Mist Lord

After treating her injuries, Elua's complexion finally improved.

"Tell me, what exactly happened?"

"The kobold camp is a large abandoned mine, at least level 3, with many visible and hidden sentries around the perimeter, showing they are very vigilant. In order to gather intelligence, I took action and captured a kobold sentry who was out on patrol. Under interrogation, I learned that the camp is home to about four hundred kobolds, and the leader is at least at the peak of level three."

Four hundred kobolds are four hundred fresh troops.

Due to the harsh living environment of the Misty Continent, almost every camp in the demonized creature camps has a tradition of universal conscription. Except for the cubs, all members, including the females, must participate in combat and hunting.

Those who are unable to hunt, whether old, weak, sick, or disabled, are destined to be abandoned or even eaten.

"A level 3 camp?"

Xia Yuan listened and his expression turned solemn.

Don't be fooled by the seemingly easy sweep of the previous raid, which wiped out the level 3 demonic creature camp. That was because other lords led their elite troops to draw away the main goblin force at the entrance.

Besides, it was just a goblin.

These are kobolds, a level above goblins in combat. And since they all live in dark, sunless mines, sending troops to wipe them out will be no easy task.

It may be difficult, but we still have to suppress them.

On the side of the couch, how can you allow others to snore?

"Is that mine... still being mined?"

Xia Yuan was worried about not having enough ore, but now it's been delivered right to his doorstep.

"Yes, but not much. It's said to be mainly iron ore, with some associated copper ore and a very small amount of silver ore. The output of quartz, fluorite, etc. is also quite high."

A natural mine can't possibly contain only one type of ore; it's actually a treasure trove, the question is whether it can be utilized effectively.

"You've worked hard, go and rest. Here, take this."

Xia Yuan took out 150 mist bud crystals that he had prepared in advance and handed them over.

With these mist bud crystals, Elua can be upgraded to five and a half stars, reaching the peak of the third tier.

"Master, isn't this too much?"

Elua seemed a little overwhelmed. She had just received 75 Mist Sprout Crystals, and now she was receiving so many more. "I just did what I could, and I don't deserve such a generous reward from my master."

It seems that elves are all very modest and thin-skinned, just like Satie before.

"Take it. Don't you want to break through to the fourth tier as soon as possible?"

Xia Yuan also had high hopes for Elua. Her ability to lead the half-elf archers in battle during the day demonstrated her considerable military command skills.

If nurtured well, she might become the next Satie.

"Thank you for the gift, Master!"

These words really struck a chord with Elua, who had always been pursuing Satir.

.........

"Notify Black Armor to increase patrols on the southern side of the territory tonight. No, not just the south. Kobolds are always cunning; all four sides must be thoroughly patrolled. Have Black Armor and Blade & Shield One coordinate well and prevent them from causing any more trouble."

Xia Yuan felt a headache coming on just thinking about those two.

Especially Black Armor, ever since being nourished by the Yin energy of the Burial Ground, seems to be experiencing a rapid unlocking of both his strength and memories. Recently, he has even shown signs of breaking through to the fourth rank.

While improving his strength was certainly a good thing, Xia Yuan never expected that as his memories gradually returned, the seemingly aloof Black Armor was actually quite cunning.

Where can I go to reason with this?

If they were to encounter Blade & Shield One, an opponent with an extremely strong competitive spirit, it would be like a clash of titans.

"clear!"

As the only fourth-tier expert in the territory, Satir was still able to barely keep those two in check.

"By the way, what was Celia's reaction when she saw Nakamura Teppei's body?"

"They still refuse to back down and say they're going on a hunger strike."

"Then let's go hungry for now."

Xia Yuan was starting to have a headache again. Why were they all so stubborn?

.........

The chat group opened promptly at 7 p.m.

[@Xia Yuan, Miss Pei Shuang will be hosting a banquet at Suiye Pavilion tomorrow at noon to celebrate your success...]

Wu Qianqian was quite helpless. When did she become a messenger?

Unlike Xia Yuan, who never went to Yunyang City unless necessary, Wu Qianqian went to Yunyang City almost every day to make friends or help the faction with odd jobs.

Anyway, the transmission fee isn't expensive.

Compared to the deserted territory, the bustling Yunyang City feels much more alive.

【receive】

Xia Yuan wasn't deliberately putting on airs; he'd simply been busy from morning till night and hadn't had a chance to go to Yunyang City. Even if it was a celebration, there was no need to rush.

I'm taking a batch of spoils to Yunyang City to sell tomorrow, and I'll also be attending a banquet.

Xia Yuan really impressed this time, bringing glory to the alliance.

[We must thoroughly eliminate that cowardly lord of Yingzhou, and do it well!]

Seeing Xia Yuan pop up, some newcomers in the group also took the opportunity to curry favor with him. Things are different now; Xia Yuan has transformed from a troublesome newcomer into a rising star of the Broken Leaf faction.

Of course, it's worthwhile to make friends with them.

Although it is rumored that Xia Yuan rejected Xiang Yu's request to serve him in person, this does not stop everyone from continuing to show goodwill, because who knows, they might need this goodwill someday.

Even today, there are still quite a few new lords who haven't found a powerful backer.

Although they narrowly escaped last month's Civilization Trial, a new round of trials will begin in July. Any lapse in concentration could make them stepping stones for other faction lords.

The difficulties faced by newcomers are evident.

Xia Yuan felt sorry for him, but there was nothing he could do.

With Mingguang Village's current resources, it could indeed sponsor one or two newcomers. However, the consequences of doing so would be beyond his ability to bear.

First of all, he's still receiving financial support from the Pei sisters. If he were to help newcomers now, what would that mean—taking advantage of others' well-being?

That doesn't make sense.

Putting that aside, the key issue is that by stepping forward like this, where does he put the face of the league's bigwigs?

Are the big shots being morally pressured into helping the newcomers? They're already stretched thin. But if they don't help, they seem heartless and could damage the alliance's unity.

Nothing I do is right.

Furthermore, if Xia Yuan can help one or two people, what will the other newcomers think? They are all strangers, so why can he help him but not me?

The problem lies in inequality rather than simply exchanging resources.

The final result will definitely be a thankless task, leaving you with nothing but trouble.

It's better to just stand by and watch.

If Xia Yuan really has this ambition, he should first become an 8th or even 9th level lord.

Of course, this is not in his nature.

Back when he was threatened by Li Aoyu and hunted down by Li Mingyu, some of the so-called newcomers who are now being praised in the group have been full of sarcasm and even resorted to dirty tricks and tripping him up.

We're not even that close, why bother with all that?

.........

The night passed, and the sun rose again.

Strangely, no kobolds attacked last night.

This made Xia Yuan even more vigilant, and he instructed Black Armor and Blade & Shield No. 1 to increase patrols during the day.

After listening to the report in the morning, Xia Yuan also put all 20 low-grade black crystals that he had just obtained from Nakamura Teppei yesterday into the Black Stone Altar, causing the territory to expand outward by another 20 square kilometers.

It's only 12 square kilometers away from the maximum area of ​​a level 3 territory.

In other words, as long as they can find a way to acquire 12 more low-grade black crystals, Mingguang Village can launch an attack on level 4 territories.

That kobold camp was a turning point.

With an enemy like Li Mingyu lurking in the shadows, Xia Yuan would never dare to stop advancing. Given the chance, he would recklessly speed forward.

There's also Song Jing, a newcomer and rival.

The longer the time drags on, the greater the advantage of Tier 3 units becomes.

Despite Xia Yuan's current lead, if he slacks off even slightly and Song Jing's territory catches up, he could be overtaken at any time and forced to relinquish the title of Rookie King.

Under such pressure, how could there be any reason to slack off halfway?

Before taking action against the kobold camp, it is necessary to clear out the newly expanded 20 square kilometers of territory, which is a good opportunity to shorten the distance with the kobold camp.

"My sword and shield!"

Blade & Shield One is still as passionate as ever; upon hearing there's work to be done again, he immediately becomes full of fighting spirit.

.........

After explaining everything,

Xia Yuan then took the spoils he had prepared in advance and, accompanied by Satir, went to Yunyang City for the banquet.