Malrik nodded. "That’s right. Crop Worm has undergone a mutation. As for the specifics, we can only wait until it fully matures to find out."

Noan frowned and asked, "Then... what about its original ability?"

Malrik shook his head. "Master, I also don’t know clearly whether it can retain its original traits or not. After all, this kind of creature only appears in legends. I’ve never encountered it either."

"However, I think everything is fine because its energy flow is still stable. It’s just... it needs a very large energy source, so I came to you to get more resources."

Noan nodded lightly and asked, "How much do you need?"

"The more the better," Malrik replied. "If we want the process of Crop Worm forming a cocoon and breaking out of it to proceed stably, it will need a lot of energy. After all, Crop Worm is one of the creatures capable of evolving without relying on any external force."

Noan let out a sigh, thought for a moment, then said, "Fine! I hope after it matures, it can bring me a huge benefit."

After saying that, he gave Malrik a fairly large amount of resources, half of what he currently had.

Malrik left. Napolia smiled and said, "Master, things have been really peaceful lately."

Noan: "...."

"You don’t like peace?"

"Of course I do, but like this... it’s a bit boring." As she spoke, she tightly clasped the hand that was kneading her full breasts.

Noan sighed and said softly, "Before a great storm, there’s always a sunny day. Get ready. Soon, we’re going to have to face a big trouble."

"Yes, Master!" Napolia replied with a smile, then kissed his lips and began unbuttoning his shirt.

Noan shivered and said softly, "All right, Yuna made my waist hurt so much it feels like it’s about to break. If you keep going, then I’m afraid..."

Napolia gently placed her index finger on his lips and said with a smile, "Then you just need to lie still. I’ll do everything."

Noan: "..."

All right. Lying down to rest a bit was good too.

Fortunately, this place was his private area. No one else could come here, except the female NPCs and his Jade Rabbit girls.

...

Two days later, Noan received three pieces of news at the same time.

Yuna had created another Falling Star Warrior, named Valkerik. Blonde hair, a proud figure, perfect and powerful, wearing light armor, holding a greatsword in her hands.

Just standing there without moving, she radiated a powerful presence like a terrifying army, making no one dare approach.

Of course, her Rank was SS, but Noan could only level her up to Level 1. After all, his resources were currently far too scarce.

Although Valkerik’s build was quite similar to Napolia’s, both tall and very powerful, Valkerik’s personality was much calmer.

If Napolia was a gigantic rabbit who liked hopping around everywhere, then Valkerik was a sharp sword hidden beneath a flawlessly beautiful exterior.

The second piece of news was that he would soon return to the City. Of course, this time, he could bring three heroes or troops with him.

And the ones he chose were Yuna, Valkerik, and Napolia.

Malrik was busy taking care of Crop Worm, so he could not leave. Besides, he was also planning to expand his ’Hell’ into something larger, and he was extremely busy.

Of course, Noan had asked Malrik’s opinion, because this return to the City was not just to rest. He also needed to find a way to reach the world of the Insect Kingdom and search for Maya’s whereabouts.

Malrik expressed that Yuna was enough, because her authority and wisdom were far higher than his.

On top of that, Noan was also bringing Valkerik and Napolia. With just these three, it was enough for him to not encounter any danger in the City.

Noan felt the same, but he still was not completely at ease, so he used everything he had left to raise Yuna, Valkerik, and Napolia to Level 2.

After that... he went bankrupt.

Damn it! He felt a bit nostalgic for the past, when he had been like a billionaire, not worrying about resources at all.

Now, just upgrading a few people was enough to bankrupt him.

But seeing three beautiful Rank SS women all reach Level 2, he felt extremely satisfied.

As for using Void Energy on them, Yuna said it was temporarily not possible. After all, Void Energy was too powerful and chaotic. If their normal energy was not strong enough, then they would likely find it difficult to control Void Energy.

Noan wanted to return to the Void Tower to take a look, but remembering that Isabell was still there, he decided not to go back there for the time being.

The third piece of news, and also the most important one, was that today, he received a System Notification.

[Notification: Phase 1 has ended. Prepare to enter Phase 2, Lord War. It will begin 30 days from now, after you finish your rest period in the city.]

"Lord War..." Noan murmured. He remembered the System’s earlier notice, saying that lords would no longer be free to join battles like they were now.

At that time, the heroes would lead the armies into battle, and the king could only watch from afar.

"After going through so much, Phase 1 has only just ended. How long will it take before I can escape this chaotic zone?"

Although Noan was not afraid of being in this area, he also did not want to be forcibly brought here and imprisoned here for a long time.

One day later, warm sunlight shone through the window frame. His territory was still warm, but outside it was so cold it was freezing solid.

Although the other lords had received his help in terms of resources, they still could not endure this terrifying cold, and quite a few people died.

But that was not his problem.

He had done more than enough to help them. After all, extreme weather was also one of the System’s trials.

As for Maisy, Violette, Caleb, Austin, and Alex, they were still safe. As for Alex, he had left a week ago, saying he wanted to seek the Fortuitous Encounter that belonged to him.

Noan did not care about Alex either. After all, he was a ’Fate Holder’. He would not die easily.

Noan woke up, feeling as if his body was about to shatter into countless pieces. Beside him, Yuna, Valkerik, and Napolia were still sleeping, satisfied expressions on their faces.

Especially Napolia. She even licked her lips, and in her sleep, she murmured, "Master, again, more, so much, hehehehe..."

Noan: "..."

He had a feeling that one day, he would be drained dry by these women and die of exhaustion even though he possessed the Immortal talent.

He sat up, tucked the blankets around them, then dressed himself and teleported to the familiar stone gate.

"Carlotta! If you don’t let me in, I’ll write the word ’short’ on this door!"

BAM!

"Agh!" At this moment, Noan was grabbed by an invisible hand, then dragged inside.

When he opened his eyes, he realized he was lying on icy cold ground, while Carlotta was standing there, one foot planted on his chest, her arrogant and cold face staring down at him.

"There is the scent of other bitches on you." Carlotta curled her lips, saying with contempt, "Disgusting."

But at this moment, Noan could not care too much, because from this angle, he could see an extremely beautiful view beneath Carlotta’s skirt. He raised his thumb and said softly, "Beautiful view, Carlotta. I didn’t think you liked pink."

Carlotta: "..."

"You... want... to... die...?" Carlotta growled, then...

BAM!

Noan’s body exploded into countless pieces, blood spraying everywhere.

A moment later, Noan revived and said with a laugh, "Hahaha... sorry, because you let me look, that’s not my fault."

Carlotta frowned, crossing her arms, her gaze as if it wanted to crush him. "If you’re worried about living too long, I can help you shorten your lifespan."

Noan smiled innocently. "Hehehe... don’t do that. I know you won’t, right?"

Carlotta shot Noan a cold, sharp look, but then she sighed, feeling that what she was doing was like punching cotton. It had no meaning at all.

In her long, endless life, this was the first time she had met someone so strange and hard to understand.

But... it was also very interesting.

"Speak. What did you come here for?" Carlotta asked with a frown.

"Hehehe... of course I came to discuss something with you." Noan said with a smile.

"Hm?!" Carlotta crossed her arms, her eyes filled with suspicion as she looked at Noan.

Noan did not hide it and said with a smile, "Carlotta, do you want to leave this place?"

Hearing that, Carlotta smiled and shook her head. "Noan, maybe you also know very well that I have enough ability to leave this place, right? But do you know the main reason I don’t leave?"

She pointed her index finger at herself and said softly, "Me... those beings you could never imagine are still watching me. I can’t leave this place. If I do, they’ll find me."

Hearing that, Noan could also guess that would happen and said softly, "I also heard Yuna talk about that."

"Yuna? Ah!" Carlotta suddenly remembered something and laughed. "That bastard who is always searching for true love and wants to have children, right? What did she say to you?"

Noan: "..."