First Layer of the [Celestial Court], Jingzhe*.
As the sun manifested and traversed the sky, major cities gradually awakened, becoming bustling and lively. Streaks of light could be seen streaking across the sky.
This situation became more pronounced the closer one got to the center of the first layer, the [Ascension Platform].
And after entering the [Ascension Platform], which served as the hub between the first and second layers of the [Celestial Court], every inch of land was worth an inch of gold. One could no longer see mortals without cultivation.
Fang Yuan was one of them.
As a cultivator at the sixth layer of Qi Refining, about to break through to the late stage, his status on the first layer wasn't low, but it wasn't high either. He could be called middle class.
However, due to the exorbitant land prices of the [Ascension Platform], he couldn't afford a mansion in the city. He could only buy a house in a more remote mortal city, then wake up early and work late every day, flying via streak of light to the big city for work. On the way, he would stop at a medicine shop to take a spirit pill to replenish his consumed spiritual power.
"Haa!"
Upon entering the city, Fang Yuan took a deep breath, feeling that even the air was sweet. After all, this was all medicinal qi discharged from the factories in the city.
As a symbol of the [Celestial Court]'s immortal cultivation civilization, those massive exhaust vents discharged medicinal qi day and night. Although this medicinal qi was impurity left over from alchemy and harmful to cultivators at the great perfection of Qi Refining, for a middle-stage Qi Refining cultivator like him, it was excellent tonic.
"...Mmh."
In the next second, Fang Yuan suddenly held his breath. Although the air was sweet, if he inhaled too much, the Immortal Dao Pharmaceutical Company behind it would come to collect money.
Forget it, forget it. Being able to take a breath is already a blessing.
Even this is a benefit of being an employee of Immortal Dao Pharmaceuticals. How many people want to breathe it but can't?
Although his monthly salary left little after paying off loans, looking at his company's massive factory, Fang Yuan still puffed out his chest with pride.
Soon, he walked into the factory.
Work hadn't started yet at this time, so many employees were talking to each other. Fang Yuan pricked up his ears and quickly heard the content of their conversation:
"Have you heard the recent news?"
"Someone came from the upper layers!"
"It's said to be the Unorthodox Alliance, a super group with industries spanning the entire first layer. They want to promote a financial product to help us in the first layer escape poverty and become wealthy."
"It seems to be called... right, it's called [Carefree Talisman]!"
"It's said to be an advanced version of the Unorthodox immortal talisman. It just went on sale, and the exchange rate is 1:5. The purity is very high, the quality is excellent, and it will appreciate in value in the future!"
"Real or fake?"
"Sounds pretty amazing. Look, the news says so too: Huge benefits! Carefree Talisman breaks the monopoly of immortal talismans, it is the last bastion of the spirit of freedom."
"Tens of millions of [Celestial Court] people have changed their lives because of the Carefree Talisman. In the next ten years, this number is bound to double... My older brother's second sister's best friend works in an industry under the Unorthodox Alliance. She has insider information saying that the Unorthodox Alliance plans to fully replace Unorthodox immortal talismans with Carefree Talismans in the future."
"So the earlier you buy, the higher the multiplier!"
"If you buy late, when the Unorthodox Alliance has almost finished the replacement and switched completely to Carefree Talismans, then no matter how many Unorthodox immortal talismans you have in hand, they will be worthless..."
These were the discussions of the young employees.
Fang Yuan pondered in his heart, then turned his gaze to look at some employees whose files indicated they had families. Their discussions were entirely different:
"It is said that the Carefree Talisman was established by a perfected lord from the upper layers who just attained the dao and holds authority over the universe."
"That is a benevolent great master."
"I heard that all the noble people who came down from the upper layers this time are disciples of the [Righteous Dao] under the rule of that great master. They are here to benefit us!"
"Benefit? how? Raise salaries?"
"Actually, there's no need. I feel we are quite happy now. The salary is enough to spend, and living to a hundred years without illness or disaster is a life not lived in vain."
"No ambition!"
"You lived a life not in vain, but what about your son? Daughter? Grandchildren? What will they do when they look for jobs in the future? Can you introduce jobs to them?"
"Uh..."
"In short, I secretly inquired. The [Righteous Dao] created by that great master came down this time to carry out education and training work. There are course services at different price points. Even if you take the lowest-priced course, as long as you listen, it can guarantee you a good job in the future!"
"Even the lowest price guarantees a job?"
"Of course. Even if you can afford the highest-priced course, the announcement of the [Righteous Dao] says it guarantees you can ascend and go to the second layer!"
"Really!?"
Gradually, the atmosphere became more fervent.
Seeing this scene, Fang Yuan nodded in satisfaction. Then he took out a communication jade slip from his robe and sent a message to his superior:
[Public opinion is normal. The news has spread.]
Soon, the superior replied with a thumbs-up.
—That's right. As the manager of the factory's Human Resources Department, Fang Yuan recently received a task— to fully cooperate in promoting the Carefree Talisman and the [Righteous Dao] education and training.
For this, he had secretly spread information for a long time.
It seemed very successful now.
Thinking of this, a smile couldn't help but appear on Fang Yuan's face: It seems this month's bonus should be in hand. After paying off the loan, I can save some money.
Save money for what?
After thinking it over, Fang Yuan took out the intelligence related to the Carefree Talisman and the [Righteous Dao] with a bit of curiosity and began to read carefully.
…
"Not bad, very good."
At the edge of the Second Layer Continent, by a cliff.
Lu Yang stood with his hands behind his back, quietly overlooking the vast land of the first layer below. The myriad states of mortal life flowed in his eyes.
Soon, a streak of light descended. It was Banshan.
"Fellow Daoist Ming He, there is one thing I don't understand."
Lu Yang smiled. "Please speak, Fellow Daoist."
Banshan didn't stand on ceremony and said directly, "Why do you focus the main promotion of the Carefree Talisman on the first layer? The first layer is full of mortals; there's no value to squeeze."
"Fellow Daoist is wrong."
Lu Yang shook his head. "These are all moldable talents of my [Celestial Court]. I'm actually surprised that no one thought of utilizing them before."
During this time, Lu Yang had gained a deeper understanding of the [Celestial Court].
That Immortal Venerable Taiyin... is a bit too laid-back. He only created the currency of the great dao immortal talisman but didn't fully unleash its power.
He had to admit, the great dao immortal talisman was very successful in domesticating Unorthodox perfected lords. But that was because Unorthodox perfected lords were still perfected lords after all and posed a threat to the [Celestial Court], so they were targeted.
As for foundation establishment, and even lower qi refining cultivators and mortals, the attitude of the [Celestial Court] was closer to free-rearing.
Dividing into nine layers was essentially the same as dumping garbage.
Qi refining cultivators and mortals were dumped on the first layer to fend for themselves—out of sight, out of mind. Those with talent and background were sent to the second through fifth layers for proper education and cultivation.
The result was that the social environment of the [Celestial Court] was quite peaceful.
Abundant resources, extremely high productivity, and the absolute powerhouse Immortal Venerable Taiyin reduced the conflicts between cultivators to an inconceivable level.
This is simply a waste!
Such a huge first layer, so many talents, yet every one of them is content with their lot, completely lacking the fighting spirit of cultivation, only thinking about lying flat and passing their days.
Such a massive market was wasted just like that?
What a sin!
Lu Yang was heartbroken: And I previously thought this place was related to the Primordial Saint Sect... Now it seems they only learned a little bit of the Saint Sect's superficial knowledge at most!
The [Celestial Court] is incompetent; it seems I must come out of seclusion!
Thinking of this, Lu Yang immediately glanced at Banshan and said in a deep voice, "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist. This is just the first step. It is the primitive accumulation of capital."
"The storm is only showing its first signs."
"But given time, it is bound to sweep across the entire [Celestial Court]!"
TN:
This is the 3rd of the 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese Calendar, starting around March 5