Skill Extraction: Exploring Dungeons-Chapter 768 - 672: The Knight Order’s Bottleneck

After learning about his suddenly increased troop strength in the camp, Kane held a meeting with important figures in the territory.

After a morning of discussion with Bonona and the heads of various departments in the territory, the development tone for the territory's future was set.

Due to the occupation of the Ogre's territory and the reception of joining letters from other remaining soldier forces,

Kane and their territory expanded instantly to about four times its current size, becoming the largest known territory in the surrounding area.

With such a large land area, it's uncertain how much manpower, resources, and time would be needed just to tap into the potential of the existing territory.

They also faced the suddenly expanded border areas, with almost no defenses around their expanded territory.

The only exception was the northernmost part of the entire territory, which didn't require much force deployment due to its proximity to the Wall of Mist.

It's important to recognize that during the World Ring's wartime period, no large or small forces could be trusted.

Therefore, these greatly enhanced soldiers were divided into small teams of one to two thousand each, distributed at various borders of the territory to defend and patrol.

With the inclusion of all soldier forces, their troop strength finally reached about 30,000, with only 5,000 being bronze-level soldiers, and the rest all at the silver level.

In addition, three golden-level powerhouses joined.

This means that, besides the Explorer, the number of golden-level powerhouses in the territory has exceeded ten.

With these people, they could finally protect the entire range of the territory.

After all, including the Explorer, Kane's territory boasts more than thirty golden-level powerhouses.

With over 20,000 silver-level soldiers, their strength is unmatched in this vast surrounding area.

Primarily because almost all surrounding forces have witnessed how Kane and his allies eliminated the Ogre race that posed a significant threat to them.

Moreover, the actions of Kane's previous soldiers resulted in high favorability from almost all surrounding forces.

This means they don't need many soldiers stationed around, just enough to patrol and maintain basic vigilance.

Besides, there are aerial surveillance monitors to assist, and should any direction have an issue, the nearest military camp would receive the message immediately. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Within Kane's territory, they could already be said to have entered an early information age, where the transmission of information no longer restricted them.

However, despite the vast territory, there are only tens of thousands of residents.

Even if they used every one of them, it would still be a drop in the bucket considering the entire territory's size.

Therefore, their next plan is to explore the surroundings and endlessly broadcast the territory's information outward.

The sole purpose of spreading this information is to attract weak forces and civilians struggling to survive.

Such forces and entities are countless, considering these places formed through dungeons, remnants of a shattered world, formed from captured fragments.

Thus, those who can establish a force are actually the minority; before entering the World Ring, survival was often challenging.

Kane's place undeniably holds immense attraction.

They can boast strength and reputation.

Not to mention that the small surrounding forces would act as their free promoters and mouthpieces.

For these simple actions that can please Kane, the small forces wouldn't miss such opportunities.

Next is resource exploration and infrastructure development in the territory.

Thanks to logistical support from the Platinum Country and various simple automation technologies,

the territory only needs to select land, cultivate it, and not worry much about the civilians, freeing up more manpower for development.

As for how to implement the specific infrastructure development, Kane doesn't need to handle it personally; it's all entrusted to Bonona and the others.

Kane only needs to periodically check the information and make decisions on some important matters.

After finishing the long meeting, Kane had just walked out of the War Fortress when he saw a huge, red comet charging straight from the horizon.

In an instant, the meteor flew over.

Kicking up a massive air pressure, it stopped in front of Kane, with its footbrakes causing a large amount of dirt to scatter into the air.

The swirling dust around made Kane wave his hand involuntarily, then the Comet Dragon flapped its massive wings to blow the dust away.

"Sorry, too fast, couldn't control the brakes," it said.

Kane waved his hand, indicating not to worry about it.

Seeing the Comet Dragon that hadn't appeared for a long time, Kane asked, "Israel, didn't you say you were going to undergo dragon sleep? Why did you wake up so quickly?"

After joining Kane and their guild, the Comet Dragon had rested for a few days in the territory,

then went to the peak Kane specifically constructed for him at the border of the Platinum Country for dragon sleep.

It's said that dragon sleep can rapidly enhance their strength, so it's like sleeping early to enjoy early.

Upon hearing Kane's words, the Comet Dragon explained, "This dragon sleep is just a short one, it can last from a few months to a year or two before waking up."

Then he said, "But I didn't expect to miss the decisive battle between you and the Ogres, I'm so regretful. If I had known, I would've held off on sleeping for half a year, it was such a great opportunity.

They all received a ton of silver shiny things, I'm really regretting it."

"And I heard the participants obtained the blessing of the Mist, I want that too. I was really looking forward to the Mist."

"After all, her existence can be said to have saved me."

The tone of the Comet Dragon was filled with regret, it seemed he really looked forward to the Mist and the upcoming decisive battle.

"Oh, I originally wanted to expand my personal space, and there was still much furniture and decoration I liked but hadn't bought." He had already begun to mumble in annoyance.

With his strength and size, if he participated in the battle this time, calling it a harvest would not be an exaggeration.

In his massive dragon form, every attack would definitely cause massive enemy casualties.

The thought of collecting endless Magic Stones was thrilling.

And even if those Magic Stones weren't practical, just looking at them could bring him joy.

However, everything became like passing smoke, disappearing before him.

Regret! So much regret!

Seeing the Comet Dragon's appearance, Kane couldn't help but laugh.

He walked over and patted his drooping metal wing, "Alright, I'll lend you ten Silver Magic Stones, okay?"

"Really?" The Comet Dragon instantly lit up with excitement.

"Really." Kane nodded with a helpless smile.

The Comet Dragon excitedly opened his wings, hugging Kane, "Kane, you're just the best."

After receiving the pouch Kane handed over, he excitedly said, "Give me some time, I'll definitely return them to you."

After saying that, he vanished, likely entering the Guild Hall.

Finally, Kane also disappeared from the spot, entering the Guild Hall as well, but he didn't stay long there and moved towards the huge iron door nearby.

After pushing the door open, he entered the Lantern Knight Order Residence.

Not far ahead, he saw many members of the Knight Order doing physical training on the training field, alongside several Moon's Child.

Since the training field was established, they rarely conducted combat training there and usually only did physical fitness and conditioning exercises.

After all, while the training field was indeed very useful, it did nothing for constitution training.

The moment Kane entered, he activated his Eagle Eye, observing the members of the Knight Order.

According to the latest information he knew, they should have undergone strength enhancements too.

Indeed, there were no Silver peak phases left, everyone had reached the Silver Bottleneck.

And looking at the silver hue, it appeared they firmly attained this bottleneck phase.

If translated into data, it would be Silver 99%.

Seeing this situation, Kane thought for a moment and directly headed to the Bronze Grand Bell nearby, striking it.

"Dong! Dong! Dong!"

The massive bell sound reverberated throughout the Knight Residence, making all the Knights immediately move and gather towards Kane's location.

Nearly two minutes later, the entire Knight Order assembled, including the members outside who also heard the bell.

Every strike of the Bronze Grand Bell made its sound echo in the ears of every Knight Order member.

Subsequently, the gathered Knight Order members lined up neatly in front of Kane.

Kane looked at the orderly Knight Order members in front of him, all entirely at the Silver Bottleneck stage.

But only the Knight Order's leader, Abby, advanced to Gold.

The Deputy Commander, Mark, and some of the Knight Order leaders Kane valued did not advance to Gold.

Previously they had reached the Silver Bottleneck stage.

Given their contributions, it was expected that more than just Abby would have advanced to Gold.

Indeed, these Knight Order members at their core are still life forms created for war.

Their potential is ultimately limited, and even with energy from the Mist infusing them, they still can't cross the threshold to Gold.

Just like the Explorers outside, having reached the bottleneck, unable to cross that threshold, no amount of Dungeon clearing would help.

It's not just these Knight Order members under his command, the soldiers outside are the same.

Previously, many had already reached the Silver Bottleneck, but only one soldier advanced to Golden this time.

The nature of being a leader of a small force inherently means they have more potential than ordinary soldiers.

While the Knight Order members were soldiers who followed Kane and were upgraded step by step.

Abby, who was the most valued and gifted by Kane at the outset, achieved Gold.

The others ultimately remain blocked outside this gateway.

With this thought, Kane couldn't help but sigh.

But there are other ways as well.