On the other side, inside a castle deep in the forest, Fierce Beast Gang's leader Tianbao flew into a thunderous rage, nearly smashing his Crystal Ball.
"Someone, call in the Wizard."
Tianbao ordered his men to summon the Fierce Beast Gang's number two.
The most mysterious figure—the Wizard!
"That Evil Lord caught my son and threatened me for the Divine Stone. Wizard, unleash your power! I want to attack that Evil Lord again." As soon as Wizard entered the great hall, Tianbao roared in anger.
"That Lord is too far away. I can't activate the Teleportation Array a second time." Wizard shook his head.
He was dressed in black, wore a wide-brimmed hat, and held a Crystal Ball in his palm.
"I'll take massive Beast Cores from the treasury," Tianbao insisted.
"That Lord is very strong. Even if we teleport over, with my power I can only send a hundred Bronze Warriors in." Wizard still shook his head.
"Damn! Evil Lord. Wizard, is there any other way?" Tianbao gnashed his teeth, deeply regretting sending his son to steal the Divine Stone.
"That Lord's Territory Level is high; the Boundary Wall is already very thin. By month's end it will thin out even more. Then we can counterattack. If you want Tian En to live, you'll have to compromise for now." As Wizard spoke, his Crystal Ball sparkled, looking inscrutable and profound.
Wizard, much like the tribe's High Priest, was a byword for mystery in this world. They were said to commune directly with the heavens and speak with the gods. Even Fierce Beast Gang's leader had to show respect.
...
When morning arrived, three days of rain finally ceased.
"I wonder who lit the sun today?"
Gazing at the strange yet familiar red sun, Yi Tian sighed in wonder.
Yi Tian put on clean clothes and strapped a C-level Weapon long sword at his waist.
At that moment, Yi Tian was standing atop East City Tower, gazing toward the northeast.
Third Child was riding Little White, and with the Five Tiger Generals, hustling the prisoners to plant trees.
Once the trees were planted, Yi Tian would have them dig creeks, then till the land—no slacking allowed.
This morning, the Five Tiger Generals officially reached adulthood—their three-dimensional stats broke 100.
They might still improve, but limited potential meant they'd get just over 100 points at most.
Yi Tian had prepared Dragon Blood Holy Fruit, Vermilion Fruit, Cyan Spirit Fruit, Jade Spirit Peach, and Black Gold Apple for them, sending their stats skyrocketing.
Now, each of the five tigers boasted Strength 145, Constitution 155, Agility 130.
More than enough to intimidate these prisoners.
Black Gold Apple had just ripened today, and Yi Tian plus the three Kiddos had already eaten it.
At present, Yi Tian's Strength was 182, Constitution 178, Agility 171—another step closer to C-level power.
"Roar roar..."
Suddenly, the beasts roared in unison, chasing after a figure.
Prison break!
Yi Tian had just counted on the Five Tiger Generals to intimidate these prisoners, but unexpectedly, someone dared try to break out.
Nice slap in the face!
Looking closely, it turned out to be Tian En, that brat. Relying on his over-200 speed, he tried to make a dash for it.
The spot where they were planting trees was only a hundred meters from the Mist—freedom lay just past it.
But Little White and Third Child were stationed right between the Mist and the woods, keeping watch.
Tian En had been plotting for ages, hoping to skirt around Third Child and Little White, escaping southward.
Unfortunately for him, he'd messed up—wearing leg chains, his speed was down by at least thirty percent. Little White triggered Chasing Wind, and with the difference, caught up in a few leaps. Third Child kicked Tian En over and dragged him back like a dead dog.
"Everyone, gather up!"
Yi Tian was furious. After coming down from the tower, he demanded the prisoners assemble. He was ready for some scare tactics, to show them the glory of labor.
Intimidated by the Five Tiger Generals, the bandits staggered and huddled together, faces pale with fear, sure Yi Tian was about to slaughter them all.
"As the saying goes, the winner takes all, and the losers are criminals. You rabid bandits have invaded my territory despite my kindness as a Lord. Not only did I spare your lives, I feed you and let you wash off your past, become people again. But you try to escape just to avoid a little honest work? You've betrayed my goodness. I can't tolerate this anymore. To prevent further escapes, I've decided to chop off a leg…" The first half of Yi Tian's speech was righteous outrage, but by the end he was all smiles—with a side of killing intent.
As if slicing off a leg was a trifling matter.
Before Yi Tian's voice had faded, he drew his long sword. The gleaming blade rivaled the sun.
"Lord, you can't do this! Tian En ran—none of us knew a thing!" Fire Dragon wailed, begging pitiably.
The rest wanted to cause a stir, but seeing Third Child—a little God of Slaughter—they didn't dare. The Five Tiger Generals glared hungrily nearby.
In the cruel Celestial Dao World, lose a leg and you lose most of your power. Even if you break free one day, you'll be tossed away like garbage.
"Idiots! Tian En tried to escape, and you didn't stop him. You clearly planned this together—you want him to break out and bring reinforcements, combine inside and out to kill me, right? Seems I'm too soft. Better hack off an arm as well."
Yi Tian glowered, saying whatever popped into his head.
"We're innocent, Lord! We're just hoping our leader can ransom us, not daring any funny business." Fire Dragon had only felt weak in the legs before, but now his arm was limp too. Without another arm, what's left but a cripple?
"Innocent? How do you prove it?" Yi Tian asked with amused interest.
"Uh…" Fire Dragon stammered, unable to answer.
"How about this: you go chop off Tian En's thigh. That'll prove you're not planning a breakout."
Yi Tian, keeping a straight face, said it to Fire Dragon, then shot him a sharp look: "Otherwise, you're revolting!"
Fire Dragon turned pale, not daring to take the sword.
Tian En's father, Tianbao, had been a Gold Warrior sixty years ago—his strength was unfathomable, and most tribes dared not provoke him.
More importantly, Fire Dragon was one of Tianbao's subordinates, all too aware of his ruthlessness and intolerance for betrayal.
"Hmph! Clearly, you lot want to collude with outsiders and kill me. In that case, keeping you around is pointless."
Yi Tian glared at Fire Dragon, flipping the long sword around as if about to go on a killing spree.
"Wait!" Fire Dragon cried.
Yi Tian stared at Fire Dragon, then handed him the long sword.
"Fire Dragon, don't you dare! You're a Human Race slave—if you lay a finger on me, my father will flay you alive!" Seeing Fire Dragon's ugly expression, Tian En shouted.
Yi Tian kicked Tian En in the chest, twisting his features in pain.
"Hoo…" Fire Dragon took a breath. Better you than me, buddy. If it came down to being a useless cripple, he'd rather offend Tian En and survive.
"Slash—" Fire Dragon was ruthless, stepping forward and using the Divine Longsword to hack off Tian En's leg with ease.
Even crueler—this sword was originally Tian En's own.
"Aaahhh…"
Tian En howled in agony. His leg was severed, but the foot chain still linked him to his other foot.
"Fire Dragon, just wait. When I get back, I'll flay you alive!" Tian En cursed Fire Dragon while howling.
"Hmm! Looks like I misjudged you."
Yi Tian took back the long sword, wiping the blood off on Tian En.
Fire Dragon could only give a bitter smile.
"Fire Dragon, maybe you weren't planning to escape, but the others certainly are. From now on, you're the labor foreman—you'll lead them in their work. If anyone tries to run, I'll hold you responsible." Yi Tian patted Fire Dragon's shoulder, like he was a promising recruit.
"Yes, Lord. I, Fire Dragon, shall serve loyally from now on."
Fire Dragon struggled internally, then knelt to Yi Tian.
In that moment, it felt as if some power bound him—he sensed he'd never break past the Mist Boundary Wall again.
"Celestial Dao Human Race Fire Dragon pledges loyalty to the Lord. First time obtaining the allegiance of a Celestial Dao World intelligent creature: Lord is rewarded with 24 Lord Contracts. Note: 4 contracts per Territory Level, current Lord territory is level 6."
"Lord Contract: When an intelligent creature drips blood onto the Lord Contract, betrayal is forbidden, or else death is instant."
"Fire Dragon's strength is C-level; Territory Points +100. Note: Humans and other variables have massive potential, so Territory Points granted by strength standard."
Yi Tian looked at the thick bundle of Lord Contracts in hand, secretly pleased—the Celestial Dao World really encourages Lords to recruit help.
"Good, drip a drop of blood on this." Yi Tian handed a contract to Fire Dragon. Submission now doesn't mean he won't rebel later—Fire Dragon chopped off Tian En's leg just to save his own skin. Yi Tian definitely didn't forget that.
"Yes!"
Knowing there was no other path, Fire Dragon gritted his teeth and dripped blood onto the contract.
The contract absorbed Fire Dragon's blood, turning into a ray of light and vanishing.
"Break it up, get to work! Remember, don't even think about escaping—Tian En's leg is what happens if you try. Don't even think about rebellion—traitors will be killed without mercy."
Yi Tian let the natives disperse. Though five Human Race prisoners remained, he didn't plan to use Lord Contracts on them yet—Fire Dragon would train them first.
Little White and Third Child kept a close watch over the prisoners, not relaxing for a moment.
"Thank you, Lord." After Yi Tian unlocked Fire Dragon's hand and foot chains, Fire Dragon bowed again.
"Fire Dragon, how far is your main camp from here?" Yi Tian waved a hand and asked him.
"Lord, we're billions of miles away. We came here using Teleportation Array. I can't say exactly—only the Wizard controls the coordinates and the teleport." Fire Dragon shook his head.
"Oh? Aren't there Trial Taker territories near you? Why teleport all the way here to attack me?" Yi Tian was puzzled.
"Wizard said Lord's territory has countless resources. Destroying Lord's territory would net us Divine Stones and cover Fierce Beast Gang's needs for a year." Fire Dragon answered honestly.
"Is there a warehouse or something?" Yi Tian was confused: "How does the bandit Wizard know I have so many resources? You said we have no contact at all?"
"I have no idea. We only obey Tianbao and Wizard—Wizard provides all the coordinates." Fire Dragon couldn't answer that.
"How strong are you within Fierce Beast Gang?"
Yi Tian shifted focus to the crucial issue.
"Fierce Beast Gang has three hundred Silver Warriors. I'm just at the bottom." Fire Dragon answered awkwardly, not daring to lie.
"Alright. Do good work, and there'll be rewards. Don't let the prisoners sit idle. Work hard, transform the land—labor is glory, building is honor." Yi Tian sent Fire Dragon off with solemn orders.
"Activate Communication Crystal Ball?"
Yi Tian thought, here we go.
"Lord, tell me your territory's info." Tianbao stared at Yi Tian's wicked face—itching to punch him, but helpless.
Just wait, Lord; in half a month, it'll be your death day.
"[10 Sealed Celestial Dao Stones] for [Tian En]."
Tianbao bitterly sent the trade. As a Bandit Leader, he'd always robbed and extorted others—now he was the one extorted, stoking his humiliation.
Yi Tian tried scanning the now-unconscious Tian En. Turns out with a missing leg, the deal still succeeded.
10 Sealed Celestial Dao Stones.
"Lord, why is my son's leg gone? Explain!"
The next instant, an enraged voice burst from the Crystal Ball.
"Are you blind? The leg's still hanging from his other foot!"
Yi Tian spat back, then hung up the Crystal Ball and closed the private channel.
On the other side, staring at his comatose, now one-legged son, Tianbao howled in fury in the grand hall—his hatred for Yi Tian bone-deep.