Old Man Jin spoke again, introducing the Great Demon in the form of a child.

Everyone’s gaze turned to him and discovered that the child was currently holding a Purple Star Fruit, which he had pilfered from the feast, and was devouring it heartily.

Old Man Jin awkwardly smiled, cupped his hands, and said, "Patriarch Shen, fellow Daoists of Luoxia Mountain."

"Master Shu has come this time with a matter to discuss with both families."

Shen Chongming nodded, while Luo Yao and the others remained silent.

Seeing this, Old Man Jin hesitated for a moment, then with a resolute glint in his eyes, continued, "To be frank, our ancestor mentioned that he received some secretive news, saying that if we Southern Border’s major powers can survive in the Yangnao Land for a longer period, we will gain more benefits."

"Master Shu has thought it over and wishes to propose an alliance with the Shen Family and Luoxia Mountain."

"What do the Shen Family and Luoxia Mountain think of this?"

After he finished speaking, Shen Chongming looked at Luo Yao with some confusion.

The members of Luoxia Mountain also appeared perplexed.

"What exactly did the senior from Celestial Sandalwood Mountain discover?"

Shen Chongming couldn’t help but ask.

More than two decades had passed since the invasion of the Southern Border, and everyone knew this land had become a massive chessboard, with masters maneuvering in the shadows.

The major factions of the Southern Border were passively drawn into the game, not knowing who would ultimately emerge victorious.

Nor did they know what those old monsters in the Nascent Soul Realm were plotting.

Old Man Jin’s words seemed to hint that their Golden Core Ancestor from Celestial Sandalwood Mountain had obtained some unknown information.

Could it be that the longer the Southern Border Cultivators survived in the Yangnao Land, the greater the benefits?

"Please forgive me, Patriarch Shen, it’s not that Master Shu is unwilling to be truthful."

"It’s just that our ancestor himself didn’t say much."

"You all should understand that behind this major game in Yangnao Land are old monsters from the Nascent Soul Realm and even matters relating to the Daying Immortal Mansion of the past."

"What such strategic Great Cultivators are scheming, even beings in the Golden Core Realm can hardly decipher."

"Our ancestor paid a hefty price for just a few words of this message."

Old Man Jin spoke sincerely.

Clearly, perhaps he truly didn’t know much.

"How does Celestial Sandalwood Mountain propose to form the alliance?"

Luo Yao pondered for a moment and then asked.

In the second great reaping, Luoxia Mountain suffered considerable losses against Jianan Temple.

If they could truly ally with Celestial Sandalwood Mountain, the pressure on the border would at least be reduced.

Seeing her interest, Old Man Jin quickly continued, "As for this alliance, Master Shu proposes the following."

"First, in normal times, our three parties shall not disturb each other, although we may exchange necessities and cultivation resources, blood sacrifices..."

"Forget the blood sacrifices."

Luo Yao spoke in a deep tone, "You may use the common people for alchemy, but Luoxia Mountain and the Shen Family cannot."

"Some cultivation resources or Heavenly and Earthly Treasures are possible, however."

Upon hearing this, a hint of disappointment flashed in Old Man Jin’s eyes.

Clearly, he understood that relying on Heavenly and Earthly Treasures or cultivation resources to exchange for blood sacrifices from the Shen Family and Luoxia Mountain was unlikely to succeed.

It was a matter of principle.

"Haha... then let’s not exchange for blood sacrifices, not exchange for blood sacrifices."

Seeing the same expression on Shen Chongming’s face, Old Man Jin laughed and said, "The second matter."

"After the alliance of our three families, if we face the next great reaping, we’ll each remain inactive and not deplete each other, what do you think?"

Shen Chongming and Luo Yao both nodded upon hearing this.

Neither family intended to seize blood sacrifices; they were coerced into participating in the so-called great reaping.

If they could refrain from action and develop steadily, it would be ideal.

"The third matter, which is the most important..."

A glint flashed in Old Man Jin’s eyes as he spoke gravely, "After our three families form an alliance, we might look for opportunities to seriously weaken the other factions, and if possible, completely annihilate one of them."

"At that time, our Celestial Sandalwood Mountain will claim the blood sacrifices of those territories, and you two will have the cultivation resources and other items, what do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Chongming and Luo Yao both fell silent.

In fact, Luo Yao was quite tempted by this proposal.

But noticing Shen Chongming’s slight frown, she did not speak directly.

"Does Patriarch Shen have any objections to this distribution method?"

Old Man Jin, noticing Shen Chongming’s expression, asked with confusion.

"Let’s set aside the distribution method for now..."

After pondering, Shen Chongming looked at him and said, "Fellow Daoist Jin, do you think the Chess Players behind this grand game will allow us to do this?"

"Or rather, what are the rules they have set, has Celestial Sandalwood Mountain ever considered them?"

Hearing this, Old Man Jin’s expression froze.

As a mouse demon who had lived for hundreds of years, he immediately understood Shen Chongming’s implication.

"Are you saying that if we completely destroy one faction, it will provoke the powerful beings in the Nascent Soul Realm to intervene and punish us?"

Shen Chongming shook his head slightly and clapped his hands as he said seriously, "Punishment maybe not, but I have always had a doubt."

"When the Void Combination Corridor Array was destroyed, there were many forces in the Southern Border; why was it that the Golden Core Influence that discovered the breach first was precisely your six families?"

As he said this, the three demons from Celestial Sandalwood Mountain immediately became serious.

Indeed, back then, only the Yin Corpse Sect, Fushan Country, and the Great Witch Mountain Demon Cave initially collaborated to break the Void Combination Corridor Array.

Their Celestial Sandalwood Mountain Demon Cave and Huangsheng Sect, as well as Jianan Temple, seemed to have inexplicably received the news.

And after they received the news and entered Yangnao Land, other Golden Core Influences nearby seemed to have become blind and deaf, showing no reaction.