A New Future!
Main Peak Hall.
True Person Yun Du sat upright in the main seat, with Jade Slip and documents piled up on the table in front of him.
His complexion was much better than a year ago; his fundamental injuries had healed, and his cultivation even showed faint signs of a breakthrough.
"Fellow Daoist Shi!"
Upon seeing Shi Jian's figure land outside the hall, Yun Du quickly got up to greet him.
"Sit."
Shi Jian lay down directly on the stone platform prepared for him on one side of the main hall. This stone platform was larger than it had been a year ago, indicating that it had been newly replaced.
"Congratulations, fellow Daoist, on becoming a Protector-General of a region. You have truly reached the pinnacle of your position."
Shi Jian spoke casually, but upon hearing this, Yun Du shook his head with a wry smile, "What kind of high-ranking official is he? He's clearly being forced into this position."
"In this area encompassing nearly three prefectures, eighteen large counties, sixty-two Foundation Establishment Lineage, and hundreds of Qi Refining minor clans, just sorting out the relationships between all parties took me more than half a year."
"Fenghe Commandery is fine; we took over it a long time ago."
"But half of Ancient Spirit Commandery is newly allocated territory. That area originally belonged to another Golden Core faction, but they were transferred elsewhere, leaving me with all the mess they created."
Shi Jian remained noncommittal.
He has never been interested in these trivial matters.
"Let's get down to business."
Yun Du away his somber expression and said seriously, "Under the new Protectorate system, a sum of resources must be paid to the Ming Province Prefecture every ten years."
"The amount is not small, including a spirit tax payable every ten years: three thousand mid-grade Spirit Stone, which is equivalent to three hundred thousand low-grade Spirit Stone."
"In addition, there will be a number of various third-tier spiritual materials, plus a certain number of Foundation Establishment cultivator slots."
"But in return, the state government will allocate some heritage resources to support the development and defense of the various protectorates."
"Overall, this gives me a lot more freedom than when I was managing the territory of a prefecture."
Shi Jian nodded.
This is the advantage of the feudal system. Once you've paid your protection fee, everything else is yours.
"There's one more thing."
Yun Du lowered his voice. "The governor of Ming Province is True Lord Fang Yi."
Shi Jian's thunderous eyes flashed.
True Lord Fang Yi.
That Nascent Soul ancestor from Heavenly Void Pass, who fought two opponents single-handedly.
What is his attitude towards White Cloud Temple?
"The situation is currently quite friendly."
Yun Du carefully chose his words: "Your performance during the battle at Heavenly Void Pass left a good impression on this person."
"Fang Yi sent word that if needed in the future, a message could be sent directly to the prefectural government, showing a very favorable attitude towards White Cloud Temple."
Shi Jian sneered inwardly.
friendly?
It's simply because they feel that this bear still has some use to them.
However, it's not a bad thing that a Nascent Soul True Lord is willing to show goodwill; at least in the short term, no one will dare to mess with White Cloud Temple.
"One last thing."
Yun Du took out a golden token from his sleeve and presented it to Shi Jian with both hands.
The front of the token is engraved with the three large characters "Bei Du Hu" (Northern Protector-General), while the back features a totem of a roaring thunder bear.
"This is the deputy commander of the Protectorate General's Office."
Yun Du said solemnly, "According to the new system, the Protectorate will have two Protectors, a Chief Protector and a Deputy Protector. I, Yun Du, will serve as the Chief Protector, and the position of Deputy Protector is none other than yours, Fellow Daoist."
"This was my application to the state government, and it was personally approved by True Lord Fang Yi."
Shi Jian stared at the token and remained silent for a moment.
Deputy Protector-General.
This title signifies that he has a formal identity within the Clear Blue Kingdom's system, which can be considered as official endorsement.
It may not have any practical use, but it's never a bad thing to have it.
"OK."
Shi Jian shoved the token into his fur with one paw. "I'll reluctantly accept this position as Deputy Protector-General."
Yun Du breathed a sigh of relief, a genuine smile appearing on his face.
With Shi Jian, a Golden Core cultivator, presiding over the area, the foundation of the Northern Protectorate is truly solid, and White Cloud Temple can finally be considered a true regional power.