Zhou Yan refrained from entering his lord space immediately. He first needed to gather sufficient food and water to sustain himself and avoid starvation. Entering the lord space required only a simple mental connection with the awakened space, which would then teleport him inside. However, each lord space varied, making it impossible to predict the territory's starting location.
Every new lord received a one-month novice period upon awakening. During this time, their territory resided in a mysterious realm, subject to a 30-day trial known as the lord assessment. Daily monster attacks tested the territory, their strength determined by the lord space's quality. Higher-quality spaces summoned more formidable foes. Territories enduring these assaults earned a comprehensive evaluation; the better the performance, the greater the rewards. If a monster shattered the lord crystal during this period, the territory persisted, but the assessment ended prematurely, forfeiting additional rewards.
For ordinary people, the novice period held immense value. Monsters during this phase offered the highest drop rates, providing a rare chance to rise from humble beginnings. Success, however, hinged on luck. Wealthy heirs faced a different reality. Unconcerned with novice rewards, they leveraged family resources to swiftly develop their territories. Some even allowed monsters to destroy their lord crystals on the first day, concluding the assessment early. This hastened their lord space's arrival on the Lord Continent, where familial wealth supplied manpower and materials. Such was the divide between the common and the privileged.
At school, Zhou Yan had learned what essentials to bring as a novice. After preparing his supplies, he mentally linked with his lord space and chose to teleport.
A flash enveloped him. When his vision cleared, he stood on a flat expanse spanning about 100 square meters. A thatched cottage occupied the center, beside a radiant lord crystal—his territory's heart.
[Building: Lord Crystal]
[Level: 1 (0/100)]
[Defense: 100]
[Introduction: The core hub of the lord space.]
"So this is the lord space," Zhou Yan murmured. "It feels distinct from the outside world. The air here is crisp and refreshing."
He surveyed his surroundings before stepping into the thatched cottage. Inside, simplicity reigned—a stone bed stood alone, the sole furnishing. He examined its properties.
[Building: Thatched Cottage]
[Level: 1 (0/100)]
[Defense: 10]
[Introduction: A basic dwelling for shelter.]
A message followed:
[Welcome to the lord space. Newcomer rewards granted: barracks, altar, novice equipment set, 100 soul coins.]
[Newcomer trial initiated: Monsters will attack daily. Defeat them to earn performance-based rewards. Protect the lord crystal; if shattered, the novice period ends, and no further rewards will be granted.]
Before him, light coalesced into his rewards: a barracks, an altar, and novice gear—standard provisions for every new lord. Barracks summoned troops for battle. The altar, more mystical, allowed sacrifices of spirit coins to yield equipment, props, treasures, heroes, or spirit beasts.
Zhou Yan deployed the new structures.
[Constructing barracks.]
[Constructing altar.]
Two notifications chimed. Outside, he found the barracks and altar newly erected near the cottage. The lord space arranged buildings optimally, though Zhou Yan could reposition them within his domain if desired.
[Building: Barracks]
[Level: 1 (0/100)]
[Function: Summon Soldiers]
[Introduction: Primary summoning costs 10 soul coins, intermediate 50, advanced 100.]
[Building: Altar]
[Level: 1 (0/100)]
[Function: Sacrifice]
[Introduction: Offer soul coins or spirit coins for unpredictable rewards.]
Spirit coins served as the world's universal currency, purchasable for any item. Soul coins, however, came solely from slaying monsters and couldn't be traded. Vital for upgrading buildings, leveling lords or heroes, and altar sacrifices, they held immense value. Textbooks warned against squandering soul coins on the altar's gamble, a lesson Zhou Yan recalled.
A new alert sounded.
"Ding! Activate the auxiliary lord space?"
Excitement surged within him. This had to be the colorful lord space, manifesting unbidden. Eager to uncover its powers, he replied without hesitation, "Yes!"
"Ding! Auxiliary lord space activating."
"Ding! Activation successful. Lord space evolving."
Color swept across the territory. The buildings before him transformed.
"Ding! Evolution complete. Lord Crystal upgraded to [King Crystal]."
"Ding! Evolution complete. Thatched Cottage upgraded to [Spiritual Bamboo House]."
"Ding! Evolution complete. Barracks upgraded to [Bronze Sparrow Terrace]."
"Ding! Evolution complete. Altar upgraded to [Mystery Store]."
Zhou Yan stood dumbfounded. This auxiliary space had revolutionized his entire domain. More astonishingly, it altered his personal attributes. He hurriedly checked his lord profile.
[Territory Name: Unnamed]
[Lord: Zhou Yan (details)]
[Quality: Color]
[Territory Talent: Special Items +10%]
[Level: 0]
[Area: 500 square meters]
[Buildings: King Crystal (Level 1), Spiritual Bamboo House (Level 1), Bronze Sparrow Terrace (Level 1), Mystery Store (Level 1)]
[Villager: 0]
[Resource: None]
He then reviewed his updated attributes.
[Name: Zhou Yan]
[Sex: Male]
[Age: 18]
[Race: Human]
[Nationality: Dragon Kingdom]
[Level: 0]
[Charm: 1]
[Luck: 1]
[Strength: 1.5]
[Physique: 1.5]
[Agility: 3]
[Spirit: 6]
Astonishment gripped him. Ordinary humans capped at 1 for initial attributes, yet his now soared beyond that baseline—his spirit reaching sixfold the norm. The auxiliary lord space proved extraordinary.