The emergency requisition order Shi Mang issued in the Alliance Treasury's name was like ice water poured into boiling oil, stirring a tremendous uproar within the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect.
Star-pattern iron and flowing cloud silk were the core products of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect's two pillar industries, and the lifeblood that allowed it to obtain spirit stones and keep the sect running. The Alliance Treasury had demanded them by name in enormous quantities, almost enough to empty its entire recent stockpile. This was no simple requisition. It seemed more like a deliberate warning, or even... confiscation!
The Flowing Cloud Sect Master's hand trembled when he received the Message Talisman. He immediately summoned the sect's only two Nascent Soul early-stage elders and several core Core Formation stewards to discuss the matter.
"Sect Master, senior brother, what is the meaning of this? Han Li has only just taken power, and he already wants to put our Flowing Cloud Sword Sect under the knife?" one Core Formation steward demanded indignantly. "Those supplies of star-pattern iron and flowing cloud silk represent months of hard work by hundreds of disciples! They're the key to obtaining next quarter's cultivation resources. How can he requisition them just like that-and in such enormous quantities?"
"I think Han Li is deliberately making things difficult because our Flowing Cloud Sword Sect has voiced objections to the alliance's consolidation. He's killing the chicken to frighten the monkeys!" another steward chimed in.
Elder Wang's eyes flickered as he feigned composure. "Sect Master, Han Li is ruthless and repays even the smallest slight. After the earlier attack on the Headquarters Altar, he may suspect someone inside helped the enemy and be using this opportunity to investigate. If we obediently hand everything over, we'll only look guilty. Why not... claim our stock