Chapter 1149 - 614: Xiaoheizi’s Private Desires, the "Final Exam" in the Challenge

As the representative finale of the Challenge Month, the difficulty of this end-of-month round of challenges definitely wouldn’t be low.

From the three days of the Newbie Stage’s [Beast Boiling], to the [Burrow Challenge], [Frosty Winter Challenge], and [Heat Wave Challenge], the Lords’ strength kept rising along with the changing challenges.

The so‑called Challenge Month was more like a test for these first-batch descending Lords.

All of them were young people from among Earthlings, Humans under 40 years of age.

Pregnant women, minors under 16 weeks, people with disabilities, and severe patients were not included.

In other words, the first batch of Lords could be called vanguard "test" Lords.

The entire release and descent order of Lords was also progressive.

The first batch, second batch, and third batch descended one after another.

The positioning of each batch of Lords seemed different, so absolute fairness couldn’t be strictly demanded.

Those people with disabilities and severe illnesses had their bodies mended and their chronic conditions cured—compared to normal people, does that count as fair?

This kind of setting can also be mirrored onto pregnant women, children, and teenagers.

They would receive compensation in some aspects, yet lag slightly behind the first-batch Lords in Development progress.

This fits a principle the Lord System has been consistently enforcing.

That is: whatever you gain, you will lose something.

Only what you gain after paying a price is what you truly own.

So as the first-batch descending Lords, the Challenge Month was both a test and a boost.

The end-of-month challenge was essentially the final exam, an assessment of each Lord’s Development achievements.

Like a report card that has to be handed in at the end of the term.

After getting through the Challenge Month, these first-batch Lords would, in their eyes, directly step into a brand‑new stage of Development.

"If we treat the Challenge Month as a period of study..."

"Then we’ve got to score well on this final exam no matter what!"

Zong Shen quietly clenched his fists, waiting in silence for the announcement to end.

The exchange period after the Heat Wave Challenge lasted for 24 hours.

So he didn’t have to rush to deal with Points Exchange right away.

First sort out the matters at hand; afterward there would be plenty of Time to spend on exchanges.

The Quantity of gains this time was too huge; it would take some effort to properly organize them.

Only by having the Territory’s supplies at his fingertips could he better formulate Development strategies.

That’s why statistics holds immense significance in modern society.

Strings of cold GDP values and tax values, once combined, can form multi‑dimensional data.

From data, one can directly see potential Development issues and progress.

Only then can one coordinate the whole picture from a macro perspective.

Whether the administrative system and internal affairs logistics system are efficient determines the lower bound of Territory Development efficiency.

And the collected various supplies and outputs, Population included, determine the short‑term upper limit of Territory Development.

The two minutes of Time Stop quickly came to an end.

The sunlight outside was very bright; it was an afternoon with excellent weather.

Zong Shen stood up, preparing to don his Battle Armor and wait for the announcement of the new challenge.

The yard outside the Lord’s Fortress suddenly trembled lightly.

"Damn Human!"

"You stole my Small Treasure Chest!"

Xiaoheizi roared, its voice carrying a hint of berserk frenzy.

"Damn, I shouldn’t have let it go back."

"Blame it on me being tired and brain‑fogged."

Zong Shen lightly pressed his forehead, shaking his head as he spoke in a low voice.

Just now Xiaoheizi’s Loyalty had dropped by 10 points.

Now there were only 51 points left, just 2 points away from turning into a Neutral target.

After quickly putting on his Battle Armor, Zong Shen directly used Floating Technique to fly out through the window.

Without saying anything, he immediately used Lord’s Authority to activate [Thunder Domain Miracle (Incomplete)].

As a Marvel Building covering the entire Territory, Zong Shen could quickly activate it through Lord’s Authority.

This Miracle had been built for some Time already, and its Magic Energy was long full.

Zong Shen directly locked onto Xiaoheizi and dropped a [Thunder of the Gods].

Dark clouds swiftly gathered over its head, and then a Thunder bolt as thick as an arm fell from the sky, striking the Little Black Dragon right on the skull.

"Rumble!"

The Thunder’s Power was irresistible, shattering the Scales on its head along with a short horn.

Arcing lightning scattered and bounced, vaporizing the spilled Dragon Blood.

[-1315]

A four‑digit Damage value rose from the Little Black Dragon’s head.

This was the Power of [Thunder of the Gods]: a fixed 1500 points of Magic Damage with a short 10‑second Interval.

"Roar!"

Xiaoheizi howled in pain, opening its Sharp Teeth wide in a resounding dragon roar.

It flapped its wings, soaring into the air and flying to a height level with Zong Shen.

It stretched out its long neck, about to unleash an Acidic Breath.

This was a sign of attempting to devour its Lord.

Zong Shen stayed calm and, with his One-Handed grip, took out the [Time Stop Treasure Pearl (Golden)], entering a Time Stop state.

With a backhand he drew the [Dragon-Slaying Heavy Sword], moved right in front of Xiaoheizi, and directly set the Heavy Sword against its forehead as he ended the Time Stop.

When the limitation of Time Stop vanished, Xiaoheizi suddenly saw Zong Shen appear before it.

The breath it had been charging immediately died out.

In that instant, its danger-sensing instincts also simultaneously picked up dozens of attacks that could inflict Damage on it already locking onto its body.

The [Dome Sword] that had been Patroling in the sky had, unbeknownst to it, also flown above its head.

This [Dome Sword] was glowing with a fiery red light from tip to hilt.

Scorching Flame Elements were Burning the air.

"Planning a rebellion?"

Zong Shen didn’t directly answer anything about the Small Treasure Chest.