136: The relocation of holy sites and reverse exploitation

The aftermath of the Myriad Worlds Academy Exchange Tournament was like a nuclear bomb dropped into a calm lake, its impact far exceeding imagination.

Cloud Court's "unadorned" crushing posture, especially Long Qianyuan's "fertilizer theory" and "fish-farming guest-repulsion" antics, spread wildly through various media (including footage secretly recorded by stunned judges and students using memory crystals), becoming the hottest topic in the Endless Void Realm lately, bar none.

The word "Cloud Court" no longer just represented a powerful force; it had sublimated into a phenomenon, a "ceiling of prestige" that made all traditional powerhouses yearn for it while also feeling a toothache.

The first to lose their composure were not the war-mongering fanatics, but rather some ancient Holy Lands that usually stood aloof and focused on their own paths.

First in line was the Heavenly Secret Martial Arts Pavilion.

This ancient Holy Land, famous for deducing Heavenly Dao and honing combat techniques, had a Master—an old man with white hair and an aura like an abyss, who could make a Star Domain tremble just by stomping his foot—standing obediently on the reception floating island outside Cloud Court with all his Core Disciples and Elders, his posture extremely humble before Chief Steward Nie.

"Little Friend Nie Li," the Master of Heavenly Secrets Pavilion said with unprecedented sincerity, "We have observed the Dao of Cloud Court and found it has reached the supreme wondrous realm of 'Dao follows nature, returning to simplicity.' I have pondered deeply that working behind closed doors is ultimately inferior. Therefore, we wish to relocate the entire Pavilion to attach ourselves to the periphery of Cloud Court. We do not ask for formal entry, only to bathe in the Dao Rhyme of your esteemed Court and occasionally hear the Dao sounds of the Dominator; that would be a tremendous Opportunity! All the Legacy scriptures and martial arts stone forests in our Pavilion can be opened to your esteemed Court!"

Nie Li looked at this massive crowd, where even the weakest were at the Legendary level, and his mouth twitched imperceptibly. Good heavens, they were packing up their entire Holy Land just to come and be "auditors"?

Next came the Myriad Grass Everlasting Spring Valley.

The Valley Master was a graceful beauty in green, and she brought not Disciples, but several primeval Spirit Medicines that had gained sentience and exuded vast life aura!

"Chief Steward Nie," the Valley Master said with a gentle yet resolute voice, "We have no other requests, only wishing to lease a small piece of Spirit Medicine field on the periphery of Cloud Court to let these old friends be tainted by a bit of Chaos Mother Qi. The rent can be paid with million-year-old Spirit Medicines from our valley, or our valley is willing to take charge of managing all the medicine gardens in your esteemed Court, free of charge!"

Those humanoid primeval Spirit Medicines swayed wildly towards Nie Li, conveying an almost pleading intention of closeness.

Subsequently, the Thousand Illusions Sound and Rhythm Mansion, the Star Array Sect, the Indestructible Golden Body Hall...

It was as if a chain reaction had been triggered. One after another, ancient Holy Lands that were titans in their respective fields dispatched their most luxurious delegations, carrying their bottom-of-the-box treasures and an almost pious attitude, gathering outside Cloud Court.

Their demands were varied: some wanted to rent land, some wanted to be affiliated, some just wanted to send a few Disciples to be "auditors," and there was even a muscular Sect Master specializing in Body Refining who shyly expressed wanting to invite Little Friend Long Qianyuan to visit their place when he had time to "strike a few times" and help "solidify" the Sect's foundation...

The floating islands on the periphery of Cloud Court instantly became the hottest "school district housing" in the Endless Void Realm, and the value of the land (if measured by resources) skyrocketed exponentially.

The previously quiet reception area was packed, with representatives from various Holy Lands queuing up to meet Nie Li, the "courtesy gifts" they offered piling up like mountains, filled with treasure light, many of which made even the experienced Nie Li cast a sideways glance.

In the Star Gazing Hall, Yun Feng was trimming a newly acquired "Void Star-Pattern Bamboo."

After listening to Nie Li's report, he didn't even raise his head and said casually: "If they want to come, let them come. If there aren't enough floating islands, expand them. The rules remain the same: be quiet, take care of yourselves, and don't dirty the place."

He paused, his trimming action stopping slightly, and added: "Also, since they are occupying space, have them pay a little 'environmental maintenance fee' every month. They can pay with their own local specialties; the variety and quantity... don't matter."

Nie Li instantly understood—the Court Master was about to activate "lying-down collection mode," and it was the kind where the other party would be willing and scrambling to pay!

Soon, the "Provisional Regulations on Residence and Management in the Cloud Court Periphery" were released.

The terms were simple to the point of being outrageous: maintain silence, be responsible for one's own expenses, and pay a fixed amount of "resources" every month as a maintenance fee.

The most critical clause noted: Cloud Court does not provide any form of preaching, guidance, or protection.

These conditions could be called "overlord clauses."

However, the result once again exceeded Nie Li's expectations.

This notice, instead of dissuading the Holy Lands, triggered even crazier fanaticism!

"See that? The Yunting Master doesn't care about our petty belongings at all! He cares about the Dao realm! About transcendence!"

"No preaching? How wonderful! The Great Dao is silent, and true Dharma is not transmitted to those with six ears! The Master is testing our Comprehension Ability!"

"Maintenance fee? Pay! Must pay double! This is our respect for the supreme Dao realm!"

"The more Cloud Court acts this 'irresponsible,' the more it proves its foundation is unfathomable, and it doesn't need to rely on external forces like us at all!"

The Holy Land Leaders successfully engaged in self-persuasion, not only readily signing the "treaty" but also competing to pay "maintenance fees" far exceeding the quota, pouring various divine materials, Immortal Pills, and rare scriptures into Cloud Court's treasury like a tide, fearing that falling behind would show a lack of sincerity.

Long Qianyuan patrolled the treasury that was about to burst, looking at the "Ten-Thousand-Year Vermilion Fruit" that previously required his careful care but was now casually piled in a corner, and muttered: "Chief Steward Nie, why do I feel... this bunch of leaders is scrambling to 'offer tribute' to us, and they're even afraid we won't accept it?"

Nie Li, expressionless, counted a batch of newly arrived "Star Cores" and said blandly: "Remove the 'feel'."

He sighed inwardly; the Court Master's approach of "inaction" combined with "symbolic charging" precisely struck the imaginations and cravings of these Holy Land Leaders for the "supreme Dao realm."

The more resources they paid, the stronger their sense of psychological gain became, and the deeper their awe for Cloud Court grew.

Cloud Court had not actively recruited anyone, nor had it promised anything.

Merely by showing the tip of the iceberg, it had attracted ten thousand saints to come and bow, with resources arriving on their own.

Its invisible influence had already permeated like breathing, domineering yet natural.

At this moment, Yun Feng was attempting to use Chaos Mother Qi to weave a miniature "All-Heavens Star Formation" to decorate that pot of "Void Star-Pattern Bamboo."

He scrutinized the Chaos Qi Flow that was slowly circulating between the bamboo leaves, emitting a hazy starlight, and nodded with satisfaction.

"Hmm, the lighting effect is not bad. Next time, I'll try to see if I can simulate the alternation of day and night."