"The Bronze-level monsters are indeed a bit strong," Zhou Yan commented.
Yan Chixia, seeing the monster's considerable strength, had already passed the defensive tower's range and was heading towards the territory.
As the Lord stood on the city wall, a thought crossed his mind. His strength had recently grown, he had many good wines and delicious foods to enjoy, and most importantly, it was peaceful. This was truly his ideal place, free from deception, annoying corrupt officials, and where everyone in the territory was easy to get along with.
He had completely fallen in love with life here and wanted to show his prowess. He stepped forward to Zhou Yan and said, "Lord, let me handle this monster."
"Good," Zhou Yan nodded.
Yan Chixia smiled, leaped up, and flew directly down from the city wall. The five-meter-high wall was nothing to him.
Yan Chixia quickly encountered the Corrupted Corpse General. As a Taoist priest, he naturally had an advantage against these evil spirit-type monsters.
Previously, his magic was insufficient, and his abilities were very limited. In just a few days since arriving at the territory, his strength had increased more than tenfold, and he could now use various spells with ease.
"Bōrě bōluómì!"
Yan Chixia chanted a spell, picked up the demon-slaying sword specifically designed to counter evil spirits, and unleashed a sword light.
The Corrupted Corpse General raised his spear to meet the sword energy, but was still knocked off his horse by Yan Chixia's attack.
The Corrupted Corpse Horse, upon which the Corrupted Corpse General was riding, continued forward, charging at Yan Chixia and raising its front hooves to kick him.
Yan Chixia dodged, chanted another incantation, and swung a palm at the Corrupted Corpse Horse, directly exploding it into fragments.
"Monster, take my sword!"
Yan Chixia charged at the Corrupted Corpse General and launched a furious assault. As the Corrupted Corpse General just stabilized himself, he was met with Yan Chixia's fierce attack. After only a dozen exchanges, his head was severed by Yan Chixia's sword, his body cleaved in two, and he was finally burned to ashes.
Yan Chixia was very satisfied with his strength. The power of this Corrupted Corpse General surpassed that of the Black Mountain Old Demon. If it were before, he would have no way to deal with it, but now, it was effortless.
With a light leap, he used the city wall as leverage to ascend, quickly returning to the top and cupping his hands to Zhou Yan, saying, "Lord, I have not failed in my mission."
"En," Zhou Yan nodded, observing that Yan Chixia's Qinggong was quite impressive.
Although he possessed high attributes, he did not know this Qinggong, nor could he achieve the agility of Yan Chixia.
As for Nie Xiaoqian, she could also fly, but that was due to her being a ghost, an innate ability.
"This Qinggong is good. Teach me when you have time," Zhou Yan said.
"If the Lord wishes to learn, I will naturally teach you everything I know," Yan Chixia said joyfully, surprised that the powerful Lord did not know Qinggong.
"I want to learn too," Diao Chan said, looking at Zhou Yan.
"We'll learn together," Zhou Yan smiled at Diao Chan.
After the Corrupted Corpse General appeared and was defeated, the remaining monsters were few. Once the settlement concluded, Zhou Yan took Diao Chan back to the territory and headed towards the [Mysterious Shop].
He hoped the [Mysterious Shop] would refresh some good items for him.
"It's a skill book!"
Upon entering, he was immediately delighted. His luck was excellent today, with two books appearing: one was a skill book, and the other was a cultivation technique.
"A cultivation technique even appeared, but the quality is a bit low."
He examined the quality of the cultivation technique; it was only D-grade, which he found unacceptable. He could only give it to others in the territory to use.
[Item: Snow Flower Sword Technique]
[Quality: A]
[Description: Snow Flower Sword Technique, continuous and powerful. When used in icy conditions, its power can double.]
[Price: Five million spirit coins]
A skill book of this quality for only five million spirit coins, he naturally bought it without hesitation.
He then presented it to Diao Chan, saying, "Chan'er, take this skill book for now. I'll get you a better one when I find it."
"Thank you," Diao Chan said, accepting it.
"Why are you being so polite with me?"
Zhou Yan gently brushed a strand of hair from Diao Chan's cheek. Her hair was dark, beautiful, and exceptionally lovely.
Diao Chan stood shyly, allowing Zhou Yan to play with her hair.
[Item: Chan Gong]
[Quality: D]
[Description: A calm cultivation technique, realizing the Dao through the heart.]
[Price: Ten thousand spirit coins]
Ten thousand spirit coins was nothing to him.
The remaining three items were all materials. After purchasing them, he began to refresh the shop.
Five brand new items reappeared.
A bronze-level gauntlet forging blueprint, a silver armor, 100 three-star water-element crystal cores, a [Catapult] building, and finally, 100 pieces of four-star silver ore.
"Not bad, especially since a building was refreshed."
He was very pleased and bought everything before leaving the territory with Diao Chan.
First, he proceeded to construct the [Catapult].
Territory Notification: "Constructing [Catapult]. [Catapult] evolves into [Meteor Tower]."
Another brand-new building appeared.
A stone tower resembling a giant rock materialized within the territory's city walls. All his defensive towers were placed between the [Thorn Fence] and the [Great Wall].
This was another SSS-grade defensive tower.
Zhou Yan immediately began upgrading the [Meteor Tower].
Territory Notification: "Consuming 300 spirit coins, [Meteor Tower] level increased to 2."
Territory Notification: "Consuming 600 spirit coins, [Meteor Tower] level increased to 3."
...
[Building: Meteor Tower]
[Level: 20]
[Upgrade Required: Thirty thousand spirit coins, 10 three-star earth-element crystal stones]
[Quality: SSS (0/3)]
[Upgrade Required: Three Meteor Towers]
[Defense: 30000/30000]
[Special Attribute One: Can launch meteor attacks.]
[Special Attribute Two: Every two hours, can unleash a meteor shower attack.]
[Attack Range: 200 meters]
[Description: Meteors fall from the sky. Are you afraid?]
With the addition of the defensive tower, the territory's safety increased once more.
The three-star water-element crystal cores he had just purchased were perfect for upgrading the [King's Crystal].
Territory Notification: "Consuming twenty thousand spirit coins, ten three-star water-element crystal cores. [King's Crystal] level increased to 21."
Territory Notification: "Consuming thirty thousand spirit coins, twenty three-star water-element crystal cores. [King's Crystal] level increased to 22."
...
Upon reaching level 24, all one hundred three-star water-element crystal cores were used up.
The various attributes of the [King's Crystal] had significantly improved. The greater the crystal's defense, the safer the territory would be.
He then went to the [Forge], sold various equipment, and handed the bronze-level gauntlet blueprint he had just purchased to Jerry.
"Lord, I have good news for you. My forging level has reached Gold! Hahaha!!"
Jerry said happily.
"Gold Forgemaster!" Zhou Yan was genuinely surprised and quickly said, "Congratulations."
"It's also thanks to the Lord for providing materials, blueprints, and various spirit fruits. Without so many resources provided to me, I wouldn't have been able to advance to a Gold Forgemaster so quickly," Jerry replied.
"It's only right. We'll have a good celebration tonight!"
"Thank you, Lord!"
Jerry's promotion to Gold Forgemaster was indeed good news, and Zhou Yan naturally had to throw a celebratory feast for the territory's chief blacksmith.