As the days passed, the day the Nightmare Tide would arrive finally came.

Before the sky was fully bright, Lin Feng stood atop the West Gate's city wall.

The morning light spilled over the eastern ridge, casting the long shadow of the wall into the city like a boundary line separating light from darkness.

He leaned against the battlements and looked out beyond the city.

He couldn't see the five thousand mu of fields to the south at this moment, but he knew they were there.

No one could be seen there anymore.

Li San had led all the Farmers to retreat into the city yesterday; the crops weren't ready for harvest yet, but people were more important than crops.

Fields could be replanted, but once people were gone, everything was gone.

At the city gate, the troops had already finished assembling.

Zhao Hu sat atop a Great-Horned Deer, his troll tusk shield on his back and his bone-crushing greatsword hanging by the deer's saddle.

He wore a newly acquired set of blue-quality iron armor, spoils from the last Yellow Turban Stronghold; he looked a bit more battle-hardened than usual.

Su Yurou was mounted on another Great-Horned Deer, her blue crystal staff resting across her knees, its gemstone glinting with a pale gold halo in the morning sun.

She had fully mastered the skills of a Yellow Turban Ritualist, able to proficiently use both Blessing of All Living Beings and Misfortune Transfer.

Meng Yi stood at the very front of the formation, his half-set of iron armor gleaming coldly in the morning light as he leaned his halberd against the ground, its tip pointing upward, silent as iron.

Behind him, six Centurions from Bai Yi to Bai Liu stood in a line, all with halberds, all in iron armor, and all in silence.

Further back, two hundred Great Qin Garrison Soldiers Infantry formed a square formation, their dagger-axes like a forest, perfectly still.

Forty Crossbowmen were positioned on both sides, heavy crossbows strung and quivers full.

Lin Feng walked down from the wall, and Zhao Hu and the others all looked toward him.

"When you reach Qingmu County, deal with the people from the Crescent Moon Territory properly."

Lin Feng's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear.

"If they are willing to cooperate, we will cooperate. If they put on airs, you don't have to endure it. But remember one thing—"

He looked at Zhao Hu: "If they can handle the Nightmare Tide themselves, don't get involved. Just watch from the side."

Zhao Hu nodded and cupped his fists. "Don't worry, Lord, I understand."

Lin Feng then looked at Su Yurou: "Yu Rou, if their attitude is good, use your Blessing of All Living Beings on them. It's always better for fewer people to die."

Su Yurou replied, "I understand."

Lin Feng finally looked at Meng Yi; Meng Yi didn't say anything, only giving a slight nod.

He knew his mission: to stand by with two hundred Garrison Soldiers in Qingmu County, not participating in the battle, only observing.

Only if the Crescent Moon Territory couldn't hold out would they intervene.

"Depart." Zhao Hu squeezed the deer's flanks, and the Great-Horned Deer began to march toward Qingmu County.

Su Yurou, riding the deer, glanced back at Lin Feng, her lips moving as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she just smiled and turned back.

Wang Wu, Arrow Eye, A Wang, and Scarface Liu followed closely behind, each riding their own deer.

Meng Yi raised his hand, and the two hundred Infantry and forty Crossbowmen turned in unison, marching in step behind Zhao Hu.

The troops filed out, the sounds of hooves and footsteps blending into a heavy, powerful rhythm like distant thunder.

Meng Yi walked at the very back of the formation with his halberd on his shoulder; the sunlight shone from behind him, casting his shadow long and straight on the ground.

Lin Feng stood at the city gate, watching the company gradually recede until they disappeared at the end of the road.

He turned around; Jiang Yelan was already waiting at the gate.

She wore black leather armor, the purple shadow moon blade hanging at her waist, its blade glinting coldly in the morning light.

Her aura was more than a level stronger than it had been ten days ago.

Her level had risen back to Level 19; she could break through as long as she used that Shadow Raider Class Change Book.

But because Lin Feng had told her not to change classes yet, she hadn't.

Behind her, a square formation of one hundred Great Qin Garrison Soldiers Infantry stood ready, with thirty Crossbowmen lined up on either side.

"Ye Lan." Lin Feng looked at her. "The same applies to Heiyan Town.

If the people from the Crescent Moon Territory can handle the Nightmare Tide themselves, don't intervene."

Jiang Yelan nodded, her voice cold and clear. "I know."

"Go then."

Jiang Yelan mounted a Great-Horned Deer and waved her hand to those behind her.

One hundred and thirty Garrison Soldiers followed in step, filing out of the West Gate in an orderly fashion.

She sat upright on the deer, the purple shadow moon blade swaying gently at her waist.

After passing through the city gate, she glanced back, her gaze passing over the # Nоvеlight # crowd to land on Lin Feng before she turned back and rode away.

Lin Feng watched her leave, then turned to Zhang Ping and said, "Send fifty Weakened Garrison Soldiers to Hupan Village. Send another fifty to North Slope Village."

Zhang Ping acknowledged and jogged off to deliver the orders.

Soon, one hundred Weakened Garrison Soldiers split into two groups and filed out of the West Gate.

One group headed west toward Hupan Village.

The other group headed north toward North Slope Village.

Their steps weren't as disciplined as the elite soldiers, but there was no fear on any of their faces.

They could withstand a Level 1 Nightmare Tide.

Lin Feng stood at the city gate, watching until the last Weakened Garrison Soldier disappeared at the end of the road before turning to walk back into the city.

The city gate slowly closed behind him, the heavy latch falling with a dull thud.

He walked along the city wall, checking every defense.

All twelve Intermediate Arrow Towers were stocked with arrows, and the torches on the wall had been replaced with fresh oil, enough to burn all night.

rolling logs and stone boulders were piled on the walls, ready for any emergency. Everything was prepared.

He stood on the wall and looked into the distance.

To the west, in the direction of Hupan Village, all was peaceful.

To the north, in the direction of North Slope Village, it was also peaceful.

Ten days.

It had been exactly ten days since the Blood Moon appeared.

The thick mist in the Crying Rift Valley had vanished, but besides that, everything remained the same as before.

The strength of the Nightmare monsters hadn't changed, and the conditions for upgrading the territory hadn't changed either. Everything was normal.

But Lin Feng knew this might just be the final calm before the storm.

He stood on the wall, hands propped on the battlements, looking into the distance.

The wind blew in, carrying the scent of withered grass from the plains; it felt chilly as it slipped into his collar, like something whispering in his ear.

The Blood Moon wouldn't appear for no reason.

Eighty years ago, it had changed the rules of the Nightmare World.

This time, it wouldn't just hang in the sky for ten days and then vanish without a sound.

Something else must be waiting for them.

Lin Feng withdrew his gaze and turned to walk down from the wall.

No matter when the storm came, he had to protect this city.

This city that he and everyone else had built over several months, stone by stone, blade by blade.