[Chapter 28: Half Month]
At the port of Liyue, Zhongli stood with his hands behind his back, his amber eyes fixed on the departing carriage.
Paimon floated beside him, gazing at the retreating figures of Xue Ying, Xu Jiujiu, and the others.
Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, Paimon's eyes sparkled, and she turned to Zhongli, exclaiming, "Zhongli, those two sisters are truly good people! When Liyue needed building materials the most, they sent so many without asking for anything in return. If they aren't good people, then who is?"
Having spent some time on the Douluo Continent, Paimon had met many people and experienced numerous events.
Yet, the number of individuals she considered genuinely good was few.
Ning Tian was one, Wu Feng another, and now, Xu Jiujiu and Xue Ying had joined that short list.
As for others, especially those from Shrek Academy, they were, in her eyes, mostly villains!
They had attacked Zhongli without reason, but fortunately, Zhongli was benevolent enough to let it slide.
"A good person..." Zhongli murmured softly, echoing Paimon's words.
His gaze lingered on the distant carriage as he stroked his chin thoughtfully.
A phrase echoed in his mind, 'A gentleman is judged by his deeds, not his heart; for if judged by the heart, no one in the world would be without fault.'
Regardless of their intentions, they had brought aid when it was most needed, and that alone made it fitting to call them good people.
"Hehe, with these building materials, Liyue will soon be completed!" Paimon chuckled, her eyes narrowing with delight as she clasped her hands together, brimming with anticipation for Liyue's future.
Her excitement wasn't just for the city's development but also for the culinary delights it would bring.
After all, Liyue wasn't just attracting wealthy merchants but also industry elites from all walks of life.
Only with their participation could the city truly thrive; otherwise, it would remain an empty shell.
Zhongli nodded calmly in response.
With the building materials now secured, the construction of essential structures could proceed swiftly.
These included housing, shops, restaurants, teahouses, fighting arenas, and landmark buildings.
As time passed, about half a month later, an "ancient city" began to rise from the once-barren land.
Its antique style, infused with hints of soul guide technology, stood as a testament to the rapid progress made.
In just fifteen days, the desolate expanse had transformed into a city with a clear framework.
All that remained was to populate it with shops and businesses, and the city would be ready to function.
The Seven Stars of Liyue were currently deep in discussion, planning the next steps.
Zhongli, however, remained uninvolved in these matters.
He trusted the Seven Stars, formerly known as the seven wealthy merchants, to handle things competently.
Even if they strayed from the path, Zhongli's presence ensured that nothing catastrophic would occur.
In those two weeks, much had happened.
The name of the Martial God Zhongli had spread far and wide across the Douluo Continent.
His title, earned by surpassing Shrek Academy, a legacy spanning ten thousand years, and Tang San, a god from the same era, carried immense weight and prestige.
Shrek Academy is an institution with a history spanning ten thousand years.
It has countless Titled Douluo and possesses a foundation so formidable that even the four empires, the Holy Spirit Church, and other major sects dare not provoke it lightly.
Its prestige on the Douluo Continent was unparalleled, making it a symbol of strength and tradition.
As for Seagod Tang San, he is a legendary figure who emerged victorious in the war of gods ten thousand years ago.
Revered as the savior of Douluo Continent, his power was unimaginable even back then.
Now, after ten thousand years, his strength remains a mystery, leaving people in awe of his legacy.
Martial God Zhongli, ascended to his throne by surpassing both Shrek Academy and Seagod Tang San.
His power is so immense that it has drawn the attention of not only the three original empires of Douluo Continent but also the Sun and Moon Empire, which lies across the continent.
The Sun and Moon Empire, despite its distance, sent envoys bearing gifts of goodwill to the East Sea, where Zhongli resides.
This act underscores the respect and fear that Zhongli commands.
After all, he achieved what the entire Sun and Moon Empire could not, solidifying his status as a peerless figure who must not be provoked.
In addition to the empires, various major forces, including hidden ones, have dispatched spies or messengers to the East Sea.
Their missions range from gathering intelligence to offering gifts, all in an attempt to establish connections with Zhongli.
Among these forces, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has been the most proactive.
Ning Tian, the current young master of the sect, even withdrew from Shrek Academy to return to her sect.
At a critical moment for Shrek, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect sent supplies to Liyue that rivaled the contributions of an entire empire, showcasing the sect's profound resources and influence.
When Bei Bei, Tang Ya, and Huo Yuhao arrived in Liyue by boat, they were stunned by what they saw.
The city, which had only begun construction a little over half a month ago, now stood as a fully formed metropolis.
If not for the nearly brand-new building materials, they might have doubted whether the city had existed for centuries.
"Hello, everyone. May I ask what is the purpose of your visit?"
Bei Bei, Tang Ya, and Huo Yuhao were taken aback.
Were they being questioned about their backgrounds?
The directness of the inquiry struck them as unusually crude.
Seeing their puzzled expressions, the person registering the forms shook his head and clarified, "You three may have misunderstood. Liyue does not ask where you are from."
"If you are here to settle down, please fill out the form, wait for review, and you will be allocated a house."
"If you are here to do business, fill out the form, wait for review, and you will be assigned a shop."
"If you are here for leisure, you don't need to fill out any forms."
The staff member explained sincerely.
Indeed, Liyue had just been established, and it was now the perfect time to recruit talent.
Since most of the population from Shrek City had migrated to Liyue, the vast Liyue Harbor had very few houses and shops remaining.
These properties were distributed almost equally among the first wave of arrivals, while the rest were reserved to attract skilled individuals.
Once the houses and shops were fully allocated, newcomers would no longer receive such preferential treatment.
Private transactions of houses and shops in Liyue were strictly prohibited.
If someone chose to leave, their property would be reallocated to the next person willing to settle there.
Descendants could inherit the property, but selling it was not allowed.
Surprisingly, those who came to Liyue had no objections to such regulations.
After hearing this, Bei Bei, Tang Ya, and Huo Yuhao exchanged glances, as if silently discussing their next move.
"What if I'm here to become stronger?" Tang Ya asked bluntly.
Her sole purpose for coming to Liyue was to gain strength.
Settling down or engaging in business would have to wait until she had achieved her goal of revenge.
The staff member was not surprised by Tang Ya's response.
With the Martial God residing in Liyue, countless individuals had come with the hope of "becoming his disciples."
Among them were teenagers, young adults, and even elderly individuals in their seventies and eighties.
All of them sought to learn a few techniques from the Martial God or gain some form of inheritance.
The staff had encountered many people like Tang Ya.
After all, on the Douluo Continent, soul masters were the dominant profession, and strength was the ultimate priority.