Qian Ye determined that the grey, colossal sphere must be the central nucleus of the entire underground beast hive, which served unknown but vital functions. Without full understanding or sufficient control, Qian Ye opted not to provoke it, fearful that it might change in nature or even require destruction—an unthinkable outcome.
Gathering his spiritual presence, he silently withdrew from the hive nest. He wandered through the surrounding forests briefly but found nothing unusual elsewhere. There remained only the yet-unhatched exotic beast eggs within the nest. Judging from a quick count, there were only several thousand at most. Even supposing they all hatched at once, their threat could vanish in an instant.
Qian Ye then returned to rejoin his army and commanded his men to reinforce the temporary camp beyond the forest into a semi-permanent forward depot, while setting another guard outpost near the nest’s underground entrance as an early warning measure. In addition he summoned great quantities of waters drawn from the Sacred Pool for transfer backward, intended primarily for awakening more warriors.
Following this approach for two days, their frontline base stood mostly completed, supporting the transformation of arriving reinforcements as well—to the point a new influx of twenty thousand fresh troops reached Qian Ye and brought with them, a detachment of specialized research scholars tasked solely with studying the Sacred Trees.
While not hopeful that the researchers would decipher the tree’s nature immediately, Qian Ye expected little more than for them to determine the appropriate levels by which sap could be extracted from them safely and harmlessly without damaging the trees.
Throughout this time, the beast hive deepunderneath remained silent and unreactive—an odd stillness confirmed during multiple inspections in which the egg clutches demonstrated none of the expected signs of hatching progress. Perhaps without directive commands, the nerve centre would initiate no activity independently.
Now more stably positioned, Qian Ye’s ranks across the New Land had expanded beyond the hundred thousand mark—time for another wave of discovery into unknown territories ahead.
Striding alone once more from the three-treed forest he had already claimed, he journeyed for several hundred kilometers until, cresting a distant horizon’s slope, a sight awaited: towering monolith columns stretching upwards beyond comprehension, each anchoring the far edge of sight against the sky’s curve.
Each monolith hinted at clusters of powerful, transformative crystals; a boon too potent and valuable to squander or recklessly use upon mere wereworn or humans—an unpredictability far too costly unless understood fully. Hence Qian Ye decided upon limited preliminary collection—reserving their wholesale procurement until their safe application could be determined by his research outposts in the Empire, where proper study could uncover their secrets.
Spotting such a pillar-cluster at last reinvigorated Qian Ye’s spirit, and quickening his gait, he resumed forward without rest.
As expected, close near where stood this column cluster sprawled the edge of another forest—revealing further that wherever stood such a verdant expanse also meant presence there would be Sacred Trees, lairs occupied both by the six-armed beings who commanded the hive’s monstrous armies that Qian Ye had battled time and again.
Indeed it remained fact—a single claimed Sacred Tree offered command of three to five legions of warriors in staging forces for deployment within the world, making said trees no trinkets, but rather keystones—undeniably strategic treasures.
After taking successfully two earlier forested bastions, Qian Ye well understood the proper approach by this point. Once infiltrated the new forest, he first assessed its current state—the six-armers still remained petrified as before. Here, unlike before, two of the mighty saplings stood in proximity.
Experience revealed a pattern: the command strength of the host creature directly correlated with the number of active Sacred Trees within their domains.
The six-arm creature within one-tree forests showed power matching Qian Ye’s own. He, in focused resolve, possessed an excellent chance of defeating or ending their lives if conditions were favorable toward ambush strategy and superior positioning.
However those commanding triple trees were mightier still. His prior foe from just such a domain nearly defied even his full capacity when he happened upon its dormant phase. Even then, despite its injuries Qian Ye needed aid from Carol to pull through a very risky ambush—a foe he could not stand up face to face and defeat under normal circumstances.
Assessing according to the Night Eternal hierarchy of power, such command monsters stood comfortably at level equaling High Dukes of the courts if not beyond. Even at gravest wound severity, victory had depended not only upon his combined strength’s proximity and surprise assault but also that foe standing exposed far before their defensive formations had fully formed under assault.
But now this opponent seemed midrange between prior two categories—possibly matching the standard duke level in strength assessment.
Meanwhile Qian Ye having climbed solid ground into the ranks of sub-dukes himself, with the further advantage of surprise against this enemy.
Decision final, Qian Ye executed familiar tactics. As he had previously done—he awakened dormant foes unexpectedly first using Flame of Vitalis, then struck directly at the Sacred Tree.
Indeed true enough, the creature—though deeply wounded still rushed immediately to defend its tree over itself. But this opened its throne seat to destruction—its central command node shattered—rendering its control over the swarm legions lost. Reduced command meant reduced threat dramatically.
Once surprise succeeded Qian Ye further pushed the opening opportunity and delivered a secondary shot via his trusted artifact weapon (Zhángxīn: “Graveheart”) to inflict more grave wound layers before retiring fully back to base defenses once more having secured yet another victory.
He marked the retreat trail specifically—true enough, by dawn on the following morning—an eight hundred thousand swarm force arrayed near his outpost in fragmented order—vanguard obliterated, rear yet to arrive properly.
Drawing confidence upon prior experience, Qian Ye and Carol struck simultaneously again, locating the host within the swarm ranks, then eliminated it decisively and rapidly.
Now without commanding consciousness or its legion host, the third forest stronghold passed completely into his hands. Although smaller than previously established nests associated with those commanding triple Sacred Trees; this one held a dormant secondary level nest with no fully evolved hive nexus at its center.
The new third forest had placed his base well distant from the gate—far enough that hundreds of kilometers even airships required meaningful time to cross.
Pausing forward exploration for now, Qian Ye set construction of advanced supply installations while returning alone through gate back to the landmass of “Yong Lu,” where he sought knowledge regarding progress among other continents under development.
Immediately returning Qian Ye found himself surrounded upon arrival.
At the forefront surged the head lycan high-priest shouting excitedly—
“Great Lord, the new round of tribal warriors completed mobilization phases and entered drills successfully. Their enthusiasm exceeds my dreams and they are prepared to give their lives on your behest. Hence the training has proceeded well beyond expectations—within only two full weeks these youths shall achieve elite battle-ready status.”
Skeptical Qian Ye looked toward Xu Jingxuan who corroborating confirmed:
“Indeed sir. For lycans warfare comes naturally—they require minimal refinement. Most training focuses upon discipline in formation ranks and learning to obey without hesitation. Their acceptance on these standards has become resounding already, meaning remaining drills only require them memorizing full tactical doctrine manuals fully. For this, the two week window suffices sufficiently.”
Nodding Qian Ye commanded:
“We already stand adequately manned inside across realms. No rush required over recruitment. Prioritize strength over schedule and ensure their fundamentals solid before dispatch.”
Upon the general’s orders acceptance Song Lun shifted forward saying—
“My Lord several updates. The latest shipments of armaments and materials from our Noble Alliance parties arrived—raw orichalcum supplies finalized handover terms. Still there develops a new matter however—The Elders of Kong & Yin clans now await within Liaocheng city and urgently seek your private conference!”
Surprised Qian Ye raised brows asking: “Yin clan too?”
“Yes sire. Furthermore the Yin Elder specified particular urgency—they declared if denied appearance within three days, then shall arrive uninvited regardless!”
Taken aback again Qian Ye queried with caution: “This one—this powerful Elder, who claims this connection to me… What name bears their office?”
“The elder calls herself Yin Qīqi。”
A pause fell upon Qian Ye with recognition dawning—then he turned puzzled as though remembering someone out-of-place—then he echoed back with disbelief:
“Qiqi? As a Yin clan matron??!!”
“Rumored to have recently obtained her senior seat,” Soun Lun explained.
Back when initial investments launched from various noble families, House Yin played only a marginal contributor—mere initial loans and random material supplies showing strong观望(guanwang)观望(observer’s position). However ever since consolidating holdings over Greater Hall passage & Emerald Ocean regions, his military campaigns showed exponential gains beyond prior forecasts. Naturally, House Yin had become more eager and assertive.
Now Yin sending a delegation with none other than Qiqi herself… it bore many hidden layers.
Likewise the Kong Clan held long history among noble contenders striving toward court peerage. Until recently the families remained mostly neutral towards Qian Ye’s rising presence. Now—suddenly—they sent envoys at the same juncture suggesting urgency. Both clearly intended to gain influence through timely cooperation.
Custom would normally compel Qian Ye himself to travel back promptly to Liaocheng and meet them there—it was no more than mere half a day’s time.
However the New Realm operations stood at peak momentum. Qian Ye functioned irrecplacably both as the central strategic axis of operations and the sole fighter capable reliably standing against six-armed enemy commanders in the frontline. Leaving them at this stage might cost dearly.
He fell silent then—postured hands behind back while narrowing thoughts.
None present dared disturb these quiet contemplations; all simply waited around him motionless.
After long silence, he finally opened voice:
“Is continued investment from these aristocratic clans… actually critical to this endeavor?”
His question astonished those standing—unforeseen as the thought. Yet only Soun Lun stepped forward able to answer thoroughly.
Carefully composing response he answered:
“In immediate horizon—absolutely crucial.
Their present financing enabled supply of equipment supporting over one hundred thousand fully equipped troops within the front immediately. Their medium-range contribution includes prospecting surveyor groups, mineral processing infrastructures and specialized industrial machinery—forming our nascent nation’s fundamental bedrocks from where greater ascent becomes structurally viable.
Looking farther longterm:
These patrons not only supported your pioneering, their own legacies became bound forever to success and destiny here. These houses shall thus functionally evolve into trusted vassal confederates—critical alliances capable of shielding us in inevitable political confrontations against powerful Empire of Ch’in.”
His speech resonated strongly throughout all listeners present—especially the ears of wereman standing nearby. Many instinctively understood how potent were these noble dynastic powers; they recalled first meetings where such human elites introduced tools previously unfashioned. Before Lin detailed this—many only had vague notions; now clear conceptual foundations emerged.
“But since they hold such value—” came his quiet voice again,”why would great names like them rush to visit us personally now without delay nor decorum? This seems odd—almost desperate. Is this… the truth that awaits us?”
Here, Soun Lun struggled to offer explanation fittingly.
But Qian Ye did require only further answers. He turned distant, gazing over the horizon.
Wherein the landscape unfolded below showed training ranges where packs of wolves—warrior packs numbering a thousand each—drilled tirelessly across fields of red dust and iron ground; an array of no fewer than ten myriad such camps standing spread endlessly over valleys.
Further off stood majestic city skyline—its central duke’s fortress of the blue waves-like city walls tower aloft, connecting heaven and earth；a great citadel whose aura defied even horizon’s reach.
Closer along base walls sprawld a sea of new lycosoldiery tents, stretching so vastly it filled vision’s breadth—marching into the limitless horizon.
City, camp, fanged hosts, the very air trembled with power unyielding elsewhere.
His voice calm; he continued—gesture toward those endless formations:
“These noble lords seek rewards—for what? Not material gold nor instant dividends. What they crave spans decades, centuries; legacy built not upon fleeting glory but generational promises. But what draws them—what attracts their urgent gaze here upon this realm today—are *eyes*. What the noble lords want *to see*—and what we possess in abundance—IS RIGHT HERE. So—since they seek such visions willingly—we must offer exactly *this sight*, why not indulge?”
He spun slowly back, final pronouncement cutting through all silence:
“Summon the Yin elders, Kong envoys, and any remaining noble dignitaries. Hold your courtesies—I will meet them exactly where they seek. I shall host this reception — Here.”
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