Lin Feng's consciousness detached from Blue Star. When he opened his eyes again, he saw the ceiling of his second-floor room.

Morning light shone through the window, spreading a layer of pale gold across the floor.

He sat up and stretched his neck, his bones making a slight cracking sound.

Last night's Lords Assembly, the Silver Seat promotion, and the gold jewelry all felt like a dream.

However, that sense of excitement still lingered in his blood, making his heart beat a few notches faster than usual.

He closed his eyes and used his Lord's authority to sense his surroundings.

Zhao Hu was back, Jiang Yelan was back—all the core members were within the territory, not a single one missing.

He opened his eyes, the corners of his mouth curling upward slightly. Through his Lord's authority, he issued a summons to everyone.

A meeting would be held in the Council Hall in fifteen minutes.

He got up and went downstairs. Someone was already waiting in the Council Hall.

Zhang Ping stood at the door holding a stack of documents. Seeing him come down, Zhang Ping hurried forward to meet him but hadn't even had a chance to speak yet.

Lin Feng waved his hand. "Talk after the meeting." Zhang Ping nodded and stepped aside.

Fifteen minutes later, the core members arrived one after another.

Zhao Hu, Tie Dun, Wang Wu, Arrow Eye, Su Yurou, A Wang, Scarface Liu, and Jiang Yelan.

Meng Yi entered through the side door, his half-body iron armor glinting coldly in the morning light as he silently took a seat at the very end.

Everyone had arrived and sat quietly in their chairs; no one spoke.

Even Tie Dun kept his mouth shut, though he occasionally stole glances at Lin Feng before looking back down at his fingers.

In the Nightmare Tide from the day before yesterday, some had died and some had returned alive, but everyone's heart felt heavy.

Lin Feng sat in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over the crowd as he spoke: "Qingmu County was held, and Heiyan Town was held as well. You all did well."

No one responded. Lin Feng paused, then turned to look at Meng Yi. "Meng Yi."

Meng Yi stood up abruptly, walked to the center of the hall, knelt on one knee, and cupped his fists. "This general is here."

"Go and tally the thirty-four members of the Beacon Guards who contributed the most during this territorial defense battle." Lin Feng's voice wasn't loud, but every word was crystal clear.

"Once the tally is complete, take Bai Yi through Bai Liu and wait for me at the drill grounds."

Meng Yi cupped his fists. "As you command." He stood up and strode out of the Council Hall, his steady footsteps and the clatter of his armor plates sounding exceptionally clear in the quiet hall.

Lin Feng watched him leave, then withdrew his gaze to look at the people present.

His voice became a bit deeper than before:

"The day before yesterday, ninety-two County Soldiers and fourteen Beacon Guards fell in Qingmu County. In Heiyan Town, thirty Beacon Guards fell. In Hupan Village and North Slope Village, eleven fell."

The hall grew even quieter. Tie Dun lowered his head, while A Wang and Scarface Liu exchanged a glance, neither speaking.

Su Yurou's eyes turned slightly red. Jiang Yelan remained expressionless, but the knuckles of the hand holding the shadow moon blade turned white.

"The Nightmare World is cruel." Lin Feng's voice was calm—so calm it made people's hearts tighten.

"How can there be no casualties? Greater disasters are still to come; everyone must slowly get used to it."

Zhao Hu looked up at Lin Feng, his lips moving, but no words came out.

Lin Feng continued: "I called everyone here today to discuss a few matters."

He recounted everything he had heard at the Lords Assembly last night regarding the Orcs and the Undead.

There were two main alien races in the South Pole Region: the Orcs and the Undead.

One branch of Orcs was near Chidori County in Sakura Country and had already captured three of their county seats;

The other branch was within the borders of the Tieba Kingdom, and the Tieba Kingdom had already requested aid from surrounding nations.

Three Undead factions were causing chaos in the Annan Country; unable to protect itself, it had already asked the Baixiang Kingdom for help.

"Also," Lin Feng paused, "the General Bureau might organize support for the Tieba Kingdom.

Zhenyue City is already preparing, and it's possible we will have to participate as well."

Tie Dun finally couldn't help himself and blurted out, "Support the Tieba Kingdom? How far away is that place? If we go, who's going to watch the house for us?"

Zhao Hu glared at him. Tie Dun shrunk his neck but still muttered a small complaint.

Zhao Hu didn't respond to Tie Dun, but instead looked at Lin Feng and asked the question everyone wanted to ask:

"Lord, what are we doing next? Are we really going to support the Tieba Kingdom?"

Lin Feng shook his head. "I don't want to go. But as for whether we actually go, that will have to wait until after I take a trip to Zhenyue City."

"Zhenyue City?" Wang Wu asked.

"The General Bureau has approved a piece of gold jewelry for me. I need to go to Zhenyue City to collect it."

Lin Feng spoke nonchalantly, but everyone present widened their eyes.

"Gold jewelry!" Tie Dun was the first to jump up.

"Lord, are you talking about gold jewelry? The kind that there are only a few pieces of in the entire Great Xia?"

Zhao Hu slapped the back of his head. "Sit down!" But Zhao Hu's own eyes were shining.

Jiang Yelan's gaze lingered on Lin Feng for a moment before she looked away.

Su Yurou covered her mouth. The redness in her eyes hadn't faded, but a layer of surprise was now added.

Lin Feng pressed # Nоvеlight # his hands down, signaling everyone to be quiet.

"One more thing. I have reached the strength of a Third Rank. My Strength attribute has broken sixty, unlocking an attribute effect."

The hall erupted into a commotion once again.

Tie Dun wanted to jump up again but was held down in advance by Zhao Hu.

Wang Wu and Arrow Eye both sat up straight, while Su Yurou's mouth formed an 'O' shape.

Even Jiang Yelan glanced over slightly.

Third Rank, Strength Awakening, gold jewelry—over these past few months, Lin Feng had come from being a newcomer to where he was today. Every step had shocked them, but this string of news today still left them a bit overwhelmed.

Zhao Hu took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart, and asked the most practical question: "Lord, what should we do next?"

Lin Feng thought for a moment and said, "In half an hour, gather at the entrance of the Adventurers Association. We'll go see what exactly is going on with that place first."

At the mention of the Adventurers Association, Tie Dun perked up again.

He scratched his head and said with a foolish grin, "I already went to check it out! There's an Adventurers Association in Qingmu County too, and I went to both. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

But it's a bit strange. The pretty ladies inside all seem to look the same."

"Huh?" Everyone was stunned. Wang Wu frowned. "The ladies in both places look the same?"

Tie Dun nodded vigorously. "Yes! Exactly the same! Even their voices are the same!"

Zhao Hu glared at him. "Are you sure your eyes aren't playing tricks on you?"

Tie Dun shook his head aggrievedly. "No, I saw it clearly. They are exactly the same."

Although Lin Feng was also curious, he didn't show it on his face.

He stood up and waved his hand. "That's all for now. See you at the entrance of the Adventurers Association in half an hour."

Everyone rose to take their leave.

Zhao Hu pulled Tie Dun out. Tie Dun was still muttering about how they "really look the same" until Zhao Hu slapped the back of his head again.

A Wang and Scarface Liu followed behind Su Yurou like two silent bodyguards.

Jiang Yelan walked at the very back.

The Council Hall fell silent.

Lin Feng stood before the main seat for a moment of silence, then turned and exited through the side door, walking toward the outer city.

In half an hour, he was going to see the Adventurers Association that Tie Dun couldn't stop thinking about.