Durant received the report, his eyes scanning over the numbers.

"Hmm, indeed quite excellent!"

Durant nodded heavily.

The lowest scores on the report were just two missed arrows, and only three people had those scores.

For new recruits trained for two months, this was a completely qualified result.

"Those little kids seem to be born archery geniuses."

Rein continued:

"Previously those who couldn't hit fifty meters are now hitting the mark every time, and some even hit the bullseye nine times out of ten."

Rein stood up excitedly, "Do you think this is normal?"

Durant shook his head, "Not normal."

"Exactly!"

Rein paced uneasily across the room,

"I feel something's off too, and starting yesterday my sense has been exceptional."

"Just in the evening, when the target ahead was no longer visible, I casually shot an arrow and hit the bullseye."

"Right in the center, it scared even myself."

Durant nodded, a smile tinged with mystery,

"Seems like it's not just our regular troops that have changed."

"What do you mean?"

Rein stared at Durant and asked.

"Among the soldiers I trained in the morning, many little ones excelled at riding."

Durant smiled and said, "Those warhorses behaved like they've known them for long, cooperating perfectly."

"So, what should be done?" Rein asked uneasily.

"What do you mean what should be done? This is a joyous thing!"

Durant looked at Rein confusedly,

"Why do you look so distressed?"

"I'm afraid this good thing might slip away unnoticed."

Rein took a deep breath, stopping his pace,

"It's unexpectedly good today, what if it suddenly worsens another day?"

"How can we put them on the battlefield with peace of mind?"

"Rein, you are indeed overly cautious!"

Durant understood Rein's concern, "Rest assured, I guarantee they'll be fine."

Durant stepped forward, lowered his voice,

"Don't you realize where this sudden enhancement originates from?"

Rein blinked, waiting for Durant to continue.

"Remember when our physique suddenly strengthened initially and Prophet Bai Shuang mentioned the 'Saint Master's blessing'? It's exactly the same now."

Durant continued: "Also that change after the war with the lizard monsters, the Baron's transformation."

"Don't you understand yet?"

Rein's pupils contracted slightly, "You mean... these are all blessings from the Saint Master and will continue to exist?"

Durant nodded.

"The Saint Master is the name used by the wild people."

Durant's tone turned solemn.

"I think we should refer to him as the Celestial Destiny Emperor."

...

...

Blade Mountain Range.

Luo De instructed Alya and the others to prepare ample supplies.

Dried food, water bags, torches, ropes, and emergency-use potions.

These items were not meant to be carried entirely by Alya's exploration team, but for setting up supply stations by the logistic team in the middle of the cave.

This way, dividing the long cave in half, Alya and others could return with less time.

These supply stations were not just for the current cave exploration but more so for future excavation of the Sea Pattern Magic Iron Ore.

Luo De also instructed another important matter.

Luo De asked Alya to select hunters with a good sense of direction to measure distances with ropes inside the cave and map out the advancing route.

Luo De wanted to try if he could determine the rough location of the mine on the surface.

By then, Luo De would go to the target point on the surface and locate the Sea Pattern Magic Iron through vein detection.

After Alya and the others re-entered the cave, because Luo De wanted to verify his guess, he did not leave and waited continuously.

But work outside needed to continue, Luo De sent out the new command.

Firstly, the recently discovered normal iron and copper mines will not be mined temporarily.

The clearing for the second mining site of the territory has completed, and future iron production will be sufficient.

The current focus is on the Sea Pattern Grinding Iron Ore.

This metal, which directly boosts the army's power, must have its mining accelerated.

To establish a mining base, basic resources like food, grain, torches, and daily supplies need to be fully prepared.

Additionally, manpower is needed for cutting trees, building fences, and wooden houses.

The access roads also require construction, at least allowing ox carts to pass.

Luckily, it is not winter now, as long as precautions against mosquito bites are taken, the slaves can work with great effort.

Secondly, Luo De instructed Lawrence to assign additional manpower to the two iron mines and expedite the mining progress.

The mining vein lord is the final one, just sixteen tons of metal short of unlocking.

Luo De specifically instructed Lawrence to keep an eye on spring farming.

The number of farmers is increasing, so we need to accelerate the forging of plows, hoes, sickles, and other tools; everything else can be put on hold.

The selection of seeds can start now. Last year's moldy and spoiled ones must be completely discarded, no room for error.

The preparation of manure, clearing of irrigation channels, and a series of other chores have all been instructed.

If there aren't enough people, the militia and reserves can also take the time to join the spring farming team.

For Frost Leaf Town, spring farming is the most important task, and everything else must make way for it.

After filling two pages densely with writing, Luo De handed the letter to Vivian.

Vivian received it with both hands and sealed it with wax in an envelope.

"My lord Baron, you could actually relax here and enjoy a holiday."

Vivian said softly, "They should be able to handle it."

"There's no need to gamble on this. Saying a few more words doesn't tire me."

Luo De waved his hand, "Send it off."

"Yes, my lord Baron."

Vivian lifted the tent flap and went out, handing the letter to Guard Serge, arranging a messenger to send it back to the village.

Luo De also stepped out of the tent.

"It's about time, Alya and the others should have passed the last exploration point."

Luo De ordered, "Take a batch of supplies, we'll go into the cave and wait for them at the supply point."

"Yes, my lord Baron."

The guard immediately arranged personnel, rolling up prepared items like jerky, torches, and animal skins, and carried them on their backs, leading the way into the cave.

Aside from the Hunting Team and Frost Iron Guard, the lynx person Vika also walked in the front.

The cave was wide, at least four or five meters across, with a height of over two meters, not giving any sense of claustrophobia.

This pleased Luo De very much.

Clear out some of the rubble, lay tracks, and the mine carts could run unimpeded inside.

Not far along the path, Luo De came across the spot where the Burrow Spider Demon once rested.

Once cleaned up, this spacious area could completely serve as a rest room for the miners.

Continuing onward, there was nothing particularly special left, only deep darkness.

However, since it was already explored, and people were scouting ahead, Luo De felt only boredom.

Spending nearly two torches, Luo De arrived at the supply station and saw the Sea Pattern Magic Iron veins shimmering on the rock wall.

"It's truly, so beautiful…"

Luo De personally held up a torch to illuminate the rock wall, unable to resist gently caressing it.

The cold, rough texture of the mineral was somewhat sharp, but Luo De was indifferent to it.

Even if gold cut his hand, it was a joyful affair.

White Wolf understood Luo De's sentiment but couldn't share in it, boringly licking the fur on its paw.

Staying in a warm place too long, it indeed began shedding.

While Luo De was immersed in the wonders of the Sea Pattern Magic Iron, he heard the sound of small footsteps approaching from the cave below.

"Your name!"

The guard shouted into the corner, calling in.

"Hunting Team Wolf!"

The newcomer shouted, gasping for breath,

"Quick, quickly report to the lord, we've discovered an underground river!"

...

...

"Splashing sounds came…"

Before reaching the destination, Luo De heard the sound of flowing water.

Waves of noticeable moisture swept over, carrying the sweet, fishy scent of decaying moss.

"Be careful, my lord, it's a bit slippery here."

Alya whispered a reminder.

"It's alright, I'm not a delicate noble son."

Luo De laughed as he jumped off the stone platform, using the torchlight to see the underground river.

It meandered through the cavern

The torchlight cast swaying shadows on the water as if countless specters were swimming underneath.

The river was as black as ink, difficult to see far, only the flickering torch reflections on the surface and some fish shadows were visible.

"How wide is this river?"

Luo De asked.

"About ten meters wide."

Alya replied.

She then drew an arrow, lit it, and shot it across.

By the faint light, Luo De saw the general shape of the underground river.

It resembled a ten-meter-wide giant sword, slicing the cavern in half.

"Does this river flow to the east?"

Luo De smiled, turning his head.

Alya nodded, "Yes, my lord."

Luo De's smile broadened, "Then it seems I guessed right."

"What did you guess?" Alya asked curiously.

Luo De didn't elaborate, ordering, "Continue exploring eastward, soon you'll understand."

As soon as Luo De's words fell, a sudden violent movement came from the east.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.