Chapter 56: Challenge to the Core Pollution Zone
After Black-Eyed Rui Ge updated the strategy post, he put on his helmet and entered the Twisted Three Kingdoms world.
"Finally back!"
"The real-world body is just too weak!"
"This body really feels much more exhilarating!"
Black-Eyed Rui Ge's body had been resting in the barracks for five hours.
At this moment, his energy, stamina, and overall condition had all fully recovered.
The rewards from the Hexi Village Defense Battle event were plentiful, allowing him not only to train Gale Steps to level 10 and gain a permanent 10-point boost in Agility, but also greatly upgrade his equipment!
He wore a Yellow Turban Army headscarf on his head, a Yellow Turban Army shawl over his shoulders, and a Yellow Turban Army breastplate on his body.
His Ranger Short Sword had also been enhanced using four gemstones, now upgraded to Mid-Grade White.
All his equipment had at least three layers of enhancement.
The Ranger Short Sword had been enhanced to five layers!
The Yellow Turban War Bow had been enhanced to four layers!
Swapping a musket for a cannon!
Although this wave had exhausted his contribution points and personal reserve of essence, it had greatly improved his personal strength, making him ready to face more severe challenges and join even more dangerous adventures!
Black-Eyed Rui Ge walked out of the Crude Soldiers' Barracks with anticipation, only to see that outside, a lot had changed.
Three or four dozen strong young men were transporting various materials like wood and stone.
"Lord Black-Eyed!"
"Greetings, Lord Black-Eyed!"
The villagers immediately recognized Rui Ge.
His goblin-like appearance was simply too recognizable.
Black-Eyed Rui Ge was a little surprised, "What are you doing?"
One of the villagers replied, "We are the construction team organized by the Lord, responsible for renovating and rebuilding the territory in the coming period."
So that was it!
Although each of the Lord's buildings had a special function, the structure and decoration of these buildings could be freely remodeled and significantly altered.
The territory’s buildings were generally very crude.
Take the four soldier barracks for example — they were essentially large common sleeping areas built like tents.
Seeing them like this, it was indeed necessary to renovate and upgrade them.
Having the Fourth Calamity Army handle this kind of work would be too wasteful.
After all, the Fourth Calamity Army had immortal bodies; naturally, they should be dedicated to adventuring and territory expansion.
At times like these, the young labor force from Hexi Village was needed — and this was one of the reasons why the Lord had conquered Hexi Village.
Black-Eyed Rui Ge said, "Thanks for your hard work, everyone!"
"Hahaha!"
"You're too kind! Too kind!"
"The Lord and the Fourth Calamity Army have spared no effort to protect Hexi Village!"
"We must do our best to build and repay the territory! Otherwise, wouldn’t we be ungrateful?"
"......"
The villagers were full of enthusiasm.
This made Black-Eyed Rui Ge feel a sense of comfort.
The immersion and sense of involvement in the Twisted Three Kingdoms world were simply too strong.
Black-Eyed Rui Ge had already truly integrated into the territory from the bottom of his heart.
He believed he was not the only one.
All players must feel the same — this place felt like everyone’s shared spiritual home, filled with a sense of belonging.
He hoped the territory would get better and better!
He hoped the Fourth Calamity Army would grow stronger and stronger!
Black-Eyed Rui Ge also noticed many new faces.
Today’s ten lucky players had arrived on time once again.
The player count had grown to sixty.
At this speed, it wasn’t slow at all, considering this was still just the first closed beta!
"Rui Ge!"
"Perfect timing!"
"Everyone’s waiting for you!"
Over thirty players had gathered in the hall.
Lone Boat, Little Bell, Ye Li Meng, Street Slayer, and Midnight Pig Slayer were all present.
Each familiar face looked spirited.
Everyone’s equipment had been updated, and their weapons generally emitted a white glow — everyone's strength had significantly improved.
"What’s going on?"
"Take a look at the quest bar and you’ll know!"
The task bulletin board in the Lord’s Hall had several new tasks available for free pick-up!
The development of this game was truly ever-changing.
He had only eaten a meal, gone to the bathroom, and posted a thread, yet so many new things had already happened.
"The territory has issued three new tasks, two of which have rich rewards. We’re planning to do them together." Ye Li Meng, wearing a mighty leather armor set, announced heroically, "This time, we’ll first head to He Ting Township to find the Fate Crystal Stone, and then enter the Core Pollution Zone to face the big boss!"
Black-Eyed Rui Ge glanced at the task details.
————
【Task Name: Activate the Fate Crystal Stone at He Ting Township!】
【Task Content: Players are requested to once again head to He Ting Township, find the local Fate Crystal Stone, and activate it.】
【Task Reward: 1000 Contribution Points (can be divided among the team)!】
————
【Task Name: Investigate the Core Pollution Zone.】
【Task Content: Players are requested to go to the Luoshui Execution Ground, investigate the pollution there, and locate Ma Yuanyi's hiding place.】
【Task Reward: 6000 Contribution Points (can be divided among the team)!】
The two tasks together had a bounty of 7000 Contribution Points!
For an individual, this was an astronomical amount.
But for a team of dozens, the share per person wasn’t much.
Still, everyone was very interested in the two tasks.
Who didn’t want to explore new areas?
Who didn’t want to see what the big boss looked like?
Midnight Pig Slayer said excitedly, "Recently, a lot of big idiots on the Starsea Forum have been spreading rumors to smear Twisted Three Kingdoms. We've already prepared our Photography Crystals. Today, we must take lots of photos — best if we can capture the big boss — and show these fools something real."
"Well said!"
"Count me in!"
Black-Eyed Rui Ge joined the action without hesitation!
"The boss at He Ting Town was Xu Feng, but we’ve already dealt with him. Even if there are some monsters left, the threat should be minimal. Our main task this time is to investigate the Core Pollution Zone."
Salted Fish Thrust corrected, "Not investigate! It’s a crusade!"
Black-Eyed Rui Ge was stunned, "Crusade?"
Chimera Wraith nodded, "Yes, if it were just an investigation, there would be no need for so many people. Although it’s extremely difficult to crusade the Core Pollution Zone, it’s something our Fourth Calamity Army must do without delay."
Seeing everyone’s serious expressions,
Black-Eyed Rui Ge suddenly understood.
Everyone gathering here wasn’t just for the quests.
Even without the quests, the Fourth Calamity Army would have challenged the big boss next!
This wasn’t just because players naturally had a strong desire to explore unknown areas and monsters.
More importantly, according to known intelligence, in about four or five days, the periodic Day of Ultimate Darkness would arrive.
At that time, big boss Ma Yuanyi would surely lead a massive horde of Abyss Fallen and Abyss Monsters to attack the territory.
Xu Feng had already been extremely powerful and fearsome!
And he was only one of Ma Yuanyi’s subordinates.
Who knew how many such Fallen there were, and the big boss's own strength was likely even more unfathomable and terrifying.
The territory would face immense threats and challenges!
"Listen up, everyone!"
"According to the game’s settings, any NPC’s death is irreversible!"
"And if the Lord dies, the game server will directly shut down, everyone’s data will be wiped, and as for when it would reopen, who knows — nobody wants that!"
"So!"
"We can't stay passive; we must take the initiative!"
"Exactly! Defending the Lord and protecting the territory is everyone’s responsibility!"
"Even if we know it's extremely dangerous, even if it means certain death — as long as we can weaken the enemy, it’s worth it!"
"Well said! If we die a few times but manage to kill a few more Fallen and weaken Ma Yuanyi's forces, then the pressure on the territory afterward will be much less — and that’s what we should do!"
"Victory to the Fourth Calamity Army!"
"Let’s move out, move out!"
"Charge, charge, charge!"
"......"
Hang Yu observed quietly and saw dozens of players, after a brief rallying speech, immediately teleport from the main base to Hexi Village.
Then, with the help of local villagers, they took small boats to He Ting Township.
"Today’s another good day!"
"My field of leeks is about to harvest again!"
Because the Day of Ultimate Darkness was approaching, the players felt a strong sense of crisis, prompting them to proactively challenge the big boss — an action that was undoubtedly suicidal.
But for Hang Yu, it was a joyous sight.
Of course, while Hang Yu was confident in his own strength, he still needed to stay cautious against the Core Pollution Source.
This was also a good chance for him to observe what state big boss Ma Yuanyi was really in.