Mortal Domain Jade Seal
"Eternal Night Continent"
Jiangbei, Nameless Mountain.
"..."
As usual, Chen Fan stood on the Sky-Piercing Pillar, looking down at the "Mortal City" not far away. In the Mortal City, there was a relatively open area where many children could be seen running and playing.
Several houses were located nearby.
"Private School".
After the great war, a Building Blueprint was inventoried and has now been upgraded to the maximum level.
Building Name: Private School
Building grade: Blue Grade.
Building Level: 20.
"Architectural Effects": Within the Private School, thinking becomes more agile and memory is improved.
"Level-10 Max-Level Effect": "Ascending the Hall, Entering the Chamber": After reaching level 20, it can be fused with "Spirit-Nurturing Pavilion".
"Level-20 Max-Level Effect": "Peach-and-Plum Gate and Wall": If you are a mortal, when you first activate your Cultivator identity, you will have three Cultivator types that match your talents based on "Preschool Education," and you can choose freely.
"Heavenly Dao Blessing Effect": "Chosen by Heaven": The top scorer in the annual Grand Examination receives a special reward.
Blue Grade isn't low.
The building grades, from lowest to highest, are: white, Green Grade, Yellow Grade, Blue Grade, and Purple Grade.
Blue Grade.
It is already a building second only to the "Purple Grade" grade. Even though the Mortal Domain has completely controlled the entire New Continent, it only has the "Heavenly Dao Cannon" as a Purple Grade building.
But the effect.
It certainly lives up to its grade.
"His Students Throughout the Realm": After Great Unification, he built 10,000 Private School.
The Hidden Heavenly Dao's Blessing of this First-Level Continent allows for the construction of ten thousand Private School. It's not necessary to build this "Private School" building; ordinary Private School would suffice. However, completing the Hidden Heavenly Dao's Blessing of the First-Level Continent is merely a side project; the Private School are of great importance in his plan.
The "Private School" after reaching level 20.
It has completely absorbed the "Spirit-Nurturing Pavilion".
The Private School comes with the "Spirit-Nurturing Pavilion" effect. Once the Spirit-Nurturing Pavilion is no longer available, it means that even ordinary Cultivator can rapidly improve their Cultivation by staying in the Private School.
Just then--
Wang Kui stepped forward from behind and reported, "Domain Lord, according to your plan, 9,982 Private School have been built so far. It is expected that the remaining 18 Private School will be successfully completed tomorrow."
"Good."
Chen Fan nodded slightly, a smile appearing in his eyes.
He built all 10,000 Private School, which were transported to various regions by High-Speed Rail and then assembled locally.
"The Grand Examination".
It was the Heavenly Dao Blessing Effect he chose for this Building Institute.
They can be divided into nine categories.
There are nine Grand Examination, and the top scorer in each test will receive a special reward.
He has the option to decide whether or not to award the reward.
He didn't know what the reward would be, but he had already roughly figured out which nine categories to set up, such as "military", "culture", "arithmetic", "Formation", "Pills", "construction", etc. The business was getting bigger and bigger, and it was time to set up a formal "Conglomerate".
All along.
He always felt that the world was a bit unfair. Everyone could awaken to Cultivator at the age of 16 through an Eerie Stone. What kind of Cultivator would become was completely random. If they awakened to become Builder, they would be a superior person. If they did not awaken to become any special Cultivator, they would be just an ordinary person.
Now there are Private School.
You can then choose from three types of Cultivator. Although there are cases where none of the three options are special Cultivator, the odds are much higher. Moreover, in such cases, it often means that you yourself do not have the talent to be a special Cultivator.
Now.
Large numbers of children aged fourteen or fifteen, as well as adults, received their education in Private School.
The former represents the future.
The latter is the backbone.
The ability of a "Private School" to reach level 20 is a constraint broken after the Eternal Night Continent was upgraded to the Second-Level Continent. The upgrade requirements after level 10 also require a handful of Soil from Other Continents.
There is a building in Jiangbei called "Bridge".
Its Heavenly Dao Blessing Effect is...
"Heavenly Dao Blessing Effect (Magpie Bridge Reunion): Newlyweds who marry on the Bridge will receive the blessings of Heavenly Dao. The newlyweds can wish for their offspring to be a special Cultivator, and there is a certain probability that this wish will come true, but the offspring must be children of the newlyweds."
This has a certain probability.
Nowadays, Private School offer students a choice of three options to determine their future, which is significantly more advantageous.
He needs a lot of talented people.
Builder, someone who understands strategy, Formation, and management.
In the future, the Private School will continuously supply talents, which is why he didn't create a large number of ordinary Private School to complete the task first. That would be like buying the box and returning the pearl. The Private School is extremely important to him.
It can be said that...
Starting from the Second-Level Continent, this world gradually began to change.
Many buildings require a handful of Soil from Other Continents to upgrade after level 10. This means that the Mortal Domain happens to have New Continent. Otherwise, none of the buildings can be upgraded and everyone will be stuck there, and then you have to go out and explore the New Continent.
"..."
Then Chen Fan stood at the edge of the Sky-Piercing Pillar, quietly gazing down at "Mortal City".
Six months have passed since the end of the war.
For the next two and a half years, the Eternal Night Continent will be safe as long as it is not corrupted by Strange Entities, but he needs to...
Make sufficient preparations over the past two and a half years, after all, a large number of Strange Entities still linger in the "Thunderstorm Sea," and no one knows...
When will the Thunderstorm Sea suddenly dissipate?
The Strange Entities in the Thunderstorm Sea are far more powerful than the Royal Clan.
Seven lines of Tenth-Level Defense Line.
It still couldn't stop it.
There are five Hidden Heavenly Dao's Blessing on the First-Level Continent.
"Great Unification": The formal completion of Great Unification, with only one absolute leader.
"Bringing Prosperity to the People": After achieving Great Unification, construct a transportation network spanning the entire Eternal Night Continent,
"Relay stations are being built in every corner of the mainland."
"Newborn": After the Great Unification is completed, there will be 1000 male and 1000 female infants.
" With the Students Throughout the Realm": After Great Unification, build ten thousand Private School.
"People's Will": After Great Unification, over 70% of the continent's population recognizes this power.
After the Eternal Night Continent was promoted to the Second-Level Continent.
The Hidden Heavenly Dao's Blessing "Great Unification" and "the People's Will" have been fulfilled; however, the lack of rainfall is not universal.
The Heavenly Dao's Blessing are all accomplished through rainfall, but not all rainfall is Heavenly Dao's Blessing.
The reward for "Great Unification" is an Exotic Treasure.
Exotic Treasure of Purple Grade.
His second Purple Grade Exotic Treasure was the "Heaven-Questioning Bell".
Name of the Exotic Treasure: Jade Seal of Mortal City.
"Exotic Treasure Grade": Purple Grade.
"Effect of Exotic Treasure":
1: (Zhenyin): The Dragon's Roar through the nine heavens, boosting morale and sweeping away treacherous officials.
2: (Authenticity Verification): A unique seal, verifiable by everyone.
3: (Oath): If one breaks the oath, a "Oath Mark" will appear on one's palm, causing burning pain day and night.
4: (Time Condensation): When the seal is struck in a moment of crisis, the flow of time within three zhang (approximately 10 meters) suddenly slows down, but the person holding the seal can act as usual.
5: (Protection): The Jade Seal protects the wearer, ensuring the survival of the Mortal Domain and the immortality of the holder.
6: (Zai De): In the Mortal Domain, for each year of inheritance, a slight mark appears on the side of the seal; for every eighty-one marks, an additional wonderful use is added.
"..."
Chen Fan stood Sky-Piercing Pillar, looking down at the "Mortal Domain Jade Seal" in his hand.
Neither jade nor gold, its material is unknown, but it has a warm, smooth feel.
It was jet black, and under the light, the blood-like veins inside were faintly visible. The inscription was from the Eternal Night Continent of that day.
The special script "Mortal Domain Chen Fan" formed on the day of the ascension.
There are six special effects in total.
Both are Purple Exotic Treasure, including the "Heaven-Questioning Bell," but he believes this Exotic Treasure is even stronger.
The so-called "suppressing sound" refers to the words he spoke while possessing the Jade Seal. To the Mortal Domain Member and the people of the Eternal Night Continent, it sounded like Dragon's Roar's roar shaking the heavens, making it very suitable for speeches.
Even if he said something...
Eggs can be used to make fried rice; fried rice contains eggs.
Mortal Domain Member would feel their blood boiling upon hearing this.
"Authentication" is the issued order; once a seal is affixed, all Mortal Domain Member can verify its authenticity using their Identity Token.
The authenticity of the seal was crucial to ensuring he could issue important orders.
"Accepting oaths" is for managing subordinates.
Any Mortal Domain Member who swears an oath to the Jade Seal will have an Oath Mark appear on their palm if they break their promise.
He endured the burning pain day and night.
The fourth and fifth ones are for saving lives.
Its effect is several times stronger than his "Jadeite Staff".
Especially Article 5.
"Protection".
Mortal Domain exists, he will not die.
The sixth aspect is inheritance. For every year the Mortal Domain develops, a faint mark appears; every eighty-one years, it can...
Add an extra special effect.
"Call..."
Chen Fan took a deep breath, his expression gradually becoming dazed as he murmured, "This Exotic Treasure isn't his; you could say..."
Almost every ruler of the Second-Level Continent, and even the most powerful First-Level Continent, possesses this Exotic Treasure.
This also means...
If he were to have conflicts with other continents, the decapitation plan would not be able to Try Again.
It's impossible for them to behead him.
We must confront them head-on.
One of the few weapons that can be used to ambush people is the "Black Tortoise Cannon." This is an extremely special Divine Cannon that summons a giant Black Tortoise. Once it locks onto a target and enters a long-distance pursuit, it will continue to track the target as long as the target is alive.
Most of the time, it's actually difficult to kill the enemy.
It'll just be annoying.
As long as you make sure he doesn't appear on the Frontline and isn't targeted by the enemy's Black Tortoise Cannon, it's actually quite difficult to outmaneuver him.
The hidden blessing of the Heavenly Dao on the First-Level Continent is a reward given after the continent has developed to a certain stage.
The rewards for "People's Will" are also quite good.
It's not a material reward.
Instead--
"In the Heaven and Earth the Eternal Night Continent, there is a certain probability that naturally occurring 'Eerie Ore' will appear."
A very good reward.
This essentially provides a persistent source of Eerie Stone.
The Eerie-Stone Reserves in Mortal City are quite large now, but they are unsustainable. The Eerie Ore in the New Continent have all been mined out, and the people who originally Eerie Ore in the New Continent have been brought back to start mining the Eerie Ore in the "Eternal Night Continent".
However, this reward is not constant. When more than Thirty Percent of the continent's population begins to disapprove of "Mortal City," the reward will disappear.
In the past.
The Golden Rain that fell on the "Eternal Night Continent" lasted for several days. During this time, he brought all the people who had originally settled on the New Continent to the Eternal Night Continent to bathe in the Golden Rain.
It not only extended Lifespan but also Healing injuries.
It also ensured that everyone could travel freely between the two continents and would not be locked out.
"City Lord."
On the Sky-Piercing Pillar, Wang Kui, standing behind Chen Fan, continued his report, "As per your orders, several veteran members were transferred from the Logistics Department to form the 'Livelihood Pavilion,' which is currently compiling population statistics for the Eternal Night Continent."
Chen Fan nodded slightly and instructed, "Mainly investigate why, even after six months, the Newborn hasn't surpassed 2000?"
A continent.
Six months.
There weren't even 2,000 Newborn.
Based on this data, this continent should be nearing its end. However, even if many people were swallowed up by the Strange Tide during the Great Evacuation, there would still be a large population, so there shouldn't be less than 2,000 Newborn.
Wang Kui said in a low voice, "The parents of these six-month-old Newborn basically started being intimate more than a year ago. At that time, the Eternal Night Continent was in crisis. Under such circumstances, no one dared to have children, no one wanted children, and very few people were in the mood for it."
That's one reason.
"Secondly, the mortality rate for pregnant women is relatively high during Great Evacuation."
"However, people have been very enthusiastic about having children in the past few months, and it is expected that a large number of Newborn will be born around this time next year."
"Um."
Chen Fan nodded and said nothing more; he had forgotten about it.
Wang Kui continued his report, "The High-Speed Rail Track are still being laid. It is expected that in another three months, it will be possible to reach any point on the Eternal Night Eternal Night Continent via High-Speed Rail, achieving full coverage of transportation across the Eternal Night Continent, and..."
"..."
Chen Fan remained silent, standing quietly on the edge of the Sky-Piercing Pillar, listening to Wang Kui's report that developing a continent was no simple matter and involved many intricate details.
But if it can be developed...
The Achievement is also extremely strong.
One master and one servant stand Sky-Piercing Pillar.
As usual.
It was the height of summer.
Chen Fan stepped down from the Sky-Piercing Pillar and, accompanied by Wang Kui, personally went to the Private School in "Mortal City." He didn't go inside, but stood outside the courtyard looking at the mischievous children playing inside, a smile gradually appearing in his eyes.
He never dreamed of dominating the world.
What he wanted from the beginning was very simple.
It means having a safe place where you can eat well and sleep soundly.
He has already done it.
Next...
What he had to do was to protect this peace as much as possible. Any force that dared to disrupt this peace, whether it was a race or a continent, had to be prepared for a full-scale war with Mortal City.
"Domain Lord."
Soon.
Shao Qiu, who was studying in the Private School, noticed Chen Fan and quickly came out. With a troubled expression and a sob in her voice, she said, "Isn't the Shadow Pavilion responsible for assassinations? Do I really have to learn these things? I feel like some of them aren't my talents."
"Oh."
Chen Fan couldn't help but sneer, "What I'm teaching you is all necessary, and you'll definitely need it in the future. If you don't have the talent, then I'll find someone else to be the Shadow Pavilion Master?"
"Then I'll do it."
Shao Qiu quickly straightened up, his face serious, and said, "It's just some minor Psychological Warfare, easy to master. But I met a few girls at the Private School, and I saw in them a natural talent for psychological manipulation. I plan to recruit them into my Shadow Pavilion after they graduate."
"You can handle this yourself; you have the authority to transfer personnel within the Shadow Pavilion."
"Alright! Domain Lord I'll go back to class, the old teacher is urging me."
"Domain Lord."
Wang Kui, who was following behind on the inspection, hesitated with some confusion and said, "Actually, I don't understand either. Is learning these things in the Shadow Pavilion really that useful?"
"..."
Chen Fan glanced at Wang Kui but didn't explain further, only offering a slight smile.
Ever since he saw the reward for completing "The People's Will," a Hidden Heavenly Dao's Blessing, he knew that...
Deeper still in this Heaven and Earth, in the Sea Domain where continents interact closely.
There will definitely be people from one continent who will go to another continent to spread bad rumors about the power on that continent.
Intending to win hearts and minds.
Once the public support rate falls below 70%, the Hidden Heavenly Dao's Blessing reward will be instantly withdrawn.
This is tantamount to cutting off a sustainable source of Eerie Ore for this continent.
It wasn't exactly hitting the seven-inch mark, but it was at least three inches.
He didn't know if those continents had ever done this, but he felt that what he could think of, others couldn't even imagine.
This is what he taught the Shadow Pavilion.
Plan ahead.
Prepare in advance. Even if he doesn't use this method in the future, the Shadow Pavilion can quickly catch those people from other continents who came to "Eternal Night Continent" to spread rumors. Cultivate this sensitivity first, because some rumors seem very normal at first glance, and even if they hear them, they won't care. But once they spread widely and people realize what's going on, things will be a little strange.
Although no other continent besides the New Continent has been discovered in the "Eternal Night Continent" so far.
But he had been preparing for it all along.
He hoped to meet kind friends, but he also needed the means to pull the trigger of a shotgun at any time.
"They're gone."
Chen Fan didn't explain much. He simply leaned on his Jadeite Staff, chuckled, and left the Private School, inspecting Mortal City along the streets. Now he no longer needed the Jadeite Staff to protect his safety; as long as he had the Jade Seal, he wouldn't die.
But...
I've gotten used to it after all these years.
Just then--
The Message Talisman in Wang Kui's arms suddenly became slightly warm. After listening to it for a while, he spoke:
"Domain Lord, our men have found the 'Heavenly Calamity Wood'."
"Oh?"
Chen Fan's eyes lit up slightly, and he smiled, "Let's go take a look."
He would specifically instruct Wang Kui's Heavenly Storehouse Pavilion to give some special Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.
Notify him immediately upon discovery.
Heavenly Calamity Wood is one of them.
It is an essential material for upgrading the "Vehicle Workshop" to level 10.
These days, large numbers of Mortal Domain Member have been counting the resources of the entire Eternal Night Continent and the resources of that Strange Tide, but "Heavenly Calamity Wood" is nowhere to be found.
This had always puzzled him.
Now...
We finally found it.
Nameless Mountain.
The most central area of Mortal Domain holds immense symbolic significance. This is where the Mortal Domain originated, and here lie ten Warehouse containing the most precious Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures and Exotic Treasure Warehouse the Mortal Domain.
In front of a Warehouse.
Chen Fan looked at the "Heavenly Calamity Wood" in his hand. Nowadays, most ordinary Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures and Exotic Treasure are appraised by the Appraiser below. Although it is much slower, there are too many of them for him to appraise by himself.
This piece of Heavenly Calamity Wood, was determined by the Appraiser below.
"Domain Lord."
An Elderly Man with gray hair and an extremely long beard stood in front of the Warehouse and explained tremblingly, "This 'Heavenly Calamity Wood' originated from your order several months ago, Domain Lord. Several months ago, you ordered the 'Azure Dragon Cannon' to be activated on the New Continent to bombard the Strange Entities in the 'Thunderstorm Sea'."
"I want to try and see if I can blast it to death."
"The answer is now clear: it cannot be killed by bombing."
"But..."
"A fragment of ship plank was accidentally swept into the Thunderstorm Sea and struck by Heavenly Thunder, thus forming this 'Heavenly Calamity Wood'."
"..."
Chen Fan looked down at the "Heavenly Calamity Wood" panel in his hand, pondering without speaking.
"Name of the Exotic Treasure": Heavenly Calamity Wood.
"Exotic Treasure Grade": Blue Grade.
"Exotic Treasure Effect": Wood that has been struck by "Ten-Thousand-Year Heavenly Thunder" but has not broken.
Ten-Thousand-Year Heavenly Thunder?
The Heavenly Thunder in the Thunderstorm Sea is called "Ten-Thousand-Year Heavenly Thunder." What does "Ten-Thousand-Year Heavenly Thunder" mean? Is it a type of thunder or something else?
One of the attack methods of the "Heavenly Dao Cannon" is to unleash Heavenly Thunder.
He had tried using this method to bomb a Forest in the past few months.
No Heavenly Calamity Wood was born.
In other words...
Is it only possible to obtain "Heavenly Calamity Wood" in the Thunderstorm Sea?
After all, most pieces of wood that enter the Thunderstorm Sea will be pulverized after being struck by Heavenly Thunder, and only in extremely rare cases will some pieces of wood remain intact.
"OK."
Chen Fan nodded and left the Warehouse.
As for the order issued several months ago...
He remembered it.
The "Azure Dragon Cannon" has the attribute of Absolute Death; once hit, there is no way to recover from the injury. He wanted to try to kill the Strange Entities in the Thunderstorm Sea, but it seems that it won't work. So he'll just surround them. The reason why the Strange Entities in the Thunderstorm Sea don't die is not because their injuries have been healed.
It's certainly not a "recovery".
It was a method he didn't understand.
Perhaps...
Resurrection?
The Thunderstorm Sea is truly a magical region; creatures within it are constantly struck by Heavenly Thunder, yet they do not die, enduring torment day and night.
"..."
He suddenly thought of something, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
This doesn't look like a good place at all.
Imagine the amount of resentment that must have accumulated! Once released, the overwhelming resentment is terrifying to behold. What's the difference between this and raising a vengeful ghost?
After leaving the Warehouse.
Chen Fan arrived at the Northbank Defense Line and asked softly, "Mr. Na, did you upgrade the 'Vehicle Workshop' to level 10 on your original continent?"
He doesn't need to use Message Talisman to communicate.
The Heavenly Dao can hear all the sounds of this continent.
Of course, most of the time it was blocked, which is equivalent to do not disturb. I set up keyword reminders specifically for him, so that as long as he calls him "Mr. Na.", "Mr. Na." will know.
"No."
Soon.
The Mr. Na reappeared beside me, still holding a grilled gluten stick in his hand, eating it with gusto and looking extremely relaxed. "I've lost many memories of the last continent, but I can confirm one thing: the 'Vehicle Workshop' wasn't upgraded to level 10 on that continent."
Chen Fan frowned slightly.
"The Vehicle Workshop is just a Yellow Grade building. Does that mean First-Level Continent doesn't have the Access Rights to use a level 10 Vehicle Workshop and requires Second-Level Continent?"
"Wait a minute, let me check."
That's all.
The Mr. Na vanished quickly beside them, reforming three breaths later. After taking a bite of grilled gluten, he mumbled, "I checked. First-Level Continent do have Access Rights to Level 10 Vehicle Workshop."
"To break through level 11, the continent needs to advance to Level 2."
"As long as you have the upgrade materials, you can upgrade at any time."
Do you know what upgrade materials are?
"Have no idea."
"It's 'Heavenly Calamity Wood'."
"That sounds cool."
"Subordinate men managed to retrieve one in the Thunderstorm Sea."
"The mandate of Heaven's Mandate has been bestowed upon us, and great prosperity will reign in the Mortal Domain."
"..."
Chen Fan turned his head to look at the Mr. Na, his lips twitching slightly. "Why do you talk like a machine? What I'm trying to say is, given how difficult it is to obtain 'Heavenly Calamity Wood,' how are other First-Level Continent supposed to upgrade it to level 10?"
"No promotion."
"?"
Chen Fan.
After quickly finishing his grilled gluten, the Mr. Na wiped the grease from his mouth before speaking seriously, "I think you might be falling into a misconception. Just because First-Level Continent has the Access Rights to use a level 10 Vehicle Workshop doesn't mean that this First-Level Continent necessarily has the conditions to upgrade that building to the maximum level."
"For example..."
"The Heavenly Dao Cannon requires the fusion of the Four Divine Cannons."
"Do you think that every First-Level Continent will necessarily have the Building Blueprint for these four Divine Cannons?"
No.
"The Eternal Night Continent is quite lucky. Many continents can't even gather all four Blueprint even if they search the entire continent. They need to go to other continents to obtain them. For example, if you can't find the 'Black Tortoise Cannon' Blueprint, there might be dozens of them on other continents."
"Just like you asked, Mortal Domain obtaining 'Heavenly Calamity Wood' is so difficult in the mortal realm, how can the continent without the Thunderstorm Sea upgrade its Vehicle Workshop to level 10?"
The answer is no promotion.
"Heaven and Earth will not fairly arrange environments and conditions that allow every building to be upgraded to its maximum level for every continent."
"I don't have the ability either."
"In the future, there will definitely be a building in the Mortal Domain where you can't find the materials needed to upgrade it. At that time, you will need to look further afield; there will definitely be materials on other continents."
"I understand."
Chen Fan nodded slightly; he did indeed have some misconceptions.
But soon...
He glanced at the empty grilled gluten stick in the Mr. Na's hand and suddenly couldn't help but laugh, "Does even the Heavenly Dao need to eat?"
"Unnecessary."
The Mr. Na shook his head and smiled as well, "But it tastes very good. It's a snack from the Eastern Region, made from bean products. I think it tastes good. You should try it if you have the chance; it's not bad."
"Must."
"There's something else I'm curious about. Every time I ask you something, you disappear for a while. Are you going to... look through some documents?"
Where did you go to look for it?
"Oh, this."
The Mr. Na sighed and pointed to the ground, "The Heavenly Dao, deep underground in the Eternal Night Continent, has a house Heavenly Dao. This Heaven and Earth arranged it for the Heavenly Dao; it's like providing lodging."
"Normally, the Heavenly Dao resides in that place."
"You have to report to them even if you're reporting to higher authorities."
"Then there's a lot of information there, which you can think of as an 'employee manual.' Sometimes when you ask me a question I don't know or am unsure about, I'll look it up."
But I need to say something.
"Heavenly Dao workload is much heavier now than before. Back then, nobody would call me out all the time to ask me all sorts of questions."
"..."
After a pause, Chen Fan said quietly, "You never got to eat grilled gluten before."
"That's true."
The Mr. Na grinned. "So I still cherish my life now. Thank you, Chen Fan, you gave new life to the Eternal Night Continent and you gave me a new life too."
Chen Fan pursed his lips and didn't say anything, turning his head to look at the Azure Sea outside the Northbank Defense Line.
His expression remained calm.
But the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up slightly.