Chapter 94: Recruitment of Refugees! Zhou Ji Joins!
Finally, they had won!
Although Blacktooth was immensely powerful.
However, he was after all badly wounded and weakened.
Under such circumstances, it was not surprising that he fell after being besieged by over a dozen top players.
Moreover, before Blacktooth died, he also took down the majority of the players, leaving only Black-Eyed Rui Ge, Niu Shisan, and two others alive.
Black-Eyed Rui Ge exclaimed, "We actually managed to win this battle!"
Niu Shisan said, "Hehe, it's all thanks to Third Brother helping out at the side, making that guy wary, otherwise it wouldn't have been so easy to win."
"No matter what, we are the victors."
"Quick, let's grab the spoils first."
The players were already too impatient to wait.
They were eager to see what this Dragon-Lizard General would drop.
As one of the initiators of this mission, and one of the players who contributed the most, Black-Eyed Rui Ge rightfully stepped forward to collect the major spoils.
【You have collected the spoils: Abyssal Magic Crystal +300, Abyssal Essence Points +24000, Blackgold Tempered Spear +1, Blackgold Armor Set +1!】
"Feels awesome!"
Killing one Dragon-Lizard General.
Was at least equivalent to killing ten or even dozens of ordinary soldiers.
Besides the 300 Abyssal Magic Crystals worth 30,000 Contribution Points, there was also a massive gain of over 20,000 Essence Points, making all the sacrifices and suffering worthwhile.
Moreover.
Besides the Magic Crystals and Essence Points.
This time they even looted a green spear.
And an entire set of formidable armor.
【Blackgold Tempered Spear】(Exclusive to Dragon-Lizard Tribe), Tier-One Equipment, Green Lower Grade, Attack +25, Strength +5, Agility +5, Durability 30/40.
【Blackgold Armor】(Exclusive to Dragon-Lizard Tribe), Tier-One Equipment, White Upper Grade, Independent Defense +20, Physical Damage Immunity +8, Magical Damage Immunity +7, Strength +2, Durability 13/20.
【……】
The Blackgold Tempered Spear was a green-quality weapon, though relatively ordinary among green weapons, even the weakest green lower-grade weapons would usually outperform white upper-grade weapons.
The Blackgold Armor Set consisted of six pieces, and its attributes far surpassed the currently popular Mighty Bull Set in the territory.
"Such amazing gear!"
Niu Shisan exclaimed sincerely, "It's just a pity that this gear is exclusive to the Dragon-Lizard Tribe, we'll have to spend a huge amount of Contribution Points to reforge and modify them for our use!"
This was quite normal.
After all, equipment made for different races had fixed size specifications and special traits, so the probability of fitting humans perfectly was very low, though not impossible.
Whether in size or design, Blacktooth's equipment was neither snug nor practical for the players, and without specific modifications for human body types, it would be useless.
Besides this.
The players noticed another detail.
Neither General Blacktooth nor the ordinary Dragon-Lizard soldiers dropped any equipment with enhanced levels, which suggested that gear dropped as spoils would automatically have their enhancements reset.
The surviving players approached Zhang San.
Once again, they expressed their gratitude to this NPC soldier.
Zhang San replied coolly, "The danger here has not yet been cleared, and your mission is still unfinished, do not waste any more time."
"Indeed, delays will cause trouble, we need to leave quickly."
Black-Eyed Rui Ge's gaze landed on the native NPC Zhou Ji.
This native NPC was so powerful that even while crippled, he could fight Blacktooth to a draw.
If they could recruit him into their territory, it would be incredible.
Thinking this through.
He cupped his hands to Zhou Ji and said, "Our brothers have suffered heavy casualties, our guards are insufficient, we urgently need Brother Zhou's help."
"Hahaha, no problem, since I’ve agreed to help, I will help to the end. Besides, I know many of these villagers."
Without hesitation, Zhou Ji agreed to the request for help.
In fact, even if Black-Eyed Rui Ge had not made the request, Zhou Ji would have still helped them to the end.
Because the origins and actions of this group of heroes were so strange and elusive that he had developed a strong curiosity to find out the truth.
Without further delay.
They set off quickly.
Less than an hour later.
Over seven hundred villagers, under the protection of Zhang San, Zhou Ji, and the players, finally crossed the Abyssal Mist Gate before the Dragon-Lizard reinforcements arrived.
【You have arrived at the Luoshui Execution Ground!】
【Ding, mission completed. Your team has received 9000 Abyssal Essence Points, 12000 Contribution Points, and 1 Golden Treasure Chest.】
It was only at this moment.
That Black-Eyed Rui Ge finally breathed a sigh of relief.
This mission was not part of a major event, so although the rewards seemed considerable, because so many players participated, the actual shares were not large.
The players had already earned enough during the mission process, so the actual mission rewards mattered less.
Just the accumulated Essence Points alone amounted to over a hundred thousand, enough for nearly all players to level up at least once on the spot.
Lone Boat, Ye Li Meng, Black-Eyed Rui Ge, and others would easily reach Level 9.
When Black-Eyed Rui Ge returned to the Luoshui Base Camp.
Ye Li Meng and dozens of resurrected players had already arrived.
"You guys..."
Whether it was Zhou Ji or the rescued villagers, they were utterly shocked that these players could pass through the Abyssal Mist Gate.
After all, ever since the Abyss descended about forty years ago, the entire region had been shrouded in mist, isolating this space-time like a nightmare barrier.
Aside from the sudden emergence of the Dragon-Lizard Tribe.
Zhou Ji had never heard of anyone breaking through the barrier and entering from other areas.
Could it be that these humans had a background similar to that of the Dragon-Lizards?
Just then.
They saw another group of players coming to meet them.
If it was just some soldiers, it would not have been surprising.
But most of these reinforcements were heroes who had just fallen in battle.
Zhou Ji had seen them killed with his own eyes, yet less than half an hour later, they were alive and energetic before him again.
Could it be... these humans were actually Abyssal beings?
Zhou Ji had never seen resurrection abilities outside the Abyssal Nightmare's cycles, and even those could not complete so quickly.
Yet these people had no Abyssal aura.
Their origins were truly mysterious and bizarre!
Zhang San said, "By order of the Lord, these refugees transferred to the territory will be temporarily settled in Shangyang Village."
The Luoshui Base Camp map was not large.
Currently, besides the Base Camp, only Hexi Village, He Ting Township, and Shangyang Village had blessed teleport points, and He Ting Township had already been burned down by the players.
Shangyang Village had abandoned ruins, and it was also very close to Wo Niu Mountain, so future refugees from there could also be sent here.
This would facilitate their resettlement and accommodation.
And it would also allow the rebuilding of Shangyang Village.
…………
Meanwhile.
In the Lord’s Hall, Hang Yu received a reminder from Xiao Ba:
"Master, the land of Shangyang Village is currently being reactivated. It is expected that the permanent population of this area will reach 759 people, and it will generate a monthly income of 60–70 Abyssal Magic Crystals!"
Hang Yu nodded.
The power and wealth of a Stars Lord were largely determined by the amount of territory owned and the size of the population controlled.
As the amount and quality of land and population increased, it not only made the Lord stronger but also brought direct financial income.
Hexi Village could contribute at least 1 Abyssal Magic Crystal to the territory's treasury every day, and once the reconstruction of Shangyang Village was complete, it would also generate income.
This income might seem small.
But as the saying goes, "many a little makes a mickle."
During the process of conquest and expansion, a Lord could continuously annex land and population, and the accumulated income would not be a small figure, even becoming an important part of the territory's finances.
Apart from these direct benefits, a large population also meant abundant labor, and these refugees themselves were valuable.
Moreover, not all natives were low-level laborers.
Some could become combat strength.
If famous ministers or generals could be recruited into the territory, Hang Yu could even cultivate them into Hero Units to train players and lead the Fourth Calamity troops into battle.
"This time's harvest is quite good!"
Hang Yu roughly calculated.
Through this player-initiated rescue operation, the territory could gain about 1230 Abyssal Magic Crystals and around 110,000 Abyssal Essence Points in reserve.
The reserve Abyssal Essence once again approached 200,000.
Hang Yu had spent tens of thousands of Abyssal Essence to cultivate production professionals and had used another 80,000 Abyssal Essence to upgrade four personal guards to Tier Two.
Yet in less than a day, not only had the Abyssal Essence not decreased, it had actually increased.
This did not even account for the additional income generated by the equipment.
Due to incompatibility with humans, most Dragon-Lizard equipment, except for a few extremely valuable pieces, would be directly surrendered by players to the territory in exchange for Contribution Points.
Hang Yu could sell this equipment in the trading market or have Yan Ling modify it, then resell it at a higher price to players or on the market.
From this operation.
Conservatively estimated.
The income would be around 2000 Abyssal Magic Crystals.
【Abyssal Essence -10000!】
【Ding, you have leveled up to Level 12. Health +100, Mana +100, Strength +10, Agility +10, Spirit +10, Will +10!】
【Abyssal Essence -20000!】
【Ding, you have leveled up to Level 13. Health +100, Mana +100, Strength +10, Agility +10, Spirit +10, Will +10!】
Because of the abundant Abyssal Essence reserves.
Hang Yu casually leveled himself up by two levels.
Not long after, players had already brought the refugees to Shangyang Village for settlement.
Although increasing the population of the territory had many benefits, it also came with corresponding costs and burdens.
For instance, food consumption.
These refugees, having arrived in a new environment, could begin cultivating land and hunting as soon as possible, but short-term self-sufficiency was impossible, and they could only rely on the territory for support initially.
Even if refugees had low food requirements, hundreds of mouths were still hundreds of mouths, and feeding them was no easy task.
Fortunately.
There were four hundred new players actively hunting.
Allowing the territory’s materials and food stockpiles to surge.
It was expected that both would break through the ten-thousand mark today.
Each piece of food obtained by players from wild monsters contained considerable extraordinary energy; a Tier-One combat unit needed only one piece per day to maintain their body's needs, and one piece combined with regular rations could feed five ordinary villagers.
Aside from the ordinary refugees.
There was also a special individual among them.
This person was none other than Zhou Ji, the self-proclaimed adopted son of Zhou Cang, a Tier-Two Elite.
His combat performance was evident to all, capable of fighting Blacktooth to a draw even while crippled.
If he were uninjured, his strength would likely surpass Blacktooth’s.
A true talent!
Worthy of recruitment!
Hang Yu did not even need to step in personally.
Black-Eyed Rui Ge, Chimera Wraith, Chenxi, Little Bell, and other players were even more eager than Hang Yu to develop Zhou Ji, hoping he would remain in the territory as a friendly NPC.
After all, Zhou Ji’s strength was formidable.
And he possessed several flashy and powerful blade techniques!
If he could join the territory like Wei Ji from Hexi Village...
Wouldn’t that mean players could learn these skills too?
Even disregarding personal strength and skill-learning benefits, Zhou Ji was a character deeply tied to the storyline and had many connections with important figures from Wo Niu Mountain.
Players unanimously believed: Zhou Ji was the key figure to unlocking the Wo Niu Mountain storyline!
How could they allow such an NPC to leave easily?
When Hang Yu saw the players working so hard on this, he could not help but smile in satisfaction.
These players truly worried for what the Lord worried, doing everything they could to improve the territory!
Although the players did most of the work.
As the Lord, Hang Yu could not remain completely hidden.
Thus, Hang Yu directly teleported to Shangyang Village, bringing supplies and food to the newly arrived refugees, and formally accepted their allegiance to the territory.
"Thank you, Lord, for taking us in!"
"Lord, you have saved us from the depths of misery!"
"This great kindness and virtue, we can never repay, we only hope to contribute to the territory."
"Whatever the Lord commands, we shall not hesitate even if it costs our lives!"
"......"
The villagers knelt in gratitude and swore loyalty.
Although Hang Yu was a Lord, and so was the Dragon-Lizard Chilin, it was undoubtedly different working under Hang Yu.
First of all, Hang Yu was human.
Emotionally, this made him easier to accept.
This was very important for the majority.
Secondly, Hang Yu maintained clear rewards and punishments for his subjects; even those doing menial tasks like moving bricks or sweeping could earn proper income.
Hang Yu would even open NPC Templates for outstanding or potential natives, allowing ordinary people a chance to rise and develop.
Meanwhile, Chilin treated other races with only the cruelest exploitation.
The two could not be compared.
Hang Yu’s caring policies were not only aimed at stabilizing public sentiment and pacifying the newly arrived refugees, helping them settle quickly and begin contributing to farming and labor.
It was also meant for Zhou Ji to see.
Since arriving in the territory, Zhou Ji had been approached by many players taking turns to persuade him.
During this process, he learned about the concept of the Lords and the Stars, and gained an understanding of Hang Yu and the players' missions and goals.
Before long.
He could not hold back anymore.
Zhou Ji proactively sought out Hang Yu and asked, "My Lord, do you truly have the ability to purify Abyssal Nightmare corruption and repel the invasion of Outer Gods?"
Hang Yu calmly replied, "That is my duty and the mission that brought me to this land."
Zhou Ji's eyes shone with excitement.
Hang Yu sensed that the timing was ripe.
Thus, he extended an invitation to Zhou Ji, "This territory has just been established and is in urgent need of capable people. I see that you are powerful and possess the ambition to save the world. Why not join me and achieve great things together?"
Zhou Ji said, "I indeed have such aspirations. However, before pledging loyalty to your Lordship, I have one presumptuous request!"
"Please speak."
"I have heard that the Lord possesses the strength to stand against ten thousand!"
Zhou Ji gripped the hilt of his blade, "If the Lord can defeat me, I shall swear my allegiance without hesitation."
The final test?
But it was understandable.
After all, achieving great deeds required strength; no amount of rhetoric would suffice without real power.
And to verify strength.
Nothing was more direct and effective than a fight.
Hang Yu thought about it and found it acceptable.
He had been hiding behind the scenes too long and lacked chances to personally act.
This would also be a good opportunity to put on a show.
(P.S.: Thanks to Mengduo Tianxi for the reward of ten thousand Starting Points coins, becoming this novel’s first Helm Master, what a magnate!)
This chapter was originally intended to be posted around midnight last night, but the author accidentally fell asleep while writing...