The hall fell silent for a split second before erupting into even more fervent exclamations and discussions than before!

Everyone stared wide-eyed, looking at Lin Feng in disbelief.

Upgrading from village-level to town-level was no small matter!

It required meeting harsh conditions and successfully defending against a higher-intensity Nightmare Tide!

How many days had it been since they established the village? This speed—even a rocket wouldn't be this fast, right?

"Lord, is this... is this for real?" Zhao Hu's breathing grew heavy, his eyes fixed intently on Lin Feng.

"It's absolutely true." Lin Feng nodded with certainty, raising his hand to signal for everyone to be quiet.

"To upgrade to town-level, several conditions must be met. Among them, we are already basically equipped with the basic buildings and corresponding life-professionals."

He briefly explained the requirements for a town-level upgrade, and everyone listened with surging hearts.

Blacksmiths, tailors, carpenters, brewers, pharmacists, farmers, accountants... all of these had been gathered without them even realizing it?

Only then did everyone suddenly realize how significant it was to have taken down the Black Wolf Den and inherited its legacy!

"Currently, we are only short of two conditions." Lin Feng held up two fingers. "First, the total population of the territory must reach five hundred. We have over two hundred people now, so we're still a bit short."

"Second, successfully defend against a 'Level 2' Nightmare Tide independently."

Upon hearing 'Level 2 Nightmare Tide,' everyone's expressions turned solemn. They had all witnessed the previous skeleton tide, which was exceptionally fierce due to the 'bundled calculation,' and they knew how powerful a Level 2 tide could be.

"As for the population issue, Xiaoyao Stronghold and Juyi Manor might be our opportunity."

A sharp glint flashed in Lin Feng's eyes. "And as for the Level 2 Nightmare Tide..."

He paused, his tone carrying a strange certainty. "Based on previous experience and my intuition, the intensity of the fixed-cycle Nightmare Tide in eleven days is very likely to be Level 2."

"Eleven days! We're going to have our own town in eleven days?!"

Tie Dun was the first to react, his face flushed with excitement as he slammed his fist on the table. "Damn it! Let's do it! Who's afraid of a Level 2 tide? With the Lord here and us brothers, we'll kill however many come!"

"Right! Upgrade to a town! We'll be the founding elders of the town!" Scarface Liu also became excited.

"Town-level Honorary Resident... saying that out loud sounds way more prestigious than village-level!" A Wang rubbed his hands together, his eyes shining.

The crowd once again fell into excited discussion and flattery, their gazes toward Lin Feng filled with fanaticism and awe.

In just a short period, he had led them from being bandits to village-level lords, and now they were already about to push for town-level!

Such a leader and such a development speed were practically legendary!

"Alright." Lin Feng raised his hand again to suppress the noise, a smile also on his face.

"Whether we succeed depends on everyone's hard work. Population, defense, soldier training, resource stockpiling... none of these can be neglected. Eleven days is a very tight schedule."

His gaze became sharp. "Aren't the people from Xiaoyao Stronghold and Juyi Manor coming? Perfect.

Zhao Hu, Tie Dun, Arrow Eye, Shadow Snake, you four will meet them with me. Everyone else, perform your duties and hurry with the preparations for war."

"Yes! Lord!" Everyone responded in a thunderous roar, their morale high.

Just then, a team member on guard at the entrance reported from outside the hall, "Lord, the Second-in-Command of Xiaoyao Stronghold, 'Gui Shusheng,' and the Third-in-Command of Juyi Manor, 'Iron Abacus,' have arrived at the camp gate with a small retinue and request an audience!"

Lin Feng stood up and adjusted the leather armor on his body; the Wildfire Spear on his back gave off a warm touch.

"They've come at just the right time." The corner of his mouth curled into an arc. "Let's go meet our 'neighbors' and talk about the 'population' and 'titles' issues."

He led the way out of the hall, followed closely by Zhao Hu and the others, their steps steady and their aura imposing.

Beacon Fire Village's first official external diplomatic exchange was about to begin.

And the topics would directly relate to the future landscape of this Riverbend Land, as well as whether Beacon Fire Village could step across the threshold to town-level in one go.

The west gate of Beacon Fire Village.

The heavy drawbridge was slowly lowered, resting over the moat that rippled with blackish-red water.

Lin Feng took the lead, followed by Zhao Hu, Tie Dun, Arrow Eye, and Shadow Snake. All were well-equipped with calm, steady auras.

As soon as the five appeared, the dozen or so people waiting on the other side of the drawbridge felt an invisible pressure.

The people from Xiaoyao Stronghold and Juyi Manor stood on opposite sides, clearly demarcated.

On the left, the leader of Xiaoyao Stronghold was a thin middle-aged scholar with a pale face, wearing a washed-out green robe. He held a closed folding fan, and his eyes were lively, carrying a hint of subtle shrewdness and vigilance; he was indeed the Second-in-Command, 'Gui Shusheng.'

Behind him followed four guards whose auras were feminine and subtle, clearly following a path of agility and trickery.

On the right, the Juyi Manor side featured an 'acquaintance' Lin Feng had seen before, the Third-in-Command, 'Iron Abacus.' He still had that smooth, amiable appearance of someone who valued profit, wearing a pleasant smile, while the guards behind him appeared more solid and steady.

Seeing Lin Feng and the others come out, Gui Shusheng and Iron Abacus quickly stepped forward a few paces and bowed with cupped hands across the drawbridge.

"I am Gui Shusheng of Xiaoyao Stronghold. Greetings, Lord Lin Feng." Gui Shusheng's voice wasn't loud, carrying the tone of a scholar.

"Lord Lin, we meet again. I apologize for the intrusion." Iron Abacus was all smiles, keeping his posture very low.

Lin Feng walked to the edge of the drawbridge, his gaze calmly sweeping over the two. "What guidance do the two Commanders have for coming here together?"

Gui Shusheng and Iron Abacus exchanged a glance, and Gui Shusheng spoke, his tone carrying a well-measured mix of difficulty and sincerity:

"Lord Lin, please understand. ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) Our contact with our relatives on Blue Star has been severed, and we miss them dearly.

We have come this time with no other request than to implore Lord Lin to allow us... to purchase some 'Temporary Common Titles,' so that the brothers in our stronghold (manor) might have a chance to return to Blue Star and briefly reunite with their families to soothe the pain of longing."

He spoke with genuine emotion, painting a picture of the plight of being forced away from loved ones.

Iron Abacus nodded repeatedly in agreement from the side. "Yes, Lord Lin, we are all poor souls drifting far from home, desperate to see our families. We hope the Lord can make things convenient. Regarding the price, we certainly won't let the Lord lose out."

Lin Feng understood perfectly. This was a genuine need, but it was likely also a way to test Beacon Fire Village's attitude and pave the way for potential future contact.

A faint smile appeared on his face, but his tone was unquestionable. "Reuniting with family is only natural. This is a small matter."

Gui Shusheng and Iron Abacus were delighted to hear this and were about to offer their thanks, but then they heard Lin Feng's tone shift: