A Top Scholar in Everything

Chapter 1291: Chapter 1277: Conflict

The Star Shining Sect’s Sub-Branch in Baifu City.

Several Inner Sect Disciples who had been stationed here explained the situation to Bai Changqiu and the six others including Baiyu.

The Star Shining Sect in Baifu City’s Sub-Branch.

Has its territory here.

The territory is not small, with two Medicine Mountains planted with many elixirs and spirit materials. The task of these Inner Sect Disciples is to oversee the growth of these mountains and send a certain quota of herbs to the Star Shining Sect’s headquarters annually to complete their mission.

In return, they can earn corresponding Contribution Points.

Hence.

This job is actually quite favorable, not only do they have ample elixir for cultivation, but they can also earn contribution points.

Unfortunately.

Last month, while these Inner Sect Disciples were gathering herbs on the mountain, they discovered a Spirit Stone mine.

Coincidentally.

A merchant caravan came to purchase herbs at the same time, so they led the people up the mountain to gather herbs, which adhered to regulations.

Every year, the finest herbs are sent back to the Star Shining Sect.

But the remaining herbs are at their disposal, as the Star Shining Sect only cares about the annual quota, and any surplus is considered a benefit to the disciples stationed at the Sub-Branch.

That’s why.

This job is considered a good position.

However.

During the herb gathering with the caravan, an earthquake occurred, accidentally exposing the mine. Although it’s not a large Spirit Stone mine, its value is enticing enough.

The group did not block the news and eliminate the caravan’s people.

After all.

Those caravans coming to purchase cultivator’s herbs are undoubtedly working for cultivators, mostly for those within the Qingyang Dynasty.

Sadly, too many rumors circulate.

Without proper handling, the news soon spread, and almost all cultivators in Baifu City knew.

A Spirit Stone mine was unearthed here.

Especially the city’s prominent families are covetous of it.

To the Star Shining Sect, such a Spirit Stone mine might be negligible, like a mosquito’s leg.

However.

For these families, it is a potential source of greater power and prosperity.

These secular cultivation families.

Their strength isn’t remarkable, with merely a few Qi Xuan Realm members at most. But they united, inviting the City Lord’s Mansion to mediate.

The City Lord’s Mansion also seeks to secretly partake.

They’ve always been ambiguous, subtly supporting the families’ alliance, striving to classify the mine as a communal resource of Baifu City.

Thus, the Inner Sect Disciples requested aid.

"If that’s the case, negotiating with Baifu City’s City Lord should suffice since they represent the Qingyang Dynasty. Once an agreement between the Dynasty and the Star Shining Sect is reached, the rest is insignificant."

Bai Changqiu acutely grasped the crux of the matter.

Indeed.

Once consensus is achieved between the strongest factions, others become trivial. Those cultivation families, with merely a few Qi Xuan Realm cultivators, what do they have to compete against us backed by the Star Shining Sect?

"Tonight, we will go directly to the City Lord’s Mansion and reason with the City Lord."

Bai Changqiu decided.

At this moment, an Inner Sect Disciple spoke gravely: "Baifu City’s City Lord, Hua Hao, is already a Spirit Transformation Realm powerhouse."

He doesn’t doubt Bai Changqiu’s prowess.

However.

As one of the ten True Disciples, Bai Changqiu’s realm is no secret among Star Shining Sect’s members.

Peak of Qi Xuan Realm.

Should a confrontation arise, practically no one could rival the Spirit Transformation Realm City Lord Hua Hao.

Despite the low odds of conflict.

We can’t ignore this possibility.

"No worries, I have a plan."

Bai Changqiu replied indifferently, silencing the Inner Sect Disciple.

Baiyu accompanies Bai Changqiu just for appearances, grabbing a sect mission and returning promptly for his Immortal Cultivation aspiration.

Hence, he is unlikely to voice an opinion.

Time passes swiftly into the evening.

Bai Changqiu led two disciples to the City Lord’s Mansion at Baifu City’s center, and City Lord Hua Hao knew the Star Shining Sect’s members were coming, so he had prepared a feast in advance, showcasing opulence in both decor and cuisine.

Bai Changqiu only brought Baiyu and another Inner Sect Disciple stationed at the Sub-Branch, while the others were outside the Mansion, ready to react in case of unexpected events, supporting Bai Changqiu inside or rushing back to the Star Shining Sect to report.

After all.

Don’t put all eggs in one basket.

"I am Bai Changqiu from the Star Shining Sect, here to visit City Lord Hua Hao to discuss the Spirit Stone mine discovered at Medicine Mountain."

Bai Changqiu spoke straightforwardly.

Hua Hao showed a trace of surprise, having heard of the Star Shining Sect’s ten True Disciples, knowing they are the Sect’s true geniuses.

Nevertheless.

This junior spoke without courtesy upon meeting, clearly not acknowledging me.

Hua Hao felt faint displeasure.

Yet.

As a long-standing City Lord, his shrewdness is deep, naturally not revealing it on his face, only slightly lowering his impression of Bai Changqiu.

You, a Qi Xuan Realm junior.

What right do you have to speak to me like this?

"Come, let’s go inside for a leisurely discussion."

Hua Hao kept his smile unchanged, addressing the three: "Whatever the matter, let’s discuss calmly while dining."

After all.

Many things are not resolved in just a few words."

Hearing Hua Hao’s words.

Bai Changqiu raised his eyebrows, then nodded: "Alright, but I hope tonight we can resolve the matter with the City Lord regarding the Spirit Stone mine."

Hua Hao nodded.

The three entered an interior room.

A large round table set with various delicacies awaited, where besides City Lord Hua Hao, four others were seated.

Four middle-aged men, akin to Hua Hao in stature.

"Let me introduce you. These are the Patriarchs of Baifu City’s four great families." Hua Hao gestured to the four Qi Xuan Realm middle-aged men and addressed them: "This is Changqiu, Immortal of the Star Shining Sect."

They made initial acquaintance.

The presence of these individuals revealed Hua Hao’s decision to Bai Changqiu.

Which is aligning with these families.

After all.

Baifu City’s current prosperity is intertwined with the four great families, unrelated to the Star Shining Sect.

Furthermore, these local elite families, together with Baifu City’s City Lord.

In a way, they represent the Qingyang Dynasty.

Hua Hao likely has ties with the Qingyang Dynasty’s Imperial City.

This issue.

Isn’t as simple as it initially seemed.