Chapter 40 – Timber

Although still named Minor Mana Potion, its properties had undergone a dramatic transformation. The doubled recovery effect was enough to make anyone’s mouth water.

Of course, the most crucial aspect wasn’t the increased recovery, but the appearance of Cheng Yang’s name in the item description. This was the privilege of those with unique crafting talents. A person who mastered a profession to its peak could leave their mark for generations.

If Cheng Yang consumed a Minor Mana Potion he crafted himself, its effect surpassed that of a Medium Mana Potion purchased from the alchemy hall. The difference was staggering.

This batch yielded thirteen successful potions, slightly above average success rate. Cheng Yang was quite satisfied. More importantly, through this crafting session, he completely depleted his stamina, which was now converted into Apothecary level progression – reaching 13%.

For life skills, only successful attempts counted towards proficiency. Though Cheng Yang had attempted twenty times, only thirteen contributed to his progress.

Cheng Yang stored the thirteen potions in his backpack and continued sweeping through the forest.

Only after exhausting all his mana potions did Cheng Yang return to Phoenix Village. This time’s harvest was even greater, pushing his spirit energy to 2200 points. However, he knew that after this night’s frenzy, the nearby monster population was nearly cleared. To find such dense monster groups again, he’d need to venture further.

But the farther he went, the more time spent traveling, naturally reducing efficiency.

Upon returning to Phoenix Village, Cheng Yang immediately began his daily cultivation. He now had his own private room on the second floor.

After a night of cultivation, Cheng Yang’s progress reached 7.8%. In comparison, other combatants with quadruple cultivation speed were approaching 20%.

In the morning, seeing Li Wanshan still cultivating, Cheng Yang personally checked the profession statues. To his delight, the Priest statue had successfully upgraded to level 2, allowing ten people to be ordained.

This meant each team could add another Priest, greatly benefiting Phoenix Village. These weren’t ordinary Priests – they possessed the Angel’s Inspiration skill.

Selecting five individuals with Priest aptitude from the crowd, Cheng Yang spent nearly half an hour ordaining them. Notably, most Priest candidates were female. Of Phoenix Village’s ten Priests, seven were women.

Next, Cheng Yang upgraded one attribute for each of the five profession statues. For the four main classes, he chose attack power enhancement. After this upgrade, three attributes would be enhanced for these statues: mana, health, and attack. By tomorrow afternoon, all five statues should reach level 3.

However, by then, the 20,000 spirit energy requirement and life buildings would become the main constraints for territory advancement. Currently, Phoenix Village only had 2,500 territory spirit energy. With the surrounding demon beast hordes cleared, daily spirit energy would now come from respawning monsters, dungeons, and taxes.

Dungeons provided about 1,500 spirit energy daily. While taxes would eventually become the main source, they weren’t reliable yet. Most combatants barely had enough spirit energy for their own cultivation, let alone trading with others.

Take yesterday for example – many had chosen Woodworking and Alchemy professions, but none could afford crafting recipes or tools, not even basic equipment for their skills.

They weren’t as eager for mana potions as Cheng Yang. With their attack power, using potions for mana recovery wasn’t cost-effective. Even if it increased attack efficiency, the spirit energy earned wouldn’t cover the potion cost.

Most only bought one or two minor potions for emergencies, with no other trading activity.

As for gaining territory spirit energy by killing nearby demon beasts, Cheng Yang wasn’t sure of the exact amount. But he estimated it wouldn’t exceed 1,000 points.

After assigning the new Priests to each team, Cheng Yang dove into the Hard Mode Bloody Church dungeon. In just over half an hour, he cleared it.

With mana potions, the dungeon’s spirit energy efficiency couldn’t match outdoor farming. However, dungeons offered equipment. Though not a first clear, Cheng Yang obtained two black iron pieces – a bracer and boots.

Since these didn’t boost attack or mana, Cheng Yang decided not to use them yet. They wouldn’t significantly enhance his current combat power.

With 2,100 spirit energy left, Cheng Yang decided against distributing it for cultivation. Instead, he purchased twenty logging tool sets at 100 points each, nearly emptying his account.

He then gathered twenty Woodworkers and distributed the tools, requiring each to harvest fifty cubic meters of timber for the territory.

According to world rules, harvested timber belonged to the Woodworkers. If the territory needed wood, it had to purchase from them using spirit energy. The price wasn’t entirely negotiable – rules determined a range, and parties could only decide whether to trade within that range.

Typically, timber prices fluctuated between 2 to 5 spirit energy points. Cheng Yang’s requirement of fifty cubic meters was fair to both sides. The “free” aspect meant the territory would purchase at 2 points, then return the earned spirit energy to Cheng Yang.

Just then, Li Wanshan entered from outside, immediately asking, “Lord, can we attack Xiangcheng City today?”

Understanding Li Wanshan’s eagerness, Cheng Yang replied, “First clear today’s dungeon, stock up on potions, then we’ll discuss.”

Li Wanshan hesitated before saying, “Lord, that passage only had seven to eight hundred demon beasts yesterday. We’ve wiped out groups of two to three hundred before. Even with double that number and mana potions, aren’t we ready?”

Cheng Yang explained, “Seven to eight hundred was yesterday’s count. Today it’s probably over a thousand. Once past a thousand, there’s definitely a late-stage Tier 1 demon beast. Without thorough preparation, we’d suffer heavy losses.”

Li Wanshan finally understood. He knew the power of late-stage Tier 1 demon beasts – no novice mage could withstand two rounds. Against one with attack-boosting talents, it was instant death.

Seeing Li Wanshan’s stiff expression, Cheng Yang reassured him, “Don’t worry too much. Passing through isn’t impossible, we just need more preparation.”

“I’ll follow your arrangements, Lord,” Li Wanshan immediately said.

Li Wanshan then led his team into the Bloody Church dungeon.

Meanwhile, Cheng Yang stayed in Phoenix Village, organizing the Woodworkers for logging. About a kilometer outside the village walls lay dense forests. After days of rapid growth, some trees now exceeded two feet in diameter – ready for harvesting.

The twenty workers didn’t depart immediately. Cheng Yang assigned forty combatants – some for transport, others for protection. After all, monsters spawned near the trees, and without guards, the workers couldn’t focus on logging.

Cheng Yang entrusted transport and protection duties to Niu Bing. Though this might hinder their spirit energy farming, sacrifices had to be made. This situation would improve once the territory reached Village Level 3, when everyone would gain a Contribution attribute. Certain rights would require corresponding Contribution levels.

Niu Bing, having entered the dungeon earlier, soon emerged. Upon receiving Cheng Yang’s orders, he immediately led his team out.

About half an hour later, Yu Kai and others exited the dungeon. Morning was their fixed dungeon time, as equipment drops significantly boosted combat power.

Yu Kai emerged looking frustrated, “Yang, why didn’t you mention archers need arrows? After you entered the dungeon, I visited the carpentry workshop. Seeing bows that boost attack by 1 point for only 40 spirit energy, I bought one. Turns out it needs arrows! Had to spend another point on two quivers.”

Cheng Yang thought for a moment, then chuckled, “That’s your own fault. Have you ever seen a bow that doesn’t need arrows?”

Yu Kai choked, then retorted, “Of course! My previous bow didn’t need arrows!”

PS: Seeking recommendations and collections…