The room was dimly lit and silent.
Lucian stretched lazily and stumbled out of his bed. After a quick wash, he finally felt refreshed and alert.
Looking out, he saw the Great Qin Warriors patrolling the newly built Thundercloud Stone Wall with unwavering focus.
Despite being only ten in number, they performed their duties with an unmatched precision that seemed to leave no room for error.
Lucian was heading toward the Qin Elite Barracks when his eyes caught something by the Mirror Lake.
There, seated in the pavilion, were Lin Daiyu and Qin Keqing, enjoying tea and chatting.
The gentle breeze rustled the willows, and the serene lake mirrored their radiant beauty. Both women, with their unique charm, seemed to blend seamlessly into the idyllic scenery, outshining even nature's splendor.
Lucian changed direction and approached the pavilion.
As he drew closer, the two heroes noticed him and turned to greet him with bright smiles.
"Why are you up so early today?" Lin Daiyu asked, blinking in surprise.
Qin Keqing remained silent, her lips curving into a soft smile.
"Getting up early is good for your health!" Lucian quipped, grinning. "I take it there were no monster invasions last night?"
"Oh, there were! Around a hundred or so," Qin Keqing replied softly, recounting the events.
On the twelfth day, the invaders were fiery green-skinned creatures, exuding a strong sulfuric stench.
However, they had been no match for the defense towers. Most of them had been obliterated before even reaching the Thundercloud Stone Wall.
Lin Daiyu leaned her head on her hand, pointing toward the right. "We also opened the treasure chests last night. Everything's piled up over there."
Lucian followed her gaze and noticed a collection of items neatly arranged on an open patch of ground near the lake.
"Thank you! Staying up all night to guard the territory must have been exhausting. You should rest now," Lucian said with a warm smile.
"It's no trouble." Lin Daiyu shook her head gently. "With our high attributes, we can go a day or two without sleep."
She glanced at the tranquil lake, her bright eyes softening. "Besides, sitting here is restful enough. This place truly soothes the spirit."
Lucian chuckled, his gaze shifting to the still waters. The Mirror Lake was aptly named. Its surface was like polished glass, reflecting the surroundings perfectly.
"You know this is supposed to be a bathhouse, right?" he teased.
Lin Daiyu's serene expression faltered. Her delicate face flushed red as she rolled her eyes at him.
Qin Keqing, sitting beside her, also looked slightly flustered.
Seeing their reactions, Lucian laughed, thoroughly enjoying their embarrassment.
With a thought, he retrieved the Shadow Sword and handed it to Lin Daiyu.
"What do you think of this?"
Lin Daiyu accepted the weapon, her slender fingers tracing its dark, writhing patterns. "What a terrifying weapon!"
"Not as terrifying as you," Lucian quipped, shaking his head.
With her attributes exceeding 1000, Lin Daiyu was in a league of her own. For her, this legendary sword—despite its formidable power—was merely a toy.
Lin Daiyu hummed softly. "The young master flatters me. I am but a humble tool in your arsenal."
Lucian grinned. "Would you like to use it as your weapon?"
She shook her head gently. "I prefer gloves for combat. But I'll use it temporarily if you need me to."
Satisfied with her answer, Lucian changed the subject. "By the way, about that boss from yesterday... How exactly did you kill it?"
Lin Daiyu exchanged a glance with Qin Keqing. The latter's expression grew slightly odd, but Lin Daiyu remained calm.
"I simply killed it."
"How? What technique did you use?" Lucian pressed.
"It was a quick kill."
"..."
Her nonchalant reply left Lucian speechless.
Leaving the Mirror Lake, Lucian collected the loot from the opened treasure chests.
The haul included:
9241 Void Crystals
2380 Void Origin Stones
7 pieces of equipment
1 skill book
1 territorial structure: Warehouse
1 special red gift box
The Void Crystals and Void Origin Stones were always welcome.
The equipment and skill book, however, were less exciting. The best among them was a blue-grade Whirlwind Slash skill book for warriors, which had no immediate use.
The most valuable prize was the Warehouse.
The territory had been in dire need of storage space, and this addition was timely. Without hesitation, Lucian placed the structure.
The model expanded in a gust of wind, transforming into a sturdy, barn-like Small Warehouse near the territory's southern edge.
[Small Warehouse] (+)
The familiar enhancement symbol appeared. Lucian's lips curled into a smile as he prepared to use it.