The Crouching Ox Pass Conference
Standing atop Crouching Ox Pass, Yang Tianyou gazed into the distance, seeing only the vast expanse of heaven and earth, and the rising sun.
Snowflakes melt into babbling brooks, and Wild Beasts that have survived emerge from their burrows to forage, hunt, run, and leap—a magnificent scene of all creatures freely vying for freedom under the frosty sky.
"The Cold Tide War, which lasted for nearly a hundred days, has finally come to an end. Looking back, it seems like decades have passed," Yang Tianwang said softly, his words filled with deep emotion.
"Yes, the Cold Tide is over, but our Lineage still has a long way to go and countless obstacles to overcome."
"What's there to be afraid of? When brothers are of one mind, their strength can break metal! Our Lineage will surely Flourishing and last for thousands of years!"
On the city wall, two young men stood against the wind, their hearts filled with boundless pride.
After the recapture of Crouching Ox Pass, Taihao True Person began to lead people to set up Defensive Formations and build city walls and houses.
Demon Race occupied Crouching Ox Pass, they naturally caused widespread destruction. Eighty or ninety percent of the city walls were destroyed, and most of the array bases were also destroyed. Houses collapsed, leaving the area in complete ruins.
These all need to be rebuilt, Taihao True Person is working very hard. This is not because he is particularly kind, but because the defense of Crouching Ox Pass is not only for protecting Dragon Valley County, but also for the strategic needs of the Luochuan Sect.
The four border states of the Human Race, with dozens of passes, are independent yet form an orderly whole.
The fall of one pass can affect other passes. For example, after Crouching Ox Pass was breached, Evil-Suppressing Pass and Barrier Mountain Pass were also abandoned. This is because one move affects the whole situation.
From Qin Province's perspective, Luochuan Commandery was a border county, so the Luochuan Sect attached great importance to the four passes under its command.
The Formations set up by Taihao True Person and his men were only basic ones. Soon, Formation Masters from the Luochuan Sect would come to Crouching Ox Pass to redo the Third-Tier Supreme-Grade Formations, which shows how much importance they attached to Crouching Ox Pass.
Besides the Formations, the city's internal construction and zoning also affected the hearts of many Lineage and forces.
Crouching Ox Pass was not only a defensive pass, but it also served as a part of a Market.
What resources are most abundant at the border?
The answer, of course, is: a specialty of Foreign Races!
Beast Hide, Inner Cores, Demon Beast cubs, wild spirit medicine, Barbarian Tribe Body Tempering Liquid, exquisite artifacts from the Blood Race, and Spirit Liquid abundant in the Spirit Tribe...
To obtain all these resources, there is one prerequisite: one must leave Crouching Ox Pass and travel to the territory of the Foreign Races.
Whether you kill, rob, or legitimately do business with Foreign Races, nobody cares.
Crouching Ox Pass served as an advance base for cultivators of the Immortal Dao, a supply point, and a distribution center for goods.
Therefore, the strategic importance of Crouching Ox Pass is far more than just a "defensive pass"; it is also a hub for communication and exchange between Foreign Races and Human Race.
Of course, war must be fought, but what happens afterward? Do you want the tangible benefits?
Only a fool wouldn't want that!
Therefore, at this time, whoever can occupy more land and shops in the rebuilt Crouching Ox Pass will be able to seize more benefits in the future.
Although the war had just ended, there was not only a surplus of local specialties from the border regions, but also a significant amount of surplus.
However, the leaders of each company are well aware that this surplus can be sold off in two or three years, let alone ten or eight years.
It should be noted that the various powers within the Northern River Region have always had a shortage of border specialties.
Moreover, even if you can't use it yourself, the Lu Wu Realm is so vast that there are always places to sell it, so it will definitely not become a burden.
Given this situation, the Crouching Ox Pass Conference convened by Taihao True Person three days later attracted considerable attention.
Three days later, the Crouching Ox Pass Conference was held as scheduled!
In the newly built main hall of the City Lord's Manor, Foundation Establishment Cultivators strode in. Qi Refining Lineage were not qualified to participate in this grand gathering.
The Yang Household sent Yang Haoyu and Yang Tianyou, while the Liu Household sent Liu Changsheng and Liu Changqing.
In addition, there are Huang Chunhua from the Peach Blossom Town Huang Household, Zhou Xiandao from the Black Iron Town Zhou Household, Li Yuanqi from the Li Household in Qingyun Town, Zhuang Beisheng from the Zhuang Household in Dengzhuang Town...
There were about thirty Foundation Establishment Cultivators lined up on both sides, one side representing forces under the Three Rivers Sect and the other side representing forces under the Feng Household.
It's worth mentioning that the Peach Blossom Town Huang Household should have been on the side of the Three Rivers Sect.
However, Huang Chunhua, the patriarch of the Huang family, went to stand with the Feng family.
In an instant, all sorts of gazes, some overt and some covert, some with cryptic meaning, focused on Huang Chunhua.
The latter didn't seem to mind, wearing a gentle smile, looking rather like a sage.
"This guy is indeed the first to defect to the Feng Household!" Yang Tianyou glanced at Huang Chunhua and whispered to the Old Ancestor.
"Ignore him, let's proceed according to the established plan. As for the Feng Household's attempts to win us over, just maintain an ambiguous attitude," Yang Haoyu replied, his expression unchanged.
"Yes, that's true. Our Yang Household has enough resources now. As long as you, Old Ancestor, refine your cultivation to the Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, we will spend Spirit Stones to purchase Golden Core Formation Pill to help you break through in one fell swoop. At that time, our Yang Household will no longer have to act at the beck and call of the Feng Household and the Three Rivers Sect."
"Yes, this is a secret between you and me. Don't spread it outside the family, and the same applies within the Lineage. We cannot be careless!"
"I understand, grandson. Don't worry!"
The conversation ended, and not long after, the Golden Core Cultivators began to enter the hall.
First came the two Golden Core from the Gold and Silver Alliance, Jin Lianri and Zheng Qiufeng, then came Red Cloud True Person from the Three Rivers Sect, and then the grandfather and grandson Feng Yuezhi and Feng Qingyang from the Feng Household.
Finally, there were the Golden Core from the Luochuan Sect, namely the tall, serious-looking, middle-aged Taihao True Person, who wore a purple-gold robe.
The Peerless Beauty Fairy Yunhua, dressed in a long white gown, possessed unparalleled beauty and charm.
Finally, there was a handsome young man dressed in Yun Bai Daoist robe, with a distinctly arrogant expression, playing with two emerald green stones in his hands.
His name is Song Xuhui, Golden Core Cultivator from the Great Elder's Line of the Luochuan Sect. He was born with Half-Spirit Physique and Two Spirit Roots.
However, his Half-Spirit Physique is highly Spiritual Transformation, exceeding 60%, and coupled with his Two Spirit Roots, his cultivation aptitude is exceptionally outstanding.
After the three Golden Core from the Luochuan Sect arrived and took their seats, the Crouching Ox Pass Assembly officially began.
The meeting was chaired by Taihao True Person. He first scanned the crowd seated below, then solemnly announced, "The division of the Crouching Ox Pass region this time will be based on a comprehensive evaluation of factors such as accumulated Merits, strength, influence, control of commercial channels, and reputation."
"The conference now begins!"