Returning from Holy Tides City, three days had swiftly passed. Once again, notifications appeared on Zhang Nu's player interface, indicating several conquest rewards.
[You've conquered Diel City!]
[You gained "Shining Mithril Chest" x1!]
[You've conquered Meiko City!]
[You gained "Gorgeous Mithril Chest" x1!]
[You've conquered Giant Stone Fortress!]
[You gained "Gorgeous Mithril Chest" x1!]
[......]
[2.82 million human inhabitants of Kregi region plead for surrender. Do you accept?]
In total, seven mithril chests, each corresponding to a conquered city. This indicated significant progress---Zhang Nu had successfully taken control of the entire Kregi region. With nearly three million new residents added to his dominion, combining it with the 5.5 million obtained a few days ago, conquering Kregi alone brought in a total of eight million people.
The Kregi region plus the Kolo region---the combined population reached nearly ten million! It was astonishing. The average quality of the human population was not particularly high, with many being ordinary individuals lacking any special talents. Unlike elves, even the most mediocre common elf possessed talents such as planting or alchemy. However, elves had a long lifespan and a low birthrate. In comparison, humans had quantity on their side.
Zhang Nu opened the seven new silver chests, revealing the accumulated rewards:
[Total Yield: "Gold" ×12.3 million, "Blueprint: Imperial Vocational Academy" x1, "Blueprint: Imperial Ranch" x1, "Blueprint: Imperial Workshop" x1, "Blueprint: Tower of Felony" x1, "Blueprint: Thunderfall Tower" x1, "Blueprint: Barrier Tower" x1, "Level 3 Building Upgrade Scroll" x2, "Life Gems" x2000, total elemental gems x11,000...]
Most of the blueprints were duplicates that Zhang Nu had obtained before, thus there was no need for introductions again. However, two of them were entirely new.
[Imperial Vocational Academy] Level 4 building. This vast comprehensive academy allows ordinary civilians to experience a 20 fold increase in learning speed. The academy covers a wide range of subjects, from cooking, tailoring, gathering, and construction to more advanced fields like alchemy, forging, and magical formations.
Essentially, it serves as a center for vocational training. Although it cannot provide an instant boost in magical knowledge and power like the Job Advancement Tower, the benefits come with significantly lower costs. Even someone with mediocre aptitude can turn into a rare genius with a 20 fold acceleration.
[Imperial Ranch] Level 3 building. This building can be categorized as a supply-oriented structure. It can summon a large number of livestock, such as cows, sheep, pigs, and deer, for slaughtering to obtain food. The quality of the ingredients is exceptionally high, and the cost is very affordable.
These supply-oriented buildings would prove to be quite beneficial. The regions of Kregi and Kolo formed four provinces of the Thunder Empire. None of these provinces were major agricultural producers. Although they had some grain production, supplying tens of millions of people was extremely challenging, if not impossible. In the past, these regions could purchase food from the well-developed agricultural nobles of the Bachor Duchy. However, with their surrender to the Demon King, the food supply routes were undoubtedly cut off. The only option then was to procure food from the Chaos Forest. These supply-oriented facilities could provide a significant quantity of high-quality food and create substantial economic value. Not bad!
The entire Kregi region had been completely taken over, but the Darkness Titan Trio was not satisfied. They continued leading the Demon King's army to attack and conquer more cities. The Battle of Kolo not only resulted in the death of Marquis Kregi but also threw nearby territories into chaos. At least five more provinces were expected to fall under their control. Population, wealth, and blueprints---all of these were within reach. There was no need for Zhang Nu to personally intervene.
At this moment, Su Yan returned to the castle in a disheveled state. Zhang Nu greeted her, saying, "You've returned at the right time. We've captured some Heroes from the Kregi region. Go train and select ten to integrate into the Dragon's Shadow."
"Boss, that's not the most important thing right now. We've intercepted some super crucial intelligence!"
"Oh, really? How significant is it?"
Su Yan quickly responded, "We've identified the leader of the Thunderous Society and his movements. He might have already arrived in the southern region and could be targeting the federation next."
Zhang Nu inquired, "Is he powerful?"
Su Yan replied, "He's known as the current Mage King of the Empire. Not only is he strong, but he's downright outrageous. He can easily match the four Grand Dukes and is estimated to be a Level 6 monarch!"
Su Yan then recounted the deeds of this Mage King. Zhang Nu nodded after listening, "Indeed, he's quite formidable. Seems like a significant challenge."
Su Yan continued, "That's not all. The entire Thunderous Society might be coming. The strongest Heroes of the Empire are gathering, not only controlling numerous elite Hero groups but also influencing the Magic Guild, Mercenary Guild, Adventurer Guild, various neutral organizations, and even underground secret societies like the Assassins' Guild."
"The members' identities are mostly very mysterious, and we won't be able to investigate them all in a short time. But overall, the threat is enormous!"
After hearing the intelligence, Zhang Nu remained unfazed. Although he did not regard the Thunderous Society highly, even if the so-called Mage King of the current era appeared before him, Zhang Nu was confident that he could easily crush them. However, he could not deny that they possessed the ability to cause significant damage to the federation. Vigilance was necessary!
Expressing satisfaction, Zhang Nu said, "Very good, this intelligence is extremely valuable. Your recent work in gathering information has been improving."
Su Yan asked in surprise, "Boss, aren't you worried at all?"
"Even if you were facing someone like Bachor, wouldn't you stay vigilant? Moreover, now we have another formidable presence comparable to Bachor!"
As the saying goes, it is dark under the lamp. Su Yan, the head of intelligence in the Darkness City, had not seen Zhang Nu take action for a long time. She had no real understanding of Zhang Nu's current true strength. Su Yan believed that Zhang Nu was still a Level 5 Demon King at the moment, with strength similar to Bachor. Dealing with one might be manageable, but two could be dangerous.
The Darkness Titan Trio had defeated Bachor not solely based on their strength but also because of the favorable battlefield conditions and the overwhelming impact of the overall situation on Bachor. Regardless, facing both the Grand Duke of the southern territory and the Mage King together would be extremely perilous. Moreover, the true elite forces of Bachor Duchy had yet to enter the fray, and the members and influence controlled by the Thunderous Society were not to be underestimated.
Su Yan was unaware that, even at Level 5, Zhang Nu could easily overpower Bachor. The reason he did not take immediate action to eliminate him was simply a matter of not wanting to act hastily. Taking it step by step and maintaining a steady pace would maximize the benefits.
"You only need to focus on intelligence matters. Leave everything else to me," stated Zhang Nu.
Quickly acknowledging, Su Yan responded, "Yes, Boss!"
After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Nu added, "You've done well this time. I'm considering rewarding you."
Eager at the prospect, Su Yan asked, "Hehe, even though it's routine work, if Boss is feeling generous, I won't hold back. What's the reward? A skill stone?"
She received a stone from Zhang Nu as she spoke.
Zhang Nu clarified, "It's not a skill stone. It's a teleportation stone that I recently acquired from the Demon Market at a considerable cost."
Teleportation stone.
Zhang Nu had used it before, notably when he first met Han Kexin. Su Yan expressed her delight, "This is a great item! It's probably more expensive than an average B-grade skill stone. You can use it to escape or urgently teleport back to Boss's side."
However, Zhang Nu corrected her, "Consider the teleportation stone as a temporary gift. When the right time comes, you can collect your actual reward."
"Understood!"
Su Yan was puzzled. The teleportation stone was valuable enough. How much more valuable could the actual reward be? Zhang Nu refrained from providing specific details, merely instructing Su Yan to make preparations. After Su Yan left, Zhang Nu summoned Nancilia back to the castle.
"Your Majesty! You called for me? Do you have any commands?"
Nancilia appeared quite pleased. Zhang Nu explained, "A formidable group has arrived at the southern borders of the empire. The Three Dragon Kings may not be enough to handle them, and in a few days, I'll be leaving with the Succubus Queen."
Nancilia immediately understood her task. "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will head over immediately. Besides, Giantree City is being managed by my sister, Marilyn!"
Under the Great Demon King's command, there were five monarch-level individuals, and currently, Nancilia was the strongest, slightly surpassing the combat power of the Dark Dragon King, Long Yi.
The cooldown for Nancilia's baptism had passed several days ago. Zhang Nu immediately brought her to the Demon Altar to initiate another baptism. However, this time was different from the previous ones; Zhang Nu opted for a super baptism. Though it cost ten million gold per use, its effect was three times that of a regular baptism. Zhang Nu did not mind spending a bit more money, for him, saving time was of greater value.
In the next moment, Nancilia felt the tremendous power generated by this baptism, unlocking her potential and ancestral bloodline. A powerful energy wave emanated from the Demon King Altar, sweeping through the entire Demon King's Hall. The stationed Earth Drake Grand Marshal, Sky Drake Archpriest, and the Royal Guards were all shocked, keenly feeling the unprecedented and increasing strength of the Elven King.
Zhang Nu was also astonished. The little Elven King, after the enhanced baptism, had ascended from Level 5 to 6.
"I... I actually broke through. How is this possible?"
Nancilia could not believe it. Countless latent talents within her bloodline were awakening rapidly. Ancient ancestral memories, vast knowledge, and a massive surge of power made her feel a bit dizzy and overwhelmed. The extent of her strength increase was beyond imagination. Other Elven Kings might not achieve this level of advancement in a thousand years.
Zhang Nu nodded in satisfaction, "Truly unexpected. I didn't anticipate you to be so powerful, achieving a direct breakthrough!"
Nancilia, with a mix of gratitude, joy, and sadness, replied, "Your Majesty, this baptism seemed to consume more energy this time, and I..."
"No matter," Zhang Nu dismissed any concern, "With your current strength, you can accomplish more for me."
If, before this, Zhang Nu was not entirely sure that Nancilia could hold her own against the Thunderous Society, now he could rest assured. With Nancilia's breakthrough, she became the second Level 6 monarch under the Chaos Federation, undoubtedly the strongest combat force so far, surpassing even Han Kexin. She was more than capable of being a solid wall behind the Darkness Trio."