Dividing the Spoils, Choosing Sides

As the majestic voice of Taihao True Person faded, a map appeared in mid-air and slowly unfolded, depicting the distribution of various buildings and areas in the five major urban districts of Crouching Ox Pass.

The City Lord's Manor is located at the very center and is not open to the public. It is the core of the Crouching Ox Pass Spirit Vein and the control center of the city's Formation.

Generally speaking, the City Lord's Manor is guarded by Golden Core Cultivator dispatched by the Luochuan Sect, who serves as the City Lord. Although Crouching Ox Pass is said to be the pass of Dragon Valley County, it is actually still controlled by the Luochuan Sect.

Apart from the City Lord's Manor in the very center, all the shops in the Central District also belong to the Luochuan Sect.

In other words, the forces in the arena could only divide the city into four areas: east, west, south, and north.

Before Crouching Ox Pass was captured, the Feng Household occupied the Western District, the Three Rivers Sect occupied the Eastern District, and more than twenty other Foundation Establishment Lineage jointly occupied the Southern District.

The Northern District is a public trading area where independent cultivators can open shops and set up stalls after Rogue Cultivator Spirit Stones. The Spirit Stone income from renting out the shops is used to maintain the daily operation of Crouching Ox Pass, such as Formation maintenance, city wall repair, and security management.

Of course, this was the division before Crouching Ox Pass fell.

The situation has changed drastically. Under the Cold Tide, some forces have suffered heavy losses, and some have even been wiped out, such as the Three Rivers Sect and the Qing Household of Qingfeng Town.

Some forces seized this opportunity to rise against the tide and gain substantial benefits, such as the Yang Household of Purple Moon Town.

Those forces that have suffered losses are eager to Origin Qi, and therefore their need for benefits becomes even more urgent.

Those forces that rise against the tide want to go further and acquire resources and status commensurate with their own strength.

An inevitable dispute is about to unfold in this small hall.

With the blueprints fully unfolded, Taihao True Person spoke, "The Northern District will remain under the jurisdiction of Rogue Cultivators as a public trading area. As for the division of the East, West, and South Districts, you can discuss and decide for yourselves."

Upon hearing this, everyone below fell silent, their gazes turning to the Golden Core cultivators from the Three Rivers Sect Feng Household.

Ahead, Feng Yuezhi narrowed his eyes slightly, sitting calmly in his chair, showing no intention of speaking.

Red Cloud True Person's gaze darkened slightly. After a moment, he spoke first, "The Eastern District still belongs to my Three Rivers Sect!"

After saying this, he stared intently at the two Golden Core cultivators from the Feng Household.

Not disappointing Red Cloud True Person's 'expectations', Feng Yuezhi chuckled and lightly flicked his Fly-Whisk. "Daoist Friends Hongyun is joking. Fellow Daoist Friends just said that the division of the Crouching Ox Pass area this time will be based on strength. And as far as I know, the Three Rivers Sect's current strength is probably only two or three tenths of what it used to be, right?"

"Hmph, Fellow Daoist Friends also said that the division of the Crouching Ox Pass area should also be based on the amount of accumulated Merits. The amount of Merits accumulated by my Three Rivers Sect in this Cold Tide is far more than that of your Feng Household, so why can't we continue to occupy the Eastern District?" Red Cloud True Person's tone was indifferent, but a fire was surging deep in his eyes.

"Oh... Well then, since this is a discussion, I think it's impossible for our two families to make decisions unilaterally, right? What does Daoist Friends Hongyun think?"

Feng Yuezhi remained calm and composed, seemingly having anticipated Red Cloud True Person's answer.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, the latter's heart skipped a beat; the worst-case scenario had come to pass.

But what could he do?

Reject?

Doing so would only alienate the Foundation Establishment Lineage under his command.

But...

Red Cloud True Person's gaze swept almost imperceptibly over the Yang Household before he spoke, "Daoist Friends Feng is right; it is time for all Daoist Friends to discuss this together."

Upon hearing this, Feng Yuezhi's heart stirred slightly. He hadn't expected Red Cloud True Person to agree so readily. Was he giving up, or did he have some kind of trump card?

"In that case, representatives of each Lineage, please express your opinions. Do you agree to the Three Rivers Sect occupying the Eastern District?"

As he spoke, Feng Yuezhi's cold gaze swept lightly over the crowd below, the threat unmistakable.

The representatives of the Foundation Establishment Lineage felt a chill run down their spines, especially those from the Foundation Establishment Lineage under the Three Rivers Sect, who were filled with unease.

"My Peach Blossom Town Huang Household does not support the Three Rivers Sect occupying the Eastern District!" A voice rang out, drawing many gazes.

Huang Chunhua gritted his teeth, his heart filled with trepidation, yet he remained unwavering, even under the oppressive gaze of Red Cloud True Person.

He wanted to Golden Core Formation Pill, but the Spirit Stones and Merits he possessed were not enough.

There are countless Foundation Establishment Great Perfection cultivators under the Luochuan Sect, and many Lineage have a much deeper foundation than the Huang Household. Huang Chunhua doesn't have much confidence in relying solely on wealth.

However, having connections makes all the difference. The Feng Household has already promised him that if he comes to join them, they can introduce him to Golden Core steward from the Luochuan Sect External Affairs Hall.

This greatly increases the chances of obtaining the Golden Core Formation Pill.

It's true that Huang Chunhua was selfish, mean, and ungrateful, but his dedication to cultivating immortality was also genuine; he would do anything for it.

"My Black Iron Town Zhou Household also disagrees!" Following closely behind Huang Chunhua, another voice rang out.

"The Qian Household disagrees!"

"The Zheng family disagrees!"

The Foundation Establishment Lineage under the Feng Household all spoke up to express their opinions, Red Cloud True Person's expression grew increasingly grim, his gaze frequently sweeping over the Yang Household.

Feng Yuezhi was an extremely shrewd person, and naturally, he could not hide the fact that Red Cloud True Person had made no attempt to conceal his actions.

Feng Yuezhi's gaze fell upon the Yang Household, and his heart sank. Sure enough, after the last Foundation Establishment Lineage under the Feng Household spoke, Yang Haoyu, the Yang Household's Old Ancestor, declared, "The Yang Household of Purple Moon Town agrees to the Three Rivers Sect occupying the Eastern District!"

"The Liu Household Qianmu Town also agrees!"

"The Zhuang Household of Dengzhuang Town agree!"

Three Foundation Establishment Lineage have made statements in succession. The first two are well-known and established Foundation Establishment Lineage, especially the Purple Moon Yang Household, which has shone brightly during this Cold Tide.

The voices of support from the three Foundation Establishment Lineage improved Red Cloud True Person's expression somewhat, but the thought of the agreement he had reached with Yang Haoyu made his face darken again.

"The Gold and Silver Alliance will set up shops in the area under the Yang Household's control." Jin Lianri suddenly announced, adding more leverage to the Yang Household.

Offstage, several Foundation Establishment Lineage who had not yet spoken up looked hesitant, unsure which side to support.

At this moment, an unexpected, clear, and cold female voice came from above, "Fellow Jingtao Daoist Friends of the Three Rivers Sect unfortunately perished in this Cold Tide, and his disciples suffered even greater losses. Ultimately, they all died defending Dragon Valley County, making outstanding contributions to the war. Therefore, in my opinion, it is best for the Three Rivers Sect to maintain its position in the Eastern District."

The speaker was none other than Fairy Yunhua. Her words shocked not only the others but also Yang Tianyou.

After much deliberation, he decided not to seek Yunhua's help Crouching Ox Pass. The latter's offer of support was entirely impromptu.