The Void Origin Stone, like the Void Crystal, was an indispensable resource for any Sovereign.
However, their purposes differed greatly.
Void Crystals were flexible, used for summoning heroes, recruiting troops, repairing buildings, or increasing inventory capacity.
Void Origin Stones were personal, untradeable, and essential for upgrading the Sovereign, territory, and structures.
For ordinary Sovereigns, both were equally crucial. But for powerful families and factions, Void Origin Stones often became a limiting factor, as they couldn't simply buy their way through challenges.
Lucian chuckled to himself, relieved. "Good thing I'm not stuck in that mess."
Opening the [Territory] interface, he slotted a Void Origin Stone into the upgrade panel.
Progress: 0/10 → 10/10
Upgrade Successful!
Territory Expanded: 200 square meters → 500 square meters!
The transformation was immediate.
Gray mist rolled away to reveal fresh plots of land dotted with jagged rocks. The fence surrounding his domain expanded to enclose the new area seamlessly.
Lucian turned, taking in the expanded territory with a pleased smile. "This should be enough for now."
He glanced at the remaining Void Origin Stones in his inventory. "Thirty-seven left. No need to rush through them. Better to keep some as backup."
Switching to his Sovereign View, Lucian began rearranging the layout. The Inferno Tower and Fart Tower were moved to opposite corners of the new perimeter for better coverage, while the Barracks was relocated closer to the hut.
Satisfied with the adjustments, Lucian retrieved three new building models from his inventory: [Toilet], [Farmland], and [Well].
After some thought, he placed:
The [Toilet] in a secluded corner of the fence.
The [Farmland] and [Well] near the hut for convenience.
The models floated into the air, shimmering as they expanded into full structures.
The farmland became a small plot of fertile soil.
The well appeared as an old-fashioned hand-pump.
The toilet resembled a modest outhouse.
"Functional enough," Lucian muttered.
Nearby, Lin Daiyu approached, her movements graceful as ever. She observed the expanded territory and the new buildings with quiet approval. "Master, your domain grows stronger by the day."
Her soft tone and the warmth in her eyes made Lucian pause. He glanced at her, an odd mix of pride and embarrassment bubbling up. "It's just the start. There's still a long way to go."
Her faint smile deepened. "Even so, I can see the care you've put into it."
For a moment, the two stood in comfortable silence, the budding connection between them growing ever so slightly stronger.
Lucian's thoughts returned to the glowing [+] icons on the new structures. He grinned.
"Alright, Mechanical Kidney, time to work your magic again."
Placing his hand over the icons, he activated the upgrades.
Upgrading…
Multicolored light engulfed the buildings, their forms shifting and evolving.
When the light faded, the transformations were revealed:
The farmland now shimmered with an otherworldly glow, its soil pristine and etched with luminous lines.
The well had turned into a sacred-looking pool of crystal-clear water, surrounded by faintly glowing runes.
The toilet… had become surprisingly lavish, radiating an enticing floral aroma.
The Blessed Farmland
Type: Farmland
Level: 1 (0/200)
Function: Crop Cultivation
Trait: Spirit Soil (Level 1, Yield x1000%)
Description: A superior spiritual farmland capable of growing high-yield crops with extraordinary efficiency.
Lucian couldn't hide his excitement. "A thousand percent yield? At Level 1? This is insane!"
Moonwell: The Sacred Spring
Type: Well
Level: 1 (0/200)
Function: Produces Lunar Nectar (1 unit per night)
Trait: Lunar Blessing (Level 1, restores stamina, energy, and provides minor healing)
Description: A sacred artifact blessed by the Moon Goddess, its waters possess remarkable restorative powers.
Lucian whistled. "Looks like I've got a holy relic on my hands. This'll be invaluable in the long run."
[Language of Roses]
Type: Toilet
Level: 1 (0/200)
Function: Waste Disposal
Trait: Fragrance of Roses (Level 1, enhances cultivation speed by +100% while within the building).
Description: A fragrant lavatory imbued with a unique charm, its aroma captivating and oddly inspiring.
Lucian blinked. "A toilet that boosts cultivation speed? What is this madness?"
Nearby, Lin Daiyu stifled a giggle, her delicate hand covering her mouth. "Master, it seems even the most mundane things in your domain are touched by the extraordinary."
Her laughter was soft and melodic, but it sent a wave of warmth through Lucian's chest. He scratched the back of his head, feeling both embarrassed and oddly proud.
With his newly upgraded territory and buildings, Lucian felt a sense of confidence. The Void was a dangerous place, but with these resources, he was steadily building a foundation for survival and success.
Glancing at Lin Daiyu, who stood gracefully by his side, Lucian felt a faint smile tug at his lips. "With you here, I think we can handle whatever the Void throws at us."
Lin Daiyu met his gaze, her serene expression softening. "Master, I will follow you no matter what comes."
The sincerity in her voice left Lucian momentarily speechless. But as he turned his focus back to the glowing farmland and the shimmering Moonwell, he felt determination burning in his chest.
This was only the beginning.