The Spirit Mining Cave, though only yielding low-level spirit stones, had long been the foundation of Evergreen City's balance. It was the lifeline that sustained the power structure of the three great clans—the Xiao Clan, the Mo Clan, and the Shen Clan.
Each clan contributed miners, resources, and security to maintain the steady extraction of spirit stones, and the profits were split equally. This arrangement had lasted for generations, ensuring that no single clan could monopolize the city's most crucial source of cultivation resources.
But now, that fragile balance was being shattered.
Grabbing himself a seat, Itachi tapped his fingers lightly on the wooden armrest of his chair, his dark eyes reflecting quiet contemplation. Across from him, his father, Shen Yong, wore a grim expression as he relayed the events that had led to this crisis furthering on the details regarding what they should do.
Itachi's expression remained unreadable, but a flicker of amusement crossed his gaze. What a grand way of saying 'give us everything.'
"And the Mo Clan?" he asked. "They stand to lose just as much as we do. Aren't they fighting back?"
Shen Yong let out a bitter chuckle and shook his head. "The Mo Clan has gone blind. I met with their Clan Head earlier, and instead of discussing the blatant unfairness of this situation, he spent the entire meeting trying to convince me to surrender."
Itachi clicked his tongue in mild annoyance figuring out easily what must have been going on, "Let me guess, it's because of the betrothal between that brat from the Xiao Clan and their so-called 'princess.'"
Shen Yong nodded, his expression dark.
Itachi exhaled through his nose, now fully understanding the depth of the crisis.
It wasn't just about spirit stones—this was a carefully crafted political maneuver. The Xiao Clan had secured an alliance with the Mo Clan through marriage, and now, armed with the promise of an ascended ancestor's support, they were forcing the Shen Clan into submission.
If they succeeded, the Shen Clan would be isolated, their resources cut off, and their influence crippled.
If war broke out, it wouldn't just be against the Xiao Clan—the Mo Clan would stand against them as well. Even if the Shen Clan was stronger than the Xiao Clan, fighting both clans would mean devastation.
And worst of all, if the Xiao Clan Ancestor actually descended and deemed the Shen Clan as an obstacle?
Their destruction would be all but guaranteed.
Itachi leaned back in his seat, fingers steepled in front of his face. The elders of the Shen Clan sat around them, all deep in thought, their wrinkled faces carrying the weight of years of experience. Some looked hesitant, others angry.
The logical choice was to submit—to surrender their claim to the mine and accept their new position as the weakest of the three clans.
The prideful choice was to resist—to wage war and gamble everything on an uncertain battle.
But both choices led to ruin.
And then, an idea formed in Itachi's mind. A third option. If there was no way of getting what you wanted, the obvious choice always existed. Flip the game board entirely.
Itachi's lips curled into a faint smirk as he straightened in his seat.
"Father," he said, his voice calm yet firm. "I have a suggestion."
Shen Yong looked at him intently. "Speak your mind, Itachi."
Itachi's gaze swept across the room, making sure everyone was listening.
"The Xiao Clan's justification for seizing the mine is that they need to nurture their younger generation for the upper realm. If that's the case, let's test that claim directly."
One of the elders frowned. "What do you mean?"
"We challenge them to a competition," Itachi stated. "Each of the three clans will send five of their most talented juniors into the Spirit Mining Cave. For three days, they will cultivate using the natural spirit energy within the cave. Whoever gains the most benefits proves their superiority."
"We would later hold a match between us three clans, and whoever wins gains the right to the mining cave for let's say a year, no interference from anyone no matter who wins or loses." Itachi continued, "And if they refuse, we can always put on the matter of how Xiao clan who dreams about the heavens are scared to fight for their right to win."
A brief silence filled the hall as the elders processed his words.
One of them, an old man with a long white beard, stroked his chin. "This… would provide a legitimate reason to challenge their decision."
Another elder nodded. "If it's only the younger generation competing, the Xiao Clan's elders and even their ancestor would have no excuse to interfere. And if they do, we can use their own argument against them—if their juniors aren't talented enough to claim the mine through skill, then what right do they have to demand it?"
"It forces them into a position where they cannot refuse," another elder added.
Shen Yong's brows furrowed in thought. "If they refuse, it means they lack confidence in their own juniors. If they accept, then as far as we are concerned, the Xiao Clan and the Mo clan barely have any geniuses that could compete with ours."
"And we all know the Xiao Clan is too prideful to refuse a challenge like this," A elder added.
Slowly, the expressions of the elders began to change. Where once there was hopelessness, now there was calculation.
One elder grinned. "Brilliant. If they refuse, we can publicly shame them for their cowardice. If they accept, they will have no choice but to face us on equal terms."
Shen Yong let out a small chuckle, his first sign of amusement all morning.
Itachi remained composed, though inside, he was already thinking several steps ahead.
Because this wasn't just about the competition.
If they entered the cave, then he would ensure that by the time the competition ended…
The Spirit Mining Cave Would Be Worthless.
Although he didn't want to pour rain on the elders and his fathers delight, with how things go in novels he read, there was no way this situation was going to end up fair regardless of who wins.
Since Xiao Clan has decided to be so brazen about this, they certainly have a card up their sleeve to back it up. So even if they win this so called competition there was no way they were going to sit there and take it, as far as Itachi could see, they would certainly try whatever they can to win and if they can't they would whine like a baby and attack.
But what they wouldn't have ever expected is his trap. With his new found powers, draining the Mining Cave dry was just a matter of how long it would take him.
No mining cave, no reason for a conflict.
Itachi excused himself from the gathering as he headed out, With that brat from Xiao clan acting strange and this situation occurring out of thin air, it's hard for me to believe it's just a matter of coincidence.
"With my current level of cultivation although I might not be the strongest among the younger generation in the city anymore but at the very least I won't lose too easily." Itachi thought out loud as he continued walking finally stopping in front of a door, "But it wouldn't hurt to test out my suspicions."
Kicking open the door, "Dear brother, let's go out for a walk!"