Chapter 694: One and Only

This chapter serves as an additional update for the patron reward of "Tang Xitian Yin."

"Task completed. Reward: one Hemp Rope Vine spirit bug, one Skull spirit bug, one Giant Kelp spirit bug, one Sea Hibiscus spirit bug, one Green Tea spirit bug, and one Corn spirit bug."

After spending a full day training with Leo, Liszt also finished inspecting Joamaya Island. During his patrol, he discovered two spirit bugs on the verge of birth—one Hemp Rope Vine spirit bug and one Skull spirit bug. He carefully fertilized the two host plants using packaged fertilizer retrieved from his spatial ring.

With that, the task was complete.

The entire process lasted two weeks. Although it took some time, the rewards were impressive—six spirit bugs in total. To obtain six spirit bugs during this late autumn to early winter season was a pleasant surprise. Moreover, the rewards weren't over yet; a new hazy mission appeared, once again involving spirit bugs.

**Task:** A fallen leaf inspired Jie La with a flood of ideas. She is a unique little spirit bug who fights against fate’s grip. Though imperfect, she always moves your heart. It is love and passion that drive her growth. Please help her realize her own uniqueness.

**Reward:** Mutated Thorn Plant.

"Piece of cake!"

Liszt felt completely relaxed about this task. Through their spirit bug bond, he could easily make Jie La sense it.

In his heart, Jie La truly was one of a kind.

This was evident even in the name of Thorn Fort itself: "Just in time"—Thorn Fort was nearly completed, with only interior work remaining. He could move in already... Let Jie La be the first to reside in the brand-new spirit bug chamber at Thorn Fort, enjoying a spacious and bright private room.

Returning to Black Horse Island, Liszt consulted Joamaya, the foreman, confirming that Thorn Fort was livable and free from construction disturbances. He quickly began relocating there. As the lord, he didn’t need to handle logistics personally—Gort organized the staff, transporting supplies between Flower Town and Black Horse Island.

Basic necessities remained in the unnamed castle in Flower Town, but most supplies steadily moved to Thorn Fort.

Standing before the grand gates of Thorn Fort with his hands behind his back, Liszt was practically bubbling with excitement—this would be his home for the coming years.

Thorn Fort's main structure consisted of three parts: the central tower, the left-wing guard tower, and the right-wing guard tower. Though connected, each floor had partitions with heavy doors to allow sections to be sealed off when necessary. The central tower stood five stories tall, each floor measuring six meters high, plus a ten-meter watchtower, totaling forty meters in height.

The left and right guard towers each contained six floors, rising thirty meters tall. The left wing featured a five-meter water tower, while the right wing housed a five-meter bell tower.

Below ground level lay a basement, and beneath the central tower’s basement was a second underground level.

Altogether, Thorn Fort could be considered a nine-level fortress, with each level serving a distinct function:

Floor 7: Only the upper half of the central guard tower, used for surveillance.

Floor 6: The lower half of the guard tower stored security equipment; the left wing held the water tower; the right wing contained the bell tower; rooftop stonecrop gardens and a makeshift observatory equipped with a long telescope were also located here.

Floor 5: The central and left wings formed Ack’s laboratory; the right wing served as Liszt’s indoor training area.

Floor 4: The central tower housed Liszt and Ack’s personal quarters—bedrooms, bathrooms, study, toilet, etc.—while the left and right wings were spirit bug chambers.

Floor 3: All three sections served as guest suites—bedrooms, bathrooms, and lounges.

Floor 2: The central tower was the dining and living area; the left wing was a game room; the right wing included administrative spaces such as meeting rooms and duty offices.

Floor 1: The central tower featured a grand hall and display rooms; the left wing contained the kitchen, boiler room, and staff work areas; the right wing was the servants’ quarters.

Basement Level: All three sections were storage rooms.

Second Basement Level (central tower only): Submerged spirit bug chambers, the Rose Pool, and an underwater passage directly linking to the sea canal in front of Thorn Fort.

Jie La perched on Liszt’s shoulder, curiously watching the towering white fortress before her.

She let out a wordless chirp: "Wah!"

"Jie La, this castle is our new home—it's called Fort Thorn," Liszt turned to Jie La on his shoulder and said. "Starting today, you and I will live here. Understand?"

"Woo-wah!" (cheering) Jie La expressed excitement.

"You are the first Spirit Bug to live in Fort Thorn. Even the entire castle is named after you. Do you know, Jie La? You are a unique Spirit Bug in my heart."

Jie La grew even more excited: "Woo-wah!"

"Come, let me show you your new home in the Spirit Bug chambers."

"Woo-wah!"

Though the castle was said to have nine floors, the main structure only had five, with no elevators. Climbing the wide stairs to the fourth floor was easy. The left and right wing towers on the fourth floor were divided into very small compartments, each serving as a dedicated chamber for a Spirit Bug.

The room with Jie La's nameplate was near the main tower's passage—right at the front.

"Go and admire your new home." Liszt opened the compartment door, and Jie La immediately darted inside, flying around wildly.

The compartment was about twenty-five square meters—not too small. Aside from an ornate jade box, there were many small toys, mostly hand-carved wooden figurines, meant for Spirit Bugs to relieve boredom. Jie La, true to character, playfully grabbed a wooden Spirit Bug figurine and tossed it to the ground.

"Woo-wah!"

It zipped around excitedly, clearly pleased with its new home.

Only after tiring itself out did it return to Liszt's shoulder. Liszt then declared again, "Jie La, do you like your new home? I live right next door... Remember this: you are my favorite Spirit Bug because you are unique!"

"Woo-wah!"

"Good, make sure to remember that firmly."

"Woo-wah!"

After settling the overjoyed Jie La, Liszt summoned the mist mission and noticed it had changed at some point: "Mission complete. Reward: auxiliary potion variant—Thorn."

"Auxiliary potion properties?"

Liszt immediately thought of the most important auxiliary potion in his territory—Black Nightshade. Taken alone, Black Nightshade had almost no effect, but when combined with other potions, it could multiply their potency, making it incredibly valuable—though its yield was somewhat low.

After all, there were only two Black Nightshade Bugs.

"To think thorns could also mutate into an auxiliary potion—this is fantastic!" Liszt understood the value of auxiliary potions all too well. This effectively doubled the effectiveness of his territory's potions. With Jie La boosting thorn production, planting the Thorn auxiliary across the region would be enough to enhance all the potions in the territory.

By then,

Liszt could use potions more liberally. His and Leo's training would accelerate—Leo’s digestion, even if downing potions by the barrel, would likely handle it easily.

"Haha! That's my one-of-a-kind Spirit Bug! Jie La, you get all the credit for this!"

"Woo-wah!"