The information Xu Qianghua gathered from the crowd piqued his curiosity.
The empire's influence, especially through the Empyrean Harmony Sect and the Chamber of Commerce, had clearly begun transforming life in the Central Continent.
From what he observed, most of the changes appeared positive—a good sign since this continent would serve as a model for others, showcasing how they treat their own people.
With curiosity piqued, he extended his consciousness toward the mission board to review the tasks listed and learn who was issuing them.
As he passed through the crowd, he continued observing the prosperous surroundings. Street vendors called out to passersby, selling everything from cultivation manuals to freshly prepared meals.
A variety of cultivators mingled—young disciples from diverse sects and older, seasoned cultivators who had likely strengthened themselves since arriving in this world.
When his consciousness reached the mission board, he found a large crowd gathered around it, all vying to read the latest postings.
The board itself was embedded in a polished stone wall, with mission listings neatly carved into its surface. Each listing was color-coded, indicating the level of difficulty and the resources required to complete it.
At the top row were missions edged in gold, signifying high-reward tasks, most likely posted by one of the forces under the Xu family, as only they had the resources and influence to offer such substantial rewards.
As he scanned the missions, Xu Qianghua noted that some tasks involved eliminating local threats, like rogue cultivators or hostile beasts disrupting trade routes.
Other missions focused on resource collection or escorting caravans between cities—often simple jobs, though the difficulty could vary based on the chosen route and the cargo.
The lower-tier missions were marked in plain black script, offering simpler objectives like gathering herbs for local alchemists or aiding in town construction efforts.
One mission, in particular, caught his eye. It was a high-reward task posted by the Empyrean Harmony Sect, and the mission description read:
Seeking cultivators of Foundation Realm or higher to assist in securing rare spiritual herbs in the Silverpeak Mountains. Danger level: High. Reward: Tier 3 weapon or equivalent spiritual resources.
Several other missions also bore the Sect's logo, indicating they had a consistent presence on the mission board.
"My family wouldn't have been able to afford the spiritual herbs I needed for a breakthrough if not for the ETC's new prices," a teenage girl commented to her friend after a sparring session.
"Same here," her friend replied. "Ever since the Empyrean Harmony Sect started running these halls, even low-level cultivators like us can access resources.
It feels like they genuinely want us to grow, not just exploit us for labor."
Listening to their conversation, Xu Qianghua smiled, watching the young cultivators practice with a joy and optimism that hadn't existed in the old timeline.
In that past world, people had lived in a more negative mindset for the first few decades, resisting change and feeling forced into new ways of life.
They had clung to the safety of the old world, even if it lacked excitement.
Now, in this transformed world, the looming threats of death and danger shaped people's perspectives yet also gave them purpose.
Bai Lingyun envisioned the Community Cultivation Halls as a way to give young cultivators from less privileged backgrounds access to resources they wouldn't otherwise have.
Seeing how her vision positively impacted lives and helped secure a future for those who might have struggled to find a place in this world was nice, as this means that the world is much more peaceful.
Although this kind of world is different from all the other cultivation-type novels they have read in the old world.
But who wants a world where people are killed for every little thing, this does not bring a untied world.
Instead, it creates a world where the cultivators have to fight against external threats with one hand while the other is guarding themselves from their so-called allies.
As Xu Qianghua left the hall, he noted the clean streets, well-maintained buildings, and the respectful interactions between cultivators and ordinary citizens alike.
The city radiated a harmony he hadn't observed in other places, an undeniable aura of stability and progress.
The people seemed happier and more hopeful—qualities rare in a world where power typically dictated everything.