Chapter 196 - 168: Another Year
The situation indeed unfolded as Xiao Yuan had predicted.
In the territories of the Tianxing Sect, the Returning True Sect only took two adjacent market towns, and the rest, including a mountain gate with a Third Order Spirit Land, a Cultivation City, and four other market towns, were divided and annexed by the Hongshan Sect and several neighboring sects.
Of course, that was only what was apparent and visible.
As for whether the Returning True Sect got more behind the scenes, Chen Li had no idea.
At the very least, the number of Cultivation Techniques in the scripture library had suddenly increased a lot, and even the annual salary for Foundation Establishment had gone from fifty mid-grade Spirit Stones to one top-grade Spirit Stone, doubling it. At the same time, a one-time war reward of ten top-grade Spirit Stones per person was issued, which was truly a generous move.
Since it was still winter and just after the war, it was time for recuperation, and the whole sect was relatively leisurely, but as spring approached the next year, they would probably be busy again.
...
The cold wind howled and wailed like the cries of ghosts and the howls of wolves. The distant mountains were covered with thick layers of snow, a vision of pure white, as if blanketed by a thick quilt or the towering waves of a great sea.
However, in these frigid mountains, there was a rare geothermal hot spring, with steam curling up into the air.
Taking advantage of the post-war tranquility and thinking that his wives and concubines might feel cooped up at the mountain gate, Chen Li brought the two women to this hot spring that he had stumbled upon occasionally to relax and have fun.
Outside, the cold wind was piercing and snowflakes danced about, while the spring was warm and comfortable.