The morning in the grove was unusually still, the calm before a storm Selene could feel building in the air. Her Fae Lords moved efficiently, overseeing their respective tasks. The grove's operations were running like clockwork now: sprites and elementals gathered resources, foxes hunted for food, and the teleportation circles connected her growing network of territories. But Selene knew she couldn’t grow complacent. The Boundless Continent was vast, and the lords in it were as much a threat as the beasts.

  Selene approached the Fae Circle, its runes glowing faintly in the early light. She felt its power humming, waiting to be called upon.

  《System Alert: Day 5》

  《Court of the Fae Lords is alive with mystical energy!》

  《Do you want to summon two Fae Lords?》

  《Yes》《No》

  She selected 《Yes》, and the circle flared to life. The runes spun faster, their glow intensifying as the energy built. The grove seemed to hold its breath as two figures emerged from the light.

  The first was tall and graceful, her body adorned with shimmering crystals that refracted the sunlight into a dazzling array of colors. Her eyes sparkled like diamonds, and her voice was as smooth as polished stone.

  “I am the Fae Lady of Gems,” she said, her voice steady and regal. “A Tier 1 Fae Lord. I command crystal sprites, gem serpents, and ore guardians. My domain is wealth and resilience, and I serve you, Queen of Balance.”

  The second figure was starkly different. He was cloaked in dense fog, his features obscured by the swirling mist. Only his glowing silver eyes were visible, and his voice was soft but carried an air of mystery.

  “I am the Fae Lord of Mists,” he said, bowing low. “A Tier 1 Fae Lord. I command foglings, wraith hounds, and veiled guardians. My domain is concealment and confusion, and I am yours to command.”

  Selene studied the two new Fae Lords with a nod of approval. Their unique domains would complement her existing forces well, adding versatility and strength to her growing army.

  “Welcome,” she said. “Your abilities will serve the grove well. Claim your places in the castle.”

  As tradition dictated, the Fae Lords approached the castle. Lady Gems placed her hands on the white side of the structure, and crystalline growths sprouted along its walls, shimmering in the light. Lord Mists claimed a section of the black side, and tendrils of fog began to seep through the stones, adding an eerie, mysterious quality to the castle.

  《System Alert: Castle Upgraded!》

  《The castle reflects the growing balance of its Queen and her Fae Lords.》

  Selene stepped back, admiring the changes. The castle was now a sprawling masterpiece of elemental harmony and Fae magic. It was both a fortress and a symbol of her power.

  Later that morning, as Selene reviewed her resources and plans, a system prompt interrupted her thoughts.

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  《System Alert: Hostile Presence Detected》

  《A scouting party from another Lord’s territory has entered the edge of your grove.》

  Selene’s expression hardened. This was the first time another Lord had encroached on her territory. She opened her map and saw the markers near the eastern edge of the grove, close to the quarry Magma’s elementals had been mining.

  “Ember, Mists,” Selene called, summoning the two Fae Lords to her side. “A scouting party has entered our territory. Take your forces and intercept them. Find out who sent them but do not engage unless necessary.”

  Ember grinned, her fiery aura crackling with excitement. “About time we had some action.”

  Mists nodded silently, his form already beginning to blur into the fog as he moved to follow.

  The two Fae Lords returned an hour later, their forces trailing behind them. Ember looked frustrated, while Mists was as unreadable as ever.

  “They fled before we could get close,” Ember said, scowling. “Cowards ran the moment they sensed us.”

  “They left no obvious trail,” Mists added, his voice low. “But I did manage to discern their banner—green and gold, marked with a serpent.”

  Selene’s eyes narrowed. She didn’t recognize the banner, but it was clear that other lords were beginning to take notice of her. This was a warning, intentional or not. She would need to fortify her grove even further.

  Selene turned her attention to the Trade Interface. Her vassals, SilverLily and IronFist, had been diligent in selling meat and using the profits to strengthen their territories. The listings under their names were still selling out quickly, and the influx of energy stones and cores had been a boon to the grove.

  But the incident with the scouting party made Selene cautious. She reached out to both vassals through the private communication channel.

  《QueenOfBalance: Be on guard. A scouting party entered my territory today. Watch for anything unusual near yours. Report immediately if you notice anything.》

  SilverLily responded quickly. 《SilverLily: Understood. I’ll have my defenders patrol the borders.》

  IronFist followed shortly after. 《IronFist: Got it. I’ll keep an eye out.》

  Satisfied, Selene closed the chat and began planning her next moves. The hostile presence was a reminder that her growing network of territories made her a target. She needed to expand her influence further, both to strengthen her position and to create a buffer against potential threats.

  That afternoon, one of Lady Gems’ crystal sprites returned to the grove carrying an unusual object. It was a small, golden orb etched with intricate runes, pulsing faintly with energy.

  《System Alert: Rare Artifact Discovered!》

  《Contents: Territory Expansion Token》

  《Effect: Instantly claim an adjacent plot of land.》

  Selene smiled. The artifact was exactly what she needed to secure the area near the eastern quarry. She opened her map and selected the adjacent plot of land, watching as the token’s energy flared and spread outward.

  《System Alert: Territory Expanded!》

  《New resource nodes unlocked. Hostile threats neutralized.》

  With the new land under her control, Selene immediately dispatched Forest and her root-bound defenders to secure the area and begin harvesting resources.

  As night fell, Selene stood on the castle steps, gazing out at her grove. The day had been eventful—new Fae Lords, a scouting party, and a rare artifact that had expanded her territory. Each step brought her closer to solidifying her power in the Boundless Continent.

  Her Fae Lords gathered around her, their loyalty and confidence unwavering. Selene’s voice was calm but resolute as she addressed them.

  “Our enemies are watching,” she said. “But we are stronger. Tomorrow, we continue to build. We will not falter.”

  The Fae Lords bowed, their combined strength a reflection of Selene’s growing influence. The Queen of Balance turned her gaze to the horizon, her plans unfolding like the threads of a web. The Boundless Continent would learn to respect her, or it would fall beneath her feet.