Dragon Domain Takes Shape

Within the small courtyard in Wutan City, the Spirit Gathering Array continued to operate. Pure energy flowed like a gentle stream, nourishing the two figures within the formation.

Gu Long had just completed a round of cultivation, and the Dou Qi of a Dou Emperor within him had grown ever more condensed and abundant.

Just then, a message transmitted through the system by Zhao Yun sounded in his mind.

"Lord."

"Zi Long, speak." Gu Long's thoughts stirred.

"Reporting to my Lord, the affairs in the Black Corner Region have preliminarily achieved their objectives." Zhao Yun's voice was steady and forceful, carrying a faint air of killing intent.

"After several months of cleansing and consolidation, all major and minor forces in the former Black Corner Region, apart from Jia Nan Academy, have either submitted or been eliminated.

"Although the name 'Dragon Domain' has not been publicly announced, it now effectively controls over eighty percent of the Black Corner Region's territory and resource channels."

A gleam flashed through Gu Long's eyes upon hearing Zhao Yun's report.

So quickly?

Though he knew that, with Zhao Yun's strength as a Peak Nine-Star Dou Ancestor, unifying the chaotic Black Corner Region was merely a matter of time, such efficiency still demonstrated his extraordinary ability to command and govern.

"What are the details?" Gu Long asked.

"At present, Dragon Domain has a total of three hundred and seventy-one core members. All were secretly selected, with relatively clean backgrounds and either notable potential or special talents."

"Among them are seven Dou Kings and forty-three Dou Lings. The rest are outstanding Da Dou Shi and Dou Shi." Zhao Yun reported.

"Following my Lord's original instructions, I have divided them into four branches: the War Division, Dark Division, Medicine Division, and Artifact Division. They are respectively responsible for warfare, intelligence, pill refinement, and weapon forging. Each has its assigned duties, and the initial framework has been established."

"Very good." Gu Long nodded approvingly.

Combat strength and organizational structure were the foundations of any force.

"In terms of resources, we have fully taken control of the auction houses, medicinal herb markets, and mineral deposits in major cities such as Black Mark City, Twilight City, and Rakshasa City.

"We can reliably produce around five million Gold Coins each month, along with countless low-grade medicinal herbs and ores.

"Some rare resources have already been transferred to your System Space through the system channels. Please inspect them, my Lord."

Gu Long swept his consciousness through the System Space and found several additional crates there, containing medicinal herbs and special metals that were considered rare even in the Black Corner Region.

They would help with his study of pill refinement and his future weapon forging.

"What about Jia Nan Academy?" This was what concerned Gu Long most.

The Falling Heart Flame was something he was determined to obtain, and Jia Nan Academy ran deep. It was not advisable to provoke a conflict too soon.

"Jia Nan Academy remains unchanged. I have not interfered," Zhao Yun replied. "The Inner Academy has Dou Zong experts stationed there, while the Outer Academy has complicated ties with the surrounding empires."

"Following your wishes, my Lord, I have not contacted them for the time being, lest we alert the enemy."

"However, the Dark Division has arranged personnel to closely monitor developments in both its Inner and Outer Academies, particularly the abnormal energy fluctuations from the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower in the Inner Academy."

"Well done." Gu Long nodded.

Zhao Yun's handling of the matter was exceedingly prudent.

What Dragon Domain needed now was to develop in secret and accumulate strength, not make a powerful enemy in the open.

Maintaining the Black Corner Region's superficial chaos would better allow Dragon Domain to act from the shadows.

"Next, focus on two matters." Gu Long issued new orders.

"First, continue secretly selecting and cultivating trustworthy geniuses to strengthen Dragon Domain's ranks. Do not judge them solely by strength; place greater importance on temperament, loyalty, and potential. You may appropriately allocate resources to cultivate several core members."

"Second, use the resource channels under our control to attempt infiltration into the Jia Ma Empire, the Chu Yun Empire, and other surrounding regions. Establish covert intelligence networks and commercial outposts. There is no need to rush; prioritize stability and secrecy."

"Understood!" Zhao Yun answered in a deep voice.

"My Lord, there is one more matter. During the unification, we seized quite a number of Cultivation Methods and Dou Techniques, including three Earth-tier Low-grade ones and twenty-one Mystic-tier High-grade ones, along with several others. How should they be handled?"

"Seal the Earth-tier Cultivation Methods for now and use them as future rewards for meritorious contributors. The Mystic-tier ones and below may be opened to core members as appropriate, to enhance our overall strength. Draft the specific regulations yourself."

After a brief consideration, Gu Long made his decision regarding these gains.

Only clear rewards and punishments could maintain a force's cohesion.

"Understood!"

The communication ended. Gu Long slowly opened his eyes, faint ripples stirring in his heart.

The initial establishment of Dragon Domain meant that he finally possessed his first foundation in this world—a power hidden in the shadows, one capable of influencing the balance of an entire region.

This was no longer power borrowed from personal strength or the Ancient Clan. It was a force that truly belonged to him.

He looked toward Xun Er, who was still cultivating with her eyes closed beside him. With the support of the Spirit Gathering Array and pure medicinal pills, the young girl's aura had steadily risen. She had already reached Six-Star Dou Zhe, progressing at astonishing speed.

With Dragon Domain as his backing, the resources and methods he could command in the future would increase greatly.

Whether protecting Xun Er or dealing with the Soul Clan, he now had a little more confidence.

"Brother Gu Long?"

Xun Er seemed to sense his gaze and opened her eyes as well, looking at him in confusion.

"It's nothing." Gu Long composed himself and revealed a gentle smile. "I was merely thinking about a few things. How is your cultivation going?"

"Very well!" Xun Er said happily. "Cultivating here feels even faster than in some ordinary places in the Ancient World! The formation Brother Gu Long set up is amazing!"

Seeing Xun Er's innocent smile, the chill in Gu Long's heart born from plotting and calculation faded considerably.

Wasn't everything he did meant to protect this beauty?

He closed his eyes again. Rather than continuing his cultivation, he began sorting through his plans for what came next.

On Wutan City's side, Xiao Yan was being guided by Han Feng's "teaching" like a blind sheep toward a cliff, so there was no need to pay him much attention for now.

The Jia Lie Clan and Ao Ba Family had grown increasingly suspicious of one another because of the previous robbery, and their conflict had deepened. Wutan City's balance had already been broken.

Perhaps he could find an opportunity to add fuel to the flames, allowing the Xiao Family to gain the upper hand more easily. This would also serve his current interests in using the Xiao Family to conceal his identity.

As for Dragon Domain, with Zhao Yun holding the fort and its direction of development already clear, it only needed to proceed step by step.

Next, he needed to focus more on improving his own strength, especially his Soul Power and pill-refining skills.

Yao Chen's soul still lay dormant in the System Space. If he wanted to subdue him in the future, insufficient attainments in pill refinement and the Soul Realm would not do.

There was also the Netherworld Poisonous Fire. He needed to raise his strength as soon as possible so that he could refine it early.

The Sign-in System continued as usual each day. Though its rewards were random, small gains accumulated over time; perhaps one day, it would yield something crucial.

His thoughts gradually became clear. Gu Long calmed himself and began circulating the Soul Condensing Art, tempering his Soul Power.

Invisible ripples of soul energy slowly spread outward from him, sensing everything within and beyond the courtyard. It was both cultivation and vigilance.

In the shadows of the distant Black Corner Region, Dragon Domain—this precise machine—began to operate and grow silently in Zhao Yun's control, moving toward its predetermined course.

And its master, far away in Wutan City, guarded the softness in his heart while weaving an even greater web.

Storms were always nurtured in calm.

When Dragon Domain's strength had accumulated to a certain extent, and when Gu Long himself had become powerful enough, the landscape of this continent would surely change because of him.