To the people aboard the Azure now, seeing a group of Ant People was like finding money on the ground. Almost everyone would rush over in a swarm.
At that moment, the Azure had gradually ventured deeper into the Rotting Lands.
Watchtowers, fortresses, small strongholds. More and more Ant People settlements appeared, and most of them were elite-level. These Ant People elites were far tougher than ordinary Ant People, moving with agility and savage ferocity. Some even carried Level 1 Weapons such as muskets and repeating crossbows.
Some Ant People settlements were even equipped with artillery.
Their contribution points began rising at a noticeable rate, and so did the dangers they encountered.
When evening fell, Li Ye glanced at the contribution points he had accumulated.
Over the course of the day, he had accumulated another 2,800 contribution points.
After thinking for a moment, he ordered the Azure to set out and return to Spore Town.
Because of the long distance, the Azure did not reach its destination until the night had grown deep. At that moment, the entire Spore Town was shrouded in pale blue fluorescence, appearing exceptionally tranquil and beautiful.
But Li Ye and the others had no intention of admiring the scenery. Instead, they hurried toward the center of the town.
The items in the exchange list had barely changed. Clearly, those two unfamiliar Mobile Cities were both holding out for 8,000 contribution points to exchange for that Level 2 Item.
Everyone had reached an understanding in the wilderness: Ant People and resource settlements were claimed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Li Ye therefore exchanged the Spore Armor and Sun Apple Tree Seed without worry, then used all the remaining contribution points to exchange for Frost Ore.
Tomorrow was the final day. If he worked a little harder, he could exchange for all the remaining Frost Ore.
Because he had shot so many Ant People over the past two days, he had also unexpectedly accumulated several thousand Crystal Coins. The Ant People corpses would drop some Iron Ore, coal, ordinary items, and even blueprints.
The thing that surprised him most was a cola blueprint.
Item Name: Cola
Item Level: Common
Additional Effect: None
Crafting Requirements: 1 unit of Freshwater
"It's actually cola?" His eyes immediately lit up.
Li Ye promptly entered the cola blueprint into the Production Workshop and produced a batch of cola, giving everyone a bottle.
After opening a bottle and taking a huge gulp, he could not help nodding.
He had to admit, being able to drink a carbonated beverage in the wasteland really did feel great.
It would be even better if it were chilled.
"A drink like this should be very popular in the wasteland, right? Maybe I can even make some money from it." He could not help thinking.
At the end of the third day, Li Ye successfully accumulated enough contribution points and exchanged for all the remaining Frost Ore in one go.
He then used the Production Workshop to craft the Frost Cannon and its shells.
The Frost Cannon was crystalline and translucent, faintly radiating a trace of cold air.
Ning Wen, the gunner, was even more delighted upon seeing it, repeatedly stroking the cannon's barrel.
Li Ye quietly let out a sigh of relief.
After all that effort, he had finally managed to craft this Level 1 Artillery. The Azure now had much more security in the wilderness.
"We finally have Level 1 Artillery." Old Zhou stroked the Frost Cannon, his eyes filled with satisfaction. "By the way, A-Li, shouldn't we be leaving soon?"
Li Ye nodded.
Considering that the Azure had nearly exhausted its resources, while the crew were physically and mentally exhausted from several days of high-intensity combat, he immediately ordered the Azure to set out for Roland Fortress to undergo repairs and troubleshooting, replenish supplies, and recruit more crew members.
As the Azure slowly departed Spore Town, the corners of Li Ye's mouth curved upward.
He could not be bothered to care which Level 1 City had obtained the Level 2 Mechanical Arm. In any case, everything the Azure was supposed to get had been securely obtained.
At the same time, he glanced at the system panel.
There were still more than two days before the next intelligence refresh.
This intelligence refresh was unexpectedly far away, and there were as many as seven reports.
"There's definitely going to be an Epic Intelligence Report. Maybe there'll even be a Legendary Intelligence Report." He thought.
By the time the Azure returned to Roland Fortress to rest, the intelligence should have refreshed. He could then plan the Azure's next course of action based on the contents of the reports.
In the evening, the Azure arrived at Roland Fortress.
The moment he entered Roland Fortress, Li Ye quietly let out a sigh of relief.
Although the gains this time had been substantial, the Azure's Normal Bullets, shells, Iron Ore, and fuel had also been almost completely depleted. The crew's energy had been exhausted as well. Quite a few people had been injured during the three days of fighting, and the Azure had sustained damage in several places.
This time, Li Ye planned to rest at Roland Fortress for a few days, allowing everyone to get a proper break while preparing supplies for the next expedition and trying to recruit a few more crew members.
"Fortunately, we have Roland Fortress as a Safe Harbor." He thought.
After all, recuperating in the wilderness was a very dangerous thing.
What surprised him was that the Conqueror and the Azure had also just returned.
The three lords met and briefly exchanged accounts of their experiences over the past few days.
It was not only the Azure—the Conqueror and the Azure had also gained something this time.
After several days of attacks, the Conqueror had successfully conquered a monster town, obtaining quite a few resources and even a City Component blueprint. The Azure had also been lucky. While attacking a Mine, it had unexpectedly obtained a Level 1 Heavy Machine Gun blueprint from the corpse of an elite monster.
"Monster town?" Li Ye could not help feeling a jolt in his heart when he heard that. He then asked, "Was it a Boar People town?"
When Lei Jian nodded in surprise, Li Ye secretly sighed inwardly.
He had originally planned to attack it after the Azure finished resting, but he had not expected the Conqueror to beat him to it.
But that was normal. He could not possibly be the one to get every good thing.
Compared to that, what surprised him more was the Azure's luck. He had not expected it to obtain a Level 1 Heavy Machine Gun blueprint.
This could be considered the strongest weapon of slaughter apart from Level 1 Artillery. When facing a Zombie Tide, it was even more useful than artillery.
After hearing about Li Ye's experiences, Li Jin and Lei Jian were also stunned.
"You have Level 1 Artillery too?" Lei Jian exclaimed in amazement.
"I didn't know there was a neutral monster town in the Rotting Lands. Not only did it have Frost Ore and crystals, it even had a Level 2 Item." Li Jin muttered. "Why don't I ever have such good luck?"
With that, the two of them looked at Li Ye with envy and complicated emotions.
The Azure now possessed City Camouflage and a Frost Cannon. It had also obtained a rare Level 1 Crop, along with two very impressive blueprints.
The development speed of this Level 1 City was simply too fast—practically like riding a rocket!
The two men could not help sighing with emotion.
Li Ye merely waved his hand and smiled.
After bidding farewell to the two men, he returned to the Azure and prepared to get started on his own work.
Just then, a commotion suddenly came from outside.
"What happened this time?" He could not help wondering. "Could enemies be attacking? That can't be. This is a fortress."
When Li Ye left the room, full of doubts, and saw the scene clearly, he was immediately startled.
A huge figure had suddenly appeared in the distant sky.
A Steampunk-style Mobile City whose shape resembled a gigantic hot-air balloon!
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