Chapter 380: The Politics of the Immortal City

Jiang Ding looked around.

Above the third-rank superior spiritual vein, thick vines as wide as arms crawled, black-brown and forged like metal, their leaves the crimson hue of molten lava.

Among the branches and leaves, golden fruits the size of fists occasionally grew, their surfaces riddled with cracks, deep red molten fire seeping and stirring within.

"Molten Gold Fruit, growing atop a third-rank superior spiritual vein, ripens once every ten years; it can be used to temper flying swords and generate third-rank battle qi that enhances sharpness…"

Jiang Ding murmured to himself, gazing at these things he had planted fifteen years ago—now mature and already harvested.

"Forget it, this battle qi isn't worth much—it'll be obsolete the moment I ascend to the Golden Core."

"Store it up. Use it later to cultivate my Ben Ming Fa Bao."

Ben Ming Fa Bao.

Jin Dan cultivators can forge their own Ben Ming Fa Bao; those who already possess a Fa Bao embryo can directly refine the embryo into a true Fa Bao, its power surpassing that of peers by far.

Moreover, a Fa Bao's growth requires constant nurturing within the dantian, or the integration of new materials through repeated refinement, allowing the Fa Bao to grow stronger over time.

"The Dari Chun Jian Ge's inheritance for refining flying swords hasn't been lost."

Jiang Ding recalled: "You combine it with certain spiritual herbs, continuously refining metallic heavenly treasures and integrating them—the selection, combination, and refinement techniques all affect the flying sword's growth speed, power, or added attributes. It's extremely complex."

"But one thing is perfectly suited: No. 21 Synthetic Synthetic Gengjin—utterly sharp, utterly keen. Molten Gold Fruit as an auxiliary nurturing herb… if possible, develop a dedicated set of refinement techniques for this combination."

"But that must wait until after I form my Jin Dan. Right now, I must prioritize the secret technique for forming the Jin Dan."

His thoughts gradually drifted away, only settling after a long while.

Jiang Ding rose and flew toward a grand hall entirely forged from second-rank spiritual material, Qingjin Stone—its emerald radiance blazing, clearly visible dozens of kilometers away, a sacred site in the eyes of countless cultivators.

Master Tushan Daochang's Council Hall.

Some cultivators secretly called it the Sect Hall.

A gray-blue aura landed in the center of the hall's main seat.

"Greetings, Young Master Shu!"

Li Li Qingyun, Fa Zheng the Monk, Gong Gong Caiyu, and other Foundation Establishment cultivators bowed in unison, their expressions solemn, voices echoing through the hall with a faint hum.

"Sit."

Jiang Ding gave a slight nod.

People in this world place extreme importance on hierarchy; to command them, besides adequate compensation, one must also pay attention to these formalities.

His spiritual sense swept across the Qingjin Hall—forty-one Foundation Establishment cultivators.

These were most of the Foundation Establishment cultivators of Master Tushan Daochang; the rest were stationed at various spiritual veins, mines, and spiritual lakes, totaling sixty-seven—this was the military force supporting Master Tushan Daochang's governance.

Broadly divided into two factions.

One faction, led by Li Li Qingyun, over twenty people, originally from Xiang Qiyu Sect, came here to serve Young Master Shu for better benefits.

The other group, led by late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator Liu Liu Hongshao, also over twenty people, were wandering cultivators from Yue and Chu states, drawn here by spiritual veins and various spiritual herbs, hired by Master Tushan Daochang.

If divided by origin, they could also be categorized into the Law Enforcement Hall, Tax Hall, Agriculture Hall, Finance Hall, and more—immensely complex, no less than a kingdom.

Essentially, aside from transmitting teachings and cultivating disciples, Master Tushan Daochang possessed everything a sect should have, personally established by Xiang Qiyu Sect's acting sect master and others.

Within a nation, affairs are endlessly intricate.

Every one or two years, he convened meetings of this level, spending time to handle various mundane matters.

"Young Master Shu."

Li Li Qingyun sat down, then rose again, saying:

"The lord of Bai Yu Mountain, the second-rank spiritual vein, Foundation Establishment early-stage cultivator Xia Baoling, was killed by a band of northern raiders who seized Bai Yu Mountain and sent ten thousand spiritual stones to the Daochang, promising to double tax payments for the next decade."

"This is the first time such a thing has happened in over a decade."

Previously, second-rank spiritual veins across the Demon Kingdom were mostly unclaimed, and more numerous than Foundation Establishment cultivators—anyone could occupy them by paying taxes, with no conflicts arising.

Now, over time, they are beginning to reach saturation.

"What do you think?"

Li Li Qingyun asked: "Shall we accept, or take other action?"

It was clear he favored acceptance.

Not out of bribery, but purely from the standpoint of ruling cost.

If we retaliated every time a leased Foundation Establishment cultivator died, the ruling cost would become too high.

By allowing acceptance, we can naturally filter out the strong.

Anyone who occupies a spiritual vein must accept unconditional conscription by Master Tushan Daochang when necessary—more strong subordinates benefit the Daochang.

As for Foundation Establishment cultivators becoming disloyal?

These wandering cultivators came solely for profit; they have no loyalty to begin with—no matter how well you treat them, it's the same.

Once the upper echelon loses its martial dominance, chaos erupts instantly.

Liu Liu Hongshao and the other wandering cultivators watched anxiously above them—they too held spiritual veins in various regions; Master Tushan Daochang's decision directly affected their personal safety.

"Law Enforcement Hall, dispatch personnel. Conscript all nearby Foundation Establishment cultivators and execute them."

Jiang Ding said calmly.

Since roughly seven or eight years ago, when Foundation Establishment demonic beasts within Master Tushan's borders were nearly extinct, he rarely left his seat—his subordinates handled all affairs.

He despised chaos and disorder.

Liu Liu Hongshao and the wandering cultivators exhaled in relief.

"Yes!"

Li Li Qingyun asked no further, offering a supplementary suggestion: "I suggest the second-rank spiritual vein dwellings be re-auctioned every ten years—the highest bidder wins. If the bid fails to meet the minimum expected price, leave it vacant rather than rent it out."

This ensures spiritual vein liquidity, filters out the weak as much as possible, reduces the likelihood of such incidents, and prevents Law Enforcement costs from spiraling uncontrollably.

'Damn it.'

Liu Liu Hongshao and the wandering cultivators clenched their teeth inwardly, resentment rising—but not a single word dared escape their lips.

"Agreed."

"Recently, due to the Spirit Treasure Guild's spirit-ship transport service, which charges exorbitant fees to ferry people across the Spiritless Desert, more Foundation Establishment cultivators from the North Plain have arrived. Although tax revenue and manpower have increased significantly, there are negative consequences."

"In recent years, bandit cultivators have been active, and security near Master Tushan Xiancheng has deteriorated further."

"Especially during the Spirit Treasure Guild's five-yearly auction, bandit cultivators surge in number; after striking swiftly, they shed their disguises and become seemingly virtuous cultivators, making them extremely difficult to track."

Li Li Qingyun raised another matter, saying: "I recommend increasing Liu's enforcement team by fifty percent to deter the growing number of lone cultivators in the surrounding areas, investigate illegal activities, and continue shaping Master Tushan Xiancheng into the most prosperous trade hub in the Three Kingdoms region."

"Increase the enforcement team by fifty percent?"

Jiang Ding frowned.

The current Enforcement Hall is led by Liu Liu Hongshao, a late Foundation Establishment cultivator, with twenty-three cultivators from sects and lone cultivators—all expert combatants—under him, commanding over three hundred late Qi Condensation cultivators.

The expenses are already enormous.

He briefly recalled, pulling up Master Tushan Xiancheng's recent trade tax data.

"…Over the past five years, due to the convergence of cultivators from the Three Kingdoms, annual trade taxes have risen from three million to five million low-grade spirit stones, showing a rapid upward trend… Among them, the Spirit Treasure Guild alone pays one million two hundred seventy thousand low-grade spirit stones…"

"Agreed."

"Yes."

Li Li Qingyun continued to the next agenda item: "The fish population in the Eastern Mountain Spirit Lake has declined; this year's catch is expected to drop by ten percent…"

"…The Blood Butcher Hall's Hundred Ghosts and Poison Corpse lineages have been wiped out; all their disciples are dead, and they have officially renamed themselves Huaxuedian. They have requested trade, seeking numerous spirit herbs and beast blood, offering spirit stones and spirit ores in exchange…"

"…A beast invaded a mortal city three months ago…"

"…A second-rank spirit mountain lord has resisted paying taxes…"

One matter after another concerning Master Tushan Daochang was swiftly resolved, involving the Enforcement Hall, Agriculture Hall, Tax Hall, and others; each Foundation Establishment cultivator stepped forward to report and then received their assignments.

The council lasted three days before concluding.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators departed one by one.

"Young Uncle."

Li Li Qingyun then spoke with a solemn expression: "Several days ago, a Jin Dan elder submitted a formal visitation notice to Master Tushan Daochang—likely a Jin Dan cultivator who fled from the North Plain."

(End of Chapter)