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Chapter 88: When Prosperous, Benefit the World.
Ultimately, the three soul bones auctioned by the Heaven Dou Auction House were acquired by the Star Luo Empire from private room number 4, Spirit Hall from private room number 3, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect from private room number 5.
After the auction concluded, Ye Cheng, with a gold card containing over two hundred million gold soul coins in his pocket, led his disciple and five newly acquired maids. They were respectfully escorted out of the auction house's main entrance by the auction house's high-ranking officials.
'With this money, the construction of White Cloud City must be put on the agenda as soon as possible.' He walked out the main entrance and looked around. Yet, in his heart, he felt as if no place was truly home.
Here, 'home' didn't just refer to a dwelling, but a territory that belonged to him. A place where, when tired, he could return to rest and find peace for his mind.
Ever since his entire clan was annihilated when he was six, he had lost his home. Drifting for many years, he was like a wanderer. He had visited many places and acquired property in many locations, but he never stayed long in one place. This was because he lacked a sense of security. In this world fraught with dangers, sometimes even a battle between passing powerful Soul Masters could endanger his life.
Therefore, Ye Cheng had always felt a barrier between himself and this world, unwilling to integrate into it. He was even more afraid that he, lacking any special talent, would truly become just another face in the crowd, a marginalized person who would leave no trace in this world. He also feared being assimilated by this world and becoming a stepping stone for other powerful experts.
But now, things were different.
As the saying goes: "When poor, one should focus on self-improvement; when prosperous, one should benefit the world!"
That strength, sufficient to traverse the entire world, filled him with strong confidence. It also allowed him to truly begin integrating into this world and prepare to change it!
When he lacked strength, all he thought about was how to survive better. But after gaining strength, he had a higher goal. That was to change this world, to make this 'world filled with oppression and barbarism, nobles and slaves,' which he considered pathological and backward, strive towards the harmonious society of equality for all from his previous life.
And all these changes would begin with the establishment of White Cloud City!
...
Now, the funds to establish White Cloud City were secured.
So, the next thing Ye Cheng had to do was recruit some subordinates. After all, a city needed specialized personnel to maintain its operation. As the City Lord, he couldn't personally handle everything, could he? Moreover, such a large city couldn't function with just him alone.
Therefore, it was essential to subdue some clans to assist with management.
The first ones he intended to subdue were the Single Attribute Four Clans that joined the Tang Sect in the original work.
Ye Cheng, who had read the original work, understood that among the Four Great Clans, the Strength Clan might be the most difficult to subdue. Although Titan, the current clan head of the Strength Clan, held a strong dislike for the Clear Sky Sect, he was quite loyal to his original master, Tang Hao. Otherwise, he wouldn't have joined the Tang Sect founded by Tang Hao's son in the original work.
However, Ye Cheng wasn't concerned about this, because among these four clans, the one he truly and urgently needed was the Defense Clan. Their exquisite architectural skills were precisely what was most needed for the current construction of White Cloud City.
Among the remaining three clans, the Destruction Clan was the one with the highest attack power among the four. Furthermore, the Destruction Clan excelled at refining medicine. In the future, when he established an academy, he could have them research some potions that could help students with their cultivation. Even if they failed, their role would certainly not be small; they would still be useful.
The Strength Clan was primarily responsible for forging. For someone like Tang San in the original work, who needed hidden weapons, the Strength Clan's existence was paramount, as better hidden weapons required stricter forging techniques.
But for Ye Cheng, their forging capabilities seemed of little practical value. After all, they were just a group of ordinary blacksmiths, and their so-called forging only involved hammering to create ordinary weapons. They couldn't forge soul tools or weapons with other special abilities. Otherwise, the status of blacksmiths on the Douluo Continent wouldn't be so low.
So, in Ye Cheng's view, the Strength Clan was the type of ally that would be nice to have, but their absence would have no impact.
Finally, there was the Agility Clan. They could be said to be the most unfortunate among the Four Great Clans. The Strength Clan could forge iron, the Destruction Clan could sell medicine, and the Defense Clan could work as construction workers. The Agility Clan's only specialty was speed and gathering intelligence.
But if you don't join a faction, why would other factions trust your intelligence?
Therefore, without joining other factions, the Agility Clan's specialty was essentially useless. Only by joining a major faction could the Agility Clan truly demonstrate its worth.
Overall, among the four clans, Ye Cheng most needed the Defense Clan. The other three clans were merely added benefits; it would be good to have them, but it didn't matter if he didn't.
After deciding to subdue the Four Great Clans, Ye Cheng did not immediately depart. Instead, he rested for a few days, arranging some matters before setting off.
This time, he didn't bring Zhu Zhuqing along. Instead, he settled her in one of his mansions within Heaven Dou City, letting her cultivate on her own for a while. The five maids were also placed in the mansion; he had matters to attend to and had no time to bother with them for now.
...
Dragon Ascent City.
This place was located at the border between the Two Great Empires, and the Defense Clan was rooted in Dragon Ascent City. They were considered to be doing relatively well among the four clans.
Ye Cheng used Sword Flight, going all out. A distance that would take an ordinary person a month to reach by carriage, he covered in just half an hour.
This place was located north of the Star Luo Empire, less than two hundred li from the border with the Two Great Empires, making it a true border city.
Dragon Ascent City itself was not directly governed by the Star Luo Imperial Family but was a territory within a subordinate kingdom. Due to trade, this small city was extremely prosperous, with merchants and travelers constantly passing through.
To avoid drawing too much attention, Ye Cheng landed a good distance away from the city gate. He then activated his Dream Bubble Illusion, covering his face with a thin mist, and his entire appearance instantly changed. The main reason for this was to not be too conspicuous. When it was time to genuinely discuss matters later, he would reveal his true face.
Following the flow of people, he walked through the city gate.
Ye Cheng scanned with his spiritual power and quickly found the place. It was a residence with a plaque bearing the character for 'Defense' hanging above the gatehouse.
His scan revealed that although this residence appeared rugged, it actually concealed many mechanisms suitable for defense. None of them could escape his X-ray-like vision.
'Not bad. These are exactly the subordinates I need.'
After seeing the Defense Clan's residence, Ye Cheng was very satisfied with their architectural skill.
(end of chapter)
Ultimately, the three soul bones auctioned by the Heaven Dou Auction House were acquired by the Star Luo Empire from private room number 4, Spirit Hall from private room number 3, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect from private room number 5.
After the auction concluded, Ye Cheng, with a gold card containing over two hundred million gold soul coins in his pocket, led his disciple and five newly acquired maids. They were respectfully escorted out of the auction house's main entrance by the auction house's high-ranking officials.
'With this money, the construction of White Cloud City must be put on the agenda as soon as possible.' He walked out the main entrance and looked around. Yet, in his heart, he felt as if no place was truly home.
Here, 'home' didn't just refer to a dwelling, but a territory that belonged to him. A place where, when tired, he could return to rest and find peace for his mind.
Ever since his entire clan was annihilated when he was six, he had lost his home. Drifting for many years, he was like a wanderer. He had visited many places and acquired property in many locations, but he never stayed long in one place. This was because he lacked a sense of security. In this world fraught with dangers, sometimes even a battle between passing powerful Soul Masters could endanger his life.
Therefore, Ye Cheng had always felt a barrier between himself and this world, unwilling to integrate into it. He was even more afraid that he, lacking any special talent, would truly become just another face in the crowd, a marginalized person who would leave no trace in this world. He also feared being assimilated by this world and becoming a stepping stone for other powerful experts.
But now, things were different.
As the saying goes: "When poor, one should focus on self-improvement; when prosperous, one should benefit the world!"
That strength, sufficient to traverse the entire world, filled him with strong confidence. It also allowed him to truly begin integrating into this world and prepare to change it!
When he lacked strength, all he thought about was how to survive better. But after gaining strength, he had a higher goal. That was to change this world, to make this 'world filled with oppression and barbarism, nobles and slaves,' which he considered pathological and backward, strive towards the harmonious society of equality for all from his previous life.
And all these changes would begin with the establishment of White Cloud City!
...
Now, the funds to establish White Cloud City were secured.
So, the next thing Ye Cheng had to do was recruit some subordinates. After all, a city needed specialized personnel to maintain its operation. As the City Lord, he couldn't personally handle everything, could he? Moreover, such a large city couldn't function with just him alone.
Therefore, it was essential to subdue some clans to assist with management.
The first ones he intended to subdue were the Single Attribute Four Clans that joined the Tang Sect in the original work.
Ye Cheng, who had read the original work, understood that among the Four Great Clans, the Strength Clan might be the most difficult to subdue. Although Titan, the current clan head of the Strength Clan, held a strong dislike for the Clear Sky Sect, he was quite loyal to his original master, Tang Hao. Otherwise, he wouldn't have joined the Tang Sect founded by Tang Hao's son in the original work.
However, Ye Cheng wasn't concerned about this, because among these four clans, the one he truly and urgently needed was the Defense Clan. Their exquisite architectural skills were precisely what was most needed for the current construction of White Cloud City.
Among the remaining three clans, the Destruction Clan was the one with the highest attack power among the four. Furthermore, the Destruction Clan excelled at refining medicine. In the future, when he established an academy, he could have them research some potions that could help students with their cultivation. Even if they failed, their role would certainly not be small; they would still be useful.
The Strength Clan was primarily responsible for forging. For someone like Tang San in the original work, who needed hidden weapons, the Strength Clan's existence was paramount, as better hidden weapons required stricter forging techniques.
But for Ye Cheng, their forging capabilities seemed of little practical value. After all, they were just a group of ordinary blacksmiths, and their so-called forging only involved hammering to create ordinary weapons. They couldn't forge soul tools or weapons with other special abilities. Otherwise, the status of blacksmiths on the Douluo Continent wouldn't be so low.
So, in Ye Cheng's view, the Strength Clan was the type of ally that would be nice to have, but their absence would have no impact.
Finally, there was the Agility Clan. They could be said to be the most unfortunate among the Four Great Clans. The Strength Clan could forge iron, the Destruction Clan could sell medicine, and the Defense Clan could work as construction workers. The Agility Clan's only specialty was speed and gathering intelligence.
But if you don't join a faction, why would other factions trust your intelligence?
Therefore, without joining other factions, the Agility Clan's specialty was essentially useless. Only by joining a major faction could the Agility Clan truly demonstrate its worth.
Overall, among the four clans, Ye Cheng most needed the Defense Clan. The other three clans were merely added benefits; it would be good to have them, but it didn't matter if he didn't.
After deciding to subdue the Four Great Clans, Ye Cheng did not immediately depart. Instead, he rested for a few days, arranging some matters before setting off.
This time, he didn't bring Zhu Zhuqing along. Instead, he settled her in one of his mansions within Heaven Dou City, letting her cultivate on her own for a while. The five maids were also placed in the mansion; he had matters to attend to and had no time to bother with them for now.
...
Dragon Ascent City.
This place was located at the border between the Two Great Empires, and the Defense Clan was rooted in Dragon Ascent City. They were considered to be doing relatively well among the four clans.
Ye Cheng used Sword Flight, going all out. A distance that would take an ordinary person a month to reach by carriage, he covered in just half an hour.
This place was located north of the Star Luo Empire, less than two hundred li from the border with the Two Great Empires, making it a true border city.
Dragon Ascent City itself was not directly governed by the Star Luo Imperial Family but was a territory within a subordinate kingdom. Due to trade, this small city was extremely prosperous, with merchants and travelers constantly passing through.
To avoid drawing too much attention, Ye Cheng landed a good distance away from the city gate. He then activated his Dream Bubble Illusion, covering his face with a thin mist, and his entire appearance instantly changed. The main reason for this was to not be too conspicuous. When it was time to genuinely discuss matters later, he would reveal his true face.
Following the flow of people, he walked through the city gate.
Ye Cheng scanned with his spiritual power and quickly found the place. It was a residence with a plaque bearing the character for 'Defense' hanging above the gatehouse.
His scan revealed that although this residence appeared rugged, it actually concealed many mechanisms suitable for defense. None of them could escape his X-ray-like vision.
'Not bad. These are exactly the subordinates I need.'
After seeing the Defense Clan's residence, Ye Cheng was very satisfied with their architectural skill.
(end of chapter)
