Meanwhile, in Nexara...


    Over thest 29 years, Nexara has changed in ways no one could have fully anticipated.


    What began as a small poption of a few billion has now surged to over 20 billion humans alone.


    The growth isn''t random—Nexara''s poption reflects years of change, merges, and new additions.


    Before the great merge, the human poption was about 8 billion, not including the additional 2 billion NPCs added by the World''s Will so that cities would have a starting poption.


    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 ce.


    Now, having more than doubled the original poption, Nexara''sndscape looks quite different. Every corner of this world seems more alive, with new towns, cities, and viges 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 ofmerce and cultivation, while others are quieter, more remote ces where people focus on building close-knitmunities and honing their skills away frompetitive environments.


    This poption 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 poption growth, family-style yers are invested in who they bring in.


    The new poption isn''t just a number—it includes skilled cultivators, schrs, 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 be 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 be apparent.


    Those with good bloodlines and natural talent stand out, progressing faster and gaining respect in theirmunities as a sect or simr group recruits them.


    The gap between these naturally talented cultivators and those without such advantages has created an almostpetitive culture within Nexara.


    But thispetition drives others to focus on family-building rather than direct cultivation.


    Many people have slowly epted 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 buildingrge, powerful families, hoping future generations will have better attributes and potential.


    Beyond the bustling human cities, Nexara''sndscape reflects the growth of its civilizations. The environment of the has changed significantly, with many new areas, both natural and man-made.


    In the more developed areas, often controlled by a city or certain force, there are vast farming regions, resource-mining zones, and spaces specifically designed for cultivating unique nts used in alchemy and other fields.


    With a-wide need for food, medicine, and energy resources, much of Nexara is carefully managed and tended by specialized cultivators and experts.


    The wilderness, on the other hand, has grown wilder. As humans spread across Nexara, animals and beasts have reimed areas untouched by civilization.


    This includes the monster race, which has started to reim the Southern continent, building its own society with the Fox and Snake ns leading due to outside support.


    Neither of these two races rule the entire continent. Instead, both have be what the monster race calls "Guardian tribes," protecting the Monster race from external enemies.


    This approach was then copied by the human race, which also began establishing secret branches of elite families that can be called upon in times of dire need.


    Some, like the monster race, chose to be hidden families who only appear during major emergencies.


    However, those who did were usually mid-level families with enough resources to live and train a few powerful cultivators. For the top families, these hidden groups are often seen as opting out of directpetition.


    In most cases, families who chose to "hide" did so after losing in some significant battle, using the hidden family status as an excuse to retreat from the fight while preserving some strength.


    Meanwhile, the cities that once had a modest look have grown significantly, like therger cities, which are bustling hubs of trade and ces where powerful cultivators reside.


    These cities have intricate marketces, towering structures, and facilities dedicated to training, cultivation, and study.


    Many of these urban centers have specialized areas where cultivators gather to exchange information, trade resources, and take on missions for resources that help them grow.


    Beyond cultivation, these cities have also be silent battlefields for the top families who constantly vie for control ofrge cities. Eachrge city can increase the speed of resource collection by several times.


    In smaller towns and viges, life is slower as vigers focus on improving their lives by growing and selling crops as they did in the old world.


    But in this new world, the time and energy it takes for farmers and other vigers is less than half what it was before, thanks to their cultivation and specialized manuals.


    By using these manuals while working, vigers not only grow their skills but also aid their cultivation.


    Thesemunities often center around a particr family or group, with everyone working together to protect and grow their town''s resources.


    Each vige or town has its own culture, shaped by the values of its inhabitants. While they mayck the resources of therger cities, they make up for it in close-knit rtionships and loyalty, as most of these viges are owned and run by the same family.


    This rapid expansion has also created a need for organized forces. Various guilds, sects, and academies have emerged, each focusing on a particr path or goal.


    Some are purely dedicated to cultivation, advancing through realms, and acquiring power, while others concentrate on mastering specific arts like alchemy, beast taming, orbat skills.


    Most of these organizations cater tomon citizens, who create forces topete with family-style yers on a more level ying field.


    These organizations guide people, providing training and resources to help neers 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 ns sometimes sh over resources, power, or ideological differences.


    Despite the tension, many ept thispetitive atmosphere as necessary in a world that has otherwise beenrgely peaceful.


    Cities are equipped with fighting venues, which have seen much use over the past 15 years.


    Thepetitive nature of Nexara encourages people to strive for greatness, though it can also create tension.


    Thispetitive atmosphere causes many families and sects to watch each other closely, as everyonepetes to carve out their ce 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 orpetitors, 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 ns who are unmarried.


    With the Xu family recognized as one of the leading families, they are both a pir 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 politicalndscape.


    The Xu family can control thend they upyrgely 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 simr strengths.


    But this is part of Xu Qianghua''s n; 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 sess 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 toe.