Green Mountain City

The next day, Ye Qiu and his group returned to Green Mountain Town. Green Mountain Town had changed greatly during this time. Although there had once been plants within the town, they had all grown naturally and looked rather unsightly. Later, after Wang Yi was appointed Deputy Ambassador, he had boldly undertaken renovations throughout Green Mountain Town. Now, tall trees lined both sides of the streets, alongside green belts and even little streams. Fortunately, Green Mountain Town's streets had been wide enough.

Using the funds transported from the other Five Cities, Wang Yi had reclaimed a great deal of wasteland around Green Mountain Town, expanding its area several times over. It should now be called Green Mountain City! Many high-rise buildings had been constructed there, along with modern shopping malls, card rooms, parks, Food Streets, marketplaces, and even schools.

Schools?! "Looks like Wang Yi had quite the foresight." When Ye Qiu learned that Wang Yi had built a school on the developed land, he nodded. This was an excellent measure. If they took hold of those youths from an early age and nurtured them, they would surely become a great source of support for him in the future.

Green Mountain City, Embassy. This was the most luxurious, imposing, and costly building in all of Green Mountain City. Under Wang Yi's day-and-night urging, it had finally been completed ten days ago. By chance, its master had returned today and was officially moving in.

Ye Qiu had someone take Qing Ye to his original villa so she could familiarize herself with the route, then had her look around at the sights of Green Mountain City. He himself came to the Embassy with Fa Hai, Xiao Feng, and Wang Yi. As for Lin Pingzhi, Xiao Feng had sent him to take over the other cities, and he had yet to return.

Looking at this fortress-like building designed in the classical German style of the twentieth century, Ye Qiu nodded in satisfaction. The doors opened, and amid the guards' bows on either side, the four of them strode inside.

"Good. I hadn't expected Green Mountain Town to develop so quickly while I was away. Wang Yi, you deserve great credit!" In the Embassy's main hall, Ye Qiu sat in the seat of honor and praised Wang Yi. Honestly, when he had first returned, he had thought he had arrived in a modern metropolis.

"You flatter me, Marquis. This was all thanks to the 21st Century Technology you left behind and the funds transported from the other Five Cities. Otherwise, I would never have had the ability to conjure up a modern city." Hearing Ye Qiu's praise, Wang Yi said happily.

"No, credit belongs where credit is due. Don't put it on my head. Merit must be rewarded, so I'll reward you with... a Devil Fruit." Ye Qiu was truly happy today. Every day in the Demon Beast Mountain Range, he had to guard against Demon Beasts attacking or worry about people killing him for his treasures. Now that he had returned here, his heart immediately settled, no longer burdened by those concerns. Moreover, although Wang Yi was a character Ye Qiu had obtained from the shop, he possessed his own thoughts and emotions. Those who deserved rewards had to be rewarded; he could not let them grow disheartened.

"Devil Fruit?! This subordinate thanks you, Marquis! I will surely serve you unto death!" Wang Yi naturally knew what a Devil Fruit was. With one, his strength would definitely rise by a great margin, and he would gain many new abilities as well. As for the weaknesses of seawater and Sea Stone, there was no need to worry about them at all. There were many Water Attribute Dou Zhe in this world, but seawater? Heh. As for Sea Stone, there was even less need to mention it. Ye Qiu was the only one who possessed it.

"System, use the Devil Fruit Extraction Card." He had yet to use the Devil Fruit card he had received when he subdued Qing Ye.

"Ding. Using Pirate World item—Devil Fruit Extraction Card (A)... Congratulations Host, you have obtained a Pirate World Zoan Ancient Type Devil Fruit—Sabertooth Tiger Fruit."

"Ancient Type?!" Hearing the system's words, Ye Qiu was slightly surprised. Although it was also a Zoan Devil Fruit, it was unlike the Ushi Ushi no Mi he had previously given the royal family. The power and development potential of an Ancient Type far surpassed those of ordinary Zoans. This Devil Fruit was quite good.

Whoosh. A fruit covered in strange patterns appeared in Ye Qiu's hand. He handed it to Wang Yi. "This is an Ancient Type Sabertooth Tiger Fruit. It's your reward."

"Thank you, Marquis, thank you." Wang Yi was overjoyed that it was actually an Ancient Type.

"Heh." Seeing Wang Yi staring at the Sabertooth Tiger Fruit and examining it from every angle like a delighted child, Ye Qiu chuckled softly, finding it amusing. "Brother Xiao, how many of the cities the royal family promised us have we taken over so far?"

"Reporting to you, Marquis, we lack the manpower to absorb so many cities at once. After discussing it, we decided to divide and conquer, taking them one by one. We would absorb one city before moving on to the next. Before fully absorbing them, we only collect half the taxes within the cities and do not interfere with their affairs, lest the local factions rise in backlash and leave us unable to handle them. At present, we only control Green Mountain Town—now Green Mountain City—along with Black Willow Town and Anlu City."

"Two cities and one town? Still, that's not bad." Ye Qiu thought about how unimaginably vast the Dou Qi Continent was. Dou Sheng experts could even carve out space and establish a small world. Green Mountain City alone, newly built as it was, was larger than a province from his previous life. He was quite satisfied.

"Ding. Random mission: As China, one of the four ancient great empires, now that diplomatic relations have been established with the Gama Empire, how can you not send citizens to the Gama Empire? Please purchase a one-hundred-man merchant caravan and a one-thousand-man army from the Myriad Realms Shop. Mission reward: three B-Rank Character Summoning Cards. Time limit: one day."

"Hm?" Hearing the system's voice, Ye Qiu's heart stirred. Purchase a merchant caravan? An army? This...

"Marquis, what is it?" Seeing Ye Qiu's expression change, the others asked anxiously, thinking that he was dissatisfied with their progress in taking over the cities.

"Oh? Nothing. I merely suddenly felt that the Gama Empire has many factions. Though all of you are strong, you cannot be everywhere at once. So I intend to summon some experts and troops from China. I'll also invite some merchant caravans over to help with development." After thinking for a moment, Ye Qiu explained to the three of them.

Hearing Ye Qiu's words, Fa Hai and the other two exchanged glances. Fa Hai then stepped forward, bowed, and said, "That would be for the best. This humble monk is originally one removed from worldly affairs. Previously, because our two nations established diplomatic ties and the Marquis was alone and lacking support, this humble monk had no choice but to involve himself in secular matters. Now that the Marquis can bring experts here from China, this humble monk can finally devote himself to Buddhist practice in peace. Amitabha."

"Mm." Hearing Fa Hai's words, Ye Qiu nodded slightly. These people had been summoned to obey Ye Qiu's commands, but their thoughts and feelings were independent, and their personalities remained unchanged from their previous lives. Fa Hai had dedicated himself to slaying demons, eliminating evil, and spreading Buddhist Dharma. Making him manage political affairs indefinitely truly was difficult for him.

"Marquis, how many troops and merchant caravans will be arriving from China? This subordinate can prepare barracks and a chamber of commerce for them in advance." Wang Yi put away the Devil Fruit, cupped his hands, and asked Ye Qiu.

"One thousand soldiers, one hundred merchants, and three experts. Their strength is between Dou Ling and Dou Wang." Ye Qiu thought for a moment before answering. He could have bought more troops, but compared with that, he wanted to use his Myriad Realms Coins to equip himself. He was only willing to do this because it was a mission and the rewards were generous.

"Only one thousand? Then please rest assured, Marquis. In preparation for establishing the City Guard, this subordinate already built three barracks capable of housing twenty thousand men. At present, Duke Xiao has recruited just over ten thousand, and Pingzhi has taken another five thousand away, so the barracks have more than enough room for the Empire's warriors!" Wang Yi said excitedly. The greater Ye Qiu's power became, the greater Wang Yi's authority as Deputy Ambassador would be.

"What about the chamber of commerce and residences for the three experts?"

"This... At present, only the Mittel Family has sent people to establish an Auction House in Green Mountain City. The other small factions are too insignificant, so there are no additional chamber of commerce buildings. But please rest assured, Marquis. Within three days, this subordinate will certainly raise another magnificent building for China's merchant caravan to occupy as the Green Mountain Chamber of Commerce." Wang Yi promised. "As for the residences of the three colleagues who will be arriving, this subordinate has ordered the construction of a villa district in the expanding East Flower District, which can serve as their residences."

"No, everything must be arranged within one day." What a joke. Three days? By then, the time limit would already have passed. What would be the point?!

"This..." Wang Yi looked somewhat troubled. A chamber of commerce residence was different from a private home. Its construction required all kinds of designs, equipment, and machinery. All of that took time.

"Marquis, could the merchant caravan first stay in the villa district, then move into the chamber of commerce once it is completed?" Seeing Wang Yi's difficulty, Xiao Feng stepped forward and asked.

"That is, of course... possible." Ye Qiu had initially wanted to say no, but then he suddenly remembered that the system had only said for him to purchase the two groups from the Myriad Realms Shop within one day. It had not said he needed to settle them within one day. This really was... foolish of him!

"Thank you, Marquis!" Xiao Feng and Wang Yi cupped their hands.

"It's nothing. I hadn't considered it thoroughly. Wang Yi, don't take offense!" Ye Qiu waved his hand.

"You are too gracious, Marquis!"

"Then I'll leave these matters to you."

"Yes, please rest assured, Marquis!" The two of them promised.