The approaching monsters came in all shapes and forms.
Some belonged to the [Mingwa Tribe], others were bloated [Corpse Beings], and some were formless phantoms, their appearance deeply unsettling.
Their strength was generally above Level 10, with none exceeding Level 30.
"This is manageable," Lucian thought.
The monsters surrounding his territory were well within his ability to handle.
As time ticked by, the monsters appeared in waves.
Sometimes there were only a few, other times hundreds.
Under the relentless bombardment of the towers, they all fell to the ground.
With 41 towers strategically positioned and enhanced by Lucian's [Golden Finger],
the variety of their functions shone:
Control towers.
Offensive towers.
Elemental towers.
Blade Aura towers.
Even utility towers like the [Diamond Tower] and [Purification Tower] mercilessly tore through the invading monsters.
High-level monsters who survived the initial volleys never got the chance to close the distance; the cultivators of the [Moonlit Palace] would annihilate them with their ranged attacks before they could get close.
In this [Blood Moon World], their [Blood Moon Sealing Art] proved perfectly suited to the environment.
2:30 PM.
The clock atop the [Time Management Tower] ticked on, its digits slowly changing.
Defensive lines surrounded the entire territory: green mists, ground vines, thorn traps, and mines formed layers of protection.
Despite hours of non-stop battle, the difficulty remained low while the rewards were bountiful.
Treasure chests from defeated monsters littered the battlefield.
Jia Yingchun opened one after another, her expression a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction.
Though each chest only produced a few [Void Crystals], and often not even a single [Void Origin Stone], their sheer quantity made up for it.
Since morning, the chests seemed endless, far exceeding the loot from his [Newcomer Trial] days.
By now, Lucian had amassed over 70,000 [Void Crystals] and over 40,000 [Void Origin Stones]!
"Alright, keep it up!" Lucian encouraged the women with a smile.
As for himself, after activating his [Heroic Form], he leapt into the fray, darting through the air with [Swallowing Heaven Qi] and [Divine Water Technique], stepping on nothingness and sprinting midair.
These abilities came from the [Divine Water Palace's Clearing Technique], taught to him by Lin Daiyu.
With a single breath, he covered a hundred meters, his blade slicing through monsters with ease, reducing them to fragments.
But after too much carnage,
Lucian felt fatigued. He returned to the safety of the territory, leaning back to watch the towers demonstrate their overwhelming power.
As the afternoon dragged on, three bosses finally appeared.
One was a Level 17 Corpse King, another was a Level 23 Abomination, and the last was a Level 28 Night Specter flying through the air.
The first two were slow-moving and specialized in physical and magical damage.
Under the relentless onslaught of the defensive towers, these bosses couldn't even approach the walls before being overwhelmed by successive barrages.
However, the third boss—the Night Specter—was far trickier.
After enduring the first wave of attacks, it retreated into the shadows, disappearing from sight.
"Master, more monsters are approaching!"
Qin Keqing's voice rang out.
Lucian looked up and saw the distant horizon darkening as an even larger wave of monsters approached.
This time, the monsters weren't the usual disorganized rabble but an army.
The Undead Legion.
"Night Star Undead?" Lucian muttered, standing upright.
He donned the [True Sight Lens], scanning the approaching horde.
The majority of the legion comprised undead soldiers of the Night Star Tribe, their levels ranging from Level 5 to Level 25.
At their forefront, a Level 30 Cavalry Commander, clearly the boss, sat astride a spectral steed, commanding the troops.
Despite their menacing aura, the legion stood still, observing from a distance without taking action.
"How polite," Lin Daiyu commented, walking over with her blade in hand.
Throughout today's battles, she had only stepped in a few times, but each time resulted in hundreds of monsters being instantly wiped out.
In Lucian's embrace, she was soft and tender.
But once she raised her blade, her entire demeanor transformed—she exuded a murderous aura, her every move radiating overwhelming dominance.
She resembled an unshakable mountain, suffocating all who opposed her.
"They're likely drawn by the lighthouse. Be cautious! I suspect they've been empowered by the void," Lucian warned, his gaze sharp.
Though he remained vigilant, deep down, he was confident of victory.
After all, his [Immortal Qin Soldiers] were an unparalleled force, especially with their army formations.
Unless the enemy also had a Formation Master, it was impossible to challenge them head-on.
"Yes, my dear Master~!" Lin Daiyu replied playfully, sheathing her blade as she walked over to massage Lucian's shoulders.
Lucian glanced at her helplessly before returning his focus to the undead legion.
Finally, the undead army advanced in formation, their vanguard moving in a menacing goose formation.
In an instant, the defensive towers roared to life, their abilities activating one after another.
The night sky lit up with radiant energy.
Suddenly, every undead mage raised their staff.
A thick black fog emerged, enveloping the entire army.
As the tower attacks struck, they were absorbed into the fog, nullified completely.
The fog twisted and squirmed like writhing worms,
its grotesque appearance making Lucian's stomach churn.
"What kind of ability is this?" Lucian mused. "Is it the [Sky Shroud of Darkness]?"
No, it didn't seem right.
Lucian had seen necromantic spells like [Dark Canopy] before, but this fog felt far more sinister, almost as if it were alive.
Then he recalled the [Flesh Transfer Token] from before.
It had ties to Cthulhu-like entities.
"Could this be related to that?"
Lucian frowned. "What great luck I have," he muttered sarcastically.
He wasn't afraid of ordinary undead monsters.
But dealing with eldritch horrors was a different matter entirely.
Despite the eerie fog, the Immortal Qin Soldiers stood unshaken.
With the [Moonlit Palace] cultivators providing buffs and the [Deer Spirit Maidens] enhancing their formations, the 150 soldiers glowed with a silvery radiance.
Wearing bronze armor, their expressions were resolute, their crossbows aimed steadily.
"Fire!"
The army formation roared to life.
The Immortal Qin Soldiers, with unparalleled ferocity, tore through the enemy ranks, shredding the undead vanguard like a sharp blade slicing through flesh.
Meanwhile, the towers continued their assault, but every attack was consumed by the black fog above, even the green mist traps were absorbed, leaving an eerie stillness.
Lucian's unease deepened. "Something's not right."
He quickly issued orders.
"Activate the [Mine Tower], [Diamond Tower], [Divine Tower], and [Quake Tower]. Prepare for a second wave!"
In an instant, traps activated across the battlefield.
The ground shook violently, vines erupted, and mines detonated.
The undead mages fell in droves, their once-mighty legion reduced to shambles in mere moments.