"White Wave City is poor."
Hector Tate gave a bitter smile and said, "White Wave City could only ever be considered a remote small town at best. Its main economic source is a Dark Iron mine. Although there is some commerce and trade, our location’s seclusion means not many merchants and customers come this way. The commodities that are traded mostly pertain to everyday living, and the taxes we collect from these goods are actually not that substantial."
"The City Lord is kind-hearted. When she first took over White Wave City, it was only to offer a place for those cultivators without Sect backing from Flying Waterfall Mountain Peak. The city’s earnings, after budgeting for its own development, largely go to these disciples to strengthen themselves with resources."
"You also know Flying Waterfall Mountain Peak’s circumstances, Carson. Ultimately, White Wave City is basically supported by the City Lord alone. Even the vast resources she requires for the Cultivation of Sword Bone, she never took a single Spirit Stone from White Wave City. Everything she has earned has come from slaying demonic beasts in the wilderness, bit by bit."
Hector Tate sighed, "If the cultivators from Soul Shock City attack, the most logical course of action would be to evacuate in advance and abandon the city. But White Wave City is the City Lord’s labor of love—I just can’t bear to give it up that easily."
Carson thought for a moment, "If you can’t bear to let go, then we fight!"
Determination also appeared on Hector Tate’s face, "Alright, I will order the activation of the Spirit Light Array and prepare the Radiant Light Cannon. I’ll try to gather as many Spirit Stones as possible, and we’ll talk after the fight!"
Carson inquired, "How do you plan on gathering them?"
Hector Tate replied, "There’s a little in reserve at the City Lord’s Mansion, but not much. I plan to approach some of the well-connected merchants in the city to see if they can lend us some money. As long as we can survive this wave, we can slowly repay them later."
Carson nodded, "That works."
Carson accompanied Apollo Combs out the door, and Apollo sighed, "There seems to be no escape from war anywhere in the world. When will it truly be peaceful on earth?"
Although White Wave City was the target of the impending attack, Carson was actually quite relaxed about the situation. After all, the change of dynasties and the incessant warfare throughout the thousands of years in the Mortal Realm seemed ever too common.
"Everyone in this world bustles about for fame and fortune. War is the most direct and fastest way to gain these things. The victor takes all. As for the upcoming battle, I don’t know how it will turn out. Perhaps, old man, you might want to leave White Wave City and take refuge elsewhere?"
Apollo shook his head, "I am just a Physician, my duty lies in healing and saving lives. I don’t want to get involved in anything else, and there’s not much I can do anyway. Besides, I doubt anyone will pay me any mind."
Carson thought that made sense. As a Physician, heaving and saving lives was his duty, and who would trouble a highly skilled healer after all?
Carson personally escorted Apollo back to his clinic. On the way back, he gave it some thought and then made a detour to the Myriad Treasures Pavilion.
Seeing Carson return, Situ Xiu knew he must be there for a reason and asked, "Is there anything you need help with?"
Carson nodded, "About those items I gave you before, can you appraise them? Also, that one million two hundred thousand Spirit Stone Card, along with the previous one million Spirit Stone Card—I need you to exchange all of them for Spirit Stones and give them to me. Let’s hold off on buying Dark Iron Raven Essence for now... is that possible to exchange?"
Shocked, Situ Xiu asked, "What happened that you need such a large quantity of Spirit Stones?"
Carrying too many Spirit Stones is inconvenient, which is why Spirit Stone Cards came into existence. It’s similar to the way cash and bank cards work in the Mortal Realm. For transactions involving tens of millions or even billions, who would actually transport the cash in armored vehicles?
Carson did not conceal the truth from Situ Xiu, "Soul Shock City is probably going to attack White Wave City."
Situ Xiu’s eyes widened, "What about the Peak Master? Didn’t she arrive here?"
Carson answered, "She was deceived and has currently fallen into a coma. Brother Hector Tate is preparing to defend the city with the protective Formation and the Spirit Stone Cannon. This might require a huge amount of Spirit Stones."
Realization dawned on Situ Xiu, and after a moment’s hesitation, she said, "Carson, it’s not a problem to exchange the Spirit Stones, even if our family doesn’t have enough, we can get them from other merchants with the Spirit Stone Cards. But these are your own Spirit Stones we’re talking about. After a battle, it’s very possible that these over ten million Spirit Stones could all be spent, and it still might not be enough..."
"I’ve heard that Soul Shock City brought a Deity Transformation Expert from the Holy Fire Sect. The Spirit Stone Cannon can’t deal with a Deity Transformation Expert. Although he might not be able to break through the Spiritual Energy shield, his attacks will deplete it, using up a vast amount of Spirit Stones. Even if he exhausts his Spiritual Energy, he might just rest for half a day or a day and be back to full strength."
Carson nodded, "Ten days, at most ten days. She should recover and wake up."
Situ Xiu’s eyes lit up, "So you mean, as long as we hold out for ten days, there’s hope?"
Carson smiled, "If we can hold out for ten days, the situation at least won’t be so dire. I won’t stand by and let her city fall into someone else’s hands while the Peak Master is unconscious. Spending Spirit Stone isn’t a big deal, as long as we still have the city. Moreover, whoever attacks us, we’ll remember this debt. Whatever we lose or spend, we will reclaim it all with interest in the future!"
Situ Xiu, seeing Carson’s resolute attitude, stopped wasting words, "Alright, I’ll have someone exchange the Spirit Stones right away. Once they’re ready, I’ll send them over to the City Lord’s Mansion."