Brutal

Shiyue Kingdom, the southern lands.

The main features of the climate here were scorching heat, humidity, and frequent rain in summer, and a damp chill of overcast skies and drizzling rain in winter. There were hundreds of rivers within its borders, accounting for more than ninety percent of the dynasty's total.

Because there were so many rivers, irrigation was extremely convenient, and the land was especially fertile. It was a fine place for fishing and growing rice, and was known as a land of fish and rice. Its agriculture was developed, its population large, and with its special geographical location, its economy had prospered as well.

Some Sha Refiners who traveled here from the north, after seeing the dazzling world of the south, basically had no desire to go back. What was so good about the north? The climate and environment were harsh, and there was damned little to enjoy.

One had to understand, not everyone possessed a firm heart for pursuing the Dao. When they realized their own talent was insufficient, or that they could not earn the resources needed to advance even in an entire lifetime and could only stagnate where they were, they simply gave up together and let themselves live a little more comfortably.

Besides, if one stayed in the southern lands and was willing to put in the effort, there was both generous pay and a comfortable life. Who would want to go back and suffer?

Unfortunately, last month, a group of folks from the northern lands broke the usual peace and harmony. They said a group of sects from overseas had slaughtered a full nine markets, with as many as several hundred thousand people dying miserably.

At this, the market masters who heard the news could not help looking at one another, then burst