Zhou Yan marveled at his updated attributes. Strength, physique, and agility had each ticked up by 0.1—a subtle yet startling boost. School texts never mentioned aura enhancing physical stats, only its role in cultivation. Some truths, it seemed, eluded books, demanding firsthand discovery. The Spiritual Bamboo House's potential dawned on him anew. Prolonged exposure, even without leveling, could pile on attribute points.
Reflecting, he pieced it together. Previous stays hadn't nudged his stats. "It's the fighting," he reasoned. "Battles drain energy, and returning here lets the aura replenish me, boosting my body." Future skirmishes, he resolved, would be frequent—free points beckoned.
He opened the novice lord chat room.
[Territory Prompt: "Please name your territory. Names must be unique."]
Personal names could overlap, but territories required distinction. Zhou Yan pondered. "King of Pesticides," he ventured.
[Territory Prompt: "Name taken. Please try again."]
"Lonely Seeking Defeat."
[Territory Prompt: "Name taken. Please try again."]
"Penguin."
[Territory Prompt: "Name taken. Please try again."]
"The World Will."
[Territory Prompt: "Name taken. Please try again."]
"League of Legends."
[Territory Prompt: "Name taken. Please try again."]
Speechless, he fumed. A simple name shouldn't be this hard. Time for a bold move. "Blast Heaven Gang."
[Territory Prompt: "Name taken. Please try again."]
His patience frayed. Dozens of attempts—rebuffed. "Fuck," he muttered.
[Territory Prompt: "Name taken. Please try again."]
Astonishment struck. Someone else had snapped, too? He imagined a kindred spirit, driven mad by the same ordeal. Half an hour ticked by, names piling up in vain. Finally, he bellowed, "Heavenly Court!"
[Territory Prompt: "Name available. Confirm 'Heavenly Court' as your territory name?"]
Relief washed over him. It worked. "Yes," he affirmed.
[Territory Prompt: "Territory now designated 'Heavenly Court,' uniquely yours."]
A name was just a label—development mattered more. Still, he envisioned his Heavenly Court someday towering above all, gazing down on the masses.
Entering the chat room revealed regional tiers:
[International Channel]: 1,000 spirit coins per message, 2,000-word cap.
Deserted—trial rules barred external coins, leaving novices strapped.
[National Channel]: 100 spirit coins per message, 100 daily limit, 200-word cap.
[South China Dragon Kingdom Channel]: 10 spirit coins per message, one-minute cooldown, 500-word cap.
Pay-to-speak struck him as absurd, yet fitting. Real-world internet wasn't free—why expect otherwise here? Spirit coins fueled the network, a precious signal in this realm. Costly, yes, but savvy lords maxed each message, squeezing value like novel chapters. Zhou Yan scrolled through:
"Sis needs wood and stone—friends, don't wait, help me out quick!"
"Buying gear—PM me with quality stuff, fair prices, sweetie!"
"Urgent! Need towers, barracks, weapons—big shot here, no small talk!"
"Forgot food—sell me some, please? Hungry girl crying for aid!"
"Skilled lass, 18 talents, seeks gear and coins—name your price, I'm yours."
"Sharp spear for sale—bring your offer."
"Female corset, charm +1, defense +2—snag it fast."
Day one of the trial leveled the field—everyone scratched from zero. Except the ultra-rich, who'd shatter their crystals early, leaning on family wealth to surge ahead. Most toiled for rankings and rewards. Centuries of lordship refined what novices could bring—rare, pricey items some wielded to dominate. Amid billions, plenty of heirs stood out.
Zhou Yan swapped to the trading hall, split into [International] and [National] zones. The global market brimmed with wares from new lords worldwide—some decent, but priced like daylight robbery. Affluent novices splashed cash on notices, hunting materials. "Rich kids," he muttered, awed by their day-one largesse. Poverty, he mused, capped his imagination.
Food listings—bread, milk from reality—vanished instantly. Hunger wasn't universal; many packed enough. But level 5 unlocked a [Farmland] building, easing supply. Before then, lords fed summoned troops themselves, constrained by strict entry weight limits. Excess barred access entirely, a harsh rule all obeyed.
A spark flared. His wild kills—black-scaled snakes, rabbits—could turn a profit. He listed a snake corpse to test the waters.