In the blink of an eye, another half a month passed.
On this day, three thousand miles west of the Bianyang Mountain Range stood a towering spirit mountain, a thousand feet tall.
This mountain, named Sky Ridge Peak, was supported by a second-tier superior-grade spiritual vein and served as the ancestral seat of the Wei Family Immortal Clan.
As the foremost of the five major foundational clans in Boyang County, the Wei Clan wielded considerable power. The clan boasted eleven Foundation Establishment cultivators, including two late-stage Foundation Establishment masters.
This strength alone made the Wei Clan comparable to half of Yu County.
Compared to Yu County, which lay closer to the Great Desolation spanning tens of thousands of miles, the cultivation world of Boyang County was much more prosperous, akin to Feng County. However, it was home to only five major Foundation Establishment clans, primarily because the Wei Clan dominated six second-tier spiritual veins.
This dominance persisted largely due to the presence of a Purple Mansion clan in Boyang County. Otherwise, the Wei Clan might have long claimed half the county as its own.
At this moment, within the grand hall of the Wei Family Immortal Clan, several figures stood gathered.
Each of these individuals possessed at least mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, exuding powerful auras. They were all renowned figures in Boyang County.
One of them, a man in a Daoist robe, turned to another and asked, "Why have we been summoned here?"
"This matter is significant," replied a man in mid-stage Foundation Establishment with a smile.
"I recently received intelligence indicating the discovery of a micro-scale black iron mine in Yu County."
"A black iron mine in Yu County?" someone asked, frowning.
"Wouldn't that be a matter for the clans in Yu County? What does it have to do with us?"
The man smiled faintly and said, "What if I told you that the black iron mine is less than seven thousand miles from us?"
"Within seven thousand miles!"
The group immediately showed signs of excitement.
A beautiful woman among them nodded in agreement.
"If it's within seven thousand miles, then it's worth vying for."
This woman was one of the Wei Clan's two late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, and her words carried the weight of finality.
At this moment, the patriarch of the Wei Clan opened his eyes without a sound and finally spoke.
"Who currently controls the black iron mine?"
The man responded, "It's reportedly in the hands of the Chen family of Qingyuan Mountain."
"The Chen family?" The Wei patriarch shook his head.
"This matter requires no further discussion. Leave the mine alone."
"Why?"
"But it's a black iron mine!"
Some expressed dissatisfaction, and the man couldn't help but question.
The others were equally puzzled, and even the beautiful woman added, "With our strength, could we not easily take it from the Chen family?"
"If it were any other family in Yu County—even the Lin family—we could seize it without hesitation. But the Chen family is different."
The Wei patriarch shook his head and elaborated.
"We in Yang Region seldom interact with the Bianzhou region, so perhaps you're unaware of the Chen Immortal Clan."
"Chen Changxuan is a second-tier superior-grade array master who possesses a set of Blazing Fire Divine Flags reputed to be unbeatable without the combined efforts of three late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators."
"And then there's Elian. At barely twenty years old, he established his foundation on his own and has, over the past decade, slain more than ten Foundation Establishment cultivators and demons. His methods are as ruthless as Chen Changxuan's, if not more so."
"Such a fierce cultivator, barring untimely death, has a fifty-to-sixty-percent chance of reaching the Purple Mansion stage."
"We cannot guarantee his elimination. To provoke such an enemy for a mere black iron mine would be inviting disaster."
Hearing this, cold sweat broke out on the backs of many. For most Foundation Establishment cultivators, even slaying a single peer was a lifetime achievement. Someone like Elian, capable of consistently seizing fleeting opportunities to kill his enemies, was truly rare.
Even the beautiful woman, rendered speechless, admitted, "For someone like Elian to establish his foundation at twenty years old, he must indeed be ruthless. Provoking him recklessly would be unwise."
Seeing that he had quashed any further discussion, the Wei Clan leader nodded and turned to the man who had reported the news.
"Is the informant still here?"
The man wiped his sweat and replied hastily, "He was about to leave after delivering the intelligence, but I kept him back."
"Good," the Wei patriarch said with a smile, turning to the group.
"Detain him. I'll personally deliver him to the Chen family as a gift."
"As fellow immortal clans in the Chu Kingdom, forming a good relationship with the Chen family might allow us to assist one another in the future."
…
That same day, at Black Iron Mountain.
With a metallic clang, Elian wielded the Fiery Void Sword, carving a hundred-foot-long mark into the mountain.
He was reshaping the terrain, using his celestial sword to carve paths and prepare the mountain for human habitation.
He wasn't alone. To transform Black Iron Mountain into a livable environment and clear it of venomous creatures and wild beasts, the Chen family had dispatched most of its late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators. Even Chen Qinghao was on hand to assist.
This was unavoidable. The harsh environment of the Eastern Wasteland, especially in such remote areas with second-tier spiritual veins teeming with demonic beasts, fostered ferocious creatures and poisonous insects nurtured by spiritual energy.
Without thorough clearing, even a thousand settlers might not survive a few months.
Once the mountain was purged of dangers, it would be outfitted with a repellent array and regularly sprinkled with insect-repelling powder to make it suitable for human habitation.
However, the journey for the migrants would be arduous. Despite the family's arrangements and meticulous care by their cultivators, only seven or eight out of ten were expected to survive the trek.
It was harsh but realistic. While the family protected its members, these descendants of the Chen Immortal Clan were also obligated to contribute.
"Sigh, perhaps we should migrate fewer people—only about three thousand. Let them multiply here instead," Elian thought with a heavy heart.
At that moment, his eyes sharpened as he looked toward the distant sky.
In the void above, a streak of light cut across the horizon, heading straight for Black Iron Mountain.
"Hmph—"
Instantly, atop Black Iron Mountain, the massive array rose into the air, casting a yellow barrier over the mountain.
Simultaneously, the Greenwood Thunder Flag emerged, faint traces of divine greenwood thunder gathering within.
Just as the greenwood thunder was about to strike, the streak of light abruptly halted mid-air. The Wei Clan patriarch's voice rang out loudly.
"Chen Daoist, cease your actions. I mean no harm."
"Oh?"
"Who are you, and what brings you here?"
Elian frowned, halting the Greenwood Earth Formation.
Seeing this, the Wei Clan patriarch breathed a sigh of relief, descended on a sword light, and landed before Black Iron Mountain with a benevolent smile.
"I am Wei Xuyuan, patriarch of the Wei Clan of Sky Ridge Peak in Boyang County. Please, do not worry. I have come in goodwill."
"If you don't believe me, take a look at this."
As Wei Xuyuan spoke, he flung a figure forward.
Elian looked closely and found that the figure was none other than Chen Niansu. His elder cousin lay on the ground in utter disgrace, his gaze filled with shame, unable to meet anyone's eyes.
...
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