Meanwhile, in Nexara...
Over the last 29 years, Nexara has changed in ways no one could have fully anticipated.
What began as a small population of a few billion has now surged to over 20 billion humans alone.
The growth isn't random—Nexara's population reflects years of change, merges, and new additions.
Before the great merge, the human population was about 8 billion, not including the additional 2 billion NPCs added by the World's Will so that cities would have a starting population.
Then came the massive influx of new people through family cards, which allowed leaders to summon individuals with specific skills, talents, or resources. This steady expansion has made Nexara, which was mostly empty due to its size, into a much livelier place.
Now, having more than doubled the original population, Nexara's landscape looks quite different. Every corner of this world seems more alive, with new towns, cities, and villages emerging alongside older establishments.
All of these were created by humans and not given by the World's Will, as this wasn't something it had to worry about.
Some of these new areas are bustling centers of commerce and cultivation, while others are quieter, more remote places where people focus on building close-knit communities and honing their skills away from competitive environments.
This population growth, however, hasn't been as simple as merely increasing numbers. Many of the newly summoned people are some of the best cultivators in the world.
Unlike a random population growth, family-style players are invested in who they bring in.
The new population isn't just a number—it includes skilled cultivators, scholars, inventors, tradesmen from different backgrounds, and even some unique bloodlines.
The World's Will facilitated this, as it wanted the summoned people to help the inhabitants grow, providing it with feedback so it, too, could evolve.
In this expanded world, cultivation has become the new norm as each major realm offers them strength and lifespan.
However, cultivation isn't easy for everyone; not every summoned person has the right physique, lineage, or talent to excel quickly.
For many, the early enthusiasm fades as the challenges of cultivating without a strong bloodline or special physique become apparent.
Those with good bloodlines and natural talent stand out, progressing faster and gaining respect in their communities as a sect or similar group recruits them.
The gap between these naturally talented cultivators and those without such advantages has created an almost competitive culture within Nexara.
But this competition drives others to focus on family-building rather than direct cultivation.
Many people have slowly accepted that without a good physique, talent, or bloodline, their chances of a smooth cultivation path are slim.
This has led some to shift focus from personal cultivation to building large, powerful families, hoping future generations will have better attributes and potential.
These organizations guide people, providing training and resources to help newcomers catch up.
But it's not all peaceful. With the influx of diverse personalities and backgrounds, conflicts inevitably arise.
Most forces never really expand beyond safe zones, yet different sects and clans sometimes clash over resources, power, or ideological differences.
Despite the tension, many accept this competitive atmosphere as necessary in a world that has otherwise been largely peaceful.
Cities are equipped with fighting venues, which have seen much use over the past 15 years.
The competitive nature of Nexara encourages people to strive for greatness, though it can also create tension.
This competitive atmosphere causes many families and sects to watch each other closely, as everyone competes to carve out their place in the world.
Nexara's top families have noticed these rapid changes.
But rather than feeling threatened, they recognize that most of these changes are beneficial. More talented people in the world mean more potential allies or competitors, pushing everyone to grow stronger.
For many top families, including the Xu family, this abundance of talent is advantageous, as there are still many in their clans who are unmarried.
With the Xu family recognized as one of the leading families, they are both a pillar of stability and a source of inspiration, forcing other forces to restrain themselves.
Their resources, influence, and connection to the World's Will have given them a prominent position in Nexara's social and political landscape.
The Xu family can control the land they occupy largely because the Xu family head genuinely wants the whole world to grow alongside him.
This approach surprised many, as such generosity would not be typical if others had similar strengths.
But this is part of Xu Qianghua's plan; if his family wants to grow, it needs more people to work for it.
Even though most people don't directly work for the Xu family, their efforts still help it grow. Small alliances and agreements across various sectors allow resources and support to flow back to strengthen the Xu family.
Xu Qianghua knew that a powerful family couldn't build an empire alone—it needed the efforts of many individuals and groups to thrive.
Because of this, the Xu family focuses on giving others incentives, resources, and guidance.
They want the people of Nexara to get stronger, knowing that their success will ultimately benefit the Xu family.
For Xu Qianghua, it's not just about being on top but creating a world where his family is at the center of growth and prosperity.
It's a long-term approach; by helping the world progress, they gain allies, boost the economy, and build strong support across society.
This also brings stability to Nexara, as other families see that cooperating with the Xu family brings security and valuable resources, helping ensure Xu Qianghua's influence for generations to come.