In a room with a long table surrounded by chairs, a few figures could be seen seated in silence, the atmosphere heavy and somber.
Feng Taishan, Ancestor of the Feng Family.
Mu Renlong, Ancestor of the Mu Family.
Wu Sheng, Head of the Crimson Blade Gang.
Seated alongside them was a man garbed in a simple white robe, his weathered face like that of an old scholar, calm and unreadable.
Li Zhenghai, Ancestor of the Li Family.
The room was utterly silent, save for the faint hum of the spirit-gathering formation embedded in the floor. The tension was palpable, everyone was waiting for someone.
Suddenly, the main doors swung open, the faint scent of sandalwood drifting in with a breeze.
A graceful figure stepped inside, his steps composed and steady, his aura domineering yet restrained like a sword sheathed in fine silk.
Ji Wuqing, the Guardian of the Cloud Market.
Without so much as a word of greeting, he moved to the main seat at the head of the table and sat, his gaze sweeping across the gathered faces.
"We are here to discuss how we will handle the beast tide," Ji Wuqing said, his tone calm but firm. "It could descend upon us at any moment."
"As per long-standing tradition, all Loose Cultivators within the market's bounds are required to be enlisted. The registry will divide them into two categories, Frontline and Logistics Support. We will…"
The meeting went on, the discussions orderly but tense. After nearly an incense stick's time, they reached the heart of the matter.
"How many must we send to the battlefield?" Li Zhenghai asked, his voice carrying through the chamber like a quiet gong.
"For the three Immortal Families, each must conscript two hundred cultivators, with at least five Late-stage Qi Refining Realm cultivators among them," Ji Wuqing replied.
"What? Two hundred?" Feng Taishan's expression darkened. "Isn't that excessive?"
"It is what must be done. Whatever internal conflicts your family faces, they are not my concern," Ji Wuqing replied coldly.
Feng Taishan clenched his fists beneath the table. His clan boasted over a thousand cultivator, but that number included the old, the young, the wounded, and the untrained.
After accounting for casualties from the recent mine conflict, they had fewer than six hundred active cultivators fit for duty and now nearly a third of them would be required.
Ji Wuqing then turned to Wu Sheng. "As for the Crimson Blade Gang, I trust Fellow Daoist Wu can deploy at least half your cultivators?"
Wu Sheng offered a calm smile. "Of course, Fellow Daoist Ji don't need to worry, I'll deploy even more."
The Crimson Blade Gang, being a loose cultivator organization, wasn't held to the same quotas as the Immortal Families. In truth, Wu Sheng saw this as a convenient way to trim his bloated ranks, too many mouths, too few merits.
Ji Wuqing narrowed his eyes. "Now then, how strong will the beast tide be?"
The room turned still again.
Wu Sheng was the one to speak. "Based on what we've observed, there will likely be over ten thousand First-Order demonic beasts. As for Second-Order beasts, I estimate no more than ten. However..."
He hesitated.
"…that overwhelming aura we felt before, the one pressing down from the ridge, it doesn't match any Second-Order beast I've encountered. It's stronger than that, but still doesn't reach the threshold of a true Third-Order demonic beast."
Ji Wuqing's brows furrowed in thought. "Most likely a Half-Step Third-Order preparing to break through."
Li Zhenghai nodded slowly. "That would explain it. These beasts don't want someone to disturb it's advancement. That's why they're launching the tide."
Everyone understood the implication, even a single Half-Step Third-Order beast was beyond any of them. They weren't confident they could even subdue the ten Second-Order ones, let alone that.
Silence hung like a stormcloud.
Ji Wuqing finally broke it. "Fellow Daoists, I will report this situation to the sect and request reinforcements. Until then, our primary objective is simple, hold the defense line and prevent the beasts from breaching the protective array."
After hashing out logistics, defense formations, merit systems, and emergency protocols, the meeting finally adjourned. As the four cultivators stood to leave, Ji Wuqing dropped one last piece of information.
"There will likely be a Foundation Establishment Pill available for merit exchange."
He vanished from the hall before anyone could respond. The remaining four stood frozen in place, their expressions stunned.
The Foundation Establishment Pill, an invaluable type of pill. It wasn't just a pill. It was a chance, a step beyond Qi Refining, a gateway to the next stage of cultivation.
Then, almost in unison, they stirred. No one wanted their rivals to get that pill, not if they could help it.
.....
"Attention! A beast tide is expected to arrive today! All cultivators must register with the defense force! Contributions will be rewarded in merit points, redeemable at the exchange center! Also..."
The announcement echoed through the market streets. The effect was immediate.
Crowds surged. Loose cultivators dashed to register, while others swarmed the markets, attempting to buy supplies, but it was too late. The market had already seized control of all battle-related goods.
Private transactions were banned. Only the Supply Center had the authority to issue or receive goods. If cultivators wanted to trade talismans, pills, or tools, they had to do so with the center, and only in merit points. Spirit stones were strategic resources in this situation and reserved solely for maintaining the defensive array.
Lan Rui, a lean youth with calm eyes and a scholar's air, registered under the logistics corps. He was handed a wooden token and directed to the Supply Center.
"First Rank, Mid-Grade Talisman Master?" the clerk said, scanning the token. "Here, ten bundles of talisman paper and a bottle of ink."
"You're required to submit twenty talismans per batch. Anything beyond that, you may keep or sell back to us. Exchange rates are, 1 merit per Low-Grade, 5 merit per Mid-Grade, and 15 merit for a High-Grade talisman."
"You're First Rank Middle Grade Talisman Master. That means a minimum of fifteen Mid-Grade talismans, the rest can be Low-Grade. If you fail to meet the quota, you're going to be sent to the frontline."
Lan Rui nodded silently, accepting the bundle. The rules made sense. Too many were trying to avoid frontline duty. If logistics started producing poor-quality materials, the cost would be paid in blood.
Then, the man leaned forward, voice lowered. "You're Lan Rui, right? If you run into trouble meeting the quota, just let me know. I can adjust the records."
Lan Rui blinked in surprise, but then recalled Old Wang's words from earlier. He gave a faint nod.
"Can I see the exchange catalog?" he asked.
The man handed over a thick scroll. Lan Rui flipped the first page and his eyes widened.
Foundation Establishment Pill – 10,000 Merit Points
Second-Rank Low-Grade Shield – 7,500 Points
Second-Rank Low-Grade Sword – 5,500 Points
Second-Rank Low-Grade Talisman Brush – 4,500 Points
He sucked in a breath seeing the first item listed on the catalogue.
"I'd have to draw two thousand Mid-Grade talismans to get the pill. That's insane."
The rate for beast kills was equally daunting:
First Order Low-Grade – 1 Point
First Order Mid-Grade – 10 Points
First Order High-Grade – 100 Points
Second Order Beast – 1,000 Points
Lan Rui shook his head. "Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator would struggle to earn ten thousand points. That pill… it's a bait. Hope wrapped in gold leaf."
He flipped to the second page. One item made him stop cold.
First-Rank High-Grade Talisman Brush – 600 Points
His eyes gleamed.
"I need to exchange that. At my pace… If I draw one hundred twenty Mid-Grade talismans, I can get it. If this beast tide lasts three or four days... I might just make it." He clenched his fists.
"Let's get to work."
.....