Blue Star, Rongcheng.

Lords Home Villa No. 7.

Lin Feng sat up from his bed and rubbed his temples. The sunlight outside the window was bright, and the faint sounds of people and birds chirping came from the community; everything was peaceful and serene.

But in his heart, he was thinking about the unfinished business in the Nightmare World.

He picked up his communicator, found Lin Xiaoyu's number, and dialed it.

It was answered almost instantly.

“Lord Lin!!!” Lin Xiaoyu's voice exploded from the other end of the communicator, her excitement almost cracking her voice.

“You finally contacted me!!! I watched the live stream!!! You were so cool!!!”

“Taking on Umekawa Kojiro solo, and that final health-lock counter-kill—it was absolutely legendary!!!”

Lin Feng tilted his head slightly, startled by her enthusiasm, and smiled: “It was just good luck.”

“Luck? That was a powerhouse at the second advancement with a Rare Lord Template! You cut him down while still at the first advancement, and you call that luck?” Lin Xiaoyu's voice was full of admiration.

“You are now the youngest county-level Lord in Great Xia! Although your main territory is still a town, with Qingshi County under your belt, who wouldn't see you as a county-level Lord?”

Lin Feng chuckled: “Alright, alright. I'm looking for you to ask about some serious business.”

Lin Xiaoyu immediately composed herself, though her tone still carried irrepressible excitement: “Go ahead!”

Lin Feng leaned back on the sofa and said slowly: “My territory is larger now, eighty miles east to west, and sixty-five miles north to south.”

“But there are many places I haven't explored. Do you have any data on what threats exist within this territory?”

The other end of the communicator went quiet for a few seconds, followed by the sound of rapid keyboard clicking.

“One moment, I'm accessing the internal database... retrieving intelligence on Canglang Plain and the surrounding areas...”

About two minutes later, Lin Xiaoyu's voice rang out again:

“Lord Lin, I found it. Within your current sphere of influence, there is indeed one threat.”

Lin Feng's gaze sharpened: “Speak.”

“Directly north of Beacon Fire Town, about thirty miles away,” Lin Xiaoyu spoke rapidly.

“There is a Nightmare Legion outpost there. A large number of low-level Nightmare troops are wandering around the outpost. According to previous observation records, those troops are...”

She paused, seemingly confirming the information:

“The Yellow Turban Army.”

Lin Feng's brow arched.

The Yellow Turban Army?

That rebel army from the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty?

Lin Xiaoyu continued: “Yes, it's the Yellow Turban Army. The outpost leader is a Level 29 Rare Boss, but the specific name is unknown.”

She paused and added: “Lord Lin, do you remember Qingshi County?”

Lin Feng nodded: “I remember. The county-level territory that was destroyed by a Level 4 Nightmare Tide.”

“Right,” Lin Xiaoyu said. “The Level 3 Nightmare Tide that Qingshi County faced back then was the Yellow Turban Army. It came from that very outpost.”

A glint of light flashed in Lin Feng's eyes.

Yellow Turban Army... an organized low-level Nightmare Legion... the source of a Level 3 Nightmare Tide...

His class was 【General】, a first advancement class closely related to command and battle formations.

Would this kind of organized, military-type Nightmare creature drop a second advancement class book related to the General class?

Lin Feng's heart rate accelerated slightly.

He ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) remembered that he hadn't been able to find a suitable direction for his second advancement.

A General's second advancement should be inseparable from an army. And the Yellow Turban Army was, precisely, an army.

It wasn't a certainty.

But at the very least, it was worth a try.

Moreover, he had heard from Wang Wu that for the lowest Level 3 Nightmare Tide, the number of monsters was usually over two thousand, and they were led by a Level 20 to 25 Rare Boss.

For a county-level territory, being able to defend the territory core and survive for a certain duration until the Nightmare Legion retreated on its own was already considered a victory.

Wiping them out completely? That was something only a tiny minority of elite Lords could achieve. Most of the time, being lucky enough to survive until the end was a blessing.

“Lord Lin? Lord Lin?” Lin Xiaoyu's voice pulled him back to reality.

Lin Feng snapped out of it: “I'm here. Continue.”

“That's all,” Lin Xiaoyu said. “There are no other large-scale threats in other areas. There are some scattered monsters in the Eastern Swamp, but they don't pose a threat.”

“The Bone Eagle King at Bone Eagle Cliff to the south has already been killed by you, and the remaining ones aren't much of a threat. To the west... to the west is Qingmu County, which is already yours now.”

Lin Feng nodded: “Good, I understand. Thanks.”

Lin Xiaoyu hurriedly said: “You're welcome, you're welcome! Lord Lin, if you need anything, just find me anytime!”

Lin Feng smiled and hung up the communication.

He leaned back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling, his eyes flashing with light.

A Yellow Turban Army outpost, a Level 29 Rare Boss, and a large number of low-level Nightmare troops.

It was dangerous, but it was also an opportunity.

The General's second advancement class book might just be there.

He sat up straight, and without hesitation, sat cross-legged.

His consciousness connected with the Lord's Authority—the next second, his figure began to become blurred and transparent.

...

Nightmare World, Beacon Fire Town.

On the second floor of the Council Hall, Lin Feng opened his eyes.

Outside the window, it was still that dark-red toned afternoon. Faint voices of people came from the distance; it was those working Awakened strolling in the streets.

Lin Feng stood up, pushed open the door, and went downstairs.

“Go call Zhang Ping.” He stood at the hall entrance and said to the guard standing outside.

“Go call all the talents of intermediate level and above in the territory. Call the advanced ones too. I have something to announce.”

The guard was stunned for a moment, then immediately bowed to accept the order and hurried away.

Lin Feng turned back into the hall and sat in the main seat.

About fifteen minutes later, everyone had arrived.

Zhang Ping stood by his side, holding an account book. On the left stood Tian Jian, Tian Zheng, Inoue Ori, Kobayashi Zo, Suzuki Zo, Li San, and Pharmacist Zhou—seven talents of intermediate level or higher.

Everyone stood still and bowed in unison: “Greetings, Lord.”

Lin Feng raised his hand slightly: “No need for formalities. Everyone, please sit.”

Everyone took their seats, their gazes converging on him.

Lin Feng's gaze swept over these faces and he spoke slowly:

“I called everyone here today because I want to understand everyone's situation.”

His gaze swept over the crowd and finally landed on Tian Zheng.

“Master Tian Zheng,” Lin Feng spoke. “You are an Advanced Blacksmith. I wonder if you can consistently forge blue-tier equipment?”

A flash of embarrassment crossed Tian Zheng's face. He scratched his head and spoke with some sheepishness:

“Lord, as an Advanced Blacksmith... the probability of me forging blue equipment is actually still quite low.”

Lin Feng's brow arched slightly, but he didn't interrupt, signaling him to continue.

Tian Zheng simply spoke freely: “The direction I'm specialized in is actually more focused on processing and smelting various ores. For example—”

He began to count on his fingers:

“There are two types of intermediate ores over in Qingmu County. One is Red Nitre Stone Mine, dark red crystals that spark when rubbed against iron tools.”

“This ore is rich in 'Fire Baleful Qi' and can be used to make explosives, but it requires a stabilizer.”

“The other is Mist Pith Crystal Mine, translucent greyish-white, cold to the touch, and it will emit white mist when it encounters water.”

“This ore contains 'Leyline Yin Vapor'. After volatilizing, it can form a thick fog that obscures the five senses.”