133: Iron Ridge Fortress, Vast Mountains

Xu Shian went out to work with a goal today, so he didn't waste any time.

He left the house and headed straight for the teleportation array, arriving at Iron Spine Fortress in the blink of an eye.

Iron Spine Fortress and Feiyun Pass were considered border main cities, but their fortress attributes were much stronger.

When he stepped out of the teleportation array, Xu Shian's first sensation was the bone-chilling cold wind.

Based on what Xu Shian knew, Qixia City was no more than 150 kilometers away from Iron Spine Fortress...

Yet Qixia City was like spring all year round, and the Red Maple Forest outside the city remained red throughout the seasons.

As it turned out, the temperature here in Iron Spine Fortress was at least 20 degrees lower.

Standing at the teleportation array and looking around, he could see towering mountain peaks on both sides just by looking up.

The mountain tops were covered in white snow, while the foot of the mountains was lush and green.

That Vast Mountain on the left was Xu Shian's goal for today...

As usual, he bought a map of Iron Spine Fortress and began studying the route out of the city.

The 【Mechanical Graveyard】 was originally the main city selected by the Gnome Race 200 years ago when they first arrived...

The people of Iron Spine Fortress were generally peaceful, and they had no intention of making things difficult for refugees coming from afar.

However, these Gnomes were small but crafty; despite their short stature, their little bodies were full of schemes.

Without a word, without handling any formalities, without bowing or paying tribute, they wanted to claim the Vast Mountain—one of the two snow-capped mountains outside Iron Spine Fortress—as their own territory, and even built their own main city, 【Gnomeregan】, there.

Would the people of Iron Spine Fortress let them get away with that?

This race was also unlucky; out of all the easy targets in the East Dragon Country, they had to pick the toughest bone to chew.

Iron Spine Fortress had always faced external threats directly!

Southern Barbarians... Of course, Southern Barbarians was a derogatory term used by the people of the East Dragon Country; their real name was 【Lin Yue Country】.

Long accustomed to facing the threat of the Lin Yue Country, Iron Spine Fortress simply treated this bunch as invading savages and wiped them out.

The first main city of the Gnome Race, which had just been established and hadn't yet completed its defensive works, was thus tragically abandoned.

Now, it had become one of the many Dungeons in the Vast Mountain, also known as the holy land of Engineering, the 【Mechanical Graveyard】.

He arrived at the flight master's location in Iron Spine Fortress.

"Hello, I want to go to the Traveler's Camp!"

"Sure, 20 Silver Coin!"

After finishing the paperwork, the flight master looked up at Xu Shian, his hand hesitating for a moment.

"Going to the 【Mechanical Graveyard】?"

"Yes..."

"Your level... I'm afraid it's a bit low!"

Xu Shian smiled.

"It should... be fine..."

"New player? Let me tell you, although you don't lose extra lifespan when you die in a Dungeon and there's no real loss... but the taste of death isn't pleasant! Most importantly, if you don't clear the BOSS, you won't get any extra lifespan... it's a big loss!"

"My... strength is okay!"

The flight master was stunned; you can't talk sense into someone determined to die! Since you've said so, what else can I do?

He shoved the pass into Xu Shian's hand and waved him off. "Go ahead!"

Xu Shian smiled, paid the fee, took the pass, and went next door to board a snow mountain gryphon.

Watching Iron Spine Fortress grow smaller beneath his feet, Xu Shian turned on the screen recording mode once again.

There was no helping it; a bunch of scenery enthusiasts in the guild were counting on Xu Shian to capture various beautiful views in the main cities.

They were online every day urging him to update, and for such small things, Xu Shian didn't want to refuse. Mainly because the emotional value they provided was just right.

Sometimes one has to admit that talented people never do too badly wherever they go. Xu Shian sometimes found himself lost in the chorus of flattery in the guild chat...

When he got off the gryphon's back, Xu Shian was already halfway up the Vast Mountain.

The top of the Vast Mountain was covered in snow all year round, but here on the mountainside, there wasn't a trace of snow to be seen.

Stepping out of the camp, he was greeted by the Level 25 monster 【Wandering Petrified Lizard】.

Although there was a significant level difference between the two, they really posed no threat in Xu Shian's mind.

【Xiong Da (Xiong Er), 'Shi Chuan's' summoned pet】

【Level: 6】

【Type: Class】

【HP: 6960+800】

【Magic: 4100】

【Physical Attack: 960+287】

【Magic Attack: 410】

【Physical Defense: 108+30 + 260】

【Magic Defense: 108+25 + 260】

【Strength: 80+252 + 148】

【Agility: 80+212 + 70】

【Constitution: 80+168 + 100】

【Spirit: 80+130】

【Equipment: Sage Shield (Silver), Bright Breastplate (Golden Grade), Bark Breastplate (Golden Grade), Controller Legguards (Golden Grade), Destroyer Battle Axe (Golden), Bone Crusher Hammer (Golden)】

【Skills: Taunt, Charge, Demoralizing Roar, Swipe, Lacerate; Ironfur, Toughness, Thick Hide (damage reduction skills).】

Although the level of these two bear brothers wasn't high, their stats were truly strong, and Xu Shian had legitimately armed them to the teeth.

Judging by these stats, with the support of their equipment, they were no worse than Level 30 monsters!

Not to mention that Xu Shian had the advantage in numbers!

Not to mention the equipment, the skills were all learned properly, and more importantly, the three damage reduction skills reduced damage by a total of 30%!

If things kept going like this, 【Pigsy】 and 【Feng Tiao】 would soon be out of a job.

Since the latter part of yesterday, Xu Shian had been arranging for 【Frost Fang】 and 【Frog Emperor】 to team up to deal damage!

When not fighting a BOSS, these four big shots would lead six damage-dealing Boar-men to work, and only 【Ben Boer Ba】 as a healer was enough!

If running a Dungeon, he would adjust according to the specific situation, swapping in two Boar-man Priests to heal if needed.

【Ding, congratulations on killing the Level 25 monster 'Wandering Petrified Lizard'. Killing 14 levels above your own grants 200% rewards. Gained: EXP + 250, extra lifespan + 12】

【Congratulations, you have obtained: Petrified Eye, Petrified Lizard's Viscera】

When he saw the Petrified Eye, Xu Shian was excited for a moment, but after looking at it further, he realized it was just useless trash.

Seeing that the monster was defeated, Wu Lun hurriedly went up with a small knife and began skinning!

Logically speaking, Wu Lun's Skinning skill was only 70, which wasn't high enough to skin this Level 25 monster.

But who told Wu Lun to be cheating along with Xu Shian? He made a pair of 【Skinner's Gloves】 himself, which pushed the Craftsmanship Special Effect to the max and increased his Skinning skill by 50 points!

Not to mention Level 25 monsters, even at Level 40, Wu Lun would have no pressure skinning them now.

【You have obtained: Crystallized Leather + 3】

Shouldn't it be medium leather? Xu Shian didn't know much about it, so he didn't ask. Regardless of what it was, once he got it, it was his.

He continued forward, killing his way along the path.

【You have killed the Level 28 monster 'Vast Mountain Snow Ape'. Killing 17 levels above your own grants 250% rewards. Gained: EXP + 350, extra lifespan + 18 days.】

【You have obtained: Snow Lotus Fruit + 2, Iced Fruit Wine + 1】

【You have killed the Level 28 monster 'Crystal Lizard'. Killing 17 levels above your own grants 250% rewards. Gained: EXP + 350, extra lifespan + 18 days.】

【Congratulations, you have obtained: 'Leatherworking Pattern: crystallized leather bag', Equipment: Dried Crystal Heart (Bronze Level)】

Xu Shian didn't even glance at this Dried Crystal Heart thing. He was, however, curious about this Leatherworking pattern.

Hmm...? "Wu Lun, come take a look. Is this a 12-slot container? Shouldn't it be a 'Leatherworking Material Bag'?"

Wu Lun took it, looked at it carefully, and said with certainty: "It is a 12-slot container, the kind that can hold anything!"

Xu Shian breathed a sigh of relief; he finally didn't have to learn Tailoring and embroidery... As the number one expert in the world, he still had some image to maintain!