Chapter 1494: Common Goals, The New Life Movement

Afterwards, the wedding ceremony officially began.

Beneath the Statue of the Code, Laidun first publicly read the clauses of the Daxia Code related to marriage and family, and then asked the ten pairs of newlyweds:

"Is your union of your own free will?"

"Yes!" the ten pairs of newlyweds answered in unison.

"After entering into this marriage contract, will you care for, cherish, and help one another until the end of your lives?"

"We will!"

"In the name of the Lord, the Code, and Order, I declare this marriage contract established!"

Next, Laidun led the ten pairs of newlyweds in reciting the Lord's Quotations beneath the sacred Statue of the Code—

"We have all come from different regions and have come together for a common goal, and that common goal is to build a future that truly belongs to us!

"We now have eleven thousand companions, but this is not enough; in the future, we will need even more companions. At this current time, the Langasi are suffering, and the Netherese are not living happily either; we have a responsibility to save them and unite them.

"Let us work together, struggle together, and march together toward a beautiful new era!"

(Eleven thousand is old data)

Watching this scene, Xia Duo felt both joy and gratification, as well as a tiny bit of embarrassment; back when the Territory had few people, he had thought to use the form of the "Lord's Quotations" to simply regulate the lives and work of the territory's residents.

After the Territory's population grew, it was still kept in use, serving as a supplement to the Daxia Code and as direct instructions from a higher level.

It was just that, with Niya present, having it performed face-to-face by such a large group of people still made Xia Duo feel somewhat uncomfortable, especially since the early Lord's Quotations were used for literacy teaching, and many residents were very familiar with the quotations.

While Laidun led the ten pairs of newlyweds in recitation, the residents watching the ceremony in the plaza also recited along in unison, and the earlier the quotation, the louder they shouted.

Of course, aside from the tiny bit of embarrassment from being seen by Niya, Xia Duo felt mostly gratification.

Next, as long as he liberated their thinking step by step, these residents would have the opportunity to become existences equal to him, not just in terms of power, but also in personality, dignity, and social status.

Xia Duo did not want a puppet-like private kingdom; if that were the case, once he died, the kingdom might collapse instantly.

But if there were countless people who shared his ideals, even if he died, his thoughts and philosophy would be passed down and eventually build the future he expected.

Xia Duo had already attained longevity, but immortality, or even eternity—based on his current understanding, even gods could not be considered eternal, perhaps not even immortal, so how could he possibly calculate the scenario of immortality!

Of course, although Xia Duo held no hope for immortality, he still yearned for longevity; between being able to see with his own eyes the birth of a civilization permeated by his own thoughts and having future successors build it, he still looked forward to the former more.

After the wedding, the festive atmosphere in the plaza lingered for a long time; countless residents surrounded the ten pairs of newlyweds asking questions, and some bold children even wanted to reach out and touch the red wedding attire on the newlyweds.

The result was naturally that they couldn't touch anything, which only caused the surrounding adults to burst into laughter.

Seeing this scene, Xia Duo also chuckled, then left the plaza with Niya and returned to the Government Hall with Laidun.

This place was far from the Code Plaza, yet one could still hear the cheers that rose high from time to time over there.

This added a touch of warmth to the cold winter day; after sitting down in the inner chamber, Xia Duo then asked Laidun: "How has the New Life Movement been going recently?"

"Very smoothly, life in the Territory is very stable; once the Langasi adapt, they never want to return to the past. At least some Warriors are still thinking about going out to hunt; in this regard, I have already had the Territory Guard arrange recruitment matters."

Next, Laidun gave a detailed introduction to several activities currently being carried out, "The cooking competition organized by the Logistics Department has had a very high response from the residents; even those Langasi who haven't learned the Netherese language yet signed up enthusiastically, showing a trend of not wanting to fall behind.

"Up to now, the competition has already determined more than twenty winners and created more than ten new dishes that have been unanimously approved by everyone, which have now been added to the Territory Canteen.

"The Development Department also organized a skills competition, divided into carpentry, masonry, leatherworking, hunting, taming, and other categories. Additionally, at the suggestion of Elder Yatewude, an extra Scroll Racing Competition was opened."

"Scroll Racing Competition?"

Hearing this name that was both familiar and unfamiliar, Xia Duo instantly thought of something, "It wouldn't be—"

"Yes."

Laidun nodded and explained: "This Scroll Racing Competition is prepared for those Apprentices sent by the Territory to the Tower of Time; it compares the number of the same type of Magic Scroll produced within a specified time.

"Didn't you, my Lord, approve quite a few Magic Scrolls for the Territory Guard and the Security Office to use for training? Taking a small portion for a skills competition is not considered a waste.

"All Apprentices who sign up for the competition need to go to the Guard or the Security Office to complete teaching tasks; although the time is not long, it can also bring some new inspiration to the guards or security officers."

"Hmm, this matter was handled well. Those Apprentices from the Territory cannot all stay in the Tower of Time in the future; they will definitely have to return to the Territory for arrangements. Letting them come into contact with the people and affairs of the Territory in advance now is also beneficial for them."

Xia Duo first affirmed Laidun's approach, but also proposed—

"For this type of activity involving Magic, one must still pay attention to safety; whether for the participants or the onlookers, safety assurance work must be effectively carried out.

"If there is a need, seek support from the Tower of Time; do not feel that it is inconvenient to speak up. I have long since given instructions to the Task Management Office at the Tower of Time, and they will prioritize handling the needs of Daxia Territory."

"Yes, my Lord, I will be careful."

Laidun answered solemnly.

Next, Xia Duo asked some questions related to the new residents of the Grey Eagle Tribe, and Laidun answered them one by one. Afterwards, Xia Duo took Niya and returned to the Tower of Time.

When noticing that the teleportation location was in the Teleportation Room, Niya couldn't help but hug Xia Duo's arm, "Are you leaving again?"

"Yes, regardless, since I returned from Akaola, I have to report to the Seven Cities Council, right? Besides, the matter regarding my teacher has also reached a critical moment; I cannot stay here."

"Then when will you be back?"

"That is not up to me, but I promise that I will return at least once every month."

With Xia Duo saying this, Niya did not speak further, only silently letting go of Xia Duo's arm. Afterwards, Xia Duo lowered his head and kissed Niya on the forehead, then stepped onto the Teleportation Array heading to Seventon.

Seventon, Arcane Union.

Just as Xia Duo stepped out of the Teleportation Room, he received a Sending from Iolum; the tone was urgent, yet it did not state the specific matter, which made Xia Duo feel both happy and alarmed.

Could it be that the Independent Arcane Fire Device had made a breakthrough? Or had some accident occurred?