Three Kingdoms Lords: Starting by walking into the mouth of a giant python

Chapter 70 Circles and Dots

In two hours, Li Yu and Ding Gu killed hundreds of cave bats, leaving the players in awe.

The players were reluctant to leave, and Li Yu didn't chase them away. They were sensible and helped collect the corpses and lure monsters.

The "married" player, Gao Yuliang, was to take the place of Bone Horse and rush into the cave to cause a disturbance.

Li Yu did not allow it.

"[System]: Congratulations to the player for killing [One-Armed Green Bat], gaining 86 [Martial Arts] experience points."

"[System]: Respectfully..."

With the active participation of these players, Li Yu's monster-killing speed was no less than when [Snake Princess] was playing. The harvest was also quite good.

Nine sheets of [Red Donkey Paper], three sheets of [Gourd Seeds], and some [Night-Shining Sand].

The leveling up ended at the end of Shen Shi (3-5 PM).

Li Yu put away the [round gourd seeds], gave five [red donkey paper] to Gao Yuliang as a wedding gift, and distributed the remaining four [night-shining sand] to the others.

Amidst expressions of gratitude, Li Yu rode away on his ox.

Passing by the [Locust Valley], Li Yu saw Zuo Zizhangba, who was working late into the night by lamplight.

Many players followed, and dozens of indigenous people also came with knives, fighting hard to kill the insects.

According to Lu Xiuxi, many players have guessed this guy's identity, but he stubbornly denies it. He does nothing else but lead a group of people to hunt grasshoppers every day.

Li Yu was puzzled. Wasn't this guy sent by Zhang Jiao?

Back at Sky Courtyard, Lu Xiuxi pulled me away as soon as I entered.

There is a big event in the [courtyard].

About traditional Chinese medicine.

Xiong Ba led his team to level up and brought back a Moonlight Scroll from Tiger Hill. Wang Zhang identified it as a Mysterious Grade Spotted Tiger Apricot Grove.

Zhang Guoqiang said that this should be the story of the legendary doctor Dong Feng, who "healed the world and saved lives, and was deeply helped by a fierce tiger."

Someone, I don't know who, mentioned this [scroll] to the old Chinese medicine doctor. Upon hearing this, the old man insisted on going in, and no one could dissuade him.

Just as Lu Xiuxi was saying he was going to ask Li Yu to come and persuade him, Li Yu arrived.

The two rushed to the [Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic]. Before Li Yu could speak, the old doctor bowed first.

Li Yu hurriedly returned the greeting.

The old Chinese medicine doctor said that he was a Chinese medicine doctor, but not in the traditional sense.

Before his time travel, he and his sect were dedicated to integrating traditional Chinese medicine theories and reconstructing concepts such as "six evils" and "six ailments".

For example, we can distinguish between physical climate-related pathogenic factors and biological pathogenic factors. The Six Qi (六气) represent normal climate, while the Six Evils (六淫) represent excessive levels of these six qi. Therefore, the Six Evils are physical climate-related pathogenic factors. For instance, Cold Evil (寒淫) refers to excessively low temperatures, which can lead to frostbite…

For example, the six pathogenic factors are biological pathogenic factors, such as viruses or bacteria. Summer heat only has excessive summer heat, not summer evil; instead, there are heat evil, warm evil, fire evil…

The old Chinese medicine doctor rambled on and on, which Li Yu didn't quite understand, but he felt a deep respect for him.

The old Chinese medicine doctor concluded by saying that he would visit the sages of the past to ask himself if his theory was feasible or if he had gone astray.

Li Yu looked at him; his hair was white, his eyebrows were bushy, and he appeared old and frail, yet his eyes were bright and clear. He wanted to offer advice, but didn't know how to begin.

That night, under a clear sky and bright moon, the old Chinese medicine doctor used [Tiger Striped Apricot Grove] amidst the attention of everyone.

Li Yu and Lu Xiuxi returned to the village committee office.

Seeing that they remained silent, Li Yu clapped his hands and said, "Even the elderly know to strive and explore; we young people must also work even harder."

Lu Xiuxi and the others nodded in agreement.

Li Yu mentioned a few things.

First, the number of members in the [Academy] is nearing its limit. If we want to recruit more, we need to find a way to improve the [Territory] attributes. In terms of methods, we can either seek [Building Blueprints] or improve [Transportation], [Security], and [Popularity].

Building blueprints require time and luck; they're not something you can just get anytime you want. Lu Xiuxi and his team need to focus on the latter approach.

By understanding the real-life situations of residents inside and outside the compound, the rules and regulations of the Sky Compound were re-examined...

By upgrading infrastructure, strengthening livelihood security, and enhancing workplace safety management, we can improve public morale, public order, and transportation...

Secondly, the strength of the [Sky Academy] player group has improved, making them usable, and they are ready to carry out the "Circle Operation".

Lu Xiuxi was taken aback. What was "Operation Circle"?

Li Min pondered, "A leveling spot?"

Li Yu nodded.

Leveling spots are excellent sources of resources, as they offer meat and treasures.

We must secure and occupy the area as early as possible.

[Moshang Township] has seven or eight leveling spots, including [Tiger Hill], [Hidden Soldier Cave], [Bat Cave], [Locust Valley], and [Black Dragon Lake].

What [Sky Institute] needs to do is to take over half of it first.

"Only half?" Li Min was taken aback.

Li Yu nodded. The indigenous people were not foolish or ignorant; once the [Sky House] made a move, someone would figure out the details and then take action.

At that time, given the strength of [Sky Academy], it would be quite good if they could occupy half of it.

Li Min was eager to try and asked how to claim the spot, whether the area needed to be cleared, and whether the leveling team should split up.

Li Yu shook his head: "The leveling group should stay put for now."

Everyone was stunned. How could they occupy the territory if they didn't move?

Li Yu said, "Starting tomorrow, mobilize half of the construction team in the [courtyard], and recruit more people from the [outer courtyard]. Head to [Tiger Hill], [Bat Cave], [Locust Valley], and other places, and build me a full array of general stores, porridge shops, clothing stores, teahouses, fruit shops, and inns around those entrances... Remember, build them all, and make sure they are complete. There should be nothing lacking in food, drink, and entertainment."

Lu Xiuxi and the others were confused, but Li Yu continued, "All these shops have our [Sky Academy] sign hanging up, claiming to 'develop leveling spots and provide convenience for all players and natives'."

"What if NPCs also get involved?"

"Squeeze him out."

"What if there's trouble? Should we send in a leveling party?"

What do you think?

They discussed some more details, and it was already late at night.

Li Yu did not return to Chenwangli, but stayed overnight at [Tiankongyuan].

Before going to sleep, the [Magpie Mirror] sent a message—

People are here.

------

The second day of the fifth lunar month.

Li Yu ate breakfast early, then left the pot and went out.

The [Sky Courtyard] was bustling with noise both inside and out.

The "Leveling Site Development Quest" has been announced within the [Institution]. Its generous [points] reward has quickly attracted the attention of players.

The first wave of [Sky Academy Construction Corps] set off early.

Then came the second wave, the third wave...

When Li Yu rode his bamboo-ribbed ox through the Locust Valley, shouts were already being sung at the entrance.

Seemingly due to the [development mission], the [Bat Cave] is unusually quiet today.

Li Yu then summoned Ding Gu and Snake Princess together.

[Beat Princess] unleashed her full power.

As soon as the bats were touched by her petrifying snake tail, they would lose their balance and become unsteady in flight, and Li Yu would be able to strike with his spear.

[First-class], [Second-class], and even the [Fifth-class] Green Bat of the [Profound Rank] are no match for them after a few rounds.

Just as Li Yu was pondering whether to lure in a low-grade [Earth Rank] [Six Armored Green Bat] to test his skills...

A commotion arose as players came over carrying axes, machetes, saws, and other weapons.

Li Yu retrieved [Snake Princess] and continued leveling up with [Ding Gu].

The speed of experience gain was greatly reduced, but by nightfall, Li Yu had still leveled up to [Martial Arts] level 61.

Li Yu headed back home, thinking of going to Chenwang Lane to see his "pen pal" beauty.

But as soon as they stepped into [Chenwang Lane], they heard a "system notification" sound—

"[System]: Congratulations to the player for completing the 'Territory Ranking Quest - Reaching the Top' and receiving [Random Territory Item] ×1."

"[System]: Congratulations to the player for activating the 'Territory Ranking Mission: Pinnacle' - If the player can maintain the top ranking for a season, they will receive a special reward."

"[System]: One month has expired, the [Escape Nest] trait has been activated - Attracted by [Immortal Abode], one hundred beings are on their way."

"Countdown: 23:59:59".

Hey!

(End of this chapter)