On the highest peak of the mountain was the Meeting Hall.
Gu Immortals sat in a circle, exuding immortal aura, discussing the major affairs of the Immortal Crane Sect.
"Lingxi's condition has worsened. I need to purchase a large amount of materials to refine healing Gu to alleviate its illness. But to completely cure Lingxi, I still need a large number of healing Gu recipes for research. My preliminary estimate is three hundred and sixty Immortal Essence Stones," the Gu Immortal Shu Zhige announced in a clear voice.
Immediately, a Gu Immortal frowned and questioned him: "Lingxi is an ancient desolate beast, extremely robust by nature. Its illness has persisted for over half a year now. Why hasn't it recovered yet?"
"Shu Zhige, you wouldn't be deliberately delaying Lingxi's treatment to line your own pockets, would you?" a Gu Immortal asked bluntly.
Hearing this, Shu Zhige's eyebrows shot up and he roared: "Fan Xiliu, what the hell are you spouting! Wasn't it you who used an Immortal Gu of the Poison Path when you captured it? I advised you at the time not to use it, not to use it. But you had to take the easy way out and poisoned Lingxi. Now that there's trouble, you expect me, an old man, to clean up the mess!"
"Bullshit! Do you have any idea how hard it is to capture a Lingxi alive? It's easy to talk when you're not the one doing the work!" Fan Xiliu shot back without backing down.
Clang.
At that moment, the sound of a bell rang out, clear and melodious.
All sounds produced by the Gu Immortals were absorbed by the bell's toll, which echoed back, growing even louder.
No matter how Shu Zhige and Fan Xiliu tried to speak, their voices only turned into the increasingly resonant ringing of the bell. They had no choice but to shut up, and everyone's gazes shifted towards the source of the sound.
It came from the central seat of honor. There sat an old man, the highest authority in the Immortal Crane Sect, the Rank Eight Supreme Elder who oversaw all matters.
The voice of the Immortal Crane Sect's Supreme Elder was deep and gentle: "Now, regarding Shu Zhige's proposal. He requires three hundred and sixty Immortal Essence Stones to purchase Gu worms and recipes to treat Lingxi. Let us vote."
"I disagree. Three hundred and sixty Immortal Essence Stones is far too much. My previous budget only requested two hundred stones. Is treating a single Lingxi more important than treating a Gu Immortal?" Fan Xiliu was the first to oppose.
A Gu Immortal beside him pondered and said: "Lingxi is indeed important, but it is not a critical matter. The most urgent issue right now is the situation in the Northwest. I abstain from this vote."
"The discussion on the Juntian Sword Sect will be a focal point later. Right now, we are only discussing the treatment of Lingxi," the Supreme Elder interjected.
"I oppose," the third Gu Immortal stated succinctly.
"Before offering my personal advice, I would like to hear Lady Sang Xin's opinion. Our sect expended so much effort to capture the ancient desolate beast Lingxi precisely to use its blood to develop a more concealed Information Path Gu worm. I wonder what Lady Sang Xin's current progress is?" the fourth Gu Immortal looked towards Lady Sang Xin.
Lady Sang Xin was a Rank Six Gu Immortal. Hearing this, she smiled apologetically: "I am ashamed! The results so far are meager. It is entirely because Lingxi's body is filled with poisoned blood, which has caused the progress on the Information Gu to be extremely slow."
The fourth Gu Immortal nodded: "It seems the prospects in this area are bleak. Therefore, I oppose."
Of the eight Gu Immortals present, five were opposed. In the end, Shu Zhige only secured two hundred Immortal Essence Stones.
This was clearly quite different from the three hundred and sixty he had requested. Shu Zhige gave a cold snort and muttered a few words under his breath, expressing his discontent.
Clang.
With another toll of the bell, regardless of whether Shu Zhige was satisfied or not, the Supreme Elder announced: "Next, we will proceed with the discussion on the Reincarnation Battlefield."
Lei Tan stood up from his seat. He was powerfully built, with a head of spiky blue hair. "I have been in charge of the Reincarnation Battlefield for over thirty years. I believe you all deeply understand its importance. In the middle of this year, our sect suffered a crushing defeat on the Reincarnation Battlefield. Although we rushed in significant reinforcements in time to steady our position, the current situation remains dire. I need the combat support of one Rank Six Gu Immortal, or three desolate beasts, and at least one of them must be a Nine Palace Crane."
He Fengyang immediately retorted: "A Gu Immortal's combat power? Do you know the current state of the Immortal Crane Sect? Mu Xiaoxiao is severely injured and resting, Lin Sanmei is in closed-door cultivation — our combat strength is stretched thin everywhere. And you still have the nerve to make such a request?"
Lei Tan snorted coldly: "If the Immortal Crane Sect gets completely driven out of the Reincarnation Battlefield, can you, He Fengyang, take responsibility?"
He Fengyang sneered: "The Reincarnation Battlefield has already seen a massive investment of resources and has cost us two Gu Immortals who are trapped there. It is entirely defensible and stable. Sending more troops won't solve the problem because our competitors on the battlefield are the other nine sects. If we reinforce, they will reinforce as well, and probably on an even larger scale!"
Shu Zhige nodded: "Agreed. The situation on the Reincarnation Battlefield has stabilized. For now, we should adopt a conservative strategy and solidify our territory first."
The others glanced around and expressed their decisions one by one.
In the end, Lei Tan obtained the support of two desolate beasts. He glared hatefully at He Fengyang, grinding his teeth.
Clang.
"Next, we will discuss the matter of the Juntian Sword Sect," the Supreme Elder declared.