The great hall of the Fang Clan stood beneath towering stone pillars carved with ancient sigils. Spirit lamps burned steadily, their glow reflecting off polished stone.
At the highest platform sat two Grand Elders, their presence heavy and dignified, like ancient mountains rooted in time.
Elder Fang Shouyuan, aged ninety-two, had long stepped into the Qi Finalization Realm. His aura was deep and restrained, like still waters.
Elder Fang Wenhai, ninety years of age, stood beside him, his cultivation halted at the late ninth level of Qi Condensation.
At the center seat sat Clan Leader Fang Jianhong, his posture relaxed yet commanding.Though only in his early thirties, his cultivation had already reached the late seventh stage of Qi Condensation. His posture was relaxed, yet the air subtly bent around him.
Elder Fang Shouyuan raised a jade tablet with both hands, presenting it forward in silence.The faint glow of spiritual script unfolded in the air.
"Dowry from the Sun Clan has been verified. Primary item: A Second-Grade, Tier-One Ice-Attribute Talisman. Refined personally by Sun Lanyue's father."
Elder Fang Wenhai stepped half a pace forward, keeping his head lowered.He spoke"Sun Clan Ancestor has recently stepped into the Foundation Establishment Realm. The Sun Clan still resides on a first-grade high-tier land; nurturing their newly advanced ancestor consumes vast resources, leaving them no choice but to seek marriage with our Fang Clan in exchange for alchemy pills at a reduced price. Without continuous medicinal support, their growth will stagnate."
Fang Jianhong finally spoke, his voice calm but firm.
"This shows sincerity. We will provide support. Maintain pill quality. Our reputation is not negotiable."
"Two types of pills only," he continued.
"Two Spirit Vein Stabilizing Pill (Grade 2 Tier1)— for maintaining cultivation balance."
"36 Tranquil Mind Essence Pill — to prevent internal mind relaxation, famous among low level qi cultivators."
He paused.
"The price shall be ten percent below market price, no more."As there was still 5% profit in it.
Elder Fang Wenhai took a slow step forward, his eyes closed. With a subtle movement of his fingers, strands of spiritual calculation flickered briefly in the air before fading.
"Based on current pill quality and supply limits," he said calmly, "the total annual trade value shall amount to one hundred Spirit Stones."
Fang Jianhong gave a slight nod. "Record it in agreement."
At his command, a Treasury scribe stepped forward and activated a jade slip, recording the agreement in glowing script.Once the record was complete, the scribe reached for a small, elegant creature perched on the edge of the table — a Early Qi Grade Crimson Feather Roc, a talonoften used for long-distance clan communication. Its eyes gleamed with intelligence, and faint traces of spiritual qi shimmered along its crimson-tipped wings.
With practiced gestures, the scribe placed the jade slip into a specially designed satchel tied to the Roc's talons. The bird gave a sharp cry, flapped its wings, and soared into the air, a streak of red light arcing gracefully toward the Sun Clan, carrying the clan's message and agreement.
The hall fell silent for a heartbeat. Then, the main doors opened, and Fang Zhengyuan entered. His robe swayed lightly, and a faint, disciplined aura of refined qi emanated from him — a clear mark of his status as the clan's master alchemist. Zhengyuan greeted him and his
Fang Jianhong seeing him spoke "You have come, sit."Then He told him about the arrangement and asked him about requirement.
Fang Zhengyuan stepped forward slightly, his hands clasped behind his back. His gaze remained calm as he spoke, voice steady and precise.
"For the Spirit Vein Stabilizing Pills, the core materials required are:— Thirty-year Spirit Ginseng, matured under stable qi flow,— Cloud Dew Moss, dried under shade,— and Stoneheart Root powder, refined to remove impurities."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"For the Tranquil Mind Essence Pills, we will need:— Mooncalm Grass, preferably harvested at dawn,— Clearflow Petals, no older than three months,— and a small measure of Pure Spirit Water."
A subtle stir passed through the hall. Though thirty years was not ancient by cultivation standards, such materials were already considered rare.
Fang Jianhong called" Summon Elder Fang Yushen".
It was Elder Fang Yushen, overseer of the Spirit Herb Garden.His hair was completely white, tied neatly behind his back, and his cultivation rested at the late ninth stage of Qi Condensation. As He read the list .Though his posture was straight, his brows creased faintly as he spoke. "The Thirty-year Spirit Ginseng and Cloud Dew Moss can be managed with careful tending. However, the Pure Spirit Water is scarce, and the supply within the Spirit Herb Garden is… limited."
The hall fell quiet once more, the weight of his words settling heavily in the air.
Fang Jianhong listened in silence, his expression unreadable. After a brief pause, he spoke calmly.
"That will be enough for now."
He turned slightly toward Elder Fang Yushen and Fang Zhengyuan.
"You may both return and complete the remaining preparations. Ensure nothing is overlooked."
Both men bowed respectfully.
"Yes, Clan Leader."
They withdrew quietly, their footsteps fading as the heavy doors closed behind them.
For a moment, the hall remained still.
Then Elder Fang Shouyuan, his long white beard resting against his robe, spoke in a measured tone.
"There is another path we may consider," he said. "The He Clan has established their grounds upon the Spirit Water Lake. Their access to Pure Spirit Water far exceeds our own. Acquiring it through them would ease the strain on our Spirit Herb Garden."
A low murmur followed his words.
Before the thought could settle, Elder Fang Wenhai frowned deeply, his sharp eyes flashing with displeasure.
"The He Clan?" he said coldly. "Their ambitions are no secret. They have long coveted influence within Ironcliff. Relying on them now would only invite future leverage — or worse."
The air grew tense.
Fang Jianhong remained silent for a moment, his fingers resting against the armrest as he weighed both opinions. Then he spoke, his voice calm yet carrying unquestionable authority."Send a message to the He Clan," Fang Jianhong continued."Let see if respond or not?"
Elder Fang Wenhai said "Clan Leader, What if they ask for unreasonable request ."
Fang Jianhong's gaze remained steady, untroubled.
"Then we will listen," he said evenly. "And decide whether their words are worth answering."He paused briefly, a faint sharpness entering his eyes."If their price exceeds reason, we simply walk away."