In the center of Mi Li Island, a sacred statue, one kilometer high, stood tall, enveloped in a mist of spiritual energy. This was the Ultimate Sacred Statue, manifested after Ye Yun used his skill 'Supreme Being'.
Besides Maya Mountain Range and this location on Blue Star, Ye Yun had also specifically established one in the capital of Huaguo. Moreover, each star domain incorporated into the Ten Directions Empire's territory, including the Divine Realm and Demonic Realm, also had one.
"I didn't expect that as the territory expanded and the number of Ultimate Sacred Statues increased, the Primordial Qi in the real world would be unrestricted." Ye Yun looked at the other him, suspended in the center of his dantian, with pleasant surprise.
Since establishing the empire, Ye Yun had clearly felt a qualitative improvement in the Primordial Qi he received after it was infused with national destiny. Its quantity had also increased significantly.
This was evident from the daily point limit increasing from five hundred thousand to five million.
With the increase in Primordial National Destiny Qi, officials granted titles could receive greater power enhancements, and the spiritual energy within the entire Ten Directions Empire's territory would grow. Even the average lifespan and strength of the empire's citizens would increase with the growth of Primordial National Destiny.
Sacred statues produced Primordial National Destiny Qi only when worshipped by living beings, so naturally, the more the better.
Therefore, for the past few days, Ye Yun had been either setting up sacred statues in various star domains or reviewing subordinate officials recommended by the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers within the Imperial Palace. Simultaneously, he was also constructing security legions within the empire's territory.
Although Ye Yun had delegated power, the appointment of these officials still required his approval as the Emperor. Only then could they receive the blessings of Primordial National Destiny Qi.
On Blue Star, at the Huanglong Tower in the capital of Huaguo, a soldier in a dark green military uniform stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of the top-floor reception room, gazing at the towering sacred statue with a hint of fervor in his eyes.
"Haha, Brother Li, it's so hard to get a hold of you since you became a Lieutenant General. It's rare for a big shot like you in the army to have time to visit me," a young man said, pushing the door open and smiling at the soldier.
"I wear the uniform, what can I do? This visit..." The young man turned. He was Li Le, a scion of a prominent family who had been disciplined by Ye Yun before. He had shed his former arrogance and now exuded a more composed aura.
"I know, the Dragon Palace is recruiting heavily now, so you must want our Huanglong Association's main force to join the Dragon Palace reserve team, right? I'm planning that too. Just thinking about traveling through the cosmos makes me so excited," Li Jiaze said to Li Le, full of drive.
"Xiao Ze, my mission this time is not that." Li Le took a red order from his guard and handed it to Li Jiaze.
"Haha, Brother, if our Li family needs to provide funds, that's definitely..."
As Li Jiaze spoke, he opened the order. His words stopped abruptly. He looked at Li Le with a blank expression, his eyes filled with shock and fear.
"The higher-ups require all allied forces within the Heavenly Dao on Blue Star to be conscripted. All personnel details and existing resources of those forces will be, in a roundabout way, considered as recruitment," Li Le stated emotionlessly to Li Jiaze.
The Dragon Palace's military was expanding, requiring tens of millions of combat units instantly. Including reserves and security forces, the higher-ups demanded at least fifty million, and this number would only increase over time. Hence, the current requirement was one hundred million! Including various administrative talents, the Dragon Palace was recruiting at least one hundred and ten million people.
However, acquiring such a large number so quickly was not easy, especially considering Huaguo's total population was just over two billion. Thus, a secret order was issued from the capital to all countries on Blue Star. Except for administrative roles, combat roles were made mandatory, regardless of willingness.
"Xiao Ze, this conscription order isn't just for your Huanglong Association. The Blast Heavenly Gang with millions of members in our country, and even smaller organizations like the Cold Current Sect with a thousand members, are all included. Even those thousand-strong legions in Europe have been conscripted," Li Le said sternly to Li Jiaze.
"Brother Li, if the higher-ups asked us to conquer territories, my Li family would have no objections. But this..." Li Jiaze held the red conscription order, which felt heavier than a thousand pounds, his expression grim.
As a group with thirty thousand members, the Li family had invested a considerable amount of money over the past three years, even risking the foundations of the Li Group several times. Yet, they had persisted with stable investments, even reinvesting all game earnings from their Huanglong Association. With great effort, these thirty thousand people had reached the Nascent Soul stage in their real-world strength.
Now, to be told that they were all conscripted and no longer relevant to the Li family was difficult to accept. No one would willingly give away the fruits of their two years of hard work. What was even harder to stomach was that the conscription order not only stipulated that the assets within the Heavenly Dao belonging to those conscripted personnel would be retained by them but also required their former owners to provide monthly financial support for the construction of the Ten Directions Empire.
This was essentially severing their roots, like a parasite draining their blood.
According to the conscription order, Huanglong Association had to pay ten million gold coins daily, with a 10% increase in the daily payment each calendar month, for a period of five years. If this were to be implemented, the entire Li Group would go bankrupt within two years.
A 10% monthly increase meant that by the second year, the daily payment would reach over thirty million gold coins. Who could withstand such a burden?
"Xiao Ze, the Great Emperor has already begun conquering various star domains. It can be said that this is the most crucial moment for the empire. I believe the empire will not let us down in this conscription," Li Le said. As a scion of a prominent family in Modu, even the alliance of aristocratic families had been conscripted. An organization like Huanglong Association, established by merchants, had no capital to resist.
"Haha, General Li speaks the truth. Our human race has been confined to this planet for too long. To break free from this confinement, some changes are inevitable, and His Majesty will not forget those who have made sacrifices in this reform." As Li Le finished speaking, hearty laughter echoed from outside the reception room, and a man dressed in ancient scholarly attire strode in.