Jiang Chen's current focus was on the Celestial Myriad Spirits Locking the Divine Grand Formation. The situation on the Abyssal Islands, though something he kept an eye on, was not yet his primary concern.
After all, he hadn't spent all that long on the Abyssal Islands and couldn't claim any deep attachment to them. Moreover, though the Eternal Sacred Land had given him considerable attention after his induction, he still lacked that sense of home within its halls.
So, he had said what needed to be said. As for how to carry it out — that was the business of the higher-ups. Jiang Chen had no intention of overburdening himself with the details.
If anything warranted his worry, it would only be after the Celestial Myriad Spirits Locking the Divine Grand Formation had been reactivated.
"By the way, when exactly is the Grand Tournament of Geniuses?" Jiang Chen asked.
"Less than four months away."
Jiang Chen nodded. "Good. I'll participate."
The Ancestor was overjoyed. "Excellent! With you competing, you'll absolutely sweep through the competition. Jiang Chen, this is a golden opportunity for you to make a name for yourself — the first step toward becoming a legend of the Abyssal Islands. Remember, don't be too aloof and don't be too proud. Make as many connections with talented individuals and powerful figures as you can. It can only benefit you in the future."
These were sentiments Elder Zi Che Min had actually expressed earlier as well.
It all came back to the alliance. The Eternal Sacred Land was vying for the position of alliance leader, and Jiang Chen's performance would be critical. If he could help the Sacred Land seize that position, it would be perfect.
This was precisely why the Eternal Sacred Land was so eager to have Jiang Chen compete in the tournament.
When it came to this alliance, the Eternal Sacred Land ultimately harbored ambitions and designs of its own.
Jiang Chen considered for a moment, then nodded. "I'll give it my all. However, I'd also appreciate it if the Ancestor could put more effort into securing the Ling Shi I need."
At this stage, the Ling Shi shortage was genuinely Jiang Chen's greatest worry. He couldn't simply go around robbing people. Well, if robbery were a viable option, he wouldn't have been entirely against it.
But even if he were to resort to robbery, he'd need to find suitable targets first.
The Ancestor thumped his chest confidently. "Rest assured, I'll take care of this ten percent of Ling Shi for you. And the materials for refining the Ding Tian Pill and the Taiyi Heaven-Mending Pill — I'll secure those as well."
It was clear that after all the haggling, the Ancestor was in excellent spirits. Evidently, managing to convince Jiang Chen with just ten percent of the Ling Shi was far better than he had anticipated.
Previously, the Ancestor's greatest fear had been that Jiang Chen would demand the Sacred Land help him gather the entirety of the Ling Shi. It was precisely this worry that had led him to plead poverty from the very start, to be vague and noncommittal.
This outcome was a significant relief.
After the Ancestor departed, Zi Che Min noticed that Jiang Chen seemed rather subdued and chose not to bother him further, taking his leave as well.
Once they had all gone, the Vermilion Bird Divine Bird and the others emerged from the shadows.
The Vermilion Bird shook its head with a sigh. "Aren't the Ten Great Sacred Lands supposed to be the rulers of the Abyssal Islands? How can this Ancestor be so petty? Jiang Chen, I think you've been had."
"Been had?" Jiang Chen looked puzzled.
"He deliberately played the sympathy card with you — it was all about driving down the price as much as possible. I believe the Sacred Land can produce far more Ling Shi than he let on. He's simply not willing to part with them to aid the human domain, that's all."
The Vermilion Bird was, after all, an ancient divine beast that had witnessed countless worldly affairs. It had a sharper eye for human nature than most.
Jiang Chen forced a bitter smile. Upon closer reflection, he had to admit the Vermilion Bird's words weren't without merit. The Eternal Sacred Land possessed considerable wealth, and after settling the recent turmoil, they had gained many new resources — it seemed implausible that they could truly be so destitute. The extraplanar battlefield did consume vast amounts, but that expenditure was primarily in manpower. While resource consumption was certainly significant as well, it hardly justified a situation where one couldn't even afford to eat from one day to the next.