Morning Ambush

In the stone chamber of the Water Curtain Cave, time seemed to suddenly thaw.

The flames of the bonfire began to leap again, emitting faint crackling sounds; the roar of the waterfall thundered into their ears, shaking the air.

The cave was filled with a complex scent of mixed dry grass, earth, and faint blood.

Lin Mo opened his eyes.

He lay on a bed of dry grass, dressed in the leather armor stripped from the mountain bandit leader, with the heavy Ghost Head Great Saber by his side.

Around him, fifty-nine clones lay scattered.

Maintaining their offline postures, whether lying down or sitting, they were like insects frozen in amber.

The next second—

All the clones trembled simultaneously and opened their eyes one after another.

Lin Mo didn't waste time and immediately brought up his status panel to check:

[Name: Lin Mo]
[Level: 5 (170/500)]
[Occupation: Lord (Legendary)]
[Status: Healthy]
[Essence Blood: 300/300 (Full)]

Perfectly replenished! Not a sliver of weakness!

"Good." A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and he immediately flipped up from the dry grass. "While my condition is full, I'll replenish our forces immediately!"

Without a moment's hesitation, Lin Mo sat down cross-legged, calming his mind.

"Create clones, twenty!"

[Essence Blood -10], [Essence Blood -10]...

The familiar sensation of being drained washed over him repeatedly, as if tiny straws were drawing out his life essence.

In the air, ripples like water waves spread densely, circle upon circle, layer upon layer.

"I..."

The first naked figure had just taken shape and hadn't even gotten a clear look at its surroundings.

It was quickly approached by Lin San, Lin Xi, and the others who were already prepared.

They tossed over simply cut pieces of cloth: "Shut up! Hurry up and cover yourself!"

The creation process was smooth and fluid, like standardized operations on an assembly line.

The cave was soon crowded with twenty newly created clones.

Lin Mo slowly opened his eyes, standing up with a pale face.

His Essence Blood had dropped to 100/300, and his status panel now showed the indicator [Slightly Weak].

"Now we have a total of seventy-nine troops." He surveyed the densely packed, identical "himself," took a deep breath, and quickly gave orders:

"Lin Yi, according to last night's plan, immediately form twelve scouting teams, five people per team, and depart immediately to scout a fifty-mile radius!"

"Yes!" Lin Yi solemnly accepted the order and began quickly grouping and calling names.

Three minutes later, sixty clones were assembled, divided into twelve small teams.

Each team carried rations, water skins, and weapons, ready to depart.

"Remember," Lin Mo stood at the cave entrance, his voice stern:

"Scout outwards in a fan shape, centered on the Water Curtain Cave.

Focus on finding land that is easy to defend, has a water source, and is arable.

If you encounter danger, retreat immediately. Safety first!"

"Understood!" The twelve small teams responded in unison, their voices echoing in the cave.

"Depart!"

Lin Mo himself, along with the remaining nineteen clones, stayed behind in the cave.

The first team drilled out of the Water Curtain Cave, followed by the second, the third...

As the fourth team stepped out of the cave entrance, something unexpected happened!

"Archers!"

A furious roar exploded from the woods to the left!

Chiii—!

More than ten arrows shot from three directions simultaneously, their whistling through the air sharp and piercing!

"Enemy attack—!"

Lin Sixteen roared sternly, but before his voice fell, three arrows had already "thwack, thwack, thwack" pierced his chest! Black poison blood sprayed out.

[Clone Death x1]

"Take cover!" Lin Er reacted swiftly, rolling behind a large boulder by the cave entrance.

But the arrow rain was too dense, the angles too tricky. Two more clones, unable to dodge in time, were hit and fell.

[Clone Death x2]

"Kill—!"

Over twenty figures, like wolves and tigers, pounced from the forest. Sword light and blade shadows flashed with a cold glint in the morning sun!

Leading them was a burly, one-eyed man, eight feet tall with a face full of scars. He wielded a heavy Mountain Splitting Axe—none other than the Great Chieftain of Black Wind Stronghold!

"My underlings! Hack these demon-folk to death for me! Avenge the Second and Third Chieftains!"

Inside the cave, Lin Mo, through his mental link, clearly perceived everything happening outside.

A cold light flashed in his eyes, and he then ordered in a deep voice, "Everyone in the cave, get out! Support our brothers outside!"

As soon as the words fell, the nineteen clones who had been guarding the rear, plus the follow-up team yet to exit the cave, instantly transformed into streaks of swift shadows, surging out of the cave entrance like a tide!

The clones outside had already met the enemy head-on, colliding with the fierce mountain bandits with a roar. The sounds of close-quarters combat echoed through the mountains!

The Great Chieftain took the lead, swinging his Mountain Splitting Axe in a sharp arc, cleaving towards the nearest clone!

The clone hastily raised its blade to block—

Clang!!

The deafening roar of metal striking metal erupted, sparks flying everywhere!

The clone was forced back three steps, its hand splitting open and blood streaming down.

The Great Chieftain was a Tough Soldier Occupation, his Strength Attributes far exceeding those of ordinary mountain bandits!

"Die!" The Great Chieftain, seizing the advantage, swept his axe blade horizontally!

Squelch!

The clone's head flew into the air, black poison blood gushing from the severed neck like a fountain. A few drops splashed onto the Great Chieftain's reinforced iron armor.

[Clone Death x1]

Hiss--!

The reinforced iron armor actually began to emit wisps of white smoke, small pits corroded into its surface!

"Poison blood?!" The Great Chieftain's expression changed drastically. His single eye flashed with surprise. "You are remnants of the Five Poisons Cult?!"

He abruptly took a step back and shouted sternly, "Loose the arrows! Don't let them get close!"

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh--!

The archers fired another volley!