Chapter 46: The Blessing of the Departed Souls and the Incorporation Plan [Seeking Recommendations and Collections]

【Killed Stitch-Monster Lv.18 · Patto】

【Gained 1680 Experience Points】

【Gained 100 Reputation Points】

【Gained Tavern Construction Blueprint ×1】

【Gained Tier 1 Territory Technology Research Institute Construction Blueprint ×1】

【Gained Level 2 City Lord's Manor Upgrade Voucher ×1】

【Gained Fragmented Blue Soul ×1】

【Gained Cruel Butcher's Knife (Blue) ×1】

【Gained Book: "Marching Strategies" ×1】

【Gained the Head of Utland Windwhisper】

The Captain-level Stitch-Monster, Patto, had sent another wave of warmth to Zong Shen, though most of these rewards were primarily blueprints and books.

Zong Shen decided to keep them aside to review and organize them all at once upon his return.

The only piece of equipment seemed to be the Butcher's Knife held by Patto.

Zong Shen took it out, and as he held it, he nearly lost his grip.

With Zong Shen's current Strength of 21, even holding it with one hand felt extremely strenuous.

He could only barely lift it using both hands.

However, to use it freely for slashing, he would need at least 35 Strength.

The blade itself was as wide as Zong Shen's torso, resembling a door panel.

【Cruel Butcher's Knife (Blue)】

【One-handed/Two-handed】

【Quality: Excellent】

【Slashing Damage: 42/48】

【Attack Range: 55】

【Attack Speed: -8%】

【Durability: 220】

【Skill: Wild Slash (Performs 3 slashes within 3 seconds, each dealing 1.0x slashing damage)】

【Required Strength: 38】

"Holy crap, that's insane!"

This Butcher's Knife was practically a tool for slaughter.

It could be used with either one hand or two.

Unfortunately, the required Strength was as high as 38, meaning neither Zong Shen nor the Wolf Cavalry could equip it yet.

He could only store it for now or consider listing it on the market.

Zong Shen put the Butcher's Knife away.

He then looked at the final Demon Hunter body.

【Head of Utland Windwhisper】

【A head subjected to the Blood-Burning Demon desecration ritual and stitching experiments; one of the quest items】

He put it away.

With this, all six Demon Hunter bodies had been collected.

Now, he only needed to bring them back to the territory and bury them beside the Moonwell.

After Stitch-Monster Patto was eliminated by Zong Shen, beams of light suddenly shone down throughout the entire dungeon.

Wisps of black smoke rose within the light before eventually dissipating into nothingness.

Bathed in the light, Zong Shen felt a warm and comfortable sensation throughout his body.

【Due to your heroism, light has returned to this dungeon. The shadow of death has dispersed, and the countless souls of the Elven race have found peace.】

【You have received the Blessing of the Elven Souls, lasting for 3 days.】

【Blessing of the Elven Souls】

【Effect: Rare item drop rate +5%, Fatigue -50%, Attack +10%, Defense +10%】

This was an unexpected surprise.

He hadn't expected an additional Buff reward after clearing this dungeon.

Since this dungeon had been completely cleared, there was no further value in staying.

He raised his hand to check the time.

It was already noon.

Having set out shortly after 6:00 AM, more than six hours had passed.

The group's hunger and thirst were still manageable, so Zong Shen decided to change today's itinerary.

They would stop exploring for now.

First, they would go to claim the territory and inheritance of that unlucky Lord and recruit the farmers within.

Then, he would need to prepare for the territory expansion mission.

At the same time, he would organize the rewards obtained from the morning's exploration.

It was time to begin large-scale construction.

Thinking of this, Zong Shen turned to the Fire Mage, Favid, and said

"Favid, take me to your former master's territory now. Let's go recruit those poor farmers."

Favid nodded and bowed respectfully.

"My Lord, please follow me."

"We discovered a crude entrance amidst some ruins, which is how we found our way here."

"Please, follow me."

His attitude was very respectful.

Through their brief period of fighting side-by-side, Zong Shen had earned Favid's recognition through his strength and talent.

Compared to the deceased former master, this man's capabilities were indeed much stronger.

Perhaps he truly could lead Zong Shen to reclaim lost glory.

Zong Shen nodded, and the group followed Favid back to the left side of the dungeon.

In one of the cells, just as the quest prompt had indicated, a tunnel approximately two meters in diameter had been excavated.

The tunnel wound upwards, barely wide enough for the group to pass through in a single file.

There were obvious signs of collapse within the tunnel, as well as signs of recent excavation.

Clearly, after that unlucky Lord discovered this passage, he had spent considerable effort re-opening it.

After cautiously traversing the tunnel, the group emerged into a field of ruins.

The surroundings were still forested, but the terrain was flatter.

It appeared to be a plateau located on the mountainside.

The ground was covered in scattered, piled-up architectural debris, with dense shrubs and weeds growing through the crevices.

"My Lord, the former master's territory is right there."

Favid pointed in a certain direction. In their field of vision, they could see the dilapidated small courtyard typical of a Lord's residence.

A few farmers were still working hard outside, gathering resources.

They seemed unaware that their Lord had died in the dungeon.

The courtyard was less than two li away from their current position; it would only take a few minutes on foot.

About five or six minutes later, Zong Shen and the others arrived outside the Lord's courtyard.

Zong Shen was surprised to find that the unlucky Lord actually had five farmers.

In addition to the initial three, he had somehow scavenged two more from elsewhere.

The five farmers currently gathering resources saw them and immediately stopped their work, standing up nervously and fleeing back into the courtyard.

Zong Shen's group looked quite intimidating.

Especially the Wolf Cavalry, whose giant wolves were baring teeth and claws, looking anything but friendly.

It wasn't until they saw Favid that a slightly bolder farmer stood at the entrance and called out proactively.

"Lord Favid, why are you with strangers?"

"Where is our Lord, Zhang Song?"

Favid took a step forward and began to explain.

"The former master was torn apart by the monsters in the dungeon. Even I almost perished at their hands."

"Fortunately, I encountered Lord Zong Shen."

"These are Lord Zong Shen's soldiers. He has come here today to save you."

"Without a Lord's protection, it will be difficult for you to survive in this wilderness," Favid said quickly.

The farmers in the courtyard looked at each other, but no one took the first step.

"The Lord is dead?"

They still seemed to have reservations.

At that moment, Zong Shen smiled and walked directly into the courtyard.

Seeing this, the farmers acted as if they had seen a ghost, screaming and huddling into the corners.

In their eyes, no outsider was permitted to step into the courtyard, but now, that rule seemed to have changed.

After that unlucky Lord died, this courtyard was no longer protected by the Newbie Protection rules!