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I stayed in the Temple's underground chambers for half a month, but that didn't mean other tasks were neglected. In fact, on the day after slaying the half-orc Shaman, I used the magic signal flare I carried to notify the Temple of my location. The relief forces from Fontainebleau arrived at the Temple ruins ten days ago and began the transportation work.

Apart from dismantling the magic arrays according to the records in the manual, I didn't overlook any other resources. Although the previous "Rebirth" operation yielded considerable gains, they were still insufficient compared to the needs of building a city. The first items transported away were the four centuries' worth of monster hides accumulated by the half-orcs, most of which had been made into leather armor. Next came over ten thousand steel weapons, many of which were high-quality, including some treasure-grade and rare-grade weapons. Legendary-grade weapons numbered seven in total, including those wielded by the four newly advanced Sword Masters from the four directions.

Additionally, in the third underground level of the Temple, I found a secret chamber filled with pure gold and gemstone sacrificial utensils. Although these items couldn't be sold within the Alliance due to the disrespect it would show towards the gods, they saved me a significant amount of money for constructing a new Temple in Fontainebleau. As for the red crystals as hard as tiger essence, I also transported them back.

Meanwhile, my subordinates discovered a group of five hundred young half-orcs near the Temple, who were being trained as the next generation of Temple guards. The pig clan's secret martial aura technique, "Blood Washes the Heavens," is unique; once practiced to the peak of the Gold Warrior realm, their skin turns red regardless of their original color. These children still looked like ordinary half-orcs, but once I taught them the Golden Bell Shield, they would become another group of "Red Pig Guards."

Furthermore, many books and records found in the Temple, though incomplete, were invaluable. For example, my understanding of martial aura was not comprehensive until now. The materials found in the Temple ruins provided a clear insight: each advancement in martial aura is not just a change in power. Below the Gold level, martial aura only enhances speed, strength, and defense. Once reaching the Star Martial Aura level, it significantly increases damage and even allows one to cut through steel with a wooden stick.

Before forming the Moon Flame Martial Aura, all types of martial aura differ only in cultivation speed and intensity, with little difference in effects. Only after advancing to the Moon Flame Martial Aura can its unique characteristics truly manifest. All Moon Flame Martial Auras come with various special effects known as "Moon Attributes." However, more "Moon Attributes" do not necessarily make a martial aura more advanced. Many famous high-level martial aura techniques have only one or two powerful and practical attributes.

For instance, the Lion Clan's renowned "Emperor Martial Overlord Technique" has only one "Moon Attribute," "Doubled Combat Power," yet it has held the title of the world's best martial aura for a thousand years. The Celestial Wolf Clan's "Azure Star Rain" advanced to "Azure Frost Moon Dance," which comes with "Super Speed" and "Freezing" attributes. The "Purple Thorn Martial Aura" I obtained from Old Hake can cultivate the "Counterattack Thorn" attribute, while the Radiant Temple's secret martial aura, "Sacred Heart Kālā Martial Aura," possesses "Kālā Sacred Armor" and "Healing" attributes. The pig clan's "Blood Washes the Heavens" has "Bloodlust" and "Wound Tear" attributes.

Upon advancing to the Sun Flame Martial Aura, one can connect with the "Star Abyss Sea," channeling powerful natural forces into their martial aura, greatly increasing combat power and enhancing various "Moon Attributes." If not for the limitation of mortal bodies unable to withstand such immense energy for long periods, the martial aura of Sword Emperors would never deplete. However, this stage requires sudden enlightenment rather than gradual accumulation, making Sword Emperors exceedingly rare across the Mainland. As for Sword Saints, they are a recent development in the past few centuries, and their secrets cannot be found in ancient texts.

In fact, while cultivating "Azure Star Rain," I also practiced "Purple Thorn Martial Aura" and "Sacred Heart Kālā Martial Aura," aiming to combine their strengths and create my own unique martial aura, free from anyone's control. This behavior resembles the situation with the mutated nine-headed serpent, where dividing the innate essence would slow down the cultivation of any martial aura. However, with an inexhaustible supply of Nine Yin True Qi and the absorption of essence by tiger essence, I could afford to indulge, envied by any warrior on the Mainland.

After thoroughly concluding the exploration of the ruins, I gained a substantial fortune. What truly delighted me, however, was not the "Twelve Star Palaces Gate" but the "Dominion Staff." Through experimentation, using one-tenth of my Nine Yin True Qi to activate the "Soul Transfer Great Art," I could completely control a thousand half-orcs transporting goods to the Temple. By extension, I could control ten thousand half-orcs in total. This means that when building the city, I would have ten thousand diligent and obedient workers instead of lazy laborers. During battles, I would have ten thousand strong and brave warriors rather than cowardly rabble.

Upon returning to Fontainebleau, my first task was to select two thousand strong half-orcs from the original six thousand laborers and use the "Dominion Staff" to imprint my control over them. Since I had already infused my mental mark into the staff using the secret method obtained from the Temple, or in other words, the staff recognized me as its master, they would follow my commands unless I died or changed orders, even without holding the staff. After thoroughly brainwashing these half-orcs, the progress of "Qingcheng" doubled, greatly exciting me. With Iceflame (a combination of Ice Wind and Flame Wind), I ventured onto the half-orc plains to capture new half-orcs.

Previously, when capturing half-orcs, we would prioritize killing the strongest ones to demoralize them, causing them to surrender. Now, simply waving the four-foot-long staff would cause the main force of half-orc nests to kneel and surrender. This was due to the contract with the Black Moon God written into their bloodline by their ancestors, which their less intelligent descendants could not resist. Seeing this, other half-orcs suffered an even greater blow to morale than my slaughter tactics and immediately surrendered. Within a few days, we captured—or recruited—thirty thousand half-orcs. Fortunately, half-orcs are not picky eaters; many plants toxic to humans and beasts are merely coarse grains for them, otherwise, I wouldn't be able to feed so many laborers.