With ample soldiers, Zhou Yan's team swiftly clears Water Polo Beasts along the riverbank. Only those in the water remain, elusive in the clear but deep current—its bottom invisible.
One-star water crystal cores pile up, vital for Ice Tower upgrades. Zhou Yan opts against river pursuit, leading his team upstream instead. New monsters appear as they probe the misty zone.
Soon, the fog lifts entirely:
[Territory Prompt: "Completed hidden quest: Mist Exploration. Fully explored misty areas within 10 kilometers of territory. Reward: 200 reputation points. Announce territory name, lord name, nationality in trial?"]
"No," Zhou Yan declines.
[Newbie Trial Announcement: "Territory [XXX], Lord [XXX], Nationality [XXX], completed hidden quest 'Mist Exploration,' awarded 200 reputation points."]
The notice repeats thrice, stunning lords. Chat rooms buzz—some offer bounties to uncover the quest. Reputation points, rare and swappable for elite items, elude most. Zhou Yan, too, stumbled into them, developing Heavenly Court without aim.
He shrugs off the chatter. An ancient bridge spans the river, leading to fiercer monsters—level 10 and up. With his team's might, level 20 foes pose no threat.
In the new misty zone, Bicorn Sheep appear:
[Monster: Bicorn Sheep]
[Quality: Ordinary]
[Level: 15]
[Special: Charge, Bloodthirsty]
[Introduction: Angered, they attack relentlessly until death.]
"Perfect," Zhou Yan grins. Level 15 is trivial. Soldiers dispatch one in moments:
[Prompt: "Killed level 15 Bicorn Sheep, gained 30 soul coins."]
Higher levels yield richer rewards. Plus, mutton's a delicacy—hot pot heaven, loved by him and Diao Chan.
The sheep scatter, so Zhou Yan splits his 52 soldiers into six teams, each eight-plus strong, to hunt. Bicorn numbers are decent, and wild meat fetches high market prices. Clearing them boosts income and rewards. His S-tier soldiers, in coordinated squads, dominate level 15 foes safely.
After hours, Zhen Mi spots a herd. "Lord, those sheep are bigger—elites! That one's a leader!"
Zhou Yan counts roughly 300, including a dozen elites and a towering level 15 leader. A direct charge risks losses. "Into the forest," he decides. Dense trees will blunt their charge.
"Follow me!" He leads them to a thick grove, ordering all to hide. "I'll lure them. When they arrive, use the trees to kill safely."
Soldiers protest, volunteering. Zhen Mi insists, "Lord, let me!"
"You doubt me?" Zhou Yan laughs. His 100+ attributes scoff at level 15 threats. "I'll be fine."
He darts off, reaching the herd swiftly. Unleashing Seven Star Sword Technique, he fells several sheep, enraging the rest.
"Come get me!" he taunts, sprinting.
"Meeeh!" The leader roars, eyes red, leading a bloodthirsty stampede. The ground quakes under their charge's fury.
Zhou Yan guides them into the forest's maze, their momentum breaking against trees.