For Ai Shouxian...
Although I haven't known Ye Qiubai for very long, judging from the previous events, he is not someone who is bound by these schemes and tricks, but rather a sword cultivator.
Sword cultivators have both good and bad qualities.
However, for sword cultivators, it's either extremely good or extremely bad.
They never hide anything or resort to Evil Dao.
Otherwise, such a person would not be able to go far on the path of sword cultivation.
Moreover, Ye Qiubai's words had completely convinced Ai Shouxian of his decision.
Relying on a particular power will certainly prevent one from returning to their former glory.
Moreover, the Dai Clan is also eyeing them covetously. Leaving aside whether they will help them return to their peak, it would be good enough if they could guarantee that the Dai family would not exploit them during the process of attaching themselves to them.
Therefore, if he really had to choose, Ai Shouxian would prefer to place his hopes on Ye Qiubai.
When Ye Qiubai heard Ai Shouxian's telepathic message, Ye Qiubai was slightly taken aback. However, considering that the Ai Clan wanted to help him obtain materials for building a seagoing vessel and had also provided clues, Ye Qiubai nodded in agreement.
Although the Primordial Beginning Metal is in the hands of the Dai Clan Dai Clan, it's not something you can get just by saying you want to join them.
Seeing this, Ai Shouxian's face lit up with joy. Emboldened by Ye Qiubai's words, he no longer hesitated and looked at the head of the Dai Clan with a smile, saying, "This wasn't entirely settled before, but my daughter has been refusing, so let's just forget about it."
Upon hearing this, the Dai Clan patriarch, the elders, and Dai Heng all frowned.
They believed that this was completely unsurprising, and the Ai Clan had no choice but to agree.
If they don't agree, the Dai Clan will openly target the Ai Clan. Coupled with the covetous eyes of other forces, the Ai Clan will have absolutely no chance of making a comeback, and may even face annihilation!
Rumors have even begun to circulate that the Dai Clan and Ai Clan are preparing for a marriage alliance.
It was a done deal, how did the Ai Clan go back on their word?
That was a solid slap in the face to them.
Dai Heng looked directly at Ye Qiubai, his expression somewhat unpleasant.
At that time, what he said outside Mo Xun's small pavilion was that unless the power behind you and your own strength can surpass mine, it is impossible to compete with him.
Now it seems I underestimated the other party.
The head of the Dai Clan looked at Ai Shouxian with a gloomy expression and asked in a deep voice, "Are you sure you want to do this? Haven't you considered the consequences?"
Seeing that the other party had already abandoned all pretense of civility.
Ai Shouxian naturally didn't give them a friendly look either, sneering, "What, you rely on selling your daughter to depend on the Dai Clan, and then there's no chance of you ever getting back on your feet? I don't believe your Dai Clan would be kind enough to help our Ai Clan."
The head of the Dai Clan's eyes flashed with murderous intent, and a chilling aura emanated from him. "Although you can't turn the tide, at least no one will care about you anymore. Being a middling force is better than being wiped out, isn't it?"
Ai Shouxian retorted, "If it really comes to that, we might as well take a gamble. I believe our ancestors would never agree to be subservient to you."
The head of the Dai Clan stood up and said, "Since you've already made your decision, in order to save face for the Dai Clan, this matter naturally can't be left like this. What do you think?"
Saying this means that the Dai Clan is going to openly wage war against the Ai Clan.
Ai Zhi glanced nervously at Ai Shouxian, Ai Shouxian also showed a hint of hesitation in his eyes.
However, when he looked at Ye Qiubai...
He gritted his teeth and said, "I think so too."
How difficult is it for a power that has fallen from its peak to rise again?
Not only will they face attacks from countless external forces, but they also still possess considerable resources, and many families that were originally weaker than the Ai Clan will rush to get a share of the pie.
At the same time, internal weakening and corruption also need to be addressed.
Therefore, in this time of internal and external troubles, the only way to make a comeback is to take drastic measures; it's all or nothing!
"Alright, then let's see who has the best skills. Goodbye." The head of the Dai Clan turned his back.
Just as Ai Shouxian was about to leave, Ye Qiubai asked, "Sell me the Primordial Beginning Metal."
The head of the Dai Clan turned around, frowned at Ye Qiubai, and asked, "Who are you? A member of the Ai Clan?"
Before Ye Qiubai could reply, Dai Heng quietly explained to the head of the Dai Clan.
Then, realizing something, he said, "It seems you're the one who gives the Ai Clan confidence."
"But why do you think I would sell the Primordial Beginning Metal to you? Since you know the Dai Clan possesses the Primordial Beginning Metal, you should also know what we're going to do with it, right?"
Ye Qiubai said calmly, "Everything has a price. Just name your price."
"Oh?" The head of the Dai Clan sneered, "Then how about this: you join our Dai Clan Dai Clan and become a guest elder, and I'll give you this Primordial Beginning Metal, how about that?"
Ai Shouxian could see Ye Qiubai's extraordinary talent, and the head of the Dai Clan could naturally see it as well.
He couldn't even see through Ye Qiubai's cultivation level; he was probably at the same level as the ancestor.
Ai Shouxian's sudden change of attitude was naturally also because of this young man.
Ye Qiubai said calmly, "That's impossible."
"Then let me tell you, apart from this one, you have no chance of getting your hands on the Primordial Beginning Metal," the Dai Clan patriarch replied.
Upon hearing this, Ye Qiubai did not insist and turned to leave.
Seeing this, Ai Shouxian and Ai Zhi followed.
On the way, Ai Shouxian said with some guilt, "I'm sorry, Senior Ye, because of me you couldn't get the Primordial Beginning Metal."
Ye Qiubai didn't seem to mind and said softly, "It's alright, let's find others first."
If we really can't get it, there's nothing we can do.
We have no choice but to find another way.
After Ye Qiubai and the others returned to the Ai Clan.
The news spread like wildfire throughout Jade Qilin City.
The marriage alliance between the Dai Clan and Ai Clan was annulled, and the Dai Clan officially began its war against the Ai Clan.
Immediately, the Dai Clan's shops, as well as those that intended to target the Ai Clan, all ceased cooperation with the Ai Clan.
Meanwhile, under the influence of the Dai Clan, the Ai Clan's shops went from being bustling with customers to being deserted.
It can be said that the Ai Clan suffered extremely heavy losses in just one day.
Lineage feuds don't easily escalate into violence.
However, even if it were just a matter of targeting the Ai Clan's economy, without the Dai Clan even needing to get involved, the other Lineage and sects that were also mid-level powers would be able to completely divide up the Ai Clan.
Ai Clan Lobby.
All the elders gathered together, their faces solemn.
"This can't go on. If we completely cut off the external economy, those resources will soon be exhausted. When that happens, the Lineage members will have no Cultivation Resources, and those guest elders will also leave us."
"If all else fails, we'll have to rely on fishing for resources from the Qingming Sea ourselves."
Ai Shouxian nodded solemnly. "In that case, let's leave it at that for now. Send out all three of our clan's ships and see what their next move is."
At that moment, Ye Qiubai also stood up and said, "I'll go too."
While fishing for resources, we can also take another look at the movement of the Azure Cloud Token's aura.