Chapter 400: Qian Tong
Black Mountain City was not a city that survived on Demon Beasts and medicinal herbs.
They had mines.
In the heart of Celestial Barrier Mountain lay a massive vein of Profound Iron—one that, according to them, was large enough to sustain Black Mountain City for eight to ten generations.
As a result, ninety percent of the Cultivators in the city were miner-cultivators.
These hard-bitten toilers, who treated descending into the mines like taking a drink of water, naturally looked down on the city's other Cultivators.
Guarding the vein didn't make them rich, but it offered stability. As long as they were willing to work hard, they would never lack for cultivation resources.
Perhaps because Profound Iron was so plentiful, most of the city's buildings were constructed with it, lending many areas a deep, somber sheen.
The city walls were especially striking. They bore a dark, metallic luster that gave them an indestructible air, though much of it was obscured by a layer of dust and grime.
Bai Mo listened to the rhythmic clang of hammering and forging.
He passed rows of houses and buildings on his way to the City Lord's Mansion.
His elderly senior brother, already dressed in fine robes, was waiting for him.
As Bai Mo stepped into the hall, an old man shot to his feet and hurried over, his expression one of great eagerness.
The old man's face was lined and slack, his hair and beard were completely white, and age spots dotted his skin.
But bolstered by his Core Formation cultivation, his complexion remained ruddy.
"Hahaha! It's been so long since someone from the sect visited!"
"To finally meet a fellow disciple today… my heart is full of joy!"
WHAP!
The senior brother seized Bai Mo's hand and led him toward a seat.
"Quickly, sit! Sit!"
"Today, you must tell me all about what's been happening in the sect. I've heard rumors, but I don't know any of the details…"
Bai Mo had learned the name of this senior brother before leaving the sect.
Doing as he was told, Bai Mo sat down and said with a smile,
"Brother Qian, there's no need to rush. We have plenty of time to talk."
"I'll be out for more than a day. There's no need to rush things."
Qian Tong sat back in the head seat. "Good."
"Someone, bring tea!"
A young Cultivator entered from outside, his gaze lowered deferentially as he carried in a tea set and poured for the two of them.
Bai Mo noticed the young man's features bore a strong resemblance to Qian Tong's, though he couldn't tell if he was a son or a grandson.
After taking a sip and savoring the flavor, Bai Mo couldn't help but ask,
"From what I've seen of Black Mountain City, the Cultivators are formidable and the city is well-armed. I imagine you're not too worried about the Demon Beast calamity?"
The Foreign Affairs Hall had sent a letter some days ago, so Qian Tong knew this young junior brother of his had come regarding the Demon Beast calamity.
When it came to official sect business, no one dared to be negligent, especially someone like him stationed at an external post.
Qian Tong sat up straight, his expression turning serious.
"I wouldn't dare make any grand claims."
"But Black Mountain City was only able to develop to its current state by relying on the Profound Iron vein in Celestial Barrier Mountain."
"Not only do I send men to periodically clear out the surrounding area, I've even found ways to guide certain Demon Beasts to settle and reproduce there. You could say my control over the region is quite firm…"
Bai Mo nodded silently.
It wasn't surprising. With Qian Tong's experience from the main sect, coupled with decades of his own management, bringing a region to this level of order was to be expected.
After speaking for a while, Qian Tong suddenly lowered his voice and asked,
"This Demon Beast calamity in Celestial Barrier Mountain… how did it get so bad?"
"In previous years, even during the beasts' mating seasons, they've never been this frenzied."
Hearing this, Bai Mo began to understand.
'It seems this senior brother really has been away from the sect for a long time. He must be cut off from most of the news.'
Bai Mo chose his words carefully. "The sect has allied with two other major powers. They launched a plan and have already pushed past Celestial Barrier Mountain."
"As for what they're after, someone at my level of cultivation wouldn't dare to speculate. But I'm sure you have an idea, Brother Qian."
Realization dawned on Qian Tong.
"The so-called secret to immortality? I used to run all over the place with my fellow disciples back in the day…"
Now that they were on the same page, Bai Mo explained the situation in Dagu Town.
"Black Mountain City has plenty of manpower. I was wondering if you could dispatch some people to help?"
Qian Tong smiled. "That won't be a problem."
"I'll just send a team over."
"This is a perfect chance for you to rest in the city for a bit, Junior Brother. Spare yourself the arduous journey…"
Bai Mo shook his head.
"Your help is more than enough, Brother Qian. As for the rest, I dare not slack off!"
"Very well."
The two spoke at length in the hall, with Qian Tong asking most of the questions and Bai Mo answering them.
Having been away for so long, he was quite concerned about the changes within the sect.
Occasionally, he would ask after certain people, but unfortunately, Bai Mo had been stationed at Mi Mountain for a long time and didn't know many of them.
At the very end, Qian Tong sighed.
"My cultivation path wasn't smooth in my early years with the sect. It was only after great hardship that I managed to break through to the Core Formation Realm."
"And though I had some fortunate encounters that strengthened my qi and blood and extended my lifespan, I had become disheartened. I chose to return to my hometown to manage things here."
He stood up to see Bai Mo out.
"I often wonder… if I hadn't left back then, would things be different now…"
"But there's no use talking about it. You should cherish your days at the sect, Junior Brother. The longer you're away, the more you realize that the sect is the true treasure trove for cultivation."
Bai Mo listened in silence, a faint smile on his lips.
"I started as a Loose Cultivator, so I naturally understand the value of a sect…"
After agreeing to visit often, Bai Mo took his leave.
Bai Mo stayed in the city for two days, during which he surveyed the city's layout and inquired about the general location of the Profound Iron vein.
After confirming that what Qian Tong had said was true, he was finally able to put his mind at ease.
Bai Mo then went to the City Lord's Mansion to inform Qian Tong of his departure.
The two adjacent villages between Dagu Town and Black Mountain City were in a rather good location.
From now on, Bai Mo would likely be stationed in one of those two places.
'The energies of earth, wind, water, and fire are so active there. It's a perfect place for Alchemy!'
'I never thought I'd find a place like this after leaving the sect.'
Without any delay, Bai Mo and Ah Er left, not pausing for a moment.
There really wasn't much to see in Black Mountain City. Aside from the trade of ores, the city's largest market was for weapons.
With all sorts of Cultivators coming and going, it was no wonder a Core Formation expert like Qian Tong was needed to keep things in order. Otherwise, chaos would surely reign.
Meanwhile, back in the City Lord's Mansion, after seeing Bai Mo off, Qian Tong sat back down in the head seat.
His aura seemed to drain away like water. The vitality he had been forcing himself to display vanished, and his face grew wan. He suddenly looked much older.
The young Cultivator who had served Bai Mo came over again. He added a ground medicinal powder to a cup and mixed it with water.
"Are you all right?"
Qian Tong waved his hand dismissively.
"I'm just barely hanging on as it is."
"If the sect knew about my condition, they probably wouldn't let me continue to guard this city. The mine is too important, after all."
"If your generation can't step up… sigh…"
The young Cultivator who had been preparing the tea fell silent.
Reaching Foundation Establishment wasn't difficult when backed by a mountain of resources, but Core Formation couldn't be forced.
Qian Tong didn't seem to want to say more on the topic. He said flatly,
"You know about the Demon Beast calamity. If something really were to happen, I'd have to risk this old life of mine."
"If you don't want that to happen, then you'd best keep a close watch on the mountains."
He lifted the cup of bitter medicinal tea and gulped it down, feeling a warmth spread through his body.
"That junior brother of mine probably didn't see through my current state."
"To prevent him from finding out, I won't meet with him often. I want you to dispatch two capable juniors to accompany him to the village."
"If any issues arise, help him solve them. We don't want him coming back here looking for me…"