Chapter 83: Woniu Mountain! The Lord's War Begins!
Before Black-Eyed Rui Ge came back online.
Yan Ling was anxiously waiting in the Land of the Stars.
At this moment, a prompt from the Will of the Stars appeared in her mind.
【Your contracted territory has been released from the special state, you can now return to your contracted territory at any time!】
As a hired staff member, Yan Ling had no obligation to participate in battle.
Production-type professionals also did not possess strong combat capabilities.
Precisely because of this, when war broke out in the territory, she would be automatically recalled to the Land of the Stars by the Will of the Stars.
Since the special state had been lifted.
It meant that the Day of Ultimate Darkness had passed.
Yan Ling hurried to teleport back to the territory, her heart hanging in suspense the entire time, only relaxing after the teleportation was successfully completed and her feet landed in the familiar little workshop.
Since she could return.
It meant the territory had been preserved.
Yan Ling prepared to pay respects to the lord, but as soon as she left the Forging Workshop, the scene before her eyes left her dumbfounded.
In the past day, a fierce battle had clearly erupted here.
The air was filled with the scorched scent of burnt vegetation, and patches of flames on the outer grassland had not yet been extinguished.
The pockmarked ground alone was enough to prove how intense the battle had been.
However.
What was surprising was.
The territory itself had not suffered any damage.
Several crude barracks that housed soldiers had not only expanded three or four times in size, but had also been transformed from simple tents into square dormitories built from stone bricks, significantly improving the living conditions.
Not only that.
The territory had become much livelier.
There were unfamiliar faces everywhere.
"Wow!"
"Everyone, look!"
"The fox-eared girl came out!"
"This must be the Forging NPC!"
"Damn, this game isn’t just ultra-realistic, even the NPC models are so exquisite!"
"Greetings, Master Yan Ling! Although this is our first meeting, I have admired you for a long time!"
"Can I get your autograph?"
"Can we take a photo together?"
"……"
As soon as Yan Ling walked out, she was surrounded by a crowd of new players.
These players had entered just two hours ago and were still excited.
Upon seeing the legendary beast-eared Forging Master, the scene resembled a fan meet-and-greet.
"Move aside!"
A sharp shout came!
Several fully armored soldiers stepped forward.
The leader was none other than.
Zhang San, the powerful bodyguard of the Lord.
This personal guard of the lord always had a stern face, and his cold, sharp gaze swept across, instantly making the newbie players feel an oppressive suffocation.
"The Lord has ordered: No harassing territory employees. Violators will be severely punished!"
Zhang San issued a stern warning.
"Wow!"
"Such a fierce NPC!"
"Why are you shouting so loud!"
"Just an NPC, you think I’ll be afraid of you?"
"Idiot, shut up already, don’t cause trouble, that’s Third Brother Zhang! You wanna get kicked out?"
"This game is different from normal games. It was hard enough to get a spot, we better behave."
"True that!"
"Third Brother! I was wrong!"
"We’ll go grind mobs now!"
"……"
This group quickly scattered while grumbling.
Yan Ling was left bewildered, "These are……?"
Zhang San explained, "The Lord recruited 400 new Fourth Calamity soldiers. They just arrived at the territory and are unfamiliar with the rules. If they disturb you, please call us anytime to drive them away!"
What?
Four hundred new soldiers?
This number shocked Yan Ling.
Although she did not know why the Lord suddenly recruited so many people, it was good news for her as a resident Forging Master.
The more soldiers, the greater the need for equipment enhancement, forging, and repairs, and the better the workshop’s income and performance!
At this moment.
The door of the Alchemy Workshop also opened.
A blindfolded middle-aged man walked out.
He clearly noticed the changes in the territory as well, with a face full of surprise and confusion.
"Uncle Bai Mu!" Yan Ling quickly ran over to greet him, "This is great, we can all return to work. I knew the Lord would be fine!"
The territory was completely intact.
The popularity had multiplied several times.
How did this even look like a place that had just survived a great battle?
Before teleporting, Bai Mu had already prepared for the worst.
He thought that even if the territory barely survived, it would have suffered heavy losses.
He never expected to see a scene like this.
How dangerous was the Abyss’ Eternal Night Layer?
Even in the lowest-level starting maps, there was a high chance of encountering an Abyss Commander-level being!
Even a mid-tier race would need to operate for a year or two to barely contend with it.
A fragile human territory, without even proper fortifications, how had it withstood the Abyssal invasion?
Could it be that the Abyssal Corruption had never reached here, or for some reason failed to launch an attack?
"Let’s go meet the Lord first!"
Yan Ling said energetically, "Since the territory just went through a battle and hundreds of newcomers suddenly arrived, I’m sure there will be major changes in production tasks. We need to ask for instructions from the Lord first."
Bai Mu nodded.
The two went to the Lord’s Hall.
Upon seeing the Lord.
Yan Ling’s eyes widened, thinking she had mistaken someone.
Hang Yu was now wearing the Yellow Heaven Commander Set.
From helmet to boots, all in dark gold color, with a large cape and a mighty double-bladed spear, he looked majestic and awe-inspiring, like a divine general descending to the mortal world.
It had to be said.
Even putting aside its superb attributes.
This equipment set’s appearance alone was extremely impressive.
Hang Yu’s strength had already been advancing rapidly, and now, equipped with this green-quality set, he could rival most same-tier Commander units!
Although Bai Mu was blind, he could still sense a trace of oppression emanating from the Lord.
This oppression was akin to that of a superior to a subordinate.
Could the Lord have already reached Tier Two?
But that was too outrageous, it seemed impossible!
"You two returned to work very quickly!"
Hang Yu nodded slightly, satisfied.
Noticing their surprised expressions, he knew they would certainly ask, so he simply took the initiative to explain.
"Don’t be shocked. We have already defeated the core Nightmare Source of this area. From now on, the territory will undergo brand new changes."
Hearing this.
The two employees were completely petrified.
Not only had the territory repelled the Abyssal invasion?
It even defeated the core Nightmare Source during this war!
Yan Ling came back to her senses, her eyes shining with admiration, immediately exclaiming, "Wow! Amazing! Lord, you’re incredible!"
Bai Mu, however, showed suspicion and instinctively asked, "Lord, are you sure it was truly the core pollution source?"
Realizing his words sounded disrespectful, he hurried to add, "Subordinate does not mean to offend or doubt the Lord, but this news is too shocking, far beyond my understanding!"
"Don’t worry!"
"It’s absolutely real!"
Hang Yu directly released his aura.
Facing the aura of a Tier Two Lord, Bai Mu and Yan Ling immediately felt a crushing pressure like Mount Tai.
Tier Two!
Truly Tier Two!
Bai Mu’s expression kept changing.
This could only be described as a miracle.
He simply could not figure out how the Lord had accomplished this!
Bai Mu had once been a Lord himself and of a high rank, so he understood what this meant.
This seemingly inexperienced young Lord must be hiding enormous secrets and potential!
Hang Yu was very open.
There was no need to hide things from his employees.
Because anyone working here long enough.
Would inevitably discover the secrets hidden within the territory.
All employees working in the territory had to swear an oath to the Will of the Stars in advance.
This was the highest level of confidentiality agreement, ensuring privacy leaks were not a concern!
"Our territory’s population has surged, and the demand for alchemy and forging has greatly increased. You two must prepare accordingly."
Hang Yu restrained his aura, paused, then continued, "Moreover, green-grade items have already appeared in the territory, and before long, Tier Two advanced troops will emerge. If you wish to remain as the Chief Forging Master and Chief Alchemy Master, you’ll need to break through soon."
Hearing this.
Bai Mu’s expression remained calm, seemingly unconcerned.
Yan Ling, however, became worried.
The territory was developing so rapidly, and she was just a Tier One beginner Forging Master.
Would she soon be eliminated by the territory’s standards?
Even if not eliminated, she probably could not remain the Chief Forging Master.
Hang Yu noticed her worry and said, "Don’t worry. As long as you dedicate yourselves to working for the territory, I, the Lord, have never been stingy about nurturing my employees. You can exchange your Contribution Points for Essence at any time, and there will be plenty of opportunities to earn more Contribution Points to meet your advancement needs!"
Hearing this.
Yan Ling immediately felt relieved.
She still had tens of thousands of Contribution Points.
If she exchanged all of them for Essence.
Even if she could not immediately break through, she should be close!
Now that the territory had so many soldiers and the daily forging demand had skyrocketed, if she worked hard, how could she not earn Contribution Points?
As long as she broke through to Tier Two and advanced her forging skills to intermediate level, the Lord surely would not replace her as Chief Forging Master!
After assigning tasks to the two employees.
They immediately returned to work without delay.
Hang Yu stayed alone in the office.
At this moment, the territory’s population had reached full capacity.
After roughly a day of rest, the main force of the Fourth Calamity Army had gradually come back online.
The time to open a new map was ripe.
No need to waste time.
Since the conditions were met.
Hang Yu decided to open a new map immediately.
After all, the novice map was too small, had too few resources, and was difficult to develop.
Moreover, the "Abyss Nightmare Key" had a time limit.
If it was not used within seven days, it would randomly trigger itself.
Rather than leaving it to chance, it was better to activate it himself.
Hang Yu took out the secret key from the storage space.
Although it was called the "Abyss Nightmare Key," it did not look like a key but resembled a half-transparent crystal the size of an egg, containing mysterious and powerful energy.
【You are activating the "Abyss Nightmare Key." Continue? Yes/No!】
"Yes!"
【Ding, activation successful. Your number of territories +1!】
【Please select the territory area you wish to connect to!】
Hang Yu’s vision automatically displayed the Abyss Map.
He was currently in the center of countless grids.
The surrounding grids were all in darkness and could not be activated.
Only the four territories directly up, down, left, and right could be lit up with the key.
No clues at all.
No real choice either.
Hang Yu thus chose the map above the "Luoshui Execution Ground" to activate.
In the next moment.
The Abyss Key evaporated.
A powerful energy wave spread from his palm.
Hang Yu could clearly feel the entire world shaking.
On the map, the corresponding area became visible at a speed visible to the naked eye.
At the same time, a prompt sounded in his mind.
【New territory activation successful. Your current number of territory visions: 2!】
【Map Name: Woniu Mountain!】
Success!
Woniu Mountain?
What kind of place was that?
Was there even such a place in the Three Kingdoms?
Hang Yu was feeling very excited and ready to study the new map environment, but something unexpected happened.
【Warning!】
【You have triggered the Lord’s War!】
【The number of Lords currently possessing vision over "Woniu Mountain" is: 2!】
【Your territory "Luoshui Execution Ground" is protected by the Will of the Stars. This area will not be invaded by external forces for seven days!】
What the hell?
Triggering Lord’s War on the second map?
This completely exceeded Hang Yu’s expectations!
Because triggering a Lord’s War within three maps was extremely rare.
Although the Abyss Map was laid out in grids and could connect via keys, the space-time between different regions was not truly continuous.
The Will of the Stars would prevent vastly different power levels of Lords from meeting.
Thus.
Hang Yu had absolutely no psychological preparation.
Who could have thought that a newbie like him would encounter another Lord on only the second map!