When the two arrived at Fengxian County, Li Heshan was discussing something with the patriarch of the Liu Family, Liu Bufu.

After receiving the report, Li Heshan pondered for a moment, then instructed Liu Bufu to leave and invited Shen Wenxing and Wei Qiuling in.

"Junior Sister Wei, Younger Brother Shen."

Upon entering the courtyard, Li Heshan stood up and cupped his hands in salute.

After some pleasantries, they sat down. Wei Qiuling was the first to speak: "I've heard that the Western Wilderness Barbarian Race under the rule of Hundred Beasts Mountain has frequently crossed the border in recent years to harass the spirit fields of Fengxian County, seizing spirit rice and people."

"Now they have even repeatedly crossed Hidden Dragon Mountain to attack the Shen Family. Senior Brother Heshan, do you have any thoughts on this?"

Meeting her gaze, Li Heshan looked at Shen Wenxing opposite him and sighed helplessly: "To be honest, this matter has been quite troubling for me as well."

"The Western Wilderness Barbarian Race does not have a fixed abode, often moving with the water and grass."

"They are very familiar with the spirit fields at the border of Fengxian County, and whenever the spirit rice matures, they invade in large numbers to seize it."

"What they can take, they take; what they can't, they set on fire."

"Qiyun Valley has intended to retaliate, but it has always been difficult to locate them."

"Now we can only strictly defend, dispatching disciples to guard various spirit fields whenever it is time to harvest the spirit rice."

Wei Qiuling nodded and then smiled: "Since Qiyun Valley intends to take action against the Western Wilderness, I'll be frank as well."

"After Junior Brother Wen'an entered the Western Wilderness, Hundred Beasts Mountain has regarded the Shen Family as a thorn in their side."

"All the forces under Luoxia Mountain are now being held up by the Suihuo Sect; only Qiyun Valley can save the Shen Family from this predicament."

"I don't like beating around the bush; Senior Brother Heshan should clearly think through the stakes involved."

Shen Wenxing did not expect Wei Qiuling to be so direct.

As a result, the prepared statements became unnecessary, directly bringing the matter to this point.

Li Heshan pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Since Junior Sister Wei has put it this way, I'll be candid with you both."

"Speaking for myself, I would naturally like to seize this opportunity to act against the Western Wilderness Barbarian Race, especially since many of their cultivators have gathered at Hidden Dragon Mountain to deal with the Shen Family; it's a very rare opportunity."

"However, as for the sect..."

He glanced at Shen Wenxing, hesitating to speak further.

Shen Wenxing smiled slightly: "Immortal Master Li wants to say that Qiyun Valley currently holds a significant grudge against the Shen Family, right?"

Li Heshan took a deep sigh.

"To be honest, Younger Brother Shen, Master Pei has resigned from his position as Dean of Hidden Cloud Courtyard after the last forced entry to rescue Junior Brother Shen. He is now reflecting on his actions at the back cliff in the mountain."

"As for the sect, those who can still treat the Shen Family with an open mind are probably only myself and Elder Ji Yan."

"However, Elder Ji is deeply engrossed in the Dao of Arrays and hardly participates in sect affairs, so he can't speak up."

Shen Wenxing nodded, showing he understood.

The prejudice in people's hearts is like a mountain; once formed, it isn't easy to remove.

"Luoxia Mountain and the Shen Family have discovered a Cyan Spirit Stone vein in Hidden Dragon Mountain."

"We are willing to offer thirty percent of its yield. Annually, this would amount to over two hundred Cyan Spirit Stones."

"Additionally, Senior Brother Heshan should know about the Spirit Crystal Ore on Yang Mountain under Luoxia Mountain's control, right?"

"I can make the decision to give Qiyun Valley ten percent of its annual yield."

"In return, we ask Qiyun Valley to help the Shen Family hold off the Western Wilderness Barbarian Race for the next five years."

Upon hearing this, Li Heshan displayed a look of surprise.

The mine in Yang Mountain, Danzhou under Luoxia Mountain's control, has only been in development for a few years, and it's currently producing the most Spirit Crystals.

Ten percent of its yield would be at least one hundred Spirit Crystals annually.

These are complete Spirit Crystals, not Spirit Crystal Fragments.

As for the Cyan Spirit Stones, their market price fluctuates, but generally, three pieces could be exchanged for one Spirit Crystal.

For purchasing with Spirit Crystal Fragments, at least forty to fifty fragments would be needed.

Calculating this offer, Luoxia Mountain is effectively giving out one hundred and thirty to forty Spirit Crystals annually to enlist Qiyun Valley's support for the Shen Family.

Over five years, the total exceeds seven hundred Spirit Crystals.

This is undoubtedly a significant gesture.

For lower grade Immortal Sects like them, a Fetal Breathing Realm Elder's monthly cultivation resources only amount to two Spirit Crystals.

With over seven hundred Spirit Crystals, it's enough for a Fetal Breathing Realm cultivator to practice for decades.

Reflecting on this, Li Heshan felt very conflicted.

He admired Luoxia Mountain's unwavering support for the Shen Family and envied how much influence Wei Qiuling wielded at Luoxia Mountain.

The same sect chief candidate, yet he, Li Heshan, in Qiyun Valley, faced too many restraints on his power.

If not, there would not have been such an embarrassing situation where a talented Sword Dao genius was expelled from the sect.

Li Heshan felt quite awkward.

Accepting the offer would make Qiyun Valley appear overly profit-driven and unscrupulous, but refusing it would leave them with little incentive, knowing the stance of the elders in his sect.

"What's wrong, Senior Brother Heshan, do you think it's too little?"

Seeing his prolonged silence, Wei Qiuling frowned and asked.

In her view, this was already a generous offer, and considering Qiyun Valley's enmity with Hundred Beasts Mountain, it should be enough to persuade them to act.

"Alas!"

Li Heshan sighed: "In this matter, I will agree with a thick-skinned face."

"Rest assured, Younger Brother Shen, I will immediately report to the sect and have people move to restrain the Western Wilderness Barbarian Race soon."

"Following this, our two groups should support each other to thoroughly deal with Hundred Beasts Mountain and those uncultivated barbarians."

Shen Wenxing repeatedly cupped his hands in gratitude: "Thank you very much, Immortal Master Li."

Li Heshan waved his hands repeatedly: "No need for thanks, no need for thanks."

Since Qiyun Valley accepted this offer, they really couldn't shamelessly accept the gratitude as well.

"In that case, I will go back and make arrangements. Once Fengxian County takes action and draws away some of the barbarian cultivators, the Shen Family will be sure to dampen their spirit."

Shen Wenxing stood up and cupped his hands, as did Wei Qiuling.

"Yunzhong can't do without Qiuling sitting on guard, Senior Brother Heshan, farewell."

Li Heshan clasped his hands in farewell as the two left the courtyard on a flying shuttle, shaking his head helplessly.

He knew very well that after this incident, the relationship between Qiyun Valley and the Shen Family would become even more distant.

"I just hope that the teacher-student bond between Master Pei and the Shen Family can still be maintained..."

Li Heshan murmured softly.

On the flying shuttle, Wei Qiuling looked at Shen Wenxing with a light smile and said, "Brother Shen, did you think I was too direct just now?"

Shen Wenxing shook his head with a bitter smile, "I just didn't expect that Fairy Wei would have such a straightforward and compelling side."

Wei Qiuling covered her mouth and chuckled lightly, then pursed her lips and said, "I understand Qiyun Valley well, and I know that all words are useless this time."

"If the elders of Qiyun Valley could listen and have such awareness, the once-renowned Pill Array Sect of Danzhou wouldn't have ended up retreating to a small place like Qishan."

"Dean Pei wishes to make changes, and Li Heshan wants to turn the tide, but the longstanding issues are hard to cure. How can Qiyun Valley be saved by just the two of them?"

Shen Wenxing suddenly realized.

No wonder Wei Qiuling had come straight out with her conditions; she must also understand that the top officials of Qiyun Valley are a group that never lets go unless they see a rabbit.

Wei Qiuling used the flying shuttle to send him to Yunshui Town without stopping and directly went back.

Indeed, Yunzhong County could not do without her guarding presence now.

Considering the temper of those lunatics in the Suihuo Sect, who knows when they would march right up to Yunzhong County City.

Shen Wenxing arrived at Yunshui Town and inspected the newly built blacksmith shop in the town, ensuring that the weapons and arrows produced could meet the requirements before heading to the shop.

At this time, Shen Wenping was already nine months pregnant, about to give birth, yet still spent her days in the shop.

He Zishi had privately told Shen Wenxing several times to persuade Shen Wenping to go home and rest.

The shop business was well on track and didn't need her to oversee it with her big belly.

When Shen Wenxing arrived at the shop, He Zishi was supporting Shen Wenping in the doorway to get some air.

Seeing his arrival, He Zishi quickly came up and saluted, "Big brother."

Shen Wenxing nodded and noticed that Shen Wenping looked slightly unwell, whispering, "What's wrong?"

He Zishi helplessly smiled wryly, "The weather's hot, and the child's big, she feels stuffy and can't catch her breath."

"I asked her to go home and rest, but she didn't want to..."

He Zishi had a hint of pleading in his eyes.

"Husband speaking ill of me again?"

Shen Wenping, supporting her waist, walked over slowly, smiling brightly, "Big brother, how come you have time to come to town today?"

Shen Wenxing looked at her sternly and said, "Don't you know your own condition?"

"You're about to give birth, don't make Zishi worry unnecessarily."

Beside him, He Zishi nodded repeatedly.

Shen Wenping gave him a sideways glance, "You're being meddlesome!"

"So eager for me to go home, are you planning to find a concubine?"

Hearing this, He Zishi quickly laughed and pleaded for mercy.

The couple shared a strong love, and such jokes were common.

"Enough." Shen Wenxing, amused by the two, said, then looked at He Zishi, "Prepare a carriage, I'll take her home later."

"You should also take a break from your work these days. When my precious nephew is born, make sure to spend time with them."

He Zishi nodded.

Shen Wenping, however, glanced at him with affection, then said to Shen Wenxing, "Big brother, I'm fine..."

But Shen Wenxing ignored her teasing, observing as the carriage slowly approached, and personally lifted the car curtain.

He Zishi quickly helped her, saying, "Don't worry, wife, I'll be home to accompany you once I've settled things here."

Shen Wenping unhappily got on the carriage, while Shen Wenxing found a horse, mounted it, and said, "Let's go."

On the cobblestone road, the carriage moved slowly. Shen Wenping lifted the curtain and looked at the road outside, "Big brother, how's the road construction?"

Shen Wenxing nodded satisfactorily, "How much did it cost to build?"

Even before Jinghe Market was constructed, he intended to renovate the roads in Yunshui Town, paving them with stone slabs.

Moreover, the houses and courtyards of the villagers needed rebuilding.

Yunshui Town is rich now, and everyone's living conditions are good, so it's time to improve their living standards.

"No need for much expense. If brother is satisfied, once I've had the baby, we can start paving, beginning with a road from Yunshui Town to Black Water Pool."

"Riding in the carriage every time is so bumpy it makes you dizzy."

Shen Wenxing nodded, "I'll leave this matter to you then."

The siblings returned home, and Shen Wenxing did not delay. He immediately wrote a letter and sent it to the Hidden Dragon Mountain frontline.

He informed Huang Qi and Shen Chongming about Qiyun Valley's forthcoming action.

Meanwhile, in Hidden Dragon Mountain, amidst a strange forest.

The blazing sun was overhead, but due to the dense ancient trees, the canopy blocked out all sunlight.

The forest floor was covered with thick fallen leaves, added to the decayed remains of animals and feces, creating thick miasma.

Under the hazy miasma, two figures flashed by.

"Youran, are you sure there's a group of demon beasts here?"

Shen Chongming crouched down, cautiously surveying the surroundings.

Behind him, Chen Youran, clad in brown attire, nodded slightly, "I used the Withered Wood Revival Skill to probe, and I can sense there's a group of demon beasts living here, quite numerous."

Shen Chongming nodded.

Chen Youran was a Wood Spirit Root cultivator; using the Withered Wood Revival Skill, he could temporarily control plants within a few kilometers, extending his senses.

"Let's search further inside. Brother Tuan and Shi Miao are leading over ten Barbarian Race cultivators in circles now."

"With the poisonous miasma here, the inhabitants must be some venomous demon beasts. If we could lead them there, it should give those guys a real headache."

A mischievous smile flashed across Shen Chongming's face.

They had pulled off similar tricks quite a bit recently.

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