96: Recruit residents with random talents!

A moment later, Mo Yan felt much of his body's fatigue dissipate, and even his spirit recovered considerably.

"This Bathhouse's effect is indeed good."

He was in a good mood and then upgraded the newly completed Tavern, Stable, Textile Workshop, and well to LV4.

"Tip: Upgrading Tavern (Lv3 → Lv4), consumes food..."

"Upgrade time: 6 hours 55 minutes."

"Current food, wood, stone, gold coins, consumption enjoys the Lv1 and Lv2 hoarding bonus effects."

"Tip: Actual consumption is food 4560, wood 3040, stone 1710, gold coins 8280."

...

Finally, he turned his gaze to the newly constructed Bathhouse.

"Tip: Upgrading Bathhouse (Lv1 → Lv2), consumes..."

...

After upgrading the buildings, he soaked for a while longer before getting up.

Water droplets slid down his wheat-colored, robust body.

He picked up the nearby bath towel, wiped himself, and then walked towards the independent sauna room.

As soon as he pushed open the thick wooden door, a burst of scorching steam immediately enveloped him.

"Hiss, that's strong!"

Mo Yan found a wooden stool and sat down, closing his eyes.

Sweat quickly seeped from his pores, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, cheeks, and neck.

This feeling of being drenched in sweat made him feel much more relaxed.

When he emerged from the Bathhouse, Mo Yan felt refreshed, and his previous fatigue had vanished.

This Bathhouse would become one of the most popular buildings in the territory in the future.

"Oh, right, the Technology Research Institute upgrade is complete."

He immediately opened the technology tree.

First, he clicked to research Elementary Physical Training IV.

Immediately after, he dragged Elementary Swordsmanship II into the #1 waiting queue.

"Tip: Researching Elementary Physical Training IV, consumes food x475, gold coins x276 (already discounted 5% and 8%)."

"Tip: Researching Elementary Swordsmanship III, consumes wood x285, stone x190, gold coins x552, primeval stones x7 (already discounted 5% and 8%)."

"Research time: 1:59:59."

"Having improved the software, the hardware naturally cannot be left behind; it's time to upgrade the Simple Wooden Wall to Rank four as well."

He opened the Simple Wooden Wall in the building list.

"Simple Wooden Wall"

"Rank: Lv3 (Can be upgraded to Lv4)"

"Type: Defensive Building"

"Current Quantity: 400 sections"

"Upgrade Requirements (per section): wood x30, stone x30, iron ore x10"

"Total Upgrade Requirements: wood x12000, stone x12000, iron ore x4000"

"Upgrade Time: 50 minutes"

"Upgrade Effect: iron ore and stone have been added, significantly increasing wall sturdiness and durability, prosperity +22"

Mo Yan glanced at his resource reserves; these Materials were no problem for him.

"Upgrade!"

"Current wood, stone, consumption enjoys the Lv1 hoarding bonus effect."

"Tip: Simple Wooden Wall (Lv3 → Lv4) has begun upgrading, consuming wood x11400, stone x11400, iron ore x3800."

"Tip: Estimated remaining time: 49:59"

As the command was issued, a faint earthy yellow light emanated from the Simple Wooden Walls around the territory.

Fifty minutes later, the territory's defensive capabilities would once again receive a significant boost.

Mo Yan stood at the center of the territory, looking at the sight of various buildings enveloped in light, and the figures of Soldiers diligently training on the training ground, his heart filled with a sense of accomplishment.

The territory was gradually becoming stronger and more prosperous in his hands.

"Tip: Lords Manor (LV1) construction complete!"

Mo Yan's spirits lifted; he could finally live in a big house!

Before that, he first went to the Ice Crystal Cabin and retrieved the miniature Formation Plate.

Afterward, he walked towards the most impressive building.

The Lords Manor.

The Manor covered a considerable area, several times larger than the Ice Crystal Cabin.

It had a bluestone base, a sturdy hardwood main structure, and a roof covered with green tiles.

Pushing open the heavy double wooden doors, the first thing that came into view was a spacious and bright front hall.

The floor was paved with flat stone slabs, and some simple wooden furniture was placed on both sides.

Beyond the front hall was a council hall large enough to accommodate dozens of people.

In the center of the hall was a massive rectangular conference table, polished from a single piece of giant wood, surrounded by a circle of retro-styled wooden chairs.

The Manor also had a living room, dining room, and ten independent rooms, including his master bedroom, study, guest rooms, and even a dedicated storage room.

Compared to the simplicity of the previous Ice Crystal Cabin, the conditions here were a world apart.

"Uncle Qin," Mo Yan called out from the Lords Manor entrance.

After a while, Uncle Qin walked over from a distance, curiously examining the building before him.

"My Lord, this old servant is here."

"Uncle Qin, the affairs of this Lords Manor will be entirely entrusted to your care."

"In the future, if there are important matters concerning the territory that need to be discussed, arrange for them to be held in this council hall."

Upon hearing this, Uncle Qin's expression became serious, and he respectfully bowed: "This old servant will arrange everything properly!"

Immediately, he showed a worried expression: "My Lord, however, with the numerous affairs of the territory now, and the Manor also needing people to manage it, the current number of residents may pose some difficulty."

Mo Yan nodded slightly; Uncle Qin's consideration was very thorough.

As the territory expanded and buildings increased, more basic labor was indeed needed.

He thought for a moment and opened the Ice Crystal Cabin's building interface.

"Ice Crystal Cabin"

"Rank: Lv4"

"Quality: Ordinary"

"Recruit Residents: Consumes food × 100, primeval stones x1, with a 10% chance to recruit 2 residents with random talents."

"Upgrade Requirements: wood × 240, stone × 160, iron ore x80, ice × 100"

"Upgrade Time: 1 hour 45 minutes"

"Description: Provides basic living functions for 2 rooms, with good insulation effects, improving adaptability to the ice plain environment."

"(Accommodates 2 people per cabin) Prosperity +25."

"Characteristic: Ice Plain Affinity - When built on ice plain terrain, building durability is additionally increased by 55%."

Mo Yan raised an eyebrow as he looked at the conditions for recruiting residents.

He remembered this interface; seven days ago, when he had just built the Ice Crystal Cabin, recruiting a resident only required 10 units of food.

Now that it had been upgraded to Rank 4, not only did the food consumption directly increase tenfold, but it also required an additional 1 primeval stone!

However, while the cost increased, it also brought about significant changes.

"Can randomly recruit 2 residents with talents..." Mo Yan's eyes suddenly lit up.

Although it was only 10%, there was still a chance to recruit them!

He suddenly remembered the basic technologies of the Cultivation System in the Technology Research Institute.

For example, Swordsmanship, Body Refining techniques, and spiritual plant cultivation—these could all be learned by residents!

Now, residents with talents had also appeared.

If these two were combined...