Blessing of the Departed Souls and the Recruitment Plan

[Killed lv18 Abomination Pato]

[Obtained 1680 experience points]

[Obtained 100 reputation points]

[Obtained Tavern Construction Blueprint ×1]

[Obtained Tier 1 Territory Research Institute Construction Blueprint ×1]

[Obtained Tier 2 City Lord Manor Upgrade Voucher ×1]

[Obtained Incomplete Blue Soul ×1]

[Obtained Cruel Butcher's Blade (Blue) ×1]

[Obtained book Marching Strategy ×1]

[Obtained Head of Othello Windrunner]

Captain-level Abomination Pato had sent another wave of warmth to Zong Shen, though these rewards were mainly blueprints and books.

Zong Shen decided to hold off and check or organize them all at once when he returned.

The only piece of equipment seemed to be the butcher's blade in the hands of Abomination Pato.

Zong Shen took it out and held it in his hand, almost unable to keep his grip.

With Zong Shen's current strength of 21 points, he found it extremely strenuous to hold it with one hand.

Only by using both hands could he barely lift it up.

However, to use it freely for hacking and slashing, one would need at least 35 points of strength.

The door-like blade alone was as wide as Zong Shen's own body.

[Cruel Butcher's Blade (Blue)]

[One-handed/Two-handed]

[Quality: Excellent]

[Slashing Damage: 42/48]

[Attack Range: 55]

[Attack Speed: -8%]

[Durability: 220]

[Skill: Wild Slash (Deals 3 slashes within 3 seconds, each slash dealing 1.0x slashing damage)]

[Strength Required: 38]

"Holy crap, that's awesome!"

This Butcher Blade is simply a weapon of slaughter.

It can be used with one hand or two.

It's a pity that the required strength is as high as 38 points; neither Zong Shen nor the Wolf Cavalry can equip it.

I can only store it for now, or consider putting it up for sale in the market.

Zong Shen put the Butcher Blade away.

He looked at the last part of the Demon Hunter's body.

[Head of Othello Windrunner]

[A head that has undergone the Blood Burn Demon Profanation Ritual and stitching experiments; one of the quest items]

He put it away.

With this, all six parts of the Demon Hunter's body have been collected.

Now, he only needs to bring them back to the territory and bury them beside the Moon Well.

After the Stitching Monster Pato was eliminated by Zong Shen, rays of light suddenly shone down throughout the entire dungeon.

Wisps of black smoke rose within the light, eventually dissipating into nothingness.

Bathed in the light, Zong Shen felt his entire body growing warm and incredibly comfortable.

[Due to your heroism, light has returned to this dungeon. The shadow of death has dispersed, and the countless spirits of the Elven race have found peace.]

[You have received the Blessing of the Elven Spirits, lasting for 3 days.]

[Blessing of the Elven Spirits]

[Effect: Rare item drop rate +5%, fatigue -50%, attack +10%, defense +10%]

This counts as an unexpected surprise.

I didn't expect that after clearing this dungeon, there would actually be an additional buff reward.

This dungeon has been completely cleared, and there is no value in staying any longer.

He raised his hand to check the time.

It was already noon.

More than six hours had passed since they set out shortly after 6:00 AM.

The group's hunger and thirst levels were still acceptable, so Zong Shen decided to change the plan for the day.

He would stop exploring for now.

He would first go to claim the territory and inheritance of that unlucky lord, and recruit the farmers from the territory to take them away.

After that, he still needed to prepare for the territory expansion mission.

At the same time, he needed to organize the rewards obtained from the morning's exploration.

It was time to start the great construction.

Thinking of this, Zong Shen turned to look at the fire mage Favid and said.

"Favid, take me to your former master's territory now; let's go and recruit those poor farmers."

Favid nodded and bowed respectfully.

"My lord, please follow me."

"We only found this place after discovering a crude entrance within a set of ruins."

"Please, follow me."

His attitude was very respectful.

After fighting side-by-side for this short time, Zong Shen had already earned Favid's approval through his own strength and talent.

Compared to his former master who had already kicked the bucket.

This one was indeed much more capable.

Perhaps he really could lead him to reclaim his lost glory.

Zong Shen nodded and led the group as they followed Favid back to the dungeon on the left.

In one of the cells, just as the Strategy Guide had indicated, a tunnel about two meters in diameter had been dug out.

This tunnel wound its way upward, barely wide enough for the group to pass through in a single file line.

There were already some obvious signs of collapse in the tunnel, as well as some traces of it having been re-excavated.

Clearly, that unlucky lord had also spent quite a bit of effort to reopen it after discovering the passage.

After carefully passing through the tunnel.

The group stood amidst a field of ruins.

The surroundings were still mountainous forest, though the terrain was somewhat flatter here.

It appeared that this location was a level area situated on the mountainside.

Underfoot lay scattered, piled-up architectural debris, with dense shrubs and weeds growing through the gaps.

"My Lord, the former lord's territory is right there."

Favid raised his hand to point in a direction, and within their line of sight, the dilapidated courtyard, standard for any lord, could be seen.

Outside, a few farmers were still working diligently at gathering resources.

It seemed they were unaware that their lord had already perished in the dungeon.

The courtyard was less than two miles from their current position, a matter of only a few minutes on foot.

About five or six minutes later, Zong Shen and his party arrived outside this lord's courtyard.

Zong Shen was surprised to discover that the unlucky lord actually had five farmers.

Beyond the initial three farmers, he had managed to scrounge up two more from somewhere.

These five farmers, who had been gathering, saw them and immediately stopped their work, standing up nervously before fleeing back into the courtyard.

Zong Shen and his party looked quite menacing.

In particular, the Giant Wolves mounted by the Wolf Cavalry were baring their fangs and brandishing their claws, clearly not to be trifled with.

That was until they saw Favid.

A farmer with a bit more courage stood at the entrance and called out proactively.

"Lord Favid, why are you with strangers?"

"Where is our Lord Zhang Song?"

Favid stepped forward and began to explain.

"The former lord was torn apart by the monsters in the dungeon, and I nearly died at their hands as well."

"Fortunately, I encountered Lord Zong Shen."

"These are Lord Zong Shen's soldiers, and he has come this time to save you all."

"Without a lord's protection, it is very difficult for you to survive in this wilderness."

Favid spoke rapidly.

The few farmers in the small courtyard looked at each other in dismay.

Yet, no one dared to take the first step.

"Is the lord dead?"

They still seemed to have their reservations.

At this moment, Zong Shen smiled and walked directly into the small courtyard.

When the farmers saw this, they acted as if they had seen a ghost, screaming in alarm and curling up in the corner.

In their eyes, no outsider could ever set foot in the small courtyard, but now, that rule seemed to have changed.

After that unlucky lord died, this small courtyard was no longer protected by the novice protection rules!