Chapter 15: Eastern Wilderness

But all these local powers are still insignificant and will ultimately bow their heads to the true overlord of this province the Cloud Sword Sect. This sect is the true owner of the Cloud Market.

The sect boasts six Core Formation True Persons as its pillars, nearly a hundred Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, and ten thousand Qi Refining Realm disciples.

The Cloud Sword Sect is located at the center of Cloud Province. Yes, you heard that right. The Cloud Market is situated in the western part of Cloud Province, its name derived from the province's true overlord, the Cloud Sword Sect.

The Cloud Market is merely one of many markets owned by the Cloud Sword Sect within Cloud Province. Spanning over ten million square kilometers, Cloud Province isn't even the largest province in the Eastern Wilderness.

The Eastern Wilderness is one of the six major regions of the Eastern Continent, home to dozens of provinces. Each province is governed by at least one major sect, with some provinces hosting multiple major sects.

The origins of the Eastern Wilderness can be traced back approximately one hundred thousand years ago, to a time when war erupted, drawing numerous sects from across the Eastern Continent into a battle for territory rich in spirit veins.

This conflict, known as the 'Open War,' saw humans venture into demonic beast territories to claim these valuable spirit veins. The war resulted in massive casualties on both sides, leading to the annihilation of many sects and the rise of new ones.

However, the prolonged warfare severely depleted the high level cultivators of the human race in the Eastern Continent. After over a century of bloodshed, the Holy Land of the Eastern Continent intervened and brought an end to the war.

Yet, the immense loss of countless Core Formation True Persons and dozens of Nascent Soul True Monarchs could not be recovered in a short span of time.

At that moment, the Holy Land's Ancestor, a Divinity Transformation True Immortal issued a decree across the entire Eastern Continent.

"A war between forces involving Core Formation Realm cultivators and above is forbidden for the next ten thousand years. If any sect disobeys, the Holy Land shall eradicate both parties, regardless of which side initiated the conflict."

This decree, akin to an edict from heaven, resounded across the Eastern Continent. Even after ten thousand years, the once war mongering cultivators of the Eastern Continent refrained from large scale conflicts, adapting instead to a more stable way of life.

Despite the Open War, the current human controlled territory in the Eastern Wilderness comprises only about 20% of the total landmass. The remaining 80% still belongs to the demonic beasts, waiting to be explored.

Although the Eastern Wilderness ranks second only to the Central Region of the Eastern Continent in terms of land and resources, its underdeveloped state makes its abundant resources difficult to access.

Within the Cloud Market, there exist even more formidable entities than the Cloud Sword Sect. Massive commercial organizations such as the Eastern Sea Commerce Association, along with numerous pavilions and halls, hold influence so vast that even the Cloud Sword Sect dares not provoke them.

Like the Cloud Sword Sect, these colossal entities turn a blind eye to conflicts among local powers and factions, so long as their own interests remain untouched.

"What caused this conflict, and does the Cloud Sword Sect plan to intervene?" Lan Rui asked.

"A dispute over a miniature spirit stone mine. As for the Cloud Sword Sect, such a meager amount of spirit stones is far from enough to draw their attention," Old Wang replied.

Lan Rui was taken aback. Spirit stone mines are the source of spirit stones, categorized based on the size and quality of their spirit stone veins:

Miniature Spirit Stone Veins Yield only low-grade spirit stones.

Small Spirit Stone Veins Primarily yield low-grade spirit stones but have the potential to produce middle grade spirit stones.

Middle Grade Spirit Stone Veins, yield middle grade spirit stones with a chance of producing high grade ones.

HighGrade Spirit Stone Veins, yield high-grade spirit stones and have the potential to produce pure-grade (highest-grade) spirit stones.

Pure Grade Spirit Stone Veins, exclusively yield pure grade spirit stones, though Lan Rui had never heard of such a mine existing in the entire Eastern Wilderness.

Even though a miniature spirit stone mine only produces low grade spirit stones, its total yield can sometimes reach up to one million spirit stones.

Suddenly, Old Wang interrupted Lan Rui's thoughts.

"I know what you're thinking, but if the total yield were truly a million spirit stones, the Cloud Sword Sect would never let such a mine slip from their grasp. The Crimson Blade True Cultivator knew this and immediately hired an earth master to assess the mine."

"The result? The mine's potential yield was estimated to be at most two to three hundred thousand low grade spirit stones. With this information in hand, he and the earth master approached the Foundation Establishment cultivator stationed by the Cloud Sword Sect to guard the market and informed him."

"The cultivator then relayed the findings to the higher-ups in his sect. He also affirming to Crimson Blade that as long as the mine's yield did not exceed one million spirit stones, they would not forcibly claim ownership."

"A few days later, an official message from the sect leadership confirmed this stance. With this assurance, the Crimson Blade Gang dared to begin mining operations, even at the risk of escalating conflict."

Lan Rui was astonished. The wealth of the Cloud Sword Sect was truly unfathomable, so much so that even a miniature spirit stone mine worth hundreds of thousands of spirit stones was beneath their notice.

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