Mist Lord

"Woof woof~~~"

When Xia Yuan returned, Han Bao had already woken up and was noticeably bigger.

[Name]: Hanbao

[Race]: A native dog with a trace of ancient celestial dog blood.

[Rank]: Second Rank

Combat Level: ★★

[Talent Skill]: Smell Tracking lv1

[Note]: Growth can be accelerated by consuming Mist Sprout Crystals, continuously awakening bloodlines and breaking through ranks.

Good heavens, he leveled up three times in one night! Not only did he smoothly break through to the second tier, but he also gained a new talent skill. His bloodline is truly something else. If Blade & Shield Number One knew, he'd probably cry his eyes out. We're both dogs, but the difference between us is just too vast!

"Sure, dog."

"Woof woof~~~"

The silly boy bit his trouser leg and acted cute.

Xia Yuan picked up Hanbao, his eyes filled with the expectation of a father. "Eat up, eat as much as you can. Look how badly your dad has been bullied! Grow up quickly and help me fight off the bad guys!"

Although his trip to Yunyang City ended without any major incidents, he still felt very frustrated and was eager to improve his strength.

One Satir isn't enough for the territory.

"Woof woof~~~"

The boy, who had just woken up, couldn't eat anymore and desperately needed to replenish his energy.

"We'll have barbecue later!"

Xia Yuan knew exactly what Gouzi was thinking, so he turned to Wang Er and instructed, "See that tent? Your family can stay there for now, and we'll build a house later."

After the lord's cabin was built, Xia Yuan bowed and moved in, leaving the tent empty.

"The master is kind; this is already very good."

Wang Er looked grateful. Compared to a bunch of people crammed into an iron cage, even a makeshift shack made of thatch would be ten or a hundred times better, let alone such a spacious and tall leather tent.

He was even prepared to sleep in the open air, but he never expected to receive such treatment.

How could I not be moved to tears?

"Master, please tell me if there's anything I can do. Although I'm a carpenter, I can also do some masonry and bamboo weaving. I'll do whatever you ask." Wang Er was an honest man, and he was afraid of letting his master down after receiving such treatment.

"There's still a lot of work to do."

Xia Yuan didn't stand on ceremony. "First, we'll build a latrine in the corner, then a place to cook and eat. Later, we'll build warehouses, houses, a woodworking workshop, and so on. Does your wife know how to grow vegetables?"

"Yes, my wife is very capable at housework."

"Then let's cultivate another vegetable patch in the corner and plant some greens."

Once they have more money, they can go to Yunyang City to buy poultry and livestock such as chickens, ducks, geese, piglets, goats, and cattle, and gradually they will have a home.

"Don't worry, sir, I've noted it all down."

Although he had a lot of work to do, Wang Er felt at ease. It was better to be a beast of burden than to eat and live for free.

.........

The lord's cabin was small, just one room divided in the middle by wooden planks. The front was a hall for eating, discussing matters, and receiving guests, while the back was a bedroom for resting and sleeping. Although simple, it was still better than sleeping in a tent.

Take out the two wooden treasure chests you just bought, open them, and you'll find a sheepskin blueprint and a blade of grass.

[Basic Blacksmith Shop Building Blueprint]: This blueprint allows you to build a basic blacksmith shop, capable of crafting farm tools and arrows. Build Requirements: 50 units of wood, 100 units of stone. Build Time: Half a day.

【Mist Demon Grass】: A specialty of the Misty Zone, its unique scent can attract surrounding mist monsters to gather continuously for one hour.

They're all good stuff.

In particular, the blueprints for the blacksmith's shop are exactly what the territory desperately needs.

However, not only are there not enough building materials, but there is also no blacksmith. Even if a blacksmith shop is built, it will be useless without someone to manage it.

On the contrary, the Mist Fairy Grass can now come in handy.

While making purchases in Yunyang City, Xia Yuan also heard a piece of news: every year during the novice trials, the top ten territories would report to all lords of the alliance in the form of gray mist text.

In light of this, the alliance will also bestow generous rewards upon these ten lords.

That's nothing compared to what's to come.

Most importantly, the top ten territories will be eligible to participate in a sweep of demonized territories.

This is something you absolutely can't miss.

Having offended Li Mingyu, a powerful lord, Xia Yuan's attempt to fight against him single-handedly was practically wishful thinking. As Zhao Wu said, in this world, besides strength, connections are even more crucial.

The so-called background is to join a certain faction within the alliance.

Within the Yanxia Alliance, besides Yunyang City, which is at the top tier, there are three level 8 territories: Suiye City, Liuyun City, and Lieyang City, naturally forming three major factions. The lords of these three level 8 territories are the alliance's only three vice-leaders.

Li Mingyu belongs to the Lieyang system.

If Xia Yuan could be chosen by either the Broken Leaf or Flowing Cloud factions, he would have the means to fight back.

But how easy is that?

This brings us to the rules regarding subordinate territories in the Misty Continent.

Territories of level 2 and above can contract with subordinate territories.

During the Civilization Trial, the main territory can summon troops from subordinate territories to assist in defense or to launch joint expeditions. Conversely, subordinate territories cannot summon troops from the main territory to assist them when facing a crisis.

Therefore, the principal territory naturally has an obligation to take care of its subordinate territories, including but not limited to providing support in the form of funds, supplies, weapons, equipment, and slaves.

Both parties take what they need.

This is not a simple dependency relationship, but more like a mutually beneficial cooperation. Because a territory can be a subordinate territory of a higher territory, or it can be a subordinate territory of one's own through a contract. And a subordinate territory of a subordinate territory is not one's own subordinate territory.

Furthermore, once the level of a subordinate territory catches up with that of the main territory, the subordinate relationship between the two territories is automatically dissolved.

This top-down approach naturally led to the formation of factions bound by territories, driven by mutual interests, and characterized by mutual support and need.

To join a faction, the first step is to become a vassal territory of one of that faction's territories.

This created a distinction between high and low, and between superior and inferior.

If the territory that Xia Yuan has his eye on in Mingguang Village is only a level 4 or even a level 3 territory, even if he joins a faction, how can his status in the faction compare to that of Li Mingyu?

Even if they receive asylum, they cannot truly rest easy, and trouble will still follow.

However, if the territory that has its eye on Mingguang Village is a level 5 or even level 6 territory, which is on par with Li Mingyu, then that's a different story. At least there's no need to worry about being openly targeted.

This is very difficult!!!

Number of contractable territories = Territory level - 1.

In order to cope with the Civilization Trial, the higher the level of the territory, the more cautious the selection of subordinate territories. Generally, they will choose the higher level rather than the lower level, unless the potential is particularly outstanding, in which case they may place a bet in advance.

What constitutes outstanding potential?

If the initial unit is Tier 2 or even Tier 3, then it definitely has outstanding potential.

Unfortunately, Mingguang Village is not one of them.

If Mingguang Village can break into the top ten, or even the top three, in the novice trial, then it will be considered to have outstanding potential and have the opportunity to be noticed by a high-level lord.

Therefore, Xia Yuan had no way out.

In order to achieve a good result in the trial, the only option is to maximize the potential of the sword and shield dog.

The only way for the sword-and-shield dog to advance is through combat.

With this Mist Demon Grass, one can conduct a beast tide rehearsal before the novice trial, collect more Mist Sprout Crystals, and stimulate the bloodline within the Blade and Shield Dog as much as possible.

This is certainly risky, but it's the only option available.

Who knows how many true dragons are hidden among the five hundred new lords, eager to make a dazzling debut in the upcoming novice trials and thus catch the eye of high-ranking lords?

Not fighting means certain death.

.........

"Woof woof~~~"

Xia Yuan was serving Han Bao roasted meat when Satir returned from hunting with her sword-and-shield dogs, only to bring back three gray mist rat carcasses.

Gray fog rats are very cunning creatures. If you are alone, they will call their friends and swarm you. If there are many of you, they will hide far away or lure you into the depths of the fog, where you can easily fall into their trap.

"I'm sorry, Master, we only caught this many prey."

Satir looked guilty.

"My sword and shield!"

Blade & Shield One, however, complained, blaming Satir for not letting him chase the prey.

"Look at you, so capable!"

Xia Yuan immediately kicked Blade & Shield Number One, then turned to comfort Satir, "You've done very well, don't blame yourself. The Mist Zone is fraught with danger, being cautious is the right thing to do."

The Gray Mist Rat is the weakest monster in the mist; chasing it into the depths of the mist is tantamount to suicide.

"Take a look at this."

Xia Yuan took out the Mist Demon Grass from his storage space.

"This is... a mist fairy grass?"

"good!"

"Master, do you intend to... take the initiative?"

Satir was not only knowledgeable but also very clever, and she immediately guessed Xia Yuan's thoughts.

"What do you think? Can you do it?"

Xia Yuan was not a professional after all and did not understand the lethality of the Mist Demon Grass, so he humbly asked for advice.

"My sword and shield!!!"

Before Satir could answer, Sword and Shield Number One seemed to have understood. He excitedly slapped his shield with his iron sword, volunteering for the battle, his dog face turning red.

"With the arrow towers and fences in place, planting the Mist Fairy Grass in the open space in front of the gatehouse should be worth a try. However, the effects of the Mist Fairy Grass are highly unpredictable, and if too many monsters are attracted, there might be casualties..."

Satir did not act on her own initiative.

"Let's do it!"

Upon hearing this, Xia Yuan became even more determined. If he dared not make sacrifices now, he would lose everything in the future.

Let's give it our all!!!