"It's snowing."
Ji Xia stood on top of the palace tower with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance. Behind him stood more than a dozen high-ranking officials from the Taicang Empire, all with their heads bowed in reverence.
The heavy snowfall of the night had blanketed the entire Taicang City in silver, covering the dilapidated alleys and houses with a beautiful layer of frost. However, no one in the Taicang Empire felt joy at the sight of snow. Snow meant the arrival of the "Silent Day," a time when darkness and death would cast their shadow over everything. In years when harvests were poor and firewood scarce, many would die.
It had always been this way—without exception.
"Has the new grain distribution decree been issued to Taicheng Prefecture and Cangcheng Prefecture?"
Ji Xia asked, still watching the snow.
Tai Chengbo Rong Lou and Cangcheng's city lord, Po Xian, stepped forward. Rong Lou replied, "Yes, it has been issued. After confirmation, the people of both cities were ecstatic. Some were so overjoyed that they fainted from excitement."
"Indeed, the deputy city lord of Cangcheng sent a letter yesterday, saying that after learning of the new decree, the people of Cangcheng spontaneously knelt and bowed toward Taicheng to thank the national lord for his great kindness."
Po Xian's expression had brightened considerably of late, and even as he reported, there was a hint of a smile on his face.
Lu Yu, who stood at the head of the officials, also appeared rejuvenated. "Your Majesty, in just one day yesterday, the Great Grain Treasure Vessel produced eight million pounds of food. The workers at the nine granaries worked in two shifts to bag and store it. Since manpower was still insufficient, we had to recruit more people, but we barely managed to keep up with the progress."
Ji Xia nodded in satisfaction. He suddenly remembered the middle-aged man he had spoken to in the granary not long ago and recalled the promise he had made at the time. He felt his thoughts become clearer, and even the flow of his spiritual energy quickened.
"Indeed, the state of mind is incredibly important for cultivation. If one's mood is gloomy for days, and the mind is not clear, the speed of cultivation would likely slow down considerably."
Ji Xia thought to himself, then turned to Ji Qianqing beside him. "How is the matter of sending people to infiltrate Zhouqing going? Any news?"
"We've already sent three experts from the Seventh Heaven, skilled in stealth, to disguise themselves and travel to Zhouqing. So far, there has been no news. However, Cangcheng reports that the 4,000 Zhouqing soldiers stationed on Mount Zhouqing have all withdrawn."
"Hmm?"
Ji Xia's brows furrowed in thought. "All of them have withdrawn?"
"Yes, all of them have withdrawn," Ji Qianqing confirmed.
The young lord of Taicang nodded, feeling a faint sense of relief. He thought that Meng Gui must have succeeded in his mission, but since Meng Gui had not returned and there was no news, a sense of unease began to settle in his heart.
"Perhaps he was delayed on the way. With his ability to turn into a putrid mask and become one with the mud, he should be fine."
"Moreover, that white dragon left after reading the letter. Perhaps it's going to fetch him! If that's the case, even the Da Fu might not be able to do anything to Meng Gui."
After thinking for a while, Ji Xia decided that Meng Gui must be safe. He suppressed the unease in his heart, instructed the officials to return to their rest, and went back to his private chambers.
The past few days had been busy, and he had not had the chance to review his recent gains.
Once back in his chambers, he sat cross-legged on the wooden bed, his mind moving as he entered the Forbidden Decay Divine Tree's space.
"It's been so long since I've entered the tree's space. I wonder how many Divine Tree Spirit Seeds I've accumulated."
He thought, anticipation building in his chest.
[Forbidden Decay Divine Tree Spirit Seeds: 8467]
Ji Xia saw the number of spirit seeds displayed and couldn't help but smile.
"Open the Spirit Seed Record Module."
[Acquired 335,978 Taicang citizens' heartfelt support, gained 3,390 spirit seeds.
Acquired 189,320 Taicang citizens' recognition, gained 1,903 spirit seeds.
…
Killed the Godly Priest Apparition, gained 300 spirit seeds.
First independent kill of the Godly Priest Apparition, gained 800 spirit seeds.
You killed the ruler of a weak nation, gained 300 spirit seeds.
You destroyed the royal family of a weak nation, gained 800 spirit seeds.
Killed 500 Evil Dog Soldiers, gained 50 spirit seeds.
Killed 3,000 Hunting Soldiers, gained 30 spirit seeds.
…
The various spirit seed acquisition records appeared on the glowing screen, clearly displaying every detail of how the spirit seeds were obtained.
"It seems that after the Taicang citizens recognized me, their support is an additional step up."
Ji Xia rubbed his chin, thinking to himself, "Similar to recognition, for every 100 citizens' support, I gain 1 spirit seed. I wonder what other emotions arise after support."
"The most surprising part is the Godly Priest Apparition killed with the Tenfold Bow. The 200-point investment in the bow gave me five times the return, and with the calculation wheel as a bonus, it's safe to say I've made a huge profit."
He couldn't help but smile broadly. The Forbidden Decay Divine Tree was his greatest reliance, and seeing the spirit seeds increase so rapidly filled him with confidence.
"Enter the first layer of the Divine Tree space."
The space shifted, and countless rays of light and particles flew past Ji Xia.
"This time, I must exchange for the Heavenly Saint Right Guard Camp! With 5,000 spirit seeds as the required amount, the Heavenly Saint military camp can't be weak, considering the standards of the Great Sun Spirit Furnace."
Ji Xia's excitement grew: "With the Heavenly Saint Right Guard Camp, at least the neighboring Zhouqing, Jiu Dog, and Crocodile Horn nations won't be able to threaten Taicang. They'll have no choice but to submit and offer tribute to Taicang."
After thinking for a while, Ji Xia watched the lights and particles in the void. Suddenly, he realized a serious problem.
"There are so many rays and particles here. How am I supposed to find the Heavenly Saint Right Guard Camp?"
His expression darkened. He randomly grabbed a particle of light.
[Xuanfeng Qiongqi Army, required spirit seeds: 180,000.]
Ji Xia's face grew even darker. He threw the light particle in his hand, and it flew away. Halfway through, it suddenly stopped and hovered, transforming into a glowing orb that began to sketch a ghostly face.
A small information stream entered Ji Xia's consciousness, and he froze for a moment before realizing: "Is it mocking me for being poor? Does this ray of light have a consciousness?"
He was about to grab the light particle back for further investigation when the light with the Qiongqi Army vanished like a shooting star.
"That's strange. The other light particles and rays I've encountered before seemed lifeless, but this one seems to have its own will."
He pondered for a moment but soon dismissed it: "The Forbidden Decay Divine Tree is so mysterious; nothing here would surprise me."
"Now, I can't find the Heavenly Saint Right Guard Camp. If I encounter a light or particle I can't afford, I won't be able to exchange for it again. This is indeed a problem."
Ji Xia felt quite regretful. He had been longing for the Heavenly Saint Right Guard Camp. Compared to the armies that required tens of thousands of spirit seeds, it was quite affordable, and he could easily accept it.
But now, he couldn't even find it.
[Would you like to summon the Heavenly Net?]
An unexpected message suddenly appeared in Ji Xia's consciousness, causing him to pause.
"Heavenly Net? What is that?"
[The Heavenly Net can store and capture Forbidden Decay rays and Forbidden Decay mysterious light that have yet to be exchanged.]
"Forbidden Decay rays and mysterious light?"
Ji Xia muttered, "It must be referring to those rays and particles."
"So the Forbidden Decay Divine Tree has something like this too!"
He couldn't help but smile: "With this, I won't have to worry about missing out on any items or divine armies I desire."
Suddenly, he realized something and looked around warily. "Last time, the Divine Tree tricked me into losing 100 spirit seeds with the Spirit Seed record screen. I can't make the same mistake again."
He hesitantly asked, "Does summoning the Heavenly Net require…"
[Summoning the Heavenly Net has been confirmed. 2,000 spirit seeds will be deducted.]
Ji Xia:
?
??