"Want to buy a Divine Fragment from me?"

Lin You’s gaze shifted slightly, looking at Ji Xinghe with some surprise.

"Yes, as you know, Yunshuang is also about to ascend to Tier Ten soon. If there’s only one Divine Fragment, I’m afraid she might encounter danger."

Ji Xinghe sighed.

Probably because it involved his daughter, his demeanor changed from the previous stiffness, now appearing anxious, his eyes full of worry.

"I see, she is also about to ascend to Tier Ten?"

Lin You suddenly understood, gradually a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

No wonder Ji Xinghe personally came to find him, it was because of this reason.

Judging by the time, Ji Yunshuang indeed should be completing the Saint’s Path.

After all, with the frequent wars lately and the Demon invasions, it’s a great opportunity to accumulate a large amount of resources.

Moreover, with Ji Xinghe’s consistent nurturing and assistance, completing the Saint’s Path should not be a problem.

Ji Xinghe truly worries himself sick for his daughter.

But since the Divine Fragment is prepared for Ji Yunshuang, naturally he wouldn’t refuse. Thinking for a moment, he said:

"I can sell you one for 5000 Rule Fragments."

"5000!?"

Ji Xinghe’s heart trembled, looking at Lin You in disbelief.

It’s not because it’s too expensive, but because it’s too cheap!

A Tier Ten Lord, with attributes enhanced to full value, requires 50,000 Rule Fragments to achieve.

So, a Divine Fragment which can enhance 10% of attributes would certainly be valued higher than a tenth of this, that is 5000 Rule Fragments.

But in reality, the value of a Divine Fragment is often much higher, and without at least 10,000 to 20,000, it’s absolutely unattainable; for those urgently lacking Divine Fragments, it might even be more expensive!

After all, Divine Fragments are the kind of thing that are rare and hard to buy, even with money.

Lin You giving the price of 5000 is essentially gifting it.

Most importantly, he actually has extra Divine Fragments!

Ji Xinghe was alarmed yet excitedly asked, "Are you really going to sell it to me at this price?"

"Is it too expensive?" Lin You asked.

"No! Not at all expensive. I’ve recently accumulated quite a lot of Rule Fragments from the Demon invasions; 5000 is still affordable." Ji Xinghe quickly said.

At this moment, he realized it was due to Lin You’s sentiment that he was offered such a low price.

He couldn’t help but feel thankful, thankful for his wise decision back then.

Although it was just a small insignificant help, he had indeed provided a lot of assistance during Lin You’s growth journey.

In just over three years, he received returns far beyond his expectations.

This deal was worth it!

And with that.

After discussing some news about Ji Yunshuang and matters concerning the establishment of a duchy, Ji Xinghe left happily with the Divine Fragment obtained from Lin You’s hands.

While Lin You also gained 5000 Rule Fragments from him, resolving his immediate need; now he just needs to wait for the successful auction of those three Divine Fragments.

Originally, Lin You planned to convert all Divine Fragments into Rule Fragments to enhance his strength.

But considering he also needs to establish a duchy and find someone to manage the newly expanded territory, he decided to keep three fragments.

Plus the one from the Origin Universe, a total of four fragments, which should be enough to establish four duchies for now.

Thinking of this.

He then summoned Xue Changgui and other ministers, beginning discussions on the upcoming territorial division.

...

In the blink of an eye.

A night passed.

As the sun rose on the horizon, the sunlight passed through the Gobi Desert and fell upon Yellow Sand City.

The Lord high ranks from the Holy Protection Kingdom all arrived by Magic Energy Airship or mount, gathering on the platform at the Flying Dock.

As soon as they landed, the familiar Lords started greeting each other warmly.

"Oh, isn’t this City Lord Wang of Nine Bends City? How did you manage to get here so early from such a distance from the Capital?"

"It’s really you, old Wang. I heard you were transferred to Nine Bends City just a few days ago, a territory full of prosperity. How are you doing lately?"

"Haha, not bad, thanks to His Majesty valuing me by entrusting me with such an important city to manage. I received the decree and came over before dawn, and luckily made it in time."

Being called old Wang, the Tier Eight Lord was recently transferred to Nine Bends City, an elder within the Holy Protection Kingdom.

He was responsible for the tax collection in that region, making other Lords envious beyond belief.

After all, Nine Bends City is established by the bank of Nine Bends River and adjacent to other duchies.

With just its water transport and cross-border trade, it’s incredibly prosperous; numerous high-tier Lords vie to relocate there, but ultimately it was old Wang who benefited.

No wonder their words sounded a bit sour.

On the other side of the platform.

The kingdom’s twenty-something Tier Nine Lords were clustered together, whispering amongst themselves.

"I wonder why the King suddenly summoned us."

"It’s probably just a routine council, isn’t it? After all, the new ascension of the kingdom entails many things that need reorganization."

"I think it might be related to that new territory."

"Could it be about establishing a duchy?"

This comment caused all Tier Nine Lords to startle, afterward couldn’t help but anticipate.

With territory expansion tenfold, establishing duchies to assist in governance is necessary; otherwise, with such a vast expanse, the kingdom can’t immediately deploy enough manpower.

In other words, this council really might be to discuss this matter.

So soon, the Tier Nine Lords all turned their gazes towards the three figures at the forefront: Yan Wu, Yin Tiange, and Bai Haitang.

"Don’t look at me, I don’t know the purpose of this conference either." Yan Wu shrugged.

"We are actually the same as you; we’ve only just received the news." Yin Tiange followed immediately.

Upon hearing this, everyone was instantly puzzled.

"Didn’t the three of you have a deep friendship with the King? Even you don’t know?"

Yan Wu and the King shared a bond from the same beginner area, having gone through life and death together, which was no secret by now.

They assumed the three would know something, but the result left them utterly surprised.

"What about Younger Brother Wei and Brother Meng? Your Mo Yuan City and Shuangye City are closest to the Capital, and you were personally nurtured by the King. You should know something, right?"

Then, the lords turned to look at Wei Jun and Meng Qing’an on the side.

By this time, under the support of Lin You’s abundant resources, the two had also become Tier Nine Lords, responsible for governing the areas surrounding the Capital, just like Yan Wu and the others.

They could indeed be counted as important ministers of the Kingdom.

However.

What they didn’t expect was.

Upon hearing their inquiry, Wei Jun and Meng Qing’an also shook their heads helplessly, indicating that they were not in the know.

It seemed that they could only find out once the conference began.

"Sorry to keep everyone waiting."

At this moment, an elderly voice rang out, interrupting their discussions.

Xue Changgui appeared with an elite team, arriving at the Flying Dock.

Behind him, row upon row of distorted plant forms followed closely. Then, a strong wind swept through, and massive Plant Giant Dragons roared past.

"Tier Eleven!"

Everyone was shocked to the core, all stunned by the terrifying presence of those plants.

Even if any one of these units were sent out, they could obliterate them all.

They had never seen such a grand welcoming formation?

Suddenly terrified, they dared not make a single sound, all looking with horror at the troops.

Ultimately.

It was Yan Wu and the others, familiar with Xue Changgui from frequent dealings in the Capital, who first spoke out.

"Manager Xue, why has the King summoned us this time?" Yin Tiange asked in a low voice.

"Well...you’ll know when you see His Majesty. Please, follow me; His Majesty has been waiting in the great hall for quite some time."

Xue Changgui didn’t say much more and made a gesture of invitation.

The lords exchanged glances but could only muster the courage to follow the plant formation. Led by Xue Changgui, they rode the Flying Mounts into the city.

Before long.

The entire group entered the Imperial Palace, arrived at the deliberation hall, and immediately saw Lin You, who was leaning on the throne and reviewing the Kingdom’s interface.

Upon feeling the terrifying aura enveloping the entire hall, all the lords held their breath and slowly entered the room.

"Oh, you’re all here."

At this moment, Lin You noticed them and casually closed the interface before him.

"Take a seat; I’ve summoned you to discuss some matters."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

They dared not linger and quickly, under the servants’ guidance, sat down at the tables and chairs arranged on both sides of the hall.

Once everyone was seated, Yan Wu could no longer hold back and asked, "What is the King assembling us for this time?"

Upon hearing this, the other lords instantly adopted a listening posture, all eyes fixed on Lin You.

"It’s actually not a big deal," Lin You smiled slightly, "I suppose you all know there’s a large expanse of land emptying around the Kingdom. I plan to establish ten duchies, so I wanted to inform you first."

"Ten duchies!"

The lords were startled, all showing expressions of shock.

It’s known that duchies aren’t established so easily.

Even with land, there must be lords capable of reaching Tier Ten; otherwise, no amount of land would matter.

It’s similar to the former Holy Radiance Kingdom, which took nearly three years to form ten duchies.

The most crucial element was that the Saint’s Path mission was too challenging, with hardly any Tier Nine Lords able to complete it.

No wonder they were so shocked to hear Lin You wanted to establish ten duchies.

Unexpectedly.

At that moment, Lin You’s tone suddenly changed.

"Yan Wu, Yin Tiange, Bai Haitang, from the beginning of the duchies’ establishment, you’ve been helping me manage affairs, and you’re the ones I trust the most."

"What if I asked you to help manage three of these duchies, could you do it?"

Help manage the duchies?

What does that mean?

Yan Wu and the others were secretly startled, immediately rising to look at Lin You, their faces full of confusion.

But the next second.

All the lords in the great hall, including them, suddenly widened their eyes.

For without knowing when, three crystals emitting seven-colored lights appeared in Lin You’s hand.

They quietly floated in front of him, constantly shifting shapes, causing all their hearts to race.

Rule Fragments!

Those were actually three Rule Fragments!

The lords stood up in shock, intensely staring at the Rule Fragments before Lin You, nearly popping their eyes out.