38: Chapter 38 The Plan Changes, All Soul Cores Are Used

For the next few hours, Xu Qin had a rare moment to rest.

To be honest, he had originally wanted to take Blade Guard outside to grind some monsters and level up.

It was just a pity that there were no more monsters to fight near the territory.

Not a single red dot could be found; it was completely clean.

Since that was the case, he might as well rest with peace of mind.

After all, having been grinding for two days, he was honestly quite tired.

During this time, the soul hall finished upgrading to level 4.

Soul energy production increased to 120 points/hour.

The bone melting furnace also finished upgrading to level 4.

It unlocked level 4 technology: all units' attack power +3, defense +2, and health +10.

Xu Qin didn't hesitate and clicked everything immediately.

[All Undead units' attack power +3! Defense +2! Health +10!]

The technology bonus went from the original +9/+6/+30 to +12/+8/+40.

Then, the Dark Altar, bone workshop, and Cursed Temple—three level 3 buildings—were all put into the upgrade queue to reach level 4.

The Bone Watchtower and Undead Forge upgraded from level 2 to level 3.

All buildings were on a full-speed sprint.

[Consumed (total): Stone × 2800, Iron Ore × 620, Wood × 800, Bone × 2200, Magic Crystal Fragment × 180, Soul Energy × 28000]

Six buildings were upgrading simultaneously.

Purple beams of light shot up into the sky from six directions once again.

Xu Qin watched the numbers on the resource panel dropping rapidly, yet he didn't feel a pang of heartache at all.

Because Bull Battle King's Bone Transport Cart was expected to return in an hour to replenish supplies.

And as for Tian Ming...

Optimistically, it would probably take another four or five hours.

"By tonight, these buildings should reach level 4..."

Xu Qin analyzed in his heart.

Just then, Ding!

[Nether Coronet forging complete!]

Xu Qin felt refreshed and walked quickly to the Undead Forge.

He opened the output tab.

A coronet woven from deep purple bone lay quietly inside.

[Nether Coronet (Green · Excellent)]

Quality: Green

Type: Helmet (Exclusive to magic-type heroes)

Attributes: Magic Attack +10%, Max Mana +100

Set Belonging: Nether Robe Set (1/3)

Xu Qin put it into his inventory and looked at the forging queue.

Nether Robe: Forging, 1 hour 22 minutes remaining.

Nether Boots: Queuing, estimated completion in 2 hours 52 minutes.

"Once Tian Ming returns, he can complete the full set."

An hour later.

The sound of orderly footsteps came from the southwest.

Xu Qin looked up.

He saw the silhouette of Bull Battle King's massive skeleton appear at the edge of the light shield.

1,100 Undead lined up and poured into the territory,

two Bone Transport Carts followed closely behind,

and the resources on the carts were piled to the brim.

"You're back."

Xu Qin went up to greet him and opened Bull Battle King's attribute panel.

[Bull Battle King · Undead Bull Battle King · Hero]

Level: 9 (1720/6000)

Attack Power: 54 (Physical - Shatter/Melee)

Defense: 40

Health: 625/625

Hero Trait: Vanguard Commander (Current limit 1,100 Undead, melee units' defense +3 extra)

"Oh?"

Xu Qin raised an eyebrow.

Went out at level 6, came back at level 9.

Leveled up three times in one trip.

"Not bad, Bull Battle King. It seems the quality of the monsters in the area you went to was pretty good."

Bull Battle King lowered his massive bull head, acknowledging the remark.

Xu Qin didn't waste more words, turned around, walked quickly to the Bone Transport Cart, and opened the settlement summary.

Bone: +2800

Soul Energy: +28000

Wood: +1600

Stone: +1400

Iron Ore: +160

Minotaur Skeleton × 680

Sand Jackal Skeleton × 920

Minotaur Chieftain Skeleton × 96

Sand Jackal Leader Skeleton × 54

Meat: +7200

Animal Hide/Thick Hide: +4800

Magic Crystal Fragment: +16

Not bad.

Xu Qin scrolled down with satisfaction.

Huh? elite soul core is... 0?

"..."

Xu Qin shook his head in disappointment.

"Spoke too soon."

He turned his head to look at Bull Battle King.

Bull Battle King also lowered his massive bull head.

"Looks like that area of yours wasn't all that great."

Xu Qin sighed.

elite soul cores only drop from elite-level monsters, and even then, it's a low probability.

Bull Battle King mainly fought common strongholds this trip, so it was normal not to encounter elite monsters.

But the problem was, he only had three soul cores left in his hand now.

Three heroes, over a dozen skills waiting to be fed.

Three.

"Too many monks and not enough gruel."

Xu Qin opened the hero enhancement panel of the Dark Altar and scanned back and forth between the three portraits twice.

How should he distribute the last three?

Tian Ming was doing fine outside, so there was no rush for him.

Even though Bull Battle King's skills were only level 1, they were sufficient by just tanking damage.

What about Blade Guard?

Xu Qin looked at the Skeleton Sword Guard standing motionless beside the altar.

A newly promoted hero, the skill tree was almost blank.

The three basic skills were all level 1, and the two new skills were locked.

"Going out like this won't work."

Xu Qin made a decision.

All three to Blade Guard.

The reason was simple.

He planned to let Blade Guard team up with Bull Battle King to go out and level up.

Bull Battle King would stand in the front row to taunt and tank damage, while Blade Guard would hide in the back and activate Bone Blade Storm to mow down enemies.

But having just the storm wasn't enough.

What if they encountered an ambush?

Blade Guard only had 180 health; one elite monster rushing over would cost him half his life.

Shadow Stab Dash must be unlocked.

It could be used for displacement to save his life at critical moments.

Guardian Line must also be unlocked.

Standing behind Bull Battle King to provide damage reduction and attack speed buffs to the whole team would directly increase output efficiency by a notch.

Furthermore, Guardian Line needed to be upgraded to level 2 for the aura radius and values to be decent.

Exactly three.

Not one left.

Xu Qin took a deep breath and clicked on Blade Guard's skill tree.

"Shadow Stab Dash, unlock."

[Unlock Shadow Stab Dash (Level 1)?]

[Consume: Soul Energy × 3000, elite soul core × 1]

[Confirm]

[Unlocked!]

[Unlock Guardian Line (Level 1)?]

[Consume: Soul Energy × 3000, elite soul core × 1]

[Confirm]

[Unlocked!]

"Guardian Line, upgrade."

[Upgrade Guardian Line to Level 2?]

[Consume: Soul Energy × 3000, elite soul core × 1]

Confirm!

[Guardian Line upgraded to Level 2!]

[Guardian Line (Level 2, Passive - Aura): All friendly melee Undead units within a 10-meter radius receive 10% physical damage reduction and 12% increased attack speed.]

Xu Qin looked at the upgraded skill effect.

He nodded with satisfaction.

After Blade Guard enters the battle later, as long as he stands beside Bull Battle King,

within a ten-meter radius centered on Bull Battle King, all melee Undead units would attack faster and take less damage.

Combined with Bull Battle King's Bone Armor Warcry +5 defense, plus the hero trait "Vanguard Commander" giving melee units +3 defense.

The Minotaurs and Sand Jackals in the front row were practically wearing three layers of armor while hacking at enemies.

"That's pretty badass."

Xu Qin closed the panel and walked up to Blade Guard.

"Listen up."

Blade Guard's skull tilted up slightly.

"You're going out with Bull Battle King. He'll tank in the front, and you'll mow down enemies from the back. Bone Blade Storm has a 12-second cooldown; use it as soon as it's ready."

Blade Guard nodded once.

"Also," Xu Qin held up a finger, "don't rush in. Wait for Bull Battle King to stabilize the aggro before you engage, understand?"

Blade Guard nodded again.

"If you get ambushed, or if something strange suddenly pops up... use Shadow Stab Dash immediately to create distance. Saving your life is the priority. Do you hear me?"

Blade Guard nodded again.

"I don't have any extra resurrection coins for you, you know?"