We're Starting a New Cooperative

"Master, the Boundless Sword Sect is in danger!"

In the reception hall where everything began, Qin Ran bowed respectfully to the sect master of the Boundless Sword Sect.

Unlike his arrogant demeanor and proud swordsmanship from the morning, Jian Wuming now appeared dejected with a gloomy expression, looking as if a hailstorm was about to break loose.

He glanced sideways at Qin Ran and said coldly, "What? You think just because you won today, my Boundless Sword Sect is going to be destroyed? Senior Qin, you're really underestimating our sect!"

"Not at all," Qin Ran maintained the same faint smile he had worn in the morning. Looking toward Sun Yicheng who sat in the guest seat, he addressed Jian Wuming, "The grave matter concerning the sect's safety is what I mentioned before the competition."

This expression of Qin Ran's, which Jian Wuming had found merely disgusting like that of a scheming villain in the morning, now seemed laden with mockery... making it even more repulsive to him.

He didn't want to see Qin Ran's face for even a moment longer. He looked toward Sun Yicheng... well, another disgusting fellow.

"As you wished, the fight is over. My sword sect accepts the loss," he asked, "What do you have to say? Say it quickly."

And then get lost! he thought to himself.

"Master, you don't really think we were unaware of how you 'secretly ordered the sect's prodigies to target ordinary disciples of the Dao Sword Sect,' do you?" Qin Ran said with a slight smile.

His words not only shocked Jian Wuming, whose face had already been unsightly, but even Sun Yicheng couldn't maintain his calm expression.

Here it comes, Qin Ran still brought up this matter, he still decided to tear off all pretenses. Sun Yicheng narrowed his eyes and looked at Qin Ran.

Despite his strong aversion to looking at Qin Ran's irritating face, Jian Wuming turned to face him.

"Senior Qin, do you realize what you're saying?" he asked.

"Master's proud swordsmanship naturally means he dares to own up to his actions," Qin Ran said. "Whether what I'm saying is true, false, or fabricated, Master knows in his heart. Would you like me to list in detail the innocent disciples from the Dao Sword Sect who have lost their lives during this period?"

As he spoke, he pulled out a document from his Universe Bag, about to hand it to Jian Wuming.

Jian Wuming sat in his seat, his sword-like eyes coldly staring down at Qin Ran, who stood below, calmly meeting his gaze.

After a while, Jian Wuming spoke: "Someone as deceitful as you should have noticed."

But he sneered, "Since you know so much, then you should also know... it's not the Boundless Sword Sect that's in danger, but rather, the Dao Sword Sect!"

Hearing this, Qin Ran smiled and raised his hand, using water to create a model of a tripod cauldron in mid-air, in front of Jian Wuming.

"Please look, Master. This tripod has three legs, which rely on and support each other, making it extremely stable. This is the principle of tripod stability, far more secure than ordinary structures," he pointed out to Jian Wuming, then suddenly wiped away one of the legs. The previously stable tripod immediately tilted to one side and fell to the ground, splashing water everywhere. "When one of the stable three legs is lost, the entire situation immediately collapses, and the remaining two legs can hardly sustain it."

He looked at Jian Wuming and asked, "Master, am I clear enough?"

When the tripod fell, one of the water droplets splashed onto Jian Wuming's face, making him feel a slight chill.

All other expressions disappeared from his face, leaving only gravity. He wiped away the water droplet and looked up at Sun Yicheng.

The smile had vanished from Sun Yicheng's face as well, replaced by solemnity.

No one is truly a fool; more often, it's just a matter of personality that leads some people to prefer using their minds while others don't.

A sword cultivator finds a single sword strike far more useful than speaking ten reasons, so sword cultivators don't like to think; an alchemist finds speaking one sentence far more effective than throwing ten punches, so alchemists are accustomed to thinking.

So when a sword cultivator's sword isn't sharp enough, they too can use their minds.

At this moment, Jian Wuming saw things he had never considered before.

How could he have thought so far ahead before?

Previously, he had only thought about how to destroy the Dao Sword Sect.

Because the Dao Sword Sect was truly powerful, requiring all his mental effort... and even that wasn't enough, necessitating advice from Zhican Valley's cultivators.

And now, Qin Ran had shown him what would happen if they really destroyed the Dao Sword Sect.

If only the Boundless Sword Sect and Zhican Valley remained in the Hengduan Mountains, would there be peace and stability? No!

The friction between the two sects would only become more intense than it is now.

If the Boundless Sword Sect and Zhican Valley were to fight then, could the Boundless Sword Sect win?

They couldn't!

Unlike Qin Ran's uncertain answer, Jian Wuming knew his own sect's capabilities well, and he knew the Boundless Sword Sect definitely couldn't defeat Zhican Valley.

Why?

The Hengduan Mountains didn't just have these three major sects; there were many smaller sects as well. When the two sects would fight, these smaller sects would definitely side with Zhican Valley. Because Zhican Valley was an alchemy sect, regularly bestowing benefits through medicinal pills, they had built strong relationships with the smaller sects. Meanwhile, the Boundless Sword Sect was a sword sect, typically arrogant and overbearing, having offended practically everyone they could in the Hengduan Mountains.

After a long silence in the reception hall, Jian Wuming, having cleared up the key points, spoke: "Elder Sun, I have important matters to discuss with Senior Qin. Please go rest."

If Jian Wuming could understand this, naturally Sun Yicheng could too.

Upon hearing this, he immediately stood up and bowed to Jian Wuming, saying: "This youth speaks deceptive words and sows discord. Please execute him immediately, Master!"

"I have my own considerations," Jian Wuming said expressionlessly.

"Master, our two houses, the combination of sword and alchemy, is the most suitable alliance," Sun Yicheng quickly said. "May the friendship between our sects last forever!"

"Elder, please excuse yourself," Jian Wuming said again.

Sun Yicheng opened his mouth but didn't know what else to say. Everything had happened too suddenly, and he couldn't think of any effective solutions at the moment.

He glanced at Qin Ran, who stood there composed as ever, relaxed and calm in his scholar's robe.

But once again, he felt terror.

He sighed, cupped his hands toward Jian Wuming, and turned to leave the reception hall.

"Senior Qin..." Jian Wuming now looked at Qin Ran directly, no longer glancing sideways or squinting or glaring. Looking at him properly for the first time, he realized Qin Ran was quite talented in appearance. He continued, "The situation here is clear to anyone with eyes."

As if he hadn't just realized it after Qin Ran's reminder.

"I know the danger facing the Boundless Sword Sect," he said. "But seeing clearly and understanding doesn't help. How to resolve this dangerous situation is the key."

Qin Ran bowed to Jian Wuming again and smiled, "Master now knows Zhican Valley's plots and wild ambitions, knows that the Boundless Sword Sect has been used as a weapon by Zhican Valley, betrayed by them.

"So Master, how should the Boundless Sword Sect deal with these traitors?"

Jian Wuming answered, "Strip them of their cultivation, remove their sword bones, and ban them from the cultivation world forever."

"Master..." Qin Ran asked, "Between the Dao Sword Sect and Zhican Valley, which is stronger?"

Zhican Valley was very wealthy, had medicinal pills, cultivators, and influence, but when it came to actual strength, to fighting, Jian Wuming stated firmly: "The Dao Sword Sect is stronger."

"Then why does Master choose to ally with Zhican Valley instead of the Dao Sword Sect?" Qin Ran asked.

Jian Wuming narrowed his eyes, thinking he was being played for a fool. Was he being asked to jump from the tiger's den into the wolf's lair?

"Is this your solution?" his voice turned cold, feeling he was being mocked.

"Master, Zhican Valley is different from us. It's an extremely wealthy merchant, rich beyond measure, not a true sect. It doesn't have the power to protect itself," Qin Ran said. "While both our houses are proper sects. If we destroy Zhican Valley, we can split its abundant resources."

"What makes you think our two houses could maintain stability?" Jian Wuming sneered.

If the Boundless Sword Sect and Zhican Valley couldn't coexist peacefully, the Boundless Sword Sect and Dao Sword Sect would be even less likely to do so.

Qin Ran smiled, clearly prepared. He took out another document from his Universe Bag and sent it to Jian Wuming with his spiritual power.

Jian Wuming took it and saw the words "Regarding the New Order of the Hengduan Mountains After the War" written on the document. He looked at Qin Ran's smiling face and opened the document, with the first item being:

"Regarding the establishment of a new alchemy sect. A lower-ranking alchemy sect, fully controlled by the higher-ranking sects, will be established on the former territory of Zhican Valley..."

Various details followed.

The second item stated:

"Regarding the hosting of the Sword Arts Exchange Conference in the Hengduan Mountains. Peace is the main theme after the war, and in peacetime, other methods can be employed to resolve conflicts between the various sects within the Hengduan Mountains. Upholding principles of justice, openness, and fairness, the allied sects led by the Boundless Sword Sect and Dao Sword Sect will host a Sword Arts Exchange Conference."

Various details followed.

The third item:

"Based on the Sword Arts Exchange Conference, a management organization can be established, led by the Boundless Sword Sect and Dao Sword Sect..."

Various details followed.

The fourth item:

"Based on the Sword Arts Exchange Conference management organization, regarding the new resource allocation plan for the Hengduan Mountains..."

The fifth item:

"..."

Jian Wuming read through each item, finding them impressive yet bewildering, only understanding that the post-war Hengduan Mountains would develop peacefully. The region would be better without Zhican Valley.

However, he didn't really understand what was written in the document.

It was like the concept of "Dao" - everyone knows it exists everywhere, but few can explain exactly what it is.

He felt that the contents of the document were similar - impressive, but he couldn't understand why or how.

He closed the document and shook his head, saying to Qin Ran with a cold smile: "This new post-war arrangement you speak of, establishing a Sword Arts Exchange Conference, can be done with or without Zhican Valley. Similarly, such planning can be done with or without the Dao Sword Sect."

"Sect Leader..." Qin Ran looked at Jian Wuming and reminded him, "The new resource allocation mentioned in the document is about distributing Zhican Valley's resources. Are you sure Zhican Valley would willingly share their resources?"

Jian Wuming was momentarily speechless.

Qin Ran continued: "The Dao Sword Sect only has spirit stones. But spirit stones can't compare to pills and spiritual herbs. Spirit stones are like money, while spiritual herbs and pills are like food. You can live without money, but not without food. Zhican Valley can let us make new resource plans, but the Dao Sword Sect cannot."

Jian Wuming had already been confused while reading the document, and now Qin Ran's words made him even more bewildered.

After some thought, he said, "I'll agree to your terms, but I have one condition."

"Please speak, Sect Leader."

"I want Lu Junxing and Li Shiyin."

Qin Ran was startled, then smiled. "Sect Leader must be joking."

"Then I refuse." Since he couldn't understand the complexities, Jian Wuming decided to be stubborn.

"Are you sure about this, Sect Leader?" Qin Ran maintained his confident smile.

"What do you plan to do? Join forces with Zhican Valley against me?" Jian Wuming said bluntly, "My Boundless Sword Sect is just this bare mountain. Take whatever you want from it."

"Sect Leader..." Qin Ran said, "I will give you several reasons you cannot refuse."

"Speak."

"First, I told my Sect Master that if this negotiation fails, the Dao Sword Sect will launch a death attack on the Boundless Sword Sect, preferring to die fighting rather than submit, trading life for life.

"Second, while the Sect Master knows how powerful Lu Junxing and Li Shiyin are and wants to keep them, has he considered what would happen if cultivators as powerful as Li Shiyin and Lu Junxing were to go on a killing spree within the Boundless Sword Sect?

"Third, during these days when the Sect Master has been avoiding me, I left something in the Boundless Sword Sect..." As he spoke, Qin Ran tossed a pill to Jian Wuming, "This is a Clear Mind Pill, for mental clarity, and it's harmless. However, when it comes in contact with the Soul-Returning Powder I've scattered in the air of the Boundless Sword Sect, it becomes a deadly poison that dissolves blood and melts bones. Anyone below the Golden Core realm will certainly die."

Jian Wuming's expression grew increasingly grim. He brought the Clear Mind Pill to his nose and sniffed it, immediately feeling changes in his body, confirming Qin Ran's words were true. He had indeed poisoned the Boundless Sword Sect.

Qin Ran tossed another pill to Jian Wuming, saying, "This is the antidote."

He kindly reminded Jian Wuming, "If I can do this much, what about Zhican Valley?

"Sect Leader, what is your answer?"

First analyzing the pros and cons, letting Jian Wuming know that following Zhican Valley meant certain death; then enticement, establishing an "imaginary" new post-war order to distribute the Hengduan Mountains' resources; followed by threats, using poison and force; finally, manipulation, taking advantage of Jian Wuming's inability to understand what he had written.

So Jian Wuming had no choice; he was completely at Qin Ran's mercy.

He could only nod.

"Good!"