Chapter 606: Chapter 378 Five_2

Cain Scarlet’s idea was also quite straightforward. As a Lord whose sleeves were clean, there were quite a few Sects and Family Clans within his city. As long as he returned and requested as a Lord, he believed these clans and sects would be willing to contribute. If each family were to give one million Spirit Stones, ten million Spirit Stones would not be a problem.

Actually, if there were ample time, he could simply mobilize the tens of millions of people in the city. Relying on his past prestige and image within the city, the ordinary people would definitely be willing to contribute, but it was a critical moment in dealing with the Demonic Sky Gate, and Cain Scarlet understood that there wasn’t much time.

With both Lords having spoken, Samuel Westman followed suit without delay, “There’s no need for further words. My Westman Clan is neither poor nor wealthy, but we can come up with fifteen million Spirit Stones. This sum is already all that the Master’s Mansion can muster for defense, unless there’s time to ask other people in the city like the rest.”

“Since that is the case, you three Lordly houses each contribute ten million Spirit Stones, and the remaining twenty million will be shared among the other Sects.”

Logan’s expression softened slightly. He just wanted everyone to understand a principle: the Spirit Stones were not for lining his own pockets but for dealing with the Demonic Sky Gate. Logan had no desire to do thankless tasks and be suspected of taking the Spirit Stones. That would truly dishearten him.

The three Lords had no issues, but for the remaining Sects left behind, even twenty million Spirit Stones was an astronomical figure. These medium and small Sects only had a combined annual income of several hundred thousand Spirit Stones, and most of them had already left.

The Heads of the four major first-rate Sects discussed for a moment then said, “We can come up with sixteen million Spirit Stones in total, which means four hundred thousand per sect. The remaining four million Spirit Stones can be provided by the other medium and small Sects. This sum is already very minimal!”

The medium and small Sects who remained totaled ten, so on average, it was only four hundred thousand Spirit Stones per sect. They believed that each sect could afford that sum. Originally, the Heads of the Great Sects could have also covered the four million Spirit Stones, but how could they let the medium and small Sects gain without contributing anything, merely enjoying the benefits of others’ efforts?

“Even four hundred thousand Spirit Stones are difficult to come by. Should we call back the Sects that left? With them sharing the burden, each person might only need to contribute tens of thousands of Spirit Stones.”

These Sect Leaders had embarrassed looks on their faces. They were different from the Great Sects; the depth of their foundations differed by tens of thousands of times. Surely, they could muster four hundred thousand Spirit Stones, but that was the accumulation of over a decade. Were they expected to give all that up just to face the Demonic Sky Gate? More importantly, why should only they contribute while those who left earlier did not have to participate? It just didn’t seem right.

“They have already gone. They will certainly pay for their choices in the future. But you have made the right choice. At this moment, it is just a matter of contributing a token amount of Spirit Stones. Don’t show unwillingness— you will certainly rejoice at this decision in the future, so don’t feel it’s unfair.”

Logan gave a faint smile, looking at the Heads of the few medium and small Sects, “Even if they would come back and give me the Spirit Stones, I wouldn’t want them. Let them fend for themselves. If they do not wish to contribute in dealing with the Demonic Sky Gate, forcing them to give Spirit Stones would be futile.”

“It’s tough for you ten medium and small Sects, but you can’t contribute nothing. We three Lords can each give another million Spirit Stones. Can your ten families altogether make up the one million?”

Cain Scarlet thought for a while and then stood up, “The situations of these Sects are clear to me. In each Sect, there are only a few dozen people at most, and their foundation is quite different from other Great Sects. They usually survive by hunting Demon Beasts and selling Spirit Stones at the market.”

Among the ten Sects, the richest one had only a low-level Alchemist who crafted some Elixirs. Even so, the annual income was no more than a few hundred thousand Spirit Stones, barely enough to balance the expenses of the Sect.

After exchanging glances, the ten Sect Heads nodded, “One hundred thousand Spirit Stones per person? We can do that. But it seems you are at a slight disadvantage. After all, each of you is at the million-Spirit Stone level, whereas we hardly seem worthy to stand with you in this tent.”

They were not without a sense of what was appropriate. They could tell that people were being quite lenient with them. A hundred thousand Spirit Stones was merely a symbolic request, for even if they did not contribute, these Great Sects and Lords could easily collect many times this amount of Spirit Stones.

“As long as there is a shared intent to oppose Demonic Sky Gate, that’s enough. We’re all part of the Western Wilderness Forces and should understand and share a common enemy.” said Logan.

Cain Scarlet also spoke up to ease their concerns, pointing out that compared to those medium and large Sects that had left, these Sects had already shown commendable resolve. If every Sect could think this way and avoid selfishness, it would not allow Demonic Sky Gate to be so arrogant.

After a long thought, Samuel Westman glanced at Logan and said, “Although we are not versed in array methods, we have seen them in action. Setting up an array is sure to have a lot of consumption and unexpected outcomes. We can’t afford any sloppiness in the battle with the Holy See of Demonic Sky Gate. Why don’t we gather another ten million Spirit Stones just in case?”

“That’s acceptable,” Logan had no objections to this, as he couldn’t guarantee that the array would be one hundred percent stable. In case of an accident, indeed, Spirit Stones would be needed to remedy the situation. Although Logan himself still had twenty million Spirit Stones, it was certainly excellent that these people could contribute another ten million.

“There’s no need to trouble the small and medium-sized Sects. The three Lords can gather it together; three million Spirit Stones each is not likely to be a problem, right?”

Cain Scarlet found the proposal reasonable as well. Although the Scarlet Clan was poor, for the sake of increasing the odds of victory against Demonic Sky Gate, he wasn’t concerned about Spirit Stones. He would shamelessly borrow from the major Family Clans under his banner; after all, the Family Clans within the city would definitely give him face.

Watching the fervent discussion among the others, Logan suddenly turned his gaze to the side with a playful tone, “I think that these ten million Spirit Stones don’t have to come from you. We can’t have the Western Wilderness Forces fighting a life and death struggle with Demonic Sky Gate, only to have Sects like Saint Sky Sect from Central Region benefiting from our plight.”

“I came in a hurry and did not bring many Spirit Stones with me,” Peregrine Azure coughed awkwardly. How did the attention turn to him all of a sudden? After all, he came from the Saint Sky Sect, and being the sworn enemy of Demonic Sky Gate, he definitely couldn’t be missing from the contribution of Spirit Stones.

However, Saint Sky Sect was far in the Central Region, and a round trip to retrieve Spirit Stones would take at least a day. What if Demonic Sky Gate attacked in the meantime? Thus, he offered a few perfunctory remarks and found that the Lords could understand and would not relentlessly pursue the issue.

“We should still prepare in advance. If the battle with Demonic Sky Gate drags on for a year and a half, Saint Sky Sect must contribute a large portion of the Spirit Stone supply afterwards. Besides, Central Region is a land of wealth, with tens of thousands of Sects there, a small contribution from each is a considerable sum.”

Cain Scarlet also looked at Peregrine Azure, feeling that he shouldn’t be exempt from involvement. Dashiell Skyward had made it clear before that Demonic Sky Gate’s primary target was Saint Sky Sect, and the reason they were targeting the Western Wilderness Forces was merely to pave the way and prevent being attacked from both sides.

As everyone’s eyes turned to him, Peregrine Azure could only nod in agreement. He believed the battle would likely be decided quickly, just a matter of which side would win. It might not last long, and ultimately, it would come down to whose strength was greater, Logan’s array method or the Holy See of Demonic Sky Gate!

Logan shook his head with a hint of a smile, “The ten million Spirit Stones can be provided now. I think Saint Sky Sect must contribute, despite being far in the Central Region. Given that you are undoubtedly the Vice Sect Leader of Saint Sky Sect, all you need to do is issue an IOU to everyone.”

“An IOU?” Peregrine Azure was taken aback when he heard this, but Logan nodded and continued, “Yes. Saint Sky Sect has always prided itself on being an upright and honorable Sect and has been committed to opposing the Demon Cult Sects. You wouldn’t go back on your word, would you? Otherwise, your reputation would be ruined.”

Under Logan’s insistence, Peregrine Azure had no choice but to draw up an IOU. The thought of signing an IOU for ten million Spirit Stones on behalf of Saint Sky Sect made him wince, wondering how the Sect Leader would reprimand him upon his return.

But on second thought, after all, this was to fight Demonic Sky Gate, and if it could slightly increase the odds of Logan’s array method prevailing, it was indeed worth it, wasn’t it?