101: Chapter 101 March

Standing atop the high platform and looking down at the massive army before him—newly reorganized, majestic in appearance, and totaling over 64,500 men—the surging pride in Lin Tian's chest gradually settled into calm planning and resolve.

The threat of the beast tide hung heavy over the coming midnight, but the daylight hours were equally precious and could not be spent waiting idly.

He needed actual combat to temper the new recruits, resources to strengthen the territory, and above all, to clear out the potential threats lurking right beside his bed.

The Kamo Minotaur tribe, discovered by Lin Feng and entrenched deep within the northern jungle with over five thousand warriors, was like a thorn that had kept him vaguely uneasy.

Now, it was time to pluck it out!

His gaze swept across the various units below, and a clear deployment plan quickly formed in Lin Tian's mind.

"Five hundred Royal Chefs," he said, first looking toward the pristine white square formation, his voice gentle but brook no argument. "You are the 'Stoves of Life' for our army and the 'Hearth of Morale' for our brothers. Combat is not your specialty. Your battlefield is in the kitchens, the warehouses, and on the logistics lines!"

He then pointed toward several newly built, grand-scale dining halls and warehouse areas at the rear of the territory:

"Proceed immediately to the dining halls and take full command of today's meal preparations for the entire army! All new meat, vegetables, fruits, and Spirit Rice entering the warehouses are under your full authority to inspect, process, and distribute!"

"I want to see all sixty thousand brothers eat their first hot meal made by your hands! Tonight, perhaps we will also need your 'Food Connects the Heavens' skills to soothe the exhaustion and potential wounds of the returning soldiers! Can you do it?"

"We can! Please rest assured, Lord! We will ensure our army's soldiers are well-fed and strong, with morale like a rainbow!" The five hundred Royal Chefs responded in unison, their voices loud and filled with the excitement of being entrusted with a heavy responsibility.

They quickly organized their equipment and jogged off in formation toward the dining halls, their white figures creating a unique landscape in the morning sunlight.

Having arranged his most unique logistical force, Lin Tian's gaze became sharp as a blade as he turned back to the combat units.

"The remaining sixty-four thousand soldiers, hear my command!" His voice turned deep, carrying across the entire field. "Today, our army splits into two routes!"

"The first route: I will personally lead thirty-two thousand new recruits, plus one thousand epic-tier units, with Lin Yin and Lin Feng as my deputies. We head north to attack, with the goal of annihilating the 'Kamo' Minotaur tribe, clearing the northern threat, seizing resources, and training the new recruits!"

"The second route: Lin Yan and Commander Lin Yu will lead the remaining thirty thousand-plus veterans to continue daily clearing, exploration, and resource collection to the East, West, and South. Further expand the safety zone and maintain combat readiness to respond to any sudden situations at any time!"

As the orders were given, the generals of each army accepted them with solemnity.

"Lin Yan, Commander Lin Yu!"

"We are here!"

"Your mission remains the same, but you must be exceptionally vigilant. The atmosphere today is eerie; no monsters appeared last night, so I fear there may be an anomaly. Prioritize stability in your exploration, and retreat in a timely manner if you encounter an irresistible force."

"Understood!" Lin Yan and Commander Lin Yu accepted the command in low voices and immediately began deploying the defense and auxiliary legions under their command, preparing to leave the city.

After arranging the day's tasks, he looked down at the thirty-two thousand new recruits who had just finished Fusion. Though their equipment was neat, their eyes still held traces of confusion, nervousness, and a bit of excitement regarding their new identities.

"All remaining soldiers newly fused today," Lin Tian's gaze swept across these thirty-two thousand young faces, his voice rising an octave, filled with encouragement and a resolve that allowed no retreat.

"A total of thirty-two thousand people! Follow me and Commander Lin Yin; we depart next! This battle is your first engagement, the furnace to test your newly acquired strength! Do not be afraid. Follow the veterans, follow your commanders, and use the spears in your hands and the arrows on your bows to seize victory and earn the glory that belongs to you! Do you have confidence!"

"We do! We do! We do!" The roar of the thirty-two thousand new recruits was a bit messy at first, but it quickly merged into a majestic wave of sound, dispelling most of the cowardice in their hearts and replacing it with a surging will to fight.

Indeed, they were no longer refugees; they were soldiers! They were warriors of Lin Tian City who possessed power!

"Good!" Lin Tian gave a grand wave of his hand. "After the meal, the vanguard moves out first! The special tactics squads will fan out for reconnaissance simultaneously! The main force of the central army will set out in half a quarter-hour!"

Just as the army was in the middle of intense preparations to set out, a series of rich, mouth-watering aromas drifted over from the direction of the Lords Mansion.

It was a complex scent—a mix of the charred fragrance of roasted meat, the subtle sweetness of Spirit Rice, the freshness of vegetables, and the clever pairing of various spices. Just smelling it made one's mouth water and spirits lift.

It was the Royal Chefs! In a short amount of time, they had already utilized the warehouse reserves and some of the newly delivered ingredients to whip up breakfast for tens of thousands! Their efficiency was staggering.

Lin Tian was also drawn by the aroma. Pressing down his urgency to set out, he gestured to Lin Yin and the others: "Let's go, fill our stomachs first. Only when we're full will we have the strength to fight."

The group returned to the Lords Mansion, where a long table had already been set in the center of the spacious living room.

The breakfast laid out on the table was practically a work of art:

Magic Pig ribs roasted to a golden crisp with evenly distributed fat; emerald-green wild vegetables sautéed to perfection; white rice with translucent, full grains emitting a faint spiritual aura; and a pot of milky-white, fragrant bone soup... The presentation of every dish was impeccable, excelling in color, aroma, and taste, far exceeding the standard of the large-pot meals the soldiers used to cook for themselves.

"As expected of 'Royal Chefs'..." Lin Tian picked up a rib. It was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with just the right amount of saltiness. The meat juices exploded in his mouth, carrying a strange warm current that instantly dispelled the slight morning chill and the tension of the upcoming battle. He couldn't help but praise them in his heart, his estimation of those five hundred Royal Chefs rising several notches.

Lin Yin sat beside him, eating small bites of rice and vegetables with elegant movements.

She didn't seem particularly interested in the fragrant roasted meat, but she tried a bit of every dish, a hint of surprise flashing in her clear eyes. The taste indeed far exceeded expectations, even calming her heartbeat, which had been slightly accelerated by the impending battle.

Lin Feng, on the other hand, ate meat in large gulps and drank soup in big bowls, eating heartily. His Red Sun Battle Will seemed to grow even more vigorous with the replenishment of food.

After the simple yet high-quality breakfast, everyone was full of energy. Lin Tian stood up, his gaze sweeping over the tens of thousands of the central army already lined up outside the city, and finally nodded to Lin Yin.

"Depart!"

With his command, Lin Tian and Lin Yin walked out of the territory side by side.

Thirty-two thousand new recruits formed a relatively neat marching column, following closely behind Lin Tian and Lin Yin. Like a winding torrent of steel and flesh, they surged grandly out of the North Gate, following the path opened by Lin Feng's vanguard, heading deep into the northern jungle toward the Minotaur tribe named 'Kamo'.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, casting mottled light and shadow across the marching ranks. Ahead lay unknown battles and trials; behind was a home that had just begun but already showed its greatness.

Feeling the rumbling footsteps of the thirty-thousand-strong army behind him and looking at Lin Yin's calm and focused profile beside him, his chest was filled with the determination to expand his territory and clear all obstacles.