Chapter 120 – Longshot

Chapter 120 – Longshot

Liu Xiyue approached Cheng Yang with a troubled expression. “Are you okay?” Cheng Yang asked with concern.

She shook her head lightly. “I’m fine. It’s just… this is the first time I’ve killed so many people. It’s unsettling.”

Cheng Yang sighed. “This is the world we live in now. You’ll get used to it. At least the military threat is dealt with for now.”

Liu Xiyue didn’t press for details. If Cheng Yang said it was resolved, she trusted him.

Cheng Yang knew Yuan Jianze’s earlier agreement wasn’t sincere – it was forced by circumstances and lack of strength. This temporary truce was just buying time for both sides. As someone who had lived through the apocalypse once before, Cheng Yang was confident in his ability to outpace Yuan Jianze’s progress.

By noon, Cheng Yang decided to stick to their original plan – clearing the difficult-level dungeon near Xianghe Village. The seven-kilometer journey took less than half an hour.

“Lord, you’re back so soon? Did Yuan Jianze’s group not show up at the Necropolis Valley dungeon?” Liu Hao asked through a mouthful of roasted wolf meat.

Cheng Yang tore off a piece of meat. “They came, but I drove them off and forced a truce. We won’t have trouble from them for a while.” He briefly explained the negotiations.

Liu Hao looked disappointed. “Only 500,000 spirit energy points? You should have demanded a million! With that, you could activate 10x cultivation speed and reach mid-level Warrior rank. No one could stand against us then!”

Cheng Yang shook his head. “Personal strength isn’t everything. Right now, whether I’m peak Apprentice or mid-level Warrior makes no difference – neither can break my defense. What we need is time to grow. We’ll infiltrate the main city forces, recruit mercenaries and militias. Once we’ve sufficiently weakened Yuan Jianze’s power base, he won’t be a threat.”

Liu Hao waved his hands. “Politics gives me a headache. If you think it’s the right move, I’ll follow. So, you’re here for the difficult dungeon?”

Cheng Yang sat down with Liu Xiyue. “Of course. Now tell me about this dungeon.”

Liu Hao grinned mischievously. “Guess what it is?”

Cheng Yang smacked him. “Stop playing games and spit it out!”

“It’s called the Abandoned Castle,” Liu Hao said. “Four floors, standard boss at the end. Got something nice from the clear too.” He handed over a glowing orb.

Cheng Yang examined the item:

“Not bad,” Cheng Yang said. “Increased range is as good as increased damage. Combined with Zhou Jie’s talent and other range-boosting abilities, this could give up to 7% range increase for novice archers. Even better at higher levels.”

After lunch, they headed east to the dungeon entrance. Cheng Yang marveled at how well-hidden it was – nestled between three massive trees with only a narrow passage visible.

The dungeon itself was a western-style castle. They cleared the four floors with ease, reaching the top in under half an hour. There, they encountered the final boss – a massive, two-meter tall “dwarf”.

“Lord, have you ever seen a dwarf this tall?” Liu Hao asked incredulously.

“Maybe it’s a young giant,” Cheng Yang joked.

The battle was intense but short. Cheng Yang’s ice magic froze the creature while Liu Hao tanked its attacks with expert timing. When the dwarf unleashed a disorienting roar, Liu Hao was sent flying, but his damage absorption shield protected him.

“Die!” Cheng Yang shouted, finishing the creature with a final ice spike.

As the giant dwarf fell, the dungeon was cleared.