Global Lords: My Territory Heart Is a World Tree

’If I just push a little harder next month, I might break into the top ten thousand and advance to the third phase.’

Just then, a huge cloud of dust billowed in the distance. A large contingent had arrived at the foot of Mei Yuan’s city walls. A group of unfamiliar lords led the way; they didn’t look like they were from around here.

"Is Lord Mei here?"

"Which one of you is Lord Mei Yuan?"

The unfamiliar lords shouted one after another.

From atop the city wall, Mei Yuan quickly answered, "I’m Mei Yuan! I’m right here! What brings all of you here?"

"Lord Mei, what are you doing? We’ve been calling for you in the World Channel for ages, but you haven’t responded!"

Mei Yuan replied, "My apologies. We’re in the middle of something here and haven’t had a chance to check the chat channels. What can I do for you?"

"Lord Mei, didn’t you say you could give us a chance to turn our fortunes around? Well, here we are—all of us underdogs."

"Hahaha, perfect timing! I was just telling these lords about this very opportunity to turn things around. Why don’t you all listen in?"

"After you’ve heard me out, anyone who’s interested can stay. Those who aren’t are free to leave. I won’t force anyone."

Mei Yuan was overjoyed. He hadn’t expected so many people to actually believe the tall tales he’d casually spun in the chat group a few days ago.

He straightened his clothes, descended from the city wall, and made his way to the city gate to address the lords gathered before him.

"It’s my honor to have you all here today. As a..."

"My territory now possesses an incredible ability: it can permanently promote Excellent-rank heroes to the Exceptional rank."

"While promoting a hero costs a fair amount of resources, if you promise to join me next month in taking down those nobles and their spoiled heirs, I’ll promote your heroes free of charge. What can I say? I’m just a softie. I can’t bear to see my fellow lords continue to languish like this..."

Just as Mei Yuan was in the middle of his passionate speech, a dissonant voice cut in.

"Lord Mei Yuan, what if we don’t want to join you in attacking the high-ranking lords next month? Can we still get our Excellent-rank heroes promoted for free?"

The speaker was Lord Xiong. He swaggered out of the crowd and, flanked by his soldiers, walked right up to Mei Yuan.

Mei Yuan’s eyes flickered, unsure of what game Lord Xiong was playing. However, to keep the other lords on his side, he said, "Normally, I would have to charge. But, since I still owe you twenty thousand points, I’ll make you a deal. If you agree to forgive that debt for now, I’ll promote ten of your Excellent-rank heroes for free."

"Hahaha, no, no, forget it. I couldn’t possibly ask Lord Mei to go to all that trouble for me. Besides, I only have eleven Excellent-rank heroes in my territory, and they’ve all been promoted already. So, I think I’ll just trouble you to pay back my points now, Lord Mei."

Unexpectedly, Mei Yuan’s answer didn’t have Lord Xiong happily offering up his Excellent-rank heroes. On the contrary, it made him want to back out.

But just because he didn’t want the free opportunity didn’t mean that others didn’t.

"Heh, Lord Xiong, so what if your territory doesn’t need it? Mine does!"

"Since you don’t want the perk, just transfer the debt to me. I’ll give you the twenty thousand points, then Lord Mei won’t owe you anything. The ten free promotion slots will be mine. What do you say, Lord Mei?"

Mei Yuan paused for a second. "No problem. Of course, no problem. It’s all the same to me who I’m in debt to."

"Haha, great! Come on, Lord Xiong, I’ll transfer you the points."

"Lord Mei, you owe us points too! Does that mean we get free slots as well?"

"Yes, you all do! All of you!"

...

At the foot of Mei Yuan’s city walls, the lords who had come to collect their debts erupted into a frenzy. They weren’t particularly keen on joining Mei Yuan to attack the high-ranking lords next month, but the prospect of getting free hero promotions was too good to pass up.

They were confident that a lord with an ability like this was bound to make a huge splash next month, at which point he would certainly be able to repay his debts.

Only a few lords sensed that something wasn’t quite right. They transferred their debts and the associated free slots to the other lords present, took their points, and departed quietly alongside Lord Xiong.

The lords who remained, however, were lost in the celebratory frenzy.

...