The immense relief of surviving the ordeal, intertwined with an almost divine gratitude towards Li Yu, washed over every heart that had endured so much suffering.
Ultimately, under the influence of the golden threads, it transformed into an almost fanatical devotion.
Among the refugees, someone lost control of their emotions and knelt down heavily in front of Li Yu.
The mother, holding her child, immediately knelt down upon seeing Li Yu's figure, pressing her child's head tightly against her chest, as if to imprint this gratitude into her soul.
Immediately afterwards, like a tide, all the refugees chosen by Li Yu spontaneously and devoutly knelt down and kowtowed deeply to Li Yu, who had given them a new life.
Some of the bewildered refugees who had been standing there also came to their senses and hurriedly knelt down to express their gratitude. Whether it was genuine gratitude or just a desire to show their loyalty and survive, their actions were remarkably consistent.
"Thank you, Lord Li Yu, for saving us!" one of the refugees said with deep gratitude.
"We are willing to follow Lord Li Yu to the death!" a young voice said excitedly.
Many refugees, recalling the hardships they had endured along the way, and comparing them to the safety and hope they now possessed, were overcome with grief and wept uncontrollably.
The plight of the refugees outside made them feel as if they had truly been given a second life, and they cherished it all the more.
Just then, the threads connecting everyone lit up in Li Yu's eyes.
A surge of heartfelt, pure gratitude and faith, like a gentle stream, invisible yet real, flowed into Li Yu's left eye.
This immense power was warm and pure, nourishing Li Yu's body, strengthening his spiritual sea, and bringing vitality and a deeper sense of power...
Upgrade successful
Phoenix Bow LV25 (Growth Type)
[Flight speed +700, accuracy +250, penetration +250, attack range (meters), hit rate 100%]
Not only did his abilities improve, but Li Yu could also clearly feel that a certain essence within him had been sublimated once again!
Li Yu, who was at the center of this power of faith, closed her eyes slightly and carefully experienced this wonderful feeling.
His mental sea expanded once again, and the area his thoughts reached became even wider and clearer!
Li Yuneng could "see" that these refugees were just like those underground ghosts, with countless faint threads of light extending from the kneeling refugees and connecting to and merging into his body.
The loyalty and faith offered by the refugees were the most precious things they could give.
From this moment on, these newly selected refugees truly became the foundation of Kangcheng, and were no longer merely a burden in need of protection.
Li Yu opened her eyes again, and the gold in her left eye became even deeper.
Meanwhile, the chaotic white mist in his right eye seemed to be stimulated, becoming even denser and spreading completely.
Xiao Zhan, who had been standing to Li Yu's side and behind, suddenly narrowed his eyes. His keen intuition immediately made him realize that Li Yu in front of him seemed to have undergone some inexplicable changes.
The aura seemed deeper and more restrained, yet it subtly exuded an even stronger sense of oppression.
Upon closer inspection, however, there seemed to be no difference, and Xiao Zhan couldn't quite put his finger on what had changed.
Chen Feng, standing to the side, was completely oblivious to Li Yu's change in demeanor, only secretly admiring Li Yu's skillful methods of winning people over.
He had deliberately led these refugees up the city wall to let them witness the devastation after the flood outside the Great Wall. This was to create a stark contrast, greatly emphasizing how difficult it was for them to survive, and thus making them completely devoted to Li Yu, who had given them this opportunity.
In retrospect, thanks to Li Yu's perfectly timed "performance" and his own well-arranged "assistance," the effect was surprisingly good, even far exceeding expectations.
Li Yu naturally understood Chen Feng's arrangement and the "meaning" behind it.
The strange light in his eyes slowly faded, and he finally looked at Chen Feng properly for the first time, his gaze carrying a rare hint of appreciation:
"Well done."
Chen Feng was startled and quickly bowed, saying, "Commander Li Yu, you flatter me. This is what I should do."
Li Yu looked up at the water level, which had risen significantly again due to the flood, and as if sensing something, said in a seemingly casual, yet inexplicable tone:
"Chen Feng, is that right? Once the water level rises above the defense line and this place becomes undefendable, why don't you come to my Kangcheng?" Li Yu added, glancing at Chen Feng's soldiers.
"I will explain the situation to the military and allow you to be transferred there."
Upon hearing this, Chen Feng was first stunned, then his face lit up with uncontrollable excitement and elation! His heart pounded wildly!
Li Yu actually extended an invitation to him, this insignificant little officer!
what does that mean?
This means that the stable life he's dreamed of is finally within reach!
Chen Feng immediately straightened his back and saluted, his voice excited:
"Yes! Thank you, Commander Li Yu!"
He knew, of course, that the eastern border defense line would be submerged sooner or later by the rising water levels, and even the approximate time of submersion was already written in the timetable.
Moreover, the Central Plains Military Command had already taken precautions and established a second line of defense in the higher-altitude area to the south, sending people there early to garrison and plan for its operation.
Sooner or later, these troops on the front lines will have to withdraw and reorganize, abandoning this long-held border wall.
Chen Feng had actually thought about his future options long ago.
When it comes time to evacuate, lower-ranking officers like him, without a strong background or powerful backer, will not only be unable to continue leading their current troops, but there is also a high probability that their brothers who have shared life and death with them will be scattered and reorganized, and assigned to various new positions.
As for himself, his future remains uncertain, and he is likely to be marginalized.
But now that Li Yu has made this promise, everything is completely different!
This is a personal guarantee from a lord of Kangcheng, a hero of Zhongzhou!
Chen Feng knew he had another option: after the defense line was overwhelmed and officially abandoned, he could take the brothers who were willing to leave to Kangcheng to join Li Yu, and even bring their families along, thus completely getting rid of the uncertainty of the future.
There's absolutely no need to hesitate; you can easily figure out the right choice just by thinking about it.
Just as Chen Feng was filled with excitement and anticipation for the future.
In Li Yu's long-dormant mental sea, familiar ripples suddenly stirred once again.
The Nightmare Beast's voice, tinged with a hint of laziness and surprise, resounded directly in Li Yu's mind:
"Wow~ Tsk tsk tsk... Impressive, Li Yu!"
"It's only been a few days, and your spiritual sea has changed so much! Look at your wealth, it's become much richer, it's even gleaming with gold!"
The Nightmare Beast clicked its tongue in amazement as it surveyed Li Yu's expanded spiritual sea, now shimmering with golden light, with its enormous "gaze," pondering to itself:
'Truly worthy of being chosen by my Nightmare Beast! The speed of your advancement is impressive.'
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