However, when Lin Yi saw the content at the very bottom of Meng Xi's attribute panel, he couldn't help but frown.
"Huo… Meng Xi, what's going on with your Heaven's Envy Curse?"
"Your Majesty, there's no need to worry." A determined look appeared on Meng Xi's delicate face as she said in a low voice, "After becoming your subject, my comprehension and cultivation speed have both increased. Two years is enough time for Meng Xi to make her mark!"
Is that the only change...?
Upon hearing this, Lin Yi immediately realized that the Pure Land's characteristic of increasing lifespan had no effect on Meng Xi.
While the Heaven's Envy Curse brought her powerful benefits, it would also manifest as scheduled when she turned twenty-four.
Historically, Huo Qubing was plagued by illness for years, ultimately leading to his early demise.
Is this still a family inheritance?
Lin Yi's expression was strange as he muttered to himself, "If the curse takes effect and she's then resurrected by the Pure Land... will there be some kind of bug?"
However...
To be on the safe side, he would have to find a way to lift the curse for Meng Xi next.
(The issue with the Heaven's Envy Curse will have a satisfying plot point later, so don't panic. Otherwise, the author could just mention it casually and the protagonist would clear the curse.)
"Don't worry, I'll find a way," Lin Yi solemnly promised.
Meng Xi smiled, responding softly, "Mm."
Even Senior Vermillion Bird couldn't fundamentally solve the curse, so it's probably very difficult...
Fortunately, she had long since come to terms with life and death. For now, she only needed to wholeheartedly assist Lin Yi in unifying the world, or at the very least, lay a solid foundation for the territory.
"Are you done?"
Zhuge Hei finally couldn't hold back. He put down his crossed legs, sat up straight, and interjected, "This old man has something even more important to say!"
"Oh..."
Lin Yi motioned for the two women to sit down, ordered a few more dishes, and then said unhurriedly, "Please speak, Sir."
"You're in big trouble!"
Zhuge Hei's expression was solemn as he meticulously recounted the results of his celestial observations.
Lin Yi listened very carefully.
His thoughts accelerated to the extreme. As soon as Zhuge Hei finished his analysis, he immediately asked, "Sir, do you mean that the myriad races will jointly attack my territory after a while? And the source that leads to the territory's demise is behind the myriad races?"
"You're quick-witted, young man!" Zhuge Hei was slightly taken aback, then nodded, acknowledging his understanding.
"But..." Lin Yi pointed to Meng Xi, somewhat perplexed, and asked again, "Are there existences stronger than her among the myriad races?"
"Golden Core Great Perfection," Zhuge Hei shook his head. "Equivalent to peak Tier 6, but in this Trial Land, being able to exert half-step Tier 5 strength like that other little girl beside you is already quite good."
Meng Xi then interjected, "Senior Zhuge is a Nascent Soul Peak expert; his judgment should not be wrong."
Hiss...
Upon hearing this, Lin Yi immediately gasped, scrutinizing the old man-like Zhuge Hei across from him with a shocked expression.
This guy was actually Nascent Soul! He really didn't look like it at all!
"Hmph hmph."
Zhuge Hei proudly lifted his chin, stroked his beard, and said indifferently, "Don't be afraid. Just follow what this old man says, and this certain death situation can be easily resolved."
At this point, Lin Yi finally became serious and respectfully said, "Please enlighten me, Sir!"
"Don't rush..."
Zhuge Hei rubbed his hands, stretched his neck to look at the bottle of wine priced at 99,998 purple crystal coins at the top of the wine cabinet, and winked, "The food will be here soon. How about a bottle?"
Lin Yi's mouth twitched.
All the goods in the Hero Tavern were severely overpriced...
If it had been two days ago, he really might not have been able to afford it.
"Let's do it!" Lin Yi gritted his teeth.
...
...
Late at night, the tavern door was pushed open again.
Lin Yi walked out, carrying Xiang Yi, who was reeking of alcohol and had already fallen asleep.
The latter's hands were draped around his neck, muttering something unintelligible.
"Meng Xi, there are still quite a few empty rooms in the main building. Pick one for yourself," Lin Yi turned to the white-clad girl behind him and said, "We'll arrange for you to meet everyone tomorrow."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Meng Xi nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing at the corners of her mouth as she watched the two of them in their intimate manner. "This subject will take her leave first!"
"Mm."
Lin Yi simply settled Meng Xi, then carried the drunken Xiang Yi back to his bedroom.
That old fellow Zhuge Hei had opened a full ten bottles of wine, worth nearly 100,000 purple crystal coins, in one night.
Thanks to Xiang Yi for taking his place in drinking tonight, otherwise, he would have been the one passed out.
Arriving at Xiang Yi's boudoir, Lin Yi carefully removed her outer clothing, wiped her body dry, and tucked her into bed.
Then he sat by the bed, pondering the content of their discussion tonight.
Besides resolving the crisis, he also gained new insights into the Yingling Star Region.
"Chinese heroic spirits, the Four Sacred Beasts from myths and legends..."
"It seems this 'other' world had an unknown history long ago."
Lin Yi reached out, his fingertips gently landing on Xiang Yi's delicate, flawless face, his eyes filled with a trace of tenderness.
Huo Yunyao and Zhuge Hei, due to their different experiences, followed the path of immortal cultivation.
However, Lü Xiaoyou and Xiang Yi, lacking guidance from predecessors and proper cultivation techniques, relied solely on ancestral inheritance to train their physical bodies.
He wondered if they still had a chance to embark on the path of immortality.
【Congratulations, you have achieved victory in the war and successfully made the declarer of war pay the price. In addition to owning all resources of the defeated party, you will also receive the following rewards!
Territory Expansion Order x1 (Area 1500 * 1500), Territory Core x1, Life Banana Seed x1!
Occupied Buildings (Single Choice): Universal-grade Hero Tavern, Legendary Blacksmith Shop, Epic-grade Ranger Barracks, Epic-grade Warrior Barracks, Beast Elf Recruitment Hall, Ogre Lair, Dragonborn Recruitment Hall, Tier 3 City Defense Arrow Tower, Tier 4 Hunter City Ballista...】
【By destroying a territory, you plundered 50% of the target's Trial Points — 13650! Your current total points are: 102598!】
【...】
A series of will prompts suddenly popped up, interrupting Lin Yi's thoughts.
"It seems Xiaoyou has completed the mission."
Lin Yi's spirits lifted, and he quickly opened the occupation list.
When he expanded the list details, the dazzling array of high-tier buildings left him dumbfounded.
"Damn! Is this what a high-level civilization is?!"
As far as the eye could see, every building's grade was no lower than Epic.
There were even three different types of alien race territory buildings.
Let alone a full-frontal assault by the myriad races.
Without Lin Yi, even a single Romani coming to the Blue Star region could inflict a dimension-reducing strike on all Blue Star lords.
The two sides were simply not on the same level.
"There really is an archer-related barracks!"
After reviewing all the buildings, Lin Yi made his decision without hesitation.
【Congratulations, you have successfully occupied the Epic-grade Ranger Barracks! Can be placed within the strong claim range.】
The highest-level building was the Universal-grade Hero Tavern, but it was also the item he needed least.
Now that he also had the Hunter's Medal, the alien race base was also useless.
Epic-grade barracks!
Converting them would yield Tier 4 units, which was undoubtedly the fastest way to increase strength!
"The system rewards are also generous!"
Lin Yi held the newly acquired Territory Expansion Order, his face filled with joy as he immediately used it.
The territory expanded again, bringing its total area to 10.5 square kilometers!
Then, he picked up a Emerald green seed, and the smile on his face gradually froze.