Expert Leadership, Visit from the Bard. (5400)

With the Mechanic's blueprints, he could enter "army production" mode.

However, the only drawback was that even robots required population slots.

But now his Lord's Castle had reached level 11, possessing a full 6,000 population!

Every level up from here would add 2,000 population, so it was still quite sufficient.

Cao Xing patted Tong Chuchu on the head. "Not bad, Little Chuchu. These two blueprints are very powerful and can significantly increase the territory's combat strength."

After receiving Cao Xing's praise, a happy smile appeared on the little girl's face.

"Hehehe, as long as Big Brother likes them."

Cao Xing smiled.

"Let's go. We'll go find the Goblin Locke together and have him make these two types of robots."

Hearing that last sentence, Little Chuchu widened her eyes and asked in confusion.

"Are we looking for that ugly Goblin Uncle?"

As the saying goes, children speak without inhibition.

Ever since they saw this goblin in that cave last time, Elisa and Little Chuchu had always called him the Ugly Goblin Uncle.

This also made Goblin Locke very reluctant to see these two little girls.

Cao Xing smiled. "Yes."

"Follow me, Little Chuchu."

"Okay, Big Brother."

Tong Chuchu obediently followed by Cao Xing's side, and the two walked side by side.

The brick ground in the territory clicked and clacked beneath their footsteps.

You have to say, this scene really gave off the vibe of a father taking his daughter out.

Soon, they arrived near the Mechanic Workshop.

Cao Xing also noticed that some strange, large devices had appeared on the open ground next to the workshop.

They were massive oval-shaped airships with a length of about seventy or eighty meters.

The balloon was made of some kind of tough, special fabric, and a sturdy metal cabin was suspended underneath.

The space in the metal cabin was quite large, almost equivalent to a small mobile room.

And on the front and rear sides, there was a huge propeller on each.

This was the [Advanced Goblin Airship]. Its appearance was both rugged and full of goblin characteristics.

A look of admiration appeared on Cao Xing's face.

"Calculating that one Goblin Airship can carry 208 people, there are 8 here, which can hold a full 1,600 people…"

"Locke, this kid, is quite efficient!"

"It seems this goblin hasn't been slacking off this past month."

Cao Xing smiled and knocked on the door of the Mechanic Workshop.

"Knock! Knock-knock!"

There was no response the first time.

Cao Xing knocked three more times in succession.

An impatient voice immediately came from inside.

"Oh! My heavens, stop knocking!"

"Don't you know the working environment inside the Mechanic Workshop is very noisy?"

"Let me see which blind fellow is disturbing the great Goblin Locke at work!"

Goblin Locke strode out on his short legs, cursing and swearing.

He looked like he was ready to interrogate someone.

But when he pushed open the door and saw the figure standing in front of him, his expression stiffened instantly.

"Lord…"

"Um… you're back…"

In almost a fraction of a second, he quickly put on a smiling face.

"I am truly sorry. Locke did not receive the news and did not know that the wise and mighty Lord had returned!"

"I have been so derelict in my duties!"

This guy acted all remorseful.

Cao Xing smiled and didn't continue listening to the goblin's double-talk.

Instead, he asked directly, "Locke, a month ago, I asked you to upgrade the Earth Dragon Mecha to Master-level. How is the progress now?"

The goblin craftsman quickly reported, "May the God of Caves bless us, the mecha upgrade is going quite smoothly, and it will be finished very soon!"

"We'll rush the work tonight, and early tomorrow morning, you will be able to lead the brand new, beautiful, and powerful Earth Dragon Mecha out to battle!"

"Believe me, Lord, the Earth Dragon Mecha that has broken through to Master-level will definitely satisfy you."

Cao Xing nodded. "Not bad. I have two more blueprints here that I need you to produce."

"Once the Earth Dragon Mecha repair is complete, you can focus on making these."

After saying that, he tossed the blueprints over.

Goblin Locke reached out with his withered little hands, took the blueprints, and examined them before his eyes.

A thoughtful look appeared in his murky green pupils.

"The technology recorded here seems to be something I've never seen before."

"However, the overall structure is similar to goblin technology; it's a bit like our Goblin race's Micro Combat Mecha and Humanoid Reconnaissance Mecha."

Cao Xing asked, "This technology indeed does not belong to the Goblin race. Can you produce it?"

Goblin Locke quickly replied.

"No problem, respected Lord. I will go all out to manufacture these two types of robots!"

"Very good. Keep it up, Locke."

After saying that, he left the place with Tong Chuchu.

The two soon arrived back at the central area of the territory.

"Little Chuchu, there's nothing going on today, so you should go and get some rest too."

But Little Chuchu shook her little head and said.

"Big Brother, I'm not tired. I'm going to go find Sister Elisa to play in a bit. She said she'd take me to the forest outside to raid bird nests today!"

Cao Xing was slightly taken aback.

Then he looked at Tong Chuchu strangely.

Come to think of it, this little girl came to this world.

Except for the time right after she arrived, which was very difficult, after coming to Cao Xing's territory, it could be said that her life every day was very exciting.

Fighting monsters, farming, raiding bird nests, fishing—she had done it all.

For a little girl of just a few years old, Tong Chuchu's experiences could be said to be quite rich.

Cao Xing didn't know what kind of person Tong Chuchu would grow up to be in this environment.

But that was a story for another time.

Cao Xing smiled. "Alright, be careful when you go outside the territory."

Tong Chuchu nodded like a chick pecking at rice. "Okay, Big Brother, I will be careful."

After saying that, she skipped away to find Elisa.

After Tong Chuchu left, Cao Xing opened his personal panel and glanced at the life-related skills on it.

[Advanced Command: 385 / 5000]

[Skill Effect: Overall Attack +5%, Morale +5%]

…

Through the continuous command of battles earlier, this skill had been pushed directly to Advanced level.

Skills like these life-related ones were quite simple to level from Beginner to Advanced.

It just required diligent practice, depending on one's personal talent and effort.

In 1 to 10 years, one could pretty much raise a skill to Advanced.

But after a life-related skill reached Advanced, it was very difficult to advance further.

Besides hard training, one also needed enough talent to become an expert in the field.

But with this kind of Emblem, it was much simpler.

You could just use it directly.

[Consume 1x Expert-Level Emblem to upgrade Special Skill: Advanced Command?]

"Yes."

As Cao Xing clicked confirm, an emblem in his backpack disappeared.

At the same time.

A massive amount of memory flooded into his mind.

In these memories were scenes of galloping and commanding on the battlefield, arranging troops and formations.

Not only could it increase his command experience, but it could also allow him to come into contact with some new tactics.

When all the memories were absorbed.

Cao Xing opened his eyes.

[You used an Expert-Level Emblem, Advanced Command proficiency increased by 5000 points.]

[Your Command skill has been upgraded to Expert-level.]

…

Cao Xing exclaimed, "Very good. Now I also possess an Expert-level life skill."

He glanced at the attributes.

[Expert-Level Command]

[Proficiency: 358 / 50000]

[Heart of Command: 0 / 1]

[Skill Effect: Overall Attack +10%, Morale +10%]

…

"The breakthrough from Advanced to Expert actually added another 5% to overall attack. Not bad at all!"

"However, it's a bit troublesome to break through to Master. Besides needing 50,000 proficiency, it also requires a Heart of Command."

This Heart of Command was easy to understand.

Just like how Harold's [Blacksmithing] needed a Soul of the Craftsman to break through to Master.

Cao Xing's [Command] breaking through to Master similarly required another key item.

Having no clues about this [Heart of Command], Cao Xing stopped thinking about it.

After all, Expert-level Command was already sufficient.

Cao Xing thought to himself, "Now, there are still three Expert-Level Emblems left in my backpack…"

"I'll go and upgrade other people's life skills to Expert-level as well."

He headed straight to the Alchemy Workshop.

As the door pushed open, a strange medicinal fragrance wafted towards him.

The witch Francesca had already begun to continue refining potions.

As one of the top three combat forces of the territory, Cao Xing had brought her along for this Battle of the Oracle.

So, the territory's alchemy work had been put on hold.

However, this woman was also very hardworking; having just returned from the Battle of the Oracle, she started working immediately.

Cao Xing asked, "Francesca, how many bottles of Holy Water have you made?"

The quantity of Holy Water determined whether Cao Xing could clear that ancient battlefield with minimal damage.

Naturally, the more, the better.

The witch looked up slightly, her long eyelashes fluttering.

"There are currently about 500 bottles."

"If I go all out now, I can produce 300 bottles a day, but I won't have time to refine other potions."

Hearing this number, Cao Xing calculated it in his mind.

In his territory, there were a total of 1,547 melee units.

If he gave each of them a bottle of Holy Water, he would need over a thousand bottles.

And he himself also needed to keep some Holy Water in reserve.

After all, besides being able to amplify damage against the Undead, Holy Water can also weaken their attributes.

It is exceptionally effective against some powerful Undead.

In other words, once Cao Xing has around 2,000 bottles of Holy Water, he can officially begin dealing with the Ancient Battlefield!

"At a rate of 300 bottles a day, I should reach the target number in about five days."

"Excellent. This will be just in time to eliminate the threat of this Ancient Battlefield before the first wave of the Monster Siege!"

Cao Xing said, "I'll be counting on you during this time."

Francesca shook her head lightly, appearing not to mind.

Then, Cao Xing went over to Sabina and upgraded her [Advanced Poison Mastery] to [Expert Poison Mastery].

Come to think of it, Poison Mastery and Alchemy Mastery are different.

Poison Mastery can only create certain poisons, such as Nightmare Potions, Frog Potions, and so on.

Although it is also quite useful, it still doesn't have as many applications as Alchemy Mastery.

Cao Xing still remembered.

The agreement he had made with this woman back then was for her to serve in the territory for three months, and then he would help her reach Tier 4 so she could return and take revenge.

Now, two months had passed without him realizing it.

Of course, it didn't matter if the time was up.

After all, with 100 Loyalty, the contract could be renewed.

As for Sabina's enemy…

It was just a local minor noble; he could easily dispatch two people to take them out.

Cao Xing chuckled to himself.

Then, under Sabina's grateful gaze, he left the Alchemy Workshop.

Next, he found the painter Edward and helped him upgrade his [Advanced Painting Mastery] to [Expert Painting Mastery].

After doing this, Cao Xing had only one [Expert Emblem] left in his possession.

He decided to save this last one for now.

Perhaps he would encounter other high-level talents in the future, and he could use it then.

With that, another harvest from the Battle of the Oracle had been put to use.

Just as Cao Xing was preparing to continue his patrol around the territory.

A system notification appeared.

[Ice Crystal Kingdom: Gwyneth is requesting to visit your territory. Do you agree?]

…

Seeing this notification, a thoughtful look gradually appeared in Cao Xing's eyes.

"Gwyneth… what a familiar name."

But soon, he remembered who this name belonged to.

"This person seems to be that bard from Merlind City who sings beautifully…"

"How did she find my territory?"

With a strange expression, Cao Xing clicked 'Confirm'.

At the same time.

On the snowy ground ahead, a ragged figure was walking towards the territory.

Her steps were slow and gentle, yet they revealed a sense of exhaustion.

Compared to the radiant and glamorous Gwyneth he had seen at the tavern last time.

This woman had become much more haggard.

Her hair hung down in a messy, straw-like tangle, and her face seemed to have dirt deliberately smeared on it, concealing her stunningly beautiful features.

Her once bright eyes had now become dull and lusterless, and her eye sockets were deeply sunken.

It was impossible to tell that she was the same bard who had amazed everyone with her singing at the tavern.

Cao Xing stood at the main gate, watching the woman walk slowly toward him.

She also noticed Cao Xing.

After getting closer, she gradually lifted her head.

A glimmer of light suddenly rose in her dull pupils.

Then, she quickened her pace as she walked toward him.

After they met, Gwyneth became somewhat uncontrollably excited.

She reached out her gloved hands and pressed them together in a prayer-like gesture.

Cao Xing asked first, "Is there something you need by coming to my territory?"

Hearing this, Gwyneth slowly opened her dry, cracked lips.

"Ah… uh… uh…"

An inexplicable sound came from her throat.

She pointed to her mouth and then waved her hands.

At this moment, Cao Xing recalled.

This woman had been poisoned by the Black-Beaked Crow Poison, which had destroyed her vocal cords after the toxin took effect, leaving her unable to speak.

Cao Xing pondered for a moment, then pressed the communication device on his ear and switched to the team channel.

"Does anyone among you know sign language?"

The warriors in the territory heard Cao Xing's voice, and looks of confusion appeared in their eyes.

A moment later, a majestic voice rang out.

"I know a little."

It was Victoria, the Qi Empress, who spoke.

"Excellent. Come to the territory gate right now; I am waiting for you here."

"Understood, I will be right there."

A moment later.

A graceful figure walked over.

She was wearing a set of blue mage robes that accentuated her curvaceous figure.

She wore a white wolf-fur coat, and her hands hung naturally at her sides.

With a dignified demeanor, she walked toward Cao Xing step by step.

It was none other than Victoria.

When she arrived by his side.

Cao Xing said, "Help me translate what this woman is saying."

Gwyneth stood quietly to the side, clutching her lute, watching this extraordinary Empress.

There was a slight surprise in her eyes.

She seemed somewhat surprised that such a refined and elegant person existed in this territory.

As Victoria's majestic gaze swept over her, Gwyneth actually felt as if she were being pricked by needles.

Then, she reached out her hand and slowly made gestures.

Victoria nodded while gazing intently at the woman before her.

A moment later, the Qi Empress turned her head and translated.

"She says that last time at the tavern in Merlind City, you warned her about the Black-Beaked Crow Poison, and she followed your advice and went to see a physician in the city."

"However, those physicians didn't detect any symptoms, and it wasn't until the poison took effect that she remembered your warning."

"However, it was already too late by then. The Black-Beaked Crow Poison had completely destroyed her vocal cords, and the Woodpecker Chamber of Commerce couldn't find a solution even after searching for physicians throughout the city."

"Since then, she has been unable to speak."

"During that time, she had almost lost all hope in life."

Victoria watched her gestures and translated in real-time.

Then she continued, "One day, she suddenly remembered you and felt that since you knew she had been poisoned by the Black-Beaked Crow Poison, you might have a way to help her regain her voice."

"She didn't want to lose her voice like that, so she resolutely left the city and came out into the wilderness alone."

"Using intelligence from the Woodpecker Chamber of Commerce, it took her nearly a month to reach our territory."

After listening, Cao Xing understood the ins and outs of the matter.

And why she had come to his territory.

Looking at this bard, an expression of admiration appeared in his eyes.

It must be said that this woman's perseverance was truly astonishing.

A woman who couldn't speak, traveling alone in such a dangerous and freezing world, covering over five hundred kilometers.

After a month-long journey, she had arrived at his territory.

During this time, it went without saying that she must have suffered quite a lot.

But Cao Xing had no solution either.

It would have been a different story if she had found him before the toxin took effect.

After all, with the Light Feather Chicken, a single [Purification Light] could have resolved the [Black-Beaked Crow Poison] in her body.

However, this woman only found him after the poison had already taken effect.

Now, to help her regain her voice, he would have to heal her vocal cords first.

Cao Xing sighed and shook his head, saying, "I don't know how to help you regain your voice."

"I am sorry."

Hearing this, the woman froze…

As if her hopes had been dashed, she stood there, stunned and motionless.

Who knows how much time passed.

She took a deep breath and gradually came back to her senses.

She looked at Cao Xing, nodded gently, and made gestures again.

Victoria, standing beside her, translated, "She says, thank you, and sorry for disturbing you."

After saying this, the woman clutched her lute, turned around, and walked toward the outside of the territory.

However, her back looked so lonely, and those beautiful eyes had become dull and lusterless.

After a month-long journey, she had finally managed to find this Chosen Lord, her only hope.

Only for the other party's response to be that there was no way.

If it were an ordinary person, they probably would have been unable to bear such a blow and would have lost the motivation to continue living.

Yet, this woman did not seem to have given up.

It seemed that she was going to go to other places.

Cao Xing watched her back, a thoughtful look appearing in his eyes.

Aside from Master-level Singing Mastery, this woman also possessed other skills.

She also had Master-level Instrument Mastery, Advanced Performance Mastery, Advanced Poetry Composition, and other skills.

Even if she couldn't speak, she was still a rare talent.

Furthermore, the fact that she could find his territory alone from Merlind City already indicated that she and Cao Xing were fated.

After pondering for a moment, Cao Xing called out to her.

"Wait a moment."

Ahead, Gwyneth, who had already walked a dozen meters away, froze and slowly turned her head.

She looked at Cao Xing with a puzzled expression.

Cao Xing asked directly, "What are your plans for the future?"

The woman pondered for a moment and made gestures again.

Victoria said, "She says that next, she is going to travel to other cities to see if she can find a way to restore her voice…"

Cao Xing looked at her and said seriously.

"Gwyneth, would you be willing to join my territory?"