Orion had not only advanced to the middle stage of Martial Emperor, but his luck had skyrocketed to an impressive 9.8 million. Just 200,000 more, and he'd be able to draw for another emperor-level lottery.
"It's just a little more, no need to rush," Orion mused calmly.
Instead of focusing on the lottery, he decided to handle his daily tasks first.
"System, sign me in," he ordered, anticipation flickering in his eyes.
[Ding! The system is signing in...]
[Sign-in successful! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the imperial weapon: Golden Silkworm Spirit Silk Armor!]
"A defensive weapon, huh?" Orion muttered, a mix of surprise and delight playing on his face. While the reward was valuable, a defensive inner armor felt underwhelming. If a powerful enemy could break through the protection of his elite warriors, an imperial armor wouldn't stand much chance either.
"Still, it's better than nothing. At least my survival rate improves," Orion reasoned, donning the armor. The golden silk was so thin it felt like holding air, almost invisible once worn, but its defense was top-tier. Any foe below a Martial Saint wouldn't even be able to touch him.
...
"My Lord!" Luo Yi greeted respectfully as Orion stepped into view.
"How are you, Luo Yi? Has your strength returned?" Orion clapped his hand on Luo Yi's shoulder, feeling the hardness of his recovered physique.
"I've regained 70% of my strength, my lord," Luo Yi responded with gratitude. "Just two more elixirs and I'll be fully restored."
"Good! Don't hold back. Use as many elixirs as you need." Orion's laugh rang out. His top warrior needed to be at full capacity.
At that moment, Yao Qianming entered, looking disheveled, as if he had aged a decade overnight. His once-proud posture now slumped from exhaustion. His face was pale, his hair a mess, and even the elders of Yaowang Valley, trailing behind him, looked just as drained.
"Orion," Yao Qianming said bitterly, "we've used up all the materials you provided. Unless you have more, we can't refine any more elixirs."
Orion's eyes flicked to Xu Chu, who quickly responded, "My lord, they've produced twenty-six pills so far. The first eight, then ten more last night, and finally another eight this morning."
Orion calculated for a moment, his expression thoughtful. The pills were almost enough.
"Luo Yi and Yanyun's Eighteen Riders should take theirs first. The rest can wait."
Yanyun's elite warriors had no complaints. They knew Luo Yi's strength far surpassed theirs, and with the lesser elixirs and their rigorous training, they'd soon recover anyway.
After distributing the pills, Orion turned his gaze to Yao Qianming. A cold smile tugged at his lips.
It was time.
"I won't leave loose ends..." Orion muttered under his breath. "The old saying goes, if you cut the grass, you must pull out the roots."
Yao Qianming's usefulness was at its end. Orion didn't trust him for a second. The man's hatred was obvious—his daughter had been taken, his people enslaved to work like blacksmiths in a forge. He was biding his time, waiting for the right moment to exact his revenge.
Orion was no fool.
Just as he was about to give the order to eliminate Yao Qianming, a messenger rushed into the room.
"My Lord, there's a strong warrior from the Baichao Chamber of Commerce outside. He requests an audience."
Orion's brows lifted in surprise. "Baichao Chamber of Commerce?" he muttered, recalling his conquest of Shuofang City. During the looting, he'd acquired many valuable items from various factions, including an eighth-grade elixir that had healed Luo Yi.
Could it be that the Baichao Chamber of Commerce had come to reclaim their goods?
"Let him in," Orion ordered, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
He glanced one more time at Yao Qianming, as if to say, Your time will come soon. For now, he had more pressing matters to attend to.
...
The central hall of Yaowang Valley was the epitome of luxury, with spiritual stones forming the walls and floors. The aura was so rich that it gathered in mist-like clouds, rejuvenating anyone who breathed it in.
As the representative from the Baichao Chamber of Commerce, Baili Guard, entered, his eyes widened in shock. He had expected a ragtag group of warriors, not a hall filled with powerful cultivators. Every individual present exuded strength far beyond his own semi-saint level. Cold sweat trickled down his back.
With a low bow, Baili Guard greeted, "I, Baili Guard, pay my respects to Prince Orion and all esteemed seniors present!"
Orion barely acknowledged him, his expression impassive. The hall's oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on Baili Guard, who could feel the sharp gazes of Orion's warriors drilling into him.
This isn't right, Baili Guard thought, heart racing. Why is he so calm? He's the one who looted our chamber!
Orion, reading Baili Guard's anxious expression, smirked inwardly. Robbery? he mused. That wasn't robbery. It was...delayed payment.
The Baichao Chamber of Commerce had made a mistake by aligning with the royal family of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and now, they would face the consequences.
Orion's fingers drummed lightly on the armrest of his throne as he awaited the next move from Baili Guard, his thoughts already spinning on how to turn this unexpected visit to his advantage.