After the last of the Void monsters had fallen, their corpses began to dissolve into gray ash, a strange yet consistent characteristic of Void creatures.
Legend held that some ancient Immortals and deities had tried to uncover the secrets of these creatures, but for thousands of years, no breakthroughs had been made.
Theories suggested that Void monsters were remnants of destroyed worlds, former inhabitants who had been twisted by the Void's power. If true, this would explain why the Endless Void was such a chaotic mix of beings—from angels and demons to machines, cultivators, and eldritch creatures.
For Lucian, however, such mysteries were far beyond his current concerns. All he cared about was the treasure they left behind.
Lucian and Lin Daiyu returned to the small hut, their spoils piled on the wooden table. Eighteen treasure chests awaited, seventeen of which were smaller, blood-red boxes from the ordinary Sinking Demons. The last was larger, its dark crimson hue marking it as the reward from the Sinking Demon Shaman.
"Time to test my luck!" Lucian said with a grin, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
Lin Daiyu, seated elegantly in a nearby chair, watched the proceedings with mild curiosity. Her bright eyes flicked between the boxes, her expression unreadable.
Lucian opened the chests one by one.
[Small Treasure Chest – Sinking Demon]
2 Void Crystals
1 Void Essence, 1 Void Origin Stone
3 Void Crystals
500g Gold, 2 Void Crystals
[Curved Sword] (Gray Quality)
2 Void Crystals, 7 Void Crystals, [Arrow Tower]
When the last chest clicked open, Lucian surveyed his haul.
28 Void Crystals
1 Void Origin Stone
500g Gold
[Curved Sword] (Gray Quality)
[Arrow Tower] (Small Building Model)
Lucian's grin widened. "Not bad at all!"
Most rookie Sovereigns would consider this a lucky haul, especially the two uncommon rewards—the Origin Stone and the Arrow Tower model.
Lin Daiyu, however, arched an eyebrow, her gaze landing on the gray, unimpressive curved sword. "Master, this weapon seems… ordinary."
Lucian held up the sword, examining it closely.
[Curved Sword]
Grade: Gray
Level: 1
Attributes: None
Description: "For monsters so weak you could kill them with a stick, what more did you expect?"
"Trash!" Lucian groaned, tossing the sword onto the table.
Lin Daiyu hid a smile behind her hand. "Master, the Void's rewards often reflect the challenge faced. Perhaps you'll find more impressive items in future battles."
Lucian sighed, then laughed. "Fair enough. Let's move on to the real prize."
Stepping outside, Lucian surveyed the territory. With just 200 square meters of space, there wasn't much room left after the small hut and the Red Pavilion.
Still, Lucian retrieved the Barracks model and placed it strategically beside the hut.
"Time to expand," he said, activating the building.
The miniature structure began to grow, enlarging rapidly until it became a sturdy, small barracks.
[Barracks]
Level: 1 (0/100)
Recruitable Unit: Militia (1 Void Crystal per unit)
Description: Militia are farmers armed with spears and minimal training.
Lucian frowned at the description. "Militia. Great. Just what I need—untrained farmers with sticks."
Militia were the standard starting units for rookie Sovereigns, useful for fending off early waves of monsters. Many Sovereigns relied on them to sustain combat until better units or heroes could be recruited.
But Lucian had no intention of following the standard path.
"Sorry, Militia. You're not good enough for me," Lucian said, opening the Barracks interface and pressing the [+] button.
The Mechanical Kidney's five-colored glow enveloped the Barracks, its light radiating across the territory. The once simple building began to shift and grow, its design becoming rougher and more imposing.
When the transformation was complete, the Barracks resembled a large, circular hut with reinforced walls and an open canopy.
Lucian stepped closer, intrigued by its rugged appearance. "What is this? A barbarian outpost?"
Opening the new Barracks interface, Lucian's eyes widened as he read the details.
[Steel-Plated Boar Pen]
Building Type: Barracks
Level: 1 (0/200)
Recruitable Unit: Steel-Plated Boars (5 Void Crystals per unit)
Description: These heavily armored war boars are the tanks of the battlefield, capable of charging through enemy lines with devastating force.
Lucian stared at the description, dumbfounded. "War boars… in armor?!"
For a moment, he struggled to reconcile the image of hulking, armored beasts charging into battle with his original plan for disciplined troops. But as he read further, his disbelief turned to excitement.
"This is even better!"
Steel-Plated Boars were rare for rookie Sovereigns, offering unparalleled durability and combat power compared to Militia. With five crystals per unit, they were more expensive, but the cost seemed justified.
Lucian grinned, turning to Lin Daiyu. "What do you think? Ready to lead a charge with a herd of armored boars at your side?"
Lin Daiyu smiled faintly, her tone playful. "As long as they don't run me over, Master."
Satisfied with the Barracks, Lucian moved on to the Arrow Tower model. He placed it near the fence, watching as the structure unfolded into a small, sturdy wooden tower equipped with a basic bow mechanism.
[Arrow Tower]
Level: 1
Description: A simple defensive structure capable of firing arrows at approaching enemies.
With one Arrow Tower deployed and another reserved for later use, Lucian felt a surge of confidence. His territory, though small, was beginning to take shape.
Standing amidst his growing domain, Lucian looked to the future with determination.
"Next wave, bring it on," he muttered.
Lin Daiyu, standing nearby, offered a soft chuckle. "Master, I trust you'll continue to impress."
As the two prepared for the next challenge, the Void stirred once more, ready to test their determination.