Chapter 1816: Chapter 1816

With sufficient strength and influence, no one dares to challenge them now. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Du You began a frenzied expansion, continuously sending out various armies to the outside world.

Along with the local troops they took in, they combined and directly stationed on the spot. The rıghtful source is 𝖓𝖔𝖛𝖊𝖑~𝖋𝖎𝖗𝖾~𝖓𝖊𝖙

One special settlement after another formed. Underground, Du You had the Kobolds dig, establishing underground settlements, even cities, where functional buildings were constructed.

With so many people from the outside to provide cover, these places developed rapidly.

The population kept increasing, and so did the number of troops. Having finally found a stable life, and after cultivating the Secret Methods Du You spread, these people’s mental states gradually changed.

The loyal ones completely hid the nearby changes, so the outside world remained unaware.

With residential buildings at their disposal, they lacked no food, so many people could be hidden here. Using some special circumstances, these manufactured residents and troops would secretly transfer to other places.

In general, both troops and residents in every place kept increasing. Over time, these manufactured populations gradually exceeded the numbers Du You had gathered. By now, even Du You didn’t know how much he had collected.

This situation was especially common in the Werewolf Empire, whose underground was almost being built into another empire by Du You.

It must be said, the Kobold’s talent in excavation is unmatched. When backed by strong power, this talent becomes even more terrifying. Coupled with some special digging tools created by Du You, achieving today’s scale was no longer surprising; the Werewolves probably didn’t even know what was happening in their country.

Of course, perhaps they were aware, but only a few, and even then, not in detail.

If they knew the Kobolds in their domain outnumbered and outpowered them, their spirits wouldn’t be as high. Though the Werewolves have many top-level experts, they truly pale by comparison.

Over the years, Du You kept hiring out some seventh-tier Kobolds or other strong individuals.

Even races like the Lion People came to hire their own strong tribesmen. It seems they wanted to get them into their camp, away from Du You’s Kobold United Empire. Unfortunately, these were protectors created by the Skill Hall, and no matter how they persuaded, it was all in vain.

In recent years, Du You’s area has become the place with the most seventh-tier powerhouses.

To avoid trouble, Du You lets some seventh-tier protectors go elsewhere, pretending they just advanced or appeared. This helps share some pressure.

If too many seventh-tiers showed up around them, it would be troublesome.

Du You didn’t even have them officially join the Kobold Empire but had them join other clans or roam alone, using various means to increase their influence.

Overall, as time passed, the Kobold Empire’s mercenaries and Du You’s protectors gradually spread widely, sweeping through the entire southern region.

Now among the major tribes in the south, if you don’t see any Kobolds or similar mercenary troops, it is a very strange sight. Only the truly powerful clans wouldn’t operate .

But likewise, as matters developed this far, it couldn’t be kept secret any longer.

People from other major regions suddenly discovered one day that the south had already turned into the Kobolds’ territory. This place housed the most Kobolds of any tribe and was also the strongest.

Not only were there many, but the Kobolds’ strength was formidable, especially their defense, which surpassed their offense. This made it very difficult to kill them.

Moreover, the number of Kobold experts kept increasing. Somehow, the Kobold United Empire had more than twenty seventh-tier powerhouses publicly known.

This number was quite impressive among many tribes. If no eighth-tier powerhouses were born, the Kobold tribe would’ve become an upper-class race by now. Still, even now, Kobolds are a mid-level race.

Moreover, they are among the top of the mid-level races. After all, among the Beastman Clans with no eighth-tier powerhouses, having so many seventh-tiers is rare.

Only some naturally powerful tribes could suppress them in this regard.

Honestly, the reason the Wolf People still manage to suppress Kobolds is the existence of eighth-tiers among them. As a powerful race, the pride of the Wolfman has always been justified.

Looking at the reports in hand, Du You was very satisfied: "Very good, the influence is almost sufficient. It’s quite slow taking so many years to sweep the south."

This was the first time Du You used such a gentle, inconspicuous approach for development.

Previously, he always forcibly occupied and then enhanced his influence by increasing his strength.

This time, he didn’t use his power to boost his influence, but rather expanded clan influence to increase territory experience. Though slow, it wasn’t entirely without gain.

Moreover, the lands weren’t forcibly taken but expanded bit by bit through employment.

This method was even less noticeable. Though nominally through employment, this form was not uncommon among the Beastman Clans, Du You just did it on a bigger scale. They wouldn’t think those hired would still answer to Du You.

After all, the distance was too far and independent regions had already formed. In their view, just given enough time, two to three generations later, those people would lean towards them. This essentially increases their population and strength, so why not. Many even secretly mocked Du You’s approach.

As for the area outside the southern region, it wasn’t just mocking Du You, but also mocking the south together.

Being under Kobold domination was not pleasant. Aside from the south, even though other places saw overall status improvement for Kobolds, individual treatment didn’t change.

Because their strength was inadequate, and their wits were lacking, this couldn’t be helped; fate wasn’t easy to alter.