61: Post-war reorganization, alliance stabilized

The sunlight at the hour of Si (9-11 AM) streamed through the carved windows of Tianling Academy's deliberation hall, casting dappled golden light onto the smooth rosewood table, adding a touch of warmth to the solemn atmosphere within the hall. News of the great victory in the Black Wind Valley battle had long spread throughout the surrounding Sects, and the Anti-Zhao Alliance's prestige was unparalleled. Today, Elder Li Ping specifically convened the core figures of Qingyun Sect and Hundred Herbs Valley to gather at Tianling Academy, not only to discuss post-war recuperation matters but also to sign a formal Alliance agreement, solidifying the three-party Alliance relationship and jointly guarding against the counterattack of the remaining Zhao family forces and the Blood Shadow Sect.

Inside the deliberation hall, everyone sat together, the atmosphere solemn yet enthusiastic. Elder Li Ping sat in the main seat, dressed in a green Daoist robe, his expression steady. In his hand, he held a yellowed ancient book, which was the core of today's discussion – the "Alliance Charter." To his left sat several Elders from Qingyun Sect, led by a young Cultivator in white robes with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, none other than Chu Feng, the Young Sect Master of Qingyun Sect. His aura was calm and refined, already at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage of Cultivation, and his gaze towards everyone was full of sincerity. To his right were Valley Master of Hundred Herbs Valley Medicine Dust and several Medicinal Cultivator Elders. Medicine Dust wore simple cloth robes, holding a medicine fan, with a faint medicinal fragrance lingering around him. His kind eyes exuded a gentle temperament. Lu Chen, Yu Lan, and Elder Feng, as core members of Tianling Academy, stood beside Elder Li Ping, their expressions solemn, quietly listening to the discussions from all sides.

"In the battle of Black Wind Valley, our Alliance achieved a great victory, slaying evil Cultivator leaders like Black Bear and Blazing Fierce, and crushing the main force of the Zhao family's allied army. Only Zhao Kun escaped with his remaining forces, temporarily resolving the surrounding crisis," Elder Li Ping began, his voice deep and powerful. "However, Zhao Kun's treacherous heart remains, and the hidden danger of the Blood Shadow Sect has not been eliminated. We must not let down our guard. Today, I have gathered you all to sign a formal Alliance agreement, clarifying the rights and obligations of the three parties, sharing resources, and jointly resisting external enemies, truly solidifying the Anti-Zhao Alliance to protect the peace of the Cultivation World."

Chu Feng nodded in agreement, his tone firm: "Elder Li speaks truthfully. The Zhao family colluded with the Blood Shadow Sect and evil Cultivators, bringing disaster to the region. It is difficult to completely eradicate them with the strength of a single Sect alone. Qingyun Sect is willing to work with Tianling Academy and Hundred Herbs Valley with one heart and one mind, abide by the Alliance agreement, and jointly resist external enemies, never shirking or retreating."

Medicine Dust also spoke slowly, his voice gentle yet firm: "Although Hundred Herbs Valley is not skilled in combat, we are willing to devote all our alchemical power to provide ample Medicinal Pill support for the Alliance, helping all Cultivators improve their strength, heal injuries, and detoxify, advancing and retreating with the Alliance, sharing both glory and disgrace."

With the three parties reaching a consensus, Elder Li Ping unfolded the "Alliance Charter" in his hand. The charter meticulously detailed the Alliance's organizational structure, resource sharing rules, strategies for dealing with external enemies, and other contents. The terms were rigorous and comprehensive, taking into account the interests of all three parties. After careful review, everyone had no objections. They each took out their Sect tokens and branded their spiritual power imprints onto the charter, formally signing the Alliance agreement. The moment the seals fell, the charter suddenly erupted with a faint spiritual light, and an invisible spiritual power contract enveloped the entire hall, symbolizing the official establishment of the three-party Alliance, henceforth sharing weal and woe, and fighting side by side.

After the Alliance agreement was signed, a brand new copy of the "Alliance Charter" automatically appeared, landing in the center of the table for each of the three parties to keep. Elder Li Ping handed the copies to Chu Feng and Medicine Dust respectively, his eyes full of satisfaction: "Now that the Alliance agreement is set, may our three parties uphold our original intentions, work hand in hand, thoroughly eradicate the evil Cultivator forces, and restore peace to the Cultivation World."

Chu Feng and Medicine Dust took the charter copies, carefully put them away, and responded in unison: "We will not fail the Alliance!"

The deliberation came to an end, and everyone moved to the side hall to rest. Medicine Dust suddenly took out an exquisite wooden box from his Storage Pouch and handed it to Lu Chen, smiling: "Young friend Lu, you rendered great service in this great battle, successively slaying powerful enemies and boosting the Alliance's morale. This merit is evident to all. In this box are three thousand-year-old Spiritual Plants treasured by Hundred Herbs Valley – the Spirit Condensing Flower, the Foundation Stabilizing Vine, and the Qi Gathering Lotus. All of them can assist Cultivators in stabilizing their Cultivation, nourishing their Meridians, and will surely benefit you in consolidating your Foundation Establishment Stage strength and breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. Please accept them."

The wooden box opened, and three Spiritual Plants lay quietly within, glistening and emitting a rich, pure Spiritual Qi, evidently extremely rare Cultivation resources. A hint of surprise flashed in Lu Chen's eyes, and he quickly cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Valley Master, for your generosity. This gift is too valuable, Disciple is unworthy."

"You are well deserving," Medicine Dust waved his hand, smiling. "The peace of the Alliance cannot be separated from your efforts. The stronger you are, the more secure the Alliance will be. Please accept it."

Elder Li Ping also advised from the side: "Lu Chen, this is the Valley Master's kind intention, just accept it. Make good use of the Spiritual Plants to improve your strength, and you will have more confidence in dealing with future crises."

Lu Chen no longer refused, solemnly took the wooden box, thanked them again, and carefully put it into his Storage Pouch. He knew deeply that although the Black Wind Valley battle was won, subsequent crises were not yet resolved. Only by quickly improving his strength could he better protect the Sect and the Alliance, and these three Spiritual Plants were undoubtedly a timely help.

During the recuperation period, Lu Chen devoted most of his time to Cultivation. He returned to his secluded cultivation chamber, took out the various spiritual materials harvested from the Black Wind Valley battlefield and the thousand-year-old Spiritual Plants gifted by Medicine Dust, and combined them with the healing pills and Qi Gathering pills he had previously obtained, beginning to diligently Cultivate the complete version of the Myriad Manifestations Art. The spirit gathering array plate in the center of the secret chamber had already been activated, and the rich Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi gathered into a vortex, slowly pouring into his body. Lu Chen circulated his Cultivation Technique, refining the pure spiritual power of the Spiritual Plants and spiritual materials bit by bit, integrating them into the Golden Core in his Dantian.

The profoundness of the complete Myriad Manifestations Art far surpassed the incomplete version. As the Cultivation Technique circulated, it could draw various types of Spiritual Qi from heaven and earth for his own use, and the speed and condensation of spiritual power circulation were greatly improved. With the continuous nourishment of the Spiritual Plant's spiritual power, the Golden Core in Lu Chen's Dantian became increasingly lustrous, and the aura around him became more stable and powerful. His Cultivation, originally at the Peak of the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, gradually approached the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, and the total amount of spiritual power and his control over it significantly increased. Cultivation Techniques such as the Great Strength Art and Rune Arts, under the Fusion of the Myriad Manifestations Art, also became more proficient in their power.

Meanwhile, Yu Lan also did not slack off. She took out the forbidden technique Jade Slip found in the Netherworld Crocodile's lair and, combining it with her understanding of Formations and runes, diligently studied the mysteries of the Blood Shadow Sect's forbidden technique, "Netherworld Descent." The text on the Jade Slip was abstruse and difficult to understand, containing a strong aura of Yin evil. Yu Lan circulated her spiritual power to resist the erosion of the Yin evil, deciphering the content bit by bit, becoming more and more alarmed as she read. She discovered that the forbidden technique recorded in the Jade Slip did not only require the nether water spirit pearl to be fully activated, but rather required the "yin-yang twin pearls" to cooperate with each other – the Yin Pearl being the nether water spirit pearl, and the Yang Pearl being an ancient treasure called the "yang spirit pearl." Only with both pearls gathered, supplemented by the sacrifice of the life force of a hundred Cultivators, could the power of the forbidden technique be maximized, summoning a Netherworld power capable of overthrowing the Cultivation World.

"So that's it, no wonder the Blood Shadow Sect never gave up, they are still looking for the yang spirit pearl," Yu Lan murmured softly, her eyes filled with solemnity. She immediately informed Elder Li Ping and Elder Feng of this discovery. Everyone's faces turned grim upon hearing it. If the Blood Shadow Sect found the yang spirit pearl and successfully activated the forbidden technique, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Elder Feng pondered for a moment and said, "The yang spirit pearl and the nether water spirit pearl are both ancient treasures, mutually generating and restraining each other in attributes, and must contain powerful forces. We must quickly ascertain the whereabouts of the yang spirit pearl and find it first, completely cutting off the Blood Shadow Sect's possibility of activating the forbidden technique."

Elder Li Ping nodded in agreement, then ordered the Sect Disciples to inquire about clues to the yang spirit pearl everywhere, and at the same time informed Qingyun Sect and Hundred Herbs Valley of this matter, asking all parties of the Alliance to pay attention together, and to immediately exchange information if there was any news.

A few days later, Lu Chen emerged from his secluded cultivation. His aura was now calm and profound. Although he had not fully broken through to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, he was not far from it, and his strength had improved significantly. He walked to the deliberation hall and found Elder Li Ping and Elder Feng studying the "Alliance Charter." The copy of the charter on the table was open, and one page recorded a place called the "Ancient Battlefield Remains," marked with a "concentric token" hidden within. This token was a token of an ancient Alliance, and its holder could mobilize some of the power of all parties in the Alliance and also deter low-level evil Cultivators, which would be of great use in stabilizing the current Anti-Zhao Alliance.

"Lu Chen, you've finished your secluded cultivation? Your Cultivation has progressed again, very good." Elder Li Ping saw Lu Chen enter, his eyes full of praise, and pointed to the record on the charter, saying, "This concentric token in the Ancient Battlefield Remains is extremely important to the Alliance. We plan to send you to the ruins to search for it. Young Sect Master Chu Feng of Qingyun Sect is also willing to go with you. Your two strengths are formidable, and your tacit understanding is excellent. You will surely be able to retrieve the concentric token smoothly."

Lu Chen looked at the record on the charter, his eyes full of determination: "Disciple is willing to go! I will not fail the trust of the Sect and the Alliance and will retrieve the concentric token smoothly."

Elder Feng warned: "The Ancient Battlefield Remains have gone through tens of thousands of years. The spiritual power is chaotic, bones are everywhere, and there may be powerful Yao Beasts and evil Cultivators lurking. You must be careful and cautious, always prioritize safety, and never be greedy for merit and rush forward. If you encounter an unmanageable danger, retreat immediately and do not force it."

"Disciple understands," Lu Chen respectfully responded, engraving Elder Feng's warning in his heart.

Afterward, Elder Li Ping sent someone to Qingyun Sect to inform them of the matter, agreeing to meet outside Tianling Academy's mountain gate three days later to go to the Ancient Battlefield Remains together. Lu Chen, in turn, used these few days to pack his bags, preparing healing pills, detoxification pills, rune talismans, and other supplies one by one. At the same time, he familiarized himself with his improved strength, once again thoroughly integrating the Myriad Manifestations Art and various Cultivation Techniques, making full preparations for going to the ruins.

When Yu Lan learned that Lu Chen was going to the Ancient Battlefield Remains, she specifically handed him the myriad manifestations pendant and said, "This jade pendant can dispel Yin evil Qi and guide direction. The Yin evil Qi in the ruins must be dense, so perhaps it can help you. You must be careful and return safely."

Lu Chen took the jade pendant, his heart filled with warmth, and nodded: "Don't worry, I will take care of myself and retrieve the concentric token smoothly. You should also pay more attention to clues about the yang spirit pearl within the Sect. If there is any news, inform the Elders in time."

Three days later, outside Tianling Academy's mountain gate at the hour of Si, Chu Feng was already waiting. He wore white robes, held a long sword, and had a composed expression. Seeing Lu Chen approach, he smiled and went forward to greet him: "Brother Lu Chen, I've been waiting. I hope we can cooperate fully on this trip to the Ancient Battlefield and successfully retrieve the concentric token."

"Brother Chu, you're too polite. It's only right to look out for each other," Lu Chen responded with a smile. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two set off together towards the Ancient Battlefield Remains.

The sunlight fell on them, casting long shadows. Their steps were firm and steady as they headed towards the unknown ruins. No one knew that within the Ancient Battlefield Remains, not only was there a concentric token, but also traces of the Blood Shadow Sect's activities. A new crisis and challenge already awaited them. And the secret of the "yin-yang twin pearls" discovered by Yu Lan also indicated that the Blood Shadow Sect's conspiracy was far from over, and the peace of the Cultivation World still needed them to continue to protect.