C9 Level up by Two Levels
The six newly established production lines for combat robots were running at full capacity, churning out 120 Level-2 battle robots and bolstering Wang Changqing's Mechanical Legion to a total of 275 units.
The new batch included 40 Destroyers, 80 Snipers, 80 Defenders, and 75 Butchers.
The addition of these 120 combat robots bolstered Wang Changqing's resolve. He made up his mind to venture back into the wilderness. Staying within the safety of his territory, which had a seven-day protection period, was secure but offered no prospects for growth.
Wang Changqing set his sights on a creature resembling a wild boar, a herd of about 300, located not far from the eastern edge of his territory. The Mechanical Legion could reach them in just 30 minutes at their pace.
Reinvigorated, Wang Changqing adopted a new approach. He marshaled an even more formidable Mechanical Legion and proceeded with extreme caution through the wilderness. As they neared the wild boars, he found a small hill with an excellent vantage point and quietly surveyed the creatures.
Fanged Wild Boar
Level: Level 2
Identity: Member of the Fanged Wild Boar Herd
Skill: Penetration (F Class) - The enormous fangs possess a fearsome piercing ability.
Realizing they were only facing a herd of Level-2 wild boars, Wang Changqing sprang to his feet, gestured effortlessly, and bellowed his commands: "Defenders, deploy the energy shield for defense; Snipers, fall back and find your sniping positions; Butchers, move up for sweeping fire; Destroyers, give them a heavy bombardment!"
His orders, thunderous compared to his usual speaking voice, reached the ears of the distant Fanged Boars. They responded with chilling shrieks and charged toward him, hooves pounding the ground.
Wang Changqing observed the Fanged Boars, each standing two meters tall and nearly three meters in length, with gaping maws and massive fangs dripping with saliva. As they ran, strands of mucus stretched behind them, forming long, glistening trails.
Their backs were covered with a thick mane, matted with mud from constant wallowing, which had hardened into a substantial layer of mud armor. Luckily, Wang Changqing's troops were Mechanical Warriors equipped with firearms and ammunition. Had they been armed with mere knives, even an ordinary adult would struggle to penetrate the boars' muddy carapace.
The Fanged Boars sprinted with such speed that the earth was a blur of flying mud, their thick hooves imprinting the ground with a trail of deep marks. It was a curiosity whether those same hooves, perhaps stewed to perfection, would be a delicacy.
A stampede of over three hundred Fanged Boars charged with a force rivaling that of a Heavy Cavalry Legion's assault. Alas, today they met their match in Wang Changqing's Mechanical Legion.
It wasn't for lack of effort on our army's part; the enemy simply outnumbered us.
Wang Changqing couldn't help but feel elated at the sight of the mostly Level 2 and at most Level 3 Fanged Boars rushing towards him. Enemies? No, this was more like a delivery service—bringing experience points, Soul Crystals, and a feast of meat right to his doorstep!
"Fire!"
At his command, the 280 Combat Robots, poised and ready, commenced a spectacular display. The Sniper 2 models unleashed metal bullets, the Butcher 2 models sprayed a metal storm, and the Destroyer 2 models fired volleys of missiles, weaving together the deadliest of tapestries in the sky.
Beauty, in its most extreme form, often signifies the greatest peril.
Back in the orphanage, a heartbroken nurse caring for Wang Changqing had warned him that the prettier the lady, the more dangerous she was. Not understanding the concept of beauty at the time, he translated the advice in his young mind to "the more beautiful the thing, the more dangerous it is." That adage echoed in his head as he watched the scene unfold.
A Fanged Boar at the forefront, its skull shattered by a bullet's tremendous kinetic force, continued its charge headless for several meters before collapsing heavily onto the damp earth, carving out a deep trench.
But the trench was short-lived, soon trampled over by the oncoming boars. The fallen beast became nothing more than a smear of mud and blood under the hooves of its brethren.
The Fanged Boars' collective charge met an unseen wall of resistance. From the point where the first boar was reduced to a pulp, a twenty-meter stretch became a killing field where many more fell, their cries fading into silence.
As the casualties mounted, the remaining Fanged Boars began to show clear signs of retreat. But by then, it was far too late...
The battle was over in less than fifteen minutes.
As the final Fanged Boar was blasted into the air by a missile descending from the heavens, new data flashed across the screen before Wang Changqing.
Your forces have slain 344 Level 2 Fanged Boars and 2 Level 3 Fanged Boars, wiping out an entire boar pack and securing a victory in a minor conflict. You've earned 1770 experience points and 1770 Soul Crystals.
Congratulations on reaching Level 3.
Level: 3 (1612/2500)
The familiar warmth coursed through his body, the soothing sensation causing Wang Changqing to shudder involuntarily.
Glancing at the fallen Fanged Boars scattered in the distance, his spirits lifted considerably, the morning's frustration from the Giant Armored Rhinoceros encounter largely forgotten.
"Time to clean up the battlefield!"
His system space had quintupled, now a vast 125 cubic meters, thanks to the upgrade of the Lord's Hall to Level 2.
Half an hour later, a content Wang Changqing and his Mechanical Legion set off for their next target. The meat from the 300-plus Fanged Boars was estimated to yield about 200,000 units, equivalent to 1.2 million gold coins.
"Harvesting Level 2 beasts is incredibly gratifying!"
Humming a jaunty tune, he relaxed atop the shoulder of a Defender Type 2 Combat Robot, cautiously making his way to the next objective.
With nearly four hours until dusk, he had ample time to reap two more wild creature groups.
As twilight approached, Wang Changqing, leading 275 Combat Robots reeking of blood, returned to his domain.
The pungent odor came from the wild black panther carcasses slung over the robots' shoulders, though naturally, Wang Changqing rode solo atop his Defender.
Your army has dispatched 265 Level 2 wild black panthers and 4 Level 3 wild black panthers, eradicating a panther pack and claiming another miniature war triumph. You've gained 1425 experience points and 1425 Soul Crystals.
Your forces have successfully eliminated 479 Level 2 wild hyenas and one Level 3 wild hyena, wiping out an entire pack and securing a victory in a minor conflict. You've earned 2420 experience points and 2420 units of Soul Crystals.
Congratulations on reaching Level 4!
Level: 4 (2957/12500)
Wang Changqing had initially intended to haul the Wild Hound's carcass back with him, but upon closer inspection, he found the creature too filthy and decided against it. It's important not to cross the line into cruelty.
Upon Wang Changqing's return, he became the center of attention for all the territory's residents. They flocked to the streets, celebrating their lord's triumphant return from the wilds.
"Our lord is mighty!"
"Our lord is invincible!"
Wang Changqing was delighted by the residents' enthusiastic reception. However, he made it clear that meat would no longer be handed out for free. Those wishing to partake would need to purchase it from the City Lord's Mansion at a fair and reasonable price, with discounts for bulk purchases.
While it's fine to show favor to the residents, it's crucial to avoid fostering a culture of entitlement. The principle of fair distribution—more work, more reward; less work, less reward—must be upheld.
