"If you want to stay here, make sure to follow our laws and regulations. Otherwise, even if you are a part of Heavenly Flame Empire, prepare to be punished."

This is what Cole announced after several figures and places got attacked by Celia, signifying his full stance on maintaining the peace and order of his faction, specially when it comes on protection of its citizen mainly pertaining to the commoner. Of course, even the original cultivators populace were included since they were frail and weak to streams of Nascent Soul-Stage visitors.

And with the prime example of frozen human statues as well as his clear stance of being unafraid to any force since Cole even includes the most powerful faction in the Azure Territory, the arrogance of the foreign cultivators inside the Rising Phoenix Spirit Tree Nation has been minimized to the lowest level.

Unfortunately, this was only limited to physical abuse as they were throwing insults or any form of verbal abuse to the city's citizen.

For the meantime, with the lack of manpower, Cole can't fully stop the second form of abuse the citizen experience. Fortunately, commoners have innate fear to cultivators and they usually avoid them at all cost. Usually, only those with small business like inns, restaurants and shops face the verbal abuse from foreign cultivators.

It was only then Cole understand that his abrupt decision cause massive disturbance to his developing faction.

Left with no choice, Cole personally meet foreign cultivators and ask their purpose. If they were related to Heavenly Tribulation Assistance, he would meet them while those with irrelevant purpose were driven out of his territory for the meantime. He don't care whether they were dissatisfied or not.

Those with particular purpose were entertained by Cole.

In summary, he said that the Rising Phoenix Spirit Tree Nation would only accept one deal every month. Unless there is special circumstances, it was only every fourth week of the month he would assist a cultivator of external faction safely face their Heavenly Tribulation.

At that moment, after being driven out of the territory or frozen by Celia, only two faction managed to approach and discuss about the Heavenly Tribulation Assistance. The one is known as Greenbark Family, part of a noble family of Heavenly Flame Empire that specializes on growing spiritual herbs and crops. They were one of the main suppliers of raw materials for pill refining of Heavenly Flame Empire.

The other one is actually from his neighboring faction, the Red Tree Kingdom. Their most powerful kingdom guardian was just a peak Nascent Soul-Stage cultivator and they ask for breakthrough assistance for the now weakened old ancestor. Breaking through to Tier-5 is their only chance of extending the life of their kingdom guardian which would ensure the continuation of Red Tree Kingdom Royal Family.

Both the messenger of Greenbark Family and Red Tree Kingdom were at least amiable to Cole. They face and communicate with him like normal person usually do. It should be nothing but Cole believe that the reason they were currently amiable is because of the perfect example they definitely heard or even saw outside.

"Then, city lord... May I ask, what is the cost of your assistance?" The messenger from Greenbark Family ask after Cole confirm that he's willing to accept of the two family.

It takes Cole a moment before he answered as he consider what his territory currently need.

After of constant challenging of dungeon, Cole have finally bought the Basic Book of Formations and Array as well as the Basic Book of Alchemical Formula from the Dungeon Clear Store. As for the word 'Basic', it actually signify a collection of Formations, Array and Alchemical Formula from Normal-Rank to Sky-Rank, which actually has a great use on his starting faction.

As of now, among the many things that his faction lack, what Cole need is the raw materials for the basic alchemy formula that he has, other than the still lacking number of professional alchemist.

Although the lack of professional alchemist is a problem for his current faction, Cole believe that it'll be better if he already mass produce the raw materials for alchemy practice. After all, Cole is more than confident that his faction would be full of alchemist after they learn its potential.

The dungeon is undoubtedly a great source for raw materials but it has one great downside—it was always random! In the end, he'll need to cultivate the most commonly used ingredients for mainstream pills and potion.

Cole already have the plan to acquire the lacking amount of raw ingredients in the surrounding faction but the appearance of the Greenbark Family will save him from all the possible trouble.

With that in mind, Cole smile as he answer the query, "As you know, my Rising Phoenix Spirit Tree Nation is just a newly established faction and we lack many things and I believe that Greenbark Family would be able to provide some of what we need." He started.

"For your family's payment, I won't ask for much. I only want a single plant or seed of vital pills and potions that can be generally used, ranging from those that can be used on Body Tempering-Stage, Mana Gathering-Stage and Core Formation-Stage."

The messenger from Greenbark Family is a Nascent Soul-Stage cultivator himself and probably have some status on his family management. He probably know well the status of his family.

Just by listening on his demand, it was apparent that Cole have the intention on using the items he is demanding to develop his faction.

In the eyes of the Greenbark Family, this was just actually small amount to pay in exchange for Void Sensing-Stage expert. It was like a deal of a lifetime. After all, what Cole is demanding something that the hundreds of years Greenbark Family could easily provide.

However, should the Rising Phoenix Spirit Tree Nation develop into one of the megaforce of Azure Territory, this certain exchange would be a greatest sin in the eyes of other faction and family, specially for the hegemony of Heavenly Flame Empire. They'll become a greatest sinner and the latter would probably wipe them out of the picture.

But for the meantime, the Greenbark Family messenger didn't dwell on that matter but spoke out what he thought is appropriate in the current situation.

"City Lord, although I don't have the power to make the decision on this matter but I believe that the payment you're demanding is quite... small for the big favor we're asking of you. Do you perhaps want to add more so that I can rely it on the family?"

Cole smile at what he heard, "Small amount? Well, you're in luck. In case you don't know, you are one of my early 'customers' and I don't have clear idea about the cost of Heavenly Tribulation assistance. But fret not, I won't ask for more; I will stick to my initial demand. However, if the Greenbark Family do think that the cost is small... Then I can only ask for your more... sincerity."

The Greenbark Family messenger nodded his head in understanding.

"I will rely all your words to the family, city lord. I promise that you will hear our reply as soon as possible."

After some little pleasantries, the Greenbark Family messenger immediately exit the room, leaving Cole with the sophisticated looking middle-aged man from Red Tree Kingdom.

With the presence of someone from the Greenbark Family, this man didn't even make a sound and try to stay as silent as possible from his seat. But the moment the former leave, the middle-aged man immediately introduced himself.

"City Lord Cole, greetings. I'm the current first Prince of Red Tree Kingdom and the second brother of the current King, Lex Red."

Cole smile and treat the latter the same as what he treat the much higher person before him.

"Please take as seat."

Lex sat down. He was as anxious as he looks and he immediately ask after they sat down, "City Lord, also wish to ask for Heavenly Tribulation assistance for our ancestor, who was about to deplete his life-span. What does our Red Tree Kingdom has to pay in order to do so?" His tone were a little hesitant and afraid.

Cole didn't answer for several seconds as he thought about the word the other party is implying.

The target for their request is an old ancestor that already set one of its on the grave. Being old is a weakness specially in front of Heavenly Tribulation for even those young and full of vitality cultivator face it with extreme difficulty.

This is not a problem to him, he could easily make that so called ancestor young and vigorous with just one drop of Water of Life, not even the supreme version Spring of Life.

However, for others, this was a problem that basically don't have any solution. Or at the least, it was something they were helpless about.

This was why Lex probe first by saying the current state of their ancestor. He was probably afraid that Cole would deny their request after learning that the ancestor already set one of his foot on the grave.

Cole smile inwardly, not because he could easily solve the problem of being old but because this means that he can 'ask' for more as payment.

"That is not a problem. However, weak and old means we have to spend more effort on assisting your ancestor. I'm sorry but I will ask for more payment." Cole answered after a while.

Lex sigh in relief upon hearing that. But in the next second, worry fill his whole being.

In the first place, the Red Tree Kingdom is not as powerful as the Greenbark Family of the Heavenly Flame Imperial City. If Cole request more than what he just heard not a while ago, he believe that Red Tree Kingdom won't be able to fulfill it.

"More payment... City Lord, I'm thankful for the confirmation but I'm afraid our Red Tree Kingdom won't be able to provide more than what the Greenbark Family can—"

This time, Cole interrupt Lex, "I think your misunderstanding something, I won't ask the same as I ask require to the Greenbark Family to your Red Tree Kingdom."

"Y-you don't? Then, what City Lord will ask from us?" Lex answer but his voice stutter at first because it was only then he realize that Cole ask for something the other side could fulfill.

Providing any alchemy related things will be easy to Greenbark Family to provide since they were spiritual herb gardener.

When Lex thought it like this, confidence immediately fill his being. In fact, he could already envision the Red Tree Kingdom gaining a Void Sensing-Stage expert, someone that even the Heavenly Flame Empire has to respect!

The Red Tree Kingdom will finally belong to second-rate force!

Second-rate force refers to any faction that has Void Sensing-Stage expert within their group!

But before Lex allowed himself to drown in euphoria of brighter prospect of Red Tree Kingdom, he look at Cole with questioning gaze, eagerly waiting for the payment they have to meet before anything else.

Cole smile as he finished his thought. Although it won't be good to belittle the Red Tree Kingdom since at the least they have more years of foundation that Rising Phoenix Spirit Tree Nation, he knew that his force undoubtedly could beat the other when it come to resources.

Therefore, it was out of the picture to ask for resources from Red Tree Kingdom.

Fortunately, there was something Cole need on a force with several decades of even century of history and foundation; and that is the talents and sprout and cultivated from its growth! Which was also something that his faction lack for a moment!

With expecting mind, Cole finally voice out his request, "I want your Red Tree Kingdom to provide my faction several talents like architects, engineers, finance and management experts. And if possible, I'll also ask for forgers, blacksmiths, physician, formation master and most importantly alchemist."

"Rising Phoenix Spirit Tree Nation won't ask them to change their citizenship. In fact, I'm even willing to provide them with benefits and remuneration. The only thing I'll ask from Red Tree Kingdom is for you to lend some of your talents to us, and for five years at most."

"I won't ask them to stay all year round but at least 6 months per year. After all, I'm pretty sure that Red Tree Kingdom would also need those experts on your faction."

With heavy heart, Lex Red return to Red Tree Kingdom territory. Only, eventhough what Cole ask were a little burdensome to Red Tree Kingdom as a whole, the two side atleast reach some consensus.

For instance, Cole didn't ask for some experts with their very presence that has vital role in the kingdom like the financial and management expert of the Kingdom. Instead, Red Tree Kingdom could send those person's apprentice with experience with their own role.

Cole also don't insist for architects and engineers with cultivation and he'll even accept commoners but they the expert themselves should be present.

Cole ask the same for special professionals like alchemist and forger but in the end, the experts themselves needs to be present for at least a whole month per year while their apprentices could fill the remaining time for service.

It was something that Red Tree Kingdom could tolerate but what worried Lex the most were the fact that his own faction acquire the most benefits. It was great and all but it worried him when he remember that Rising Phoenix Spirit Tree Nation, this neighboring force of them, already had two Void Sensing-Stage expert with them!

On his way back to Red Tree Kingdom, Lex fortunately remember that eventhough Cole didn't demand something extreme from them, he could atleast provide what they ask with more 'sincerity'.

They need to show more sincerity since if they manage to protect their technology regarding the Heavenly Tribulation assistance, their rise will be meteoric and inevitable!