Chapter 1012 - 856: Big Deal
"Even if one person costs 6,500, even if the Western and Northern Regions don't take part in this mission, that's 650 billion for a billion people, where can we get that kind of money? If we could really get that much money, why would we stay here and endure this misery?"
Wu Jinliang expressed his doubts.
It's uncertain whether the plan will succeed, and Shi Chun didn't want to reveal his intentions. He sent Wu Jinliang and the others out, telling them to first resolve the issue of compressing housing costs before discussing further.
Since Feng Chi was already living here, there was no need for him to leave. He followed Shi Chun to the luxurious terrace of the palace, which overlooked the vast earth below.
This towering central area of Dingnan Prefecture, with its layers of pavilions and towers, was majestic and grand. Occasionally, when the spiritual energy turned into mist, it diffused from the pavilions and towers, resembling an expansive palace in the clouds. Under the sunlight, many places shimmered brilliantly.
Additionally, arrays directed streams of water to flow down from high altitudes, collecting in a pond below. When the water overflowed, it cascaded down like a waterfall. When the wind blew, water vapor occasionally soared and danced like huge dragons and phoenixes.
The intricately carved beams and painted rafters, the flying eaves and bracket sets, jade stone railings, and the morning dew gathered into countless points of golden light, while in the evening, it joined the sunset glow to question the heavens. Truly, it was surrounded by auspicious feng shui with a myriad of phenomena.
This residence was even better than the Domain Master Mansion. At that time, thinking they would be cast out, they reckoned that since it was built on credit, more debt or less made no difference, hence they spared no expense. Just the arrays for comfortable living were embedded in over a dozen places.
After it was completed, Wu Jinliang and Tong Mingshan came to inspect it, regretting their decision as they lived frugally. The project was finished, and it couldn't be dismantled and rebuilt.
Apart from the multiple defensive arrays here, there were armored soldiers stationed at various levels as guards, making it practically impossible for outsiders not to be detected if they approached.
Qilin A San, breathing spiritual energy, was dozing in a pavilion at the corner of the large terrace, its tail occasionally flicking.
Shi Chun walked to the railing, gazing at the still largely barren city.
This city consists of five parts flat land, three parts mountains, and two parts water. Looking out, the undulating mountains and shimmering lakes create a landscape with much potential. In a few years, when the greenery grows high and takes shape, it will truly be a blessed land with spiritual mountains and beautiful waters.
To let go of such a promising piece of land, all within his grasp, Shi Chun was truly unwilling.
After quietly accompanying Shi Chun for a while, Feng Chi couldn't help but ask, "Sir, can we really gather that much money?"
Unable to hold back, not just them, but even asking those top sects of the time, who could take out such a sum in cash?
Shi Chun calmly said, "Everything depends on human effort."
Feng Chi tilted her head, remaining silent, but secretly puzzled. For other matters, she had absolute confidence in this master, but this situation seemed unsolvable. Even if the Demon Path wanted to help, they wouldn't be able to provide that much money.
This isn't a problem that one place or family could solve.
Not to mention anything else, they couldn't even cover the 150 billion travel expenses.
After some thought, Shi Chun added, "Arrange for news to go out. Tell those Artifact Refining Sects that if they move their sects here or can bring 30,000 people to relocate, I will share the Secret Technique to find the Divine Fire with them. They can also buy the Secret Technique for ten billion."
Feng Chi sighed inwardly. This solution was like a drop in the ocean, but still replied, "Yes."
Shi Chun said, "Inform Jiang Wushou that I will be going out again."
"Yes." Feng Chi accepted the order and tentatively asked, "Where is the lord going? Is there anything you need prepared?"
Shi Chun responded, "First, I need to solve the issue of travel expenses from the Heavenly Capital to here."
Feng Chi was concerned, "The expenses of running Xun Gate aren't small; will the Heavenly Court agree?"
Shi Chun assured, "That shouldn't be a big problem."
This was the issue he least worried about.
Seeing his confidence, Feng Chi left brimming with confidence.
Not long after, A San rose again, and Jiang Wushou reconvened the guards. A group that had just returned had to leave again with Shi Chun.
They couldn't delay, having just brainstormed new strategies to solve the problem; the sooner the better.
Without stopping elsewhere, they headed straight for the central area of Dingdong Mansion to find Dongguo Shou.
Shi Chun had already sent a message to Dongguo Shou on the way, and upon arrival, Dongguo Shou personally came out to greet them.
The construction at Dingdong Mansion was decent, at least for Shi Chun, who was accustomed to his own mansion's comforts, this was just passable.
After the two went inside for tea, Dongguo Shou curiously asked, "Brother Chun, what brings you here?"
Back during the great war, upon first hearing of Shi Chun, Dongguo Shou didn't pay him much mind. Not out of arrogance, but due to the vast differences in their status. Now things were different, not just because of his rank within the Heavenly Court, but primarily because Shi Chun had killed Su Jikuan and Luo Que.
"What wind is there in this desolate place now?"
Hearing this from Shi Chun, Dongguo Shou, who was well aware, couldn't help but chuckle in resignation. Regarding the issue of attracting population, he was now in competition with Manxi, and dealing with the sect wasn't easy, even though he held a slight advantage. This wasn't something he could reveal.
Shi Chun directly asked, "Brother Dongguo, just passing through Xun Gate costs at least a thousand sandalwood gold. Is your sect, the Carefree Sect, covering the travel expenses for bringing people in and out of Xun Gate?"
After some thought, Dongguo Shou considered that it was okay to share, so he pondered and replied, "Yes and no."
Shi Chun asked, "What do you mean?"
Dongguo Shou explained, "There's no need to keep this from Brother Chun; if we took all the money directly from the sect's coffers, how could we possibly cover the moving expenses for a billion people? Most of those I'm bringing in are related or indirectly related industries to the sect, and the travel costs are shoulder by them. We can only offer long-term benefits as compensation."