Chapter 1913: Chapter 1906: City Management Brigade
The entrance to Illusion City was in chaos, with a group of survivors looking extremely aggrieved, as if suffering a huge injustice.
"Why? Why can they join Illusion City unconditionally and even get permanent residences, while we have to pay an entry fee for each day we stay?"
"Exactly, we are all above Divine Cultivation Seventh Grade, can bring more value to Illusion City than those old and weak, why do they get such good treatment?"
"We need an explanation, we also want a residency in Illusion City!"
...
"What’s all this noise about? What’s all this noise?" Zhang Menglong squeezed through the noisy crowd with his people.
"City Lord!" Members of the Banak Tribe, assigned by Zhang Menglong to guard the city and register people, immediately saluted respectfully upon seeing his arrival.
"What’s going on?"
"City Lord, they want to enter the city, but I said entry requires payment of crystal cores based on their realm, yet they refused and started verbally attacking the original residents of Illusion City."
Zhang Menglong approached the troublemakers, his power having reached the Peak of Divine Cultivation, with an aura suggesting a rather formidable strength among those at the Peak.
"I am the City Lord of Illusion City, is there a problem?" Zhang Menglong looked at them and asked.
The man’s expression turned arrogant upon realizing that this City Lord was merely a Martial Artist at Divine Cultivation Grade Five or Six.
"City Lord, we want to settle in your Illusion City. I heard people who settled a few days ago could do so unconditionally and even enjoy many preferential policies, why can’t we?" He spoke assertively.
"We already have a large number of residents in Illusion City; naturally, some limits need to be set when a certain level is reached, is there a problem?" Zhang Menglong retorted.
"Even so, shouldn’t those who settle be carefully selected?" The man pointed at some injured individuals, "Look, what can they do now? They lack the ability to hunt Phantom Profound Beasts, can only be nurtured by the city, bringing no benefit, unlike us, who are in our prime and can generate much value for the city."
"Heh," Zhang Menglong sneered, "they joined when Illusion City was just being established, believing it could offer them a better life. For these people, even if they’re old and weak, I’m willing to support them."
"As for you," Zhang Menglong glanced at the registration information, "your survival team isn’t far from here. If you wanted to join Illusion City, you could’ve become original residents already, but you didn’t, only because you doubted us."
The man was at a loss for words. He had heard of Illusion City quite early but didn’t take them seriously, even thinking they were just a bunch of scammers.
Who knew that Illusion City turned out to be so formidable, surviving the entire chaotic period with only minor architectural damage and without a single fatality!
Only now did they realize Illusion City wasn’t a joke; had they joined earlier, they wouldn’t have to be sleepless and constantly hiding during this chaotic period due to the Phantom Profound Beasts.
"Ultimately, you’re considering joining only because our Illusion City can protect you, offering food and drink, but I am the City Lord of this city, and I set the rules. If I say you need to pay crystal cores, then you must. Any objections?" Zhang Menglong sneered.
"City Lord, Illusion City only has a few million people while the number wanting to enter far exceeds this. Do you think many would be willing? Do you think Illusion City is a Fortress City?" The man’s tone implied threat and challenge.
"Are you trying to scare me?"
"I’m merely telling the City Lord a fact. Illusion City may have only a few Dao Realm powerhouses, and with such requirements, do you think many would accept? What if they insist on entering despite unwillingness?"
A sign hung at the city’s entrance, stating the costs required to enter the city.
Martial Artists at the Divine Cultivation Realm must each pay ten crystal cores of a lower realm as a daily fee.
Meaning a level nine Martial Artist must pay ten Level Eight Crystal Cores to stay one day in Illusion City!
As for Dao Realm powerhouses, one level nine Crystal Core per day is required!
These costs are even higher than those of Fortress Cities!
Moreover, houses are being sold here, albeit using space-folding technology, and at exorbitant prices—a square meter costs 300 level nine Crystal Cores, and that’s for the cheapest areas, with the most expensive being several times more.
The smallest unit is over 500 square meters.
Thus, buying a house in Illusion City costs at least 150,000 level nine Crystal Cores!
Even after purchasing a house, one would only be a regular resident, without residency registration.
Except for original city residents, Martial Artists purchasing properties of above 1000 square meters can obtain regular residency, yet the benefits between this and original residency vary significantly.
For instance, original residents enjoy a 0.01% discount at food stalls, while others get only 50%. Although this seems substantial, it remains unsatisfactory to them.
In their view, everything Zhang Menglong possesses is unjustly held, and they doubt his ability to maintain his position as City Lord.
"You’re quite provocative, but sorry, to cause trouble in my city, you’re far from capable!" Zhang Menglong had foreseen such issues arising. With more people, a mixed crowd was inevitable, and troublemakers were expected.
"City Guard Squad One, expel him and blacklist him, permanently banned from Illusion City!"
"Calling you City Lord was giving you face, yet you think you’re someone important," the Martial Artist, having torn off all pretense, no longer restrained his thoughts, "Brothers, Illusion City shouldn’t belong to one person, let’s overthrow this so-called City Lord!"
But before he finished speaking, an overwhelming pressure forced him to kneel—a force only Dao Realm Martial Artists could emit!
An iron-tower-like man emerged from the nearby city guard office, followed by a second, a third...
Over five thousand people stood uniformly behind Zhang Menglong, dressed in matching uniforms.
"Who dares cause trouble in Illusion City? City Lord, is it this person?" the lead city guard captain respectfully asked Zhang Menglong. No one expected the entire squad of over five thousand Dao Realm powerhouses to completely obey Zhang Menglong’s commands, for what merit does a Martial Artist at Divine Cultivation Realm hold?
"Yes, it’s him!" Zhang Menglong responded, "From now on, stand here, and anyone causing trouble, throw them out!"
