"Patience and persistence, endless days and nights… only then will the bond deepen," Lucian muttered, exhaling deeply as he quelled the restless emotions in his heart.
He reminded himself that during the Newcomer Trials, he had to exercise restraint. After all, heroes and soldiers might be tireless in battle, but downtime was a rare commodity.
"Let them enjoy these precious hours of rest," Lucian thought, turning away with a smile and choosing not to disturb the moment.
As he walked away, he could still hear the chatter behind him.
"His Majesty!"
"Is His Majesty tired? Let me massage his shoulders!"
"Forget it! You'll break him. Leave it to me. My little fists are much gentler."
"Hah! You're still a child. Step aside. This is my chance to shine!"
Their voices faded as Lucian headed toward the newly upgraded Medical Hall.
The once modest Medical Hall had transformed into a grand wooden structure now called White Cloud Tower, exuding an air of sophistication and tranquility.
[White Cloud Tower]
Type: Medical Shrine.
Level: 1 (0/200).
Functions: Heals external injuries, internal injuries, and neutralizes poisons.
Beds: 20.
Stock: 100/100.
Description: The secret medicines of the White Cloud are renowned across countless worlds.
"The range of treatments is impressive," Lucian noted with satisfaction.
Most medical buildings were limited to treating physical wounds, and even rarer structures could handle internal injuries.
But the White Cloud Tower not only covered both but also dealt with poison removal—a rarity even in extraordinary structures.
Lucian stepped inside, greeted by a faint medicinal fragrance that filled the air. The interior housed twenty bamboo beds, each seemingly imbued with a soft glow of vitality.
There were no visible doctors or healers. Instead, the beds themselves possessed restorative properties.
"Quite convenient," Lucian remarked, briefly considering the possibilities for expanding its utility.
He shook his head to dispel wandering thoughts and turned his attention to the other rewards.
[Swamp's Touch]
Type: Equipment.
Quality: Golden Legendary.
Level: 15.
Attributes:
+70 to Physique and Spirit.
Moderate resistance to Shadow magic.
Active Skill: [Rotten Eye] (10/10).
-30% Shadow magic consumption.
Requirement: 150 Spirit.
Description: Its malevolent gaze reeks of decay, forcing even the boldest to avert their eyes.
"This is definitely suited for a caster," Lucian mused, inspecting the golden legendary ring. Though not ideal for him, he knew exactly who to entrust it to.
"Lin Daiyu should find good use for this," he decided, appreciating her exceptional stats and unique abilities.
Afterward, Lucian joined the others for a meal.
The Cloud Inn was bustling with activity. Freshly bathed, the Great Qin Warriors and the Moon Palace disciples gathered together, exchanging stories of the day's battle or reminiscing about their pasts.
The warriors, hailing from a fantastical version of the Great Qin Empire, regaled others with tales of their world.
In their history, a female Qin Emperor had unified the land through both unparalleled strength and brilliance. Her reign saw the development of Mojia technology, propelling her empire to explore the stars and prepare for galactic conquest.
In stark contrast, the Moon Palace disciples spoke of a dying world.
Chosen at a young age to train in Moonlight Arts, they had dedicated their lives to resisting a calamity known as the "World Disaster."
But before they could complete their training, the disaster struck unexpectedly, annihilating their sect and most of their people. Those who survived bore scars, memories, and an unshakable resolve.
Lucian listened intently to their tales while eating, marveling at the diversity of the worlds connected by the Void.
"A female Emperor unifying the world and exploring the stars... quite the feat."
"And that 'World Disaster'... Could it have been some Lovecraftian monstrosity?"
With the meal finished, Lucian headed to Mirror Lake for a bath.
The lake's pristine waters, continuously replenished by natural springs, ensured it remained fresh and pure. Its surface, calm and reflective, retained its mirror-like clarity.
As the heroes and soldiers took a rare moment of rest, Lucian returned to the Red Pavilion, attempting several summons.
Unfortunately, luck wasn't on his side this time.
Setting aside his disappointment, Lucian focused on upgrading his territory.
Void Essence Stones -1,000!
Territory Level: 5 → 6! (0/2,000)
Territory Size: 5,000 → 6,000 square meters.
"Step by step," Lucian muttered, watching as his domain grew larger and more fortified.