"Many thanks, Senior Brother Qingyun, but I only need this piece of Tier Four Middle Grade Metal."
Qi Chuan didnāt expect that Qingyun True Monarch had even collected a piece of Tier Four Middle Grade Metal here.
He accepted the Tier Four Middle Grade Metal, but returned the Tier Four Lower Grade Metal to Qingyun True Monarch.
Qingyun True Monarch didnāt mind, stowed away the two pieces of Tier Four Lower Grade Metal, then pondered for a moment before speaking again, "Although I donāt have any Tier Four Middle Grade or higher metals that you need, Junior Brother Qi Chuan, I do know of a place that might have quite a lot, would you be interested, Junior Brother Qi Chuan?"
Thereās actually news of high-tier metals?
Upon hearing this, Qi Chuanās eyes lit up and he said, "Of course Iām interested, please tell me, Senior Brother Qingyun!"
Qingyun True Monarch looked at Qi Chuan and said, "That place isnāt far, you donāt even need to go as far as the Chaotic Demon Sea, itās right near our Beihua State."
"Where?" Qi Chuan asked.
"Celestial Desert State!" Qingyun True Monarch replied.
Celestial Desert State?
Isnāt it the neighboring state of Beihua State? When the Demon Insect tides broke out, Beihua State, Celestial Cold State, and Celestial Desert State united to resist it.
The distance is indeed very close.
"Recently, the Celestial Desert State is in quite a mess."
Qingyun True Monarch lamented, "Itās even more chaotic than our Beihua State; itās said to be the most chaotic among the nearby states."
"In our Beihua State, although Cangjian Pavilion and Yin Yang Mansion are both raring to go, they are wary of our Myriad Flowers Immortal Sectās Dual Nascent Soul Middle Stage strength and dare not act recklessly. In fact, because of our Immortal Sectās existence, these two sects have become closer, with fewer conflicts between them, only making external moves. Therefore, the situation in Beihua State is much more stable than in other states."
"But the Celestial Desert State is different."
"This state has two Nascent Soul influences, both standing in the Celestial Desert State for many years, having deep-seated grudges. Over the past few years, taking advantage of the external chaos, the two sects have been fighting fiercely in Celestial Desert State, sparking sectarian wars with significant casualties. The lower Core Formation influences and Foundation Establishment influences in Celestial Desert State have also had a hard time, dragged into the turmoil, so the whole Celestial Desert State is not doing well."
"Recently, however, I heard that due to the two sectsā conflict, a high-tier spirit ore vein was discovered accidentally, seemingly containing quite a lot of high-tier metals! Currently, this high-tier spirit ore vein is occupied by the Nascent Soul influence Profound Sand Valley in Celestial Desert State, but another Nascent Soul influence, Flame Sect, appears to be preparing to snatch it."
High-tier spirit ore vein?
Upon hearing this, Qi Chuan showed a contemplative look.
Back then, I accidentally discovered a high-tier spirit ore vein near Haitang Island in the Chaotic Demon Sea, gaining one piece of Tier Four Upper Grade Metal, three pieces of Tier Four Middle Grade Metal, and eight pieces of Tier Four Lower Grade Metal, reaping a bountiful harvest.
And now, a high-tier spirit ore vein has appeared in the Celestial Desert State as well?
"So, Junior Brother Qi Chuan, are you interested?" Qingyun True Monarch asked Qi Chuan.
"Naturally... Iām interested!" Qi Chuan didnāt hesitate and replied directly.
A high-tier spirit ore vein is not to be missed.
After all, this is a chance to discover multiple high-tier metals.
If I miss this opportunity, Iāll probably only obtain one or two errant pieces of high-tier metal occasionally and will need luck to do so.
Concerning the two Nascent Soul influences, Profound Sand Valley and Flame Sect in Celestial Desert State, Qi Chuan wasnāt afraid.
Because I havenāt heard of any Great True Monarchs in the Celestial Desert State.
As long as thereās no Great True Monarch, itās manageable.
"Alright, since youāre interested, Junior Brother Qi Chuan, Iāll take the risk and accompany you on this journey. The two of us will try to extract the high-tier metals from that high-tier spirit ore vein!" Qingyun True Monarch laughed heartily after hearing Qi Chuanās words.
Ever since he learned of the occurrence of a high-tier spirit ore vein in the Celestial Desert State, Qingyun True Monarch had been keeping an eye on the matter, naturally harboring some thoughts.
Coincidentally, I also encountered Qi Chuan, who has the same need for high-tier metals.
So, seizing this opportunity, the two of them decided to go together to claim the high-tier spirit ore vein.
The thought of the two brothers stepping out again to embark on their old ventures made Qingyun True Monarchās blood surge with excitement.
"By the way, Senior Brother Qingyun, these are some Tier Four Middle-Lower Grade Elixirs and Talismans Iāve recently refined. Please accept them unhesitatingly." Remembering something, Qi Chuan took out some Jade Bottles and Jade Boxes from his Qiankun Bag and handed them over to Qingyun True Monarch.
Inside were, naturally, the Elixirs and Talismans he had refined.
Over the years, ever since I stopped hiding my identity as a high-tier Alchemist and Talisman Maker, Iāve been sending some Talismans and Elixirs to Qingyun True Monarch from time to time.
"Oh, how can I possibly accept this!" Seeing this, Qingyun True Monarch gently pushed the Jade Bottles and Jade Boxes back towards Qi Chuan.
"Senior Brother Qingyun, thereās no need for formalities between us brothers." Qi Chuan pushed the Jade Bottles and Jade Boxes back to him.
"Oh, truly, I canāt accept this, Junior Brother Qi Chuan, your Alchemy and Talisman Making arenāt easy tasks..." Qingyun True Monarch pushed them back again.
"Itās not difficult at all, just some spirit grass materials, Talisman Paper, and Magic Ink, itās quite easy," Qi Chuan pushed them again.
"Oh, then Iāll shamelessly accept it for now, but just this once..."
...
After deciding on a plan of action, Qi Chuan and Qingyun True Monarch prepared for three days and then left the Myriad Flowers Immortal Sect, heading towards Celestial Desert State.
Sometime later.
The northern part of the Celestial Desert State.
Shaheng Mountain Range.
This mountain range, originally situated in a desert, had relatively low dispersal of Spiritual Qi. Therefore, even though it was close to the Sect Domain of Profound Sand Valley, it was not a priority for Profound Sand Valley. Occasionally, disciples of Profound Sand Valley would hunt Demon Beasts near Shaheng Mountain Range.
Not long ago, two Core Formation Late Stage elders from Profound Sand Valley and Flame Sect had a battle here, and the intense magical combat aftermath caused some damage to Shaheng Mountain Range, exposing the spirit ore vein beneath.
Initially, what was exposed was merely a low-tier spirit ore vein.
Thus, neither Profound Sand Valley nor Flame Sect paid much attention.
Profound Sand Valley just sent personnel as usual to develop this low-tier spirit ore vein, while Flame Sect planned to create other troubles for Profound Sand Valley, not focusing much on Shaheng Mountain Range.
Eventually, with Profound Sand Valleyās continued development of the surface-level spirit ore vein at Shaheng Mountain Range, the high-tier spirit ore vein deep within the mountain was revealed, drawing significant attention from Profound Sand Valleyās upper echelons. Secretly, a Core Formation elder was sent to oversee the high-tier spirit ore veinās development.
Nonetheless, secrecy eventually failed, and once it was known by Flame Sect, Flame Sect immediately intended to seize it.
At this point, Profound Sand Valley discovered that at least Tier Four Middle Grade Metals existed within this high-tier spirit ore vein, leading to immense focus. Astonishingly, the Supreme Elder of Profound Sand Valley, Profound Sand True Monarch, personally came to guard Shaheng Mountain Range, declaring not to return to the sect until the high-tier metals in Shaheng Mountain Range were fully extracted.
Hence, Flame Sect, though coveting the Tier Four Metals, didnāt have a good strategy.
They could only establish a base close to Shaheng Mountain Range, keeping a constant watch, attempting to find an opportunity to take over the high-tier spirit ore vein or snatch the Tier Four Metals within.
The two sides have been in a stalemate for some time now, yet the deadlock hasnāt been broken.
Shh! Shh!
On a sand peak, some distance from Shaheng Mountain Range, two subtle breaking air sounds echoed.
Two inconspicuous escape lights swiftly approached, landing on the peak, revealing two figures.
It was Qi Chuan and Qingyun True Monarch.
At this moment, both of their bodies emanated some mana fluctuations, clearly having cast magic to conceal themselves as much as possible.
Qingyun True Monarch aimed his gaze at the desert opposite, pointing it out to Qi Chuan.
"Junior Brother Qi Chuan, look, that is Shaheng Mountain Range, where the high-tier spirit ore vein is located, currently being developed by Profound Sand Valley. Itās said that Profound Sand True Monarch is sitting in there."
"And over there, that territory belongs to the Flame Sect. Rumor has it that the Supreme Elder of the Flame Sect, Nong Yan True Monarch, often appears at their stronghold..."