Tower Defense Lord, random Wishing Tower at the start of the game.

Chapter 162 Refining Divine Power

The cold, spatial teleportation light completely dissipated, revealing solid, familiar foundation stones beneath his feet. Lin Chuan took a deep breath of the air from the main world, a mixture of earth, steel, and magical dust, and a sense of control welled up within him. Behind him, the massive spatial gate slowly closed, isolating him from the shattered secret realm he had just conquered and then been forced to abandon. Before him lay the core territory awaiting his return, and with it came an unprecedented challenge—five hundred thousand new, hungry citizens.

"Arthur." Lin Chuan's voice was steady, showing no signs of fatigue from the long journey.

Chief Administrator Arthur, who had been waiting for some time, strode forward and bowed meticulously: "Lord, welcome back. The spatial anchor is stable, and the teleportation sequence is complete. The vanguard of the new race has assembled in the designated area."

"Very good." Lin Chuan's gaze swept over the huge, makeshift camp in the distance, where a dense, dark mass of people—the newly arrived Black Orcs and Dragonblood Warriors. "The resettlement plan will commence immediately. Arthur, you will be in charge of coordinating everything."

"Yes, sir." Arthur unfolded a huge magical sand table, clearly marking the territory's boundaries and resource distribution. "Based on our previous analysis and resource assessment, the newly developed area in the Darkwood has a relatively primitive environment, complex terrain, ample space, and nascent mineral veins and forest resources, making it quite suitable for the habits of the Black Orcs. I have already arranged for engineering teams and druids to move in first, establishing basic camps and defensive watchtowers." He pointed with his finger to a green-covered area on the west side of the sand table.

"The Black Orcs will be housed in the Dark Forest," Lin Chuan nodded in confirmation. "They need space, and they need to hone their skills. The magical beasts and complex environment of the forest will serve as their training ground. Prioritize their food and basic tool supplies so they can adapt to the environment as quickly as possible and establish their own settlements. Tell them to abide by the territorial laws; 70% of the cultivated land and hunted spoils belong to them. But any acts of plundering or infighting will be severely punished!"

"Understood, sir. I will dispatch sufficient sheriffs and messengers fluent in Orcish to the area, employing both kindness and force." —A

Ser quickly wrote down the orders.

"As for the Dragonblood Warrior—"

Clad in dark gold scale armor, his aura growing increasingly solemn, Reiss immediately stepped forward and knelt on one knee: "My Lord!"

"Your people are in your hands." Lin Chuan looked at him. "Assist Arthur in dispersing them and integrating them into the newly built villages and towns. Distribute land, seeds, and farming tools to them. Dragonblood warriors are physically strong and adept at farming. At the same time, form a new Dragonblood Legion," under your command. Prioritize selecting elite warriors and train them according to the new standards of the territory. I want them to become combat-ready soldiers in the shortest possible time.

A flicker of excitement and anticipation for the future flashed in Reis's eyes. Leaving the barren, shattered secret realm, having a stable home and a clear future—this was exactly what he and his people longed for. "Yes! My lord! Reis and all the Dragonblood Warriors will be your sharpest sword and your strongest shield! We will cultivate the land, and we will fight to protect our home!"

The previous plans have been disrupted, and Reiss has decided to fight alongside the new lord.

"Very good." Lin Chuan nodded approvingly. "Arthur, prioritize infrastructure and resource allocation in the Dragon's Breath Plains. Housing, water conservancy, and roads must be largely completed before winter arrives. These 500,000 mouths are our burden, but also our foundation. With them, the population constraints on the territory will no longer exist, and the engine of development can truly roar."

"Yes, sir. I have mobilized all engineering puppets and most of the workforce, and the resource list has been optimized to ensure that the resettlement in Dragonbreath Plains and Dark Forest proceeds simultaneously and efficiently." Arthur spoke rapidly, his brain working like a sophisticated magical computer.

The order to resettle was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples throughout the entire territory's administrative system. Countless instructions were transmitted through magical communication towers. Construction teams set off, convoys laden with food, tools, and building materials flowed endlessly along the newly built, wide roads, heroes ventured deep into the dense forests to guide natural energy to heal wounds and spur crops to grow, and multilingual clerks, carrying thick registers and planning maps, rushed to various resettlement sites—the entire territory, like a massive war machine, seamlessly switched from a conquest mode to a construction and integration mode.

However, Lin Chuan's mind was not completely occupied by the bustling construction scene. He stood alone on the highest terrace of the lord's castle, gazing towards the Blood Plains. The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the horizon an ominous blood red.

"The War of the Gods—is drawing ever closer." He muttered to himself, his fingers unconsciously tracing the cold stone railing. A chilling sense of crisis clung to him like a leech. LV10 territory was merely the starting point; LV11 was the threshold for gaining a foothold in the War of the Gods. And he himself was still separated from the demigod realm—the insurmountable chasm—of igniting divine fire and condensing divine essence.

"Demigod—Divine Body—Faith—" Lin Chuan's eyes sharpened. Advancing to demigod status and forging an immortal divine body were prerequisites for establishing a divine statue and absorbing and transforming the power of faith. This was a crucial step in his power system's leap forward, and the cornerstone for facing future divine wars.

He turned and returned to the most heavily guarded secret shrine deep within the castle. Here stood the most central building of the territory—the altar. An indescribable aura flowed across the surface of the ancient stone altar. Lin Chuan carefully retrieved a container crafted from spatial crystal, containing sealed within it a vast, still-unconsumed divine power extracted from the five dragon-blooded ancestors of the secret realm. This power was violent and ancient, carrying the aura of dragon blood's origin, and not entirely suitable for his direct absorption.

"Refine it, transform it into pure divine power that can help me forge my divine body." Lin Chuan placed the crystal container at the core of the altar. The chaotic halo on the surface of the altar suddenly became active, like countless tiny tentacles wrapping around the crystal, emitting a low hum. The violent golden dragon blood divine power was forcibly extracted and decomposed. Under the grinding and transformation of the chaotic power, its color gradually faded, and its form...

It became more condensed and pure, eventually transforming into a profound, restrained, dark golden energy flow that seemed to contain the power of the origin and end of all things, slowly swirling above the altar. This process took time, but Lin Chuan could clearly sense that an overwhelming and irresistible power, pointing directly to the sublimation of the essence of life, was being conceived.

Even as the altar operated at full power, Lin Chuan remained vigilant against potential threats. He summoned Daenerys, the Wolf Rider Commander.

"My lord!" Daenerys was travel-worn, but her eyes were sharp as an eagle's. The wolf riders beneath her were the land's finest scouts and light cavalry.

"The Crimson Plains, the orcs," Lin Chuan stated succinctly. "The minions of the Sunset Empire, the lackeys of the Beast God, our mortal enemies. They won't accept their last defeat. The Ironbone Clan, are they making a comeback?"

"Yes, my lady!" Daenerys's voice carried the chilling edge of battle. "Latest intelligence indicates that the main force of the Orcish Ironbone Clan has regrouped at Scarlet City, far exceeding previous numbers. They are fortifying the city's defenses, stockpiling provisions, and conscripting a large number of warriors and war beasts from vassal tribes in the rear. The density of circling war eagles over the Scarlet Plains has tripled. They are preparing for a major battle."

"Hmph, as expected." Lin Chuan sneered. "We've swallowed up half a million people, so they'll only want to tear us apart and plunder everything we have. Expansion requires more people and land, and war with the Sunset Empire is inevitable. What about Ironwall City?" He was referring to the orcish border fortress he had cleverly captured using disguised undead.

"Ironwall remains 'silent,' my lord." Daenerys's lips curled into a cold smile. "Our undead are in excellent disguise. The 'nibbling' plan within the city is progressing smoothly; the garrison is being constantly weakened and replaced, and key nodes in the defense system are being secretly controlled by our people. It's like a nail, deeply driven into the orcs' rear. It awaits only your command, or when the battle at the front intensifies and Scarlet City's forces are mobilized, to deliver a fatal blow to the orcs from within."

"Very good." A hint of approval flashed in Lin Chuan's eyes. "Daenerys, take your most elite wolf riders and venture deep into the Crimson Plains. I need to know the Ironbone Legion's specific troop composition, deployment details, logistical routes, and commander intelligence—everything!"

Infiltrate like a shadow, survey the entire situation like a falcon. Remember, your eyes are the eyes of our army.

"Yes, my lord!" Daenerys knelt on one knee, her right hand on her chest, her eyes burning with loyalty and fighting spirit. "Wolf Knight, I will bring back the enemy's heart for you!" She rose and left like a gust of wind, ready to carry out this dangerous and crucial mission.