I Have A Martial Dao World

The Mist City of this era was undoubtedly the world's foremost metropolis.

But at this moment, this great city had met with a grievous catastrophe.

Lu Yao's final strike had created a radiating giant crater, leveling primary structures including the Parliament Building and Downing Street and abruptly reducing the city center by one third.

It also changed the course of the Thames River. With the river's waters flooding in, the entire city was submerged.

From the sky, the entire region had turned into a vast marshland.

The peripheral areas weren't much better off.

The residual shockwaves from their fight, like cannonballs, flew in every direction, and countless skyscrapers were blasted by the force and collapsed, leaving only their ugly, half-destroyed forms awkwardly standing.

At this moment, Lu Yao, looking upon this tragic scene, said to Fran beside him, "Sorry, I couldn't hold back, and now your hometown is in this state."

The battle had just ended when Fran had immediately come over.

Hearing Lu Yao's words, she gave a light smile and responded, "No need to worry. The nation's people are no longer here; to me, this place is just as foreign now. And..."

Fran performed a formal curtsy with complete seriousness, bowing and saying, "Thank you for your timely rescue. Instead, it's I who have been of no help, only causing you trouble..."

Lu Yao waved his hand with a smile and said, "Friends need not be so formal with each other, and besides, this enemy of ours was bound to be dealt with sooner or later."

Fran nodded and then looked towards the direction of Avalon, lost in thought.

This moment, the golden-haired, blue-eyed girl revealed an incredibly beautiful profile, filled with deep sorrow and bewilderment.

Lu Yao took out the transparent card-like object Merlin had given him and said, "In a couple of days, we'll go to the Tianyuan Realm together, and you will definitely regain a physical body."

Fran said despondently, "It doesn't matter anymore, there's no need to trouble you. After all, I should have faded away into the river of time long ago..."

She had been holding on to a determination to rebuild her physical body and save the world, but her entire life had been nothing but a play.

Suddenly, she lost all her will to fight and even her will to exist. Her soul body began to destabilize.

Seeing his companion in such a dispirited state, a flash of light sparked in Lu Yao's eyes, and his Divine Thought crackled like electricity across the surface of the girl's body.

"Hiss..."

The pain from her soul made Fran involuntarily let out a suppressed groan, which was almost immediately replaced by the invigorating True Intent of the Martial Path, inspiring her as though it were an encouragement.

Lu Yao spoke slowly, "Look, Fran, you've already died once; what's there to be so sentimental about~"

Fran hung her head, silent.

Unaware of her feelings, Lu Yao continued, "The Fran of the past is long dead; the Fran of now is merely a fortunate one reborn with memories, lacking only a physical body to truly live. Right~ You seem quite envious when you see us eating, drinking and having fun, don't you?"

Fran nodded slightly. She wanted to taste medicinal meals, snacks from Blue Star, and what exactly the Immortal Brew of Liao Ya tasted like...

Lu Yao said firmly, "There you have it! Cheer up, create a perfect body for yourself and live for you!"

At this moment, although Fran was still looking down, she heard every single word Lu Yao said.

She took a deep breath, her head rising once again, her gem-like blue eyes regaining their brilliance as she softly said, "Thank you!"

"That's more like it. One cannot dwell on yesterday; it is the present that we must look to," he said.

Lu Yao held the Lake Sword in his hand and said, "Let us head home first; I want to study what Merlin has given me."

Fran obediently returned to the sword. Lu Yao, with a forceful leap, caused a massive, web-like crack in the ground and shot up out of the atmosphere.

~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, at the Divine Land Capital.

It had been a mere two hours since Lu Yao left, by his reckoning.

Before he left, Li Pei, Liao Ya, and the other women had gone to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Beijing-Ji Railway.

At this moment, the ceremony had just begun.

Under the watchful eyes of numerous high-ranking officials, representatives of major forces, and a sea of people, Zhang Jin and Li Jinying, the Chief Eunuchs, stood by the railroad pulling up a red silk ribbon.

Li Pei stepped forward to cut the ribbon, signifying the official opening of the railway.

The crowd immediately erupted in cheers of "Long live!" accompanied by clapping and celebratory shouts.

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Railways have been present in the world for nearly a hundred years, their paramount importance is well known to all.

The Imperial Court ordered extensive construction of railways, with track-laying commencing at numerous transportation nodes across the country, where untold benefits and wealth were concealed.

All present, regardless of their affiliation, were fervently engaged.

The ceremony concluded, and Li Pei took this opportunity to receive representatives of various major powers who had come to observe.

By this time, the Government Forces had already occupied the entire territory of Izumo, and it was time to divide the spoils.

This matter was of great significance, so for a mere completion ceremony, the heads of major forces all made an appearance. Even the mother of the Liao Family Sisters—Madam Xiao Qing—was present.

Taking advantage of her influence in Izumo, the Xiao family had busily engaged in espionage, persuasion, and defection, and naturally, they hoped to claim a larger piece of the cake.

However, Xiao Qing was shrewd and did not seek out Li Pei to pester him. Instead, she went straight to her youngest daughter.

She was well aware—this was her family's greatest reliance.

At that moment, Liao Qe was curiously inspecting the train, followed by many prominent figures from both north and south of the great river.

When Xiao Qing arrived, she heard these influential bigwigs, whose stomping could make the ground shake, humbly saying:

"Grandmaster Liao, my Dashengkui Company is willing to offer a 10% shareholding as dry stock, simply asking for your acceptance of our young lady as a named disciple!"

"Mrs. Liao, my Great Deheng Bank is willing to offer a 10% shareholding as dry stock and ten thousand acres of fertile land, only seeking to form a good connection..."

...

These firms and banks were all privately owned enterprises ranked within the top ten of the Yi Dynasty, willingly offering up their equity for a share, and were panicked, fearing rejection.

Xiao Qing was not surprised. Affiliation with personages of high standing was an expected honor, and such benefits were well worth accepting.

She thought to herself, "These people are indeed cunning, seeking out the youngest Liao Qe, who appears the most amenable to approach."

But what happened next was beyond expectation.

Liao Qe's expression turned somber as she stated solemnly, "Thank you for your kindness, but I cannot accept rewards without having earned them, please forgive me."

Having said her piece, she bowed to all around her and promptly left.

No one dared to stop her, only able to accompany her departure with regretful expressions and polite laughter.

It was only then that Xiao Qing approached to meet her daughter.

Liao Qe's icy demeanor melted in an instant, and she exclaimed with surprise, "Mother, what brings you here? You didn't even notify me~"

Xiao Qing gently replied, "I was feeling stifled at home, so I decided to come out for a walk. By the way, why didn't you accept those generous offers from the big companies?"

Liao Qe waved her hand dismissively, "Such trifling advantages are not worth mentioning. They would only bring endless troubles, which I don't want."

"Trifling advantages..." Xiao Qing was momentarily at a loss for words, unable to continue.

The offers presented to Liao Qe just moments ago were enough to help an ordinary person cultivate to the level of a Great Grandmaster, a truly lavish wealth.

Yet, in the eyes of her own daughter, they were mentioned as negligible, and even bothersome.

Having spent her days with Lu Yao, dealing in quantities of gold and silver by the ton, Liao Qe had lost her sense of value for money.

At that moment, she linked arms with Xiao Qing, and with a cheerful laugh, said, "Lu Yao is now very powerful, Mother's foundation has become solid. In a few days, I'll have him make a move to help you advance to the Blood-Exchange Realm."

Xiao Qing was naturally elated at such good fortune and joyfully agreed, "That would be wonderful, I…"

But just then, someone interrupted, "Resources are plentiful, it's better to break through on your own. Only then can you travel farther."

Looking up, she saw Liao Ya.

Seeing her eldest daughter, who bore a strong resemblance to herself, Xiao Qing offered an apologetic smile, "I'm old, not like you girls. It would be better to have Lord Lu Tian enlighten me."

Liao Ya spoke evenly, "I've said all there is to say. Whether you listen is up to you."

After finishing her statement, she turned and left.

Xiao Qing's face showed a hint of sadness; her eldest daughter had always been estranged from her, and now they were as good as strangers.

Liao Qe consoled, "Don't take it to heart, Sister is a bit blunt, but she means well for you."

Xiao Qing opened her mouth to speak, hesitated, and finally just sighed.

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