Everyone looked up.

When Cheng Zongyang saw that it was an Elf Bird, his expression grew serious.

"Is it from Xu Dong or Li Lu?"

After receiving Xu Dong’s last message, he had sent a reply telling him to return, but he had yet to arrive.

Just then, the Elf Bird seemed to recognize whose body held its feathers and landed on Cheng Zongyang’s shoulder. And tucked into Cheng Zongyang’s clothes were two of its feathers.

"What a beautiful little bird," Cheng Guangshan said in amazement from the side.

Cheng Zongyang smiled. "I caught it. It can be used to deliver messages. I’ve found a few others since, but I haven’t located their nest yet. Once I do, I’ll bring more back to the village, which will make communicating with the outside world more convenient. You all carry on, I need to see what’s going on."

With that, Cheng Zongyang took the Elf Bird, removed the small paper scroll from the bamboo tube on its leg, and placed the bird back on his shoulder as he walked away.

His expression sank the moment he saw the contents of the message.

It was from Li Lu.

He didn’t inform his kinsmen, instead returning to his study. First, he fed the Elf Bird some minced meat, then he wrote a new message.

It would take some time to get back to the County Town after receiving the message; it wasn’t a journey of just one or two hours. Besides, the Outsiders were only about to arrive, they weren’t there yet.

Even if they had arrived, it wouldn’t matter as long as the Foreign Race Influence didn’t make a move against them.

He would reply first and then head back to the County Town at night. So, the message he left for Li Lu stated that he was on his way and estimated he would arrive by evening.

After waiting for half an hour, he released the Elf Bird.

The Elf Bird immediately shot high into the sky, identified the location of its other feathers in the distance, and flew north.

Cheng Zongyang thought for a moment, then hung a wooden sign on his study door that read, "In Seclusion. Do Not Disturb." He locked the door from the inside and entered the Wilderness World.

He had already given instructions regarding the Mole Beasts and prepared a large supply of Red Blood Pills.

The effect of Red Blood Pills on animals and Exotic Beasts was similar to their effect on ordinary people and Martial Artists.

Although they could act as an aphrodisiac for ordinary animals, their effect on Exotic Beasts was not as potent.

Given the unique nature of Mole Beasts, the Red Blood Pills could slightly enhance their vitality and replenish their stamina.

Of course, the Mole Beasts could also be fed raw meat. He had already given instructions on this, so there was no need to elaborate.

Coming out of the market cabin, Cheng Zongyang paid no mind to Luo Dingran and the others, heading straight for the third floor of the Preservation Warehouse.

He scanned the various shelves, found what he was looking for, and went downstairs to find Luo Zheng.

"How are the two young Elf Birds?"

Luo Zheng, who was feeding two Ghost-faced Spiders, saw Cheng Zongyang’s sudden arrival and quickly put down the wooden basin in his hands, cupping his fists in respect.

"Sir, the two young Elf Birds have just learned to fly and are still getting used to it." After speaking, he guessed Cheng Zongyang’s intention and added, "As for plucking their feathers, it can’t be done yet. In the best-case scenario, they would only be injured, but in the worst, they might not be able to handle it and could even die."

Cheng Zongyang sighed softly. It seemed he had to give up on that idea.

He had thought the two little birds were ready to be used.

But then a thought occurred to him. ’When I go to the County Town, I won’t be able to use the Elf Bird myself. I can leave the feathers I have with my father and use the one Li Lu left behind.’

At this thought, he couldn’t help but nod slightly. "Never mind, then."

However, when he saw the two basketball-sized Ghost-faced Spiders, he asked, "Can these two Ghost-faced Spiders follow commands?"

"Replying to you, Sir, they can currently understand basic commands. But this subordinate is now training them on slightly more complex ones."

Cheng Zongyang glanced at the other creatures in their cages before shaking his head slightly and leaving.

’Even though some of the creatures could understand commands, they listened to Luo Zheng, not him.’

After making some preparations, he checked the time. There was still more than half a day until nightfall. He then glanced at his Attribute Interface.

——

Name: Cheng Zongyang

Age: 16 (Years)

Lifespan: 16/100 (-136 days)

Realm: Sixth Grade (Meridian Passage)

Points: 982

Skills: Archery (12412/20000, Specialization); Medicine (729/3000, Middle Level);

Cultivation Technique:

Turtle Breath-holding Skill (2002/12000)

Martial Arts:

Basic Saber Technique (1512/7000, Refined and Masterful)

Wind-Stepping Step (23/10000, Peak of Perfection)

Great Strength Vajra Palm (3056/7000, Refined and Masterful)

Illusionary Blade (41/100, Uninitiated)

——

He stared at his Attribute Interface, his gaze finally landing on his Points. He couldn’t help but sigh in resignation.

The fish in the two ponds weren’t ready for harvest yet. As for the Red Cloud Ore, he had just over ten thousand kilograms, which, at a rate of thirty Points per one hundred kilograms, amounted to a little over three thousand Points.

Cheng Zongyang felt helpless. This was all the Points he could get in about twenty days; the lack of manpower was the main problem.

However, he had gained seventy-three Soul Slaves last night. Now, he could dispatch more manpower to mine ore and dig fish ponds, which would speed up his rate of earning Points.

He stopped overthinking it and turned to head toward Zhang Jinquan’s location. He had to be prepared for this trip, whether a conflict occurred or not.

Another two-plus hours passed. As the sky began to darken, Cheng Zongyang returned to the market cabin with his supplies. ’It’s not too late to take these things out once I get there,’ he thought.

After leaving the study, Cheng Zongyang informed his elders and quickly headed out.

However, while Cheng Zongyang was rushing to the outside world, Li Lu and his men were in a standoff with a group of riders at the southern entrance of Tiantuan Village!

Li Lu and his men had thought the Foreign Race group would be slower and wouldn’t arrive until after nightfall.

But unexpectedly, just as the sky was dimming, a contingent of riders broke away from the main group to rush toward the County Town.

This caught the lookouts on the road off guard, leaving them no time to report. And for some unknown reason, this group was drawn into the village.

To prevent such a situation, he had not only ordered all the common folk into the town but had also forbidden anyone from lighting fires to cook.