Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

"Look at that posture, truly extraordinary. Although the Jade Guards mostly oversee the border areas of Jade City, they still belong to the main branch of Jade City. It’s said that their Silver Armor, Cloud Flipping Sword, and Cold Flame Spear are all crafted according to their physique! Only our Jade City has the financial power for this." "I wonder how much their salary is..."

That Jade Guard, "Song Tie," raised the corners of his mouth, looked around proudly, glanced upward, and shouted, "Jade City at work, unrelated persons, retreat immediately!" The townsfolk instantly stepped aside.

The burly man complimented, "What a hero, what grandeur, truly worthy of the sons of Jade City!"

Song Tie frowned and said, "You debt slaves, better behave." The burly man chuckled awkwardly, "Of course, of course."

Song Tie cast a sidelong glance, mounted his horse, slowly scanned the crowd, and said, "Outside, some of you may have decent martial arts and not insignificant status. But now that you’ve come to Jade City, I might as well tell you the rules of Jade City."

"Firstly... no matter if you are a child of an aristocratic family or whatever identity you hold. Jade City recognizes none. Upon arrival in Jade City, you must abide by the rules of Jade City. Only recognizing the ’status’ and ’face’ of Jade City. You have neither status nor face, but carry debts. You are the lowliest debt slaves. You should clearly understand your position, and do not engage in rebellious acts. Otherwise, with my muddled status and face, I can kill you on the spot without hesitation."

He surveyed them arrogantly, walked to the front of the line. With an order, the procession of prison carts began moving slowly.

Jade City places great importance on ’status’ and ’face’. Status refers to position, face refers to power. Both status and face have five levels: mud, copper, silver, gold, jade, strictly hierarchical and progressive.

The Jade Guards are border guards, mostly mud status with no face, slightly better status but with no real power. This Song Tie is ’mud status, mud face’, highly ranked among the border guards.

Li Xian sat in the prison cart, being escorted out of town. Several miles further, they arrived amidst a range of mountains. Steep cliffs reached up high, gathering danger, wonder, and beauty in one place.

A scholar in appearance said, "That’s Giant’s Peak!"

Looking at a peculiar mountain towering into the clouds, resembling a giant lying down from a certain angle. He turned and saw again, "Divine Peak, Pearl Cloud Ridge, Wine Storied Mountain, Perfect Wall Mountain!" Every mountain around Jade City had a name, and each was a spectacular sight rarely seen elsewhere.

Riding in the prison cart, they passed many mountain sides, the mountain wind blowing, clouds seemingly rolling by. Golden light spilled among the clouds, creating an indescribable sensation.

Li Xian was astonished, "These mountains not only dangerous, beautiful, but also an impassable barrier. If foreign armies intend to attack Jade City, these majestic and beautiful mountain formations would make it impossible to cross. And..."

Li Xian’s sharp eyes saw many hidden outposts and guards amidst the mountains. Jade City is as solid as a golden soup, far from being an empty boast. He had once been to Flying Dragon City and was already amazed. Yet compared to Jade City, it was like seeing a molehill next to a great mountain.

When one does not broaden one’s knowledge, one remains short-sighted. But once the horizons open, the vastness of the world becomes apparent. Atop several peaks stood a red copper and iron divine tree. Li Xian was unsure of its purpose.

A sudden gust of wind blew fiercely, the sky darkened. A sky-covering eagle soared with wings spread. That sky-covering eagle perched on the copper and iron divine tree, eyes closed, calm. It carried hundreds of people.

As it turned out... this sky-covering eagle was a "heavenly work contraption". Jade City captures the wonders of heaven and earth, with many strange and fantastic heavenly works. The divine eagle used the copper tree as its nest. The navy could summon clouds and rain.

Li Xian saw many novel things and became extremely interested in the "heavenly work contraptions". He faintly sensed that heavenly work contraptions should be similar to "arrays". Arrays evolve with people as the base. Heavenly work contraptions evolve with devices as their base.

Soon they arrived at a mountain path.

A monument stood by the mountain path, inscribed with "Riding the Wind Path".

As the prison cart tread on this path, it was as if riding the wind, both fast and extremely stable. Jade City’s heavenly work contraptions were numerous, and the terrain also remained uniquely ancient. Hidden in deep valleys and dense forests were many unique and extraordinary scenes.

Riding the Wind Path for a moment. Li Xian suddenly noticed, on a distant mountain path, a boat was actually traveling overland, very fast and agile. As he tried to look closer, the land beneath the boat rolled and pushed like water.

Hidden beneath was the "heavenly work contraption: Mountain-Crossing Loach". It was "carrying the boat with fish", making overland travel unimpeded. Facilitating the transport of goods back and forth.

Even more remarkable sights appeared. This place gathered endless wonders, captivating people. Both astonished by the marvels of the world and shocked by the heavenly work contraptions and harmony between heaven and man in Jade City, making it as strong as golden soup, extremely prosperous.

A city of wealth... must be driven by heaven, earth, and man. What Li Xian saw was just the tip of Jade City’s iceberg. But as a debt slave, he could only witness this fragment.

The wine elder leisurely said, "Surely, it is jade hidden within stone." Meaning Jade City, among treacherous mountains, rests by the sea. Displaying the gesture of rivers merging into the sea with only entry, no exit, swallowing all things like a whale.

Li Xian sighed, "Such an impressive city, truly unique in the world. No wonder Princess An Yang is set on dealing with this city. To eliminate evil as a pretense, to occupy this terrain as the truth. Imagine, whoever holds this city, even if the world is in chaos, this city will remain unscathed. If one wishes, can conquer the world; if not, secure and nurture the wealthy city. Rest easy, with endless benefits. No wonder someone said... no matter your identity outside, once entering Jade City, only recognize Jade City’s status and face. Truly, there is reason."

Amid the stirring thoughts, pondering further, "Yet, the scale of Jade City must come with a price. Just like the lady when she commanded, the essence treasure spread aroma, but needed everyone to fetch water to set the kettle. Supporting such a scale of Jade City, ultimately falls to those at the very bottom."

As Li Xian pondered, suddenly heard a familiar light chirping. Everyone looked up and saw a crane flying from the west, its wings full, white and translucent, full of divine charm. On its back stood a man with an immortal demeanor. The man looked over nonchalantly.