Chapter 885: Strengthening Cooperation

Giving gifts requires not only choosing the right person but also selecting the appropriate item. Wang Mingren learned a great deal from Xu Zihua's guidance and example.

Upon arriving in the South Sea, he first paid visits to several of his senior martial uncles and elders. He brought a gift for each, none of which were extravagant, but they conveyed his genuine respect. He had learned from fellow disciples that Chen Yang's initial attempt to form his Golden Core had failed. In response, Lu Yuhuan diligently took on tasks, accumulating contribution points to help Chen Yang successfully form his Core. After forming his Golden Core, Chen Yang immediately married Lu Yuhuan and then assisted her in forming her own. They treated each other with great respect and had a very strong bond, widely regarded by the Taiyi Immortal Sect disciples as the most devoted cultivation partners. Their love story was once a popular tale.

Knowing that Lu Yuhuan cultivated fire-attribute techniques, Wang Mingren presented her with a defensive magic treasure, strategically aiming to foster a good relationship with Chen Yang. As a sword cultivator who had resided in the South Sea for many years, Chen Yang was intimately familiar with the region's circumstances. With Chen Yang's help, it would be easier for Wang Mingren to distinguish himself.

Hearing this, Chen Yang found it difficult to refuse. His smile deepened as he said, "Thank you very much, Junior Brother Wang. Please don't hesitate to ask if you ever need our assistance in the future." Receiving the defensive magic treasure significantly increased Chen Yang and Lu Yuhuan's goodwill towards Wang Mingren. While they might not have accepted such a gift from just anyone, Wang Mingren was an exception. He had an excellent reputation; he was always willing to help, and very few of his fellow disciples ever spoke ill of him.

Wang Mingren smiled faintly and replied, "Senior Brother Chen, you're too kind. We are fellow disciples; it's truly nothing."

"Junior Brother Li mentioned that you and Junior Sister Chen have become cultivation partners," Lu Yuhuan said casually. "Did Junior Sister Chen accompany you to the South Sea? We'd love to host a banquet for you both another day."

Wang Mingren's smile faltered for a moment, then he forced a cheerful expression. "She's on a mission in the Northern Reaches and didn't come with me," he said. "By the way, Senior Brother Chen, have there been any unusual developments in the Coral Sea region over the past few years? I haven't been to the South Sea in a long time and am quite unfamiliar with the current situation. Could you please provide some details?"

"Unusual developments? A few Nascent Soul cultivators from the Eastern Barrens took the initiative to establish the Three Immortals Alliance, developing their influence in the Coral Sea region. Their progress has been relatively smooth over the years. Initially, they were united against common enemies, but now, that's no longer the case. With too many temptations and various powers trying to win them over, the Three Immortals Alliance has splintered into several factions. Some support Yellow Dragon Isle, others back Sky Sea Pavilion, and a few align with Cold Flame Sect. Private disputes have already erupted. Ultimately, the Three Immortals Alliance is nothing more than a fractured group."

As the saying goes, "it's easy to share adversity, but difficult to share prosperity." When they first arrived in the South Sea, the Three Immortals Alliance was relatively cohesive. However, as they grew, the South Sea's abundant cultivation resources dazzled them. This, combined with enticements and threats from major powers, gradually led to internal disagreements and even conflict within the alliance. The Three Immortals Alliance lacked a rigid organizational structure, having been formed by multiple independent forces. Without continuous external threats, internal disagreements naturally arose over time. Stronger factions felt dissatisfied with resource distribution, while weaker ones believed they contributed excessively without receiving adequate cultivation resources. This, coupled with the allure and intimidation from external powers, quickly led to their downfall. The Three Immortals Alliance now exists in name only, with its three Nascent Soul cultivators having split into three factions, each supporting a different major power.

Wang Mingren nodded discreetly, then proceeded to ask more questions. Chen Yang and the others answered truthfully, also advising Wang Mingren on matters requiring attention.

An hour later, Wang Mingren exited the teahouse and began to stroll along the bustling street. Lingbie Market was as lively as ever, with throngs of people flowing through the streets and a constant din of hawkers.

After approximately the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Wang Mingren arrived at a two-story cyan pavilion. A plaque above the entrance read "Green Lotus Pavilion." This was a tea shop, but also a vital outpost for the Wang family's intelligence network, facilitating communication between clan members in the South Sea and the Eastern Barrens. As the most senior member of the Wang family, Wang Mingren was naturally aware of this particular stronghold.

The shopkeeper, a middle-aged man in his early forties, momentarily changed expression upon seeing Wang Mingren but quickly regained his composure. As the highest-ranking cultivator in the family and a disciple of the Taiyi Immortal Sect, Wang Mingren's portrait was familiar to those in the intelligence hall.

"Venerable Senior, what kind of tea are you looking for? Would you like me to make some recommendations? Our shop's Green Lotus Tea is particularly renowned," the middle-aged man asked with a sincere smile.

Wang Mingren then transmitted, "Where is Changsheng? Please deliver a message for me, telling him I have a request. This contains my message." He took out a cyan storage pearl and handed it to the middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man smiled and agreed, then retrieved two canisters of tea for Wang Mingren. After Wang Mingren paid with spirit stones, he collected the tea and departed. The storage pearl contained various crafting materials, two magic treasures, a sound transmission talisman, and a letter.

The middle-aged man wasted no time, taking out his communication disk to report to his superiors. He did not directly contact the family and was unaware of the family's direct strongholds in the South Sea. Instead, he would use his communication disk to inform his immediate superior, ensuring reports were relayed through multiple layers to minimize risk.

The Four Seas Sect was one of the ten great sects of the South Sea. Within the Sky Sea Hall, a crucial location for the Four Seas Sect, multiple Nascent Soul cultivators were gathered. They wore varied expressions and whispered amongst themselves.

Shortly after, a dignified-looking middle-aged man entered. Dressed in a blue long robe, he exuded the authoritative aura of a person in power with every movement. This was Lu Bin, the Sect Master of the Four Seas Sect.

"Greetings, Sect Master Senior Brother," they chorused.

"Junior Brothers and Sisters," Lu Bin began, "I've called you here today for one specific reason: our sect plans to strengthen its cooperation with the Taiyi Immortal Sect and assist in their operations here in the South Sea."

A ripple of astonishment spread through the hall at Lu Bin's words.

"Sect Master Senior Brother, assisting the Taiyi Immortal Sect's operations in the South Sea? What exactly does that entail?"

Historically, the ten great sects of the South Sea had been wary of external powers. Cooperation between local and external forces was minimal, as any significant move could have widespread repercussions and was not to be taken lightly. The Taiyi Immortal Sect had only managed to establish a foothold in the South Sea by leasing islands and securing the support of the Four Seas Sect. If the Four Seas Sect were to deepen its cooperation with the Taiyi Immortal Sect, especially in territorial expansion within the South Sea, the other nine sects would undoubtedly ostracize them. While other powers did cooperate with external forces, this was strictly limited to island leases, with no allowance for territorial expansion. This was primarily to ensure that valuable resources remained within their domain, as the local powers among the South Sea's ten great sects were fiercely protective and wanted to prevent outsiders from gaining undue advantage. Secondly, they had to remain vigilant against the demon race; internal conflict would weaken them and provide an opening for their enemies. The demon race in the South Sea was considerably stronger and more influential than their counterparts in the Eastern Barrens.

"The Taiyi Immortal Sect intends to expand its territory in the Coral Sea region, and our Four Seas Sect will assist them," Lu Bin stated. "The South Sea has been peaceful for too long; it's time for some disruption. In exchange, the Taiyi Immortal Sect will cede half a country's worth of land in the Eastern Barrens for our Four Seas Sect's development. Additionally, the Taiyi Immortal Sect's branches in the Central Plains and Northern Reaches cultivation worlds will enhance cooperation with our own branches."

Lu Bin explained unhurriedly. This was clearly a transaction, one from which the Four Seas Sect stood to gain significantly.