Chapter Summaries

Zong Shen spent 168,500 points on every available item in the Limited Exchange and examined several of the powerful rewards. After learning the blueprints for two Sixth-Order Mind Towers and two Sixth-Order Flame Towers, he planned to place the Flame Towers near his fortress before turning to the summons and other premium items.

• Zong Shen exchanged points for the full available stock of all eleven Limited Exchange items, leaving him with 321,179 points.
• Zong Shen inspected the Sixth-Order Mind Tower and Flame Tower blueprints, learned both, and decided to place the Flame Towers near the center of his territory after the Strategy Module said attackers could approach from all directions.
• Zong Shen examined the Type VI Goblin Demon Mountain Bombs and judged that their explosive power could make them useful during the Defense Challenge.
• Zong Shen inspected the Mountain Giant Summoning Emblem and decided to try its peak-epic summon during the challenge.
• Zong Shen examined the Great Sage Summoning Stone and learned that it could summon a lower-legendary Great Sage or serve as a token to unlock the Book of Sages.

Zong Shen examined the remaining [Limited Exchange] items, acquiring powerful airstrike, survival, healing, and Central Pillar supplies for the Defense Challenge. He ended with 321,179 points and considered spending some on essentials for his growing population.

• Zong Shen inspected the Aircraft Bombing Squadron Support Orders and noted that each could summon 24 aircraft carrying 96 bombs in total.
• Zong Shen examined a Paladin's Invincibility Potion, Central Pillar reinforcement and repair scrolls, and Unreasonable Healing Potions, then stored them for the Defense Challenge.
• Zong Shen realized that the Defense Challenge Exclusive Revival Scrolls could let Gugat revive after using its Furnace Bomb, turning it into a reusable tactical weapon.
• Gugat briefly sensed that something was wrong but found nothing unusual and returned to organizing the ranks.
• Zong Shen finished checking the Limited Exchange, counted his remaining 321,179 points, and considered buying food, clothing, and cloth for tents.

Zong Shen spent his Heatwave Challenge points on clothing, food, medical supplies, bombs, landmines, mecha, spell scrolls, and other equipment before trying a Tier V Point Lucky Bag. The bag opened and produced two balls of light, but their contents were not yet revealed.

• Zong Shen planned to wipe out the Goblin Tribe and later explore several Azshara-related ruins while preparing his territory for its growing population.
• Zong Shen exchanged points for 15,000 sets of cotton and linen clothing, wheat bran flatbread, long-term military rations, and medical supplies.
• Zong Shen spent points on Goblin Bombs and Landmines, Magic-Energy Mecha, spell scrolls, a Mana Siphoner, and Magic-Energy Patrol Dogs.
• Zong Shen opened the new Point Lucky Bag option and chose a Tier V Lucky Bag costing 10,000 points.
• Zong Shen opened the bag, which burst out streamers and confetti before releasing two balls of light.

Zong Shen opened Tier V lucky bags and gained an explosive warhammer, then fused three Rare items into a Legendary shield. He opened four more bags and began examining their contents, including a mysterious distress letter from the Gods' Bulwark.

• Zong Shen inspected Big Bearded Hank's Explosive Warhammer, tested its weight and power, and added it to his arsenal.
• Zong Shen fused the Wind-Fire-Thunder Trident, Skull-Ringing Hammer, and Terokkar Violent Bear Battle Armor into a Legendary Wind-Fire-Thunder Roaring Violent Bear Shield.
• Zong Shen bought and opened four Tier V lucky bags, receiving Denar, a mysterious distress letter, seeds, a victory harp, a recruitment contract, and a demon-slaying warblade.
• Zong Shen opened the Blackhearted Goblin's Small Coin Box and collected 5,279 Denar.
• Little Blackie sensed a legendary white dragon's presence in the mysterious letter and sulked over Zong Shen's previous theft of its Small Treasure Chest.
• Zong Shen examined the distress letter from Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Valley, and the Strategy Module began translating its mysterious writing.

Zong Shen examined several lucky-bag rewards, including a plea from an ancient white dragon, a knight trial badge, a Legendary harp, and a recruitment contract for Saint Joan. He summoned Joan from the Ironclad Continent, and she offered her allegiance.

• Zong Shen read the dragonhide plea and learned that an ancient white dragon was trapped in an ice valley within Gods' Bulwark, which he planned to visit when seeking the Three-Fort Dwarves.
• Zong Shen inspected a Nord Knight Trial Badge and resolved to complete his neglected knight trials around his upcoming trip to Lentax.
• Zong Shen found corn seeds and a Legendary Harp of Victory, which he stored for possible inspection by Ingram.
• Zong Shen read a recruitment contract addressed to Saint Joan and learned from the Strategy Module that she came from the Ironclad Continent, a Different Dimension.
• Zong Shen activated the contract outside his fortress, and a rain of flowers accompanied Joan's descent from a cloud palace.
• Joan emerged in armor, approached Zong Shen, and asked him to accept her allegiance; Zong Shen welcomed her as a companion.

Zong Shen welcomed the newly recruited Saintess Jeanne and disciplined Little Blackie after its Dragon Might disrupted Eagle Sauce and the escort Griffons. Tasia returned with Vereesa and the Lion Skeleton Knights, shared an affectionate reunion with Zong Shen, and received an advancement book before he turned to inspect Jeanne's abilities and his lucky-bag items.

• Zong Shen welcomed Jeanne to the territory and introduced her to Little Blackie.
• Little Blackie released Dragon Might at the arriving Griffons, so Zong Shen struck and threatened it until it withdrew its pressure.
• Tasia and Vereesa returned by Goblin Airship with sixteen Lion Skeleton Knights, and Zong Shen sent Vereesa to settle the knights and help Luna reorganize personnel.
• Tasia embraced and kissed Zong Shen, who gave her a Necromancer Advancement Book and promised her a Complete Purple Soul.
• Jeanne caught sight of Zong Shen and Tasia together, and Tasia left to advance in the shared Meditation Room.
• Zong Shen stored the Goblin Airship, unloaded the ore Howie had brought, and prepared to examine Jeanne's abilities and his lucky-bag items.

Zong Shen discovered that Jeanne was an Epic-grade hero with powerful healing, command, and combat abilities, then watched her summon Gilles de Rais and eight French swordsmen. He inspected the summoned warriors’ strength as Jeanne and her fighters stood ready to serve him.

• Zong Shen examined Jeanne’s attributes and found her to be an Epic-grade hero with exceptional Command and extensive Lord-level passive skills.
• Zong Shen reviewed Jeanne’s equipment and abilities, including her healing aura, spear skills, and power to summon Gilles de Rais and eight French swordsmen.
• Zong Shen asked Jeanne to use Rallying Banner, and she summoned Gilles de Rais and eight armored French swordsmen.
• Zong Shen inspected Gilles de Rais and the personal guards, learning that Gilles was a high-tier Epic-grade fighter and that the eight guards could share damage.
• Jeanne praised the warriors of France and stood with the summoned swordsmen, who awaited her orders.

Zong Shen sent Jeanne and the French swordsmen to help organize the residential area, then inspected an Azzinoth Demon-Slaying Warblade that stirred his Demon Heart and connected to his interest in Demon Hunters. Iron Hand Barenk and Dwarf Uncle arrived with the completed Evil Eye Gatling, which Zong Shen prepared to test.

• Zong Shen sent Jeanne and the French swordsmen to the residential area aboard Eagle Sauce and the escort Griffons, then contacted Luna to let her know they were coming.
• Zong Shen inspected the Azzinoth Demon-Slaying Warblade, discovered its powerful demon-slaying abilities, and decided to add it to his first-line weapons.
• Zong Shen wondered whether the warblade was connected to the Demon Hunter depicted in the temple carvings he had previously seen.
• Iron Hand Barenk arrived in the Earthshaker Chariot with Dwarf Uncle and presented the completed Evil Eye Gatling.
• Dwarf Uncle recognized the Azzinoth Warblade and eagerly examined it while Zong Shen inspected the Gatling’s barrels, Evil Eyes, and energy system.

Zong Shen tested the Evil Eye Gatling Type I and ordered Iron Hand Barenk to build vehicle-mounted versions, then discovered he could not use the Azzinoth Demon-Slaying Warblade because his Agility was too low. After spending his remaining exchange points and saving ten lucky bags for a more auspicious day, he saw Eagle Sauce and the Griffons confront Flying Tiger, and prepared to send Little Blackie to stop them.

• Zong Shen inspected the Evil Eye Gatling, approved Iron Hand Barenk’s plan to mount it on mechas, named it Evil Eye Gatling Type I, and gave him more than twenty Evil Eyes to build at least two weapons.
• Zong Shen tried to activate the Azzinoth Demon-Slaying Warblade but learned its 120-Agility requirement exceeded his 50 Agility, so he put it away.
• Zong Shen exchanged 100,000 points for ten Tier V Lucky Bags, then decided to save them until Anna’s Divination Coin showed Great Fortune and spent his remaining 4,579 points on cotton-linen clothing.
• Eagle Sauce returned with ten Griffons and flew toward the farming and pastoral area, where Flying Tiger rose into the air to face them.
• Zong Shen realized the flying beasts were about to clash and planned to use Little Blackie to intervene.

Zong Shen forced Flying Tiger and Eagle Sauce to coexist under Little Blackie's intimidation, then moved Flying Tiger to the Agricultural District and gave it a Dragonblood Fruit. Flying Tiger began undergoing Dragonblood enhancement as Zong Shen stayed nearby to watch over it.

• Zong Shen rode Little Blackie to bring Flying Tiger and Eagle Sauce together, then ordered them to live separately and stop fighting.
• Little Blackie's presence frightened Flying Tiger and Eagle Sauce into complying, and Eagle Sauce led the Griffons toward the Residential District.
• Zong Shen asked the Strategy Module whether the Griffons and scorpion-tailed tigers would count in the defense challenge and learned that creatures within the territory would be counted as residents.
• Zong Shen took Flying Tiger to the Agricultural District and fed it a Dragonblood Fruit to strengthen it and help it catch up with Eagle Sauce.
• Flying Tiger began undergoing Dragonblood enhancement, and Zong Shen decided to remain nearby in case anything went wrong.

Flying Tiger completed its Dragonblood enhancement, and Zong Shen inspected its improved abilities before returning to his fortress. He then rode Little Blackie to Jiang Yi’s territory to deliver treasure chests, arriving at her border.

• Little Blackie considered escaping with the Five-Colored Flower but refrained from damaging the territory’s cellar and continued waiting for a chance to flee.
• Flying Tiger absorbed the black mist, completed its enhancement, and gained dragon scales, a horn, and stronger attributes and skills.
• Zong Shen checked Flying Tiger’s upgraded attributes, rode it back to the Central District, and sent it away to run around.
• Zong Shen collected water from three springs, then forced Little Blackie to carry him toward Jiang Yi’s territory.
• Zong Shen entered the territory under Jiang Yi’s jurisdiction as the Guide Legion’s commander.

Zong Shen visited Jiang Yi’s territory, where Medina discussed merging the Light Chaser Legion into the Guide Legion. Zong Shen rewarded Jiang Yi with treasure chests and 20,000 Denars, leaving the legion merger and her trip to Bosbang ahead.

• Zong Shen flew Little Blackie to Jiang Yi’s territory and landed near her Lord’s Small Building.
• Jiang Yi returned with Medina, who had agreed to merge the Light Chaser Legion into the Guide Legion under the Guide.
• Jiang Yi and Medina welcomed Zong Shen, and Jiang Yi hosted them with food and wine.
• Zong Shen summoned five treasure chests as part of their previous agreement and gave Jiang Yi another 20,000 Denars.
• Zong Shen told Jiang Yi to travel to Bosbang after the defensive challenge and warned her not to cross the Desert Zone at night.

Zong Shen gave Jiang Yi resources and approved Medina’s plan to merge the [Light Chaser Legion] into the [Guide Legion], requiring a roster within two days. After Zong Shen returned to his territory, Jiang Yi prepared to travel to Bosbang for food and a mission, while his territory continued expanding its storage and housing.

• Zong Shen gave Jiang Yi five treasure chests and 20,000 Denar, and Medina offered to merge the [Light Chaser Legion] into the [Guide Legion] and serve under Jiang Yi.
• Zong Shen accepted the merger in principle, set a two-day deadline for Medina to submit a roster of his members, and said he would upgrade the legion before the defensive challenge.
• Zong Shen rode Little Blackie back to his territory, leaving Jiang Yi and Medina to discuss food shortages and the merger.
• Jiang Yi accepted 2,000 Denar from Medina and planned to buy food in Bosbang while pursuing a mission connected to Baron Besos's Beloved Dagger.
• Zong Shen surveyed his territory from above as residents stored resources and built hundreds of Tier 2 Commoner Residences for incoming residents.

Zong Shen reviewed the territory’s defenses and spent the evening receiving Maryl’s account of supplies, people, and buildings recovered from ownerless territories. He ended the chapter with a vast stockpile secured and plans to use the territory’s growing resources and talent to build a stronger, self-sustaining domain.

• Zong Shen planned to shelter Farmers in the Lord’s Fortress and withdraw Warriors as the territory’s defenses contracted toward the central ring.
• Zong Shen returned to the territory on Little Blackie, relaxed in the hot spring, and fell asleep from exhaustion.
• Luna woke Zong Shen after three hours, and Maryl reported that the recovered supplies, personnel, and buildings had been sorted and settled.
• Zong Shen reviewed Maryl’s inventory, which included enormous stocks of basic and advanced resources, food, livestock, equipment, and defensive buildings.
• Zong Shen noted that the recovered workshops and other functional buildings could support future industry once the territory trained enough technical personnel.

Zong Shen reviewed the population and resources recovered from hundreds of ownerless territories, finding that his territory now had over ten thousand residents but faced major organizational and command challenges. He began planning how to integrate the new population and support disabled warriors, then received extracted souls and gave Favid new equipment.

• Zong Shen counted 3,329 warriors, including 209 disabled soldiers, and discussed arranging prosthetics and useful work for them with Maryl.
• Luna explained that Iron Hand Barenk had taken Gugat to help research the Ironblood Battle Armor, and Zong Shen let the project continue.
• Zong Shen reviewed 6,217 Farmers and 149 hero-level talents, noting that Joan and the territory's existing heroes helped cover the population's Command Value requirements.
• Favid reported extracting 57 complete purple souls and 11 complete orange souls, then received a purple half-helm and short staff from Zong Shen.
• Doris felt envious of Favid's new equipment, while Zong Shen reassured her that being promoted later could still lead to better results.

Zong Shen rewarded Howie and Maryl, and Maryl’s loyalty broke past its limit after she received the legendary Protector’s Heart. He gathered his trusted companions for dinner to discuss the territory’s future and tomorrow’s expedition, then browsed the World Channel before opening the Regional Channel.

• Zong Shen gave Howie a Traveling Merchant’s Travel Bag and presented Maryl with the legendary Protector’s Heart.
• Maryl swore she would follow Zong Shen in glory or ruin, and her loyalty rose beyond MAX to Life-and-Death Devotion.
• Zong Shen invited his longtime settlers and key heroes to a gathering, asking them to discuss the territory’s development and tomorrow’s expedition over dinner.
• Little Blackie listened to the gathering from outside the fortress, recalled its mother through a recording crystal, and hid the crystal again.
• Zong Shen browsed the World Channel’s boasts, trade listings, and questions, then opened the Regional Channel.

Zong Shen chatted with regional lords and his brother, then hosted a banquet for his territory’s leaders and assigned tasks for the coming days. He planned to lead an expedition against the Goblin Tribe the next morning while his subordinates strengthened defenses and reorganized the territory.

• Zong Shen announced in the Regional Channel that he would wipe out the Goblin Tribe the next day, then exchanged messages with Zong Ze, who was exploring ruins in the mountains.
• Zong Shen hosted a banquet with his heroes and specialists, observed Jeanne praying and Alana behaving cautiously, and shared a meal with his residents.
• Zong Shen ordered Maryl and Howie to reinforce the territory’s defenses and assign roles to more than one hundred newly joined heroes.
• Zong Shen assigned Vereesa, Jeanne, Favid, and a force of heroes and warriors to join his expedition against the Goblin Tribe the next morning.
• Zong Shen ordered Luna and Iron to withdraw the mine’s kobolds and warriors, asked Bronzebeard Winefire to forge materials and build a Fourth Order Bedrock Tower, and tasked Colby with organizing the new Wolf Cavalry forces.

After organizing the territory’s plans and resting, Zong Shen prepared to lead a force against the Goblin Tribe while keeping Lasma sealed because of her hatred for black dragons. The next morning, San Pang reported that he had become a Rare-grade hero, suggesting that hard work in both training and territorial administration could elevate ordinary residents.

• Zong Shen finished assigning the territory’s tasks, ate with his followers, and went to bed early to recover from his exhaustion.
• After waking refreshed, Zong Shen planned an aerial bombardment and coordinated assault to destroy the Goblin Tribe, while deciding to keep Lasma sealed as long as Little Blackie remained nearby.
• Zong Shen learned that Blood Wolf Gugat had been sparring with Saint Joan’s Big Cousins and growing stronger through repeated combat.
• San Pang visited Zong Shen and announced that he had advanced from farmer to hero after training and assisting Maryl with logistics.
• Zong Shen inspected San Pang’s attributes, discovered his aptitude had risen to Rare, and concluded that administrative work as well as labor could help residents become heroes.

Zong Shen promoted San Pang to assist Maryl and Howie, then assembled his strongest forces and flew north to attack the Goblin Tribe. As Zong Shen began an aerial approach, the goblin shamans detected him and sounded the alarm.

• Zong Shen praised San Pang, assigned him to learn territory management from Maryl, and gave him Excellent Grade armor before sending him to report to her.
• Zong Shen assembled his heroes, Wolf Cavalry, Lion Skeleton Knights, Hellhounds, and Scorpion-tailed Tigers for the goblin extermination expedition.
• Zong Shen sent most of the warriors ahead in Pascal Contract's Big Pocket and flew north with Little Blackie while Flying Tiger carried the heroes.
• Zong Shen reached the Goblin Tribe, armed two Goblin Bombs, and ordered Little Blackie to dive toward it.
• Twelve Goblin Shamans sensed the approaching attack through the tribe's blue eye and shouted an alarm.

Zong Shen and Little Blackie attacked the goblins, whose new anti-air defenses and Evil God Crossbow threatened the assault. After Little Blackie destroyed the Viper's Eye Totem Pole and charged toward the Goblin King, the Goblin King fired the crossbow bolt straight at Zong Shen.

• The goblins mobilized their heroes, Olog Bats, Serpent Wards, and Bear Goblins to defend against another air raid.
• Zong Shen's two Goblin Bombs caused limited damage because Serpent Wards detonated one in the air and Bear Goblins blocked the other.
• Zong Shen ordered Little Blackie to unleash Dragon Might, scattering the Olog Bats, then use Acid Breath to destroy the Viper's Eye Totem Pole and nearby goblins.
• Little Blackie charged north toward the Goblin King while Zong Shen used Chrono Domain and Radiant Guard to withstand the Serpent Wards' attacks.
• The Goblin King fired the Evil God Crossbow at Zong Shen, and its purple bolt sped toward his head.