A sect or Aristocratic Clan has the authority or power to suppress a country. Among the cultivators of a sect, there has always been an unspoken rule.
It requires at least two Nascent Soul and at least a handful of Golden Core.
Of course, if someone has a supermodel-level Golden Core or Nascent Soul like Chen Shuangbai, this condition can be completely ignored.
Besides that, a sect-protecting Spirit Treasure is needed.
Let's take the various sects and factions of the Wu Country as examples.
Setting Sun Sect, Painstaking Heart Sect, Spring-Returning Mountain, and Turbid Wave Pavilion...
The reason why Spring-Returning Mountain was suddenly destroyed after Gongye Chun left was mainly because there was no Nascent Soul to oversee it.
When Gongye Chun was still alive, he was highly respected and a third-level Alchemist. The other two sects owed him a debt of gratitude, so they respected him and did not pressure him too much.
But after being forced away by Zhang Jing, he also lost his goodwill with him. Besides, Zhang Jing was just a minor Golden Core cultivator... how could he possibly be a match for the Luoyang and Kuxin sects, which had Nascent Soul cultivators at their disposal?
What about the Turbid Wave Pavilion?
Turbid Wave Pavilion contentedly guarded its small territory of Heavenly Waves Lake, paying little attention to matters within the Wu Country's borders. So why did Setting Sun Sect and Painstaking Heart Sect not only dare not coerce it, but even dare not approach it?
It's all because of the [ Clear and Turbid Two Modes Ring ], the most Spirit Treasure of the Turbid Wave Pavilion.
Furthermore, True Lord Suwen is at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage and wields the Low-Grade Spirit Treasure [ Clear and Turbid Two Modes Ring ]. Neither True Lord Huoyang of the Setting Sun Sect nor True Lord Kuchan of the Painstaking Heart Sect are her match!
To put it another way.
Even if two Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivators were to clash, one wielding Spirit Treasure and the other Spirit Treasure, who would ultimately emerge victorious?
There's an 80% chance it's the one wielding the Spirit Treasure!
Law Treasure and Spirit Treasure are different.
The spirit of Spirit Treasure is almost equivalent to that of a Nascent Soul, although there are differences in strength. Even without a master to control it, Spirit Treasure can still unleash about 80% of its power under the control of its spirit!
Whether guarding a sect or fighting enemies, those who possess Spirit Treasure have a greater advantage.
The Profound Firmament Sect's lack of Spirit Treasure to suppress its destiny is a source of pain and regret for the entire sect.
Under normal circumstances, the Profound Firmament Sect could probably just muddle through...
But now the situation is becoming increasingly complicated. It seems that the Six Alliances are all planning to escalate the war to a higher level... and the Zhao Kingdom is caught in the middle by three of the alliances!
Whether it's about being prepared for danger in times of peace or making plans ahead, the True Person and True Lord of the Profound Firmament Sect have no choice but to consider the future!
As for the deal that the Profound Firmament Sect and the Vast Waves Alliance are going to discuss... it involves Spirit Treasure.
According to True Lord Jihai, the Profound Firmament Sect is likely forging a Spirit Treasure.
Moreover, this creation process has lasted for hundreds of years, during which various spiritual resources have been continuously sought out and invested in it, and many alchemists have been cultivated within the sect. Now it is gradually approaching completion.
However, it is still missing a few important spiritual resources or methods to "transform" this Spirit Treasure and help it complete the final transformation.
Spirit Treasure treasures) are different from Law Treasure; they require the right timing, location, and people.
Spirit Treasure is an even bigger treasure-devouring beast...
This also explains why, over the years, the Profound Firmament Sect's antics toward the Black River Water Manor have always amounted to much ado about nothing.
At each of the four corners of the hall stands a Bronze crane-shaped incense burner, from which wisps of smoke rise from the cranes' beaks, emitting a faint fragrance that soothes the mind and spirit.
The top is inlaid with dozens of fist-sized obsidian stones, emitting a warm red light that illuminates the entire hall.
But it couldn't compare to the gleaming gold gemstone placed on Chen Shuangbai table.
The moment they saw the gem, all the cultivators' eyes were immediately drawn to it.
Even the True Lord Xuanyuan felt uneasy.
" Heavenly Light Goldstone... belongs to the fire element, but has been tainted by some of the sun's brilliance, making it a mid-grade fourth-tier spiritual resource!"
This was brought by Chen Shuangbai from the Vast Waves Alliance. It was the spiritual material for the transaction that had been agreed upon with the Profound Firmament Sect, and it was provided by the Flower Washing Sword Sect.
Chen Shuangbai flicked his finger at the object, and the [ Heavenly Light Goldstone ] slowly floated onto the jade table of True Lord Xuanyuan.
The brilliant golden light illuminated True Lord Xuanyuan's face, giving it a golden hue as well.
"Fellow Daoist, would you like to test it?"
Chen Shuangbai said.
True Lord Xuanyuan carefully put it away, then flicked his finger, and a light blue light landed in front of Chen Shuangbai. He then said, "No need to examine it, I recognize this."
That's good.
Chen Shuangbai responded, then looked at the pale blue light reflected on her jade table. It was a translucent amber stone with a pale blue color. Upon closer inspection, it seemed as if there were layers of surging waves inside, which was quite mysterious.
"[ Sea Soul Light-Holding Amber ], belonging to the water element, was obtained by one of the founders of my Profound Firmament Sect during his travels at sea. It is a high-grade fourth-tier spiritual resource."
True Lord Xuanyuan calmly introduced the item, saying, "Whether used in medicine, weapon crafting, or elixir production, it is among the top-tier items in the fourth rank."
You could tell that although True Lord Xuanyuan spoke calmly, he was genuinely pained by the loss.
Exchanging a mid-grade fourth-tier [ Heavenly Light Goldstone ] for a high-grade fourth-tier [ Sea Soul Light-Holding Amber ]... Even Chen Shuangbai would feel a pang of regret, feeling that he had suffered a huge loss.
There was nothing they could do; the Profound Firmament Sect had proposed the deal first, and they had shown a rather eagerness to make it happen... so naturally, they were going to be fleeced.
As for why this fourth-tier spiritual resource was traded...
Naturally, it was also for refining the Spirit Treasure that belonged to his Profound Firmament Sect.
As for who will get the [ Sea Soul Light-Holding Amber ] that the Vast Waves Alliance obtained... naturally, it won't end up with anyone.
This item had already been discussed and decided by the Nascent Soul, including True Lord Jihai, to be sent to the Sword Alliance and given to Sword Lord Yuan Jun Sword Lord help him heal his injuries.
This female Sword Lord displayed the demeanor of a sword cultivator on the Ning Country battlefield, fiercely resisting the Crimson Flame Demon Lord wielding the [ Bing Sun Divine Lamp ].
Although he was ultimately defeated and severely injured due to the difference in their cultivation levels and Law Treasure, his fearless swordsmanship and hatred of Demon Cultivator earned him the unanimous respect of the Vast Waves Alliance.
After True Lord Jihai risked serious injury to save her, she was personally taken back by her fellow disciple Sword Immortal Zhu Ling, and has been in seclusion at the Sword Alliance headquarters to heal her injuries. She has not yet emerged from seclusion.
From both a moral and logical standpoint, the Vast Waves Alliance cannot simply offer empty words of gratitude without any real commitment.
Otherwise, the Sword Alliance will be disheartened, and so will the smaller sects within it.
These thoughts flashed through Chen Shuangbai's mind, and then he used the jade box to put the item back into his sleeve.
Both parties were very satisfied with the deal.
Well, the Profound Firmament Sect is actually feeling a bit of a pinch.
True Lord Xuanyuan then took back the [ Heavenly Light Goldstone ] and looked at Chen Shuangbai, saying, "Sword Immortal, now that the first matter has been completed, can we proceed to discuss the second matter?"
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