With the plans for the Secret Realm set, Jack focused on further developing his territory. Here's what he had to work with:
- Mental Power: 597
- Material Essence: 751
- Soul Crystals: 784
Jack carefully considered his next steps and decided to build five essential structures:
1. **Watchtower**: 50 soul crystals, Adventurer capacity +0.
2. **Warehouse**: 50 soul crystals, Adventurer capacity +10.
3. **City Wall**: 100 soul crystals, Adventurer capacity +0.
4. **Mercenary House**: 200 soul crystals, Adventurer capacity +25.
5. **Soldier's House**: 200 soul crystals, Adventurer capacity +25.
Defensive structures like Watchtowers, Arrow Towers, and City Walls don't increase Adventurer capacity; they serve to protect the territory. When Jack finalized the City Wall's construction, the earth walls were replaced by a more solid stone wall, expanding Miracle City to six or seven hundred meters.
The Watchtower senses the aura of the Dark Kind within a two-kilometer radius, but since Miracle City cannot be breached at the moment, it's better placed at Red Rock Mountain Camp, the frontline against Gloomy City. Jack anticipated an attack from the Dark Goblins soon and wanted to be prepared.
He also added a **Warehouse**, a **Mercenary House**, and a **Soldier's House**. The Warehouse serves as storage for materials and soul essence, extending shelf life by 50%. All territory warehouses are interconnected, forming a logistics network.
The Mercenary House adds 30 temporary worker slots, necessary for larger-scale operations. Each additional Mercenary House costs 100% more, making cost-effectiveness crucial.
The Soldier's House is for contract and exclusive Adventurers, turning them into regular forces. These Adventurers can be transformed into troops without consuming soul essence, free of charge. The Soldier's House also provides resurrection capabilities, allowing for 10 revivals per day.
These new structures significantly enhance Miracle City's functionality and increase Adventurer capacity. The Adventurer's Inn and infrastructure improvements have raised the capacity from 160 to 320 people.
Another 100 soul crystals expanded the number of Secret Realm Crystals from 20 to 40. With only 84 soul crystals left, the financial strain was evident.
"Very good! Very good!" Jack surveyed the territory, proud of the progress in just eight days. Miracle City was already setting a high bar for new Lords.
Even those with a strong background could only bring soul crystals; resources like Mental Power can't be traded. Success depends on talent and inspiration.
Jack was confident in Miracle City's potential. Becoming the greatest Underground City Lord was his dream, and he was steadily moving toward it!
---
As buildings rose, the city's two residents were amazed.
The Gnome youth Arno said, "Is this the great power of the Underground City Lord? Seeing it firsthand is truly shocking!"
Nancilia murmured, "Our Lord is definitely not an ordinary Lord!"
She marveled at how a Lord with no background had built this city from scratch in just days. Perhaps Miracle City was the hope she had been searching for.
Her eyes brightened as she decided to stay and observe Miracle City further. She hoped this small city could rise and become a beacon against the Eternal Night Dragon King.
---
The next day, Black Stone Hammer King entered Miracle City and was stunned by the bustling scene.
"What's going on? Why are there so many people? This is at least double yesterday!"
The crowd had swelled to near three hundred, almost double the previous day.
"Lord Jack is amazing!"
"Yesterday, I complained about the territory being too small, and today it's nearly doubled in scale!"
"With such development speed, I'm more confident in Miracle City!"
As Miracle City officially opened, Adventurers rushed to the hall, eager to immerse themselves in the Secret Realm world. Those who missed the first entry explored the city's new changes.
Pig King exclaimed, "Holy crap! An Inn!"
Mandy added, "Lord Jack really has some skills!"
The Adventurer's Inn, a simple two-story stone house with a courtyard and fifty rooms, could accommodate Adventurers overnight, allowing them to recover energy and spiritual power without returning to the surface.
"Esteemed Adventurer, welcome to the Inn. Would you like to check in?" Arno greeted them at the front desk.
Wool Warrior inquired, "How much does it cost to stay one night?"
Arno explained, "We offer three payment methods: 5 contribution points, 1 unit of soul essence material, or 10 soul crystals."
Pig King noted, "5 contribution points a day? It's a bit expensive, but it's worth it to ensure entry into the city every day."
Wool Warrior agreed, "Now Miracle City is getting more popular, and the queuing price will rise in the future!"
Miracle City contribution points were valuable, encouraging Adventurers to participate in tasks and hand in resources.
"I'll take a room!"
"I'm staying here tonight!"
"Hahaha, everything about Miracle City is good, except it's a bit quiet!"
"Let's have a bonfire party in the hotel courtyard to liven things up!"
**Adventurer "Mandy" checked into the Inn, recovering 5 contribution points!**
**Adventurer "Pig King" checked into the Inn, recovering 5 contribution points!**
**Adventurer "White Little Deer" checked into the Inn, recovering 5 contribution points!**
**...**
Resting in the Territory Lord's Mansion, Jack was surprised by the influx of Adventurers checking in. He continued to monitor the information panel as resources flowed in:
- Mental Power +1!
- Soul Crystal +1!
- Zombie Soul Essence +1!
- Rider Soul Essence +1!
- Exploder Soul Essence +1!
The constant flow of resources was gratifying. With nearly double the Secret Realm Crystals and challengers, income was naturally higher. Adventurers' increasing experience and intelligence also enhanced their survival abilities.
Yesterday, they lasted over six hours; today, they fought for ten. Then, a notification caught Jack's attention: