Only after unifying the world did I realize that immortals existed in this world.

Chapter 98 Social Change, Demonic Sect Attack

Xie Cangrong looked to the other side: "Qi Qing!"

Qi Xiu, his expression calm, stepped forward and said, "The Great Xia Code has been printed in thousands of copies and is being distributed throughout the Great Xia. All officials of the Great Xia can use its rules to arrest criminals."

The power to protect the nation, with the imperial seal as its eye, is meant to defend against foreign enemies and safeguard the Great Xia, without affecting its own people.

What truly restrained his own people was the second thing Xie Cangrong said during the sacrificial ceremony.

Laws and regulations will not always apply, and civilized values ​​may slowly change with the environment and the times. What people generally accepted in the past may no longer be accepted in the future.

Therefore, the rules of law cannot be integrated into the universe, otherwise civilization would die. It is merely the law of the human dynasty, and it will be continuously compiled and modified in the future.

At that time, Xie Cangrong faced little pressure, but correspondingly, the effectiveness of this oath was also weak, and crimes committed by people within the Great Xia territory were not subject to much restraint.

During the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven, the Great Xia Code, stamped with the national seal, is the general outline of the dynasty's laws. In a sense, it is also a ritual artifact forged by Xie Cangrong, a culmination of Legalism.

Within the territory of Great Xia, everyone, regardless of their status, must abide by the law.

Holding this legal code, even without power, the officials of the Great Xia Dynasty have the authority to judge criminals and can use the power of the rules to suppress cultivators.

During this period, Qi Xiu led the legal scholars of the Law Bureau to make copies of it using their cultivation power. Although they were not as powerful as the original, they still had their uses. They were distributed throughout the Great Xia region and could also help the government arrest criminals.

Some people break the rules, while others reinforce them.

Only in this way can order be established.

This pain is only temporary; things will get better in the future.

"good!"

Xie Cangrong nodded slightly. He looked at the old man who had been nearly driven to death by him during the previous sacrificial ceremony because of the issue of etiquette: "Minister Zhang, with the Imperial Academy as the center, the central academies in each region should be established as soon as possible. The curriculum should focus on Confucianism, etiquette, law, mathematics, and mechanical craftsmanship. If there are talents who are proficient in agriculture or medicine, they should be specially trained in different categories."

For the Great Xia to undergo reform, education is naturally indispensable.

This was something Xie Cangrong had discussed with Cui Che before the sacrificial ceremony.

Xie Cangrong is the leader. He is responsible for guiding the direction of progress and issuing orders. Behind his simple words lies the operation of countless human and material resources.

The old man didn't know what the future held, but he could only obey orders. He swayed slightly and then replied, "Yes."

Xie Cangrong paused for a moment, then said, "Announce to the world that this year's imperial examinations, in addition to the usual civil and military examinations, will include a special talent selection. I will personally oversee the final assessment. All talented and ambitious individuals are welcome to come to Lieyang. I guarantee that they will be able to realize their aspirations to the greatest extent possible."

The benefits of change are often delayed, lagging behind the chaos caused by villains.

Even if the most talented people in the world have an epiphany or awaken, what they pursue is not necessarily to become officials or to enter the Great Xia system. What they may want is to open up their own path and establish their own lineage.

This won't do!

The Great Xia still faces external enemies and cannot afford to develop slowly.

Improving the overall quality and wisdom of the people will enhance the national strength of the Great Xia Dynasty, which is certainly what Xie Cangrong wants, but this is destined to be a long process.

For now, what he wants is to have all the heroes of the world under his control, and for the nation to be the largest power institution on this land, possessing the highest authority and the greatest ability to allocate resources.

Only by bringing these talented and ambitious individuals into the Great Xia can they receive resource allocation, maximize their strength, and promote national development in the fastest and most efficient way.

This is a process of mutual achievement between the Great Xia Dynasty and its cultivators.

If we were to choose a specific point in this process where the Great Xia Dynasty reaped the benefits of the changes, it would only be scientific expeditions.

Xie Cangrong glanced at Ji Qu and said in a deep voice, "Ji Qing, you and Zhang Qing will be responsible for this matter together."

After Liu Bingxuan left Great Xia with the cultivators, the position of Minister of Personnel became vacant. Xie Cangrong promoted Ji Qu to be in charge of the affairs of Great Xia officials.

Ji Qu smiled with narrowed eyes, bowed and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."

After finishing this matter, Xie Cangrong let out a soft sigh.

He sat in the main seat and addressed the group, saying, "Gentlemen, this transformation will bring about a leap forward in the productivity of the Great Xia."

"In that case, many of the ideas that I shelved back then can now be implemented."

Everyone's expression turned solemn.

This brilliant and ambitious monarch had countless ideas. It was as if he had the vision of the future; he was never confused, always grasping the direction forward, never satisfied, and never stopping.

He was like a madly galloping chariot, too brave, too radical. No one knew whether this chariot would drag the Great Xia into the light or plunge it into an abyss.

However, they knew that this monarch's eyes were set on the light. Following him meant at least seeing the light; failing to do so meant being abandoned by him and crushed by the tides of time.

"If even one person can help increase our dynasty's grain production in this imperial examination, then I will establish factories and promote the transformation of the Great Xia's national strength."

Currently, the Great Xia's technology tree is still in the middle of the steam age. Research on internal combustion engines and electricity has begun, but progress is slow. The Great Xia is still an agricultural society, and there are no large-scale factories being built domestically. Building one Shenwu ship has basically emptied Xie Cangrong's coffers.

However, the emergence of cultivators, the appearance of spirit stones, and the changes in the world became an opportunity.

As Gong Qiao had told him before, choosing one thing does not mean abandoning the other; the two can be integrated and progress together.

If food productivity can be increased dramatically, then we won't need so many farmers, and that manpower can be used for other things.

He wanted to propel the Great Xia from an agricultural society to an industrial society, unleashing its full potential.

In this way, he can mass-produce steel, build roads, manufacture vehicles, ships, and airships—combining this with the skills of cultivators, he might bring unimaginable changes to the Great Xia Dynasty.

Transportation, manufacturing, and communications will all make leaps and bounds.

While the Great Xia state apparatus was frantically operating to cope with the changes, on the other hand...

Dark clouds covered the sky, thunder rumbled, and a chilling, bloody wind swept across the southwestern islands of Crane Cry Continent.

"Is that the Southwest Abyss Sea?"

"Li Shanhai, your sect's disciples just abducted a living person from my sect. What is the meaning of this?!"

"The poisonous miasma stretching for thousands of miles is truly terrifying."

"How's it going now? Are all of our people here?"

"Let's cross the sea quickly! If the people from the Immortal Alliance arrive, we'll be in trouble."

The village built by the fishermen has now become a dead zone.

Flags fluttered in the wind, and strange and unpredictable people were stationed here.

In the square in the center of the village, amidst the corpses scattered everywhere, several figures with powerful auras sat together.

Some of them were entirely red and covered in tumors.

Some were waving bones, covered in blood.

Some people have bizarre facial features, and their appearance is often displaced.

Someone had bloodshot eyes and a murderous aura.

In short, there aren't many that look like humans.

The methods of demonic cultivation are strange and unpredictable, and when applied to them, they give off an aura that keeps strangers at bay.

They have gathered here for one purpose only.

Cross the southwestern seas to reach that long-desired, fertile land, occupy it, and establish a free land for your sect.

Compared to the righteous path of the Immortal Alliance, these people are much more unrestrained and wild.

The leader was a middle-aged man with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a kind face, who seemed somewhat out of place among the group of demons and monsters.

It appears that way, but in reality, he is the most dangerous among these people. His name is Li Shanhai, the sect leader of the Blood Sea Sect, and the leader who called on the Demonic Sect to march west. He personally leads the charge and is currently the most powerful force in the Demonic Sect's expeditionary army.

His own strength is beyond doubt; he has already cultivated the Blood Sea Demon Art to a state of perfection.

He glanced at the man complaining to him and said calmly, "Dead bones, stop complaining. Once we cross the abyss, I will repay you a hundredfold."

"snort!"

The other party just grunted and didn't respond.

He glanced at everyone and asked, "How many of us are there in total?"

"My Bone Blade Sect has five hundred disciples, three sixth-realm elders, and one seventh-realm elder."

"My Soul Refining Sect has three hundred disciples, and another one hundred are on their way, along with two sixth-realm elders and one seventh-realm elder."

"My Corpse Heart Sect has six hundred disciples—"

As the crowd finished speaking, the number of demonic sect members going on the expedition gradually became more unified.

"This place is so much better! The spiritual energy is so abundant; it's truly enviable."

"If Crane Cry Continent is like this, what must Deer Spirit Continent be like?"

"I've never been here before!"

"It doesn't matter, the Fifth Continent is even better! The Fifth Continent must have been a gift from the Demon Ancestor!"

The Demonic Sect's cohesion is not as strong as the Immortal Alliance's; they mostly fight independently. Only when the Immortal Alliance launches a large-scale invasion will they unite under the call of the Blood Slaughter Holy Sect.

-

Most of the smaller sects lacked the power to directly confront the major sects of the Immortal Alliance. This time, they managed to gather their strength and break through the Blood Slaughter Sacred Continent, which made everyone feel quite emotional.

"Why aren't the Taihua School and the Wuxiang School here?"

To their surprise, the journey went very smoothly, crossing the vast ocean and the southern part of Hemingzhou without encountering any obstacles.

The Taihua Sect and Wuxiang Chan Sect in the surrounding area sealed off their territory, seeking only self-preservation and having no intention of attacking them.

Upon hearing this, Li Shanhai frowned: "Perhaps there is some kind of trickery involved. The Immortal Alliance is full of cunning people, so we must be careful."

Someone spoke up: "I don't know about Taihua, but I do know about the Wuxiang Zen sect. Cihui has fallen! Even the Great Sage White Elephant has defected! They can't even take care of themselves!"

"Cihui is dead?! Tsk tsk tsk, that old bald monk deserved it!"

"How did Cihui die?"

"I don't know! I've heard it's related to the Fifth Continent."

Li Shanhai frowned upon hearing this.

He actually knew some of the rumors, and he knew that the Fifth Continent was not simple.

But he had no choice!

The immortal sect already had a distance advantage; if they succeeded again, it would be too late.

He must keep moving forward. If he succeeds, the Demonic Sect will rise in the Great Xia Dynasty, and his Blood Sea Sect will become the leader of the Demonic Path.

Wealth can be very tempting.

The countless living beings and the vast spiritual energy and veins—the Fifth Continent was too tempting for them, enough to blind them and make countless people ignore any unfavorable factors.

Whatever the secrets behind it, he had to take this step.

No matter how strange it is, the Fifth Continent is ultimately just a secular dynasty called Great Xia! With the strength they have gathered now, they are more than capable of taking down a medium-sized immortal sect. How could they possibly fail to conquer a dynasty without the protection of an immortal sect?

"Li Shanhai, how do we get through this poisonous miasma? Is there a way?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shanhai shook his head: "I don't know either."

The two most troublesome challenges on this journey are the obstruction from the Immortal Alliance and the vast poisonous miasma.

He didn't take Da Xia's resistance seriously.

Now that the first hurdle seems to be overcome, all that's left is to solve the second problem.

The Great Xia is absolutely amazing!

This poisonous miasma is practically a natural barrier.

If they were to conquer Great Xia and occupy the Fifth Continent, they would still have this barrier to protect them and wouldn't need to worry about attacks from the Immortal Alliance.

"What?! What do we do then?"

Li Shanhai looked southwest, his gaze piercing through space to see the endless abyss and the shrouded mist, as if a ferocious beast was lurking there, ready to devour him.

He paused for a moment and then said, "Only those who have cultivated demonic thoughts at the sixth level or above can be corrupted by the poisonous miasma."

"Cultivators below the sixth realm will only be suppressed by magical power, appearing like mortals. They can recover as long as they pass through the poisonous miasma. We do not have a cloud boat, so we must be careful of the demonic beasts lurking in the abyss sea."

"Now, we will send out 3,000 disciples below the sixth realm. Since Great Xia has no immortal sects to protect it, as long as 1,000 disciples can break through the poisonous miasma, we can conquer Great Xia."

"Our Lord remains here to guard against an attack by the Immortal Alliance, which could cut off our return route."

"After we conquer the Great Xia, we will then devise a way to cross the Abyss!"

"If all else fails!"

He gritted his teeth, a fierce look on his face: "So what if I lose all my cultivation? I'll force my way through the poisonous miasma to the Fifth Continent!"

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