mousepad-d2 018 Xuanju Clan
018 Xuanju Clan
Xiong Ba calmed his thoughts.
[Immortal Grade] and [Heavenly Grade] are things that ordinary mortals are fortunate enough to even glimpse. If one is fortunate enough to receive their blessings, no amount of virtuous deeds or acts of merit would be excessive.
Therefore, there is no "blessed land of immortals," but rather "immortal dwellings" that people seek out.
There is a [blessed land of immortals], where people beg to enter the [immortal dwelling].
With the situation changing, Xiong Ba's previous claims of "planning for the development of the territory" are now all null and void.
He was quite shrewd, and after some deliberation, he began to devise a new plan.
Although he didn't consider himself a good general or a talented person, Xiong Ba, as the top [Huang Pin] in Mo Shang Township, also had his own pride.
He dared not compare himself to Deng Ai, Jiang Wei, Zhou Yu, or Lü Meng, and he did not believe he could make decisions that would be remembered for generations, such as the "Longzhong Plan," the "Strategy on the Bed," or the "Ten Victories and Ten Defeats." However, he felt it was his duty to offer some suggestions to help [Xianlu] flourish.
Just as Xiong Ba was about to speak, he looked up and suddenly saw [Heavenly Grade - Escape Den]!
"..."
Well, my grand plan to dominate has once again failed in the womb.
Isn't it said that "a Xuan-grade item is worth more than ten thousand pieces of gold, an Di-grade item is rare in the world, and a Tian-grade item is hard to find even if it brings down a nation"?
Isn't it said that in the Han Dynasty palaces there were only three top-quality items: the Demon-Slaying Sword, Confucius's Clogs, and Wang Mang's Head?
Why are both [heavenly beings] and [immortals] appearing today?
Xiong Ba let out a long breath.
Well, there's not much to say about population, so let's start with buildings and unit types.
Xiong Ba fell into deep thought again.
However, after several dozen breaths, Xiong Ba found that he seemed to have "the will but not the strength".
Regarding construction, Boqing has gifted Brother Yu a [construction blueprint]. If it can be built, it will greatly enhance the strength of [Immortal Abode]. However, what is needed for the [blueprint] right now is [Mysterious Grade] stone.
A top-grade item!
Let alone Moshang Township, in the entire Gansu County, and even the entire Zhao State, if there were any mountains with [Mysterious Grade] stones standing on them, they would have been leveled long ago. There's no way he'd have a chance to dig one up!
As for the types of troops, Xiong Ba originally thought that since he had led troops in battle in the [Moonlight Scroll], he could not be called a [military general], and training some local militia would be enough.
But in the face of the two unparalleled characteristics of "a blessed land of immortals" and "a haven for fugitives", "village militia" are nothing but dung, ashes, and rotten wood.
It seems that it wasn't him "helping" Brother Yu, but rather Brother Yu "supporting" him, allowing him to take advantage of the opportunity.
Xiong Ba had truly come to terms with his own abilities, so when Li Yu asked, "Do you have any good strategies for the development of the territory?" he simply cupped his hands and said, "I have no talent or learning, but I will obey your orders, my lord!"
Xiong Ba addressed him as "My Lord," to which Li Yu laughed heartily: "Sir, there's no need for such formalities. We can address each other as brothers; there's no need to change your way of addressing me."
The two were close friends, and Li Yu was quite taken aback by Xiong Ba's sudden change of address. But Xiong Ba insisted, so Li Yu had no choice but to go along with him.
Of course, to prevent others from coveting it, this title of "Lord" is only used in private for the time being.
Speaking of coveting, Xiong Ba suggested that Li Yu should focus on improving his [Intelligence] level in the near future and spend more time studying at the Wang family's residence. As for leveling up by fighting monsters and improving [Martial Power], they could wait until the acquisition was over before the two of them went to raid [Hidden Soldier Cave] and [Tiger Hill] together.
Li Yu, bearing the name of [Immortal Abode], topped the Territory Ranking, attracting the most attention. To rashly leave Chenwang Village would be like a child carrying gold through a bustling marketplace; one mishap, and everything would be over.
Li Yu nodded in agreement, after all, a wise man does not stand under a crumbling wall, and he understood.
However, Li Yu also had some other thoughts in his mind.
He has more options than just studying.
Firstly, with the activation of [Escape Den], a thousand beings will descend. Li Yu doesn't expect any [Immortal Grade] or [Heaven Grade] among them; just one [Earth Grade] would be enough for him to roam freely in Gansu. If only [Mysterious Grade] are present, it will ensure his safety in Moshang Township. At the very least, a few [Yellow Grade] beings to protect him while he goes out to level up would be better than waiting for Xiong Zai Sheng to appear.
Secondly, he has already made progress on [Moonlight Scroll - Lu Sheng]. According to Li Yu's speculation, there shouldn't be any scenes of battle in the time and space depicted in this scroll. If arranged properly, it should yield considerable gains.
To avoid worrying Xiong Ba, Li Yu didn't say anything more.
The two then discussed the "acquisition".
"Acquiring the [fragments] is the top priority, so I'll trouble you, Mr. Zai, to do your best."
Li Yu can use [Unknown Fragments] to synthesize [Fine Fragmented Pot]. Although he has the bonus of "Slaying the Python", there is no guarantee that others will have a lucky encounter and synthesize the treasure by chance.
Xiong Ba could exchange wheat cakes and python meat for [fragments], but he would never be able to exchange them for treasures of the Xuan, Di, Tian, or Xian grades.
Therefore, Li Yu listed "acquisition" as the top priority for the development of [Xianlu], and wanted to acquire as many [unknown fragments] as possible as quickly as possible.
The fragments mostly come from the hidden military caves, and there are about fifteen or sixteen such caves within the territory of Zhao. Xiong Ba needs to travel hundreds or even thousands of miles in the shortest possible time.
It is indeed a tough job.
"Rest assured, my lord," Xiong Ba said.
Next, the two discussed some details.
For example, should we buy some grains and cloth? Should we make the wheat cakes ourselves or buy them from the villagers? How many [fragments] can we exchange for one tael of python meat? If someone doesn't want wheat cakes, python meat, grains, or cloth, but only wants five zhu coins, what should the price be?
With everything settled, Xiong Ba and his companion left the [Immortal Pot].
Before taking the pot out, Xiong Ba asked somewhat hesitantly, "My lord, may I invite my master into the [Immortal Abode]?"
"Adults" refers to his parents.
The "Benefit" of +1 to [Destiny] immediately reminded him of his elderly grandfather and mother.
"sure."
Xiong Ba's filial piety was commendable, and Li Yu had no reason to refuse.
----------
The following day, it drizzled.
Xiong Ba took the python meat to the outskirts of the village early on, and the players immediately surrounded him in layers, making it impossible for him to pass.
Many players knew him and were aware of his good relationship with Li Yu. Therefore, initially, none of the players' attention was on the "meat".
"Is Li Yu from the village the number one on the leaderboard?"
Why isn't Li Yu coming out?
"Brother Xiong, is the [newbie village] called [Immortal Abode] because the great god Li Yu obtained a [Celestial Artifact]?"
Where did Li Yu build the [starter village]?
"Brother Xiong, my [Strength] is 23. Take me to find Master Li Yu; I want to join the village!"
"Did Li Yu suddenly become so smitten that she took your village chief under her wing?"
"Brother Xiong, have you joined Li Yu's [starter village]? Are you going to hunt down bandits next?"
"Brother Bear, Brother Bear..."
No one was buying meat, no one was selling [fragments], everyone was asking about Li Yu.
Xiong Ba claimed ignorance to all of them, no matter how much he was asked.
After struggling for a while, the players lost their nerve and finally turned their attention to the meat of the [Corpse-Devouring Python].
"Is your meat guaranteed cooked through?"
"Brother Xiong, did the great god Li Yu send you to exchange meat for [fragments]?"
"Was Li Yu really the one who killed this [Corpse-Devouring Python]?"
"Brother Xiong, did the [fragments] we acquired before turn out to be valuable items?"
The questions were chaotic, with only two or three people curious about the taste of python meat and exchanging [fragments]. Then someone chewed on two ounces of dried python meat and yelled, "Holy crap!"
When others asked him why he had a groove, he said it was because he had gained a little "power".
The players immediately erupted in an uproar.
The business of trading python meat for [fragments] has finally become very successful.
Li Yu also went to the Wang family early in the morning to return the books and borrowed two more volumes of "Qi Jian". Wang Zhang had not yet returned home, so Li Yu went to his family to discuss the matter and borrowed 100,000 coins temporarily by using a [Corpse-Swallowing Python's Eye] as collateral.
Then he went to Chen Lizheng and borrowed a horse to carry his wealth.
Busy as we were, it was noon when Xiong Ba returned to the village.
The two of them took stock and found 92 [Unknown Fragments] and 1 [Unknown Animal Hide].
The harvest was good.
After a quick meal, Xiong Ba felt that there was no time to lose, so he bid farewell to his parents. He also asked Chen, the village head, for leave, and with 100,000 coins, dried python meat, and other items, he rode out of the village.
Before setting off, Li Yu mentioned inviting his parents to stay at [Xianlu]. Xiong Ba replied, "I will receive your favor when I return home after my success."
After seeing Xiong Ba off, Li Yu did not go to the Wang family again, but instead went to read books in the [Fine Fragmented Pot].
With the [Immortal Abode] literary style bonus of 50, [Intelligence Experience] will increase slightly. Although it is negligible, it adds up little by little, and we are reluctant to waste it.
As Li Yu read until the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), the "system notification" he had been eagerly awaiting finally arrived.
"[System]: One thousand beings have descended upon [Immortal Abode]. Should we accept them as residents?"
"yes!"
Li Yu, who was reading by the pond, jumped up excitedly. A volume of "Qi Jian" fell to the ground with a thud, but he didn't bother to pick it up.
coming!
Li Yu looked at the [Immortal Abode Stele] with a broad smile.
To his surprise, not only near the [Immortal Abode Stele], but throughout the entire [Fanghu], there was no one else but him!
What about people?
What about my thousand residents?
Li Yu stood there for a moment, stunned.
Then the search began.
The pond, the seaside, the mountain—all were deserted.
Li Yu scratched his head. Was there a system error?
After a moment's thought, Li Yu walked toward the [Immortal Abode Stele] and gazed at it intently.
----------
[Territory] Immortal Abode
[Belongs to] Li Yu
……
[Residents] Xuanju x1000, Xiong Ba
----------
A thousand lives have indeed arrived.
There are a thousand black steeds!
Xuanju, what is Xuanju? Is it a small black pony?
Li Yu turned his head and looked around again, but he didn't see a single horse hair, let alone a foal.
Just as he was wondering, he suddenly heard a faint, continuous sound coming from behind the [Immortal Abode Stele]—
"Yes, yes!"
"Yes, yes!"
"Yes, yes! Yes, yes!"
Li Yu looked in the direction of the sound.
Behind the stone tablet, on a square meter of ground, there were countless tiny black grains of rice.
Upon closer inspection, it's not rice.
They are ants!
The "yes, yes" sound is made by these ants.
--------
[Race] Black Steed
[Rank] Not Ranked
[Description] From Cui Bao's *Notes on Ancient and Modern Times*, Volume 2: "Niu Xiang asked, 'What is the name of the ant called Xuanju?' The answer was: 'People in Henan saw tens of millions of people and horses along the river, all the size of millet grains, moving about from dawn till dusk. When their families burned them, the people turned into mosquitoes and the horses into large ants. Therefore, people today call mosquitoes "millet people" and ants "Xuanju."'"
--------
Li Yu was dumbfounded.