Ji Haoyuan smiled and nodded.
"Not bad, I’ve gained a little something."
As he spoke, Ji Haoyuan roughly recounted the events at the trade fair to Ji Bochang.
However, he did not mention that he had improved the Profound Fire True Technique.
After all, improvements to a cultivation technique might be acceptable once or twice.
But if even a top-tier Golden Core Dharma Gate like the Profound Fire True Technique could be easily refined and altered, that would be quite exaggerated.
Doing this wasn’t about Ji Haoyuan mistrusting Ji Bochang; rather, some matters are better kept known to fewer people.
At this point, Ji Haoyuan changed the subject and congratulated Ji Bochang:
"Come to think of it, I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you, Ancestor.
It’s been quite a joyful event these past three years; you progressed to mid-Foundation Establishment, indeed worth celebrating."
Upon Ji Haoyuan mentioning this matter, Ji Bochang’s face involuntarily showed some joy.
"Speaking of this, I indeed owe much thanks to you, Haoyuan.
If not for your given cultivation technique, it would be nearly impossible for me to make a breakthrough in such a short time."
As they spoke, the two began discussing matters of cultivation.
And this discussion lasted for half a day.
When dusk fell, Clan Leader Ji Yunfan, having learned of the two’s exit from seclusion, immediately came to them.
"Ancestor, Fifth Uncle."
Ji Yunfan greeted the two at once.
Ji Bochang waved his hand with a smile.
"Yunfan, you don’t need to be overly formal.
By the way, is there any particular reason for you to visit us this time?"
He knew that as the Clan Leader of the Ji Family, Ji Yunfan wouldn’t usually come to their retreat unless there was something specific.
Upon hearing Ji Bochang’s inquiry, Ji Yunfan’s face immediately took on a serious expression.
He spoke, "Reporting to Ancestor, Fifth Uncle, just a few months ago, someone discovered a cloud iron ore vein in the Beiling Valley area."
Upon hearing Ji Yunfan’s words, Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang were slightly taken aback.
They clearly understood what Ji Yunfan mentioned about the cloud iron ore vein.
Cloud iron is a common material for crafting Magical Artifacts.
Logically, Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang as Foundation Establishment cultivators shouldn’t be surprised by such a thing.
But the fact is, there’s a large family backing them.
Cloud iron might not be of much use to them personally, but it’s undeniably valuable to the Ji Family. Official source is novel★fire.net
Most importantly, anywhere there’s a cloud iron ore vein, there’s a possibility of producing something called Cloud Crystal.
That substance is incomparable to mere cloud iron.
It’s a genuine second-grade precious material, crucial for crafting Spiritual Artifacts and certain arrays.
The yield of Cloud Crystal in a cloud iron ore vein might not be large, but it still has considerable value.
With this thought, Ji Bochang immediately asked Ji Yunfan:
"Yunfan, what’s the situation over there now?
Is it guarded? Have the corresponding arrays been set up?"
Ji Bochang understood that Beiling Valley, just mentioned by Ji Yunfan, is a place between their Nanning County and Danyang County.
It doesn’t belong to either Nanning County or Danyang County.
It’s essentially a border area between the two counties.
In such a situation, if something is discovered, they must act quickly.
Once others become aware, many complications are bound to arise.
However, after hearing Ji Bochang’s inquiry, Ji Yunfan’s initially calm expression immediately darkened.
Both Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang were observant individuals.
Seeing Ji Yunfan’s reaction, an unshakable unease instinctively crept into their hearts.
Ji Yunfan said, "Reporting to Ancestor, Fifth Uncle, as soon as the cloud iron ore vein was discovered, additional personnel were dispatched to station there.
At the same time, the Third Elder was sent to set up related arrays.
Unfortunately, we were still a step late in our actions."
Speaking of this, Ji Yunfan took a deep breath before continuing:
"The Han Family from Danyang County also discovered the cloud iron ore vein.
Because of this, conflict arose between our two families.
Currently, there have been some casualties on both sides."
"The Han Family from Danyang County?"
Upon hearing this name, Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang’s eyes narrowed.
Unquestionably, the Han Family contesting the cloud iron ore vein with the Ji Family isn’t just any ordinary family but an old-established Foundation Establishment family with considerable historical background, akin to the Ji Family.
Moreover, from Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang’s understanding, the Han Family of Danyang County is slightly stronger in overall strength and heritage compared to the Ji Family.
Apparently, they have three Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Compared to the Zhang Family of Nanning County, they are evenly matched.
To be targeted by such a family for the cloud iron ore vein, it’s impossible to let them surrender it.
With this thought, Ji Haoyuan instinctively asked:
"What is the current situation exactly?
Do they have Foundation Establishment level individuals entering the scene?"
This is a highly significant situation.
If the opposing side sends Foundation Establishment cultivators at this time, even if they haven’t entered immediately, it shows their determination to obtain the cloud iron ore vein.
However, if no Foundation Establishment cultivators have appeared yet, it indicates that both sides are still probing and compromising with each other.
From a certain standpoint, there is still a possibility for the parties to sit down and talk.
After all, even when cultivators compete for resources, they must consider the balance between effort and return.
If the effort is too great, and the return isn’t particularly significant or could result in significant losses, it’s naturally something to think through carefully and weigh the pros and cons.
Unless one side can completely overpower the other.
Otherwise, generally, they wouldn’t immediately do something irreversible.
It’s believed that Ji Yunfan considered this; hence, he didn’t forcibly disturb them during their seclusion.
"Reporting to Fifth Uncle and Ancestor."
Ji Yunfan pondered slightly before replying:
"So far, our Ji Family and the Han Family are still probing and balancing each other.
The opposing Foundation Establishment cultivators have not yet..."
However, before he could finish, a communication suddenly flew from the distant sky.
The communication landed in Ji Yunfan’s hand.
Ji Yunfan glanced at it, and his face instantly turned very grim, his pupils unable to stop contracting.
"Hmm? Did something unexpected happen?"
Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang obviously sensed something too and their expressions similarly carried a trace of seriousness.