In a clump of嵩草, as tall as a person.
Lin Zhao quickly replenished his health bar by chugging potions, frowning as he said, "Hit and run. Let's go, find another bush. Their people will be here soon."
"En!"
The three of them crouched low, darting through the bushes and quickly retreating to another patch of grass a hundred yards away. Just as they settled down, they saw a sea of people from the guild "Grand Blossom" rush into the very spot they had just occupied. Not far off, a level 32 mage holding a staff was surrounded by a crowd. It was Fan Wang Zhi Xue, Grand Blossom's strongest mage, and the strongest mage in the entire Cloud County.
"Keep shrinking the encirclement!"
Fan Wang Zhi Xue frowned, "No small parties of less than 10 people! Everyone form up into teams of ten. We'll sweep through the bushes one by one. I don't believe these three can defy the heavens! Don't be too scared. Bai Yi and Yu Jin's damage, no matter how high, is only from level 30+ players. They only have a few skills. They can't possibly have the damage to instantly kill ten people. As long as one team can hold them, other teams can quickly flank. Even if they're strong, they'll die!"
...
From afar, Fan Wang Zhi Xue's words sent shivers down Lin Zhao, Ding Chi, and Zhang Jun's spines. While Fan Wang Zhi Xue might joke and stir up trouble, when he got serious, he was truly a top-tier player. With his strategy, Lin Zhao and his companions were doomed if they couldn't escape. Once they were pinned down, it would likely mean total annihilation.
"What do we do?"
Ding Chi frowned, "Fan Wang Zhi Xue is right. Our current damage output is nowhere near enough to wipe out a ten-person team in a short time. Even if they stood there waiting to be slaughtered, we couldn't finish them. And their reinforcements will arrive soon. We're even in danger of being outflanked."
"We can't wait any longer."
Lin Zhao glanced east and said, "We'll break through from the east. I'll charge first, you two follow. Activate your Sword Qi Aegis and charge. We'll be lucky if even one of us makes it out."
"Okay."
The next moment, Lin Zhao stood up and charged out of the bushes, heading straight for a patch of grass ahead. If they could charge another 200 yards, they would escape the Hundred Flower Forest map. Once they left this map, it would be like a dragon entering the sea or a tiger returning to the mountains. All three had a level advantage, and the mount system wasn't open yet. No matter how many people Grand Blossom had, they wouldn't be able to catch up.
"They're over there!"
Outside, someone had already spotted their movement.
"Flank them, quickly!"
The shouts of Bi Yi Jian Zhong echoed from afar.
From all directions, countless members of the Grand Blossom guild pursued them. At this moment, the grass ahead was sparse, and Lin Zhao and his companions were as conspicuous as lice on a bald man's head.
"Intercept!"
Ahead, over a dozen Grand Blossom players successfully outmaneuvered them. Instantly, three Meteor Strikes, Flame Bursts, and volleys of arrows rained down, all focused on Lin Zhao.
"Go!"
Lin Zhao raised his hand and unleashed a sword qi that enveloped a level 30 mage's head, stunning him instantly. He then followed up with a complete "Heaven and Earth Toss" combo, and activated Sword Qi Aegis to absorb damage. Behind him, Ding Chi and Zhang Jun also closed the distance through sword qi impacts, and the three of them forcefully broke through.
Lin Zhao, who was at the forefront, took the most damage, his health bar dropping rapidly. Fortunately, his high HP and defense allowed his 5500 health to hold on for nearly ten seconds. When his health dipped below 1000, he charged into a patch of forest ahead with his long sword. Behind him, Ding Chi was intercepted by a Templar Knight's charge.
"Don't mind me!"
Ding Chi shouted in the party channel while stunned, "Ah Zhao, you go first!"
"En!"
Lin Zhao didn't disregard him, but he turned and unleashed a "Draw Sword Slash" sword qi, sending a group of Grand Blossom members reeling. Just then, Zhang Jun stepped forward, his sword light flashing as he cut down a Sharpshooter. He then swung his long sword to block Ding Chi, shielding him from projectile damage. Zhang Jun's health bar began to plummet.
"Da Jun, are you crazy!?" Ding Chi exclaimed in shock.
"You go first!"
Zhang Jun gritted his teeth, "Ding Chi, you're red-named. Dying has too high a price. I'm still yellow-named, and dying doesn't cost much. Hurry up and go! I'll cover the rear."
"Go!"
Lin Zhao shouted from within the forest.
Ding Chi didn't look back and bolted. "Good brother, I'll let you pick the prettiest technicians first when we get back!"
Lin Zhao: "..."
Zhang Jun: "..."
In the end, Lin Zhao and Ding Chi fled in disarray, while Zhang Jun was left behind, dropping a pair of Silver-grade boots and his level back to 29. This was also the first time someone from the Scarlet Moon Knights studio had died due to PK.
...
Ten minutes later.
In a forest far from the Hundred Flower Forest, Lin Zhao and Ding Chi, both red-named, sat side-by-side under a tree. The sound of rustling came from not far away. Zhang Jun, now level 29, arrived, wearing a pair of Bronze-grade boots to temporarily suffice. He looked rather embarrassed and plopped down next to Ding Chi, saying, "You guys haven't experienced the feeling of dying in the game, have you?"
"No," Ding Chi replied.
Lin Zhao smiled; he had experienced it far too many times. The heart-wrenching feeling was still vivid in his memory.
"More people are always better!"
Zhang Jun even wanted to light a cigarette, feeling dejected.
"Actually, we did pretty well, but in the end, we couldn't overcome sheer numbers," Ding Chi frowned and said, "This is an unsolvable problem. It's always been like this in games. Everyone has one head and two eyes. Why should you be able to fight a crowd? Especially in a game like 'Tian Xia' where everyone plays, it's unlikely."
"Even fighting a crowd comes much later in the game."
Lin Zhao said calmly, "We're not in a hurry. It's still early. Later, I'll take Da Jun to solo some monsters. I'll kill monsters to clear my red name, and Da Jun can be an experience baby, bringing him back to level 30. It's really not acceptable to be below level 30."
"Alright, I'll just level up and clear my red name nearby."
Thus, the three swordsmen began their arduous journey once more in the forest.
...
Hundred Flower Forest.
Over 200 members of Grand Blossom had gathered again, lined up neatly like an army ready for battle. Ghost King stood at the front of the crowd, clad in gleaming Gold-grade armor and wielding a Gold-grade greatsword. In terms of equipment, he was no less inferior to Bai Yi. However, Ghost King had not personally acted, fearing being caught in a "capture the leader" scenario. He even secretly admired his own caution and meticulousness, comparable to Zhuge Liang, the Prime Minister of Shu Han.
Yet, seeing Bai Yi and Yu Jin escape the encirclement still left him extremely displeased and frustrated. Despite having an absolute advantage, they had still killed many of his men and ultimately forced their way out. Especially failing to kill Bai Yi, which made Ghost King furious. Missing this opportunity, it would be difficult to kill the red-named Bai Yi again. If they had killed him even once today, the level ranking number one in Cloud County would have belonged to them. Both Fan Wang Zhi Xue and Bi Yi Jian Zhong were members of Grand Blossom.
"Bai Yi and Yu Jin should not have escaped."
Ghost King frowned and looked at the distant forest, saying, "This is my fault. As the guild leader, I should punish myself."
Fan Wang Zhi Xue was slightly startled and said with surprise, "Your Majesty intends to issue a decree of self-punishment?"
"Think thrice, my King," Bi Yi Jian Zhong said, "It was just a minor setback. Besides, wasn't that Lin Feng killed by our people? At least we had some gains."
"Bai Yi and Yu Jin must die!"
Ghost King's brows were tightly knit. "If we cannot send these two back to below level 30, how can our Grand Blossom's glory be restored?"
"May my King endure hardship and govern with diligence, and one day you will surely unite the martial world!"
...
Yun Prefecture, Han Tai County.
This county town had a large number of players, and many large guilds had established themselves here. The most well-known among them was the Azure Dragon Guild.
In the evening, in a forest within Han Tai County.
As a large group of monsters fell, many players leveled up. Currently, there were over a hundred Azure Dragon Guild players in this forest. They were mostly mages, sharpshooters, and storm gunners. Using a carpet-pushing tactic, they were clearing the entire map. The experience from level 33-35 monsters was not insignificant, and combined with the large numbers and party bonuses, the experience gained was extraordinarily high.
In the crowd, Yi Shi Cang Liang, already level 34, smiled and said, "We should be able to reach level 35 tonight. Not bad, this carpet-pushing tactic is still worth developing."
Beside him stood a super beauty in armor, a level 33 Templar Knight, Chen Xue.
"Boss."
Chen Xue leaned against a small tree, lazily hugging her arms, serving as the team's experience baby. She smiled, "Don't try to keep me anymore. I can't stay in Azure Dragon for more than a few days. I have to go help another guild with their pioneering efforts."
"Ah?"
Yi Shi Cang Liang frowned, "Why? Am I not treating you well enough?"
"Yes, very well," Chen Xue smiled, "But I can't help it. I promised someone long ago and have to go risk my life for them."
"Who is it that makes you, Chen Xue, value them so highly?"
"A very, very good sister. She once saved my life and we depended on each other."
Chen Xue's beautiful eyes sparkled, and she smiled, "It's hard for you to understand this kind of relationship. If she asks me to help, I'll go through fire and water."
"Without you, Azure Dragon will be like losing a pillar of the state!"
Yi Shi Cang Liang frowned, "After you leave, Azure Dragon's upward trend might be forcefully halted. Do you know how disheartened many guild members will be by just one person leaving?"
"Don't try that."
Chen Xue waved her hand and smiled, "That won't work on me. I'm definitely leaving."
Yi Shi Cang Liang immediately lost his temper.
...
Evening, Scarlet Moon Knights Studio.
As Lin Zhao, Ding Chi, and Zhang Jun logged off, a fragrant aroma wafted to their noses. The dining table in the hall downstairs was already laden with various delicacies, and chicken soup was even simmering in the kitchen. The three of them immediately rushed downstairs, like starving ghosts. They hadn't had a proper meal in days.
"The rice will be ready in two minutes. Why don't you guys eat some dishes first?"
Sister Ju Zi came out of the kitchen, distributing bowls and chopsticks.
The moment she walked out, Lin Zhao, Ding Chi, and Zhang Jun almost doubted their eyes. The woman named Wang Ju, who emerged from the kitchen, had washed away the dirt and grime from her body and changed into a beautiful dress. Her figure was curvaceous and alluring, and her beautiful face seemed to have regained its vitality. She was clearly a beautiful woman just past her youthful prime, completely unlike the filthy woman who had been living in the slums before.
Ding Chi and Zhang Jun were stunned, never imagining Sister Ju Zi could be so beautiful with a little dressing up.
Only Lin Zhao, having seen more of the world, knew his cousin Murong Fei Yue was a great beauty. In the game, Sister Bai, Second Senior Sister, Chen Yu, Zhu Zhi, Lin Wan Hua, and others were all top-tier beauties. And then there was Shen Xing Chen, whose beauty was overwhelming and surpassed all others. Of course, Miss Leng was also extremely beautiful. After seeing so many, Lin Zhao felt that Wang Ju was attractive, but not to the point of being intoxicatingly mesmerizing.
He glanced at Ding Chi and Zhang Jun and couldn't help but cover his forehead, feeling embarrassed for them.