Chapter 14

If not for his studies at the Knowledge Hall, this much information influx could have made him faint.

But now he effortlessly digested it all.

He rose to third place in promotion speed, and Chen Ping returned to the top ten once again.

The requirements for advancing to level four, compared to before, now included one additional special mysterious faction.

At this moment, in a place Chen Ping could not see, the territory's edge suddenly rose into rolling hills.

A new region appeared where the outer rim had previously been shrouded in mist.

Chen Ping returned to the Lord's Hall with Milan.

There, he directly opened the territory panel.

【Chaos Sea Territory #07, Level LV3】

【Lord: Chen Ping, Level LV1】

【Lord Attributes: Life 100, Physique 20, Attack 10, Defense 8, Soul 100+50, Leadership 100, Energy 11】

【Soul Pact: Milan】

【Territory Attributes: Area 20 square kilometers, Barren Land 40%, Farmland 30%, Water Source 20%】

【Territory Resources: Population 125/300, Wood 1440/2000, Minerals 850/2000, Stone 580/2000, Food 1100/2000, Livestock 120/2000】

【Territory Special Building: Lord's Hall LV2】

【Territory Ranking: 0/4000, Ranking Assessment to Open in Three Months】

Chen Ping tapped his finger on the Lord's Hall section.

The Lord's Hall was a special building, independent of all other facilities.

Its upgrade depended on additional conditions.

After opening the Lord's Hall information, he saw all requirements for upgrading to level four.

There were no surprises—it matched exactly what he had learned at the academy.

The Lord's Hall upgrade required fully constructing all possible buildings and maintaining population and resources at a set standard.

This was the basic condition; additionally, upgrading the Lord's Hall to level four had special requirements.

One of the six special attributes—technology, culture, mystery, trade, industry, or military—must reach 500 evaluation points.

Chen Ping's current territory led overwhelmingly in culture, reaching 315 points.

Behind him, Milan glanced at this value and couldn't help but look at Chen Ping again.

A level-one territory actually had over three hundred culture points.

She felt her master was extraordinarily capable—this was nearly impossible.

Culture points came from many sources, but primarily from individual advancement among the territory's population.

Three hundred points meant every person in Chen Ping's original territory was advancing—and daily!

The higher a person's rank or position, the more points their advancement contributed.

For Chen Ping's abilities, Milan silently elevated her estimation to an absurd level.

Everyone knew that when heroic souls descended into the Main World, they returned to the Soul Realm upon death.

Until summoned again, they retained none of their original memories.

But Milan was special—she was directly created by the highest-dimensional force, and this was her first descent into the Main World.

Yet her mind held many memories of territory records.

Chen Ping's level-one territory had already broken records for all six attributes…

Now promoted to level three, and having visited the Knowledge Hall, it was clear the six attribute scores would surge again.

Chen Ping looked at the territory's information, yet felt no surprise.

With the Heaven's Reward for Diligence talent, everyone in the territory, no matter what they did, was effectively studying.

Constantly accumulating effort naturally yielded returns.

How could such a territory—where everyone studied—have low culture?

Come on, everyone, get to work!

Chen Ping's goal wasn't merely level four—he wanted to reach level five as fast as possible!

Only upon reaching level five would the territory fully unlock all information; only then would the true beginning commence.

Early speed meant nothing; true strength was tested after level five.

Throughout history, those who passed the Trial and successfully returned their territories to the Human Alliance were all level-five or higher.

Max had previously traded one hundred people to him; Chen Ping immediately assigned all construction tasks.

The territory entered a grand construction phase.

17: Return to the Forefront, New Trial

After reaching level three, building categories were preliminarily refined.

Industry, agriculture, daily life and entertainment, military.

One final special category remained unopened.

But that would only unlock at level five, and only function properly at level seven.

Chen Ping pulled up the list, assigned all new buildings to construction, and prioritized the Population Management Hall.

This was a vital facility for attracting population—it must be completed first.

After resolving this, he turned to Milan.

Undeniably, even silent and standing still, the tall Milan brought a sense of pleasure.

"Milan, can you train an army?"

"Yes. In fact, I can handle territory affairs as well."

Milan's cool voice answered plainly, responding to Chen Ping's question.

This answer surprised Chen Ping.

Upon seeing her profession was Guardian, his first thought was a combat class.

Yet Milan was a true scholar-warrior—no surprise for an S-rank heroic soul.

"Territory affairs don't need your attention yet—there's little to do, and I can manage."

"First, convert the militia into professional soldiers and form the prototype of the territory's future army."

Milan accepted the order and immediately left the Lord's Hall.

Chen Ping reopened the Lord's Hall's Knowledge Integration function.

After advancing to level three, two more knowledge slots opened—he needed to invest further.

After thinking, Chen Ping chose Magic Studies and Evolution.

This world was one where the highest-dimensional forces existed; humanity survived by wielding supernatural powers.

Among human professions, the Mage class stood at the pinnacle.

A powerful mage could even deter an entire region.

Before reaching the High Stage, in the same level, a mage's output far surpassed that of a warrior.

Moreover, magic could be applied to daily life, achieving effects akin to advanced technology from his previous life.

Unlike science, which required gradual progress, magic sometimes defied logic.

As for Evolution, it was knowledge concerning the evolution of all things.

Chen Ping didn't know how many others chose this, but he would never pass it up.

The more evolution knowledge he mastered, the faster his people and territory's things would grow stronger.

It was a continuous, low-visibility investment.

As Chen Ping finalized his choices, the Lord's Hall glowed with misty light, and the entire territory underwent subtle changes.

Milan, who had been directing the militia's assembly, looked up toward the Lord's Hall.

While others remained confused, she already sensed the territory's transformation.

She closed her eyes slightly and sensed.

"Mystery, Science, Magic, Evolution…"

"The lord truly possesses vast knowledge…"

"If so, I must demonstrate my own abilities."

Milan opened her eyes again, and her aura instantly shifted.

Like an icy mountain, the militia standing before her trembled involuntarily.