Chapter 264: Chapter 264

As the team followed along, there was no particular rush this time since there was no assignment, so everyone took their time and moved very leisurely. Official source ıs 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⟡𝕗𝗂𝗋𝖾⟡𝕟𝕖𝕥

In the back, those who were more seriously injured stayed put at the Dayun Iron Mine, setting various traps and taking care of the severely injured. Some with healing abilities also remained there to help them.

One thousand individuals remained, and when the team returned, only about five hundred people were left.

Even though it still made a rather large team, it was much smaller than before. This team, however, involves some of the most elite forces. After all, being able to come out of such a battle without any severe injuries already meant a lot.

The group ran non-stop. By dawn, they grew closer to White Stone City. However, before they could get back to the city, a few Pegasus Knights descended from the sky. The team leader waved his hand, and everyone stopped.

"What’s going on, why did we stop? I want to get home sooner."

"Who knows? The Pegasus Knights are here; maybe there’s a new task."

"Another task? I’m exhausted, I’ve run for two nights straight and fought an entire day." Several people started to complain, others were just quietly observing, trying to figure out what was happening.

"Everyone shut up!" Seeing the Pegasus Knights show their credentials, the team leader shouted at the men standing behind him.

Everyone immediately shut their mouths and watched as their leader saluted the leading Pegasus Knight, "What orders do you have for us? But we are all extremely weary and need rest."

The Pegasus Knight promptly responded, "We aren’t preventing you from resting, it’s that you currently cannot enter White Stone City. The Sandpeople are preparing to besiege the city, they’ve already sealed off its outskirts."

"Impossible, weren’t the Sandpeople just beginning to gather? Even if they were prepared in advance, they couldn’t possibly gather quickly."

The Pegasus Knight helplessly said, "As you know, the Sandpeople are completely disorganized and lack any discipline. They did start to gather, but many couldn’t help but launch preliminary attacks. As they suffered significant losses, the cries for siege from the Sandpeople’s side crescendoed, so they started attacking prematurely."

The crowd didn’t know whether to laugh or cry; they didn’t know whether it was good news or bad news.

The Sandpeople attacking prematurely probably meant they hadn’t prepared sufficiently, that should be good news. But they attacked too early, and their team hadn’t entered the city yet, which certainly wasn’t good news for them.

The Sandpeople typically amassed many individuals for each siege, at least a hundred thousand or sometimes even more. If they were to confront the Sandpeople outside the city at this point, the outcome would surely be fatal.

"So, what are the city leader’s arrangements for us?"

"The orders dictate that you hide temporarily. Once the war reaches its peak, you enter from behind and destroy their siege weapons and kill their ritual teams. Regardless of success or failure, this will be a great achievement for each of you."

Everyone initially thought that defending the Dayun Iron Mine was a thankless job. It now seemed that coming back was the riskier task.

Before the soldiers could voice their complaints, the leader spoke, "We obey orders, but I hope you inform the city leader that there are certain individuals in our team who have unique backgrounds."

Some individuals of this group were servants of nobles, specifically to compete for merits. Some were nobility or descendants of nobility, and some were like Du You, a newly elevated true noble. Their statuses were no ordinary matter.

If they were to suffer losses here, that would be a huge problem. The leader’s intention wasn’t to abstain from battle, but to refuse to be used as cannon fodder by some people. If they had these people of unique status, those above would show some restraint. If the losses were too dire, the nobles at the back would certainly deal with them.

"I understand, this is also a concern for the city leader. If it hadn’t been for the Sandpeople’s abrupt attack, there’d be no need for you all to take such risks. I’ll leave my lieutenant as a liaison officer, await further orders."

Because of the impending battle, no meaningless words were used. The individuals who were planning to voice their concerns didn’t get a chance to as decisions had already been made.

Two Pegasus Knights were left behind while the rest rose again into the night sky, disappearing into the dark.

"Everyone heard that clearly, right? We are now not far from the battlefield; everyone, go rest in the pile of rubble. Do not let the Sandpeople discover us. Be prepared for orders once the battle begins."

In a low voice, everyone acknowledged, then quickly ran to hide in the pile of rocks.

"Head-on fighting, huh? There’s quite a risk. Can’t be ; seems like I need to level up first." Du You looked at his display. He was now at level eight. He didn’t know if that was considered high or low.

But now, the level needed to be raised. Du You looked at his Crystal Coins, which were sufficient, and he directly upgraded his level to level nine. All his skills were also upgraded to the peak of level nine. Instantly, Du You felt a significant increase in his abilities.

Looking at his magic power, which had recovered to over 95%, by the time the war truly began, his magic power would likely have completely recuperated without any damage done to his fighting ability.

As for his physical strength, being a mage, it didn’t matter whether his strength was at full capacity.

Suddenly, Du You felt a thrill in his spirit. He knew the Death Scorpion was finally back.

With a wave of his hand, a flashing light appeared, while his magic power took a dip. The Death Scorpion was once again summoned, looking just as before. With a body length of a foot, two large pincers waving in the air dismissive of its previous demise.

The Level 9 Death Scorpion started to curl its body and scoop up the dust on the ground, which would once again beef up the scorpion’s form. The broken up stones on the ground also shattered continuously, turning into new dust.

Du You’s movements immediately drew everyone’s attention. Those who knew Du You had previously used the Death Scorpion looked surprised. They never imagined that he would have another one.

However, during this time, everyone was desperately taking the opportunity to rest, and the greater the strength of their companions, the higher the benefit to them. Therefore, no one complained.

Once the scorpion’s stature reached a height of two meters and a length of more than three meters, Du You ordered it to stop and recalled it back into the summoning space. There was a lot of sand in front of the city for a proper battlefield.

As long as the Death Scorpion is released there, that would become its main territory.

Du You closed his eyes and used Magic Power Boiling and Basic Magical Power to continually restore his magic power. After a summon is killed and then resurrected, it costs a significant amount of magic power. That must also be a rule, he thought.