Some cultivators dared to go against this pact, only to die in the end when hunted in conjunction with the four powers. Examples of these cultivators were posted all over in the Territories to make cultivators mindful of the exhaustion of resources, and also as a form of intimidation.

Of course, cultivators still consume these resources that were banned for consumption, but they had to silently do it without making any others notice. That is why formally occupied Spirit Stone Mines that possesses Vein Sources would be looted and occupied but not consumed. As for a newly found Spirit Stone Mine like the one the Aqua Flood Dragon found, it was it's for the taking, but it got found out by Grand Elder Elise Alstreim instead, giving them a hidden Water-Attributed Peak-Level Spirit Stone Vein Source to consume without repercussions!

It was unlikely that the Aqua Flood Dragon would be stupid enough to release the news of this Spirit Stone Mine or the news of the Alstreim Family possessing a new Spirit Stone Vein Source. After all, it would be revealing to the entire Fifty-Two Territories that it has two Spirit Stone Vein Sources.

Yes, magical beasts were also bound to this agreement. After all, one of the four large Territories belonged to Magical Beasts! Magical Beasts were sentient beings like human beings. As they grow up and form clans, they tend to copy the way humans live as well!

Besides, Spirit Stones, the amalgamation of heaven, and earth energy for consumption, were also important resources for them. They can't afford to run out of it.

"Ancestor, please take it." Grand Elder Elise Alstreim prompted.

Grand Elder Valdrey Alstreim, Patriarch Eldric Alstreim, and Young Mistress Nora Alstreim were stunned. They couldn't help but feel a sense a loss as they heard Grand Elder Elise Alstreim's voice. Nevertheless, they were helpless to anything about it.

It was one thing if Grand Elder Elise Alstreim went under the Aqua Flood Dragon's senses and managed to plunder the treasure without any overall consequences. In that case, they can absolutely claim that this Peak-Level Spirit Stone Vein Source for themselves and not tell about it to anyone.

However, it didn't go that way, and finally, many Ninth Stage Powerhouses and even the Conferred Queen had to step in lastly to make the Aqua Flood Dragon retreat. Grand Elder Elise Alstreim cannot claim the treasure as her own. But, she can still claim it as her achievement.

Ancestor Dian Alstreim nodded his head with a solemn expression on his face.

"Your achievement of managing to plunder the Water-Attributed Peak-Level Spirit Stone Vein Source and deliver it to the Grand Alstreim City is enough to pardon your transgressions, but it is not enough to claim the treasure since it is not you who fought for it."

This Water-attributed Peak-Level Spirit Stone Vein Source was enough even confer Grand Elder Elise Alstreim, an honorable position and grand status if one existed. Unfortunately, the Grand Elder status was the furthest she could reach with her current cultivation base in the current Alstreim Family.

It possible, he wanted to confer a special status on Grand Elder Elise Alstreim, but the losses that were incurred as enough to cancel her achievement of bringing this Water-Attributed Peak-Level Spirit Stone Vein Source.

Grand Elder Elise Alstreim nodded her head in a calm manner.

"I know... But can I know who and all were responsible for making the Aqua Flood Dragon retreat? I don't know anything as I had fainted."

Ancestor Dian Alstreim promptly explained.

"For better or worse, the Ancestors of the Towering Cloud Hall and Falling Snow Sect were present?"

"The Conferred Queen was the one who made the Aqua Flood Dragon retreat? She... A younger generation expert stepped in to aid our Alstreim Family?" Grand Elder Elise Alstreim possessed disbelief on her face.

Forget the coincidence of the two other Ancestors being present... Wasn't it said that the Conferred Queen was only a Martial Sage Stage Expert? When did it ever say that she was someone who could strike fear into the dragons?

"It is her superior dragon bloodline... Though I don't know which superior dragon her bloodline is from..." Grand Elder Valdrey Alstreim mused before he shook his head as a glint of respect hung on his eyes and expression.

"I see..." Grand Elder Elise Alstreim muttered and shook her head.

She felt that she would never be able to compare to a woman like the Conferred Queen. She was the epitome of the younger generation she had ever seen....

Unfortunately, the Conferred Queen was not a member of the Alstreim Family. Otherwise, according to the rules of the family, this treasure would've belonged to her. In truth, she was sure that this matter would be hidden from the Conferred Queen. After all, who was naive enough to give up the treasure just because they were saved?

Displaying gratitude for the aid was one thing, and being foolish enough to give up the treasure that initially invited the calamity was another thing altogether! If they gave the treasure and additionally gave respect, she felt that it would be a ludicrous and absurd thing to do!

Moreover, it seemed the Conferred Queen didn't ask for any kind of compensation as well. Hence, she felt that it was enough if they displayed immense respect to the Conferred Queen. She knew that the Ancestor probably felt the same.

"Furthermore, the Water-Attributed Peak-Level Spirit Stone Vein Source is useless to us. We do not possess an Emperor Grade Water-Attributed Essence Gathering Cultivation Manual, and neither do we concentrate on comprehending Water Laws."

"Hence, we can only use this to trade for a better treasure in the future. In the meantime, we can use this to secretly open a new Spirit Stone Mine and harvest as much as Water-Attributed Spirit Stones and Spirit Stone Vein Fragments we can... This way, we'll be able to maximize the profits of obtaining this treasure."

Ancestor Dian Alstreim waited for them to digest this information before he opened his mouth.

"Lastly, due to the implications of this Water-Attributed Peak-Level Spirit Stone Vein Source, I will not be able to announce that your sin is forgiven publically. That means, in the eyes of the public, you'll be an eternal sinner who got away using her connections."

"Is that alright?" Ancestor Dian Alstreim falteringly asked.

"What!?"

"Despicable!" Nora Alstreim screamed while the other two yelled in reluctance and grievance.

On the other hand, Grand Elder Elise Alstreim weakly smiled, indicating that she knew that it would be like this as the Water-Attributed Peak-Level Spirit Stone Vein Source was just too important to be leaked.

"Good..."

"Elise!?"

"Mother!?"

"Grandma!?"

The three of them looked at Grand Elder Elise Alstreim in disbelief. What was she saying!?

To be an eternal sinner is to be looked down upon by the entire family! It was a punishment that was even worse than death. After all, to endure all that scorn, hatred, looks of disgust from the people here is almost impossible without going insane.

"However, in exchange, I don't want Ancestor to pursue us for the wrongs we committed in the past, and want it to be forgiven or forgotten. Can you swear on your law-heart that you won't pursue us in the future anymore?" Grand Elder Elise Alstreim interrupted them all.

Ancestor Dian Alstreim narrowed his brows.

They want their mistakes pardoned?