Armory Camp

The Red-Feathered Eagle was an Apprentice Level 9 beast. In the Wild Wilderness Forest, Planetary Level beasts were quite common, after all, the largest part of this planet was forest, and the Aoyu Empire was merely a small patch of land on the continent.

But since they were flying within the Aoyu Empire, an Apprentice Level 9 beast was already at the apex. Along the way, the flying beasts all gave way.

"These beasts, they seem clever, but sometimes they're stupid too. When they see us flying in the sky, they can't help but attack. Instead, having an Apprentice Level 9 beast actually intimidates them." Cal and Guen sat facing each other, and she was now speaking with ease.

"Look, that's the Eastsea. The entire Eastsea Province is a part of the Aoyu Empire jutting into the Eastsea, with a long and narrow terrain. Beasts in the sea very easily attack the people here, making the people of Eastsea Province fierce and hardy—men, women, old, and young, all skilled in battle."

Guen looked down from above.

A stretch of blue water slowly spread out from the horizon.

"It's quite beautiful." Guen saw the sea for the first time and praised it sincerely.

Cal's expression was complicated. "Beautiful?"

As she finished speaking, she tossed down a piece of roasted meat. The water surface stirred, and a massive fish beast swallowed the meat in one gulp. The three eyes on its forehead stared maliciously at the sky, only slowly sinking back into the water after a long while.

"The entire world, the ocean doesn't take up a large proportion, but the ocean is very, very deep. The vast space within it is no less than the land. Shallow sea beasts are nothing to worry about, but the massive swarms of beasts that often emerge from the deep sea are the real threat. For some reason, Deep Sea Beasts have an extremely strong urge to attack. Nowadays, traditional shallow sea beasts are almost gone. What you just saw was a Deep Sea Beast."

"Deep Sea Beast..." Guen's expression also turned serious.

Land beasts, though numerous, didn't cause as much trouble as Deep Sea Beasts.

Deep Sea Beasts were bloodthirsty, possessing an extremely strong desire for destruction and combat power.

The high-pressure environment of the deep sea made the defense of Deep Sea Beasts extremely formidable. Land beasts of the same level could rarely match the defense of Deep Sea Beasts.

Cal silently stared at the ocean, her gaze complex.

Guen, however, saw land gradually appearing on the horizon. The most peculiar sight was the tall stone walls standing along the coast. To come from the sea onto the land, one either had to break through the thick walls or climb over the outward-slanting walls. Above the walls, a large number of human warriors were patrolling.

The killing intent on every warrior made Guen marvel.

The Aoyu Empire lived in an environment surrounded by beasts. Men, women, old, and young all had a tough and spirited air, but the warriors of Eastsea Province were even more outstanding.

"Let's go down."

Cal urged the Red-Feathered Eagle to descend. The warriors below had already spotted Cal and Guen, and a small squad immediately surrounded them.

"If you're here to kill beasts, report to the Armory Camp. If you have other business, leave here immediately and go to Surging Wave City..."

Before the squad leader could finish speaking, the Red-Feathered Eagle flew straight up into the sky. Cal and Guen stood in midair and slowly descended. Sweat immediately beaded on the squad leader's forehead. "This humble one had eyes but failed to see. I didn't know two lords had arrived. Please..."

"No need. Take us to the Armory Camp." Cal shook her head, then turned to Guen. "These people are just following orders. Once we reach the Armory Camp, the Temple will know we've arrived in Eastsea Province and will start calculating contributions."

"I see." Guen nodded.

In Eastsea, staying an extra month earned three contribution points. Killing a beast was also worth three points, unless it was a Planetary Level 4 or higher beast. Naturally, reporting in earlier was better.

The squad leader wiped the sweat from his forehead and hurriedly led the way.

The Armory Camp was a unique camp in Eastsea Province. Though its main body was composed of the military, it served all kinds of warriors and experts. As long as one killed a certain number and level of beasts, they could exchange them for treasures at the Armory Camp.

Even Transcendence Methods could be exchanged.

These naturally held no appeal for Guen, but for most Apprentice Level warriors, this was one of the few ways to obtain a Transcendence Method. Its attraction for Apprentice Level warriors was immense. Otherwise, relying solely on Eastsea Province's own strength to defend against the extremely aggressive Deep Sea Beasts would inevitably result in heavy losses.

For Planetary Level warriors, they could also exchange for treasures hoarded by major factions, such as Dragon Blood and Green Marrow. Thus, the Armory Camp was a must-visit location for every warrior who came to Eastsea Province to kill beasts.

Cal and Guen were led to the Armory Camp, where they were received by people from the Goddess Temple. In every Armory Camp in Eastsea Province, a squad of Apprentice Level 9 warriors was on standby to handle trivial matters for Planetary Level warriors like Guen.

Guen looked over the Armory Camp's list of treasures for a while and was somewhat disappointed. "Looking at the quantity, it seems inferior to the Goddess Temple?"

Cal shook her head slightly. "Look closely. This Hujia Stone has the effect of compressing flesh and blood. In a room made of Hujia Stone, you bear multiple times the natural weight, which is greatly beneficial for cultivation. But this is a specialty of the Council of Elders. The ones in our Goddess Temple were all traded from the Council of Elders. And this 'Ten-Poison Blood,' which can infect and kill specific types of beasts, is a poison only Demon Hunters can make. This Jade Mountain Stalactite is in no way inferior to Green Marrow, yet it's exclusive to the Imperial Council. Outside the Armory Camp, obtaining these things from the Goddess Temple would require a huge price. The items in the Armory Camp are mostly top-quality. Otherwise, how could they attract warriors from all over to Eastsea Province?"

Guen carefully examined the treasure list again. Indeed, though the items were fewer, they were all top-quality. More than half were specialties or necessities of the major factions.

Such as weapons and mounts.

Such as medicines and secret arts.

"My lords, these two small courtyards are your resting places. If you need anything, call us at any time." The Apprentice Level warriors of the Goddess Temple here were very respectful.

Apprentice Level and Planetary Level were worlds apart. Even within the same faction, they showed great respect.

"Guen, don't think the courtyard is small. This is a privilege of Planetary Level. Eastsea Province has narrow terrain, and land within the Armory Camp is especially tight. Only Planetary Level warriors get individual courtyards. Apprentice Level warriors all sleep in the main camp, dozens resting in one tent. When it's crowded, some low-level Apprentice warriors can only sleep in the wild," Cal kindly explained. "Rest for now. Tomorrow morning, we'll set out to hunt Planetary Level beasts."

Flying all the way from the Goddess Temple, even though the high-altitude wind was as sharp as a blade and the air as cold as ice, a Planetary Level body could endure it. But they were somewhat tired, not in peak condition, so Guen didn't refuse.

The next morning, Cal and Guen rose into the air. Under the envious eyes of many, they flew out along the coastline.

Only Planetary Level warriors could act independently. Apprentice Level warriors always followed military orders to designated positions. Though they had a bit more freedom than soldiers, acting recklessly meant certain death.

By the coastline.

"Die!"

Guen descended from the air and cleaved a massive black octopus in two. Its aura was already close to Planetary Level, on the verge of breaking through. It was the strongest beast in this group, and the surrounding beasts were all black octopuses as well.

Killing the leader didn't result in the beasts scattering as Guen had expected. Instead, these black octopuses, knowing they were outmatched, attacked Guen even more frantically, not even caring about the warriors on the stone wall.

"Such frenzied Deep Sea Beasts." Only now did Guen understand just how strong the attack urge of Deep Sea Beasts was!

"Die, die."

But the gap was too great. Guen easily slaughtered most of the black octopuses. Only when they were reduced to about a tenth of their original number did they reluctantly retreat.

The sea beneath the stone wall was piled high with the corpses of black octopuses. The washing waves couldn't carry these remains away.

The cheers rising from the stone wall eased the tension in Guen's heart.

From morning to afternoon, Guen and Cal had been searching for Planetary Level beasts. Slaughtering low-level beasts earned at most ten contribution points, but a single Planetary Level beast was worth three. Yet for some reason, not a single Planetary Level beast had shown itself.

They had no choice but to help cull some low-level beasts. To Guen, it was nothing, but for the warriors on the stone wall, enduring two or three waves of Deep Sea Beast assaults a day meant heavy losses each time—mostly among the soldiers. After all, key passes were mostly held by the army, while wandering fighters were stationed in relatively safer areas.

With a Planetary Level warrior present, it was even possible to suffer zero casualties. When the sea beasts retreated, cheers of joy naturally followed.

Cal flew in from another direction, her body also caked in black bloodstains. Seeing Guen's expression, she couldn't help but laugh. "This is only the first day. Planetary Level sea beasts—if they don't show up, fine. But when they do, they come in droves. You'll have your fill of crying then. Come on, the army's people will record the kills. Let's head back first."

Guen nodded, fell in step with Cal, and flew toward the direction of the Armory Camp.