Chapter 58

Just as the giant tail of the black water crocodile paused in its movement, Cheng Yang struck it forcefully with his bone staff. Using the rebound force, Cheng Yang leaped up another meter, narrowly avoiding the black water crocodile leader's attack.

Cheng Yang landed heavily three meters away. The moment the bone staff made contact with the black water crocodile, the immense rebound force not only propelled him upward but also caused his arm to ache. In terms of strength, four Cheng Yangs combined would not match this black water crocodile leader, and he had taken a hidden loss in that exchange.

Fortunately, he had finally broken out of the encirclement, and the initiative was now back in Cheng Yang's hands.

A cold smile crept onto Cheng Yang's lips, and he immediately turned around and launched an ice ball at the black water crocodile leader that had attacked him. The black water crocodile leader, naturally, had no way to avoid Cheng Yang's attack. The ice ball struck its forehead, causing it to howl in pain.

The ordinary black water crocodiles around them did not remain idle, swarming toward Cheng Yang. From the sky, the ground below appeared completely black, with no place to stand.

Cheng Yang did not dare to match these creatures in strength and retreated again. He also launched another ice ball at the black water crocodile leader, who angrily pursued him.

At this moment, another black water crocodile leader had also recovered from its frozen state and followed its companion, determined to swallow Cheng Yang alive.

Cheng Yang sneered inwardly. The failure to encircle him had already sealed their fate. He launched another ice ball, hitting the black water crocodile that was only about ten meters away. The black water crocodile finally let out a miserable cry and collapsed on the ground.

It had to be said that the black water crocodile's thick skin and tough flesh made it a formidable opponent. Normally, Cheng Yang could kill a late-stage first-tier demonized beast with just three ice balls, but this one took four hits before it died.

Next, Cheng Yang turned his attention to the other black water crocodile leader. Although hundreds of black water crocodiles were rushing toward him, none of them, except the leader, could match even half of Cheng Yang's speed, so he did not need to worry too much.

The black water crocodile leader charged out first and, within a few seconds, met the same fate as its companion.

Cheng Yang did not want to kill the remaining demonized beasts one by one. He needed to find a relatively safe place to release ice spikes.

Of course, Cheng Yang had considered calling Liu Hao and the others out. However, without using the "grafting" technique, they would not be of much help, and if he used it, his defense would not withstand the black water crocodiles' attacks for long. After a brief consideration, he abandoned this idea.

Cheng Yang retreated at a steady pace while searching for a suitable location.

Fortunately, he found a rather peculiar hiding spot. It was originally a gentle slope, but due to an earthquake, it had become a sheer cliff, with the upper part about three to four meters higher than the lower part. As long as Cheng Yang stood with his back against the cliff, he only needed to worry about the black water crocodiles in front of him.

As long as the black water crocodiles attacking Cheng Yang were not mid-stage first-tier beasts, he was not afraid, no matter how many there were. The late-stage first-tier ones had already been killed by Cheng Yang, so he did not need to worry about them.

At this moment, the black water crocodiles in the alley had already slaughtered all the green-skinned monkeys and emerged. Compared to the green-skinned monkeys, the black water crocodiles were slightly stronger, and the number disparity was significant. The green-skinned monkeys' desperate resistance did not cause the black water crocodiles much trouble.

Cheng Yang quickly rushed to the cliff, feeling much more secure with his back against the solid ground.

"Ice ball..." Cheng Yang shouted, attracting the black water crocodiles to charge toward him. His goal was simple: to make the black water crocodiles as dense as possible. His ice spike skill had no limit on the number of targets, and as long as they were within range, they would be attacked.

After about ten seconds, the black water crocodiles rushed to Cheng Yang's side. The scattered ones were taken out with ice balls, and the remaining ones formed large groups.

Cheng Yang did not hesitate, enduring the black water crocodiles' attacks while frantically using the ice spike skill. Watching his spirit energy points increase, Cheng Yang was very pleased.

There were still some mid-stage first-tier black water crocodiles in the group, but since Cheng Yang did not need to watch all sides, he could spot them immediately and focus on them. They did not even have a chance to reach Cheng Yang before being eliminated.

A few minutes later, Cheng Yang had killed most of the black water crocodiles, leaving only a few scattered ones.

At this moment, Liu Hao and the others suddenly emerged from a pile of rubble on the left, charging toward the scattered demonized beasts. In no time, they had eliminated all the black water crocodiles.

"You guys sure know how to pick your timing, coming to snatch the victory, right?" Cheng Yang glared at them with a smile.

Liu Hao laughed, "Lord, how could we dare to snatch your victory? We saw you fighting hard and came to help! Besides, with your current wealth and efficiency in killing monsters, would you even care about a bit of spirit energy?"

Cheng Yang was not really angry and smiled, "You talk too much, I can't argue with you. Did you guys check what the black water crocodiles were guarding?"

Liu Hao replied, "No, we saw so many crocodiles attacking you and were worried... well, you know, so we stayed nearby."

Cheng Yang felt a warm sensation in his heart. Although he knew that Liu Hao and the others could not provide much help if he was in danger, the feeling of being cared for was still very enjoyable. In the apocalypse, human relationships were mostly filled with deceit, and those who truly cared for others were rare.

"Alright, let's go see what these guys were guarding," Cheng Yang said with a faint smile.

Next, led by Cheng Yang, the group quickly passed through the alley where the intense battle had taken place and arrived at the spot where the black water crocodiles had gathered.

On the ground, there was a scroll-like item. Unlike the previous times, Cheng Yang had obtained two such scroll-like items before, but they were skill scrolls. This time, Cheng Yang was very sure it was not a skill scroll but the long-awaited blueprint for a territory building.

Setting aside the settlement cornerstone and the first clear of the dungeon, this item would be the most precious in the Xiangcheng city area.

Blueprint for the Guardian Hall: A blueprint that records the construction method of the Guardian Hall. After sacrificing it on the altar, the territory will gain the right to build the Guardian Hall. (Guardian Hall: A special building where the lord can recruit territory guards. The strength of the guards is one small rank lower than the lord's, and the number depends on the territory's level.)

In his previous life, the Guardian Hall was obtained by another settlement in Xiangcheng city. However, Cheng Yang knew some of its general functions.

The highest strength of the territory guards is one small rank lower than the lord's, and their number is not large. A level 1 village has only 10 recruitment slots, and the number increases by 10 for each level up. As for how many guards can be hired when the territory upgrades to a town, Cheng Yang did not know.

Do not underestimate the role of the territory guards. They are like NPCs in the game world, completely obeying the lord. Therefore, as long as there is a powerful army of territory guards, the lord's position will be extremely solid.

According to the current rules, the lord is the strongest in the territory, and the territory guards' strength is only one small rank lower. How powerful would the territory guard team be?

Once the Guardian Hall is built, Luofeng Village will be able to recruit 20 mid-stage first-tier territory guards, who will be Cheng Yang's most loyal subordinates.

However, the use of territory guards is limited. The biggest restriction is that they cannot leave the territory. In other words, they can only defend, not attack. Cheng Yang deduced this based on the performance of another settlement in his previous life, as the other side never took the territory guards out of the territory.

"Is this it? What skill is it?" Liu Hao asked excitedly as he saw Cheng Yang pick up the scroll. He thought it was a skill scroll because he had obtained one yesterday that looked similar.

Cheng Yang said, "This is not a skill scroll but a building blueprint. It will play a crucial role in whether our Luofeng Village can stand firm in this world."

"Really that powerful?" Liu Hao looked incredulous.

Cheng Yang immediately explained the function of the item, and Liu Hao and the others immediately opened their mouths wide.

After a while, Liu Hao said with a bitter smile, "Lord, these territory guards are too fortunate. They directly have a strength one small rank lower than yours, while we have to work hard to improve. This is completely unfair."

Cheng Yang replied, "Who would want to stay in the territory for life without going out?"

"Well... let's not talk about it." Liu Hao immediately laughed awkwardly and rejected the idea. Staying in Luofeng Village for life? That would be worse than death.

Cheng Yang smiled and put the blueprint for the Guardian Hall in his pocket.

The main task for today was completed, and it was already close to 2 PM. After searching a few more rescue points and successfully rescuing the family of a warrior, Cheng Yang and the others returned home.

When they returned to Luofeng Village, it was already completely dark.

This trip, Cheng Yang and the others had rescued nearly 3,000 people, fewer than the previous days but still enough to make Cheng Yang happy.

At this moment, Cheng Yang did not have time to ask Yu Kai and the others about their day's harvest because he was eager to summon the territory guards.

PS: Request for recommendations and collections.

Page flip AD starts

Page flip AD ends