Chapter 146 – The Dark Night Jungle

Chapter 146 – The Dark Night Jungle

Around ten in the morning, Cheng Yang once again stepped through the gates of Heshan Village. His arrival was met with enthusiastic greetings from Hu Zhuang and his group.

The group’s spirits were visibly higher than the previous day. It seemed their night of hunting demonic beasts had not only bolstered their confidence but also improved their morale.

“Old Niu, Xi Yue, how was your night? Any trouble?” Cheng Yang asked as Niu Bing and Liu Xiyue approached.

Niu Bing replied, “Lord, the situation here is more complicated than in Luofeng Village. Both Luofeng and Xianghe Villages are surrounded by mid-tier first-order demonic beasts. While newly spawned beasts are usually low-tier, the roaming groups from the outskirts can be troublesome. The biggest issue is our lack of skilled fighters and potions. With only Liu Xiyue as our priest, battles are tough.”

Cheng Yang nodded, “I understand the challenges. For now, steady development is key. We need to focus on upgrading the statue and recruiting more survivors. The wall’s upgrade is also crucial for safety.”

Liu Xiyue suggested, “Lord, could we bring some skilled fighters from the main territory to guide them? More priests would also make hunting safer and more efficient.”

Cheng Yang shook his head, “Currently, we can’t spare many from Luofeng. Sending mid-tier apprentices wouldn’t help much, and we only have three high-tier apprentices. Yu Kai and Liu Hao are already stationed elsewhere, and you’ll be accompanying me soon.”

Turning to Niu Bing, Cheng Yang proposed, “Old Niu, why don’t you stay here for now? I’ll scout the area for another territory altar. If we find one, you can advance to high-tier apprentice and upgrade your equipment. That way, you can handle peak first-order beasts.”

Niu Bing asked, “Can I bring my Raging Bull Battalion?”

Cheng Yang chuckled, “Not possible. The journey’s too dangerous for low-tier fighters. But I can bring your… companion. How about that?”

After some hesitation, Niu Bing agreed, “That works. But won’t it affect the barracks?”

“Not in the short term,” Cheng Yang assured. “Once Hu Zhuang’s group gets the hang of combat, you can return.”

With that settled, Cheng Yang led all combatants towards Yicheng. The path, cleared from yesterday’s trips, made the journey smoother. They reached a lumberyard, cleared the debris, and began transporting logs back to Heshan Village.

After three trips, they had enough wood to build the village wall. With most upgrade conditions met, Cheng Yang left Liu Xiyue in charge and set off with Niu Bing to search for the new territory altar.

Instead of cutting through Yicheng, Cheng Yang chose a southern detour. His goal wasn’t just efficiency – he knew of a nearby dungeon. After traveling five kilometers south and another kilometer into the forest, they encountered a shimmering portal.

“Yang, you knew about this dungeon?” Niu Bing asked in surprise.

Cheng Yang smiled, “Remember my pre-apocalypse memories? They’re not comprehensive, but sometimes useful.”

Niu Bing’s eyes lit up, “Does that mean you know where other territory altars are?”

“Not exactly,” Cheng Yang admitted. “But populous areas usually have multiple altars. Yicheng’s size suggests there’s more than one.”

Leaving Niu Bing and his mount Bai outside for safety, Cheng Yang entered the dungeon alone. The scene shifted, revealing a dense jungle maze spanning one square kilometer. The dungeon’s name echoed in his mind: Dark Night Jungle.

The maze-like jungle had a single path leading to its center, where the final boss awaited. Cheng Yang moved swiftly, his mithril staff dispatching low and mid-tier beasts with ease. For him, clearing this beginner-level dungeon was child’s play. The real challenge lay in discovering such dungeons.

While Cheng Yang had conquered several dungeons near Luofeng Village thanks to his foreknowledge, countless others remained undiscovered across the world. The dungeons he’d cleared were but a drop in the ocean of possibilities.

PS: Seeking subscriptions and monthly votes… (To be continued)