Lone Blade shared the refreshing soda with his fellow Adventurers.
"Ah, that's invigorating!"
The ice-cold drink sent a tingling sensation from their tailbones to the tops of their heads. Even Jack thought this soda, produced in the dungeon, was superior to what he remembered from his past life.
The Adventurers were both surprised and delighted!
Mandy Bright asked, "Lord, what is this exactly? I've never tasted anything so delicious. Is it unique to this Secret Realm?"
Jack replied, "This is called Cola, a common drink in the Secret Realm world. And this isn't the only special product; the content and materials here are richer than you can imagine!"
"That's fantastic!"
"I didn't expect you, Lord, to be so generous!"
Although many Adventurers loved the thrill of exploration, a fulfilling adventure also needed tangible rewards. The surface world was heavily polluted, making it hard to find sufficient food and clean water. Adventurers, as the primary producers, needed consistent output to sustain themselves.
Basic needs like food, water, and shelter remained crucial, and this box of soda was a top-grade beverage.
In Blackstone Town's trade market, it could probably be exchanged for at least a month's worth of drinking water!
The Raging Tide Secret Realm was not only interesting but also offered a great return.
The three Adventurers decided to continue their challenge!
Adventurers consumed stamina points to challenge a Secret Realm, and these points were tied to their level. Like game players, Adventurers could also level up, though the process was complex.
Nearly 100,000 Adventurers in Blackstone Town were mostly First Tier. John Stone, Mandy, and Lone Blade were no exceptions. However, even within the First Tier, there were variations in strength. John and Mandy were novices, with only 5 stamina points per day, limiting them to 5 challenges.
Lone Blade, close to reaching Second Tier, could challenge 8 times with his 8 stamina points. The trio decided to use all of today's stamina in the "Doomsday Frenzy" Secret Realm!
And so…
[Adventurer "Lone Blade" has died, Spirit Power +1, Soul Crystal +1!]
[Adventurer "Lone Blade" has died, Spirit Power +1, Soul Crystal +1!]
[…]
[Adventurer "John Stone" has died, Spirit Power +1, Soul Crystal +1!]
[Adventurer "Mandy Bright" has died, Spirit Power +1, Soul Crystal +1!]
The Adventurers took turns challenging the realm, slowly advancing their progress. They methodically searched the initial building, discovering most supply storage locations.
They also found the Underground Garage, allowing them to leave the zombie-filled streets and explore further.
The difficulty was high, with zombies everywhere and randomly respawning. A single mistake meant a tragic end. Yet, the Adventurers relished the thrill of exploring an unknown world, discovering new supplies and scenes.
They collected supplies like beer, soda, candy, and chocolate—basic yet valuable resources in this world.
As they got into the swing of things, they even found a MAC-10 suppressed submachine gun, experiencing the satisfaction of mowing down zombies. Bullets flew, and flesh and blood scattered everywhere.
"This is amazing! Who can resist this?!"
"I can't stop!"
"With this weapon, we'll break through tomorrow!"
"Ah, I want to keep playing, but I'm out of stamina!"
"Lord, your Secret Realm is excellent, but there are too few Secret Realm Crystals. Can you add more? I'm planning to bring all my friends to support you, but one crystal isn't enough!"
Jack smiled. Tomorrow's business seemed assured!
He said, "Don't worry, although my Underground City is just starting, the number of Secret Realm Crystals and facilities will soon improve, ensuring every Adventurer has a great time."
"Great!"
"With your promise, we're reassured!"
"See you tomorrow!"
The Adventurers left, satisfied and eager for more.
Miracle City closed its first day successfully. Typically, Underground City Secret Realms operated for twelve hours daily. This was due to the world's operating rules.
In this world, a day also lasted twenty-four hours. For twelve hours, the Underground World was enveloped by the Chaos Raging Tide, filling it with chaotic energy and preventing all Dark Kind from leaving their shelters. The Secret Realm could also operate by drawing energy from this tide.
For the remaining twelve hours, the tide receded, cutting off the Secret Realm Crystal's energy supply and rendering it inoperable. Simultaneously, dark creatures and the Dark Kind became active, posing the greatest threat to the Underground City.
However, each city was automatically protected by an energy force field for the first thirty days—a novice protection period—ensuring safety from attacks.
Simply put, the city opened for Adventurers during operational hours and closed for the Lord to manage, build, and develop his territory.
Jack tallied his first day's harvest: eighteen Adventurer visits, yielding 16 Spirit Power and 18 Soul Crystals.
He activated the Lord's Core and opened the territory management option, which had three sub-options: **Population**, **Construction**, and **Management**.
The Population option managed armies and residents, but Miracle City had none, so he skipped it.
Jack chose Construction, which had two sub-options: **Basic Construction** and **Special Construction**.
Basic Construction included facilities that came with the core, buildable by consuming specified soul crystals. Special Construction allowed for additional facilities beyond the basic infrastructure, which were numerous and varied, requiring more materials and construction blueprints. Blueprints could be obtained by fighting Dark Kind or through trade in the Lord's Market.
He clicked on Basic Construction, revealing the list:
—
**Secret Realm Crystal**: 5 soul crystals
**Arrow Tower**: 50 soul crystals
**Warehouse**: 50 soul crystals
**Mercenary House**: 100 soul crystals
**Monster Camp**: 300 soul crystals
**Essence Altar**: 500 soul crystals
**Warrior Barracks**: 1000 soul crystals
**…**
**Underground Teleportation Station**: 10000 soul crystals
—
There were over ten types, each with practical functions. Some served Adventurers, others boosted military strength, aided management, or defended the city—essential infrastructure for city operations.
Jack could only afford to build Secret Realm Crystals, the entrance to the Secret Realm. A Secret Realm Lobby could hold up to 100 crystals, akin to an internet café's computer terminals.
Adventurers (players) needed these crystals to play, and maintaining them incurred territory costs, akin to rent or utilities for a café. Fortunately, the cost was minimal, 5 soul crystals per month per crystal, unless forcibly activated during the ebb tide.
Though small individually, too many crystals could become a significant operational burden, especially if the realm's popularity declined, leading to potential losses and bankruptcy.
Conversely, too few crystals could fail to meet Adventurer demand, affecting territory income and reputation.
While a lobby could house up to 100 crystals, the Lord could expand capacity by upgrading or building more lobbies.
[You are building a Secret Realm Crystal. This construction will consume 15 soul crystals. Do you wish to continue? Yes/No]
Jack decisively chose to build. With the original, his city now had four crystals, accommodating four simultaneous Adventurer challenges.
This construction would surely multiply tomorrow's income!
Special thanks to Shuimohua2016 for the 1000 Qidian coins reward!