For a top-tier strategist like Jia Xu, his intelligence and talent were truly astonishing.
With a Village Establishment Decree in hand, the fact that he hadn't yet founded a village was rather intriguing.
"I do have a Village Establishment Decree," Jia Xu said as he flipped his hand, revealing a silver Village Establishment Decree that shimmered with a silvery glow—clearly something he had obtained long ago. Yet he had never used it to create a village.
"My greatest strength is knowing my limits," Jia Xu said with a smile. "I dare say that my strategic mind and wisdom are second to none. However, I lack the ability to lead a faction or rule a domain. I'm capable of offering advice and handling administrative affairs. If I were to establish a village or even a small town, I might be able to manage. But to rule a true city, or even an entire province or vast territory—that is beyond me."
"Since I'm destined not to reach the peak by founding a force myself, then it's better not to do so at all. If I cannot become a supreme power, then I shall assist someone who can—witnessing such a journey firsthand will surely be a fascinating experience."
Jia Xu spoke calmly.
If he couldn't do it himself, then he would serve a wise and capable ruler, helping to establish a top-tier power that could protect more of the human race. That was his goal. Since he wasn't fit to lead a force, he had decided not to even found a village.
He had been wandering the land, fighting beasts and monsters while cultivating, observing the surrounding villages and searching for a worthy ruler to serve. When he heard about the impending war between Xuanhuang Town and the alien races, he came to investigate. Upon seeing the astounding strength and foundation of Xuanhuang Town, he was impressed.
To have developed such a solid foundation in such a short time was extraordinary. Deep down, Jia Xu couldn't help but admire Yi Tianxing.
Divine Crossbows, Talisman Arrows, Bone Arrows, shields, vast quantities of talismans, powerful Arrow Towers, Magic Towers—each of these demonstrated the staggering potential of Xuanhuang Town. Especially after this recent battle, a victory would bring unimaginable benefits. The entire town would undergo a monumental leap forward, ushering in a period of unprecedented growth and rise.
If he didn't join such a force decisively, he wouldn't be Jia Xu.
"Self-aware, decisive, capable of retreating or advancing, incredibly intelligent and talented—truly worthy of being a top-tier strategist who thrived among warlords during the Three Kingdoms era," Yi Tianxing silently praised in his heart.
Having such a talent join Xuanhuang Town would be an immeasurable boon.
"Excellent! To gain the aid of both Mister Jia and Mister Wu is like adding wings to a tiger," Yi Tianxing said with a broad smile, openly welcoming the two without hesitation.
Turning away talent like this would be sheer idiocy.
"Jia Xu greets the Lord!"
With a gentle smile, Jia Xu bowed deeply to Yi Tianxing. That bow sealed the bond of lord and subject, marking a change in their statuses.
"Wu Yong greets the Lord!"
Wu Yong also bowed with a smile.
"No need for excessive ceremony," Yi Tianxing quickly said. "In Xuanhuang Town, we don't stand too much on formalities. This is an age of chaos—old rules have been shattered, and customs should be kept simple."
He began considering what positions to assign the two.
Clearly, both were strategists, though Wu Yong specialized in cunning plots and schemes. Still, he couldn't be denied administrative talent. Jia Xu, however, clearly surpassed him in strategic depth and should play a major role in the broader planning of Xuanhuang Town's future.
While Yi Tianxing was still deep in thought, Jia Xu smiled and spoke again:
"My lord, in this chaotic world, population is of utmost importance. Since I am now a part of Xuanhuang Town, I have prepared a great gift for you."
"Oh? And what gift might Mister Wenhe be referring to?" Yi Tianxing asked with curiosity.
"During my travels, not long after I arrived on the Eternal Continent, I was weak and nearly killed by fierce beasts—until I was saved by a brave warrior. He was a greenwood hero and appeared here along with his entire mountain stronghold, not separated as others were."
"There are many commoners living in that stronghold—not only original residents but also refugees gathered after descending into this world. At the time I left, there were at least ten thousand people."
"Moreover, the leader of the stronghold has a daughter. But during the early days of our arrival, the world changed, and she was seriously injured protecting the stronghold from a beast. She has been in a coma ever since. If my lord has the means to heal her, I am confident I can persuade them to descend the mountain and join our Xuanhuang Town."
Jia Xu spoke slowly, with calm confidence.
"There's such a thing?" Yi Tianxing was pleasantly surprised. He hadn't expected Jia Xu to bring him such a gift.
In a chaotic world, what was most valuable? People. Only with enough population could a faction grow, develop, and rise. A strong population meant strong foundations.
To have amassed so many people so early in the apocalypse, and if they were still intact, their numbers might have grown even more. If they could be absorbed into Xuanhuang Town, it would be a tremendous gain.
"I possess healing treasures—rare artifacts born during the Great Change. I also have the Moon Well, which can treat wounds. Doctors like Qiu and Wang have also begun studying alchemy and can produce healing pills. I'm confident we can cure the girl. As long as that stronghold chief is willing to join us, I will not hesitate to offer them medicine."
Yi Tianxing answered decisively.
No treasure was more valuable than people. Population is fortune and foundation.
"Very well. Then I shall head to Mu Family Stronghold immediately. It's not far from here, and I should be able to return within half a month," Jia Xu nodded. This was the "gift" he brought to Xuanhuang Town—and a significant contribution. He would ensure the task was completed properly.
Only by going personally could he guarantee success.
"To avoid any attacks by beasts or hostile races during the migration—"
Yi Tianxing paused, then produced a bronze-grade crystal, glowing with energy and engraved with a silver spatial mark.
"This is a coordinate crystal. Once you reach the stronghold and receive a reply, crush this crystal. It will summon a projected spatial gate. Step through, and you'll return directly to Xuanhuang Town. I'll be waiting to welcome you personally. From then on, you'll be our town's Chief Strategist."
These spatial gates not only allowed direct teleportation but could also generate coordinate markers to be used by others. As long as it was within 10,000 miles, crushing the crystal would create a projected gate that could be opened remotely.
However, such teleportation methods consumed vast amounts of power.
Were it not for the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Tower, Yi Tianxing himself wouldn't be able to achieve this. Even then, maintaining such a gate required huge energy expenditures—most cultivators couldn't afford the cost.
The farther the distance, the greater the consumption.
Ten thousand miles was Yi Tianxing's current upper limit—and even that required not just his own power, but a combination of crystals, the tower's source energy, and more.
"Thank you, my lord, for this treasure," Jia Xu said, a glimmer in his eyes as he accepted the crystal with a smile. With this, he could bring everyone back safely—every life mattered.
"Feng Yumo!" Yi Tianxing suddenly called toward the battlefield below.
"Present, my lord!"
Feng Yumo quickly ascended the wall and saluted.
"Select three hundred elite soldiers and equip them with one hundred Divine Crossbows. Escort Mister Jia outside the town for this mission."
"Yes, my lord."
Feng Yumo didn't even ask why—he obeyed instantly.
"Even if you die, do not let Mister Jia suffer the slightest injury."
Yi Tianxing nodded solemnly.
"Rest assured, my lord—I will die before he does."
Feng Yumo responded firmly.
Jia Xu didn't object.
Not long after, Feng Yumo had selected three hundred elite troops, armed with crossbows, talismans, bolts, runic bombs, and other equipment—fully armed and ready.
With that, Jia Xu left Xuanhuang Town under escort, quickly vanishing into the wilderness.
"I wonder if Mister Jia will succeed," Cai Yan murmured, her eyes full of anticipation. She knew a great deal about Jia Xu—in all history, he was a strategist of the highest caliber.
With someone like him handling the matter, success was highly likely.
"Don't worry. He's not an ordinary man. If he wasn't ninety percent confident, he wouldn't have called this a 'great gift.' It won't be long before our Xuanhuang Town gains another massive influx of people."
Yi Tianxing smiled.