Everyone Discusses Matters, Economic Development Direction

Three days later,

The council hall opened, and all the core senior members under his command gathered to discuss the grand plan for development after the city's founding and determine Heavenly God City's four core directions for future development: economy, influence, education, and technology.

Those seated within the hall were all the foremost core members under Qian Xunzong's command.

Ma Jinyan, who had just broken through to Rank 94 Titled Douluo and completed his martial soul's nirvanic rebirth; Ma Mingshan, the former Blazing Flame Sect Master, whose injuries had fully healed and whose cultivation had returned to its peak; Yun Yan, proficient in formations and spirit plants, who had single-handedly overseen the Mimicry Secret Realm's transformation; Shen Ye, responsible for protecting his lord and commanding the manor's Embroidered Uniform Guard; Gui Mei, Yue Guan... the core personnel stood in rows on either side, their expressions solemn as they awaited the discussion.

Qian Xunzong sat languidly in the seat of honor, his posture relaxed and carefree. His golden robes draped down, and his handsome features remained calm and indifferent. Though he did not deliberately release any pressure, he naturally possessed an extraordinary bearing that seemed to overlook all lands and command the heavens and earth.

"Heavenly God City's foundation has been established and its framework has taken shape. What we lack most now is a path for development, connections and influence, and a circulating economy."

Qian Xunzong spoke slowly. His voice was light, yet carried immense weight as it echoed through the entire council hall.

"I have gathered you all today to determine the subsequent development plan. Each of you will perform your duties and advance steadily, allowing Heavenly God City to gain a firm foothold and extend its influence across the entire Douluo Continent."

Upon hearing this, everyone bowed and accepted their orders, their gazes resolute.

For the rise of a new city, its economic lifeline was the first priority. Without money and resources, even the most perfect plans and the finest talents would merely be castles in the air, impossible to put into practice.

Before anyone could speak, two figures dressed in brocade robes of vastly different temperaments slowly entered the council hall under the guidance of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The man on the left wore a simple white brocade robe. His features were gentle, while his eyes were shrewd and perceptive. He carried the steady bearing of a great merchant family, and every gesture was measured to perfection. He was none other than the greatest merchant of all time—Shen Wansan.

The man on the right wore a black brocade robe. Fair and refined in appearance, he had lively, worldly eyes and was deeply versed in the ways of dealing with people and amassing wealth. He was He Shen, the man most skilled at planning resources, revitalizing economies, and gathering riches.

Both were exceptional talents Qian Xunzong had previously obtained through sign-ins. They had remained hidden and awaited orders, and now that Heavenly God City had formally begun its development plans, it was the ideal time for them to step forward, render merit, and take charge of its economic lifeline.

"Your subordinate Shen Wansan pays his respects to my lord!"

"Your subordinate He Shen pays his respects to my lord!"

The two bowed in unison, respectful yet composed, neither servile nor arrogant.

"You may rise." Qian Xunzong raised his hand slightly, his gaze falling upon the two men.

"There is only one core task in summoning you here today—revitalize Heavenly God City's economy, open up the continent's trade routes, and allow Heavenly God City to accumulate immense wealth in the shortest possible time to support the operation and development of the entire city."

"Your subordinates accept the order!" the two answered in unison. They then rose and exchanged a glance, instantly understanding their respective responsibilities and direction.

Shen Wansan stepped forward first. His gaze was steady as he spoke in an orderly manner.

"Young Master, looking across the Douluo Continent's major peak powers—the Spirit Hall, the two great empires, and the seven great sects—not one of them has stabilized its foundation without relying on commercial circulation and resource monopolies.

Heavenly God City has only just risen, and our foundation remains weak. If we wish to establish ourselves quickly, we must open internal and external trade channels, allowing resources to circulate and wealth to flow."

He Shen followed with agreement, his sharp gaze pointing directly at the core issue.

"Brother Shen is absolutely right! The Douluo Continent is vast, its land routes complicated and filled with checkpoints. The major sects and empires have imposed layer upon layer of restrictions, making overland trade extremely wasteful and inefficient.

Only by opening sea routes and building cross-regional merchant fleets can we connect every part of the continent and reach the overseas regions, continuously drawing in wealth and resources."

The two spoke one after another, quickly settling on a primary economic development strategy centered on ocean-going trade. Their thoughts were clear and their plans far-reaching, leaving the gathered senior members nodding repeatedly in admiration.

But just as everyone thought they were about to finalize the fleet construction plan, He Shen abruptly changed the subject. His expression grew grave as he poured cold water over the proposal.

"However, building a large ocean-going merchant fleet would require a terrifying amount of money."

He Shen furrowed his brows and calculated carefully. "A single top-tier warship costs tens of thousands of Gold Soul Coins. To assemble a complete fleet capable of crossing the four seas, resisting the harassment of ordinary sea beasts, and carrying massive quantities of trade goods, we would need at least a hundred vessels, including cargo ships, escort ships, supply ships, reconnaissance ships, and other types.

Once all materials, labor, Soul Tool equipment, and formation inscriptions are accounted for, the conservative estimate for the initial expenditure would be no less than one million Gold Soul Coins. Subsequent maintenance, repairs, and personnel expenses would be an endless pit!"

One million Gold Soul Coins!

The moment those words were spoken, quiet gasps rang out throughout the hall, and many people's expressions changed.

An ordinary soul master might cultivate bitterly for an entire lifetime and only accumulate several dozen or a hundred Gold Soul Coins. One million Gold Soul Coins was already an astronomical sum capable of sustaining a first-rate sect's operations for decades.

He Shen immediately waved his hand, his attitude firm and decisive. "This plan costs far too much and is not worth the expense. I am the first to oppose it!

Building a fleet consumes time, effort, and money, while the deep seas are full of unpredictable dangers. Sea soul beast clans are countless, with ten-year, hundred-year, thousand-year, and even ten-thousand-year sea beasts emerging one after another. Even with a fleet, we could easily suffer surprise attacks and destruction. The risks are far too great. It is absolutely unacceptable!"

Having controlled financial power throughout his life, he was best at careful calculation and avoiding losses. Such a high-investment, high-risk project with little room for error had truly crossed his bottom line, and he would never agree to it.

For a time, the council hall fell into brief silence.

Everyone was deep in thought. Trade routes had to be opened, but ocean-going fleets had too many drawbacks and demanded terrifying investments, while land routes were restricted in too many ways. For the moment, no ideal solution came to mind.

Just as everyone was at a loss, a gentle and clear voice slowly rang out.

"There is no need to build a fleet. I have a plan that can open routes across heaven and earth at low cost and connect the lands in every direction."

Yun Yan slowly stepped forward, his expression calm and confident.

Having received Qian Xunzong's careful cultivation, he had learned many top-tier secret formation arts. He had also spent years studying spirit plants, formations, and the mysteries of space. His attainments in formations had long surpassed all others on the continent.

"What brilliant plan do you have? Tell us quickly!" Shen Wansan asked at once, his eyes full of anticipation.

The others also turned to look at him and waited for what came next.

Yun Yan spoke slowly, each word clear. "I can establish an enormous Cross-Realm Teleportation Array in Heavenly God City's core district. The main array will take root in Heavenly God Prefecture, while subsidiary arrays will spread across the continent's major core regions, commercial hubs, and sect thoroughfares, directly opening spatial passages between Heavenly God City and the entire Douluo Continent."

"A teleportation array?" Everyone froze briefly before their eyes lit up.

"That's right." Yun Yan nodded and continued in a certain tone. "Although establishing a top-tier Cross-Realm Teleportation Array would also require considerable funds, materials, and manpower at the outset, it would only be a one-time investment. Once the array is completed, it can be used permanently. Afterward, it would only require regular maintenance and energy replenishment.

Compared with ocean-going fleets that cost millions upon millions of Gold Soul Coins, suffer losses year after year, and can easily be destroyed, the cost would be reduced by more than seventy percent!"

"Furthermore, teleportation arrays travel through spatial passages, completely avoiding the dangers of the sea. They are unaffected by sea soul beasts, weather, or obstacles along the route. They can cross thousands or even tens of thousands of miles in an instant, making trade transport and personnel deployment more than a hundred times more efficient than fleets!"

"It saves money, avoids danger, and improves efficiency—three benefits in one. It is far more reliable than building a fleet!"