The moment Umekawa Kojiro fell, an invisible ripple spread from the depths of the Nightmare World, instantly sweeping across the entire battlefield.

Lin Feng's body shook slightly; he "knew."

It was the direct descent of the Nightmare World's rules, information etched directly into the depths of his consciousness like a brand:

【Territorial War Concluded】

【Winner: Daxia · Beacon Fire Town】

【Loser: Sakura Country · Baigui County】

【Rules in Effect】

【Baigui County has been locked by the Nightmare World's rules】

【Hupan Village, an affiliated village of Baigui County, has been locked by the Nightmare World's rules】

【Heiyan Town, an affiliated town of Baigui County, has been locked by the Nightmare World's rules】

【Natives: All restricted within the territory of Baigui County, awaiting reception by the winner】

【Sakura Country Awakened: All expelled beyond the territory of Baigui County; interference in the reception process is prohibited】

【Reception Deadline: Within 72 hours】

【Failure to receive within the deadline: Baigui County and its affiliated villages and towns will disintegrate on their own, and resources will be reclaimed by the Nightmare World】

Lin Feng stood in place, feeling the information flooding into his mind, and his mouth slowly widened into a grin.

The smile was impossible to suppress.

The wealth Baigui County had accumulated over decades—mines, farmland, warehouses, equipment, supplies, fisheries...

It all belonged to him now.

And those natives—craftsmen, Farmers, merchants, ordinary subjects...

They had all become his subjects.

He had won.

This time, the victory was so complete that he was winning big.

From the precarious bandit outpost of Black Wind Camp to the present annexation of an established county-level territory.

Lin Feng took a deep breath and tightened his grip on the Wildfire Spear, an indescribable pride welling up in his chest.

At that moment, a shadowy figure appeared silently by his side.

Shadow Snake.

She still had blood on her, the deep blue fang was tucked into her waist, and her breathing was slightly rapid; she had clearly rushed over right after finishing her battle.

Her gaze fell on Lin Feng, sweeping over the still-bleeding wound on the back of his neck, and her brow furrowed imperceptibly.

"Lord, your wound..."

Lin Feng waved his hand and restrained his smile.

He turned around and cast his gaze toward the spot where Umekawa Kojiro's corpse lay.

There, the body had already begun to slowly dissipate.

As the body vanished, six pieces of equipment emerged from the void, floating quietly three feet above the ground.

Two purples, four blues.

The purple light was deep and reserved, while the blue light was cold and bright; they intertwined, shimmering brilliantly under the sunlight.

Lin Feng stepped forward and first looked at the ninja blade glowing with purple light.

The blade was long and straight, more slender than an ordinary katana, deep purple throughout, with a cold, sharp glint on the edge.

The tsuba was a simple square engraved with a waning moon pattern, and the hilt was wrapped in dark rayskin, providing an excellent grip.

The scabbard was also deep purple, its surface covered in fine, dark patterns, as if moonlight were flowing over it.

【shadow moon blade (Purple)】

Type: One-handed Blade

Attack Power: +90

Special Effect 1: 【Shadow Flash】 — Instantly move to any position within a 50-meter range behind the target. Cooldown: 60 seconds.

Special Effect 2: 【Moon Concealment】 — When fighting at night or in shadowed areas, damage increases by 10%, and movement is silent.

Equipment Requirement: Agility ≥ 20

Introduction: A rare weapon forged from Shadow Moon Iron and infused with the essence of moonlight. The user can harness the power of moonlight in battle, making the blade's light resemble a waning moon.

Lin Feng nodded and set the ninja blade aside.

Next was a pair of deep purple legguards, soft in material yet possessing a metallic luster.

The lines of the legs were smooth, with extra armor reinforcement at the knees and shins; the overall design was both aesthetic and practical.

【shadow dance legguards (Purple)】

Type: Leg

Defense: +50

Special Effect 1: 【Shadow Step】 — Upon activation, Agility +3 for 10 minutes. Cooldown: 15 minutes.

Special Effect 2: 【Shadow Dancer】 — Upon activation, for every meter moved, Evasion increases by 1%, stacking up to 30%! Lasts for 10 minutes. Cooldown: 15 minutes.

Equipment Requirement: Agility ≥ 20

Introduction: Legguards specifically for a Shadow Dancer. Light and flexible, they allow the user to move as elusively as a ghost in battle.

Lin Feng's eyes lit up.

These 【shadow dance legguards】 provided both +3 Agility and a passive that stacked evasion while moving; they were simply top-tier for an agility-type warrior!

Without a second thought, he took off his 【hardbone legguards】 on the spot and put on these 【shadow dance legguards】.

The moment the purple legguards fit onto his legs, a feeling of lightness surged through his entire body.

He moved a bit and felt as if his whole person had become several pounds lighter, as if he could float away at any moment.

And there was also the active skill 【Shadow Step】, which could add another +3 to Agility when activated!

Plus the evasion stacked while moving...

A smile curled at the corners of Lin Feng's mouth.

He picked up the remaining four pieces of blue equipment one by one to inspect them.

【shadow headband (Blue)】

Type: Head

Defense: +25

Special Effect: 【Dark Vision】 — Visual range in the dark +30 meters.

Equipment Requirement: Agility ≥ 15

【shadow scale leather armor (Blue)】

Type: Chest

Defense: +35

Special Effect: 【Scale Armor】 — When receiving piercing attacks, damage is reduced by 20%

Equipment Requirement: Level ≥ 15

【shadowy belt (Blue)】 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Type: Waist

Defense: +20

Vitality: +100

Special Effect: Health recovery speed +20%

Equipment Requirement: Strength ≥ 15

【shadow walk boots (Blue)】

Type: Feet

Agility: +2

Special Effect: 【Shadow Tread】 — When moving in shadowed areas, Agility +1

Equipment Requirement: Level ≥ 15

After finishing his inspection, Lin Feng turned to look at Shadow Snake.

Shadow Snake was standing quietly behind him, her gaze falling on the pile of equipment, but her face remained expressionless.

Lin Feng bent over and picked up all five pieces of equipment—the 【shadow moon blade】, 【shadow headband】, 【shadow scale leather armor】, 【shadowy belt】, and 【shadow walk boots】—and handed them to her.

"They're yours."

Shadow Snake was stunned.

She looked down at the pile of equipment, her pupils slightly contracting as she saw the 【shadow moon blade】 glowing with purple light on top.

"Lord..." She looked up, her eyes full of disbelief.

"These are too valuable. Especially this blade... A purple weapon, there aren't many in all of °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° Daxia..."

Lin Feng smiled.

"If you hadn't taken care of their healer, I would have had to go to much more trouble." He paused. "You've earned these."

Shadow Snake opened her mouth, wanting to decline.

But Lin Feng had already stuffed the pile of equipment into her arms.

"Take them."

Shadow Snake looked down at the equipment in her arms and remained silent for a few seconds.

Then, she no longer refused.

She first set down the other equipment, then held the 【shadow moon blade】 with both hands and slowly drew it.

The purple blade glinted coldly under the sunlight, with a sharp light flowing along the edge as if it could cut through anything.

She swung it gently, the blade slicing through the air with a faint whistling sound.

Then, she smiled.

The smile was very faint and light, but it was as brilliant as the first flower blooming in spring.

Shadow Snake rarely smiled.

In all the time he had known her, Lin Feng could count the number of times he had seen her smile on one hand.

But at this moment, holding this blade, she smiled without any concealment.

Her eyes were full of love and appreciation.

She repeatedly looked at the patterns on the blade, gently stroking the waning moon design on the tsuba.

She even tried a few flourishes; though her movements were a bit unpracticed, her affection for it was plain to see.

Then, she looked up and stole a glance at Lin Feng.

That glance was very quick, so quick it was almost imperceptible.

Shadow Snake lowered her head and began to silently change her equipment.

She put on the 【shadow headband】, donned the 【shadow scale leather armor】, fastened the 【shadowy belt】, and stepped into the 【shadow walk boots】.

Finally, she sheathed the 【shadow moon blade】 at her waist, side-by-side with the deep blue fang.

Her original mismatched green equipment had now been entirely replaced with blue and purple.

As she stood there, her presence was even more elusive and reserved than before, as if she could merge into the surrounding shadows at any moment.

Lin Feng looked back at her and nodded with satisfaction.

"Not bad."

Shadow Snake lowered her head slightly and said nothing.

But her lips still carried that faint smile.

Lin Feng withdrew his gaze and looked toward the distant battlefield.

The Beacon Guards were hunting down the routing Ashigaru; Zhao Hu and the others were covered in blood but in high spirits.

The flags of Baigui County had all fallen.

He took a deep breath and tightened his grip on the Wildfire Spear.

"Let's go."

He strode forward toward the battlefield where things were being wrapped up.

Behind him, Shadow Snake followed silently, like a shadow.

Only this time, her footsteps seemed lighter than ever before.