Map Blueprint

"Next up is the exciting lottery. Given my luck so far, it shouldn't be too disappointing."

Lin Lei muttered to himself.

The familiar roulette wheel, the familiar interface.

"Congratulations to the Host for obtaining one Soul-Returning Pill and one Silver-tier barracks blueprint."

With a thought, the two items he had just acquired appeared in Lin Lei's hands.

"A Soul-Returning Pill, a pill that acts as a resurrection item in games, has actually turned into a mental energy recovery pill in the hands of this system."

Lin Lei complained.

"Now, looking at this other barracks blueprint—from the look of it, it is indeed a construction blueprint, but how am I supposed to use it, System?"

"Host, do not worry. Blueprints are items you would only have a chance to obtain upon reaching the Platinum tier. The back of the blueprint lists the required construction materials. Buildings constructed using blueprints drawn from the system will possess incredible powers. For instance, the barracks blueprint in your hand, as a Silver-tier blueprint, can accelerate the strength growth of soldiers at or below the Silver tier and increase their morale and loyalty. Of course, this is on the condition that the Host does not act against his own interests and alienate everyone; even buildings made from such blueprints cannot save you then."

This time, the system went out of its way to explain things to Lin Lei, leaving him feeling a bit flattered.

Following the system's mechanical voice, Lin Lei flipped the blueprint over, and sure enough, a series of construction requirements appeared.

First, the basic materials: 5,000 kg of Silver-tier timber, 10,000 kg of high-quality stone, and 1,000 kg of refined iron. Theoretically, the higher the quality of the materials, the better the effect of the building blueprint.

Second, it requires a high-level architect skilled in construction.

Lin Lei did a quick calculation; this mere Silver-tier blueprint would cost him half of his net worth. If it were Gold or Platinum in the future, wouldn't that be fatal?

He put the two items away. He couldn't use them just yet; only after handling all the territory's affairs would he be able to look for a high-level architectural talent to put them to use.

Now it was time for his cultivation. Based on his battles with two high-ranking enemies, Lin Lei felt he was on the verge of breaking through to the second stage of the Gold tier.

"Buzz, buzz, buzz!"

Threads of electric current danced around Lin Lei's body like cunning little snakes, flickering in and out of existence. This was the phenomenon that only appeared after Lin Lei cultivated his technique to the Gold tier. Whenever he began to absorb vital energy, it would convert from attribute-less energy into lightning-attribute battle qi. A small portion that he couldn't absorb would dissipate into the air, forming faint electrical currents.

"Hoo."

Lin Lei exhaled a long, turbid breath. After several hours of circulating his technique, he had successfully raised his strength by another stage.

The next day, in the Crouching Dragon Ravine council hall.

Lin Lei was arranging the territory's routine affairs. Once everything was settled, he kept Allen behind.

"Have the captured spoils been sorted? And have the soldiers' pensions been distributed?"

"Lord, everything has been completed according to your instructions. I sent Lin Yu to personally oversee the distribution, and there were no issues."

Allen replied meticulously.

"Good. Since that's the case, I have a task that requires you to go personally. Our territory has harvested a large amount of fur and ore; keep the ore to forge military weapons and agricultural equipment for our army. Take the remaining surplus fur to Flower Territory to sell. Even if everyone in Crouching Dragon Ravine had one piece each, we wouldn't need that much, so let's trade it all for gold and silver. When you return, don't just bring back gold coins; buy more people. Our territory has just finished a major sweep, and there is plenty of room for them to live. Also, hire some mages—we have too few mages in our territory, and no one to teach the next generation. Finally, and most importantly, find a high-level architect. No matter what it takes, you must bring him to our territory. Although the amount involved this time isn't as large as before, it is still significant. I don't trust anyone else to lead the team; only with you can I be at ease."

Lin Lei explained.

Allen nodded and, at Lin Lei's signal, went to prepare for the trade.

Nepotism has never been a positive term, but a person's most trusted individuals are their own kin. Compared to others with no connection, Allen was the one Lin Lei trusted most.

After Allen left, Lin Lei turned his gaze to another centurion, Luo Ji. Because of the expansion of the army, he had been promoted from Allen's adjutant to centurion by Lin Lei.

"I have a very important matter here that I need you to complete as well."

Lin Lei spoke with great seriousness, his eyes, which seemed to see through the heart, fixed on Luo Ji.

"My parents and my sister live in the Pear Garden in Wheat Town. Previously, because the territory hadn't stabilized, I hadn't brought them over. Now that there are very few magical beasts left in the surrounding hundreds of miles, I need you to take a squad of soldiers to bring my parents and sister here."

"This subordinate will certainly not fail the Lord's expectations."

Luo Ji said loudly, his already stern face becoming even more earnest.

In the few months at Crouching Dragon Ravine, he had witnessed Lin Lei transform this desolate, weed-choked wilderness into a large town with thousands of people, earning him a position he never dared to imagine before. These things made him admire Lin Lei even more, and he was absolutely obedient to Lin Lei's orders.

"Good. Here is a token of mine; take this, and my parents will follow you."

As he spoke, Lin Lei took a rabbit-shaped glass stone from his pocket and handed it to Luo Ji.

Lin Lei had found this glass stone in an open field years ago. Seeing its cute shape, he thought it was perfect for a girl, so he gave it to Avril. In the years that followed, Avril never let the stone leave her side, until Lin Lei left Wheat Town for Flower Territory, when Avril gave it back to him. This object carried the care and love of his sister and family; showing this to them, they would surely understand.

Luo Ji then departed as well.

Lin Lei picked up a piece of fruit and began to eat it casually; as a lord in a wild frontier region, his lifestyle was no worse than that of any other noble.

Every day, he enjoyed plump, mana-infused fruits, such as the otherworldly version of dragon fruit he was currently holding—a silver-grade fruit.

Because these fruits could not be kept fresh for long, the steward of the Lord's Mansion specifically sent people to large cities like Flower Territory to procure them.

However, Lin Lei had recently been planning to dig an ice cellar for himself, which would provide relief from the heat in summer and serve as a refrigerator to keep his fruits chilled.

Autumn had already been underway for some time, and in a few months, winter would arrive. The region where Lin Lei resided belonged to the temperate zone of the planet Azeroth, where snow fell every year, providing the earth with moisture and nourishment.

By that time, the ice cellar Lin Lei envisioned should be completed, just in time to catch the snowfall of the coming winter.

"Red Fire, let's go. Time for patrol."

Lin Lei hadn't enjoyed more than a few pieces of fruit before he called out to Red Fire, who was gnawing on a bone nearby, to join him on patrol. This Red Fire was becoming more and more like the Howling Celestial Dog, obsessed with clutching a bone and gnawing on it all day long, not even sparing a glance for meat. Only when Lin Lei took it out would it finally toss the bone aside.

"Woof, woof."

Red Fire barked happily a few times and followed behind Lin Lei as he ran toward the stables.

Although the area within a few hundred kilometers around Crouching Dragon Ravine had been swept clean, they still had to prevent magical beasts from the Gloomy Forest from wandering in.

Magical beasts were scarce here now, and for those from the Gloomy Forest, the lack of competition made this territory an attractive place to settle.

For this reason, Lin Lei had established a specialized patrol unit whose sole daily task was to patrol the territory and kill any intruding magical beasts.

Lin Lei was preparing to do just that. Based on natural patterns, the first few days were always the most intense in terms of counter-attacks. Once the surrounding magical beasts gradually realized that Crouching Dragon Ravine was a death zone, the influx would slowly dwindle.

To be safe, Lin Lei would patrol the edges of his territory himself for the next few days. After all, he was the strongest person in the territory, and the capable must shoulder the burden. Once the strength of his army improved, he wouldn't need to work so hard.

"Red Fire, attack."

Just as they reached the edge of the territory, they spotted a silver-tier magic wolf entering Lin Lei's domain. For a creature like this, Lin Lei didn't bother to intervene, choosing instead to let his dog engage it.

Red Fire was incredibly fast, a cut above the magic wolf. It streaked through the trees like a bolt of lightning, pouncing toward the beast.

"Roar!"

The magic wolf was startled by Red Fire's speed and hurriedly opened its jaws, baring its teeth in a threat as the fur on its back stood on end.

However, as it turned, its right leg gave a noticeable tremble.

Red Fire was intimidated by the magic wolf's display and didn't attack immediately, choosing instead to lock eyes with it.

Hmm... this must be a lone wolf, an old one cast out from its pack. There is a wound on its right leg, making it very clumsy; it was clearly swiped by some bear-type magical beast, which caused that injury.

This old wolf must have been driven out of its territory in the Gloomy Forest by other beasts and wandered into my domain. Otherwise, magic wolves usually have fixed territories and wouldn't roam about; it's too dangerous for them.

Lin Lei analyzed the situation from the sidelines while Red Fire engaged the magic wolf.

Red Fire is in peak condition, while this old wolf is both injured and starving. It won't last five minutes against Red Fire.

Just as Lin Lei was thinking this, Red Fire, who had been watching like a tiger, lost its patience and launched the first attack.

Without any feint, it lunged straight for the magic wolf's throat. The wolf was bitten, and after struggling for less than ten seconds, its body began to lose its warmth.

Sometimes the outcome is just that swift: five minutes of standoff, three seconds to end the battle.

The magic wolf had intended to dodge the moment Red Fire attacked, but its exhausted body couldn't keep up with its brain's reaction, and so it died.

Red Fire returned with blood on its muzzle; after biting through the magic wolf's throat, it had immediately headed back to Lin Lei's side.

"Let's go. Leave this for the soldiers to clean up," Lin Lei said.

With no outsiders or large magical beasts in the territory, there was no fear of anyone stealing or eating the magic wolf.