As for why the mountainous Southern Five Counties had such a large population and a more developed economy compared with other regions, there were two main reasons.
First, the Southern Five Counties bordered the Xie Luo Mountain Range. In a world like Douluo Continent, where Soul Beasts and Soul Masters reigned supreme, more mountains meant more Soul Beasts. It was a classic case of living off the land.
Relying on their uniquely favorable location, the residents of the Southern Five Counties could hunt Soul Beasts more easily, obtain soul rings, and cultivate Soul Masters, thereby promoting the prosperity of the local Soul Master culture and driving economic development.
The other reason was that opposite the Southern Five Counties lay the Star Luo Empire.
Between the two, Xie Luo Pass, as the vital route connecting the Two Great Empires, was not only a strategic military stronghold but also a hub for commerce.
Merchants and travelers came and went in endless streams, making trade in the Southern Five Counties exceptionally developed.
Chang'an County in particular, as the core region of the Southern Five Counties, had a population of nearly ten million, while its prefectural city, Chang'an City, had nearly three million people. Its level of prosperity was plain to see, and it was hailed as one of the ten great cities of the continent.
So the Chen Clan choosing the Southern Five Counties as its base made a great deal of sense.
After three years of careful cultivation and steady effort, the Chen Clan's great contributions to the prosperity and development of the Southern Five Counties were plain for all to see and praised by everyone.
What was most commendable was that the Chen Clan had not fought tooth and nail for its own private gain. Instead, it had opened its arms,