"I'll check the left flank," Zhou Yan tells Diao Chan.
"Got it," she nods.
At Zhen Mi's position, Flame Towers blaze. Though single-target focused, their upgraded might shines against tougher foes, outpacing area-effect towers.
"Lord, all's secure," Zhen Mi reports. "Monsters are pinned beyond tower range."
Fewer foes hit the left, and two Flame Towers, backed by Zhen Mi's team, hold firm. The assault's early—harder waves loom—but Diao Chan and Zhen Mi's vigilance eases Zhou Yan.
"Stay sharp," he says, heading to the Mystery Store.
Five items await. First, a scroll:
[Item: Lightning Five Links]
[Quality: Silver]
[Introduction: Painted by Ma Xiaoguo, famed 300 years ago.]
[Price: 100,000 spirit coins]
An antique, it can unlock Treasure Room's hidden traits. With few treasures now, future hauls will benefit. At 100,000 coins, it's a trifle—bought.
Next, gold gear:
[Equipment: Fengyang Bow]
[Quality: Gold]
[Durability: 180/180]
[Attributes: Strength +25, Range +10m, Armor-Piercing, Fengyang (Spirit-powered phantom arrow, 30-min cooldown)]
[Requirement: Strength 30]
[Introduction: Bow in hand, foes flee.]
[Price: 300,000 spirit coins]
Four attributes for 300,000—half market price. Sleek and red, it's a steal. Zhou Yan buys, admiring its craft.
Third, a cultivation aid:
[Item: Practice Card]
[Quality: Bronze]
[Introduction: Doubles training speed for one hour.]
[Price: 50,000 spirit coins]
Vital for his martial dao, he snaps it up. The fourth, a bronze weapon, joins his haul.
He refreshes the store. Five materials appear:
100 three-star black rock logs, 8,000 spirit coins. 20% below lord world rates—perfect for scarce high-grade wood. Bought.100 four-star black gold stones, 1,000,000 spirit coins. Rare for forging or upgrades—a must. Bought.10 two-star wood crystal cores, 50,000 spirit coins. At 5,000 each, a bargain for leader-dropped rares. Bought.10 three-star fire crystal cores, 100,000 spirit coins. Ideal for tower upgrades. Bought.100 five-star purple gold ore, 1,000,000 spirit coins. For dark gold gear, too advanced for Jerry's silver smithing. Bought, stored.
Zhou Yan upgrades the thorn vine fence first:
[Territory Prompt: "Consumed 10 two-star wood crystal cores, thorn vine fence quality upgraded to SS."]
[Building: Thorn Vine Fence]
[Level: 20]
[Upgrade Requirements: 30,000 spirit coins, 10 one-star wood cores]
[Quality: SS (0/5)]
[Next Upgrade: 5 three-star wood cores]
[Defense: 20,000/20,000]
[Attributes: Regenerates vines, poisons touching enemies]
[Introduction: Vital vines self-repair, toxify foes, regrow from roots.]
Defense jumps 10,000, toxins strengthen. Upgrades now need wood cores—scarce in trials.
Next, Flame Towers:
[Territory Prompt: "Consumed three three-star fire crystal cores, Flame Tower quality upgraded to SSS."]
[Territory Prompt: "Consumed three three-star fire crystal cores, Flame Tower quality upgraded to SSS."]
[Building: Flame Tower]
[Level: 20]
[Upgrade Requirements: 30,000 spirit coins, 100 three-star wood, 50 three-star copper]
[Quality: SSS (0/10)]
[Next Upgrade: 5 four-star fire cores]
[Defense: 30,000/30,000]
[Attributes: Flame ball area attack, 100m sea of fire every 30 minutes]
[Range: 300 meters]
[Introduction: Fierce flame elemental tower.]
One fire core remains, stored. Mystery Store's quality shines, but quantities lag.
Zhou Yan returns to the main gate. Explosions echo; monsters roar, charging futilely against towers. The Poison Gas Tower's green haze and Sword Blade Tower's slashing storm shred waves, keeping walls untouched.