Chapter 89 – Tianyuan

Mu Yuan browsed through other live streams.

He saw that some paying players had built thirty to forty Arrow Towers. These towering structures stood like spears thrust into their territories, making the entire domain resemble a hedgehog while possessing formidable deterrence.

He also witnessed top-tier newcomers constructing rare-grade defensive structures—magical towers called ‘Flame Towers’ that pulsed with blazing flames under the night sky.

“There are indeed many capable individuals, and the most competitive second-generation lords haven’t started streaming yet, remaining low-key like me.”

Time passed minute by minute, the night seeming exceptionally slow and drawn out.

At this moment, the Lord Trial could commence at any time. The newcomers almost held their breath, forcibly suppressing their anxiety as they remained seated before their computers, as if awaiting the arrival of judgment.

Suddenly,

The night in the Eternal World grew silent. All things fell still, the roars of wild beasts and monsters in the wilderness ceasing abruptly. The entire world seemed to sink, descending into deep marshes.

Dark clouds obscured the moon, and the night dimmed accordingly.

Only within the players’ territories did bonfires burn persistently, as if stubbornly resisting the darkness of the entire world with these flickering lights.

Beneath the dark clouds and beyond the territories, the Crimson Mist gradually thickened, viscous like floating fluff in the air or countless parasitic worms drifting through the world, spreading omens and terror.

It emerged from the horizon, starkly visible against the gloomy night, slowly advancing forward until it gradually covered mountains, forests, rivers, and every inch of land, only coming to a gradual halt when it reached the vicinity of the territories.

Yet it still felt as if it were choking the players, making it difficult to breathe.

「Ding!」

A prompt louder and clearer than ever before sounded—not from computer devices, but genuinely ringing in their ears.

The back of his hand grew slightly warm as the mysterious Lord’s Mark emerged. The next moment…

「Prompt: The Lord Trial has commenced. You have 30 minutes of preparation time.」

「Prompt: The trial has begun. Prospective lords may enter the game through ‘Consciousness Descent.’」

「Prompt: The trial has begun. Please name your territory.」

「Prompt:…」

The majestic voice echoed in his ears, lingering endlessly.

These expected prompts and changes were all mentioned in the strategy guides.

Mu Yuan wasn’t surprised.

He silently recited.

A panel resembling a rippling water curtain manifested in the Real World.

「Territory (Unnamed)」

「Prompt: Please complete territory naming within 30 minutes. Exceeding the time limit will result in random naming.」

Mu Yuan paused briefly before softly uttering,

“Tianyuan.”

「Prompt: Tianyuan Territory has been officially named.」

An unseen force of rules descended, and the characters “Tianyuan” were engraved upon the Altar at the very center of the territory.

From this moment on, Tianyuan Village was finally established.

Half-established, that is.

The remaining half depended on whether the player could withstand the Lord Trial. If they failed, even the most brilliant territory name would vanish along with the destruction of the Lord Altar.

From this moment onward, the connection between players and their territories became incredibly intimate.

As long as the character was within the territory, they could use themselves and the territory as anchors to construct a bridge, directly performing Consciousness Descent.However, consciousness projection isn’t entirely advantageous—it’s an advanced mode with high potential but equally low floors.

Ordinary players might not withstand bloody brutality, let alone withstand overwhelming killing intent.

Buzz—

Mu Yuan activated the mark.

His consciousness spread like tidal waves, rippling outward. The next moment, when Mu Yuan reopened his eyes, he was lying on an uncomfortably firm bed, greeted by an unfamiliar ceiling.

He had entered.

This was the Mage Tower.

He rose familiarly, scanning his surroundings. Even with prior experience in consciousness projection, he couldn’t help feeling excited at this moment.

This was his territory, the home he built with his own hands.

Mu Yuan pushed open the door, considered taking the stairs, then leaped from the Mage Tower’s third floor—over ten meters high.

Thud~

He rolled to dissipate the impact, landing steadily.

A bit thrilling.

He’d long wanted to try this. Though his excitement drew attention from a group of skeletons, a group of historians, a group of spirits, and others.

Lord Mu calmly clasped his hands behind his back, patrolling the territory. He occasionally touched the frontline earthen walls, tapped the Arrow Towers, and sometimes crouched to stroke the ground.

Dolai sprouted a giant question mark above its head.

Only the Undead Emperor understood—this was the Lord’s meticulousness, personally inspecting even a simple earthen wall, embodying the Dao of steadiness down to the smallest details.

…

After experiencing the tactile sensations for a while, Mu Yuan began his real work.

His consciousness continuously elevated, hovering high above to oversee the entire territory—this was the ‘Lord’s Vision’ in consciousness projection mode, providing a panoramic view of the whole territory while allowing instant control over all units and structures within range.

He had already established connections with four Arrow Towers, the Mage Tower, and the Thunder Coil Tower.

Everything was ready.

Only awaiting the monsters’ appearance.

…

Outside, clamor arose.

New and veteran players heatedly discussed—this was the first nationwide trial simultaneously conducted across Xuan Nation, extraordinarily significant. Under such attention, who would claim the highest glory?

The Cold Moon City Lord’s sister? The Thunderbolt Family’s heir? Or the Northern Court Wang Clan’s son?

In Baijiang City, several association executives were filled with anticipation.

“Our Baijiang batch this term shows promise.”

“Indeed, Tan Moumou has potential to make the rankings. Additionally, Mu Yuan and Zhou Qi (Liver Emperor) should also perform well. Mu Yuan is even a junior Chairman Jiang has his eye on.”

“I’ve followed Mu Yuan—recently, he and Tan Moumou eliminated a group of roaming monsters, displaying impressive strength. Had he taken the official or corporate route, he’d likely have ranking potential. Pity.”

Truly, if Baijiang City could produce two ranked newcomers, they’d boast about it for a hundred years.

“But this proves Chairman Jiang’s sharp vision—this young man Mu Yuan has the capability to walk the independent Lord path.”

…

In a vast, highly dangerous Border Zone.

Jiang Cheng rode a four-winged Soaring Dragon high in the sky. Below, the legion under his command had suppressed this dominant monster force.

“Calculating the time, the Lord trials should be starting soon?”

He gazed toward the horizon, where faint Crimson Mist remained visible even in the night. “I hope more promising juniors emerge this year.”

He recalled that particularly steady young man—would he deliver an outstanding performance?”We’ll just have to wait until we return to see if there’s any good news.”

Guiding the four-winged Soaring Dragon, Jiang Cheng flew deeper into the mountainous Border Zone, pressing forward with unwavering determination.

…

Elsewhere, within a certain Mansion.

Though his consciousness had descended, Jiang Luoxing in the Real World was still browsing forums. Watching the foolish and ignorant spectators among the players, he couldn’t help but recall that afternoon’s shock when the Skeleton General tore through the Secret Realm.

He sneered, a sense of superiority from knowing the truth mingling within him.

“When that top expert reaches the summit, I wonder how many people will be utterly astonished.”

He gazed toward the heavens.

Crimson Mist drifted, ominous clouds pressing down upon the city.

Let it begin quickly—he wanted to see rivers of blood.

“Owooo~!” “Rooaar~!”

Wave after wave of monster roars rose from the wild mountains, drawing nearer and nearer.

The first wave of monsters assaulting the players’ territories had arrived on the Battlefield.

(End of Chapter)