Food scarcity gnaws at this stage—lords and soldiers alike need sustenance. Beyond the territory, fog cloaks danger; sending troops to forage risks their lives. Without them, who fends off trials? Farming emerges as the lifeline, though even within, the swiftest crops take half a month—nature's veiled test. Fail to endure, and the trial ends, ejecting one back to Canglan. Spiritual Spring slashes that wait to a week, a lifeline explaining its hot sales. Speed breeds advantage.
In Zhou Yan's domain, though, Spiritual Fields turbocharge growth—mere days suffice. He fears no rival leapfrogging him; every building boasts S-tier or higher, a chasm others can't bridge. Newbies pray for one such gem; his arsenal brims. The colorful lord space turns mundane structures into marvels—heroes and troops may vary, but quality holds firm. Watering daily secures their bounty—food worries vanish.
Next, Zhou Yan and Diao Chan step into the Mystery Store. Its daily refresh, plus a new active reset, beckons. Yesterday's wares outpriced his purse, but today, flush with over 3 million spirit coins, he strides in confidently. Five items gleam on the counter.
First:
[Item: Ice Armor]
[Quality: Bronze]
[Durability: 30/30]
[Attribute 1: Defense +10]
[Attribute 2: Frost Burst (Releases chilling air to freeze foes; duration varies by enemy strength; usable once every 6 hours)]
[Requirement: Strength 6]
[Introduction: Forged from crude ice ore.]
[Price: 5,000 Spirit Coins]
"Bronze gear, cheap enough," Zhou Yan notes, snapping it up.
[Territory Prompt: "Consumed 5,000 spirit coins. Purchased Ice Armor."]
The second item catches his eye—women's clothing, a rarity. He dives into its stats:
[Item: Phoenix Garb (Apparel)]
[Special: Accepts additional attribute blessings]
[Quality: Gold]
[Durability: 200/200]
[Attribute 1: All Attributes +10]
[Attribute 2: Stainless (Cleanses all stains hourly)]
[Attribute 3: Fire Resistance +15]
[Requirement: Female only, Luck +1]
[Introduction: Woven from flamingo feathers, it shields against cold and heat—women's finest.]
[Price: 1,000,000 Spirit Coins]
"Gold-tier apparel!" Zhou Yan gasps. Clothes abound in the Lord Continent—weaver lords cater to beauty-loving women, a legion among residents and heroes. Female spending power reigns supreme; as a wise man once quipped, "Behind every great man, a woman—me, I've got thousands." Ordinary garb lacks stats, mere decoration, yet sells. Add [Special: Blessable Attributes], and it's equipment-grade—rare, skyrocketing in value. This piece's +10 to all stats rivals dark gold gear, its Stainless perk a woman's dream, Fire Resistance a tactical edge. Luck +1, minor for Diao Chan, trumps most. At 1 million here, it'd fetch tens or hundreds of times more outside—lords splurge for their ladies. "Jackpot," he beams, glad for his newfound wealth.
[Territory Prompt: "Consumed 1,000,000 spirit coins. Purchased Phoenix Garb (Apparel, Female Exclusive)."]
Holding the shimmering fabric, he turns to Diao Chan. "Chan'er, it's yours."
"A million coins—you didn't even blink!" she protests, torn between delight and its cost.
"I'm the lord," he counters. "It's more than clothes—those bonuses make it gear. Stronger you means better protection for me and the territory."
"Thank you, my lord," she murmurs, accepting it with a glow of joy. Beauty stirs her too. Slipping it on, she transforms—a vision in red, radiance amplified. Zhou Yan envisioned this, yet the reality stuns him: a fairy incarnate, pulse racing, words lost. Her charm soars, the world narrowing to her alone.
"Chan'er, you owe me," he teases.
"Huh?" she blinks.
"You've hijacked my eyes, heart, mind—you're accountable," he declares, shamelessly earnest.
Her blush deepens, fingers twirling her hair, captivating utterly. Sweet truths win women, and he means every syllable—tuition earned. Any man beholding her would fall.
He scans the last three items, exhaling ruefully. A billion-coin spirit weapon mocks his budget—kidneys won't cover it. A building at 50,000 soul coins tempts, but his colorful space negates the need; basic structures evolve into rarities. Socks, the fifth, don't warrant a glance.