Chapter 770: New World

The Dachang Empire, Fengfeng Prefecture, Xinjie Port.

It was early morning. A thin sea fog floated over the distant horizon, while the rising sun cast warm golden rays. The previously quiet port was gradually coming alive with noise and bustle.

Xinjie Port had been established less than ten years ago. However, due to its prime location at the westernmost edge of the empire and its status as a deep-water harbor, business had boomed. Merchant ships arrived and departed continuously, bringing substantial tax revenue.

In fact, even Fengfeng Prefecture was a recently established administrative region within the Dachang Empire, having been incorporated through annexation.

When the Dachang Empire first issued its land reclamation edict, it declared that any imperial subject could obtain fifty mu of farmland in Fengfeng Prefecture. Those with noble titles received proportionally more land, and the first three years of taxation were waived. After ten years of cultivation, the land would officially become the property of the settler.

This policy triggered a wave of westward migration within the empire. To ensure stability in Fengfeng Prefecture, the Dachang Empire stationed a permanent reclamation legion there, which functioned as a military agricultural force. Though not officially part of the regular army, due to frequent battles with indigenous tribes and western barbarians, this force had become notorious and feared along the empire’s western frontier.

“So this is Xinjie Port? It’s quite lively!”

Wu Ming, dressed in a green robe, wore a fine piece of white jade at his waist and held a folding fan in his hand, presenting the image of a refined young nobleman. He strolled casually along the streets of the port.

Of course, he was not using the appearance of William anymore but had reverted to his original form—black hair and black eyes, just like most of the people around him. As he walked through the streets, it felt as if he were back in the world of the Great Zhou Dynasty, causing a brief sense of disorientation.

Naturally, due to its status as a port, many western merchants from across the sea could be seen, along with numerous mixed-race individuals and even some bizarre-looking foreigners.

These were not just people of different skin colors; they were entirely different species from humans.

For instance, a muscular man with the head of a tiger strode past Wu Ming without a care in the world, openly parading through the street.

“A beastman? No… according to the official terminology of the Dachang Empire, they should be called the Shan Jun Clan. Interesting indeed…”

This world had already undergone many strange transformations due to the influx of cross-dimensional travelers. Many intelligent beings might have originated from other worlds, so nothing surprised Wu Ming anymore.

“Humans are no longer the dominant species in this world…”

Reflecting on the information he had gathered, Wu Ming sighed, feeling a slight heaviness in his heart.

The Dachang Empire was indeed vast and prosperous, and the western nations were also flourishing and dominating their regions. However, in this world, numerous intelligent races coexisted.

Some were native to this world, while others were entire civilizations that had migrated from other universes. These races had also claimed significant territories, resulting in a complex geopolitical landscape with multiple races standing side by side.

Under such circumstances, both Eastern and Western human nations emphasized martial prowess and continuously encouraged expansion beyond their borders.

Fortunately, the world was vast enough, with many unexplored continents and undeveloped lands to accommodate the ambitions of the great powers, preventing conflicts that might have led to wars between them.

As the sun climbed higher, the port became even more bustling.

After leaving the dock area, Wu Ming found himself surrounded by a variety of shops.

Gold and silver shops, grain stores, fabric shops, teahouses, restaurants, brothels, and gambling dens—truly, everything imaginable was present.

Of course, there were also martial arts schools and sword palaces, clearly marked as places of cultivation. However, those located in such busy areas were generally of low quality, offering only a few basic techniques to earn a living.

To truly learn authentic martial arts, one either needed exceptional talent and a good master, or, like Zhang Fan, had to spend a fortune.

“Street martial arts schools are merely the lowest tier. Beyond them are various academies—true institutions that teach the path to transcendence. For example, the Seven Swords Academy, where Zhang Fan once studied swordsmanship, was famous for producing several Grand Sword Masters and was the most prestigious in Fengfeng Prefecture.”

Wu Ming wasn’t entirely familiar with the power structure of this world, but anyone bearing the title of Grand Master should be just below the level of legends.

Even the Seven Swords Academy, however, required more than just money to obtain true techniques. Otherwise, Zhang Fan wouldn’t have fallen so easily into Wu Ming’s hands.

If not for Zhang Fan, Wu Ming wouldn’t have considered visiting Xinjie Port in the first place.

Besides martial arts schools and academies, there were several other unusual places in this port that caught Wu Ming’s attention.

This was because the supernatural auras emanating from those buildings were the strongest in the entire port, exuding a sacred and divine presence far beyond that of ordinary mortals.

“The Taizhu Temple?”

Following the spiritual glow with his divine sight, Wu Ming looked at the grand temple before him, crowded with many merchants, and couldn’t help but feel surprised.

“This must be a temple dedicated to a true god, but is business really this good?”

Glancing from the outside, Wu Ming saw rows of counter windows similar to those of banks, where many merchants were depositing and withdrawing gold and silver, holding vouchers in their hands. He immediately understood: “So this is the otherworldly version of a bank. The Taizhu God of Wealth in this world certainly has a strong business sense…”

Undoubtedly, banks and financial institutions were always the most profitable in any era, and commerce in this world had already evolved to the point of using paper currency.

However, instead of using paper money, merchants used gold and silver vouchers, which were as real as they could get.

Because each of these notes bore the divine mark of the Taizhu God of Wealth, making them practically impossible for outsiders to counterfeit.

“No wonder the spiritual glow is so strong…”

Wu Ming did not rashly enter the temple but slowly backed away.

With so much wealth gathered here, the Taizhu God of Wealth in this world must be a formidable force, likely at the same level as himself—seventh tier.

Moreover, as a native deity of this world, the god was recognized by heaven, earth, and the primordial forces. Wu Ming, however, was merely an outsider. Without reaching the Great Transcendence stage, he would always face restrictions from this world. Entering the temple of such a powerful being and being discovered would immediately bring him immense trouble.

“According to Zhang Fan’s and other sailors’ memories, the Taizhu and Mazu temples have the most worshippers in Xinjie Port. There are also some minor deities nearby. It’s better to start with the weaker ones and gradually approach the stronger ones.”

Among the divine paths, there were naturally strong and weak.

The strongest could reach the level of Golden Immortal or Great Transcendence, while the weakest were merely local land gods or mountain spirits—minor deities at the bottom of the divine hierarchy, often bullied by all sorts of monsters and spirits.

Of course, ordinary land gods or mountain spirits wouldn’t even qualify for worship in Xinjie Port. Those who managed to survive between the competition of the two major temples were at least regional deities, akin to legendary domain-level beings in the divine path.

From Wu Ming’s perspective, they were fifth-tier divine beings.

Possessing his main temple and understanding the use of primal energy, Wu Ming had unified the myriad paths of countless worlds under the banner of primal energy, making the hierarchy clear and distinguishable by the amount of divine favor.

Fifth-tier in the divine path was neither high nor low. According to the standards of this world, they were not yet true gods but just a step away.

Wu Ming cast one last glance at the bustling Taizhu Temple before vanishing into the shadows.

…

“The Four Seas Trading Company, this must be the place.”

After searching for a while in the port, he finally found a trading house in a corner.

Calling it a trading company was being generous. It looked more like a small convenience store, where the interior was clearly visible from the outside.

However, the curtains and doors were meticulously cleaned, indicating that the person in charge was quite capable.

“Please come in, honored guest!”

As soon as Wu Ming stepped through the door, the sharp-eyed clerk noticed him immediately, rushing forward with a flattered smile: “May I ask what you’re looking for? We have everything here!”

Judging from Wu Ming’s appearance, it was obvious that he was either wealthy or noble, so how could the clerk possibly miss out on a big business opportunity?

“I’m not here to buy anything. I need to see your manager!”

Wu Ming shook his head.

“My manager? Please wait a moment…”

Perhaps due to Wu Ming’s demeanor, the clerk, though somewhat puzzled, dared not be negligent and quickly went inside.

Before long, an elderly man with a long beard, dark skin, and a thin, gaunt face emerged from the back room, bowing to Wu Ming: “I am Xiang Zhi Tian, the manager of this shop. May I ask what brings you here today?”

“I was entrusted to deliver something!”

Wu Ming took out a letter: “Zhang Fan, the junior officer, is your employer, right?”

“Yes, indeed…”

The old man was startled: “Judging by the time, he should have returned from his voyage by now. Could it be that…”

As he spoke, sweat began to bead on his forehead.

The seas of this world were far more dangerous than those of Wu Ming’s previous life. Some ancient sea monsters and beasts were so formidable that even deities would feel uneasy when facing them.

Some could not even be killed and could only be sealed away.

In such an era, those who ventured out to sea for trade were essentially risking their lives for profit.

The manager had seen too many adventurers set sail and never return, or worse, receive news of shipwrecks and lost lives.

“I merely encountered Junior Officer Zhang at sea, and then we faced a great storm. As for his current whereabouts, I truly do not know!”

In reality, Zhang Fan was currently imprisoned in the Kingdom of Sear.

Wu Ming had unceremoniously used some techniques on him to obtain his handwritten letter, planning to use it as a stepping stone to acquire a new identity and begin his journey through the Dachang Empire.

In any world, one must abide by its rules.

With his current strength, even if his main temple exerted its full force, it would likely be no match for the Eight Great Deities.

Therefore, it was wise to remain low-key and follow the game’s rules.

Starting from this point, obtaining a legitimate identity, although somewhat tedious, was much safer and less likely to be traced back to him.

“Here is your employer’s letter. Please take a look!”

Wu Ming casually handed over the letter and then calmly sat down to drink tea.

As Xiang Zhi Tian read on, his expression alternated between relaxation and seriousness, as if encountering a great dilemma.