King of Creation Chapter 1801 - 1786: Changes in Haiyuan

Other than the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, the surrounding states adjacent to the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy Office possess no other Ancient Teleportation Formation.

Lingzhou is two states away from Qing State, where the West Patrol Office is situated; this is the nearest location of an Ancient Teleportation Formation.

As per the regulations of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the army maintains control over Ancient Teleportation Formations located at borders, military strongholds, and within the Imperial Capital.

Control over other state and county Ancient Teleportation Formations is shared between the respective state and county administrations and the personnel of the Heavenly Patrol Department.

While state and county officials manage access and revenue from these formations, Heavenly Patrol Department personnel immerse themselves to gather intelligence.

However, a different system governs the Ancient Teleportation Formations found within enfeoffed nations.

Typically, these formations fall under the authority of the Heavenly Patrol Department personnel overseeing the region, who also manage the generated income. A portion of this revenue is then remitted to the national treasury by the Heavenly Patrol Department.

This share of income is remarkably substantial.

After deducting operational costs for teleportation, the annual profit can soar to tens of millions of High Grade Spiritual Stones. Even after surrendering seventy percent to the national treasury, a surplus of three million High Grade Spiritual Stones remains.

For any individual or faction, this represents a significant financial gain.

Yet, Ye Zhen's aspiration to control the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom's Ancient Teleportation Formation is not driven by these three million High Grade Spiritual Stones.

While considerable, this sum pales in comparison to the wealth Ye Zhen recently acquired from the Chii family after plundering the Dongxi Clan.

What truly captivates Ye Zhen is the strategic leverage provided by this Ancient Teleportation Formation.

Should Ye Zhen gain dominion over the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom's Ancient Teleportation Formation, his oversight of the governed territory would expand tremendously.

Critical moments would be met with significantly amplified reaction time.

Consider, for instance, the recent attempt by Xio Qiangu to frame Ye Zhen. Had it succeeded, imperial forces could have reached Haiyuan State City within a mere half hour to apprehend Ye Zhen.

With Dao Realm experts operating without cost constraints, the vanguard could reach North Sea County in approximately an hour.

However, if Ye Zhen controlled the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom's Ancient Teleportation Formation, any forces dispatched to capture him would be impeded at that point. They would be compelled to seek alternative routes, effectively halting their advance.

This strategic control could grant Ye Zhen at least half a day of crucial reaction time.

For opponents below the Dao Realm, this advantage would be prolonged even further.

Furthermore, each Ancient Teleportation Formation functions as a vital commercial hub.

Exploited effectively, such a hub not only slashes logistical expenses but also serves as a conduit for immense commercial intelligence.

Imagine the vast profits Ye Zhen could accumulate by leveraging this resource.

It can be said that behind every Ancient Teleportation Formation lie countless opportunities for prosperity, alongside hidden dangers and intense conflicts.

Moreover, within the current Great Zhou Dynasty, ordinary state and county Ancient Teleportation Formations, excluding those at borders and strategically important military sites, are largely influenced by powerful noble factions.

These are not just any noble powers; they predominantly comprise the Eight Council Princes and other preeminent noble clans.

Under normal circumstances, Ye Zhen's involvement with an Ancient Teleportation Formation would be virtually impossible.

Nevertheless, Xio Qiangu's recent predicament, coinciding with the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom's status as an enfeoffed nation, presented Ye Zhen with a fortuitous opportunity he seized.

Even if it caused Xio Qiangu considerable distress, he had no choice but to concede.

The immense pressure he faced left him with no alternative.

This matter necessitated a swift resolution; prolonging it risked not only further pressure but also his very position as the Head of the Xio Clan.

It is foreseeable that once Ye Zhen's Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy gains control of the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom's Ancient Teleportation Formation, procurement convoys traveling from North Sea County to various destinations will experience a significant reduction in both transit time and expenses.

This would not only enhance the prosperity of North Sea County but also benefit the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, which possesses a direct sea port. Materials procured from across the Great Zhou could reach the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom more rapidly and at a reduced cost. Through the privileges afforded to the Heavenly Patrol Department, these goods could then be transported directly to the Market of Dulong Island free of taxation.

It is anticipated that the commercial revenues for both the Market of Dulong Island and North Sea County will experience a substantial increase, likely multiplying.

From both a strategic and a commercial standpoint, securing the Ancient Teleportation Formation within the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom became a paramount objective for Ye Zhen, a prospect he had long desired. Previously, the opportunity had eluded him, but now, it was finally within his grasp. The acquisition of this formation promised an era of accelerated growth for Ye Zhen's burgeoning forces. Particularly significant was the temporary resolution of his dispute with Xio Qiangu. It was, admittedly, a peculiar turn of events. Only days prior, Ye Zhen and Xio Qiangu were locked in bitter animosity, with Xio Qiangu harboring a lethal intent towards Ye Zhen. Yet, now, Xio Qiangu had relented, leading to a state of mutual non-aggression. This reprieve allowed Ye Zhen to venture out without apprehension. Indeed, following the resolution of these pressing matters, Ye Zhen intended to journey south in pursuit of Caiyi, acting on the guidance provided by the Grand Venerable of the Five Immortals Heavenly Destiny Hall. This plan was entirely achievable. The existing Patrol Gold Order effectively shielded Ye Zhen from Xio Qiangu's direct actions under official pretenses. Furthermore, Emperor Ji Long's strategic deployment of the newly appointed West Patrol Third Route and Seventh Route Wind Patrol Envoys served as additional deterrents, effectively placing two more obstacles in Xio Qiangu's path. In the immediate future, Xio Qiangu's primary concern would undoubtedly be the removal of these new 'nails,' leaving him little room to meddle with Ye Zhen's affairs. Moreover, should West Patrol Xio Qiangu dare to conspire against Ye Zhen again, Ye Zhen vowed not to show leniency. Xio Qiangu had extricated himself from a significant predicament by receiving the departure of the ten thousand Demon Clan army from Spirit Shadow, courtesy of Ye Zhen. However, neither Xio Qiangu nor Emperor Ji Long had fathomed that this 'ten thousand' strong invading force was concealed within the Mirage Dragon Pearl adorning Ye Zhen's chest. Should Ye Zhen choose to act, or if Xio Qiangu overstepped his bounds, Ye Zhen would not hesitate to unleash the demon army once more, causing widespread devastation. In such a scenario, West Patrol Xio Qiangu, even if he survived, would suffer a grievous loss. Consequently, with this safeguard in place, Ye Zhen's North Sea County and his position as the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy were rendered exceptionally secure for the foreseeable future. With the safety of North Sea County assured, Ye Zhen planned to set sail, his initial objective being to address the Little Demon's dormant state. Some days prior, a message arrived from Mountain God Yi Xun of the Five Immortals Hall, indicating that the mysterious individual who had claimed the previous bounty had dispatched a Shadow Capture Jade Slip. This artifact contained information about an Innate Spiritual Object known as the Five Seed Pomegranate, confirming the sender's knowledge of the whereabouts of such powerful items. Yi Xun had advised Ye Zhen to investigate personally before committing to any exchange. Regrettably, Ye Zhen had been occupied with other matters and had not yet found the opportunity for this verification. Now, with a pocket of free time, Ye Zhen intended to proceed with awakening the Little Demon as swiftly as possible. The successful awakening of the Little Demon would not only drastically enhance Ye Zhen's cultivation speed but also potentially grant him the strength to contend even with experts at the Dao Realm. Just as Ye Zhen was preparing to depart, Heavenly Patrol Divine General Fengg Jiumo approached with an urgent report: "Master, an urgent dispatch has been received from Vice Envoy Liuu Feng of the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom." Ye Zhen's expression shifted, and he inquired, "What is the content of this urgent message?" "Master," Fengg Jiumo replied, "Vice Envoy Liuu reports unforeseen developments concerning the Ancient Teleportation Formation within the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom and requests your personal presence." "Developments regarding the Ancient Teleportation Formation in the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom?" Ye Zhen's countenance darkened considerably. This was a matter that unequivocally demanded his personal attention; it was of such importance that even a trip to Five Immortals Island would have to be postponed for him to return and manage it. "In that case, assemble a contingent and inform my 300 Sacrificial Guards to accompany me to the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom..." Before Ye Zhen could complete his instruction, Gu Tieqi, who was stationed in North Sea County, entered the chamber. He immediately announced, "Master, Mu Xu, the Hall Master of the Heavenly Temple Wood Hall, has personally requested an audience." "Mu Xu from the Heavenly Temple is here? What business does he have?" Ye Zhen expressed his surprise, accompanied by a wry smile. It seemed that just as he anticipated a moment of respite, more urgent matters arrived clamoring for his attention before he could even depart.