Sometimes, when a ruthless cultivator caused havoc within the city, the City Lord's Manor was responsible for apprehending them. If the offender was truly vicious, it wasn't uncommon for the entire city guard to be wiped out.
In the Crimson Kite Territory, maintaining order had always come at a steep cost.
2. Spirit Fields.
Outside the city lay eighty thousand qing of spirit farmland. Forty thousand had been cultivated by experts from the Blood Reversal Sect during Spiritridge City's founding and remained under the City Lord's Manor. The other forty thousand were developed later and privately owned.
These fields primarily grew spirit rice. Given the city's five-year tribute cycle, the main crop was the first-tier spirit rice [Green Origin Rice], which matured every two and a half years.
Perfect for two harvests per cycle. The rice was sold to the local Goldfull Pavilion branch, generating over a million spirit stones every five years. After deducting costs—seeds, labor, fertilizer—the net profit hovered around 800,000.
Though Wang Yu had emptied the manor's vaults, there were still three thousand Qi Refining stage spirit farmers outside the city. The three major clans also employed many, though their combat power was negligible and didn't count toward the city's defensive strength.
Among them were remnants of the Tuoba Clan and survivors who hadn't been present during the purge.
Wang Yu had issued an extermination order. If the Bai Clan had any sense, they'd seek redemption through service. If not, the Guan and Jiang Clans would gladly carry out the purge to earn favor.
So he wasn't in a rush to act. As for the third source of income for the City Lord's Manor—it came from nearby sects.
3. Inkveil Gate, Fragrant Doctrine, Violet Dragon Mountain.
These three Core Formation sects were permitted to establish branches in Spiritridge City and sell their wares. In addition to standard taxes, they paid land usage fees.
Ten thousand spirit stones per sect every five years—thirty thousand total. Smaller sects like Spirit Vulture Gate also participated, paying based on land usage: either thirty or fifty thousand.
Bit by bit, over a five-year cycle, this added up to fifty or sixty thousand.
These three income streams brought the City Lord's Manor close to three million spirit stones every five years. That was the value of a fertile territory—far surpassing the city's three major clans.
But these ledgers were from Zhuo Kuangsheng's era.
During Tuoba Lei's century-long usurpation, the Core Formation sects hadn't paid a single coin. The three clans used every trick to evade taxes. Even the outer spirit fields had been encroached upon.
Retaining half was considered lucky. Such was the cost of lacking true backing. Wang Yu could only grit his teeth at the loss.
Of course, managing a city wasn't just about revenue.
Expenditures were significant.
City Guard: 3,000 personnel Patrol Corps: 1,000 Spirit Farmers: 5,000 Personal Guard: 100 Servants and Staff: 500
Nearly ten thousand people to support. At least one million spirit stones in expenses every five years. Since the City Lord position was created, the ranks had never been fully staffed.
Then there was the Offering Hall, with no upper limit.
Only Foundation Establishment cultivators and above were accepted. Their salaries were high, and they had special requirements—alchemy chambers, earthfire furnaces, rare herbs and metals…
Fortunately, the predecessors had built most of it. Wang Yu didn't need to spend more. Still, the Offering Hall's size was a major financial burden.
Additionally, fifty thousand spirit stones had to be kept as liquid assets to ensure smooth operations. In case of auctions or emergencies, the manor needed funds to secure valuable items.
And of course, one million spirit stones had to be paid to the Blood Reversal Sect.
In the ideal scenario, Wang Yu's personal profit would be fifty thousand. But many assets hadn't been reclaimed yet.
After reviewing all the records, Wang Yu exhaled deeply.
"City management…"
As the sun rose and fell, the night passed uneventfully.
Having pondered Spiritridge's future, Wang Yu finally put down his brush. He listed every issue the city needed to resolve.
In his view, the Guan Clan's expertise in crafting paper, ink, brushes, and inkstones could be leveraged not only with Inkveil Gate but also sold to nearby cities.
The problem was that each clan had only around a thousand true cultivators. Their production capacity was low, and they were unwilling to share their techniques.
Small-scale operations.
Paper made from spirit bamboo wasn't just for calligraphy cultivators—it was also prized by talismanists.
Ink was even more versatile. It could be used for talismans or as an alchemical ingredient. Though time-consuming to refine, its value was high.
Brushes were essential tools for talismanists.
As for inkstones, the Guan Clan's unique craftsmanship could meet any talismanist's needs. Near Spiritridge lay a city called Three Reed City, surrounded by three spirit mountains covered in yellow reed grass.
When dried, this grass became premium material for yellow talisman paper. Over time, the cost of studying talisman arts in Three Reed City dropped significantly.
The number of talismanists grew yearly. Eventually, the city earned the nickname "City of Talismans."
If the Guan Clan tried to negotiate, they'd be rejected by locals. But if Wang Yu went, he could use the City Lord's channels to open the market.
Of course, this was still speculative.
Every city had its own interest groups. Barging in uninvited wasn't always wise. For now, it was just a development strategy.
The most important goal remained: to fully grasp control of Spiritridge City.
The half-month deadline arrived.
Outside the City Lord's Manor—
Since Wang Yu's appointment, the city had been unusually quiet. The five districts behaved themselves. But beneath the calm, deadly currents churned.
Each faction had its own thoughts. Eyes flickered, greetings exchanged.
The Bai Clan's Grand Elder, the Guan and Jiang Clan heads, three sect representatives, and Chao Yun-niang from Dreamcloud Pavilion—seven people in total.
As for the Guan and Jiang Clan heads who swore never to return, they'd reported the events to their ancestors and were promptly sent back.
The elders had said: the new City Lord was capable. If they wanted his support, they had to cooperate. The clan purge was a one-time affair. No need to worry.
The three sect representatives arrived decisively. As the group exchanged pleasantries, the gates of the manor opened once more.
In one corner of the vast plaza, over five hundred frozen corpses still lay—sending chills down everyone's spine.
Then Wang Yu's voice rang out from afar.
"If any of you require materials for cultivation techniques or secret arts, feel free to ask. I'll sell them at a twenty percent discount."
The red-faced elder from Violet Dragon Mountain's eyes lit up. Their sect raised Earthvein Violet Dragons, which fed on blood-rich spiritual flesh.
"Thirty-two thousand."
"Excellent. Sold to our friend from Violet Dragon Mountain."
Wang Yu, now wealthy, didn't care about the spirit stones. But his frugal nature remained. He couldn't bear to waste resources. Thirty-two thousand was a fine deal.
"Come in, everyone."
The City Lord's Manor was surrounded by high walls, with four gates aligned to the cardinal directions. Each was elevated by 108 steps. Just walking from the street to the entrance was a climb.
Inside, a 500-mu plaza stretched wide. Side halls connected by covered bridges flanked it, lined with stone lions.
At the far end stood 360 white jade steps.
A true monument to ascension—the largest and tallest structure in Spiritridge. Atop the steps sat the palace, its carved dragon-and-phoenix lattice doors all thrown open.
The council hall basked in sunlight.
Wang Yu sat sideways at the top, chin resting on his left hand as if dozing. Behind him lay the massive Three-Tailed Snow Fox, serving as a plush backrest.
One leg draped over the other, he reclined on a throne that resembled a bed. Sunlight bathed his pale skin, making it glow. His lazy eyes drooped, not even glancing at the approaching guests.
This posture meant different things to different people.
Inkveil Gate and Fragrant Doctrine: A carefree, elegant youth.
Bai Clan Grand Elder: Arrogant!
Chao Yun-niang: A jade-like gentleman, unmatched in the world.
Violet Dragon Mountain elder: Disrespectful!
Jiang Clan head: …
Guan Clan head: Pretentious brat. If not for the formation, I'd show him Spiritridge's true danger!
None dared voice these thoughts. They could only swallow their pride. Wang Yu held the moral high ground.
He had slain traitors with reason and evidence. Even the highest judge would praise him.
If they attacked Wang Yu, they'd be defying the Holy Sect. Everyone would be doomed. Fighting was out of the question—they had to yield.
Wang Yu's purpose in summoning them was clear: restore the old order and expel those who had seized the manor's spirit fields.
As for how much each had taken?
That was a matter of perspective.
In the silence, the Jiang Clan head spoke first. "City Lord, you advanced the spiritual root testing date by half a month. My Jiang Clan has already completed the tests on your behalf. Here is the list of names."
A scroll floated gently toward Wang Yu.
Not to be outdone, the Guan Clan head quickly stepped forward and presented his own scroll. "This is the list from previous years. Many of them are four- or five-root cultivators, typically trained as spirit farmers. My Guan Clan is willing to offer three hundred of them.
"Oh, and here is the list of our younger generation. City Lord may freely choose two as disciples."
Off to the side, the Bai Clan's Grand Elder stood stunned. How long had it been? And they'd already defected?
But every time he recalled the instructions from the Bai Clan's ancestor, he could only grit his teeth and endure.
After all, the Bai Clan head had been executed as a co-conspirator.
If the matter were taken seriously, the entire Bai Clan could be implicated. Their gray-market dealings with Nether Spring Temple were no secret and could easily be exposed.
On a smaller scale, it was simply Bai Cheng's own reckless decision. He'd acted alone and died for it. Everything now hinged on Wang Yu's judgment. The Bai Clan had come to offer penance—and brought generous reparations.
Seeing that everything was proceeding smoothly, Wang Yu finally spoke.
"Tomorrow, deliver all those who tested positive for spiritual roots to the City Lord's Manor. Would the three sects be willing to lend some personnel?"
Inkveil Gate: "By order of our Sect Master, all northern district personnel are at the City Lord's disposal."
Fragrant Doctrine: "Our leader shares the same sentiment."
Violet Dragon Mountain elder: "…"
Wang Yu didn't press the matter.
"Very well. For now, city defense will be entrusted to the two sects. As for the ten thousand spirit stones owed in land rent over the past five years—consider it waived."
The crowd: "…"
(End of Chapter)