Longevity through Upgrading Buildings Chapter 671 - 293: Ice and Fire Agree, Ji Yuan Refuses

No irregularities spotted.

One thing now sparked his curiosity: could the Void Nether Stone, just like a Spirit Stone, get used to create an upgradeable vein?

Should that be feasible, it would offer a permanent resolution for sure.

...No hurry, I'll test it out during some free moments at home.

Returning to the Water Dragon Sect wasn't even on Ji Yuan's agenda. His plan was to excavate a passage right under this Alchemy Square and attempt forging a vein there.

"Alright, spill the news you picked up inside that Demon Cave."

Li Changhe grew even more thrilled after swapping for yet another Fountain of Eternal Youth. Spirit Stones offered little benefit to the Li Family... minus the upheaval from this righteous-demonic war, their Spirit Stone reserves were virtually bottomless.

Void Nether Stones held scant value too.

A Golden Core Zhenren seeking a Lifebound Magical Treasure could simply barter with fellow clans.

Yet the Fountain of Eternal Youth stood apart—it wasn't something easily acquired through exchange.

"Even without my words, you'll learn of it shortly anyway."

Ji Yuan laid the groundwork before adding, "The six Immortal Sects intend to forsake Shang Mountain. They're set to allow the Demon Dao entry for battle."

Li Changhe had been fiddling with a pair of walnuts in his palm moments ago, but this revelation made his right hand clench instinctively, shattering them with a sharp "crack" into fragments.

His easygoing grin also stiffened instantly.

Having moved beyond shock himself, Ji Yuan viewed Li Changhe's response as typical, casually grabbing a walnut kernel to inspect it.

Heaven knows their age; they weren't fit for consumption.

"You're telling me Shang Mountain... gets no defense?"

Li Changhe drew a deep breath, persisting with their mental exchange.

Fortuitously, everyone else stayed at a distance then, unnoticed by any onlookers.

"Correct, the strategy shifts to guerrilla tactics revolving around the six Immortal Sects and various markets." Ji Yuan clarified.

"No surprise there—I puzzled over why my family's elders have dashed about lately. When questioned, they stayed silent. Now it clicks with your intel; it's that massive."

Shock faded quickly for Li Changhe, composure returning.

"Why though?"

Ji Yuan lacked knowledge on this point.

Li Changhe mulled it over briefly post-query, then transmitted mentally, "Truth is, you might be unaware, and even few among our Six Sects' cultivators know. I stumbled upon fragments from the Great Elder by chance."

"Per Six Sect Alliance records, Immortal Sect disciples have borne most of Shang Mountain's defense across the years."

"Shang Dong's loose cultivators contributed little; that alone wouldn't matter."

"Worse, they stir chaos in Shang Dong. You're familiar with it—since Demon Dao incursions started, the whole region's been utter mayhem."

Ji Yuan gave a faint nod, "True enough, beyond major cities, markets teem with unrest, Demon Dao stirring havoc every few days."

Li Changhe grinned slyly, "Demon Dao isn't solely to blame; loose cultivators exploit the disorder, frequently allying against our Six Immortal Sects."

"This..."

Ji Yuan was aware of this aspect, yet unaware loose cultivators skipped Shang Mountain.

"Thus, the Six Sect Alliance deems loose cultivators irredeemable?"

Ji Yuan's mental tone dropped notably even in transmission.

"Spot on. We bleed on Shang Mountain while they reap rewards from behind and hinder us further."

"Furthermore, family intel reveals numerous loose cultivators resolved to join Demon Dao upon invasion—and even lead them in."

Li Changhe's fury surged as he voiced it, pulverizing the walnuts to dust in his grip.

"Given that, defending Shang Mountain serves no purpose, particularly as it's indefensible."

Sticking to facts without judgment, Ji Yuan observed.

"Exactly so?"

Via mental link, Li Changhe scoffed, "If loose cultivators adore Demon Dao so much, invite it in. Let them witness if Demon Dao sees them as allies or mere cannon fodder!"

"Plus, skipping Shang Mountain's defense eases pressure on our Six Immortal Sects."

Ji Yuan broke it down.

"Aren't you aware of disciple losses over time? The frontline stretches impossibly far—utterly unsustainable."

"Recall how a Dark Venerable-tier demon cultivator slipped through? Not snuck—even strolled in boldly; impossible to hold."

Li Changhe sighed during his words.

"The righteous-demonic war advances to phase two next."

"Quite so."

Ji Yuan's mood turned somber hearing Li Changhe.

Shang Mountain's guard resembled a city siege; the coming stage mimicked street fighting.

Sieges allowed dodging involvement, but street battles forbade it.

No escape—even noncombatants face foes at their gates.

Be it here in Alchemy Square or the Water Dragon Sect.