Although Zhou Yan had subdued the Purple Gold Flying Celestial Tiger on the surface, its heart was completely resistant.
But that was enough.
What was the point of needing the Purple Gold Flying Celestial Tiger's heart?
To make soup?
The journey was too peaceful; not a single monster appeared, or perhaps they dared not.
With so many high-level monsters here, plus a king-level exotic beast like the Purple Gold Flying Celestial Tiger, which monster would be foolish enough to show itself?
That would be courting death!
From afar, a dragon-shaped city wall could be seen, coiled like a true dragon, incredibly majestic.
From a distance, only the city walls were visible. Everything within the walls remained hidden.
Thanks to the heaven-defying structure, the "Lingxiao Treasure Hall," nothing could be seen from outside the city.
The territory's gates opened, and countless people emerged, standing on both sides of the road, perfectly aligned.
As Zhou Yan approached, the soldiers on both sides shouted in unison, "Welcome back, Lord!"
Their eyes gleamed with envy. Those mounts were simply too cool. Although they knew the territory had many mounts, no one dared to take one out without the lord's permission.
"Comrades, you've worked hard!" Zhou Yan said.
"Lord, you've worked hard," the soldiers replied.
They entered directly into the dragon's mouth, the central gate, signifying a triumphant return.
Upon returning to the territory, he found that the population had increased significantly, as many more people had successfully transferred classes in the past few days.
Combined with the previously brought-back races, their spirits and demeanor had completely transformed since arriving here.
They loved their current lives immensely; compared to their past, this was a paradise.
Even if they were forced to leave now, they would never go.
Where else could they find a more spiritual and powerful territory like this?
They were not fools, and their loyalty was exceptionally high, with many already at maximum.
All that remained was for a few more days to pass, and once the lord's demands were no longer considered harsh, their loyalty would reach its peak.
The territory was now thriving. Soldiers were constantly on guard rotation on both the "Great Wall" and the "Thorn City Wall," and patrols moved back and forth around the territory.
The entire territory was peaceful and exceptionally prosperous.
Zhou Yan instructed the soldiers to return to their barracks.
Li Guang had also successfully transferred classes in the past few days.
He had followed from the territory's main gate.
He immediately found Zhou Yan and said with a smile, "Lord, look at my mount..."
Without mounts, the "Great Han Iron Cavalry" would not be cavalry. He had been restless for days, and after Zhou Yan's return, he couldn't sit still any longer, following Zhou Yan all the way to the "Spiritual Qi Courtyard."
"Don't worry. Except for a few mounts reserved for high-ranking generals, all others in the territory belong to the Great Han Iron Cavalry. However, there are still not enough mounts."
"I have no intention of buying those substandard ones. I plan to capture them myself. I believe you've seen them; they are much better than warhorses, aren't they?"
Upon hearing this, Li Guang chuckled and said, "Lord, you are right. Those mounts are far superior to warhorses. I shall go and collect my mount now."
As soon as Li Guang left, he asked again, "Then when will we go out again next time?"
"No hurry, I have matters to attend to. I will definitely bring you along next time," Zhou Yan said.
"Then your subordinate shall take his leave." Li Guang quickly retreated, rushing off to collect his mount.
Zhou Yan also granted Li Guang the authority to collect mounts.
"Lord, Madam Diao Chan, you have returned."
Si Teng and Hua Yue Rong rose immediately upon seeing them.
In the past few days, they had been in contact with external parties and had become quite adept at using this high-tech equipment.
"How is it? Has anything happened in the territory recently?" Zhou Yan asked.
"Nothing has happened. It's just that when Jerry first transferred classes, he wanted to find you immediately, but you were not here," Si Teng replied.
"Oh, Jerry is the territory's chief blacksmith. I'll go and see him later," Zhou Yan nodded.
Apart from the increase in manpower, no other significant events had occurred in the territory.
After arranging all the important matters of the territory, he handed over complete responsibility to Diao Chan.
He then began to take out the buildings acquired during his recent excursion and started constructing them.
He had obtained many buildings this time. He first took out the D-grade "Small River" and began construction.
The territory prompt announced: "Constructing 'Small River,' 'Small River' evolves into 'Moat.'"
A river suddenly appeared outside the entire city wall, encircling the territory, measuring ten meters wide.
A moat, quite interesting.
[Building: Moat]
[Level: 1 (Requires upgrade)]
[Quality: SSS (Requires upgrade)]
[Special Attribute 1: All territory buildings' defense +10%]
The moat could increase the overall defense of the territory, which was quite good.
He began upgrading the "Moat." After level 20, it required a one-star water-attribute crystal core.
The territory had plenty of this material; no procurement was necessary.
As the levels increased, the quality of crystal cores required for upgrades also rose, until it reached level 60 before stopping.
The effect of Attribute 1 for the "Moat" increased to 60%.
Several more attributes were added:
[All defense towers' attack +50%]
[All defense towers' attack speed +40%]
[All defense towers' attack range +30%]
[All defense towers' destructive power +20%]
[All defense towers' skill cooldown -10%]
The width of the moat increased significantly, reaching six hundred meters, and its depth also increased greatly. It looked like a vast ocean, with the entire territory situated in its center.
This moat was not stagnant water; it flowed.
Looking at such a territory, his enemies would likely be bewildered.
Without ships, how could they attack his territory?
However, he himself could not get out either.
With a moat, bridges were naturally needed, otherwise, even his own people couldn't get out.
Coincidentally, he had a C-grade "Arched Bridge."
He began construction.
The territory prompt announced: "Constructing 'Arched Bridge,' 'Arched Bridge' evolves into 'Leaping Dragon Bridge.'"
"Leaping Dragon Bridge, the name itself sounds incredibly grand!"
He built the "Leaping Dragon Bridge" in the direction of the territory's main gate, and regardless of its level, this structure spanned the entire river.
It was a dragon-shaped arched bridge, as if a colossal dragon leaped from one end of the territory to the other across the river.
Its dragon claws became the pivot supporting the entire river.
This bridge was not only imposing and handsome in appearance but also excellent in design. He liked it very much.
(Author: Ten chapters finished, I need to rest. Everyone else should rest early too!)