Chapter 374 – The Counterattack of Living Beings

“According to intelligence from the frontline reconnaissance teams, some monster tribes have already shown signs of dispersing and fleeing.”

“Then we must not delay. Let’s launch the expedition.”

Mu Yuan communicated with Deadbone through their mental link.

Yesterday, Deadbone had already selected some well-preserved elites to form reconnaissance teams dispatched to various target areas.

Some intelligent monsters were packing their belongings to descend the mountains.

Others were presiding over blood pool relocation rituals.

Though many elites of Tianyuan Territory hadn’t fully recovered their condition, it was better to launch the expedition sooner rather than later.

“Then let’s depart.”

Deadbone, Dolai, Lu Liu, Rakshasa, Sario, and Bone Four each led a military division on the expedition. Among them, Sophia would support the Sario-Bone Four group – since neither were Hero units, only Sophia’s presence could purify the blood pools.

Five routes advanced simultaneously from his position.

Nature’s Garden and Boulder Mountain Ridge also dispatched troops at the same time.

Shen Linglong likewise led her own forces on expedition, heading toward the predetermined treasure chests… large monster tribes.

Everyone could achieve glorious harvests.

Meanwhile, before the City Lord’s Mansion and outside the Lord Altar, Xiliu was continuously conducting recruitment work.

Mu Yuan looked up at the space above the Lord Altar.

Here now stood four Secret Realm Gates: Black Wasteland, Elven Courtyard, Land of Trials (Gray), and the newly placed Secret Realm ‘Dragon Mound Fertile Land’.

「Dragon Mound Fertile Land」

「Type: Independent Secret Realm」

「Description: Legend tells of a great dragon that fell here, its body transforming into mountain ranges, its blood nourishing the earth, turning this land into fertile soil.」

This was the Secret Realm’s introduction.

Nothing particularly special could be discerned from the description. After all, dragons weren’t particularly precious in his eyes.

The good news was that this Secret Realm wasn’t some time-limited realm, challenge realm, or public realm – most of these types of Secret Realms could hardly bring him significant gains.

Many Challenge Realms he could easily clear, yet the rewards obtainable might not even compare to conquering a large monster tribe.

He had somewhat grown to look down on them.

“Lord, the warriors are all prepared.”

Seventeen approached and whispered softly.

Behind her stood two Fearless Warchiefs who had reached Fourth Order, three Polar Star Arrows, and over thirty elite soldiers of Outstanding Three-Star grade.

This was the Secret Realm exploration team.

Soon, the Secret Realm Gate opened, with the two Fearless Warchiefs entering first, followed by Seventeen, and then Mu Yuan.

He felt as if walking through a long spindle-shaped passageway, his vision broadening after a dozen steps as heavenly light descended upon the earth.

A vast world unfolded before his eyes.

Rolling mountain ranges, babbling streams and rivers, numerous treasure trees bearing precious fruits.

This was a true Secret Realm capable of forming its own ecological cycle.

If the Secret Realm’s portal were sealed, even ten, twenty, or thirty thousand people could likely live self-sufficiently within.

Seventeen led the elites to spread out, quickly conducting a preliminary survey of the entire Secret Realm.

“There are no monsters inside the Secret Realm, but some wild ingredients live here, with countless varieties of wild fruits. The soil here is also very suitable for cultivation. As long as not used indiscriminately, meeting the living needs of tens of thousands or even over a hundred thousand people wouldn’t be difficult.””Within the secret realm, some treasure trees and materials grow naturally, among which are even items of outstanding grade.”

「Dragonblood Fruit (Outstanding)」

「Description: Possesses the effect of significantly enhancing physical constitution, and can also grant the consumer a trace of great dragon bloodline.」

Such treasures that directly enhance oneself have always been in short supply.

Wealthy heirs can consume them to greatly increase their strength, allowing them to escape the weak early stages of combat power.

Fourth Order peak experts can also consume them to push their already perfected physical bodies just a little bit further.

「Great Dragon Fruit (Outstanding)」

「Description: Can only be consumed by individuals with a certain concentration of dragon bloodline. After consumption, it refines the body, purifies the dragon bloodline, and slightly enhances individual potential.」

This Great Dragon Fruit is even rarer than the Dragonblood Fruit.

Mu Yuan had seen more detailed item descriptions on the Taixuan Covenant Platform, which indicated that potions refined from Great Dragon Fruit not only have a chance to upgrade the grade of dragon-type military units, but might even potentially allow units to undergo complete transformation, directly reaching epic rank.

Like the early Xiliu – as long as she used enough dragon potions, she had the possibility of advancing to epic rank.

Mu Yuan didn’t need this Great Dragon Fruit himself, but its market price could be sold higher than Dragonblood Fruit.

“This could indeed become one of Tianyuan Territory’s specialty products.”

“Now that the great crisis has passed, I need to carefully consider how the territory should develop and make money. After all, if we don’t earn enough money, it will be difficult to support over a hundred epic units and large numbers of outstanding elites.”

In the future, when Tianyuan Territory experiences an explosion of Legendary Realm experts, that will also be when he needs to spend money lavishly.

The resources needed to temper the body aren’t too expensive, but the breakthrough package required to reach the Legendary Realm is no small amount.

If that number is multiplied by ten, twenty, thirty, or even a hundred… just thinking about it makes his head ache.

He’ll worry about that later.

Mu Yuan flew up high, overlooking the entire ‘Dragon Mound Fertile Land’ secret realm.

The edges of the secret realm resemble the Black Wasteland, swirling with gray mist. But the entire Dragon Mound Fertile Land is much more expansive than the Black Wasteland and richer in resources.

Mu Yuan planned to establish plots of Golden Fertile Soil farmland here, transforming this place into Tianyuan Territory’s new advanced cultivation area.

“Speaking of which, Featherfolk Valley, the elves’ Nature’s Garden, and the giants’ Giant’s Ridge are probably… similar types of secret realms?”

Mu Yuan didn’t know how large Nature’s Garden and Giant’s Ridge were, but Dolai had described the environment of Featherfolk Valley, and he felt that his Dragon Mound Fertile Land was even larger than Featherfolk Valley.

As an independent, complete secret realm, Dragon Mound Fertile Land naturally possessed the ability similar to Featherfolk Valley to establish multiple entrance and exit passages.

The secret realm is like a giant tree, rooted in the space of the current Tianyuan Territory region.

Its roots spread out, sometimes extending dozens of kilometers, or even hundreds of kilometers away.

However, constructing additional spatial passages requires certain technical support; it’s not something Lord Mu can accomplish with just a snap of his fingers. The technical requirements are quite demanding. Of course, Tianyuan Territory has professionals in this area – that would be Isloria, but… this matter can wait until later.”Now that Tianyuan City has been exposed, there is no longer any need for concealment. In the future, Tianyuan City may welcome many external visitors, or perhaps spies with ill intentions…”

He pondered.

Even if Tianyuan City opens to the outside world, it will continue to maintain restricted zones as before. He didn’t believe any spies could infiltrate the core areas, but safety comes first, and now he had a more secure option.

That is, to construct or relocate some important buildings and facilities inside the Dragon Mound Fertile Soil Realm.

Like the semi-realm extended from the Skull Graveyard, this place is territory of Tianyuan City where Miracle Buildings can be constructed.

Similarly, the integration of the Dragon Mound Fertile Soil Realm has also increased the upper limit of the territorial power he commands… though the previously consumed territorial power is still far from being restored.

“In the future, some cultivation buildings can be relocated here. Breakthroughs to the Legendary Realm and evolution ceremonies can also be conducted here. This way, the celestial phenomena during evolution can be more easily concealed.”

The main issue with the Black Wasteland is its poor environment.

Of course, the Black Wasteland isn’t a true natural secret realm, so its ability to conceal celestial phenomena might not be that strong.

Mu Yuan thought as he arrived at an open flat area.

He had just transferred over a hundred reserve soldiers from the Garrison Legion, all elites who had awakened self-awareness. They were currently hammering away, constructing Miracle Buildings like ‘Commoner Residences’, ‘Advanced Residences’, ‘Arrow Towers’, and others.

He walked deeper in, flicked his wrist, and a building model emitting faint purple radiance appeared in his hand.

With a wave of his hand, he gently tossed the building model.

“Ding!”

“Prompt: Place the epic building ‘Hall of Heroic Souls’ at this location?”

“Yes!”

Rumble—

The building model spun, expanding dozens, then hundreds of times in the blink of an eye, transforming into a magnificent silver-gray palace standing firmly on the ground.

As soon as the hall was completed, an ancient, primordial, and solemn aura washed over them, as if this was an ancient temple sealed away for thousands of years, only now seeing daylight again.

Before the palace, two bright blue flames burned quietly.

As Mu Yuan approached, the massive doors—over twenty meters tall and wide enough for two Sarios to walk side by side—slowly swung open.

Mu Yuan stepped inside.

“Prompt: Consume 10 Soul Crystals to bind your soul imprint to the Hall of Heroic Souls?”

“Yes!”

Soul Crystals were deducted.

There was no special experience, just a strand of light falling, followed by a small star lighting up on the dome of the Hall of Heroic Souls, resembling the night sky, representing his soul light.

If all the elite soldiers’ soul imprints were recorded here, it would likely become a sky full of starlight.

Mu Yuan conducted some research on the Hall of Heroic Souls and soon revealed a pleased expression.

“Indeed, similar to the Scepter of Heavenly Authority, the Hall of Heroic Souls’ authority can be used not only near Tianyuan City but also around any branch territory.”

The Scepter of Heavenly Authority could be used infinitely at Wolfhead Mountain with the ‘Heavenly Eye’, though the coverage range would be somewhat reduced.

The Hall of Heroic Souls at Wolfhead Mountain could also receive the souls of fallen soldiers, but the reception range would be smaller compared to the main territory.

Currently, it’s half that of the main territory.

If it were a small territory opened using a rare-grade Watchtower, the Hall of Heroic Souls’ reception range would likely be significantly reduced.But it’s no big deal, as long as it works.

Strong or weak ability is one thing; having or not having ability is another. And the latter is more crucial.

Mu Yuan had already thought of some tactics.

The Hall of Heroic Souls’ effect could only be utilized in defensive battles, but what if…

“What if, when I’m attacking a city, I build watchtowers right outside the Monster Overlord’s gates? How would the enemy respond?”

…

At the same time, wisps of Crimson Mist drifted across the vast Wilderness.

This region had always been a hunting ground for monsters, with the two overlord forces—Jackal Fang and Blood Serpent Embrace—looming at the very top of the food chain, preying on elves, giants, avian folk, dragonkin, and dwarves.

A century ago, there were still many living factions in this area.

As time passed, only two and a half relatively powerful living factions remained in this region. The elves and giants made up the two, while the avian folk counted as half.

The living beings could only survive in the cracks, their living environment growing increasingly harsh.

Until today, when the horn of counterattack was fully sounded.

“Brothers, charge—!”

“Ura—!”

“Ura—!”

Outside a certain large tribe, one massive figure after another appeared. The shorter ones stood seven to eight meters tall, while the taller ones reached thirty or even forty meters in height.

These were giants.

They roared and launched an earth-shattering Charge directly toward the monster tribe not far away.

…

Around the same time, in front of a certain large Snakemen tribe.

The elven Legendary Realm expert, Windchaser Ranger, stood poised in the air, coldly gazing down at the bloody and backward tribal lands below.

Here, numerous Flesh Towers stood tall.

Compared to the giants, the elves’ siege capabilities were far inferior. To quickly turn the tide, the elven Legendary would personally take action.

“I’ve long wanted to eradicate these filthy tribes. Today, my long-cherished wish is finally coming true.”

He murmured.

To minimize casualties, Windchaser Ranger charged at the forefront, with surging natural forces gathering around him as he advanced.

This was the power of a Legendary.

As long as no monster Legendary was present, even the most heavily fortified large tribe would be utterly defenseless against him.

…

A quarter of an hour later.

Windchaser Ranger clutched his arm, having cut away several chunks of flesh. Fleshy buds still wriggled at his wound, a horrifying sight.

“I never expected to still fall for it. The distortion power of these Flesh Towers can’t even be fully resisted by a Legendary like me, let alone ordinary Fourth Order experts who would die instantly upon contact.”

“Even though the high-level monsters in the tribe are much sparser than usual, is it still so difficult to quickly eradicate a large tribe?”

“I wonder how the other fronts are faring now.”

He recalled that Tianyuan Territory had only one Legendary Realm expert, so they probably found it hard to swiftly subdue a monster tribe.

…

“Undaunted Mountain Divine Venerable · Slash!”

At the center of a certain large tribe, Lu Liu rode a Wind King’s Wings, descending from the sky and crashing directly into the tribe’s core—where six Flesh Towers stood tall.

The blood-red eyes atop the towers opened, casting beams of crimson light onto Lu Liu.

Onto his… golden, radiant body, as if forged into an indestructible golden form.

The distorting crimson light, which even Legendary Realm experts couldn’t fully resist, dissipated on the spot. Lu Liu summoned a hundred-meter-tall golden colossus, the long-handled Saber in his hand sweeping through the air in a circular motion.

Boom—Like a divine light piercing through the clouds, the crimson tower crumbled with a thunderous roar, collapsing under Lu Liu’s full-force strike.

This single blow was enough to rival, even surpass, many newly ascended legends.

A quarter of an hour later.

The sounds of battle within the Tribe had mostly faded. Elite soldiers began looting Treasures and tallying Soul Sand and Remnant Souls, while Lu Liu approached the large, bubbling blood pool and extended his hand.

The Hero Mark glowed on his forehead.

The purifying light of Miracle radiated forth.

…

「Prompt: Your Hero ‘Deadbone’ has purified the Filthy Blood Pool, receiving the world’s reward ‘Miracle Blueprint: Intermediate Mage Tower (Blue)’, ‘Equipment Blank (Blue)’……」

…

「Prompt: Your Hero ‘Lu Liu’ has purified the Filthy Blood Pool, receiving ‘Miracle Blueprint: Wrathflame Cannon · Permanent (Green)’, ……」

…

「Prompt:……」

Purifying a Blood Pool guaranteed at least one item of Excellent grade.

Among Excellent items, some were superior while others were inferior. For Mu Yuan, tools, Materials, Treasures, and Remnant Souls fell into the relatively ordinary category.

What he anticipated most were Miracle Blueprints, especially new ones that the Tianyuan Territory did not yet possess.

Time passed.

Every hour or two, or every few hours, prompts echoed in Mu Yuan’s ears.

By nightfall, the Tianyuan Territory’s forces had razed eight large Tribes and obtained over a dozen quite valuable Miracle Blueprints.

「Intermediate Mage Tower (Blue)」×2

「Gravity Training Field (Blue)」、「Iceheart Lotus Platform (Blue)」

「Large Lightning Coil Tower (Blue)」

These were structures of Excellent grade that he already possessed, but more was always better.

Some, however, were his first acquisitions.

「Guardian Statue (Blue)」

This was a defensive structure with no offensive capabilities. Instead, it could lock onto enemy long-range attacks and form a golden barrier to intercept them.

「Bountiful Plantation (Blue)」

This was an agricultural structure, an upgraded version similar to Golden Fertile Soil. It provided abundant earth energy and nutrients for crops, significantly shortening their growth cycle. Some high-Rank crops could only survive in such high-grade soil.

In addition, there were three Rare-grade permanent blueprints.

「Wrathflame Cannon: A cannon with a large area of effect, imbued with the power of flames.」

「Skyhowl Cannon: A cannon with extremely long range, capable of striking targets several kilometers away, though its destructive power is relatively weak.」

「Multi-Arrow Turret: An upgraded version of the Arrow Tower, boasting considerable damage and rapid firing speed.」

These three defensive structures were all excellent and well-suited for area-of-effect combat.

It was worth noting that the Tianyuan Territory previously lacked defensive buildings with high area damage efficiency. The Thundercoil Tower was best used for charging and single-target attacks.

He had previously relied on the Thunderflame Cannon as a substitute.

However, as the Territory’s Rank increased and defensive structures advanced, the Thunderflame Cannon’s disadvantages compared to dedicated defensive buildings would become increasingly apparent.

“With the Multi-Arrow Turret and Wrathflame Cannon, establishing mining outposts in the future will be much safer.”

“Our counterattack to eliminate the monster forces serves two purposes: first, for security, and second, to excavate various mineral veins and Treasures.”

The large Tribes eradicated today mostly contained mineral veins.

They were built around these veins, continuously supplying resources to the Monster Overlords above.

Nightfall made assaults difficult, yet neither the Tianyuan Territory nor the elves and giants halted their offensive.Even though everyone was exhausted and weary, they had to seize the time.

They had moved swiftly, yet during the nighttime purge, they still discovered that many tribes no longer had high-level monsters present. Most importantly, the Blood Pools were gone as well.

They hadn’t been relocated—they had been self-destructed.

Relocation was a cumbersome process, but self-destruction was simple.

“Expected.”

The dominant forces probably hadn’t anticipated their speed, but they must have issued the order to self-destruct the Blood Pools to the various tribes in the morning or at noon.

However, the order had been delayed.

Mu Yuan stood in the City Lord’s Mansion, studying the map and marking large “×”s over one monster tribe after another.

“Of course, it’s also because our campaign was swift enough that we managed to salvage a batch of precious Blood Pools.”

Daisy, passing by in the City Lord’s Mansion, remarked sarcastically, “Aren’t Blood Pools just Filth Crystals? Why does it feel like we’ve become Blood Pool conservationists?”

After a night of consecutively attacking three tribes with no gains, Mu Yuan ordered the Legion to rest and set up a temporary camp in the wilderness.

After a full day of fierce battles, many soldiers had been injured.

The next day.

A group of wounded soldiers, led by Lu Liu and escorted covertly by Deadbone, returned to the Tianyuan Territory.

Dolai, meanwhile, commanded the remaining elite troops, bypassing several monster tribes marked on the map along the way, and headed straight for the most prominent landmark in sight—the Black Colossus Mountain.

Mu Yuan hadn’t forgotten this colossal peak, which had come into view when the territory was first relocated.

Nor had he forgotten that beneath the Black Colossus Mountain lay a crucial stronghold of the Jackal Fang. The Jackal Fang had once stationed several Legendary Realm experts there, firmly guarding the area.

The significance of the Black Colossus Mountain and the Jackal Fang stronghold was self-evident.

Today, the Tianyuan Legion had arrived.

5.4K…

(End of Chapter)