The Snow Domain Heavenly Lake, with the influx of a large number of players, became bustling with talent. Just as the great battle was about to commence, night fell upon the game world, and many living beings sank into slumber.
In the sky, the mountain Wuwang plummeted at high speed. Its base rubbed and collided with the air, igniting into a fiery red. Soon, as it drew closer to the ground, the entire Wuwang Mountain seemed to be on the verge of combustion.
Within the mountain's core, chaotic energies raged. Nearly a million umbrella-wielding heart demons, like crimson fireflies, were crammed together. In such a confined space, they were unable to condense into human form, huddling together and emitting sharp shrieks.
As the distance closed, the wails of these umbrella-wielding heart demons even triggered changes in the mortal realm.
Amidst the mountains, countless human cultivators awoke from their dreams, emerging from their abodes and gazing upwards at the sky above the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake. The Wuwang Mountain, like a meteor, emitted a fierce radiance. Though it appeared to move slowly to the naked eye, its actual speed was extremely rapid, hurtling towards the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake.
In Yunzhou, deep in the night, countless children were jolted awake by nightmares, their cries incessant. The sounds of mothers comforting their children filled the air, and the dogs tethered in the courtyards of peasant homes barked ferociously, their cries joining into a chorus.
The entire human realm was invaded across distances by these million umbrella-wielding heart demons, plunging everyone into nightmares, their days filled with apprehension.
...
The Snow Domain Heavenly Lake, the lookout post.
Snowflakes continued to drift down upon the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake, much like the great battle a hundred years ago. At that time, snow had also filled the sky, never ceasing.
Lin Zhao slowly opened his eyes and looked at the meteor-like mountain descending from the sky. His sword-like eyebrows were furrowed, yet his heart was remarkably calm. What was to come would inevitably come; it could not be avoided.
"Ding!"
A message arrived from Chen Xue: "Lin Zhao, our Scarlet Moon Knights have secured about 200 meters of the city wall defense line and are mixed with NPC troops to fend off the enemy. Will you join us later? You have many flying swords, perhaps you can earn more version points and then draw a top-tier divine weapon. Blissful!"
"Alas..."
Lin Zhao scratched his head, a hint of awkwardness in his voice. He chuckled, "Ah Xue, I won't be going... You lead everyone to farm well. This version event will definitely not be limited to the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake as a combat location. Hold on for a while longer... Things are a bit uncertain on my end."
"Hmm?"
Chen Xue narrowed her beautiful eyes. "What's wrong? Suddenly so hesitant?"
Lin Zhao said with a serious expression, "Actually, according to my strategic planning, this chess piece of mine might be deployed very soon. I, the Grand Marshal of the Three Armies of the Human Realm, will fall at the first opportunity."
"Ah?"
Chen Xue was greatly surprised, her lips parting slightly. "What kind of plan is this... treating yourself as the first cannon fodder?"
"I don't want to either."
Lin Zhao looked up in the direction of Mount Wuwang. "But besides me, it seems there's no one else who can accomplish that matter."
"..."
Chen Xue frowned. "Alright... no matter what, I'll support your decision. Even if you're the first to die, it's okay. The demon race wanting to flatten the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake in a short time will have to ask us players if we agree. You'll respawn immediately after dying and come back to level up with us."
"Yes, it's a deal."
Chen Xue then fell silent, not wanting to disturb Lin Zhao further.
...
"Rustle..."
With soft footsteps, a person clad in a light cyan vine-patterned robe, a long sword strapped to his back, arrived at the lookout post. As he reached Lin Zhao's side, he knelt down in the snow and remained prostrate.
"Lin Zhujie."
Lin Zhao's voice was calm. "Have you made your decision?"
"Yes, Mountain Master."
Lin Zhujie looked up, his eyes slightly red. "I'm sorry, Mountain Master... Although I am from the Villa on the Peak, I grew up in the ancestral mountain. The landscapes of the demon realm raised me. I cannot... I cannot draw my sword against the demon race here. That would go against Lin Zhujie's true heart."
"Yes, I understand."
Lin Zhao nodded. "Then what do you plan to do?"
"I..."
Lin Zhujie hesitated for a moment. "Actually, in Lin Zhujie's heart, the best outcome is no war between humans and demons. Unfortunately, I cannot stop all of this. Therefore, Lin Zhujie will not draw his sword against the demon race, nor will he draw it against the human race. I can only observe this fierce battle. Perhaps... if possible, I will act to save those who deserve to be saved."
"You transformed from a bamboo worm, skilled at concealing yourself, and are indeed more suited for such tasks."
Lin Zhao waved his hand gently. "Go, the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake does not require your sword at the moment. Hide far away, and only act when the time is right. I believe in your character, Lin Zhujie. Should the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake and the Villa on the Peak have a chance to rebuild in the future, I hope you, Lin Zhujie, will offer your full support."
"Definitely!"
Lin Zhujie clasped his fists heavily. "Mountain Master, Lin Zhujie takes his leave."
"Go."
Lin Zhao did not turn around. Lin Zhujie then disappeared with the wind, also without looking back.
...
Bai City. The energy from the protective mountain formations rose continuously into the sky. There were the Ju Que umbrella formations, the Ten Directions Grand Formations, and the three formations of the Golden Dragon, Silver Dragon, and Iron Dragon, each with its own controller. On the northern city wall of Bai City, NPC troops numbered about 20,000, with the rest being player legions, their banners densely packed with guilds like Scarlet Moon Knights, Star River, Sheng Tian, and Azure Dragon.
On the Sheng Tian battlefield, a peerlessly beautiful sword cultivator stood on the city wall, a long sword in her hand. Her slender, fair, jade-like legs were extremely eye-catching. It was Leng Yan. She looked up at Mount Wuwang descending from the sky, then glanced at Lin Zhao on the lookout post, her heart filling with worry.
Ever since Leng Yan arrived at the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake, Lin Zhao had not spoken a single word to her, which was highly unusual.
Given Lin Zhao's courteous nature, he wouldn't remain silent. This could only mean he did not wish to speak at the moment, implying his mind was in turmoil, and no one could share his burden.
Regarding the plot progression, Leng Yan only had a vague understanding. She was one of Lin Zhao's more familiar acquaintances, yet she lacked the confidence that she could alleviate anything for him. Therefore, Leng Yan was not angry in the slightest; instead, she was extremely worried about Lin Zhao, sitting alone on the lookout post.
His figure, just like Lin Zhao during the internal testing phase, was as solitary as an abyss.
Not far away, on the Azure Dragon battlefield.
Yi Shi Cang Liang also looked back in Lin Zhao's direction, a frown on his brow. "I wonder what Lin Zhao is doing. He looks... like he's facing a formidable enemy. This version event is not simple."
"Of course, it's not simple."
Fu You Du Hai, standing beside him, chuckled lightly. "An SSS-class main storyline version. How could it be simple? To put it bluntly, this is the core advancement process of the plot. Missing it is not an option."
"Indeed."
Yi Shi Cang Liang became somewhat invigorated. An old steed aspires to gallop a thousand miles; today was certainly an opportunity to showcase his talents. Preferably, he'd break into the top ten of the national server's point rankings and become famous overnight!
On the entire northern city defense line of Bai City, Su Xinghe of Star River, Feng Bing Cao Jia of Wuwang, Jian Huang of Lin Yuan Xian Yu, and other influential players on the national server all wore solemn expressions. Some worried whether the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake could withstand the impact of Mount Wuwang, while others worried about Lin Zhao, always feeling that Lin Zhao had some grand plan, a plan that would surely sweep across the human world like a storm.
...
Time ticked by, and in the blink of an eye, it was 11:55. Only five minutes remained until Mount Wuwang impacted the lower realm. At this moment, the players could already see a colossal object suspended in the sky. Mount Wuwang was truly immense, like a star. The intricate patterns of its base were clearly visible.
"Almost time."
The moment Lin Zhao opened his eyes, a golden radiance flowed within them.
After days of nurturing, his swordsmanship and martial arts had finally broken through the critical point that ordinary people could not imagine. Naturally, his swordsmanship owed a debt to the vast Qi of heaven and earth nurtured by Sister Bai within the Dragon Slaying Sword, while his martial arts relied on the Gallbladder of War God and the gift bestowed upon Lin Zhao by Chen Ben after his self-sacrifice.
"Boom!"
With a deafening roar, as Lin Zhao stood up on the lookout post, a golden storm exploded with him at its core. Immediately, the sky and earth changed color, and streams of golden dragons appeared in the firmament, with the Qi of swordsmanship and martial arts converging endlessly.
As he let out a sigh and exhaled, his swordsmanship and martial arts had both broken through. Instantly, system bells rang continuously in the sky.
"Ding!"
System Announcement: Congratulations to player [Bai Yi] for successfully comprehending the starry sky and entering the [Gui Zhen Realm]. You have obtained new realm abilities: [Great Dao Returns to Truth], [Nascent Soul Refinement 3], [Sword Refinement 3], [Incantation Divine Abilities], [Realm Transformation]! You have received an additional reward: Golden Mullet Coins +1000!
"Ding!"
System Prompt: Congratulations on successfully entering the Martialist [Tian Yuan Realm]. You have obtained the following effects: Movement Speed +150, Stamina +300, Tenacity +150, Health Recovery +150%, Critical Hit Resistance +45%, Physical Damage Effect +50%. When attacked, 50% of the damage taken will be converted into health. When attacking, there is a 30% chance to trigger true damage!
"Ding!"
System Prompt: Congratulations on breaking through to the [Ta Hai Realm] and successfully awakening the eighth stance of the Nirvana Fist – [Fu Hai Stance]!
...
"My heavens..."
In Bai City, countless players looked up, their gazes fixed on the figure coalescing with golden light on the lookout post. One player had undergone a qualitative leap, becoming a legendary top-tier Sword Immortal. How unbelievable was this?!
Su Xinghe, Feng Bing Cao Jia, Yi Shi Cang Liang, and others wore complex expressions. In terms of realm, Lin Zhao was far ahead of other players. Yet, when facing Lin Zhao, the peak players of the national server had no choice but to yield. Lin Zhao's realm had always been well-deserved!
"Swish!"
Under the gaze of everyone's attention, Lin Zhao stood up and transformed into an afterimage, streaking towards the descending Mount Wuwang in the sky.
He merely cast a hurried glance at the various divine abilities of an eleven-realm Sword Immortal. Great Dao Returns to Truth significantly increased damage against non-top-five realm targets. Incantation Divine Abilities allowed ordinary skills to produce extraordinary effects. Of course, what moved Lin Zhao the most was the "Realm Transformation" skill. For players, this skill was almost "forbidden." Once activated, their level would immediately drop by one, and they would enter a sixty-second transformed state. During these sixty seconds, the player's attributes, characteristics, suppression, and more would be greatly enhanced, providing a significant advantage against NPCs. In other words, as long as a player's attributes were strong enough, they could achieve true peak eleven-realm combat power in the Realm Transformation state!
...
"Bang!"
Lin Zhao, without a second thought, sacrificed a level. Immediately, his body was enveloped in a ball of golden light. His hair and robes fluttered in the wind, and his eyes were also plated with gold. In an instant, he felt as if he had been reborn. He raised his head, his golden eyes fixed directly on the descending Mount Wuwang.
Suddenly, a voice echoed from within Mount Wuwang, belonging to the Kun Peng Demon Ancestor.
"You little brat, what can you do?"
...
Lin Zhao's gaze was calm. He simply raised his hand and grasped the hilt of the Dragon Slaying Sword.
"Clang~~~"
Countless electrical sparks erupted as the Dragon Slaying Sword was slowly drawn from its sheath.
In that moment, the world turned completely dark, as if plunged into chaos. Between heaven and earth, only the peerless radiance of the Dragon Slaying Sword remained!
Behind Lin Zhao, the Dharma image of a white-robed female immortal rose, mirroring Lin Zhao's movements. Holding a Dragon Slaying Sword radiating a profound holy aura, she pointed directly at Mount Wuwang!
...
Everyone looked up, almost suffocating.