Hearing her story, Lucian finally understood.
The "Lady Bodhisattva" before him, who had thrown on some mismatched clothing, looked disheveled.
It turned out that after the Jia family fell into ruin, bandits had attempted to abduct her!
This so-called Miao Yu was not even her real name.
Originally from Suzhou, she had been weak and sickly since childhood. It was only after being taken into a temple that her health gradually improved.
At the age of seventeen, her master passed away, and she accepted an invitation to reside in the True Emerald Hermitage within the Jia family estate.
In the original tale, she was kidnapped by bandits and disappeared.
But now, her fate had completely changed. Thinking of this, Lucian couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity for her.
Here was someone who had suffered greatly from an early age, despite coming from a decent family background.
"I know your story."
Lucian hesitated for a moment before smiling gently, "Here, you don't need to worry about physical pain, nor must you adhere to strict disciplines like shaving your head to cultivate."
"Master is truly considerate,"
Miao Yu replied in a crisp, clear voice, each word enunciated perfectly.
Her emerald-like eyes sparkled with innocence.
Within them was a refined tranquility, as serene as orchids and as pure as water.
"The world may have changed, but Miao Yu isn't someone who forgets gratitude. Everything will follow the master's orders."
"Good."
Lucian nodded and, out of curiosity, opened her attribute panel.
[Miao Yu]
Identity: Hero
Race: Human
Quality: Golden Legendary
Level: 1+2 (0/200)
Bloodline: [Miao Yu Bodhisattva] +1
Talent: [Nine Rounds of White Lotus] +1
Bond: [The Twelve Beauties of Jinling]
Physique: 180+110 (Base: 15, Multiplier: 1000%)
Spirit: 320+110 (Base: 29, Multiplier: 1000%) (Bond Attribute: 30)
[Miao Yu Bodhisattva] +1
Bloodline Quality: Golden Legendary
Attribute 1: Slight enhancement to physique and spirit.
Attribute 2: +60% damage to evil entities; -40% damage taken from evil entities.
Description: The mysterious treasure among rare jades, shrouded in the unknown.
[Nine Rounds of White Lotus] +1
Talent Quality: Golden Legendary
Attribute 1: Attacks from you and your subordinates can randomly inflict one of nine effects, including "Bleed," "Severe Wound," "Weaken," or "Disintegrate."
Attribute 2: White Lotus effects can stack.
Up to nine layers can cause increasingly severe negative effects.
Upon reaching nine layers, the effect triggers an explosion of significant true damage, clearing all stacks.
Description: Each round of the White Lotus reveals a new world.
"This is a command hero?"
Lucian was surprised.
Not all heroes were the same!
For instance, Lin Daiyu was a standard combat hero, while Jia Yingchun was a support hero, focused on boosting morale.
Miao Yu, however, was a rare command-type hero, capable of leading troops and providing significant combat buffs to her forces!
Unquestionably, her [Nine Rounds of White Lotus] talent was her core combat ability.
"The buffs can stack? So, the more attacks, the better!"
Lucian quickly grasped the implications.
He was reminded of an old joke he'd read online:
"Gatling Bodhisattva: Three thousand five hundred revolutions per breath!"
When it came to attack speed, a Gatling gun was far superior to a bow or crossbow!
Clearly, Miao Yu and her troops thrived on stacking buffs and triggering massive bursts of damage at the ninth layer.
Therefore, weapons like melee arms, crossbows, or even slow-casting spells were less effective for her.
A Gatling gun, with its rapid-fire capability, was the perfect match for her!
Lucian didn't know much about advanced weaponry,
But he was well aware of the terrifying 6,000-round-per-minute Gatling guns from his previous life.
With countless technological civilizations in the myriad worlds, acquiring high-attack-speed weapons shouldn't be too difficult.
Thinking about Miao Yu wielding a Gatling gun, Lucian couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the image.
Meanwhile, Miao Yu tilted her head, wondering why her unfamiliar yet familiar lord seemed so amused.
"Master?"
Her soft voice brought Lucian back to his senses.
"Apologies, I was lost in thought."
Lucian cleared his throat and gestured with his hand, "Come, let me show you around."
"As you wish, my lord."
Miao Yu hesitated briefly before standing gracefully, following Lucian with small, deliberate steps.
Her demeanor was pure and gentle, devoid of pretense, exuding an air of tranquility that made those around her feel at ease.
Lucian arranged for Miao Yu to have her own residence within the [Palace Compound].
Taking her on a tour of the territory and explaining the function of various buildings to make her life easier.
Though the territory covered 7 square kilometers and seemed vast, It didn't take long for Miao Yu to familiarize herself with the layout.
On the way, they encountered Qin Keqing.
Lucian handed Miao Yu over to her care.
Though the two weren't well-acquainted, they were both Lucian's heroes and thus naturally cooperative.
Qin Keqing's gentle demeanor shone through as she held Miao Yu's hand and guided her away.
Lucian felt a wave of relief as he headed off to grab a meal, take a bath, and finally enjoy some much-needed rest.
Later that day!
Exploration teams returned with abundant information.
This was indeed a barren and desolate land, with a blood moon perpetually looming over its withered landscapes and ruins.
Endless monsters roamed the region, but they didn't form large hordes.
After dispatching a dozen or so creatures, the remaining stragglers would flee.
Lucian's soldiers, aware of the dangers of over-pursuit, refrained from chasing too far, sticking to their reconnaissance plans.
Bit by bit, the temporary map in Lucian's hands expanded significantly.
Within a radius of a hundred miles, he had a comprehensive understanding of the territory.
However, this clarity brought frustration.
"This place is too barren!"
Lucian frowned, hoping for more than just one ruined city in the area.
By midnight, no further discoveries had been reported.
With no other choice, Lucian ordered his troops to return for rest, postponing further exploration until the next day.
Late Night, 11:30 PM
In the clock tower, the display continuously refreshed,
Updating the date, hour, minute, second, and even quarter-hours.
Lucian glanced at the numbers, then leisurely made his way back to the [Star Palace] to sleep.
In his room, Lucian lit the lamp.
The scene before him was serene.
Pan Jinlian sat nervously by the bed, her expression a mix of fear and anticipation.
Seeing Lucian enter, she quickly stood to bow.
"No need for such formalities."
Lucian smiled as he approached.
"Master, do you have any instructions?"
Pan Jinlian asked softly, her delicate, beautiful face tinged with reverence.
To her, the lord was like an immortal. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been summoned to serve him.
Serving Lucian was a blessing she cherished deeply.
As her thoughts wandered, a blush spread across her exquisite face.
Her enchanting eyes shimmered with devotion so deep, it seemed almost tangible.