After returning from Feng Luo's place, Jiang He fell into deep reflection. The state of Trade City could be said to be the result of his own indulgence. Though he'd given Su Mo all the high-minded explanations, sometimes he reflected on it himself. Back when the newly risen Human Race was surrounded by powerful enemies, he'd had no choice but to use these methods to strengthen the Human Race's foundations and help it develop rapidly!
But now the Witch and Demon Clans had mostly withdrawn from the world, and the other races across the Primordial World posed little threat to the Human Race!
It was time to truly let the Human Race go and develop freely. He'd always said he was letting go, but in truth, he'd kept a tight rein on things. The Human Race's overall direction had always remained under his control.
Jiang He summoned many of his old subordinates and held a secret meeting in his small courtyard! No one knew what was discussed, but everyone knew that after the meeting, the Human Race underwent a tremendous change in the truest sense of the word!
Three days later
The Human Race issued an official reform decree!
1. Luo Shui City was declared the Human Race's holy city and Holy Land. From then on, all newly promoted Quasi-Sages of the Human Race were required to report to Luo Shui City, barring special circumstances, and take turns guarding the Human Race Holy Land.
2. Beyond the Human Race's current territory, all members of the Human Race were free to choose where they wished to cultivate. The conditions for private groups to establish academies or sects were relaxed. You could even found a kingdom, if you wanted—the clan would no longer interfere! All you had to do was report to the Holy Land.
3. The Human Race reorganized the Four Great Legions, including the Imperial Guard of Luo Shui City! Only soldiers at the Taiyi Realm or above would be recruited, and members of the Dragon Clan could join as well! The Protector Guard was established, and would not deploy unless the Human Race faced a major crisis!
4. The students of the three academies would take turns garrisoning the hundred cities within the Human Race's territory. These cities were designated the Human Race's core domain, governed by the Holy Land, Luo Shui City. Beyond the territory, everyone was free to rely on their own means, and the Human Race's leadership would no longer interfere!
5. Human Race groups beyond the territory could build a structure to enshrine the Red Dust Pearl, allowing them to communicate with the Human Race's leadership!
The reform decree set the Human Race's people ablaze with excitement. For a time, the great families and factions rushed to recruit people and expand across the Primordial World.
Many old-established clans, however, made no major moves. Their ancestors were still alive, and their base was the hundred cities.
The Lei Family, for example, made no move to expand outward. Instead, they focused on the Protector Guard, sending all two Great Luo Golden Immortals and thirty-five Grand Unity Golden Immortals in the clan to join!
The Lin Family of Luo Shui City
"Xuan'er, you're the most powerful person in the Lin Family now. You should make the decision: do we go out and develop, or stay in our ancestral home?" said Lin Haijiang, the current head of the Lin Family.
Lin Xuan had just advanced to the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm and was consolidating his cultivation when the family head hurriedly summoned him. After learning what had happened, Lin Xuan asked, "Father, what do you think?"
"Well, your second uncle and I discussed it. He favors developing in the Primordial World. After our ancestor died unexpectedly, our Lin Family could only be considered a lower-ranking family in this vast Luo Shui City.
"But now that you've broken through to the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm, the Lin Family's standing has risen considerably. And with your connections at the academy, it seems we could rise even higher in Luo Shui City. That's why I wanted to hear your opinion." Lin Haijiang looked at Lin Xuan, a hint of pride in his eyes.
Hearing his father's words, Lin Xuan began to consider the matter. The Primordial World was boundless; he'd seen that for himself when he ventured through it with his second uncle. Even if every member of the Human Race spread out across it, they'd be no more than a drop in the ocean. It didn't matter whether they went out sooner or later. Luo Shui City was the Human Race's Holy Land, and no matter when they stayed, they'd always have the advantage!
"Father, I think we should hold off for now!"
"Hold off?"
As soon as Lin Xuan finished speaking, his second uncle, Lin Haifeng, exclaimed, "Why, nephew? Developing in the Primordial World is the trend now. So many factions across the Human Race are ready to set out. Our Lin Family may not be much in Luo Shui City, but we have some standing among the Human Race!"
"Second Uncle, don't rush! Hear me out!" Lin Xuan said, looking at his second uncle, who was still as hot-tempered as ever.
"Sit down and let Xuan'er finish," Lin Haijiang barked.
"Second Uncle, I'm not saying you shouldn't go. Keep running your business as usual. Once most of the small and mid-sized families leave Luo Shui City, won't we have a chance to take over the power vacuum they leave behind? Your adventurer group could also take this opportunity to help protect a few weaker families. We can wait until they've figured out the way before we head out. Do you really think the Primordial World is as peaceful as Luo Shui City?"
"Besides, the Primordial World is so vast. They can't occupy all of it!" Lin Xuan's words struck the others as reasonable enough.
Seeing that no one objected, Lin Haijiang settled on their plan for the future!
In Tianyuan City, after receiving the reform decree, Liu Suifeng felt as if he'd returned to the carefree days before he got married. He regretted it. He'd always been a free spirit who loved wandering everywhere like the wind, but now he was stuck in Tianyuan City, putting on a solemn air every day as he handled all kinds of administrative and diplomatic affairs. He envied his cousin Liu Bai, who could do whatever he wanted in the Interception Sect!
When he received the reform decree, he felt his chance had come. He hurried to tell his wife, Ao Ling'er, what he had in mind.
But instead of receiving support, he got an earful, with her fingers pinching his ear the whole time.
They spent the night battling until dawn. Even with his Taiyi Realm cultivation, he could barely take it!
The next day, he stumbled out of his room on unsteady legs, only to run into Liu Bai, who'd come to see him.
"Good grief, what happened? Cousin, you need to take it easy!" Liu Bai was startled by Liu Suifeng's condition.
Before Liu Suifeng could say a word, Ao Ling'er shyly followed him out.
As soon as Liu Suifeng saw Ao Ling'er, he was like a mouse spotting a cat. He hurriedly dragged Liu Bai away!
"Little bro, what is going on with you?" Liu Bai asked, utterly confused.
Liu Suifeng gave an awkward smile and hurriedly changed the subject. "Ahem... It's a long story, a long story! By the way, Cousin, what did you come to see me about?"
Only then did Liu Bai remember why he was there. He hurriedly explained, "Earlier, Clan Leader Jiang He told my master that he wanted help setting up a Teleportation Array to connect the hundred cities. My master handed the job to me. My junior brothers and sisters and I just finished studying it, so I came here to test it out with you."
"Oh! A Teleportation Array? Like the ones in the Red Dust novels? That's great! If we get this working, I can go wherever I want!" Liu Suifeng's eyes lit up.
In that instant, he'd already thought much further ahead. With this Teleportation Array, wouldn't he be able to become a man as free as the wind again? The big dragon lady at home wouldn't be able to catch him!
"That's right! Just like that. Don't underestimate this thing; it was really hard for us to get it working at first. The space in the Primordial World is too stable. If my master hadn't helped us in the end, we probably still wouldn't have figured it out!" Liu Bai complained.
"Come on, let's go test it out somewhere!" Liu Suifeng excitedly tugged Liu Bai along.
"Let's go to the city center. My junior sisters are all waiting there!"
The central square of Tianyuan City was a huge crossroads, bustling with people. When Yunxiao and the others saw Liu Bai approach, they gathered around him.
"Senior Brother!"
"Senior Brother!"
One after another, the girls crowded around Liu Bai, calling him Senior Brother. Liu Suifeng listened from the side, feeling his bones go soft. They were much better than the women at home!
He'd completely forgotten what a lecher he'd been when he first married Ao Ling'er!
"Ahem! Well, Cousin, are we setting up the Teleportation Array here?"
Unable to stand seeing Liu Bai surrounded by beauties, Liu Suifeng interrupted them at once.
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