The combined forces of the various strongholds have ended in failure.
The landscape within the region of Chen Yu's city-state has also undergone a drastic transformation due to the alliance's defeat.
All the major strongholds have been dismantled.
The remaining smaller strongholds, tribes, and villages, after careful consideration, either withdrew from this area or directly joined Chen Yu's city-state.
The city-state's population surged.
Kailin's earlier prediction was indeed conservative; the population within the city-state has now surpassed 300,000, reaching the scale of a Level Three town.
With such a vast population base, the city-state's changes are happening at an unprecedented pace.
"I really don't know what kind of bewitching spell you've cast on my father," Roni Elton grumbled, arms crossed, looking at Chen Yu with a gaze full of complaint. "You sent me to such an out-of-the-way place with no areas for recreation, no nice clothes, and the environment is so harsh. Tell me... what exactly did you say to my father."
With her hands on her hips, Roni Elton bit her lip and stared intently at Chen Yu.
"You speak!"
"Truly worthy of a nation of infrastructure enthusiasts, look at how our city-state is being built."
Chen Yu stood atop a clock tower, ignoring Roni Elton who was clamoring beside his ear. Instead, he surveyed the panoramic view of the city-state with a sigh of emotion.
Inviting Fang Xiu to his camp was an absolutely wise decision. He couldn't find any fault with Fang Xiu's urban planning, and with Fang Xiu controlling the overall construction, the efficiency of the subordinates was extremely high.
Buildings rose one after another.
A quarter of the entire city-state's area had been put into development.
At this rate, within less than half a year, at least three-quarters of the city-state would be developed, and its operation would no longer require Chen Yu's direct involvement.
"Do we have any population pressure in our city-state now?" Chen Yu asked, glancing sideways.
The population within the city-state had grown rapidly during this period. With the large strongholds conquered, the authority in this region could be considered completely unified.
For those who wished to continue surviving in this area, only one path lay before them.
Join the city-state!
"There's a slight bit," Kailin murmured after a moment of thought. "The developed areas of our city-state can accommodate between 400,000 and 500,000 people, and our current population is nearing the red line."
As expected, population pressure had indeed emerged.
Ultimately, it was due to Chen Yu's city-state developing too quickly, and other regions not yet having started construction, that this situation arose.
Otherwise, his city-state could easily accommodate two million people.
"Urban construction pressure," Chen Yu sighed softly. "It can't be helped. Let Fang Xiu work a little harder. This is a crucial moment for our city-state's development."
"Chen! Ba! Tian!"
Suddenly, a roar filled with immense fury reached Chen Yu's ears. Chen Yu, who had deliberately ignored Roni, turned back with a smile.
"What's wrong, why are you shouting?"
"I want to go back to the royal city!" Roni Elton said, biting her lip. "This place is too shabby, and living here is not good at all. Quickly tell my father to come and pick me up."
"What's wrong with this city-state?"
Chen Yu turned sideways, showcasing the grandeur of the city-state to her.
"Look at these buildings rising from the ground, look at the crowds moving through the city streets. Don't you think this city-state has a vast future? It might not be as good as the royal city now, but who can say for sure in the future? Perhaps my place will be even better than the royal city."
"Dream on."
Roni Elton wrinkled her nose and pouted. Then, she leaned over the city wall again, gazing at the outskirts.
"Your city-state looks good, and judging by the investment, if it can be built up, it might even rival some large cities. The areas surrounding the city-state are quite open, making future expansion not difficult. If it develops positively, becoming a main city is not impossible."
As the only daughter of the Elton family, and the sole child of Fu Hua Elton, she was spoiled. Despite her arrogance, no one could deny the insight she had gained from constantly being by Fu Hua Elton's side.
During her days in the city-state, she hadn't been idle. On the contrary, she had a clear understanding of the construction within the city-state and the situation outside. In her heart, she didn't oppose her father investing money here. At least, in her opinion, this city-state possessed a vitality that other city-states might lack. Given time, this city-state would undoubtedly bring immeasurable financial returns to the Elton family.
The problem was—
All of this didn't change the fact that she disliked it here.
"Don't even think about developing it into a royal city," Roni Elton frowned. "If you went to the royal city, you would know how prosperous it is. Compared to it, this place is a slum."
"Is that so?"
Chen Yu's eyes twinkled with a smile.
"Then I am quite looking forward to seeing the royal city. I'll be going to the royal city myself in a while, so let me take a good look at its scenery."
"You're going to the royal city?" Roni Elton's spirits lifted.
Chen Yu glanced at her without speaking. He was indeed going to the royal city. Chen Yu felt it was best to handle the application to join the kingdom himself. Moreover, Roni had spoken of the royal city's opulence. He needed to broaden his horizons and see how luxurious it truly was. This would also be beneficial for the future development of his own city-state.
"Then take me back too," Roni Elton pleaded with longing in her eyes. "Please, this place is very good, but I really can't adapt to it."
"Don't dream." Chen Yu crushed her hope, even though there was no chance of it. "I've already been quite lenient with you. Do you know that your father has left you here with me? This was a condition of negotiation with your father, and originally, you were meant to be a concubine."
"You're talking nonsense! My father would never do that!" Roni shouted, her eyes wide, and then turned and ran down the clock tower. "I'm going to ask my father myself."
Chen Yu didn't stop her, letting her run down from the tower. Chen Yu's cooperation with Fu Hua Elton had already begun, and Roni was part of that negotiation. She would remain in this city-state as a hostage to demonstrate the sincerity of the Elton family's cooperation with Chen Yu. In truth, Chen Yu wasn't particularly concerned about this. He understood Fu Hua Elton's intentions. By having Roni stay here, especially since the royal city was no longer a region controlled by the Elton family, Fu Hua Elton was also ensuring Roni's safety. This was to prevent the royal family from noticing the Elton family's changes after the cooperation and taking sudden action against the family.
"Have the resources from the Elton family arrived?" Chen Yu murmured.
"Resources have been arriving successively," Kailin replied softly. "I have records, and the resources are already being invested in the city-state's construction."
"That's good." Chen Yu nodded slightly. Kailin then spoke again. "Leader, Kuka and the others also returned to the city not long ago and are waiting at our camp. Would you like to see them now?"
"Hmm..." Chen Yu looked out from the clock tower and sighed. "Let's go, I'll go see them."