Chapter 373: The Chaos Begins

Five days later, Anwa looked at the giant city ahead, a trace of joy appearing in her eyes.

She glanced at the taciturn Heiniu beside her and said slowly, "This is the Arcane City, the number one city in the God Continent!"

Heiniu also looked toward the city ahead, a flash of astonishment crossing his eyes.

"It is worthy of being one of the three great empires; a city like this probably only exists in the imagination."

There are many cities in the Canghai World, but those cities do not have city walls.

Yet the Arcane City possesses tall city walls; Heiniu estimated them to be several hundred meters high, worthy of being called an impregnable fortress, towering and imposing.

More importantly, at the very top of this city, there is a floating Palace.

Or rather, a cluster of palaces.

To Heiniu's naked eye, he estimated that the palace cluster was even larger than Koya City.

This shows the strength of the Arcane Empire.

Using Arcane to make a city float in the air.

This has already exceeded Heiniu's understanding.

"The floating Palace is the Arcane Hall; within the Palace reside ninety percent of the Arcane Empire's Great Arcanists.

The Arcane Hall accumulates all the brilliant civilization of the Arcane Empire." Anwa's eyes were filled with starlight.

Having experienced the ignorance and backwardness of the Shaya Kingdom, she finally understood the power of the Arcane Empire.

"The Arcane Hall is floating in the air; if an enemy invades, wouldn't it be very dangerous since the target is too large?" Heiniu was somewhat puzzled.

If an enemy were to invade the Arcane Empire, the Arcane Hall would bear the brunt of it.

"This is the greatness of the Arcane Empire.

The Sage once said that the Arcane Hall floats in the air to shelter the entire Arcane City, for the purpose that... when disaster comes, all the high-level officials will be the first to face it, blocking from the very front!"

As Anwa spoke, her face was full of pride.

"These Great Arcanists are very great." Heiniu could not help but let out a sigh of admiration.

High-level officials who can stand in front of the commoners are indeed great.

In this world, how many high-level officials can achieve this?

Even in the ancient dynasties of the Canghai World, the Son of Heaven guarding the national gate and the gentleman guarding the state were nothing more than slogans.

In the current Special Zone, those high-level officials live in the clouds, enjoying all kinds of privileges.

They even write their privileges into the law.

Compared to these Great Arcanists, those high-level officials are somewhat selfish.

However, human nature is selfish, which is an unavoidable matter, and Heiniu had no opinion on it.

Perhaps if he were in that position, he would be even more selfish than them.

"In the Arcane City, the permanent population is twelve million, which is the city with the largest population among all human kingdoms.

The second largest is the imperial capital of the Bauhinia Empire, which only has a population of 9 million." Anwa was very proud.

A city capable of supporting a population of ten million level is unique.

"It's alright." Heiniu's reaction to this was flat.

After all, in the Canghai World, cities that are slightly larger already have populations of several million.

Among those super-large cities, none have a population lower than ten million.

Seeing Heiniu's expression, Anwa emphasized again: "Being able to support a population of twelve million is rare in the world.

Moreover, unlike the imperial capital of the Bauhinia Empire, the commoners of the Arcane Empire, while not saying everyone is very happy, at least have food to eat.

In the capital of the Bauhinia Empire, hundreds of starving vagrants are cleared out of the city every day."

Heiniu smiled: "Along the way, I have already seen the prosperity of the Arcane Empire and the hearts of the people; compared to other cities, it is much better.

However... actually... I think Iron Stone City might be even better than the Arcane City; the people there also live very happily."

Having experienced the affluence of modern society.

The commoners at the bottom of this world can be said to live very hard lives.

Even in the Arcane Empire, compared to the commoners of other countries, they live with more dignity and decency, but compared to modern society, it is still far behind.

In fact, compared to Iron Stone City, it is still very far behind.

"Iron Stone City, I've never heard of it." Anwa did not believe him.

In her heart, the cities of the Arcane Empire are the best cities in the world, and also the best for commoners.

"If there is a chance, you can go and see it." Heiniu smiled.

Beside them, the Great Arcanist Kong Ping watched the two bickering and also revealed a long-lost smile.

When he saw the Arcane City, the fatigue in his heart dissipated, and he gained a bit of confidence.

But the next second, the Great Arcanist Kong Ping's expression changed slightly.

"Master Kong Ping!"

An old man wearing silk robes descended from the air, his face carrying an anxious expression.

"What is it?" Kong Ping's eyes carried a trace of worry.

The old man before him was a messenger of the Arcane Hall.

Since he appeared, it meant something major had happened.

"An emergency has occurred; the Sage is preparing to restart the Arcane Star Conference. Master Kong Ping, please head to the Arcane Hall immediately." After the robed old man finished speaking, he continued, "Master Kong Ping, excuse me, I still have to notify other masters."

Having said that, the robed old man's figure dissipated and vanished.

A deep worry appeared on Kong Ping's face.

He gave instructions to the delegation and then left quickly, heading toward the Arcane Hall.

The entire delegation was very gloomy, and everyone's expression was not very good.

"Arcane Star Conference, what is that?" Heiniu asked from the side.

Kongwa's face was full of worry: "This is the Arcane Empire's... highest-level conference.

For this kind of conference, over ninety percent of the Arcane Empire's Great Arcanists must attend to discuss matters together.

To suddenly discuss matters... this means an urgent, major event has occurred.

Could it be... that a war... is about to happen?"

Kongwa's eyes were filled with anxiety.

Last time, the Kunan Orc Tribe invaded the Arcane Empire, and the Arcane Empire counterattacked, wiping out the Kunan Orc Tribe.

Even for that war, a Star Conference was not held.

Since it is being held this time, it is evident that if it really is a war, this war is definitely not on the same level as the Kunan Orc Tribe.

A major event is about to begin.

In the third month of spring, the Sun first rose.

Lilong stretched, feeling the sunlight, his body feeling lazy: "After so many days, the Sun has finally come out. It's so warm, praise the Sun."

Beside him, Languang was in a long robe; he spoke up: "You must praise civilization; it is civilization that gave us the qualifications to enjoy this."

Beside him, Lilong pursed his lips: "Languang, I've checked, there is no God of Civilization in this world at all."

"Civilization is everywhere; the God of Civilization is right beside us." Languang spoke, his voice gentle and full of infectious power.

Lilong couldn't help but take another look at Languang: "I always feel like you're acting like a charlatan now."

Languang couldn't help but smile.

For these past three months, he had been praying constantly, and he felt that he was getting closer and closer to the God of Civilization.

Moreover, he had secretly mastered several more Divine Arts.

He had even established a Civilization Association in Iron Stone City to pray to the God of Civilization together.

"Alright, no more nonsense, let's start working." Languang said.

"Alright." Lilong agreed.

They had come to Koya City this time to continue recruiting laborers.

Today's Iron Stone City had taken its initial shape and required a large number of people and laborers.

Languang and Lilong were responsible for coming to Koya City to recruit workers.

Surrounded by the Guard Team, the two arrived at the labor market.

Originally, such matters could be left to human traffickers, but Languang insisted on doing it himself.

The two arrived at the labor market, and immediately a pungent smell wafted over.

This smell was very familiar to the former Languang and Lilong, but now it felt very strange; both of them couldn't help but cover their mouths.

"It's too dirty and messy here, and no one cleans up the trash regularly." Lilong couldn't help but complain.

"This is not Iron Stone City; the light of civilization does not shine here, so naturally, it is different." Languang looked at the chaotic crowd in front of him, looking at their sallow, emaciated bodies and the longing in their eyes, a trace of pity appearing in his own.

Lilong felt something at this moment: "I still remember half a year ago, we were just like this group of people below.

Now, only half a year has passed, yet it feels like so long ago, just like a dream."

Indeed, half a year ago, Lilong was still working hard every day just for a bite to eat.

Carrying and unloading cargo, even with his strong body, he would be woken up every night by the soreness in his waist and shoulders.

Such days, which he felt were nothing before, now felt very painful and repulsive when recalled; he did not want to go back.

Languang also revealed a smile; he posted the notice on the wall and then said loudly.

"Iron Stone City is recruiting laborers; there is no limit on the number of spots, and no restriction on gender.

Every month there is a reward of three silver coins, room and board included; work six days, rest one day, and there are three days of monthly leave."

Languang explained the benefits and compensation of Iron Stone City.

Compared to before, the benefits of Iron Stone City had improved significantly.

Compared to jobs within the city, this could be considered a sweet deal.

As soon as Languang finished speaking, it immediately triggered a noisy cheer.

"Iron Stone City is recruiting!"

"Go quickly, go quickly!"

"It's actually Iron Stone City!"

These people at the bottom of society had long heard of Iron Stone City.

It could be said that the benefits and treatment of Iron Stone City were far better than their current jobs.

Just the inclusion of room and board, even without a salary, would be enough to tempt one-fifth of the people present.

Among them, a thin, weak youth looked on with curiosity: "Uncle, the benefits at Iron Stone City are so good, it wouldn't be a scam, would it?"

The uncle next to the youth, hearing the youth's words, had eyes full of regret: "Half a year ago, I also thought it was a scam, so I didn't go; I regret it so much!

Otherwise, the gentleman standing up there wearing a long robe would be me!"

Hearing this, the youth was still somewhat hesitant.

The uncle next to him continued: "Kid, you have this opportunity, don't miss it, or you'll regret it!"

After the uncle finished speaking, he also quickly ran toward the high platform to prepare to sign up.

Languang stood on the high platform, looking at the people below, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

These people had not been illuminated by the light of civilization.

He wanted to let these people enjoy the edification of civilization!

And at this moment, Lilong beside him suddenly asked: "Languang, I remember our Iron Stone City has already recruited nearly ten thousand laborers; why are there still so many laborers here?"

Furthermore, I also saw orcs.

Iron Stone City shouldn't have many orcs, right?"

Lan Guang looked at the laborers below; they were all dressed in rags, like refugees.

He recalled the news he had received a while ago and couldn't help but speak.

"A few months ago, the Four Great Temples united with the Six Great Kingdoms and declared war on the Arcane Empire.

These people who just arrived must be refugees."

Lan Guang sighed.

"War has started?" Lilong couldn't help but worry, "We aren't far from the Arcane Empire; will we be affected?"

Lilong knew that both the Arcane Empire and the Four Great Temples were behemoths.

These two entities were things he could not offend, nor even look up to.

"With His Highness the Prince here, it should... be fine.

This time, our Saya Kingdom did not participate in the war, so it should be fine," Lan Guang said slowly.

As for what the outcome would be, he wasn't very clear either.

"Sigh," Lilong sighed, "Why must there be war? Isn't it better to live a good life?"

Half a day later.

Lan Guang looked at the youth before him, a flash of surprise in his eyes: "Are you from the Bona Kingdom?"

The Bona Kingdom borders the Arcane Empire.

This time, the Four Great Temples united with the Six Great Kingdoms to declare war on the Arcane Empire.

The King of the Bona Kingdom did not respond to the call of the Four Great Temples.

Logically speaking, this war should not affect the Bona Kingdom.

"Yes, sir, I am a Commoner from the Bona Kingdom." The youth was thin and frail, his gaze somewhat drifting; he looked very timid.

"How did you come here?" Lan Guang asked.

"War broke out in our country, and there were dead people everywhere, so we had no choice but to flee." Mentioning this, the youth's face was full of pain, "My father and mother both died in the chaos of war, and I was the only one who escaped to Koya City."

"The Bona Kingdom has fallen into chaos?" Lan Guang was surprised.

"It was the army of the War Copper Kingdom that purged our cities and villages."

The War Copper Kingdom is one of the six human kingdoms summoned by the Four Great Temples.

"Isn't the War Copper Kingdom at war with the Arcane Empire? Why would they attack the Bona Kingdom?" Lan Guang was puzzled.

"I heard that the War Copper Kingdom has a grudge against our King; they said we colluded with the Arcane Empire, so...

But how could we have colluded with the Arcane Empire!" The youth said, his eyes filled with pain, "The Four Great Temples are all robbers. They aren't thinking about destroying the Arcane Empire at all; they want to wipe out all our other countries and sell all us Commoners as slaves."

Looking at the youth, Lan Guang was surprised; he felt that the youth's identity was not as simple as just a Commoner, as Commoners generally wouldn't know these things.

However, none of this was important.

What was important was that the Four Great Temples would actually implicate other kingdoms and drag them into the water.

The Saya Kingdom borders the Arcane Empire; would it face the same fate as the Bona Kingdom?

He needed to report this matter to his superiors so they could prepare early.

At the same time, on Tieshi Mountain, a piece of intelligence appeared on Lin Chao's desk.

Lin Chao opened the intelligence, his gaze deep: "People from the Light Temple have come to Koya City?"

According to what was written in the intelligence, the people from the Light Temple came to Koya City to solicit war funds.

The people from the Light Temple claimed that the evil Arcane Empire was causing humanity to suffer.

The Four Great Temples had united with the Six Great Kingdoms to destroy the Arcane Empire together.

However, they lacked military funds, and the soldiers were not getting enough to eat, so they had come specifically to solicit war funds.

"Soliciting war funds while bringing a squad of the Light Holy War Army—is this soliciting? This is daylight robbery."

Lin Chao sneered.

The Light Holy War Army is an infantry unit of the Light Temple with considerable combat power.

These people are all devout believers of the Light Temple.

They are fanatical, crazy, and paranoid; they are one of the sharpest swords of the Light Temple.

Thanks to 【Yu Qi】 for the tip!

(End of this chapter)