Martial Arts: I Have a Wilderness World

Chapter 574: Chapter 301: Spreading the News

"That’s inevitable. After all, the struggle for interests in the Cultivation Immortality Realm is far more fierce and important than in the Martial Arts Realm! After searching for hundreds of years, we finally have a real lead and a chance. No one is willing to just wait for death." His companion nodded slightly, a look of agreement on his face.

While the eight people were talking amongst themselves, Su Ze had already arrived before the group.

He agilely dismounted from the Red-eyed Beast, then approached with steady steps. Su Ze narrowed his eyes, his falcon-sharp gaze sweeping over the group as he secretly assessed the cultivation strength of the eight individuals. Then, cupping his fists, he bowed slightly and asked politely,

"Excuse me, are you the eight esteemed Chiefs from the Da Yi Commerce Association?"

"Su Ze, are you also here to inquire about the situation in the Immortal City?" one of the eight asked immediately, his tone probing.

"That’s right," Su Ze admitted openly. "I am under orders from the Marshal to stand guard here. If anyone emerges from the Immortal City, I am required to question them. It is my duty."

He continued, "You are all renowned experts, famous for many years. Since you have come from the Immortal City today, I’ve come specifically to make some inquiries. Would you be so kind as to grant me the honor of a private conversation?"

However, the elderly man with the surname Dong, who was already in a hurry, was the first to speak. His face was a mask of anxiety and impatience.

"I have urgent business to attend to. I don’t have time to waste here."

He swept his gaze over the other experts of similar rank who had gathered around and snorted. "People from the Thirteen Royal Families, and from the Jin, Xiliang, and Chen Kingdoms... Hmph. How nice. It seems our friends from all Seven Kingdoms have gathered here."

"We have important business to attend to. All you want to know is what’s going on inside the Immortal City and whether the rumors are true."

Though the old man was reluctant, he knew that being surrounded like this meant he had to reveal something. He raised his voice and declared,

"Listen carefully. There are indeed Cultivators inside, and the Lord of Immortal City is a young man. Despite his youth, he truly controls the path to the Cultivation Immortality Realm. If you want to go there, you must have his approval.

"Furthermore, to get there, you need items useful to Martial Artists, or other special goods, with a total value of ten million taels. If you want to enter the Cultivation Immortality Realm, come back when you have that prepared. Otherwise, you won’t get in! Let’s go!"

With that, the old man ignored the crowd, executed his Body Technique, and shot away like a bolt of lightning, vanishing without a trace in the blink of an eye.

The remaining seven could only watch him go with resignation. ’That loose-lipped fool,’ they grumbled internally.

They had wanted to stop him, but the old codger spoke too quickly. Besides, with dozens of experts of the same rank surrounding them, it would have been impossible to leave without saying anything, so they had no choice but to let him have his say.

Fortunately, the old man still had some sense of propriety and didn’t mention the six-month time limit. Revealing that would have introduced too many complications.

Thus, to avoid leaking any more information, the other seven also departed swiftly, leaving the crowd behind, lost in thought.

The old man hadn’t revealed much, but for those who had come based on hearsay—some from the farthest kingdoms—it was the Calming Pill they needed.

The rumors were true!

A young man, a Cultivator, the Lord of Immortal City!

An entry price of ten million taels in goods useful to Martial Artists!

At this, everyone present grew excited, their minds racing as they made their own calculations.

’Ten million taels’ worth of goods... this Lord of Immortal City is certainly making an outrageous demand,’ someone grumbled, dissatisfied. He thought the price was too high and began to entertain ideas of stirring up trouble.

But the only response was the sight of several figures departing swiftly, apparently on their way back to gather the necessary resources.

"What’s ten million taels? If it means we can truly enter the Cultivation Immortality Realm, then any price is worth paying! Brother Sun, I’ll take my leave. Until we meet here again!" one man declared, his voice firm and his eyes blazing with determined longing for the Cultivation Immortality Realm.

"Agreed! I must return to prepare as well!"

Another man didn’t hesitate either, his desire for the Cultivation Immortality Realm burning like a fire in his heart. As long as he could get there and avoid the fate of countless others who could only wait for death, ten million taels was no problem at all.

Soon, people began bidding each other farewell as they went their separate ways to prepare for their journey to the Cultivation Immortality Realm.

As more and more people departed, the various outposts that had been thronged with experts were left with only the subordinates of the respective factions, who remained to stand guard.

These subordinates knew full well that their mission was to wait here and immediately report back by messenger if anything happened.

Su Ze led his soldiers back to the barracks, his mind turning over the importance of this information.

Still, his first act was to send a message to his second uncle.

His second uncle was currently leading his men to swiftly retake Linchuan Prefecture, a task that would not take long to complete.

Thinking of this, a sense of relief washed over Su Ze.

His second uncle had once mentioned to him in private that through numerous besieged battles, although he had managed to slay many Innate Experts with his overwhelming power, the Power of the Demon Core within his body was constantly being depleted.

Su Ze recalled his uncle’s grave expression and completely understood his worry. Once the Demon Core’s Power was fully exhausted with no way to replenish it, his strength would be no different from that of an ordinary Innate Great Perfection expert.

Furthermore, after so many battles, his uncle’s strength had become well-known among countless Innate Martial Artists. As a result, wherever he went, the forces of the Thirteen Royal Families had no choice but to retreat. This spared him from having to fight again, allowing him to preserve his remaining power.

This was precisely why, despite the great importance of the matter concerning Jade Peak Immortal City, Su Wunian was still needed to command the front lines. Therefore, Su Ze had to come personally to handle the city’s affairs.

Su Ze was keenly aware of the heavy responsibility on his shoulders. He had to handle every matter with caution, leaving no room for error, in order to help his uncle make sufficient preparations.

’Six months. That should be enough time for Uncle to retake the last of Xichuan Prefecture,’ Su Ze thought with a quiet sigh, watching the carrier pigeon fly away.

As for the ten million taels’ worth of goods, that would be a simple matter for the Su Family. He sent another message back to the Su Family, instructing them to prepare the required resources.

As he turned his gaze back toward the spot concealed by the Array, where the Immortal City was hidden from sight, his heart began to burn with anticipation.

’The Cultivation Immortality Realm... Who wouldn’t want to go?’

’I want to see for myself what kind of person this Lord of Immortal City is! And just how powerful he is!’

Inside the Immortal City, Cheng Zongyang had no idea that the departure of the eight Chiefs from the Da Yi Commerce Association would cause such a commotion.

For the next few days, Cheng Zongyang dedicated himself to helping Cheng Zongwen establish the Cheng Clan Commerce Association.

They chose a block of shops at the intersection of the East and West Main Streets. Due to time constraints, they could only knock down the interior walls to connect them into one large space for now, which they would subdivide later.

At the same time, after much deliberation and discussion, Cheng Zongyang and the others made a decision: they would move out of the former County Magistrate’s Office—the current Cheng Mansion—and have it rebuilt and converted into the headquarters for the Cheng Clan Commerce Association.

It was the largest building in the County Town, and its location was ideal. It could be renovated into a multi-story headquarters for the Commerce Association. Once the construction was complete, the temporarily established Cheng Clan Commerce Association would move in.

As for the future Cheng Mansion, they would simply find a new location.

In a similar vein, and as a form of work-for-relief, the Celestial Break Gang’s Ministry of Works Hall began to rapidly recruit workers. They were preparing to begin "redevelopment" projects, area by area, to modify the Immortal City so it could accommodate more people in the future.

The local residents also began migrating to the twelve new villages being built around the County Town, vacating their homes within the Immortal City proper.

The Celestial Break Gang was responsible for all related expenses.

The construction required a massive amount of materials, so Cheng Zongyang approached Chen Kaishan and began purchasing various building supplies in bulk.

As for payment, it could be deducted from the fees for entry slots.

Chen Kaishan was naturally delighted to agree to this. The Chiefs at headquarters would also be more than happy with such a transaction.

With this, Chen Kaishan no longer had to worry about being blamed by Cheng Zongyang. He began contacting headquarters. And with Cheng Zongyang presiding over the city, he also wasn’t concerned about outsiders causing trouble after entering and creating a situation he couldn’t control.

It could be said that as Cheng Zongyang issued his various directives, the entire Immortal City entered an era of infrastructure frenzy!