Absolute Death Game

Xiao Buli inwardly nodded his agreement. Although the command seemed uncompassionate, it was a necessary decision for a qualified ruler to make. After all, Nine Dragons City could only accommodate so many disaster victims, and such an order was essential to both increase military funding and limit the number of people entering the city.

However, he certainly wouldn't voice it now. Instead, he joined in cursing Zhang Xiaotian for a few sentences. He glanced at the refugees, who were the same ones who had fled from Thousand Pines Town, though their numbers seemed to have diminished to a little over a hundred. There were about a dozen militiamen among them, making up a tenth of the group.

The missing ones were probably killed by monsters on the way. Bull Rush Plain was relatively safe, but only in comparison. There were still many minor monsters.

The former mayor of Thousand Pines Town squeezed through the crowd to speak, "Righteous Warrior, it's been a while. As a native of Nine Dragons City, do you know any suitable places nearby for us to settle down?"

If it had been earlier, Xiao Buli would have immediately begun planning for them, finding a safe location for them to settle. However, since he understood the rules about NPC tasks and the giving of Prestige, Xiao Buli had a different idea now.

Obviously, the Prestige given from the tasks posted by NPCs was greatly related to the NPCs' circumstances and the rewards they could offer.

The more generous the reward that an NPC could afford, the less Prestige they needed to pay. Conversely, the poorer the reward, the more Prestige would be given. If there was no reward, the Prestige could potentially be doubled.

Also, in times of crisis, Prestige could be doubled as well. For instance, a significant reason why Xia Zuowei became a follower of True Person Wudao was likely because Wudao provided significant help during a critical moment of life and death for Xia, and since Xia had no rewards to offer Wudao, Wudao's Prestige toward Xia reached the level of worship, prompting him to take Xia as a follower.

Like when he subjugated Gao Bainame, or when Yaoyao tamed Niu Dazhuang; they offered significant help during life and death situations, boosting their Prestige to worship level. This shows that the greater the crisis, the more Prestige is allocated by the task reward system. With that in mind, let the crisis come even more fiercely.

Thinking this, Xiao Buli's lips curled into a slight smile, "Mayor, what are your plans for the future? Where do you intend to settle down?"

The old mayor, unfamiliar with the geography around Nine Dragons City, replied with a frown, "The safer the place, the better, of course. Do you have any good suggestions, Righteous Warrior?"

Xiao Buli pondered and said, "A day's journey south, there is Anping Village, which should be somewhat safer. But there are many beasts and villains along the way, and it won't be easy to reach safely."

The mayor hesitated for a long time, then suddenly clenched his teeth as if making a great decision, "Righteous Warrior, could you possibly escort us there? I will surely repay your kindness."

System prompt: You have triggered the task 'The Great Migration'. Do you wish to accept, Yes/No.

The Great Migration: Escort the refugees of Thousand Pines Town to Anping Village. Task reward, 30 silver coins.

Escort missions were typically troublesome and, considering Anping Village was a day's journey from here for a modest reward of thirty silver coins, Xiao Buli would never have considered it under normal circumstances. But now, the lesser the reward, the better it seemed to him.

Xiao Buli nodded with a smile, "It is my duty." Having said that, he clicked to accept the task.

And so, the refugees of Thousand Pines Town set out on their way.

The Bull Rush Plain was ultimately a low-level region. Overall, it was relatively safe. With a large number of people and militiamen to aid in the fight, the few minor monsters they encountered didn't dare to approach, posing little danger. However, when they passed by a river, they encountered a river monster, an elite-level beast.

Normally, at least a few in the group would have perished, but with Xiao Buli there, it wasn't the case. He dispatched the creature swiftly, and when a militiaman got injured, Resurrection Skills mended him quickly. The group then safely made it across the river.

As darkness fell and with quite a distance still from Anping Village, the refugees from Thousand Pines Town had to stop to camp for the night.

Xiao Buli turned to the mayor and said, "The night is late. I must take my leave for now. I shall return tomorrow to escort everyone."

The mayor nodded his head, "Worthy one, feel free to leave as you please." He wasn't afraid Xiao Buli wouldn't come back, for then he would forego the task reward. Besides, Anping Village was only about half a day away, and he anticipated no great danger.
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Xiao Buli walked a few steps before suddenly saying, "Oh, I almost forgot. There's a Mass Burial Mound nearby, and at night when the Yin Energy is strongest, ghosts come out to prey on the living. You should be careful and light more torches."

The mayor was terrified, "Righteous Warrior, please wait! Is what you just said true?"

No wonder the mayor turned pale; ghosts in this game were an insurmountable threat to ordinary people—unseen and intangible. If the local villagers had a protective spirit, they might be safe, but that was hardly the case in the wilderness. Although ghosts had weak attack power and low aggression, they couldn't be warded off and ignored defenses.

If ghosts from the Mass Burial Mound really came out to kill at night, by morning, some would undoubtedly have died.