133: The aftershocks have not yet subsided, and undercurrents are surging.

The astonishing finale auction at the “Ten Thousand Herbs Assembly” was like a giant boulder thrown into the already turbulent waters of “Yingxin City,” stirring up massive waves. The resulting aftermath continued to ferment and spread over the following days, profoundly altering the power structure of this emerging city and even the entire Qinglan Mountain region.

When the Cultivators of Yingxin City took to the streets again on the following morning, they found that the entire world seemed to have changed slightly.

Overnight, the four characters “Qinglan Alliance” became the most discussed and hottest topic in all the taverns, teahouses, and inns. As for the mysterious “Lin Clan,” which had swept away sixty-three thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones with a single “Spirit Pill,” it was now veiled in a nearly legendary aura of reverence and mystery.

Their inconspicuous two-story building on the main street had now become a landmark where countless Cultivators came to “pay homage.” However, no one dared to approach it. Everyone knew that the black-armored guards of the “Jingshan Commandant Battalion,” standing like door gods at the entrance, represented the “King's Law”—the unchallenged authority—of this place... Inside a military fortress filled with iron-blooded solemnity and murderous intent, the temporary station of the Law Enforcement Hall in Yingxin City.

Lin Feng and Zhao Baichuan sat facing each other again.

This time, their identities were no longer merely “allies,” but more like partners who had just joined forces to conquer a territory and were now “dividing the spoils.”

“Clan Chief Lin, this assembly was a resounding success. Your name now shakes the four directions. Congratulations!” Zhao Baichuan wore a sincere and brilliant smile.

Lin Feng did not speak much, simply pushing a heavy Storage Pouch gently toward Zhao Baichuan.

“The pact is established, and profits are shared. According to our previous agreement, this is the share belonging to the Law Enforcement Hall from the recent gains.”

Zhao Baichuan's Divine Sense probed the Storage Pouch, and immediately, an uncontrollable burst of ecstasy flashed in his sharp eyes!

Ten thousand pieces! Exactly ten thousand pieces of neatly stacked, shimmering Low-Grade Spirit Stones!

This amount was nearly equivalent to the Law Enforcement Hall's financial revenue for several years! And this was merely less than one-fifth of the profit from a single Medicinal Pill!

At this moment, he truly and personally realized the terrifying profits that could be achieved by cooperating with Lin Feng, this “Alchemist.”

“Good! Good! Good!” Zhao Baichuan clapped his hands and laughed heartily. “Clan Chief Lin is indeed a trustworthy man! With these Spirit Stones, I can double the size of the ‘Jingshan Commandants’ and forge the order of Yingxin City into an iron bucket! I guarantee that on my turf, no one will dare to cause trouble for our ‘Qinglan Alliance’!”

This “pact,” cemented by enormous profit, became unprecedentedly unbreakable at this moment!

“Now, the board is clear,” Lin Feng analyzed calmly, picking up his teacup. “Shennong Valley is strong on the outside but weak within; their lifeblood is now in our hands. They will no longer be our opponents but rather our most urgent ‘clients’ and the most important ‘window’ for us to communicate with the outside world in the future.”

“Indeed,” Zhao Baichuan nodded, taking over the conversation. “And the Heavenly Sword Sect, whose nature is like a sword—they would rather break than bend, showing their sharp edge—are the biggest unstable factor. Their coveting of the mountain's mineral veins is undisguised. Next, they are bound to constantly test our limits on the edge of the rules. I will handle this matter. I will let my Commandants ‘play’ with them properly.”

“As for the Four Seas Merchant Guild,” a smile flashed in Lin Feng's eyes, “they are pure merchants. We don't need to suppress them, nor do we need to win them over. As long as we can continuously produce ‘products’ that they cannot refuse, they will become our most loyal ‘friends’.”

In just a few words, the two alliance leaders had clearly laid out the future of the major external forces in Yingxin City... However, the changes on the chessboard are always one step faster than the players anticipate.

Just after Lin Feng returned to the Qinglan Talisman Hall branch.

An unexpected, yet reasonable, visitor arrived.

The visitor was the leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect contingent, that cold and imposing Foundation Establishment Cultivator whose aura was like a sword.

He came alone, carrying no weapons, and even intentionally restrained his sharp Sword Qi outside the shop.

“I am Jian Nantian, a Deacon of the Heavenly Sword Sect. I have specifically come to apologize to Clan Chief Lin for the rash actions of my useless nephew the other day.”

He didn't apologize directly, but he adopted an extremely humble posture. He presented an exquisite sword box, saying, “This is a small gift, not meant to show disrespect. This sword is named ‘Listening to the Wind.’ It was forged by an Elder in our Sect using Millennium Cold Iron. Although it is only a Medium Grade Magical Artifact, it possesses some spiritual nature. I offer it to Clan Chief Lin, simply as a gesture to make friends.”

Lin Feng looked at him, remaining impassive. He knew this “apology gift” was just an appetizer.

Sure enough, after some polite small talk, Jian Nantian finally revealed his “fangs.”

“Clan Chief Lin,” he said solemnly, “Our Heavenly Sword Sect is a Sword Cultivator Sect; we have no interest in trivial Spiritual Plants. We came here only for the unique ‘Heavenly Star Meteorite Iron’ produced in Qinglan Mountain due to the ‘Starfall’! This material is the supreme treasure for us Sword Cultivators to forge our Natal Flying Swords!”

“Your clan has guarded this mountain for generations, so you must be intimately familiar with the distribution of the mineral veins. Our Heavenly Sword Sect is willing to purchase a map detailing the ‘Heavenly Star Meteorite Iron’ veins for a large sum of money! In exchange, our Heavenly Sword Sect can also form a ‘Sword Alliance Pact’ with your clan! Should Clan Chief Lin encounter any trouble in the Qinglan Mountain region that requires solving with a ‘sword,’ our Heavenly Sword Sect can act on your behalf!”

This was a blatant “transaction” filled with implicit meaning!

He was attempting to bypass the Qinglan Alliance and bypass Zhao Baichuan to establish a private, underground “cooperative relationship” with the Lin Clan!

Lin Feng instantly understood. This was a classic strategy of “division” and “co-option.”

If he agreed, it would be tantamount to betraying his pact with Zhao Baichuan. If he refused, he would immediately push the Heavenly Sword Sect, the most powerful “combat Sect,” completely onto the opposing side!

“Heh heh, Deacon Jian, you speak too seriously.” Lin Feng showed a troubled yet extremely “sincere” smile.

“To tell you the truth, the map held by my clan is a Legacy left by our ancestors and is the foundation of the Lin Clan's existence. I apologize, but it cannot be sold externally.”

He first flatly refused the request.

Then, he changed the subject, skillfully kicking the ball away: “However... Qinglan Mountain is no longer what it once was. To maintain the new order here, our ‘Qinglan Alliance’ has already established rules. Any large-scale mining operation within the mountain range must first be reported and approved by the Law Enforcement Hall to ensure the ‘safety’ and ‘legality’ of the extraction process.”

“Deacon Jian, I completely understand your interest in the ‘Heavenly Star Meteorite Iron.’ During the next ‘Alliance Meeting,’ I will naturally relay your Sect's wishes to Commander Zhao.”

“I believe that with the prestige of the Heavenly Sword Sect, as long as all necessary ‘safety assessments’ and ‘reporting procedures’ are completed, our Qinglan Alliance will certainly be happy to provide all necessary conveniences for your Sect's ‘lawful exploration.’”

His words were logical, well-founded, and outwardly respectable.

He directly elevated the Heavenly Sword Sect's “private request” to the level of “official approval.” He forcefully kicked the ball back to Zhao Baichuan in a way the opponent could not refuse!

Jian Nantian's expression instantly became extremely ugly. He knew his scheme had utterly failed. He had been played by this seemingly gentle and harmless young man!

He stared deeply at Lin Feng, but in the end, he could only let out a cold snort and flick his sleeves before departing... Having sent off the “unwelcome guest,” Lin Feng did not get a moment of peace.

That night, a silent figure, avoiding all eyes and ears, once again arrived at the back hall of the Qinglan Talisman Hall.

It was Shen Xinyue, the Saintess of Shennong Valley.

This time, she came bearing the greatest sincerity and the last hope of the entire Shennong Valley.

“Clan Chief Lin.” Her face held a hint of shyness appropriate for a young lady from a prestigious family, mixed with the plea of someone forced to bow her head for the sake of her Sect Elders. “This is the greatest sincerity our Sect's Elder Council could put forth after an overnight discussion.”

She presented a high-grade Jade Slip Storage Pouch.

The contents recorded in the Jade Slip were enough to make any second-rate Sect go mad!

Inside, there was a complete Star Map, meticulously detailing all the Cultivation Kingdoms, Sect forces, trade routes, and even Secret Realms and dangerous areas in the eastern region of the entire Dongsheng Divine Continent! This was priceless intelligence that could instantly transform the Lin Clan from a “local power” into one with a “global perspective”!

There was the complete Alchemy Legacy of Shennong Valley, covering the Qi Refinement Stage up to the Golden Core Stage—all non-core techniques, yet still highly sought after outside!

Furthermore, there was a “Shennong Token,” symbolizing the highest level of “partner” status in Shennong Valley! Holders of this token could enjoy the highest level of VIP treatment and the best discounts in any market or shop established by Shennong Valley!

“We only require one clear spirit wind soul pill that can cure our Grandmaster,” Shen Xinyue's eyes were filled with hope.

Lin Feng fell silent.

He knew this was a gift he couldn't refuse.

He also knew that he now held absolute initiative.

Slowly, he pushed the Jade Slip back.

As Shen Xinyue's gaze instantly became deeply disappointed and dim, Lin Feng revealed a genuine smile, warm as a spring breeze.

“Fellow Daoist Shen, you have misunderstood.”

“My Lin Clan is not a greedy group that raises prices arbitrarily. This generous gift from your Sect is too heavy; my Lin Clan would be ashamed to accept it.”

“After hearing about the righteous deeds and predicament of your Sect's Grandmaster, my Elder was also deeply moved and sympathetic. She said that refining Medicinal Pills to save people is the fundamental duty of an Alchemist, and we are duty-bound.”

“Therefore, the Medicinal Pill can be refined. But, my Lin Clan does not want these ‘rewards’ from your Sect.”

“We only require one ‘promise’ from your Sect.”

Shen Xinyue was completely stunned.

Lin Feng's voice continued to rise slowly.

“I wish to use this ‘Spirit Pill’ as a ‘betrothal gift’ to form a ‘Pill Alliance Pact’ with your Sect!”

“The pact will last for ten years. Within these ten years, my Lin Clan is willing to share all newly discovered, unique Spiritual Plant resources and Pill Formulas in the Qinglan Mountain region with Shennong Valley.”

“In return, Shennong Valley must fully open your Sect's ‘knowledge base’ and ‘trade network’ to my Lin Clan, and dispatch a true Alchemy Grandmaster to the Lin Clan for a three-year ‘technical exchange’!”

“I do not want your Sect's charity or rewards.”

“What I want is the position of ‘ally,’ standing on equal footing with your Shennong Valley for the next decade!”