Teng Qingshan and Fu Dao, led by Fu Yunzhan, proceeded toward the great tent housing the emissaries of the Duan family.

"Open the door," Fu Yunzhan commanded.

Whoosh, the guards immediately pulled the tent flap open.

Fu Yunzhan's call was also a signal to the guests inside that they had arrived.

Teng Qingshan, Fu Dao, and Fu Yunzhan entered together. The tent was quite spacious. The six individuals who had been sitting cross-legged on the ground rose to their feet. The one leading them was a slightly plump young man who smiled warmly at Teng Qingshan and Fu Dao, bowing slightly: "Greetings, Mr. Teng, Mr. Fu."

"Are you the Duan family's emissary?" Fu Dao frowned, looking at the young man. "Can you make decisions for your Duan family?" He clearly didn't recognize this young man, suggesting his standing within the Duan family wasn't particularly high.

"Of course, I cannot," the slightly plump youth chuckled. "However, my Family Head can."

As he spoke, one of the five armored men behind the youth removed his helmet, revealing his true features—a refined middle-aged man whose smile instantly put others at ease.

"Duan Shijin." Teng Qingshan recognized him at once; just yesterday, Duan Shijin had ordered his subordinates to attack the mountain at North Dwarf Mountain.

"I never expected Brother Duan to dare enter my Fu family's military camp with so few men. I, Fu Dao, am truly impressed," Fu Dao said with a smile, cupping his hands. "Aren't you afraid that my Fu family might turn hostile and capture you, Duan Shijin, to leverage against the Duan family? You, the dignified Head of the Duan family—your family would surely spend fortunes to retrieve you."

"I trust the character of the Thunder Blade Martial Saint," Duan Shijin replied with a slight smile. "Moreover, accompanying me today is also..."

Duan Shijin turned and looked toward an armored soldier standing behind him.

"Oh? Who else?" Fu Dao and Teng Qingshan both looked at the armored soldier.

This soldier also removed his helmet. He was a bald youth, carrying a great saber on his back. As he took off the helmet, he burst into laughter, looking at Teng Qingshan: "Mr. Teng, long time no see!"

"Mu Yunjie?" Teng Qingshan was somewhat surprised.

Mu Yunjie had once lost both arms, then cultivated diligently on his own, converting his saber techniques into leg techniques. After ten years of grueling practice, he finally reached the Xiantian realm, becoming the foremost figure among the younger generation of the Mu family of the Rising Sun Chamber of Commerce. Later, the Cloud Dream War God paid Teng Qingshan with six stone carvings' worth of treasure to help find the Cloud Dream White Fruit, enabling his arms to regrow.

"Sir, this is... Mu Yunjie from the Mu family of the Rising Sun Chamber of Commerce, who just recently reached the Xiantian realm?" Fu Dao was equally astonished.

Mu Yunjie achieving the Xiantian realm had caused a huge stir in the Mu family. The Mu family was a superpower clan, with a population exceeding one million when counting all main branches, collateral branches, and numerous sub-factions. Such a significant event in such a vast clan could never be kept secret. Almost all major families across the land now knew about Mu Yunjie.

"Greetings, Mr. Fu," Mu Yunjie said with a cupped-hand salute and a smile.

"Haha, I've heard of your story. It is truly admirable," Fu Dao chuckled. At this moment, Fu Dao felt both pleased and apprehensive... Seeing Mu Yunjie, Fu Dao realized that the Duan family was clearly backed by the Rising Sun Chamber of Commerce! This meant that while an alliance would result in a strong combined force, it also implied that the share of the Fire Stream Iron ore vein they could secure would likely be smaller.

"You all step back first," Mu Yunjie instructed.

Instantly, the previously slightly plump young emissary and three other guards withdrew. Now, only Teng Qingshan, Mu Yunjie, Duan Shijin, Fu Dao, and Fu Yunzhan remained in the tent.

"Since Yunji is here this time, I presume both Mr. Fu and Mr. Teng know the purpose of the visit," Mu Yunjie said with a slight smile.

"An alliance?" Teng Qingshan inquired, looking at him.

"Indeed."

Mu Yunjie nodded. "The emergence of this Fire Stream Iron ore vein is a world-shaking event. Although my Mu family has certain agreements with the Helian family of the Heavenly Wind Clan, making it inconvenient to openly contend for the vein... the Heavenly Wind Clan has clearly already sent people. Furthermore, they have mobilized a thousand elites from their 'Cold Feather Guard.'"

"The Cold Feather Guard?" Fu Dao gasped in shock.

"And yet, we haven't seen the Cold Feather Guard make a move," Fu Yunzhan marveled. "The Xiahou family and the Yan family are indeed patient."

Though Teng Qingshan didn't know what the Cold Feather Guard was, judging by the expressions of Fu Dao and Fu Yunzhan, he understood: "It must be an elite military force similar to our Guiyuan Sect's Black Armored Army."

"My Chamber's eyes and ears cover the world; how could the Heavenly Wind Clan's mobilization of so many people escape my Mu family's notice?" Mu Yunjie stated calmly. "The Xiahou and Yan families allied only because the Heavenly Wind Clan stands behind them. My purpose here is to propose a joint alliance of our four families."

"Four families? Where are the four families coming from?" Fu Yunzhan was momentarily stunned.

Teng Qingshan also turned to look at Mu Yunjie.

"My Mu family, Brother Duan's Duan family, your Fu family, and... Mr. Teng's faction," Mu Yunjie said with a smile directed at Teng Qingshan.

Teng Qingshan let out a wry smile. They were even counting him as a separate entity.

"Though Mr. Teng has fewer people, your overall strength is extremely formidable," Mu Yunjie continued, smiling. "If Mr. Teng and the Fu family agree to ally with us, then... I have a ninety percent certainty of securing the Fire Stream Iron ore vein. If Mr. Teng exerts his full effort, I have a one hundred percent certainty."

"A hundred percent certainty?" Even Duan Shijin looked surprised.

"Exert his full effort?" Teng Qingshan frowned slightly. Did Mu Yunjie know he could sustain combat for extended periods? That he could contend against a force of a hundred thousand men alone? That secret should be unknown to outsiders.

Mu Yunjie glanced briefly outward and smiled.

"Mr. Fu, Mr. Teng, are you willing to form an alliance with us?" Mu Yunjie looked at them both.

Teng Qingshan could perceive that Mu Yunjie evidently possessed the authority to speak for the Mu family; the family was clearly grooming him as the next leader. After all, with such talent and resolve, reaching the Xiantian Golden Core stage was highly probable, perhaps even allowing him to step into the Void Realm and become a War God.

"An alliance is certainly a good thing," Fu Dao said with a slight smile. "The only question is, if we succeed, how will the Fire Stream Iron ore vein be divided?"

"Fu Dao makes a valid point; it's best to settle the terms beforehand to avoid later disputes," Teng Qingshan agreed.

Mu Yunjie smiled and nodded. "Naturally, the division of the Fire Stream Iron ore vein must be settled in advance... Brother Duan, Mr. Teng, Mr. Fu... I won't beat around the bush; I'll be direct. My Mu family is determined to claim this Fire Stream Iron ore vein. Therefore, my Mu family will take sixty percent! The Duan family commands a force of eighty thousand, while the Fu family has only twenty thousand. The Duan family will take twenty percent, and the Fu family will take ten percent. The remaining ten percent goes to Mr. Teng. How about that?"

"I agree," Duan Shijin nodded.

"Ten percent?" Fu Dao and Fu Yunzhan exchanged looks; their expressions soured.

"Gentlemen, although this Fire Stream Iron ore vein hasn't been deeply excavated, preliminary surveys indicated it is a massive deposit. Even ten percent, Mr. Fu, should be sufficient for your Fu family's needs," Mu Yunjie maintained his smile, though a subtle hint of dissatisfaction colored his tone.

The Mu family of the Rising Sun Chamber of Commerce was a colossal power, comparable to the Heavenly Wind Clan. Even the Duan family had to behave respectfully and deferentially before the Rising Sun Chamber of Commerce. And the Fu family? They controlled only Yucheng, one of the 108 minor cities, and their military strength was barely one-fourth that of the Duan family. Yet, the proposed share of the mineral vein was half that of the Duan family. Objectively, Mu Yunjie's proposed distribution was quite generous.

"Brother Mu, this distribution..." Fu Dao frowned but stopped short of elaborating, turning instead to Teng Qingshan. "Sir, what are your thoughts?"

"Yunji," Teng Qingshan said, looking over.

"Mr. Teng," Mu Yunjie responded with utmost humility.

"Let me be blunt with you, Yunji. I am also determined to secure this Fire Stream Iron ore vein. Ten percent? That is far, far too little," Teng Qingshan stated coldly. While the Rising Sun Chamber of Commerce was mighty, the contingent they had deployed this time was likely insufficient to claim a full sixty percent on their own. Teng Qingshan treated them with courtesy, but he would not accept such a significant loss! If things truly deteriorated, he would nod in agreement out of respect for the Cloud Dream War God, but secretly, he would task the Six-legged Blade Mantis with excavating the ore from underground! However, digging from below presented immense difficulties and numerous obstacles.

"Mr. Teng also values the vein this highly?" Mu Yunjie sounded surprised, then smiled. "Earlier, I thought you only came out of consideration for Fu Yuping and Mr. Fu. I didn't realize Mr. Teng was also determined to claim the Fire Stream Iron ore vein. In that case... my Mu family will concede a step. We will take fifty percent, and Mr. Teng will take twenty percent. The Duan family and the Fu family remain as before. How about that?"

As soon as Teng Qingshan voiced his objection, Mu Yunjie immediately backed down a step—a clear concession of face.

"Twenty percent?" Teng Qingshan looked at him without further comment.

Among all parties present, Mu Yunjie was most wary of Teng Qingshan. This was because the Cloud Dream War God himself had mentioned that Teng Qingshan possessed a monstrous flying beast far more formidable than the Six-legged Blade Mantis! Since neither the Cloud Dream War God nor the Heavenly Wind War God could fly, if Teng Qingshan rode the Azure Phoenix, he would be completely immune to threats from both War Gods! Furthermore, Teng Qingshan had no major ties on the Duanmu Continent—only Li Jun and a few others. The destitute fear no retribution. Provoking Teng Qingshan could lead to disastrous consequences.

"Brother Mu," Fu Dao spoke up with a frown. "To be honest, ten percent is too little."

"Brother Fu, one eats according to the size of one's stomach," Duan Shijin retorted with a slight frown, clearly dissatisfied. His Duan family commanded eighty thousand soldiers, while the Fu family had twenty thousand. The share proposed for the Fu family was half that of the Duan family; they ought to be content.

"Mr. Fu’s stomach is quite large," Mu Yunjie commented with a knowing look toward Fu Dao. "Mr. Fu, if you commit your one thousand 'Divine Saber Guards,' your Fu family can claim fifteen percent. Otherwise, your Fu family will only receive ten percent. This is only because I am showing Mr. Teng face."

Duan Shijin stared at Fu Dao in astonishment. The Divine Saber Guards? They could secure an extra five percent? What kind of military unit was that? Even some major clans couldn't cultivate elite soldiers comparable to the Heavenly Wind Clan's 'Cold Feather Guard.' A mere Fu family possessed a terrifying elite army?

Fu Yunzhan and Fu Dao exchanged deep glances toward Mu Yunjie. Regardless of how polite Mu Yunjie was toward the Fu family or the Duan family, there was an inherent, effortless sense of superiority in his demeanor.

"Mr. Teng," Mu Yunjie smiled toward Teng Qingshan. "Is this arrangement agreeable?"