They talked for another hour, explaining the rules of the Blue Lotus city to Paul and his ladies.
These rules were simple.
No killing, no fighting other than in the arena, and so on.
Paul also learned that the hunting groups went out twice a week to try to get some meat for everyone, along with some wild fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other useful items they could gather from the forest.
Joining the hunting party was voluntary, and anyone could participate by simply arriving at the assembly area near the gate.
As for fishing, there were no restrictions on that, since the riverbank was near the walls and in the clearing, so it was quite safe.
The next in line was trade, which used an exchange system, as money was useless in this place.
-Alright, so how do you decide who lives where?
Paul asked.
-You can decide where you want to live, unless the building is already occupied.
The only other exceptions are this building and the city lord's mansion, which we can't access.
The woman at the head of the table, named Lin Mei, said.
She was the de facto leader of the people living in this city, despite not being chosen for the role.
-The problem is that most of the buildings are in a very bad state, so you will need to repair the house you want to live in.
She added, omitting that this was the main reason they were all living in the smaller houses in the city, as repairing a mansion or even a courtyard was too complicated, not to mention that they had no one with the skills to do so.
-In other words, no one will complain if I take over a mansion to live in?
Paul asked, just to be sure that this was indeed the case.
-Sure, if you want to live in a mansion, then go right ahead, at least if you can repair one enough to make it livable.
A woman named Len Ai said.
She was sitting on the right of Lin Mei, and like the rest of the women in the room, she was an elder of their community.
The other three names were Sun Ning, Wen Lan, and Gu Man, and all of them were holding the positions of elders.
It didn't hurt that they were all beautiful women.
The problem was that they looked at Paul like a bunch of gluttons looking at a candy bar.
-What's the situation with resource gathering?
Paul asked, ignoring the heated gazes the five women sent his way.
-There are essentially no resources, gathering teams, or even people here.
We have no carpenters, masons, stone workers, or even blacksmiths.
The only occupations we have here are some alchemists, herbalists, and a few earth mages who help shape stones if we need them.
We don't even have a seamstress or a healer in this place.
Most of us are simply cultivators, with no additional skills or specializations, so we do what we can and hope for the best.
-I understand, as for having a healer, I am one, and Elaina can also use some healing magic, so if you have some injured people, then you can bring them to us.
Paul said, revealing his status, which made all five women speechless.
With their explanation, he knew that he had more than enough skills to become an indispensable person in this city, and most of his ladies were the same.
Additionally, with Sei's help, he knew that he could quickly learn additional skills.
-For now, most of the injuries are scrapes and bruises, except for the one who is in a coma.
Lin Mei said, sighing in relief, as this was her greatest worry, and the lack of healers cost a few ladies their lives over the years.
-I'll go see her when we get settled in.
Paul promised.
He was also curious what was in these forests that could wipeout twenty people, leaving one barely alive.
Additionally, this information could hold the key to leaving this place.
-Great, and since we are on this topic, let us bring you to the place we are living in, so you can find a place to stay.
Sun Ning smiled, getting up from her seat.
-You mean that you don't live around here?
Natalie asked in surprise.
-No, we come here to discuss some matters in peace, since there is always someone interrupting our debate whenever we try to do it in our district.
Gu Man answered her question with a bitter smile.
-Also, you should put on your helmet before we leave.
There is no way to keep your arrival a secret since Li Fei loves to gossip, so very soon everyone will know.
But for now, it will be easier, since there are a few dual cultivators among us, and I think they might get desperate seeing a man for the first time in years.
Wen Lan added, as she wanted to avoid making a ruckus among the women in the city, at least for now.
Paul only nodded and put his helmet on, since he also wanted to avoid being swarmed by women, at least for now.
-Last question, before we go.
Paul said, surprising the five elders.
-Can we only go outside the city with the hunting party, or can we go as we please, to gather some materials?
He asked, curious if he would need to wait to get what he needed or not.
-You can go as you please, but usually it is better to go with a hunting party, since there are quite many beasts around the city, and even if you go out alone, you should stay within three kilometers from the forest edge, at least if you value your life.
Lin Mei answered.
Hearing that, Paul only smiled and nodded as that was all that he needed to know for now.
He had no intention of going out for the moment, as what he needed he had with him, and the most important thing for him right now was to advance into the beginning stage to which he was only a step away.
With that, his group left the city hall, and the five elders led them to one of the districts.
It was not a rich district with villas and mansions, but a normal district, which in the past was most likely occupied by commoners.
However, as they approached it, Paul and his ladies started to see some houses that had signs of repairs and were occupied.
-This is where most of us live, with some exceptions, who live in other parts of the city.
Gu man said as they saw several women, all of whom were beauties, coming out of the houses to have a look at the new arrivals.
The further they went, the less happy Paul's ladies were, seeing that there were indeed hundreds of women, and beautiful women at that, who would most likely start going after Paul as soon as they heard that there was a man in the city.
-Well, you know most of the rules now, so start looking for a house for yourselves, and inform us where it is, once you decide.
Lin Mei said, showing them the central area of the district, which had a big stone slab with the map of the city engraved on it in the middle.
-Where are the villas and mansions located?
Irine asked after Paul whispered into her ear.
The elders were surprised, but pointed to a place on the map that was not that far away.
-They are here, but there is not one mansion there that is livable.
Gu Man said.
-We will look around and see if we can't make one livable.
Anna smiled, understanding Paul's idea immediately.
Even if there were no mansions in a good state now, Paul could most likely repair one within a few days with the help of his ladies.
-Alright, but do inform us if you choose to settle there, since you are a healer, and we might need your help if someone gets injured.
Paul only nodded, not wanting to speak, as there were a lot of women around them now, and his voice could reveal his gender, causing a lot of unnecessary trouble.
With this, Paul's group left the central area.
As soon as they left, the five elders were swamped and buried under the questions about the new arrivals, especially the one who was a healer, since he would be important for all of them.