Starting from the border troops, I've worked my way up to become a Martial Emperor.

Chapter 150 Heavenly Ladder

"Billions, that's quite a lot. I didn't expect Lu Yuan to have such methods. I underestimated him back then," Emperor Yong said calmly.

But he continued, "However, this money-making technique is ultimately a minor one. Billions of dollars cannot solve the Northern Barbarians' predicament. We cultivators still value strength above all else. From now on, do not report any news about him to me."

Emperor Yong held the teacup in his hand and said.

His status is too high; even if Lu Yuan performs well now, he will ultimately not be able to catch his eye, given the growing strength of the Great Yong Kingdom.

This is nothing like the impoverished northern barbarians of today.

Those huge sums of silver were nothing more than fleeting wealth in his eyes.

Meanwhile, inside the Crown Prince's residence, the newly appointed Crown Prince of Dayong, upon receiving the news, revealed a sinister glint in his eyes.

"This Lu Yuan is really persistent. He comes out to cause trouble whenever he has time. Let him make his money. When the army invades the Northern Barbarians in two years, Tianwang Village will naturally help me seize the silver."

"Wealth that cannot be protected by strength will only become one's own death warrant," the Crown Prince of Dayong said coldly.

Zhao Yu, who was standing below, nodded quickly.

Since becoming the crown prince, the seventh prince has become increasingly arrogant. Although his status as a personal guard has risen considerably, he still lives in constant fear.

It's really painful.

At this moment, Lu Yuan was unaware of all this. Now he had left the palace and arrived in the southern city. Looking around, the construction site was just a corner of the city.

This city is huge. Although the southern part of the city is not well developed, it is still much larger than other districts.

Tens of thousands of acres of land is nothing at all.

Compared to the vast imperial city, it was just a place occupied by a large family.

After all, some families have a long history, spanning thousands of years, and with their long lifespans, their numbers can reach hundreds of thousands.

The mansion was certainly not small.

Therefore, this academy can be continuously expanded as long as Lu Yuan is willing.

The surrounding noise brought him back to reality from his reverie.

As Lu Yuan arrived, many people bowed in greeting.

Lu Yuan nodded in acknowledgment, then his gaze fell upon the crowd ahead. Sure enough, the Xiao mother and daughter had arrived, but they hadn't made a big fuss about it.

Instead, she traveled like an ordinary woman from a humble family, though of course, she was always accompanied by bodyguards.

Those who come here to register are usually surrounded by a large entourage, so it's not particularly eye-catching.

When Lu Yuan walked over, he found them looking at the disciples who had registered.

When those young people pulled out their silver, they hardly blinked, handing over large wads of silver notes without batting an eye.

This scene surprised even Xiao Shi.

Just then, someone came over holding a huge sign.

These were people from the Prince of Qin's residence. As soon as they arrived in the middle of the area, they shouted, "A notice has been issued! Everyone who wants to buy a house should hurry up and do so, or the price will go up tomorrow!"

"Splash!"

In an instant, a large crowd surged forward.

Lu Yuan, unaware of what was happening, had come to Xiao Hua's side.

Upon seeing him, the latter covered his mouth and laughed, "You've increased the price so many times over, you're probably going to get a lot of flak later."

Although Madam Xiao did not speak, her eyes conveyed the same meaning, after all, this sum of money was not a small amount.

Lu Yuan chuckled and said, "That's not necessarily true. You'll just have to wait and see."

Just as he was speaking, a thunderous burst of laughter erupted in the room.

"Haha, the price will be raised tenfold tomorrow! I want to buy houses, ten courtyards!" This was the voice of a wealthy merchant from the northern barbarians.

He had just bought an estate, and now he's going to buy ten more small courtyards in one go.

The wealthy merchants who came from out of town regretted that they hadn't brought enough money; after buying a courtyard, they had no more spare cash.

However, he still said to the servant beside him, "Send a message home immediately and have someone bring enough silver over."

For a time, the entire South City housing market was in chaos, but no one criticized Lu Yuan for raising prices. On the contrary, it was because the notice had been issued in advance.

They rushed to buy houses, and were even grateful to Lu Yuan for giving them this opportunity.

This was the first time Xiao Shi had ever seen such a strange sight, and she and Xiao Hua looked as if they had seen a ghost.

However, after watching the stacks of silver notes being carried away in boxes under the escort of guards, he had nothing more to say.

What happened this time truly shattered their understanding.

"Let's go take a look at the drill ground," Madam Xiao said softly. Everything here had already been decided.

After saying that, he walked forward.

Xiao Hua followed behind and asked Lu Yuan in a low voice, "Brother Yuan, judging from the situation, those houses you started building will probably be sold out today."

"What about tomorrow?"

"Didn't I also buy 10,000 mu of land? There's plenty of land. We can just set it aside and sell it again tomorrow. As long as we tell them the handover date next year, people will naturally buy it. This area has been completely revitalized," Lu Yuan said with a smile.

"You made so much money just by selling this land?" Xiao Hua exclaimed in amazement.

Lu Yuan chuckled and said, "Do you think they're buying houses? They're buying the qualification to enter the academy. Even if I don't build houses, as long as their children can enter the academy to learn martial arts..."

They can build their own houses.

"Just you wait and see, Nancheng will definitely become a gathering place for wealth in the world. If it is well controlled, the Northern Barbarians will never have to worry about not having enough money again." Lu Yuan said confidently.

Even Xiao Shi's pace slowed down.

If she hadn't taken the South City project seriously in the past, she now takes it very seriously.

He couldn't help but ask, "Ah Yuan, how do you think the imperial court makes money here?"

"Build more restaurants and entertainment venues. These academy disciples will be the biggest consumers in the future. However, the imperial court does not need to get involved. It can just collect taxes."

"Half of all commercial taxes in the southern city are collected, and the people here are making a lot of money." Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow and said.

After a moment's thought, Xiao asked thoughtfully, "Are you still planning to buy more land?"

"Of course I bought it. After making money from selling houses, I will continue to buy land and then continue to sell houses. Only in this way can the entire southern city be fully developed."

"People and money will come to us automatically," Lu Yuan said.

"Alright, I will inform the government that the land in the south of the city will not be sold easily. We're just waiting for you to buy it. You will also be in charge of the planning for this area."

"You're in charge of the restaurants, and whatever else—the court is only responsible for collecting taxes," Xiao said cheerfully.

After all, they'll be family with Lu Yuan sooner or later, so it's great to have money to earn for their own family.

Lu Yuan didn't stand on ceremony and immediately said, "Don't worry about leaving it to me. I will definitely build up Nancheng well."

As they spoke, the group arrived at the training ground.

At this moment, there were probably over a hundred teenagers standing in the field, all receiving instruction from Wei Yong.

Everyone was holding a secret manual.

Wei Yong said coldly, "Remember this: these secret manuals are for your own study only. You must not pass them on after you leave, or the academy will expel you from the sect."

"Yes, teacher," the students replied respectfully.

In fact, Wei Yong's words were merely a warning.

If you really want to learn martial arts techniques, besides having the secret manual, you also need someone to open your acupoints. Otherwise, even if you have the secret manual, practicing haphazardly will lead to qi deviation and demonic possession.

This is a unique function of cultivation techniques of grade three and above, designed to prevent the techniques from being leaked.

Each exercise manual has a different method for opening acupoints.

Lu Yuan has a system that allows him to skip this step, something others can't do.

At this moment, there were thousands of people watching from the sidelines, all there to see the acupoints open, because only in this way could it be proven that the academy was truly teaching a third-grade martial art.

As Wei Yong finished speaking, he led his men forward. These men were all brought back by Lu Yuan from Tianwang Village.

Each person brought a boy to the training ground to open the other's acupoints.

Many tents were set up here to prevent the method from being leaked. Although the probability was very small, Wei Yong was very cautious and still chose to be safe, which made Lu Yuan very satisfied.

That rough and uncouth man from back then has finally begun to grow up.

For a moment, crackling sounds and screams of pain could be heard from time to time in the arena.

However, the wealthy businessmen who bought the houses were not angry at all. Instead of watching their sons being squeezed and screaming, they were all excited.

Opening acupoints, ah, that really is a third-grade martial art.

At this moment, Xiao Shi couldn't help but glance at Lu Yuan and say, "You really are willing to give up a third-grade cultivation technique."

"Hehe, you can't catch a wolf without risking your cub. The establishment of the academy is a step forward for the whole world, allowing more people to have a path to cultivation."

Actually, there's an even more important function. "Lu Yuan said in a low voice.

Xiao turned to look at him: "What?"

"Break the monopoly of the nobility. In the past, the high-ranking officials in the court were almost all nobility because they had mastered the most martial arts techniques. The court had to use them even if it didn't want to. But now it's different."

"At least more people can cultivate. Given enough time, they will form a formidable force in the court, able to contend with the powerful and influential, and make the court more stable." Lu Yuan's words made Xiao Shi's eyes light up.

At this moment, she couldn't help but sigh at how lucky she was to have met Lu Yuan, and how he had developed feelings for her daughter.

Such a person can quickly stand out anywhere.

One can imagine what this place will look like decades from now.

The heavy snow has stopped today, but the weather is even colder.

Xiao said, "I have already issued an imperial decree regarding what you mentioned yesterday. Of the twelve vassal states, six have been officially recognized, and the rest have not been addressed."

Let's see how things go in a few days. If it really succeeds, my situation in the Northern Barbarian region should improve a lot.

"Yes, the main thing is to eliminate the Shengman and Guman. If we can control these two forces, the strength of the Northern Barbarians will increase dramatically in a short period of time, by two or three times."

"Then we won't have to worry about the power dynamics of the world," Lu Yuan said.

A resolute look appeared in his eyes.

Since he has come to this world, he must become the strongest. Since only by unifying the world can one ascend to immortality, then he will try to unify the world.

In fact, this was not just his idea, but the idea of ​​all emperors, and something that could be done but has not been done for thousands of years.

Just as they were talking, a figure walked over. This person was the commander of the Observatory, and he was very strong. Lu Yuan guessed that he should be above the Divine Origin level, but he couldn't guess his exact cultivation level.

Upon arriving beside Xiao Shi, she noticed Lu Yuan was also there. She paused for a moment, then hesitated.

"What happened? Just tell me. There are no outsiders here," Madam Xiao said softly.

"The Heavenly Ladder Cliff has been discovered in the East Sea, and powerful figures from all sides are rushing there." The voice reached Xiao's ears.

She couldn't help but look at Lu Yuan: "Ah Yuan, are you interested?"

Lu Yuan's eyes flashed. He knew about the Heavenly Ladder Cliff. It was a place where experts below the Core Formation stage went to test their potential. Whoever climbed the highest step was considered to have greater potential.

Legend has it that in ancient times, those who reached the summit were rewarded by the heavens with a totem that descended from the sky.

It can better unleash one's potential.

To make the physical body almost perfect.

However, the appearance time of this heavenly ladder is not fixed, and many people may not have the opportunity to use it.

After all, once you miss the opportunity to improve your cultivation, there will be no more chances. Only those at or below the Core Formation stage can succeed.

"I want to go! I've never been to the East China Sea before!" Xiao Hua exclaimed.

Lu Yuan couldn't help but smile: "Alright, if you want to go, then let's go together."

"Alright, I will have the Grand Master of the Imperial Clan and experts from the Prajna Temple accompany you. Don't worry about your safety. You'd better perform well this time."

Not only should we show our Northern Barbarians our might, but we should also let the world see how blind the Great Yong Dynasty is, that they actually forced such a talented person away.

"If you ask me, Emperor Yong is truly blind," Madam Xiao said calmly.

Her tone was filled with anger, clearly showing her indignation on behalf of Lu Yuan.

"Alright, I'll definitely do my best this time and give them a good slap in the face." Lu Yuan chuckled, feeling Xiao Shi's care and love for him.

At the same time, a hint of curiosity flashed in his eyes; he wondered who from Dayong would be going this time.

At the same time, in the Crown Prince's residence of the Dayong Dynasty.

The Seventh Prince glanced at the group of noble disciples below and said, "You are all young talents. Now that the Heavenly Ladder has appeared, I intend to personally lead you there. Does anyone want to go?"

He chuckled softly.

These people are different from Zhao Yu and Zhang Zhe. For example, Zhao Yu's elder brother, Zhao Feng, has already reached the Great Perfection of the Void Control Realm at a young age, and may even be at its peak.

The Seventh Prince was quite optimistic about his potential.

If this investigation can identify some individuals with great potential, it will help him understand who should be prioritized for development.

After all, although the Great Yong Dynasty was wealthy, its resources were also scarce and could not be squandered at will.

Hearing the Seventh Prince say this...

Everyone stood up and said, "We'll go together."

They understood that if their talents were discovered during this trip, they would surely gain the Crown Prince's favor in the future, so they did not hesitate.

Now that the crown prince has been chosen, there's no longer any question of taking sides.

For the disciples of these noble families, being able to assist the Seventh Prince is undoubtedly the best choice.

After receiving the reply, the Crown Prince smiled broadly and said, "Alright, then we'll set off in two days."

Meanwhile, after taking the Xiao mother and daughter for a stroll around the vicinity of the South City Academy, Lu Yuan escorted them back to the palace and then returned to his own residence.

By this time, a day had passed, and the outside was gloomy, with darkness falling.

Lu Yuan sat in the head seat, sipping the tea brought by a maid, and looked at Cai Chong standing below with a smile, asking, "How much did you gain today?"

He knew that more houses would be sold today than yesterday, since wealthy merchants from the Northern Barbarian region had also taken action.

If successful, the silver earned today will be enough to keep things running smoothly, and it can also be used to support Tianwang Village, which is his biggest goal.

In two years, Tianwangzhai's strength became comparable to that of the Imperial Guard.

For die-hard fans of "Invincible Demon 2", the latest chapter of "Starting from the Border Army to Become a Martial Emperor" has been released!