In early August, Great Benefit City, established specifically for the peace treaty at Blazing Nest's great port, thronged with people and bustled with activity.
Funded by the Immortal Alliance, the city had been swiftly built during the negotiations by the Hundred Crafts of the Puppet Dao using their superb techniques. In just a few days, its basic outline had taken shape: a new city spanning a hundred li, accessible from all four directions, with a full complement of living amenities and supporting information base stations.
Four major markets had been established in its east, west, south, and north, dealing respectively in spirit materials, rare treasures, general merchandise, and securities. Puppet Masters, Spell Cultivators, Sword Cultivators, and Demon Cultivators could all enter freely and conduct their various activities.
Blazing Nest was responsible for dispatching troops to maintain the city's security and order, under the joint supervision of Garrison Elders, civil administrators, and trading-house representatives appointed by the Immortal Alliance and the various Puppet Master factions. Its regulations accommodated everyone's different practices, making it a remarkably open and free place.
By now, traveling merchants and Rogue Cultivators had gathered there. In less than half a month, the city was already functioning normally and displaying extraordinary prosperity.
At the air harbor outside the city, a Flying Boat more than a hundred zhang long descended like a silver fish, its enormous hull emblazoned with a Black-Patterned Winged Dragon.
This Flying Boat had come from Heavenly Dragon City in the Vast Sea and belonged to a faction under Li Chen.
Even before the negotiations, Li Chen had ordered his subordinate factions to prepare. As soon as the Teleportation Array and air harbor officially opened to traffic, they had connected through Nine Ridges City and flown straight here.
Ordinary factions had neither such ready access to