【Congratulations Host, your territory is the 1274th to undergo the primary upgrade trial. Current regional ranking: 192. Obtained special building*1.】
【Congratulations Host, you have passed the territory’s first upgrade trial. Obtained buildings*2. Upgrading Lord Panel…】
【…】
【Congratulations Host, killed lv.5 Dark Magic Wolf. Obtained Beast Meat Gift Pack10, Anti-Dark Gift Pack10, Wolf Hide10, Experience100, Copper Coins100, dropped General Store Blueprint1.】
【…】
Only at this moment did Zhou Bai finally understand that this sudden magical beast invasion was an inevitable consequence of territory upgrade—a deadly trap hidden beneath the surface of prosperity.
Just when she thought that working hard to upgrade would make the territory stronger and give residents a better life, reality dealt her a crushing blow.
It was so close, really so close. If she hadn’t established the guard unit, if she hadn’t rescued the refugees, if she had welcomed the magical beasts in a state of relaxed comfort, the territory’s fate would have been far more tragic than it was now.
Those over one thousand territories that had already vanished under the first upgrade trial were a stark lesson.
Zhou Bai couldn’t help but feel somewhat guilty.
If she hadn’t been so hasty, could she have allowed the territory to have more people, let everyone adapt more before facing this trial, so that not so many survivors would have died?
“Xiao Bai, how are you?” At this moment, Ding Qiurou had already rushed over to check on Zhou Bai’s condition. The moment she saw her daughter, she sensed something was off about her daughter’s emotions, her expression showing some panic.
“Mom, I’m a little scared.” Zhou Bai directly threw herself into Ding Qiurou’s embrace, speaking in a muffled voice. She was afraid she couldn’t bear the heavy responsibility of a territory. Too many people had died tragically this time, and she was directly facing such cruelty.
Recalling the scenes of everyone’s harmonious joy before the magical beast invasion alternating with the tragic deaths of those vivid faces in her mind—however warm she had felt then, that’s how much her heart ached now.
She was truly afraid! Afraid that the territory’s future path would be even more brutal, afraid that she might make more mistakes that would implicate others.
“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, Xiao Bai don’t be afraid.” Holding Zhou Bai, Ding Qiurou comforted her.
At this time, Zhou Zhengping also came over. Seeing Zhou Bai showing her vulnerability, he directly said: “Xiao Bai, Dad is proud of you.”
Zhou Bai listened, her ears twitching.
“You really did very well!” Zhou Zhengping continued praising without hesitation. His daughter had suffered a blow from the game this time, so she needed more encouragement.
He had actually guessed some of it, but he didn’t think Xiao Bai had done anything wrong. On the contrary, it was because of her keen perception that their territory had survived this crisis.
At this time, Li Xingteng also came over. He didn’t know the inside story and thought Zhou Bai was just frightened, so he continued along with Zhou Zhengping’s words: “That’s right! Xiao Bai! Thanks to you, if you hadn’t made decisive decisions, even more people would have died! In the future, we’ll all work hard to become stronger. If magical beasts dare to come, we’ll make sure they never return. The more difficult the world becomes, the stronger we must be.”
This incident was also a blow to them, but it was human nature—the more setbacks they faced, the more resilient they became! Never give up!
Because there were others present, and with her emotions calming down, Zhou Bai had already let go of Ding Qiurou. It had to be said that in just this short while, she felt her emotions had somewhat stabilized.
Yes! What she had done wasn’t actually wrong—it was the choice any normal person would make.
She just hadn’t expected the game to be so treacherous!
Taking a light breath, Zhou Bai cast that bit of self-blame to the back of her mind, her eyes becoming determined.
Although this time had come at a heavy cost, it also brought new growth. No one would ignore the hidden deadly traps of this world anymore, and no one would dare to be careless again, right?
“Thank you.” Zhou Bai thanked Li Xingteng.
“You’re welcome.” Li Xingteng accepted it.
At this time, the other survivors on the scene who had been greatly shocked also came to their senses one by one.
“This world is so damn screwed up!”
“I won’t just submit like this.”
“I want to live, to keep living. I don’t want to die.”
“Me too.”
“Then let’s work hard to become stronger! We become stronger, the territory becomes stronger, so magical beasts can never bully us again.”
“…”
The events that had occurred today made them acutely aware of the unpredictable cruelty of this world.
At this moment, many people’s mindsets had already changed.
They clearly understood that if they continued to indulge in their pre-apocalypse mentality, only death would await them.
Just thinking this way, many people’s expressions still showed traces of confusion.
Zhou Bai noticed this and, thinking of the rewards for killing magical beasts mentioned in the notifications just now, directly reminded them: “The rewards for killing magical beasts tonight seem to have doubled!”
As Zhou Bai’s words fell, many people hurriedly checked their personal panels.
【Congratulations Host, killed lv.3 Dark Magic Wolf. Obtained Beast Meat Gift Pack6, Wolf Hide3, Experience60, Copper Coins60, dropped Anti-Dark Backpack Blueprint.】
【Congratulations Host, killed lv.2 Dark Magic Wolf. Obtained Beast Meat Gift Pack4, Wolf Hide4, Experience40, Copper Coins40, dropped Anti-Dark Hat Blueprint.】
【Congratulations Host, …, dropped Night Vision Goggles Blueprint.】
【…】
“Holy shit! Tonight’s rewards are really abundant—all gains are double drops, plus special blueprints.”
“I have them too. I actually got Night Vision Goggles blueprints. Does this mean we can go out and kill magical beasts at night in the future!”
“I finally understand one principle: danger and opportunity coexist.”
“Exactly, today’s entire day of going out didn’t yield as much as what we got now!”
“With so many rewards, it’s at least some consolation!”
“The game isn’t completely inhuman after all.”
“Right, if encountering powerful magical beasts is necessary, then higher rewards are also necessary.”
Stimulated by the dropped items, those who had been somewhat confused before now had much more determined looks in their eyes. At least the future days still held hope—they not only wanted to become stronger but also to live better!
“By the way, with so many blueprints, it’s hard for us to collect materials ourselves. Let’s sell them to the territory! I believe the territory can manufacture them quickly, and then more people will be able to buy them.”
“Yes! If it weren’t for the territory this time, we would really be finished.”
“When the territory is good, everyone is good.”
“I see the territory’s fence has been constantly repaired today, probably consuming quite a lot of materials. When everyone goes out later, let’s also help the territory collect more materials. With materials, the territory can build infrastructure.”
“Good, we all agree.”
“The territory is my home, and caring for it depends on everyone!”
“…”
On the scene, after one person started, others also chimed in one after another. By the last sentence, the word “home” entered everyone’s hearts.
Their past homes were gone; they only had one home left—the territory.
Zhou Bai listened to these words, her expression also somewhat moved.
Disaster was most likely to bring everyone’s hearts tightly together.
“Everyone is tired tonight. Rest well. Our guard unit will continue to watch over the territory. Tomorrow everyone can organize their gains.” Li Xingteng stepped forward at this time.
With Li Xingteng saying this, many people noticed that the sky outside was already getting light. It turned out that unknowingly, they had been fighting for so long, and many people’s fatigue suddenly swept over them.
“Mm, then we’ll go rest.”
“Thank you for your trouble.”
“…”
Many people, after speaking, went in groups toward the residential area.
“You should also go back and rest! I’ll arrange for a few people to keep watch. After a night of battle, there probably won’t be any more magical beast attacks today.” Li Xingteng proactively said to Zhou Zhengping and others.
“Mm.” Zhou Zhengping didn’t refuse and subsequently took Zhou Bai and the others back.
Once back home, Zhou Zhengping asked about Zhou Bai’s specific situation.
Zhou Bai directly told him the information she had obtained.
After listening, Zhou Zhengping rubbed Zhou Bai’s head: “Over a thousand territories, with less than two hundred succeeding—probably because they upgraded too quickly without proper preparation. But you led us through successfully!”
As for the residents living under those territories, they could only say it was a pity.
But this disaster was global; all they could do was take care of themselves.
“Exactly, exactly. Thanks to having you as our territory leader, otherwise everyone would definitely be finished!” Ding Qiurou also said eagerly.
“I understand now! Dad, Mom, don’t worry!” Zhou Bai said seriously.
“Good that you understand.” Zhou Zhengping nodded. “Continue building the territory according to your own wishes. As for upgrades, just be more steady and methodical. Believe in yourself!”
Zhou Bai nodded. It had to be said that her parents’ support gave her considerable courage.
“Rest well!”
“Mm.”
Subsequently, lying in bed, Zhou Bai’s gaze turned to the control panel. Everything was still upgrading—she’d look tomorrow!
Tomorrow, she should be able to learn more information about this world from it, then decide how to proceed in the future.
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