Chapter 252: Surrounding Environment

After Sinuoli invested the points, he closed his eyes and tried to sense the changes in his body; it was only through the massive amount of Revival Points gained from continuously reclaiming fortresses and driving out Daemons along the way that he had managed to progress the overall completion by one-third.

According to the Old Ones' notes, if this function were filled, it would allow the Dwarf race's fertility to rise to a level approaching that of Humans. The gender ratio would become normal, and the frequency of female births would also increase.

Sinuoli estimated in his heart that there were many places where he needed Revival Points; even just treating the wounded after the war might not be enough. The next opportunity for a large-scale acquisition would likely be in the reclamation of Eight Peaks and the other fortress clusters around it.

With only a hair's breadth left until level seven, Sinuoli now had meticulous control over his body. He keenly captured the changes coming from his reproductive system; that set of things seemed to have become more active, which was undoubtedly a positive effect.

"What a pity, there are no females in this troop, and the only Amazons likely have reproductive isolation!"

Sinuoli muttered in a low voice; he could not see the effects of this most important improvement for the time being and could only wait for subsequent feedback. This made him feel as if the Revival Points had been thrown into the water, without enough sense of accomplishment.

"There is simply too much to do next!"

"Balin, notify everyone for a meeting!"

Very quickly, the managers of the Expeditionary Force gathered in the office. Sinuoli requested that the Knights and Amazons explore the forces around Gaoyuanbao on the surface, while simultaneously requiring the Dwarfs to conduct a survey of the underground mineral deposits.

One person in charge after another received their orders and left, leaving only Andemuge, the Ranger with a bear mount, still standing before the table.

"It is like this, there is a rather important mission to entrust to you; I wonder if you have the courage to accomplish it!"

"I have already proven my bravery and ability; please give your orders!"

The young Ranger hammered his chest. Along the way, his view of Sinuoli had shifted from "a lucky person who received divine grace" to a leader with ability and wisdom.

"Deliver a letter; send the news of our successful expedition and the relevant letters and tokens back to Karag-Hongyun Shan Fortress! You only have Zhuwangshan as a supply point along the way. Our own clansmen have no mounts, so the only support I can give you is a few Knights!"

Sinuoli tapped on the table. The possible interceptions on the return journey included that band of Savage Orcs that had been beaten away; the Pygmies whose leader he hadn't even seen and whose allegiance was unknown; the remnants of the spiders that had fled; and the High Elves.

Even if he sent a troop of over a hundred people, he wouldn't dare say it was safe, and it would instead slow down the progress. But if he sent more, the safety of Gaoyuanbao would be hard to guarantee.

There was no way to produce gunpowder here for the time being, and Sinuoli's artillery teams and Helicopter were both in a state of stagnation. The Nuxhou could recover their arrows after the battle ended to continue using them, but once cannonballs were fired, they were gone. Without their help, the Dwarfs would find it difficult to damage large units.

Andemuge left with the items, and Sinuoli sat in the room flipping through the classics left behind by the Rune Smith Guild. These books recorded many lost Runes and technologies; by relying on these things, he could improve himself, and at the same time, he would have the opportunity to recruit some peers to work for him.

A few days later, the scouts brought back the latest situation: to the south of Gaoyuanbao was, of course, Prince Afazeer's Liming Yaosai, and to the west, it was said there was a rainforest where the presence of Wood Elves had been discovered.

To the northwest, beyond the rainforest, was Ka-Sabai, the Bronze City of Nehekhara and also the southernmost stronghold of the Land of the Dead. This place was once a mining and forging center, so the warriors were well-equipped, and the skeletons that revived after death were the same.

On the east side of the World's Edge Mountains, closer to the ocean, there was another stretch of rainforest at the foot of the mountains. The scouts had brief contact with the indigenous people within it; they saw a large number of Skinks. There was no doubt that there was a Lizardmen Shenmiaochengshi in the rainforest.

Sinuoli knew through the strategic map that it should be the Bone Temple, the territory of Ashuotu'o's final defenders in the game, the Hand of the Gods, Ku-jia. However, Sinuoli was not sure if Chakax had arrived in the Southlands at this point in time.

He looked at the map marked with force indicators and stroked his beard. The environment around Gaoyuanbao could not be called good; although there were races of the Order side on three sides, the relationship with the Dwarfs could hardly be called friendly.

Now, Gaoyuanbao and even the entire Southlands World's Edge Mountains were in a state of waiting to be rebuilt. In terms of internal affairs, it was impossible to make a breakthrough relying on his thousand or so people who only had weapons in their hands and lacked tools and raw materials.

Sinuoli spent his days in the fortress like years; having just experienced months of intense campaigning and marching, suddenly becoming idle made him very uncomfortable.

He couldn't read the classics anymore; he went out and wandered around, comforting the wounded and hunting wild beasts, but Gaoyuanbao only had this much space, and soon he fell into irritability again.

"Perhaps I should find a force to make contact with first!" Sinuoli made this decision.

"Where should I start? The High Elves are definitely out of the question; not to mention whether I can handle them, not being able to get along with the 'pointy-ears' will definitely affect the subsequent recruitment of our clansmen."

Sinuoli analyzed to himself; he had no qualified advisors around him to discuss this. In fact, in Dwarf society, those who played the role of lord's advisor were often Rune Masters.

"The Wood Elves are even harder to deal with than the High Elves. The Phoenix King at least changes people, but the Wood Elves have always been held by those two Demigods, Aolai'en and Alaier; they are more conservative than anyone. This expeditionary force in the Southlands might be different, but since my strength is weak now, it's better not to gamble!"

"Let's go with the Lizardmen!" Sinuoli made up his mind. He summoned Anagongda and handed a letter to the leader of the Amazons.

"If you can communicate, then communicate; it's best to talk directly to a Slann Mage-Priest, but if that's impossible, a Skink leader will do! Gold is not the main thing; start with a Non-Interference Treaty, and if there is a chance to go deeper, that's even better."

Sinuoli weighed his words as he gave instructions; he did not know how strong the Southlands Lizardmen were or what attitude they held toward outsiders, but there was always a chance for communication.

"The Slann Mage-Priest Outelakesi invites you to meet at the foot of the mountain!" A few days later, the Amazon brought back a reply that satisfied Sinuoli.

The Dwarf lord boarded the Doom Anvil and, surrounded by the Anvil Guard and the Hammer Guard, headed down the mountain. Halfway down the mountainside, the Dwarfs heard a rustling sound, and shadows flickered in the rainforest.

Seeing the figures of the Dwarfs, following a sharp hiss, a large group of creatures with amber-colored crests emerged from under the trees. They were hunched over and looked even shorter than the Dwarfs, but their figures were light and their movements agile.

These Skinks were not armored and held various crude pieces of equipment in their hands. Looking at their shabby configuration, gold light flashed in the eyes of the Dwarfs; these were excellent customers, provided they could afford the price.