After listening, Lin Feng nodded slightly and uttered a single word:

"Good."

That simple word made everyone straighten their backs.

His gaze swept over the group, his tone softening, "This time, we managed to withstand the highest-level second-grade Nightmare Tide without a single casualty. Everyone has worked hard."

Zhao Hu was the first to wave his hand, "Lord, don't say that! If you hadn't charged down alone and taken out the Skeleton General,

those two Commander of Five Hundreds wouldn't have been so easy to kill! We just provided support. What hard work did we do?"

Tie Dun nodded repeatedly, "Exactly, exactly! Lord, those dozen or so spear auras of yours, the moment you jumped off the city wall—so cool! I watched from the wall, my eyes were glued!"

Wang Wu laughed, "We were shooting arrows from the wall, watching you charge in and out of the sea of skeletons. That was truly nerve-wracking. But you are the Lord after all, coming out completely unscathed."

Arrow Eye rarely nodded in agreement.

Su Yurou said softly, "It's good that the Lord is unharmed. Watching from above, my palms were sweaty."

Shadow Snake didn't speak, just quietly watched Lin Feng.

Lin Feng smiled and didn't continue the topic.

He took out that ancient bronze-colored booklet from his chest and placed it on the table before him.

"This time, killing the Skeleton General dropped a second-Class Change Book."

Everyone's eyes instantly focused on the booklet, their breathing quickening.

A second-Class Change Book!

Zhao Hu's eyes widened, "Lord, are you going for the second class change? Then what's the point of fighting Baigui County? They might as well surrender now!"

Tie Dun slapped his thigh, "Right, right! Once the Lord gets his second class change, he can take down Umekawa Kojiro all by himself!"

Wang Wu also said excitedly, "With the bonuses from a second class change and your strength, Lord, Baigui County doesn't stand a chance!"

Everyone began excitedly discussing, as if tomorrow's big battle was already won.

But Lin Feng raised his hand, gesturing for them to quiet down.

"This second Class Change Book is called 【Rockstone Warlord】," he said slowly. "It's a warrior branch, boosting strength and constitution."

Everyone grew even more excited. Wasn't this tailor-made for the Lord?

But Lin Feng's next words made them quiet down.

"I don't plan to use this Class Change Book myself."

Everyone was stunned.

Lin Feng's gaze was calm. "Rockstone Warlord is just an ordinary second class change. I have my own considerations. The second class change isn't urgent."

He didn't elaborate, but his meaning was clear: he wasn't interested in this one.

Everyone exchanged glances, but no one dared to ask further. The Lord had his own plans; they only needed to obey.

Lin Feng looked at Zhao Hu.

"Zhao Hu."

Zhao Hu was taken aback and quickly responded, "Yes!"

"You've been with me since the Black Wind Camp," Lin Feng said slowly.

"Fighting the Black Wolf Den, holding back the Nightmare Tide, building Beacon Fire Town, clearing the Crying Rift Valley, and tonight's battle—you've always been at the forefront, holding the line. I've remembered all your contributions."

As he listened, a complex light flashed in Zhao Hu's eyes.

Lin Feng picked up the Class Change Book and handed it toward him.

"This second Class Change Book is for you."

Zhao Hu froze.

He stared blankly at the ancient bronze-colored booklet, at the four characters "Rockstone Warlord" on the cover, momentarily unable to react.

"Lord... this... this..." He opened his mouth but didn't know what to say.

This usually bold and hearty man was now so overwhelmed he was speechless.

Tie Dun nudged him from the side, "Brother Zhao! What are you waiting for? Take it!"

Only then did Zhao Hu snap back to reality, his eyes slightly reddening. He abruptly stood up, his legs bending as if to kneel.

Lin Feng was prepared. He stepped forward swiftly and reached out to support him.

"Brother Zhao, no need."

Zhao Hu looked up, his eyes filled with gratitude and excitement. "Lord, I... I've followed you from the Black Wind Camp all the way to today. I never imagined I'd reach this point! This second Class Change Book, I..."

Lin Feng patted his shoulder and smiled, "You deserve it."

Zhao Hu took a deep breath and stopped refusing. He accepted the Class Change Book with both hands.

He looked down at the booklet in his hands, fell silent for two seconds, and then—used it directly!

The ancient bronze-colored booklet transformed into a golden light that surged into his chest.

Zhao Hu shuddered as a mighty aura erupted from within him!

【Class Change Successful!】

【Class: Rockstone Warlord (Second Class Change)】

【Level: 19 → 20】

【Strength +30%, Constitution +30%】

【Skill Acquired: Indomitable Battle Will (Passive/Active)】

Zhao Hu opened his eyes, clenched his fist, feeling the surging power within, and grinned.

"Lord!" He looked at Lin Feng, his eyes shining. "I feel like I can take on ten by myself now!"

Tie Dun curled his lip, "Brother Zhao, you're boasting without even preparing a draft."

Zhao Hu glared, "What? Don't believe me? Want to spar?"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Lin Feng also laughed and waved his hand, "Alright, alright, enough fooling around."

His gaze swept over everyone, and he put away his smile.

"Everyone worked hard tonight. We have a tough battle tomorrow. All of you, go get some proper rest."

Everyone straightened up and began to rise.

"Yes, Lord!"

Zhao Hu was the first to stride out of the Council Hall. Tie Dun followed behind him, still clamoring to spar.

Wang Wu and Arrow Eye left side by side, discussing tomorrow's tactics in low voices.

Su Yurou gave a slight bow to Lin Feng and turned to leave.

A Wang and Scarface Liu walked shoulder to shoulder, unable to suppress the smiles on their faces.

Shadow Snake, as usual, was the last to leave.

The Council Hall fell quiet.

Lin Feng sat alone for a moment, then got up and walked to the second floor.

Pushing open the door, he lay down on the bed and looked at the ceiling.

Images flashed through his mind: tonight's battle, that second Class Change Book, Zhao Hu's overwhelmed and speechless expression, everyone's excited smiles.

Then, he thought of tomorrow.

Baigui County.

The corner of his mouth slowly curved into a faint smile.

He closed his eyes and soon fell into a deep sleep.

Outside the window, the night was deep.

Beacon Fire Town welcomed its final night before the decisive battle.

...

The morning sun shone on the western gate wall of Beacon Fire Town, casting a faint golden hue on the twenty-meter-high ramparts.

Lin Feng stood alone in the very center of the wall, the Wildfire Spear on his back gleaming with a dark red light in the morning rays.

His gaze passed over the wall, looking out at the plains beyond the western gate.

At the city gate, the troops were filing out.

At the front were four hundred Great Qin Garrison Soldier infantry. They wore deep brown leather armor,

held bronze halberds, their steps perfectly synchronized. The forest of halberd tips gleamed with a cold, sharp light in the morning sun.

With each step, the ground trembled slightly. Their silent, resolute aura was awe-inspiring.

Behind the infantry were one hundred Crossbowmen. They carried standard Great Qin crossbows on their backs, quivers at their waists, their formation equally orderly.

Though not as imposing as the infantry, their sharp eyes and readiness for battle at any moment made them equally formidable.

On both flanks of the formation were Zhao Hu, Tie Dun, Wang Wu, Arrow Eye, Su Yurou, A Wang, and Scarface Liu—seven core members.

Zhao Hu, carrying the troll tusk shield, walked at the very front, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Tie Dun, hugging the troll bone shield, walked beside him, grinning foolishly.

Wang Wu and Arrow Eye walked side by side, occasionally exchanging low words. Su Yurou, holding a short staff, walked in the center of the formation, followed by A Wang and Scarface Liu.

Shadow Snake was not in the formation. She had already vanished into some shadow on the plains, responsible for reconnaissance and vigilance.

Looking at this army that was entirely his own, at those familiar faces, Lin Feng felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction welling up inside him.

Five hundred Beacon Guards, eight core members—they had come all the way from the Black Wind Camp to today.

But all of this was far from the end.

It was just the beginning.

He raised his head, looking toward the distance, toward the plains that would soon become a battlefield, toward the even more distant future.

One day, he would command an army of tens of thousands and sweep across the Nightmare World.

With that thought, the corner of his mouth curved into a faint smile.

Then, he leaped directly from the twenty-meter-high city wall!

The wind whistled, his clothes flapped wildly!

Lin Feng adjusted his posture mid-air; the windchaser boots made his descent as light as a feather.

The moment he landed, he bent his knees slightly to absorb the impact, then strode forward, heading toward his army.

Seeing him, the troops parted to make way.

Lin Feng quickly walked to the very front, falling into step beside Zhao Hu.

"Lord!" Zhao Hu grinned, "Your entrance was so cool!"

Lin Feng smiled but didn't speak, just looked ahead.

Thirty-five li ahead, that plain was waiting for them.