Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo' Chapter 961 - 531: The Spirit Attribute of the Territory

On the virgin territory, five thousand three-headed beings are making ready for their pioneering endeavors.

One of these three-headed individuals carries a ceremonial offering table, mimicking the veteran pioneers in the proper arrangement of sacred gifts.

Another diligently holds paper and brush, learning the art of contract drafting from seasoned pioneers.

Amidst this, a three-headed person engages in casual conversation with Pan Dehai: "Uncle, are you here to pioneer as well?"

Pan Dehai chuckles, shaking his head, "I'm merely here to observe."

After a period of exploration, Pan Dehai departs.

Escorting him are the Hundred-Eyes Fish and Gao Shuxia, who have been closely following Pan Dehai since their unsuccessful attempt to seize Bei Wushuang's domain.

Once they are beyond the hundred-mile expanse of this territory, the Hundred-Eyes Fish casts a disdainful glance at Old Pan, querying, "Master Pan, did we journey all this way simply for a leisurely stroll?"

Pan Dehai laughs, replying, "Lingering at Hai Chi Ridge indefinitely will only lead to you two accumulating mass, not skills. It's beneficial to venture out and stretch your limbs."

The Hundred-Eyes Fish snorts in response, "Ah, Old Pan, is that a veiled critique? Are you implying we haven't been diligent enough?"

Pan Dehai rapidly waves his hands, asserting, "I am a person of integrity. Ladies, your words should be chosen with care. We are merely business associates, and I harbor no improper intentions towards either of you."

In truth, their association has been one of mutual benefit. Over their time together, these two women have assisted Pan Dehai in numerous ventures, and he, in turn, has provided them with substantial rewards. Yet, their relationship has never ventured beyond professional bounds.

Pan Dehai maintains a clear distinction between his business dealings and personal sentiments.

Should Old Pan decide to return to Hai Chi Ridge, Gao Shuxia expresses her discontent, stating, "Old Pan, are we truly departing like this? That's not what you indicated when we arrived!"

Pan Dehai sighs, explaining, "Consider this: all five thousand three-headed beings originate from the City of Sinners. If they were to turn against us and fight with desperation, what defenses could you two muster?"

Gao Shuxia casts a backward glance at the territory, her gaze captivated by the untamed expanse, free from the restrictions of the Inner State.

Pan Dehai doesn't falter in his step, urging, "Ladies, you should hasten your departure. Should we encounter Green Flower later, our exit might become problematic."

Ma Wu, operating under the Green Flower banner, openly facilitated the relocation of these five thousand individuals to the new territory. Whether due to Green Flower's renown or the formidable presence of five thousand three-headed beings, it's highly unlikely anyone would dare covet this new land.

However, a significant challenge arises from the sustenance required for such a large group. While food is manageable—a few carts of compressed biscuits can suffice for two days—water presents a greater difficulty.

Transporting water from Blue Poplar Village results in over half of the supply being lost en route.

To resolve this critical water shortage, pioneering efforts are essential.

Li Banfeng, not one for excessive greed, plans to select five hundred of the strongest individuals to commence the development, initially opening up twenty territories, each spanning one mile in width.

This new land is notably deficient in resources. Since Li Banfeng acquired control of this sector, he has encountered only a single unusual creature.

This situation is somewhat logical; the Inner State granted land parcels, not indigenous strange monsters. Perhaps these creatures require cultivation by He Yuxiu herself.

Yet, the immediate necessity is pioneering, and without any strange monsters, what will serve as the basis for the trials?

He Yuxiu adopts a straightforward approach: "Since there are no strange monsters available, we shall proceed directly with pioneering, foregoing the test."

Li Banfeng has also contemplated this very issue.

He possesses his own new territory and has consistently worried about the trials. During Chu Er's previous pioneering attempt, Li Banfeng had arbitrarily escalated the test's difficulty.

The fundamental purpose of these tests is to ascertain a pioneer's capability to manage land blocks. Given that these three-headed beings evidently possess such competence, the test appears redundant.

Is it permissible to bypass the test entirely?

To Li Banfeng's knowledge, such a precedent has yet to be established.

Meng Yuchun had always hoped for a pioneering event, and finally, upon encountering Li Qi, the procedures for offering and contract finalization were streamlined. However, the test itself was not omitted.

Qiu Luoye had been in a considerable rush to pioneer; subsequently, all stages of the test devolved into mere formalities.

Still, Qiu Luoye never dared to disregard this formality. Even for the most recent land parcel, he ensured the presence of two strange monsters to contend for it.

This testing phase undoubtedly carries a unique significance, leading Li Banfeng to ponder whether he should relocate some strange monsters from his own territory.

The question then arises: how many should be moved? Li Banfeng's intention is to open all the blocks, and three to five strange monsters would certainly prove insufficient.

The majority of the strange monsters currently within his domain originated from Qiu Luoye's land. After finally settling here, they would now face further disruption if relocated for testing purposes.

He Yuxiu commands five thousand three-headed beings, soon to attain the status of established settlers. If these strange monsters are moved now, how many could withstand such upheaval?

Perhaps borrowing some from the adjacent new territories would be a viable option?

However, lacking familiarity with the local divine entities, securing the loan of strange monsters might not be met with consent...Li Banfeng felt a wave of frustration, yet He Yuxiu perceived the situation with clarity. "Brother Seven, there's no need to go out of our way to seek peculiar beasts for trials if none appear. We must abide by the established pioneering protocols; once the offerings are prepared, I shall be the first to respond. Should the land acknowledge them, then let them be ready for examination. We shall disseminate the news. If unusual creatures are drawn to us, I absolutely will not impede them. However, if none are inclined to come, then those pioneers have simply encountered good fortune, and we cannot burden them either." Her reasoning carried weight, and Li Banfeng, ever prone to impulsive decisions, readily concurred. "Let us test a single plot. If no event transpires, we shall proceed. Should something occur, we will devise an alternative strategy." The inaugural group of three-headed individuals presented the offerings, while He Yuxiu prepared herself to react. Back when Li Banfeng first embarked on this pioneering endeavor, he utilized the Judge's Pen to achieve flight and employed the projector to cultivate the appropriate atmosphere.