The flas of war and the journey of the Nightmare World were waiting for its lord's return.
The mont his consciousness returned, the familiar air of the Nightmare World, carrying a faint scent of sulfur and vegetation, rushed into his nostrils.
Lin Feng opened his eyes and found himself standing on the second floor of the Council Hall, at the exact spot where he had left.
Outside the window was the afternoon scene of Beacon Fire Village. Sunlight filtered through the dark red clouds, casting a warm glow over the newly repaired wooden walls, the busy residents, and the Great Qin Elite Camp standing quietly in the distance (its appearance already disguised).
The camp was noticeably more lively than before he left. The two hundred newly summoned refugees had been initially settled, with so cleaning the environnt under the direction of Uncle Wu and Pharmacist Chen.
So were led by Li Si to survey the River Bend Fields, while Zhang Ping, holding a simple wooden board and a charcoal pencil, began counting the warehouse supplies.
Everything was orderly and full of vitality.
Lin Feng nodded slightly, satisfied with the efficiency of the personnel who had stayed behind.
He moved his body slightly, feeling the majestic power brought by the hero template, and a hint of a smile appeared on his lips.
With a slight thought, he used his lord authority to sense the locations of the core mbers.
Zhao Hu, Tie Dun, Arrow Eye, Shadow Snake, Uncle Wu, and the others were already in the camp, their auras steady; they had clearly returned earlier than him.
"Gather all core mbers at the Council Hall for the first formal territory eting." The command was issued silently through his authority.
Soon, steady and powerful footsteps rang out.
Zhao Hu was the first to stride into the hall. He had changed into a more capable outfit, with the bone-crushing greatsword casually resting on his shoulder and the guardian round shield hanging on his back.
He was full of energy, his eyes shining brightly. It was clear that after stabilizing his Heavy Shield Guard class, his strength and confidence had significantly improved.
"Lord!" Seeing Lin Feng, Zhao Hu imdiately set aside his casual deanor, straightened up, cupped his fists in salute, and spoke in a booming voice.
The form of address had already changed from "Lin Feng" or "Leader" to the more formal and hierarchical "Lord."
Next, Tie Dun’s tower-like figure stomped in. The ironwall greatshield on his back was almost as large as a door. He grinned, his voice shaking the dust off the roof:
"Lord! I'm back! When my old mother heard I beca so kind of 'Honorary Resident,' she was so happy she was wiping away tears!"
Arrow Eye appeared silently at the door, carrying the wind-chasing hunting bow. He bowed slightly to Lin Feng: "Lord." He was concise, but the respect and sharpness in his eyes remained undiminished.
Shadow Snake, true to her na, stood by a pillar in the shadows of the hall at so unknown mont. Her aura almost rged with the darkness. Only when those cold eyes looked at Lin Feng did a nearly imperceptible ripple appear, and she nodded slightly: "Lord."
Uncle Wu, Scarface Liu, and A Wang also arrived one after another, all bowing and greeting Lin Feng with respectful attitudes.
In just a few days, Lin Feng had transford from a "Leader" fighting alongside them into a true "Lord" who held the authority of the territory and was recognized by the National Fortune Cauldron.
The change in status brought an invisible distance and a stronger sense of authority, and the refinent and elevation of Lin Feng's own temperant made this presence even more natural.
Lin Feng turned around, his gaze sweeping over everyone. They were all glowing with health and high spirits. Clearly, the brief break back on Blue Star had not only allowed them to handle personal matters but also soothed their tense nerves, putting them in better condition.
"Everyone's back? Sit." Lin Feng walked to the main seat and sat down, his tone calm. "Is everything settled with your families back on Blue Star?"
Everyone took their seats, smiles appearing on their faces at his words.
Zhao Hu said with emotion, "It's all settled! Once I went back and explained the situation, my wife and kids were overjoyed.
I used to be a guard captain in a rundown territory, constantly living in fear. Now it's different. I've beco an 'Honorary Resident' of a formal territory. Safety is guaranteed, and there are even monthly state subsidies. They can finally live in peace."
Tie Dun chuckled happily. "My mother kept pulling aside to ask what a 'Lord' is and what an 'Honorary Resident' is.
I couldn't explain it clearly either. I just told her that by following you, Lord, I'd be living the good life and would be very safe!
When the neighbors heard about it, the way they looked at my mother changed; they were incredibly envious!
A few young lads even secretly asked if they could co and seek refuge with the Lord as well—even being a refugee would be fine!"
"Haha, sa here!" Scarface Liu laughed. "My son is acting all high and mighty in front of his classmates, saying his dad is following the Lord to conquer the Nightmare World and is a 'Founding mber of the Village'!
His classmates were wide-eyed with envy, clamoring that they must co and join us once they awaken in the future."
Everyone chid in, sharing stories of their return ho, their voices filled with pride, relief, and hope for the future.
Becoming an "Honorary Resident" of a territory recognized by the National Fortune Cauldron didn't just an having a solid backer and ho in the Nightmare World.
It also ant a qualitative improvent in social status and family security back on Blue Star.
This sense of belonging and honor was incomparable to their previous precarious lives as bandits.
Lin Feng listened, a smile on his face. Only when his subordinates were well and the rear was stable could he focus entirely on expanding his territory at the front.
"It's good that everyone is well," he said once they had mostly finished talking.
"They want to co as refugees? They're welco. Our Beacon Fire Village is exactly in need of manpower.
Whether it's for construction, farming, or the future army, we need people.
As long as they follow the rules and are willing to work hard, Beacon Fire Village won't mistreat anyone."
He spoke calmly, yet with a convincing confidence. Everyone nodded, full of faith in the future.
After the pleasantries, Lin Feng's expression turned serious. "Has anything happened in the territory during the few days I was away?"
Zhao Hu imdiately replied, "Reporting to the Lord, nothing major has happened; everything is proceeding according to plan.
The craftsn are working overti on repairs and manufacturing, and the new refugees are being settled. It's just..." He paused.
"Yesterday afternoon, people from Xiaoyao Stronghold and Juyi Manor ca together, saying they wanted to pay their respects to the Lord.
I told them the Lord hadn't returned yet and asked them to co back this afternoon. Calculating the ti, they should be arriving soon."
"Oh? They ca together?" Lin Feng's eyebrows twitched slightly. "Do you know what it's about?"
"I asked." A strange expression appeared on Zhao Hu's face. "They said... they want to purchase 'Temporary Common Titles' from you, Lord."
"Purchase titles?" Lin Feng thought for a mont and understood. Xiaoyao Stronghold and Juyi Manor were both bandit strongholds, not recognized by the National Fortune Cauldron.
Their people had to be on legal territory if they wanted to return to Blue Star safely.
A Temporary Common Title was clearly the choice that best t their needs. It was both a necessity and, in a way, a disguised 'token of loyalty' or 'paynt.'
"If they want titles, they can have them." Lin Feng tapped his finger lightly on the table. "However, the price and conditions will need to be properly discussed."
He looked at everyone, deciding to reveal so of his upcoming plans ahead of ti to align their thinking.
"I gathered everyone for this eting not just to understand the situation, but also to announce sothing even more important."
Lin Feng's voice was clear and firm, echoing through the hall. "Our Beacon Fire Village will attempt to upgrade to a 'town-level' territory in eleven days."
"What?!"
"Upgrade to town-level?!"
"In eleven days?!"
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