Deploy troops and assign personnel. (5400)

Hearing this number, Kloro was first startled, and then a look of uncertainty appeared in his eyes.

Because, even with the forces of their kingdom, steadily dealing with a single outpost would require dispatching at least one or two leaders above Tier 6, along with two to three thousand elite soldiers.

As for ten outposts, that meant at least ten Master-level powerhouses.

If it were true, the strength of this Otherworld Lord was truly terrifying beyond imagination!

"Are you certain, Lord Cao Xing?" Kloro asked with mixed surprise and doubt.

Cao Xing nodded slightly.

And after receiving his personal confirmation, giant waves were already churning in Kloro's heart.

But he also knew that Cao Xing would not try to act tough or make boastful claims about such matters.

Kloro nodded solemnly and said, "If you can handle ten outposts, that couldn't be better."

"In that way, we won't need to ask our allied nations for help."

In fact, Kloro's initial plan was simply for Cao Xing's side to help deal with 5 outposts.

That way, it would share the vast majority of the pressure on the Ice Crystal Kingdom.

And now, Cao Xing directly took on 10, which could be said to have massively spiked the success rate of the operation.

Cao Xing chuckled and asked, "General Kloro, if we are to take action, can I choose the outposts to deal with myself?"

"Of course you can. His Majesty the King also instructed you to choose for yourself from the beginning."

Kloro quickly pulled a hand-drawn map out of his backpack.

"Here you go, Lord Cao Xing. These are the locations of all Church of Light branches and outposts that we have mastered. Take a look."

A smile appeared on Cao Xing's face once more, and he quickly took it.

[Obtained: Unknown Map]

Unfolding it to take a look.

A scroll depicting various terrains immediately appeared upon it.

Beyond the borders of the Ice Crystal Kingdom, there were various continuous mountain ranges and some uninhabited areas rarely visited by people.

In these regions, a black X mark was drawn at regular intervals.

These '×' marks should be the locations of the Church of Light outposts.

Nearby forests, villages, and even rivers all had symbols marked like this.

Meanwhile, amidst a continuous mountain range, there was the largest mark.

This place should be the location of the Church of Light headquarters!

Cao Xing's gaze flickered. Much to his expectation, the Church of Light headquarters was located outside the border.

However, the location was quite concealed; only a Legendary powerhouse like the Old King could find it.

Moreover, Cao Xing also discovered one thing: the four outposts previously discovered by Herlie and the others were not on the map.

It seemed that that area was indeed an important outpost of the Church of Light, one that even the Old King and the others had not explored.

After pondering for a moment, Cao Xing quickly made his choice.

He marked ten outposts on the map that were not too far apart and were relatively close to the border of the Ice Crystal Kingdom.

"General Kloro, I have chosen."

Kloro took the map and then looked at the ten outpost locations he pointed to.

He nodded slightly and said, "No problem. The outposts chosen by Lord Cao Xing are all very centralized."

"Then we… are we setting off right now?"

Cao Xing shook his head. "We still need to wait a bit."

"This place is quite far from the kingdom's border, and the teleportation array cannot transport so many of my troops over in a short time."

"So I need to go arrange for the members in my territory to set out in advance."

Kloro also understood and then said, "It was I who failed to consider thoroughly."

Cao Xing smiled. "It's fine."

"General Kloro, for today, please wait in my territory first."

"I am going to arrange those combat personnel now."

"No problem."

The general replied readily.

Then, Cao Xing walked out of the tavern.

As for Kloro, he was left to continue waiting in the tavern.

After all, in Cao Xing's territory, some things were inconvenient to disclose to this kingdom general.

At the very least, before possessing sufficient strength, he could not let the Ice Crystal Kingdom know all of Cao Xing's foundation.

Although the Old King's character was not bad, one had to guard against him!

Just in case he grew wary of Cao Xing's strength, believing that he had the ability to threaten the kingdom, and pulled out a demigod artifact to slash a sword at them at that time, that would be a huge joke!

Meanwhile, Cao Xing quickly left the tavern, then pressed the communication device on his ear.

"Bjorn, Xiao, stop searching for wild Ice Nests right now and bring all combat personnel back."

Originally, according to his development rhythm, today he was prepared to deal with Ice Nests while finding a territory for Tian Jing.

But now, these matters could be put aside for later.

Wiping out the Church of Light was the most important thing.

Meanwhile, although the two powerhouses executing combat missions outside were puzzled by Cao Xing's command, they didn't say anything and quickly led their men toward the direction of the territory.

Meanwhile, Cao Xing also headed to the mechanical factory and found the goblins who were working.

"Locke, how many [long-distance communication devices] that I ordered last time have been made?"

Initially, when this goblin was disturbed at work, he was extremely impatient.

But upon seeing that it was Cao Xing, he immediately put on a smiling face and said, "Lord Lord, the craftsmanship of this kind of communication device is complex, and manufacturing it is quite troublesome."

"However, through our unremitting efforts, we have currently made over three hundred of them!"

Hearing this number, Cao Xing also nodded with satisfaction.

Although it was impossible to equip everyone with one, it was already completely sufficient to cope with the upcoming operation.

"Very good, you guys can make another two to three hundred communication devices and then stop production."

"Afterwards, start producing Frost Catapults at full capacity."

"No problem, respected Lord!" the goblin said respectfully.

After giving instructions to Locke, Cao Xing quickly came to the storage box of the mechanical factory and took out all the items inside.

[Obtained: long-distance communication device * 351]

Taking one out from the backpack to look at it, this type of long-distance communication device was similar in size to a small communication device.

It could similarly be hung on the ear or placed in a pocket, making it very convenient to carry.

"Not bad."

Then, Cao Xing came to the buffer zone of the territory to wait.

After about ten-odd minutes.

The territory's city gates opened, and over a thousand soldiers outside returned neatly and orderly.

Bjorn and Xiao led the legion to stand before Cao Xing and said respectfully, "Lord, all of us have returned. Please issue your orders."

"Good, you guys wait here for a moment. I have new tasks to assign to you."

Having said that, he switched the communication device on his ear to the team channel.

"All combat personnel, gather at the territory's buffer zone."

Hearing the command, those mages who were meditating, the archers training, and even the Ancient Trees of War rooted deep underground all walked over.

Over two thousand people in the entire territory assembled together.

This included the Survivor Tian Jing, the new member Farnaz, and two leader-level wandering swordsmen.

They all looked toward Cao Xing one after another.

Cao Xing slowly said, "Next, we are going to carry out an operation, an important operation."

"We are going to start dealing with the Church of Light!"

Everyone here was an existence he trusted, so Cao Xing had no need to hide anything.

Hearing this, everyone's expressions instantly tightened.

They also knew that the Church of Light had always been the lord's enemy.

Now, after accumulating strength for so long, the time had finally come to deal with this faction!

Cao Xing said.

"Next, I want fourteen Tier 6 leader-level or above existences, each leading a legion, to head toward a target location."

Hearing the command, more than twenty leader-level creatures in the crowd looked around one after another.

"First, Hilda."

This Blood Spider Queen moved her eight long legs and slowly walked out from the crowd.

Waves of blood Qi emanated from her body, making people feel a strong sense of pressure; the aura of a Tier 7 Overlord-level was undoubtedly revealed!

Cao Xing instructed, "Your mission is to lead the elite Blood Spiders and commander Blood Spiders under your command to a place about three thousand kilometers away."

"There is an important outpost of the Church of Light there."

"After arriving, do not approach immediately; lurk nearby."

"Launch an attack only after hearing my command, and wipe out all the people of the Church of Light inside the outpost in one fell swoop."

Hilda nodded slightly. "This king understands."

In this area, besides the resource point responsible by Hilda, there were three other outposts.

Therefore, Cao Xing still needed to select three people to lead.

He swept his gaze across the crowd.

He first looked at the new member, Tian Jing.

"Tian Jing, I will give you a unit of one hundred Ascalon Warriors next, letting you execute a mission independently."

"Do you have confidence in dealing with an outpost?"

Tian Jing in the crowd instantly had a trace of panic appear in his eyes.

He had only joined this territory for a few days and hadn't adapted much yet.

As a result, he didn't expect that Cao Xing would actually hand such an important task to himself.

Including the others, they all cast their gazes toward this strange Otherworld Survivor one after another.

Facing the gazes of a crowd of powerhouses, Tian Jing couldn't help but become somewhat nervous.

But he also knew that this was Cao Xing giving him an opportunity to temper himself.

After all, in the future, if he wanted to develop a second territory, he had to possess the ability to command an army.

"I will do my best to complete it, Boss!"

"Very good."

Cao Xing nodded approvingly and continued, "Since that is the case, it will be Tian Jing, the Black Smoke Shaman Blot, and the Dragon Shaman Vimne."

"The three of you will each lead one hundred Ascalon Warriors, then pilot four Goblin Airships, and follow Hilda in operation."

"Head to the other three strongholds in that area to wait, and only launch a full-scale operation after hearing my command."

On the field, the three of them nodded solemnly.

Cao Xing continued, "Next, I still need ten squads."

"Commander Bo Jie, Dragon Blood Warrior Jonard, Dragon Blood Warrior Josent, Dragon Blood Warrior Gain, Star Country Swordsman Xiao, Silver Hand Knights member Furtagen, Wind Mage Allen, Earth Mage Tyren, Snake-people Priestess Ilena, and Wild Boar Warrior Rabb—"

"You ten will lead 500 Ascalon Warriors, along with all the mages, Star Country Swordsmen, Silver Hand Knights, and Wild Boar Warriors."

"Head to ten respective strongholds and wait there."

Among these leaders, the Dragon Blood Warriors alone accounted for four, plus Rune who was not assigned a task.

In other words, out of the more than one hundred Dragon Blood Warriors in the entire territory, there were more than 5 leader-tier existences!

This was a ridiculously high-quality legion; after all, every leader possessed the ability to command an army and was capable of standing alone.

"These are the locations of the strongholds. Come over and memorize them," Cao Xing continued.

Upon hearing the voice, the ten individuals, all possessing strength of Tier 6 leader level or above, gathered around.

Looking at the map, solemn expressions appeared in their eyes.

After a moment, Cao Xing asked, "Have you all memorized it?"

Everyone nodded solemnly.

"Very good. Now come over to me and collect the new communication devices."

Then, Cao Xing distributed 10 [Long-distance Communication Devices] to each team, ensuring that several people in every team could receive his commands.

Even if one person lost contact, the others could still maintain communication.

Everyone knew how to use this communication device.

After receiving them, they adjusted the channels of the devices one after another.

Then, they retreated back into their respective teams to wait.

After arranging the combatants for these fourteen strongholds, Cao Xing still had many powerful beings and legions at his disposal.

Aside from the Centaur legion that was still outside,

there were still 300 Ascalon Warriors in the territory, dozens of Tier 7 Wandering Swordsmen, over a hundred Nightmare Archers, and a robot army of more than 700 units.

This was the force Cao Xing prepared to leave behind for garrison duty.

Relying on these warriors, plus those more than one hundred ancient trees, even if they encountered a large-scale enemy attack, they could hold them off for a very long time.

Cao Xing said, "It will take two or three days to travel from here to the locations of the strongholds. Set off now."

"Remember to bring cold-weather clothing and enough food."

"Yes!"

The fourteen master-level powerhouses on the field, each leading over a thousand combat personnel, quickly left the area.

After transporting a portion of the supplies, they each chose a Goblin Airship and boarded it.

Of course, the Silver Hand Knights, who possessed griffins, did not need them.

After all, the mobility of griffins was much faster than Goblin Airships.

"Rustle~!"

A chorus of flapping wings sounded as the griffins took flight into the air, going ahead to scout the path.

Then came those Goblin Airships.

"Buzz!"

The propellers began to spin at high speed.

Thirteen Goblin Airships quickly flew into the air and disappeared shortly after.

The departure of over a thousand people made the territory become much more spacious.

Meanwhile, Cao Xing looked toward the core combatants, his gaze resting on the beautiful witch.

"Francesca, you will also participate in the upcoming operation. Let's put alchemy on hold for these few days."

The witch pressed her collar and bowed slightly, indicating that she understood.

Then, Cao Xing began calling names.

"Sarah, Assam, Andrew, Renice, Braum Ironwall—"

The five people whose names were called stepped out of the ranks.

These five were all among the earliest creatures to join the territory, and they possessed formidable strength.

Counting the witch Francesca, Liu Muxue, and Cao Xing, there were already 8 master-level combat forces above Level 70 here.

Three more were still needed.

This time, he had promised the Old King to field eleven masters, so he naturally had to fulfill his promise.

Cao Xing looked toward the crowd on the field.

"Bing Lan, bring your own dragon, and Isabelle and Victoria will also come with me."

The three powerful women also stepped forward.

In this way, the force Cao Xing prepared to deal with the Church of Light headquarters consisted of a full 9 Level 70 powerhouses, plus 3 powerhouses above Tier 8.

Coupled with Malenia, who could be brought into the necromancers bag, as well as the Book of the Dead and the Lizardman Statue in his backpack,

this force had reached a quite terrifying degree!

It could even easily destroy a million-man legion!

At this moment, Cao Xing glanced at the remaining combat personnel and still felt it wasn't foolproof.

Even a lion uses its full strength when hunting a rabbit!

Of course, the power of the people he brought was already sufficient; bringing a few more leader-tier creatures wouldn't be of much use.

What he needed now were some talents who could play a special role.

Therefore, he looked at the Tribal Witch Doctor in the crowd—Mologe.

Although these witch doctors weren't strong in direct combat ability, their skills were quite distinctive.

Especially his elite-tier skill—Soul Link.

At certain times, it might produce unexpected effects.

"Mologe, you will also participate in the operation,"

Hearing Cao Xing's command, the old witch doctor was slightly stunned, not expecting that a Level 50 leader like him could actually participate in such an important operation.

But he still respectfully said, "As you command, great Lord."

"The spirit of the Black Tooth Tribe will be continued in this territory."

By this point, the personnel for this operation had been finalized.

And in the territory, quite a few experts were left behind.

Little Chuchu, who had advanced to Level 70, two Level 70 Wandering Swordsman leaders, and Jorde Ironfrost of the Giant Clan.

Plus the three major pets: the Mammoth Dabai, the Frost Moose Frost Moose, and Volibear.

Then there was the Centaur Harati, and a group of experts like the Shadow Assassin Herlie.

With this much power, as long as there were no Legendary creatures, they could easily block enemy attacks.

Cao Xing continued, "We will wait until tomorrow to set off."

"After we leave, the command of the territory will be handed over to Harati."

"The defense of the territory will be entrusted to the Wandering Swordsmen Zuoke and Zuofei."

"Giant Jorde, you just need to be responsible for guarding the territory."

The two Wandering Swordsman leaders responded simultaneously.

"Understood / Alright, Lord!"

After giving instructions to these people, Cao Xing's gaze turned back to Tong Chuchu in the crowd.

"Little Chuchu, during this time, you and Herlie will take good care of Elisa."

"If anything happens, remember to contact me immediately through the system function."

Tong Chuchu immediately stepped forward, clenched her small fists, and said, "Alright, Big Brother!"

"I will take good care of Sister Elisa."

Cao Xing nodded slightly. After confirming that he hadn't missed anything, he said directly, "Alright, everyone go back to rest for now, and wait for me to summon you for action tomorrow."

After all, Bjorn, Hilda, and the others would need three or four days just for the journey.

If they went over so early, they would only be waiting there anyway.

They had to wait until everyone reached their destinations before launching a unified action, so as to catch the Church of Light off guard.

Everyone dispersed one after another.

As for Cao Xing, he returned to the tavern and then arranged a rest room for General Koro.

There was nothing much during the day.

All work in the territory continued as usual.

Da Zhuang was already driving a transport vehicle, taking over a hundred goblins to the wild mine for extraction.

The morning passed quickly.

By afternoon, Harati led the Centaur legion back to the territory.

Seeing that more than half of the combat personnel in the territory were noticeably missing, she felt a bit strange.

Then she found Cao Xing and reported respectfully,

"Lord, we have already scouted the Wala Ruins you mentioned."

"Inside is an Eternal Gold Mine. The mining area has quite a lot of Eternal Gold reserves, and deep underground, we also saw many Magic Pattern Stones."

After Harati finished her report, a smile also appeared on Cao Xing's face.

Eternal Gold and Magic Pattern Stones were both relatively important resources, and many advanced buildings required them.

This included the [Wall Reinforcement] function of the Warfare Research Institute, which also required a large amount of Eternal Gold Ingots.

In terms of preciousness, they even surpassed mithril.

At this moment, Cao Xing sighed once again.

The function of the Shining Throne was as reliable as ever, able to find high-grade mineral veins every time.

However, Harati changed the subject, saying in a somewhat dejected tone, "But there is bad news. That ruin has been occupied by a group of undead, and they don't seem willing to give up this mine."

Hearing this, Cao Xing asked doubtfully, "Undead?"