Twilight descended, and burning clouds began to adorn the sky.
The lake's surface reflected the light of bonfires and lanterns.
This lake, adjacent to the 'Chenhai Federation,' was jointly created by Merfolk and Dwarves.
The Merfolk planned waterways with their keen sense of water flow, while the Dwarves carved mountains and split ridges with their exquisite stone-carving skills.
Working hand in hand, they felled trees and cleared forests, reinforcing embankments with massive stones and magic. In less than two days, they carved a winding canal near the outpost, drawing mountain springs to form a shimmering lake.
The reason for such high efficiency was also due to the river being close to the outpost.
Chen Hai heard that the monsters originally intended to dig for groundwater and build wells, but they temporarily gave up due to the immense workload.
Back to the present.
Chen Hai stood by the lake, looking at the lively celebration site not far away, and let out a deep breath.
The recent 'socializing' made him feel quite troublesome.
However, it was precisely because of this 'socializing' that the construction progress of the 'Chenhai Federation' was accelerated.
For example—
The current Chief of the hog race, Kurut.
Previously, he had worn crude leather armor, with tusks exposed, a corpulent physique, and heavy footsteps as he ascended the steps to Chen Hai.
Then Kurut knelt on one knee, his voice rough but respectful,
"Great Chen Hai-sama! On behalf of all the hog race, I offer you our most sincere blessings! May your rule be as stable as the earth and as fervent as a blazing fire!"
Most of these words were probably learned from certain books… With that said, Kurut presented the treasure chest.
The chest was filled with refined iron ore and rare minerals plundered in the past, shimmering with a metallic luster.
Chen Hai also made arrangements for this.
"Kurut, I now trust your loyalty, and these resources will be used to build city defenses and smelting workshops. The elite soldiers of your race will receive priority in the allocation of weapons and armor."
Upon hearing this arrangement, Kurut happily kowtowed repeatedly.
"Thank you, Lord Chen Hai! However…"
"However?"
"Recently, I actually want to learn to grow vegetables, not fight…"
Rather than becoming a warrior, Kurut's development leaned more towards a farming profession… Chen Hai did not deny him, but instead assigned him to be responsible for the cultivation of several plots of land.
Immediately after, the Dragonewt Race representative, Gabiru, appeared.
He was wearing battle armor today, dressed splendidly, and could be said to have a very leadership-like aura.
However, everyone who knew him knew that Gabiru was an 'abstract artist'… (badj) But at this moment, Gabiru was still quite serious and earnest.
After he bowed, he raised his voice.
"Lord Chen Hai, we, the Dragonewt Race, are part of your 'great undertaking,' and we hope to continue to be of assistance to you in the future!"
Immediately after, Gabiru presented a magic stone glowing with crimson light with both hands.
That was a precious magic stone that the Dragonewt Race had used in the past to maintain their defensive barrier.
"This is our gift to you."
"A magic stone… If it stores enough magic power, perhaps it can be used to continuously heat the water in the bathhouse."
"Huh? Just to boil water?"
"Bathing is very important."
After Chen Hai finished speaking, he patted the somewhat bewildered Gabiru on the shoulder.
Subsequently—
The Kobolds chief, 'Grey Claw,' stepped forward quickly.
He was short, with grayish-brown fur, vigilant eyes, and followed by dozens of his tribesmen carrying leather bags.
He respectfully presented an old animal skin map.
"Lord, this is the 'Geomantic Map' drawn by my tribe for generations, recording underground rivers, ore veins, and secret passages. May it be used by the Federation to help you control the pulse of the earth."
Chen Hai took the map, glanced at it, and immediately showed an approving expression.
"Chief Grey Claw, this map is very important. You will lead your tribe to specifically explore these areas."
Receiving such an important position, Grey Claw trembled with excitement, tears welling up in his eyes.
"As you command! My tribe will definitely give its all!!!"
The next moment—
The Small Folk chief also arrived at the scene.
She was only a foot tall, wearing a long emerald green dress, with a flower wreath made of fresh flowers on her head.
Accompanying her was the Merfolk chief.
The process need not be elaborated; in short, the chiefs of the monsters all presented gifts to Chen Hai, and the human merchant caravan that was saved was no exception.
Just like this… the chiefs of the various races excitedly shouted.
"Long live Lord Chen Hai!!!"
For the monsters, the establishment of the 'Chenhai Federation' completely changed their destiny.
With a backer, they feared no enemies;
With companions, they supported each other;
With a stronghold, they could survive.
As Chen Hai thought of this, an anomaly occurred in the sky.
He then looked up.
A dazzling light streaked across the sky, like a meteor falling to earth, yet it suddenly hovered just before touching the ground, and then landed steadily.
That was a girl.
A girl whose body was enveloped in violent magic power that subtly twisted space—Demon Lord Milim Nava.
She stood with her hands on her hips, a mischievous and flamboyant smile on her lips.
"Hey—Chen Hai! The event can't just end like this!"
Milim said, then pulled Chen Hai to the center of the venue.
This made Chen Hai involuntarily ask.
"Milim, what trick are you up to now?"
"Hehe, of course—a surprise!"
Milim blinked, slowly raised her hands, palms facing each other.
In an instant, space twisted accordingly.
The controlled star particles transformed into a vortex that swallowed nothingness, continuously condensing.
"Watch closely!"
Milim gave a soft cry, then suddenly threw her hands upward!
The condensed mass of star particles shot into the sky, drawing a dazzling trajectory in the air, soaring straight into the clouds.
Immediately after… the star particle 'energy ball' exploded with a roar at its highest point!
Boom—!!!
A colossal roar that shook heaven and earth, the entire forest seemed to tremble.
The terrifying impact spread like ripples, instantly forming an enormous pattern that looked like Chen Hai's statue… "How is it! That's Chen Hai! Isn't it beautiful! Isn't he handsome!"
Milim smiled at Chen Hai.
Demon Lord Milim's 'unique ability'—Star Particle Manipulation: giving destruction a direction, only affecting a limited space.
The origin of this ultimate magic, whose maximum output could cause a 'supernova explosion,' has now become fireworks to celebrate Chen Hai's establishment of a nation…!
From this, one thing could be confirmed—cooperating with Milim was the smartest decision.