As the twin suns of Wolvendale began their ascent, Thorian stirred to life, greeting a new day. Dressing himself, he paused, his nose wrinkling in distaste. "They're starting to smell," he muttered, eyeing his clothes critically. Determined not to carry the stench of decay throughout the day, he flung open the window and commenced a meticulous cleaning of his robe using orbs of water. The robust fabric resisted damage, easily withstanding the gentle onslaught of the waterballs.

He allowed the robe a moment to air-dry before donning it once more and proceeding to the living room. There, sprawled in peaceful slumber, lay the direwolf king, Harald. "Harald, time to rise," Thorian coaxed, gently nudging the immense creature. Harald's response was a yawn, more akin to a formidable howl, before his gaze settled on Thorian.

"Morning already?" Harald observed, his eyes registering the bright sunlight streaming through the window. "I haven't slept this soundly in ages. There's nothing quite like rest after a day's toil."

Thorian smiled, a sense of satisfaction warming him. "It's good to hear, but a long day awaits us," he said, heading for the door with Harald trailing.

"What's the agenda today?" Harald inquired, now fully alert.

Thorian glanced back, a spark of determination in his eyes. "No day with me is ever idle. Today, we take on the fourth floor of the Verdant Labyrinth."

Harald's grin widened in anticipation. "Exciting indeed. With the dungeons we're set to conquer, I might just evolve today."

"Lucky indeed," Thorian chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "My own evolution is on the horizon for tomorrow."

With their paths diverging for the day, Harald retreated to the outskirts of the village to refine his mana control. Thorian, meanwhile, set his sights on the Cultivation Center.

Arriving at the center's main building, Thorian exhaled a breath of relief. 'Fortunate no one's here,' he thought. 'The stench of my own cultivation residue is enough; I don't need to endure anyone else's.'

As he stepped inside, the two hall masters emerged from their inner chamber, their faces lighting up in recognition.

"Ah, the Village Lord graces us with his presence," greeted Jing Xu, the yin master, with a hint of formality. "Your arrival was much anticipated."

Lie Jie, nodding in agreement, added, "To forge a village of diverse beings and command such a multitude of species – truly remarkable. I've been eager to meet the man behind such a feat."

Thorian cut to the chase. "I'm here to assess my Qi affinity," he declared, motioning towards the inner chamber, "and to procure a fitting movement skill."

"Let's proceed step by step," Jing Xu suggested, approaching Thorian. "First, we'll examine your affinity."

As the elder in purple robes laid his hand on Thorian's back, a rush of Qi surged through Thorian's veins, swirling towards his dantian.

"You've already embarked on your cultivation journey," observed Jing Xu, removing his hand. "And you're channeling dark flame qi, no less. Astounding."

"Dark flame qi?" Lie Jie interjected, his composure slipping momentarily. "Are you certain?"

"Would I be mistaken?" Jing Xu countered, casting a knowing glance at Lie Jie, who found himself at a loss for words.

Turning his attention back to Thorian, Jing Xu pondered. "Your situation is indeed intriguing, Village Lord. Given your potent flame qi, the Yang path seems a natural fit. Yet, the unique nature of your dark flame qi suggests a remarkable yin affinity as well."

Thorian arched an eyebrow, intrigued. "What implications does that have for me?"

"It means the choice is yours," Jing Xu replied with a casual shrug. "Which path will you tread? Yin or Yang?"

After a moment's contemplation, Thorian chuckled softly. "What if I chose both?"

Jing Xu's brow furrowed in confusion, while Lie Jie erupted into laughter. "Our lord is truly audacious! Why limit himself to one path when he can master both?"

Jing Xu paused, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "It's true, you have the freedom to choose both paths. But are you prepared for the slower progression that comes with such a choice?"

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

"A slower pace may ensure a more stable journey," Thorian countered confidently. "If my affinity permits this path, it would be wasteful not to explore it."

"Then we shall support your decision," Jing Xu conceded, turning towards the inner chamber. "Come, let's proceed to the skill selection."

The trio ventured into the inner room, where Thorian invested in four skills, each costing 500 Arcane Coins: Silken Step Drift, Blazing Wind Charge, Whispering Willow Strike, and Crashing Thunder Punch.

Thorian was eager to test his new skills, but he prioritized his cultivation. Settling into one of the rooms, he commenced his meditation. Familiar with the Qi paths of his new body, he found the process less demanding than before. The hours slipped by effortlessly, and before long, he opened his eyes, the session complete.

Display Panel.

Ding

Race Flame Kobold Level 25/30 (exp: 2390/9500) Class Elemental Magus Level 22/40 (exp: 543/10000) Lifespan 40 years Cultivation realm Qi Gathering Fifth Stage (45.9%) Stats Strength 111 Agility 123 Constitution 102 Mana 104 Qi 100 Free Points 20

As expected, it’s going to take longer and longer to pass through stages now. Good thing I started early.

Thorian diligently cleared away the remnants of his meditation before departing the Cultivation Hall. His next stop was the Village Hall, where he met with Melina for a briefing on the latest advancements of his fighters. Remarkable progress had been made: the kobloid fighters and the yet-to-evolve goblins had now transformed into full-fledged kobolds and hobgoblins, respectively. The evolution of the hobgoblins was particularly noteworthy, as their class abilities seemed to influence their evolutionary paths. Priest goblins became Shaman Apprentices, warriors turned into Battleward Grunts, assassins evolved into Veilblade Novices, and magi ascended to Spellweave Acolytes. This evolution endowed them with specialized and potent skills, further honing their capabilities in their respective roles.

The village's blacksmiths and alchemists had also made significant strides. After several days of intensive training, they were now adept at equipping the army with essential gear, ranging from weapons to mana and healing pills. While the craftsmanship of these items couldn't yet match the quality of dungeon-acquired gear, their abundance was a key asset.

Concluding his discussion with Melina, Thorian ascended to the upper level for a council meeting. "Firstly, I extend a warm welcome to our new council members, Elder Omn, Elder Jarv, and Elder Yur," he greeted, receiving a unified bow of gratitude in response.

Thorian then outlined the purpose of the meeting. "Today's agenda is brief. We've focused heavily on expansion recently, but now it's time to consolidate our gains. The battle against the guardians last night was a valuable experience in unity and trust-building. However, nothing can replace the time spent together in fortifying our bonds. I propose a temporary halt to our expansion endeavors. Are there any objections?"

He surveyed the room, particularly the three elders, awaiting their response to his strategic shift towards consolidation.

“My lord, but wouldn’t that stop our growth?” Forlune responded. “The more people we have, the more buildings we can make, and these buildings give us so much power.”

“I must concur with Forlune, my lord,” Vigil chimed in, his tone earnest. “The capacity to enhance our buildings and halls is a treasure not to be squandered.”

“True, extensive expansion offers substantial benefits,” Thorian mused thoughtfully. “Yet, reckless enlargement without consolidation could lead to our internal collapse. We must ensure we remain a unified entity, rather than a disjointed collection of self-serving factions.”

“You demonstrate profound wisdom, my lord,” Elder Omn interjected with a nod of respect. “At present, our tribe is still within our control. If a few dissenters arise, we can swiftly address them. However, with unchecked expansion, such malcontents could easily blend in, spreading their dissent unnoticed.”

A contemplative silence followed the elder’s words. Then Zogarth, with a reluctant click of his tongue, admitted, “I dislike siding with the goblin, but I find myself in agreement.” His gaze shifted to Thorian. “Your plan for consolidation seems ideal, my lord. It will allow us time to fortify ourselves, making any future expansion more manageable.”

Thorian nodded. “A week of consolidation should suffice. After that, we can resume expanding our forces, albeit more cautiously.”

With no further objections, Thorian steered the meeting forward. “Now, let's discuss today's agenda. We'll continue our dungeon diving in the usual rotation, but we'll also allocate time for our fighters to cultivate their skills and train under their guild masters.” His eyes met those of the two generals. “I trust you to handle the details of this arrangement.”

“Is that all, king?” Ventus interjected, a hint of mischief in his voice. “Surely, there’s room for some excitement.”

Thorian let out a sigh, but his lips curled into a smile. “Not every day needs to be filled with thrill, Ventus. But today, we shall indulge. After completing our tasks, our main parties will take on the fourth layer of the Verdant Labyrinth.”