Mist Lord

Chapter 65 Mine Outpost, Sword and Shield Dog Expedition

Once the Blackrock Altar is upgraded to level 4, a sacrificial fire will be generated.

Then, by throwing this sacrificial fire into an abandoned or broken black stone altar, the altar can be repaired, thereby establishing an outer outpost of the territory.

The first suitable stronghold for Mingguang Town is undoubtedly the mine that was previously occupied by the kobolds.

This was planned in advance.

After retaking the mine, not only can we continue to have kobold miners mining, but we can also use the mine as a temporary camp to clear out the surrounding mist monsters.

The key question now is, who should be sent to guard the mine outpost?

Skeleton warriors definitely won't work.

These skeletons feel uncomfortable once they leave their burial ground.

Bone-winged bats are quite suitable for the cave environment, but their numbers are too small, and they only listen to Celia, making them difficult to manage kobolds. They can only be considered as a backup option.

Half-elf archers, as the main force guarding the arrow towers, should not be easily mobilized.

The militia is too weak.

Taking everything into consideration, the sword-and-shield dogs are the most suitable. Not only are they numerous, but many are also second-tier sword-and-shield warriors, they are strong enough, and they enjoy going out to clear out fog monsters.

Although his IQ is a bit low, he still has no problem suppressing the kobold miners.

"My sword and shield!"

Xia Yuan's original plan was to have Blade & Shield No. 2, who had just broken through to the third tier yesterday, lead a Blade & Shield dog unit to garrison the mine stronghold.

Unexpectedly, Blade & Shield One was unhappy, saying that such a glorious and arduous task had to be undertaken by him, the leader of the Blade & Shield dogs, and that Blade & Shield Two should guard the home.

"Alright, you go then!"

Seeing that Blade & Shield No. 1 was so responsible, Xia Yuan didn't say anything more.

It doesn't matter who goes anyway.

With the plan settled, it was decided that Blade & Shield No. 1, along with all 63 wandering Blade & Shields, including those just recruited today, and 50 soldier Blade & Shields, would be ordered to garrison the mine stronghold.

The remaining 53 soldiers with swords and shields were assigned to the Swordsman and Shield Commander II and continued to guard the territory.

After all, the southern and eastern parts of the territory still need to be patrolled by sword-and-shield dogs.

Besides soldiers, there were also dried rations such as dried meat, rice, and pickled vegetables for emergencies. Other items like pots, pans, tents, and blankets were available in the mine, so there was no need to bring them.

When we took over the kobold camp, we didn't bring these tattered things back with us.

Anyway, the sword-and-shield dog doesn't care much about where it lives.

With everything prepared, the group set off in a grand procession, carrying fog lamps. With Celia leading the way, they soon arrived back at the mine, where the original campsite had been re-occupied by the fog.

Arriving at the altar ruins, they placed the sacrificial fire and the remaining 8 low-grade black crystals.

"Snap! Snap!"

The damaged black stone altar was repaired at a visible speed under the melting of the sacrificial fire. However, because only 8 black crystals were used, it was no longer a level 3 camp, but only a level 2 one.

However, the sheltered area of ​​8 square kilometers is enough to dispel the fog around the mine, so there are no problems with mining and hunting.

"This place is now in your hands!"

Xia Yuan patted Blade & Shield No. 1 on the shoulder, "I will come to inspect from time to time, collect ore, and deliver new wandering blades and shields as well as supplies. If there is any emergency, you can also send someone to the territory to report it."

This is a posting assignment, not an exile; it's impossible to just leave it unattended.

Once the demonic energy in the kobold mines of the Demon Sealing Tower has been largely drained, they can be reassigned to mining in the mines, while the sword-and-shield dogs only need to act as supervisors.

Compared to clearing out the surrounding fog monsters within their territory, guarding the mine outpost is undoubtedly more dangerous. If they are targeted by a beast horde and there is no time to call for reinforcements, they could very well be wiped out.

That's why Xia Yuan had planned to have Blade & Shield No. 2 guard the area.

Fortunately, Celia's bone-winged bats would take advantage of hunting opportunities to scout the misty area every day, and would also pay close attention to the gathering of beast tides around the mine.

So that troops can be dispatched in time to provide assistance should the situation change.

"My sword and shield!"

Blade & Shield Number One, however, patted his chest and assured him that he would definitely defend the stronghold and hone his blade and shield dogs. Being able to go out hunting and fighting every day was not a chore for him, but a cushy job.

Having been overwhelmed by the skeleton in every battle, Blade & Shield One has been holding his breath in frustration.

Ok!

Xia Yuan was completely speechless. He gave a few simple instructions and then turned to leave.

I just got back.

Lu Chenggeng, the militia captain in charge of land reclamation, was already waiting in the lord's courtyard.

"Sir, this is the land reclamation plan I have drawn up. Please take a look."

To be fair, Lu Chenggeng, despite his modesty, is quite capable. Although the planning map is simple, it marks the location and direction of the ditches, as well as the rough division of planting areas for potatoes, peanuts, corn, radishes, etc.

There are specific criteria for determining which crops are drought-resistant and which require high soil fertility.

In addition, there are plans for the allocation of labor, cattle, and even earthworms for digging.

Take water conservancy and irrigation as an example.

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The river flowing out of Wushan in the west is the main source of irrigation water, but to reach more farmland, it is necessary to dig a dry canal from the river, then dig branch canals from the dry canal, and finally a drainage canal that reaches each field.

Without this water network, you can forget about growing crops.

In addition to water conservancy and irrigation, it is necessary to survey and plan in advance which slopes need to be leveled, which depressions need to be filled, how to plan field ridges, roads, and even future villages and communities, so as to avoid large-scale rework in the future.

"Okay, let's get started!"

Compared to ancient farmers reclaiming wasteland, the conditions in Mingguang Town were actually quite favorable. Lord Xia Yuan had prepared all the most precious items in advance, such as oxen, farming tools, and seeds.

Because it was their own territory, they didn't need to report to the government or worry about being harassed or occupied by bandits and powerful local lords.

The labor force is also relatively sufficient.

The original militia consisted of about a hundred people, along with artisans who didn't have much work to do, making nearly two hundred laborers. Adding fresh blood such as sword-and-shield dogs, skeleton warriors, and digging earthworms made the workforce even more abundant.

Xia Yuan is a pragmatic person. He doesn't bother with any ceremonies or rituals; he just gets straight to work.

The first step is to thoroughly clear the wasteland of shrubs, trees, rocks, and tree stumps left from felling trees. Then, burn it all down; the ashes will serve as base fertilizer and will also kill grass seeds, pests, and germs.

Only then can the land be tilled.

This step is mainly handled by burrowing earthworms, which dig and burrow faster than oxen.

The serfs only needed to follow behind the digging earthworms, clearing away the remaining grass roots and stones, while breaking up large clumps of soil. Some land also needed to be plowed again by oxen to meet the standards for planting crops.

At the same time, in accordance with the planning drawings, they repaired the field ridges and dug ditches.

Only then did they begin digging the irrigation canals.

Even with everything in place, the entire process takes more than just a few days to complete.

And some are busy.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle, four days passed in the blink of an eye, and July 14th arrived in the blink of an eye.

Tomorrow is the day of the Level 7/8 territory trial. According to the rules, the auxiliary territory reinforcements and military observation groups can arrive at the target territory one day in advance to prepare for battle.

Around nine o'clock in the morning.

Xia Yuan appeared in Yunyang City with Satir, Black Armor, Serandis, and Hanbao.

A stunningly beautiful elf, a skeleton general, a mysterious mage shrouded in dark green robes, and a dog—this combination had barely appeared when it attracted the attention of the surrounding lords.

With the addition of Xia Yuan, a rising star who rose rapidly in the ranks, the sensation it caused was predictable.

"Is this Xia Yuan? It's really remarkable that a newcomer was selected for the observation group."

Those appearing at the teleportation plaza at this time are mostly lords participating in the Civilization Trial. Some are participating as subordinate lords, while others have been fortunate enough to be invited into the observation group.

"He's accompanied by heroes? But why are there three?"

In the public's perception, Xia Yuan is currently only a level 3, or even a level 2 lord, and at most he will only have one hero.

"I don't know, maybe there were some other opportunities?"

"The newcomers these days are terrifying; their opportunities are more incredible than the last."

"That elf should have been chosen by Xia Yuanchu, but wasn't it rumored that he was just a third-tier archer? Judging from his aura, he doesn't seem like that at all; he's more like the legendary Wind Whisperer."

"Is that a mage? He's so mysterious, he doesn't look like someone you want to mess with."

Many people were seeing Xia Yuan in person for the first time, but they were undoubtedly left with a deep impression.

Xia Yuan would not be affected by outside opinions.

Just as he was about to head to Suiye Pavilion, he heard someone calling him from behind.