Chapter 255 - 151: The Mortal Realm’s Grand Plan Is Taking Shape

It would be used to stabilize the Bridge.

He had found quite a few Exotic Treasures from the Jiangnan Shui Family, so tossing in the one with the lowest value wasn't difficult.

The upgrade required 100 Ghost Stones and one Exotic Treasure of any grade.

Upgraded to Level 2.

The surface of the Bridge widened a bit, and the overall structure became sturdier.

A panel popped up before him.

-

"The Bridge has been upgraded to Level 2."

"This building has no Upgrade Direction."

"With each upgrade, the Bridge's structure will become sturdier, and its surface will become wider."

-

A sturdier structure meant a lower risk of the Bridge collapsing in the event of strong winds, high waves, floods, or mudslides. The Jiangnan Shui Family's original Bridge had only been Level 1.

The upgrade cost wasn't expensive.

But the Jiangnan Shui Family had been unwilling to pay for it.

Perhaps they felt there was no point in making the Bridge sturdier, or perhaps they simply didn't know the upgrade requirements.

After continuously tossing in nine Exotic Treasures and spending a total of 5,000 Ghost Stones, he had upgraded the Bridge before him to Level 10.

In other words, Max Level.

The changes after reaching Max Level were immense. The entire structure became even sturdier, with several new piers appearing beneath it, making it look far more solid. The surface widened, and the handrails were now covered in intricate carvings.

Overall, it became more beautiful.

And larger.

Compared to the nearly collapsing bridge next to it, this one was on a completely different level.

-

"The Bridge has been upgraded to Level 10."

"Max Level has been reached. No further upgrades are possible."

"Acquired Max Level Effect 'Safe Journey': All living beings who cross the Bridge will receive the 'Safe Journey' effect for twelve hours, slightly increasing their travel speed."

-

"..."

Chen Fan stood there looking at the Bridge before him and smiled. This was the first bridge in the Mortal Realm, which meant the domain's territory had expanded a little.

Wherever the Copper Pipes were laid, that was the territory of the Mortal Realm.

The Copper Pipes were connected to this Bridge.

This meant the Bridge was also a building of the Mortal Realm.

The "Bridge" was a building that consumed no energy. Once built, it didn't require Ghost Stones to maintain, nor did it need to be placed within the camp's boundaries. Compared to other buildings that had to be placed within the camp, it was quite special.

This was also the Mortal Realm's eighth Max Level Building.

The effect was pretty good.

He just wondered if it could also buff the speed of the High-speed Rail.

In truth, a Level 1 Bridge would have been sufficient.

But since the Mortal Realm had replaced the Jiangnan Shui Family and taken on the responsibility for all bridges between Jiangnan and Jiangbei, he had to make a statement.

If he could have a Max Level Bridge, he wasn't going to settle for a Level 1 Bridge.

At the very least, this bridge with the highest traffic had to be impressive.

He glanced around, his gaze finally landing on a somewhat terrified Jiangnan Shui Family guard not far away. He beckoned with his hand. "You, come here."

"Domain Lord Chen."

The Jiangnan Shui Family guard hurried over, standing his ground apprehensively.

"Are you willing to join the Mortal Realm?"

"?"

The guard first froze on the spot, then a flash of ecstasy appeared in his eyes. "I'm willing! Willing! Of course I'm willing!"

"Good."

Chen Fan nodded and pointed to the nearby Bridge. "The Mortal Realm will establish a station here to maintain all the bridges upstream and downstream. I'll be heading downstream to build more bridges in a bit."

"You will be the station master."

"There aren't enough people, so you'll have to recruit them yourself from the surrounding area."

"I'll give you ten spots. These ten people will also be official members of the Mortal Realm with a monthly salary of 100 Ghost Stones each. In a few days, the Mortal Realm will send your Identity Token, a standard uniform, and arrange for some Skeleton Horses for you."

"Do you have any objections?"

"None, none at all."

The guard's face was pure ecstasy. Even as he tried to suppress his joy and appear calmer, he couldn't stop grinning from ear to ear. "One hundred Ghost Stones is already a lot! I've never received such a high monthly salary."

"Rest assured, Domain Lord Chen, I'll definitely get this done right!"

"..."

Chen Fan gave the guard a strange look. "The monthly salary of 100 Ghost Stones is for the other ten people, not for you."

"You're the station master. Your monthly salary will be higher."

"Three hundred Ghost Stones per month."

"Lower the toll for ordinary merchant caravans to 1 Ghost Stone. Don't charge so much; it affects trade between the two regions. The High-speed Rail doesn't have to pay any tolls."

"Someone will come at a fixed time each month to collect the tolls."

"For everything else, just carry on as usual. Regularly inspect the bridges upstream and downstream for any signs of collapse. If there's an emergency, report it immediately."

"I don't have a spare Sound Transmission Talisman for you right now. In a few days, someone will come to get you fully equipped."

"Any other questions?"

"No questions at all! I fully accept the Mortal Realm's arrangements!"

the guard declared, each word firm and decisive!

'My ancestors must be smiling down on me.'

'I'll have to burn some good offerings for them when I get back.'

A monthly salary of 300 Ghost Stones... just the thought of it was enough to take his breath away.

He knew the monthly salary for the Jiangbei station was 10 Ghost Stones. The conditions in Jiangnan were better, but even there, the station master's monthly salary was only 20 Ghost Stones.

The main reason was that being a station master was a dangerous job. They were stationed out in the desolate wilderness, with nothing but ghosts for company.

As a guard for the Jiangnan Shui Family, all he did was collect tolls. It wasn't dangerous, and his usual monthly salary was just 10 Ghost Stones a month.

It was enough for him to live on.

But now...

Three hundred Ghost Stones. His salary had increased 30-fold.

He had always heard that the people of the Mortal Realm worked extremely hard. Everyone who went to Mortal City said the same thing: the members of the Mortal Realm were truly diligent, on a completely different level from the listless subordinates in their own factions.

Before, he hadn't understood.

He could understand that the Mortal Realm was powerful, but he couldn't understand why its people worked so hard.

Now, he understood!