Chapter 241 – Disaster Moon Information and Wall Construction Costs

“According to the latest announcement from the Star Gazing Association, the intensity of the monster tides during this Crimson Mist disaster moon will gradually increase, expected to peak one month from now. Please note that the frequency of Filth emergence in the Lands of Filth during the Crimson Mist disaster moon will be significantly higher than usual periods…”

North of Tianyuan Territory, a thirteen-meter-tall black wall stood imposingly on the earth, resembling a giant black serpent stretching across the landscape.

Its ends extended for at least several hundred meters in both directions.

Mu Yuan stood atop the Blackrock Wall, gazing into the distance.

The dawn light was just beginning to brighten the sky. Though he hadn’t slept all night, it wasn’t a problem. Throughout the night, he had been monitoring his territory through the Lord’s vision, but he still needed to personally inspect the wall defenses to feel completely at ease.

In the distance, the sounds of battle cries continued unabated.

Lu Liu was leading two hundred elite soldiers from the Garrison Legion, transforming into a meat grinder that continuously consumed and weakened the monster tides. They stood like a reef, shattering the smaller waves that crashed against them into pieces.

The remaining splashes of the tide surged drop by drop toward the towering wall.

But whether they came by land or air, none could reach the wall itself, all shot down by the master archers and Skeleton Generals stationed atop the defenses long before.

Mu Yuan surveyed his surroundings. The Blackrock Wall currently consisted of only one completed section, approximately several hundred meters long, positioned across the area receiving the most intense monster tide assaults.

It was far from encircling the entire territory yet.

Mu Yuan established a mental connection with Deadbone and Isloria, who were currently outside the territory.

…

Isloria and her group were preparing to return, needing to depart from the west gate of Stone Ridge Town. The north gate traditionally remained closed throughout the duration of the Crimson Mist disaster moon.

As she exited the west gate, she noticed many players setting out at first light as well.

The players were heading out to hunt.

The Player Association in Stone Ridge Town had posted numerous hunting and monster eradication missions. In the past, such missions were scarce compared to the number of interested players, requiring constant monitoring to secure one. Now, however, these eradication missions were so abundant that players couldn’t possibly accept them all.

She understood clearly that this strategy aimed to reduce the surrounding monster population as much as possible before the tides fully formed, thereby limiting the eventual scale of the converging waves.

Stone Ridge Town, as a key frontline stronghold with high development levels and a large population, seemed to have constructed certain special buildings that proved fatally attractive to monsters. It consistently bore the responsibility of drawing the main force of monster tides.

Similar frontline strongholds like Stone Ridge Town were positioned at intervals along the outer perimeter of the Taixuan Alliance.

Otherwise, how could newly established lords on the outermost edges and older lords with limited defensive capabilities withstand the onslaught of raging monster tides during disaster moons?

Even with these measures, territories still suffered breaches and casualties every year.

The fortresses established by the Pioneer Group deep in the Wilderness formed the first line of defense.

The frontline strongholds managed by the Taixuan Liangyi served as the second line.

The various player territories in the outer regions constituted the third line of defense.

Together, these three layers maintained the monster population within Taixuan Alliance territory at relatively low levels.

Isloria pondered this.

Having spent two days in Stone Ridge Town, she had explored nearly all areas of the settlement, gathered considerable information, and purchased several books. Combined with the materials and information previously provided by the Lord, she was gradually forming a comprehensive understanding in her mind.For these reasons, Stone Ridge Town would bear the brunt of an extremely powerful monster tide.

Their Tianyuan Territory, being the ‘towering giant’ among territories within hundreds of kilometers, would inevitably face a relatively strong monster tide as well—though not to the extent of Stone Ridge Town. However, their Tianyuan Territory’s capability to withstand monster waves was far inferior to that of Stone Ridge Town.

She had carefully observed Stone Ridge Town.

The city walls were of the same rare grade as their own, but they were engraved with numerous barrier inscriptions, and the walls were equipped with countless defensive structures both above and below.

Flameflow Cannons, Thundercoil Towers, Rapid-fire Arrow Towers, and more.

There were over twenty rare-grade structures, along with a greater number of defensive buildings constructed entirely through human technology. The giant cannons were one such example.

Not to mention, the garrison at Stone Ridge Town far outnumbered their own.

She spoke through the mental link, “We could alternate between rare-grade Blackrock Walls and ordinary walls, replacing them with common-grade walls in less critical areas, but…”

“If finances permit, I personally recommend constructing entirely with Blackrock Walls.”

Isloria was not currently within the territory, but she had long since compiled all relevant data.

With a flick of her finger, a Starlight Orb materialized, seemingly flashing with countless streams of data.

She projected a map through the mental link.

A map of Tianyuan Territory.

Two lines were drawn on it: one in the inner ring, alternating between white and green; the other in the outer ring, marked in bright yellow.

“The first option, alternating between the two types of walls, would cost approximately 300 Soul Crystals.”

She had prepared for this moment, waiting for the lord to ask, and now a slight smile curled at the corners of her lips as she explained in detail.

“The second option, constructing entirely with Blackrock Walls, would cost approximately 750 Soul Crystals.”

“The third option, also entirely with Blackrock Walls, would enclose a larger area and cost approximately 1,000 Soul Crystals.”

Mu Yuan had mentally prepared himself, but the exorbitant cost still made him wince.

After all, these were rare-grade structures, requiring significant amounts of rare-grade ‘Bronze Crystals’ and large quantities of common-grade ‘Black Iron Stones’ for construction. It was equivalent to building dozens, if not hundreds, of rare-grade structures—how could it not be expensive?

Isloria continued, “However, our territory’s Warehouse holds a considerable amount of Black Iron Stones and a small quantity of Bronze Crystals. If we use these materials to offset the cost, constructing the third option’s Blackrock Walls would only require about 780 Soul Crystals; the second option would then cost roughly 520 Soul Crystals.”

Mu Yuan nodded.

Their Tianyuan Territory had explored the surrounding areas and had not entirely failed to discover mineral veins. However, the veins they found were of inferior quality with limited reserves. Still, they had managed to extract a fair amount of Black Iron Stones and other scattered basic materials.

These basic materials had a wide range of uses.

They were needed for constructing buildings, forging equipment, and even for practicing certain skills. Lord Mu naturally hoarded every bit they found, never selling any externally.

They didn’t even have enough for their own use.

Even with the discounted price, it was still expensive.

Deadbone, who was deep in the Northern Lands, pondered for a moment before speaking up, “From the perspective of stability theory, at the very least, we should establish a complete Blackrock Wall.”

He paused before adding, “A normal monster tide wouldn’t threaten our territory, but if we encounter an unexpectedly large-scale wave, the importance of the walls would become evident.”Even a mere 2% or 3% chance of unexpected events seemed far too high in Deadbone’s view.

His stance was that at minimum, Option Two must be implemented.

As for construction planning? Being relatively unfamiliar with such matters, he refrained from offering amateur opinions to professionals. He trusted that under the Tianyuan Will, everyone maintained a prudent mindset.

“Then we’ll proceed with Option Three. Isloria, prepare a more detailed construction plan with priority given to critical zones,” Mu Yuan finalized the decision.

The third option actually required numerous additional arrow towers and watchtowers, pushing costs beyond the estimated 780 Soul Crystals.

However, Tianyuan Territory’s revenue was steadily increasing.

Since the Stone Ridge Town shops opened, the territory had gained a major income stream. Though the Stone Ridge shops remained relatively unknown with limited earnings currently, the primary revenue during this period came from eliminating monster tides.

While monster tides certainly brought danger, they also brought wealth.

Outside the city walls, abundant Soul Sand was precipitating alongside shimmering Remnant Souls drifting through the air.

“By day’s end, we can steadily earn several dozen Soul Crystals.”

After allocating these funds to wall construction, there would still be surplus.

It was this financial confidence that allowed Lord Mu to ‘splurge’ on the third option.

His first priority was safety.

The second consideration…

“If unexpected situations arise with oversized tides, the city walls’ protection will provide peace of mind. Should no emergencies occur, we can still use the walls as foundation to ignite Calamity-Inducing Demon Flowers, attracting more monsters.”

Though wall construction required significant investment, it established the foundation for substantial profits.

When rounded off, spending money essentially equaled making money.

Beyond mere profit, if they could withstand larger monster tide impacts, they’d significantly reduce pressure on surrounding territories—effectively saving several territories in the process.

No thanks necessary.

“Though normally, the greatest pressure isn’t borne by ordinary territories, but frontline strongholds like Stone Ridge Town.”

If ordinary territories’ attraction to monster tides rated “1,” Tianyuan Territory might rate “10,” while Stone Ridge Town’s appeal to monsters likely measured in the dozens or hundreds.

Thus, when Crimson Mist disaster months arrived, frontline strongholds would conscript numerous players from rear areas to assist defense.

Some pioneering territory lords would also seek reinforcements or hire players through the Player Association.

“Moreover, once frontline strongholds issue distress signals during critical situations, neighboring territories with available resources have obligation to dispatch troops for reinforcement,” Mu Yuan contemplated.

Once Isloria returned, wall construction could commence immediately.

…

Deep within the crimson mist-shrouded wilderness north of the territory.

The Undead General stood alone on a hilltop, gazing into the distance.

He had separated from the Undead Legion. Currently, Bone Two and Sario commanded the troops while exploring and eliminating larger monster groups.

After leaving the legion, the Undead General had ventured deeper.

He couldn’t precisely determine how far he’d traveled. Without the territory serving as constant coordinate reference, he might have lost his way back.

Here, the crimson mist grew significantly denser.

Viscous red fog descended upon the land, enveloping certain areas while undulating like gigantic mouths or beastly intestines.

The Undead General kept his distance.

After some time, the thick crimson mist in that area gradually thinned, revealing hordes of grotesque, monstrous figures within.They roared and howled, merging into the surrounding horde of monsters, gradually advancing step by step.

……

Tianyuan Territory.

Although Mu Yuan had entrusted the construction of the city walls to Isloria, he still walked around, meticulously measuring the land inch by inch.

This Lord was truly too diligent.

A dark figure silently appeared behind him, a few meters away, and spoke abruptly, “Lord…”

Mu Yuan: “…”

A closer look revealed it was the robust and burly Rakshasa.

But why do you walk without making a sound, like a ghost?

Though Rakshasa might indeed be a ghost.

Rakshasa had just returned from Blue Star and brought back the gains from his squad’s exploration and battles in the Border Zone.

First update… Next chapter before 12 o’clock.

(End of chapter)