Looking at the fervent scene, Kong Qingshu showed a troubled expression.
The legion was nominal, what should she, the deputy officer, do?
Should she leave now and go back to lead her own team?
But it seemed a bit reluctant to leave.
Why not stay and join the Bedrock Legion as well?
However, seeing the peerless beauties standing on Qin Shilei's left and right, Kong Qingshu felt she shouldn't get too close to Qin Shilei.
"Sister Qingshu, what are you thinking about?" Zhang Xiaoli walked up to her and asked.
"Uh!" Kong Qingshu suddenly snapped back to attention and smiled, "I'm thinking, I'll join the Bedrock Legion too, I wonder if you'll accept me."
"This..." Zhang Xiaoli was stunned for a moment: "You, the daughter of the dignified Commander, joining our small legion, wouldn't that be too much of a compromise?"
"Following the number one expert in Nanzhuang City, or even the number one expert in Great Xia Kingdom, how could that be a compromise? Aren't you afraid I'll steal the person you love?"
Kong Qingshu said teasingly.
"How could that be? What's so good about him? Whoever wants him can have him." Although Zhang Xiaoli said that, she was secretly wary in her heart.
"Just kidding," Kong Qingshu smiled, "I don't like people younger than me."
She suddenly made up her mind and decided to join the Bedrock Legion.
Although she felt a spark of emotion when Qin Shilei saved her as she was about to die at Luyang Bridge, as someone from a wealthy family, she yearned for a loyal relationship, and Qin Shilei clearly didn't fit that.
An occasional flutter of the heart didn't mean anything; Kong Qingshu didn't believe she would become infatuated.
Qin Shilei not only stood out among his peers with his own strength, but the people around him were no less capable than her.
By his side, she might also be able to continue to improve rapidly.
As for her father, he had the assistance of his elder brother, and she could also leave a fallback for the Kong family here.
When Qin Shilei heard that Kong Qingshu also wanted to join the Bedrock Legion, he initially disagreed. It was only when he was provoked that he reluctantly agreed.
Kong Qingshu's words were: "Do you really think I, a Lieutenant Colonel, would betray you? You don't even have this much courage, yet you dare to say that Bedrock will become the number one legion in Great Xia Kingdom?"
In private, she added: "Are you afraid I'll disrupt your relationship with An Qian and the others, or are you afraid you'll fall in love with me?"
Leaving Zhang Cheng and his wife and He Yuyao to continue recruiting, Qin Shilei planned to initially establish a team of three thousand people.
"Quality over quantity. If we can't recruit people for now, there's no need to rush."
After giving his instructions, Qin Shilei turned and led the legion members towards the Chiyuan River.
Looking at the flowing river, Zhang Qiang asked suspiciously, "I remember there used to be several large ships here, why aren't they here?"
Kong Qingshu stepped forward, "It's time for this young lady to show her stuff."
After speaking, she even glanced at Qin Shilei, as if to say: "It was the right decision to accept me, right? You see the benefits now, don't you?"
Zhang Qiang asked, "Do you know where the ships went?"
Kong Qingshu smiled and said, "Most of the ships here have been seized by the military. Send a few people who know how to steer them with me to demand one. Then, we can cross the river with a few trips."
Qin Shilei waved his hand, stopping him from speaking, "Thank you, but there's no need to trouble Miss Kong. I have ships too."
He walked to the dock and waved his hand, summoning three large ships, one of which was a behemoth, over a hundred meters long.
Kong Qingshu stared blankly at the suddenly appearing colossal object.
After a long moment, she asked bitterly, "How big is your spatial ring?"
"Not very big, it can just about fit a few large ships like these," Qin Shilei replied indifferently.
"Why is your spatial ring so big?" Kong Qingshu asked again.
"That's a secret," Qin Shilei said with an expression that suggested she shouldn't pry.
Kong Qingshu looked at the spatial ring in Qin Shilei's hand and suddenly thought of a problem that had been bothering the military. She opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing.
"Everyone, hurry up and get on the ships."
With a command, everyone boarded the large ships one after another, and those who could steer went to the bridge.
Because the opposite dock was crowded with too many zombies, they found another place to land by transferring to smaller boats.
In the past few days, due to the zombie counter-offensive, everyone had been largely confined to Crane Mountain District. Now, seeing zombies was like bees seeing flowers; they rushed forward with roars.
Each hall master was responsible for a certain area, the great captains charged ahead, and the squad leaders organized team members to cooperate in killing zombies.
"Little Six, deploy your Quicksand Trap for me."
"Little Dong, aim your Ice Ball accurately."
"Okay, the front-row zombies are under control, warriors, attack! Mages and archers, watch for any gaps."
"Little Seven, are you trying to get yourself killed? Charging so far ahead!"
Instantly, the area was filled with the enthusiastic sound of people killing zombies.
This expedition was not only to kill zombies and collect crystal cores, but also to temper everyone's cooperation skills and instill strict discipline.
Qin Shilei rode Xiao Qiang, patrolling above various battlefields. Whenever a team encountered an insurmountable danger, he would intervene to rescue them.
Zombies were killed one by one, and resource points were captured.
...
In the evening, at dinner.
Zhang Cheng summarized the battle results reported by the various hall masters and said excitedly:
"Today, our warehouse collected a total of 6,481 Level 1 crystal cores, 201 Level 2 crystal cores, and ability beads. Food such as rice and flour can supply all the warriors and their families for three days. There were also 194 pieces of various blue-grade items."
These were only twenty percent of the legion's income; the rest had already been distributed to individuals based on their contributions.
"In addition, through the propaganda to the families of the legion members, a total of 392 people were recruited today, including 219 six-star, 171 seven-star, and 2 eight-star individuals."
"A total of 18 people were killed by zombies in this expedition. Their families have already received compensation, and we have promised to be responsible for their minimum living standards in the future."
Qin Shilei nodded in response, "Good, we will continue tomorrow, striving to allow everyone to advance to the Black Iron realm as soon as possible."
After dinner, after Kong Qingshu left, Qin Shilei summoned Zhang Qiang and the others again.
"I have an ability that can stimulate others' potential. Now, let me stimulate your potential for the first time."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Qiang and the others' eyes lit up, and they looked at Qin Shilei with anticipation.
Zhang Qiang.
Bear Strength (Green): Doubles user's strength and defense.
Xie Haimei.
Armor Piercing (Green): Arrows shot carry armor-piercing properties.
He Kaige.
Light as a Swallow (Green): Increases speed by twenty percent and evasion by twenty percent.
Zhang Cheng.
Sharpness (Green): Doubles the sharpness of weapons when used.
Liang Xinhui.
Winter Chill (Green): Increases the power of ice-attribute skills by fifty percent.
The remaining five fixed uses for today were all expended. Zhang Qiang and the other four's strength had all slightly improved.
An Qian's mother would have to wait until tomorrow to refresh her fixed uses.
Each of them returned to their rooms contentedly to absorb crystal cores and enhance their strength.
Qin Shilei could advance to Black Iron five-star today, An Qian and Zhang Xiaoli could advance to Black Iron two-star, and He Kaige was still more than a thousand experience points short of advancing to the Black Iron realm.
Qin Shilei, considering his position as a branch hall master, temporarily borrowed over a thousand crystal cores from the warehouse for him to advance first, and he would repay them later.