After Wei Huoran completed the first teleportation, teams of enforcers and construction crews crossed through the afterwards to begin building the newly named 'Twin Dragon' city. Unlike the cities built on Sun & Moon island, this new city was planned and built alongside assistance from the other three continents. Huoran returned to Sun & Moon island soon after as the new city was quickly becoming established.
The birth of a new city caused a situation for the ministry as organizing leadership was becoming more complicated. The ministers had discussed several ways to resolve the issue, but ultimately, they went to Wei Huoran so that any plan they had would have his master's blessing. The final result was that the ministry would move up a level to handle to the larger issues, and each city would be assigned a mayor with several advisors to handle local problems.
Liang Longwei, one of the first Sun & Moon citizens to reached the Nascent Soul realm, was interviewed and selected as the mayor of the new city.
Liang Longwei was sitting in the office he had use until the city hall was built. He was looking at his screen at the never ending tasks listed on it, before picking up and drinking a cup of green tea to calm his nerves. On a second screen, he was in a chat room with five other mayors: Zhao Riyue was chosen as the mayor of Sun city, next was Nai Leiyue who was chosen to lead Moon city, Tang Lihua was picked for Market Square, Han Yunshan became the mayor of Misty Peak, and finally Hai Yunfeng was tapped to become the mayor of Seabreeze Cove.
As a group of newly appointed officials, the seven leaders constantly messaged the others as they were learning their duties. Liang Longwei was glad that their combined efforts had helped him improve his own leadership skills, but he was slightly jealous. The other mayors were overseeing cities on the island, and so their advisers were also citizens of the island. In contrast, while he was from Sun & Moon island, his council of advisers was a mix of people from the island and all the other continents. Since several forces had donated materials and manpower to this project, the city's design reflected the spirit of all the backers.
Liang Longwei sent a message to the others:
[ TwinDragonLiang: Fellow mayors, is there anyone who wishes to trade assignments with me?
MayorTang: Daoist Liang, is there some sort of problem?
YunFengoftheCove: Mayor Liang, they obviously choose the right person for each city, are you doubting the ministry's decision. (Smirking smiley face)
TwinDragonLiang: Yunfeng, I dare you to come and try to do my job. I would love to see you fail. (Angry face)
NaiovertheMoon: Daoist Liang, if you have issues, I would advise that you speak with the ministers.
SunKingZhao: I understand how you feel, Mayor Liang. Unfortunately, our assignments have been given, so as Mayor Nai says, speak with our more experienced ministers.
TwinDragonLiang: (depressed face)
HanoftheMist: Cheer up, it could be worse. (Enlightened face)
YunFengoftheCove: Your city is not even as large as ours, how could your job be so difficult? (Taunting face)
MayorTang: Now, now Mayor Yunfeng, it's obvious that they hold Mayor Liang in high regard. His accomplishments will earn him many merits once his city is built.
TwinDragonLiang: Mayor Tang, you sure know the right thing to say, if you get the opportunity to visit, I will ensure you have our finest food and drink. (Proud face)
NaiovertheMoon: I have to admit I'm curious, if I get some time, I will visit. (Excited face)
SunKingZhao: Perhaps it would be a good experience for us to occasionally visit the cities of the others.
TwinDragonLiang: Excellent suggestion, please inform me when you make plans, especially you Yunfeng, I will make sure everything is specially arranged for you. (Innocent face)(sneering face)
My advisors are here, I must go.
YunFengoftheCove: (Daggers) Take these on the way out.]
Liang Longwei looked away from his screen, and focused on the group of people entering his office.
"Ladies, Gentlemen, please seat down. what do you have to report?", due to the unusual situation, Liang Longwei preferred a more straightforward approach over holding polite conversations.
A woman was the first to speak, "Phase one has been completed, and all the sectors have been laid out. As long as your approval is given, we will move on the next phase."
"Thank you Advisor Xia", Mayor Liang said, "After the meeting, I will do a walkthrough and send you a message."
Advisor Xia slightly bowed before the next person began his briefing, "the commercial sector is obviously awaiting phase two before we will see the growth we are expecting."
"Understood Advisor Wang", Mayor Liang held up his hand, "This was predicted, do not worry about it."
"Thank you, Mayor", Advisor Wang relaxed, "I will do my best to achieve results as phase two is implemented."
Liang Longwei turned towards his next guest, and said, "Advisor Mu, unlike the last report, I'm expecting good news from you."
"Rest assured, Mayor, I do not wish to disappoint you", Advisor Mu assured him, "According to the Sages and grandmasters, our initial array formation has no problems, and the grand formation will be in place on schedule."
"That is some welcome news", Liang Longwei smiled, "Just let me know if there is anything they need or if problems arise."
Advisor Mu said nothing as Mayor Liang turned towards the next guest.
"Healer Jin, for once I hope that you have nothing to report", he said, "But if you are in need, please let me know."
"Mayor, everyone has been doing their best, and I have only needed to tend to small injuries", the healer reported, "Also our supplies are still sufficient, so I can fulfill your wish as that is my report."
"Good, good, good", Mayor Liang relaxed, "Hearing this is fortunate indeed."
Liang Longwei looked at the last two advisors, "Please excuse me, Advisors Zhang and Feng, but if our commerce sectors are not yet in place, I assume our cultural and diplomatic departments are willing but still awaiting work."
Advisor Feng nodded in agreement, but Advisor Zhang looks as if she had something to say.
"My apologies, Advisor Zhang", Liang Longwei noticed her expression, "It appears I was incorrect, and you have something to report."
Advisor Zhang smiled, "You are partly correct, Mayor. It is true that the city is not quite ready to embrace culture yet, we have found altars on the island that suggest that locals use this place for their own culture."
Mayor Liang frowned, "Can you decipher the purpose of these altars?"
"No", she admitted, "But we have already recorded everything m, and sent the images back home to see if Boss Wei's master can."
"That's fine", Mayor Liang replied, "Hopefully we can find out more before this results in an awkward situation."
Shou Huiya was the patriarch of the Zhenling clan in the Huiyu Lin region on the Emerald Jade continent. Her clan was several families of beast tamers that had come together to defend the 'forest of wise feathers', known for its wide variety of spiritual birds the clan regularly tamed.
Today was the day that she would lead several elders and their most promising young tamers to dragon island to give offerings to the ancestral beasts that lived on the continent in the north, 'The continent of divine beasts'.
Shou Huiyu had gathered everyone and their flying clan's flying mounts together before traveling to the northern coast in preparation to travel to dragon island. They were going to rest for the night, and take off in the morning so they could avoid the Lishou clan. Just as the Shou clan was the top beast tamers on the Huiyu region, the Lishou clan was the best that practice beast fusion.
Shou Huiyu could not understand the practice of the Lishou clan, spiritual beasts were very useful companions. Why would you raise them only to kill them and fuse their bodies with your own?
"Everyone get some rest", she ordered her followers, "And make sure the offering is protected. If the ancients are displeased with our clan, we will receive no eggs or young from them."
The group of people nodded as they had finished setting up camp, and setting up the watch for the night. Spiritual beasts of certain kinds had very outstanding senses, and could warn them of most dangers in advance. Even though she assigned her most promising clansmen the role of night guard, she also had three of her six spiritual beast watching for possible threats as well. Night watch was simply a test to evaluate how competent these supposedly talented disciples were.
Fortunately, the night passed without incident and once camp was broken down, everyone mounted the flying beasts. A few minutes later, the flock of beasts were airborne, and Shou Huiyu felt nostalgic about her first time when she traveled to offer gifts to the ancients. She was fortunate to receive a wild cub during that trip as she looked at the artifact on her waist that the now grown celestial wolf inhabited now.
Most of the day passed by as everyone grew tired of seeing endless waters, but soon their destination came into view. The island that was shaped as a powerful dragon attacking a drake was the same as Shou Huiyu remembered it from the last time she escorted her clansmen here. She prepared to lead the others towards the altars they used to give offerings to the ancients when a loud voice frightened her and everyone else.
"Intruders! You have entered the air space of Sun & Moon island", the voice bellowed, "No hostile intention is detected, land as soon as possible, and prepare for questioning."
Shou Huiyu recognized that a multitude of artifacts were present in the area, and even felt threatened by them despite being at the Void Refinement realm.
"Everyone", she called out, "Do your best to calm your emotions and the anxiety of your beasts, and follow me."
Shou Huiyu instructed her flying mount, and they traveled to open area near the shore of the island as her clan followed her. As she neared the landing area, she noticed small teams of what appeared to be metal golems flying toward their location. She immediately felt the danger of these artifact creatures, but she instructed her group to exercise caution. The lead golem broke away from the rest, stopping some distance in front of her. Then to her amazement, the artifact golem's head opened to reveal the face of a woman.
"I am Liu Jia, lead enforcer of this team", the woman in armor stated, "You are the second group of people trying to enter this area, and wish to know your intentions."
"I am Shou Huiyu, matriarch of the Zhenling clan of the Emerald Jade continent", she returned the introduction, "Every ten years we come here to make offerings at the altars of the ancient divine beasts, and this year is the time to come again. Did you say that we are the second group that arrived?"
"Please follow me", Liu Jia ordered them, "Unlike the first group you all have not shown hostility, but should you be hiding and preparing to attack once you think our guard is down, you will be shown no mercy."
The helmet on the suit of armor returned, and after a few easy to understand hand gestures, the two groups flew off. After ten minutes, Shou Huiyu saw more armored people surrounded someone she was familiar with, Li Huang, patriarch of the Lishou clan. Even from this distance it was easy to see that they had been injured alongside with their own spiritual beasts they used to travel.
After having everyone dismount, Shou Huiyu had her group stay behind as she walked with Liu Jia towards the group that had been captured.
"Patriarch Li, it's unusual to meet again under these circumstances", Shou Huiyu said, but she did not completely hide her ridicule.
The man she called Patriarch Li stated back angrily at first before responding, "I also did not expect to meet under these circumstances."
"Please wait here", Liu Jia instructed the two, "Our mayor, his council, and the council of the beastkin will arrive shortly."
Shou Huiyu looked at Liu Jia strangely, "What is a beastkin?"
The patriarch also was confused, so Liu Jia was about to offer an explanation when another voice called out, "Team leader Liu, we can take things from here. Sorry for taking so long to arrive, I am Mayor Liang Longwei, the Mayor of Twin Dragon city."
Everyone turned to see the new arrivals, and saw a man, and two groups of people that was a mix of men and women.
When Shou Huiyu and Li Huang noticed the second of people, they felt a strange sensation of closeness to them while their subordinates felt oppression.
Everyone bowed to each other, and Liang Longwei continued, "The quick answer is that beastkin are spiritual beast who gained enlightenment, and changed to a human form. They can still use their beast form if they wish, or sometimes they use something in between."
Shou Huiyu could not believe what she was hearing, "Where did you all come from?"
"Ah", Liang Longwei embarrassedly replied, "That answer is a bit more complicated, so I suggest we guide you to our homes so we can have a more private discussion."