1660: Born

Born

Using the Medial Upper Tribes control over the Inferior Upper Tribes, it was only logical that their subordinates would be swept under Dyon's control. By extension, the named and numbered tribes under them all also fell under Dyon's fist.  2

The battle that ensued with the Superior Upper Tribe wasn't even worth mentioning. 

Dyon had prepared well for them, taking the whole of their subordinate Clans under his wing and organizing and equipping them all, he even took the vanguard of the attack. On top of this, Dyon had planned on using the explosion type stones as a final trump card in case things didn't go his way. But who knew the mighty Superior Upper Tribe was snap like dead wood. 

Despite their having the best warriors and largest population of the Region, the assault of the wyverns was too much for them to handle. There was a reason even they didn't dare to venture into the mountain range. 

In the end, the war of this Region only lasted so long because of the forest terrain and the wild beasts.

In just a single month, Dyon conquered the Region. But, in the following 2 months, the real work began. 

The first task was to clear the forest. Obviously, Dyon had no intention of clearing the whole of the forest. Though it might make things more convenient, it made things more convenient for his enemies as well. He had no intention getting rid of so much natural protection. 

Instead, Dyon established 5 major cities and 3 major forts. 

The forests he cleared were only enough for these cities, while leaving the thickest parts of the forest untouched. What once were impossible to dent ancient trees became frail under Dyon's new power and the wyverns. 

As for the forts, he built two of them directly within these thick forests, taking advantage of the terrain. 

The final fort was built within the former territory of the wyverns. There was no reason to give up this territory, so Dyon decided to make use of it as an anchor point. He could make use of it to not only conquer the remainder of the mountain range in due time, once he did conquer the mountain range, he would also have direct access to the next region. 

Following this, Dyon split his population which had reached more than 50 000 evenly within the five major cities, ruling them with rules he modified from the Mortal Alliance Laws. He wanted to slowly acclimate them to his leading style because he planned to one day bring them to the Mortal Plane, but he also couldn't be as lax.

Afterward, Dyon focused on vastly improving the way of life. 

He cleared the beasts, chasing them into the thick forests surrounding the two forts. He built deep trenches extending from the murderous water sources to the cities, artificially creating vast networks of rivers and small lakes. And finally, he set laws to protect individual rights. 

Finally, Dyon began building an army of elites. He couldn't continue to cobble together tribesmen he conquered. He needed a true army, one he could pour his resources into. 

Humans didn't have the same restrictions as beasts. Namely, they were far more intelligent. As a result, Dyon didn't need to train them from infancy to gain an instinct for manipulating qi, he could teach them. 

By the end of the 3 month period, Dyon had built his army of elites. 

1000 male and female warriors, all with qi sensitivity far surpassing that of their peers and strength a single step above even the bull-bird. 

Currently, they could only use essence grade qi as Dyon simply didn't have enough resources to allow them any better. But, Dyon was certain that had he had them from the beginning, conquering this Region would have only taken a few days. 

Though they weren't as powerful individually as the beasts, they had a sharpness only humans could have and a willingness to work together. 

Dyon didn't think it right to give them the same Demon General title. Instead, he gave them another name. 

Like this, the Titans were born. 

...

{Persistence is a good thing to have for a martial warrior, but persistence along the wrong path leads to folly, young one. Is there a need for you to be so stubborn?}

{What was the point of your entry into Calming Lake? What did it achieve? This isn't a place you use to just build taller walls, you need to break down walls with weak foundations to build up one with a stronger foundation. What is the point of you being here if you're not going to exit as a changed man?}

Three months. No, nearly four of constant pestering. The patience of the Crystal Dragon Ancestors seemed endless, they all had a calm disposition fitting for the Agios Clan. 

Even continuous drops of water could eventually split a boulder. 

It was safe to say that Dyon had last longer in Calming Lake than anyone else of his cultivation could, at least in recent memory. Even Little Lyla only endured for a few weeks at a time before taking a break. Yet, despite the near four months of perpetual hardship, Dyon had yet to descend to the fourth tier. 

This wasn't to say that Dyon didn't benefit at all. In fact, it could be said that he was benefitting greatly. He was no closer to becoming the man he wanted to be, but his mental energy stores were skyrocketing. 

At first, it was hardly noticeable. But, the more he endured the constant stream of attacks, and the more streams of consciousnesses that he devoured, the greater his focus became. 

Mental Energy, despite its title, wasn't something easily quantifiable. One could measure conventional energy by cultivation stage, or strength output, or even control, but mental energy couldn't be defined so easily. 

To make matters worse, mental energy couldn't be cultivated just because you wanted to. It was something that could only gradually increase with time and persistence. 

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