165: Chapter 165: The Three Major Forces

Seeing Xiao Ran's reaction, Song He didn't seem surprised at all.

Disciples from large Sects were often arrogant and overbearing, most believing they could walk all over the cultivation world relying solely on their Sect's prestige.

In reality, that wasn't the case.

"The Far North Land relies on the Sword Qi Great Wall to resist Yao Race invasions year-round. The people here naturally feel superior to Cultivators from other parts of the Northern Territory."

"Therefore, no matter what force comes here to develop, it is extremely difficult."

"The ones who truly call the shots here are those few major forces within the Sword Qi Great Wall."

Song He's intent was to tell Xiao Ran: it's not that I don't want to expand our influence, but our strength simply doesn't allow it!

Of course, Xiao Ran didn't care about that.

"Keep talking!"

Song He did not hesitate and continued.

"Ranked first is the Sword Sect."

Xiao Ran was taken aback upon hearing this.

"The Sword Sect? A branch of the Heavenly Sword Sect?"

Song He shook his head.

"Not the Heavenly Sword Sect, just the Sword Sect. It's a native Sect of the Far North Land."

"It is said that their Ancestral Master was an ancient Sword Cultivator who once slew demons and monsters in the Far North Land, establishing a legendary reputation."

"Today, the Sword Sect has three Body Integration Stage experts overseeing it, making them the undisputed overlords of the Far North Land."

Xiao Ran was secretly alarmed.

Three at the Body Integration Stage?

The Eternal Night Demon Sect was only about at that level!

Song He continued.

"Ranked second is the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce."

"A branch of the Wanbao Pavilion?"

Song He nodded.

"Yes, the branch opened by the Wanbao Pavilion in the Far North Land is called the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce."

"They don't fight for territory, they only care about doing business. But no one dares to offend them because the circulation of resources across the entire Far North Land depends on them."

Xiao Ran nodded.

The Wanbao Pavilion's influence truly spread across the world.

"Ranked third is the Zhao Family."

Song He said.

"The Zhao Family is a native Family of the Far North Land and has operated here for over a thousand years."

"They don't compete for the top spot, but no one should think about touching their territory. The Zhao Family's Old Ancestor is also at the Body Integration Stage."

Xiao Ran fell silent.

Three Body Integration Stage forces carved up the Far North Land.

What about the Eternal Night Demon Sect?

Song He smiled bitterly.

"Our Eternal Night Demon Sect can only be considered second-rate here. We're better than some, but worse than the top ones."

"The Sect doesn't value this place; the resources given every year are pitifully small."

"With the few people we have, it's already good enough if we can hold onto our small patch of land."

He paused, then added.

"Furthermore, there is an unwritten rule in the Far North Land: outside forces cannot become powerful."

Xiao Ran narrowed his eyes.

"What do you mean?"

Song He lowered his voice.

"Exactly what it sounds like."

"The Sword Sect, the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce, and the Zhao Family—though they fight amongst themselves, as soon as an outside force tries to grow powerful, they will join forces to suppress it."

"In the past, other Sects tried to get a foothold here, but they were all squeezed out by them."

He looked at Xiao Ran.

"I'm afraid the Elder's visit this time... will not be peaceful."

Xiao Ran was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

"It's better if it's not peaceful."

Song He was stunned.

Xiao Ran stood up and walked to the window.

Outside the window, the wilderness was vast and desolate, with the cold wind howling.

"The less peaceful it is, the more opportunities there are."

He turned around and looked at Song He.

"Deacon Song, are you familiar with the Sword Qi Great Wall?"

Song He nodded.

"Fairly familiar. I have to go there every month to sell Yao Beast Materials."

Xiao Ran asked.

"How many forces are there?"

Song He thought for a moment.

"Large and small, maybe dozens. But the ones who really call the shots are still those three."

"The Sword Sect, the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce, and the Zhao Family."

"Other forces either depend on them or struggle to survive in the cracks."

Xiao Ran nodded.

"Then what about our Eternal Night Demon Sect? Who do we depend on?"

Song He gave a bitter smile.

"We don't depend on anyone, but we also don't dare to offend anyone."

"With our meager strength, they don't even look at us. But because we have the Eternal Night Demon Sect behind us, they don't dare to move against us openly."

"So we're just hanging on in this middle ground."

Xiao Ran looked thoughtful.

"And if we want to become powerful?"

Song He was startled.

"Become powerful?"

Xiao Ran looked at him.

"Yes, become powerful."

"Establish a firm foothold in the Far North Land, and then expand."

Song He was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly.

"Then you'll have to pass three hurdles."

"Which three hurdles?"

"The first hurdle is the Sword Sect. They won't allow anyone to challenge their authority in the Far North Land."

"The second hurdle is the Zhao Family. They view the Far North Land as their own backyard. Outsiders can come in, but they can't touch their cake."

"The third hurdle is the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce. They seem neutral, but they help whoever is stronger. If you can prove you're stronger than the Sword Sect and the Zhao Family, they will stand by your side."

He paused and looked at Xiao Ran.

"These three hurdles—each one is harder than the last."

At this point, Song He had already formed an opinion of Xiao Ran.

He must be the descendant of some big shot within the Sect, used to being arrogant in the Eternal Night Sect and thinking he could be just as arrogant in the Far North Land.

However, on the surface, he didn't dare to offend him and could only offer subtle reminders.

Xiao Ran had already stood up and didn't offer much of an explanation.

"Since I've come to the Far North Land, I can't exactly go back empty-handed."

...

That evening, Song He had people prepare a banquet.

Though the conditions were simple, it was already the best the outpost could offer.

A few roasted Yao Beast legs, a pot of spiritual wine, and several dishes of pickled spiritual vegetables.

Xiao Ran didn't mind, eating meat and drinking wine in large gulps.

Deputy Commander Tie Xiong, Captain Leng Yue, Captain Zhao Wuji, and the others also ate freely.

The old Cultivators in the outpost looked at these newly arrived young people with complex expressions.

There was curiosity, expectation, and also worry.

Finance Manager Shen Qing sat in a corner, eating silently.

Lin Xue sat beside him and whispered.

"Senior Brother Finance Manager Shen Qing, what do you think of this place?"

Finance Manager Shen Qing thought for a moment.

"It's very bitter."

Lin Xue nodded.

"It is very bitter, but it's better than the Sect."

Finance Manager Shen Qing looked at her.

"Why?"

Lin Xue gripped the short sword in her hand.

"Because I had no hope in the Sect, but here, I do."

She peeked secretly at Xiao Ran.

"The Elder said that as long as one dares to fight, they can become stronger."

Finance Manager Shen Qing was silent for a moment, then he also peeked secretly at Xiao Ran.

"You're right."

He lowered his head and continued eating.

After three rounds of drinks.

Xiao Ran put down his wine cup.

"Deacon Song, is there a map in the outpost?"

Song He was startled and quickly said.

"Yes! Yes!"

He took out a beast-skin map from his storage ring and spread it on the table.

It was a detailed map of the Far North Land.

Mountains, rivers, cities, outposts, distribution of Yao Beasts, locations of ore veins... everything was clearly marked.

Xiao Ran's gaze fell on the center of the map.

Four large characters were marked there.

Sword Qi Great Wall.

"Sword Qi Great Wall..."

He murmured softly.

Song He said.

"Yes, right there."

Xiao Ran nodded, then looked at other places on the map.

"What are these red dots?"

Song He took a look.

"Those are outposts of other forces—the Sword Sect, the Zhao Family, the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce, as well as the territories of some smaller forces."

Xiao Ran looked at those densely packed red dots, deep in thought.

"Where is our outpost located?"

Song He pointed to a small area at the edge of the map.

"Here."

Xiao Ran looked.

It was actually on the periphery?

No wonder this place was so sparsely populated.

Song He smiled bitterly.

"That's why I said we're just second-rate here."

Xiao Ran was silent for a moment, then looked up at everyone.

"Tomorrow, we go to the Sword Qi Great Wall."

Everyone was stunned.

Song He hurriedly said.

"Elder, you've just arrived. Why don't you rest for a few days first? Over at the Sword Qi Great Wall..."

Xiao Ran waved his hand.

"No need for rest. I want to see with my own eyes what this Far North Land really looks like."

Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.

Only after seeing the Sword Qi Great Wall with his own eyes could Xiao Ran formulate his next strategy.