Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The official factions in the four universes of the Sky Beyond the Clouds had clearly defined regulations. Regardless of the conflicts among various species, they could not threaten the species’ Creators. Therefore, the fight between the major factions had nothing to do with these Creators.
Once there was a problem with the faction that a Creator belonged to, this Creator could choose to join other factions. If they rashly killed a large number of Creators to make these Creators submit, other factions would definitely target Sky City. No matter how neatly and strictly he handled his matters, there was always the risk of outsiders becoming aware if such actions were repeated frequently.
Furthermore, even if these Creators joined Sky City, Winter would have to keep a close eye on them to prevent them from causing trouble.
Now, the Lifespan Mouse had solved all the problems.
Lin Yuan smiled and said, “If it weren’t for the Lifespan Mouse, I wouldn’t have made such a decision in the first place. With these Lifespan Mice, Sky City will soon have enough Creators to create value!”
Winter said seriously. “Young Master, Creators are a group of people who are not easy to get along with. Many Creators have very strange tempers and are not as easy to control as Kani and Jin Chen. I suggest that after these Creators contract the Lifespan Mouse, you raise these Lifespan Mice by your side and use them to manipulate the Creators. Perhaps it will take several decades before these Creators are truly assimilated by the Sky City.”
Lin Yuan nodded. These Creators were definitely high-level figures. Subduing them was indeed different from subduing Jin Chen and Kani. However, Lin
Yuan did not really want to use this method to restrict these Creators. That was because such restrictions would change the relationship between the members of Sky City. These Creators who were accepted into Sky City would definitely be treated as its core members.
“Winter, while Sky City is indeed short of Creators, we don’t want all Creators. We still have to try our best to choose those Creators with outstanding characters. For those Creators with poor quality, let them die of lifespan depletion. This way, I believe these Creators will feel a sense of belonging to
Sky City after joining it.”
Upon hearing Lin Yuan’s words, Winter immediately became aware of the difference in their thinking. He was thinking about control, while Lin Yuan was thinking about assimilation. Considering it from a long-term perspective, completely assimilating it would definitely be better than long-term control.
Lin Yuan cared for every one of his subordinates. This was an extremely rare quality for a superior.
Along the way, nothing much happened.
When Lin Yuan returned to Treasure City, he realized that it was much more prosperous than before. Merchant groups drove in and out of the roads that Treasure City had opened up, constantly transporting large amounts of supplies.
From this, it could be seen that Treasure City had recovered from the previous incident. Much of this success could be attributed to the capabilities of the City Lord of Treasure City, Li Feng.
Before leaving Treasure City, Li Feng had told Lin Yuan that the main goal of developing Treasure City in the future would be to increase its strength. After hundreds of years, Treasure City would have enough martial force to protect it.
With the abundant resources accumulated previously, the transformation of
Treasure City wouldn’t be particularly difficult. Several hundred years would be sufficient to achieve this goal. With such an understanding, the development of Treasure City would definitely become better in the future.
Since he had come to Treasure City, Lin Yuan had to contact Li Feng.
News of Lin Yuan’s arrival at Fortune Treasure Palace would most likely reach the ears of the City Lord. If Lin Yuan did not show up in front of Li Feng, it was hard to guarantee that Li Feng would not think too much.
Lin Yuan, who understood the ways of the world, first went to the City Lord Manor to visit Li Feng. Although Treasure City’s trading system had been restored, it was still in a state of disrepair and in need of revitalization. Many of the destroyed districts had to be rebuilt.
Li Feng strengthened his control over the chambers of commerce and the population of Treasure City. Everyone who entered or left Treasure City had to register and report. He was currently at his busiest stage, but when he heard that Lin Yuan had arrived at Treasure City, he immediately returned to the City Lord Manor.
Upon seeing Lin Yuan, Li Feng said with a smile, “Young Master Lin, it’s been a while since we last met. How have you been during this period?!”
During the conversation, Li Feng warmly extended his hand to Lin Yuan, who graciously reciprocated by shaking hands with him.
“Everything is fine thanks to you, City Lord Li! I came to Treasure City this time to conduct a transaction with Fortune Treasure Palace. However, I came to visit you before heading there. Seeing that everything in Treasure City is in a state of being repaired, I know that everything here will be fine!”
Li Feng laughed and said, “Young Master Lin, since you’re one of us. I will be frank with you. Previously, although I was the City Lord of Treasure City, it was not like no faction in Treasure City could resist and restrain me. I didn’t have any good solutions to deal with these factions that were contending against and restraining me.
“As the City Lord, I’ve only managed Treasure City for more than 2,00 years, but some factions have always been rooted in Treasure City. After the previous storm, most of those factions were basically wiped out by the star pirates and me. Without these people restraining Treasure City, I have the final say. This allows me to develop Treasure City according to my own ideas.”
Li Feng bowed respectfully to Lin Yuan. “Thank you, Young Master Lin, for giving me a chance to fulfill my ambitions. If not for you, I would probably have become a part of history alongside Treasure City.”
Li Feng took out a bright silver seed and handed it to Lin Yuan, “Young Master Lin, this is the reward from Honor Absent Palace for Treasure City’s survival through this calamity. This Silver Fantasy Sunset seed should belong to you.’
Lin Yuan did not have any knowledge about the Silver Fantasy Sunset in his mind. This meant that Genius had searched through so many books, but there were no records of it. However, this did not affect Lin Yuan at all.
Lin Yuan had already used Morbius’ True Data to investigate the Silver Fantasy Sunset seed.
Lin Yuan had been thinking about how to hide Sky City’s development in North of the Lonely River. The Thriving Summer Rising Clouds planted by Summer could only ensure the territory’s safety, but they could not hide Sky City’s development. However, this Silver Fantasy Sunset had the ability to do so.
The Silver Fantasy Sunset was the same type of plant as the Morning Glory that Lin Yuan had planted in the Xia Region’s greenery. It could reproduce in large numbers every season.
During the blooming process, the Silver Fantasy Sunset would release a large amount of pollen. When the pollen filled the environment, the surroundings would appear as if reflected in a mirror.
Because the Silver Fantasy Sunset was blooming all year round, this mirror effect persisted continuously.
Lin Yuan only needed to use this Silver Fantasy Sunset seed to produce a large number of Silver Fantasy Sunsets and plant them together with Thriving Summer Rising Cloud to completely protect the North of the Lonely River’s environment.
Since it was a fey that he needed, Lin Yuan did not stand on ceremony and accepted the Silver Fantasy Sunset’s seed.
“City Lord Li, your statement seems serious. Our relationship is one of cooperation, so it should be mutually beneficial. If there’s a need in the future, I think I’ll protect Treasure City like before.”
When Li Feng heard Lin Yuan’s words, he felt that he had made the right decision to let Lin Yuan become the sponsor of Treasure City. Lin Yuan’s existence gave Li Feng enough confidence to do things.
“Young Master Lin, in the future, I believe there will be many occasions where I’ll need your help. If you have any requests, feel free to inform me, and I’ll do my best to fulfill them to the best of my ability!”
Upon hearing his words, Lin Yuan smiled. “I really have something to ask City Lord Li for help with. There’s no need to use the power of Treasure City for this matter, but it will take some effort from you. However, after you’ve spent enough effort, you’ll be able to obtain enough feedback!”
In all the transactions with Lin Yuan, Li Feng had always been the one benefiting from Lin Yuan’s assistance. Now, if Lin Yuan sought his help, Li Feng was more than willing to lend a hand.
Not only did Li Feng want to help Lin Yuan, but he was also thinking about how to do his best to help Lin Yuan. However, Li Feng was somewhat uncertain. He was afraid that he would not be able to help Lin Yuan in the end.
“Young Master Lin, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Not only am I willing to invest effort, but I’d pay a huge price for your sake.”
Lin Yuan’s request for Li Feng’s help was the same as the one he made to Ling Muzhuo. Yet, the two requests involved entirely different information and connections.
Li Feng was associated with the official faction of Honor Absent Palace. He knew more people from the official faction.
Using Li Feng as a channel to introduce Lin Yuan to Creators whose lifespans were nearing their end might not necessarily produce inferior results compared to seeking assistance from Ling Muzhuo.
There was no inherent issue with Lin Yuan seeking Li Feng’s help, and Li Feng was unaware of any safety risks associated with Lin Yuan’s plan. Just as Ling Muzhuo could weigh the pros and cons after hearing Lin Yuan’s request, a discerning person like Li Feng would likely be able to do the same.
As the City Lord of Treasure City, there was no doubt about Li Feng’s intelligence. If he weren’t smart, it would already be an achievement for him to hold his own as a newly appointed City Lord in a city entrenched with local factions that had existed for thousands of years, especially considering Li Feng’s lack of established martial force.
“City Lord Li, you are an official figure of Honor Absent Palace. With your strength, you should also be a member of the Honor Absent Parliament. I hope to use your channels and connections to introduce some Creators to me!” Lin Yuan was right. Li Feng was indeed a genuine member of the Honor Absent
Parliament. However, he didn’t have much face in front of those high-grade Creators. Lin Yuan would definitely not be interested in Creators of lower grades.
Li Feng really wanted to do something for Lin Yuan, but this matter was really difficult for him.
“Young Master Lin, I do have some channels for Creators, but even if I use my connections to find these Creators, the compensation that I should pay won’t be little. Moreover, most of the time, these Creators tend to charge more when dealing with acquaintances. So, when I approach them, they demand even higher compensation!”
Li Feng told Lin Yuan the truth without hiding anything.
Lin Yuan liked Li Feng’s honesty. It let Lin Yuan know that Li Feng was the kind of person he could really work together with. Rather than those who took on everything themselves, Lin Yuan preferred cautious collaborators like Li Feng.
“City Lord Li, I haven’t finished speaking. Not only do you understand the situation of those Creators, but I also understand it very well. The reason why I asked you to introduce me to these Creators is that I have some spiritual ingredients that can increase their lifespans.
“With these spiritual ingredients, those Creators who are about to reach the end of their lifespan will cooperate with me for the sake of the spiritual ingredients. Therefore, you only need to introduce me to those Creators who don’t have much lifespan left.
“I have Creators under my command, and I know what kind of temper the
Creators have. If we cooperate, I definitely won’t let you help with tasks that are difficult to accomplish and put you in a difficult position.”
Upon hearing Lin Yuan’s words, Li Feng’s eyes lit up. He wasn’t afraid to leverage his connections, having witnessed firsthand the power of Lin Yuan’s subordinates. To forge relationships with such individuals, Li Feng was willing to tap into his own network.
However, he was worried that the Creators he introduced to Lin Yuan might be too arrogant, risking Lin Yuan’s discontent. If this occurred, there was no guarantee that Lin Yuan wouldn’t hold him accountable. In such a scenario, Li Feng might as well refrain from offering his help.
Li Feng couldn’t divulge too much information about Lin Yuan to the Creators he introduced. Through their interactions, Li Feng had sensed that Lin Yuan valued his privacy.
Now, Li Feng understood that Lin Yuan wanted to use spiritual ingredients that could increase lifespans to hire Creators nearing the end of their own lifespans to work for him.
Lifespan was a mundane concept for those in infancy, youth, and adulthood, as lifeforms at these stages couldn’t sense the aura of death. Moreover, the risks of the environment in the Sky Beyond the Clouds had made many lifeforms pessimistic, fearing various accidents that could shorten their lives.
Individuals like Li Feng, born into wealth, shared a similar apprehension when they were young.
However, for those approaching the end of their lifespan, particularly the higher-ups among them, they were willing to go to great lengths to extend their time..