Chapter 698 - 352: Changes in the Immortal City (Part 2)

Chapter 698: Chapter 352: Changes in the Immortal City (Part 2)

"Did you hear? Sister Zhang’s boy went to the Celestial Break Gang’s Martial Artist selection. If he gets picked, he’ll really have made something of himself," a middle-aged woman said.

"Sigh, well, he does have the Five Spirit Bones aptitude. Even without a Spirit Root, that aptitude... according to the Celestial Break Gang, he’s a Martial Arts genius. He’s sure to be chosen. We don’t expect our kids to become Martial Artists; as long as they can live a peaceful life, that’s enough," another woman sighed.

"Easy for you to say. Isn’t it because your son has the Single Spirit Bone aptitude? Oh, right, doesn’t your son have a Spirit Root aptitude too? Cultivation Immortality is way more powerful than Martial Arts."

"Well, it’s alright, I suppose."

The woman could no longer suppress the smile at the corners of her mouth and said:

"His father took him to get tested last night. It’s average, just Three Spirit Roots. Now we’re worried about how to earn money for his future Cultivation Immortality. We were thinking of buying some Wilderness Silk Insects from the Commerce Association to raise at home and earn more Spirit Crystals. But I heard the Celestial Break Gang’s Immortal Martial Hall is recruiting disciples with Cultivation Immortality aptitude. If he gets chosen, that would be a huge relief..."

The others: "..."

Cheng Zongyang walked out of the city gate with a knowing smile, the bustling noise of the marketplace still ringing in his ears.

A vast plaza paved with bluestone came into view.

The original yellow earth outside the city had been replaced by flat, solid bluestone slabs.

As far as the eye could see, it was as if a giant sheet of blue-green had been laid directly over the yellow earth.

On both sides of the gate, along the city walls, personnel managed by the Celestial Break Gang were already setting up market stalls that would provide a livelihood for more people in the future.

They had originally reserved eight hundred stall spaces during construction, thinking there would be plenty left over. Who knew that after a year or two, the spots were completely filled, and some people had even started setting up shop outside the city.

However, Li Lu didn’t drive them away. Instead, he temporarily marked out territories and collected the same rent. Now, this area was being officially integrated.

One could only imagine what a bustling and prosperous scene it would be when the various vendors surrounding the Immortal City were all in full swing.

Cheng Zongyang had long ago instructed that they should not drive away common people trying to make a living by setting up stalls. Not only should they not be driven away, but proper zoning should be established. Only those from the bottom truly understand the struggles of surviving at the bottom.

To make a city vibrant and dynamic, with an efficient economic cycle, the lower class is absolutely crucial.

Does a natural world without producers even exist?

During the Immortal City’s transformation, with the Commerce Association selling resources externally, the lives of Martial Artists and common people had undergone earth-shattering changes.

For Martial Artists, the Immortal City’s transformation provided a better Cultivation environment and more Cultivation Resources, and at cheaper prices than in other nations.

For dedicated Cultivators, the Spiritual Qi within the city was growing denser, and Cultivation Resources were becoming more abundant, providing them with more and more help as they began their Cultivation journey.

Sitting in his carriage, Cheng Zongyang listened to the clamor outside, his heart filled with emotion. The changes in the Immortal City brought him a sense of relief and satisfaction.

After touring the area, he entered through the South Gate and headed for the Commerce Association, preparing to meet with Cheng Zongwen, Zhou Zhendong, Li Lu, Li Xuejin, and the others.

The carriage stopped in front of the Commerce Association building. Cheng Zongyang stepped out and looked up at the towering structure.

In the meeting hall on the top floor of the Commerce Association, Cheng Zongwen and the others had already received word and had been waiting for some time. When Cheng Zongyang entered the room, everyone rose to their feet and bowed.

"Everyone has worked hard these past six months." Cheng Zongyang’s gaze swept over everyone present, his mood excellent.

The current layout of the Immortal City was now more or less complete. What followed would be some modifications outside the city. But there was no rush for that; it could proceed slowly.

After some simple, casual small talk, Cheng Zongyang got down to business.

Zhou Zhendong took a step forward and said respectfully, "Boss, the resources from the thirty-seven factions have all been delivered, inventoried, and stored in the Magical Treasure Space. Should we arrange a meeting with them?"

Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly. "No need. A meeting would be a formality. It’s unnecessary. As for the matter of teleportation, we’ll stick to my plan and proceed in two and a half years. In the meantime, tell them to continue using their time to condense Primordial Qi. It would be even better if they can enter the Qi Cultivation stage."

Hearing this, Zhou Zhendong naturally didn’t say more and simply nodded in agreement.

Everyone listened to Cheng Zongyang’s words and nodded, indicating they understood.

There wasn’t much else to discuss, and Cheng Zongyang didn’t inquire about the affairs of the Commerce Association or the Celestial Break Gang.

What he had seen and heard on his way here was enough to show that all their long-term efforts were finally yielding positive results.

The streets and alleys, the common folk, the Martial Artists and Cultivators—all of them displayed the kind of drive seen only in an era of peace and progress. Motivation, ideas, ambition, income, and a future—this was the future he wanted for the Immortal City.

"Wang—"

Next, as Cheng Zongyang looked toward Wang Tianli and had just spoken a single word, Li Xuejin also took a half-step forward. Upon hearing Cheng Zongyang speak, the latter then pulled that half-step back.

Everyone couldn’t help but turn their gazes to Li Xuejin and Wang Tianli.

Everyone had clearly heard the word Cheng Zongyang just called out.

"Mr. Li, you first," Wang Tianli said, clasping his hands toward Li Xuejin. He was being very polite.

Although Li Xuejin was now the Hall Master of the Immortal Martial Hall, that was not his true status and identity.

In the entire Immortal City, everyone except Cheng Zongyang was extremely deferential toward Li Xuejin.

But Li Xuejin just smiled and said, "My business is not important. The Boss’s matter comes first."

With that, he also clasped his hands toward Cheng Zongyang.

Seeing this, Cheng Zongyang didn’t press the issue and turned to Wang Tianli. "How is the Immortal Mountain plan progressing?"

At these words, everyone turned to look at Wang Tianli.

They had never heard of this "Immortal Mountain plan."

Wang Tianli immediately began to report on the status of the Immortal Mountain plan to Cheng Zongyang.

"Boss. The renovations inside and outside the Immortal City are now mostly complete, and the remaining work will proceed slowly. Therefore, during this time, I sent out teams to survey all the mountains within a hundred-Baili radius that could be used for development, and I’ve drawn a map."

As he spoke, Wang Tianli took a folded map from his robes, opened it, and presented it.

Cheng Zongyang took the map and examined it closely.

On the map, with Jade Peak Immortal City at the center, Tianduan Mountain to the east was isolated, so all the scouted mountains extended out in the three directions of north, south, and west. The locations and basic features of each peak were also marked.

Wang Tianli added at the right moment, "Boss. Within this area, there are a total of two hundred and sixty-seven mountains, large and small. It’s safe to say we’ve included every hill with even a slight slope. After screening them, there are fifty-nine independent peaks suitable for the needs of a Gate Valve, which are marked in red. The rest are medium and small-sized mountains, marked in blue and black."

Everyone listened with rapt attention.

When Li Xuejin heard the words "Immortal Mountain" and "Gate Valve," he seemed to guess something, a look of surprise on his face. The others just listened in confusion.

Cheng Zongyang followed Wang Tianli’s explanation as he looked over the map, nodding slightly.

"You’ve done well, Wang Tianli. These peaks are very important. The hundred-Baili range is basically enough. Just because there are many factions doesn’t mean every one of them can, or will have the chance to, occupy a mountain independently. We need to create a situation where demand exceeds supply. Only then can we highlight the importance and scarcity of the Immortal Mountains. That’s how we’ll motivate those factions to compete."

Wang Tianli smiled and clasped his hands. "The Boss’s plans are flawless. This method is excellent. Doing it this way will also drive up the future rental price of the Immortal Mountains."

Now, those present began to understand.

"Boss, is the Immortal Mountain plan intended to have the Immortal City’s family clans move out?" After a year or two of training, Zhou Zhendong had truly matured. In terms of both experience and thinking, he was a far cry from the man he was when he first came down from the mountain.

Cheng Zongyang smiled slightly. Seeing the curiosity in the others’ eyes, he laughed and nodded. "Correct. The Immortal Mountain plan is a crucial part of our Immortal City’s future development. We will use these mountains to create Immortal Mountains and Grotto-heavens, specifically for renting out to those families and Cultivators.

"This will not only alleviate the housing shortage within the Immortal City but also provide them with better, isolated Cultivation environments. At the same time, it will allow us to better control the lifelines of the Cultivation Immortality Families that rent the Immortal Mountains in the future. This is a necessary step to establish the Immortal City’s supreme and unique status."

After hearing Cheng Zongyang’s words, everyone’s faces lit up with excitement. It was as if they could see a future where countless Cultivation Immortality Clan Influences surrounded and protected the central Immortal City, extending outwards and developing in reliance on it...

That magnificent future vision seemed almost within reach, and it was incredibly inspiring.

"But aside from the Immortal City, which has Spiritual Qi, how will we solve the problem of Spiritual Qi for those Immortal Mountains?" At this moment, Li Xuejin raised the key question.