"Hiss!"
After a flash of scarlet sword light swept past, a high-level sword master named "Luan" among the Sword Immortal Iron Cavalry fell to the ground, with a damage number exceeding 600,000 appearing above his head. He was at full health, and his death was utterly unexpected. For a moment, a commotion arose within Shengshi Mudan's Sword Immortal Iron Cavalry. Many looked aghast; even their team leader, "Luan," was instantly killed. Just how terrifying was Lin Zhao's flying sword damage?
"Fuck!"
In Shengshi Mudan's core chat channel, Fei Long Zai Tian frowned. "Brother Luan was instant-killed. Is that Lin Zhao's third flying sword? Where did it come from? The damage is too outrageous..."
Fan Wang Zhi Xue said, "Don't know. From the information we have, Lin Zhao's first flying sword is Ming Yue, given by Ming Yue Chi. The second is Hao Ran, given by the Confucian Sage Qin Sui Han, originally the tip of the Han Niu Sword. As for the third, there's no information released yet. Lin Zhao seems to be keeping it very low-key."
Bi Yi Jian Zhong Dao said, "My King, stop leading the charge. Even Lin Qi was instantly killed. If you get insta-killed too, then our Shengshi Mudan will truly be finished."
"I know!"
You Ling Wang's expression was filled with resentment. The team leader, "Luan," was no ordinary person. He was a high-level executive in a certain group company in Suzhou and held considerable prestige within the guild. He was among Shengshi Mudan's top three sword masters, with his level and equipment already considered top-tier. Yet, he couldn't withstand Lin Zhao's strongest single attack. This filled You Ling Wang with a strong sense of frustration. He was a disciple of Cao Yan, a Silver Dragon Sword Immortal of the Twelve Realms, and possessed profound heritage. However, now, You Ling Wang could only hide behind others, not daring to approach the frontline of the Scarlet Moon Knights. The white-robed sword cultivator in the sky was too terrifying!
"Charge at them, for us! Charge down their lines in one go!"
You Ling Wang raised his long sword, his eyes filled with furious rage. "Today, in the Ancient Dragon Marsh battle, everyone's guild contribution points will be calculated at five times the normal rate. Starting tomorrow, the guild treasury will be fully open, and any item can be exchanged for contribution points. Brothers, it's time to get serious! Let the Scarlet Moon Knights know how powerful Shengshi Mudan is!"
Fei Long Zai Tian frowned.
Fan Wang Zhi Xue raised his eyebrows. "Are we deploying the Peony Token?"
"Deploy it!"
You Ling Wang roared, "Immediately issue the Peony Sacred Emperor Token! This is a moment of life and death for Shengshi Mudan, a battle for our survival. Everyone must go all out and face this national crisis. From this moment on, advance without retreat! Break through the Scarlet Moon Knights, shatter their spines, and make Lin Zhao, Shen Xing Chen, and Chen Xue all bow their heads!"
The crowd roared and charged.
...
In the wind, Lin Zhao frowned. You Ling Wang's financial offensive some time ago had been quite effective, recruiting a large number of sword master players, which led to the current 20,000 Sword Immortal Iron Cavalry. The flying swords rained down like raindrops, "crackling" down. The Scarlet Moon Knights were under immense pressure. Not only had many front-line tank players fallen, but numerous back-line ranged and support players had also been shot down by flying swords. You Ling Wang's machinations in the north seemed juvenile and foolish, but in reality, they had been quite effective. By leveraging the identities of players from the four northern tribes, they had continuously attacked human players in the northern territories in small groups and organized large-scale guild events, causing Shengshi Mudan's overall combat power to increase dramatically and its guild treasury to become abundant. Such a guild was indeed formidable.
However, because their opponent was the Scarlet Moon Knights, Shengshi Mudan had to be defeated today!
Facing the enemy's fierce advance, Lin Zhao spun his sword and flew to Shen Xing Chen, Chen Xue, Mo Chen Xue, Ding Chi, and others. He took out a large handful of Sky Thunder Talismans from his embrace, distributing three to each eight-realm player with strong attributes. These were the accumulated resources Lin Zhao had gathered over time. After distributing nearly 200 Sky Thunder Talismans, he frowned. "When they launch their full assault, use them all. Spread out the firepower to cover the entire front line, and let these so-called Sword Immortal Iron Cavalry taste our power. After the Sky Thunder Talismans, our mounted combat classes will launch a counter-offensive and charge their positions!"
"Alright!"
Everyone nodded. Being suppressed by Shengshi Mudan for nearly 20 minutes and constantly enduring their attacks, the mounted combat players like Ding Chi, Chen Xue, Lu Han, and Bu Su Li Ren had long wanted to charge out. They were just waiting for Lin Zhao's decision.
The next moment, a dense wave of Sword Immortal Iron Cavalry, accompanied by a sky full of flying swords, fiercely crashed onto the Scarlet Moon Knights' front line. But just as they collided and their momentum combined, the talismans in the hands of players like Shen Xing Chen and Ding Chi were ignited. Each player held three Sky Thunder Talismans. Over 200 Sky Thunder Talismans were thrown forward almost instantly.
For a time, the sky was filled with rolling golden thunder that struck down into the midst of the Sword Immortal Iron Cavalry. The use of talismans in player-versus-player combat was restricted by system rules. Even if a single player cast three Sky Thunder Talismans consecutively, it would be difficult to kill someone instantly. But this was different. It was the combined power of Sky Thunder Talismans from a group of top Golden Core realm players from the Scarlet Moon Knights. Instantly, the charging Sword Immortal Iron Cavalry fell like wheat being harvested. With the players falling, the rain of flying swords in the sky also decreased. This wave of the enemy's strongest assault was suppressed by over 200 Sky Thunder Talismans.
"Fuck!"
You Ling Wang watched from afar. When he saw the golden lightning descend from the sky, his heart felt as if it were being fiercely squeezed. Who would have thought that a mere player guild battle would involve being struck by lightning? His Peony Sacred Emperor Token was clearly about to turn into nothing. As You Ling Wang watched the Sword Immortal Iron Cavalry fall in swathes, feeling powerless, the Scarlet Moon Knights' counter-offensive began. From afar, Lin Zhao, Shen Xing Chen, Chen Xue, Lu Han, and others led their forces, sweeping forward over the corpses of the Sword Immortal Iron Cavalry!
"It's over!"
Fan Wang Zhi Xue, riding a golden lotus artifact, spoke with a grim expression in mid-air. "My King, I have a suggestion. Immediately have everyone disperse and flee. If possible, use invincibility to return to town. This way, we can preserve some strength. Otherwise, it's truly over. On the main battlefield, we've already been defeated by the Scarlet Moon Knights. On the flanks, those mad dogs from Lin Yuan Xian Yu are fiercely attacking. If we don't make a decision now, we'll have nothing left soon."
"Fan Wang!"
You Ling Wang glared fiercely at Fan Wang Zhi Xue, his patience reaching its limit with this guy.
But at that moment, Fei Long Zai Tian arrived on horseback, his expression solemn.
"What do you say?" You Ling Wang inquired. Fei Long Zai Tian was now the strategist for Shengshi Mudan, providing advice to You Ling Wang, whom he trusted greatly.
"Hmph!"
Fei Long Zai Tian looked up at Fan Wang Zhi Xue and said, "Fan Wang is usually sarcastic, but what he said just now is indeed correct. We must withdraw now. Make a swift decision. Those who can escape, escape quickly. Try to gain some more benefits in the Ancient Dragon Marsh map. If you can't escape, find a way to return to town. This is our last chance. While there are still players fighting desperately on the front lines, everyone else must make a decision immediately."
"Understood."
You Ling Wang took a deep breath. "Brothers on the front line, hold on! Brothers in the rear, find a way to disperse and begin a strategic retreat. If you absolutely cannot escape, find a way to return to town directly. We will not contend for this Burning Heaven Forest Valley map anymore. We'll give it to the Scarlet Moon Knights and wait to see those dog guilds in the Human race faction tear each other apart!"
Instantly, Shengshi Mudan's defense line officially collapsed. Everyone wished their parents had given them faster legs and fled. From the rear, white lights continuously flashed, and thousands of people instantly returned to town. In fact, many people didn't want to come to the Ancient Dragon Marsh. Wasn't leveling up in the Ni Shang Tian Xia map uncomfortable? Wasn't killing players for experience near the Snow Region Heavenly Pool not as fragrant? Yet, they insisted on coming to the Ancient Dragon Marsh to court death.
...
Lin Zhao pursued relentlessly on the front line. Wherever he passed, there was bloodshed. His flying swords killed enemies, and streams of potent fist intent flowed from his body. With Zenith Gust activated, white vortexes swirled around him. His punches landed with brutal force, smashing those Shengshi Mudan players who couldn't escape into mist. This sight struck terror into the hearts of the Shengshi Mudan members. Even many players from the Scarlet Moon Knights were stunned. Their alliance leader's combat style was increasingly resembling those martial cultivators among NPCs.
Ten minutes later, the clearing was complete. There was no longer a single Shengshi Mudan player in the Burning Heaven Forest Valley area. Chen Xue, Ding Chi, and Luo Man had already led their teams to surround the Burning Heaven Forest Valley map. From this moment on, this map belonged solely to the Scarlet Moon Knights. It was their spoils of war.
"White-robed Alliance Leader."
People from Lin Yuan Xian Yu arrived. Sword Emperor, riding a flying sword, soared to them and clasped his fist with a smile. "Pleasant cooperation! It's so satisfying to kill these dog thieves from Shengshi Mudan!"
"As long as it's satisfying!"
Lin Zhao laughed heartily. "Alliance Leader Sword Emperor, then this Burning Heaven Forest Valley map is now in the bag for us, the Scarlet Moon Knights. My apologies, my apologies..."
Sword Emperor laughed heartily. "What's there to apologize about? It's deserved. If you hadn't come, this map would have been occupied by a scoundrel like You Ling Wang. However, our Lin Yuan Xian Yu can concede this map. What about other guilds? To avoid any misunderstandings, you should inform everyone in the group chat of the major guild leaders. For safety's sake."
"Alright."
"I'll start for you."
The next moment, Sword Emperor directly addressed the major guild leader channel on the national server. "The battle for the Burning Heaven Forest Valley map in the Ancient Dragon Marsh has concluded. Scarlet Moon Knights were the main attackers, Lin Yuan Xian Yu assisted. Shengshi Mudan's Sword Immortal Iron Cavalry has essentially been depleted. White-robed Alliance Leader has his sights set on this Burning Heaven Forest Valley map, and Lin Yuan Xian Yu voluntarily yields. I'm announcing this here."
Lin Zhao said, "The Burning Heaven Forest Valley map drops Ghost God-tier mounts. I know the resources on this map are among the best in the third layer of the Ancient Dragon Marsh. The Scarlet Moon Knights are now officially occupying this map, so we offer our apologies to everyone here. If there are any overstepping actions, please forgive us."
"It's nothing."
Azure Dragon Alliance Leader Yi Shi Cang Liang laughed. "A prime map belongs to the capable. The Scarlet Moon Knights' destruction of Shengshi Mudan, a major tumor of the Demon race faction, is a great contribution to the national server. Rewarding them with the Burning Heaven Forest Valley map is not excessive."
"Mm."
Star River Alliance Leader Su Xing He laughed. "Lin Zhao, just accept this map with peace of mind. You killed Guo Ke Wu Ming and Ling Ren Fa Zhi and their group in the first layer, then Ding Chun Qiu and Jiu Mo Zhi in the third layer, and now you've wiped out Shengshi Mudan's Sword Immortal Iron Cavalry. You have already made great contributions to the national server within the inner regions of the Ancient Dragon Marsh map. There's nothing to say. This Burning Heaven Forest Valley map belongs to the Scarlet Moon Knights. Star River has no objections."
Victory Alliance Leader Leng Yan smiled and said, "Agreed."
Wu Wang Guild's Shu Mei Jian Qing Feng said, "Alright, just take the resources of Burning Heaven Forest Valley with peace of mind. Lin Zhao, it's not that I'm telling you this, but you're constantly doing storyline quests. Although your magic artifact is the best in the national server, your level also needs to catch up. With so many leveling resources in the national server, there's no shortage of your share. Hurry up and consume what you can. In the future, if the national server encounters any extremely unfavorable versions again, it will still be you who has to stand up and carry the banner!"
The leaders of many other guilds nodded in unison, all stating that they would not covet the Burning Heaven Forest Valley map.
...
Lin Zhao felt a bit touched. At this moment, the national server was unprecedentedly united.