Myriad Mayfly Flying Swords crisscrossed the air, and as the gentle breeze swept by, another group of low-health players from the Northern Four Tribes fell. Lin Zhao, exuding the aura of a warrior, was surrounded by swirling white currents in the formation of the gallop, moving at breakneck speed. He knocked down every player who attempted to escape with his fists, while simultaneously ten immortal swords darted around like phantoms, slaughtering indiscriminately through the woods.
With the Scarlet Moon Knights and Sheng Tian joining forces, Guò Kè Wú Míng and his ilk were truly outmatched, especially with Lin Zhao present.
Just then, with a "ding," Lin Zhao received a message from a stranger, a player named "Táng Cháo Míng Yuè": "Lin Zhao, is your Scarlet Moon Knights guild on the fourth floor?"
"We are."
Lin Zhao carefully examined the player's profile. This was the leader of a guild called "Xuān Yuán." As for the guild's ranking on the national server, it was around 30,000+, with only over 300 members, classifying it as a mid to lower-tier guild. He then asked, "Is there something you need?"
"Mmm."
Táng Cháo Míng Yuè said, "I've found the coordinates for the fourth-floor Boss, but our guild doesn't have the capability to take it down. So, if you're willing to have it, I'll give you the coordinates. After all, it's better for you to get it than for guilds like Hán Yè Cháng or Shèng Shì Mǔ Dān to."
"Alright, thanks!"
"No need to be so polite."
The next moment, Táng Cháo Míng Yuè sent over the coordinates.
Lin Zhao turned and shared the coordinates with Chén Xuě and Shěn Xīng Chén. Then, he said to Lěng Yán, who was not far away, "We've found the location of the fourth-floor Boss. A Yan, would you like to bring some people to join us and share in the spoils?"
"No, we Sheng Tian are preparing to ascend to the fifth floor!"
Lěng Yán smiled faintly. Lin Zhao's thoughtfulness was appreciated, but there was no real need to bring people along to share half the rewards. After all, with Lin Zhao in charge, the Scarlet Moon Knights were capable of defeating a Saint-grade Boss.
"Alright."
Lin Zhao nodded and immediately led Shěn Xīng Chén, Chén Xuě, Lù Hán, and others eastward, heading directly for the Boss's location.
...
Not long after, a gray-white forest valley appeared in their sight. Within the valley, several players were clearing monsters, and just a few hundred meters away was the location of the fourth-floor Boss, Jiāng Wú Chén.
Lin Zhao swooped down, landing in front of Táng Cháo Míng Yuè and his group. He smiled, "Táng Cháo Míng Yuè, thank you for sharing the location. Thanks a lot!"
"You're too kind, too kind."
Táng Cháo Míng Yuè nodded with a smile.
Lin Zhao said no more. He stepped forward and traded a Golden Ciliate Coin to him, saying, "Everyone who sees gets a share. A small token of my appreciation, please don't refuse it."
"Ah?"
Táng Cháo Míng Yuè was taken aback. To be honest, a Golden Ciliate Coin was quite substantial, equivalent to 1 million universal currency. No ordinary player could refuse it. His numerous brothers below him were counting on him for a living, and they truly needed it. So, he didn't stand on ceremony. "You've sent charcoal in the snow; how could I refuse? Thank you!"
"Mmm."
Lin Zhao nodded and immediately added Táng Cháo Míng Yuè as a friend. It was most comfortable to interact with people like this; they always followed the rules. The unspoken rules in this game had always been that the strong preyed on the weak and the powerful bullied the feeble. Whoever survived in the end had the right to fight the Boss. As for the rules of the martial world, it was first come, first served. Whoever arrived first fought first, and if they couldn't defeat it, someone else would take over.
"Then, I won't disturb you."
Táng Cháo Míng Yuè led his people away, not lingering to watch the Scarlet Moon Knights' strategy.
Lin Zhao, accompanied by Chén Xuě, Shěn Xīng Chén, and others, approached the target. This fourth-floor Boss was a demi-human, clad in white robes, with fiery red hair that had a golden sheen, holding a gleaming halberd. A pair of pale golden eyes stared coldly at Lin Zhao and his group. With a sweep of his halberd, he sneered, "Who are you all, to dare trespass into my Jiāng Wú Chén's territory?"
"The ones who will take your dog's life!"
Zhāng Jùn, dressed in a gray robe and a bamboo hat, drew his sword about an inch, his sword intent radiating with unparalleled coolness.
Cool, yes, but not the main force.
Lin Zhao drew Zhan Lu and said, "Same old rule, I'll be the main attacker. Everyone else just needs to cooperate. Apply all the buffs, and prepare to engage."
Instantly, a myriad of buffs from Wanderers and Formation Masters were applied. As the buffs piled up to over a dozen, Lin Zhao raised his sword and charged. A Star River Sword Cultivator could fly without their sword. He soared through the air and delivered a fierce blow towards Jiāng Wú Chén's handsome face. Jiāng Wú Chén saw it clearly and hastily raised his halberd to block. Sparks flew as Lin Zhao's sword was successfully parried, dealing only over 8,000 damage. However, this was immediately followed by an Uppercut Dragon Slash. As Jiāng Wú Chén was sent flying into the air, all 34 flying swords shot out, firmly locking onto his aggro.
"We're good to go."
Shěn Xīng Chén said, "Ranged attackers, spread out and fight in a circle. Don't give the Boss's AoE skills a chance to one-shot anyone. Sword cultivators, use your flying swords to increase damage. The rest of you, do as you see fit."
As she spoke, Shěn Xīng Chén raised her staff, unleashing both Deep Frost Meteor and Flame Laser simultaneously. As she cast her spells, a diagram of the Qian Kun Xuan Huo Pagoda appeared beneath her feet, significantly amplifying her spell attack damage. This was also why Shěn Xīng Chén was undeniably the number one mage on the national server. Just the Qian Kun Xuan Huo Pagoda alone completely widened the gap between her and other mages.
Shortly after, with everyone unleashing their firepower, Jiāng Wú Chén's health bar plummeted. He roared in anger, unleashing various combat skills, but to no avail. He couldn't even defeat the incredibly tanky sword cultivator.
It was only a matter of time before they depleted the Saint-grade Boss's colossal 50 million health.
In about nine minutes, under the frenzied assault of the Scarlet Moon Knights, Jiāng Wú Chén let out a mournful cry and collapsed to the ground, his body dissolving into data and scattering in the wind, simultaneously dropping a pile of loot.
Shěn Xīng Chén, staff in hand, stepped forward and displayed the Boss's drops one by one to everyone. Mostly Heavenly and Earthly grade equipment, not even a Ghost Divine Artifact. When she picked up an orange-gold staff, she couldn't help but smile, "The good stuff has finally arrived."
The next moment, Shěn Xīng Chén waved her hand, and the staff's attributes were shared in the party chat.
[Staff of the Demigod] (Saint Artifact)
Spirit Attack: 7500-10000
Spirit Power: +240
Strength: +223
Stamina: +222
Agility: +220
Special Effect: Spell Lifesteal +25%
Special Effect: All elemental spell skills damage increased by 55%
Special Effect: Damage Increase, user's attack damage +100%
Special Effect: Armor Break, ignores target's 65% spirit resistance
Special Effect: Deals 75% spell splash damage to targets within 3 yards of the target
Special Skill: [Demigod Expedition], upon activation, summons expeditionary warriors of the Demigod tribe to deal continuous impact, delay, and knockback damage to targets within a 400x400 area, lasting for 12 seconds. Consumes 100 skill points, cooldown 24 hours.
Additional: Increases user's spirit attack power by 95%
Additional: Increases user's defense by 93%
Lore: Staff of the Demigod, the supreme treasure of the Demigod tribe, handcrafted by the renowned craftsman Tan Shan. This staff holds the profound legacy of the Demigod tribe. Once one becomes its master, they will be able to command winds and call rains, becoming all-powerful.
Requires Spirit Power: 5200
Requires Level: 175
...
"Not bad!"
Lin Zhao smiled heartily, "So, how should we do this? Internal roll, or an on-site auction, sell it and split the money?"
Everyone was moved. The mages present were all somewhat envious, but they knew that in the current situation, who was more suitable for the Staff of the Demigod than Vice-leader Shěn Xīng Chén? Thus, when Bú Sù Lí Rén suggested an internal auction and then splitting the money, no one objected.
Lin Zhao directly set a reserve price of 50 million universal currency. Saint-grade equipment had not yet circulated on the market as it was too rare, often being privately traded as soon as it dropped. The default price for Saint Artifacts on the national server was currently between 100 and 200 million universal currency. Therefore, the reserve price didn't need to be too low, otherwise, it would be too biased towards Shěn Xīng Chén. After all, this demi-human equipment had a "great special skill" that could sometimes decide the outcome of a team battle, so the price wouldn't be too low.
"..."
Everyone was silent. 50 million was already a significant sum. Very few people in the Scarlet Moon Knights could afford 50 million. Many would have to sell off all their possessions to scrape it together. Mages like Lù Lí did not bid but contentedly waited to share in the profits.
"Two hundred million."
To everyone's surprise, Shěn Xīng Chén opened with a bid of 200 million.
"Xing Chen..."
Lin Zhao frowned, "Did you win the lottery?"
Shěn Xīng Chén pursed her red lips, "I just don't want to shortchange everyone."
"Alright."
Lin Zhao directly threw the Staff of the Demigod to Shěn Xīng Chén and then distributed the 200 million universal currency equally among the participants. Each person received over a million, making even those who merely coasted by, like Zhāng Jùn, Lù Hán, and Bú Sù Lí Rén, ecstatic.
...
"Let's go."
Lin Zhao directly pocketed the Star Stone from the fourth floor. He glanced at the map and said, "Prepare to enter the fifth floor."
"Mmm!"
Everyone nodded in unison and followed Lin Zhao towards the entrance. Soon after, they were teleported into the fifth floor one by one.
"Ding!"
A message arrived from Lěng Yán: "Tell your people, don't provoke the monsters on the fifth floor, they can one-shot you."
"Huh?!"
Lin Zhao was stunned. Not far away, a young knight from the Scarlet Moon Knights charged towards a monster with dark golden skin and a hunched posture. The monster let out a shriek, and its spear flew out with a "swoosh." The young knight was immediately dismounted, and a huge damage number floated above his head—
"552883!"
"Damn..." Dīng Chí exclaimed in shock, "What is this thing?! Such high damage..."
"No one gets close to the fifth-floor monsters."
Lin Zhao narrowed his eyes and said, "These elite Hidden Gold Succubi have too much attack power. Everyone, ascend and head directly for the entrance to the sixth floor!"
"Yes!"
Everyone immediately took to the air. Lin Zhao, however, felt a pang of reluctance. Since they were here, how could he leave without killing a Hidden Gold Succubus?
He cautiously approached and finally saw the description of the Hidden Gold Succubus.
[Hidden Gold Succubus] (Elite Monster)
Level: 185
Attack: ???
Defense: ???
Health: ???
Skills: ???
Description: Hidden Gold Succubus, a spirit that naturally grew within the treasury of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tree. It is said that these Hidden Gold Succubi are akin to wealth itself, capable of hiding gold. For every Hidden Gold Succubus killed, one unbound Golden Ciliate Coin is guaranteed to drop. There are a total of 2,000 Hidden Gold Succubi in the entire map.
...