Chapter 149

Days went by day by day, Xiong Da, Xiong Er, and Xiong San in the fortress gradually adapted to the new environment, becoming increasingly robust.

Little Tiger and Little Python also became inseparable friends with them, playing together every day.

Li Qingxuan, following the previous plan, allocated a dedicated area for them in the fortress and built a spacious and comfortable dwelling.

The women also took turns undertaking the task of bathing them, scheduling a bath every few days and keeping them company while they played.

Under everyone's meticulous care, these little ones not only grew stronger in body, but also became increasingly close to everyone.

A few days after the Icefield Demon Bear left, it returned with food to visit the cubs; they excitedly ran over, jumping and bouncing around the Icefield Demon Bear.

The Icefield Demon Bear looked at the healthily growing cubs, a hint of relief in its eyes; it set down the food it had brought and gently rubbed its head against the cubs.

Li Qingxuan stepped forward and urged the Icefield Demon Bear: 'Your cubs are here; you can treat this place as home, and from now on you can guard the fortress together with us.'

The Icefield Demon Bear glanced at Li Qingxuan, then at the cubs, let out a roar at Li Qingxuan, turned its head away, obviously still resentful of Li Qingxuan for snatching its cubs.

After that, the Icefield Demon Bear occasionally returned with food to briefly reunite with the cubs; thanks to Li Qingxuan's persistent efforts, its attitude toward Li Qingxuan gradually improved greatly, no longer as hostile as at the beginning.

Meanwhile, Xiong Da, Xiong Er, and Xiong San, under everyone's care, got along increasingly harmoniously with the other fortress members, and the fortress was filled with laughter and joy every day.

The people in the fortress also did not forget to enhance their own strength.

Every morning at six o'clock, Li Qingxuan would lead everyone in physical training.

After a period of effort, everyone's strength showed significant improvement.

Li Jing also did not idle; each time she went out on patrol and encountered a suitable weird creature, she would fight it, accumulating combat experience.

At the same time, the people also raised some poultry in the fortress, such as chickens, ducks, and geese.

They could eat fresh meat and eggs every day, and life kept getting better.

That day, Li Qingxuan stood on the fortress wall, looking out at the prosperous scene within the fortress, his heart filled with emotion.

He knew that all of this was the result of everyone's joint effort.

At that moment, Li Feifei walked over, stood beside him, and said: 'Qingxuan younger brother, you see our fortress is getting better and better; it will surely become ever stronger.'

Li Qingxuan nodded and said: 'That's right, this is the result of everyone working together in unity. However, we cannot let our guard down; the outside world is still dangerous, we must continue to strive to make the fortress even more solid.'

Li Feifei smiled and said: 'Don't worry, with you here and everyone working so hard, our fortress will surely keep getting better.'

'How is the collection of upgrade materials for the Rune Fortress going?' Li Qingxuan asked.

'I was just about to tell you; the material collection is almost done, I estimate that after another day we should have enough.' Li Feifei said.

A flicker of joy crossed Li Qingxuan's eyes as he said: 'That's great; once the materials are gathered, we will immediately begin upgrading the Rune Fortress. Then not only will the fortress's defensive capability increase greatly, but there will also be space for the livestock farm; otherwise these chickens, ducks, and geese would run around everywhere, looking messy.'

Li Feifei nodded and said: 'Yes, those chickens, ducks, and geese run everywhere, and their droppings are everywhere too, making cleaning a hassle. After the Rune Fortress is upgraded, we can find a place to put the livestock farm, which will be convenient to manage and will also make the fortress look neater and more orderly. By the way, after the upgrade, shouldn't we also consider raising some other poultry or livestock, like pigs and sheep, so that our food sources become more abundant?'

Li Qingxuan pondered for a moment and said: 'Your idea is good; after the fortress is upgraded, the space will be larger, so we can indeed consider raising other livestock. Pigs and sheep are both good choices—pigs grow quickly and have plenty of meat, and sheep's wool can be used to make clothing and such. However, before raising them we need to plan the space properly and also consider how to feed them.'

Li Feifei laughed and said: 'No problem, we can discuss these slowly. Once the Rune Fortress is upgraded, our fortress will surely become more and more impressive.'

Li Qingxuan looked at the busy yet harmonious scene in the fortress and said: 'I hope so.'

The next morning after getting up, Li Feifei found Li Qingxuan: 'The materials have been gathered; let's upgrade now.'

Seeing Li Feifei's dark circles, Li Qingxuan stepped forward and gently embraced her: 'Why don't you take care of yourself? Upgrading a little later wouldn't be a problem; there's no need to stay up late gathering materials.'

'Just thinking that the Rune Fortress will be able to upgrade soon makes me so excited I can't sleep, I wish I could upgrade right away.' Li Feifei leaned against Li Qingxuan's embrace, her voice tinged with eagerness: 'Now that the materials are ready, let's start quickly; I can't wait to see what the upgraded Rune Fortress will look like.'

Li Qingxuan smiled indulgently, let go of her, and said: 'Alright, then let's go prepare now. If you'd like to rest a bit first, I'll call you when it's time to upgrade.'

Li Feifei, however, shook her head and said: 'I'm not tired; I want to witness the upgrade of the Rune Fortress myself.'

Li Qingxuan helplessly shook his head and said: 'Fine then, but if you get tired later, you must definitely go rest.'

Seeing Li Feifei's excited expression, Li Qingxuan couldn't bear to stop her: 'Come on, let's go upgrade the Rune Fortress now.'

Feifei smiled and nodded, then walked with Li Qingxuan to the place where the upgrade materials were stored; seeing some materials piled haphazardly, the two tidied them up, counted them one by one, confirmed they were complete, and Feifei led Li Qingxuan to the city wall.

The two stood firm on the city wall; Li Qingxuan clicked the upgrade button in the Shelter interface, and light instantly enveloped the entire fortress.

As streaks of light flashed, the Rune Fortress began to undergo a wondrous change: its original walls became more solid and thick, the flowing luster on them grew even more dazzling, and the fortress's area doubled.

Li Qingxuan and Li Feifei looked at this scene before them, and both faces lit up with delighted smiles.

At this moment the panel suddenly popped up, noting that the Shelter occupied too large an area, allowing a one-time adjustment of the layout inside the Shelter.

Li Qingxuan opened the Shelter interface, a floor plan appeared, allowing adjustments to the layout inside the fortress; once confirmed, the layout would be changed.

Li Qingxuan and Li Feifei then took stock of the Shelter's information and upgrade conditions.

【Shelter: Guangtan Fortress】

【Bound Person: Li Qingxuan】

【Level: 6】

【Occupied Area: 9000 square (fortress occupies 1600 square)】

【Protection Value: / (fortress + each wall segment 6000)】

【Traits: Earth Affinity (drawing earth vein energy, automatically repairing non-structural damage, repair speed 10%/hour); Energy Resistance (the fortress's external defense gains a huge boost, strongly weakening mid- and 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: Guangtan Fortress formed by the fusion of fortress and walls, possessing defensive power and self-repair capability far surpassing that of a single structure】

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