In Exchange
Some cultivators dared to go against this pact, only to die in the end when hunted in conjunction with the four powers. Examples of these cultivators were posted all over in the Territories to make cultivators mindful of the exhaustion of resources, and also as a form of intimidation.
Of course, cultivators still consume these resources that were banned for consumption, but they had to silently do it without making any others notice. That is why formally occupied Spirit Stone Mines that possesses Vein Sources would be looted and occupied but not consumed. As for a newly found Spirit Stone Mine like the one the Aqua Flood Dragon found, it was it's for the taking, but it got found out by Grand Elder Elise Alstreim instead, giving them a hidden Water-Attributed Peak-Level Spirit Stone Vein Source to consume without repercussions!