Chapter Nineteen: The Lingxiao Treaty and Rewards for Home and Country

At this moment, before the Jiang family estate.

The war of annihilation that had been raging just a moment ago took a sharp turn. The members of the Holy Lands were even resorting to the martial arts of body refinement they had learned as mortals, wishing their parents had given them a few extra limbs, exerting every ounce of strength they had.

"Ahem, please do not soil the Jiang family's estate with your personal emotional disputes..."

A group of people instantly dragged the Second Holy Son to a secluded spot, out of sight.

"Third brother... save me... I... Holy Maiden... spare my life... Patriarch Jiang... I was wrong... I... ah..."

Su Ruoxi glanced at Jiang Cheng and secretly transmitted her voice: "Husband, back in the Lancang Realm, those who pursued me were all Emperor-level cultivators, and many had ascended to the Divine Realm. They are likely high-level divine beings by now..."

"Wait until I charge over there..."

"The Heavenly Gate of this realm has been closed for tens of thousands of years..."

"If I can open Ruoxi's door, I can open the door of this realm. Didn't I just open one moments ago?"

Jiang Cheng covered his mouth with his hand, held it under his nose, and looked up at the sky, gazing at the void where the reflection of the Upper Realm had just appeared.

"You, how have you suddenly become so indecent..."

"Do you like it or not..." It seemed that the Great Emperor's pressure provided by the system had brought certain benefits to Jiang Cheng himself, as if the shackles of his two lives merging had been unlocked...

"Hmph..." Su Ruoxi’s pretty face flushed, and she turned her head away, ignoring him. In her heart, however, she felt a secret shyness: "If the wisdom of my past life were fully awakened, I would be so angry I’d suppress him on the spot..."

Jiang Cheng was currently summarizing his reflections on this world. Given the situation, merely causing a rift or even a total breakdown between the Seven Great Holy Lands and the Linglong Holy Land was far from enough. Should he take this opportunity to borrow the tiger's might and plot the rise of the Jiang family?

The Family Return System, transmigration, reincarnation, the mortals struggling between life and death, the chaotic world filled with turmoil, the isolated small worlds? He should be the one to carry the burden of the small family, the great family... the nation... Yes!

Seemingly having figured something out, Jiang Cheng’s eyes shone as he looked at the members of the Holy Lands frantically exerting themselves in the distance. With a swift shift in his expression, Jiang Cheng sent a voice transmission to the elders of the Jiang family. The elders, wearing various expressions, quietly retreated to the Jiang family's council hall to quickly draft the instructions Jiang Cheng had just issued.

"Report, Patriarch! We were a bit too heavy-handed; that fellow has breathed his last..." Elder Bian panted, limping toward Jiang Cheng before kneeling to report.

"This, it has nothing to do with me, right?"

"Patriarch, how could you have such a thought! That was a representative of the Seven Great Holy Lands. We advance and retreat together; everyone was indignant at what happened to me, little Bian, and attacked out of righteous anger. Your benevolence is unmatched, Patriarch; how could this have anything to do with you!"

"The Linglong Holy Land is shameless. On behalf of the Seven Great Holy Lands, I announce that we are severing ties with the Linglong Holy Land. Don't you all agree?" Elder Bian turned to look at the members of the Holy Lands.

"Agreed!"

"Yes, absolutely!"

"The Seven Great Holy Lands stand together. The Linglong Holy Land is utterly shameless; the Huangquan Holy Land severs all ties with them!"

"Yes! The Youming Holy Land is the same!"

"The Zichen Holy Land as well!"

"Tianyan... Chixiao... Xuanshuang... the same, all the same!"

"Oh my, it seems this was all a misunderstanding. You are all sincere gentlemen who despise evil. Quickly, open the great formation and welcome these gentlemen inside to discuss the grand undertaking of founding a nation with my Jiang family!"

"What grand undertaking?"

"What nation?"

"What is a nation?"

Although the visitors from the Holy Lands were confused, they knew their lives were likely saved. As for what conspiracy the Jiang family had? The resonance of heaven and earth had not yet faded; whatever they wanted, they would give. Whoever had an objection could come and find the Jiang family themselves.

***

Having been ushered into the Jiang family's council hall in a daze, eight agreements were already laid out on the table.

*The Lingxiao Treaty*

To resolve the continuous turmoil caused by the numerous disputes in the Eastern Continent’s cultivation world, to maintain the stability of the cultivation order, and to promote peaceful coexistence among all factions in the region.

Upon the unanimous proposal of the representatives of the Eight Great Holy Lands and Emperor Su Cheng of the Xia State, the Eight Great Holy Lands and the Xia State officially signed the *Lingxiao Treaty* in the year 3601 of the Eastern Continent Calendar.

This treaty, with the purpose of "building peace and cooperative development," is committed to pushing the cultivation civilization of the Eastern Continent into a new era of prosperity.

The content of the treaty covers aspects such as territorial division, resource sharing, technical exchange, and the protection of rights and interests, aiming to achieve coordination and mutual benefit for all parties.

As the core power of the Eastern Continent's cultivation world, the Eight Great Holy Lands prioritize the greater good of the world. They voluntarily cede eight cities and promise to fully withdraw from the management of these areas after the treaty takes effect, ensuring that the independent sovereignty of the Xia State is respected.

The Holy Land Alliance agrees to provide comprehensive guarantees for the infrastructure and technical support of the areas covered by the treaty, hoping to set a model of cooperation for the Eastern Continent's cultivation world.

After the signing of the treaty, the Xia State will officially become the only member faction within the Eastern Continent’s cultivation map and will enjoy equal rights and status with the Holy Land Alliance. The Eight Great Holy Lands will prioritize peace, rationality, and the big picture to jointly promote the prosperous development of the Eastern Continent's cultivation world.

Jiang Cheng’s gaze was like lightning as he swept over the eight representatives trembling in the council hall. With a smile and a gentle tone, he said: "I will read and explain the contents of the treaty for you gentlemen:"

Clause 1: Cession of Cities
"From today on, each of you will cede one city to the Jiang family. With Lingxiao City as the core, the Xia State will be established." Jiang Cheng smiled, his gaze sweeping over each representative: "Ceding cities is merely the price for your survival. If you don't want to sign, you can leave your lives behind."

Clause 2: Cities Not Subject to Holy Land Jurisdiction
"These cities will not be under the jurisdiction of the Holy Land Alliance, nor will they accept any affiliated factions." He paused slightly, smiling as he continued: "If anyone dares to step over the line, they shall pay with their lives!"

Clause 3: Repair of Cities and Infrastructure
"Each of you is responsible for repairing the cities and the surrounding farmland and irrigation, following the plans of my Jiang family." Jiang Cheng chuckled: "The cultivation resources of the Eastern Continent have been monopolized by you for many years; now, benefiting the people can be considered your atonement."

Clause 4: Compensation and Cultivation Technique Sharing
"Each of the Eight Great Holy Lands shall pay five million spirit stones and provide one set of top-tier cultivation techniques and one set of ninth-grade cultivation crafts, including spiritual planting, alchemy, weapon forging, beast taming, and so on." He laughed: "If you are dissatisfied, the Eight Great Holy Lands can come at me together; my Jiang family will take it all!"

Clause 5: Spirit Boat Routes and Trading Houses
"Spirit boat routes will be opened throughout the Eastern Continent, and an Eastern Continent Joint Trading House will be established. The Jiang family will hold a 60% stake, while your eight houses combined will hold no more than 40%." He looked at the nervous expressions of the Holy Land members and continued softly: "This clause is merely to give you some dignity. If you don't want to sign, you won't need to keep your dignity either. Of course, I guarantee that future dividends will be given to all the representatives present!"

Clause 6: Protection of Xia State Rights
"Citizens of the Xia State shall enjoy equal rights in any territory of the Eastern Continent. Anyone who dares to violate them will be subject to the Jiang family's cross-border enforcement power." Jiang Cheng tapped the table lightly. Everyone was trembling, and Jiang Cheng's gentle words felt like ten thousand arrows piercing their hearts: "From now on, the Eastern Continent is no longer your family's world. If you disagree, try it and see!"

As Jiang Cheng announced the clauses one by one, the atmosphere in the hall became increasingly oppressive. The representatives of the Eight Great Holy Lands were pale; some clenched their fists but dared not act, while others lowered their heads, cold sweat dripping.

Jiang Cheng scanned the crowd, his voice deep and full of majesty: "Sign, and you keep your lives. If you don't sign, my Jiang family does not mind using blood as ink and corpses as pens."

***

His gaze rested on Elder Bian, his voice suddenly becoming soft, yet his smile carried a chill: "Little Bian, come, you, you go first."

Elder Bian shuddered, forced himself to stand up, and took the pen, trembling as he signed his name. He laughed dryly and said: "Patriarch Jiang is wise. You... are establishing a thousand-year grand undertaking for the Eastern Continent's cultivation world! Little Bian represents the Biluo Holy Land in full support!"

He turned to the others and shouted sternly: "What are you waiting for? Sign quickly! Use your Holy Land seals and make a soul oath!" Elder Bian was determined to drag everyone down into the water with him.

"Ahem, Elder Bian, may I ask what this 'State' written here means? Is it a new sect?" Because their spiritual power was suppressed by the Great Emperor’s pressure, this elder from the Huangquan Holy Land, who only specialized in combat, could only ask in a whisper.

Elder Bian signaled everyone to look at his finger, which was quietly resting on the word "Emperor" in the preface of the *Lingxiao Treaty*. Everyone suddenly seemed to have their minds cleared...

Why think so much? Just sign quickly, make the oath, and run away fast. This matter could only be left for the Holy Masters or those ancient Supreme Elders to worry about. We are lucky to be alive. Look at the Third Holy Son of the Linglong Holy Land; he is holding the Holy Land talisman in his left hand and a pen in his right, signing frantically.

Jiang Cheng looked at the representatives of the Holy Lands signing the treaty and couldn't help but inwardly mock: "This treaty is a classic example of humiliation and ceding sovereignty... and these guys are actually signing so enthusiastically?!"

Su Ruoxi stood beside him, seemingly reading his thoughts, and whispered with a hint of cunning in her eyes: "Husband, it is your Great Emperor's pressure at work... The lower realm respects strength, and your pressure has already shaken the depths of their souls. How could they dare to defy you in the slightest?"

She changed the subject, her tone becoming serious: "However, this pressure will also attract stronger existences. I fear that the Holy Masters of the Holy Lands, and even those hidden, ancient monsters, will come to test you... The position of the Great Emperor is the greatest secret of this world and the most envied existence."

Su Ruoxi quietly pulled Jiang Cheng’s hand, her eyes filled with confusion: "Husband, your way of doing things is different from ordinary cultivators. I wonder... which realm do you come from? And what tradition do you inherit?"

Jiang Cheng was slightly startled, his expression stiff for a moment, but he quickly returned to normal and whispered: "Uh, Blue Star Realm... the tradition is... Socialist Successor..."

Su Ruoxi was stunned, clearly having no clue what this answer meant. Just as she was about to ask again, Jiang Cheng held her hand, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, his eyes as deep as a sea of stars: "Wife, do not worry. My coming here has its own meaning."

He turned his head, looking at the signatures gradually appearing on the treaty, his tone carrying an indescribable determination: "One of my meanings is to overthrow all demons and monsters, eliminate oppression, and build a powerful family. And a nation is just a larger family. Just wait and see, in the future, we will do it together!"

*Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully signing the "Lingxiao Treaty" and laying the foundation for the family's rise with overwhelming pressure!*

*[Family-Nation System Template] has been unlocked:*
*The system will upgrade to the Family-Nation Operation Mode, fully supporting the governance, development, and expansion of the family-nation!*

*Reward Items:*
*【Emperor's New Clothes】*
*An Emperor-level equipment awarded by the system, formless and shapeless. Offspring are the core of stable imperial power, and the system encourages the host to expand his harem to consolidate imperial power. The Emperor's New Clothes can significantly enhance the host's personal charm, especially effective on female cultivators.*

*Reward Buildings:*
*【Imperial Palace】The Xuanhuang Array, the Heavenly Balance Treasury upgraded to the core management hub of the family-nation, gathering luck and suppressing national destiny; the interior contains a self-contained world, with defensive power growing according to the growth of the family-nation. This world's ultimate version is comparable to a Great Emperor-level guardian.*

*Special Resource Rewards:*
*【Nine-Turn Spirit Spring】: Automatically generates high-grade spirit liquid every day based on the strength of the family-nation's luck, providing it to the store for exchange.*
*【Eternal Spirit Vein】: Directly located under Lingxiao City, increasing the spirit density of the entire national territory.*

*Additional Function Unlocked:*
*【Government Affairs System】 The family's primary task system is upgraded. The system assists the host in governing the Xia State, combining the external functions of the Imperial Palace to optimize resource allocation, population flow, and tax management; it detects domestic problems in real-time and provides solutions.*

*Important Hint:*
*"The power of the Great Emperor suppresses the present world, but it will also attract greater challenges!"*
*"The hidden cultivators and ancient giants of this world will surely move upon hearing the news, and the secrets of the Upper Realm will also bring great threats. Please prepare early, host, to meet a grander confrontation."*

*Task Activated:*
*【Foundation of the Beginning】 Task: Consolidate the foundation of the Xia State and raise the comprehensive national strength to the first in the Eastern Continent. Upon completion, the Imperial Palace will unlock the upgrade for the 【Heavenly Court Construction】 function.*

"System, explain this. Can this lousy piece of clothing be called Emperor-level equipment? Don't you dare have any delusions about interfering with my freedom of marriage. Let me tell you clearly, out of three thousand weak waters... I will only marry one..."