Chapter 1740: Preparedness Prevents Peril, Mythallar Completed

Xia Duo realized the importance of population very early on, setting up numerous obstacles for territory citizens to renounce their residency. Of course, if someone truly completed the entire renunciation process, he would not stubbornly hold them back.

After all, if they could go through the entire process, their hearts were long gone from the territory. Even if he forced them to stay, it would only have a negative effect; it would be better to simply let go and wish each other well.

……

Given that lords near Seventon had already begun using the Cooperative to "reclaim" land, Xia Duo immediately sent a Sending to Buluode to step up the recruitment of new residents.

As the development of the Kangqi Plain, Aibi Hills, and Kelong Plain continued to advance, coupled with the industrial upgrades in the Inner Land brought about by the Agricultural Book, there were too many places needing manpower. He seriously doubted whether Buluode could still recruit fifty thousand new residents for him.

Although the total population of Xia Duo's Territory and the Savile Territory had already exceeded one hundred thousand, ranking among the top of all territories in Netheril, it was still too sparse compared to the total number.

Xia Duo's goal was—at least 500,000 adult residents, and the more the better. As it stands, this goal seems impossible to complete in the short term.

……

At noon that day, after finishing lunch at the Lord's Villa in Linshui Village, Xia Duo summoned the territory Administrator Laidun to inquire about the preparations for settling the new residents.

Regarding this, Laidun was well-prepared:

"My Lord, the territory's population has seen a qualitative improvement compared to before, and related affairs are already on the right track. If it is only for temporary settlement, we can accommodate up to 30,000 people at any time. To reach the expected target of 50,000, we can complete it all by next month at the latest."

"What about wintering matters?"

"It is still several months until winter; whether it is fifty thousand or more, there is plenty of time!"

At this moment, Laidun's face was full of confidence. Xia Duo did not doubt Laidun's words, but he still reminded him: "You haven't forgotten that winter came early last year, right? You must also make corresponding preparations this year, including for a prolonged winter!"

"Yes."

Laidun agreed immediately, but then hesitated: "My Lord, will winter come early again this year?"

"I am not sure, but it is never wrong to be well-prepared. Even if these preparations eventually prove to be redundant, they will not be wasted; the territory can digest them!"

"Yes."

"Starting tomorrow, I will open a Portal at Code Plaza. Have the Settlement Department ready for placement at any time, and ensure that the related work proceeds in an orderly manner."

"Yes."

Laidun replied again, and seeing that Xia Duo had no other instructions, he quietly withdrew.

……

Inside the Study, Xia Duo walked to the window and waved to the distance. Niya soon landed in front of the window riding a Pegasus, covered in sweat, and said with dissatisfaction:

"You finished talking so quickly?"

"Mm."

Xia Duo nodded, not minding Niya's attitude. Niya had started helping in the Blue Crystal Plane again these past few days. It was a rare relaxation, so he did not want to interfere too much, only reminding her:

"Look at you, covered in sweat. Why don't you activate the Element Balance Domain? Don't learn from me; my bloodline is special, and I have long since ceased to fear cold or heat."

"It's fine, this feeling is quite good. At least it makes me feel like I am living very realistically!"

After speaking, Niya took a deep breath. The noon sun, just slightly to the west, shone on her face, and the sweat glistened, as if she were a celestial being.

Even as an old married couple, Xia Duo was momentarily stunned. For a time, he could not bear to break this atmosphere, and only after a long while did he say:

"Then do you want to play for a while longer? I am going back to the Blue Crystal Plane. We should be able to wrap things up there today, and I can't wait."

Upon hearing that things were wrapping up in the Blue Crystal Plane, Niya could no longer stay put. She immediately leaped from the back of the Pegasus, jumped into Xia Duo's Study, waved her hand to let the Pegasus go play by itself, and then said to Xia Duo:

"I won't play anymore, I'm going too. Wait for me, it will be quick."

As soon as she finished speaking, she disappeared. Xia Duo was long used to this. When he was ready and returned to the Preparation Teleportation Hall of the Plane Exploration Layer in the Tower of Time, Niya was already waiting there.

"How are you even slower than me!"

"……"

Xia Duo was speechless. If I hadn't waited for you, I would have arrived long ago. Although she is a Spellcaster, Niya is not at all sloppy when it comes to bathing.

Perhaps this time the attraction of the 【Mythallar】 being completed was too great, and Xia Duo's grasp of time was a bit off, which is why he fell behind Niya.

However, compared to the upcoming journey, these were minor matters.

The two quickly activated the Portal and entered the Blue Crystal Plane.

……

The Floating City, the Main Energy Center at the very center.

At this moment, it was no longer in its original "hollow" state, but had a complex hollow sphere composed of extremely fine, glowing dark blue filaments that occupied almost the entire space.

At the same time, because the main body of the 【Mythallar】 was not yet finished, the massive ring-shaped Davy String Preparation Machine, like a planetary ring, tightly locked the glowing dark blue sphere in its embrace.

Arriving here, Xia Duo began the final finishing work without a word, while Niya shuttled back and forth in the remaining space of the Main Energy Center, looking here and there, almost never stopping for a moment.

"Niya, can you go outside and print the Mithril Circuit first? You are very likely to interfere with me here!"

Although he said this, Xia Duo's handiwork did not pause in the slightest, and Niya seemed to have long been accustomed to Xia Duo's complaints; she only slowed down the frequency of her movement, but had no intention of leaving.

"Go for it, I believe you can do it!"

However, Niya only watched for herself and did not disturb Xia Duo with various questions; she knew very well where the boundary between focus and interference lay.

……

About three or four hours passed. Xia Duo waved his hand and put the Davy String Preparation Machine into his Personal Space. Niya, who had been paying close attention to Xia Duo's movements, saw this scene, immediately cheered up, greeted him, and asked excitedly:

"Is it done?"

"Mm." Xia Duo nodded, "It's done, only the final activation is left."

"Then hurry up and activate it!"

Just as Xia Duo was about to act, his heart suddenly stirred, and he said to Niya: "How about you activate it?"

"Me?" Niya was subconsciously stunned. Although Xia Duo had taught her how to activate and deactivate the 【Mythallar】 device before this, this was only the second 【Mythallar】 device in existence!

Even if Xia Duo trusted her to operate it, she was worried that if she made a mistake in any step, she would ruin Xia Duo's hard work of more than a month.

But Xia Duo's trusting gaze stirred Niya's desire, and she hesitated: "Can I?"

"Of course you can!"

Seeming to see the worry in Niya's eyes, Xia Duo could not help but comfort her: "Don't worry, I will be watching from the side, I guarantee there won't be any problems."

"Then shall I give it a try?"

"Go for it, I believe you can do it!"

Xia Duo used the words Niya had just said to him to encourage her.