Haiyuan City, a relatively backward coastal city of the Star Luo Empire, had undergone earth-shattering changes compared to before.
The streets were filled with many uniquely styled buildings, blending novel designs with soul tool technology, creating a distinctive look.
Meanwhile, at some point, a large number of convenient and practical soul tools appeared throughout the city, scattered like stars in every corner, bringing unprecedented convenience to the residents' lives.
On both sides of the streets, soul tool lamps cast bright, gentle light, illuminating the whole city as if it were day even in total darkness.
Several newly opened soul tool shops were bustling, displaying all sorts of affordable everyday soul tools, dazzling the eyes.
From bicycles for easy travel, to soul tool air conditioners that kept people warm in cold winters, to washing machines that automatically cleaned clothes—each one amazed Haiyuan City's citizens.
Such soul tools had long been widespread in the Sun Moon Empire. But in the Star Luo Empire and similar countries like Heavenly Soul and Dou Ling, traditional soul masters had long been prejudiced against soul tools, seeing them as unorthodox and not worthy of the main stage.
Therefore, most people in the three original Douluo nations had only heard of the wonders of soul tools and had never actually seen one.
However, Haiyuan City's people showed strong adaptability, and with the city lord's mansion's tireless promotion, these previously unfamiliar soul tools quickly spread throughout the city.
Some old-fashioned noble clans still clung to tradition and refused to use soul tools, scoffing at them.
But under Changli's tough measures, even if they were dissatisfied, they dared not openly oppose.
After all, in Haiyuan City, the decrees issued by the city lord's mansion held absolute authority; none dared defy them.
If anyone dared raise objections, they'd better first ask if Jingliu's sharp sword would allow it.
Traditional thinking had, to some extent, limited the older generation's views.
However, the younger generation was completely different; they were open-minded, curious about new things, and adapted to innovations very quickly.
With the pressure from the city lord's mansion, the elders could only helplessly turn a blind eye and let the young people enjoy the convenience soul tools brought.
So, in just the eight short years since Lu Jingming became city lord, Haiyuan City had been completely transformed.
Not only had the city expanded several times, but it also saw the rise of hundred-meter-tall buildings, and new tram tracks crisscrossed the streets with soul tool trams shuttling back and forth, greatly facilitating travel.
Haiyuan City's rapid changes attracted a flood of merchants from all over, like a giant magnet.
Even many soul master families, moved by the city's prosperity, chose to relocate and settle in Haiyuan City.
All these changes were largely thanks to a new fleet of soul tool warships.
These advanced warships could regularly set out to sea, moving with ease through the stormy ocean, not only capturing valuable sea soul beasts but also bringing back large quantities of fresh seafood.
The bounty brought back by the warships not only met the needs of the residents but also created enormous economic value, steadily increasing Haiyuan City's wealth.
In the past, frequent sea soul beast attacks were a nightmare for the people of Haiyuan City. But now, things had changed dramatically—every sea soul beast incursion was no longer a disaster but a grand festival.
Because it meant more soul beast materials flooding the market.
Maintaining city order was thanks to the city lord's personal guard—the Golden Guard.
This force numbered five hundred, each member a soul master rigorously selected and trained.
They wore the most advanced soul tool armor and wielded powerful soul tools, keeping order throughout Haiyuan City.
Whether it was rampaging sea soul beasts or law-breaking soul masters, none could escape the Golden Guard's discipline.
The Golden Guard had only been around for two years, yet it was already famous in Haiyuan City.
They'd subdued countless unruly soul masters, including a feat where three members easily overpowered a Soul King.
On the Douluo Continent, soul masters were rare, and Soul Kings even rarer—often powerful enough to become city lords themselves in smaller cities.
Though those three were among only five captain-level Soul Kings in the Golden Guard, it was still an amazing achievement for Haiyuan City to have five Soul King captains just two years after the guard's founding.
After all, training and supporting soul masters took massive resources, especially for higher ranks.
Within the Golden Guard, there were strict ranks: ordinary members at the Soul Grandmaster level, squad leaders at Soul Elder, company commanders at Soul Ancestor, and above them, the Soul King captains.
The commander of the entire Golden Guard was Haiyuan City's strongest on the surface—Ice Moon Sword Douluo Jingliu.
It's no exaggeration to say that, with such a disciplined and powerful force, Haiyuan City's order was the best in the Star Luo Empire.
All outsiders who came to Haiyuan City dared not act recklessly or break the law.
After all, in the past two years, plenty of powerful people had failed here, tempted by the city's wealth and resources.
The city's many attractions—from warships that could brave the seas, to the variety of soul tools, to rare treasures from the ocean—inevitably attracted the greed of those with bad intentions.
However, these attempts to disrupt Haiyuan City ultimately failed to have any real impact on this vibrant city.
Although the Golden Guard could not compare to the soul master legions of the major empires or the soul tool legions of the Sun Moon Empire, those coveting Haiyuan City were not powerful forces anyway.
Not to mention, Haiyuan City had Jingliu, such a powerful presence, standing guard.