27: Chapter 27 Post-War Inspiration

The time was approaching 5:30, and movement could be heard from the edges of the forest to the north and southeast. The other two centurion squads led by Lin Yin and Lin Feng returned to the territory almost one after the other. Their condition was similar to Lin Yan's squad—everyone was injured and exhausted, but their eyes were bright, and they had also brought back a large amount of prey. Fortunately, although there were soldiers with more serious injuries (being supported by their companions), after a headcount, three hundred went out, and three hundred returned; not a single one was lost.

"Good! It's good that you've returned!" Seeing everyone back, a heavy weight lifted from Lin Tian's heart, and he immediately threw himself into a new "ocean of harvesting." This time, the pile of prey was even larger.

When he finally finished harvesting the last piece of loot and straightened his aching back, it was completely dark, and the time was past 6:10. The light from the Territory Core and sporadic torches dispelled the darkness.

"Whew... finally done." Lin Tian wiped the non-existent sweat from his forehead (mainly due to mental fatigue) and grumbled again, "This is definitely manual labor combined with an eye test... When will you update a 'Lord's Auxiliary Harvesting Spirit'? I would call you the strongest!"

At this moment, the water-fetching team led by Lin Yan also returned fully loaded. One hundred and twenty wooden barrels (plus the 20 from yesterday) were filled with clear river water and arranged neatly. Three hundred soldiers gathered in the territory, taking advantage of the gap before dinner to drink water, treat wounds, and whisper about the day's combat experiences. Although the atmosphere was weary, it was full of the grounded feeling after slaughter and the joy of harvest.

The two batches of prey were tallied, and the total harvest was astonishing: Various meats: a total of 3200 standard units. Fur materials: a total of 600 units. Low-grade Spirit Crystal: a total of 2800 pieces. black iron chests × 20.

"Hiss... A huge harvest! An absolute huge harvest!" Looking at these numbers, Lin Tian was overjoyed, but then he realized a problem: "With so much meat, the warehouse is about to be full, right?"

He made a prompt decision and used 500 units of meat on the Trading Platform to exchange for 1500 units of wood. Once the wood was in hand, he immediately upgraded all three Level 1 warehouses to Level 2 warehouses! The capacity of each warehouse increased from 1000 units to 2000 units, for a total capacity of 6000 units, which was enough to handle the current material storage with plenty to spare.

"Now it's spacious!" Lin Tian looked with satisfaction at the sturdier upgraded warehouses. As for those 2800 Low-grade Spirit Crystals, they were small in volume and high in value, so it was fine to just store them in the storage space that came with the Lord.

He kept 300 units of the freshest meat as ingredients for dinner and ordered the soldiers to transport the rest of the meat and furs into the warehouse. "It's great to have a warehouse," he sighed, "No more piling meat like mountains in the open space like yesterday, looking like a savage tribe. It really affects the image of our 'Civilized Territory'!"

Dinner time arrived! Lin Tian personally directed the setup of the ten newly forged large iron pots, poured in clear water, and added the cut meat chunks and the small amount of available salt. Soon, over the bonfires, the iron pots began to bubble and steam. The rich aroma of meat soup permeated the air with the steam, greatly soothing the soldiers' exhausted bodies and minds.

"Come, come, let's change our taste today. We won't eat roasted food; we'll drink hot soup and eat stewed meat!" Lin Tian ladled meat soup into the bowls of the soldiers nearby. "After gnawing on roasted meat for two days straight, my jaws are about to spark. This stewed food is much more comfortable to eat!"

The soldiers held their steaming wooden bowls, drank the delicious meat soup, and gnawed on the tender stewed meat, expressions of satisfaction appearing on their faces. A simple hot meal became the best comfort at this moment.

After dinner, Lin Tian signaled everyone to assemble. Under the command of Lin Yin, Lin Yan, and Lin Feng, the three hundred soldiers quickly formed a neat phalanx. The three captains stood at the very front of the phalanx, one step ahead of the formation. Lin Tian stood about three meters in front of them, his gaze slowly sweeping over every face illuminated by the firelight.

He cleared his throat. His voice was not loud, but it clearly spread throughout the entire field: "Brothers and sisters! Today, I have seen your hard work and bravery!"

"I know that the forest outside is becoming more and more dangerous, and more troublesome monsters have appeared. I also know that many of you have added new injuries and left marks on your armor." His gaze lingered specifically on those few Rock Armor Soldiers whose armor was severely damaged and not yet fully restored.

"But!" He raised his voice, full of strength, "We have done it again today—everyone went out, and everyone returned in triumph! Not one person fell behind, and not one person was left forever in that dark forest! This is the result of all our joint efforts and mutual trust!"

He walked to the flank of the phalanx and pointed to the queues of different unit types: "In battle, I heard that it was the shields of the Rock Armor Soldiers that blocked fatal pounces for the spearmen; it was the Thrust of the spearmen that cleared close-range threats for the Archers; and it was the sharp arrows of the Archers that accurately neutralized distant crises! You entrusted your backs to your comrades beside you, and your comrades repaid that trust with concrete actions! This kind of trust and cooperation, tempered in blood and fire, is our most powerful weapon, more precious than any fine equipment!"

His words were sincere and infectious; the soldiers couldn't help but straighten their backs, their eyes becoming more focused.

"Every piece of prey, every Low-grade Spirit Crystal, and every fur you brought back, I will not waste!" Lin Tian patted the wall of the warehouse beside him, "They will become sturdier armor, sharper weapons, more comfortable barracks, and stronger defenses! In a word, taken from you, used for you, used for our common home!"

"The development of the territory cannot do without the sweat shed by each of you, and even more so, it cannot do without your fearless charges every time! You are not fighting for me, Lin Tian, personally; you are fighting for our common survival and future!"

He paused, a signature smile—slightly teasing yet incomparably firm—appearing on his face: "So, after a tiring day, don't stay tense. Tonight, everyone get some good rest! Heal your wounds and replenish your energy! Tomorrow, the sun will rise as usual, and the challenges we need to face might be even more exciting than today! But I believe that as long as we are united, there is no hurdle we cannot overcome!"

"Follow me; I cannot guarantee that there will never be danger, but I can guarantee that we will become stronger and stronger together! Strong enough to make this forest, all the monsters, and even other lords remember our name!"

"Do you have confidence!" "Yes!!!" Three hundred people roared in unison, the sound wave like thunder, dispelling the silence of the night and diluting the exhaustion from their bodies. Lin Yin, Lin Yan, and Lin Feng even had burning eyes as they took the lead in shouting: "Contributing to the territory is our honor!"

"Good!" Lin Tian clapped his hands heavily, "That's the spirit I want! Now, dismissed! Go to your new barracks to rest!"

He pointed to the ten neat Level 2 wooden barracks: "The accommodation conditions were just upgraded today! Although it's not luxurious yet, there's absolutely no problem with keeping out the wind and rain and sleeping soundly! Everyone has a bed!"

Then he added somewhat apologetically: "There might not be enough water for everyone to take a comfortable bath for the time being, so everyone just make do for now and wipe yourselves down. I will definitely solve this problem tomorrow! I guarantee that I will let you all take a hot bath!"

The soldiers dispersed in an orderly manner and walked toward their respective barracks. Although their bodies were still exhausted, the Lord's recognition, the abundant harvest, the safe return to camp, the warm dinner, and the improved accommodation made their morale soar, and they were also full of anticipation for tomorrow's battle.

Lin Tian stood in place, watching the soldiers blend into the lights of the barracks, listening to the faint sounds of conversation and hearty laughter, a gratified smile appearing on his face. He knew that the soul of this army was slowly coalescing.