Of course, the residents of the Inner Sea Desert have more than just the characteristic of "generally maturing early."

They are also very simple and honest.

The number of newcomers seeking refuge continues to increase.

In their hearts, the newcomers are actually quite anxious, uncertain if they will be accepted by the Wildfire Territory.

Therefore, they brought not only their families, but also... gifts.

On the one hand, it's a gesture to show they are not here to take advantage for free.

On the other hand, these gifts, though not valuable, carry heavy and sincere goodwill.

They represent gratitude.

To those seeking refuge, the Wildfire Territory once saved their lives, not just Andrew, the lord, but also Barbara, An Ya, and the original residents of the Wildfire Territory who, in the five most difficult days, chose acceptance and aid over self-preservation and rejection.

This, to the simple desert residents, is a great act of kindness.

So even if they are not ultimately accepted by the Wildfire Territory, these gifts and gratitude must still be given.

An Ya, of course, did not accept these gifts.

Not only did she not accept the gifts, she followed Andrew's wishes and warmly welcomed the newcomers.

On one hand, An Ya conducted a population census of all those seeking refuge, not limited to basic information like names and genders but also including individuals' talents. Leaving information on this population survey means being part of the Wildfire Territory in the future, indistinguishable from the original residents of the territory.

On the other hand, An Ya took only one day to draft the first expansion plan for the Wildfire Territory!

Town expansion is a large-scale project involving many aspects.

It's not something Andrew can just casually conjure out of thin air with Water Magic.

Therefore, this expansion project requires the collective participation of everyone!

An Ya made the project plan public to the entire Wildfire Territory. A very important point in the plan is: recruiting all willing and capable workers to participate in the expansion of the Wildfire Territory, with the daily wage being... drinking water!

"Drinking water? Participating in the expansion project will earn drinking water?!"

The original residents of the Wildfire Territory were all stunned.

They knew that the words "drinking water" in the Inner Sea Desert are equivalent to "gold" and are the most precious thing.

Once, Aunt Sofia had to sleep with Ivan to earn high-quality drinking water for little Sophie!

All the original residents of the Wildfire Territory felt this deeply.

The newcomers from all parts of the desert felt an overwhelming shock in their hearts!

Thinking to themselves, not only have they accepted us, allowing us to live permanently, but they also refused gifts?

Not only did they refuse the gifts, but now they are also... providing job opportunities?!

Such a good thing doesn't require any thought, of course one has to participate!

So soon, under An Ya's coordination, work on accepting the influx of new residents from all over the desert and expanding the Wildfire Territory swiftly began.

Facts have proven that talent is abundant wherever you go.

Although the residents from various parts of the desert were malnourished and poorly clothed, surviving in such a harsh desert environment meant each carried a skill or talent.

The talent records An Ya made during the population statistics came into play at this time.

An Ya used each person's different talents, letting everyone—both original and newcomers—utilize their skills in a way where everyone participated efficiently in the expansion!

"But with so many of us, can we really receive water?"

Many still had some doubts in their hearts.

An Ya dispelled these doubts by having Andrew, the Chief Mage and Magic Lord of the Wildfire Territory, personally participate in the first day of the expansion project with everyone.

Then, at the end of a day's work, Andrew was the first to go to the territory's Magic Laboratory in the center to receive his reward, the clear drinking water!

"Amazing, Sister An Ya is truly amazing!"

Andrew, outwardly carrying out the tasks entrusted by An Ya meticulously, was inwardly full of admiration for An Ya, almost falling to his knees in respect.

Isn't this the story of Shang Yang erecting a wooden pole at the south gate?

Shang Yang wanted to implement reforms, but the common people did not trust him and were skeptical, so Shang Yang ordered a wooden pole to be erected at the south gate of the capital, declaring, "Whoever can carry the pole to the north gate will be rewarded!"

Initially, the people did not believe and thought it too outrageous.

Until someone decided to try it, and indeed received the reward.

This instantly gained the people's trust and enthusiasm!

"I clearly have read this story, yet I never thought I could use this method." This was the true point Andrew admired about An Ya, "Allowing me to personally participate in the expansion project and being the first to lead to fetch water—this idea was completely An Ya's own!"

Everyone was already shocked to see Lord, the esteemed Mage Andrew, doing a lot of the dirty and tiring tasks in the expansion alongside them.

When they saw Andrew take the lead, receiving drinking water from Barbara, they were momentarily stunned, then finally erupted into collective cheers and excitement!

Finally, they completely believed in An Ya's newly introduced expansion policy!

Most importantly, their inner enthusiasm was fully ignited!

What people didn't know was that An Ya was also internally shocked.

Because she finally confirmed: "We in Wildfire Territory really have a lot of water. Lord Andrew wasn't lying to me. Where exactly is all this water coming from?"

Barbara also wanted to ask where all this water was coming from.

At that time, Barbara was assisting Andrew and An Ya in distributing drinking water at the entrance of the Magic Laboratory. However, what she was more curious about was: "It's fine that I'm helping to distribute drinking water, but why is there such a strange sign next to me?"

Yes, the sign.

This time, it was Andrew's idea.

Outside what once was Humboldt's Magic Laboratory, beside Barbara who was responsible for distributing drinking water, there was a sign.

On the sign was what Andrew genuinely wanted to say to all the desert residents who were coming to seek refuge with him—

Welcome to Wildfire Territory!

And another sentence, which Andrew found too cheesy to write down, was: Thank you all for coming to Wildfire Territory and helping us build a new home together!

Among the crowd, Aunt Sophia had tears in her eyes.

"This... this is exactly what I wanted. What I wanted was just this." Aunt Sophia wiped away her tears, "It was just this, having a dignified job so my daughter could drink clean water! It's so wonderful, truly wonderful..."

Excited and grateful, she also felt a bit angry with herself: "When Andrew needed help the most, I really should have given my full support and assistance together with little Sophie!"

They saw Andrew receive a portion of drinking water and carefully put it away.

Then he walked quietly through the excited, cheering crowd towards Shire.

Thanks to "Water Spirit Sensing," he could feel another group of Desolate Beasts approaching, soon to arrive.

After reaching Tier Three, his magic power transformed, and his total magic power had silently increased day by day. The coverage area for "Water Spirit Sensing" also rose accordingly.

Even before the group of Desolate Beasts truly arrived, Andrew had already sensed them in advance.

"Lord Andrew, please... please wait a moment..."

Purple, dragging Little White, caught up and called out.

Her expression was as excited as everyone else's, yet there was a touch of hesitation.

"What's the matter?" Andrew turned back, thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled, "Don't worry, our agreement remains unchanged. I've already arranged for people to deliver the magic potion for critically ill patients to various towns' Living People Cemeteries. Afterward, I would trouble Aunt Purple to bring more ordinary patients to Wildfire Territory, and I will naturally personally treat them."

Purple couldn't help but nod repeatedly: "Thank you! Thank you, my lord!"

When she first met Andrew, she had some reservations about his healing abilities, but now she truly called him "my lord" from the heart, rather than just "Mr. Andrew the little mage."

Andrew nodded at Purple, patted Little White's head, then continued on towards Shire, not disturbing the residents who had worked all day and were now joyfully lining up to receive drinking water, stepping softly with the "Water-Traveling Boots."

Though walking away from everyone, under the cover of "Water Spirit Sensing," the true smiles on people's faces flowed like a clean spring through Andrew's heart.

The Wildfire Territory under the glow of the setting sun was perhaps, for the first time in history, shrouded in a scene of laughter and joy.

Andrew, with a smile on his face, quietly made his way towards Shire beyond the territory, carrying a sense of quietly achieving success and renown.

From this day forward, Wildfire Territory began its rapid and transformative expansion and change.

As for Andrew, he perhaps hadn't even realized yet that the subconscious transformation in his outlook was: regardless of magic, from the standpoint and perspective of considering issues, he had now entirely adopted the mindset and thought process of a 'Lord.'

The so-called lordship, while difficult, is actually simple.

In essence, it is truly just a sense of intention.

This sense of intention, long before crossing over, Andrew had heard countless times, and it is that phrase—

To serve the people (residents)!

A plethora of tear-shaped Fire Extinguishing Values were being redeemed in large swaths from the square in front of the Magic Laboratory, self-directedly converging towards Andrew.

But in reality, the change in mentality was the greatest and, in the long run, most important growth for Andrew this time.

"I had only heard of that legendary 'spirit of the knight' before," Andrew smiled slightly, "Now I finally understand, that being a lord also has its exclusive... 'spirit of the lord!'

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