Chapter 2: The Awakening of the Domain
Lin Chen's eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, he was still. The vast expanse of land stretched out before him, an endless horizon of potential. His domain was expanding rapidly, the Infinite Expansion talent in full effect. Mountains rose from the earth, rivers carved their paths, and dense forests sprang to life. The ground beneath him hummed with energy—his energy, the energy of a newly awakened Domain Lord.
But despite the overwhelming power he now wielded, Lin Chen couldn't shake off the confusion clouding his thoughts. "Where am I? What is this place?" His surroundings were unfamiliar, and the weight of the situation was starting to sink in. It was as if he had been transported to another world entirely. "I need to understand what's going on."
He closed his eyes for a moment, focusing on the sensation of the power within him. The System appeared in his mind, glowing faintly, as if waiting for him to make the first move.
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System Menu:
Cultivation System
Item Levels
World Chat
Trade Channel
Local Channel
Domain Overview
Shop (Enhanced)
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Lin Chen felt a sense of relief seeing the familiar System interface. He clicked on the World Chat, eager to see what the other Domain Lords were experiencing. Maybe they had answers.
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[World Chat]
"WHERE AM I?! WHAT IS THIS PLACE?!"
"Am I in a dream? Is this real? Someone tell me how to leave!"
"I don't understand. This isn't Earth!"
"What's a Domain Lord? How do we survive here?!"
"Can we go back? Is there a way to escape?!"
"What the hell is going on?!"
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The chaos was palpable. The messages flooded in, each one more panicked than the last. Lin Chen read through them, a frown slowly forming on his face. It was clear that many Domain Lords were experiencing the same disorientation as he was. But they were all missing one crucial point—this world wasn't about survival alone. It was about growth, power, and control.
He then noticed a message that cut through the confusion.
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[World Chat]
"Domain Lord 3562: Calm down, everyone! I know you're all confused, but listen. This is a cultivation world. We've been given domains, and we're the rulers here. You can't be harmed within your domain, so take a moment to breathe!"
"Domain Lord 3562: Your domains will protect you. Focus on cultivating and growing your power. That's how you'll survive."
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Lin Chen nodded slowly. "Invincible in our own domains... so I'm safe here." The realization was a relief, but there was still so much he didn't know. "How do I grow my power? What do I need to do next?"
He turned his attention back to the System, where he noticed the Shop (Enhanced) option. His eyes widened with interest. "Wait... this version of the shop is different from what I've seen." He clicked it, and the interface expanded, revealing an array of items, resources, and powers that were far more advanced than anything he had expected.
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Shop (Enhanced):
Basic Cultivation Pills
Domain Expansion Crystals
Elemental Spirit Stones
Rare Resources: Meteorite Ore, Celestial Herbs
Rare Talents: Speed Cultivation, Instant Domain Expansion
Legendary Artifacts: Heavenly Sword, Skyfall Shield
Skill Books: Meteor Strike, Divine Flame Fist
Protection Tokens: Invincible Shield (1 Hour), Protection from Foreign Domain Lords
Teleportation Tokens: Instant Travel to Any Domain
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Lin Chen's eyes scanned the shop's contents with growing excitement. This was unlike anything he had expected. The Shop (Enhanced) had items that could accelerate his growth, grant him powerful abilities, and even allow him to protect himself from threats. It was as if the system had given him a cheat sheet to this world's rules.
He quickly noticed something intriguing—a Protection Token that could shield his domain from other Domain Lords for an hour, and a Domain Expansion Crystal that promised to further accelerate his domain's growth. These were exactly the kinds of tools he needed.
But there was a catch. The Shop (Enhanced) wasn't free. Lin Chen checked his Domain Points and found that he had only a small amount. "I need more Domain Points to purchase these items. I'll have to earn them through cultivating and expanding my domain."
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As he pondered his next move, another message popped up in the World Chat, bringing more clarity to the situation.
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[World Chat]
"Domain Lord 3562: For those who don't know, Domain Points are what you'll use to strengthen your domain and buy items from the shop. You earn them by expanding your domain, cultivating, and completing various tasks."
"Domain Lord 3562: Don't waste time panicking. Focus on growth. Your domain will support you, and you'll gain power as you expand."
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Lin Chen grinned. "It looks like I have a head start." With his Infinite Expansion talent, he could grow his domain far faster than others. The other Domain Lords were still in the dark about how to properly utilize their abilities, but Lin Chen had a powerful edge.
With a deep breath, Lin Chen surveyed his domain, watching as it rapidly expanded. He could already feel the flow of power building within him. "I can't waste time. I need to secure my place in this world."
He turned back to the Shop (Enhanced). "I need to get stronger, faster." Lin Chen used his Domain Points to purchase a Domain Expansion Crystal, watching as it materialized in his hands.
With a single thought, he crushed it, feeling the land beneath him tremble as his domain grew even more. He felt a surge of power, and the landscape transformed—new mountains rose, rivers flowed more swiftly, and forests thickened with life. "This is only the beginning."
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As Lin Chen continued expanding his domain, a new message appeared in the World Chat, sparking his curiosity.
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[World Chat]
"Domain Lord 3562: You'll soon learn that while we're invincible within our domains, the world beyond them is full of danger. There are powerful Domain Lords out there. Don't get too comfortable
Lin Chen nodded. "I'll keep my eyes open. But for now, I need to grow my power." With his Enhanced Shop and Infinite Expansion, Lin Chen was ready to build a foundations that no one could challenge.
"The game is just starting," he muttered, looking out across his vast domain. "And I intend to be the one who controls it all.