Chapter 464: Decisions and Countermeasures, Ten Thousand Nations Pact Pre-War Mobilization |
[CITY OF NIGHT ON THE MOVE: Life never ends, blood lasts forever? That's the slogan of the Blood Duke's followers. Did you run into them? What did they say or do? Where did you see them?]
Xiao Xi stared at the rapid-fire questions from Duke Yegu, her eyes narrowing slightly.
She could even sense the Duke's urgent mood.
"So they really are followers of the 'Blood Duke.'"
[MOON SHADOW'S BREATH UNDERGROUND CASTLE: A Descendant just reported to me that during a previous battle with the Wolf Clan, they encountered a strange person. This individual was very powerful, killed a squad of my Blood Slaves, rescued a group of people, left that line, and then vanished.]
[MOON SHADOW'S BREATH UNDERGROUND CASTLE: I didn't dare take this lightly, so I contacted you immediately to confirm.]
A long moment passed before Duke Yegu's message came through again.
[CITY OF NIGHT ON THE MOVE: This information is very important. It's highly likely the Blood Duke and the Wolf Clan have already formed an alliance. I understand the situation. Notify me immediately of any related intelligence. How are the preparations for your advancement coming along?]
Xiao Xi's eyes flickered a few times before she replied coolly.
[CITY OF NIGHT ON THE MOVE: Good!]
Closing the virtual light screen, Xiao Xi pursed her lips in thought.
She hadn't told Duke Yegu about her own situation and had even completely blocked the news.
Normally, being attacked like this—losing not only a crucial Silver-tier subordinate but having all her collections, even her coffin, stolen—would make her unsuitable for a Silver-tier advancement.
But Xiao Xi understood clearly that from the moment she officially joined the Council, the matter of her advancement was no longer in her own hands.
The advancement date had already been sent to the Council. Any delay or cancellation…
Without waiting for enemies to strike, certain people within the Blood Clan would act first. After all, her slot in this advancement had squeezed out the resources of many others.
If news of what happened in the castle leaked, she would face an incredibly difficult situation.
In that case, even Duke Yegu wouldn't be able to help her.
Therefore, she had no choice.
Fortunately, she had prepared thoroughly for this advancement for a long time.
Even though she had suffered heavy losses now, advancing to Silver-tier alone should… hopefully not be too big a problem.
Saying that was one thing, but Xiao Xi was also prepared to give it her absolute all.
Thinking of this, her hatred for that damned thief grew even more intense.
"Has he left or not? Where is he hiding?"
Compared to the impending advancement war, Xiao Xi was more worried that this unknown enemy might attack her while she was undergoing it.
That would be the most fatal blow.
Just then, the tailcoat vampire Jeff came up behind Xiao Xi.
"Lord of Moon Shadow, we've confirmed it. Captain Derada is missing. His room was cleaned out as well, the method identical to the treasure room. Based on the traces, it looks like the target attacked Derada first, then entered the stone chamber for the theft. I speculate the target followed Derada into the castle."
Xiao Xi's brow twitched.
"You mean… Cloudfall Forest?"
"Yes, after all, Cloudfall Forest is the largest forest in our world, with the most complex terrain and ecosystems. There are countless powerful and unknown lifeforms there, and our development of Cloudfall Forest is less than 5%.
"Moreover, with the Feather Dragon's presence—a fate-type creature—it's possible it used its power of fate to summon help!"
Jeff analyzed the situation, but after finishing, he paused for a moment and looked at Xiao Xi.
"Great Lord of Moon Shadow, there's actually another possibility…"
"What?"
"Players."
Hmm?
Xiao Xi was taken aback, a thoughtful look crossing her face.
"Players!"
That was also the part that made him most hesitant.
Thinking about the target's endless array of abilities, it seemed… unlike what a spiritual creature should have.
Especially that canteen that absorbed the Ultimate-grade Blood Brew at the end. It was clearly a Rare Artifact.
All these clues pointed to a player.
But…
For another player to enter their world, the only way was through starting a war.
So how did this one get in? Was it some kind of special item?
It wasn't impossible!
Xiao Xi quickly checked the Rare Item Leaderboard, but nothing related to a canteen appeared there.
That meant it was an unranked Rare Artifact.
"If it really is a player, that complicates things."
Xiao Xi frowned deeply. Her first thought was that this was the Wolf Clan's doing.
"Jeff, what's the status of the garrison forces in the other three cities?"
That would be the most deadly blow.
A cold glint flashed in Xiao Xi's eyes.
"Then… let's prepare."
——————
Hunter Training Camp.
Alpha stood before the newly expanded Pioneering Group, reporting the situation to Yu Yuan.
"Report, Leader. The Pioneering Group has a roster of 758, with 715 present. The rest are stationed at Dead Mine Town. Awaiting orders."
Yu Yuan looked at the neatly arranged troops on the training ground and nodded slightly.
With the first and second batches of Pioneering Group members as the backbone, the newly formed Pioneering Group was already starting to look completely transformed.
After all, everyone here had fought their way through the wasteland; they all had some basic military foundation.
The Hunter Training Camp's drills were merely a process of reforging and reshaping them.
They wore standard-issue [Simple Mechanical Armor] and held Yo-yo Assault Rifles.
Uniform equipment, uniform weapons.
A formation of several hundred people exuded a fierce and solemn aura.
It was enough to get anyone's blood pumping.
Yu Yuan noticed a corner of the mechanical armor was stamped with the emblem of the [Ten Thousand Nations Pact Civilization].
Where a sword and a gun crossed, there was a Legal Code.
The design was simple and clear.
Everyone present was incredibly excited.
After the assembly, Yu Yuan found Alpha and Carmen.
"Leader, the Electrical Research Department has completed the component preparation for the [Swiftstrider Power Plant]. They've indicated they're ready to start building it at any time."
Carmen reported the situation.
"Is that so? In that case, we need to step on it."
"Have the Electrical Research Department continue making components. I'll notify Jiu Feng over there to focus all efforts on preparing the [Swiftstrider Virus]."
Yu Yuan looked at Alpha.
"As for virus hosts, those prisoners we captured earlier should come in handy."
"Yes!"
"Since the Pioneering Group is ready, let's begin the world invasion!"
"Leader, which world are we invading this time? The Underground Dark World?"
Yu Yuan shook his head slightly.
"No, that was the old plan. Right now, what we need more is a stable granary."
"A granary?"
Carmen and Alpha exchanged glances.
Yu Yuan didn't elaborate.
"That's right. Our survival supply stockpile can last another three months. We have to establish a self-sufficient food circulation system within those three months. There's a world whose environment is very suitable for planting and breeding…"
Yu Yuan looked at Alpha.
"Get ready today. We'll start building the world transmission channel tomorrow."
"I'm giving the Pioneering Group one week. They need to clear out all threatening creatures in the surrounding area and complete the construction of the survival base, defensive fortifications, and energy power plant. Any problems?"
"None at all. The Pioneering Group isn't afraid of combat. But building the base will require the Titan Construction Vehicle's help…"
"Don't worry about that. You two can coordinate directly with Quis. For any construction needs, contact him directly. I have only one requirement… time. Make your plans today."
Yu Yuan paused for a moment, then checked the time. Today was the 71st day of the Wasteland Calendar.
There were only nine days left until the third phase of the Endless Cold Wave.
Yu Yuan sent the batch of Rare-tier weapons and equipment he'd found in the treasure room to the training camp's Supply Depot.
These items would be more than enough as Military Merit exchange rewards.
Alpha and Carmen were also seeing such a large cache of fine equipment for the first time.
They immediately said they would establish a clear Military Merit exchange system to ensure these items ended up in the hands of the most suitable Warriors.
Under Yu Yuan's arrangements, the Ten Thousand Nations Pact Civilization began its pre-war mobilization preparations.