30: Chapter 30: Nearly a Thousand Types of Soldiers!

After the trades concluded, Lin Tian placed all the materials into the warehouse.

As the night deepened and the series of important trades were processed, Lin Tian finally had time to take stock of another "trophy" from today—the twenty unassuming black iron treasure chests resting quietly in the corner of his storage space.

Compared to Lord Su Wan's Gold treasure chest, they seemed unremarkable, but adhering to the principle that "even a mosquito's leg is still meat," Lin Tian decided to open them all.

Finding an open space, he focused his mind, and the twenty black iron treasure chests, with their dull metallic luster and simple, rugged patterns on the surface, neatly arranged themselves on the ground.

"Come on, let's see what kind of 'guaranteed rewards' today's haul can bring," Lin Tian rubbed his hands together, touching the first chest with the relaxed mindset of someone opening a blind box.

The first chest opened at his touch; there was no dazzling radiance, only a simple flash of light.

[Ding! Opened black iron treasure chest, obtained: Refined Salt × 30kg.]

"Salt! Good stuff!" Lin Tian's eyes lit up. In front of him appeared 20 thick, well-sealed burlap sacks containing snow-white, crystalline grains. "This is a strategic resource; it looks like the brothers' meals will be guaranteed in the future!"

He opened the remaining chests one after another, the light flashing as if a repeat button had been pressed.

[Obtained: Soft Toilet Paper × 30 rolls (large package).]

[Obtained: Basic Kitchen Seasoning Set × 10 (contains oil, soy sauce, vinegar, spice packets, etc.).]

[Obtained: Warehouse Building Blueprint (one-time use) × 1.]

[Obtained: Basic Arrow Tower Construction Blueprint (one-time use) × 1.]

[Obtained: Sports Set (unisex) × 5.]

...Everything obtained was basic resources. The appearance of daily necessities left Lin Tian between laughter and tears: "It seems the system is determined to make me improve the quality of life in the territory..."

"Not bad, not bad. Although they were all black iron treasure chests, they were solid and practical! The salt and seasonings will make a huge difference in the meals, the blueprints are perfect for improving the territory's infrastructure, and the three basic materials like iron ore will replenish our consumption. As for the toilet paper... well, it's a symbol of a civilized lord!"

He sorted the supplies, placed the blueprints into his storage space, moved the resources into the warehouse, and designated a specific storage area for the daily necessities.

These seemingly ordinary gains were the essential building blocks for the territory to become more organized and comfortable.

Including what was just obtained from the treasure chests, he currently possessed wood × 1500, Stone × 500, iron ore × 600, Furs × 550, Refined Iron × 300, moon birch spirit wood × 300, black-yellow stone × 290, remaining Spirit Crystals × 1479, crimson sun meteorite iron × 1, and holy moon ancient wood × 1.

Lin Tian planned to reserve 930 Spirit Crystals to recruit 930 units of Militia tomorrow, leaving 549 Spirit Crystals to develop the territory.

"Tomorrow, I will recruit 900 new soldiers first, then use these precious materials to build a truly invincible army!" Looking at the quiet territory outside the window, there was not a trace of fatigue in his eyes, only a burning fighting spirit and anticipation.

The dawn of the fourth day pierced the mist of the Eternal Continent right on time, casting a faint light over Lin Tian's territory. Lin Yin's crisp voice rang out outside the door as expected, waking Lin Tian from his deep sleep.

He got up agilely, washed briefly with cold water to clear his mind, then dressed neatly and strode towards the militia recruitment altar in the center of the territory.

Standing before the altar, he took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with the light of planning and anticipation.

With a thought, 930 Spirit Crystals flew out from his storage space like stars, merging into the altar's energy vortex. The next moment, the altar erupted with unprecedented, brilliant radiance, almost illuminating half the territory!

The light lasted for several seconds. When the radiance gradually faded, the previously empty space in front of the altar was already packed with people.

A full 930 newly recruited Militia, 600 male soldiers and 330 female soldiers, emerged like a tidal wave. Most of them were sallow and emaciated, dressed in rags, their eyes filled with the confusion, unease, and desire for survival of those who had just arrived in a new world.

Nearly a thousand people gathered together, their low whispers and restless agitation forming a buzzing sound, making the scene somewhat chaotic for a moment, as if a refugee wave had arrived.

Lin Tian was well-prepared. He quickly climbed onto a simple, temporary platform set up beside the altar, cleared his throat, focused his energy, and shouted loudly enough to drown out the noise at the scene:

"Quiet! Everyone, look here!"

His voice, containing the prestige of a black iron 9-star lord, reached everyone's ears clearly, and nearly a thousand gazes instantly focused on the young lord on the platform. Lin Tian stood tall, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below, naturally exuding a growing sense of majesty.

"Since you have come to my territory, I will not ask about your past!" His voice was steady and powerful, getting straight to the point. "Here, I only recognize one rule: contribute to the development of the territory!"

He paused and pointed to the three hundred veteran soldiers standing neatly to the side, wearing bright armor and exuding a composed aura. In the sunlight, the Heavy Armored Spearman's iron armor glinted with a cold light, the Mystic Rock Spirit Guard's rock armor was as heavy as a mountain, and the Moon Shadow Archer's vine armor flowed with moonlight. They stood in silence, yet radiated a murderous aura and sharpness, forming a stark contrast to the panic of the new recruits.

"Do you see them?" Lin Tian raised his voice. "Just yesterday, or at most the day before, most of them were just like you, stepping out of this altar with nothing!"

"But now, they wear fine armor, hold sharp weapons, and possess the strength to stand firm in this dangerous continent! Tell me, do you want to become like them? Do you want to be well-fed and warmly clothed, have sturdy houses to live in, and have the power to protect yourselves and guard your companions?"

"Yes!" Below, there was first a scattered response, which then merged into an uneven but increasingly loud shout, "Yes! We want to!"

"Good!" Lin Tian waved his hand, his voice like thunder. "If you want it, then show me what you've got! Now, everyone, use the veterans' formation as a benchmark and line up! Ten people per column, one hundred people per phalanx! Men and women, stand separately!"

As the order was given, the nine hundred new recruits were like a water surface disturbed by a stone, rippling with commotion.

Although some were at a loss, under the stern glares of the veterans and the commands of Lin Yin and the others, the chaos was gradually replaced by order.

It took several minutes for this massive "Yellow Turban Army" to barely arrange themselves into several large phalanxes that, although crooked, had already taken initial shape.

Lin Tian stood on the platform, waiting patiently, his gaze mainly falling on the three captains and those new recruits who behaved calmly and actively assisted in maintaining order, noting them down silently.

When the clamor gradually subsided and nearly a thousand people waited quietly for his next instruction, he nodded with satisfaction.

"Very good! Remember today's formation, remember the companions beside you! From now on, you are no longer helpless individuals, but a part of our territory, brothers who are about to fight side by side!"

"Next, it is time to fulfill my promise and make you stronger!" Lin Tian changed his tone, his voice filled with a hint of fervor. "And the first to receive this power is one of your captains, Lin Feng!"

Everyone's gaze, especially the curious and envious eyes of the new recruits, turned in unison toward the Heavy Armored Spearman captain standing at the very front of the veteran formation, his posture as straight as a pine.

Lin Tian said nothing more and communicated with his talent with his mind. He took out a strange piece of metal; it was none other than the crimson sun meteorite iron obtained in yesterday's trade!

As soon as the meteorite iron appeared, the surrounding temperature seemed to rise slightly.

Its entire body was a deep, dark red, with a crystalline black crust covering the surface, like solidified flames and stardust. Inside it, a faint reddish-gold light flowed, as if sealing a miniature sun, emitting a pure and domineering wave of scorching energy.