Chapter 211 - 144: SSR-Grade Talent, Master Level Cooking Proficiency

Chapter 211: Chapter 144: SSR-Grade Talent, Master Level Cooking Proficiency

"I hear you want to join my territory?" Shen Xing asked, looking at the group of refugees before him.

The people exchanged glances. A middle-aged man dressed in rough leather armor, with a long whip hanging from his waist, stepped out from the crowd.

"Honorable Lord, may you be well."

The middle-aged man first bowed, then explained, "We are a group of homeless refugees. We were passing through your treasured land during our travels and came to pay a special visit."

"If you are willing to take us in, we will repay you with our work and labor."

Shen Xing glanced at him, his expression unchanging. "I can take you in. As it happens, my territory is short on people right now."

Upon hearing this, joyful expressions appeared on the refugees’ faces.

But then, Shen Xing’s next words made their expressions freeze. "However, before that, you need to tell me where you’re from, and... whether you can commit to working here long-term."

He could naturally see the fundamental difference between this group of refugees and those slave laborers.

Those slave laborers all had vacant eyes, looking like they were just living one day at a time, willing to work desperately for a mouthful of food.

But these refugees, there was a light in their eyes, as if they had some kind of purpose.

If they worked for a few days and then ran off, it would be a considerable loss for Grand Lord Shen.

Faced with the young man’s pointed question, the refugees fell silent.

The middle-aged man in leather armor stepped forward again. "Honorable Lord, we are just a group of homeless refugees with no special status."

"And we will definitely work here for the long term."

"Are you sure?"

Shen Xing stared directly into his eyes, his voice low.

The middle-aged man’s body stiffened, and his gaze instinctively darted away.

’I don’t know why, but this Lord is clearly only at Tier Two, and he’s younger than me.’

’But when I meet his gaze, I actually feel nervous, like I can’t even breathe.’

He sighed, knowing he couldn’t hide it any longer. He replied solemnly, "Honorable Lord, to be honest with you, we are actually from Videng Royal City."

"But please rest assured, we will definitely work for you here long-term, as long as we have food and a place to live."

After a pause, a bitter smile touched the corners of his mouth. "Besides, we have nowhere else to go."

"Videng Royal City..." Shen Xing thought for a moment, then asked, "Is that the giant city under the Control of the Hedersen Monarch?"

He had heard that group of Slave Laborers mention the place when he conquered the Silver Holy Land.

The map showed it was the closest Royal City to his territory, only a little over a hundred kilometers away.

"Yes," the middle-aged man replied.

"As far as I know, isn’t Videng Royal City sealed?" Shen Xing narrowed his eyes. "So how did you get out?"

The middle-aged man hesitated for a moment before replying, "Actually... we escaped."

"The continuous heavy rain in recent days caused many of the guards to show symptoms of losing control. Monsters also appeared in the Fog, and the city was in chaos."

"Taking advantage of the situation, I led over a hundred civilians out through the sewers. Many died along the way, and now only these few of us are left."

Shen Xing didn’t speak, instead pondering the information in the man’s words.

’Clearly, this middle-aged man must still be holding some things back.’

’But it doesn’t matter. As long as I can confirm these people will work here long-term, that’s enough.’

"I’ll take your group."

Shen Xing said in a low voice, "I don’t care what your status was in the past. As long as you join my territory, you will all be treated equally."

"Of course, I will also provide you with enough Food, warm shelter, and a safe environment."

After speaking, he activated ’Mass Recruitment’ on the group of refugees.

[Recruitment successful! Kael Sanders, Rees, Gordon... have joined your territory. Population +54]

...

The moment the notification sounded, all the refugees felt a special Power surge into their bodies.

They looked at each other, seeing the shock in each other’s eyes!

"Wh-what happened?" a young man exclaimed, clutching his head in astonishment. "I feel like my mind has suddenly become so much clearer. A lot of knowledge I couldn’t remember is now much sharper."

"Me too! My mind is suddenly full of so many techniques for cooking and preparing food," a middle-aged woman said, completely stunned.

"By the gods... what is this?"

All the refugees found it utterly incredible, as if they had no idea how they had all suddenly become smarter.

Shen Xing understood. This was clearly the effect of the +1 to sub-class level from [Rain God’s Blessing] and the Talent increase from the [Golden Ancient Tree].

"Honorable Lord..." the middle-aged man asked tentatively. "Excuse me, is this an ability you have bestowed upon us?"

"Mm," Shen Xing nodded. "This is a Special Ability of my territory. Only my subjects can enjoy it."

Hearing this, deep shock and awe filled the eyes of the refugees.

"By the gods, to think such a magical ability exists! This must be a territory blessed by a Divine Spirit!"

"That’s right! We are so lucky to have been able to join such a sacred territory!"

"Praise the Lord!"

All the refugees prostrated themselves, their voices filled with sincere reverence.

Shen Xing remained silent, his gaze sweeping over the prostrating refugees one by one.

[Zachary Knight]

[Level: 4]

[Potential: Ordinary ★]

[Skills: None]

[Life Skills: Intermediate Carpenter (Can craft high-end wooden furniture and carve exquisite patterns)]