Thirty thousand li off the eastern shore lies the vast azure ocean and the Carefree Isle.
Originally, Carefree Isle wasn't very large, spanning only about a hundred li in length and width. But who could argue, given that it was designated by the Ziwei Celestial Court as one of six special advanced cultivation trial zones? The second most challenging comprehensive trial, the Retrospection Secret Realm, was situated here.
Furthermore, due to certain historical reasons, Carefree Isle enjoyed special autonomous rights, reporting directly to the Ziwei Celestial Court, with local authorities having no power to intervene!
Funding and resources were approved directly by the Celestial Court, leading to Carefree Isle's current extreme prosperity. Its territory had expanded to three thousand li, now housing a celestial vein. Its fortune soared, and immortal energy was dense, with over a million cultivators passing through daily!
It even enjoyed the reputation: 'Free Carefree Isle, a shortcut every day.'
However, when power lacks oversight, many hidden problems gradually spiral out of control.
Resources strictly regulated in other regions could be freely traded here. A single prohibited Blood Skull Pill could even sell for five hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones, despite its production cost being merely five hundred top-grade spirit stones—a thousand-fold markup, yet supply still couldn't meet demand!
One might ask, wouldn't the local City God and Earth God crack down on such severe price gouging?
In reality, when the local City God and Earth God themselves were beneficiaries, they tended to turn a blind eye to such relatively minor issues.
A violation of regulations wasn't necessarily a breach of law, and a breach of law wasn't necessarily a crime. The severity of the problem lay in adjudication, where there was significant room for flexible interpretation—an advantage brought by autonomy. As long as the Ziwei Celestial Court didn't inquire, it wasn't a major problem!
Enjoying the influx of massive resource circulation and seeing fortune rise daily counted as merit!
How could the local City God and Earth God possibly clamp down?
Should they severely crack down on these practices, causing the local fortune to plummet, only to be criticized in the year-end evaluation by the Basic Divine Office Academy for dereliction of duty and inaction?
Obviously impossible!
"Old Huo, the winds from above have shifted recently. Shouldn't we follow the directives and start rectifying?"
Within the grand and magnificent City God Temple at the center of Carefree Isle, Luo Wutian, the former 1002nd generation sect master of the Carefree Sect who transitioned to a incense deity, now serving as the second-rank City God of Carefree Isle, spoke with a grave expression.
Across from him was Huo Hai, the former 1001st generation sect master of the Carefree Sect turned incense deity, now the second-rank Earth God of Carefree Isle.
In response to Luo Wutian's question, Huo Hai did not reply immediately. Instead, he lightly tapped the spirit-jade immortal stone table, lost in thought.
The resolute attitude he once possessed, daring to argue with Tribulation Transcendence experts for the sake of his sect's livelihood, was long gone. Now, his eyes were filled with a thirst for advancement.
After all, for a second-rank Earth God to be promoted to first-rank, enter the Celestial Court's Central Mortal Realm Basic Divine Office Ministry, receive a sixth-rank Celestial Official position, and enjoy baptism by heavenly aura... was exceedingly difficult.
How many second-rank incense deities were there in the entire world?
Thirteen thousand five hundred and eighty!
And each year, only ten slots were available to enter the Celestial Court's Central Mortal Realm Basic Divine Office Ministry!
Even though he held an extra advantage being directly under the Celestial Court and was viewed favorably due to the outstanding contributions of Ancestor Lingxiu...
Rules were rules. If he failed the assessment, even with Ancestor Lingxiu's influence, he couldn't enter!
But standing out among over ten thousand second-rank incense deities and being rated as 'Outstanding'—how incredibly difficult was that?
Originally, he had intended to diligently work on people's welfare to boost fortune, but the result was being rated as 'Average' year after year, even 'Mediocre'!
Meanwhile, other incense deities from regions with far worse geographical locations, ecological conditions, and policy support managed to surpass him through borderline methods and enter the Ministry ahead of him!
What was he supposed to do?
What else could he do?
As the Celestial Court's rules grew increasingly comprehensive and assessment standards stricter, if he didn't seize this final opportunity to enter the Ministry in one go, future heavenly ascensions would make it nearly impossible to get in later!
Sometimes, falling just one step short meant the difference between a puddle and an ocean!
So, he stopped playing by the book.
Starting three years ago, he used certain means to transfer the previous City God and supported his fellow sect member Luo Wutian to take the position, ensuring unified agreement.
Subsequently, they relaxed their stance. Law enforcement standards were no longer strict. They no longer relied solely on the Retrospection Secret Realm to attract visitors. Instead, leveraging their unique autonomous advantages, they created a favorable and secure trading environment, gradually attracting cultivators to settle, drawing in massive resource circulation, and stimulating fortune growth...
Now, three years later, Carefree Isle's fortune had increased more than tenfold compared to three years ago. Amidst extreme prosperity, it also drove development in surrounding areas, radiating influence along the eastern coast, bringing blessings to hundreds of millions of ordinary beings!
With such monumental achievements, he was determined to secure a spot in this year's Ministry selection.
But why?
Why now, of all times?!
The higher-ups suddenly issued new regulations, demanding all regions audit the gap between actual production value and circulating fortune. Any market value exceeding the actual value by over fifty percent must be severely cracked down!
On Carefree Isle alone, a single Blood Skull Pill costing five hundred top-grade spirit stones to produce sold for five hundred thousand—a thousand-fold markup, severely exceeding the limit!
According to the new regulations, this fell squarely within the scope of mandatory crackdown and audit.
But if they cracked down and audited, what would happen to Carefree Isle's currently soaring fortune?
What would happen to the hundreds of millions of beings along the eastern coast who had benefited from this prosperity?
What would happen to his spot in the Ministry?
"Drip... drip... drip..."
The grains of time-sand fell one by one within the City God Temple.
Huo Hai tapped the table all night, finally deciding to resist the investigation by the Celestial Court's Supervision Bureau!
He suddenly raised his voice and called out, "Old Luo!"
Luo Wutian, who had been handling official duties beside him, looked up. "Finally made a decision?"
Huo Hai gave a slight nod and said solemnly, "Strictly speaking, we didn't permit the high-price transactions. They were all voluntary trades. That doesn't count as violating regulations, at most it's negligence in our oversight!"
Luo Wutian understood his meaning perfectly. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly said, "Do you think we can hide it from the Supervision Bureau's investigation?"
Huo Hai suddenly clenched his fist. "As long as we can hold out for these final two and a half months, once you and I enter the Basic Divine Office Ministry, the responsibility can't be pinned on us anymore!"
Hearing this, Luo Wutian fell silent.
Huo Hai's meaning was clear: as long as they covered things up and no scandal erupted during their tenure, the mess would be left for the next Earth God and City God to handle!
After all, many operated this way—departing in splendid attire, leaving behind a heap of troubles.
But the problem was, Carefree Isle was his home. He had contributed to the Carefree Sect's current glory!
If they really did that, they might ascend, but what would become of Carefree Isle? What about their relatives and friends?
Once the scandal broke, the preferential conditions of the special trial zone would undoubtedly be revoked!
Would their fellow islanders have to swallow this bitter pill on their behalf?
Huo Hai, oh Huo Hai, how have you become like this?
Carefree Isle is not only my home, but yours too!
How can you sacrifice the interests of your homeland for your own future?
"Do you really think we can cover it up? It seems the higher-ups are serious this time. The investigation is intense, led personally by Supervision Star Lord Xiao Chunan. Are we truly confident?"
People are like that. Before reaching the summit, they always yearn for the view from the heights, even if it means risking a fatal fall. Thus, after a long silence, Luo Wutian still could not bring himself to abandon the nearly attainable position of a Sixth-Rank Heavenly Official. In the end, he steeled his heart and decided to gamble alongside Huo Hai.
Unfortunately, their vision was still too narrow. They could discern the situation in their own corner of the world, but failed to grasp the grand scheme of the overarching trend.
This operation was the will of the Tribulation-Subduing Venerable One. It would not be swayed by any individual's will. All stubborn elements who dared to resist the inevitable tide would be solemnly and thoroughly purged.
ts me of treason?" "Correct. The host must return to the capital and gradually build up influence." "Wait—I have half a million soldiers, and you want me to go back to the capital to 'build influence'?" "Host, you are currently the Northern Garrison General, loyal to the Great Xia Dynasty." "Of course I am loyal to Great Xia! Absolutely loyal!" "But you keep referring to yourself as 'We'..." "Never mind the details! Summon all the regional commanders and military officers! We suspect treacherous officials are manipulating the court! They shall march with Us to the capital and purge the corrupt!" "......"
Cheng's father told him he was getting remarried—to a wealthy woman. Cao Cheng realized his time had finally come: he was about to become a second-generation rich kid. Sure, it might be a watered-down version, but hey, at least he'd have status now, right? The wealthy woman also had four daughters!! Which meant, starting today, Cao Cheng gained four stunning older sisters?? But that wasn't even the whole story... "My name is Cao Cheng—'Cheng' as in 'honest, smooth-talking gentleman'!"
reezy rom-com) Good news: Jiang Liu is quite the ladies' man. Bad news: He’s lost his memory. Lying in a hospital bed, Jiang Liu listens to a parade of goddesses spouting "absurd claims," feeling like the world is one giant game of Werewolf. "Jiang Liu, I’m your first love." "Jiang Liu, you’re my boyfriend—she’s your ex." "Jiang Liu, we’re close friends who’ve shared a bed, remember?" "Jiang Liu, I want to have your baby." The now-lucid Jiang Liu is convinced this must be some elaborate scam... until someone drops the bombshell: "The day before you lost your memory, you confessed your feelings—and got into a relationship." Jiang Liu is utterly baffled. So... who the hell is his actual girlfriend?! ... Before recovering his memories, Jiang Liu must navigate this minefield of lies and sincerity, fighting to protect himself from these women’s schemes. But things spiral even further out of control as more people show up at his doorstep—each with increasingly unhinged antics. On the bright side, the memories he lost due to overwhelming trauma seem to be resurfacing. Great news, right? So why are they all panicking now?
. As long as he maintains the villain image and follows the plot to the grand finale, he can obtain generous rewards and return to the real world. So Gu Chen'an entered the role and began to act as a scumbag villain, but who would have expected that the female leads could hear his inner thoughts. Miss Su from the Su family was shocked: "I originally thought Gu Chen'an was a scumbag, but I didn't expect he turned out to be a gentleman! What? You said I have to call off the engagement? I definitely won't, I'll piss you off!" Bai Yuan Tian was dumbfounded: "Young Master Gu is usually unreasonable and a complete brat, but he actually calls me little sweetie in his heart? What, Young Master Gu even said he likes me?" As the female leads' images collapsed more and more, the plot also collapsed with it. Gu Chen'an looked at all this chaos. "Ladies, don't aggro me, if you keep this up the male lead really will stab me, I still need to survive to the grand finale!"
