The next morning.

The Council Hall.

Sunlight spilled through the window lattices, illuminating the hall.

However, the atmosphere permeating the air was more oppressive than any overcast day.

Lin Feng sat in the primary seat, his gaze calm.

On both sides, all the core members had arrived. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Zhao Hu carried his newly acquired troll tusk shield, fury burning in his eyes. Tie Dun held the troll bone shield, the flesh on his face trembling.

Wang Wu and Arrow Eye stood to the side, their fingers unconsciously stroking their bowstrings.

Su Yurou held her short staff, her brow furrowed.

Shadow Snake stood in the shadows as usual, but her cold eyes were sharper than usual.

A Wang and Scarface Liu stood on the outermost edge, their expressions equally grave.

Lin Feng's gaze swept over everyone as he spoke slowly.

“I assume you've all heard the news about the incident at the western Copper-Tin Mine yesterday.”

Everyone's expression tightened.

“A large number of ore-eating monsters suddenly appeared at the mine, frantically devouring the ore,” Lin Feng's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear.

“Seven stationed Beacon Guards fought desperately to cover the miners' evacuation. They...”

He paused. “Two Beacon Guards were seriously injured. They are currently being treated at the infirmary; their lives have been saved.”

Zhao Hu punched a nearby pillar with a muffled boom. “That godforsaken Baigui County! It must be their doing!”

Tie Dun gritted his teeth. “They came to provoke us just a few days ago, and now something happens at the mine. There's no such thing as a coincidence!”

Wang Wu said in a deep voice, “Lord, we can't let this slide. We need to demand an explanation!”

“Right! Attack them!” Tie Dun shouted.

“Attack them? Do you know their strength?” Although Zhao Hu was angry, he hadn't lost his reason.

“Baigui County is an established county-level territory of Sakura Country. We are just a newly promoted town-level; going head-to-head might not be in our favor.”

“But we can't just swallow our pride!” Tie Dun glared.

“Let's report it to the state,” Arrow Eye spoke up rarely. “Let the relevant departments handle it through official channels.”

Su Yurou nodded. “That would be safer. If the state steps in, Baigui County won't dare to act recklessly.”

The hall was filled with discussion for a time, some advocating for a direct attack, others suggesting a report.

Lin Feng listened quietly without speaking.

Only after everyone had argued for a moment did he stand up.

The Council Hall fell silent instantly.

Lin Feng's gaze swept over every person as he said word by word:

“I have already initiated a territorial war against Baigui County.”

Everyone was stunned.

“What?”

“territorial war?”

“Lord, you...”

Lin Feng raised his hand to suppress their exclamations, his voice remaining calm. “It is either their death or mine. There is no third path.”

The hall was so quiet that heartbeats could be heard.

Everyone looked at each other, but soon, Zhao Hu was the first to step forward.

“Since the Lord has decided, old Zhao will follow through!” He patted his new shield, a fierce light flickering in his eyes. “Isn't it just a war? Who's afraid of whom!”

Tie Dun followed immediately. “I'm with the Lord too! Let's hit those bastards!”

Wang Wu took a deep breath and nodded solemnly. “The Lord has given the order; I dare not disobey.”

Arrow Eye silently gripped his longbow and nodded.

Su Yurou said softly, “Wherever the Lord goes, I will go.”

Shadow Snake didn't speak, but her eyes already showed everything.

A Wang and Scarface Liu exchanged a glance and cupped their fists simultaneously. “We are willing to die for the Lord!”

Looking at these determined faces, a warm current {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} surged in Lin Feng's heart.

He nodded slightly, his voice softening. “Rest assured, I am one hundred percent certain of victory in this battle.”

Everyone's eyes lit up.

“One hundred percent?”

“Is that true?”

The corner of Lin Feng's mouth curled. “I've already figured out Baigui County's details.

Umekawa Kojiro has a Rare Lord Template, but he's only Level 20. His equipment isn't as good as mine, his skills aren't as good as mine, and his trump cards are even less so.”

He paused. “He has 23 class-holders and 1,500 Level 9 County Soldiers under his command.

On our side, 500 Level 13 professional soldiers have finished training, we have Shadow Snake's rare class, plus all of you who have changed classes. When the fight actually starts, do I even need to say who will win or lose?”

Everyone felt their blood pumping.

“Then Lord, when do we strike?” Zhao Hu asked.

“No rush.” Lin Feng shook his head. “There are still fourteen days of preparation time for the war. In these fourteen days, I want to raise your levels even further.”

He looked toward the north. “Tonight, we continue into the Crying Rift Valley. The goal—raise all of you to Level 19.”

Everyone gasped.

He checked the time outside the window. “Assemble at the North Gate at 3:00 PM. Everyone, go back and prepare.”

Everyone responded in unison and left the hall one after another.

Soon, only Lin Feng and Shadow Snake remained in the hall.

Shadow Snake stepped out from the shadows and looked at him. “Is tonight's goal to fight the Harpies?”

Lin Feng nodded.

He silently glanced at the countdown that only he could see.

【Eye of Probability remaining refresh time: 11 hours 47 minutes】

It would refresh right around 8:00 PM.

That golden necklace must be obtained tonight.

3:00 PM, outside the North Gate of Beacon Fire Town.

Nine figures were ready to depart.

Lin Feng stood at the front, followed by Zhao Hu, Tie Dun, Wang Wu, Arrow Eye, Su Yurou, Shadow Snake, A Wang, and Scarface Liu. Everyone was fully equipped with sharp gazes.

Lin Feng didn't immediately order the departure but looked toward the north, lost in thought.

He silently calculated the time.

According to the fixed pattern, the next periodic Nightmare Tide would be in thirteen days.

And the territorial war would officially begin in fourteen days.

In other words, the day after the Nightmare Tide ended would be the moment of the final battle with Baigui County.

Thinking of this, a smile slowly curled on Lin Feng's lips.

As an established county-level territory, Baigui County would inevitably have to face the Nightmare Tide as well. Regardless of whether they could hold out, that tide thirteen days from now would consume a massive amount of their strength.

Troops, supplies, and energy would all be depleted.

On his side, Beacon Fire Town had twenty-meter-high walls, four Blue-grade city gates, twelve Intermediate Arrow Towers, and five hundred trained Great Qin Garrison Soldiers. To Beacon Fire Town, the Nightmare Tide was nothing more than a training exercise.

With one side weakening and the other strengthening, how could Baigui County possibly win?

Lin Feng felt completely at ease. He retracted his thoughts and turned to look at everyone.

“Let's go.”

The nine figures sped toward the north.

...

10:00 PM, Crying Rift Valley.

The gray mist arrived as expected, shrouding the entire canyon in an eerie grayish-white. Visibility was less than twenty meters; only Shadow Snake could move freely through the mist.

The team followed their familiar route deep inside and soon encountered the first wave of Goblins blocking their path—three Level 15 Goblin Warriors charging out of the mist with roars.

Zhao Hu raised his shield to meet them, his bone-crushing greatsword cleaving down. Tie Dun protected the flank, his giant shield knocking back one trying to circle behind them.

Wang Wu and Arrow Eye's arrows whistled out, instantly taking down two. Shadow Snake darted out from the shadows, finishing off the last one with a blade.

The battle ended swiftly and cleanly.

【Killed Level 15 Goblin Warrior, obtained 0 experience points】