Chapter 2509: Population Surge

After the news of Sima Rongjie’s death spread, the Sima Family’s Clan Leader and members of the Family’s Elder Council gathered in the family meeting hall.

At this moment in the meeting hall, there were not only members of the Sima Family but also an outsider. This outsider was an elder from Tianyin Building.

Previously, the Sima Family had no personal grudge against Jing Yan, and Hongmeng City wasn’t close to Dingyun City. In reality, Hongmeng City posed no threat to Dingyun City, at least not in the short term. The Sima Family truly had no reason to cause trouble in Hongmeng City. The Sima Family’s involvement was solely due to Tianyin Building.

“Group Leader Sima, elders!”

“This matter is indeed the oversight of Tianyin Building. Beforehand, we did not scrutinize the registration of the Hongmeng Cultivation Tower,” said the elder from Tianyin Building, with a gloomy expression.

Although the trouble stirred up in Hongmeng City was ostensibly led by Sima Rongjie, everyone with discernment knew that Tianyin Building was the true mastermind behind the scenes. In fact, the blow to Tianyin Building was arguably even greater than to the Sima Family. Tianyin Building’s Wu Ling was also killed by Jing Yan.

“What use is there in discussing this now?” Group Leader Sima glanced at Miao Yi.

Miao Yi was precisely the elder from Tianyin Building present there.

“Alas, who could have thought that the Hongmeng Cultivation Tower was truly a Heavenly Cultivation Tower!” an elder of the Sima Family sighed.

“Damn! Master Ru Yueyi unexpectedly went to Hongmeng City!” another elder said angrily.

“Master Ru Yueyi was invited by Gao Zhenjiang, an elder of the Golden Toad Commerce. Gao Zhenjiang has very deep ties with Master Ru’s family.” An elder mentioned Gao Zhenjiang, gritting his teeth.

“From the beginning, we were wrong in this matter. Even without Master Ru Yueyi traveling to Hongmeng City, the result wouldn’t have changed much. Jing Yan is extremely domineering, and while the Hongmeng Cultivation Tower is a Heavenly Cultivation Tower, its evaluation doesn’t necessarily require Master Ru Yueyi,” said the Sima Family Head.

“No matter how things are, without Master Ru Yueyi’s evaluation, our subsequent impact would have been much lessened,” an elder commented.

The others concurred.

The influence of Master Ru’s definitive evaluation on the Hongmeng Cultivation Tower was overwhelming.

To say nothing of anything else, in merely a day’s span, the news has thoroughly spread.

“Folks, what should be our next countermeasure?” Group Leader Sima’s gaze shifted, scanning those present.

“Sima Clan Leader, elders!” Miao Yi spoke again.

He paused, then continued, “To resort to force is unwise. Jing Yan in Hongmeng City is excessively strong unless we dispatch a large number of Immortal Venerable Peak Realm experts; otherwise, it won’t be fruitful. Additionally, even if our forces move out, the losses would be immense. Crucially, public opinion doesn’t favor us.”

“Are we just to let it go?” an elder asked unwillingly.

“Wait!” Miao Yi uttered heavily.

“Our best option is to wait,” Miao Yi looked at the people: “Yama Palace will eventually strike and annihilate Hongmeng City. However, a considerable waiting period is required.”

“Four Red-Clothed Killing Stars from Yama Palace were killed in Hongmeng City, slaughtered by that scoundrel Jing Yan. We have obtained some information that the Palace Master seems to have gathered the Black-Clothed ones in Chaotic Primordial Space. However… this might take tens of thousands of years,” Group Leader Sima frowned.

Tens of thousands of years is neither too long nor too short.

“Sima Clan Leader, forgive me for being blunt. It’s exceedingly unwise for the Sima Family to lead an attack on Hongmeng City. Even for us at Tianyin Building, it’s impossible to lead,” Miao Yi said.

Tianyin Building is a very special institution, and it does not possess many internal powerhouses. The Chief Building Owner of Tianyin Building is an Immortal Emperor, but he wouldn’t rashly annihilate a city in the Heavenly Domain.

“Hongmeng City has numerous enemies,” a Sima Family elder remarked, eyes twinkling.

“Indeed, the Eight Gods Pill Sect bears deep resentment against that little scoundrel Jing Yan, but the Eight Gods Pill Sect has always been enduring. If we now negotiate with the Eight Gods Pill Sect for a coalition against Hongmeng City, even if an agreement can be reached, it would be quite challenging,” Miao Yi shook his head.

A group of influential figures deliberated for days, yet the final consensus was still to continue waiting.

The core reason is that Jing Yan’s power is too formidable to easily contend with.

If we resort to force, the losses would be substantial, and success would be far from certain.

The relationships among superpowers within the Heavenly Domain are entangled and complicated; there are allies and foes among forces. If a significant operation against Hongmeng City occurs, it might very well trigger a chain reaction, leading to uncontrollable situations.

When the Hongmeng Pill Tower was rising, the Eight Gods Pill Sect was actually the most impacted, yet why did the Eight Gods Pill Sect persist in holding back and avoiding action? Is it out of reluctance to destroy Hongmeng City? Definitely not!

The truth is, flattening Hongmeng City presents significant challenges. Excessive self-induced losses might lead to the scenario where the mantis hunts the cicada, oblivious to the bird lurking behind.

Without absolute confidence, these superpowers wouldn’t rashly deploy numerous Immortal Venerable powerhouses into the depths of the Thunder Domain to strike Hongmeng City. These powers indeed have many internal powerhouses, but a significant portion of these powerhouses must defend their own stronghold. If the stronghold is left vulnerable, other forces might seize the opportunity and take control, leading to a situation where the stronghold is thoroughly seized by others, leaving them dumbfounded.

…

Hongmeng City, City Lord Mansion!

“City Lord, the active population of Hongmeng City has yesterday reached the threshold of twenty million,” Grand Steward Bai Han reported standing in front of Jing Yan.

At this moment, only seven days have passed since Master Ru Yueyi evaluated the Hongmeng Cultivation Tower as a Heavenly Cultivation Tower.

The influx of cultivators towards Hongmeng City is a clear fact. Yet, these cultivators need time to reach Hongmeng City.

Even the cultivators from Tianji City and other cities cannot relocate to Hongmeng City all at once. Even if they have the thought and made the decision, they must first handle their own private industries. Those adventurers without industries also need to undergo preparations.

Therefore, the influx wouldn’t suddenly peak.

The number of cultivators entering Hongmeng City daily is continuously increasing. As for how high the daily influx will peak, it’s still hard to say.

“Hmm, seems like it won’t be long before Hongmeng City can have a population of fifty million,” Jing Yan nodded.

“According to our predictions, perhaps within one or two months, the active population of Hongmeng City will reach fifty million,” Bai Han nodded.

“Today, within Hongmeng City, the price of standard small residences has soared to seven hundred million, more than doubled compared to before the opening of the Hongmeng Cultivation Tower,” Bai Han continued, “Even standard small residential courtyards in the outer city have reached six hundred million Black Crystal Stone per unit.”

“Director Niu Bo is already starting on the second phase of the outer city expansion. Various materials are being delivered continuously, and construction can begin within ten days,” Bai Han said with a smile.