries,
attempting to recruit him to join the Myriad Phenomena Sect at this time was utterly impossible.
As for True Master Illusion Flower,
she had some personal acquaintance with Shen Xuan.
But it was limited to matters between a man and a woman.
Impossible to influence Shen Xuan’s decisions.
True Master Spiritual Essence picked up the Ice Soul Flying Sword Talisman, carefully playing with it.
Then, he handed it to True Master Qing Xu.
True Master Qing Xu, a Water Technique True Pill cultivator, squinted his eyes, savoring the essence of the ice spiritual power in the Ice Soul Flying Sword Talisman, unable to put it down.
After a long while, he finally put down the Ice Soul Flying Sword Talisman, and asked, "Fellow Daoist Profound Ice, what is the power of this Ice Talisman?"
Shen Xuan smiled and said, "This is the Ice Soul Flying Sword Talisman, when fully activated, it can strike with the full force of an early-stage True Pill."
"If Fellow Daoist Qing Xu likes it, I shall gift the talisman to you for your enjoyment."
With these words, the atmosphere of the banquet became rather peculiar.
A Tier Three Middle Grade Ice Talisman is invaluable.
It is worth at least tens of thousands of Spirit Stones.
Yet Shen Xuan gave it away just like that.
Such generosity was uncommon.
Although True Master Qing Xu had offered him some convenience during his pill solidification,
that was a fair deal, as Shen Xuan had paid for the cave mansion rental.
Beside him, True Master Illusion Flower coquettishly chimed in, "Shen Lang, I also like it! I want it too!"
Shen Xuan looked at True Master Illusion Flower speechlessly.
This is a Tier Three Middle Grade Ice Talisman, not something to be given away so easily!
Even if True Master Illusion Flower wanted it, she should not have asked for it in front of so many people.
Women are like that, when they see something good, they want to possess it.
The atmosphere turned slightly awkward.
True Master Spiritual Essence lightly coughed.
"Fellow Daoist Profound Ice is generous! Come, let us brothers and sisters of the Myriad Phenomena Sect toast to Fellow Daoist Profound Ice!"
"I don’t deserve such praise from Brother Spiritual Essence."
Everyone stood up and toasted, drinking their wine.
The atmosphere immediately lightened.
The True Masters of the Myriad Phenomena Sect became more aware of Shen Xuan’s strength.
In the Cultivation Realm, ultimately, strength reigns supreme, and the last one standing is king.
True Master Spiritual Essence secretly performed a spell, sending a message into the jade talisman.
After the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn,
True Master Profound arrived with great strides.
"Fellow Daoist Profound Ice, it has been years since we last met, yet your demeanor is unchanged! I arrived late and shall penalize myself with three cups!"
After drinking three cups of Spirit Wine.
Only then did Shen Xuan smile and toast the wine.
"Brother Profound, despite your many duties, you took the time to come personally, I am truly grateful!"
True Master Profound took out a wine gourd: "Come, drink! This is the Purple Jade Fragrance I brewed myself, please taste it, Fellow Daoist Profound Ice!"
Shen Xuan drank all the wine in his cup.
"Good wine!"
Purple Jade Fragrance Spirit Wine has a slight effect of nourishing the divine soul.
Even with Shen Xuan’s level of realm cultivation, it brought a feeling of pleasant relaxation.
"Senior Brother Sect Leader rarely takes out this Purple Jade Fragrance Spirit Wine. We all are benefitting from Fellow Daoist Profound Ice’s presence!"
True Master Qing Xu laughed and said.
With cups and goblets crossing, the aroma of wine intoxicated the senses.
The banquet concluded.
In a secret chamber, Shen Xuan sat opposite True Master Profound and True Master Spiritual Essence.
True Master Illusion Flower was on the side, pouring Spirit Tea to sober them up.
"Brother Profound, I want to cooperate with your esteemed sect."
In the secret chamber, there were no outsiders present.
Shen Xuan spoke directly and openly about his intentions.
True Master Profound nodded.
Since he attended the banquet, he was prepared for this.
"I wonder what kind of cooperation you have in mind?"
Shen Xuan smiled and took out a jade scroll.
On it was a list of Starlight Island’s processed materials, sourced from the Wilderness among the Demon Race, used for artifact refining and talisman making.
These refining and talisman materials are all Tier Two, available in large quantities.
The influence of the United Commerce Association is limited to Song Country.
To Shen Xuan, the Myriad Phenomena Sect is a suitable partner for resale cooperation.
He could not rely solely on the United Commerce Association for all sales channels.
True Master Profound scanned the jade scroll with his divine sense, quite astonished.
These Tier Two refining and talisman materials are priced at only seventy percent of the market price in Lu Country.
"Fellow Daoist Profound Ice, this price is satisfactory to our Myriad Phenomena Sect. I wonder how much Starlight Island can supply?"
"As for quantity, however much your esteemed sect wants, Starlight Island can provide that amount."
Shen Xuan’s smile did not change.
True Master Profound and True Master Spiritual Essence glanced at each other.
They hadn’t expected Shen Xuan to speak with such confidence.
The market demand for Tier Two refining and talisman materials is high, easy to sell.
Some high-grade Tier Two materials are considered strategic spiritual objects by the sects, with restricted external sales and circulation.
True Master Spiritual Essence said solemnly, "There are rumors outside that these materials from Fellow Daoist Profound Ice come from the Wilderness Demon Race."
"So what?"
Shen Xuan chuckled lightly.
"It’s merely the Demon Race has occupied that spiritual land. If our Human Race cultivators took over, wouldn’t these spirit plants and spiritual ores still be developed?"
"When cultivators purchase, what they look for isn’t the source, but the grade, correct?"
True Master Profound waved his hand to stop True Master Spiritual Essence from further questions.
"Cooperation poses no issue. There are benefits, Fellow Daoist Profound Ice remembers our Myriad Phenomena Sect, and I appreciate that sentiment. But, regarding the price, Fellow Daoist Profound Ice, could you perhaps give a little more room?"
Shen Xuan pondered and said, "This price has no room for reduction."
"How about this, I can compensate your esteemed sect in other aspects."