Chapter 59 – The Hall of Guardians

Chapter 59 – The Hall of Guardians

In the blink of an eye, as the Blackwater Alligator’s massive tail paused mid-swing, Cheng Yang’s bone staff came crashing down upon it. Using the rebound force, Cheng Yang leaped another meter into the air, narrowly avoiding the leader’s attack.

He landed heavily three meters away. The moment his staff had made contact with the alligator, the tremendous recoil had not only sent him flying but also left his arm throbbing with pain. In terms of raw strength, four Cheng Yangs combined couldn’t match this Blackwater Alligator leader. That brief exchange had cost him dearly.

At least he had escaped the encirclement. Now, the initiative was back in his hands.

A cold smile crept onto Cheng Yang’s lips as he turned and launched an ice sphere at the alligator leader that had just attacked him.

The leader had no way to dodge. The ice sphere smashed into its skull, eliciting a pained roar.

The surrounding ordinary Blackwater Alligators weren’t idle either, swarming toward Cheng Yang. From above, the ground was a seething mass of black scales with no place to stand.

Knowing better than to match strength with these creatures, Cheng Yang retreated while launching another ice sphere at the leader. Enraged, the leader gave chase.

At that moment, another alligator leader recovered from its frozen state and joined the pursuit, both determined to devour Cheng Yang.

Cheng Yang sneered inwardly. The fact that they hadn’t managed to surround him sealed their fate. Another ice sphere flew out, striking an alligator barely ten meters away. With a final agonized cry, it collapsed.

These Blackwater Alligators were indeed tough. Normally, a late-stage Tier 1 demonic beast would fall to three of Cheng Yang’s ice spheres. This one had taken four before finally dying.

Cheng Yang turned his attention to another alligator. Though hundreds were charging toward him, only the leaders could match half his speed. The rest posed little threat.

The second leader met the same fate as the first within seconds.

Cheng Yang knew he couldn’t keep picking them off one by one. He needed a secure position to unleash his Ice Spikes.

He briefly considered calling for Liu Hao and the others, but without using his Transfer technique, they wouldn’t be much help. Using it would leave him too vulnerable to sustain the alligators’ attacks. After a moment’s thought, he dismissed the idea.

As Cheng Yang retreated at a steady pace, he searched for suitable terrain.

To his surprise, he found an unusual shelter – what had once been a gentle slope, now transformed by an earthquake into a sheer drop of three to four meters. By standing with his back to this wall, he only needed to worry about attacks from the front.

As long as the alligators weren’t mid-stage Tier 1 creatures, their numbers didn’t concern him. The late-stage ones had already been dealt with.

By now, the alligators in the alley had finished slaughtering the Green-Skinned Monkeys and were emerging. Though the monkeys had fought desperately, they were no match for the alligators’ superior numbers and strength.

Cheng Yang dashed to the base of the cliff, feeling more secure with solid rock at his back.

“Ice Sphere!” he shouted, drawing the alligator horde toward him. His goal was simple – to bunch them up for maximum effect. His Ice Spikes had no limit on the number of targets within range.

Within seconds, the alligators reached him. He picked off stragglers with ice spheres while the main mass closed in.

Cheng Yang didn’t hold back. While enduring their attacks, he unleashed a barrage of Ice Spikes. Watching his spiritual energy reserves climb, he felt a surge of satisfaction.

There were still some mid-stage Tier 1 alligators in the mix, but with his back protected, Cheng Yang could focus entirely forward. Whenever one of these stronger creatures appeared, he targeted it immediately. None got close enough to threaten him.

Within minutes, most of the alligators lay dead, with only scattered remnants remaining.

At that moment, Liu Hao and the others emerged from some ruins to the left, charging at the fleeing demons. In moments, they finished off the remaining alligators.

“Perfect timing,” Cheng Yang said with mock annoyance. “Here to reap the rewards, are you?”

Liu Hao laughed. “Lord, we wouldn’t dare steal your glory! We just saw you working hard and thought we’d help. Besides, with your wealth and efficiency, surely you don’t mind sharing a bit of spiritual energy?”

Cheng Yang wasn’t really upset. “Fine, you win. Did you check what these alligators were guarding?”

“No,” Liu Hao admitted. “We saw you surrounded and… well, you know. We stayed nearby just in case.”

A warm feeling spread through Cheng Yang. Though he knew Liu Hao and the others couldn’t offer much help against such threats, their concern was touching. In this apocalyptic world, genuine care between people had become rare.

“Alright then,” Cheng Yang said with a smile. “Let’s go see what they were protecting.”

The group quickly made their way through the battle-scarred alley to where the alligators had gathered. There, lying on the ground, was a scroll-like object.

This was different from the skill scrolls Cheng Yang had found before. He was certain this was what he’d been waiting for – a territory building blueprint.

Aside from the Settlement Foundation Stone and dungeon first clears, this would be the most valuable item in Xiangcheng City.

In his previous life, another settlement in Xiangcheng had obtained this blueprint. Cheng Yang knew roughly how it worked.

Territory guards would be one minor rank below the lord in strength. At Level 1 Village, he could recruit ten guards, with ten more added per village level. How many could be hired at Town level remained unknown.

These guards were like NPCs in a game – completely loyal to the lord. With a strong guard force, a lord’s position would be unshakable.

Given that lords were typically the strongest in their territories, having guards just one rank below would make for an incredibly powerful force.

Once built, Luofeng Village could recruit twenty mid-stage Tier 1 guards – Cheng Yang’s most loyal subordinates.

However, there were limitations. The biggest was that guards couldn’t leave the territory. They could only defend, not attack. Cheng Yang had deduced this from observing another settlement in his past life – their guards never ventured beyond their borders.

“What is it? A skill?” Liu Hao asked excitedly as Cheng Yang picked up the scroll, thinking it similar to one he’d obtained yesterday.

“Not a skill,” Cheng Yang explained. “It’s a building blueprint. This will be crucial for Luofeng Village’s survival.”

“That powerful?” Liu Hao looked skeptical.

After Cheng Yang explained its functions, Liu Hao and the others were stunned.

Finally, Liu Hao said with a wry smile, “Lord, these guards have it easy! They get to be just one rank below you without any effort, while we have to train hard. That’s not fair!”

“Would you want to stay in the village forever?” Cheng Yang asked.

“Uh… no thanks,” Liu Hao quickly declined. Being confined to Luofeng Village forever? He’d rather die.

Cheng Yang chuckled and stored the blueprint safely.

With their main objective complete and the afternoon wearing on, the group searched a few more rescue points. After successfully rescuing one fighter’s family, they headed back.

By the time they returned to Luofeng Village, night had fallen.

This trip had brought back nearly three thousand people – fewer than previous days, but still a significant number that pleased Cheng Yang.

However, Cheng Yang didn’t have time to check on Yu Kai and the others’ progress. He was eager to summon the territory guards.

PS: Seeking recommendations and collections.