Chapter Summaries

Zong Shen searched the Mining Area dormitory, finding useful treasure and a mysterious picture book tied to the Land of Buried Bones. He headed for the final marked room, where he froze after clearing away the spiderwebs.

• Zong Shen opened a Black Iron Treasure Chest and received supplies, seeds, blueprints, refined salt, and Protective Thick Leather Gloves.
• Zong Shen explored a web-covered dormitory room and uncovered a picture book that had survived for more than ten thousand years.
• Zong Shen learned that the Loving Picture Book could help him explore the Land of Buried Bones and kept the clue in mind.
• Zong Shen crossed the Mining Area, passing Wolf Cavalry as they piled the rotting Web Monster victims in the Blood Pool.
• Zong Shen entered the final marked dormitory room and froze after removing the last sheet of spiderwebs.

Zong Shen opened a safe Silver Treasure Chest after identifying a Golden Treasure Chest as a powerful lightning trap, and found a Giant Cannon Tower blueprint, wine, and other rewards. He examined the loot, remembered his territory needed upgrading, and called Colby over to surprise him with a Wolf Rider Advancement Book.

• Zong Shen identified the Golden Treasure Chest as a trap containing a lightning spell, collected it, and opened the safe Silver Treasure Chest.
• The Silver Treasure Chest yielded a Tier 4 Giant Cannon Tower Blueprint, three bottles of Cellared Merlot Wine, a Deep Well Blueprint, a Level 3 City Lord's Mansion Upgrade Voucher, and a Wolf Rider Advancement Book.
• Zong Shen examined the Giant Cannon Tower blueprint and wine, appreciating the tower's combat abilities and the wine's attack-boosting effects.
• The upgrade voucher reminded Zong Shen that his territory needed to advance, and he checked the Leaderboard, where Chen Rui remained first with a Level 4 territory.
• Zong Shen saw that the Wolf Rider Advancement Book could promote a Tier 2 Wolf Cavalry unit to Tier 3, then called Colby over to give him a surprise.

Zong Shen advanced Colby and his Giant Wolf, Fenrir, into Third Order Dire Wolf Cavalry, then learned that increasingly powerful Dungeon waves were overwhelming the front line. He sent ranged reinforcements to Vereesa and returned to the mine after treating his wound.

• Zong Shen used a Wolf Rider Advancement Book on Colby and Fenrir, transforming them into Third Order Dire Wolf Cavalry.
• Zong Shen inspected Colby and Fenrir's improved attributes and skills, then sent Colby back to work.
• Vereesa reported that fast, regenerating Gargoyles were gathering above the Dungeon front line because the defenders lacked ranged firepower.
• Zong Shen ordered Favid, Jennings, Vivian, and Madeline to reinforce Vereesa, while Pierce drove them back in a Load-Bearer Mecha.
• After the group departed, Zong Shen washed and bandaged his wound, put his damaged armor back on, and returned to the mine.

Zong Shen finished dismantling the Web Monsters and led his soldiers into the mine’s left branch to search its warehouses. He found scattered Kobold survivors and opened the Equipment Warehouse, leaving with thousands of pickaxes and two intact mining Magic Energy Puppets.

• Zong Shen and his soldiers finished dismantling the Web Monsters, gathered their useful materials, and burned the corpses to prevent disease and attract monsters.
• Zong Shen led the soldiers into the left-hand mine tunnel and ordered them to check the first side passage for Kobolds.
• Colby’s Wolf Riders found seven or eight injured Kobolds, whom Zong Shen had tied up to bring back to his territory.
• Zong Shen used a Rune Key to open the Equipment Warehouse and collected 2,767 Fine Grade pickaxes.
• Zong Shen uncovered two undamaged Type II Mining Magic-Energy Puppets and inspected their mining capabilities.

Zong Shen cleared the mining district’s ore storage warehouse and discovered a hidden chamber with emergency slides leading to other Mining Areas. He found books, documents, overturned wine glasses, and a Silver Treasure Chest inside the chamber.

• Zong Shen used the Mining District Sheriff Identity Card to deactivate the Defensive Magic Arrays and open the ore warehouse’s Runic Gate.
• Zong Shen collected more than 55,000 units of iron ore, filling his available storage, then left the empty warehouse with his team.
• Zong Shen asked the Strategy Guide about the remaining passages and learned that the third led to a Mine Elevator while the main tunnel ended at a Refining Workshop occupied by Kobolds.
• Zong Shen chose to explore the fourth passage before visiting the Refining Workshop and its Kobolds.
• Zong Shen used the sheriff’s nameplate to open a hidden chamber and learned that its two slides led to Mining Areas west and east of the mine.
• Zong Shen entered the chamber and found books, documents, overturned crystal wine glasses, and a Silver Treasure Chest.

Zong Shen explored the mining chamber, secured a detailed map and planned to develop the mine after the Dungeon Challenge. A Silver Treasure Chest gave him powerful bear armor and other rewards, and he equipped the armor and learned Iron Wall.

• Zong Shen collected crystal goblets and a detailed map showing the mine’s tunnels and rich mineral deposits.
• Zong Shen planned to fortify the mining area, recruit Kobold miners, and use the mine to support his territory’s growth.
• Zong Shen safely opened the Silver Treasure Chest and obtained Terokkar Violent Bear Armor, an Iron Wall Skill Book, recruitment scrolls, a magic crystal, and a cooking manual.
• Zong Shen equipped the Terokkar Violent Bear Armor, increasing his Strength, Health, and protection.
• Zong Shen learned the Iron Wall skill from the Skill Book.

Zong Shen explored the left mining area and persuaded its surviving Kobolds to join his territory. The Kobold Chieftain Dutra pledged allegiance after learning that Zong Shen had defeated the Web Monster Lord and Queens.

• Zong Shen inspected the illusion crystal and Cooking Manual, claimed the Silver Treasure Chest’s rewards, and left the secret chamber.
• Zong Shen led his soldiers toward the Refining Workshop, hoping to recruit the Kobolds who had survived the Web Monsters’ attacks.
• The Kobolds gathered to block Zong Shen, but they faltered when his warriors advanced and he demanded to meet their chieftain.
• The injured Kobold Chieftain Dutra emerged and asked Zong Shen to prove he could protect his people from the Web Monsters.
• Zong Shen showed Dutra the Calamity War Spear and said he had killed the Web Monster Lord and all three Queens.
• Dutra knelt and pledged his people’s allegiance, and Zong Shen accepted them into his territory.

Zong Shen accepted Kobold Chieftain Dutra and his remaining tribe into his territory, healing Dutra and learning the tribe’s numbers and history. After the Kobolds agreed to join, Zong Shen gave them time to pack and asked Dutra to show him their stored ore before they returned to his territory.

• Zong Shen accepted Dutra’s submission, ordered the Kobolds not to hunt without permission, and checked Dutra’s attributes and command capacity.
• Dutra told Zong Shen that the tribe had once numbered about 737 but had been reduced to 238 members after the Web Monster Lord killed three Kobold High Prophets and many others.
• Zong Shen gave Dutra Moon Goddess Spring Water, easing the internal injuries Leopold had inflicted on him.
• Dutra led Zong Shen to the Refining Workshop, where the Kobolds had made their base and gathered.
• Dutra explained the decision to join Zong Shen to his people, and the Kobolds eventually knelt with him in submission.
• Zong Shen gave the Kobolds 20 minutes to pack, told them to leave the Web Monster meat behind, and asked Dutra to take him to their ore stores.

Zong Shen inspected the Kobold Tribe’s workshop and collected its hoard of crystals, ores, magic materials, jewelry, and Continental Denars. With Dutra and the kobolds packed and ready to relocate, Zong Shen led them back through the mine toward his territory.

• Dutra showed Zong Shen the kobolds’ hatching nest and explained that the tribe was preparing to move its eggs and supplies.
• Dutra revealed a concealed Third Order Earth Spike trap, and Zong Shen decided the kobolds’ trap-making talent could strengthen his territory’s defenses.
• Zong Shen collected the kobolds’ Magic Energy Crystals and Elemental Crystals, then gathered their iron, copper, Mithril, and Adamantine.
• Zong Shen and Dutra collected the hoard’s magic gems, Gem Powder, five pieces of wearable jewelry, and 37,607 Continental Denars.
• The kobolds finished packing their eggs and belongings, and Zong Shen led them and his warriors back through the mine toward his territory.

Zong Shen brought more than two hundred Kobolds and a load of supplies back to his territory, using Demon Intimidation to drive off pursuing Gargoyles along the way. After arriving, he unloaded the supplies, arranged housing and command for the Kobolds, and began selling surplus Iron for other resources.

• Zong Shen concealed the Mine entrance, loaded the Kobolds and supplies into six Load-Bearer Mechas, and set out for his territory.
• A Gargoyle horde followed the convoy, but Zong Shen activated the Demon Heart and used Demon Intimidation to make the Gargoyles and nearby Dungeon Monsters flee.
• Zong Shen's group reached the territory, where the defenses and Wolf Cavalry eliminated Gargoyles attacking from the sky.
• Zong Shen stored the valuable supplies, assigned all 258 Kobolds to Dutra's Command, and built and upgraded residences for them.
• Zong Shen collected resources from his Market sales and listed Iron in exchange for wood, stone, or hemp.

After tending his wound and resting, Zong Shen reorganized his territory’s patrols and defenses before riding to the Dungeon front line, where the fighting had grown fiercer. He arrived to find the warriors still under heavy pressure from Gargoyles.

• Zong Shen upgraded the Territory Storage Box and City Defense Studies, then cleaned and bandaged his wound with help from Moon Goddess Spring water.
• Zong Shen rested for more than four hours, then assigned the warriors rotating patrol shifts and planned to organize a hunt the next day.
• Zong Shen placed Arrow Towers around the territory and at the Dungeon front line, and arranged for Tower No. 1 to be upgraded.
• Zong Shen rode Bajie to the Dungeon front line, where Gargoyles intensified the fighting and pressured the ranged troops.

Zong Shen reinforced the dungeon front line, equipped Vereesa with a stronger warbow, and returned to inspect rare jewelry from the Kobold treasury. He equipped the Silver Moon Bracelet and discovered that the Ring of Power Demon could permanently increase his Strength as he killed monsters.

• Zong Shen placed three Arrow Towers and additional City Wall sections at the front line, then gave Vereesa the Hippogriff Warbow, arrows, and Moon Goddess Spring Water.
• Vereesa accepted the equipment, raising her Loyalty to 91, and took charge of the front line as Zong Shen returned to his territory.
• Zong Shen noted that the arrival of Gargoyles had increased both the front line's pressure and his point earnings, bringing his total to 6,775.
• Zong Shen examined five pieces of jewelry from the Kobold treasury and equipped the Silver Moon Bracelet, increasing his Agility and Charisma.
• Zong Shen inspected the Ring of Power Demon and discovered its Strength boosts and passive skill for permanently gaining Strength through monster kills.

Zong Shen equipped new jewelry, improved his attributes and skills, and recruited three Wolf Cavalrymen and two Third Order Gold Diggers. When the Gold Diggers openly defied him, he beat them, had them bound and hung beneath the Arrow Tower, and their loyalty fell until they became neutral.

• Zong Shen equipped the Ring of Power Demon and two other rings, raised his Intelligence, and spent skill points on Command and Rescue.
• Zong Shen used three Wolf Cavalry Recruitment Scrolls and sent the new recruits to report to Colby.
• Zong Shen recruited Hodgson and Boyle, whose low loyalty and mocking manner revealed their defiance.
• Zong Shen ordered the Gold Diggers to kneel, then struck them with the Calamity War Spear when they refused.
• Colby and the other soldiers restrained Hodgson and Boyle, stripped and bound them, and hung them beneath the Arrow Tower on Zong Shen's orders.
• Hodgson and Boyle's loyalty dropped to 45, making both neutral, while Zong Shen returned to the Lord's Small Building.

Zong Shen expanded his territory with new defenses, housing, farmland, and a training ground before Lord Mars brought Maryl to join him. Mars warned him about native scrutiny, gave him a quest to recover his ancestors’ inheritance in Bosbang, and left Maryl in Zong Shen’s care.

• Zong Shen reviewed his blueprints, placed a Giant Cannon Tower and Training Ground, upgraded nine dwellings, added two farmlands, and installed four City Gates.
• Colby reported a carriage approaching, and Zong Shen met Lord Mars and Maryl at the western gate and welcomed them into the territory.
• Mars warned Zong Shen that uncertified settlements risked suppression by the National Knights Order and advised him to seek certification in Bosbang.
• Mars gave Zong Shen a Magic Token and asked him to recover his ancestors’ wealth and an Avalon Knight Trial Badge from Evans Manor; Zong Shen accepted the quest.
• After Mars departed, Zong Shen gave Maryl a Necklace of Natural Affinity, and she promised not to let him down.

Zong Shen inspected Maryl’s attributes and skills, then gave her armor and a Hunting Crossbow so he could train her in battle. He planned to take her monster hunting and establish a fixed lineup for the territory’s Exploration Squad.

• Zong Shen showed Maryl around the territory, where she marveled at its buildings, soldiers, and monsters.
• Zong Shen covered Maryl’s eyes as the two Gold Diggers hanging beneath the Arrow Tower tried to get their attention.
• Maryl put on the Necklace of Natural Affinity, and Zong Shen examined her attributes, finding that she had little combat experience but gained experience quickly.
• Zong Shen gave Maryl light armor and a Hunting Crossbow, then explained that she would train by fighting monsters.
• Maryl eagerly agreed to fight and level up, so Zong Shen led her out of the Lord’s Courtyard to begin a hunting trip.
• Zong Shen decided to give the Exploration Squad a fixed lineup as he organized the territory’s growing forces into specialized groups.

Zong Shen organized his soldiers into squads and led the Exploration Squad out to hunt Dungeon Monsters southeast of his territory. He planned to clear a route toward Jiang Yi’s territory while Maryl gained experience as the squad’s designated Hero.

• Zong Shen assigned his 73 soldiers to combat, defense, scout, exploration, and farming squads, and gave Communication Crystals to Maryl and Dutra.
• Zong Shen created two spare Communication Crystals, and the newly assigned soldiers moved to their posts.
• Zong Shen assembled the Exploration Squad, appointed Maryl to receive experience from the soldiers’ kills, and set battle roles and instructions.
• Zong Shen collected supplies, brought Bajie for Maryl to ride, and led the Exploration Squad southeast to hunt Dungeon Monsters and head toward Jiang Yi’s territory.

Zong Shen led his soldiers toward Jiang Yi’s territory, hunting Dungeon Monsters along the way and considering the purpose of the Legion system and the mysterious world. The Strategy Module withheld the answers, while Maryl gained levels rapidly from the group’s battles.

• Zong Shen headed toward Jiang Yi’s territory after she told him a nearby lord planned to establish a Legion, and he considered how Legions could help lords cooperate and survive.
• When Zong Shen asked why the lords had been brought to the world and what the Different Dimension monsters were, the Strategy Module told him to grow stronger before seeking the answers.
• Zong Shen and his companions attacked and wiped out a horde of more than a hundred Dungeon Monsters, killing several Gargoyles as Maryl watched and joined the fight with her crossbow.
• Maryl gained enough experience from the battle to rise from level 1 to level 5, and Zong Shen’s group continued southeast while avoiding the Plague Zone.

Zong Shen’s force fought its way toward Jiang Yi’s territory, while Jiang Yi rejected Lord Medina’s offer to join the Light Chaser Legion until she could consult a powerful nearby lord. The chapter left Jiang Yi facing an approaching horde of six or seven hundred Dungeon Monsters, with Medina preparing to meet the lord she had described.

• Zong Shen’s team killed more than a thousand Dungeon Monsters over three hours, earning 2,735 points as Maryl gained experience and became more willing to fight.
• Lord Medina arrived at Jiang Yi’s territory with Wolf Cavalry, Mages, and Rangers, then watched as Jiang Yi and her soldiers defended their position.
• After Jiang Yi killed the last Zombie in the attack on her territory, Medina asked whether she would join his Light Chaser Legion.
• Jiang Yi declined to decide until she had spoken with the powerful nearby lord, so Medina said he would visit him.
• Medina warned Jiang Yi that a horde of six or seven hundred Dungeon Monsters was approaching, and Jiang Yi rallied her soldiers to prepare for battle.

Jiang Yi faced a massive Dungeon Monster horde while Medina watched, hoping to pressure her into joining his Legion. Zong Shen arrived with a powerful force and helped defeat the horde, then confronted Medina by inviting him to join the Legion he planned to form.

• Jiang Yi prepared to defend her territory from a horde of five or six hundred Dungeon Monsters while Medina withheld help and tried to persuade her to join his Legion.
• Zong Shen's warriors charged into the horde and tore through its rear, astonishing Medina and giving Jiang Yi hope.
• Jiang Yi led her warriors out to support Zong Shen, and their forces split the horde, met up, and returned to her territory.
• Jiang Yi explained that Medina had founded a Legion and that she suspected he had been secretly drawing monster hordes toward her territory.
• Medina introduced himself to Zong Shen as commander of the Light Chaser Legion, and Zong Shen invited him to join the Legion he planned to start.

Zong Shen decided to establish a Legion and invited Jiang Yi to join, while she shared intelligence about the Calamity Raven Church occupying Oduo Village. The chapter left Zong Shen preparing to clear nearby Dungeon Monsters with a valuable new opportunity in reach.

• Medina led his soldiers away after refusing to help Jiang Yi fight the Dungeon Monsters.
• Jiang Yi offered to join Zong Shen’s Legion, and he promised to establish one after upgrading his territory.
• Zong Shen gave Jiang Yi Communication Crystal 8 and asked her to recruit promising nearby lords for the Legion.
• Zong Shen prepared to help Jiang Yi clear the nearby Dungeon Monsters before Level 4 monsters began spawning.
• Jiang Yi told Zong Shen that the Calamity Raven Church had occupied Oduo Village and defeated a company of soldiers sent from Bosbang City.