...
Great Gan.
Boundary Fortress.
This is the internal fortress guarding the Boundary Rift in Great Gan, serving functions such as storing soldiers, accommodating the wounded, and managing and transferring supplies.
As the Wang Clan, no, as Great Gan continues to advance in the development and immigration efforts towards the Demon Domain, the Boundary Fortress of Great Gan has undergone several reconstructions and expansions over the decades.
Now, centered around the Boundary Fortress, a bustling area with hundreds of thousands of military and civilian residents has formed within the Boundary Rift Canyon.
The residents here cannot just migrate on a whim; they must first pass educational standards and at least be in the mid to late stages of the Qi Refining Realm.
With the continuous development of Great Gan, the rapid popularization of education and the national Qi Refining plan, the Qi Refining Realm penetration rate among adults nationwide has reached 30%, with Longzuo Commandery reaching 80%, and Changning Garrison and surrounding areas already exceeding 99%.
It is said that in the Changning Garrison area, if one cannot even reach the Qi Refining Realm, finding a wife or a job becomes extremely difficult.
As the core of this bustling area, the Boundary Fortress has undergone several rounds of transformation and is now completely different.The original fortress has become a massive reinforced concrete structure. The high-grade cement produced by the Wang Clan offers defensive capabilities no less than metal, with greater plasticity. Under multiple layers of formation protection, the fortress's defense has significantly improved.
At the top of the fortress, a massive Divine Might Cannon stands like a guardian deity in the astral winds, majestic and intimidating.
Around the fortress, the original terminal building has been expanded several times through multiple renovations, and even the external ports have been divided into three: "Airport No. 1", "Airport No. 2", and "Airport No. 3". Inside the terminal, many new products from the Wang's Research Institute have been utilized.
Inside the large, transparent floor-to-ceiling glass windows, indicator lights flicker on and off, and huge crystal screens hang everywhere, some displaying pre-recorded advertisements, creating a bizarre atmosphere.
Outside, roaring railcars shuttle back and forth, taking on the main responsibility of transporting supplies.
All these make one feel as if they are in a world of advanced civilization.
In recent years, as the flow of people has become more frequent, the screening of incoming and outgoing personnel has become more stringent, requiring detailed identity verification and checks for carrying weapons and equipment.
At this moment.
In Airport No. 3.
A graceful young man is leading a team, inspecting the security situation on site: "Wei Hua, De Yuan, you two take some people and patrol again, make sure to check key areas multiple times, and strictly prevent any safety hazards. Today is the day our Wang Clan's newly completed 'Wanghai' Domain-Crossing Flying Boat is officially put into use, and there must be no mistakes. Otherwise, if my uncle Fuxiao blames us, no one can bear it."
"Yes, Young Master Baogun."
The team under his command immediately accepted the order and left.
This young man from the Wang Clan is the forty-third ranked in the "Bao" generation, Wang Baogun.
Over thirty years ago, after graduating from the clan school, Wang Baogun joined Wang Fuxiao's team shortly thereafter, contributing to the Wang Clan's grand development of the outer demon realm. Over these thirty years, through his efforts, he has gradually become a backbone of the team and has been summoned and encouraged by Ancestor Zong'an several times, making him quite successful among his peers in the Wang Clan.
By earning merits and exchanging them for resources, along with occasional support from his family, he has reached the mid-stage of the Celestial Realm at just around sixty years old.
Having such strength at such a young age, if it were a hundred and sixty or seventy years ago, he could have swept the younger generation in the Imperial Capital like Ancestor Liyao. However, with the Wang Clan developing and Great Gan rapidly progressing, such strength, while not ordinary, can no longer be considered "top-notch."
As Wang Baogun continues his patrol, the launch ceremony of the "Wanghai" draws nearer.
Airport No. 3 becomes increasingly lively.
In the spacious and comfortable waiting room, many passengers have already gathered, preparing to embark on the maiden voyage of the "Wanghai" Domain-Crossing Flying Boat.
Among them is a group of clansmen and family guards from the Ximen Clan of Qinggou Town, Zuoshan Garrison, Dingning County, Tianfu Commandery.
The Ximen Clan is a typical eighth-grade clan with some history.
With the rapid development of Great Gan, the Ximen Clan has also benefited from the development dividends, with five Lingtai Realm ancestors in the family, hundreds of adult direct descendants, and family guards all in the Qi Refining Realm.
The family is thriving and prosperous.
However, with development, the Ximen Clan has reached a bottleneck, and the path from eighth-grade to seventh-grade seems blocked by an invisible chasm.
For such small families, cultivating a Celestial Realm individual is not easy, as they cannot bear the costs of cultivation methods, qualifications, or long-term daily training expenses.
Therefore, after several internal family meetings, they decided to send the youngest Lingtai Realm elder, Ximen Xuesong, to lead the young elites and family guards to sign up for the development of the outer demon realm.
This decision was not made blindly.
In the neighboring town, the eighth-grade Nanguo Clan volunteered to participate in the development of the outer demon realm thirty years ago.
Because of this difference, in just a few decades, the two originally similar in-law families have experienced vastly different development fortunes.
Benefiting from the huge dividends of the outer demon realm development, the Nanguo Clan has almost become rich overnight, not only buying up clan properties in the county town but also cultivating over a dozen Lingtai seeds and two young Celestial seeds.
One of them studies at the county academy in Dingning County and is said to be a top student who might be recommended to Tianfu Academy as an elite disciple.
The other is a carefully nurtured family successor, prepared to help the family leap to seventh-grade status in the future.
Such a gap naturally makes the Ximen Clan, who are also eager to develop, envious.
Missing the first wave of dividends is already a foregone conclusion, and it's too late to recover, but they are determined to seize the second wave of dividends no matter what.
Therefore, the Ximen Clan attaches great importance to this participation in the outer demon realm development. Besides Ximen Xuesong, the accompanying clansmen are also carefully selected.
"Wow~ This waiting room is so luxurious~" A young girl of sixteen or seventeen blinked her bright, clear eyes, curiously looking around with excitement in her voice, "Elder Xuesong, look at this dome, it's made of huge pieces of glass, so transparent and clear."
Nowadays, Wang Clan's glass has become a specialty of Great Gan, and even though the Ximen Clan comes from a remote area, they have used glass products. They just didn't expect glass could be refined to such a large scale and grand structure.
In this vast waiting room, the open view and bright light create a completely unoppressive atmosphere, unknowingly making people feel comfortable and pleasant.
"Mixue." Ximen Xuesong's face was somewhat stiff, with a hint of tension in his voice, "Don't look around and comment carelessly, to avoid offending others' taboos."
As the newly cultivated Lingtai Realm of the Ximen Clan's new generation, Ximen Xuesong's appearance is that of a man in his early thirties with a slightly weathered look. Dressed in a white robe and carrying a spiritual long sword on his back, he has the air of a "white-robed swordsman," making him quite presentable.
As a small genius who reached the Lingtai Realm at sixty, he is considered extraordinary locally, and usually has a somewhat proud demeanor, liking to call himself "Young Master Xuesong."
But upon arriving at the Boundary Fortress, he became extremely nervous, as even the ordinary staff here are in the late stages of the Qi Refining Realm, and the small leaders start at the Lingtai Realm, with many younger and more advanced Basalt cultivators.
He couldn't help but be nervous.
"Yes, Elder Xuesong." Ximen Mixue shrank her neck, not daring to speak further, only sneaking glances around.
In the Ximen Clan, Elder Xuesong still holds considerable authority, and a child like her, already sixteen but only at the fourth level of the Qi Refining Realm, wouldn't dare to talk back to Elder Xuesong.
"Old Chen, I heard your family applied for another development order? Can your family handle it with so few people?"
"Haha, it's Old Liu, fancy meeting you here. To be honest, I'm back at the ancestral home to bring some clansmen and family guards over. The outer demon realm development is a hot trend now, and more people are coming. If we don't seize the opportunity to accumulate more farms, we might not have such a chance in the future."
The one called "Old Chen" is a late-stage Lingtai Realm cultivator. Dressed in luxurious brocade robes, adorned with various treasures signifying status, even his storage ring is a top-grade one worth millions of Gan gold.
With such a demeanor, he walks with a certain flair, who would have thought Old Chen was once a marginal figure in a seventh-grade family?
Behind him, a group of dozens of men and women, young and old, clansmen and family guards, evidently brought along to seek fortune.
"So that's your plan."
The cultivator called "Old Liu" is equally "impressive," dressed in luxurious attire, clearly having returned home in glory.
He analyzed, "With the Wang Clan's second Domain-Crossing Flying Boat about to be put into use, and most of the technology reportedly developed by the Wang's Research Institute, it seems the Wang Clan is not only not reducing its development of the outer demon realm but is intensifying it. The future of demon realm development is promising, very promising indeed."
"Not just the 'Wanghai,' I heard from a friend that the progress on the Wang Clan's third fully self-developed Domain-Crossing Flying Boat has reached 30%, and even the fourth one has been planned." Old Chen, full of information and confidence, said, "The future of outer demon realm development will only get hotter and more profitable."
The Ximen Clan members, listening to the old immigrants talk eloquently and watching their commanding demeanor, were secretly excited and full of hope for the future.
"Huh? What are those spider-like creatures?"
At this moment, Ximen Mixue suddenly widened her eyes, staring at the security checkpoint, clearly discovering something new.
"Little girl, those aren't spider creatures." Old immigrant Old Chen turned his head to glance at the little girl and explained with a smile, "Those are security puppet spiders produced by the Wang's Research Institute. They can quickly verify passengers' identities and check for dangerous weapons, contraband, etc."
"I know about puppets, but... why are they spider-shaped?" Ximen Mixue, curious, felt a bit creeped out, "They look so gross."
"Haha, I heard that Young Master Fugui and Young Master Ningxi of the Wang Clan both like spider designs. They say spider puppets have good balance, strong maneuverability, and can easily be equipped with weapons. Besides, with eight legs, they probably check tickets faster." Old Chen laughed it off.
"Speaking of Young Master Ningxi..." Old Liu suddenly became spirited, "I remember a piece of gossip. It's said that to speed up the 'Wanghai's' research and construction, he secretly recruited a bunch of technical personnel from the Immortal Dynasty, and as a result, the Immortal Emperor personally broke his leg and sealed it with immortal spirit energy to prevent quick healing."
"Is this true?" Old Chen was shocked, "Young Master Ningxi is really dedicated to development."
"Of course it's true! However, Young Master Ningxi turned misfortune into a blessing." Old Liu said mysteriously, "He used his cold flame of ice and fire to slowly refine the immortal spirit energy, not only healing his legs but also making his bones as hard as immortal jade, even increasing his running speed!"
"They say the Immortal Emperor's words couldn't be taken back, so it was both a lesson and a disguised benefit."
"Blessed is Young Master Ningxi~" Old Chen breathed a sigh of relief.
Many immigrants involved in outer development are filled with gratitude towards the Wang Clan, with figures like Wang Liyao, Wang Liyue, and Ancestor Zong'an being their idols. Young Master Ningxi, who developed puppet machinery that greatly reduces labor costs, is also highly regarded and appreciated by many.
"That Young Master Ningxi..." Ximen Mixue was full of curiosity.
"Speaking of Young Master Ningxi, he's truly remarkable. He's not even ninety yet and has already inherited a fire system tome and a water system tome, attempting to merge them into a water-fire tome." Old Chen proudly said, "He's a rare genius, already at the third level of the Purple Mansion Realm, and it won't be long before he reaches the mid-stage!"
"Purple Mansion Master?"
Ximen Mixue's eyes widened, her pupils dilated in shock.
Hearing them call him Young Master Ningxi, she thought he was at most a Lingtai Realm cultivator... she never imagined he was a Purple Mansion Master.
Such a person is too distant, too distant for her, akin to a figure on the clouds.
It's said that the dean of their county academy in Dingning County is a Purple Mansion Master several hundred years old.
An eighty or ninety-year-old Purple Mansion Master... is that even possible?
Subconsciously, Ximen Mixue glanced at her "Elder Xuesong." Elder Xuesong, now sixty, might not even reach the mid-stage Lingtai Realm by ninety.
"Elder Xuesong's" face turned dark, and he said to Ximen Mixue, "From now on, don't call me 'Elder Xuesong,' call me Ninth Uncle."
The term "Elder" felt too burdensome for him, too embarrassing.
"Huh? Why don't you have a storage ring, little girl?" Old Chen scanned the Ximen Clan members, clicking his tongue, "Are you a newly registered development family branch? The outer demon realm is full of dangers, you can't go without someone leading you. Brother Ximen, let me tell you, we have a large farm, you can work with us first, and I'll make sure you're satisfied with the wages."
Satisfied wages?
Ximen Xuesong was somewhat tempted.
"Old Chen, that's not fair, is it? Every family is short-handed now, can't you encourage your descendants to have more children?" Old Liu quickly intervened, "Brother Ximen, don't believe him. Applying for a development order yourself might be tough, but the land you develop will belong to your family, unlike working for others."
"Moreover, the areas we can develop in the outer demon realm are very far from the outermost battle zones, and the land is already semi-developed, having been plowed over and over before reaching us, so there's no danger."
"Thank you, Brother Liu, for the advice." Ximen Xuesong realized and immediately led his clansmen a bit further from Old Chen.
Amidst the lively chatter.
A vast shadow suddenly appeared in the sky above, even dimming the light inside the waiting room.
The waiting room fell silent, and everyone's attention was involuntarily drawn to the sky above.
In the sky overhead, a streamlined, massive flying boat was breaking through the clouds, descending from the sky.
Compared to the older medium-sized flying boats, this newly designed medium-sized Domain-Crossing Flying Boat has a more sleek appearance and innovative design, even featuring a pair of large cloud ray bat wings for assisted flight on both sides.
From below, the massive bat wings seemed to cover the sky, creating an unparalleled sense of awe.
Before landing, the cloud ray bat wings slowly folded.
At this point, the Domain-Crossing Flying Boat returned to its traditional shape, slowly heading towards the pre-set berth in the port.
Clearly, this medium-sized Domain-Crossing Flying Boat is the legendary "Wanghai."
After a moment of silence, the waiting room erupted into enthusiastic discussions, with many faces showing excitement.
Clearly, the Wanghai had given them a pleasant surprise.
Before today, no one had imagined that a Domain-Crossing Flying Boat could look like this.
Amidst the chatter, the Wanghai slowly came to a stop.
The long ladder used for docking in the port began to slide slowly, aligning precisely under the control of personnel, connecting the waiting room's exit with the Wanghai's entrance.
Inside the waiting room, a pleasant female voice reminded everyone to check their luggage and prepare to board the boat under the staff's guidance.
People like Ximen Xuesong, Old Chen, and Old Liu ended their discussions and began lining up to board the boat.
On the other side of the port, mechanical puppets for loading cargo had already started working, loading large quantities of goods into the Wanghai's cargo hold.
At this moment, inside the Wanghai's bridge, Wang Ningxi, who had matured significantly, watched the pilot lower the control lever, feeling a surge of excitement.
For this "Wanghai," with most of its technology developed by the Wang Clan, he had poured countless efforts and time into it, even having his leg broken for repeatedly poaching talent from the Immortal Dynasty.
And the results did not disappoint.
This "Wanghai" can not only traverse the Boundary Rift but is also well-suited for normal space travel. With the cloud ray bat wing design, it can save a lot of energy during normal space travel.
Now that the Wanghai's maiden voyage in normal space was a success, the next step was to test its pressure-bearing capacity during space rift traversal.
Although, according to design theory and various laboratory tests, the Wanghai could easily handle the space storms during Boundary Rift traversal, he still felt a bit anxious without real combat experience.
Soon, the passengers had orderly boarded the flying boat, and all the cargo was loaded.
Seeing everything ready, Wang Ningxi officially ordered the Wanghai to start its domain traversal.
"External pressure is normal."
"The Wanghai is operating smoothly."
"..."
"We have crossed the Boundary Rift and arrived at the Great Gan defense base."
With one report after another, the Wanghai smoothly traversed to the Demon Domain, the entire process uneventful, without any incidents.
This also meant the Wanghai's maiden voyage was a great success!
As the Wanghai came to a stop again, the maiden voyage's staff couldn't help but cheer.
"Ningxi thanks Master, Second Master, Senior Yufu, and all the seniors~"
Wang Ningxi, suppressing his excitement, gratefully bowed to the elders accompanying him.
This maiden voyage was of great significance, and he naturally didn't come alone.
"Good boy, I knew I wasn't wrong about you, you're a genius in artifact crafting." Elder Tianji excitedly patted Wang Ningxi's shoulder, his eyes full of affection and hope.
In his view, Wang Ningxi could not only inherit his legacy but also surpass it.
Now, Wang Ningxi was no longer the same. Not only had his cultivation reached the third level of the Purple Mansion Realm, but the family had also used the reserved treasures and tomes to help him reach the Heavenly Son's third-grade bloodline.
For this, Elder Tianji even took out some of his treasured items to help Wang Ningxi further elevate his bloodline, reaching the Heavenly Son's second-grade level.
This made Wang Ningxi's bloodline enter the first sequence, only slightly inferior to Ancestor Shouzhe.
With such an outstanding disciple, how could Elder Tianji not be satisfied?
"Ningxi, the future of our Shenwu human race is in the hands of your younger generation." Hundred Refinements True Monarch, also deeply moved, patted Wang Ningxi's shoulder.
Although he lost the title of "First Master" to Elder Tianji, being Ningxi's "Second Master" wasn't bad, and might even lead to historical fame.
Moreover, over the years, he had often consulted Elder Tianji under Ningxi's name, gaining much in the path of artifact crafting.
"Thank you all, thank you all." Wang Ningxi was so moved he almost cried, "Without the support of all the seniors, our Wang Clan could never have reached this point."
Even towards the Immortal Emperor, who broke his leg, Wang Ningxi was full of gratitude.
If the Immortal Emperor truly wanted to obstruct him, there were countless ways to torment him; how could he have let him succeed so easily?
...
As the maiden voyage of the Domain-Crossing Flying Boat "Wanghai" concluded perfectly.
At the Wang Clan's main residence, in Shouzhe's Small Courtyard.
Wang Shouyong and Wang Shoulian, the two brothers, had also returned from their posts to congratulate the fourth brother they respected the most.
"Fourth Brother." Wang Shouyong, now sporting a small mustache, appeared quite mature and steady, but at this moment, looking at the breakthrough Wang Shouzhe, his expression was still filled with excitement, "Although your advancement to the Divine Realm was inevitable, now that it's happened, it still feels like a dream. Thinking about our past and now... it's more surreal than a dream."
"Old Fifth~" Wang Shouzhe smiled, patting his shoulder, "The Wang Clan's achievements today aren't just my doing; it's the result of the entire clan's unity and effort."
"Fourth Brother." Wang Shoulian was also excited, "Although Ancestor Long Yan and Fourth Sister-in-law have already advanced to the Divine Realm, as the head of the family, you should still hold a grand banquet to celebrate your advancement."
"There's no need for that; stepping into the Divine Realm is just a small step." Wang Shouzhe shook his head, "Such an achievement isn't worth grand celebrations. Besides, with 'impending danger,' it's better to stay low-key."
However.
Just as he finished speaking, the gatekeeper came to report: "Master, Eunuch Xiang is here, saying he's delivering a decree from His Highness."
Eunuch Xiang?
Wang Shouzhe had an impression.
This Eunuch Xiang was one of the "Four Auspicious Eunuchs" under Old Yao, who had delivered several decrees from Emperor Longchang to him. Now that Old Yao had retired to live in the Wang Clan, Eunuch Xiang had taken his position.
But what was he doing here now?
Wang Shouzhe frowned slightly, "Invite him in."
In no time.
Eunuch Xiang led a team of imperial guards into Shouzhe's Small Courtyard.
As he entered, he greeted Wang Shouzhe with a beaming smile, his attitude very cordial: "Congratulations, Master Wang Shouzhe, congratulations!"
"Eunuch Xiang, you're too kind." Wang Shouzhe slightly bowed in return, "What decree is His Highness delivering that requires your esteemed presence?"
"Oh dear, Master Wang Shouzhe, you're going to make little Xiangzi blush." Eunuch Xiang hurriedly returned the bow deeply, then smiled broadly, "His Highness heard of your advancement to the Divine Realm and was overjoyed, so he sent little Xiangzi to deliver the third-grade clan's command seal and plaque."
Wang Shouzhe's cheek twitched.
Prince An, thank you, but you're too quick with this.
...