Chapter 194

The continuous heavy rain finally came to an end amidst everyone's taut nerves.

The rain gradually weakened, turning into a drizzle, and finally ceased completely.

After a long absence, sunlight pierced the thin clouds, falling upon the freshly washed land, bathing Guangtan Fortress, the Moonlight Ring, and the muddy open space between them in a golden glow.

After the downpour, it was time for a major construction.

Li Qingxuan stood on the city wall of Guangtan Fortress, gazing at the Moonlight Ring and the broad, relatively flat open space between them.

A clear and grand plan took shape in his mind.

He summoned Queen Aister, the Tongxu Clan Chief, and the core members of Guangtan Fortress together, pointing to that open space.

"This area," Li Qingxuan said in a steady voice, with undeniable resolve, "will be assigned to the Stone Hammer Clan, as the place for you to rebuild your homeland and rekindle your forge!"

The Tongxu Clan Chief and the dwarf elders behind him were first stunned, then their faces lit up with great surprise and excitement.

This open space lies adjacent to Guangtan Fortress and the Moonlight Ring, with an excellent location and sufficient area for them to build a considerable dwarven village and workshop cluster!

"My lord! This… this is… too…" the Tongxu Clan Chief stammered, overcome with excitement; he had thought merely securing a corner to settle in would be enough, never expecting Li Qingxuan to allocate them such a vast tract of land.

Li Qingxuan raised his hand to stop his thanks, then continued: "Not only that, I will build a sturdy city wall for you here!"

His gaze swept over the crowd and finally rested on the walls of Guangtan Fortress and the Moonlight Ring: "Our two existing cities, Guangtan Fortress and the Moonlight Ring, are each independent; though they can support each other like horns, this intermediate area is a weak point in defense. My plan is to build two new walls, firmly connecting Guangtan Fortress, your new homeland, and the Moonlight Ring! Forming a massive triangular joint defense system!"

This proposal left everyone stunned!

Connect the three areas with walls to form a unified whole!

This means the defensive area and depth will greatly increase; any enemy wishing to attack must face these three mutually supporting strongholds linked by walls!

"Thus," Huang Rong's eyes brightened, "our three locations can truly become one, allowing faster mobilization of troops and supplies, and our defensive power will more than double!"

Queen Aister also gave a slight nod, silver eyes flashing with approval: "My lord, your foresight is profound. Only by linking the three cities and watching out for each other can we stand invincible in this chaotic age."

The Tongxu Clan Chief, even more excited, waved his fist: "Fantastic! As dwarves we may not boast of much else, but building walls and reinforcing defenses is absolutely our forte! We are willing to participate wholeheartedly in the construction!"

The plan set, action followed immediately.

Li Qingxuan once again used the Manufacturing Table to produce city walls.

Vast amounts of stone material were hauled from the Warehouse and fed into the Manufacturing Table.

Amid the astonished gazes of the crowd, segment after segment of thick, sturdy city walls, as well as new Small Bridge Gates, were continuously produced.

This project consumed materials no less than those used to build the Moonlight Ring; Guangtan Fortress and the Moonlight Ring are about three kilometers apart.

A long wall must be built, one end connecting the southeastern corner of Guangtan Fortress to the planned dwarven new city (named by Li Qingxuan as 'Anvilburg'), the other end connecting Anvilburg to the southwestern corner of the Moonlight Ring.

The dwarves nearly all mobilized, employing their astonishing talent for stone and construction, responsible for leveling foundations, precisely placing wall sections, and finally digging drainage channels.

They chanted in unison; the heavy iron hammers in their hands felt as light as nothing, and their efficiency was extremely high.

The Night Elves, meanwhile, used their sensitivity to nature to optimize the wall routes, avoiding some geologically weak points, and on the forested side of the wall's periphery they employed cultivated 'Iron Thorn Vines' and arranged natural traps to construct an auxiliary defense belt.

The human members of Guangtan Fortress handled material transport, logistical support, and some manual labor.

The entire area turned into a massive construction site, bustling with activity yet orderly.

Li Qingxuan personally oversaw the placement of the most critical wall segments.

His powerful Spiritual Power ensured each wall segment fit seamlessly and stood firmly.

The new Suspension Bridge Gate was also installed exactly midway between Guangtan Fortress and the Moonlight Ring.

As the project progressed, a gray, dragon-like city wall extended and converged across the ground at a visible pace.

They were like sturdy arms, firmly linking Guangtan Fortress, Anvilburg (still under planning and construction), and the Moonlight Ring together!

When the final wall segment settled securely and perfectly joined with the Moonlight Ring's wall, the entire joint defense system was officially declared complete!

Standing on the wall of Guangtan Fortress and looking out, one sees a majestic gray barrier forming a huge 'n' shape, tightly connecting the three areas into a whole.

Guangtan Fortress is the solid base, the Moonlight Ring the agile right wing, and the Anvilburg under construction in the middle is like the thick anvil linking left and right!

The three cities, linked by walls into one, complement each other inside and out, presenting a magnificent presence!

The Tongxu Clan Chief stroked the cold, sturdy wall, old tears streaming down his face.

This is not merely a wall; it is the cornerstone of new hope and homeland for the Stone Hammer Clan!

He turned, addressing all the dwarves, as well as Li Qingxuan and all allies, proclaiming a loud oath: "By this wall we swear! The Stone Hammer Clan will, with our blood and sweat, forge Anvilburg into the strongest fortress, the sharpest anvil! For the lord, for the alliance, we shall forge victory!"

"Forge victory!!" The dwarves' earth-shaking roar echoed between the newborn walls.

Three cities stand in triad, iron walls encircling.

Guangtan Fortress's sphere of influence and safety level have thereby risen to an entirely new height.

A powerful alliance integrating human coordination, elven mystique, and dwarven toughness has at last begun to reveal its awe‑inspiring nascent form upon this disaster‑plagued land.

Construction within Anvilburg was likewise in full swing.

The dwarves needed little direction; they spontaneously began zoning: the rear would hold the forthcoming grand smelting hall and forging workshop area, the front a sturdy stone‑house residential zone, with provisions even made for a warehouse, tavern (crucial to dwarves), and training ground.

They swung their tools, striking stone, the constant clinking filling the air with vigor and hope.

Standing atop the highest watchtower of Guangtan Fortress, overlooking the three cities standing in triad and their busy figures, Li Qingxuan felt a surge of heroic ambition.

From a lone solitary fortress at the outset, to now three cities linked, having subdued elves and dwarves, dominated the strange wolf packs, his power has already taken initial shape, secured a foothold in this region, and even gained the strength to influence the surrounding situation.

However, he also clearly understands that the expansion of his power will inevitably draw the attention of greater beings.

The rankings on the leaderboard, the striking numbers on the resource list, are like beacons drawing eyes from all sides.

The ancient ruins in the north, the hidden 'Shadow Hall' in dark corners, and even other powerful alien or human forces yet to emerge… future challenges will only increase and become more severe.

But for now, the sunshine is just right, and the three cities have just been established.

Li Qingxuan has confidence, leading his ever‑growing alliance to meet every challenge.

The clinking of forging from within Anvilburg, to his ears, is precisely the prelude to composing future campaigns.

This triangular region will become his most solid foundation and starting point in this chaotic apocalypse.

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