Chapter 19

Hum—

A low, resonant hum sounded, as if the fortress itself were responding to the infusion of the rune.

The mysterious runes originally etched into the walls now blazed like ignited stars!

They were no longer faint glimmers; they grew clear and bright, intertwining and linking together to spread across the stone walls as a flowing net of light.

The light was not blinding; instead it exuded an unbreakable heaviness, as if the entire fortress were tightly wrapped in an invisible energy shield.

Li Feifei held her breath, clearly feeling the surrounding air stagnate for a moment, and an indescribable sense of safety welled up.

The light lasted about ten-odd seconds, then gradually receded, finally merging completely into the stone walls. The runes also returned to normal, but on close inspection they were deeper and more solid than before, with energy faintly flowing within them without cease.

Li Qingxuan immediately opened the shelter's control panel to check:

【Shelter: Rune Stone Fortress】

【Bound Person: Li Qingxuan】

【Level: Level 4 (Rune Enhancement)】

【Area: 300 square】

【Protection Value: 1200/1200(+400)】

【Traits: Sturdy (Base Physical Defense Increased), Weak Energy Resistance (Slightly Weakens Low-Rank Attacks)】

【Upgrade Conditions: Stone Material 3000, Iron Block 1500, Wood 1000, Energy Stone 100】

【Upgrade Effects: Protection Value *2, Full Interior Renovation, Rune Enhancement】

【Description: A initially scaled stone fort, stone material integrally formed, appearing as if naturally formed, and strengthened by ancient rune craftsmanship, defense significantly increased】

"Protection value actually shot up to 1200 points! It also granted the Sturdy trait and Energy Resistance!" Li Qingxuan's voice brimmed with uncontainable excitement, "This scroll's effect is even more astonishing than the description!"

Li Feifei also clapped happily: "Great! Now even if we encounter that Blood-Flesh Amalgamation Monster again, our fortress can hold out longer!"

"That's right." Li Qingxuan satisfiedly patted the wall lightly; the sensation from his fingertips made him blink—this wall was actually firmer and steadier than before, as if it contained endless power. "With this protection, the pressure of gathering resources and building city walls will be less."

The two were immersed in the joy of the fortress's successful reinforcement when suddenly a clamor of fighting roars and snapping branches came from the direction of the fortress's sturdy gate, though it ended quickly.

Immediately after, the gate emitted a faint, dull impact sound!

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

That sound was heavy and low, carrying an oppressive feeling that made the heart palpitate, as if some colossal creature outside was slowly but firmly striking the gate.

The sense of safety that had just been heightened was instantly shattered by this sudden abnormal noise, and the atmosphere inside the fortress instantly grew tense.

Li Qingxuan and Li Feifei's smiles froze instantly; they glanced at each other, seeing surprise and vigilance in each other's eyes.

Li Qingxuan instinctively shielded Li Feifei behind him, his right hand already gripping the Thunder-Pattern Iron Spear.

Li Qingxuan quietly stepped to the edge of the window, opened a crack, and what came into view was a colossal silhouette so vast it was breath-taking.

First to come into view were two black hooves as thick as century-old trees, their rims smeared with flesh mud that reeked of blood.

With each impact, the iron-hard hooves slammed heavily into the reinforced door panels, shaking the fortress's rune halo to faintly ripple and emit a low hum; dirt and gravel were kicked up by the tremendous force and scattered.

Li Qingxuan's gaze moved upward; the substance covering the monster's body was not ordinary hair but dense, curly, black matter that writhed slightly like a living thing, gleaming with a black, eerie luster in the dim light, as if it could absorb surrounding light.

This "fur" extended all the way to its back, where a hump-like structure rose, with locust tree branches twined around it, yet they had no effect on it.

Its bulk was so great it nearly blocked the view of the fortress's entire entrance, its muscles knotted, brimming with inhuman brute strength.

Most terrifying was its head—triangular crown with layers of steel-like giant horns spiraling outward on either side, thrusting wickedly toward the sky, their tips flashing with an ominous cold light.

Below the double horns, where eyes should have square pupils, there were only deep black round pupils, devoid of any white, like black voids capable of swallowing souls.

Two long ears hung down from either side of its head; blood continually dripped from the long horns, trailing down along the ears.

Behind it on the ground, patches of blood blossomed like dark red roses, as if silently narrating the brutality of the battle just fought.

Just as Li Qingxuan was captivated by this horrifying sight, the monster seemed to notice the observation.

It abruptly ceased its striking, and that terrifying head slowly turned toward the window where Li Qingxuan stood.

On the face located at the front of its head, covered in wrinkles and strange patterns, a narrow slit—like a wound forcibly sliced open by a blade—suddenly sprang open!

Inside the slit lay dense fine teeth, emitting a low, satisfied gulping sound.

A stench mixing blood and fermenting flesh surged forth like a tangible wave; even through the window crack it made his stomach churn.

"Moo—uh!"

An indescribable sound, a low roar blending a cow's moo and a goat's bleat, exploded from that slit!

The sound wave violently struck the fortress; the runes on the walls instantly flared to their utmost, desperately resisting this dual assault of sound and spirit.

Li Qingxuan's eardrums throbbed painfully from the sudden terrifying roar, and a buzzing rang in his mind.

Li Feifei suffered even worse injuries: her face turned deathly pale, blood flowed from her seven orifices, and her body trembled uncontrollably.

He hastily shut the window, leaned his back against the cold wall where runes flowed, panted heavily, and the fingers gripping the Thunder-Script Iron Spear twitched slightly.

"Qingxuan! What did you see?!" Li Feifei's voice trembled with obvious fear; she too felt the dreadful pressure brought by that roar.

Li Qingxuan drew a deep breath, forced himself to calm, his voice laden with unprecedented gravity: "Outside is a 'Black Goat'!!"

Li Feifei's face grew even paler, her lips trembling slightly: "Black Goat? Those from the Cthulhu mythos that walk the edge of calamity, feeding on fear and despair..."

"It shouldn't be that formidable!" Li Qingxuan's voice was low, his back against the wall where runes flowed, he could clearly feel the heavy vibrations transmitted through the wall with each impact. "But its roar just now carried a spiritual shock—this beast is no ordinary creature!"

Li Qingxuan turned to the Weird Encyclopedia and shared the information with Li Feifei.

【Weird Creature: Black Goat Cub】

【Type: Flesh Type】

【Constitution: 285】

【Spirit: 179】

【Rank: D Rank】

【Abilities: Corrosive Trample, Horn Gore, Blasphemous Howl】

【Weak Points: Head, Hump, Neck】

【Description: A twisted creation polluted by the Weird World, possessing life force and destructive power far beyond ordinary weirdness. Its form is a goat-like mutant, its body covered with what seems like living mane, possessing extremely strong physical destructive power】

After browsing the Atlas information, Li Qingxuan's suspicion in his heart was confirmed; this Heishanyang Cub is not that formidable, and moreover its Spirit attribute is far lower than his own; perhaps it can be won over for his own use!

(PS: Please send a bit of free electricity for love, this way the author will have more motivation to write, please please)