A Sensation in the Council
Jiang Wanqing was startled. "We've made contact with aliens? In the Spirit Realm?"
"That's right. According to current intelligence, the Spirit Realm is connected to the entire known universe, and it involves far more than just humanity..." Li Mengyao nodded. "According to the Night Watchers' publicly available information, since the Spirit Realm descended a hundred years ago, humanity has come into contact with 17 extraterrestrial civilizations that are truly intelligent civilizations existing in the real universe, not pseudo-civilizations like the orcs created by the Spirit Realm based on human imagination."
Jiang Wanqing frowned and glanced at the Lords' Council: "But why doesn't anyone care?"
She could tell that the many lord liaison officers present were indifferent to this issue.
"Relax, sister. Once you've been here long enough, you'll find that anything can happen in the Spirit Realm." Li Mengyao smiled. "With the existence of the physical barrier, it's extremely difficult for anything from the Spirit Realm to descend into our world."
Moreover, the very existence of lords reinforces this barrier, hence they are also known as the guardians of human civilization!
Jiang Wanqing glanced at the indifferent liaison officers, a shadow passing over her heart.
The report concluded after about ten minutes.
"... The resolution is invalid!" The middle-aged liaison officer from the inner ring swept across the room. "The agenda for this meeting is now complete. Does anyone have any further suggestions?"
Jiang Wanqing stood up amidst Li Mengyao's surprised gaze. Meeting the astonished looks of many, she responded with a calm gaze, "Fellow colleagues, first of all, on behalf of Lord Lin Xu, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to all of you seniors. It is because of your perseverance and responsibility that humanity has been able to continue its civilization amidst the invasion of the Spirit Realm."
I believe you have all heard of the current predicament facing Qimeng City: the territory is newly established, everything needs to be rebuilt, and the threat of the Wheel of Fate is imminent.
I hereby implore the establishment of a direct commercial channel with the Night Watchers headquarters, so that we can conveniently procure the strategic resources urgently needed by our territory, including but not limited to finished protective equipment, weapons, precious Spirit Realm materials, potions, etc.
Before he could finish speaking, the liaison officer of the Jiang Lineage in Lei City, Xiang Province, coldly interrupted, "The Night Watchers's authority over the allocation of supplies belongs to the headquarters and is directly linked to the Night Watchers branches in each province. How dare you, a newly promoted lord, interfere?"
The Night Watchers is a special agency coordinated at the national level. Although it has been heavily infiltrated by local forces in recent years due to its local roots, the headquarters firmly holds the lifeline of local forces by relying on the power to allocate resources in the Spirit Realm.
"Going beyond our level? Are you implying that the Jiang Lineage is our superior?" Jiang Wanqing's gaze turned slightly cold.
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the many liaison officers in Central changed, and they all cast hostile glances toward the Jiang Lineage family.
The Pioneer Lord are independent of each other. Theoretically speaking, even Legendary lords are just more powerful great lords, and there is no subordinate relationship between them.
The Jiang Lineage liaison officer's expression changed, and he quickly explained, "My Jiang Lineage is simply following the rules. Don't make false accusations! Qimeng City has any needs for supplies, it can simply submit a unified application to the provincial branch!"
Jiang Wanqing's gaze swept across Central. Most of the liaison officers had complicated expressions, while a few were indifferent or even mocking.
Li Mengyao sighed. This was actually a carefully designed trap by the veteran lords, attempting to create obstacles for the newly promoted lords within the rules.
Newly established territories need time to be cultivated until they produce something and benefit the nation before an application can be made to open direct trade channels. However, by this time, the territory has already passed through the most difficult initial period.
Unless they relinquish some rights, such as opening up some of the territory's mineral resources and industries, but few lords do so.
With power in their hands, a lord is inherently invincible. Who would be willing to relinquish their rightful rights for a mere few years of hardship?
The emerging lords watched coldly; the key resources controlled by their headquarters were barely enough for themselves, let alone have the capacity to share them with Qimeng City.
A smug, mocking smile appeared on the young face of the Lei City liaison officer, while Xia Jingyi, sitting in a corner of the venue, shook her head slightly.
From the country's perspective, resources are given to whoever they are given to. If a conflict can be stirred up between local forces, that would be an unexpected gain, and of course, the country wouldn't bother to mediate it.
Unless this territory possesses resources that would entice the Night Watchers headquarters, it's just a newly established territory with perhaps a small population—what leverage would it have to attract the attention of a nation?
Jiang Wanqing looked at the smug young man and casually took out a jade bottle with faint spiritual patterns on its surface from her pocket.
She casually uncorked the bottle, and Li Mengyao, who was standing nearby, immediately smelled a delicate orchid fragrance, which invigorated her.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, she poured out a magic pill from the bottle.
The pale yellow pill shimmered with a subtle, pure spiritual light, as if a layer of light enveloped it, preventing the medicinal power contained within from dissipating into the surrounding Spiritual Qi desert.
"A mid-grade Spirit Grain Pill, condensed from the essence of one pound of spirit rice, not only satisfies hunger but also quickly replenishes mana, and can even be used as a cultivation resource." Jiang Wanqing spread her palms, allowing the many liaison officers to cast inquiring glances, "The Spiritual Qi contained within it, after being refined by an alchemist, is easier to digest and absorb."
A commotion broke out in the council chamber, and the liaison officers sat up straight, even the Jiang Lineage's liaison officer became serious.
The ability to mass-produce elixirs raises many questions about the entire industrial chain involved.
"Let me see." This elixir clearly attracted the attention of some people, and the white-haired old man, who had been silent because his proposal had been rejected, stood up from his seat in the inner ring.
"Please!" Jiang Wanqing chanted, channeling her magic power, and the elixir in her hand floated toward the newcomer.
"Daoist profession~ Not bad, young lady!" The old man smiled and nodded. He took the elixir, examined it carefully, and then sniffed it, a hint of hesitation flashing across his face.
"This is a masterpiece by an alchemist; why don't you take a look?" Jiang Wanqing said with a smile.
The old man swallowed the elixir, closed his eyes to savor the sensation, and after a moment, a look of surprise flashed across his face.
Strands of pure Spiritual Qi rose from his abdomen, interacting with his own True Qi and merging with each breath. The fusion was so natural that it didn't even require special refining.
"This elixir... its spiritual essence is pure, almost without any impurities!" The old man looked at her in surprise. "Young lady, may I ask which master alchemist made this?"
All eyes in the hall immediately fell on Jiang Wanqing. She smiled and said, "What do you think of this elixir? Besides pills, my territory can also produce talismans and magical artifacts~"
"Whoosh~"
These words immediately caused a sensation.
These are all finished, extraordinary resources!