Chapter 690: Spending Like Water
During the process of crafting pills, Xiao Ze quickly burned through the 500,000 drops of Sovereign Spiritual Liquid he had saved as backup. Without the necessary heavenly materials and earthly treasures, there could be no alchemy.
Even the most skilled cook cannot prepare a meal without ingredients. Xiao Ze had no choice but to pause his alchemy work and seek another loan of one million Sovereign Spiritual Liquid from Mandala.
During this time, he overheard news about the Daluo Heavenly Territory's ongoing campaigns.
As one of the top tier powers in the Northern Region, Daluo Heavenly Territory's borders didn't directly touch those of any other supreme forces. Instead, it was buffered by many first and second tier forces.
The strongest among these intermediary forces could, at best, rival the three kings of Daluo Heavenly Territory, possessing late stage Sovereign Realm strength. Only powers led by Earth Sovereigns could be called true top tier forces, while the superpowers famed throughout the Great Thousand World were helmed by Heaven Sovereigns.
These smaller forces, emboldened by higher tier powers behind the scenes, frequently tested Daluo Heavenly Territory's strength. They speculated that its recent quietude was a sign of weakness. However, their probing had a calculated edge none wished to provoke a supreme power recklessly.
Instead, they acted as proxies, pushing lower tier forces to test the waters. If Daluo Heavenly Territory truly showed signs of vulnerability, the major forces would pounce, tearing away territory like a pack of hungry wolves.
In the chaotic Northern Region of the Tianluo Continent, campaigns and skirmishes were as common as the tides. Even a power as mighty as Daluo Heavenly Territory could not remain unchallenged forever.
In the grand conflicts of the Northern Region, even a slight misstep by a top tier power could lead to catastrophic losses.
Among the many forces under Daluo Heavenly Territory, one stood out with particularly impressive results: none other than Grey Bear King, who had recently purchased the costly Five Rank Barrier Breaking Pill.
After successfully advancing to the Six Rank Sovereign Realm, Grey Bear King had stormed through several sects during the campaign, achieving massive victories and reaping enormous spoils.
His achievements swiftly recouped the cost of the pill, making other kings who had competed with him for it regret their earlier hesitation. Perhaps if they had acquired the pill, they too could have shone in the campaign and reaped similar rewards.
The campaign also carried an enticing promise from the Daluo Territory Lord herself: substantial rewards for those achieving significant victories.
As Xiao Ze returned from the treasure vault after exchanging for materials, the air buzzed with tales of the campaign's conquests: Grey Bear King's triumph over Demon Wolf Gate, Asura King's subjugation of Spirit Sea Sect…
Not all news was celebratory, though. With each king selecting their own targets, some underestimated their opponents or overestimated their own strength, suffering heavy losses.
Even among Daluo Heavenly Territory's king level forces, nothing guaranteed perpetual dominance.
Those who fared poorly in the campaign faced grim prospects. Severe losses could lead to the dissolution of their forces, much like the near collapse of Nine Nether Palace in the future.
Xiao Ze, while sympathetic, understood that such power struggles were an inevitable part of major factions' growth and survival.
As time passed, spoils from the campaign flowed steadily into Daluo Heavenly Territory. The campaign ended with the complete annihilation of several second tier forces and crippling losses for two first tier powers.
Had it not been for interference by the higher tier forces behind the first tier factions, Daluo Heavenly Territory might have completely devoured them.
Even so, absorbing these territories would bolster Daluo Heavenly Territory's strength and resources, enhancing its overall standing.
The campaign sent a clear message to other factions in the Northern Region: Daluo Heavenly Territory was far from weakened. Its ferocity and strength were as formidable as ever.
Mandala's swift and decisive actions left even the top tier powers backing the first tier factions scrambling to respond.
Back in the palace, Mandala sat on her throne, her small feet playfully swinging as she savored the successes of the campaign. Her good mood was evident.
Xiao Ze, stretching lazily, emerged from his private chamber. This time, he had converted the heavenly materials and earthly treasures worth over 1.5 million Sovereign Spiritual Liquid into pills. Now, it was time to see how much he could recoup.
"All done?" Mandala asked with a slight smile.
"Pretty much. If you don't take these off my hands, I'll be over a million Sovereign Liquid in debt," Xiao Ze joked.
With a wave of his hand, a shimmering river of pills flowed into the air. The potent medicinal aura filled the hall, causing the surrounding energy to stir restlessly.
Mandala's eyes widened slightly at the sight of the radiant river of pills.
"Isn't alchemy supposed to be exhausting? Why does it feel like you make pills as easily as eating and drinking?"
"Maybe I'm just gifted," Xiao Ze replied with a grin before asking the crucial question.
"Can you take all of these?"
"Of course. With Daluo Heavenly Territory's resources, absorbing this batch is no problem," Mandala replied with a touch of pride.
She glanced at the river of pills, her golden eyes gleaming with excitement. These pills could elevate the strength of Daluo Heavenly Territory's lower and mid tier practitioners, strengthening the foundation of her realm.
After a moment's thought, she retrieved a jade bottle from her storage ring. The overwhelming spiritual power it radiated indicated its extraordinary contents.
"See if this amount suffices," Mandala said, tossing the bottle lightly toward Xiao Ze.
Catching it carefully, Xiao Ze scanned its contents, his eyes widening in shock. The bottle contained over four million drops of Sovereign Spiritual Liquid!
He had expected, at best, three million. Subtracting the one million he owed Mandala, he'd still have two million left for his cultivation.
But Mandala had far exceeded his expectations.
"This is a bit much, isn't it?" Xiao Ze asked hesitantly.
Mandala waved off his concern.
"These pills are worth the price. Their quality is exceptional. If auctioned, they'd fetch about the same amount."
Mandala's casual confidence reminded Xiao Ze of a wealthy young mistress.
"Thank you," Xiao Ze said sincerely. He made a mental note to repay this generosity tenfold in the future.
For now, he'd spend Sovereign Spiritual Liquid as freely as water and watch his wealth flood in like the tides.
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