Chapter 384 – Regional Overlord, Tianyuan City

“I see it, the Pioneer Group’s camp!”

“I can smell humans too, no mistake about it.”

Inside the airship, Sickle Moon chimed in.

“After searching for two days, we finally found the pioneer camp. It’s delayed our schedule a bit. Let’s lan—”

Daisy was about to say “land” when she suddenly remembered she wasn’t familiar with defense or combat matters. She turned to look at Zhou Yi, the guard commander assigned by the Lord for this trip.

It was said Zhou Yi had trained under Undead General and General Lu Liu for a long time. Daisy didn’t know or understand his specific combat capabilities, but he had to be at least stronger than Xiliu and Sickle Moon, right?

At the very least, definitely stronger than Sickle Moon.

This was Zhou Yi’s first independent command. Although he could communicate across domains with Corps Commander Lu Liu through the Mind Seed, such a minor matter certainly shouldn’t disturb the esteemed corps commander.

After some thought, channeling the inherent—or rather, common among most Tianyuan Territory commanders—spirit of caution, he said:

“Let’s lower the airship’s altitude but not land. Maintain a position about thirty meters above the ground and keep the power running. Then I’ll send two elites down first to check the situation, and I request Lady Xiliu to maintain aerial vigilance.”

After all, they couldn’t be 100% certain this was the pioneer camp.

What if it was a camp disguised by monster forces?

What if it was a secret base built here by another country?

What if…

He immediately thought of over a dozen possible unexpected scenarios. They couldn’t afford to be careless.

Two ropes descended from the airship.

Two third-tier Fearless Generals rapidly rappelled down from mid-air, touched ground, and quickly headed toward the distant valley.

At this moment, many lords and mercenary captains had already gathered at the valley entrance.

Their figures concealed in the shade of trees, they gazed upward.

They remained vigilant too. As experts active in the Deep Wilderness, they only trusted their own troops and team members. They maintained caution toward other teams within the camp, let alone unfamiliar groups coming from deeper in the wilderness.

“Doesn’t look like monster forces.”

“Could it be a pioneer team from another country?”

“Hard to say. After all, a Great Domain can connect to multiple places, and some minor passages or ancient portals are often rarely known.”

The reason some major merchant guilds could firmly control markets was also related to their exclusive trade routes.

There were certainly routes that could easily cross Great Domains and reach distant ends.

A lord narrowed his eyes, watching the two figures descending from the airship in the distance.

The camp’s official representative had already dispatched elite troops for negotiations.

After a while,

The representative personally emerged from the camp.

She was a woman with wine-red long hair who waved her hand and said, “Stand down. They’re our own people from Taixuan.”

“Our own people? Who?”

The wine-red-haired woman didn’t elaborate further as she walked away.

A lord hesitated to speak but didn’t press for answers.

This woman was known as ‘Boss Lady’ or ‘Ninth Boss,’ perpetually running the camp’s only general store where she sold various supplies.

She wasn’t a lord.

Rather, she was under the command of a powerful lord in the Pioneer Group.

Even so, this Boss Lady was most likely still the strongest individual in this camp.

She was also the camp’s administrator.If they offended this female proprietor, the best-case scenario was being unable to purchase supplies, while the worst-case was being expelled from the camp. Of course, as an official representative, the proprietor had to follow regulations and procedures and would not abuse her authority.

Even so, every Lord and mercenary captain in the camp hoped to maintain good relations with this administrator.

Outside the valley,

Daisy shook hands with the red-haired woman, and after just a few words, they became familiar with each other, chatting and laughing as they walked toward the camp.

“Our family’s leader has long heard of the Tianyuan Lord’s reputation.”

“Our Lord has as well, but our Lord is unable to get away, otherwise…”

Daisy had a rough idea of which major figure stood behind Boss Jiu.

It was an old and highly respected Great Lord with a significant position even within the Pioneer Group.

This camp was jointly established by this Lord and the Pioneer Logistics Department.

The three watchtowers in the camp each came from three different territories, said to serve as a form of mutual oversight… Daisy, having had little to do over the past few months, had repeatedly gone through all the publicly available information.

She was also well aware of the operational model of the pioneer camp.

Caravans like theirs could set up stalls in designated areas within the camp to sell their goods. No stall fees were required, but… taxes had to be paid.

In fact, all trade was subject to taxation, and territories also had to pay taxes, though new territories were exempt for the first three years.

The tax rate in pioneer camps was higher.

After all, the establishment and maintenance of a pioneer camp consumed considerable resources.

Soon, a small stall was set up inside the camp.

Behind the stall stood three two-meter-tall spatial storage containers.

Daisy didn’t even need to call out; the Lords swarmed over.

Unsurprisingly, the supplies she brought were highly sought after. This might have been related to the previous supply transport team being attacked and losing some of their goods.

“As expected, transporting goods deep into the wilderness is fraught with danger. Even the Pioneer Logistics Department’s teams sometimes encounter mishaps, let alone us?”

She thought.

But the Lords did not rush to grab the goods, maintaining their composure.

They gathered around but did not make purchases.

Several Lords exchanged glances: snatching was out of the question. They were indeed short on supplies, but as long as everyone maintained this tacit understanding, they could drive the prices down.

Plan successful.

Seeing this, Daisy spoke up, “Everyone, we will only be here for two hours. After that, we won’t wait.”

Daisy’s voice was pleasant, but the Lords remained unmoved.

They were all seasoned Lords; what kind of beauties hadn’t they seen? Well, at most, they had seen them, but they didn’t have anyone of such beauty in their own territories. Most of their subjects were sallow and emaciated refugees; they couldn’t even form a maid corps if they wanted to.

They were envious.

This only strengthened their resolve to haggle.

Daisy smiled slightly and reached out to open one of the spatial storage containers nearby. Inside were not supplies, but piles upon piles of ore.

These were the caravan’s main goods.

This caravan didn’t seem to have many supplies, did it?

Besides, they had traveled a long way to transport supplies here. What if the prices were a bit high? It was quite reasonable.

Making a round trip themselves would cost even more.

Someone like Boss Daisy, who clearly seemed both beautiful and kind-hearted, definitely wouldn’t cheat them. She was much friendlier than that Boss Jiu next door. They couldn’t make things difficult for Boss Xi either.

“I’ll take it. I want 300 vials of this Vitality Potion.””Wait, clearly I was here first!”

“Nonsense, I was first!”

Daisy smiled slightly. She hadn’t even started serious promotion yet, but batches of supplies were already selling at three to four times their normal price.

This price was actually… not expensive yet.

She personally didn’t consider it expensive.

If it weren’t for the genuine time constraints and the Tianyuan Merchant Guild’s need to establish their reputation, she would definitely find ways to sell at even higher prices.

Soon, the Lords and mercenary leaders had purchased their desired supplies, each convinced they had gotten a good deal.

Daisy claimed she had taken a small loss.

“But it’s no problem. Our merchant caravan specifically passed through this area with the intention of supporting the Frontline Camp. If any Lords have future needs, you’re welcome to contact our guild.”

“Here are our guild’s business cards and outpost locations.”

She waved her hand, and several elite members began distributing cards to everyone present.

The Lords took them and looked.

Tianyuan Merchant Guild.

It didn’t seem to be a major guild from the Boulder City area?

But why did this name sound somewhat familiar?

“Wait, is that the Tianyuan?”

“I heard the Tianyuan Territory had lost contact with the outside world? Does this mean the connection has been restored?”

“Not just restored – it appears the Tianyuan Territory has accumulated a quite powerful force!”

There were rumors that the Tianyuan Territory was trapped in some dangerous location, unable to escape.

Now it seemed Tianyuan Territory had relied on this powerful force to break through the obstacles of that dangerous place.

After all, this force was truly, remarkably strong.

A veteran Lord who had Awakened ‘Intuitive Premonition’ focused his gaze on Zhou Yi – undefeatable.

His gaze shifted to Xiliu – undefeatable.

His gaze fell upon Daisy – also undefeatable.

The Tianyuan Lord truly lived up to his reputation!

…

Ten Directions Island Great Domain.

East of Jackal Fang, adjacent to the sea.

An elite team composed of five powerful cat-people were harvesting rare-grade fruits from a precious tree.

Their leader was a one-eyed Catwoman wearing a blood-red eyepatch.

Her exposed arms and calves were covered in thick brown fur.

“It seems the monster forces haven’t discovered this woodland. With this batch of fruits, we’ll be able to brew a series of cultivation potions.”

She carefully stored the fruits away.

Suddenly, her fur bristled as she sharply focused on a nearby area.

There, a figure emerged from the darkness, its form gradually clarifying from blurry to distinct.

It was a human wearing a black cloak with the hood down.

“I mean no harm.”

Sophia said.

The one-eyed Catwoman still gripped her dagger tightly, baring her teeth.

Sophia continued, “I came for only one purpose – to extend an invitation from our Tianyuan City for your group to visit. Our city controls several mineral veins that we plan to lease to your faction, including the feather-folk, ape-folk, and fire-lions.”

“Tianyuan City? Mineral veins?”

The Catwoman frowned, not believing a single word.

Another cat-person spoke up, “Mineral veins? Impossible! All mineral veins in this region are controlled by Jackal Fang. Even if we living beings could defeat the monster Tribes guarding the veins, we wouldn’t have the capability to hold them. What nonsense are you talking!”

Sophia spread her hands.

She slowly approached.

The cat-people retreated warily while maintaining their defensive stances.She gazed into the distance and spoke, “The times have long changed. The overlord of this region is no longer the Jackal Fang. If you don’t believe it, you can contact Nature’s Garden or Boulder Mountain Ridge… How long has it been since you last connected with the outside world?”

Ten years, twenty years, or even longer?

Catwoman Kalite wasn’t sure.

Her tribe was too weak. Every venture outside carried immense risks, as they feared being discovered by monster factions and having their trail traced back to them.

If not for the immense value of this forest and the severe resource scarcity plaguing the catfolk, she wouldn’t have ventured out at all.

Nature’s Garden? Boulder Mountain Ridge? She had heard of them.

Alongside Dragonkin Valley, they were known as the three strongest mortal factions in this Great Domain.

But compared to the Monster Overlords, they were insignificant.

As for this so-called Tianyuan City, she had never heard of it.

Sophia didn’t linger. She merely left clues and said, “Whether it’s true or false, you can see for yourselves with your own eyes. I leave this opportunity to you, but what I grant is merely a chance.”

Her voice, ethereal and distant, echoed through the woodland.

By the time the catfolk regained their composure, the black-haired human before them had vanished without a trace.

A cold sweat broke out on their backs.

If such a powerful expert had wanted to detain them, it probably wouldn’t have taken much effort, would it?

The deputy leader looked at Kalite. He saw the captain pick up the parchment left by the human expert. On it was a rough topographic map.

And a city marker labeled “Tianyuan City.”

It was approximately over a thousand kilometers from their location.

“Captain, you don’t actually believe this, do you?”

Even Dragonkin Valley, Nature’s Garden, and Boulder Mountain Ridge were suffocated under the pressure of the overlord, Jackal Fang.

As for their catfolk tribe?

They didn’t even possess the qualifications to face the Jackal Fang.

“I don’t believe it either,” the one-eyed catwoman Kalite said. “But… what if? Even if it’s just a 1% chance, a 0.1% possibility, we must try. If it’s true, then it’s our catfolk’s only opportunity. A chance we must seize.”

“Then let me go, Captain. You are a Fourth-Order Expert. If something happens to you, our tribe’s situation would become even more dire.”

“No, only I have the capability to traverse over a thousand kilometers of wilderness.”

“Then let’s go together!”

“Mm… together. Let’s fight for a future for our catfolk.”

…

Winged-People Kingdom.

Royal Court Hall.

“Your Majesty, the human Tianyuan has sent us a message. They claim to have repelled the Jackal Fang and currently hold several mineral veins which they are willing to lease to us.”

“Impossible. The human Tianyuan is a mortal faction struggling to survive in the cracks, just like us. How could they possibly repel an overlord?!”

“But the Winged Guard has seen it. The human royal city stands proudly on the land, without any concealment or hiding. They fear nothing!”

“Perhaps the humans temporarily repelled the overlord, but mortals… can never truly confront a Monster Overlord head-on. The risk of occupying those mineral deposits now is too great.”

The Featherfolk Queen sighed. “For the safety of our Winged-People Kingdom, let’s… continue to observe for now.”

…

Jackal Fang, Main Stronghold.

The Jackal Emperor sat on the throne, silent and wordless for a long time.

They had lost all their outposts beyond their main lair. They were forced to contract their forces and abandon the vast majority of their tribal underlings.Admittedly, the loss of these tribal underlings was not a significant blow to them, far less impactful than the fall of several Legendary Realm experts.

But it was a humiliation.

“Do not panic! Humans are merely adept at defending their cities. Even in open-field battles, they are no match for us, let alone launching an offensive. What is there to fear!”

He rebuked the terrified Legendary experts.

Though he, too, still felt a lingering fear when recalling the heavenly fire and Lightning Tribulation from that day.

He could only wait for the envoy sent to Dragon’s Slumber Valley to return.

Moreover, the rise of Tianyuan Territory, the Fallen God Force in the north, and the other overlords would not stand idly by. After all, living beings were their common enemy.

“Has the Evil Dragon returned?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Evil Dragon was the only remaining Legendary from Dragon’s Slumber Valley after the war.

After recuperating for some days at Jackal Fang, it set off on its return journey.

The Jackal Emperor wished to retain a Legendary Realm combatant but could not keep it.

He only hoped that the Evil Dragon would put in a good word for them, which would make the hospitality these past days worthwhile.

…

In the northern Land of Fury.

A massive evil-eyed Dragon flew through the skies. “Almost home. These humans are too terrifying—I’m never coming back again.”

Suddenly, it heard a sharp, tearing sound.

Like claws ripping through cloth;

Like a sharp spear piercing armor;

Like an unstoppable white bone blade tearing through the Dragon’s scales and Flesh.

The Evil Dragon saw its shoulder blade impaled—white bones had sprouted from the earth, transforming into towering bone trees, and it was like a flying insect pierced through by one of them.

It struggled, its Flesh peeling off inch by inch.

Most of its flesh decayed.

Yet, a small portion remained, reshaping into a smaller Dragon, which then transformed into a streak of light and fled.

It crashed directly into a towering, bone-littered mountain peak.

The mountain seemed to open its mouth and swallowed the little Dragon whole.

The mountain shook slightly.

Then quickly settled.

Deadbone never showed itself from beginning to end; it merely stood atop the peak, gazing down at the decayed Dragon.

It gave a slight nod.

The mountain then slowly faded away.

(End of Chapter)