Investment contracts were a means for major factions to recruit talent.
The Heart of the Lord didn't discriminate by origin; its quality and traits were entirely random.
As a result, exceptional talents occasionally emerged from humble backgrounds, leaping to prominence.
If these individuals signed investment contracts, they could receive vast initial resources and even a well-planned path to success.
However, the price was a permanent surrender of some territorial rights—no matter how much they gained, a portion had to be shared with the investors.
Sacrificing future autonomy for immediate resources.
These contracts were initially widespread abr where new Lords received no government support—just a stack of contracts to choose from.
Domestically, the authorities opposed this practice, offering a standardized newcomer's reward to empower ordinary families to control their destinies.
Still, morality couldn't govern everyone.
Even Shenhe High School's principal, the stunning woman in red, had once forbidden such contracts,
only to face backlash from students and parents.
The state eventually allowed investment contracts as an option, forbidding any forced arrangements.
"All I see on these contracts are two words: exploitation."
Wu Chi had no intention of signing any contracts and promptly left.
Outside the school.
Wu Chi purchased food and water.
Due to the restrictions of the Novice Trial, he couldn't bring excessive amounts of buildings, Void Crystals, or supplies.
In the end, he packed enough resources to sustain 100 people for one month.
Returning home, Wu Chi took a shower, changed into black combat gear, and strapped an alloy longsword to his waist.
Though just a mundane item, it would suffice for now.
He sat in his living room and opened the Heart of the Lord panel in his mind.
...
[Lord]
[Territory]
[Descent]
...
The third option glowed enticingly.
Wu Chi took a deep breath and selected it.
"Territory detected. Initiate descent into the Endless Void?"
[Yes]/[No]
"Yes!"
"Descent initiated!"
Suddenly, everything went dark.
The Endless Void.
A boundless expanse of infinite worlds and realms.
Legends spoke of the Void as the final resting place of all universes and worlds. When a world reached its end or a universe crumbled, it was "buried" in the Void.
As such, the Void held untold riches, infinite possibilities, and unimaginable horrors.
[Descent] was the Lords' method of entering the Void,
bringing their territories into this vast expanse.
The location of descent was random, as were its opportunities and dangers.
However, the Void abided by an unchanging law—The Balance.
The stronger the territory and the larger its population, the greater the challenges it would face.
New Lords, however, were guaranteed not to land in fatal zones.
Cold. Hard.
Wu Chi awoke abruptly, lying on the ground.
The icy air and unyielding surface beneath him were uncomfortable as he quickly stood up.
"This... is a wasteland?"
He surveyed his surroundings.
A wooden fence enclosed a 200-square-meter area, with a small wooden hut at the center.
Within this space lay his entire territory.
"Not even a village—it's truly starting from scratch."
Wu Chi smiled faintly, clapping his hands as he prepared to act.
Suddenly, a stream of information surged into his mind.
"New Lord, you have made your first descent into the Endless Void!"
"Novice Trial Initiated!"
"For 30 days, a wave of monsters will appear daily, growing stronger with each wave!"
"Defeating monsters grants Void rewards!"
"Exiting prematurely results in failure—no penalties, no rewards!"
"Surviving the 30 days will earn you rewards based on your performance!"
Though Wu Chi had learned all of this in class, hearing it firsthand still filled him with excitement.
Taking a deep breath, he wasted no time, retrieving two building models from his inventory: [Altar] and [Barracks].
"**[Altar]! Deploy!"
Wu Chi tossed the altar model forward.
The tiny model expanded with the wind,
growing larger and larger,
until it became a grand, ancient altar beside his hut.
"I don't have Void Crystals to recruit units yet, but I can summon a hero first."
Taking out ten Void Crystals, Wu Chi stepped onto the altar.
As soon as he climbed the steps, a panel appeared in his mind.
...
[Altar] (+)
Level: 1 (0/100).
Functions: Summon (10), Advanced Summon (100).
Heroes: None.
Description: Consumes Void Crystals to summon beings from the myriad worlds to fight for you!
"Hmm? The altar has a plus sign?"
"Wait a minute!"
"Can the Mechanical Kidney function during the Novice Trial?"
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