“How have things been progressing? Has the Long Clan responded to anything?”

“No Patriarch, they deny all claims and still persist with the false claim.”

“I see, that is troubling.”

Zhang Dong nodded at the officer from his sect that brought him the bad news. The last battle had left a bad aftertaste but life needed to continue. Instead of pushing in instantly, he decided to parley or at least make an attempt at it. The Long Clan did not wish to talk and stuck to the fake narrative of them being a demonic sect. Thankfully not many people believed this as the western region saw a boost in quality of life improvements.

Thanks to his system's faction option, he was able to get spirit points for keeping his citizens happy. Even if on the outside it looked like he was wasting resources by helping the poor. In actuality, he could exchange the later gained spirit points for various other things. One of them was his angelic automatons that could be further upgraded into a powerful force. When looking at things with the future in mind, he was better off investing in the vast western region.

‘It doesn’t seem like they are willing to talk on neutral grounds. It was at least worth a try.’

Zhang Dong wanted to sigh but decided to stop himself as he was not alone in this meeting room. He had attempted to stop this pointless war with his brother. If they were able to make some type of binding contract like the previous sects then lives could be saved. Yet the Long Clan was unwilling to give them a millimeter of space. They even asked for them to hand him over as he was assumed to be a demonic cultivator.

It made sense in this world where one person could decide the fate of many. Zhang Dong was too much of a risk for anyone to allow him to run free. The Long Clan wanted to prove that they were the supreme faction with no one above them. One of the biggest issues was the potential legality that he had to the throne. At least the Soaring Dragon Sect had no claim to it which lowered their danger level.

Zhang Dong on the other hand could potentially with time split the Long Clan into two factions. Not everyone liked the Azure Emperor, there was a possibility for an internal struggle if he continued to rise in power. Long Qing wouldn’t last forever and then Long Shen was supposed to be his successor.

However, after a certain lightning cultivator arrived, the man was not the best prospect for the position anymore. His short arrival at the city sent out waves of opposition. If the Azure Emperor started aging the much younger brother had proven himself to be his equal. Would the weaker son be able to take out the mantle or could the Golden Emperor rise in his place?

At the time he didn’t really have anyone attempt to contact him. He had been stuck in the golden palace and trying to restore it before vanishing. If it was possible to take over the empire through politics and diplomacy then he would be all for it. Yet perhaps the elders that opposed him saw the writing on the wall and decided to remove this option as if it was some growing tumor.

‘I guess I have grown too dangerous to be left alive. I endanger their dynasty just by existing…’

He stood up from his seat and moved forward on the podium. This platform was floating in the middle and contained him along with his wife, Huo Qiang, and a few other elders from his sect. They were not alone here as there were many other cultivators everywhere. The robes they were wearing varied in shape, size, and color as they were not part of the United Element Sect.

“First of all, I would like to welcome you all on behalf of the United Element Sect. You all have traveled from far-off reaches and for that I am grateful.”

The people on the sides started nodding while being somewhat surprised. To them the man that was talking to them was an enigma. His power was real and this whole meeting seemed pointless. Why did he bring them here if he could have just ordered them to go into battle without even giving them a reason?

The Long Clan had done it with all their branch families and was even pulling some uninvolved sects into their army. The war was quickly progressing into the second stage where everyone scrambled for potential resources and warriors. They expected to be given a battle plan that they were unable to refuse but instead, they were greeted with respect by a man that should be above such things.

“I have gathered you here all to discuss the future of our western region and also the Empire in its entirety.”

After the last battle, one thing became clear, his side didn’t truly have enough manpower and support for a longer conflict. The wall that they amassed would eventually break if it wasn’t supported by others. He wanted to get through this without involving all the other people but it might be impossible.

The enemies he was facing were sitting on a giant spirit vein and their region was deeply protected. While these people didn’t all have to directly help his armies in battle, they could be used as sideline supporters. Delivering resources where they were needed and also offering up some was needed.

“While I know what you might be thinking, I will assure you that I don’t wish to send your people to the battlefront, you all will have a choice to make but some will be more lucrative than others. Now please, you should have all received special jades with the merits, please take some time to process the information.”

Zhang Dong returned to his seat while Zhang Jin took over the rest. While he could force these people to do his bidding this would adversely affect their happiness rating in the faction system. To not shoot himself in the foot he made a decision to implement the usual merit system. These people carved special techniques and cultivation resources. With all the spirit points he was earning, it was quite easy to offer them enhanced cultivation manuals.

“Does anyone have any questions? I’ll try to answer them to the best of my ability.”

“If I may?”

“Ah, you come from the Green Serpent Sect, please go ahead.”

Zhang Jin started taking questions from the people gathered there. In the jades, they were given the potential rewards they would receive for their services. One, in particular, was an interesting one and would be the least cost for the United Element Sect.

“You are capable of enhancing our cultivation techniques and spiritual arts?”

“Indeed, It’s a simple process for our masters and it will be possible for you to come into possession of immortal grade manuals, depending on your contribution to the cause.”

“Immortal grade?”

Everyone started whispering around as they could not fathom someone giving up an immortal-grade treasure or cultivation method. This was the pinnacle of their world, something that could potentially turn people into future Emperors and immortals. Why would a sect give up such knowledge, in their eyes it was probably a hoax.

“You do not believe that we possess such manuals?”

Zhang Jin turned towards Zhang Dong who just nodded. Soon he produced a manual from his spatial ring that his grandfather held up high.

“This is an immortal grade technique, I would like for all your leaders to inspect it.”

Everyone’s eyes bulged out as even without coming too close to the booklet they could feel a strange spiritual energy from it. All the nascent soul masters that represented their sects and clans quickly rushed to the central stage while almost forgetting that they were in the presence of the Golden Dragon. Their eyes focused on the first page that was presented to them and they instantly knew, this was an immortal grade treasure worth dying for.

“It’s an immortal rank technique… I can hardly understand the first page…”

“Hey, stop hogging it by yourself, let me see…”

“What is this knowledge… is there more? I have to know!”

The old masters that were all over five hundred years old started acting like children. They were pushing each other out of the way while trying to read the page that was being held by Zhang Jin. Yet this was all that they would be receiving, a little taste to urge them forward. Instead of forcing the other sects to comply they offered rewards in return. While some would still remain skeptical after receiving some rewards or seeing others get them, they would change their tune.

“Please calm yourselves, it is unbecoming of your position.”

Zhang Jin was forced to yank the booklet out of reach as some of the masters started reaching for it. They quickly retreated in fright as they noticed what they just attempted to do. Even though a lot of them were ready to fight with their life on the line for treasures like this, they were not stupid.

Zhang Dong was here and so was Huo Qiang whom they knew were above their skill level. Even if the whole group tossed themselves into battle at once, they weren’t confident in winning. This was exacerbated by the rise of lightning and fire energy within this large hall. Everyone involved in the potential tussle started shrinking back and returning to their seats soon after.

“As you have seen, it’s the genuine article but it’s not the only one you may receive, it will all depend on the merits you gain in the future. How our merit system works is included within the jade which you may take back to your clans and sects. Now, I will answer your questions.”

Soon the meeting continued and Zhang Dong decided to leave it up to his grandfather. They started asking about the basics and if they were obliged to participate which they weren’t. This was a strict merit-based system that was supposed to push them to do better. There were many ways of gaining these merits and calculating for specific rewards was possible.

While they were discussing the future war venture he was already thinking about the coming battle. His brother was going to face him sooner or later and he had to get ready. Before he could tackle the woman that was behind him, the Azure Emperor needed to be dealt with first.

‘I need to be ready when the time comes and expect her to get involved as well… this is quite troublesome but I’ll get through like I always did…’

There were too many people at stake. He was not alone anymore and he would do his utmost to defend the family that he had built.