Chapter 560 - 331: A Hundred Apertures to Godhood! The Conspiracy Bares Its Fangs

The Cyan Miasma Swamp had been completely transformed into a bustling border market.

"Holy shit..."

The corner of Han Feng’s eye twitched. "I was in seclusion for two days, not two hundred years, right?"

This transformation was too absurd.

Anyone who didn’t know better would think Ye Jinghong had moved the entire East Sea Fortress City over.

"Advisor Han, you’re out of seclusion!"

A delighted voice called out from nearby.

Han Feng turned his head to see a young soldier in the standard-issue light armor of the Vanguard Corps standing rigidly at attention, his eyes filled with admiration and awe.

He remembered this person: a logistics soldier Ye Jinghong had assigned to stand guard outside the Quiet Chamber, his cultivation at the First Layer of the Enlightenment Realm.

"Oh, it’s you."

Han Feng nodded and gestured toward the feverish activity outside. "What happened out here while I was in seclusion these past two days?"

The soldier, taken aback for a moment by Han Feng’s humor, quickly recovered and answered respectfully:

"Reporting to Advisor Han! After the general completely subjugated the Viper Tribe and secured our foothold, he issued a notice back to Dragon’s Fang Island."

"A notice?"

"Yes."

The soldier puffed out his chest, his face filled with pride. "The general has decided to make this place the first official forward base for East Sea Fortress City in Dragon Abyss, open to all Explorers from the Gaia Alliance!"

Han Feng instantly understood Ye Jinghong’s intentions.

’That guy... he’s trying to tie everyone to his war chariot.’

"Tell me the details," Han Feng said.

"Yes, sir!"

The soldier, not daring to delay, immediately gave a concise report on the events of the past two days.

It turned out that after incorporating twenty thousand Snake Lizard People, Ye Jinghong had a profound realization: relying on only his 5,300 men to get promoted to Tier Five within a year was tantamount to a fool’s dream.

Dragon Abyss was too vast, and the hidden powers within were a complex web. If he continued to act as recklessly as before and provoked another tough nut like Profound Prison, the consequences would be unthinkable.

So, he decided to play the hand he was dealt and turned this place into a public way station.

He needed manpower—large numbers of fearless Explorers to scout for dangers, to ascertain the true strength, weaknesses, and any potential backers of all the tribes for hundreds, even thousands of miles around.

These Martial Artists from the various major powers became his best source of free labor.

By day, these people would go out to explore, hunt, and search for treasure.

By night, when darkness fell, they had to return to the "Military God Divine Realm"—the only place that could offer them sanctuary.

Ye Jinghong’s overt scheme was simple: he provided safety, and the Explorers provided intelligence and an "Overnight Fee."

The entire base was reorganized. The core area of the Vanguard Corps became a restricted military zone.

The Void Ghost Crabs’ Split Tooth Tribe and the newly subjugated Snake Lizard Tribe were settled in designated areas.

The largest open plain was designated as a free-trade and residential zone, available to all outsiders.

The soldiers of the Vanguard Corps, in turn, transformed into "city guards" responsible for maintaining order.

"...So, right now, besides us, there are over ten thousand Martial Artists from East Sea City and other Fortress Cities in the base."

The soldier’s tone was filled with excitement. "Every night, the various pieces of intelligence they bring back are compiled at the command post. The staff then analyzes it and creates new maps.

Our understanding of Dragon Abyss is deepening at an astonishing speed!"

After hearing all this, Han Feng couldn’t help but admire Ye Jinghong’s audacity.

’This guy wasn’t just a formidable general; he was also a master at playing with people’s minds.’

’In just two short days, he had managed to forge a functioning social order in this primeval land.’

"In terms of intelligence, is there anything of particular note?" Han Feng asked.

At the mention of this, the soldier’s expression grew peculiar, tinged with a hint of fanaticism.

"Yes! There’s one piece of intel that’s spreading like wildfire right now!"

The soldier lowered his voice. "It’s about the ’Divine Soul Crystals’!"

Han Feng’s heart stirred.

"They’ve discovered that in addition to boosting Spiritual Power, Divine Soul Crystals have two other game-changing uses within Dragon Abyss!"

"First, they significantly weaken the corrosive effects of the ’Night’!

They say that if you wear just one, you can survive for an extra half an hour in the wild at night, even without the protection of a Divine Realm!

These things are now an essential life-saving charm for every Explorer!"

"Second, and this is the most crucial part!"

The soldier’s breathing became ragged. "They discovered that for New Gods who walk the ’Path of Faith,’ Divine Soul Crystals are the ultimate supplement!

They can be directly converted into Divine Power, drastically shortening the time it takes to achieve godhood!"

"What?" Han Feng’s gaze hardened.

"It’s absolutely true!"

The soldier said excitedly, "After the news spread, all the powerhouses on the Divine Dao have been frantically buying them up.

Right now, the price of a single Divine Soul Crystal has been jacked up to two thousand Spirit Coins, and even at that price, you can’t find any for sale!

The cavern over by Kunlun Holy City is supposedly running twenty-four-seven, and the crystals they produce are snapped up the moment they’re shipped over.

Divine Soul Crystals have become the only Hard Currency inside Dragon Abyss!"

Hearing all this, Han Feng’s expression remained impassive, but inwardly he was reeling.

’Hard Currency?’

’The ultimate supplement for everyone on the Divine Dao?’

’The Child of the Mist... the Weaver... What a grand scheme!’

He was almost certain that the Child of the Mist was the one fanning the flames behind this news.

’They’re trying to ensnare every elite who enters Dragon Abyss, whether they walk the Divine Dao or not, with this poison-laced bait!’

’When the time is right, and the Weaver’s power has infiltrated the Divine Soul Origin of every powerhouse... what a terrifying disaster that will be!’

"I understand. Continue your watch."