Today, Minister Ye was leading a team down to the current living area of their new merfolk residents. Considering that friction or conflict might take place if they went onto land and were spotted by the Draco empire envoy team, Huoran asked Minister Ye to lead it. Houran was currently in his private workshop realm, crafting two more secret realms that could support life, or life realms. When he had a discussion with Meirong earlier, she had informed him that most merfolk were not like her, and preferred to stay in water. And even though they were working hard to expand the underwater region of the water to handle the population, being stuck in a giant cave was less than ideal.
Huoran decided to solve that problem by crafting the two life realms: one would act as housing and farms while the other would act as the city and workshops. Artisans of the same specialty could access the other, for example, merfolk were famous for using spear and projectile type weapons, but used magma or water type refining to make them. Artifact refiners that work on the topside could request and visit their counterparts to learn from the other.
Huoran knew that the new life realm would have to be bigger since there were approximately one hundred thousand merfolk. Over the next few days, the administration department worked hard to register all the new residents into the system and print new cards. Things were awkward at first because the merfolk had not only Foundation Establishment stage beastkin, but Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Void Refinement stage cultivators, too. Fortunately, these new citizens didn't make it too difficult for the original inhabitants to do their jobs.
Eventually, Wei Huoran stood in front of the merfolk for his briefing. While he repeated many of the same things he would for the topside residents, he changed his briefing when it came to work.
"I don't expect many of you to start working right as we have to set up a system that works best for the situation", Huoran spoke to the crowd, "For now bear with it, and be flexible in your approach. We don't have a standing army, so many of you soldiers will most likely become Law Enforcement officers. I am crafting Life Realms and will fill them soon so that merfolk interested into farming plants and fish underwater can do so, and our third city, Levithas will also be inside a realm also. Let me make this clear, I am not restricting you to these jobs and realms only. You have the right to pick any job you are qualified for if there is a position open, whether it's on land or sea."
Huoran finished his speech before approaching Meirong and the commanders, "The life realms will be ready by the end of the week. I would invite the six of you to come with me to select the area that will be used in the realm."
"I don't quite understand what you mean, Daoist Wei?", Fan Dong, a commander, asked.
"The Life Realms I refine are capable of supporting life but not creating it", Huoran explained, "Once the realm is created, I have to fill it with earth, water, and life from this world. You will see at the end of the week."
Huoran walked away from the six of them, leaving them in a state of confusion.
At a large round table, Grand Lord Merchants Kang, Shen, and Gong, as well as, Lord Merchant Tan sat looking at the Qphone on the table. The three Grand Merchants were amazed as they saw the images being displayed in holographic mode.
"We should be able to produce these easy and make a fortune!", Grand Lord Kang exclaimed.
"Possibly Grand Lord, but we might be accused of selling broken goods if we do", Xinyue told them.
"Why? Just the performance of this 'camera' is worth a fortune. And we can sell music as well, we will have trouble keeping them in stock", Grand Lord Gong mentioned.
"I can agree with your first statement, unfortunately, music doesn't come with the Qphone. You need a bank account and a network connection to download the music", Xinyue explained, "That being said, it won't be impossible in the future."
"What makes you say that?", Gong asked while frowning.
"The artisans who created this will train others regardless of faction for a price", Xinyue replied.
"I see, we send our artisans there to learn, and then we can produce them ourselves", Grand Lord Shen summarized.
"Exactly, also Market Square lacks certain entertainment venues that we can take advantage of", Xinyue added, "But it will be tricky."
"It shouldn't be that hard to set up 'a place to listen to music'", Kang said while looking suspicious.
"Unfortunately, Slaves are forbidden by the Senior and his disciple and the Ministry of Commerce has arranged a special investigation team known as the Better Business Bureau", Xinyue told them.
"What is the purpose of this team?", Gong inquired.
"They inspect businesses at random intervals each season unannounced to ensure each business is following the rules of the islands or if they get reports from customers that a business is scamming, they will investigate", Xinyue said before continuing, "All businesses are required to have a business license to operate in Market Square. The lose of the license will mean that merchant has so many days to fix the defects or they will have to close their doors."
"It just sounds like local officials trying to take more bribe money from foreign companies to me", Shen voiced his displeasure.
"Grand Lord Shen, while I understand your reasoning, I'm afraid that isn't the case", Xinyue countered, "An existence like Senior doesn't need to scam a few low quality stones from others."
The three nodded at this before Kang said, "It appears I should leave with you, Xiao Xin. We should great ready, I need to negotiate with this disciple."
The other two looked alarmed and soon the three of them devolved into an argument.
The chieftain of the Bloodclaws was in a better mood recently. He had made contact will some of his allies to inform them of his recovery. Currently, he had visitors from Iron Claw Bear tribe, Razor Talon Eagle flock, and Crimson Fire Fox clan.
"Please join me for a feast we specially made for you", Jaeger offered.
The three were able to be polite and refuse, but as dishes made their way to the table, the scent alone made the leaders hold back their words.
As per tradition, the Jaeger tasted all the dishes first to show his guests that it was safe, but this is the first time he was excited to do so. The other three started eating afterwards and quickly realized the quality of the taste and Qi in the meal.
"Chief Bloodclaw, this is amazing! Where did you procure such high quality food?", the fox inquired.
"Lady Auburn, are you aware of the island to the south of our continent, where a certain senior cultivated in seclusion?", The wolf chief asked.
"I'm aware of that place, but it's covered by a very dangerous formation", Auburn replied.
"That Senior found a disciple and took him in", Bloodclaw explained, "Last time I was there, the disciple was the overseer and had created all kinds of things you wouldn't believe unless you saw it."
Jaeger pulled out a Qphone and displayed images and videos to the others.
The Ironclaw Bear watched the food images carefully, the eagle watched the fights, and when the fox heard about shopping and beauty products, she perked up.
"Perhaps you should introduce us to this young man, Bloodclaw", the eagle suggested.
"I was thinking of leading some of my pack down there for a few days to resupply", The wolf chief said, "I don't mind if you want to come as well, but don't cause trouble. Troublesome guests are removed and no longer welcomed and trouble makers can have their cultivations suppressed or even destroyed before you can react."
"It can't be that serious, lil wolfy", the fox teased with a flirty smile on her face.
Bloodclaw smiled, "Then you can try your luck, Lady Auburn. I heard when my pack where transporting me to the island for treatment, they were threatened by a pirate fleet and flood dragons. My shaman told me that within the time it takes to brew tea, the formation of the island had destroyed most of the flying ships and only left a few flood dragons alive to escape."
Auburn's smile disappeared, "Is that true?"
"That's just what they told, also one of my warriors mistakenly tried to attack the disciple and was instantly suppressed", Jaeger told them, "As long as you follow the rules, and don't push your luck, the island is a paradise."
The three leaders decided to send messages back to their home explaining the little expedition, all the while preparing to travel.
The next few days passed without incident before the Draco empire representatives returned to their kingdom. The prince was disappointed he couldn't negotiate more about the merfolk, but the benefits of a couple days on the island genuinely impressed him and he left to inform them of the island.
Zeng Meirong and her commanders stood near the beach awaiting Huoran's arrival.
"My apologies, I'm afraid I kept you waiting", Huoran said as he approached the group.
"Are you going to be ok in the water, Daoist Wei?", Meirong asked.
"Of course", Huoran smiled as he summoned a black manta ray shaped boat in the water and jump on top, "There is no need for you to swim, it will be faster this way."
"We can swim fast for long periods of time", Meirong mentioned as she entered the boat.
"But I can't, so this makes it easier", Huoran quipped as the commanders entered the ship.
Inside there was plenty of space to walk, ports to see the oceans, and rooms. Huoran sat in the captain's chair as the others sat down in other seat near the front view. Huoran activated the ship, the engine, and the anti-detection system before moving the throttle.
The ship moved forward before diving underwater at a speed that surprised his passengers.
"For the life realm that would hold the workshops I thought about the site of your previous capital might be ideal", Huoran said, "your craftsman need magma and water to work and fresh magma happens to be here."
"That's acceptable", Meirong replied, "Others might have felt it was inappropriate, but I think it's ironic in a good way to build our new life from the old."
Huoran drove the ship in a wide circle of five hundred kilometers dropping beacons before setting the last two for height.
"Prepare to be amazed!", he announced as he activated the life realm and everything within the beacons disappeared. The water rocked the boat as some had disappeared and the surrounding water rushed in to equalize the deficit. The land which was mostly cooled lava was bright red again as magma poured out again from the removal of a few layers.
Meirong and the commanders had shocked faces and turned around to see Huoran carrying a large spherical object.
"What is that?", Meirong questioned loudly.
"I told you what it was", Huoran responded, "It's the Life realm. I will make a portal once we get this home, and your people will have five hundred kilometers of magma and sea water to use for work. Now let's find another spot for your farm."
Four hours later, the submersible ship appeared back at the island. As Meirong and the commanders left the ship, and tried to understand what happened. Huoran summoned the ship back to his ring and said, "Thank you for your input, by tomorrow, your people will be able to enter and start their new lives and jobs."