Time flew by as the days passed one after another.
Every day, Lucian dealt with waves of invading monsters, gathered resources, and upgraded his territory, defense towers, and other structures.
The soldiers recruited within the territory also grew in number as the level of the [Barracks] increased, gradually filling the area with more people.
Day 22
The invading monsters were a horde of tidal fishmen.
Although they were much weaker outside of the ocean compared to their aquatic habitat, these fishmen had an unusual strategy. They conjured torrential rain and stormy tides to reshape the environment, turning it into a battleground that suited them.
This strategy significantly weakened the [Flame Towers], but luckily the territory had more than just fire-based defenses.
The newly installed [Missile Tower] performed exceptionally well.
At level 8, its range extended to 13,000 meters, and its firepower had increased considerably.
When the boss appeared, a powerful Fishman capable of resisting missile strikes, its energy defenses proved insufficient against the combined onslaught of the territory's skills and firepower.
Day 23
The invaders this time were a tribe of dragon-blooded barbarians.
These creatures bore wings and had incredible agility.
Their bodies were terrifyingly resilient, capable of swimming in magma and emitting long trails of steam from their boiling blood.
Days 24–29
Wave after wave of increasingly challenging monsters struck the territory, each one unique in abilities and tactics.
Day 30
The final day had arrived.
Over the past 30 days, as one wave after another of monsters was repelled and the bosses defeated, the newcomer's trial finally approached its end.
By this point, Lucian's territory had advanced to level 10.
Due to the restrictions of the trial, it couldn't be upgraded to level 11, and the monsters remained capped at level 15.
Naturally, the resources gathered were more than enough to upgrade all buildings, heroes, and units to level 10.
Compared to when Lucian first entered the Endless Void, the territory had grown immensely.
It now spanned a vast 10,000 square meters, with towering walls and imposing defense towers. Each building within the territory had its distinct style.
That night, at 8:30 PM, Lucian sat by the [Mirror Lake] with Lin Daiyu.
She was sitting on the edge of the pavilion, her long skirt rolled up and her fair legs dangling into the water, swaying gently.
Her long hair draped over her shoulders, and her beautiful face bore a serene expression.
The night was quiet, and the breeze was cool.
Lucian leaned casually beside her, smiling like a fool as he admired the beautiful woman before him.
Neither spoke.
As time passed, Lin Daiyu suddenly turned her head, her bright eyes meeting Lucian's.
"Will it end today?"
"Yes," Lucian said, snapping out of his thoughts. "Once tonight passes, everything will be over."
Thirty days...
The first few were manageable, but as time went on, the battles became relentless. Resting for even a few hours felt like a luxury.
Most of the time, the pressure was immense, and yet Lucian always managed to stand back up and fight again.
Sometimes, exhaustion overtook him, and he'd fall asleep mid-battle, only to wake and find the soldiers had fought for hours without disturbing him.
But now, the 30-day newcomer's trial was finally coming to an end.
The territory would soon be officially recognized by the Void, and Lucian would become a lord of the endless worlds—a true participant in this vast realm.
"Over already…"
Lin Daiyu frowned slightly, her expression tinged with sadness, causing Lucian's heart to sink.
"Why do you look so unhappy?" he couldn't help but ask.
"Not unhappy," she replied, shaking her head. Her gaze fixed on Lucian, and she suddenly asked, "Master, do you think that when I wake up tomorrow morning, I'll discover that this past month was nothing but a dream?"
Her voice grew soft as she pulled her knees up, resting her head on them.
"How could it be a dream?"
Lucian smiled. "This isn't a dream. You, me, Keqing, Yingchun, the territory, and everyone here—it's all real."
"Really?"
"Of course."
His tone was resolute, leaving no room for doubt.
The beauty smiled faintly, but her sadness lingered.
"Master, you know my nickname, don't you?" she asked softly.
"Of course, Lin'er," Lucian replied without hesitation.
She shook her head, her voice gentle but firm.
"I don't want to be called Lin'er anymore."
"Fine, I'll just call you Daiyu then!" Lucian said, scratching his head, baffled by her sudden change in mood.
Lin Daiyu glanced at him, her lips curving into a faint smile.
"Master?"
"Yes?"
"Master…"
"What is it?"
"Nothing."
She laughed softly, her voice like the tinkling of bells.
Lucian's face darkened. "Stop playing games with me."
"Master, will we leave tonight?"
Lin Daiyu turned her head away, hiding her expression. Yet the crimson flush on her fair neck betrayed her emotions.
"Probably," Lucian replied, scratching his head. He explained the trial rules, noting that after 24 hours, the Void would forcibly eject those who overstayed.
"I see," she murmured. "Master, I'll prepare a gift for you tomorrow morning before we leave."
"Tomorrow morning? Are you planning to cook me another dark dish for breakfast?"
Lucian laughed and waved dismissively. "It's fine. It's not like I can't come back later. As a lord, returning to the territory is easy."
"Alright then."
Her expression softened into a bittersweet smile as she gazed at the lake's shimmering waters.
Lucian couldn't bear her melancholy, so he spoke gently.
"Fine, it's up to you. Poison me all you want."
She laughed, rising gracefully to her feet before walking away.
"What's gotten into her?" Lucian muttered, confused.
Though he couldn't figure out Lin Daiyu's behavior, he had little time to dwell on it. The trial's end was just hours away.
Humming an aimless tune, he strolled away from the [Mirror Lake], wandering through the lively territory.
The buildings bustled with activity, and the atmosphere was vibrant.
The sight of beautiful figures moving about filled Lucian with satisfaction.
100 Great Qin warriors, 100 cultivators, and 3 heroes...
"Without realizing it, there are now over 200 residents in my territory," Lucian mused as he surveyed his domain.
Thanks to the level cap, he felt less pressure than before.
All units had reached level 10, and the Great Qin warriors had unlocked terrifying new abilities.
Even the ladies of the [Moon Palace] had grown considerably stronger, mastering additional skills.
Smiling contentedly, Lucian approached the walls, ready to face whatever awaited him next.