Seven days passed in the flick of a finger.
That morning, Tang Yan had just finished refining pills and emerged from his secluded chamber when he saw a member of the Decision Hall waiting outside.
"Gang Leader, Gang Leader Fang invites you to the Decision Hall. He has something important to report," the young man said respectfully.
Tang Yan nodded and went to the Decision Hall.
"Brother Yan!" Fang Xuan rose to greet him.
"What did you need me for?" Tang Yan asked gently.
Fang Xuan poured Tang Yan a cup of spirit tea before saying, "Medicine Valley has already made its move and begun discussing cooperation with the borderland alchemy sects. We don't know how effective it's been yet. The Wind-Chasing Hall is watching closely.
"This morning, we received messages from several medicinal herb merchants informing us that they would stop supplying Reach the Summit in half a month. I plan to visit a few sects and give them a good talking-to.
"Also, the Wind-Chasing Hall has found three new locations suitable for our retreat."
With that, Fang Xuan handed over three maps depicting the terrain and surroundings of the three locations.
Tang Yan glanced at the three places: Yilin Cliff, Heavenly Dao Ravine, and Donglai Island.
Yilin Cliff lay west of the center of the Northern Spirit Realm's Central Province. It was dry and hot. Although martial artists were highly adaptable to the climate, the scenery left something to be desired, and few sects were willing to settle there.
Heavenly Dao Ravine lay on the northern frontier, surrounded by snowy mountains and glaciers, where the heavens were cold and the earth frozen. Although a few grasslands complemented the snowy mountains in a breathtaking display, several sects already occupied them.
If Reach the Summit wanted to settle in Heavenly