Fan Domain Imperial Jade Seal

Eternal Night Continent. Jiangbei, Nameless Mountain. "..." Chen Fan stood atop the Heaven-Reaching Pillar as usual, gazing down at nearby Fan City. Within Fan City lay a relatively open expanse where a number of children could be seen running and playing in the middle. Beside it stood several buildings. The Private School. This was an architectural blueprint inventoried after the great war had concluded, and it had now been raised to maximum level. "Structure Name: Private School." "Structure Grade: Blue." "Structure Level: Level 20." "Structure Effect: Inside the Private School, mental faculties will be sharper and memory will be enhanced." "Level 10 Max Effect: 'Ascending the Hall and Entering the Inner Chamber'—Upon reaching Level 20, can fuse with the Spirit Nurturing Pavilion." "Level 20 Max Effect: 'Hall of Peaches and Plums'—For mortals, when activating their cultivator identity for the first time, three cultivator types suited to their talents will appear based on their 'preschool education', allowing them to choose freely." "Heavenly Dao Blessing Effect: 'Chosen of Heaven'—In the annual Grand Examination, the top scorer may receive a special reward." A blue grade was by no means low. Structure grades were ranked from lowest to highest: white, green, yellow, blue, and purple. Blue. This was already second only to purple-grade structures. Even now, after the Fan Domain had thoroughly taken control of the entire New Continent, the Heavenly Dao Cannon was its only purple-grade structure. Yet the effect. It truly lived up to this grade. "'Peaches and Plums Across the World': After achieving Grand Unification, construct ten thousand private schools." To fulfill this Tier 1 continental hidden Heavenly Dao blessing by building ten thousand private schools, one did not strictly need to erect this specific Private School structure; ordinary private schools would suffice. However... completing the hidden Heavenly Dao blessing of a Tier 1 continent was merely incidental. In his plans, the Private School held immense importance. Having reached Level 20, the Private School completely absorbed the Spirit Nurturing Pavilion. The Private School inherently carried the effects of the Spirit Nurturing Pavilion, meaning that the Spirit Nurturing Pavilion would no longer exist as a separate structure going forward. In other words, even ordinary cultivators could rapidly advance their cultivation simply by staying inside the Private School. ... Just then— Wang Kui approached from behind and reported, "Domain Lord, in accordance with your plan, 9,982 private schools have been constructed so far. It is estimated that tomorrow, the remaining eighteen will be successfully assembled." "Good." Chen Fan gave a slight nod, a trace of a smile appearing in his eyes. All ten thousand of these private schools were fabricated by him, transported to their respective regions via high-speed rail, and then assembled locally. The Grand Examination was the Heavenly Dao blessing effect he had selected for this structure. It could be divided into nine categories. Nine kinds of Grand Examinations, with the top scorer in each receiving a special reward. Whether to distribute the rewards remained at his discretion. He did not yet know what the rewards would be, but he had already roughly decided on the nine categories—such as military affairs, culture, arithmetic, arrays, alchemy, architecture, and so forth. With the enterprise expanding ever larger, it was also time to form a formal conglomerate. All along, he had felt that this world was somewhat unfair. Everyone could awaken as a cultivator at age sixteen through a ghost stone, but what kind of cultivator one awakened into was entirely random. If one awakened as an architect, one stood above the rest; if one failed to awaken into any special cultivator class, one was relegated to being a complete commoner. Now, with the Private School, one could choose among three cultivator vocations. Although situations where none of the three choices was a special cultivator could still arise, the probability had at least increased substantially. Moreover, such a situation generally meant that the individual lacked the talent for a relevant special cultivator class anyway. At present, large batches of fourteen- and fifteen-year-old youths as well as adults were receiving instruction in the private schools. The former were the future. The latter were the backbone. That the Private School could reach Level 20 was a breakthrough made possible after the Eternal Night Continent advanced to a Tier 2 continent. The upgrade condition beyond Level 10 likewise required a handful of soil from another continent. Jiangbei had a structure called the Bridge. Its Heavenly Dao blessing effect was: "Heavenly Dao Blessing Effect (Meeting on the Magpie Bridge): Newlyweds wed upon the bridge receive the protection of the Heavenly Dao. The couple may wish for their offspring to become a specific special cultivator, with a certain probability of fulfillment, provided the offspring is the biological child of the couple." That was only a certain probability. By contrast, the current Private School allowed people to determine their own future by choosing one of three options—clearly far superior. He needed a wealth of talent. Architects, strategists, array masters, and administrators. In the future, the private schools would provide an endless supply of talent. This was precisely why he had not simply built a vast cluster of ordinary private schools just to finish the task quickly. Doing so would have been buying the box and returning the pearl. To him, the Private School was of paramount importance. It could be said that only from Tier 2 continents onward did this world gradually begin to change. Many structures required a handful of soil from another continent to upgrade beyond Level 10. The Fan Domain was fortunate enough to possess the New Continent; otherwise, none of its structures could have been upgraded right now. Everything would have stalled here, forcing them to venture out and explore a new continent. "..." Chen Fan stood quietly at the edge of the Heaven-Reaching Pillar, looking down toward Fan City. Six months had passed since the end of the great war. For the next two and a half years, the Eternal Night Continent would face no real danger so long as it was spared from ghost creature corruption. Even so, he had to make sufficient preparations during these two and a half years. After all, a massive swarm of ghost creatures still lurked in the Thunderstorm Sea, and no one knew when the Thunderstorm Sea might suddenly dissipate. The batch of ghost creatures in the Thunderstorm Sea was far more formidable than the Imperial Clan. Even seven Level 10 defense lines had failed to hold them back. There were five hidden Heavenly Dao blessings for a Tier 1 continent in total: "'Grand Unification': Formally achieve grand unification under a single absolute leader." "'Benefiting the Masses': After achieving grand unification, construct a transportation network spanning the entire Eternal Night Continent, establishing relay stations in every corner of the land." "'Newborns': After achieving grand unification, record one thousand newborn boys and one thousand newborn girls each." "'Peaches and Plums Across the World': After achieving grand unification, construct ten thousand private schools." "'Will of the People': After achieving grand unification, secure the recognition of over seventy percent of the continent's population for the ruling faction." After the Eternal Night Continent advanced to a Tier 2 continent, the two hidden Heavenly Dao blessings of Grand Unification and Will of the People had already been completed. There had been no rain; not all Heavenly Dao blessings were conferred through rainfall, nor was all rainfall a Heavenly Dao blessing. The reward for Grand Unification was an anomalous treasure. A purple-grade anomalous treasure. It was his second purple-grade anomalous treasure, the other being the Heaven-Inquiring Bell. "Anomalous Treasure Name: Fan City Imperial Jade Seal." "Anomalous Treasure Grade: Purple." "Anomalous Treasure Effects: 1: (Voice of Dominion): Roars like a dragon in the nine heavens, boosting morale and purging treachery. 2: (Truth Authenticator): A unique seal, verifiable by all. 3: (Vow Bearer): Used to forge alliances; if breached, an 'oath scar' surfaces upon the palm, burning with day-and-night torment. 4: (Time Coagulation): Striking the seal in moments of crisis drastically slows the flow of time within three zhang, while the bearer moves as normal. 5: (Body Guardian): Guarded by the seal; so long as the Fan Domain does not perish, the bearer shall not die. 6: (Virtue Bearer): For every year the Fan Domain endures, a fine inscription forms along the seal's flank. Every eighty-one inscriptions unlock an additional marvelous effect." "..." Standing atop the Heaven-Reaching Pillar, Chen Fan looked down at the Fan Domain Imperial Jade Seal in his hand. Neither jade nor gold, of unknown material, it felt warm and smooth to the touch. Mysterious black in color, faint blood-thread-like veins could be glimpsed inside beneath the light. The seal's inscription was rendered in the special script that had formed on the day of the Eternal Night Continent's elevation: "Fan Domain, Chen Fan." It possessed six special effects in all. Though of the same purple grade as the Heaven-Inquiring Bell, he considered this anomalous treasure far more powerful. The so-called Voice of Dominion meant that whenever he spoke while carrying the seal, his words resonated like a dragon roaring across the nine heavens in the ears of Fan Domain members and citizens of the Eternal Night Continent, making it exceptionally well-suited for addresses. Even if he were to say something like: "Eggs can make egg-fried rice, and egg-fried rice has eggs." The members of the Fan Domain would still listen with boiling blood. Truth Authenticator ensured that for any decree he issued, as long as it bore the stamp, every Fan Domain member could verify the seal's authenticity through their identity tokens, guaranteeing the legitimacy of crucial orders. Vow Bearer was meant for governing subordinates. For any Fan Domain member who swore an oath before the seal, should they ever break it, an oath scar would appear on their palm, subjecting them to searing pain day and night. The fourth and fifth effects were lifesavers. Their potency exceeded that of his emerald cane several times over. Especially the fifth. Body Guardian. So long as the Fan Domain did not fall, he would not die. The sixth was lineage; for each year the Fan Domain developed, a fine inscription would be added. Every eighty-one years would grant another special effect. "Phew..." Chen Fan drew a deep breath, his expression turning slightly dazed as he murmured to himself. This anomalous treasure was not unique to him; it could be said... Nearly every ruler of a Tier 2 continent, and even those of peak Tier 1 continents, possessed such a treasure. This also meant that if he ever came into conflict with another continent, a decapitation strike would no longer be feasible. Nor could the other party assassinate him. It would have to be an outright clash of force against force. One of the few methods capable of ambushing someone was the Black Tortoise Cannon. This was an exceedingly peculiar divine cannon that summoned a colossal Black Tortoise. Once locked onto a target and entering its long-distance pursuit mode, it would continuously track the target as long as they remained alive. Most of the time, it was difficult to actually kill an enemy with it. It was merely extremely vexing. As long as he ensured he did not appear on the front lines and was not targeted by an enemy's Black Tortoise Cannon, it would be difficult for anyone to catch him off guard. The hidden Heavenly Dao blessings of a Tier 1 continent were a reward—a boon granted once the continent had developed to a certain stage. The reward for Will of the People was also quite substantial. It was not a material reward. Rather— "Across the world of the Eternal Night Continent, naturally forming 'ghost mines' will have a certain probability of emerging." A very fine reward indeed. It was equivalent to providing a sustainable source of ghost stones. At present, Fan City held substantial reserves of ghost stones, but none were sustainable. The ghost mines on the New Continent had already been completely exhausted, and the personnel originally stationed there had been brought back to begin excavating the ghost mines on the Eternal Night Continent. However, this reward was not permanent; once more than thirty percent of the continent's population ceased to recognize Fan City, the reward would vanish. Back then, the golden rain on the Eternal Night Continent had lasted for days. During that time, he had transported all the people previously settled on the New Continent over to the Eternal Night Continent so they could bathe in the golden downpour. It had not only extended their lifespans and healed their injuries, but also ensured that everyone could travel freely between the two continents without being locked out. ... "City Lord." Standing behind Chen Fan atop the Heaven-Reaching Pillar, Wang Kui continued his report: "In accordance with your orders, several veteran members have been reassigned from the Logistics Department to establish the Livelihood Pavilion, which is currently tallying the population of the Eternal Night Continent." Chen Fan gave a slight nod and instructed, "Mainly look into why, after six full months, the number of newborns has yet to break two thousand." An entire continent. Six months. And not even two thousand newborns. Going by this data, the continent ought to have been on the verge of extinction. Yet in reality, even though many people had been swallowed by the ghost tide during the great retreat, a substantial population remained—certainly not so sparse as to fail to yield two thousand newborns. Wang Kui said softly, "The parents of the newborns born during these past six months mostly conceived more than a year ago. At that time, the Eternal Night Continent was in the throes of crisis. Under such conditions, no one dared to have children, no one wanted children, and few were in any mood for it." "That is the first reason." "The second is that pregnant women suffered an exceptionally high mortality rate during the great retreat." "However, over these past few months, everyone's enthusiasm for childbearing has been very high. It is estimated that by this time next year, a massive wave of newborns will enter the world." "Mm." Chen Fan nodded and said no more; he had overlooked that detail. Wang Kui continued reporting, "The high-speed rail tracks are still being laid. In another three months, it should be possible to reach any part of the Eternal Night Continent via high-speed rail, achieving comprehensive coverage across the continent, and..." "..." Chen Fan said nothing further. He simply stood quietly on the edge of the Heaven-Reaching Pillar, listening to Wang Kui's report by his ear. Developing a continent was no simple feat; it involved a myriad of tedious details. Yet if it could be developed successfully, the sense of accomplishment would be immense. Master and servant stood atop the Heaven-Reaching Pillar. Just as always. ... In the heat of midsummer. Chen Fan descended from the Heaven-Reaching Pillar. Accompanied by Wang Kui, he personally visited the Private School in Fan City. He did not go inside, merely standing outside the courtyard gazing at the mischievous children roughhousing within, a faint smile gradually appearing in his eyes. He had never thought about conquering the world. What he had wanted in the beginning was very simple. Just a safe enough place where he could eat well and sleep soundly. He had achieved that now. Next... what he needed to do was protect this peace as best he could. Any faction that dared disturb this tranquility—whether an alien race or another continent—had to be prepared for an all-out war with Fan City. "Domain Lord." Before long, Shao Qiu, who had been studying inside the Private School, spotted Chen Fan and hurried out. Pulling a long, distressed face, he spoke with a whiny edge to his voice: "Isn't the Shadow Pavilion supposed to handle assassinations? Do I really have to study all this? It feels like it doesn't match my talents." "Hah." Chen Fan could not help a cold chuckle. "Everything you're being taught is necessary; you'll certainly use it in the future. If you lack the talent, should I replace you with someone else as Pavilion Master of the Shadow Pavilion?" "I'd better do it myself then!" Shao Qiu straightened up at once, his expression solemn. "It's just a few minor psychological tactics—easy as pie. But I did meet several girls in the Private School who seem to have a natural gift for psychological manipulation. I'd like to recruit them into the Shadow Pavilion after they graduate." "Handle that as you see fit. You hold the personnel authority for the Shadow Pavilion." "Understood! Then I'll head back to class, Domain Lord—the old teacher is calling for me." "Domain Lord," Wang Kui, who was following behind on the inspection, asked with puzzled hesitation, "To be honest, I don't quite understand either. Is it really useful for the Shadow Pavilion to learn such things?" "..." Chen Fan glanced at Wang Kui without offering much explanation, merely smiling faintly. Ever since seeing the reward for completing the hidden Heavenly Dao blessing Will of the People, he had known that in the deeper reaches of this world, in those sea regions where continents interacted closely, there would inevitably be continents that sent operatives to other lands to spread malicious rumors about the ruling powers. Their aim would be psychological warfare. Once popular support dipped below seventy percent, the reward from that hidden Heavenly Dao blessing would be revoked instantly. That was equivalent to severing a continent's sustainable source of ghost mines. If not a strike at the fatal seven-inch mark, it was at least a blow to the three-inch spot. He did not know whether other continents had done this before, but he believed that if he could think of it, there was no reason others could not. This was also why he had the Shadow Pavilion study these methods. To prepare for a rainy day. By readying themselves in advance, even if he never employed such tactics, the Shadow Pavilion would be able to swiftly apprehend agents sent by other continents to spread rumors on the Eternal Night Continent. They needed to foster this vigilance early on, for some rumors looked perfectly ordinary at first glance; people might hear them and pay no mind, but once they spread widely and people began mulling over them, things would take a turn for the worse. Although the Eternal Night Continent had yet to discover any continent other than the New Continent, he had always been preparing for it. He hoped to meet well-intentioned friends, but he also needed the means to pull the shotgun's trigger at a moment's notice. "Let's go." Chen Fan offered no further explanation. Leaning on his emerald cane, he smiled faintly and left the Private School, inspecting Fan City as he walked along the streets. Now, he no longer needed the emerald cane to ensure his safety; as long as he carried the seal, he could not die. Yet... having leaned on it for so many years, it had become a habit. Just then— The voice transmission talisman in Wang Kui's robes suddenly grew warm. After holding it to his ear for a moment, he spoke: "Domain Lord, the men below have found Heavenly Scourge Wood." "Oh?" Chen Fan's eyes brightened slightly, and he chuckled. "Come, let's take a look." For certain rare natural treasures, he would give specific instructions to Wang Kui's Heavenly Granary Pavilion. The moment one was discovered, he was to be notified immediately. Heavenly Scourge Wood was one of them. It was an indispensable material for upgrading the Vehicle Workshop to Level 10. These days, large numbers of Fan Domain members had been taking stock of resources across the entire Eternal Night Continent as well as those left by the ghost tide, yet there had been no sign of Heavenly Scourge Wood. This had always puzzled him. Now... it had finally been found. ... Nameless Mountain. The innermost core of the Fan Domain, where symbolic significance surpassed all else. This was the place where the Fan Domain had started. Ten warehouses stood here, housing the domain's most precious rare natural treasures, anomalous treasures, and the like. In front of one warehouse. Chen Fan looked at the Heavenly Scourge Wood in his hand. Nowadays, ordinary rare natural treasures and anomalous treasures were appraised by subordinate appraisers. Though the process was much slower, the sheer volume meant he could never appraise them all alone. This piece of Heavenly Scourge Wood had been identified by those appraisers. "Domain Lord," an elderly man with graying hair and a very long beard stood trembling before the warehouse as he explained, "This Heavenly Scourge Wood originates from your order months ago. Back then, you commanded the New Continent to fire the Azure Dragon Cannon at the ghost creatures in the Thunderstorm Sea, "wishing to see if they could be blasted to death. "The answer has now been confirmed: they cannot be killed. "However... "a piece of ship planking was inadvertently swept into the Thunderstorm Sea. After being struck by celestial lightning, it transformed into this Heavenly Scourge Wood." "..." Chen Fan looked down at the panel of the Heavenly Scourge Wood in his hand, lost in thought without speaking. "Anomalous Treasure Name: Heavenly Scourge Wood." "Anomalous Treasure Grade: Blue." "Anomalous Treasure Effect: Wood that has been struck by 'Ten-Thousand-Year Celestial Lightning' without shattering." Ten-Thousand-Year Celestial Lightning? The celestial lightning in the Thunderstorm Sea was Ten-Thousand-Year Celestial Lightning? What did that mean—was it the name of a type of lightning, or something else? One of the attack modes of the Heavenly Dao Cannon was summoning boundless thunder. Over the past few months, he had tried using that method to blast a forest. No Heavenly Scourge Wood had been produced. In other words... it required the Thunderstorm Sea to have a chance of yielding Heavenly Scourge Wood? After all, most wood swept into the Thunderstorm Sea was reduced to powder when struck by celestial lightning; only under extremely low probabilities would a portion of wood remain intact. "Very well." Chen Fan nodded and departed the warehouse. As for the order given months ago, he remembered it. The Azure Dragon Cannon carried the attribute of absolute death; anything struck by it could not regenerate any injuries. He had wanted to test whether it could kill the ghost creatures in the Thunderstorm Sea. Now it appeared that was impossible, so they would simply keep it surrounded. The reason the ghost creatures in the Thunderstorm Sea did not die was not because their wounds healed. At least, it was not 'recovery.' It was a mechanism he did not understand. Perhaps... resurrection? The Thunderstorm Sea truly was a bizarre region; the creations within were subjected to constant strikes from celestial lightning, yet they did not perish, enduring endless torment day and night. "..." Suddenly recalling something, his lips twitched slightly. That damn place really doesn't look like anywhere good. Just how much resentment must have accumulated in there? If released, the sky-high rancor would be terrifying to behold. How was that any different from rearing ferocious specters? ... After leaving the warehouse, Chen Fan made his way to the Jiangbei Defense Line and spoke softly, "Mr. Na, did your previous continent ever upgrade its Vehicle Workshop to Level 10?" He had no need for a voice transmission talisman. The Heavenly Dao could hear every sound across this continent. Of course, most of the time it was filtered out, functioning like a do-not-disturb mode with a keyword alert set specifically for him; so long as he addressed him as Mr. Na, Mr. Na would know. "No." Soon enough, Mr. Na materialized beside him, holding a skewer of roasted wheat gluten, his mouth glistening with oil as he ate, looking thoroughly at ease. "Much of my memory regarding the previous continent has been lost, but of one thing I am certain: that previous continent did not upgrade its Vehicle Workshop to Level 10." Chen Fan's brow knitted slightly. "The Vehicle Workshop is merely a yellow-grade structure. Could it be that a Tier 1 continent lacks the authority to use a Level 10 Vehicle Workshop, and a Tier 2 continent is required?" "Hold on, let me check." With that, Mr. Na vanished from his side, only to reconverge three breaths later. Taking another bite of the roasted gluten, he mumbled around his food, "I checked. A Tier 1 continent does possess the authority to use a Level 10 Vehicle Workshop. "Breaking through to Level 11 requires the continent to advance to Tier 2. "So long as you have the upgrade materials, it can be upgraded at any time." "Do you know what the upgrade material is?" "No idea." "It's Heavenly Scourge Wood." "Sounds cool." "My men managed to obtain a piece by chance in the Thunderstorm Sea." "Destiny aligns with you; the Fan Domain is bound to prosper." "..." Chen Fan looked sideways at Mr. Na, his lips twitching faintly. "Why do you sound like an NPC? What I'm asking is: if Heavenly Scourge Wood is so difficult to acquire, how were other Tier 1 continents supposed to upgrade it to Level 10?" "They didn't." "?" "Chen Fan." Mr. Na quickly finished the roasted gluten in his hand, wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth, and spoke in earnest: "I believe you've fallen into a conceptual trap. Just because a Tier 1 continent has the authority to use a Level 10 Vehicle Workshop doesn't mean that continent will naturally possess the conditions to max out the structure. "Take, for instance... "the Heavenly Dao Cannon, which requires the fusion of four divine cannons. "Did you assume every Tier 1 continent is guaranteed to have the blueprints for all four divine cannons? "They don't. "It's just that the Eternal Night Continent was exceedingly lucky. Many continents cannot assemble all four blueprints even after searching their entire domain from end to end; they must obtain them from other continents. For example, the Black Tortoise Cannon blueprint that you sought in vain might exist by the dozens on another continent. "Just like what you asked about the Fan Domain finding Heavenly Scourge Wood with such difficulty: how could a continent without a Thunderstorm Sea upgrade its Vehicle Workshop to Level 10? "The answer is: they don't. "The heavens and earth do not fairly provide every continent with the environment and conditions to raise every structure to its maximum level, nor do they possess the capacity to do so. "In the future, there will certainly be structures in the Fan Domain for which you cannot find the upgrade materials. When that time comes, you will need to cast your gaze farther afield. Other continents will surely have them." "Understood." Chen Fan gave a slight nod. He truly had been trapped in a rigid mindset. Before long, he looked at the skewer Mr. Na had just finished and suddenly could not help chuckling. "The Heavenly Dao needs to eat too?" "No, I don't." Mr. Na shook his head with a matching smile. "But the flavor is quite good. This is a snack from the eastern region, made of soy products. I find the taste delightful. If you get the chance, you should try some; it's quite nice." "I certainly will." "There's one more thing I'm curious about. Every time I ask you something, you disappear for a moment. Are you going... to look things up?" "Where do you go to look them up?" "Oh, that." Mr. Na sighed with a touch of emotion, pointing toward the earth. "Being the Heavenly Dao, there's a Heavenly Dao residence deep beneath the Eternal Night Continent, arranged by this world for the Heavenly Dao—you could call it complimentary lodging. "Normally, the Heavenly Dao stays there. "Reporting to the higher realm is also done from that place. "And there is plenty of information stored there, which you can think of as an 'employee operating manual.' Sometimes, when you ask about something I don't know or aren't sure of, I go flip through it. "Though I must say, "my workload as the Heavenly Dao is much heavier now than it used to be. Back then, no one summoned me out from time to time to interrogate me about this and that." "..." Chen Fan paused for a moment before remarking dryly, "Back then, you couldn't eat roasted gluten either." "That's true too." Mr. Na grinned broadly. "That's why I cherish my current life. Thank you, Chen Fan. You gave the Eternal Night Continent a new life, and you gave me a new life as well." Chen Fan curled his lips without answering. Turning his head, he gazed toward the azure sea beyond the Jiangbei Defense Line. His expression was placid, yet the corner of his mouth curved upward unbidden.