Global lord: Million times Multiplier System-Chapter 17: Leisurely upgrading

After Zhao knew the capability of his new members, the sun had already set, casting a deep indigo veil over Abyss, the golden glow of the Dragon Nest fading into the twilight as its fiery motifs softened into a warm ember-like shimmer. The day had been a whirlwind of revelation and action—the summoning of twenty Diamond-tier dragons, their divine loyalty a testament to his Dragon God Blood, and the integration of the Divine Forge and Celestial Alchemy Lab with their SSS-rank workers, Forgemaster Kael and Alchemist Veyra. The air was thick with the faint scent of sulfur from the dragons and the metallic tang of the forge, mingling with the ethereal calm emanating from the lab. His soldiers had worked tirelessly, their movements precise and purposeful, while the dragons patrolled the perimeter under Valorn's discreet command, their massive forms blending into the shadows of the forest and riverbanks, unseen by any outsider. As the last light dipped below the horizon, Zhao and his subjects decided to rest, their labors giving way to a well-earned sleep beneath the starlit sky.

The next morning, for the first time since arriving in this unforgiving world, Zhao felt a profound calm settle over him, a stillness that contrasted sharply with the relentless pace of survival and conquest that had defined his days. The sun rose slowly, its golden rays filtering through the canopy of trees surrounding Abyss, casting a warm glow across the territory that softened the sharp edges of the Eternal Guardian Bastion and illuminated the crystalline dome of the Celestial Alchemy Lab. The dragons, their scales glinting like polished gems in the dawn light, coiled lazily around their nest, their deep, rumbling breaths a soothing undertone to the morning's quiet. Zhao stood near the Lord's House, his gaze sweeping over his domain, feeling a rare sense of security that stemmed not just from the power of his new members but from the unshakable foundation they represented.

So he had decided to give a break to his subjects, a moment of respite after days of ceaseless effort. With what he had now—the dragons, the forge, the lab, and the fortified defenses—he was sure that not even the 900th Legion of Abyss could scratch his wall, let alone something as distant as the Hell's 1987th Legion, whose strength paled in comparison to the higher-numbered legions of this world's hierarchy.

{Editor's Note: The strength of Abyss legions is described by their number; the lesser it is, the stronger they are.}

Zhao had put all his worries on hold, the looming threats of Central Land fading into the background as he chose to focus on construction, a task that felt almost meditative in its simplicity compared to the chaos of battle and strategy. He activated the system, selecting the blueprint for Residential Buildings, and with a gesture, ten new houses popped up around the Lord's House, their construction instantaneous yet precise, golden beams of light weaving wood and stone into sturdy, practical homes. With his current team—Marcus and his workers gathering resources, Kael's Divine Forge accelerating production, and the dragons' mere presence deterring any interference—each resource he expended was rapidly replenished, the territory's efficiency a marvel of coordination and power.

He opened his territory panel, the updated interface materializing before him with a soft golden glow, its text shimmering as it reflected the state of Abyss after the night's rest and the morning's construction.

|Territory Management|

Name: Abyss

Territory Level: Bronze Tier 1-star

Area: 4km x 4km

Population: 100/150

Warehouse: 340 Exoskeletons, 1000 Golden Sand, 100 Diamond Tier 4-Star Monster Cores, 340 Gold Tier 5-Star Monster Cores, 420 * 1 million Poison Sacks, 210 * Legendary Tier 1-Star Monster Cores, 9000 Meat, 500,000,000 Iron Ore, 1000 Leather, 10,000 Macre Red Stones

Buildings: Lord's House (Black Iron 2-star), Elemental Training Centre, Warehouse, Residential Building (x13), Eternal Legion Stronghold, Eternal Guardian Bastion, Engineering Hub, Divine Forge, Celestial Alchemy Lab, Dragon Nest (SSS)

Blueprint: Residential Building, Warehouse, Well, Watchtower, Resource Mill, Marksman Tower, Infinite Cannon

Resources: 1300 Wood, 1200 Stone

Requirements for Territory Upgrade (Bronze Tier 2-star):

500 stone, 700 wood, 100 leather, 200 iron, 10 residential buildings, population reach 50, Lord's House reach Bronze Tier 1-star, construct 2 defensive structures, 1 Bronze Tier Territory Certificate

The panel showed the population steady at 100—20 Diamond-tier dragons from the SSS-rank Dragon Nest, 30 skilled laborers, 27 warriors, and his original 23 subjects, including Valorn, Balor, Lyra, Elara, and Marcus's team—all bolstered by the territory's status as a "Beacon of Ascension." The ten new residential buildings had brought the total to 13, surpassing the next upgrade's requirement, but the need for another Bronze Tier Territory Certificate and the Lord's House upgrade caught his attention. He checked the Lord's House panel, the system displaying its current state and upgrade requirements.

|Lord's House|

The place of beginning and end.

Provides increased comfort.

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Increases mana, health, and stamina regeneration by 50%.

Rank: Black Iron 3-star

Upgrade Requirement: 500 wood, 500 stone, 100 iron

He had enough resources—1800 wood, 1700 stone, and 500 million iron ore—far exceeding the modest demands. With a decisive motion, he pressed the upgrade button, the system chiming as a golden light enveloped the Lord's House, its structure shifting and expanding before his eyes. The modest building grew taller and wider, its simple walls transforming into a two-floored villa reminiscent of architectures from his home planet, Earth. The roof sloped elegantly, adorned with dark tiles that gleamed in the sunlight, while the walls took on a smooth, polished stone finish accented with wooden beams, exuding a blend of rustic charm and commanding presence. Windows of translucent crystal framed the facade, their surfaces catching the light in a prism of colors.

A new window popped up, detailing the upgraded structure.

|Lord's Manor|

The place of beginning and end.

Provides increased comfort.

Increases mana, health, and stamina regeneration by 100%.

Rank: Bronze Tier 1-star

Upgrade Requirement: 1000 wood, 1000 stone, 500 iron, 100 leather

The transformation was complete, the Lord's Manor standing as a testament to his growing power, its interior now spacious and adorned with comforts that eased the strain of this harsh world—a stark contrast to the rudimentary shelter it had once been. Zhao stepped back, admiring the villa's elegance, its two floors a symbol of stability and progress. With the Lord's House upgraded to Bronze Tier 1-star and the residential building requirement met, he now just needed another Bronze Tier Territory Certificate to push Abyss to Bronze Tier 2-star—a task he wasn't eager to pursue today, his calm mood urging him toward a quieter focus.

He opened the chat interface, curious about how the other lords were reacting to the global announcement of his Bronze-tier achievement, expecting a mix of awe and envy but not anticipating the sheer volume of responses that flooded the screen.

Chat

Alexis: Zhao's Bronze already? How's he moving that fast—what's he got up his sleeve?

Scott: First to Bronze? I'm still at 5 wood with a D-rank scout—he's lapping us like it's a race!

Rita: How's he building so quick? I've got 50 stone and a busted hammer—meanwhile, he's Bronze-tier royalty!

Marcus: Zhao, please, spare some loot—I'm begging! My shack's collapsing while he's hitting Bronze!

Jade: Bronze tier in what, a week? My C-rank farmer's napping, and he's got a whole empire already?

Liam: He's cheating! No one gets to Bronze this fast—system's rigged for him, no question!

Kara: Shut up, Liam—he's just better. I'd trade my camp for a crumb of his speed—what's his trick?

Tomas: Zhao, if you're there, I'll trade my hunter for anything—he's starving while you're Bronze-tier king!

Elena: This is unfair—he's Bronze while we're dying out here! How's he doing this so fast?

Vik: Bronze already? My fisherman's got a net and a bad day—Zhao's unstoppable!

Mina: I saw the glow—Bronze tier that quick? My D-rank cook's useless—he's outpacing us all!

Nero: He's Bronze? My C-rank archer's at 20% loyalty—I'm nothing next to him now!

Zoe: B-rank mage here—Zhao's insane! No mana crystals, and he's Bronze? What's his secret?

Hiro: I'll trade my trader's dirt—Zhao, how're you this fast? My E-rank crew's a joke!

Lina: D-rank alchemist—my potions blow up, and he's Bronze? Tell me how—I'm desperate!

Rex: F-rank warrior—Bronze tier's a myth! I've got 10 stone and a dull blade—he's a god now!

Talia: My scout's lost, and Zhao's Bronze? 15 leather's all I've got—what's he using?

Kieran: C-rank builder—my hut's leaking, and he's Bronze? How's he pulling this off so quick?

Sven: Bronze tier? My fisherman caught seaweed—Zhao's got some kind of magic, I swear!

Yara: D-rank hunter—my traps are empty, and he's Bronze? I'd trade my bow for his luck!

Pia: E-rank tailor—I've got 5 hides, and he's Bronze? How's he building like that?

Finn: F-rank miner—20 stone's my best day, and Zhao's Bronze? He's a freak!

Nia: C-rank healer—no herbs, and he's Bronze? I can't keep up with this pace!

Oren: D-rank smith—my forge's cold, and he's Bronze? What's he got that I don't?

Tessa: B-rank scout—Bronze tier already? I'm lost in fog, and he's sprinting ahead!

The chat erupted with a flood of awe, envy, and desperation, Zhao's name a lightning rod among the lords, each message a testament to his rapid ascent without a whisper of the dragons or treasures fueling their speculation. He smirked, closing the interface—Abyss was a legend in the making, its true might still veiled in secrecy, a quiet storm brewing beneath the surface of their ignorance.

Zhao stepped outside, the cool morning air brushing against his skin as he left the Lord's Manor, its new two-floored elegance a stark contrast to the rugged territory around it. He walked toward the Eternal Legion Stronghold, its stone steps worn smooth by the passage of his soldiers, and found his subjects gathered there, sitting in small groups, their voices a low murmur of conversation. Valorn, Balor, Lyra, Elara, Marcus, Kael, Veyra, and the rest—soldiers, workers, and dragons alike—were taking a rare moment of rest, their faces relaxed yet marked by the pride of their achievements. The dragons, coiled near the nest, raised their heads slightly as he approached, their diamond scales catching the light, their eyes glowing with divine reverence.

He decided to step in, descending the steps with a measured pace, his presence drawing their attention as the murmurs quieted. "You've all earned this break," he said, his voice steady and warm, carrying across the gathered crowd. "So act like I am not the lord" he said as the laughter continued