Chapter 426. The Target Is Mount Tai, Cooperation and Division of Benefits
"More importantly, it is Mount Tai!"
After those words were spoken, everyone present fell silent.
They lowered their heads, and none of them chose to respond immediately. It seemed as though each of them had their own thoughts, though only they themselves knew what those thoughts were.
"You are right. Mount Tai is the most important matter. Killing Lu Yuan is merely incidental. However, when the time comes, I believe that item should belong to whoever is capable enough to claim it," the Ji Clan's Third Ancestor spoke. Although there was a smile on his face, he gave off a sense of authority.
Those words were also a declaration that the two sides were only a temporal alliance. When the crucial moment came, if there was a problem dividing the benefits, then they would simply fight it out.
This was only normal. Alliances between major starfield clans, apart from true submission and subordinate relationships, were generally extremely fragile and could collapse at the slightest pressure, just like the current Eternals and the Ji Clan.
If this had been before, they would never have chosen to cooperate. Both were powerful existences ranked in the top ten, possessing many experts and terrifying foundations. In this regard, neither side was weak.
It was precisely because of Lu Yuan's appearance that the two sides had come together. They knew this person was extremely troublesome, and with the Jiang Clan supporting him from behind, he would indeed be very difficult to handle if they did not cooperate.
At the very least, neither side was willing to offend the Jiang Clan alone.
"Of course. On this point, Brother Ji, please rest assured," the old man of the Eternals also spoke with a smile on his face.
To him, some things naturally belonged to whoever was capable enough to claim them. There was nothing worth arguing over.
However, very soon, he spoke again. "Aside from that item, there is Mount Tai. This mountain has many records in ancient texts and is extremely important. If we can occupy it, then the chance of obtaining that wisp of Great Age's Providence will also be higher.
"When the time comes, after Lu Yuan is killed and that so-called Celestial Court is erased, who should control Mount Tai?"
This was another very sharp question, but it had to be placed on the table.
After all, if they could not even settle matters clearly now, how could they cooperate with a peace of mind afterward? What if conflict broke out between the two sides halfway through?
After all, they were not the only major clans that had descended. There were also several other clans on the same level. If something went wrong, others would seize the opening. Mount Tai, in particular, was being watched by many people.
"Joint control. Neither side will dominate. How about that?"
Hearing this question, the Ji Clan's Third Ancestor immediately gave his response. Although he had not informed the clan about this matter, he could make the decision with full authority. The Ji Clan had also never intended to occupy Mount Tai alone.
This place was too special. No one would let it go. Even the Ji Clan's reputation could not intimidate everyone.
But if they had a partner, things would be different. Of course, it also depended on the Eternals' thoughts.
If the Eternals did not agree, then there would be nothing to discuss, and they would need to consider the matter at length.
"That is the same as my clan master's thinking."
"After Mount Tai is seized, let us control it jointly." The old man of the Eternals immediately agreed.
As time passed, the situation in this world was growing increasingly chaotic. It would be very difficult for the power of a single clan to control it. If they had allies, things would become much easier. As for the Sukhāvatī Starfield, although the outside world called this a three-sided alliance, they were not here to discuss such sensitive matters.
Neither the Ji Clan nor the Eternals cared much about this point, because there was no need. The Sukhāvatī Starfield had already made it clear that they were only interested in Lu Yuan and did not care about anything else.
"Then it is settled. That thing will then belong to whoever is capable enough to claim it. As for Mount Tai, both sides will control it together." The Ji Clan's Third Ancestor stood with a smile on his face.
As long as this matter was settled, everything that came next would be much easier.
"Good. Then when should we move? With Lu Yuan's talent, we cannot wait too long. Otherwise, he will truly become a great threat," the old man of the Eternals replied.
Both sides now placed great importance on Lu Yuan, and for good reason. His growth speed was simply too fast. Fortunately, the influence of the Separation of Heaven and Earth had completely vanished, and stronger people could descend.
Otherwise, if both clans could only send those in the same realm as him, or one realm higher, then they would not be able to resolve anything.
"There is still no rush," the Ji Clan's Third Ancestor said with a nod. "Jiang Huanyun is too strong. The two of us can only barely suppress him. If the Jiang Clan still has other methods prepared, it will be a difficult situation to handle. So we must wait for news from the Sukhāvatī Starfield. Those bald donkeys have the most mysterious methods. With them, there will be a guarantee that nothing will go wrong."
Even he had to acknowledge the strength of the Sukhāvatī Starfield. That was something acknowledged by the entire universe.
However, the Eternals did not look very happy after hearing this. The reason was simple. Back then, they had suffered a great loss at the hands of the Sukhāvatī Starfield.
It was the first time the Eternal Starfield had encountered such a situation. They regarded it as an extraordinary humiliation, essentially a taboo that would never be mentioned under ordinary circumstances.
But there was nothing to be done. The Sukhāvatī Starfield was too strong. If war broke out with them, something major would happen. And the one saying this now was the Ji Clan. Therefore, everyone from the Eternal Starfield said nothing more.
"Good. Then we will wait until they are ready." the old man of the Eternals said.
Afterward, the two sides discussed some details, then parted ways.
The day they gathered again would be the day they made their move against Lu Yuan.
At the same time, on Mount Tai, the members of the Celestial Court were cultivating as before.
Zhu Qingyu and the other younger-generation figures were not there. They were patrolling the five supercities, which also served as training for themselves.
It could be said that the Celestial Court's entire framework had now been built. Everyone had their own duties.
Whenever Jiang Huanyun saw this, he could not help but sigh. He knew very well that if things continued like this, the Celestial Court would sooner or later grow into a powerful force. Perhaps it might even recover the glory of the ancient era.
Of course, exactly how far it could go was still unknown.
Elsewhere, inside a room, Lu Yuan sat quietly in meditation. Apart from the golden vital qi around him, there was also a certain special aura circling him. His entire person carried an otherworldly quality that was difficult to describe.
If one observed carefully, one would discover that an incomparably vast power circulated within his body. If it erupted, it would be terrifying.
"After completely refining the two cauldrons, that Providence seems to have had some influence even on me."
Lu Yuan opened his eyes and murmured to himself; there were hints of surprise in his gaze.
That was because he could sense that his realm was still continuously improving. This speed seemed very slow, but it depended on what it was compared to. Compared to others of the same realm, it was extremely terrifying.
Under normal circumstances, after entering the Immortal Realm, one needed to spend a great deal of time to advance further. Now, however, Lu Yuan did not seem to need that at all.