The development period ends and the turbulent period begins! (5000)

Chapter 584: The Development Phase Ends, the Turmoil Phase Begins! (5000)

A flash of inspiration crossed Cao Xing's mind, as if he had thought of something.

He asked, "Your Majesty, if—and I mean if—I can hold off the Watchers Leader…"

"Can we concentrate all our forces and directly initiate the final battle, wiping out all the Legendary beings on the Watchers' side?"

When the Old King heard Cao Xing say he wanted to eliminate all the Legendary beings, he was slightly taken aback.

After all, Legendary beings aren't just cabbages by the roadside.

How could he speak of killing them as easily as killing a few masters?

"Lord Cao Xing, you really are crazy enough!"

"However—if you truly have the power to contend with a demigod, I can join you in this madness!"

"Then let's directly initiate the final battle. Before the Blood Legion descends, we'll fight the Watchers to the death!"

For the Old King, his days were numbered.

Since that was the case, he might as well go all out!

At worst, it's just one old life!

Cao Xing said solemnly, "Alright, Your Majesty, give me two days. I'll find a way to deal with the demigod."

"If I succeed, I'll contact you, and then we'll proceed to the next step of the plan."

He did not tell the King how he would confront the demigod, and the Old King did not ask further.

"Very well, then I shall remain in the palace, awaiting your news at any time!"

"If I can take down a few Legendary beings before I die, I can die without regrets."

After hanging up the communication, Cao Xing's eyes showed a thoughtful expression.

"It seems I need to go look for that person—"

"But there's no rush. I'll set out after dawn today."

Then, Cao Xing opened the [Gold Point Shop] and exchanged the remaining gold points for a set of semi-epic equipment.

They were the [Lanyao Heavy Armor Set (Orange)], a four-piece set.

And the [Ice Scar Beast Shadow Set (Orange)], a two-piece set.

Both epic sets were not high level, only level 50.

"It's fine if the level is low. Anyway, I have a group of Crystal Humans producing crystals for me every day, and these crystals can be used to upgrade the equipment's level and attributes."

"Now I just need to wait for Harold to accumulate some proficiency, then he can attempt to become a Legendary Blacksmith."

"Then we can inlay crystals on a large scale."

Thinking of this, Cao Xing couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.

Then, he handed the exchanged equipment to Bo Jie, Sun Chaser, and Sarah Blade Dance respectively.

After doing all this, Cao Xing returned to the Lords Castle and slept for two hours.

It wasn't until six in the morning, when the sun rose from the horizon.

That the system prompt appeared on time.

[Attention all Survivors! The Development Phase has officially ended. Next, you will enter the Turmoil Phase!]

[During the Turmoil Phase, you will face more severe challenges, and the frequency of natural disasters will gradually increase.]

[The new expansion pack will open in 6 days and 18 hours. Please prepare accordingly.]

[Monster Siege and the Enhanced Ice Nest event have officially ended.]

[The Gold Point Shop has been closed—]

[Below are two update contents.]

[Update 1: Map boundary restrictions have been lifted. Now all Survivors can freely explore other regions.]

(Note: Map opening does not mean server merge. Survivors from different regions still cannot trade.)

[Update 2: The Giant Dragon Shop has added 'Expert-level Heart of Strength' exchange.]

When the prompt ended, the chat channel once again caused a huge uproar!

Especially the last two update contents, which triggered a lot of discussion among Survivors.

"Map restrictions lifted? Does that mean we can run off to other continents or countries to explore?"

"The guy above is dreaming. You haven't even explored your own region yet, and you want to explore other continents!"

"To be honest with you guys, half a month ago, I found an ancient teleportation array that seems to lead to the Northern Continent. That's a continent untouched by us Survivors, and there must be countless treasures waiting for me to discover. I'm going for it, brothers, don't envy me, hahaha!"

At that moment, a wave of envious voices also sounded in the chat channel, as if no one expected this guy to be so lucky.

To actually possess a passage to another continent.

At this time, a Survivor named Huang Yuan said, "The Northern Continent seems a bit familiar. I once heard a native say that continent was destroyed by an Ancient Giant Dragon, and it's full of monsters, impossible to survive there."

Hearing this, the others were also stunned.

"Damn, then this brother—"

At the same time, everyone saw that Survivor's avatar dim.

This also meant that he had died—

The chat channel fell silent for a moment.

"Is the Northern Continent that dangerous? This guy died less than a second after arriving!"

"Yeah, that's just ridiculous. We'd better stay honestly in the Western Continent and slowly improve our strength."

"This second update seems pretty good. We can actually exchange for Expert-level Heart of Strength. Does this mean…"

"The era of everyone reaching Tier 5 is coming?"

Everyone quickly put the death of that Survivor out of their minds and began to focus on the second update.

"Hahaha! Several of my subjects and I have been stuck at level 40 for a long time. Finally, there's hope for a breakthrough!"

"Don't celebrate too early. One Expert-level Heart of Strength costs 200,000 Ice Dragon Marks. Check your resources first!"

"Damn, that expensive? My entire net worth is only enough to exchange for one!"

After 45 days of the Development Phase, most Survivors now had quite a lot of Ice Dragon Mark resources.

Although the price of 200,000 was a bit outrageous, it was also reasonable.

After all, one Advanced Heart of Strength cost 50,000 Ice Dragon Marks.

Cao Xing's eyes showed a hint of surprise.

"200,000 for one? That's quite cheap."

"Breaking through from Tier 4 to Tier 5 gives an extra health boost, which is a significant leap, so a higher price is normal."

"Just right, my territory does have a small batch of combat personnel still at Tier 4."

"For example, the Elf Clan that was just recruited into the territory, and so on."

So, Cao Xing first opened the Giant Dragon Shop.

[Do you wish to consume 40 million Ice Dragon Marks to exchange for 200 Expert-level Heart of Strength?]

"Yes."

[Exchange successful. Ice Dragon Marks -40 million—]

In an instant, the backpack had 200 more Hearts of Strength.

After doing this, Cao Xing and Liu Muxue got up from the Lords Castle and came outside the territory.

At the same time.

The Wandering Swordsman Legion and the Griffin Knight Legion also returned from Yao Yiming's and Ji Xinyue's territories respectively. The Griffin Knight Captain Fordring and the Wandering Swordsman Zoffy came to his side, and each took out something from their backpack.

"Lord, these are the things those two Otherworld Lords asked us to bring to you."

"Good."

Cao Xing reached out and took them.

[Obtained: Vetia's Undead Flute (Orange)]

[Obtained: Axe of Raging Waves (Orange)]

After getting the items, a smile appeared on Cao Xing's face.

The most important one, naturally, was the Undead Flute, which would be of great help to his next actions!

He put it into his backpack.

Then he gave the [Axe of Raging Waves] to Bo Jie.

What he was currently using was still a level 50 epic battle axe—Dusk.

This battle axe could raise Bo Jie's strength by another notch.

Combined with the newly equipped epic set.

Bo Jie's current attributes were almost on par with a Dominator-level creature!

"Thank you, Lord!" The Dragon Blood Warrior commander said respectfully.

Cao Xing waved his hand, then continued, "Now, all combat personnel still at Tier 4, step forward."

Instantly, over a hundred Elf Clan members and dozens of scattered combat personnel stepped forward.

As Cao Xing had expected, the entire territory had only about 200 Tier 4 combat personnel.

He distributed all the Hearts of Strength from his backpack.

As a series of system prompts sounded.

At this point, there were no combat personnel below Tier 5 in Cao Xing's territory.

One should know that for other Lords, a Tier 5 powerhouse was already a main force in the territory.

But on Cao Xing's side, Tier 5 was only the bottom tier.

After distributing the Hearts of Strength, Cao Xing looked at Liu Muxue beside him and said.

"Muxue, I need to go out and take care of something now. I might not be back for the next two days."

"But don't worry, I'll keep in touch with you at all times."

He did not tell Liu Muxue what he was going out to do, and the woman did not ask further.

[part:gemini-3.5-flash]

Instead, she said with concern, "Alright, Ah Xing—you must be careful."

"Okay."

After a brief farewell, the Wind Wings on his back flapped, and he instantly vanished from the spot.

No one knew where he had gone, nor did anyone know what he was going to do.

Meanwhile.

Bordering the territory of the Ice Crystal Kingdom was an ancient country with many towering Giant Cities and a large population.

This was the Velen Kingdom.

In the southwest of the Velen Kingdom's territory, on a vast, boundless ice plain, stood a massive city that was no smaller than Yongba Main City!

This was the main city of the Velen Kingdom—Saier Main City!

In the center of the Giant City, there was also a luxurious royal palace.

Before this, those who could enter and leave the royal palace were all dignitaries, nobles, or high-ranking military personnel.

To the commoners of Saier Main City, the palace was like a sacred ground, holy and inviolable.

Today, however, there was a different change.

In the once heavily guarded palace, which used to be filled with top experts, an oppressive and tense atmosphere now loomed.

On that vast central square, a large crowd of figures knelt on the ground.

The nobles who once held great power, dressed in luxurious attire and wearing crowns symbolizing their status, used to summon wind and rain in the kingdom.

Now, however, their hands and legs were bound with massive iron chains, and they knelt in miserable rows upon the square.

Among them were also the once-valiant generals of the kingdom, as well as the merchants who controlled various economic lifelines, all kneeling on the ground at this moment.

And at the very front of this crowd of dignitaries and nobles stood a figure of extraordinary temperament.

He wore a magnificent royal robe and a crown embedded with countless gems, with terrifying waves of energy occasionally radiating from his body.

This person was also the one bound by the most iron chains.

These chains ran through his body, piercing his internal organs and limbs, completely binding him to the spot.

This extraordinary figure was none other than King Velen, the pinnacle of power in the entire kingdom, possessing Legendary-level combat strength.

Yet, such a noble and extraordinarily powerful expert…

…was now just like the others, like a wild dog with a broken spine, flat on all fours.

All his former dignity and glory were completely gone!

Beside them,

nine figures radiating a vast aura stood in different corners of the square, seemingly merging with the heaven and earth.

Their eyes were cold and sharp, constantly watching everyone in the square; should anyone make any suspicious move, these powerful beings would strike without hesitation to slay them!

They were the nine elders of the Watchers, each possessing Legendary-level combat strength.

Meanwhile,

an ancient throne quickly flew out of the grand hall, with a figure sitting upon it.

At that moment, the nine Watcher elders knelt on one knee simultaneously, shouting in deafening voices,

"Welcome, Leader of the Human Race!!!"

The sky-shaking shout instantly spread across the entire main city, and the millions of commoners trapped inside heard the voice.

Confusion appeared in the eyes of these commoners.

For since two days ago, a mysterious power had appeared and sealed off the entire Saier Main City.

All living beings in the city were trapped inside, and no news could be sent out.

At the same time, they also sensed terrifying fluctuations coming from the royal palace, as if some powerful experts were engaged in a fierce battle.

However, the battle did not last long, and the fluctuations quickly subsided.

Although everyone knew that something might have happened in the royal palace, no one dared to go and investigate.

It wasn't until today that a different kind of activity occurred in the palace.

Meanwhile,

sitting on that ancient throne, the Watchers Leader said calmly, "Begin."

"Yes!"

A staff appeared out of thin air in the hand of one of the Watcher elders, which he waved in a specific frequency.

A vast amount of magic power was mobilized by him.

At the same time, a projection appeared in the sky above the main city, allowing the millions of commoners in the city to see it.

The image displayed by the projection was none other than the central square of the royal palace, though it was still a bit blurry and the specific figures could not be clearly seen.

Everyone could not help but look up.

"What is this? Why are there so many people appearing in the sky?" an elderly woman with graying hair asked in confusion from the crowd.

"Mrs. Bena, this is a projection. It allows us to see things happening in other places."

"I see. Mr. Callen, you know so much. You truly are the most knowledgeable person in our neighborhood," the old woman praised.

"Everyone, look! The image on the projection is becoming clear."

Hearing this, everyone tilted their heads back, their gazes fixed tightly on the projection in the sky.

And when those commoners saw the once-aloof nobles and the powerful generals,

kneeling on the ground like stray dogs at this moment, their eyes first filled with bewilderment.

Then, as if remembering something, their faces instantly turned pale!

Besides that, they also noticed the figure in the crowd wearing a royal robe with an astonishing aura.

And when they saw that this figure was also kneeling on the ground,

fear and horror appeared in the eyes of many!

A young child said in an innocent voice, "Father, I recognize that person. Is he His Majesty the King?"

"John, shut your mouth right now!"

A simply dressed middle-aged man hastily covered his mouth.

"What happened? Why would His Majesty the King—be—"

An old man cried out in panic, shouting loudly, "Don't look! Everyone, close your eyes!"

In an instant, the commoners hurriedly lowered their heads, as if merely witnessing this scene would bring disaster upon them.

"I didn't see anything, I didn't see anything—"

Their fear of the nobility was practically engraved in the very bones of these commoners.

At this moment, the figure sitting on the throne slowly stood up and said, "All fellow humans, I am the Watchers Leader. You may call me the Guardian—the guardian of the entire human race."

"As you can see, we have taken full control of all the nobles in the royal palace."

"In the past, these useless, evil individuals have continuously persecuted our people,"

"exploiting them without ever receiving the punishment they deserved."

"Today, we shall put these filthy scoundrels on trial!"

In the city, confusion appeared in the eyes of millions of commoners.

Put the nobility on trial? Even the royal family?

Had they heard correctly?

Until now, they had never seen any royal family member put on trial. Even if these people committed heinous crimes and caused great chaos, they would quickly be pacified by the city's generals leading soldiers, without even a single punishment ever being handed down.

Therefore, in their hearts, they had long known that the kingdom's laws did not apply to these people.

After all, no matter how great the crimes committed by the royal family, they were merely the King's private family matters; absolutely no one dared to punish them.

Yet now, this person was saying in front of the entire city that they would be put on trial, which was truly hard to believe.

Meanwhile, the Watcher elder holding the staff floated up into midair.

A thick book appeared out of thin air in his left hand.

He flipped open the first page of the book and read aloud, "The first person to be tried today is Earl Chris Ashton of the Velen Kingdom."

"Crime One: During the war with the Ice Crystal Kingdom, in order to claim the enemy-slaying bounty from King Velen, he forcibly dragged away a total of 130,000 villagers from 148 villages in the Redwood Plains and secretly slaughtered them all, leaving behind a mountain of blood debts!"

"Crime Two: Chris embezzled over ten billion crowns in private, all of which were obtained through bribes."

"Crime Three: Chris kept over a thousand slaves in secret, most of whom were young girls aged five to nine, for his personal pleasure. The large number of children disappearing from the city daily was entirely related to him."

"Crime Four—"

The reading continued for nearly ten minutes.

As crime after crime was exposed, even the nobles kneeling on the ground, and even the King, could not help but raise their heads and look at a certain figure in the crowd.

They seemingly had not expected that this earl had actually done so many outrageous things in secret that outraged both gods and men.

The number of commoners who died directly or indirectly at his hands exceeded four hundred thousand, and not a small number of young children were tortured to death by him!