Wei Huoran entered his personal QR pod, and created a new room to prepare for a meeting. The table was large, and the aesthetics of the room were a mix between of eastern luxury and modern style. Huoran summoned a screen that contained his contacts, and sent invitations to a large amount of the names.
Over the next few minutes, the door of the room would open, and the guests Huoran solicited walked in. He would great them, offer them a seat, and make small talk until everyone that accepted had arrived.
Huoran walked in front of the group before speaking, "I want to thank all the ministers, sages, all the leaders of the Nanying continent, Beastkin of the Shuo continent, and Grand lord merchants of the Golden Peony company for attending."
"Did we really have a choice, brat?", the gruff voice of Merchant Shen was heard, followed by a roomful of laughter.
"I would never do something to waste the grand lord's time", Huoran innocently acted in response, and more laughter was heard, "The reason I called everyone today is to host an informative discussion, I personally have some ideas to share, and I believe everyone might have something to share or can make future plans based on what is shared."
The members in the room all looked like they understood, so Huoran continued, "This discussion will be recorded, so if anyone has an emergency, we understand if you have to leave and will send you the video of the meeting. I will first begin with the leaders of the beastkin as their situation is the most unpredictable."
The chiefs of the wolves, eagles, foxes, horses, sheep, and bulls all looked at each other before Chief Bloodclaw spoke first, "I don't know about the others, but other than one strange occasion that's been happening lately, everything else is quiet."
"I think I know what you're talking about", Razortalon stated, "Before the incident at Snowfur village, the monkey tribe had been trying to invade the region that belonged to the Ape tribe."
"That's correct", Bloodclaw agreed, "They had been using our territory to travel while I was away, but once the Stone of the Bull was captured, they returned to their land. It's been quiet since then."
Chief Ambermane then asked, "Do you believe the events are related?"
"I believe so", Huoran interjected, "We have captured three stone so far, and our studies have uncovered many similarities between the three so far. My master has located arrays in the stones that allow each stone to locate the others."
Chief Shatterbrow inquired, "So the ten stones not stored here are aware that three are captured?"
"Possibly", Huoran answered, "I haven't seen any evidence that the ancient beast hiding in the stones can communicate, but I wouldn't discount the possibility either. I think that the change of behavior of some of the suspected hosts would lend support to this theory though."
"If the possessed beastkin go into hiding, what can we do?", Lady Auburn of the Crimson foxes asked.
"If everything is quiet on your side, my friends", Huoran commented, "Then let me announce some good news for you. The first announcement is that since we were able to to isolate the location array on the three stones, we will soon be able to produce detection artifacts that can track the rest of the hosts down."
The faces of the beastkin chiefs brightened as Sage Zara added, "We should have the detectors ready soon, I'll arrange transportation with Grand Lord Merchant Kang when it's ready."
Hearing this, the beastkins looked confused, but Huoran interrupted, "Chiefs, The Golden Peony company has something they will also announce later. I think you will understand better once your hear it. Now for the second announcement, This news is important for beastkin, but I think everyone will benefit from it as well."
When everyone heard this, they sat up straighter, and paid closer attention to what was about to be said.
"As my master looked over the stones, he was able to isolate another array formation", Huoran narrated, "By now, everyone should be aware that the stone's function is to purify the bloodline of the host, and eventually consume the host to initiate a resurrection or reincarnation ritual. I've given the array to Sages Vigol and Neridia, and soon we will start producing arrays and artifacts that can purify bloodlines and essences like the stone can without the fatal side effects."
Chief Greathide quickly rose and shouted, "Are You Serious?!?"
"Very serious", Sage Neridia replied, "The only catch is that it currently only works on the same beastkin bloodlines as the stones, but I believe that we will be able to alter it to benefit all beastkins and humans too."
Razortalon got curious, "Why would humans wish to purify their bloodline?"
Sage Vigol replied, "It was something requested by Daoist Wei, and he said he would explain today."
"It's very simple", Huoran remarked, "Any cultivator that uses our blood purification arrays will experience faster and safer breakthroughs."
"Why can humans increase the speed of their cultivation using a method created by us?", Chief Greathide asked.
"The cultivators of today are flawed", Huoran expressed, "Humans, beastkin, both of our races have been following a defective system."
Most of the faces at the table frowned ar hearing this, but a few were thinking on his words.
"I can see this struck a nerve with most of you, but it's the truth", Huoran continued, "Early cultivators would improve their mind, body, and energy until one day the resources couldn't support it. Instead of cooperating, everyone fought making certain resources even rarer. Eventually, cultivators could only use the resources that could support one of the three methods, and they abandoned the other methods. Now, I oversee my master's island and his hope to return cultivation back to what it used to be. Let me ask each of you this question, if you are human and I cut off a leg, or if you're beastkin and I cut off two legs, how easy is it to run around?"
No one said a word, but they understood his meaning.
Huoran broke the silence, "The answer to your question, Chief Greathide, is if beastkin also begin Qi and mind cultivation, you will also experience faster and safer breakthroughs. As long as you focus solely on body or bloodline cultivation, you will be cultivating with a handicap."
The bull beastkin chief seemed to make a decision internally, "Thank you, Daoist Wei."
"That's the purpose of this meeting after all", Huoran responded, "Let me share some of experiences to give you a reference."
Huoran explained how he would consume food or drink that was slightly strong from him in very small quantities to temper his body. He also spoke about using the inscription workstation to attempt to draw runes slightly higher than his current skill, and how this process caused his body, Qi, and mind to expand and strengthen.
"I would recommend your disciples try this method as well as long as it's supervised", Huoran suggested, "Your senses should be able to accurately perceive and judge the correct amount to use to stimulate the growth of your disciples potential, just as my master does for me. I only have one more announcement before we hear from the next group, as you know, here at Sun and Moon island, we acquired some land that wasn't in use and placed it in life realms. We are looking to sell life realm artifacts, but we also realize this could cause a lot of new holes to appear all over the land. So we are about to start researching new life realm artifacts that will instead absorb secret realms."
Suddenly, everyone started speaking at the same, and Huoran couldn't understand anyone.
He raised his hand, and everyone began to quiet down, before he said, "This is just the announcement that we will begin work on this project soon. I will post updates and information as it comes available, but let me answer probably the first question everyone here wants to ask. The answer is yes, if we can make it work you will have full control over the secret realm you capture. I'm done now, I'll turn the table over to Nanying continent now."
Sect master Liang of the Boundless Yang sect spoke up, "We don't have much to brief at this time, the only news we have is that most of our Teir 1 and 2 organizations have their own networks set up, as well as some Teir 3. We will be sending people there soon to purchase the access steles to connect our networks together."
"What are these access steles?", Chief Ambermane inquired.
"It's an artifact we developed that will connect the internet networks of the different regions together", Huoran explained, "For example, North Wind city has its own internet network, but the cultivators there can only interact with each other. If they properly install the steles they can connect to North River city or Sun & Moon island, and then people on both networks can interact with each other. Unfortunately for the Shuo continent, it's currently chaotic and no networks are set up, but this can be solved after everything is settled. Let me turn it over to the Golden Peony company now."
"Thank you, Daoist Wei", Kang graciously replied, "I have two events to report, the first is that we commissioned three flying ships to be built, and they have been delivered."
Kang activated a holographic display, and three giant, beautiful, and modern looking ships appeared. All the present audience were in awe as they looked the ships over.
"Our second announcement is that each ship will be guarded by one of us, and one ship will travel to one of the three continents", Gong said, "Grand Lord Merchant Shen will watch the Nanying line, I will watch the Wu line, and Grand Lord Merchant Kang will travel the Shuo continent."
"Thank you for your time", Huoran got everyone's attention, "The meeting is now over, if you have questions, please privately message the daoist for more information."
Huoran bowed to everyone, and left the room.
Su Ping was looking at his ticket information on his Qphone. He had spent most of his stones and materials, but had broken through to the next realm. Now was time to return to the Zhuo region, and start earning stones again. When Su Ping went to the Golden Peony pavilion to purchase a ticket home, he found the ticket was slightly more expensive. When asked for the reason, the receptionist informed him that the flying ship he had ridden here was retired, and a new ship, named 'The Stellar Odyssey', was to take its place.
Su Ping collected all his things, checked out of his room, and headed to the pavilion at the scheduled time. The employees directed Su Ping and the other passengers to a hover bus that transported them across town. As the passengers unloaded from the bus, they saw all the flying ships moored to the docks. As Su Ping and the others followed the employees guiding them, he suddenly realized that they were headed towards a giant ship. When they arrived at the ship, a ship guard scanned Su Ping's ticket on his phone, and he entered. Inside, he was taken to his room, but on the way he saw everything Market Square had to offer, and a little more. He waited until the end of the day, when an extremely large foghorn signaled their departure. The giant ship left the island, floating in the sky once cleared of the array formation. As Su Ping looked the window, the ship accelerated, moving faster than any ship he had ridden in his life. He left his room, ready to explore this amazing flying boat.