Chapter 187

The torrential rain that lasted a full half month finally ceased completely one morning.

Translation: The torrential rain that lasted a full half month finally ceased completely one morning.

The torrential rain that lasted a full half month finally ceased completely one morning.

Long‑absent sunlight pierced the clouds, showering onto the rain‑soaked earth; all things seemed to burst with new vitality, although everywhere remained muddy.

Translation: Long-absent sunlight pierced the clouds, showering onto the earth drenched by rain, all things seeming to burst with new vitality, though everywhere remained muddy.

We need to keep the meaning: "Long‑absent sunlight pierced the clouds, showering onto the earth soaked by rain" translates to Long‑absent sunlight pierced the clouds, showering onto the earth soaked by rain; "All things seemed to burst with new vitality" translates to all things seemed to burst with new vitality; "Though everywhere remained muddy" translates to though everywhere remained muddy.

Both Lightstone Fortress and Moonlight Grove began urgent post‑disaster cleanup and restoration work.

Translation: Guangtan Fortress and Moonlight Forest both began the tense post-disaster cleanup and restoration work.

But this time, unlike before, a massive project was put on the agenda—building an outer wall for Moonlight Grove.

Translation: But this time, unlike before, a massive project was put on the schedule—building an outer wall for Moonlight Forest.

Li Qingxuan delayed not at all; as soon as the sun had hardened the ground a bit, he sprang into action.

Translation: Li Qingxuan delayed not at all; once the sun had firmed the ground a bit, he began his action.

First, he personally led elves familiar with the terrain such as Hila and Elina, along with Huang Rong and Chen Xiulan, to conduct a precise survey and planning along the outskirts of Moonlight Grove.

Translation: First, he personally led Xila, Ailina, and other elves familiar with the terrain, as well as Huang Rong and Chen Xiulan, etc., to conduct precise survey and planning along the outskirts of Moonlight Forest.

Taking into account the elves' living habits and defensive needs, the planned wall route was not a strict straight line but cleverly followed several raised earth mounds and rocks, enclosing the Tree of Life, the War Ancient Tree, and most of the elves' tree houses and cleared land, with an initial estimate of nearly three kilometers in total length.

Translation: Considering the elves' living habits and defensive needs, the planned wall route was not a strict straight line but cleverly followed several raised earth slopes and rocks, enclosing the Tree of Life, the War Ancient Tree, and most of the elf treehouses and cleared land, with a preliminary estimate of nearly three kilometers in total length.

After planning was complete, Li Qingxuan returned to the manufacturing station at Lightstone Fortress.

Translation: After planning was complete, Li Qingxuan returned to the manufacturing table at Guangtan Fortress.

He fed vast amounts of stone and iron ingots into it.

Translation: He poured vast amounts of stone material and iron blocks into it.

【Manufacturing station activated, detecting blueprint: wall, produce?】

Translation: 【Manufacturing table activated, detecting blueprint: city wall, produce?】

【Yes!】

Translation: 【Yes!】

【Manufacturing station activated, detecting blueprint: small drawbridge gate, produce?】

Translation: 【Manufacturing table activated, detecting blueprint: small suspension bridge gate, produce?】

【Yes!】

Translation: 【Yes!】

The manufacturing station emitted a low humming, light flashing.

Translation: The manufacturing table emitted a low hum, light flashing.

One could see uniform, thick, sturdy gray wall sections, as well as that complex‑structured arching steel gate flashing with metallic cold light and a heavy steel drawbridge, being continuously produced like magic and directly stored into Li Qingxuan's system backpack.

Translation: Only to see segment after segment of uniform-spec, heavy and solid gray city walls, and that structurally complex, metal‑cold‑light‑flashing arched steel gate and heavy steel hanging bridge, as if by magic, continuously produced and directly stored into Li Qingxuan's system backpack.

This sight again left the watching night elves in awe; such near‑creative means far surpassed their understanding of alchemy and magic.

Translation: This sight again left the watching night elves in awe, such near‑creator‑level means far surpassing their understanding of alchemy and magic.

With materials ready, Li Qingxuan came to the planned starting point of the wall.

Translation: With materials ready, Li Qingxuan came to the planned starting point of the wall.

With a thought, a five‑meter‑long, twelve‑meter‑tall heavy wall segment appeared out of thin air, crashed to the ground, and settled firmly into the leveled foundation, fitting seamlessly.

Translation: With a thought, a segment of wall five meters long and twelve meters high appeared out of thin air, crashed to the ground, and firmly settled into the leveled foundation, seamless.

He did not stop, placing wall segment after segment along the planned route.

Translation: He did not stop, placing segment after segment of wall along the planned route.

Each wall segment that fell issued a dull thud, the ground trembling slightly.

Translation: Each wall segment landing emitted a dull boom, the ground slightly trembling.

The wall extended forward at a visible speed, like a gray dragon, beginning to coil around and guard this newborn elven homeland.

Translation: The wall extended forward at a visible speed, like a gray dragon, beginning to coil and guard this newborn elf homeland.

The night elves, including Queen Estel, stood on high ground, stunned as they watched this miraculous construction process.

Translation: The night elves, including Queen Aister, stood on high ground, stunned, watching this miraculous wall‑building process.

They saw the sturdy rampart rise from the ground around their homeland, and an unprecedented sense of safety welled up within them.

Translation: They saw that solid rampart rise from the ground around their homeland, and an unprecedented sense of safety welled up.

Their initial worry that building stone walls might destroy natural harmony was replaced at this moment by this tangible sense of security.

Translation: The initial worry that building stone walls might destroy natural harmony was at this moment replaced by this tangible sense of safety.

When the final wall segment joined the starting point, a complete wall two kilometers long and twelve meters high suddenly enclosed Moonlight Grove!

Translation: When the final wall segment joined the start point, a complete wall two kilometers long and twelve meters high loomed, enclosing Moonlight Forest within!

The wall's surface was smooth and solid, exuding a steady, heavy aura.

Translation: The wall surface was smooth and solid, exuding a steady, heavy aura.

Next came the gate.

Translation: Next came the gate.

Li Qingxuan placed that small drawbridge gate at the preset main passage.

Translation: Li Qingxuan placed that small suspension bridge gate at the preset main passage.

The arched steel gate was immensely heavy, with a walkway for guards atop it.

Translation: The arched steel gate was immensely heavy, with a city tower above for guards to walk on.

Before the gate lay a heavy steel drawbridge that could be raised or lowered.

Translation: Before the gate lay that heavy steel hanging bridge that could be raised or lowered.

With the wall and gate completed, they formed the basic physical defense.

Translation: With the wall and gate built, they formed the basic physical defense.

But Li Qingxuan's planning did not stop there.

Translation: But Li Qingxuan's planning did not stop.

He directed the elves and reinforcements from the fortress to begin digging a moat five meters deep and about eight meters wide along the wall's exterior.

Translation: He directed the elves and the reinforcements sent from the fortress, along the wall's exterior, to begin digging a moat five meters deep and about eight meters wide.

It was a grueling labor, but with everyone working together, progress was not slow.

Translation: This was a grueling labor, but with everyone working together, progress was not slow.

While the moat was being dug, Li Qingxuan also had people install an arrow slit every fifty meters near the top of the inner wall side, to allow elves to shoot when defending the city.

Translation: While the moat was being dug, Li Qingxuan also had people install an arrow slit every fifty meters on the inner side near the top of the wall, to facilitate elf archers during defense.

The arrow slits were U‑shaped, providing some cover for shooters without obstructing their view.

Translation: The arrow slits were concave‑shaped, providing some cover for shooters without obstructing their view.

Moreover, inside the wall near the gate, Li Qingxuan planned an area to serve as a temporary barracks and supply depot.

Translation: And inside the wall, near the gate, Li Qingxuan planned an area as a temporary barracks and supply depot.

The barracks could accommodate a certain number of soldiers for rest and training, while the supply depot stored weapons, ammunition, food, and other essential supplies for emergencies.

Translation: The barracks could accommodate a certain number of soldiers for rest and training, while the supply depot stored weapons, ammunition, food, and other essential materials for emergencies.

As the various projects progressed, the outskirts of Moonlight Grove gradually formed a relatively complete defensive system.

Translation: As the various projects progressed, the outskirts of Moonlight Forest gradually formed a relatively complete defense system.

The elves who had originally been somewhat worried saw all this, their concerns completely dissipated, and they became full of confidence for the future.

Translation: The elves who had originally been somewhat worried, upon seeing this, had their concerns completely dispelled and were full of confidence for the future.

They knew that with this sturdy wall and complete defensive facilities, Moonlight Grove could better resist various threats and develop steadily in this apocalypse.

Translation: They knew that with this solid wall and perfected defenses, Moonlight Forest could better resist various threats and develop steadily in this apocalypse.

After the moat was finished, Li Qingxuan led everyone to completely break through the section separating it from the river.

Translation: After the moat was finished, Li Qingxuan led everyone to completely break through the section separating it from the river.

The stream's water flowed through the excavated channel, slowly pouring into the newly dug moat.

Translation: The stream's flow, through the dug channel, slowly poured into the newly dug moat.

Clear stream water trickled in, at first just a shallow layer, but as time passed the water level gradually rose, eventually forming a shimmering moat encircling Moonlight Grove's wall!

Translation: Clear stream water trickled in, at first just a shallow layer, but as time passed the water level gradually rose, ultimately forming a shimmering moat encircling the wall of Moonlight Forest!

The presence of the moat greatly enhanced the wall's defensive capability, making it hard for enemies to approach directly to climb or destroy it, while also becoming a beautiful landscape that harmonizes with the elves' love of natural beauty.

Translation: The moat's presence greatly enhanced the wall's defensive capability, making it hard for enemies to approach directly to climb or sabotage, while also becoming a beautiful vista that harmonized with the elves' love of natural beauty.

The river water can also be used for firefighting and irrigation, and in the future could even be tried for aquaculture.

Translation: The river water could also be used for firefighting and irrigation, and in the future could even be tried for aquaculture.

Gazing upon the towering gray wall, the sturdy steel gate, and the shimmering moat outside the wall, all the night elves were thrilled.

Translation: Gazing at the towering gray wall, the sturdy steel gate, and the shimmering moat outside the wall, all the night elves were exhilarated.

This defensive line is more straightforward and reassuring than the forest labyrinth and war ancient trees they previously relied upon!

Translation: This line of defense was more direct and reassuring than the forest maze and war‑ancient tree they had relied on before!

Queen Estel walked up to Li Qingxuan, beheld this miraculous project before her, and sincerely said: "Qingxuan, thank you. This wall and this moat let me truly feel that this place is our new homeland where we can dwell generation after generation."

Translation: Queen Aister walked up to Li Qingxuan, beheld this miraculous project before her eyes, and sincerely said: "Qingxuan, thank you. This wall and this moat let me truly feel that this is our new homeland where we can dwell generation after generation."

Li Qingxuan smiled slightly: "This is only the beginning. The wall still needs defensive facilities, and the interior needs further improvement. However, with this basic defense line, Moonlight Grove has finally found its footing."

Translation: Li Qingxuan smiled faintly: "This is only the beginning. The wall still needs defensive facilities, and the interior needs further refinement. But with this basic defense line, Moonlight Forest has truly found its footing."

The construction project in Moonlight Grove not only greatly raised its own safety level, but also marked a major step outward extension of Lightstone Fortress's defensive system.

Translation: The wall‑building project of Moonlight Forest not only greatly raised its own safety level, but also marked a major step outward extension of Guangtan Fortress's defense system.

An elven subsidiary force with strong fortifications, acting as a bulwark alongside the main fortress, has caused Li Qingxuan's overall strength and strategic depth to undergo a qualitative leap.

Translation: An elf subsidiary force with solid fortifications, acting as a bulwark alongside the main fortress, caused Li Qingxuan's overall strength and strategic depth to undergo a qualitative leap.

However, while everyone was celebrating the completion of the new wall, Li Feifei pieced together from the world channel and limited trade information an unfavorable situation abroad.

Translation: However, while everyone was celebrating the completion of the new wall, Li Feifei pieced together from the World Channel and limited transaction information an unfavorable external situation.

The half‑month‑long torrential rain was global, bringing destruction far surpassing the previous event.

Translation: The half‑month torrential rain was global, bringing destruction far surpassing the previous one.

Countless low‑lying camps were utterly destroyed, rivers changed course, flash floods erupted, and the death toll among survivors surged sharply.

Translation: Countless low‑lying camps were utterly destroyed, rivers changed course, flash floods erupted, and the death toll among survivors surged sharply.

Many formerly stable forces were severely weakened by this natural disaster, even fracturing apart.

Translation: Many formerly stable forces were severely weakened in this natural disaster, even fragmenting.

Competition for resources became more intense and bare‑knuckled.

Translation: The scramble for resources became more intense and naked.

The tragedy of cannibalism is no longer isolated; betrayal and plunder occur constantly.

Translation: The tragedy of cannibalism was no longer an isolated case; betrayal and plunder occurred constantly.

Even the names on the rankings quietly shifted—some once‑bright names faded, while some new names climbed up on corpses.

Translation: Even the names on the ranking quietly shifted, some once‑glorious names fading, while some new names climbed up on corpses.

The Four Great Races also could not remain completely uninvolved.

Reports say that the coastal Naga Race seems to have clashed with human survivors along the shore; the Dwarf Clan has sealed off the hill fortress, rarely communicating with the outside; the Beastman Tribe has become more active, taking advantage of the chaos after the natural disaster to expand wildly and plunder.

The wind fills the tower as the mountain rain approaches.

The global natural disaster intensified the hardship of survival and also accelerated the reshuffling of powers and the outbreak of conflict.

Although Guangtan Fortress relied on advance preparations and Li Qingxuan's strength, it suffered little loss in this rainstorm; instead, it took the opportunity to complete the construction of the Moonlight Ring, thereby increasing its strength.

But the worsening external environment and lurking crisis undoubtedly foreshadow greater challenges ahead.

Li Qingxuan stood on the city wall of the Moonlight Ring, gazing into the distance.

Inside the city wall were the elves who had initially settled and the thriving fortress.

Outside the city wall lay a vast world fraught with danger, where the strong prey on the weak.

He knew that the brief period of peace-building might soon come to an end.

Guangtan Fortress and the Shadow Moon Tribe must make thorough preparations to face the more complex situation.

The world's stage is brewing a new storm.

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