Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

Yao Yin glanced at Li Xian and said, "But you are a martial artist, which makes you different."

Li Xian asked, "Does that make it easier?"

Yao Yin shook his head and said, "It’s more difficult. If it were easier for martial artists, Jade City would soon be filled with them. When there are too many martial artists, they’re hard to govern and even harder to ensure obedience. Jade City once had a ’martial artist rebellion,’ which was caused by a gathering of martial artists and ended with the expulsion of many of them."

Li Xian understood and said, "That makes sense. Also, if many martial artists gather in one place, how to share the Essence Treasure becomes a problem. Jade City is already prosperous, and due to its unique geographic position, it can’t expand outward, so having too many martial artists is actually inappropriate. But too few martial artists and the city’s defenses would be weak, so how can this be balanced?"

Yao Yin didn’t expect Li Xian to hit the nail on the head, and his insights were spot on. He nodded and said:

"Jade City is a wealthy city and will not alienate martial artists."

"When martial artists from outside come to Jade City, they initially belong to the ’travelers’ category, not counting as citizens of Jade City, nor as ’miscellaneous people.’ Travelers can stay for three months, and if they don’t leave the city afterward, they become miscellaneous people. Travelers can engage in business, develop martial arts, set up shops, or get involved in various enterprises to earn money."

"However, if they establish larger enterprises and wish to stay in Jade City long-term, they need to find a way to gain the status of Jade citizens. They need to buy property, set up enterprises, and the properties in Jade City are not cheap. After establishing their enterprises, they must address the livelihoods of Jade citizens by employing them. They need at least twenty Jade citizens under their employment to help provide recommendation letters. This way, they can become citizens of Jade City."

Li Xian calculated silently and couldn’t help but mock inwardly, "Buying property in Jade City must cost a fortune, tens of thousands of taels, maybe even more. This strategy is very clever. Once martial artists establish local industries and have constraints, they can’t act recklessly. This way, even though Jade citizens aren’t skilled in martial arts, martial artists wouldn’t dare to offend them easily and would even need to protect the Jade citizens under them. The city naturally remains stable."

"Whoever devised this strategy thinks very far ahead and is quite comprehensive!"

"However, if it wasn’t for the unique advantages of Jade City, being irreplaceable and can thrive and remain stable no matter how chaotic the outside world becomes, this strategy would be difficult to implement."

Yao Yin seemed to see through Li Xian’s thoughts, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Although the process seems cumbersome, becoming a Jade citizen has significant benefits. Jade City is so impressive. You come from outside; you should be aware of the gap between them. Jade City is bustling day and night; aren’t those who rise to prominence common sights?"

"In our Jade City... even opportunities to freeload food are commonly found. From what I know, there are many First Realm martial artists who have freeloaded for decades and stepped into the Martial Arts Second Realm. However, progressing from a clay embryo to the First Realm is a threshold, requiring both opportunity and luck. When the opportunity and luck are there, even ordinary people can succeed easily. From the First Realm to the Second Realm is an accumulation and requires hard work. From the Second Realm to the Third Realm, it depends on one’s capability. Relying solely on freeloading makes it challenging to reach the Third Realm. Even if one does, it will take decades or even centuries. How long it takes depends on each person’s chance."

"But mere cultivation, how can it compare? What’s important for a martial artist is martial arts, magic dao, and weaponry..."

"The essence treasures, martial arts, treasures and strange objects, or even rare divine objects of martial artists... Jade City is not lacking any of these! Moreover, our Jade City is the meeting point of Yu Nan Dao, Wang He Dao, and Guan Long Dao, the center where heroes gather. Rare objects from these three paths and even farther places are often brought into Jade City for safe trading and are sold here."

"Famous and prestigious sects from the three paths frequently come and go in Jade City, and some even have industries here. Like Daoxuan Mountain, which has three incense-burning temples in Jade City, and there are pavilions and residences in the eastern mountains."

"If you think our Jade City is isolated and complacent and looks down on outsiders, you are gravely mistaken. Jade City is open to the world, embracing all, and heroes and literati gather here. If you are fortunate in the future to become a clay body or clay face, you will find that Jade City is broad in its vision, looking at all paths. Those you encounter are not just people from one city, but heroes from the three paths! No... not just three paths."

Yao Yin seemed somewhat intoxicated. Her words were passionate and resonant.

Li Xian greatly appreciated this, recognizing Jade City as both a sinister devourer and a prosperous city. He thought to himself, "If I wish to truly grow, Jade City... gathering the essence treasure of heaven and earth and harnessing the feng shui of all directions, is the best place for me. Only here can I broaden my horizons and enhance my capabilities!"

With a heart as steadfast as a rock, he smiled and said, "That’s precisely why I endured all the hardships to come to Jade City seeking advancement. But with my poor situation, although proficient in martial arts, buying property and settling here seems as challenging as climbing to the heavens. I hope you, dear sister, can point me in the right direction." Gently, he filled Yao Yin’s cup with wine.

Upon hearing the words "dear sister," Yao Yin’s heart wavered slightly. She said, "Therefore, there is a third method. The status of a Jade citizen can be very difficult or actually quite easy. I’m considered half a clay body, and once I become a clay body, I can vouch for you to enter the registry. You can then directly become a Jade citizen. However, if you cause trouble in the future, it might inevitably affect me. Are you sure you have no other motives for coming to Jade City?"

Yao Yin scrutinized him intently. Li Xian replied with a smile, "Do you think a small fry like me could overthrow Jade City? Even if I had the intent to cause trouble, it’s like trying to topple a giant tree. Moreover, I am here to seek development, not a dead end."

Thinking of the "Princess An Yang" matter, which was quite complicated, he cast aside those thoughts and decided to take it one step at a time.

Yao Yin nodded lightly. Although it was their first meeting, deep down, she was willing to trust Li Xian. The words "dear sister" still echoed in her mind.