Maple Leaf Tower

On the pitch-black cliff, a five-colored streak of light leaped and darted about, occasionally sending chunks of shattered rock tumbling down.

After another leap, a handsome and dashing youth landed on the ground.

He turned slightly and glanced once more at the cave that had brought him such a tremendous opportunity. Then, with a flash, he vanished into the darkness.

The next day, as the morning light softly shone down, Medicine Valley was lush and verdant both inside and out.

Inside and outside the camp, numerous mercenaries had risen early and busied themselves with work. Under the guidance of several physicians, the physician apprentices carefully harvested the mature medicinal herbs.

Every now and then, one or two careless apprentices would make a mistake in the harvesting process and receive a rap from a physician's ruler.

Meanwhile, Qing Lin stayed by Xiao Yi Xian's side, diligently assisting and learning, her little face exceptionally serious.

The scene was much the same as yesterday's. If not for the dried Magical Beast blood outside Medicine Valley reminding them of yesterday's dangers, it would have seemed as though nothing had happened.

When Lin Feng emerged from his tent, this was the bustling sight that greeted him, leaving him slightly stunned. Could it be that he was the only one who had slept in?

"My lord, these are the Third-order Fire Attribute Demonic Core, three Second-order Demonic Cores, and seven First-order Magic Cores obtained yesterday. Please inspect them." As if he had been waiting outside Lin Feng's tent all along, the moment Lin Feng appeared, the master of Myriad Medicine Pavilion stepped forward, bowed, and offered him a Storage Ring. (P.S.: Although dozens of first-order Magical Beasts had been killed in yesterday's battle, first-order Magical Beasts had a relatively low chance of producing Magic Cores.)

"Mhm." Lin Feng accepted the Storage Ring. After probing it with his mind, he saw ten irregular crystals of varying sizes. "In that case, thank you, Pavilion Master Yao."

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. It was only right. I should be thanking you for saving me yesterday, my lord. Otherwise, this humble one's life would have been in danger." Pavilion Master Yao hurriedly replied.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with him, Lin Feng fell silent, signaling for him to leave. Yet the man continued following him. Lin Feng turned slightly and looked at Pavilion Master Yao. "What guidance do you have for me, Pavilion Master Yao?" he asked blandly.

Hearing this, Pavilion Master Yao came to an abrupt stop. He gritted his teeth, then said to Lin Feng, "My lord, please accept Myriad Medicine Pavilion. This subordinate, Yao Le, is willing to brave fire and water for you without hesitation."

"Oh? Even if I'm a High-level Great Dou Master, that shouldn't be enough for you to abandon the family fortune you built over half your life and follow me. A clever man like you should know I won't remain in Green Mountain Town for long. Speak plainly." Lin Feng was somewhat intrigued.

"This subordinate heard that you are a Peak Second-grade Alchemist. Moreover, at your age, you are already a High-level Great Dou Master. This subordinate..." Yao Le paused. "This subordinate hopes that you can give me an opportunity." Having said that, Yao Le dropped to one knee, looking utterly sincere.

"Oh? Where did you learn of my identity as an alchemist?" Lin Feng asked in an eerie tone.

"This... this subordinate... this subordinate was treating He Meng's injuries yesterday and heard it from him." Cold sweat immediately poured down Yao Le's back.

"Get up. A mere Myriad Medicine Pavilion doesn't seem worth my attention." With that, Lin Feng strode toward Medicine Valley.

"This..." Yao Le remained on one knee, his expression despondent.

"However, I do have the slightest bit of interest in a unified Green Mountain Town. Go find He Meng and tell him to make up for his mistakes through merit." A voice drifted over from ahead. After a brief pause, it continued, "Remember: those who surrender may either be driven away or absorbed. Those unwilling to surrender need not be slaughtered; driving them away will suffice."

"Yes, my lord. This subordinate will certainly satisfy you." Upon hearing this, Yao Le's face filled with delight. He looked around, and seeing no one nearby, he happily jumped twice before swiftly resuming his refined and amiable demeanor. (I watched SpongeBob for a bit and my brain short-circuited.)

In a bamboo grove courtyard, spring water trickled through a stream, while the occasional breeze stirred the bamboo, producing a pleasant rustling sound...

Lin Feng sat alone in the pavilion, drinking his self-made First-grade Spirit Tea. (It was actually comparable to a Second-grade pill, but the guy was secretly showy and pretending to be elegant.) His movements were graceful and fluid.

"Alas, Qing Lin has gone into Secluded Cultivation to break through. I can only enjoy such beautiful scenery alone. Life truly is lonely as snow!" Lin Feng lamented theatrically.

"My lord!" A rapid succession of footsteps rang out, followed by a voice requesting an audience.

"It's Yao Le. Come in!"

"Yes, my lord." Yao Le entered alone. "My lord, today I invited the other two major powers of Green Mountain Town. They are very willing to submit to your command, but they do not know how you intend to arrange them. That is why I have come specifically to ask. They are waiting outside now."

"Let them all come in." Lin Feng maintained his flowing motions, though the tiny cup in his hand seemed like some spiritual treasure—it never appeared to empty.

Tap, tap, tap... After a series of footsteps, several tall and muscular men followed behind Yao Le.

"Ka Gang, leader of the Blood Battle Mercenary Group, and Snake Nest Bai, leader of the Snake Nest Mercenary Group, pay respects to my lord." The two brawny men bowed deeply to Lin Feng, their faces full of reverence.

"I understand your concerns. Yao Le and He Meng, I will make everything clear at once today." Lin Feng turned slightly toward them. "From now on, Green Mountain Town will be unified. All former faction names will be abolished and replaced with Maple Leaf Tower."

"Several departments will be established beneath it. The physicians of the former Myriad Medicine Pavilion will become the Alchemy Department, with Yao Le serving as department head and Xiao Yi Xian as deputy department head."

"The Wolf Head Mercenary Group, Blood Battle Mercenary Group, and Snake Nest Mercenary Group will merge and be reorganized into two departments with three squads."

"One will be the Guard Department, responsible for protecting the headquarters of Green Mountain Town's forces. The other will be the Treasure Hunting Department, which will have two squads that take turns entering the Magical Beast Mountain Range to seek rare medicinal herbs, Magic Cores, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, and so on..."

"Furthermore, aside from those personally recruited by this Tower Lord, every member of Maple Leaf Tower must possess cultivation at the level of a five-star Dou Zhe or above. Existing members below five stars, as well as family members of members, will become Reserve members. Once they advance to five stars, they may apply to become official members of Maple Leaf Tower."

"An Exchange Tower will be established internally. From now on, all missions will award Points."

"This..." The few Dou Masters exchanged hesitant glances and were just about to speak.

"Points may be exchanged for Dou Techniques, cultivation methods, pills... Even Mysterious Tier cultivation methods and Dou Techniques may be exchanged." Lin Feng cast a calm glance at the men. "Oh, and Third-grade pills can also be exchanged, so long as you have enough Points."

"As for the personnel and department heads of the Guard Department and Treasure Hunting Department..." Lin Feng paused, then said amid the reddened eyes of the mercenary leaders, "The strong shall take those positions."

As Lin Feng's words fell, the two mercenary leaders looked at each other, and the atmosphere instantly became subtle. Only He Meng, the third leader of the former Wolf Head Mercenary Group, had a trace of bitterness in his eyes. He was the only one present who was not a Dou Master. It seemed that the Guard Department was his only option.

Everyone knew that with Lin Feng stationed in Green Mountain Town, who would dare act recklessly here? Thus, the Guard Department truly had little profit to be had.

The Treasure Hunting Department, on the other hand, only needed to enter the Magical Beast Mountain Range frequently to find treasures with ease. With pills as support and Mysterious Tier cultivation methods and Dou Techniques available for exchange, wouldn't the mercenaries go mad with excitement?

"Oh, right. You may also offer up your own cultivation methods and Dou Techniques in exchange, regardless of their grade. They simply must not be duplicates."

As soon as Lin Feng finished speaking, the men became impatient to leave. After hurriedly bidding farewell, they flashed away and rushed back to their respective factions.