As for the reason why the spectators are so convinced, it's actually quite simple.

Because being in the Burrow Challenge, one must be prepared to fend off attacks from Burrow Monsters at any time, and no one can remain aloof.

Being able to perform territory expansion tasks under such circumstances already speaks volumes about Zong Shen's strength. This guy is definitely a hidden expert!

This immediately sparked the gossip enthusiasm of the spectators.

The name Zong Shen quickly became a trending topic on the [World Channel]!

...

In the western Kujite Empire of the continent, within the mountainous domains of the Empire, there lies a considerable open basin area.

More than seven thousand surviving lords are scattered in this area. Among them, one territory's development is particularly noteworthy, having initially survived as a settlement with over two hundred farmers and fifty to sixty soldiers.

However, among these soldiers, about half are second-level light infantry recruited from the barracks and training books.

Relying solely on recruitment vouchers, only thirty to forty professional soldiers have been recruited.

Even so, this level of military force is enough to command respect in this area.

Arrow towers are standing all over the territory, guarding it from all directions. Instead of building walls, he has surrounded the territory with chevaux-de-frise and road barriers. Occasionally, a carriage brings merchants and goods into the territory.

They sell some handicrafts and daily necessities they brought more than needed, while purchasing poultry eggs, cattle, and sheep products in the settlement.

This territory has also developed animal husbandry, raising cattle, sheep, chickens, and ducks. The surrounding area has been cleared for farmland, but unfortunately, due to the Burrow Challenge, these farmlands remain untended.

If observed from above, you can see that this territory is showing signs of prosperity.

This development progress is not weaker than that of Zong Shen, particularly the number of his farmers, which is something the current Zong Shen can only envy. Being able to acquire so many farmers in a short time indicates that he's ingrained himself well among the nearby indigenous forces.

The quickest way to gain population is through plundering, but this means standing against the indigenous forces, just like the Calamity Raven Church in Odu Village, constantly being attacked by native armies.

Unless your strength is overwhelming, this path is not feasible in the development's early and mid-stages.

Besides, building good relations with the indigenous people, even helping them with problems, can earn you the right to regularly recruit farmers locally.

There's also the method of taking in villages destroyed by bandits, heretics, or certain monsters, and accepting those villagers who've lost their homes. But no matter how population is gained, it cannot hide the fact that this territory's lord is an outstanding strongman.

Farmers are affluent enough to train soldiers, and the military-civilian ratio is more balanced.

In Zong Shen's territory, there are only thirty-four farmers, but over seventy warriors, making the ratio quite unbalanced. Although there are more than two hundred Kobold laborers, they are actually not very useful.

Kobold laborers are equivalent to armed miners, addressing labor issues in stone and mining, but ultimately cannot replace the essential role of farmers in the population.

Therefore, increasing the population is also one of Zong Shen's short-term development goals, but in this territory, this lord completed it before Zong Shen did.

At this moment, outside the territory, a man dressed in light blue light armor, wearing a chain armor hat, is pulling a long spear from the head of a zombie.

Behind him, a dozen warriors are with him, clearing a group of burrow monsters together.

In this area, the Burrow Monsters are different from those in Zong Shen's area; they include a combination of Ghouls and Corpse Beetles, and there are flying creatures in the sky, not Gargoyles, but Night Demons with two pairs of slender wings.

The attributes are equivalent to Gargoyles, and the tiers are also Captain Level. The types differ, but the overall configuration of Burrow Monsters is quite similar.

Suddenly, a parrot with a red beak landed on his shoulder. He stopped the slaughter, took a few steps back, leaving the fighting range.

He reached to remove the chain armor helmet that protected down to his neck, holding it in his hand. Underneath the helmet was a surprisingly young man.

He seemed to be only seventeen or eighteen years old, with an expression that was very indifferent and an emotionless gaze, yet his overall demeanor was calm and seasoned.

After removing the chain armor helmet, the parrot leaned its head by his ear.

"Dear Lord Chen Rui, Audenell asked me to convey to you, please check the leaderboard."

"Someone has replaced your ranking, and currently, it's a Level 5 Territory."

The parrot relayed with a loud voice, making it unnecessary to get too close.

It was already more than an hour since Zong Shen upgraded to a Level 5 Territory.

After speaking, the parrot flapped its wings and flew away.

Chen Rui's expression changed greatly. The usually steady him showed an expression of disbelief.

He shook his head dazedly, then retreated a few more steps.

His expression shifted from disbelief to deep confusion.

He stayed in place and opened the [Territory Level Ranking].

Ranking first was clearly Zong Shen, and the Level was not 5, but 8!

It means that during the time the message spread, Zong Shen had upgraded his territory by three more levels!

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