Qian Ye’s rules were beyond reproach; no one doubted their implementation. Especially the third rule, which hit a nerve with many. To be honest, the reason so many people gathered in Yonglu was due to Qian Ye’s reputation for being generous and gullible. More than a few had come with intentions of making a quick profit and leaving.
However, Song Hui, coming from the esteemed Song family, was well-versed in the ways of business. She established this rule to close all loopholes. The first batch of aristocratic families that arrived in Yonglu, including elite clans like the Yin and Kong families, had the right to recommend other suppliers. But their greatest interest in Yonglu was not in gold coins but in territory, which could only exist under Qian Ye’s protection.
Of course, if any of these powerful families grew too strong, they might turn their territories into independent kingdoms, thus challenging Qian Ye’s authority directly. When it came to territory, the stakes were not just about short-term gains but long-term prosperity, often requiring centuries and generations to flourish. These families would not risk their long-term plans for petty short-term profits.
Yonglu, once considered a barren wasteland by the imperial nobles, unsuitable even for top-tier cultivators, was only slightly better than the Eternal Night Continent. But now, with the gateway to the new world, things were different. Just the flow of people alone could bring prosperity to several provinces.
With the rules set and no objections, Qian Ye said, “I need five mobile power towers, thirty various types of ship cannons, twenty base quantities of ammunition, ten micro power towers, and the same demand for individual weaponry as before—how much you have, I’ll take.”
Such a massive order instantly sparked a flurry of excitement.
After the initial uproar, everyone sought out Song Hui, and Qian Ye naturally ignored the details. He left the duke’s mansion and, with a flash, arrived outside the city. The endless military camps were bustling with activity, and the training grounds always had werewolves undergoing drills.
This enormous training ground, capable of accommodating 100,000 soldiers, was still insufficient. One group had to be trained and dispatched before another could start. At least 200,000 more werewolves were waiting in the camp for their turn.
In total, Qian Ye nearly had an army of a million werewolves. Adding the Zheng Kingdom’s new army and the mercenaries from the Neutral Lands, he officially commanded a force of a million.
Looking down at the training ground, Qian Ye felt a subtle sense of melancholy.
Werewolves, as one of the four great dark races, were not fortunate. They had a high cultivation ceiling, and their ancestors included Sacred Mountain Supremes. Werewolves were born warriors, forming basic combat skills in childhood and communicating with their companion wolves. Adult males and females had balanced combat strength, each capable of killing on the battlefield. This made nearly half of the werewolf tribes qualified warriors.
In comparison, the werewolves’ growth period was shorter than that of the blood race and demonic descendants. Logically, they should have been a dominant race, but their weaknesses were too apparent: stubbornness and ignorance.
Many of their powers and knowledge came from ancestral totems, leading them to an almost obsessive adherence to their primitive tribal forms. Some even went to extremes, rejecting all modern advancements, including origin guns. They firmly believed that all mysteries lay within their bodies and that by unlocking their potential and strengthening communication with their ancestors’ souls, they could conquer the world.
The Ancestor Sect was widely popular among werewolves, to the point where the Summit of Peaks, which truly sought to advance, was often questioned for deviating from tradition. Sadly, despite the Summit of Peaks claiming to gather the strongest werewolf geniuses, they had never produced a Sacred Mountain hopeful in a thousand years. Several prodigies plateaued at the Great Lord level, with only two reaching the Ultimate Realm.
The decline of the blood race was due to external factors, the disappearance of the River of Blood. But the werewolves’ decline was largely self-inflicted, as evidenced by the werewolves surviving in Yonglu.
If the Summit of Peaks had ruled over this territory with over ten million people, they would have long since annihilated the Zheng Kingdom multiple times, without the need for the tragic annual ritual of sending elders into the mountains and young warriors to the battlefield. Even with a high proportion of strong individuals, the Summit of Peaks could only maintain their voice in the race, not dominance.
At this moment, as the true ruler of the Jade Sea’s werewolves, Qian Ye realized that the werewolves lived far worse than humans, with their destiny filled with tragic hues.
Previously, Qian Ye had only harbored deep hatred for all dark races, killing without mercy and never caring about their lives. Now, with the sudden responsibility thrust upon him, he could truly see his people from a werewolf’s perspective.
A mountain nearby offered a perfect vantage point. Qian Ye’s figure flashed, and he appeared on its peak, standing at the cliff’s edge, watching the myriad werewolves below and the shimmering Jade Sea in the distance. At that moment, he wished for a friend to share his thoughts.
Suddenly, Qian Ye felt something warm nuzzling his back. Turning, he saw a giant wolf with a golden mane, using its massive head to nudge him.
Qian Ye, both surprised and delighted, slapped the wolf’s head, saying, “Do you really think you’re a dog?”
The giant wolf spoke, “Ten thousand years ago, wolves and dogs were one and the same. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
Qian Ye, both annoyed and amused, grabbed the wolf’s scruff and shook it, “You are a werewolf, not a wolf!”
The giant wolf roared, baring its sharp fangs, “If you keep grabbing my scruff, I will turn on you!”
“Ruxi used to grab your scruff every day, didn’t she?”
“That’s different! She didn’t know who I was. What gives you the right?”
“I gave you bones.”
The giant wolf bristled, turning and snapping at Qian Ye’s hand. The bite was lightning-fast, but Qian Ye’s reaction was equally swift, pulling back just in time to avoid being bitten.
Qian Ye looked at the giant wolf, somewhat surprised, “Your strength has grown!”
The giant wolf huffed, “There are too many bad people nowadays. How can I survive without some strength?”
“You’ve grown too fast. Is it because of the bones?” Qian Ye mused.
The giant wolf lunged at Qian Ye’s leg, snarling, “Bones? It’s the Well of Stars!”
Qian Ye dodged, looking at the wolf, “You really act like a dog. Can you sit yet?”
The giant wolf, halfway into sitting, suddenly realized and became furious, leaping into the air and biting at Qian Ye’s neck from behind.
Qian Ye evaded again, quickly saying, “Let’s talk nicely! I won’t tell anyone.”
The giant wolf continued to huff, clearly still angry.
Qian Ye finally surrendered, “Stop biting me. What if I don’t dodge? Speaking of which, William, is this how you plan to talk to me?”
William stared at Qian Ye for a moment, then disappeared, reappearing in human form. He was as tall and handsome as ever, with wild golden hair and worn leather hunting gear, exuding a rugged and sunny aura.
Qian Ye looked him up and down, shaking his head, “I’m still not used to this. I can’t even… ” William’s murderous gaze cut off the rest.
In wolf form, William’s presence was almost undetectable. Qian Ye, lost in thought, hadn’t noticed his approach. In human form, his true aura was subtly revealed. After a long look, Qian Ye used his Dominance Eye to test him, revealing William’s true strength.
“An Honored Marquis?!” Qian Ye was incredulous. When they first met, William was not even a Gad Earl, and now he was an Honored Marquis, advancing faster than even the most talented humans.
“In the Well of Stars, I had some unusual experiences, absorbing star energy and breaking through several barriers. I stopped when I felt it was too fast. I will go there again if I have the chance,” William said nonchalantly.
Qian Ye, with malicious intent, guessed, “Unstable foundation?”
“How could it be! I am the first genius in the history of the Summit of Peaks. How could I make such a mistake?”
“The first genius in history, huh? That’s a title you just gave yourself, isn’t it? I need to rethink my relationship with the werewolves.”
“What do you mean?”
“If even you are the first genius, then the werewolves must be really weak.”
Unexpectedly, William did not argue, his expression darkening. “Yes, the werewolves are weak, have been for a thousand years, and we still can’t find the reason.”
Qian Ye, initially joking, changed the subject, “Why did you suddenly come to Yonglu? Don’t tell me it’s just for a stroll.”
“I came to find you.”
“Find me for what?”
“…To do business.”
Qian Ye scrutinized William, making him uneasy, then said, “An Honored Marquis, forsaking the vast new world to do business? Are you saying you’re the first genius in business?”
“Don’t change the subject! If not for your care for our people, I wouldn’t have come. Straight answer, deal or no deal?”
“What kind of business?”
“Do you need equipment? The Summit of Peaks has recently established workshops producing weapons and gear. I came to sell to you.”
“No thanks!” Qian Ye refused flatly.
“Why? You haven’t even seen my goods.” William was surprised.
Qian Ye bluntly replied, “Your craftsmanship is subpar. Even the Empire’s rejects are better. If I buy from the Evernight, why not from the blood race or demonic descendants? Their products are far superior.”
William’s confidence wavered, “We admit our past shortcomings, but we are catching up. Besides, who understands werewolves better than us? For werewolf equipment, you should buy from us.”
Qian Ye smiled, “That’s not true. Humans, the blood race, the demonic descendants, and even the spider demons understand werewolves better.”
William was taken aback. The true understanding of werewolves came from their age-old enemies.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage