Chapter 031: More Survivors Have Arrived

After getting the Rain Tree Resin from Zhong Yongnian, Zhou Bai didn't head to the Cloud Mist Forest, planning to go straight back to his territory, but at this moment, the system popped up a notification.

[Lord of Hope Village, refugees have entered the boundaries of Hope Village's territory. Please prepare for their reception as soon as possible.]

Suddenly hearing this news, Zhou Bai couldn't help but be stunned.

Since saving that group of survivors the second day, there had been one thing after another: Demon Beast attacks on the city, unlocking new buildings, receiving NPCs, and now today's freak weather. He had had no time to consider the situation outside the territory.

Of course, he had received no news of refugees entering either.

So his surprise at this moment was quite understandable.

The next moment, Zhou Bai hurriedly checked and saw that within the boundaries of the territory, there were clumps of small green dots that were growing in number.

This meant that a steady stream of survivors was moving towards Hope Village.

No matter where they were coming from, it was good to have people coming.

Although he wasn't planning on upgrading right away, not being able to upgrade and not wanting to upgrade were two different things.

Looking at the raindrops furiously pelting down from the sky, a hint of worry crept into Zhou Bai's eyes.

He wondered how high the Life Values of these survivors were and whether they could withstand the drop rate caused by the torrential rain.

Instinctively, Zhou Bai glanced at the soldier team's positions on the territory map.

They were clearly divided into three small groups, moving outside, and the closest group wasn't too far from these people.

Zhou Bai made a split-second decision and issued a mission.

[Mission: Rescue the Refugees]

[Nature: Timed Mission]

[Introduction: After four days of development, more refugees have arrived at Hope Village, and they are facing the predicament of a downpour.]

[Reward: All rewards go to the individuals.]

[Participants: Soldier team, all residents (voluntary)]

After releasing the mission, Zhou Bai quickly made his way towards the territory; with so many people, he needed to deliver the supplies first.

On the other hand, the soldier team and the residents who received the message had mixed reactions.

Inside Hope Village.

Many residents had also received the news, but they didn't have equipment and couldn't save anyone.

"There are new survivors coming, wonder what their situation is like?"

"It's pouring rain now; with Life Values dropping, let's just hope theirs are high enough to get them safely into the territory, otherwise…"

"There're only a few dozen who can go out today; we're short on manpower!"

"If I could go out, I'd go rescue people right away."

"You're that kind-hearted?"

"Think about it, we residents were all originally from City C or nearby. Who knows if any of our family members will be among the new survivors?"

"True that!"

"The tailor shop has sent out news; there is a batch of equipment ready. Those with higher levels can buy equipment and lead a team out."

"Okay, I can go; I'm Level 6!"

"I'm of lower level, better not to go out and cause trouble. It would end up with others having to save me instead."

While the others were discussing, Ding Qiurou immediately reminded them, "Even though we can't go out, we can still do some preparations. Let's all boil some hot water at home! It'll just cost us some wood."

At her suggestion, everyone quickly came to their senses and prepared to do whatever they could.

"Okay! I'll go boil it right away."

"Boiling some hot water is a little thing we can do."

"Might as well make some hot soup too, mushroom and chicken soup."

"…"

*

Cloud Mist Forest.

"Captain Zhou, a rescue mission for the refugees has come in. Do we go to save them now, or do we take care of this boss first and then go to save them?" a soldier couldn't help but ask.

During their outing today, they had encountered quite a few Level 9 Demon Beasts. Starting from the first one they fought, they discovered that the higher-level Demon Beasts had a much higher chance of dropping Equipment and attribute points.

In the morning, after fighting two Level 9 Demon Beasts, they had looted a piece of Green Equipment for Defense and 2 agility attribute points, so they now referred to Level 9 Demon Beasts as bosses.

Comparatively speaking, fighting higher-level Demon Beasts was more beneficial to them.

At that moment, they had just surrounded a Level 9 Demon Beast and were getting ready to make their move!

You should know that finding a Level 9 Demon Beast was not easy; it had cost them a lot of time and energy!

To let it go would be too much of a pity!

After all, there were other teams heading out for the rescue; it seemed they could make it in time if they finished off the boss first.

"Have you forgotten what we saw last time?" Zhou Zhengping replied with a question.

At these words, everyone remembered the tragic scene from the last rescue mission, an image that was still vivid in their minds!

"Captain Zhou, I was wrong!"

"Let's go! The faster we leave, the more people we might be able to save," Zhou Zhengping said firmly.

*

Bamboo forest.

Upon receiving the message, Zhong Yongnian's gaze was filled with contemplation, and his movements slowed.

Unable to help himself, he asked, "Do you think we need to go to the rescue?"

"For the residents, this mission seems to be voluntary. We still have plenty of Wind and Rain Orchids and bamboo strips here, and they're worth a lot of money!"

"After all, there are other teams, right? The soldier team will definitely go."

"Exactly. The soldiers receive an extra territory salary, so helping out is their responsibility. Whether we go or not is up to us, right?"

"Rescuing someone only pays 1 copper coin, but gathering one Wind and Rain Orchid yields 5 copper coins!"

"It doesn't seem worth it!"

The group discussed noisily, clearly reluctant to give up their current resource gathering point.

All they wanted was to earn more copper coins to make their lives better; they hadn't thought much further than that.

However, it wasn't long before some began to voice opposition.

"They're our fellow countrymen; saving them isn't too much to ask."

"We're lucky, after all, to have a territory. Our territory provides us shelter, clothing, food, and the Equipment we need to live securely. Those outside, if they don't find a territory, will likely suffer."

"Right! Besides, the territory is short on people. I don't know if there are better territories out there, but as long as Hope Village shelters us, I'll never leave. I also wish for the territory to become better and stronger, which requires more people to build it. If I can help others and the territory at the same time, then I should definitely go to save them!"

"I agree with going too."

"I was a survivor who was saved by the Territory Soldiers. Truly, without them that day, I would have died. Now that I'm capable, I hope to save others too."

Having said this, people on both sides of the opinion turned their gazes uniformly to Zhong Yongnian.

Zhong Yongnian looked at them and pursed his lips, but in his mind, he was reminded of the words and actions of Zhou Bai, and his eyes gradually hardened with resolve.

"The resource point is here; it's not going anywhere. We can come back after saving people," Zhong Yongnian said, looking around. "Those who disagree can stay here and continue to gather."

"We'll follow you," those who had originally disagreed said, hastening to speak up upon hearing Zhong Yongnian's decision.

Alas, what a pity!

If the leader was going, the others would follow. How could they not go?

They followed the crowd.

"Well then, let's go!" Zhong Yongnian declared conclusively.

...

Similar events were unfolding everywhere, as countless people made their way to the location marked for the mission on the map.