“The planet the host is on used to be the only profitable area in the solar system. There wasn’t a choice!”
The system still tried to talk using a machine-like voice, but it seemed to realize that Su Ping was truly unwilling to leave, so it sounded rather angry. “The store can’t stay in the least prosperous area now that the planet has leaped to another solar system. How can a host that is supposed to make money demean himself by staying here?
“Please uphold the virtues that a boss and a shopkeeper should have to make money!”
Su Ping quickly rolled his eyes.
Damn!
Even exploitation sounds justified.
Who said that I want to make money? I just want to relax!
I only want enough money for my own needs. I’m making money because you’re forcing me to…
That being said, Su Ping knew that it was important to make money, because money was useful everywhere, especially so when it came to the system! He might have already developed a Star State pet if he had collected enough money to upgrade the Chaos Spirit Pool for Incubation to level 5!
He could have always gotten one as long as he had enough energy!
Who said money couldn’t change your life? That’s only because you didn’t spend enough…
“I’m glad that you know it.”
It was obvious that the system had peeped into Su Ping’s mind again.
Su Ping rolled his eyes and said, “Even though the Blue Planet has a poor economy right now, it is still developing! I believe it has a huge potential. Nie Huofeng mentioned earlier that a lot of tourists may come now that we’re connected to this solar system! The economy will be boosted by tourism…”
“That’s your business.”
The system showed no interest in Su Ping’s long winded speech. It said, “I only know that this planet is in the least prosperous area of the solar system. You won’t have to relocate if you can improve the economy of this planet to tier-3 in 72 hours.”
Su Ping was speechless.
The guy was not to be persuaded, at all.
It made sense. The system’s brain would have been rusted by then if it could be persuaded with that much.
“I suspect that you’re subtly cursing me,” said the system with a cold voice.
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“First warning!”
“Wait, I was saying that I didn’t do that at all. How can you suspect me?”
The system snorted.
Su Ping heaved a sigh after joking a bit and asked, “What do you mean by a tier-3 economy? How far away is the Blue Planet from that status?”
“The planet currently has a tier-5 economy, which is the lowest tier there is. A tier-3 economy is about 1,008 times more prosperous,” replied the system indifferently.
“…”
Su Ping was at a loss for words.
A thousand fold gap was too much for Su Ping.
It meant that he definitely had to relocate the store to another planet.
A lot of faces popped up in his head when he thought he had to say goodbye to the Blue Planet. He absentmindedly gazed at the scenery outside of the shop.
Life was like a wheel that continued rolling forward. You would always meet new friends as you rolled, and would have to bid farewell to old friends…
Departure was a routine in life.
Su Ping sat alone for a long time and heaved a sigh.
He had to quickly settle things on the Blue Planet if he was to leave. He also needed to confirm if the many spaceships outside the atmosphere were as friendly to the Blue Planet as Nie Huofeng claimed. After all, it would be the humans on the Blue Planet who would suffer if a conflict were to burst out.
After leaving the shop, Su Ping found Nie Huofeng giving commands in the intelligence center.
“Brother Su? You came right on time. We’re trying to reach out to the foreigners. On the other hand, you’re the Lord of the Blue Planet now; you’ll need to register the Lord Badge with your soul and astral power later. That way you’ll be the official Lord of the Blue Planet. All taxes and revenue that the Blue Planet earns in the future will partly be alloted to your personal account,” said Nie Huofeng in a quick burst upon seeing Su Ping.
He wasn’t the least bit arrogant in front of Su Ping, simply calling him Brother Su.
After all, Su Ping had killed the Lord of the Deep Caves and showed more strength than his own. Even though he was only a legendary warrior, it was his combat ability what really mattered in the end.
Nie Huofeng respected him even more because of his horrifying combat ability while he was a major realm lower than him.
“A Lord Badge?”
Su Ping raised his eyebrows, as he had never heard about it before.
“This is it.” Nie Huofeng took out a brilliant green crystal badge, which was radiating like a secret treasure in an eye-catching way.
“This is one of the Lord Badges that the Federation distributes to legal planets. They’re very important and cannot be disrespected nor destroyed. Even a Star State expert will be punished by the Federation if they ruin a Lord Badge!”
Nie Huofeng coughed and said awkwardly, “Although the Blue Planet is indeed part of the Federation, the solar system we were in was neither resourceful nor prosperous. It was far away from other solar systems, so trade was basically impossible. It almost became an isolated planet with only aboriginals as time went by.
“Ours is a tier-5 planet according to Federation standards. The tier classification depends on the planet’s economy, the number of experts registered on the planet, and many other factors.”
He looked at the spaceships above the atmosphere through the window and said, “Now that we’ve come to this solar system, we can make use of the local economy to boost our own. We’ll be able to file an application to be a tier-4 planet if we can attract ten Star State experts to register on the Blue Planet!”
As he talked, he suddenly added with some regret, “I could raise the planet’s tier on my own if I could become a Star Lord. Then, if I make friends with some Star State experts, it can even be upgraded to a tier-3 planet…”
Su Ping blinked after listening to this.
What Nie Huofeng said contained too much information for him to digest.
“Is there any difference between a tier-5 planet and a tier-4 one?” asked Su Ping.
Stunned for a moment, Nie Huofeng noticed Su Ping’s confusion and instantly said with a smile, “Of course there is! The difference is quite huge in fact!
“For example, only 1% of the revenue on a tier-5 planet will go to your pocket; 50% must be submitted to the Federation!
“You can get 5% and only have to submit 40% on a tier-4 planet. The remaining 55% of the revenue can be used for planetary construction or other missions. All in all, more resources will be at your disposal!
“Money is just one of the benefits…
“Level-4 planets may ask the Federation for reinforcements in times of crisis, such as the previous beast tides…” Nie Huofeng’s expression slightly changed as he talked, but he went on quickly, “We could have asked the experts of the Federation to help in such a catastrophe. They could have easily resolved the problem!
“In addition, tier-4 planets can hire foreign experts as mercenaries. It means that we can invite other experts to our planet. They can enjoy the benefits of our planet without becoming citizens, and their benefits on their old planet would still be valid. They would only need to work for us whenever we’re in danger or in need.
“All in all, there are plenty of benefits. You’ll get to know them later.”
Su Ping didn’t understand everything, but he did understand something.
All in all, improving the planet’s economy and the number of experts were the most important factors; there would be a lot of benefits to be had.
As for the specific benefits, they wouldn’t be revealed until later.
However, as he thought about his impending departure, Su Ping looked at the Lord Badge in Nie Huofeng’s hand and shook his head. “I don’t think I can be the Lord.”
After a momentary daze, Nie Huofeng asked, “Why not?”
“I will soon be leaving the Blue Planet,” Su Ping shook his head and said, “It doesn’t make sense that the Lord of the Blue Planet isn’t living on the Blue Planet. You can work as the Lord, or you can give the position to someone else.”
Nie Huofeng was stunned. “You’re leaving?”
All the staff in the intelligence room stopped whatever they were doing and looked at Su Ping in shock.
Nobody could have survived the war without Su Ping. They considered Su Ping to be their savior and a god on the Blue Planet!
He was also the only Lord of the Blue Planet that everybody acknowledged!
“That’s right. I’m going somewhere else.” Su Ping nodded, not surprised by everybody’s reaction.
Nie Huofeng slightly opened his mouth, intending to say something. Then, he suddenly realized that Su Ping was too talented to be confined to their planet; he would grow faster in other places.
If someone had the chance to become a Star Lord, would the position to lead a minor planet really be attractive?
He looked at Su Ping with admiration and conflicting feelings.
To abandon the supreme power of a planet required great determination!
Su Ping’s decision to abandon that power for greater achievements in cultivation moved him!
A real expert should be just as focused as Su Ping… If you were distracted by other stuff all the time, how could you grow and become stronger?
As he thought about that, Nie Huofeng suddenly realized that he had paid too much attention to the unimportant stuff!
He had plotted against the Lord of the Deep Caves because he wanted to become a Star Lord after enslaving it and making it his pet, as well as absorbing the astral power that had been sealed for a thousand years. With that he could upgrade the Blue Planet from tier 5 to tier 1!
Once that was achieved, being the Lord of the Blue Planet, he would become a dignitary even in a Federation filled with experts.
However, was that truly important to a real cultivator?
Respect, admiration and praise…
They were just superficial things!
All his plots had failed in the end, and Su Ping took advantage of the situation. The humans of the Blue Planet had almost been wiped out because of his mistake!
He might have grown to a higher level if he would have cleared the Deep Caves without concocting any schemes and explored the Federation a thousand years earlier when he reached the Star State.
Fame was just a burden… Real experts should follow their hearts and explore the universe without being bound by anything!
Nie Huofeng felt like the mist before his eyes had been cleared upon thinking all of this.
“Thank you, Brother Su!” Nie Huofeng said to Su Ping solemnly and clasped his hands in salute.
Su Ping: “???”
I was just being nice. You’re really aiming to work as the Lord?
You’ve been thinking that for a long time, haven’t you?
Finally exposed!
“You can take over as the Lord since you’re willing.” Su Ping didn’t think too much of it, as Nie Huofeng had the people of the Blue Planet on his mind even if he was stupid sometimes. He was more or less qualified to be a Lord. Su Ping couldn’t find other candidates anyway.
Both devotion and cultivation were important for a Lord. Ye Wuxiu and the others’ levels were too low. They had also been defending the Deep Caves for years and probably didn’t know the first thing about administration.
Nie Huofeng was stunned by what Su Ping said. He instantly realized he had been misunderstood and quickly waved his hands. “Brother Su, that’s not what I meant. I don’t intend to work as the Lord. I think you’re better suited for the position. I need to learn from you and pursue a higher truth, so that I can become a Star Lord sooner!”
“?”
Su Ping was startled.
Shoot!
So, you’re also planning to run away?
Who will administer the Blue Planet then?
Besides, I have good reasons to leave! I need to make money!
Why are you suddenly set on a lofty search for truth? Can’t you just stay home?
Su Ping became angry and cold. He said, “Brother Nie, you were the one who caused the mess on the Blue Planet. How can you run away? You’ll have to wait until the Blue Planet is stable again before you think of leaving. Besides, I can’t be the lord. I must go because of some pressing matters!”
Nie Huofeng was confused when Su Ping suddenly became furious. What did I say? Wasn’t I flattering you? Why are you angry?
“Well, Brother Su, don’t get angry. I’m not leaving just yet. After all, I don’t know which solar system we have jumped to, and we’re still trying to communicate with them. I will also take responsibility for the mess I caused. Nevertheless, you still have to be the lord!”
Nie Huofeng said with a bitter smile, “All the people on the Blue Planet only acknowledge you as their lord! It’s fine if you go; you can leave a representative behind. All you need to do is collect money every month. You can always come back if something big happens.”
“Can I really do that?” Su Ping was stunned. “Wouldn’t I have to stay here if I become the lord?”
Nie Huofeng quickly shook his head. “Some Star State experts have bought multiple planets and are lords of all of them. They can’t stay on all the planets at the same time, can they? You’re only needed for serious matters. You can always take a spaceship back and handle them if you’re not too far away. It’s very flexible.”
Su Ping patted his head, realizing that he was being stupid.
That’s true!
The system asked him to relocate his shop to a tier-3 area in the system, but it didn’t forbid him from coming back!
Couldn’t he return anytime on a spaceship if he was in the same solar system?
“Okay then.”
Su Ping quickly dropped the idea of giving away the planet’s lordship upon realizing that; it could give him easy money anyway. Even though the money couldn’t be transformed into energy points for the shop, it could still be used in reality. He would be happy to keep it in his pocket!
Nie Huofeng and the staff were relieved after seeing that Su Ping was no longer shirking the responsibility. They felt reassured as long as Su Ping was there.
Suddenly, a beep came and someone exclaimed, “My lord, a new message! We just cracked their communication and received their signal!”
Both Su Ping and Nie Huofeng were stunned; both turned to look at the screen.
Upon receiving Nie Huofeng’s permission, the man instantly played the signal and transformed it into the Blue Planet’s tongue. It was a middle-aged man’s voice. “Anyone there? Reply if you got this message. We are the defense troops of Misso, a tier-4 planet in the Silvy Solar System. We mean you no harm…”
“The Silvy Solar System?” Nie Huofeng was rather stunned to hear that.
Su Ping asked, “What’s wrong? Do you know about this solar system?”
Nie Huofeng became excited and nodded. “We’re truly lucky! Do you know that the Blue Planet has been sending its top talents to study abroad in the Federation? All of them were sent to the top universities in the Silvy Solar System!”
Su Ping was dazed for a moment; he then remembered the visitors from the Federation not long before.
However, he remembered that the Tower had said that some of the visitors were Star State warriors, but they didn’t bother helping their Blue Planet!
He became cold after being reminded of that.
“Now that we’ve come to Silvy, it’ll be more convenient for our talents to study abroad and return after they graduate! We’ve sent a lot of young geniuses over the years. They will surely be very excited to know that our planet has leaped to this solar system!” The more Nie Huofeng talked, the more excited he became.
Su Ping frowned and asked, “Why are the geniuses of the Blue Planet sent there? So that they can reach the Star State?”
Nie Huofeng nodded and said, “Of course! It’s very hard to reach the Star State on the Blue Planet, where the astral power density is low. The higher level you reach, the denser astral power you’ll need. You would have to refine and compress it if it’s too thin, which takes time!
“Your life will be too short if you don’t reach the Star State. The Fate State warriors will eventually lose their vigor when they’re a thousand years old, and their astral power perception will be significantly weakened. In short, you can hardly make another step after you turn a thousand years old, unless you’re extremely lucky!”
Su Ping was silent. He was aware of that. After all, he had learned some useful things from Joanna, apart from all the chit chatting.
In the past thousand years, Nie Huofeng and the Lord of the Deep Caves were the only two that had risen to the Star State on the Blue Planet; the odds were too low.
“Have any of the geniuses returned these days?” asked Su Ping.
Nie Huofeng was stunned and replied with an awful expression, “The journey to the Blue Planet is too far. They’re incapable of returning unless they reach the Star State…”
“So, none of the geniuses that were sent managed to advance into the Star State?” Su Ping raised his eyebrows and realized something when he saw Nie Huofeng’s face.
Were those people unwilling to return to their small corner after seeing a vaster world?
Still, don’t forget that it was home…
“Humans change. Someone more distinguished than your disciple could have shown up if you hadn’t sent out all those geniuses and decided to educate some of them yourself!” said Su Ping coldly.
Nie Huofeng was silent. He had thought of the same thing. So, the geniuses who had been sent later on had been carefully chosen. They were either grateful or had families that they couldn’t abandon on the Blue Planet.
However, nobody came back.
“Maybe.” Nie Huofeng didn’t refute Su Ping’s claim. He slightly shook his head and said, “Maybe there are other reasons. Maybe the competition here is more brutal and all of them failed…”
Su Ping’s eyes twitched, as it was indeed a possibility.
However, he didn’t believe that none of the geniuses sent out in the past thousand years had ever succeeded.
But as he saw the expression on Nie Huofeng’s face, Su Ping chose not to say it, as he couldn’t get anything from mocking the man. What happened in the past had already happened. What was the point of blaming them?
He didn’t know the specific reason, but in any case, they had some advantage since they were currently in a solar system that Nie Huofeng knew.
