Chapter 3: Twenty Years (5000 words, please subscribe)_3
"What is it?"
Lin Yuan opened his eyes, with most of his mind still absorbed in comprehension and cultivation, and looked towards the few people in front of him.
He had long since left instructions that unless there was a situation they could not decide on, or something that could affect the entire Star Domain, they should not disturb him as much as possible.
This was also the normal practice for most Star Lords stationed in a Star Domain, spending the majority of their time in seclusion.
"Star Lord," Hongpi said respectfully, "not long ago, the Shadow Tribe contacted us, wanting to establish a trade passage with the Milky Way Star Region."
"The Shadow Tribe?"
"A trade passage?"
With a slight thought, Lin Yuan knew all the details of the matter.
The territory of the Milky Way Star Region was originally the land of the Shadow Tribe.
It was only after losing to the Human Civilization Alliance on the Battlefields of Different Races that they were forced to withdraw.
So, in fact, the Milky Way Star Region was adjacent to the territory of the Shadow Tribe.
"I see."
Lin Yuan's expression was thoughtful.
No wonder Chun Bo, Jia Li, and Hongpi, Biyan, and a few other managers made a special visit to Lin Yuan.
This was indeed something they couldn't decide on their own.
Establishing a trade route with a different species has always been a sensitive issue, let alone with a species that is hostile to Human Civilization?
"Some resources of the Shadow Tribe are indeed very useful to our Human Civilization," Lin Yuan thought to himself.
For example, the Shadow Tribe's specialty 'Shadow Stone', an essential material for constructing high-grade warships, could enhance the stealth capabilities of the ships.
"Agreed."
After pondering for a while, Lin Yuan still agreed.
Proper trade with different species could accelerate the development of the Star Domain.
If Lin Yuan were still the Eighth Layer, he definitely wouldn't dare to engage so deeply with the Shadow Tribe; but now that he was at the Ninth Rank and was a Ninth Ranker evolving towards the Tenth Rank, the Shadow Tribe's threat obviously did not concern him.
As long as the degree of trade is controlled and some of the trade resources on the side of Human Civilization are regulated, there should be no problems.
Of course.
The most important thing was.
The control over establishing a trade passage with the Shadow Tribe was entirely in Lin Yuan's hands, and he could terminate it at any time.
"Good."
Chun Bo, Jia Li, and Hongpi, Biyan, and the other managers exchanged glances, immediately knowing what to do.
In fact, trading with the Shadow Tribe was definitely more beneficial than harmful, but aside from the Star Lord, no one dared to make that decision.
"Anything significant happen in the Star Domain recently?" asked Lin Yuan.
"No significant events," Biyan composed his words and said, "As the Star Lord's fame spreads, more and more trade associations are willing to establish branches on the main star. The development of the main star is much quicker than expected."
For a Fringe Starfield of Human Civilization to develop quickly, the first key aspect to consider is stability and safety.
Fringe Starfields border with Different Species, and clashes occur frequently. Thus, at this time, the strength of the Star Lord becomes very important.
A strong Star Lord can shelter the Star Domain, giving all citizens within the safety and security.
Under such circumstances, large groups and companies are naturally willing to set up operations there.
After all, the Fringe Starfield signifies not only distance but also untapped opportunity; securing it means a steady flow of wealth.
...
After interacting with Chun Bo, Jia Li, Hongpi, Biyan, and a few other managers for a while, understanding the current situation of the Milky Way Star Region, Lin Yuan waved his hand for them to leave.
"Now the Milky Way Star Region has started to turn a profit."
"Last year and the year before, just the tax revenues added together reached eight thousand Cubic Universe Crystals."
Lin Yuan thought to himself, eight thousand Cubic Universe Crystals were roughly equivalent to the entire wealth of an Eighth Layer Evolver.
Of course, such tax revenue from the Milky Way Star Region was not unrelated to Lin Yuan's influence. An ordinary Eighth Layer Star Lord couldn't possibly achieve this income regardless of how well they managed their Star Domain.
...
At the deepest part of the Xuanhuang Secret Realm.
Lin Yuan sat cross-legged, his breath pulsating within him, then it all retracted, spreading into every inch of flesh and blood in his body.
"Xuanhuang Physique... has finally made minor accomplishments..." A smile appeared on Lin Yuan's face.
At the same time, an invisible field spread out ten zhang (approximately 30 meters) around his body, originating from his physical being.
Protective Xuan Huang Light.
It was only after the "Xuanhuang Physique" made minor accomplishments that this ability derived, capable of blocking all attacks.
Physical attacks, soul attacks, rule attacks, all fell within the defense range of the Protective Xuan Huang Light.
As long as the Protective Xuan Huang Light was not broken, no calamity could harm Lin Yuan.
This was one of the three great Dao-Protecting Secret Skills of the Profound Yellow Lineage, showing the terrifying aspect of the defensive techniques.
"The minor accomplishments of the Xuanhuang Physique..." Lin Yuan thought of the consumed Xuanhuang Crystals and winced a bit.
Xuanhuang Crystals worth at least a hundred million Cubic Universe Crystals had only pushed this secret technique to minor accomplishments, and this did not even count the Weapon Treasures that Lin Yuan had consumed. Experience new stories on My Virtual Library Empire
"Now, with just the Protective Xuan Huang Light, those special Ninth Rankers can't break through my defense," his expression brightened a little. Although he had paid a lot, the return was equally gratifying.
"And there's the 'Mysterious Yellow Strike'..." Lin Yuan raised his right hand, weaving strands of breath together.
Apart from advancing in the "Xuanhuang Physique," Lin Yuan had also cultivated the "Mysterious Yellow Strike" to the second stage.
With every movement, he could maintain a 'permanent' state with strength three times greater than his own.
Aside from greater consumption, this explosive secret technique did not have any drawbacks and could remain 'permanent.'
In simple terms, there was no cooldown period after activation.
"Continue cultivating," after briefly surveying his own condition, Lin Yuan once again immersed himself in cultivation.
With his current strength, he was quite decent among the Ninth and Tenth Ranks, but he was far from touching the pinnacle of the Zhou Cosmic Starry Sky.
Even with the protection of Human Civilization's Supreme Being, Lin Yuan still felt that strength in his own hands was the safest.
The protection of a Supreme Being? Better to become the Supreme Being oneself.
...
Time flowed by slowly.
In the undercurrents of the Ten Thousand Races of the Cosmic Starry Sky,
Lin Yuan, too, was continuously improving his strength through constant cultivation.
In the blink of an eye, twenty years had passed.