Chapter 256 Gu Yuena's Plan_2

Creak.

Just at that moment, the heavy doors of the hall were pushed open.

Qin Xiao strode in.

He wore a smile on his face and greeted everyone, "It's been a long time, everyone."

Immediately, the expressions on everyone's faces became animated.

There was excitement, admiration, longing, awe, respect...

In the past three years, too many things had happened; they had so much to say but didn't know where to start.

Qin Xiao waved his hand and said with a smile, "Don't rush. I won't be leaving again this time. We have plenty of time to talk. Why don't we sit down and discuss?"

"That would be most appropriate."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

However, as they noticed Qin Xiao about to casually take a seat, someone promptly spoke up to stop him.

"Wait."

The Star Luo Retired Emperor hurriedly said, "That's not your place..."

Then, he extended his hand to point at the head of the long table, to the chair right in the center, "That's where you belong."

"E..."

Qin Xiao paused for a moment.

There was no doubt that it was the seat of honor.

"I think it's better not to. I'm quite comfortable sitting here."

"Qin Xiao, given your identity, status, and strength, you truly deserve to sit there."

"Yes, Qin Xiao, only you in that seat is what everyone expects. Who else is qualified?"

"If you're not sitting there, we might as well all stand while you sit alone for our discussion."

Qiandaoliu, Ning Fengzhi, Poseissi, Liu Erlong, and others spoke up one after another.

You should know, that position had been vacant for years, just waiting for today.

In the Council Hall, as the words of the crowd fell, it fell silent.

What needed to be said had been said, and they were all waiting for Qin Xiao's response.

'It seems they won't be at ease unless I take that seat.'

Qin Xiao understood everyone's thoughts and then rose to his feet.

Of course.

If Qin Xiao didn't want to, no one could force him.

But in the eyes of everyone, the person sitting in the main seat would possess the highest honor in Soul Land.

The power to veto any proposal from the council members.

Yet Qin Xiao didn't care.

Because whether he sat in that seat or not, he had such capabilities.

Moreover.

To him, that chair was indeed just a chair.

It had no additional value.

"I am flattered by your regard. I shall humbly comply with your wishes," he said.

After the polite words, he stepped up to the main seat and slowly sat down.

Little did they know, as he plopped down onto the seat, everyone's heart settled as well.

"Can everyone sit down and talk now?" Qin Xiao asked with a smile.

"Of course."

"That's only right."

"..."

With smiles on their faces, people hurriedly took their seats.

Qin Xiao said, "You don't have to be so formal with me. I just want to have a casual talk with everyone and listen to the changes over these past few years."

"Then allow me to begin…" Qiandaoliu said cheerfully.

After that, he recounted the major events of the past few years to Qin Xiao.

It was pretty much the same as what Liu Erlong had said.

The first point was about the thriving Thunder Emperor City.

The population of the inner and outer city combined had reached a staggering one million.

Among them, the number of Soul Masters in the inner city was as high as 150,000!

Such an enormous number of Soul Masters was two to three times higher than what Spirit City could accommodate at its peak.

Note, this is about accommodating, not the total number of Soul Masters Spirit City ever had.

And this was just a part of the Douluo Federation's Soul Master population.

Today on Soul Land, the true number of Soul Masters had exceeded 500,000.

That is double the number before the disaster struck.

"Although nearly sixty percent of these Soul Masters have awakened their powers in recent years, their innate soul power rank, and the quality of their Martial Souls are much stronger than those in the past... the future is promising!"

Qiandaoliu became increasingly animated as he spoke.

After listening to Qiandaoliu's words, Qin Xiao nodded slightly, indeed, the future was promising.

When these Soul Masters truly grow up, the overall strength of Soul Land would have increased by several times compared to before.

"This requires one to admire the foresight of the Great Priest back then. If he hadn't proposed the free awakening of Martial Souls for all children in Soul Land, we wouldn't have such a prosperous age."

At this moment, Ning Fengzhi's voice, full of admiration, resounded.

He wasn't just being polite.

Rather, he truly believed Qiandaoliu was correct.

It must be known that under this plan, their Seven Treasures Glaze Sect, along with many Soul Master Families and academies, were also beneficiaries.

Now, the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect had as many as ten thousand Soul Masters, a full five times the number from before.

And the number of Soul Masters in each major Soul Master Family and academy had at least doubled since then.

Had these Soul Master Families remained as complacent and confined as before, how could they have reaped such great benefits?

The second thing was a change brought about by the proposal of Emperor Qinghe before he left.

Because of the rotational duties, the officials of the various cities were working with particular diligence.

As long as it was a policy issued by the Douluo Federation, they would surely complete it with all their might.

Beyond that, the disaster relief funds and food distributed by the Douluo Federation, not a single Copper soul coin was taken, not a grain of rice was left—it was all delivered into the hands of the people.

Why do this? The reason is quite simple.

After all, with only a three-year term, one couldn't establish any real foundation.

And with Ning Fengzhi as the 'Minister of Finance', who would dare to be sneaky?

Wouldn't that be courting disaster upon oneself?

Therefore, they had to be clean, making sure future successors couldn't grasp any handle against them.

In other words, even if someone harboured ill intentions, they wouldn't have the guts to act on it.

Afterward, everyone discussed one matter after another.

Qin Xiao couldn't help but sigh, realizing that it wasn't just him striving, but everyone was striving.

It's just that he was striving to become stronger.

The others were striving to make the world a better place.

But Qin Xiao didn't feel ashamed.

He was never the type to consider the happiness of the whole world his responsibility, embodying selfless nobility.

Even though he possessed God Rank cultivation, he was still a commoner at heart.

"Besides this, Mr. Ning has another matter to discuss, though I'm not sure if it's appropriate to speak of."

Seeing the topic drawing to a close, Ning Fengzhi spoke up again.

Qin Xiao gave a slight smile, "If that's the case, then let's not talk about it."

Ning Fengzhi: "..."

He realized that his modest remark was indeed overly modest.

Facing someone like Qin Xiao, it was better to cut to the chase.

"No, I've decided it's necessary to speak on it, this concerns the cultivation of all the Soul Masters in Soul Land and is not a matter to be taken lightly."

"Continue, then."

"Something recently occurred in the Aquipeia Forest, where the soul beasts have become extremely ferocious. Even high cultivation level soul beasts are leading a beast tide, driving all the Soul Masters inside the forest to the edges."

"Oh? Such a matter has arisen?"

Qin Xiao showed a surprised expression.

He was genuinely astonished.

Could it be that the Soul Beast Overlords hiding deep within the Aquipeia Forest had emerged?

Of course, the Overlords weren't a big deal. Qin Xiao suspected it might be that Soul Beast Regent, the Dragon God's half soul—Gu Yuena—had revived in full?

Otherwise, even with the Azure Oxpython's insignificant power, it wouldn't dare to be so brazen even if lent a hundred times the courage.

"Has anyone been sent to investigate?" Qin Xiao asked further.

"Titled Douluo powerhouses have gone, but as soon as they set foot deep into the forest, they felt a fatal threat and were too frightened to proceed."

"Hmm, this is becoming more and more plausible..." Qin Xiao murmured softly, his interest piqued.

That was the Silver Dragon King, equivalent to half a Dragon God when at full strength and also a breathtaking beauty.

Of course.

The beauty wasn't important. Qin Xiao was more interested in Gu Yuena's cultivation level, which might provide some assistance to him.

"You need not worry about this matter. In a couple of days, I'll go and see for myself what exactly is happening."

As Qin Xiao spoke, everyone was overjoyed.

"Good, taking this opportunity, I also have something to announce."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions immediately tensed.

Everyone knew that if Qin Xiao spoke up, it must be a significant event that would shake Soul Land, not to be underestimated.

"Ahem."

Qin Xiao cleared his throat, "There's no need to look at me like that. We're not facing an invasion, nor are we invading others...

I just want to say, I'm getting married."