Chapter 962: Treatment P2: Meaningless Struggle

Selene’s expression changed slightly.

"So the alliance..."

"It is still possible," Aksai said.

"But?"

"But it has lost most of its meaning."

The words were blunt.

Aksai lowered the teapot and placed it on the table.

"When Haitin and I first discussed cooperation, the situation was different. The Purple River Sect still possessed considerable territory. The Blackblood Demon Sect was relatively stable.

"The royal faction had not yet revealed the full extent of its ambitions, and the imperial cultivators from the Shinayin Empire had not pushed their influence this deeply into our region."

He sighed.

"We were thinking about resisting a powerful enemy."

His eyes became cold.

"Now, we’re dealing with something far beyond that."

Selene remained silent.

Aksai continued.

"The royal faction is much stronger than either Haitin or I initially imagined. More importantly, it has the support of powerful imperial cultivators from the Shinayin Empire.

"There’s a strong possibility that even Nascent Soul Kings would be influenced to come here in the coming years."

He shook his head.

"At this point, putting up a direct fight is meaningless."

Humeyin’s fingers tightened slightly around the edge of her sleeve.

Aksai noticed the movement but didn’t comment on it.

"The Purple River Sect has already lost most of its territory. What remains of it is essentially a rebellion force fighting against the imperial invasion."

He looked at Selene.

"That is not a position from which an alliance can accomplish much."

Selene frowned.

"Then what do you suggest?"

"I want you to convey a message to Haitin."

Aksai’s voice became firm.

"Shut down the sect gates."

Selene’s eyes widened slightly.

"And then?"

"Isolation."

Aksai leaned back slightly.

"Withdraw from the conflict entirely. Seal the sect’s gates and stop accepting outsiders. Preserve your resources, protect your disciples, and wait."

"For how long?"

"I... I don’t know. A century, perhaps?"

The answer came quickly but there was no assurance in it.

Selene stared at him.

"A hundred years?"

"A hundred years is nothing to cultivators at our level," Aksai said calmly. "Especially when compared to the possibility of losing an entire inheritance."

He picked up the teapot again.

"These are chaotic times. When powerful factions begin fighting over territory and resources, smaller factions have very few opportunities to benefit from the chaos. Most of them simply become casualties."

He poured another stream of hot water into the teapot.

"A sect doesn’t need to win every battle."

His eyes lowered toward the tea.

"Sometimes, surviving itself is the victory."

Selene remained thoughtful.

"And you?"

Aksai looked up.

"If isolation is the answer, why are you abandoning Emerald Cove Island?"

Aksai smiled bitterly.

"Because Emerald Cove has already been destined to become a battlefield. Otherwise, why would someone like me decide to leave?"

His gaze drifted toward the distant horizon beyond the reception hall.

"The island’s Spirit Veins are changing rapidly. The Dao Paths released into the world have accelerated that transformation. What was once a relatively insignificant island is now becoming something that powerful cultivators will fight over."

He paused.

"Once the imperial factions understand its true value, I won’t be able to protect it indefinitely."

Since this was going to be public knowledge in a few days anyway, Aksai had no reason to hide it from the Blackblood Sect. His fingers lightly tapped against the table.

"Furthermore, I’ve already killed too many of their people."

Selene’s expression became serious.

"Oh? So... so they will come for you."

"You caught up pretty fast. Indeed."

Aksai gave a humorless smile.

"And unlike Blackblood Sect, I cannot simply close my gates and disappear."

He looked toward Humeyin.

"I have enemies who already know where I am. Remaining here would only turn Emerald Cove into a graveyard."

The Spirit Flame suddenly disappeared.

Aksai lifted the teapot from the table. He had finished making the tea.

A faint fragrance immediately spread throughout the reception hall.

It was unlike ordinary tea.

The fragrance was subtle at first, almost like fresh grass after rainfall. Yet beneath it was a faint spiritual aura that made the mind feel strangely refreshed.

Aksai poured the tea into three small jade cups.

"This is something you should at least try before we continue discussing unpleasant matters."

He pushed two cups toward the women.

"Emerald Spirit Tea."

Selene looked at the pale-green liquid inside her cup as she thought of many things at once due to Aksai’s sudden provision of new information.

Aksai let her think and spoke further.

"This special Spirit tea comes from my own Spirit tea fields."

He picked up his own cup but didn’t drink immediately.

"The tea was cultivated here on Emerald Cove Island. For most of the last decade, it was considered one of the most expensive Spirit Teas available in the markets of Haan Di."

Selene’s eyes narrowed slightly.

She had indeed heard of it.

Emerald Spirit Tea had become somewhat famous among wealthy cultivators in Haan Di. Its supply had always been limited, and its finest batches were particularly difficult to obtain.

Aksai gave a faint smile.

"Unfortunately, most of this year’s harvest was not so fortunate."

"Because of the early harvesting?" Selene asked.

"Exactly."

Aksai nodded.

"Once I realized what was happening to the island, I couldn’t afford to wait for the tea fields to reach their perfect maturity. Most of the Spirit Tea had to be harvested early."

He glanced at the cup.

"As a result, the quality of the majority of the volume has been affected."

His tone carried a hint of regret.

"But there was still a small portion that had already reached maturity."

He gestured toward their cups.

"What you’re drinking now comes from that portion. I.. I have already tried to do my best as the host considering my own situation. I hope you two don’t mind it too much if I’m lacking in anything."

Selene looked at the tea again.

For the first time since entering the reception hall, her expression showed genuine curiosity.

Humeyin also lowered her gaze toward the cup.

Aksai finally picked up his own.

"It’s probably one of the last times this particular batch will ever be served.

"After all, only I know how to cultivate this particular blend of Emerald Spirit Tea that is produced and sold in the Haan Di market.

"Without me and my people, there will be no Emerald Spirit Tea, even if the imperials end up taking control of this island."

He took a small sip after saying what he had to say.