Chapter 116: Chapter 114: Contention in the Secret Realm (4K requests for monthly votes)_2 𝐟r𝗲𝚎𝚠e𝐛no𝘃𝗲𝐥.c𝗼m

Translator: 549690339

Immediately, the crescent-shaped key to the Secret Realm transformed into a streak of light and disappeared within the altar. The mysterious patterns on the altar’s surface glowed, and a beam of light projected from it, opening up an elongated space gate above the altar, which was still completely closed.

It was similar to the gates of the Secret Realm of Challenge they had encountered before.

However, this Secret Realm’s Gate was under the jurisdiction of the Tianyuan Territory, and it could open or close at his mental command. Of course, he had to wait for the Secret Realm on the other side to truly open before he could initiate the process.

“It is said that the Great Lords often control the entrances to some high-level secret realms. Most of these are public realms, among which the most famous are ‘Challenge Land’ and ‘Trial Tower,1 among others. Very few people control exclusive secret realms, which are like owning a mini-world entirely under their control, a private property of their domain.”

“The Officials often control certain public secret realms and would occasionally release quotas.”

“Speaking of which… in a few months, it will be the three-year period of the ‘Heroes’ Festival,’ which is also a secret realm. The Secret Realm’s Gate will appear in all the newer territories by then.”

But of course, the players would leave from the same territory they entered the Secret Realm from. It’s impossible to traverse the space using special secret realms.

What kind of Secret Realm is a resource Secret Realm?

Being a novice, Mu Yuan didn’t quite understand. However, if he didn’t understand something, he could search for it on the Tai Xuan Forum and look up some information. There’s always an answer.

‘The Resource Secret Realm is a type of a Welfare Secret Realm. Compared to the Challenge Secret Realm, this type of Secret Realm is somewhat dangerous but not too much, and the rewards are quite high.’

‘In the Secret Realm, certain treasure spots are guarded by monsters. Besides, Resource Secret Realms are usually public realms, so it’s possible to encounter other explorers and competitors.’

‘The Xuan Country Association appeals here that Lords should always seek peace. If there are inevitable conflicts over treasures, they can use the form of ‘Battle Will’ to decide the ownership of the treasure. This would make the losers accept their defeat wholeheartedly and also prevent the loss of their own power due to fighting. However, the exploring Lords still need to guard against wanted criminals and Lords of foreign lands.’

All the Lords have signed the ‘Tai Xuan Covenant.’

There are a few important agreements in the covenant, such as defending against foreign enemies and helping each other wherever possible; and how to resolve disputes encountered during outdoor and Secret Realm explorations.

After evolving over several decades, the current ‘Battle Will’ form was set. Although not everyone follows it, most explorers, and lords agree with this mode. If the lords are defeated in a war, how can the whole army press on? Moreover, no matter how precious the treasure is, it is not worth gambling at the price of one’s own troops.

“This is just a level-one Secret Realm. It doesn’t cover a large area, so most of the encounters are with Lords of Xuan Country only. However…”

If he encounters an old Lord who has practiced for several years, he might not gain much advantage in ‘Battle Will.’

No matter how talented Dead Bone is, after all, it’s still a baby skeleton.

He hopes that the number of Lords entering this public Secret Realm wouldn’t be too many or too strong.

But if they can’t compete… they wouldn’t compete. It’s a free Secret Realm anyway. Getting a treasure would mean making a huge profit, and even if they didn’t, they wouldn’t lose anything.

Buddhist mindset, just maintain a Buddhist mindset.

“By the way, let me see what kind of treasures might appear in a level-one Resource Secret Realm.”

“Soul Crystal, Rare materials, Rare items, Rare soldiers, and even Rare buildings, Hero’s Proof, special items, etc.”

This is like a treasure trove where any treasure could be unearthed.

As long as his own strength is sufficient.

MMP, he just can’t stay composed!

The development of a Lord is like rolling a snowball.

Once the economy is strained, the development of the entire territory will fall into stagnation, or even reverse. But if the finances are robust, there is ample resource to train their primary troops, then when the power strengthens, they can seize t more resources, and with this, they can nurture a stronger primary and trump card…

This is how it increases like a snowball effect.

Some Lords, despite their management time being only two to three years, have far more power than those of senior Lords or even Great Lords.

Among the young Lords in Xuan Country, the legendary figure, ‘Lord of Han Yue City,’ has only been in the game for a few years, yet he wields a power that many middle-aged and elderly Lords can’t match.

Lords must compete.

If they don’t compete, not only will they lag behind, but they may also perish due to a lack of power when the Monster Tide attacks one day, disappearing in the Eternal World.

“It’s time to strengthen the forces.”

“Ding ding-!”

“Dang dang-!”

In front of the blacksmith’s shop, the constant and persistent hammering reverberated against the steamy white mist, gradually spreading and obscuring the burly figure, tirelessly hammering away.

The forging continued for a full hour before finally coming to an end.

Blacksmith Li Erniu came out of the shop holding a heavy tower shield with a greyish-brown hue, its front ornately carved with half the figure of a roaring beast.

“My Lord, are you satisfied with it?”

This shield is a rare piece of equipment, possessing the properties of hardness, toughness, and heaviness. The ‘heaviness’ can be turned on or off by the user’s intention, and to some extent, carries the weight talent of the Earth Rock Dragon.

All this information was clearly displayed in the information bar.

Mu Yuan nodded, “I am satisfied, since its main material comes from the Earth Rock Dragon, let’s name it the Shield of the Earth Rock.”

He then took out some Soul Sand as a reward for Li Erniu’s craftsmanship.

After some polite refusal, he convinced Li Erniu to accept it.

Those who contribute deserve rewards.

Unlike soldiers, who rely on the Lord’s support for cultivation, territory citizens who want to become stronger must buy their own cultivation resources. Some Lords would pick strong individuals from the citizens, give them ranks, and form armies. In such cases, the Lord would provide a certain amount of Soul Sand.

Li Erniu scratched his head innocently, “I should thank you, My Lord, for providing the opportunity. I used to forge hoes and kitchen knives in the village, and I didn’t feel much. But now when I forge these special equipment, I feel more and more excited as if a certain bloodline in my body has awakened. My strength has increased a lot.”

He flexed his biceps which were as sturdy as granite, Mu Yuan had no doubt a single punch of Li Erniu’s could kill two bulls.

Of course, Lord Shepherd, being much stronger, casually lifted the heavy tower shield and soon left the blacksmith’s shop.

He stood still in a desolated section on the west side, and rapidly started to concentrate.

He raised his hand level to his shoulder and snapped his fingers.

“Snap-!”

Threads of energy burst forth from his heart, quickly intertwining and spreading throughout his body.

His figure slightly grew in height, and a golden silhouette of full-body armor appeared on the surface of his body. After that, each decorative stud was fixed in place, vivid patterns were drawn, and a masquerade mask appeared, obscuring his entire face except a narrow crevice.

He clenched his empty hand into a fist. A spear rose from the ground and was naturally held in his grasp.

On his right hand where the Royal Guard’s Shield was about to manifest, he stopped it and replaced it with the freshly-forged ‘Shield of the Earth Rock’.

Mu Yuan mentally controlled the Thunder Magnetic Coil Tower and a dazzling thunderbolt pierced through the sky towards him.

Amid the daytime thunderbolt!

He held the shield while a pair of golden wings unfurled from his back.

“Zap-Boom!”

The brilliant thunderbolt descended, then scattered to both sides. Lightning danced across the ground, charring it black, but unable to pass even half an inch beyond the Wings of Protection.

“Using the ‘Guard’ skill while holding the Shield of the Earth Rock proves to be stronger than usual.”

Compared to defensive power, the ‘heavy’ shield, when paired with the ‘Shield Strike’ skill, can bring terrifying destructive power.

In front of him, the completely shattered rock that was several meters high, resembling the aftermath of a bomb blast, silently cried out to the world.

Such a powerful tower shield…

“Indeed, it’s for Lu Liu.”

As a homebody Lord, I rarely need any equipment. Even when I travel, I am always under the protection of my generals.

With the Shield of the Earth Rock, Lu Liu can now be considered as one of the top five powerhouses in the territory.

Battling isn’t just about having one powerful leader.

Sometimes when competing for ownership of several treasures, multiple main forces need to take the stage to fight. Therefore, even if a lord luckily obtains a strong soldier species, it can’t take all the gains.

It really tests the depth of a Lord’s ‘leaders pool’.

There are still three days until the Resource Secret Realm opens. Maybe, he could gather enough ‘Human Evolution Points’ to grant Lu Liu an evolution beyond the limit..