16 The Ouyang Clan
-- At the Oyang Clan Residence --
「First elder, I have found a small shop in the city selling lots of Azure shielding inscriptions, they also had strange robes that you should probably take a look at your self.」
「How many did you buy?」
「I bought 20 low tier level 4 {1} inscriptions for 5 high-grade spirit stones and I did not buy any of the robes.」
[A/N: the low tier rank 4 refers to the level of the shielding inscription, the rank 4 refers to the 4th realm in cultivation, the spirit realm, and the low grade refers to the fact that it can only defend against someone at the first level of the spirit realm.]
「Where is this shop?」
「It is located in the city shopping district along one of the main streets.」
「Did you find out about their background?」
「The clerk said that the [Myriad Dao Sect] was their backer.」
「What level was the clerk?」
「According to the information we have the clerk was an outer disciple at the spirit realm.」
「Only outer disciple!? Having outer disciples at the spirit realm is very extravagant in this part of the world.」
「There was another clerk on the second floor, according to what I could tell he as at the origin realm due to the Inner disciple title plate hanging at his waist. It can also be assumed that they have a powerful inscription master and a high levelled array master behind them as well.」
「Why do you say a high levelled array master?」
「The entire shop was covered in arrays, there were hundreds covering every inch of the shop.」
「Are you exaggerating? A hundred is a bit too many for a small shop in the city.」
「There are probably more than that, there were so many it interrupted me from sensing them properly.」
「Take me there, now.」
「It is only open from 10:00 to 8:00. Offending them is not a good idea.」
「Then we will wait, but we must be outside the shop doors 10 minutes before opening, now, describe the robe.」
-- The [Myriad Dao Shop] --
「Welcome back, you have brought someone else?」
「Yes, this is my clan's first elder. First elder, this is the clerk that I was talking about earlier.」
「Are you an outer disciple of the [Myriad Dao Sect]?」
「Yes, we have been given the mission of acting as the guards and clerks of the store.」
「Lets go upstairs.」
「Please wait, the holder of a silver card can only bring almost, 1 person upstairs.」
「Xiao Tenghao, stay here while Xiao Long and I head up.」
「Alright, First Elder.」
--
「Welcome back, the robes you were interested in yesterday are still here, the young sect master also made a few more. We also now have a third section for random junk. 1 midgrade spirit stone per item」
「What is in the junk pile?」
「Litterally just junk, from failed inscriptions and array plates to the young sect master's 9 layered encryption encrypting absolutely nothing.」
「Where are the robes you were interested in earlier」
「They were over here, First elder.」
「The workmanship on these is quite good. There seem to be quite a few arrays on them as well. I can see a certain couple of old friends of mine absolutely loving this style of robe. If I'm correct they were made according to the fashion of the northern continent.」
「The northern continent? Yes, we have very few records of them but from what we know they wield strange powers, compared to us they are incredibly weak.」
「Clerk, you said that these were 100 high-grade spirit stones apiece?」
「Yes, 100 high-grade spirit stones apiece, because it is over in the junk section the price is negotiable, but do not get it confused with the Random junk section.」
「What are the terms of the negotiation?」
「To alter the price valid points must be put forwards and a reasonable price suggested. Being nitpicky will increase the price.」
「Can I ask where your Young sect master is now?」
「He is back at the sect if there are any problems I can relay the messages.」
「Well, I wish to discuss a deal with him on behalf of the Ouyang clan, is that a possibility?」
「Very well, I'll go fetch the young sect master, please wait here for a few minuites」
Walking down to the basement the clerk activated the teleportation formation and teleported back to the sect to notify Chen Hua of the guests at the shop
「Who would have thought that they could be so extravagant so as to put a long-distance mass teleportation formation in a small shop.」
「Teleportation formation?」
「Yes, they require both formation and array masters to create. Not only that, but they have to be connected to another formation and they are also very costly to operate. Starting at 20 High-grade spirit stones per person the cost only escalates the more people there are.」
「Does the clan have one?」
「Yes, the clan has one but, to be honest, it is the reason that we can have such a strong foothold within the area. It allows the main branch of the clan to send reinforcements directly should something happen. It is probably the sole reason no one dares to attack us at the moment.」
---
「So, you wanted to negotiate a deal with me?」
「You are the young sect master of the [Myriad Dao Sect]?」
「Yes, We have just recently re-established in the mountains. There are still quite a few of the old experts still in hiding, they probably will not come out unless absolutely necessary. So, what did you want to discuss?」
「Those robes you made, Is it possible to make them in a different style?」
「No, actually, I feel that you would quite like the style in a year or two if you know what I mean.」
「Are you saying...」
「The second of the first has just started.」
「You're sure that it has started?」
「Very.」
「Is it possible to contain this plage?」
「Yes and no.」
「Elaborate.」
*Raises an eyebrow*
「500 high-grade spirit stones」
「Very well, I will share what my master had left behind, although it is impossible to prevent or contain this plague, It definitely will not be just some disease or virus. Rather, it is most likely related to the beast tide itself. Just think how many other cities, villages, and sects were destroyed, why was this city able to resist the beast tide?」
「Are you suggesting that the beasts concentrated their forces elsewhere and that they did not defend from the mountains because of the destruction caused by the meteors?」
「If we can predict these events, then their emperors naturally can as well.」
「There are still beast emperors?!」
「Those old farts including my master are still alive, right?」
「True, spiritual beasts have always had greater lifespans than humans. But, what did you mean by yes?」
「Now all of the various cities are currently overpopulated with everyone fleeing towards them and many of the smaller areas have been raised to the ground.」
「Famine and sanitisation.」
「Bingo, spot on. now, the question is how to solve this problem. I have a few pills recipes that I found at the bottom of a crate. All of the herbs listed are fairly common and there are quite a few growing in the sect, it's called the fasting pill.」
「How much?」
「I'm not looking for money this time, I'm looking to form an alliance with all of the powers in the area, send me your disciples, I train them with different methods as the third of the first is soon to be upon us, and I send them back. It's a win-win situation, I can reestablish my sect, you clans won't fall when It is upon us. I'm sure you have recognised what those meteors were by now right?」
「I'm afraid not.」
「A seal, one very large, massive seal covering this realm according to my master.」
「Are you saying that those meteors were the result of a massive seal breaking apart?」
「Yes, and if his guesses were correct, a new, higher form of energy is on its way here devouring the current energy with its arrival.」
「This alliance, I'm very interested. What would the details be?」
「The final details will have to be negotiated when all the members are present but the main points will that
1. Members will not openly fight or sow discord
2. When within the [Myriad Dao Sect] all are to observe the rules with no exceptions
3. All members are required to send aid should an outside force choose to obstruct the alliance.
4. Private fights must be held within the [Myriad Dao Sect]
5. Any disagreements between powers that require settlement will be steeled in the [Myriad Dao Sect]
6. Remain neutral
7. Others may, but are not required to send aid if someone is attacking due to a personal grudge
8. If an...」
「Okay, I will join this alliance, shall I contact the other 4 powers in the area?」
「Yes, we will meet here next month on the 1st and go to the [Myriad Dao Sect] to discuss the final details as well as any other additional members. Keeping one for yourself give the other 4 to the others. I'm sure it will help in convincing them.」
「This?! This is a small scale single item teleportation array!」
「Just place the item you want to teleport on top and a spirit stone within 3 inches of it and think of the destination. When naming the stones I suggest you use the name of your power, be sure to tell the others as well as I will also be using these to send out any notifications.」
--
Ding! New Mission initiated
Name: Form the [Myriad Dao Alliance]
Description: Form an alliance between the 5 powers surrounding the [Myriad Dao Sect]
Time limit: 17 days
Failure: Besiegement of 2 out of the 5 powers
--
「System, show me the inventory.」
-- Formule
-- Materials
-- Books and Manuals
-- Other
「Other」
-- Unrefined Earth-Fire (1)
-- Free Metal Ticket (1)
「What is the unrefined earth-fire?」
「The earth fire is a natural fire of heaven and earth. It can be found deep within1.000.000 year magma pools under the right conditions. It is a dream fire for cultivators as it can be used to refine both spiritual tools and pills. Upon refining, it can be used to create a pill or weapon fire of the highest grade.」
「What are pill and weapon fires?」
「It is thoroughly explained the two of the Host's Manuals」
「What is the Free Metal Ticket?」
「It allows the host to make any metal in a special list in the warehouse permanently free ahead of time.」
「Ahead of time?」
「As the user's grade in blacksmithing rises some materials will become free to use such as iron, steel, black iron, etc.」
「Will that also happen to herbs and inks as I progress in alchemy and inscribing?」
「Yes, but, please do keep in mind that the host cannot sell the raw materials.」
「What is the list of metals I can choose from?」
1. Iron
2. Steel
3. Black Iron
4. Mana/Spiritual Steel
5. 1000 year Crystal Iron
6. Violet meteoric Iron
7. Memory Alloy 2475
8. Elemantium
9. Nanonic Alloy 24
10. 1000 year arcane alloy
11. Aby...
「Will any new metals appear once I advance to a 1-star blacksmith」
「No」
「What is 1000 year crystal iron?」
「It is an extremely versatile transparent crystal with a purple hue that was named by a blacksmith who ran out of iron but had a lot of this due to running into a large deposit. It is a rare mineral often forming in largeish deposits. It is highly conducive to different types of energy, it can also store various types of energy causing it to need special methods to heat and forge. Is the host choosing the 1000 year crystal Iron?」
「Yes, now how do I refine the Earth fire?」
「Ding! Refine the unrefined earth-fire [Y/N]? - Use the free metal ticket on the 1000 year crystal iron [Y/N]?」
「Yes and Yes」
「Ding! Refinement complete! You can now access the earth-fire by looking into your sea of consciousness. The 1000 year crystal Iron is now available for free in the warehouse.」
