Before the barbican gate, Lin Feng and Li Yuan stood side by side.

At the end of the road to the north, a massive convoy was slowly approaching.

Two hundred large carts were pulled by sturdy Pack Beasts. The wheels were wide, and the axles were wrapped in thick iron bands, letting out a dull rumble as they rolled over the dirt road.

The convoy stretched very long, with no end in sight, and there were at least a thousand soldiers escorting it.

Flags snapped in the morning breeze, embroidered with the emblem of Zhenyue City.

Leading the way was Liu Zhenshan.

He rode on the back of a tall Pack Beast, his deep purple armor glinting with a steady luster in the sunlight. A greatsword was strapped to his back, its hilt protruding from behind his shoulder.

Seeing Lin Feng, he leapt down from the Pack Beast and strode forward to meet him.

Lin Feng and Li Yuan also went forward to greet him.

"City Lord Liu, you've had a hard journey.” Lin Feng cupped his fists.

Liu Zhenshan smiled and waved his hand, grabbing Lin Feng's hand and shaking it vigorously. "Lord Lin, why the formality? Director Zhou asked me to deliver this batch of supplies, and I just happened to want to see your Hangu Pass for myself.”

He looked up at the forty-meter-high city walls and clicked his tongue twice. "It's only been a few days since Lord Lin returned to the Beacon Fire Territory, and you've already erected such a majestic pass. Impressive, truly impressive.”

Lin Feng smiled and stepped aside to lead the way. "City Lord Liu, I only heard from Director Zhou that Zhenyue City was sending a batch of supplies for support; I didn't expect it to be this much.”

He glanced at the endless convoy behind him.

"Two hundred large carts and over a thousand escort soldiers—this display certainly gave me a start.”

Liu Zhenshan laughed heartily and patted Lin Feng on the shoulder. "Lord Lin, you are now a Gold Seat Lord! The level of support is naturally going to be different!"

Lin Feng raised an eyebrow. "Gold Seat Lord?"

Liu Zhenshan nodded, speaking as they walked. "The General Bureau officially issued the notice yesterday. Not only you, but Jiang Zhaoyue and Jiang Yelan have also been appointed as Silver Seat Lords. You should receive the news once you return to Blue Star.”

Lin Feng's heart stirred slightly, but he kept his expression calm and smiled. "Then I'll have to find some time to head back to Blue Star. Come, come, let's enter the city and talk as we go.”

The three walked side by side into the barbican, the convoy following in a single file behind them. The sound of Pack Beasts' hooves and the creaking of axles mixed together, echoing through the gatehouse.

Liu Zhenshan looked around as he walked, his gaze sweeping from the watchtowers to the city walls, and then from the walls to the barracks and warehouses on the inner side.

"Lord Lin, this Hangu Pass of yours is even grander than I imagined.”

Liu Zhenshan remarked with admiration, "Forty-meter-high walls, a purple gate, a barbican, and watchtowers—it has everything.”

Lin Feng smiled. "It is a wonder, after all; it doesn't follow normal logic.”

Liu Zhenshan smiled as well. "True enough.”

The two walked along the main street with Li Yuan following half a step behind, listening quietly and only interjecting when Lin Feng occasionally asked him something.

As they walked, Liu Zhenshan introduced the supply list for this trip: "Fifty thousand Gray Crystals, five thousand Copper Ingots, and five thousand Tin Ingots.

There are also disassembled ballistae and catapults, fifty units of each. Arrows, Explosive Potions, and Ice Burst Potions have been provided to cover ten days of consumption.”

He paused and pulled a palm-sized crystal bottle from his robe. The bottle was golden, containing a dark red liquid that looked like coagulated blood under the sunlight.

"This is a gold-quality potion allocated to you by the General Bureau.”

Liu Zhenshan handed the bottle to Lin Feng.

Lin Feng took the crystal bottle; it was warm to the touch, and he could feel a certain energy pulsing inside.

With a thought, his attribute panel expanded before his eyes.

【dragon blood celestial brew】

Quality: Gold

Type: Buff Potion

Duration: 10 Days

Effect: Increases constitution, strength, and agility by 10% each.

The corners of Lin Feng's mouth curled up. A ten percent all-around boost lasting for a full ten days—it truly lived up to being a gold potion.

He carefully tucked the dragon blood celestial brew into his robe and cupped his fists toward Liu Zhenshan. "City Lord Liu, please thank Director Zhou on my behalf.”

Liu Zhenshan waved his hand. "It's only right. You are a Gold Seat Lord now; the General Bureau is more than willing to provide these resources.”

They walked a bit longer on the main street before Liu Zhenshan stopped. He turned to look at the convoy, which had now fully entered the city, and said to Lin Feng, "The supplies should be finished unloading by now. I won't stay any longer; there's a lot going on in Zhenyue City lately, and I need to head back.”

Lin Feng did not try to make him stay and nodded. "Then I'll see you out.”

The two walked back together to the barbican gate. Liu Zhenshan flipped himself onto his Pack Beast and cupped his fists toward Lin Feng. "Lord Lin, this is far enough. When you're free another day, come visit Zhenyue City.”

Lin Feng returned the gesture. "I certainly will. City Lord Liu, have a safe trip.”

Liu Zhenshan nudged the Pack Beast's flanks, and the giant beast beneath him began to stride toward the north.

The convoy behind him was already prepared. The escorting soldiers bowed slightly to Lin Feng and then followed Liu Zhenshan's pace.

The convoy slowly left Hangu Pass, dust rising from the road and obscuring the golden waves of ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) grass on the Golden Ear Plain.

Lin Feng stood before the barbican gate, watching the group grow more distant until they disappeared over the horizon, before finally withdrawing his gaze.

He looked down at the bottle of dragon blood celestial brew in his robe, the smile on his face deepening.

Lin Feng turned around. Li Yuan was still standing behind him, holding a register with a pen tucked behind his ear, his face calm.

Lin Feng glanced at him. "Old Li, from today on, things are going to get busier and busier.”

Li Yuan bowed slightly, his voice steady. "These old bones of mine can still hold out for the Lord for a few more years.”

Lin Feng smiled and strode through the city gate.

Behind him, the gates of Hangu Pass slowly closed, and the heavy bolt fell into place with a dull thud.

...

Another two days passed.

The catapults and ballistae sent from Zhenyue City had all been deployed onto the city walls.

On the north gate wall of Hangu Pass, one was stationed every dozen meters or so, their dark muzzles pointing toward the northern wilderness.

Lin Feng walked along the wall, with Su Yuehua, Feng Qingyan, and Feng Qingshuang following at his side.

Every few steps, a patrol would approach. The leading Centurion would press his right fist to his chest and shout, "Lord Lin!" while the soldiers stood aside in unison to make way.

Lin Feng nodded in acknowledgment. Su Yuehua also gave a slight nod; her movements were subtle, but every soldier who passed could feel the gentleness in her gaze.

Su Yuehua walked to Lin Feng's right, her speech measured and clear: "In the last three days, the Awakened from the former Moonflower Guild have completed a total of forty-seven patrol missions and assisted in nine supply transport runs.

After everyone was bound to the Iron Tokens, the average mission completion rate reached eighty percent, with zero recording errors.”

Lin Feng nodded. "The brothers from the Moonflower Guild are people I can trust.”

Feng Qingyan followed behind Su Yuehua, holding her staff. The Fire Crystal at the tip of the staff pulsed with every step she took.

She rolled her eyes and couldn't help but interject, "Lord Lin, it's only been a few days, and all ten miles of the city wall are packed with catapults and ballistae, like we're setting out goods for a New Year's market! How much did all this cost? Did you move a money printing machine from Blue Star into the Nightmare World?"