Yi Tianxing completely understood the villagers' eagerness. If he were in their shoes, he would have been just as impatient.
"Using the Blood and Valor Codex as bait was a last resort. This is a world in chaos. Every day, people struggle to survive, and death is a constant companion. No one knows what tomorrow will bring. Sometimes, you have to use harsh means to achieve your goals,"Yi Tianxing murmured to himself.
The villagers devoured their food quickly while chatting about heading out to fell trees and begin building their new homes. Once they were settled, it would truly feel like they had a place to belong—a home.Having a home was more than enough for them.In this world, just staying alive is a monumental feat!
Even though the people in this valley came from different eras and civilizations, they had surprisingly brought with them all the necessary tools—saws, axes, and more. Many among them were skilled carpenters, and their tools were always kept close at hand. Now, with trees to cut and houses to build, they weren't short of equipment. Otherwise, Yi Tianxing would have had a major headache.
"Incredible. The wounds from yesterday have completely healed. The power of the Gourmet Cells truly is extraordinary. As long as I consume food, not only can I absorb heaven and earth energy, but I can also rapidly recover from physical injuries by refining the food's essence."
Yi Tianxing could clearly feel that the gash caused by a wind blade had fully regenerated—even a piece of flesh sliced off had been restored. Strength surged through his body, his energy and spirit returned to their peak state.
"Too much is as bad as too little. That's enough for this morning."
He could easily consume another meter-long man-eating fish without issue, but seeing the starving villagers around him dividing fish meat and soup, he refrained. Better to leave it for them. The more meat they consumed, the more vital energy they'd gain, increasing their chances of stepping into cultivation.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
From the valley's entrance came a crisp and urgent sound—metal striking metal.
Previously, Yi Tianxing had ordered an iron plate to be hung at the entrance. In the event of an emergency, the iron plate was to be struck as an alarm. Though it wasn't a bell, the sound was loud and clear enough to travel throughout the valley. Without a major threat, no one was permitted to ring it.
"Something's wrong. That's the emergency alarm from the entrance! Something big must have happened—could it be another monster attack?"
The joyful faces of the villagers immediately turned grim. Once again, the ever-present danger of this world revealed itself.
"Looks like another wave of monsters. We never get a moment's peace."Yi Tianxing stood up abruptly. The gentleness and smiles he had shown earlier vanished, replaced by cold severity.
"Da Hu!"
"Yes, my lord!" Wang Dahu responded immediately.
"Mobilize all soldiers. Arm them. Those without weapons—give them the wooden clubs we seized from the green-skinned monsters. Gather immediately and head to the valley entrance!"
"Understood, my lord!"
No hesitation. Everyone understood that any crisis here could mean life or death. No one could afford to relax—not for a second.
The soldiers quickly assembled. Though the formations were far from perfect, the killing intent radiating from them more than made up for it. Every face was set with grim determination—the look of those who had already clashed with monsters and death.
To survive in this world, one must be prepared to fight with everything they've got.
"Move out!"
Yi Tianxing didn't waste time with rousing speeches. His gaze swept over the assembled soldiers—more than three hundred—and that was enough. If they didn't fight for others, they should at least fight for themselves.
In his hand, the refined steel war spear gleamed coldly as he led the charge.
Behind him, the three hundred followed without hesitation—some wielding long knives, others spears or bows. Those without standard weapons brandished the wooden clubs scavenged from goblins—shockingly durable, even capable of clashing with blades without breaking. Heavy, too.
These crude weapons still carried lethal potential. A single smash could crush a monster's skull.
The troops marched with powerful momentum. Just looking at Yi Tianxing at the front, their fears melted away. Following that man, their blood surged with battle fervor.
The villagers watched the three hundred warriors head off to battle. In their eyes was both hope and deep respect. They knew—many of these men might not return.
They fought not just for themselves, but for the entire village.
At the entrance, a scout had already arrived to report.
"My lord! A massive number of rats have appeared outside the valley—more than last time. There must be a nest nearby. It looks like they're preparing to launch another assault."
Yi Tianxing didn't need the report to know what was coming. From the pass ahead, a writhing sea of rats had already appeared.
Gray rats with bloodthirsty, icy gazes surged through the pass—tens of thousands strong. If they broke into the valley, the destruction would be unimaginable. The village's defenses were far from complete—no barricades, no traps, just open ground.
"Brothers! You know what lies behind us—our homes, our families! If these rats get in, our whole village could be wiped out. People will die—innocents, women, children. So fight! I'll be the first to charge. Follow me—and kill them all!"
"No defense! Only offense! The best defense is overwhelming attack! Scare them! Bleed them! Break them!"
Yi Tianxing bared his teeth in a ferocious grin, his Tang Dao gleaming with killing intent.
RUMBLE!!
Just as they were about to charge, the ground suddenly trembled violently. A deep impact sounded from beneath, as if something was crashing through the earth.
Suddenly, a huge hole burst open in an empty field. From it, more rats emerged—but something was wrong.
Some of them immediately began writhing on the ground in agony. Their fur and flesh sizzled with white smoke, dissolving visibly. Within seconds, only bones remained, then even those melted into pools of liquid.
"What the hell?! These rats are digging tunnels to ambush us—but they must've hit something underground!"Wang Dahu stared in shock.
"They ran into… a Burrower Worm?"Yi Tianxing's eyes narrowed.
"That level of corrosive acid, reducing them to sludge… yes, that's definitely a Burrower Worm. Looks like the rats' tunnel intersected with its nest—and it's furious."
Burrower Worms were infamous for their vengeful nature. Once provoked, they wouldn't stop until their enemies were destroyed. If the rats had angered one, a fight was inevitable. No matter who won, it worked in Yi Tianxing's favor.
Let them kill each other. The more, the better. If they all die, even better—I won't need to lift a finger.
RUMBLE!!
The ground shook again. More rats poured out of the earth—many screeching in agony. Some fled in terror.
Suddenly, a golden figure leapt out of the tunnel, followed by a long, hulking shadow. A pungent acidic stench filled the air, stinging the nose.
There it stood—a rat the size of a calf, with gleaming golden fur and equally golden eyes. Its gaze was cold, exuding murderous rage.
Opposite it, a crimson worm, six to seven meters long. Its body was etched with magma-like cracks, glowing faintly with flowing lava. The very air shimmered with heat.
At its head was a grotesque lava-like mouth, like the vent of a miniature volcano, glowing red-hot within.
Its compound eyes flashed with violent red light.
Massive. Disgusting. Deadly.
The rats had indeed tunneled into the Burrower Worm's lair—and paid the price. The acidic spray had wiped out hordes of them in seconds.
Now, the Golden Rat King had taken the field, enraged beyond reason by the deaths of its kin. Forget attacking the village—it was now locked in a deathmatch with the worm.