While Gu Xi patrolled the territory with his subordinates, Luna had already finished arranging the construction of the City Gate.
Luna had placed the City Gate near the Water Well. Its entrance did not connect directly to the main street, but instead faced a cluster of collapsed cottages.
As the City Gate was constructed, the ruins of the collapsed houses were being cleared away. It was clear that Luna intended to clear the rubble and turn this place into a plaza for stationing troops.
Meanwhile, the materials from the ruins could be stored for later use in building the city wall or other structures.
When Gu Xi arrived before the City Gate, it was only half complete. As he approached, he noticed that no one seemed to be working on it. Planks and bricks simply stacked themselves into place.
He had no idea how that worked.
Gu Xi stood before the City Gate and watched for a while. He then understood that the four-hour time limit was the system's estimate. It would be exact—not a moment early or late.
At the same time, Gu Xi could already tell that the City Gate would be ten meters wide. Judging by its layout, it would stand nearly fifteen meters tall once completed, making it a fairly large City Gate.
There would also be a walkway atop it for people to walk along, and portcullises, iron gates, and the like could be installed later.
The future city wall would also begin here and extend outward. It could be said that how tall and thick Gu Xi's city wall could become would all depend on the City Gate before him.
This was extremely important to Gu Xi, so he gave it several more looks.
At that moment, Luna floated out of the Council Hall.
"Luna, how large do you estimate that district over there is?"
Gu Xi pointed toward an area that was also part of the Lower District.
"That side is smaller, only about 0.4 square kilometers."
Luna immediately understood what Gu Xi was thinking. She also believed that the Dock Area before them was the best place to make a move.
However, Gu Xi's forces were clearly insufficient at the moment. If they attacked now, there was no telling what they might encounter.
"My lord, we do not have enough troops right now."
"I know. Once the City Gate is complete, send me to Victoria City. I'll look around there and see whether I can bring back some suitable corpses and bones.
"I'll replenish our troops and Negative Energy. As for these units..."
At that point, Gu Xi glanced at the Battle Squad beside him. After hesitating briefly, he finally said, "Leave all these troops with you as well. While I'm gone, if foreign enemies invade, you'll handle it."
This was also Gu Xi's first time dealing with the Death City skill, especially with a territory still under contention. He had no way to judge whether the other areas were watching him.
So after some hesitation, he decided to keep all his troops in Aryadovi City.
Luna also knew just how important Aryadovi City was to Gu Xi.
Hearing Gu Xi say this, Luna agreed.
Gu Xi then took Luna on another tour around the city.
After making the rounds, Gu Xi discovered a serious problem.
There was no food in Aryadovi City that he could eat.
He had already been starving while imprisoned in the cell. Now he was so hungry that he was nearly numb.
"My lord, shall I arrange for some people to search the other districts?"
Seeing Gu Xi constantly gulp down water in an attempt to fool his stomach, Luna grew somewhat worried.
Ever since she had signed the contract with Gu Xi, she had never seen him eat anything.
Not only had he not eaten, but he had fought all the way here, expending a tremendous amount of strength.
Even if leveling up restored Gu Xi's life and mana, hunger was not something a level-up could erase.
Luna could not help worrying about Gu Xi's condition.
However, Gu Xi did not care much about it. Holding a wooden cup, he took a sip of the warm water inside and said with a smile, "It's fine. In a few hours, once the City Gate is complete, I'll leave directly.
"I have money on hand, so there'll be food to eat in Victoria City no matter what.
"Besides, I'm starving badly right now. Eating rich food at a time like this would actually be bad for me. I'll drink more water and fool my stomach for now. We'll talk after I get out."
After hearing Gu Xi say that, Luna did not try to persuade him further. She merely floated at his side.
After drinking several mouthfuls of warm water, Gu Xi found a place to sit down and closed his eyes.
"I'll rest for a while. Wake me when the time comes."
His expression was perfectly natural as he spoke. No one could tell that Gu Xi was already starving badly.
He only wanted to fall asleep as quickly as possible. Only sleep could make him forget the emptiness in his stomach.
Four hours passed in the blink of an eye.
As soon as the time was up, Gu Xi did not even need Luna to wake him. A ding beside his ear startled him awake.
Ding! Construction of the small building City Gate complete. City experience +1. City level increased to Level 2. City Name: Aryadovi City Direction: Death City City Trait: Territory Under Contention (More than half of the city is an uncontrolled area. The city may be attacked by enemies from the uncontrolled areas at any time. If the city is conquered, the city territory can automatically expand.) City Level: Level 2 (0/50) Core Building (1/2): Council Hall (Grants 500 Negative Energy Points per day) Large building (1/2): Evil Church (Can train 20+10 Skeleton Soldiers per week) Medium building (1/3): White Candle Factory (Provides 300 Negative Energy Points per day and 30 units of white candles per week.) Small building (2/8): Water Well (Increases the number of soldiers trainable per week by 50%), City Gate Auxiliary Building (0/20): None Garrison Hero: None Garrison Troops: None
After glancing at the information that had appeared before him, Gu Xi quickly rose to his feet and called out to Luna.
"I'm leaving first. Once we have enough resources, build a warehouse first. That treasure chest by the gate can't hold much. You don't need to worry about me in Victoria. Just manage Aryadovi City properly.
"As for the Skeleton Soldiers, arrange for them to patrol. Keep one Battle Squad stationed in front of the City Gate at all times."
After explaining everything, Gu Xi put away the Bone Shatter Wooden Stick and the Ghastly Head, preparing to leave.
"I'll see you off, my lord!"
Luna did not say much else. She simply spoke to Gu Xi obediently.
Gu Xi nodded without saying anything. He merely took a step forward, then felt the world spin around him, as though he had been flung off a roller coaster.
This was actually the greatest function of the Death City.
A Necromancer who had mastered the Death City skill could freely enter and leave the city if he was alone.
The entry and exit locations were fixed. On the Death City side, Gu Xi's exit point was located before the Council Hall.
In the Real World, he would emerge wherever he had entered from.
However, Gu Xi had entered this world from Victoria Tower this time.
The method of entry was different, so when he left, Gu Xi was flung out at random.
After spinning through the air for more than half a circle, Gu Xi felt a flash of light before his eyes. Then, with a splash, a rush of foul-smelling sewage poured into his mouth. He had been thrown into the Isis River that ran through Victoria City.
Before you continue