With Elara diligently sketching the rudimentary map based on the Angelic Sparks' crucial and comprehensive reports, her quill scratching furiously across the parchment, translating ethereal observations into tangible lines and symbols, Lysander turned his attention back to the pressing matter of bolstering his burgeoning forces. The newfound knowledge of nine neighboring Lords, some radiating potent and potentially hostile auras, underscored the critical need for a substantial, well-trained, and readily available army to defend his nascent domain and project his growing influence.
He approached the cluster of twenty soldier recruitment stations, the obsidian columns standing silent and imposing, each still subtly pulsing with its respective unholy, fey, or celestial energies, a testament to their recent activity. Focusing his will and channeling his Lordly power, he activated Whispers of the Infinite Horde once more, this time deliberately targeting his remaining, already substantial, reserves of raw materials, seeking to amplify his wealth to an almost unimaginable degree.
[Whispers of the Infinite Horde activated on Wood.]
[Wood count increased by 10,000%. Current Wood count: 9,100,000.]
[Whispers of the Infinite Horde activated on Stone.]
[Stone count increased by 10,000%. Current Stone count: 9,400,000.]
[Whispers of the Infinite Horde activated on Iron.]
[Iron count increased by 10,000%. Current Iron count: 9,900,000.]
[Whispers of the Infinite Horde activated on Mythril.]
[Mythril count increased by 10,000%. Current Mythril count: 101,000.]
[Whispers of the Infinite Horde activated on Spirit Crystal (Rank A+).]
[Spirit Crystal (Rank A+) count increased by 10,000%. Current Spirit Crystal (Rank A+): 101,000.]
The sheer, almost ludicrous abundance of resources that now filled his inventory was almost comical, a stark contrast to the scarcity and struggle he had known in his previous life. Yet, in this brutal Crucible, such an overwhelming surplus was undeniably advantageous, providing him with the raw materials necessary for large-scale construction, extensive troop training, and the potential crafting of powerful artifacts. With his digital coffers overflowing to an almost absurd degree, Lysander initiated another mass recruitment, mentally selecting the maximum available number of each unit type from all twenty of the silent, waiting recruitment stations, preparing to unleash another torrent of loyal soldiers. As he mentally confirmed the summons, channeling the vast reserves of his amplified resources, he activated Whispers of the Infinite Horde a final time for the day, focusing its potent magic directly on the summoning portals themselves, seeking to further amplify the already significant influx of troops.
The effect was even more pronounced and visually spectacular than before. The ten Undead recruitment stations erupted in a veritable storm of swirling bone dust, spectral shadows, and the palpable chill of the grave, spewing forth hundreds upon hundreds of rattling Skeletal Warriors and shambling, groaning Zombies, accompanied by dozens more of the swift, silent Spectral Hounds that materialized from the swirling darkness. The five Fae stations shimmered with an intensified emerald light, the air around them crackling with raw magical energy, releasing vast, swirling clouds of iridescent Pixie Swarms that filled the air like glittering, chaotic storms, entire groves of miniature Dryad Saplings that seemed to sprout instantaneously from the blighted ground, their tiny leaves unfurling with unnatural speed, and scores upon scores of graceful Sylph Scouts that flitted through the air like ethereal wind spirits, their movements blurring with impossible speed. The five Celestial stations blazed with an incandescent golden light, illuminating the surrounding landscape with a holy radiance that pushed back the encroaching gloom, unleashing legions of Angelic Sparks that hovered in the air like miniature suns, ranks upon ranks of serene Holy Novices radiating a gentle, calming light, their silent prayers a bulwark against the darkness, and imposing formations of heavily armored Radiant Sentinels whose gleaming white and gold armor seemed to shimmer with an inner, divine power.
The area around the recruitment stations was now a teeming, almost overwhelming mass of his burgeoning army, a chaotic yet undeniably formidable force that dwarfed his initial levy, a testament to the potent synergy of his Lordly abilities and the vast resources at his command. He mentally directed the newly summoned troops, organizing them into rough but functional formations, their sheer numbers a reassuring presence in the desolate landscape, and dispatching significant contingents to patrol the entire perimeter of his territory, establishing a more substantial and visible defensive presence against any potential incursions from his newly discovered neighbors.
With his immediate military needs addressed for the time being, the sheer size of his army a temporary buffer against immediate threats, Lysander turned his attention to the enigmatic Legendary Treasure Chest that sat untouched near the foot of his makeshift bed, a silent promise of untold riches and power. He knelt before it, his gaze drawn to its dark, ornate metalwork, the intricate silver filigree that pulsed with a subtle, internal magical energy, hinting at the potent secrets contained within. He accessed its description in his mind, the familiar system interface providing a tantalizing glimpse of its potential contents.
[Legendary Treasure Chest]
Rarity: Legendary
Contents: Contains a significant amount of high-quality resources, a rare blueprint or skill book, and a chance for a unique item.
A flicker of keen curiosity sparked within him, a primal desire to unlock the potential power held within the ancient chest, but a more intriguing and potentially far more rewarding idea took root in his strategic mind. He focused his will, channeling the latent twilight energy that flowed through his very being, and for the first time since his Awakening, consciously activated his Apex Evolution skill, deliberately targeting the seemingly mundane, yet magically potent, treasure chest itself.
A visible wave of swirling twilight energy, a dark yet strangely alluring aura, washed over the Legendary Treasure Chest. The dark metal of its exterior seemed to flow and subtly reshape itself under the influence of his power, the intricate silver filigree glowing with an intense, ethereal light before rearranging itself into even more complex and arcane patterns. The chest grew slightly larger, its form becoming more ornate and imposing, imbued with a palpable aura of profound mystery and ancient power. The very air around it seemed to hum with a heightened magical resonance, a tangible manifestation of its enhanced state.
The familiar chime of the system notification echoed in his mind, accompanied by the appearance of a new, far more enticing description:
[Mythical Treasure Chest]
Rarity: Mythical
Contents: Contains an exceptional amount of high-quality and rare resources, a powerful blueprint or skill book of significant rarity, and a high chance for a unique and potent item. May also contain fragments of ancient knowledge or artifacts of immense power.
A genuine, predatory smile spread across Lysander's face, a rare display of unadulterated anticipation. The potential rewards held within a Mythical Treasure Chest, a treasure of the highest caliber, far outweighed those of a mere Legendary one, promising not just wealth but potentially game-changing power and knowledge. He reached out, his fingers brushing against the cool, intricately carved surface of the evolved chest, a thrill of anticipation building with each passing moment. The secrets held within this evolved prize, a testament to his unique abilities, were finally within his grasp, waiting to be unveiled. The risks of this brutal Crucible were high, but the potential rewards, it seemed, could be even greater.