In a villa outside the capital of Liyang Country.
Jiang Yan's pupils lost focus as he received the live feed from the Evil Eye.
"Abandon the majority? Brilliant idea—Wu Yuan, you're a genius!" Jiang Yan almost burst out laughing when he heard the plan.
These people would be the spark for his next explosive leap in power, but since Wu Yuan knew nothing of the pearl of the abyss, such a scheme was only natural.
Jiang Yan raised his hand; the star seal in his palm began to pulse as he contacted An Conghao.
Jiang Yan: "Tell everyone to convene at the new base!"
An Conghao: "Understood, Chairman!"
…With the adjournment of the Blue Star Federation's first assembly, the Level Fives immediately informed their respective powers and began selecting populations for relocation to Nanwu Country in the shortest possible time.
Three days later, the population transfer commenced.
This whirlwind mass migration to Nanwu Country instantly became a hot topic online.
OldWizardBoomCannon: "What's going on? Loads of rich folks and tech workers I know are packing up for Nanwu. They say it's official, but no one's come for my family."
fashgjd: "Insane! A buddy in the government told me each country's quota depends on how many Level Fives it has—three percent per Level Five. Huge numbers are being left behind."
LizardGrip: "At least your area has a shot. My region has zero Level Fives—we're not even at the table. When the Monsters hit, who's supposed to protect us?"
LoveBigKunkun: "Damn it! Isn't the Blue Star Federation supposed to protect Blue Star? Shipping a tiny fraction south means we've been written off!"
Following the Federation's move, countries without a single Level Five descended into civil unrest.
Convinced they'd been abandoned, people took to the streets to loot and riot, eager to go wild before the Monster Association arrived.
Naturally, Jiang Yan in Liyang Country paid the human commotion no heed.
At this moment, a hundred kilometres from Liyang's capital, an immense subterranean space yawned.
Jiang Yan stood at its centre: a thousand metres high, twelve kilometres wide, the ceiling ablaze with countless lamps.
Nearby, the colossal Centipede Emperor lay coiled; its hideous form left some surrounding Monsters trembling.
To his right stood Tyrant, King of the Deep Sea, Ghost Buddha, Ghost Bride, Blood Master, Azakaya, Undead Skeleton, Black Gold, and other summoned horrors.
To his left stood Wei Gaocheng, Han Qi, Li Yong, An Conghao, Lei Xiangchen, Fang Wenyu, Salo—powerful Cadres or Monsters.
Behind them waited Tian Xing, Bart, Magneto-Storm King Butterfly, and a thirty-metre dark-crimson winged serpent.
Further back, ranks of Monsters packed every inch of space, all eyes fixed on Jiang Yan.
Jiang Yan wore a black suit, side locks framing his face, the rest of his hair tied in a small tail.
Surveying the gathered might of the Monster Association, he smiled, arms outspread: "My friends, the era of our Association has arrived. From this day we hide no longer. Covet a nation? Seize it. Conquer it. Raze it. Plunder its talents!"
With Wu Yuan's plan unfolding, vast numbers lacking Awakened protection now looked to Jiang Yan like endless progress points waiting to be harvested.