"If Fu Nantian is willing to put in the effort, this will go much more smoothly."
Chen Shi'an looked delighted. "Azure Sun Stronghold has ample experience in this area. With their help, we'll take far fewer wrong turns."
At this, he chuckled. "Besides, they got their hands on more than half the Martial Saint Treasury. Their coffers are deep, too.
"Once the great city is built, they'll benefit as well. At crucial moments, they can't just contribute their efforts. They have to contribute money, too.
"As for getting them to pay, I'm only giving you a direction. It wouldn't be convenient for me to handle the actual details. You'll have to do that."
Xiang Li shook his head helplessly. "I was wondering why you were so warmhearted, doing so much for Hundred Miasma Forest. So this was where you'd dug the pit."
Chen Shi'an hastily corrected him. "How am I digging a pit? I'm pointing them toward a bright road.
"Once our great city is finished, they'll thank me from the bottom of their hearts."
Xiang Li smiled wryly. "I'm truly glad I went to Desolate Suppression City with you back then. Otherwise, I might well have ended up on the opposite side from you.
"If that really happened, the consequences would be unthinkable."
The corners of Chen Shi'an's mouth lifted slightly. "Brother Xiang, I won't get involved in building the city.
"My cultivation has hit a bottleneck. Before long, I plan to enter seclusion and push toward a higher cultivation realm. It may take quite a while."
Xiang Li nodded. "You've solved the two biggest problems with building the city. Leave the rest to me. You can go into seclusion without worry."
Chen Shi'an continued, "There's something I need your help with, Brother Xiang."
Xiang Li waved a hand.