He raised his head, his gaze sincere: "My Xiaoyao Stronghold is willing to temporarily join Beacon Fire Village, obey the Lord's unified command, resist the Nightmare Tide together, and pay taxes on time."

"After Beacon Fire Village reaches town-level stability, please allow us to return to our original settlement and continue to make a living by hunting."

"If this agreement is reached, all the brothers in the stronghold will be grateful for the Lord's great kindness and will never have any disloyal intentions."

Lin Feng listened quietly and nodded.

"Very well."

Gui Shusheng was stunned, seemingly not expecting Lin Feng to agree so readily.

Lin Feng looked at him, his tone flat yet meaningful: "Chief Gui, there is no need to overthink. I have said that both plans are acceptable."

"Since you have chosen the second option, then we shall proceed according to the rules of the second option."

"From today on, all personnel of Xiaoyao Stronghold, including you, are temporary residents of my Beacon Fire Village."

"During the Nightmare Tide, you will obey unified scheduling. You will pay taxes on time for your usual hunting gains. When the town-level is stable, if you wish to return, I will not stop you."

He paused, the corners of his mouth slightly lifted: "Of course, if you change your minds in the future and wish to join completely, the gates of Beacon Fire Village are always open."

Gui Shusheng felt a jolt in his heart. These words were both an agreement and a warning, and furthermore, they left room for maneuver.

He looked at Lin Feng's calm eyes and suddenly understood—this young Lord was not afraid of them running away at all.

Because when Beacon Fire Village truly becomes a town, within a hundred miles, is there any better place to call home?

"Many thanks to the Lord for your graciousness." Gui Shusheng bowed deeply.

"Go." Lin Feng waved his hand. "Within five days, bring your people and all the supplies you can carry, and move into the designated settlement area of Beacon Fire Village. The Nightmare Tide is approaching, and time is tight."

"Yes!" Gui Shusheng and Iron Abacus replied in unison.

Cloud-Piercing Eagle—he should be called Wang Wu now—remained behind.

Gui Shusheng and Iron Abacus hurried away with their respective men, and the drawbridge was raised again.

On the open ground at the West Gate, Lin Feng, Wang Wu, Zhao Hu, and other core members stood together in a circle.

Lin Feng looked around at everyone; without returning to the Council Hall, he began deployment right there on the West Gate grounds:

"Time waits for no one. There are ten days left until the Nightmare Tide; our window for preparation has only ten days remaining. Starting today, every second counts."

His gaze was sharp, and his speaking speed increased: "The current urgent tasks are, first, to increase the levels of core members."

"Your current levels are still not enough to confront a level-two Nightmare Tide. Second, we must integrate new team members, especially Wang Wu and the brothers from Juyi Manor who will be joining later."

"Therefore, for the next four days, the whole team will go out to level up!"

Everyone's expression tightened, knowing this was a critical moment.

Lin Feng quickly divided them: "Divide into two teams."

"Team One, I will lead. Zhao Hu and Shadow Snake will accompany me. Target: South—Bone Eagle Cliff."

Bone Eagle Cliff! Everyone's expression changed slightly. That was a recognized high-risk area in this region, infested with a large number of level 10-13 Bone Eagles. It was said that deep inside, there were even level 15-17 elite and even Rare Bosses. Previously, Black Wind Camp never dared to set foot there.

"Team Two, Tie Dun will lead." Lin Feng looked at Tie Dun. "Su Yurou, Arrow Eye, Scarface Liu, A Wang, and Wang Wu, you six will be one team."

He looked specifically at Wang Wu, his tone sincere: "Wang Wu, you are experienced, high-leveled, and have superb archery skills."

"Please take care of this team, assist Tie Dun, and guide them."

"In the Eastern Swamp area, monster levels range from 4 to 10, and the density is moderate, suitable for steady leveling. Strive to have all core members reach at least level 9 within four days."

Wang Wu was taken aback for a moment, then clasped his fists, his voice brisk: "Don't worry, Lord, it's a small matter! I've run through the Eastern Swamp no less than a hundred times; I know exactly which forest has how many boars. Brother Tie Dun, please guide me on the road!"

Tie Dun scratched his head and grinned: "Brother Wang, don't flatter me. I just have a bit more strength; my commanding is still green. I'll have to rely on you!"

Su Yurou stood at the edge of the group, listening quietly, holding the light green short staff in her hand.

This was her first time truly participating in a real combat operation for Beacon Fire Village. She felt a bit nervous, but also a hint of eagerness.

"Su Yurou." Lin Feng's voice suddenly called her name.

Su Yurou looked up.

Lin Feng looked at her, his tone calm but carrying an unquestionable solemnity: "You are the only healer in the team. Protect yourself, and protect them as well."

Su Yurou gripped her short staff tightly and nodded gently: "I understand. I will do my best."

There were no extra words, but she understood the weight of this entrustment.

"Good!" Lin Feng finally looked around at everyone. "Four days, each of you improve."

"Return to the village after four days for rest and consolidation; I have other arrangements for the final six days. Do you all understand?"

"Understood!" Everyone replied in unison.

"Set off!"

No dallying, no goodbyes. The two teams parted ways in the morning light, one heading south, the other east, quickly disappearing into the morning glow of the wilderness.

Lin Feng carried the Wildfire Spear on his back, walking steadily in the lead. Zhao Hu followed closely behind, carrying the bone-crushing greatsword, while Shadow Snake, as usual, silently merged into the shadows on the flank.

His gaze turned to the distant south, towards the vaguely visible, jagged grey cliff that looked like a blade's edge.

Bone Eagle Cliff.

That would be the first whetstone for the heroic Lord.

Traveling twenty miles south, the terrain gradually rose, and the air began to fill with a faint, peculiar, fishy stench mixed with the burnt smell of feathers and decaying bones.

Ahead, a group of jagged, steep, grey-white cliffs, like the fangs of a giant beast, pierced ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) the horizon and came into view of the three of them.

Zhao Hu walked slightly ahead to Lin Feng's side, his eyes scanning the sky vigilantly, his voice low:

"Lord, that grey-white ridgeline ahead is the edge of Bone Eagle Cliff."

As he walked, he slowly recounted the detailed intelligence of this area:

"Bone Eagle Cliff is about forty miles wide from east to west and fifteen miles deep from north to south. The west side connects to the rocky beach at the edge of the Stone Forest, and the east side extends all the way to the Rotten Water Lake at the southern end of the Eastern Swamp."

"Continuing south for about ten miles, it is said to be the Endless Sea—I haven't seen that sea, but I've heard that even the water there is black, and ordinary people who enter will lose their way."

Lin Feng nodded, noting this information.

Endless Sea; he had heard this name in a general geography class about the Nightmare World—the oceans of Blue Star were the cradle of life, but the oceans of the Nightmare World were forbidden zones shrouded in black fog year-round, teeming with monsters.

"Inside Bone Eagle Cliff, it is roughly divided into five core areas."

Zhao Hu continued, his tone becoming increasingly serious, "Southeast, Southwest, Northeast, Northwest—in these four directions, each is occupied by a level 15 elite Bone Eagle."

"These four big guys each mark their own territory, do not infringe on each other, and together they guard the highest point in the very center—the Bone Eagle King."

He paused, a flash of apprehension in his eyes: "That Bone Eagle King is said to have reached level 17 and is a Rare Boss."