The Flame Thicket, a map where level 40 Thicket Boars spawned, was where Fan Wang Zhi Xue and Bi Yi Jian Zhong, two mages, had leveled up to 34. This put them ahead of Lin Zhao in the cloud-riding county rankings, with even You Ling Wang reaching level 33 and on the verge of surpassing Lin Zhao.
"The three assassins sent to assassinate Bai Yi have failed," Fan Wang Zhi Xue said, casting Meteor Strike and Flame Burst spells that made a pack of boars squeal in agony. "Bai Yi sensed them beforehand. They didn't even manage to inflict any damage before being wiped out. When our men went to check later, Bai Yi had already switched maps to level up. We don't know where he is now."
Bi Yi Jian Zhong's brows furrowed. "This Bai Yi, he's very strong..."
You Ling Wang sneered. "Failure is failure. It doesn't matter. We've already achieved our goal by forcing Bai Yi to switch maps. We just need to delay his leveling. Once we've outleveled him, he won't be able to challenge Sheng Shi Mu Dan anymore."
"Our king is wise!"
...
Just then, a rustling sound came from the nearby bushes. Lin Zhao, hiding within, moved with small, quiet steps, stealthily approaching You Ling Wang and the others within 40 yards. Meanwhile, Mo Yin was crouching in the grass a few yards outside Bi Yi Jian Zhong's range, communicating with Lin Zhao via private message: "Brother Bai Yi, I'll blind Bi Yi Jian Zhong once you charge at Fan Wang Zhi Xue."
"Understood!"
Lin Zhao nodded heavily. "Mo Yin, remember, after you blind him, you leave. This is my revenge, and I'll bear all the consequences. You don't need to risk yourself with me."
"No, I'm going to take them down with you!" Mo Yin declared indignantly.
"Are you disobeying orders?!"
Lin Zhao frowned. "Have you forgotten who the leader of the Scarlet Moon Knights is?"
Mo Yin replied with some reluctance, "Oh... Understood. Then after I blind him, I'll do a Backstab and leave."
"Good, that's settled!"
Lin Zhao said sternly, "I'm going in. Countdown – 3! 2! 1!"
The moment he counted to 1, Lin Zhao raised his blade and unleashed a blade energy that enveloped Fan Wang Zhi Xue's head.
"Not good!"
Bi Yi Jian Zhong exclaimed in shock. "Fan Wang, you've been hit by blade energy..."
Before he could finish, Lin Zhao charged forward, colliding with Fan Wang Zhi Xue with a "bang," directly stunning him. He followed up with a basic attack, Dragon's Toss, and another basic attack, taking him down. Simultaneously, Bi Yi Jian Zhong had already raised his staff, a Meteor Strike ready to be cast. But before the Meteor Strike could fall, he was afflicted by blindness. The young assassin who appeared behind him unleashed a flurry of dual blades, not only landing a Backstab but also landing two more basic attacks until the opponent's Starry Sky Shield was broken before retreating.
Lin Zhao swept in, his blade aimed directly at Bi Yi Jian Zhong's head.
Heavy Slash!
With a "boom," Heavy Slash dealt over 1200 damage. He followed up with a basic attack, but Bi Yi Jian Zhong's health bar was too thick, nearly 3000 HP. He still wasn't dead!
Just then, a streak of sword light enveloped Lin Zhao's head – blade energy from You Ling Wang. This time, the stun was almost unavoidable.
But before the blade energy impact, Lin Zhao waved his hand and activated his Sword Aura Guard skill.
"Boom!"
With a loud noise, he was stunned in place. The next second, Bi Yi Jian Zhong's blindness disappeared. He raised his staff and instantly cast Meteor Strike and Flame Burst, bombarding Lin Zhao's body. Coupled with You Ling Wang's basic attack, Heavy Slash, and Sword Draw, Lin Zhao's health bar plummeted to 1600 points. These two bosses had too good of equipment, and their attacks were too powerful!
The next second, the charge stun effect wore off. Lin Zhao stomped on the ground and lunged out, his sword tip directly at Bi Yi Jian Zhong's throat. But Bi Yi Jian Zhong had already summoned his next Starry Sky Shield, a cold smile appearing on his lips. "You're going to die!"
"Is that so!?"
Lin Zhao smiled slightly. Before the opponent's second Meteor Strike arrived, he abruptly lowered his body and used Sword Draw to pierce through Bi Yi Jian Zhong's body. He then followed up with a strike from behind. The blade energy of Sword Draw burst forth, enveloping Bi Yi Jian Zhong and You Ling Wang. Following that, with a sharp whistling sound, Lin Zhao's basic attack shattered Fan Wang Zhi Xue's second Starry Sky Shield.
"You..."
Bi Yi Jian Zhong had never expected Lin Zhao's operations to be so skillful and his offense so fierce. He hastily retreated, his staff waving slightly as he prepared to cast another Starry Sky Shield, but Lin Zhao gave him no chance. The tip of his sword thrust forward, directly at the opponent's throat. Bi Yi Jian Zhong could only tilt his head back to dodge, but he couldn't cast skills while unstable on his feet, so he couldn't summon a Starry Sky Shield at this moment.
The next second, Lin Zhao's Dragon's Toss cooldown was ready. With a sword strike, he directly killed Bi Yi Jian Zhong, who had just consumed a large health potion.
"Swish!"
The moment Bi Yi Jian Zhong was killed, You Ling Wang's sword thrust diagonally from the side, aimed at Lin Zhao's neck. You Ling Wang's eyes were filled with anger and ambition. He was at full health, while the Bai Yi in front of him was less than 30% HP. This was a near-certain victory for him!
However, facing You Ling Wang's rapid attack, Lin Zhao felt no fear. The instant the opponent's sword drew near, he instinctively leaned back and tilted his blade upwards. With a "clank" and a shower of sparks, You Ling Wang's sword was judged by the system as "parried." At the same time, Lin Zhao's heavy kick landed on You Ling Wang's abdomen, sending the king staggering backward. Lin Zhao seized the opportunity to consume a large health potion and a healing salve, his HP instantly recovering to over 2000. Looking at You Ling Wang, he couldn't help but chuckle, finally having a chance for a one-on-one duel.
But it seemed You Ling Wang, apart from his boasting and spending, had inferior operational skills and combat awareness!
"Die for me!"
You Ling Wang, enraged, suddenly lunged forward. Sword Draw!
Lin Zhao's mind stirred. The Blazing Flame Necklace around his neck emitted a radiant glow, and a wisp of purple energy coiled around his blade. He lunged forward and struck You Ling Wang on the head with his sword – the skill "Blade of Silence"!
"1199!"
A single strike dealt nearly 1200 HP damage and silenced You Ling Wang, rendering him unable to cast any skills. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Lin Zhao quickly advanced, a combo of basic attack + Heavy Slash + basic attack finishing off You Ling Wang, leaving him with critically low health.
You Ling Wang truly experienced the roller coaster of life this time.
"A fair fight..."
Lin Zhao smiled slightly, his sword light flashing. "You don't seem to be doing well!"
"You..."
You Ling Wang's final health bar was depleted, and he fell to his knees, his eyes filled with hatred and unwillingness. He couldn't understand why he lost, why he, at full health, couldn't defeat Lin Zhao, who had only 1000+ HP. He had a clear advantage, and why was his fierce offense judged as "parried"? What was the reason for all this?
He couldn't comprehend why he, a naturally gifted talent, had lost so miserably!
...
The next second, You Ling Wang fell, dropping a pile of potions, even his equipment.
Lin Zhao picked up the spoils one by one. You Ling Wang was too generous, dropping two pieces of equipment: [Gravedigger's Chestplate], a level 25 Gold-grade item, suitable for Ding Chi, and [Doomfire Cloak], a level 28 Gold-grade item, for Ding Chi or Zhang Jun to consider. Furthermore, Fan Wang Zhi Xue also dropped equipment – his staff!
[Doomfire Staff] (Gold-grade)
Spirit Attack: 180-285
Spirit: +38
Stamina: +35
Special Effect: Lifesteal +4%
Special Effect: Reduces cooldown of all user's elemental spells by 3%
Additional: Increases user's Spirit Attack Power by 5%
Requires Spirit: 260
Requires Level: 30
This was undoubtedly a divine weapon for mages at this stage. While its overall attributes were slightly inferior to the previous Iron Blood Battle Axe, it was incredibly practical. It was no wonder these people leveled up so quickly.
"Mo Yin!"
Lin Zhao grabbed the gold coins dropped on the ground and tossed some to Mo Yin, chuckling. "Let's go, we can't stay here long!"
"Exhilarating!"
Mo Yin laughed heartily. "Brother Bai Yi, you're amazing! You actually took down the top three players on the other side!"
"Thanks to your blind and damage, otherwise it would have been difficult."
"Oh, I only helped a little bit..."
"Hahaha~~~"
Just then, a ringing sound echoed through the air, emanating from You Ling Wang's fury.
"Ding!"
System Announcement (Player You Ling Wang shouts): Bai Yi! You remember this, You Ling Wang will definitely repay today's humiliation tenfold! From now on, your Scarlet Moon Knights won't be able to survive on the national server. I mean what I say. If I don't completely disband your Scarlet Moon Knights, I'll write my name backward and take your surname!
...
"What happened?"
In the team chat, Ding Chi finally noticed something was wrong. "You... you're red-named again? What were you doing just now?"
"Nothing much."
Lin Zhao sent screenshots of the Doomfire Staff and other equipment to the team chat. He laughed. "Collected some takeout from You Ling Wang, and by the way, took down You Ling Wang, Fan Wang Zhi Xue, and Bi Yi Jian Zhong. Of course, Mo Yin also helped a lot."
"Awesome..."
Zhang Jun was dumbfounded.
Ding Chi rubbed his nose. "But there's a bigger problem. You Ling Wang seems to have lost his mind."
"Doesn't matter."
Zhang Jun laughed. "We can slowly play with Sheng Shi Mu Dan. As long as we keep going, the Scarlet Moon Knights will definitely become stronger."
"Enough talk."
Lin Zhao said, "Ding Chi, take the equipment back to the city and put it up for auction. Our main goal now is to save money. Once we have enough, we'll officially recruit members for the Scarlet Moon Knights, form a guild, and officially go up against Sheng Shi Mu Dan!"
"Understood!"
Ding Chi replied with a joyful expression, full of hope for the future.
...
Xicheng City.
A beautiful woman emerged from the game pod, looking somewhat tired. It was Chen Xue. She looked down at the number left by Murong Fei Yue on her phone. Was this the person she would serve in the future? But if she joined too soon... it would seem like she was too eager to join the Scarlet Moon Knights. No, those scoundrels wouldn't cherish something they got too easily!
She'd make them wait two days.
She pouted. This was her usual style, befitting a beauty.