Chapter 27: A New Era?

The exhilarating moment had finally arrived; the month was drawing to a close. The rewards for the Slaughter Rankings would be distributed the following day.

Dawn broke at last.

[Slaughter Rankings rewards are now being distributed!]

[First place: Wang Xiao
Second place: Yang Ming
Third place: Hao Yishan
Fourth place: Xia Mengsi
...
Ninth place: Ji Weijie
Tenth place: Zhou Qing
...]

Only one hundred people could make it onto the Slaughter Rankings, since each region originally had only ten thousand inhabitants. Now, fewer than six thousand remained in this region. As for the others—well.

Under the envious gaze of the masses, those on the Slaughter Rankings received their well-deserved rewards. Wang Xiao, as the top-ranked, received the finest prizes.

[You have obtained five Legendary Chests!]
[You have obtained the item, War Horn!]
[You have obtained the item, Divine Blood!]

Wang Xiao could hardly believe it—were his rewards truly this good?

Five Legendary Chests spoke for themselves, but the War Horn was an exceptional item.

[War Horn (Special): Blowing the War Horn greatly enhances your army’s combat prowess!
Evaluation: This is an item that can turn the tide of battle!]

What pleased Wang Xiao most was the last item.

[Item: Divine Blood
Effect: Upon use, you will gain the attributes of divinity, known as Divine Nature.
Evaluation: This is an essential item for reaching the pinnacle.]

As for what others received, Wang Xiao could not say. Yet he imagined their rewards were likely impressive as well.

[Region consolidation imminent. Please prepare!]
[Five major regions will soon be formed!]
[First Region: Eastern Domain
Second Region: Western Domain
...]

[Third Region: Southern Domain
Fourth Region: Northern Domain
Fifth Region: Central Domain]

[Slaughter Rankings have vanished!]
[Lord Rankings have opened!]

Wang Xiao made it onto the list—the Eastern Domain’s rankings, indicating he and his group had been merged into the Eastern Domain.

As the Slaughter Rankings rewards were distributed, the number of Lords surged.

[There will be no limit on the number of dispersals. Explore diligently!]
[The mists will become even more perilous. If you wish to survive, gather together for warmth!]
[Note! Each domain currently has ten thousand Lords!]

Wang Xiao learned that the top hundred from each region’s Slaughter Rankings all possessed a Lord Card. As for why he didn’t receive one, perhaps he had already obtained it earlier.

For instance, Yang Ming, Xia Mengsi, and Ji Weijie each had a Lord Card.

The chat area exploded with activity.

“Wow, finally we can cling to the experts!”

“Haha, I’m a Lord myself—welcome, brothers and sisters!”

“Hehe, I’m going to join our great Wang Xiao.”

“Who is Wang Xiao anyway? Is he as formidable as Commander Fang?”

“Haha, brother, you weren’t from our previous region, were you? Wang Xiao slew a tier-five monster in the early days of the mist, you know.”

“That impressive?!”

“Haha.”

“I’d like to meet this young man called Wang Xiao.”

The moment that message appeared, the survivors were abuzz. The sender was none other than Commander Fang, a man said to have been a high-ranking military officer. Those under his command were battle-hardened troops from his military district.

He was an exceptionally powerful Lord, currently holding the position of the Eastern Domain’s top Lord.

With the big shot speaking up, survivors eagerly sent messages to Wang Xiao.

When Wang Xiao opened the chat channel, he found an avalanche of messages, mostly informing him that an important figure wished to meet him.

From their conversations, Wang Xiao learned that this person was indeed someone of great stature.

“Hello, I am Wang Xiao.”

He sent a straightforward reply. The survivors, seeing the main figure respond, immediately fell silent, eager to witness the exchange between these two titans.

“Hello, young man, I am Fang Shengli. I would like to ask if you are willing to join us.”

Wang Xiao was taken aback. Were big shots always this direct nowadays?

“Haha, Commander Fang, you jest. I am a Lord myself now.”

Fang Shengli hadn’t expected Wang Xiao to agree; his inquiry was mere courtesy.

“Ah, young and capable. Perhaps we’ll have the chance to collaborate in the future?”

Seeing Fang Shengli praise him, Wang Xiao replied politely.

“If this junior is needed, I will give my utmost.”

Wang Xiao was now thoroughly famous in the Eastern Domain, which boasted tens of millions of inhabitants. Most may have simply known his name on the Lord Rankings, but Commander Fang was different: he possessed not only great power but also immense reputation.

The exchange between Wang Xiao and Commander Fang had thrust Wang Xiao squarely into the spotlight.

“Ah Xiao, you’re famous now!” Xia Mengsi patted Wang Xiao on the shoulder.

Wang Xiao brushed her hand away and glared at her. “And some people were so confident—why are you only fourth?”

Hearing Wang Xiao’s teasing, Xia Mengsi was fuming. “Who could’ve guessed someone would suddenly surpass me?”

Seeing her expression, Wang Xiao thought she deserved it.

Ji Weijie spoke up then, “Should we use our Lord Cards?”

Wang Xiao considered briefly, then replied, “Of course we should use them.”

“Why keep such treasures unused? To buy a house?”

Wang Xiao turned to look at Little Bone, who had grown much larger after devouring the lizardmen—several times its previous size. Yang Ming and the others could even establish their territories on Little Bone’s back.

Who wouldn’t want a mobile territory? Besides, Little Bone would only grow larger.

Wang Xiao had no intention of consulting Little Bone, and simply instructed Yang Ming, Xia Mengsi, and Ji Weijie to use their Lord Cards.

Little Bone gazed at Wang Xiao with what it considered a plaintive look. “I’m still a child—how can you be so heartless?”

One day, I’ll turn the tables and show you just how cruel the world can be.

And so, three more Lords emerged upon Little Bone’s back.

Though they now had their own territories, those lands were barren, so they chose to continue residing within Wang Xiao’s domain.

Little Bone was now on the verge of advancing to a tier-five creature. Had it devoured the draconian’s corpse, it would have reached tier-five already. But alas, there were always those in the group who hindered its progress.

The worst part was, it didn’t even dare to resist—how absurd.

Little Bone often thought the bald one was deliberately obstructing it.

One day, yes, one day, I’ll make sure to “repay” you properly.

I’ll make you kneel and call me Grandpa Bone—just imagining it feels delightful.

Little Bone felt suddenly much lighter, while to Wang Xiao, the world of pets was truly unfathomable—a source of endless, silly joy.