Visiting

The Qian Heaven and Earth Realm is divided into thirty-nine states based on area.

However, if we consider population, there are at most twenty-three states.

That is, the Sun Province, Moon Province, Star Province, and Central Province, all with a population of over 50 million.

And the Central Continent, which is almost entirely occupied by the Ten Great Demon Sects and the Six Immortal Sects, with a population of over 30 million in each of the thirteen major regions: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Cyan, Blue, Purple, Black, White, River, Mountain, and Sea.

The remaining divisions are based on the five elements of metal, wood, cold, fire, and earth, and further subdivided into twenty lower states in the east, west, south, and north.

And island states and outlying states that are isolated overseas.

These twenty-two lower states have a population of less than 30 million, and some have even less than 10 million. The reason they are still divided into a single state, and even named after the cardinal directions, is mainly because these states are too large.

Each state spans thousands of miles.

Without the division of east, west, south, and north, a single prefecture might stretch for thousands of miles.

Although this area may be filled with vast mountains, endless snowfields, or desolate swamps, with few human footprints and even uninhabitable for ordinary people, it ultimately belongs to the territory of the Great Qian, and they will not turn a blind eye to it.

At this moment, Gu Jinlai stood on a map obtained from the Star Province Prefecture, looking at the marked states.

Among these major states, south of the Milky Way, from north to south, are Huangzhou, occupied by the Yellow Heaven Sect; Star Province, occupied by Gu Jinlai; Chi Province, occupied by the Purgatory Sect; Baizhou, occupied by Huangquanzong; Yanzhou, with a combined population of less than 40 million in the four states of the east, west, south, and north; Jiangzhou, occupied by Longqueshanzhuang; Lizhou, occupied by various local forces; Lanzhou, occupied by the Cold Moon Sect; and the four major Muzhou, which have become a kingdom of Demonic Beasts.

A total of fifteen states.

After a period of decline, the population should now be around 300 million.

It is equivalent to one-third of the Great Qian.

If we only consider the area, it already accounts for nearly half of the entire country of Great Qian.

"Among these large states, Dragon Sparrow Manor is rich in mineral resources, including not only several large metal mines, but also a gold mine. However, if we consider the direction of Immortal Refined Gold... the largest gold mine south of the Milky Way is in Mu State."

Gu Jinlai, people have looked upon that land that has been completely transformed into a kingdom of Demonic Beasts.

The gold mine in Muzhou was second only to the one in Yuezhou, which was occupied by the Sanqing Temple, in the entire Great Qian Dynasty.

"The situation in Muzhou has completely collapsed. Even if two or three Celestial Person descend, it may not be able to turn the tide. The only option is to unite with the local forces and take things slowly. But in today's world, apart from the Great Qian Imperial Family and the Sanqing Temple, which other family can send two or three celestial Celestial Person?"

Gu Jinlai stared at the map of Muzhou for a moment.

Even though he knew that as time went by and the rifts in the Demon Realm of Muzhou opened again and again, more and more Demonic Spirit would rush out, and the Demonic Beasts born would become more and more powerful, he was still powerless to stop it.

In the end, he had no choice but to turn his attention to Dragon Sparrow Manor.

Since the gold mine in Muzhou cannot be breached for the time being, we have to settle for second best.

Just as Gu Jinlai was pondering where to extract the immortal refined gold needed for his first-generation Inheritance Mecha, Nian Buwang entered the study with a message.

Distinguished guests have arrived.

At the same time, a procession of carriages and horses appeared outside Lingxiao City.

The group was small in number, but without exception, they all held high positions and possessed extraordinary bearing.

If any True Disciple of the Purgatory Sect were here, they would immediately recognize that one of the middle-aged men in the group was none other than their Purgatory Sect Master, a peak Nascent Spirit Transformation cultivator, Lu Dengxian.

However, at this moment, he was not the leader of the group, but rather he was like a junior, accompanying an old man with white hair and a youthful face.

"Lingxiao City, the last time I came here was more than forty years ago? Back then it was just a small city..."

As the old man spoke, he glanced around.

At this point, Lingxiao City no longer resembled a small city at all.

Even before reaching the city, the main roads in the suburbs were already filled with numerous manors and buildings.

Countless farmers and merchants shuttle back and forth, bustling about.

Everyone seems to have their own things to do, and everyone knows what they need to do.

Busy but fulfilling.

Moreover, even the most ordinary farmers rarely had patches on their clothes, and their mental state was quite vibrant, showing no signs of numbness, listlessness, thinness, or sallow complexion.

With such a physique, one could be used as a conscript after a few months of training. If one could enter a martial arts school to learn martial arts and hone one or two years of skills, one might even be able to reach the Body Tempering Realm and become an elite soldier.

"Full of vigor and vitality, the people are prosperous and strong; this was the spirit of the people of the capital back then."

The old man said.

"Elder, the Ancient Supreme has implemented an unprecedented system in Lingxiao City. This system divides everyone into two classes: a ruling class and a ruled class. The ruling class can be further divided into two types: one is the Gu Clan, who can only be punished according to the Gu Clan's laws; the other..."

Lu Dengxian hesitated for a moment, then said, "Spirit Refining is a crime, and one should be punished the same as a commoner."

"Spirit Refining cultivation subject to the same laws as ordinary citizens?"

The old man frowned.

He was revered as the Supreme Elder by Lu Dengxian, and his identity was self-evident; he was none other than Liu Jingtao, the Purgatory Sect.

"How can True Person Immortal of Spirit Refining be treated like an ordinary person? Isn't his behavior just ridiculous?"

"It is indeed somewhat incomprehensible. Even though the death penalty is relatively rare, most people are sentenced to go to the battlefield to make amends. But to drag True Person of Spirit Refining down to the same level as an ordinary person has naturally caused a lot of dissatisfaction."

"Even making amends for past mistakes is not an option."

Liu Jingtao seemed to have thought of something, and finally shook his head. "Going too far. If he really unified Qiantian and then implemented this system, there might be some hope, but he did it now... If he wants to develop and expand to the surrounding states in the future, he will probably be met with strong opposition from the local forces."

"This is also why so few Spirit Refining True Person have been willing to serve Lingxiao City."

Lu added, "Not long ago, after he conquered Starlight City, almost all the True Person Spirit Refining various races and families migrated, and less than ten True Person turned to serve him, the ruler of the state."

"What do the Spirit Refining Elders in the sect have to say?"

"They are naturally somewhat dissatisfied, but now that Elder Gu has become our Supreme Elder of the Purgatory Sect, and the sect has strict rules and regulations, plus High Antiquity is currently at the height of his power, they have not shown any dissatisfaction."

Lu Dengxian explained.

"I'm a bit better off, but Elder Zhang places great importance on the distinction between superiors and inferiors... He firmly believes that class is the best tool for governing a place. Only with clear class distinctions, division of labor and cooperation, and each fulfilling their duties can a power maintain its long-term prosperity."

As Liu Jingtao spoke, he looked ahead.

Before they knew it, they had arrived at a huge manor.

The manor resembled a city, stretching across their field of vision, with patrolling and guarding figures visible all around.

After observing for a moment, Liu Jingtao quickly realized that these people were all Demonic Beasts...

They are all demon warriors.

For a moment, he couldn't help but think of something.

Could it be that Gu Jinlai, there has been a deliberate intention to heavily utilize demonic warriors and promote a new class?

Lu Dengxian noticed the Supreme Elder's gaze and explained from the side, "It is said that the Demon God's personal guards have been expanded from Gu Jinlai to the present, and now there are three thousand people. Of course, among these three thousand people, only a little over a thousand have cultivated the Demon God's body."

"More than a thousand people..."

Liu Jingtao said, "I remember there is a new type of equipment in Lingxiao City called Xuan Steel Armor. It has amazing defense. When Demon God warriors wear this Xuan Steel Heavy Armor, their defense is amazing, and their combat power is comparable to that of Gang Condensing Realm cultivator?"

"That is indeed true."

Lu Dengxian was speaking when he suddenly paused.

Immediately afterwards, a look of surprise appeared on his face.

More than a thousand Gang Condensing Realm cultivators!?

This power...

They are already not much inferior to their Purgatory Sect.

If all three thousand Demon God Guards could cultivate Demon God Physique Gu Jinlai, the mid-level power of Lingxiao City would leap to a level surpassing that of the Purgatory Sect!

"I can't believe I overlooked that... This is too fast..."

"Demon God Warriors are known for their rapid development. Even without the Essence Blood Demonic Beasts, a Demon God Warrior can rival the Qi Refining Gang Condensing Qi realm within three to five years. Moreover, the Ancient Supreme Elder has been constantly ordering the sweeping of Demonic Beasts and Demonic Beasts in Star Province. They have almost wiped out all the demons and monsters in Star Province. It is not surprising that they have cultivated more than a thousand Demon God Warriors with the bodies of demon gods."

Liu Jingtao vaguely realized something.

Quick fix!

The goal Gu Jinlai has been quick success.

Quickly increase the number of people.

He won over the common people, so he had no shortage of soldiers.

Once he issues a call to action, the grateful common people will not hesitate to become candidates for the Demon God's personal guard.

The Demon God's bodyguards develop extremely quickly; with the average person's physical fitness improving, it would take about three years for an ordinary person to cultivate a Demon God's body.

With their demonic bodies and black steel equipment, these guards' combat power rivals that of Gang Condensing.

How long does it take to train a cultivator at the Gang Condensing Realm?

Twenty years? Thirty years? Forty years?

How many resources will be consumed during this process?

The difference between the two becomes immediately apparent when compared in this way.

"This ancient sage is playing a very long game. If given enough time..."

Looking at the manor before him, Liu Jingtao hesitated for a moment.

Such planning, Gu Jinlai, can be described as a calculated strategy.

Having resolved the drawback of unleashing demonic power, demon god warriors do indeed have a significant advantage over cultivation systems.

The growth rate is too fast.

Once the demon gods and warriors are further perfected Gu Jinlai, what advantages will cultivators have left?

What are the combat advantages of the Spirit Transformation and Primordial Spirit True Lord stages?

A lifespan advantage twice that of a Demon God Warrior?

Driven by this, what will become of the Purgatory Sect in the future?

Is it to maintain the pride of a cultivator, remain independent, and gradually distance oneself from the Gu Jinlai, or...?

Put aside your pride, completely connect with the Gu Jinlai, shake up this world, and rebuild a new order.

As the Supreme Elder and the highest decision-maker of the Purgatory Sect, Liu Jingtao was unable to make up his mind for a moment.

After a long while, he finally decided to wait until he met Gu Jinlai and learned his true intentions before making any decisions.

The group then arrived at the entrance of the manor.

Having received the news, Gu Jinlai came out from inside to greet them. Upon seeing Liu Jingtao, the Supreme Elder of the Purgatory Sect who was at the Nascent Primordial Spirit True Lord Realm, he smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "Supreme Elder Liu, your presence is an honor. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner."

"Your Excellency is too kind. You have conquered Lingxiao City and established a vast empire in Star Province. You must be extremely busy. This visit is already quite presumptuous. I hope Your Excellency will not find me troublesome."

Liu Jingtao said with a smile.

"No trouble at all. It is an honor for Lingxiao City that Your Excellency Liu has graced my humble abode with your presence. Please come in."

Gu Jinlai a mere gesture.

The atmosphere between the two sides was harmonious and friendly.