168: Star fragments, tickets to and from the world

After hanging up the private chat, Mo Yan got up and left the discussion hall.

He first went to the Tempering Pool in the Cultivation area.

Immersed in it, he could feel every inch of his muscles and bones being gently tempered, and the slight Impurities within his body were expelled as wisps of white Qi.

After a brief Body Tempering session.

He arrived before the Enlightenment Stele in the center of his territory's plaza.

He sat down, focused his mind, and delved into it, comprehending the subtle, ethereal Dao of heaven and earth.

After completing this routine, he felt refreshed both in body and mind.

Only then did Mo Yan return to the Lords Manor, pushing open the door to his bedchamber.

On the large bed, Gun Gun was sprawled out, belly rising and falling, sound asleep.

What sweet dreams was the little fellow having? His furry paws occasionally twitched.

A doting smile appeared on Mo Yan's face, and he walked over with light steps.

He didn't disturb the little fellow but simply sat by the bed and opened the System Mall.

On the interface, a red countdown was ticking.

Only 2 hours remained until the Lord World Mall closed.

“I need to hurry,” he thought.

Mo Yan glanced at his remaining wealth.

[Gold Coins: 67,724]

“Perfect. Time for another major shopping spree to light up all the compendium entries I can.”

His thoughts rapidly scrolled through the mall interface as he began to sweep up items.

First were the crops.

Apples, cherries, bananas, lychees, pineapples… He bought twenty different types of basic quality fruit saplings in one go.

[Prompt: You have successfully hoarded Basic - Apple Saplings x500. Compendium entry lit. Rank 8 automatic production activated!]

[Prompt: You have successfully hoarded Basic - Cherry Saplings x500. Compendium entry lit. Rank 8 automatic production activated!]

...

Next were more Advanced Spiritual Plants.

[Qi Condensation Fruit]: Common Quality. Consumption can slightly increase Spiritual Qi.

[Body Tempering Fruit]: Common Quality. Consumption can strengthen the physique.

[Foundation Building Fruit]: Common Quality. Helps stabilize Cultivation Foundation.

...

He acquired all ten types of Spiritual Plant saplings that could produce auxiliary Cultivation fruits.

Subsequently, his gaze fell upon a rare wood.

[Prompt: You have successfully hoarded Rare - Spiritual wood Saplings x500. Compendium entry lit. Rank 8 automatic production activated!]

This tree produces Spiritual wood, an essential Material for constructing certain Advanced immortal Cultivation buildings in the future. It was expensive, but he bought it decisively.

“Fruits alone aren't enough.”

Mo Yan's finger slid again, switching to the Spiritual Plant area, and he purchased ten common, ordinary quality Spiritual Plants: Blood-stopping Grass seeds, Iron Bone Grass seeds, Qi Nourishing Grass seeds, Spiritual Grain seeds, and others.

From healing to Body Refining, and even lighting and staple food, everything was included.

After completing these strategic reserves, Mo Yan's purchasing style shifted towards daily necessities.

Spinach, lettuce, oilseed rape, water spinach, carrots, white radishes, sweet potatoes, potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, chili peppers…

Dozens of vegetable seeds were swept into his bag.

Soy sauce, oyster sauce, salt, sugar, as well as star anise, fennel, cinnamon, bay leaves, cumin, pepper, cloves…

Various common spices and seasonings were bought in bulk, instantly piling up like mountains in his talent space.

The compendium entries lit up one by one.

Finally, there were living creatures: five hundred each of lamb, calf, piglet, gosling, and duckling, directly maxing out.

For the territory to develop, a self-sufficient ecological cycle was an indispensable part.

[Prompt: Your consumption has triggered a hoarding bonus, reducing the cost by 8%. Actual consumption: 58,346 Gold Coins.]

[Gold Coins: 9,378]

Mo Yan glanced at his balance. He still needed to keep 5,000 Gold Coins for building the Alliance territory, with the rest as reserve funds.

As for the equipment and tool blueprints, he didn't buy a single one.

Among the talents he recruited, there were blacksmiths and carpenters, and their professional Ranks were not low.

They could make basic tools and equipment themselves, so there was no need to waste Gold Coins.

Just as Mo Yan was about to close the mall interface.

A cold System prompt echoed without warning in the minds of all Lords!

[Global Announcement: In 30 minutes, all Lords will be teleported back to their respective initial landing zones!]

[During teleportation, please remain within the core area of your territory. Do not go out, or you will bear the consequences!]

Before Mo Yan could fully process this information, the second announcement followed immediately!

[Global Announcement: Blue Star time, tomorrow at 8:00 AM sharp, the connection channel between the Lord World and Blue Star will reopen!]

[All Lords will be forcibly teleported back to Blue Star!]

[24 hours after returning to Blue Star, the Frozen Age will officially descend!]

Mo Yan's pupils suddenly contracted, and his lazy expression instantly vanished.

It finally came.

The Frozen Age!

Only 24 hours of preparation time!

The announcement continued.

[Global Announcement: Territory and personal resource materialization fees have been updated. Lords can check them on their panels.]

Mo Yan took a deep breath, opened his Lord panel, and found the newly updated “Materialization Fees” option.

Rows of clear data were listed before his eyes.

Basic Quality Resources: 5% charged per 100 units

Common Quality Resources: 8% charged per 100 units

Rare Quality Resources: 15% charged per 100 units

Scarce Quality Resources: 25% charged per 100 units

...

As for individual buildings, equipment, and items, a materialization fee in Gold Coins would be charged based on their assessed basic value.

In other words, if he took back one hundred units of wood, he would only receive ninety-five.

For example, materializing a basic quality knife.

If the System valued it at 10 Gold Coins, then 0.5 Gold Coins would be required as a handling fee.

However, none of this concerned Mo Yan.

He opened his status bar, where the two lines of golden text for his bonuses were particularly striking.

[Individual Overall Assessment First: Materialization handling fee reduced by 80%]

[Dragon Country Overall Assessment First: Materialization handling fee reduced by 20%]

The two stacked, exactly one hundred percent.

While others paid a hefty price, he got it for free.

At the same time, when all Lords of Dragon Country materialized resources of Rare quality and below, the handling fee was directly reduced to 0!

This alone would allow the Dragon Country Lords to establish an overwhelming advantage in the initial period after returning to Blue Star!

Just at this moment, another global announcement sounded.

[Global Announcement: After returning to Blue Star, Lords can consume “Star Shards” to re-enter the Lord World. The duration of stay is related to the number of shards consumed; 1 Star Shard allows for 1 hour of stay.]

[Star Shard acquisition methods: Killing exotic beasts on Blue Star, opening treasure chests, clearing dungeons, etc.]

Mo Yan's mind raced, instantly connecting the key information from these several announcements.

So that's how it is.

It truly was possible to freely travel back and forth to the Lord World.

Most importantly, a new dungeon mechanism was added?!