"Monster tides, huh?"

After listening to the results of the Azure Sky investigation, the expression on Lin Qi's face grew even more serious.

The destruction of cities by monster tides is a common occurrence in this world. Even if the city isn't wiped out, it still faces a dire situation.

If Chasing Light City really becomes the first target of the monster tides, then the Black Obsidian Martial Arts Hall might be wiped out as well, which is not good news for him.

Currently, the only place for new players to spawn is the Black Obsidian Martial Arts Hall. If it were flattened, who knows if new players could still be introduced.

"Hall Master Lin, there's no need to worry too much," Estina said, looking at Lin Qi's somber expression with a calm voice. "The monster tide hasn't formed yet, and the major cities around us are preparing to join forces to eliminate the monsters gathering everywhere before the tides form. As long as enough are eliminated, it will be difficult for the monster tides to form."

"Miss Tina, what do you mean by cooperation?" Lin Qi looked at Estina curiously, not understanding how the Brand Clan intended to cooperate with the Black Obsidian Martial Arts Hall.

In terms of dealing with monster tides, the current Black Obsidian Martial Arts Hall is utterly powerless, while the Brand Clan's strength far surpasses that of the martial arts hall.

Not to mention the large number of B Level series battle armors controlled by urban forces, just the number of martial artists they have is probably in double, or even triple digits, far beyond what the suburban forces can compare to.

"It's impossible to clear out all the monsters gathered in one go when the major cities join forces to clean them out. Even when clearing these monsters, many will scatter and flee. It's not impossible that they'll disperse into the surroundings of various cities, making the wilderness much more dangerous than it is now," Estina explained. "When the time comes, encountering monsters on various transport routes will be a common occurrence. Major outdoor gangs will likely be unable to undertake long-distance transport work. Our Brand Clan has been in business for many years, with industries in several towns around, and even our own town."

"But this time, our Brand Clan is already stretched thin just trying to defend our own town and has little energy to ensure the safety of the transport convoys."

"The Black Obsidian Martial Arts Hall now has Hall Master Lin and eight other martial artists. If it's just escorting transport convoys between the major towns, it shouldn't be too difficult. So, our Brand Clan wants to cooperate with the Black Obsidian Martial Arts Hall, hoping they can take on part of the escort tasks. As for the remuneration, we'll pay in energy ore and Bits according to the distance escorted, based on market rates."

"Besides that, our Brand Clan will provide Hall Master Lin with some assistance, such as the all-city force mobilization order that the major cities will issue in two days. Given the current strength of the Black Obsidian Martial Arts Hall, it will likely be mandatory to send all martial artists to handle frontline material transport escort tasks. Our Brand Clan has some influence in the city."

"We can have Hall Master Lin join our Brand Clan's escort team to watch out for each other on the road."

"A mandatory frontline transport escort task?" Lin Qi frowned slightly.

While he could understand the actions of the major cities, given that all the forces usually benefiting from the city should contribute to protecting its safety, it was also a way to protect themselves.

However, a frontline transport escort task would be much more dangerous than traveling to and from towns around the city.

Compared to Red Moon Mountain, which is over a hundred kilometers away from Chasing Light City, it could be considered very safe. The usual monsters that appear there are only initial tier ones. The city garrison and Martial Artist Association's hunting teams have mostly cleared out the monsters above initial tier, so there isn't much danger.

But the situation on the frontline is different. Those areas are generally over three hundred kilometers away from the city, and they're wilderness monster activity areas, where middle-tier and above monsters are everywhere. Even Lord level monsters might appear.

These monster activity areas are usually the hunting grounds for hunting corps or some old hunting teams made up of high-tier martial artists who enjoy exploring. They are not areas where martial artists below middle-tier can freely roam.

Although his physical fitness is now comparable to that of a high-tier martial artist, he is still far behind a real B5 level or higher high-tier martial artist.

And for these mandatory mobilization tasks issued by the city, martial artists registered with the Martial Artist Association like him must do them. Otherwise, they will be wanted in all cities and have no place to take refuge.

"Actually, the appearance of the monster tides this time is a good thing for all the major forces, and even for us martial artists, it's a rare opportunity," Estina smiled and said. "Of course, the mandatory tasks issued by the cities are somewhat dangerous, but the rewards are also very generous. For example, the Type Two Potions, which you can't normally buy at will, will be available for purchase after the cities release the mobilization orders."

"Is there really such a deal?" Lin Qi was a bit surprised.

If Type Two Potions can truly be purchased at will, it would be paradise for martial artists.

"Of course, they can't be purchased just like that," Estina explained. "Buying Type Two Potions requires trading with middle-tier monster meat. Two hundred kilograms of middle-tier monster meat can be exchanged for one bottle. As for high-tier monster meat, it only requires fifty kilograms, but no fool would exchange high-tier monster meat for them."

"In addition, middle-tier and above monster meat can be exchanged for special plants that were not available before, such as Star Source Grass used to make Type Two Energy Potions. Ten kilograms of middle-tier monster meat can be exchanged for one plant, and with a bit of luck, you might be able to make a bottle of Type Two Energy Potion. There's also the Revival Flower for making Type Two Healing Potions, with fifteen kilograms of middle-tier monster meat exchangeable for one plant."

"Trading with middle-tier and above monster meat, huh?" Lin Qi was a bit tempted as he listened.

Granted, middle-tier monsters are difficult to deal with, but as long as you take down one, you get more than ten tons of monster meat. Simply selling them to the city can get you fifty bottles of Type Two Potions, and if you make them yourself, you get even more.

The number of martial artists in the Black Obsidian Martial Arts Hall is steadily increasing. To help Martial Artist Level players advance quickly, a large amount of Type Two Potions is necessary.

If Estina is telling the truth, this monster tide's initial phase might not be a bad thing for the Black Obsidian Martial Arts Hall but rather a great blessing.

Or perhaps it's the beginning of a new era.

After all, as the major cities begin to clear the gathering monsters, the monsters around the city will also increase. While other forces find it troublesome, he won't; for players, dying is not an issue, and he can gain tangible benefits.

"Hall Master Lin, are you interested in cooperating?" Estina looked at Lin Qi with a smile.

"No problem, I agree to cooperate with you," Lin Qi didn't hesitate any longer and agreed directly.

The Brand Clan is a top-tier family in the city, and building a good relationship with them is beneficial. Not to mention the mandatory frontline transport tasks required by the city. It's too risky to tackle it alone using the Black Obsidian Martial Arts Hall. But, by cooperating with the Brand Clan, led by them, the risk level can be significantly reduced.

"As expected, Hall Master Lin is straightforward. Here is the contract. I hope our cooperation is pleasant," Estina said with a smile as she handed over a contract certified by Chasing Light City to Lin Qi.

Lin Qi took a look and, confirming there were no issues with the contract, signed it, formally establishing a cooperative relationship between their two forces.

"Then I won't disturb Hall Master Lin any longer. Hall Master Lin just needs to wait for the news from the Martial Artist Association," Estina said as she took her leave, clearly planning to prepare for the frontline escort tasks.

As Estina left, Lin Qi thought for a moment in the hall master's lounge, then took out a piece of A4 paper and went straight out of the lounge, heading to the training ground's bulletin board to post a notice.

The content of the notice was simple.

It was the version 1.3 update content. Not only did he post it on the bulletin board, but Lin Qi also simultaneously released the system's version 1.3 update announcement and the new expansion pack "Feral Beast Era" on Blue Star's official forum.

In no time, the entire forum exploded.

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