The birth of the first contracted Adventurer created a sense of urgency among everyone else.
"Lord!"
"I want to apply for a contract!"
"Let's just get a two-star soul essence contract to make do for now!"
"Lord, I have a Charger soul essence here. Please contract it for me immediately!"
A flurry of seven or eight Adventurers rushed to apply for contracts, having bought souls from other Adventurers at high prices or pooled their resources together. With 100 contribution points accumulated, they were eager to become contracted Adventurers of Miracle City.
Lacking a five-star soul essence? Not necessarily a problem. It's not about the essence's quality—getting on board with a contract is what's essential. Contract spots in new and high-quality Underground Cities are precious.
Adventurers can only construct one life soul essence per tier, with different combinations affecting their abilities significantly. However, life souls can be changed or restructured, albeit with some loss of cultivation, which is generally tolerable.
In short, there are numerous ways to enhance their abilities. The most pressing matter is to secure a spot on Miracle City's ship!
The enthusiasm of these Adventurers surprised Jack, and Nancilia was equally astonished. She knew that for Adventurers, choosing an Underground City to contract with was a huge decision, impacting their career and future development.
Typically, new Lords offer substantial incentives to attract contracts, and these Adventurers often leave when better offers arise. But here, Adventurers were willing to pay to contract with Miracle City, showing the highest recognition and trust in the city.
Nancilia understood why Jack crafted the Underground City secret realm with such care. By creating an artistic and engaging environment, he gained the Adventurers' genuine support.
However, Jack didn't accept all applicants. Contracting Adventurers requires mental power, and spending too much at once would impact territory construction. Plus, with limited spots, Jack needed to maintain interest by keeping Adventurers eager to contribute more souls.
Jack announced that starting today, only five contracts would be issued daily, with preference given based on accumulated contribution points. The higher the contribution, the better the chance of securing a contract.
He chose Black Stone Hammer King, Pig King, Lone Wolf, and Ethan Fields for contracts. Black Stone Hammer King and Ethan Fields contracted two-star Hunters for transition, Lone Wolf contracted a Smoker, and Pig King contracted the three-star Charger he had.
A total of 120 mental power was consumed.
Lonely Swordsman remarked, "Ethan, why switch from a four-star life soul to a two-star? If Bihua, the Guild Leader, finds out, she'll be furious. It'll be hard to explain!"
Ethan replied confidently, "It's a temporary transition. No one will tell my sister, and I'll prove my choice was right because I believe in Lord Jack!"
Unbinding from an Underground City causes serious cultivation loss. If the city is destroyed, nearly all cultivation is lost. Active unbinding to contract with a new city allows about 50% of cultivation to be preserved, as the new soul absorbs the old one's energy.
When an Underground City declines, less loyal Adventurers cut their losses and leave. It's a reality Lords often hate, but it's part of the game.
---
With the chaotic tide about to recede, today's income was notable:
- Soul crystal income: 1,255.
- Gross mental power income: 2,470.
- Soul essence resource recycling and output data:
- One-star zombie soul essence: 138/211
- Two-star zombie soul essence: 4/12
- Three-star: 1/4
- Five-star: 1/1 (used)
- Passive mental power expenditure: 353.
- Contracted Adventurer consumption expenditure: 150.
- Current remaining mental power: 2,564.
- Soul crystals: 1,339.
- Material essence: 751.
Another day of great harvest! Jack stored the soul essences in the territory warehouse, then used 1,000 soul crystals, 500 mental power, and 500 material essence to upgrade the territory core.
**Upgrade successful!**
**Current territory core tier is Tier 2!**
The cost was significant but necessary. A Tier 2 core increases Adventurer capacity by 100 and can run a 5,000 mental power secret realm, allowing for the creation of planned levels and story modes to enrich the Underground City's foundation and allure.
With 339 soul crystals remaining, funds were tight. Jack planned to sell some soul essences to raise funds for territory construction. He listed 50 ordinary Zombies at 20 soul crystals each to test the market, though this was higher than usual.
After half an hour with no movement, he considered adjusting the price. The territory was closed, but Miracle City was lively tonight, with 36 Adventurers choosing to stay in the inn, ready to enjoy the night.
"Lord, we're having a bonfire party! Join us!" the Adventurers called.
They built a bonfire, pooling supplies from Black Stone Town, including spicy strips, cola, instant noodles, chocolate, ham sausage, and regional specialties like Maotai and Huazi, for a celebration feast.
The atmosphere was joyful and friendly, and Jack joined in with Arno and A Ya. Miracle City had never been so lively.
Nancilia sat among the Adventurers, enjoying exquisite food from the secret realm. She felt genuine happiness and a sense of unreality at the camaraderie and unique atmosphere.
In most Underground Cities, the relationship between Adventurers and Lords was strained. Lords saw Adventurers as pests, while Adventurers viewed Lords as cunning and malicious.
But in Miracle City, their destinies were closely linked, creating a subtle yet harmonious relationship. Jack and the Adventurers might complain and play tricks, but there was mutual recognition and respect.
Miracle City, with its unique atmosphere, made Nancilia feel at home. She sincerely hoped it would continue to develop and thrive.
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