The young monk had clearly set his price—a steep one at that. Su Min understood this was necessary, as his stance had already softened.
Sects in this world operated much like nations in her previous life. While friendships mattered, interests ultimately took precedence. Knowing he couldn't stop what was coming, he sought to maximize his gains.
"How many sets of materials do you have?"
Su Min didn't protest. If this could be resolved with just elixirs, that would be the optimal outcome.
"One set."
"Pfft—"
Su Min nearly spat out her water. She only had two Dao Comprehension elixirs left for personal use, having given the rest to the two sects as advance payment.
Producing three more was impossible, even with their provided materials.
"Three is too many—I can't produce that many short-term. Unless you provide at least five sets of materials. Besides, your gains will be substantial—Future Maitreya Mountain's entire foundation will be yours to divide among branches, with you holding the dividing knife."
Time to bargain. Three was out of the question—her two reserved elixirs were absolutely non-negotiable.
"Then one."
The young monk's eyebrow twitched. He clearly realized forcing more from Su Min was impossible. More importantly, Future Maitreya Mountain's foundation held tremendous value.
While Su Min could strip their movable assets, the spiritual veins and—more valuably—their followers would remain. Those were the true prizes.
Outwardly cordial, Buddhist branches guarded against each other fiercely internally. Followers could be relatively easily converted—today worshiping Tathagata, tomorrow Maitreya, the next day Dipankara. A simple secret art sufficed.
Changing sects posed little issue for ordinary devotees, but abandoning faith entirely was difficult. These people Su Min couldn't take nor assimilate—unless she slaughtered them all, which was unthinkable. The result would be other Buddhist branches absorbing these followers, thoroughly erasing Future Bliss Mountain's influence through internal competition.
"Agreed—you provide the materials."
"Plus three future seventh-grade elixirs."
"Agreed—you provide the materials."
"Deal."
After deeply studying the now-parroting Su Min, the young monk said no more. This was already highly acceptable. Su Min currently held moral high ground. He remembered the previous anti-Buddhist campaign and knew the continent's lingering resentment. Given sufficient benefits, the other two super sects would act without hesitation. With even Yao Xian'er supporting her, Future Maitreya Mountain stood completely isolated.
The Next Day
"Well done. You're not just recklessly aggressive."
On their return journey, Yao Xian'er approved of Su Min's approach. This world's environment conditioned most to act first and consider consequences later. Few employed Su Min's methods. By the time she actually moved, Future Maitreya Mountain would be truly alone.
"The soul contract is signed—Great Thunder Temple won't intervene. As for Ancient Lamp Monastery, we'll notify them when war begins. Even if they want to act, they lack sufficient strength."
Su Min rolled her eyes at Yao Xian'er's praise. People here weren't stupid—just conditioned by this world's norms. She was different.
As a modern person, she'd witnessed countless political maneuvers. Either don't act, or when you do, ensure your enemy's complete annihilation—true respect meant total extermination.
The contract was special too—soul contracts weren't casually made. Ratified by heavenly laws, they were unbreakable, with penalties automatically enforced upon violation.
This was no mere scrap paper—it carried immense binding power.
"What's your next move?"
"Assemble forces. Even without you, I can field five Dao Comprehension experts and fifteen Divine Transformation cultivators. That's enough to crush Future Maitreya Mountain. If other Buddhist branches meddle, we'll crush them too."
"Tsk."
Even Yao Xian'er's eyelid twitched. Every Dao Comprehension expert at this stage was formidable.
"Which five?"
"One each from the two super sects, two from our sect, plus the Dragon Emperor."
"Hiss—"
Yao Xian'er couldn't help inhaling sharply. This lineup could theoretically attempt to surround and kill her.
The Lunar Sovereign Body, Five-Clawed Golden Dragon, and Three-Legged Golden Crow—all extraordinary beings. Combined with the two sects background they could genuinely threaten her.
But Yao Xian'er soon shook her head dismissively. The sole seventh-grade alchemist's promises alone could motivate Dao Comprehension experts to risk their lives—let alone in such favorable circumstances.
Soon, Eastern Mulberry State's atmosphere grew terrifyingly intense.
"Action in three days. Requirement: each of you three must provide two late-stage Divine Transformation experts besides yourselves."
Su Min addressed the room calmly.
The three referred to the Dao Comprehension experts from three sects plus the Dragon Princess. The two humans nodded stiffly, eyes fixed on Ao Xue.
They sensed the overwhelming danger and domineering draconic aura she exuded.
"I'll provide two Half-Step Dao Comprehension experts. The Dragon Clan's ancestral home lies in the Abyss—Fallen Ones' combat power plummets there, so our defenses are secure."
Ao Xue spoke casually, offering not mere late-stage Divine Transformation but Half-Step Dao Comprehension experts.
"What do you want?"
Su Min rolled her eyes. If she was willing, fine—stronger forces meant better chances of overwhelming victory. But clearly, she wanted additional terms, so Su Min didn't immediately agree.
"Two high-grade sixth-tier Blood Awakening Pills—they can activate bloodline potential for beings like us. The recipe and materials are here. Those two are just one pill away from Dao Comprehension."
"Fine. But even as divine beasts, reaching Dao Comprehension requires decades of seclusion. We can't wait for their breakthroughs."
Su Min waved dismissively. Two sixth-grade pills were trivial for her.
"Then discuss amongst yourselves. I've brought the Dragon Clan's treasure."
Having gotten what she wanted, Ao Xue left cheerfully. Though divine beasts needed fewer elixirs, they still had demands.
Su Min had lost count of how many pills she'd refined for spirit beasts—even the little Golden Crow and her two guards received regular alchemical support. Thus, though Su Min rarely involved herself in management, her word alone could mobilize the entire sect.
"Whew."
The two Dao Comprehension experts exhaled in relief after Ao Xue departed. Divine beasts' collective strength couldn't challenge humanity, but individually they surpassed 99.999% of humans. Their default attitude toward humans was looking down their noses.
Unless they acknowledged someone, even basic conversation was difficult. The little Golden Crow was the same—within the sect, she only acknowledged Su Min and Xie Yingying.
As for protecting others—that was just Su Min's assignment.
Ao Xue treated the two similarly, her overbearing aura completely unconcealed.
"Alright, let's discuss specifics."
After seeing off the troublesome one, Su Min sighed. As long as they didn't fight, that was enough—coordination was too much to expect.
At this power level, glaring weaknesses were rare.
"Master Su's connections are truly impressive. Even reclusive divine beasts heed your call. We can only provide two late-stage Divine Transformation experts—the times are too unstable."
Though they'd speculated about Su Min's influence, witnessing it firsthand still shocked them. The Golden Crow and Lunar Sovereign Body were known quantities, but recruiting both Yao Xian'er and the Dragon Princess was astonishing.
"When wandering the martial world, everyone needs a 'doctor' for survival. I have my methods."
Su Min smiled at their expressions.
"Moreover, the Immortal Gate's overall strength is staggering—at least a dozen Divine Transformation cultivators?"
"A pill's work."
Su Min chuckled. While she secluded herself in the Tianhan Snow Plains, her sect had flourished. With her stockpiled elixirs, three spirit beast clan leaders had reached Divine Transformation.
Others included a breakthrough from within and recruits who passed rigorous selection. Even discounting divine beasts, with the Lunar Sovereign Body presiding, her sect was a genuine superpower.
Thus, Fallen Ones dared not approach not just Eastern Mulberry and four neighboring states, but even nearby major provinces. Everyone knew Su Min's hatred for them ran deepest—likely no one alive had been ambushed by Fallen Ones more times, though many encounters were coincidental.
"Sigh."
The two could only exchange wry smiles at Su Min's casual remark. The gap was too vast now. Their sects had sixth-grade alchemists too, but none compared to Su Min.
A mere sixth-grade alchemist couldn't command their attention—Su Min was different. And those Dao Comprehension elixirs as deposits? Irresistible.
As time passed, the Immortal Gate mobilized under Su Min's direction. Beyond the main force, they needed specialized supplies prepared. This required mid-to-low level disciples' efforts before Su Min's final refinements—all without complaint.
This world differed fundamentally from Earth in power dynamics.
Earth's power structures aside, here authority flowed top-down.
A single mighty cultivator could sustain an entire sect—exactly like the Immortal Gate. Should Su Min perish, the sect would truly collapse. Thus, attacking a sect's ancestral figures equated to declaring war on the entire organization.
Su Min's current goal was simple—collaborate with the little Golden Crow to forge high-grade earth-tier magical artifacts. While not decisive, they'd maximize victory chances. She'd also upgrade her own weapons.
Finally, three days later, behind the Immortal Gate's mountains.
"All assembled. Our sect contributes five Divine Transformation experts including myself, plus two Dao Comprehension experts."
Su Min addressed the gathering calmly. Yao Xian'er was monitoring Great Thunder Temple—she wouldn't participate, ensuring no tricks from that quarter.
The five Dao Comprehension experts stood proudly, though with subtle tensions. The little Golden Crow and Ao Xue glared, seemingly itching for a rematch. From what Su Min gathered of their last spar:
Though Ao Xue held the advantage, the Golden Crow wasn't completely outmatched—one lost many feathers, the other numerous scales. Their battle must have been spectacular.
The two super sect experts pretended to study the clear sky, ignoring the divine beasts' friction, while Xie Yingying stood quietly behind Su Min.
"If you two want to fight, settle it after our mission. Little Golden Crow—use your Solar Bell to teleport us directly above Future Maitreya Mountain and breach their defenses."
"No problem."
The Golden Crow broke eye contact. Both understood priorities.
As her hands clasped together, an enormous ancient golden bell materialized, enveloping all present.