I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals
Chapter 456: Imperial Crisis, the Return of Nether Water

Chapter 456: Imperial Crisis, the Return of Nether Water

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Several days later, a secret message from the Yunxia Sect was delivered to the central imperial capital of the Great Yu Kingdom.

Within the imperial forbidden zone, deep inside a hidden minor realm, an aged, irate voice echoed through the space:

"Just a mere early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, yet so full of himself. Daring to waver back and forth, raising his price while sitting on the fence! Does he truly think our Great Yu Imperial Clan is some run-of-the-mill Nascent Soul power, incapable of dealing with him?"

"Cough cough... Patriarch, please quell your anger!"

A middle-aged scholar in green robes, with a sickly complexion, wearing a square scarf and wooden clogs, bowed and reported respectfully.

If Lan Chang'an were here, he would recognize this green-robed man as none other than the Imperial Clan’s mysterious Nascent Soul cultivator, True Monarch Iron Calculation.

This fourth-rank divination grandmaster of the imperial family rarely appeared in public. Years ago, he had made an exception to attend Xiang Dalong’s Nascent Soul ascension ceremony.

Currently, as the Great Yu Kingdom wages war against the northern Great Luo Kingdom and the Yu Emperor is absent from the country, many of Great Yu’s key strategies are being handled by True Monarch Iron Calculation.

What Xiang Dalong had sent was not a private message, but solid evidence of Yaqi Mountain and Great Luo Kingdom attempting to win him over, along with the lavish terms offered.

By tossing this treacherous letter to the Imperial Clan, Xiang Dalong feigned sincerity, but his true intentions were not hard to discern. No wonder the clan patriarch was so enraged.

For a top-tier hegemonic force in the Central Region, what early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator would dare extort the Imperial Clan?

“Xiang Dalong handed over the enemy’s letter voluntarily. He probably doesn’t really want to betray Great Yu. Overall, it still seems he favors our side. Cough cough... However, the boy seeks reassurance from the Imperial Clan, more promises and benefits to firm up his resolve.”

True Monarch Iron Calculation offered a rational analysis, his tone tactful, giving the patriarch a way to back down gracefully.

Xiang Dalong now rivaled mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators in strength, and his influence could very well tilt the entire cultivation war. That was already an accepted fact.

Furthermore, the other of the “Two Dragons of the Central Region,” True Monarch Jing Tian, had once pointed out the Imperial Clan’s fatal weakness, suspected to be tied to that legendary “small sect.”

Though he never stated it outright, True Monarch Iron Calculation had discreetly warned the Emperor and the Patriarch about this.

“Sigh... These are unusual times. Our clan’s conquest of Great Luo must be secured. No need to fuss over someone like Xiang Dalong, who only chases profit.”

The aged voice sighed, the anger in it gradually subsiding.

Even though True Monarch Iron Calculation was in the minor realm, he could not determine the patriarch’s location, he could only hear the voice.

Back in the day, this old patriarch had been the former Emperor Yu himself, a domineering ruler who had never once yielded to an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

“Cough cough... The Patriarch speaks wisely. Only by gathering greater national fortune can the Yu Clan hope to produce a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, one strong enough to face the shifting tides of crisis from the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty.”

True Monarch Iron Calculation knew well: the true threat to the Great Yu Imperial Clan did not lie in the Great Yuan.

“Late-stage Nascent Soul... If only.”

The patriarch’s voice carried both hope and a sense of helplessness.

Conquering Great Luo and amassing a greater share of national fortune would, at best, slightly increase the odds of achieving late-stage Nascent Soul.

He asked solemnly, “Any new intelligence from the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty?”

“None for now, but the broader situation is becoming clear.”

True Monarch Iron Calculation’s brow furrowed in seriousness as he reported:

“The Great Jin Immortal Dynasty’s reform of the ‘Nine-Rank Immortal Official System’ is nearing completion. The unification and stabilization of the entire Fenghua Province is nearly done. Numerous demon kings and ghosts have been subdued, bowing in allegiance. All signs point to the Dynasty beginning its expansion and infiltration into other provinces.”

“Ten thousand years ago, our lineage was framed and hunted by the Dynasty. Only through the protection of our forebears, Nascent Soul Great Cultivators, did we manage to flee to this remote coastal province. Now that the Dynasty’s hands are free, its vast net of divine justice will inevitably come for the traitorous royal bloodlines that once escaped.”

The Great Yu Imperial Clan was no ordinary cultivation family in the eyes of the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty. They had once been royal relatives with princely titles and had absconded with many of the dynasty’s secret heritages and techniques.

Thus, once the Dynasty had the resources to spare, they would come knocking sooner or later.

Fortunately, the Dynasty’s “False Heavenly Lord,” once they left the region governed by the Dynasty’s dragon fate, would suffer major losses in cultivation realm. The Great Yuan Coast was far from the Dynasty’s core, and such figures, when they came, would be little stronger than normal Nascent Soul Great Cultivators.

As for genuine Deity Transformation Heavenly Lords, the great powers of the cultivation world kept each other in check, they almost never acted. With the threat of the Heavenly One Great Tribulation ever looming, they dared not expose themselves recklessly.

As long as the Great Yu Kingdom could produce one true Nascent Soul Great Cultivator, it would have the confidence to face the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty’s eventual reckoning.

Why not just submit to the Dynasty?

It wasn’t merely a question of punishment and justice.

Cultivators seek immortality and freedom, how could they willingly live under the yoke of the Immortal Dynasty, bound by its endless laws and constraints?

In the Dynasty’s territory, no independent or neutral sects were permitted, not even monsters or spirits. All had to be registered, assimilated, and governed by the Dynasty.

...

Inside the secret realm, a long silence followed.

“Iron Calculation, how do you plan to placate Xiang Dalong?”

The Yu Clan Patriarch finally broke the stillness.

If Xiang Dalong could be won over to the Imperial Clan’s cause, their conquest of the Great Luo Kingdom would become much smoother.

“We’ll open the imperial treasury and secret vaults to him, offer him low-price trades, and do our best to meet his resource needs. After a hundred years apart, Xiang Dalong may already have reached the threshold of becoming a fourth-rank puppet refining master. He’ll no doubt need to forge a fourth-rank puppet. Our Imperial Clan holds many rare materials for puppets, including some long-lost refining secrets…”

True Monarch Iron Calculation had clearly made preparations.

What Xiang Dalong wanted was profit. As long as they satisfied him, there was no need for complications.

The Patriarch asked again, “Great Luo Kingdom promised to betroth their greatest beauty, Princess Luo Qianshui, to Xiang Dalong. Do we have anything comparable?”

Since they intended to placate Xiang Dalong, they couldn’t let the enemy offer better terms.

“Cough cough... None of our current princesses can rival Luo Qianshui in talent or beauty.”

True Monarch Iron Calculation coughed and spoke bluntly.

Among the Great Yu Imperial Clan’s current generation of princesses, some were too old and others already married.

Those who remained had questionable reputations: some kept male concubines, others led scandalous private lives.

In contrast, Luo Qianshui was a paragon of grace and purity, young, beautiful, and well-regarded. None of the Great Yu princesses could match her.

“Red Sleeve has suggested we grant Princess Zhiwei to Xiang Dalong as a concubine.”

“Zhiwei? Isn’t that girl already married?”

The Patriarch sounded hesitant, unsure of the proposal.

In terms of looks and temperament, Princess Zhiwei surpassed most royal princesses and was on par with Princess Luo Qianshui.

Princess Zhiwei was proud and ambitious. Years ago, she had rejected an arranged match with Xiang Dalong, raising her standards afterward and refusing all further political pairings.

Not long ago, she took in a live-in husband, becoming a “married woman,” thus cutting off the Imperial Clan’s attempts to use her in further marriage alliances.

But the world knew this so-called “husband” was merely a façade. No true relationship existed between them.

“Cough... Red Sleeve believes that Zhiwei’s current status may, in fact, be more appealing to Xiang Dalong.”

True Monarch Iron Calculation took out a handkerchief and dabbed at the blood on his lips.

“Oh?”

The Yu Clan Patriarch paused in thought, then gave a faint, cryptic chuckle.

Indeed, given Xiang Dalong’s status, would he really lack access to someone like Luo Qianshui, a naive girl with no charm?

The widowed identity of Purple Mist Fairy had greatly captivated Xiang Dalong, and his dream had finally come true.

It was rumored that when True Monarch Yunlan wasn’t fully dead, the two had already been secretly involved.

On the other hand, even True Monarch Red Sleeve, a Nascent Soul fairy, had tried to seduce Xiang Dalong but he remained indifferent.

Clearly, Xiang Dalong had certain... preferences.

They would do well to cater to them.

...

Half a month later.

After returning from the front lines and barely resting in the Imperial Capital, the Red Sleeve True Monarch set out once more without delay.

“True Monarch Xiang, a visitor from the imperial family, Red Sleeve True Monarch herself.”

The Sect Master Xuefeng, currently guarding the sect, immediately sent a message talisman.

“I am already aware.”

From within his secluded cultivation chamber, Lan Chang'an opened his eyes, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

He soared out of the Yunlan Peak cave dwelling and arrived at the mountain gate barrier.

Hovering in the sky above was a flying imperial carriage, drawn by a third-rank spirit bird. The crimson cabin was adorned with golden phoenix patterns, resplendent and regal.

“True Monarch Xiang personally coming to greet me, this humble one is overwhelmed.”

Red Sleeve True Monarch stepped gracefully from the carriage, a radiant smile on her face. She was still clad in her signature red gown, her beauty refined, with a dignified elegance.

Xiang Dalong laughed heartily, meeting her gaze head-on.

A subtle chill crept across Red Sleeve’s skin, she sensed an obscure ripple of spiritual sense.

In that instant, she had the illusion of being utterly exposed, as if her robes and magical garments had vanished, every secret laid bare.

She was secretly shocked, this unnerving spiritual sense scrutiny was something only a Nascent Soul cultivator in the mid-stage or beyond could normally exert.

Could it be that this Xiang Dalong, missing for over a hundred years, had spiritual sense on par with a mid-stage Nascent Soul powerhouse?

“Forgive me, Fairy Red Sleeve. These are troubled times. With only myself holding down the fort here at Yunxia Sect, and entrusted by Ziyan, I must be cautious.”

Lan Chang'an smiled apologetically. His spiritual sense had not only confirmed Red Sleeve’s identity, but also swept through the carriage behind her.

“No matter. The Great Yu Kingdom is still at war, and heretical forces from Yaqi Mountain are infiltrating the nation. Caution is no fault.”

Red Sleeve True Monarch expressed her understanding and followed Lan Chang'an into the sect.

Her outward composure remained serene, but her heart was anything but calm.

She suspected the spiritual sense pressure earlier had been deliberate, a show of power meant for her to notice.

Otherwise, Xiang Dalong could have hidden such a trump card completely.

By revealing his strength, he was likely warning the imperial family to approach with sincerity and no tricks.

“I have urgent matters to discuss. Might we speak in private at your residence, True Monarch Xiang?”

“Of course.”

Lan Chang'an agreed without hesitation.

In the past, his meetings with Red Sleeve True Monarch had always included Purple Mist Fairy, preventing deeper conversation.

...

Yunlan Peak, cave residence.

In the main hall, Lan Chang'an and Red Sleeve took their seats as host and guest.

“A small token, an expression of the imperial family’s goodwill.”

Red Sleeve smiled as she raised a delicate hand.

The imperial carriage was brought into the main hall.

From behind the curtain, a graceful maid emerged carrying a tray.

On the tray lay a ceremonial gift scroll.

Inside the carriage behind her, four treasure chests were neatly arranged, along with a stack of jade boxes and vials containing precious medicinal herbs and spirit pills.

Lan Chang'an accepted the list, his eyes briefly scanning the maid, she looked familiar.

Clearly, she wasn’t just an ordinary servant.

Clad in a palace-style gown, her long black hair cascading straight down, she radiated an elegant aura. Her starlit eyes shimmered with vitality. Though her face was veiled in white gauze, the spiritual sense of a Nascent Soul cultivator could still perceive the peerless beauty beneath.

Since she presented herself as a maid, Lan Chang'an chose not to expose her or question further.

“Such lavish offerings, this one is unworthy of such generosity.”

As Lan Chang'an skimmed the list of treasures, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of emotion.

Among the items were fourth-rank materials, rare elixirs, and even ancient puppet cultivation techniques long preserved by the imperial family.

“A man of principle, unmoved by heretical persuasion, such loyalty shall be honored as a true patriot of the great kingdom.”

“These are but a portion of the court’s sincerity. The Mechanized Puppet Canon and Secrets of the Demon Puppets are ancient legacies from beyond the Great Yuan. No local Nascent Soul force possesses such deep foundations.”

Red Sleeve’s voice was calm and composed, her smile serene.

She then produced a jade slip and handed it to Lan Chang'an.

It recorded a list of the empire’s most treasured resources, wondrous natural materials, many of which were never made available for trade.

Among them were mid to high-grade fourth-rank puppet crafting materials and core components.

Lan Chang'an even spotted the incredibly rare Five Element Earth, a universal earth source, and potent body-tempering elixirs.

The jade slip’s contents, however, were not offered freely.

Some could be traded at a relatively discounted rate, through barter. Others, particularly rare, would require a hefty price.

“If True Monarch Xiang can further demonstrate sincerity, all of these top-tier resources in the slip may be made available.”

Red Sleeve’s voice was soft, melodic, and subtly persuasive.

Lan Chang'an was naturally moved, the imperial family’s reserves surpassed all common expectations.

The puppet materials alone would drastically accelerate the construction of his fourth-rank puppet formation.

And the body-tempering medicines and spiritual materials would help him breach the fourth rank in physical cultivation. He suspected the imperial court even had secret formulas for body refinements.

“The Azure Sparrow Plume mentioned here, are you certain it’s from a late fourth-rank beast?”

Lan Chang'an withdrew his spiritual sense and asked curiously.

“The Azure Sparrow Plume? Ah, it indeed came from a late fourth-rank Azure Sparrow with heavenly-grade bloodline. However, it's quite ancient, and much of its spirituality has faded. Still, its value remains comparable to that of a recently deceased mid-grade fourth-rank Azure Sparrow.”

“What’s this? Does True Monarch Xiang have an interest in Azure Sparrow Plumes? Are you perhaps planning to forge a fourth-rank avian puppet?”

Red Sleeve smiled, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

Back in Great Yuan, Lan Chang'an had been a renowned puppet master. He once acquired the skeletal remains of a Nine-Headed Bird to augment the Exotic Spirit Peacock puppet. That intelligence had clearly reached the imperial court.

“Indeed, I once attempted to ascend as a fourth-rank puppet master, putting all effort into crafting a fourth-rank puppet, only to fail. Most of the materials were lost. I’ll now have to start over, and it may take another hundred or two hundred years to gather everything again...”

Lan Chang'an's tone held a trace of bitterness.

“This Azure Sparrow Plume has lost much of its spirituality. It can be downgraded and used as material for refining a low-grade, fourth-rank avian puppet. Would the court consider a discounted trade?”

Red Sleeve, however, remained skeptical. Shaking her head slightly, she replied firmly,

“The Azure Sparrow Plume is not for sale. Were it not for your sincerity, it wouldn’t have been revealed at all. Such rare treasures cannot be bartered casually, unless you slay an enemy Nascent Soul cultivator.”

Upon hearing the condition, Lan Chang'an frowned slightly, troubled.

“Though I’m confident in confronting a mid-stage Nascent Soul, my offensive power still falls short of such giants. To truly kill one without letting their Nascent Soul escape... is no easy feat.”

Indeed, while mid-stage Nascent Souls could dominate early-stage cultivators, to fully annihilate one and preventing the soul from fleeing was immensely difficult.

Ambushes and scheming, of course, were another matter entirely.

Red Sleeve did not question him. After a moment’s thought, she offered a concession:

“Eliminating a Nascent Soul physical body will also suffice.”

Destroying a nascent soul's physical body could incapacitate them for decades, affecting the war effort.

More crucially, if Xiang Dalong were to slay a Nascent Soul from an enemy faction, he would be irrevocably bound to the Great Yu Kingdom, no more wavering.

“Allow me to consider it further. Perhaps once I’ve reached the peak of early-stage Nascent Soul, my chances will be much better.”

Lan Chang'an fully understood the implications and chose not to accept the offer immediately.

He planned to first secure the tradable fourth-rank materials, then slowly negotiate for the top-tier items.

Red Sleeve True Monarch smiled gracefully. “No hurry. Take your time, True Monarch Xiang.”

...

In the cave dwelling, after accepting the imperial gifts, Lan Chang'an hosted a grand banquet to warmly receive True Monarch Red Sleeve.

During the gathering, Lan Chang'an clearly stated his stance, he would never side with the demonic sects and spoke of unity in support of the Great Yu Kingdom.

Lady Red Sleeve was pleased. Her mission was largely accomplished.

As far as the imperial court was concerned, their bottom line with Xiang Dalong was simple: he must not defect to the Yaqi Mountain or Great Luo Kingdom factions.

If they could tempt him into fighting on the frontlines, all the better.

By sunset.

Lady Red Sleeve took her leave, leaving behind the lavishly stocked carriage filled with treasure chests as a sign of sincerity.

Of course, she also left behind the graceful and stunning “maidservant.”

“Zhiwei and True Monarch Xiang seem fated. Why not let her remain in your residence as a maid to warm your bed?”

Seeing the confusion in Lan Chang'an’s eyes, Lady Red Sleeve smiled slightly and transmitted her voice.

Lan Chang'an looked at Princess Zhiwei.

Beneath her white veil, her face was pale as snow, her eyes full of sorrow. She lowered her head in silence, as if awaiting the verdict of a cruel fate.

His memory drifted back to their first meeting years ago.

Back then, Xiang Dalong was merely a Core Formation cultivator, and the imperial family had tried to arrange a Dao companion match between them. She had felt slight aversion then, especially facing his bald and awkward appearance.

“True Monarch Xiang, rest assured, though Zhiwei was nominally married to a live-in son-in-law, it was only in name. Nothing real ever-”

“What?! A live-in husband?”

Lan Chang'an’s expression shifted instantly, eyes sharp with vigilance.

This woman was absolutely unacceptable!

“Does Fellow Daoist Red Sleeve take me for such a man? Take her away, at once.”

He waved his hand firmly, expression solemn and righteous.

Lady Red Sleeve froze, caught off guard.

Had she misjudged him?

Was Xiang Dalong not the sort of man with such peculiar tastes?

“It seems Xiang Dalong still harbors suspicions toward the imperial family… He probably thinks Zhiwei was sent as a spy.”

Lady Red Sleeve thought to herself but didn’t press the issue.

Unlike previous arranged marriages, Princess Zhiwei was merely a supplementary token this time.

The imperial family had no real expectation that she could spy under the nose of a mid Nascent Soul-level giant. That would only provoke resentment.

Before leaving, Princess Zhiwei cast a grateful glance at Lan Chang'an and gave a silent, respectful bow.

As a noble daughter of the imperial clan and a cultivator at the Core Formation stage, she would never willingly become the plaything of some old monster in the Nascent Soul realm.

Perhaps… Xiang Dalong truly was a cultivator of noble character.

…

After sending off the two imperial women.

Lan Chang'an picked up the gift registry again and began inspecting the bounty.

The materials stored within the carriage, precious fourth-rank treasures, spiritual pills, and rare herbs were worth what an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator might accumulate over two or three centuries.

From a treasure chest filled with ancient books, Lan Chang'an drew out two puppet cultivation manuals and immersed his spiritual sense into them.

“The Mechanized Puppet Canon,” an ancient text from Central State, recorded many lost mechanical puppet arts.

“The Secrets of the Demon Puppet,” specialized in puppets crafted from demon beasts, detailing ways to reduce material loss and preserve their innate supernatural abilities.

After browsing through them, Lan Chang'an was delighted.

True Monarch Red Sleeve had not exaggerated, the two puppet manuals were extremely rare and likely unattainable from any other sect.

Already in possession of the core inheritance from the Thousand Mechanisms Sect, Lan Chang'an was beyond 99% of puppet masters in the cultivation world.

Now that he has obtained two more puppet secret arts, he could discuss and study with the genius Puppet Master Wei, and truly absorb the best of all schools and push the art further.

To win over Xiang Dalong, this rising powerhouse of the Central Region, the Great Yu imperial court had indeed shown great sincerity.

The Mechanized Puppet Canon and The Secrets of the Demon Puppet were imperial secrets never meant for outsiders. Yet making a copy for Lan Chang'an was a negligible price for befriending him.

But what truly stirred his heart was the jade slip Lady Red Sleeve left behind, which contained a list of even rarer treasures he might obtain.

“Azure Sparrow Plume… Body-refining elixirs… Fourth-rank Life Extension Pills… High-grade fourth-rank materials…”

The list inside the jade slip made Lan Chang'an’s eyes burn with desire.

Some items such as fourth-rank puppet crafting materials were marked as tradable, at slightly below market price.

Even discounted, the imperial family wouldn’t take a loss. These prices were probably exclusive to their inner circle cultivators.

As for the truly peerless items like the Azure Sparrow Plume, Lan Chang'an would need to earn them by slaying enemy Nascent Soul cultivators or rendering key service on the frontlines.

Lan Chang'an’s Evergreen Technique, paired with the Heaven-Mending Spirit Nurturing Technique he’d acquired from Zhang Tieshan, greatly aided the restoration of spiritual essence.

If he could obtain the late fourth-rank Azure Sparrow Plume and restore most of its spiritual vitality, it would significantly enhance the quality of his exotic spirit peacock puppet.

…

After coming to an agreement with Lan Chang'an, the Great Yu Imperial Clan diverted more focus toward the campaign against the Great Luo Kingdom.

However, as Great Yu engaged on two fronts, its initial momentum began to stall after occupying parts of Great Luo territory.

Once their forces penetrated deeper into Great Luo, they had to consolidate and secure their gains step by step. Otherwise, they risked overextending and becoming isolated.

Meanwhile, the Yaqi Mountain faction provided reinforcements to the northern regions of Great Luo and laid a massive formation along Great Yu’s western frontier, watching like a hungry tiger ready to pounce.

Fortunately, Yaqi Mountain, as part of the demonic alliance, had its own enemies to deal with and dared not commit fully against Great Yu. They only dispatched a handful of Nascent Soul cultivators to offer support or act as a distraction.

Purple Mist Fairy and Lord Earthrock headed to Great Yu’s western borderlands to hold off the harassment and interference from Yaqi Mountain.

Lan Chang'an remained stationed at Yunxia Sect, focusing on cultivation and not involving himself in the ongoing war.

There was little concern for Lord Earthrock’s safety.

The Rat King, a peak early-stage fourth rank spirit beast, was armed with a set of defensive and offensive magical treasures, as well as protective talismans granted by its master, more than enough to ensure survival.

Cultivation wars were nothing new to Lan Chang'an.

While chaos raged across the land, minor sects and immortal clans fell one after another, he remained unfazed and continued his secluded training.

In fact, he was adept at profiting from the chaos of war, as was common among long-lived cultivators like him.

Prices for war supplies surged. Lan Chang'an took the opportunity to liquidate a portion of his stockpile, trading it for the resources he needed.

The Great Yu Imperial Clan became one of his largest trading partners.

Every few months, Lan Chang'an would trade with the court, mainly for fourth rank puppet-crafting materials listed in the jade slip ledger.

The court had initially agreed to offer him preferential rates, believing that it would placate the rising power Xiang Dalong.

After all, he was just a loose cultivator, how many resources could he possibly need?

Surely the imperial treasury, stocked for centuries, would outlast the war.

But as time dragged on, the imperial elders began to feel something was amiss.

“True Monarch Xiang, surely it doesn’t take this many materials to craft a single fourth rank puppet?”

A messenger sent by Fairy Red Sleeve delivered a voice transmission talisman, with clear undertones of suspicion.

While no single order was outrageous, the cumulative total had become far greater than expected.

“Crafting a fourth rank puppet comes with high failure risks, especially when trying to advance into the fourth rank of puppet grandmaster! Since I’m still just a quasi–fourth rank puppet master, I need ample materials as backup!”

Lan Chang'an responded righteously through the voice talisman.

The trades continued, uninterrupted. One after another, Lan Chang'an made deals with the imperial clan, showing no signs of stopping.

The elder overseeing the imperial vault was pained by the losses and eventually alerted the old Patriarch himself.

In a hidden chamber within the imperial secret realm.

The Old Patriarch roared, “He disappeared for a hundred years, how did Xiang Dalong become this wealthy?! His fortune is no less than the Central Region giants!”

If this continued, the puppet resources in the imperial treasury would be drained dry. How then could they continue to hold this man in check?

“Strange… Xiang Dalong only ascended to Nascent Soul a century or so ago. This doesn’t make sense. Did he perhaps ransack an entire Nascent Soul sect?”

Even True Monarch Iron Calculation was baffled. He floated several iron divination tools in his palm, swirling with mysterious light.

…

About four or five years after the initial agreement.

The imperial court finally imposed a limit, stating that the treasury’s resources could no longer meet demand. They began capping the annual trade volume.

Unless Xiang Dalong could provide third-rank or higher battle puppets, he would only be allowed limited access to fourth rank materials.

“A mighty Central Region hegemon, and you can't honor your own promises?”

Lan Chang'an grumbled inwardly but didn’t press too hard.

The court hadn't cut off the deal entirely, just applied restrictions, doling out resources in a miserly trickle.

As long as the Great Yu war persisted, Lan Chang'an could still shear this particular sheep slowly.

Thanks to these favorable conditions, the formation of his fourth rank puppet array advanced significantly.

During the war, Lan Chang'an wasn’t completely cut off from the outside world, he would occasionally leave in secret.

His fourth rank white-robed puppet maintained his presence within the sect, keeping up appearances well enough to fool most.

At the same time, he kept a watchful eye on the movements of Great Snake Mountain.

True Monarch Red Refinement had gone to the frontlines with the Great Yu court, reportedly earning considerable merit as a poison master.

As for the veteran Nascent Soul cultivator True Monarch Red Serpent, he remained stationed at the sect’s mountain gate, behaving properly and never leaving his post.

…

One day, within Great Snake Mountain’s territory.

A remote swamp region.

A stream of dark, cold water fell from the sky, transforming into a mysterious aquatic domain that shrouded dozens of zhang in all directions, cutting off all outside contact.

Within the murky waters, three enigmatic figures materialized, their forms faintly distorted in the flowing currents.

“Grand Elder, just a few thousand li further lies the Great Snake Mountain’s main stronghold.”

A black-dressed beauty at the side, wearing a veiled hat, reported respectfully. Her face was pale and cold, her curvaceous figure hazily outlined in the shadowy waters.

She was a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

Any veteran cultivator from the Eastern Great Yuan’s coastal regions would instantly recognize her, she was the famed Elder of the Black Sea Sect, one of the Sixteen Sea-Suppressing Sects!

A chilly voice echoed within the aquatic veil:

“Junior Sister Netherwater, is all this really necessary?”

“The Sixteen Sea-Suppressing Sects reign supreme along the coasts, unmatched across the Eastern Region! What’s there to fear from this barren central land of Great Yuan? We should simply show up and apply pressure, that brat will have no choice but to bow his head! With the Great Yu Emperor embroiled in war, he’ll gladly give face to this senior!”