Chapter 112

Li Qingxuan thought of something and sent the latest fortress upgrade information to the four people.

【Shelter: Rune Fortress】

【Bound Person: Li Qingxuan】

【Level: 5】

【Occupied Area: 4500 square (fortress occupied area 800 square)】

【Protection Value: 8000/8000 (original fortress 5000+ each wall segment 3000)】

【Trait: Earth Affinity (slowly draws earth vein energy, automatically repairs non-structural damage, repair speed 5%/hour) Trait: Energy Resistance (fortress external defense greatly increased, has weakening effect on mid-low level attacks)】

【Upgrade Conditions: Unit Stone, Unit Iron Block, Unit Wood, Energy Stone】

【Upgrade Effects: Occupied Area*2, Protection Value*2, Rune Effect strengthened】

【Description: A rune fortress formed from the fusion of fortress and city wall, possessing defensive power and self-repair capability far surpassing that of a single structure】

Looking at the freshly projected data on the control panel, the four women beside the table all flashed a hint of astonishment in their eyes.

"Wow!" Shuang'er was the first to cry out. She leaned toward the control panel, her finger lightly tapping the protection value column, her big eyes flashing with excitement: "Eight thousand! Qingxuan brother, the protection value has doubled! And this 'Energy Resistance' sounds really powerful!"

Li Feifei's gaze quickly swept over those huge upgrade material numbers, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, her fingertips rhythmically tapping the tabletop: "Stone material 200,000, iron block 100,000…… the required scale has risen another level. On the trade channel side, the price of basic materials will probably be pushed up by us."

Her tone carried a hint of pressure, but her eyes were unusually bright, obviously already calculating how to efficiently gather resources.

Zhao Ling'er quietly gazed at the light screen, her eyes lingering for a moment on the line 【Repair Speed 5%/hour】, and she said softly: "The effect of Earth Affinity has also been strengthened; it can repair 5% of non-structural damage per hour…… This self-healing ability is truly reassuring."

Her voice carried genuine praise, as if this slow and steadfast restorative power had also quietly soothed the unease she felt inside due to external threats.

Huang Rong didn't speak right away; her gaze, like the most precise engraving blade, repeatedly scanned those few lines of description, lingering longest on the energy resistance and the strengthened rune effect.

She lifted her teacup, gently blowing away the tea leaves floating on the surface, the corners of her mouth slightly rising, drawing an elusive arc. Only when the steam in the cup rose did she slowly speak, her voice not loud but carrying a sharp insight into the essence: "'Has a weakening effect on mid-low level attacks'…… This description is interesting. Qingxuan younger brother,"

She lifted her gaze; a flash of the cold, predatory edge belonging to a hunter flickered in the depths of her eyes and then vanished.

Seeing Li Qingxuan have everything arranged clearly, Li Feifei stood up, taking Ling'er and Shuang'er by the hand, and walked toward the greenhouse.

Li Qingxuan and Huang Rong sat at the table continuing to drink tea; not long after, Shuang'er and Ling'er walked over holding ten Bodhi fruits. Huang Rong curiously looked at the Bodhi fruit before her; although she had heard of its efficacy, she still felt it was somewhat miraculous.

That fruit was no larger than a baby's fist; its skin was warm and smooth like jade, faintly flowing with a pale gold halo. When brought close to smell, it seemed to carry a trace of an elusive, rain‑forest‑like freshness, utterly unlike the wondrous object she imagined that could boost spiritual power.

"Is this the Bodhi Fruit?" she extended her slender fingers and gently poked one of them; the feel was slightly cool and supple.

"Hmm, it looks unimpressive, but the effect is genuine." Li Qingxuan's voice came from beside, carrying a faint, hardly noticeable smile.

Huang Rong glanced at him, pinched up a Bodhi Fruit with her fingertips, held it before her eyes for close inspection, as if trying to uncover its miraculous origin.

"What, afraid it'll upset your stomach?" Li Qingxuan asked half‑jokingly when he saw her hesitating.

Upon hearing that, Huang Rong gave him an annoyed sideways glance; her eyes flickered, and with her usual liveliness mixed with a hint of reproach she said: "Qingxuan younger brother, sister, what good thing have I not seen?"

She deliberately drew out the two characters "younger brother", adding a teasing tone, then without further hesitation she slipped the warm, moist fruit into her mouth.

The flesh melted upon contact, a hard‑to‑describe pure current instantly spreading through her limbs and bones—not a violent force, but a clear, tranquil cleansing sensation, as if an invisible hand gently caressed her weary body, her mind attaining a clarity it had never known.

After a moment, she slowly opened her eyes; her pupils shone with brilliant clarity, brighter and deeper than before, accompanied by a satisfied sigh: "Indeed, it's miraculous."

"Let's go, Qingxuan younger brother, it's time to head out for a walk."

She rose to her feet; the slight stiffness left over from last night, which had been barely noticeable, vanished under the support of this new‑life vigor, her steps becoming light, agile, and springy once again.

Li Qingxuan answered with a sound and also stood up.

He didn't ask further, but Huang Rong's obviously improved mental state already explained everything.

The two walked toward the door in tacit understanding, each arranging their own weapons and necessary items.

Huang Rong skillfully examined the few small yet deadly concealed weapons she carried, her fingertips gliding over the cold metal surfaces, her movements smooth and focused.

Li Qingxuan then slung a Tang Sword around his waist; the two stepped out the door, and what met their eyes was a pitch‑black sky.

"Let's go." Li Qingxuan steadied himself, inhaling the cool morning air into his lungs, which brought a refreshing sensation.

Huang Rong followed closely behind, stepping over the threshold; her thin shirt was lightly stirred by the morning breeze.

She glanced back at the fortress, which appeared especially tranquil in the darkness; her gaze lingered for a moment on the greenhouse direction where Li Feifei and the others had departed, then turned toward the unknown road ahead. Her eyes remained sharp as ever, but the mental clarity and strength imparted by the Bodhi Fruit made her whole person exude a poised, ready‑to‑strike edge.

Closing the gate, they walked out of the mist; a gale laden with ice crystals howled in, instantly wrapping the two in bone‑chilling cold, and Li Qingxuan felt the temperature plunge to minus sixty or seventy degrees.

The two wrapped their clothes tightly and sat on the Black Goat's back; Li Qingxuan took out a thick blanket to wrap both of them, heading forward into the distance while surveying the surroundings, intending to look around for any weird creatures and treasure chests.

The gale rolled fine ice crystals, lashing the exposed faces of the two with a needle‑like sting.

Ink‑thick darkness swallowed the four fields; only the 'Crack!' of the Black Goat's hooves crushing frozen soil and the mount's heavy breathing could be heard clearly in the dead silence.

Huang Rong narrowed her eyes, trying to pierce the all‑consuming ink‑black darkness; her Spirit perception, like invisible tendrils, quietly spread outward, detecting any minute abnormality.

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