Orion couldn't contain his excitement and immediately began to examine the contents of the space ring.
Despite having mentally prepared himself for the properties belonging to the powerful figures from the upper realm, he was still taken aback by the sheer volume of supplies that lay within.
Compared to the single man in black robes they had encountered earlier, the inner space of this ring was substantial—and it was completely filled!
What caught Orion's eye first were twenty pieces of immortal Taoist treasures. Some of these had been damaged in the recent battle, but their value was undeniable.
Next, he discovered a mountain of various rare resources and materials—fairy stones, elixirs, spiritual weapons—the list went on. It was a veritable treasure trove!
Orion estimated that the worth of these items could easily exceed a fortune of over 100 million.
"This is incredible! A windfall beyond my wildest dreams!"
At this moment, Orion was so elated he could hardly think straight.
After all, he had just scored a major victory worth an enormous amount of luck, and now he was presented with an even greater bounty. Who wouldn't be thrilled in his position?
"My lord..."
Suddenly, Yuan Zuozong approached Orion, his expression hesitant and guilt-ridden.
Noticing his demeanor, Orion laughed, playfully scolding, "What's wrong with you, Yuan Zuozong? Why so glum? If you need something, now's the time to speak up!"
Yuan Zuozong, encouraged by Orion's good mood, lowered his head and whispered, "My lord… I took the liberty of withholding some healing pills without your permission."
"Please understand, my lord! The soldiers under my command are nearly all injured and in dire need..."
With that, he knelt before Orion, a sheen of cold sweat glistening on his forehead.
Unauthorized use of resources was a serious offense, and in such cases, it wouldn't be uncommon for the punishment to be severe—perhaps even execution.
Hearing this, Orion's smile faded, instantly replaced by a look of concern.
Yuan Zuozong, sensing the shift in Orion's demeanor, bowed his head even lower, bracing himself for reprimand.
But Orion's next words took him by surprise.
"Yuan Zuozong, what's going on with you?"
Yuan Zuozong trembled at the sound of Orion's voice, fearing an impending scolding.
Instead, Orion continued, "If your soldiers are injured, why didn't you distribute the healing elixirs immediately? Why wait until they're on the brink of death? Are you saying that those who are merely seriously injured don't matter?"
He threw the space ring at Yuan Zuozong's feet, frustration evident in his voice.
"In my eyes, the lives of my soldiers are far more valuable than any resources!"
Orion, now animated, ordered Xu Chu, who stood nearby, "Gather these supplies and share them with everyone! Especially the healing elixirs. Don't be stingy! These brothers have bled for us; we can't neglect their needs!"
Without hesitation, Orion instructed Xu Chu to distribute all the healing pills they had seized, except for the last of the immortal healing elixirs.
He wanted his soldiers to recover swiftly.
"Yes, my lord!" Xu Chu responded, retreating with a look of gratitude and relief.
Observing Orion's passionate response, Yuan Zuozong felt a swell of emotion rather than resentment.
He had witnessed enough indifference in leadership to recognize how rare this was.
For the sake of profit, many leaders would sacrifice anything, even their own men.
But here was Orion, valuing the lives of his subordinates above all else.
"General, on behalf of my soldiers, thank you, my lord!"
Yuan Zuozong bowed deeply, completely won over by Orion's character.
...
As Orion composed himself, he glanced at his information panel and noted the warnings—"disabled" next to each of his major legions.
The message was clear: they had suffered significant losses.
In his earlier excitement, he had completely overlooked the well-being of his men.
"I can't believe I did this…"
He felt a wave of shame wash over him.
His oversight felt inhumane, especially given the sacrifices these soldiers had made for him.
Where did these luck values originate? They hadn't just appeared out of thin air; they were earned through the blood and sweat of his comrades!
...
Turning his attention back to his soldiers, he noted that while the more powerful emperors had fared reasonably well, the situation was dire for those like Yuan Zuozong and Zhang Shigui, who had gathered the fighting souls of their legions.
Their strength had not matched their opponents, leading to devastating losses among their men.
The Dragoon Army, in particular, had suffered tremendously, losing nearly 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers in the chaotic battles in Chang'an.
It was a devastating toll.
Not only the Dragoon Army but several other legions had also sustained casualties.
Orion felt a heavy weight settle over him.
"You have all fought valiantly," he sighed, his earlier joy now dampened.
True, he had received immense fortune, but it had come at a steep price.
"Fighting for our lord, we would die without regrets!"
News of Orion distributing precious elixirs stirred a fire in the hearts of the soldiers.
Their passion surged; they rallied behind their leader with renewed fervor.
A lord who prioritized their lives over material gains was worthy of their unwavering loyalty—indeed, they would willingly lay down their lives for him.