The nation of Yingshan, though severely weakened by the Great General's campaigns, remained formidable, still occupying nearly a third of Lu's territory.
Lu, having suffered heavy losses in previous major battles, was in no condition to reclaim its lost lands.
Both sides were forced to maintain the status quo, refraining from further conflict as they licked their wounds and gathered strength.
Upon returning to Lu's territory, the trio found themselves amidst a landscape of ruins.
Many towns were deserted, and numerous immortal cultivation families had been annihilated, leaving only a handful of survivors to deal with the aftermath.
This devastation was occurring even within the territories controlled by the three major sects. Due to insufficient manpower, they were often overwhelmed, allowing demonic cultivators to infiltrate, burn, kill, and loot.
Consequently, across the remaining two-thirds of Lu's land, apart from the three major sects which remained relatively intact, all other areas had been ravaged by demonic cultivators.
It would take at least another century for Lu's immortal cultivation world to recover and prosper after this ordeal.
The once bustling Danxin Sect was now considerably quieter. As the trio ascended to the plaza atop Ningcui Peak, they encountered very few people.
Only the five massive stone tablets displaying the rankings still stood tall.
However, many names inscribed on the tablets had lost their luster, turning dull and gray, signifying disciples who had perished.
Normally, the sect would lavish care upon these exceptional talents, preventing them from facing mortal danger.
But in times of existential crisis, even the sect's dogs would be unleashed to fight, contributing their utmost to the sect's survival.
Upon their safe return to the sect, the three went their separate ways.
Zhu Yu sought out his ancestor Shangguan, Xiao Fei went to find True Person Guangling, and Huang Feifei, having no master, returned to her own cave dwelling.
Xiao Fei stopped a Foundation Establishment disciple to inquire. The good news was that True Person Guangling was alive; surviving such a fierce war was a stroke of luck.
The bad news was that True Person Guangling had also sustained severe injuries and was now merely clinging to life.
The protective formation around True Person Guangling's peak, which was usually active, had been deactivated.
Xiao Fei ascended the mountain path. After several years, the surroundings had become much more dilapidated. The spiritual plants and herbs that were once ubiquitous were nowhere to be seen.
Only some ordinary trees and shrubs lay scattered, withered and neglected, seemingly on the verge of death.
Finally reaching the cluster of buildings at the summit, the main hall where True Person Guangling used to receive disciples was empty, devoid of any presence.
Hearing voices from a courtyard behind, Xiao Fei hurried towards the backyard.
Several people were gathered in the backyard.
Senior Disciple Fei Xin and Fifth Disciple Huangfu Xuan were both present.
Additionally, there was a disciple in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, whom Xiao Fei vaguely recognized as a disciple of another Golden Core True Person.
"Senior Brother Fei, Junior Sister Huangfu, it's not that we are unreasonable, but you both agreed to mortgage this mountain peak when you borrowed the spiritual herbs. The written agreement is right here. Debts must be repaid, and this is only right, even if it were brought before the Ancestor."
The middle-aged cultivator produced a loan document.
"Senior Brother Zuo, could you grant us a few more days?"
Fei Xin's hair was now entirely white, and his posture was stooped, a far cry from his former heroic demeanor.
"As you know, my master is severely injured and requires a place with concentrated spiritual energy at the peak to recuperate."
Huangfu Xuan's expression lacked its former spiritedness; she appeared dejected, supporting the slightly trembling Fei Xin.
"Please, Senior Brother Zuo, grant us a few more days. I am diligently refining pills and will repay the debt as soon as possible."
As Huangfu Xuan spoke, she inwardly lamented her poor talent in alchemy.
With her father injured and her senior brothers either dead or wounded, there was no one capable of shouldering the sect's burden.
A figure involuntarily surfaced in her mind: that junior disciple, once a rare alchemy prodigy in the sect. If he were still alive, he would undoubtedly be able to support the sect.
Alas, this senior brother had vanished without a trace, most likely dead.
The thought brought a pang of sorrow.
"Junior Sister Huangfu, we have already granted extensions multiple times. If this continues indefinitely, it will be difficult for me to report back to my sect!"
The middle-aged cultivator clearly had no intention of backing down this time. In any case, True Person Guangling's lineage was in decline, and his previous leniency had been more than sufficient.
"Everyone, please depart!"
The middle-aged cultivator waved his sleeve, gesturing for them to leave.
"Wait a moment!"
Just as Fei Xin and Huangfu Xuan were succumbing to despair, a voice called out from outside.
The three turned to see a Golden Core cultivator striding in.
"You are... Junior Disciple!"
Huangfu Xuan blinked in surprise, then quickly realized this was the junior disciple she had just been thinking of!
Xiao Fei cupped his hands towards Fei Xin and Huangfu Xuan.
"Senior Brother, Senior Sister! I trust you are well!"
"Junior Disciple, you're alive, that's wonderful!"
Huangfu Xuan's eyes welled up with emotion, her voice tinged with excitement.
Xiao Fei exchanged pleasantries with Fei Xin and Huangfu Xuan for a few more moments. The middle-aged cultivator, who had come to collect the debt, stood respectfully to the side, not daring to interrupt.
Only when Xiao Fei had finished his conversation and turned his attention to him did he hastily bow.
"Your junior, Zuo Gu, pays his respects to Uncle-Master Xiao!"
Now that Xiao Fei had reached the Golden Core stage, Zuo Gu dared not address him as a fellow disciple.
He recognized this former alchemy prodigy and realized he was not dead and had even formed his Golden Core.
With this development, the minor resources owed by True Person Guangling to his sect were no longer a pressing concern.
"May I know how much in spirit stones and pills our sect owes you?"
"It's not a great deal, really. It's just that after the war, everything needs rebuilding, and everyone is tight on funds."
Zuo Gu explained, a hint of embarrassment in his tone.
"How much?"
Xiao Fei, however, lacked the patience for his explanation. Was money truly an issue?
In this world, could anything that could be resolved with money truly be considered a problem?
"A total of 10 third-tier pills, 10 high-grade second-tier pills, 50 mid-grade second-tier pills, 500 low-grade first-tier pills, and 100,000 spirit stones."
Zuo Gu stated truthfully.
"Is that all?" Xiao Fei inquired. In his opinion, this was not a significant amount.
"Is that all?"
"There's also 50,000 spirit stones in interest, as agreed upon by both parties at the time of borrowing." Zuo Gu said, a little nervously, fearing Xiao Fei might become angry.
However, Xiao Fei did not appear upset. In fact, he acknowledged that whoever lent resources to you, regardless of their motives, ultimately meant you owed them, and repayment was only proper.
"I will settle this!"
Xiao Fei declared, reaching into his robes and producing a large pill bottle. He poured out 10 third-tier pills and placed them in a smaller vial.
Zuo Gu could see that Xiao Fei's large bottle contained at least twenty to thirty more pills.
He knew that his own master had accumulated those 10 third-tier pills over a long period and had been reluctant to consume them.
Following this, Xiao Fei produced the corresponding quantities of various pills and 150,000 spirit stones.
This display astonished not only Zuo Gu but also Fei Xin and Huangfu Xuan.
This represented a considerable fortune, especially after the war when all sorts of supplies were scarce.
Furthermore, those high-grade and mid-grade pills, particularly the third-tier ones, were extremely rare commodities.