Day 15.
The monster invasion arrived as expected.
During the "Novice Trial" period, Void was still "kind" enough to ensure a daily wave of monsters, never allowing the tension to subside.
Sounds of combat echoed continuously.
By the time Lucian arrived at the battlefield, the defenses were already in full swing.
After fifteen days of constant battles, his soldiers no longer needed explicit orders.
Both the warriors and mages understood how to defend the territory on their own.
The defensive towers rained firepower down on the attackers, while the Great Qin warriors launched seven counterattacks in rapid succession.
Wielding Qin swords with precision, they struck down each monster without mercy. Their long halberds ripped through enemy ranks, leaving trails of destruction.
On the stone walls, Lin Daiyu stood poised with her treasured blade in hand, acting as a steadfast commander overseeing the battle.
Her vigilance was essential; no one knew what kind of boss monster would appear next.
The past days had seen all sorts of foes: the eerie Three-Headed Buddha, the stealthy Shadow Bonefiend, powerful spellcasters, and even monsters with ridiculously high defensive capabilities.
As the strongest hero in the territory, Lin Daiyu remained ever ready to guard against any potential surprises.
"Young Master!" Lin Daiyu greeted Lucian with a slight nod, her expression grave as he approached.
Lucian returned her nod before glancing toward the girls from the Moon Palace.
The young maidens appeared nervous, their delicate faces taut with concentration as they crafted their spells.
At the same time, they worked to bestow blessings like Sacred Hymn upon the Great Qin warriors and unleashed attacks with Moonlight's Wrath.
Thanks to their dual-casting ability, they could conjure two spells simultaneously, making them invaluable in battle.
The third spell, Immortal Bind, wasn't as useful in large-scale engagements and was rarely employed.
"They're still inexperienced, but they're learning quickly. Soon, they'll become excellent warriors," Lin Daiyu observed.
"They're still no match for the Great Qin warriors, though," she added, her tone matter-of-fact.
Lucian smiled faintly. "True, their combat instincts are worlds apart."
Even so, he was satisfied with the Moon Palace disciples' progress.
"And besides, they're spellcasters meant to work behind the protection of the stone walls. There's no need for them to take unnecessary risks," Lucian remarked.
"Agreed," Lin Daiyu nodded, keeping her watchful eyes on the surroundings.
Today's enemies were swamp creatures known as Swamp Crawlers—dark, mud-covered monsters with slimy skin.
Like most waves, this one consisted of both regular and elite variants, ranging in level from 12 to 15. Their strength wasn't negligible, but their lack of intelligence made them easy prey.
Without the advantage of a swampy environment, these creatures became easy targets.
Though their stats were higher than the previous day's monsters, they were significantly less threatening in practice.
BOOM! BOOM!
The defensive towers continued their relentless barrage, thinning the waves of monsters.
Meanwhile, the Great Qin warriors and Moon Palace disciples worked together, steadily growing more coordinated in their efforts.
"Let's hope today's boss doesn't throw us any curveballs," Lucian mused with a smile.
Lin Daiyu remained silent, her focus sharp as ever.
Her incredible perception, a product of her unmatched stats, allowed her to sense potential threats and respond swiftly.
By now, Lucian had grown accustomed to her stoic demeanor during battle.
Endless Waves
The Swamp Crawlers attacked wave after wave, giving the defenders little time to rest.
Fortunately, Lucian's heroes and units possessed high stats and strong stamina.
However, to ensure his forces remained at their best, Lucian distributed Moonlight Essence among the Great Qin warriors and Moon Palace disciples, boosting their recovery and morale.
The soldiers drank it without hesitation, their serious faces relaxing into faint smiles of gratitude.
The young maidens, meanwhile, offered shy words of thanks, their previous tension replaced with a lively energy that brought smiles to Lucian's face.
At 7 p.m., the latest wave of monsters finally subsided, leaving the battlefield littered with the remains of swamp creatures.
Lucian shook his head, turning his attention to the defensive towers to replenish their ammunition.
"Young Master! It's time for dinner!" Qin Keqing called, approaching with a basket of food.
Lucian accepted the basket with a nod, asking, "Where's Daiyu?"
"She's bringing supplies to the others," Qin Keqing replied, smiling gently.
Lucian chuckled as he began to eat, chatting idly with her about the battle's progress.
"They're adapting well," Lucian commented.
"Yes, their improvement is impressive," Qin Keqing agreed, her serene expression tinged with pride.
Their conversation was cut short by a piercing screech that echoed through the mist, sharp enough to make everyone freeze in place.
Lucian's head snapped up as a massive avian figure emerged from the fog—a grotesque, rotting raven with burning black flames in its hollow eye sockets.
"The boss is here!" Lucian exclaimed, hastily activating his Lens of True Sight to identify the creature.
Corrupted Swamp Raven
Level: 15
Type: Boss
Description: A massive, decaying bird born from the swamp's corruption. Its presence heralds death and decay.
"A flying boss… This is new," Lucian muttered, his expression serious.
The defensive towers immediately locked onto the raven, launching a barrage of control skills.
Unfortunately, most of the towers lacked the range or capabilities to handle a flying enemy.
Only the Fart Tower managed to affect it, releasing a toxic cloud that caused the raven to screech in pain and lose altitude.
For a moment, it seemed like the monster might crash to the ground…