Chapter 16

He found that after arriving in the territory, his inspiration in magical research was bursting forth, and his progress was remarkably clear.

"My lord, my lord, I've created a magical array that meets your requirements!"

Outside the Lord's Hall, Alchemist Mai Er rushed over, ecstatic.

Before even getting close, he shouted loudly toward the Lord's Hall.

Chen Ping leaned out from the second-floor window.

Before he could respond, he saw Milan approaching with long strides, her expression serious.

"My lord, we've located the invading force."

Milan's icy demeanor caused Alchemist Mai Er to instinctively fall silent.

Now everyone in the territory knew this ice queen was the second-in-command, and no one dared defy her.

Hearing this, Chen Ping was delighted and immediately invited both of them inside.

19: Strategy of the Territory

Alchemist Mai Er and Milan entered the Lord's Hall.

As Chen Ping's contracted spirit soul, Milan stood directly beside him.

Alchemist Mai Er, however, stood respectfully before the desk and pulled out a wooden tray from his waist pouch.

This was a reasoning tray used by mages to simulate magical theories.

It was now covered in runes and circular magical circuit lines.

"Tell me your results first."

Chen Ping said to Alchemist Mai Er.

The invading force can wait for now—Milan is here, so no major problems will arise.

Chen Ping cared more about Alchemist Mai Er's research results.

Milan quietly watched Alchemist Mai Er's excited expression.

She understood his feelings well; in fact, Milan herself was deeply astonished by Chen Ping's talent.

Since taking charge of the territory's military affairs, Milan's daily work had been training the territorial guard and her own cultivation.

Yet after just a few days, she had unexpectedly unlocked a new trait: Military Strategy Instruction.

It increased training efficiency by 20% when directing or training troops.

Moreover, Milan and the guard members, despite only performing basic drills, saw their individual attributes continuously rising.

This shattered Milan's worldview.

Eventually, unable to contain herself, she went straight to Chen Ping and learned it was due to his talent.

From that moment, Milan knew Chen Ping's rise was unstoppable.

The fact that he could summon her was no accident—there must be some fated connection.

Even an S-rank spirit soul like herself had gained such clear progress—how much more so Alchemist Mai Er?

At that moment, Alchemist Mai Er excitedly placed the reasoning tray on the table and poured a bit of soil and sand onto it.

He released magical energy to activate it.

The patterns on the tray glowed, and the soil and sand solidified into a sturdy, stone-like block.

Alchemist Mai Er struck it hard with a hammer—but the small stone remained unbroken.

"My lord, the Mud-to-Stone array tray is complete, as you instructed."

Alchemist Mai Er looked at Chen Ping with pride; though he was merely a lowly mage apprentice,

he had independently designed this array in just two days, and he felt immense pride and excitement.

"What's the cost?"

"The array can be powered by magic crystals or a mage's mana. If scaled up to one meter in diameter, a single input can sustain it for two days."

"What about durability?"

"According to my calculations, one standard array can produce roughly five hundred magical stone bricks."

Alchemist Mai Er then handed Chen Ping a sheet of paper filled with detailed data.

Chen Ping skimmed it at a glance and finished reading instantly.

Alchemist Mai Er was about to explain further, but Chen Ping picked up a pen and circled several parameters on the paper.

"Here, and here—adjust these. Reduce the input values; durability will increase."

"That way, the cost per stone brick can drop another 40%."

"You've done well. I'll issue you a certificate—immediately organize teams to build a manufacturing facility."

Returning the paper to Alchemist Mai Er, Chen Ping issued him a formal certificate and stamped and signed it.

The territory now had over two hundred people, with clear divisions of labor; opening a new factory required Chen Ping's approval.

Alchemist Mai Er glanced at the paper and his eyes bulged out.

He trembled with excitement, opening his mouth to say "ah ah ah" but couldn't form a coherent sentence.

Because after mentally simulating Chen Ping's modifications, he realized they would indeed improve results.

His own two-day effort had been pinpointed and improved by the lord in a single glance.

Alchemist Mai Er's reverence for Chen Ping rose another notch.

Had Milan not had something to report, he would have gladly stayed to learn from Chen Ping.

Watching Alchemist Mai Er leave reluctantly, Milan's lips curved into a faint smile.

She knew Chen Ping had absorbed nine disciplines from the Hall of Knowledge.

If he chose to, his progress in magical studies would astound everyone.

"Actually, if you did these things yourself, you wouldn't need half a day, would you?"

Once Alchemist Mai Er had left, Milan couldn't help asking.

She wondered—if she had such ability, wouldn't she want to handle every task herself?

If Chen Ping had taken on Alchemist Mai Er's project, the result would surely have been even better.

Yet Chen Ping merely smiled and shook his head.

"I once read a story about a genius who was so powerful he could do anything."

"He took on every responsibility himself and ruled his territory with great strength."

"Hmm, roughly equivalent to becoming a Lord of the Realm."

"But after his untimely death, his territory collapsed within no time."

Chen Ping looked at Milan and told her a simplified version of Zhuge Liang's story, altering names and details.

Milan's expression turned thoughtful.

Chen Ping offered no further explanation.

In his view, with the Heaven Rewards Diligence talent, clinging to doing everything himself

would only waste its potential.

Only when everyone in the territory actively participates, learns, and acts will progress grow ever greater.

If every person in the territory were a master, who could possibly stand against him?

Empowering his subordinates to act autonomously would naturally make the territory stronger.

He, in turn, would gain more time to improve himself—mutually reinforcing.

"Enough. Tell me about the mysterious invading force."

"What exactly is this force?"

Chen Ping steered the conversation back on track.

20: First Territory Operation, Lord Upgrade

Everything on the spacious desk had been cleared to one side.

Milan spread out a map—clearly the full extent of Chen Ping's territory.

In the northeast, a new area had been marked.

"Our scouts discovered it during patrols."

"I personally investigated. It's a group of subterranean lizardmen—current numbers unknown."

Milan pointed at the map.

Chen Ping rested his chin in his hand, mentally searching for data on subterranean lizardmen.