4: Chapter 4: Pre-Battle Frenzy - Treasure Hunt in the Mine Unlocks New Units!

In the Ruststone Fortress hall, the wooden table was surrounded by people. Lin Chen sat at the head, his bartons knight sword placed horizontally on the table and his undead cloak draped over the back of the chair, as his gaze swept over everyone.

Iron Wang held the ledger and reported loudly: "Lord, casualties from this city defense: 3 lightly wounded Militia, 12 player deaths, no permanent losses. Loot: 6500 copper coins, Undead Core x1, two sets of Tier 4 equipment, and various other items."

[System Prompt: Undead Core (Tier 1) detected, can be used to unlock the Undead Conversion Array, or exchanged for 1000 Lord EXP]

"Undead Conversion Array?" Lin Chen's eyes lit up. "What are the requirements to unlock this?"

[System Prompt: To unlock the Undead Conversion Array, you must consume Undead Core x1, 3000 copper coins, and have a Level 1 Territory Workshop]

"What level is the workshop now?" Lin Chen looked at Old Black.

"Still Level 0, not enough materials." Old Black scratched his head. "We lack iron ore and wood, at least 50 units of each."

Brick Mover King raised his hand: "Lord Big Shot, I know of a mine cave to the northwest of the city that has iron ore! I saw it during my reconnaissance yesterday, though there are a few goblins guarding it."

"Goblins? What level?" Lin Chen pressed.

"Around Level 3, not many of them, maybe a dozen or so," Brick Mover King said.

[System Prompt: Side Quest Triggered — Mine Treasure Hunt. Objective: Clear the goblin mine, collect 50 units of iron ore and 50 units of wood. Reward: workshop upgrade card x1, 1000 copper coins, Random Skill Book x1]

Lin Chen slapped the table and stood up: "No time to lose. Form a squad, we depart immediately!"

"I'll go! My melee damage is fierce!" Brick Mover King was the first to stand.

"I'm going too, I can heal and support!" Little Dumpling raised her wooden staff.

"Count me in, Swordsman Ajie requests to join the battle!" Ajie gripped his iron sword.

Lin Chen quickly pointed people out: "Brick Mover King, Ajie, Little Dumpling, plus ten melee players, follow me! Old Black, you stay to guard the territory, organize people to reinforce the walls, and upgrade the arrow tower!"

"Understood!" Old Black bowed in response.

Everyone followed Lin Chen out of the hall. The battlefield outside the West Gate had been cleared, leaving only some bone fragments on the ground.

[System Prompt: Squad assembly complete. Temporary party mode activated. Leader: Lin Chen, Members: 13]

[System Prompt: Squad has obtained the 'Mine Exploration' buff. Gathering efficiency increased by 20%, damage against enemies increased by 10%]

"Lord Big Shot, how much further is the mine?" Little Dumpling asked as she walked, a piece of bread in her hand.

"About 5 kilometers, in a mountain valley at the end of the Gobi Desert." Brick Mover King led the way with a fast pace.

After walking for about ten minutes, a barren stone mountain appeared ahead. At the foot of the mountain was a dark entrance—the mine.

At the entrance, several goblins were sitting on rocks gnawing on wild fruits, their rusty iron pickaxes tossed aside. Above their heads floated the words [Level 3 Goblin Miner].

"Shh!" Lin Chen raised his hand, signaling everyone to stop. "Approach in stealth, take out the sentries at the entrance first!"

[System Prompt: Squad has entered stealth state, duration 20 seconds]

Everyone crouched and approached quietly. Lin Chen was closest to the entrance, the bartons knight sword in his hand flashing with a cold light.

"Do it!"

Lin Chen was the first to rush out, his knight sword piercing straight into the throat of the leftmost goblin.

[Critical Hit! -350]

The goblin didn't even have time to react before it fell to the ground and vanished into white light.

[System Prompt: Lin Chen killed a Goblin Miner, obtained 80 experience points and 5 copper coins]

Brick Mover King rushed up and slammed a punch into another goblin's face.

[-120]

"This goblin's face is softer than tofu!" Brick Mover King laughed.

Ajie and the other players also struck, and the five goblins at the entrance were cleared away in an instant.

[System Prompt: Squad killed Goblin Miner x5, remaining goblins: 10]

"There's still movement inside, be careful!" Lin Chen held his knight sword and was the first to enter the mine.

The interior of the mine was dimly lit, with some glowing ores embedded in the walls, making the path barely visible. The tunnel wound downwards, and the shouting of goblins could be heard from time to time.

After walking about fifty meters, an open mining area appeared ahead. Ten goblins were gathered around an iron ore vein digging. One of them, a larger goblin, had the words [Level 4 Goblin Foreman] floating above its head.

"That's him! Focus fire on the foreman first!" Lin Chen shouted.

[System Prompt: Squad focus fire function activated. Target locked: Goblin Foreman. Team damage increased by 15%]

The Goblin Foreman sensed danger, raised his iron pickaxe, and roared: "Enemies! Grab your gear!"

The ten goblins immediately dropped their pickaxes, picked up rusty iron swords and wooden shields, and rushed toward the squad.

"Lords Deterrence!"

Lin Chen raised his hand, and a pale golden light shot toward the Goblin Foreman.

[System Prompt: Lords Deterrence (Tier 2) in effect. Goblin Foreman stunned for 2 seconds, defense reduced by 20%]

"Whirlwind Slash!"

Lin Chen spun in place, his knight sword carrying a fierce wind as it swept through the three goblins rushing in front.

[-200] [-195] [-205]

The three goblins fell on the spot and vanished into white light.

[System Prompt: Lin Chen killed Goblin Miner x3, obtained 240 experience points and 15 copper coins]

Brick Mover King rushed at the Goblin Foreman and slammed a punch into its head.

[-180]

"This foreman is much tougher than the regular goblins!" Brick Mover King bared his teeth.

"I'll help you!" Ajie held his sword and slashed at the foreman's shoulder.

[-190]

Little Dumpling raised her hand, and a faint light fell onto Brick Mover King.

[+40]

"Thanks, Little Dumpling!" Brick Mover King became even more energetic.

Lin Chen rushed up, his knight sword slashing repeatedly, causing the Goblin Foreman's health to drop rapidly.

[Goblin Foreman (Level 4), HP: 800/1200]

As the stun ended, the Goblin Foreman roared and swung his iron pickaxe horizontally toward Lin Chen.

Lin Chen sidestepped to dodge and stabbed his knight sword toward its heart.

[Critical Hit! -300]

The Goblin Foreman's health instantly dropped to 500 points.

[System Prompt: Congratulations Player Lin Chen, accumulated 500 experience points, level increased to 6, obtained 5 attribute points and 1 skill point]

Lin Chen put all 5 attribute points into Strength, his combat power soaring to 40. He put the skill point into Whirlwind Slash, upgrading the skill once more.

[System Prompt: Whirlwind Slash upgraded to Tier 3. Consumes 5 stamina, deals 2.5x damage, knockback probability increased to 15%, range expanded to 7 meters]

"Whirlwind Slash!"

Lin Chen released the skill, and the goblins within seven meters were instantly caught in the attack range.

[-250] [-260]

The remaining two Goblin Miners fell on the spot, and the Goblin Foreman was also knocked back three steps, its health dropping again.

[Goblin Foreman (Level 4), HP: 200/1200]

"Finish him!"

Lin Chen rushed up and brought his knight sword down with all his might, splitting the Goblin Foreman's head in two.

[System Prompt: Lin Chen killed the Goblin Foreman, obtained 500 experience points, 50 copper coins, and a goblin pickaxe (Tier 3 · Gathering)]

[goblin pickaxe (Tier 3 · Gathering): Gathering efficiency increased by 50%, with a 10% chance to obtain double resources when mining]

The players instantly went wild.

"A gathering artifact dropped! This pickaxe is incredible!"

"Lord Big Shot's luck is exploding! Following you means we'll never lack gear!"

Lin Chen picked up the goblin pickaxe and handed it to a player nearby named "Little Miner": "You know how to mine, use this."

"Thank you, Lord Big Shot!" Little Miner's face turned red with excitement as he immediately took the pickaxe.

[System Prompt: Squad has cleared all enemies in the mine, gathering mode activated]

"Everyone, split into two groups!" Lin Chen ordered. "Brick Mover King, take five people to cut wood; there are plenty of large trees in the woods outside the mine! I'll take the rest to mine!"

"Understood!" Brick Mover King led his team and turned to walk out of the mine.

Lin Chen looked at Little Miner: "You use the pickaxe to dig, we'll keep watch for you!"

"Okay!" Little Miner raised the pickaxe and struck at the iron ore vein.

[System Prompt: Little Miner used the goblin pickaxe, successfully gathered iron ore, obtained Iron Ore x2]

[System Prompt: Double gathering triggered, obtained an additional Iron Ore x2]

"Double! He's a Luck King!" the players exclaimed.

"That pickaxe certainly wasn't given in vain!" Lin Chen laughed.

The group had a clear division of labor: Little Miner focused on mining while the others kept watch around the area to prevent any stray goblins from attacking.

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

About ten minutes later, the Little Miner stopped his pickaxe and wiped his sweat. "Lord Big Shot, I've mined enough iron ore, 60 units in total!"

[System Prompt: Iron ore collection complete, quantity 60/50]

"Good! Let's head out and regroup with Brick Mover King," Lin Chen said.

The group walked out of the mine, and Brick Mover King was leading his team back, carrying lumber.

"Lord Big Shot, I've collected enough lumber, 70 units!" Brick Mover King shouted.

[System Prompt: Lumber collection complete, quantity 70/50]

[System Prompt: Side quest—Mine Treasure Hunt complete. Rewards obtained: workshop upgrade card x1, 1000 Copper Coins, Random Skill Book x1]

Lin Chen opened his backpack and took out the skill book. The cover read [Undead Conversion (Tier 1)].

[System Prompt: Skill book learned successfully. Active skill unlocked: Undead Conversion (Tier 1). Consumes 1 Undead Core to convert an undead corpse of a level not exceeding your own into an Undead Soldier with 100% loyalty.]

"Holy crap! We can convert Undead to be our underlings? This skill is too invincible!" Brick Mover King's eyes widened.

"In the future, when we fight the Undead, we'll have Undead Soldiers too!" Ah Jie said.

Lin Chen put away the skill book and looked at everyone. "Mission complete. Let's return to the territory immediately and upgrade the workshop!"

Carrying the iron ore and lumber, the group followed Lin Chen toward Ruststone Fortress.

Upon returning to the territory, Old Hei had already led his men to reinforce the city walls, and the two arrow towers had been upgraded to Level 2.

[System Prompt: Level 2 arrow tower, Attack +40, Range 600 meters, 10% chance to trigger "Pierce" effect]

"Lord, you've finally returned!" Old Hei greeted him. "The foundation for the workshop has been laid; we're just waiting for the materials!"

Lin Chen took out the workshop upgrade card and materials, then clicked to use them.

[System Prompt: Consumed workshop upgrade card x1, 50 units of iron ore, 50 units of lumber, 3000 Copper Coins. Workshop upgraded to Level 1.]

[System Prompt: Workshop features unlocked: Equipment Crafting, Equipment Repair, Building Blueprint Synthesis]

The players went wild instantly.

"The workshop is open! We can craft our own equipment from now on!"

"We don't have to worry about not having a place to repair broken equipment anymore!"

Lin Chen walked into the workshop. Inside, there was a forging furnace, a workbench, and several empty shelves.

[System Prompt: Undead Core (Tier 1) detected. Unlock the Undead Conversion Array?]

"Unlock!"

[System Prompt: Consumed Undead Core x1, 3000 Copper Coins. Undead Conversion Array construction complete, located outside the west gate of the territory.]

Lin Chen walked out of the workshop. On the open ground outside the west gate, a black magic array had taken shape. It was engraved with complex undead runes and emitted a faint black aura.

"Let's go, time to convert Undead Soldiers!"

Lin Chen led the group to the magic array, took out the Undead Core obtained from killing Barton earlier, and placed it in the center of the array.

[System Prompt: Please select the undead corpses to be converted.]

Lin Chen looked at the system panel and selected ten Elite Skeleton Soldier corpses.

[System Prompt: Consumed Undead Core x1. Conversion started, duration 10 seconds.]

The magic array glowed green. The ten Skeleton Soldier corpses slowly floated up, enveloped in green light.

Ten seconds later, the green light dissipated. The ten Skeleton Soldiers landed on the ground, pale golden flames dancing in their eye sockets, and the words [Level 5 Undead Skeleton Guard] floated above their heads.

[System Prompt: Conversion complete. Obtained Undead Skeleton Guard x10, 100% loyalty, follows Lord's commands.]

"Holy crap! Level 5 Skeleton Guards! They're stronger than us!" Brick Mover King shouted.

"This is a huge profit! We have another force for defending the city now!" Little Dumpling said.

Lin Chen looked at the Skeleton Guards and raised his hand to give orders: "You will guard the west gate and follow Old Hei's commands!"

"Understood, Lord!" The ten Skeleton Guards bowed and replied in hoarse voices.

Old Hei walked over and patted a Skeleton Guard on the shoulder. "Good! From now on, you are the main force of the west gate!"

Lin Chen returned to the main hall, took out the Territory Expansion Order he had obtained earlier, and clicked to use it.

[System Prompt: Consumed Territory Expansion Order x1, 5000 Copper Coins. Ruststone Fortress territory area expanded by 50%. New buildings unlocked: Barracks (Level 1), Magic Tower (Level 1).]

[System Prompt: Barracks features unlocked: Recruit High-Tier Soldiers, Soldier Training, Unit Advancement.]

[System Prompt: Magic Tower features unlocked: Magic Research, Magic Equipment Crafting, Elemental Shield Activation.]

The players went wild instantly.

"The territory has expanded! And there are Barracks and a Magic Tower!"

"Lord Big Shot's move just maxed out the territory!"

Lin Chen opened the barracks panel and spent 2000 Copper Coins to unlock a new unit—[Iron Shield Guard (Level 6)].

[Iron Shield Guard (Level 6): Defense +80, Stamina +50. Wields a great shield, excels in defense and shield bash, 10% chance to trigger "Absolute Defense."]

"Recruit ten Iron Shield Guards!"

[System Prompt: Consumed 5000 Copper Coins, 20 units of iron ingots. Recruitment of Iron Shield Guard x10 complete.]

Ten soldiers wearing iron armor and holding great shields appeared outside the hall and bowed, saying: "Lord, Iron Shield Guards await your command!"

"Iron Wang, you take the Iron Shield Guards and guard the main gate!" Lin Chen ordered.

"Yes, Lord!" Iron Wang led the Iron Shield Guards toward the main gate.

Lin Chen then went to the Magic Tower. Inside, there was a crystal ball, a magic table, and several bookshelves.

[System Prompt: Player Little Dumpling detected with magical talent. Appoint as Magic Tower Apprentice?]

"Appoint!"

[System Prompt: Appointment complete. Player Little Dumpling has become a Magic Tower Apprentice. Magic skills unlocked: Fireball (Tier 1), Ice Shield Spell (Tier 1).]

"Wow! I can use magic!" Little Dumpling jumped up in excitement. "Lord Big Shot, thank you!"

"Study hard. You'll be the territory's chief mage in the future!" Lin Chen said.

[System Prompt: Congratulations to player Lin Chen. Territory construction completion increased by 50%. Rewards obtained: 10000 Copper Coins, Random Lord Equipment x1, Skill Point x2.]

Lin Chen opened his backpack and took out the Random Lord Equipment. It was a ring—[Lord's Ring (Tier 5 · Exclusive)].

[Lord's Ring (Tier 5 · Exclusive): All Attributes +10, Territory Garrison Damage increased by 20%, can refresh quests for free once daily.]

Lin Chen put on the ring, and his attributes skyrocketed again. He added the two skill points to [Lords Deterrence] and [Undead Conversion] respectively.

[System Prompt: Lords Deterrence upgraded to Tier 3. Consumes 5 Stamina, Stun duration 3 seconds, Defense reduced by 30%, duration 10 seconds.]

[System Prompt: Undead Conversion upgraded to Tier 2. Consumes 1 Undead Core, can convert undead corpses of a level not exceeding your own by 2, conversion quantity increased to 20.]

A terrifying pressure surged toward them.

Lin Chen said calmly, "Now, the territory's defense is maxed out. We're just waiting for the main force of the Undead Legion to arrive!"

Just then, an emergency prompt popped up on the system panel.

[System Prompt: Warning! Undead Necromancer Morgana has launched an attack early. The main force of the Undead Legion has arrived one kilometer outside Ruststone Fortress. Quantity: 500, Leader: Morgana (Level 7), Countdown: 0.]

Everyone's expression changed, and they ran toward the city wall.

Outside the city, the swarming Undead Legion already covered the Gobi Desert. Leading them was the Undead Necromancer Morgana, riding a bone dragon. The staff in her hand emitted a thick black aura, and green flames danced in her eye sockets.

"Human Lord, surrender Ruststone Fortress, and I can spare your life!" Morgana's voice, piercing through the black aura, spread throughout the entire territory.

Lin Chen stood in the center of the city wall, raised the bartons knight sword, and pointed it at Morgana.

"If you want to take my territory, step over my dead body first!"

"We are going to gain a foothold in these heavens. Today, let you taste the power of the Fourth Calamity!"

As he finished speaking, Lin Chen roared, "All troops, prepare for battle! arrow towers, open fire!"