The night in Yun Shang County was ablaze with lights. Especially the East Gate Square and the auction house within, where lamps burned bright, illuminating the entire East Gate as if it were day. The auction of a gilded battle bow was the biggest event in the entire national server at the moment. As one of the three ranged professions, the Divine Archer had always been a popular choice, with countless Divine Archers across the nation. Major guilds would invest heavily in cultivating top-tier Divine Archers because they were indispensable for breaking through enemy lines in large-scale team battles in the future.
On this day, Yun Shang County teemed with people, with players from all over the Kyushu continent converging.
...
Inside the auction house, on the second floor, in an elegant VIP suite, Lin Zhao, Chen Xue, Ding Chi, Luo Man, and others stood shoulder to shoulder, gazing at the sea of people outside. This suite was provided free of charge because it was Lin Zhao who had supplied the Snow Region Battle Bow. Therefore, in the eyes of the auction house owner, Lin Zhao was akin to a god of wealth.
"So many people..." Luo Man peered outside and chuckled, "Brother, are we destined to strike it rich today?"
"Of course." Lin Zhao raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Is there anything you want? I'll buy it for you."
"Yes, I've had my eye on an Hermes bag for 150,000 universal coins, but I've never had the money to buy it."
"Oh." Lin Zhao casually picked at his ear with his little finger. "It's quite windy today, I didn't hear anything just now."
Chen Xue giggled. Luo Man rolled her eyes, thinking that men were indeed unreliable, and her brother was no exception.
Ding Chi looked outside and scoffed, "Hmph, this auction house really knows how to build hype. The top guilds from every county have sent representatives. The auction for the Snow Region Battle Bow is bound to be a bloody battle!"
"Most likely," Zhang Jun added with a smile, "But no matter what, we're definitely going to make a fortune!"
"Heh heh~~~" Lin Zhao crossed his arms, standing beside Chen Xue with a smug grin. Chen Xue couldn't bear to look at him, her hand on her forehead, pondering something.
...
East City Square.
"Swish swish~~~"
Two exquisitely beautiful figures materialized simultaneously. One was a stunning female mage, clad in a snow-white spirit robe, wielding a white jade staff. Her features were impossibly delicate, and her figure was so alluring that one couldn't help but glance her way. The other was a beautiful swordswoman in armor, her exquisite armor accentuating her curves. She possessed delicate features and a pair of slender, snow-white legs that were remarkably eye-catching.
They were none other than Shen Xingchen and Leng Yan.
Leng Yan intended to buy the Snow Region Battle Bow for her vice-leader, while Shen Xingchen was here to observe the excitement. The game had already entered the mid to late stages, and she wasn't in a hurry to level up anymore. Besides, her solo leveling speed was the fastest in the entire server, being the first player in Hai Xi County to reach level 62. This lead was enough for other top players to chase for many days, so she wasn't anxious about leveling. Since Leng Yan wanted to come, she decided to accompany her.
In fact, Shen Xingchen also really wanted to see the owner of the Snow Region Battle Bow with her own eyes, the white-clad figure from the Scarlet Moon Knights. After all, anyone who could forge such a battle bow must possess extraordinary skills. Shen Xingchen even wanted to spar with this person. Across the entire national server, there were truly few heavy tank players who could be considered her match. Su Xinghe was one, Leng Yan was half of one, Yi Shi Cang Liang was another half, and she had yet to discover others. As for this white-clad figure, perhaps he could be considered half a match.
Shen Xingchen was not only beautiful but also exceptionally proud. What man could truly capture her attention? Otherwise, she wouldn't have ignored the pursuits of Su Xinghe, who was hailed as the number one male idol in the China server.
As a result, the moment the two beautiful women stepped onto the grand avenue of Yun Shang County, they immediately became the focus of attention for numerous male players. All eyes turned to them in awe. The national server's number one beautiful strategist, Bu Jian Xing Kong, and the national server's leg goddess, Leng Yan, walking side by side – who could possibly resist such a sight?!
"Xingchen." Leng Yan felt a pang of annoyance at the gazes of the male players. She gently placed her hand on the hilt of the sword at her waist. "Your brother was sneakily following us earlier, what was he doing? Now he's nowhere to be seen. What's the meaning of this?"
"Hmph, don't mind him." Shen Xingchen pouted. She couldn't help it. That brother of hers... had doted on his precious sister like a treasure since childhood, always afraid she would be bullied outside. He claimed he wouldn't come to Yun Shang County this time, but he most likely followed along. His absence now probably meant he had friends in Yun Shang County and was meeting them.
...
Outside the city, the Platform of Life and Death.
Every county city had a Platform of Life and Death outside its gates, where players could duel. Upon stepping onto the platform, one had to sign a life-and-death pact. Once a player ascended the platform, they could not leave until a victor was determined. Furthermore, the defeated player would lose a level, and might even drop equipment. It was said that the chance of dropping equipment was higher than in regular PK. Therefore, those with deep grudges would directly challenge each other on the Platform of Life and Death.
Today, there were no battles on the Platform of Life and Death. Only four NPC cavalry soldiers stood guard around it, their lances held steady, their gazes fixed forward. Just then, a level 58 Templar Knight, bearing a long sword and clad in exquisite armor, walked to the front of the platform. He was handsome, with a hint of heroic spirit in his eyes. Above his head floated a line of text:
【Bu Jian Shen Yuan】 (Templar Knight)
Level: 58
Affiliated Team: Xing He
Team Position: None
...
Shen Lingyuan, the adopted son of Shen Tiannan, the chairman of the Shen Group, and Shen Xingchen's sworn brother. Years ago, Shen Tiannan, while traveling through the wilderness, found the bodies of a couple on a truck torn apart by twin-headed wolves, along with an infant they had desperately protected until their last breath. That infant was Shen Lingyuan. Coincidentally, Shen Tiannan had no children at the time, so he adopted the infant and named him Shen Lingyuan. A few years later, Shen Xingchen was born, and Shen Lingyuan, being several years older, always considered himself her brother and fiercely protected her. For Shen Xingchen's sake, Shen Lingyuan had fought many times, often ending up with a bloody head, but he never regretted it.
This time, Shen Lingyuan came to Yun Shang County with a specific purpose. He heard that the "White Clad" swordsman of Yun Shang County was very strong. It was a perfect opportunity. Shen Lingyuan had recently acquired a level 55 dark-gold long sword. With a suitable weapon in hand, his spirits were high, and he came to Yun Shang County with his sister. Shen Xingchen accompanied Leng Yan to auction an item, while he planned to take this opportunity to curb the arrogance of this "White Clad" swordsman, a plan that served two purposes!
"Hmph!" Shen Lingyuan smiled slightly, then sat down on the edge of the Platform of Life and Death and began sending messages.
...
"Ding!"
In the auction house, Lin Zhao, standing beside Chen Xue, received a message from an unknown player, "Bu Jian Shen Yuan": "Hi, White Clad. I am Bu Jian Shen Yuan from the Xing He Guild. I wish to challenge you to a life-and-death duel. Do you dare to accept?"
"Huh!?" Lin Zhao blinked in surprise. "Do we have a grudge?"
"No," Shen Lingyuan replied with a smile. "I just find you somewhat displeasing. Young people who are too full of themselves tend to attract envy."
"Indeed." Lin Zhao narrowed his eyes. "How about... we just settle the score? No need to insist on life and death?"
"A life-and-death battle can unleash one's strongest potential," Shen Lingyuan said with a faint smile. "What, are you afraid?"
"No," Lin Zhao said lazily. "It's just that I'm worried about damaging our goodwill. Our Scarlet Moon Knights have no enmity with Xing He. It seems unnecessary to offend Xing He over a spar."
"Rest assured, your life-and-death duel with me will have nothing to do with our guilds," Shen Lingyuan said with a faint smile. "Besides, as far as I know, your Scarlet Moon Knights only have two members left, right? What's there to be afraid of..."
"Tsk tsk..." Lin Zhao felt a flicker of anger. "Then wait for me at the Platform of Life and Death. It seems I have no choice but to accept this challenge today."
"Indeed, you have no choice."
"Here we come." Lin Zhao took a deep breath and explained Bu Jian Shen Yuan's challenge to Chen Xue and the others. Ding Chi and Zhang Jun were immediately enraged. Chen Xue's brows also furrowed; this Bu Jian Shen Yuan was too arrogant. If Lin Zhao didn't suppress him, the Scarlet Moon Knights would truly become a laughingstock.
"Let's go, we'll go with you to fight him!" Chen Xue nodded.
"Mm!" Lin Zhao felt reassured. With Chen Xue's approval, he, as the guild leader, could truly fight with all his might!
...
The group no longer paid attention to the auction. They walked out of the VIP suite and directly out of the auction house. Less than ten seconds after Lin Zhao, Chen Xue, and the others left the auction house, Shen Xingchen and Leng Yan appeared at the street corner. Leng Yan frowned as she looked at the statue of Marquis Wu Yue Hao in the center of Yun Shang County, thinking that person was more deserving of a statue here. Of course... she wished that person were still alive. She truly, truly wanted to see him again, even just once.
But they passed each other like this, less than a hundred meters apart, their backs gradually diverging into the distance.
The night continued without anyone blocking the gates. After suppressing the Scarlet Moon Knights to just two members, Sheng Shi Mu Dan and Cang Zhi Knights seemed to have become complacent and were no longer eager to guard the gates. What major waves could the remaining two, Bai Yi and Xue Qian Cheng, possibly stir up? It didn't matter...
On the East Gate Bridge.
Zhang Jun, clad in armor and wearing a conical hat, his sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes visible from beneath the hat, looked incredibly handsome. His brows were tightly knit. "Bu Jian Shen Yuan... this ID sounds familiar... Right! Isn't the national server's number one mage, Shen Xingchen, called Bu Jian Xing Kong? Could this Bu Jian Shen Yuan have some connection?"
"Naturally, there is a connection," Chen Xue, being an old hand at the game, understood these matters better. "This Bu Jian Shen Yuan is a guild leader in the Xing He Guild. He leads a 'Deep Abyss' team. In reality, he is the adopted son of Shen Xingchen's father. It's said that Shen Xingchen has always treated him like her own brother."
"Damn..." Ding Chi frowned. "Shen Xingchen's brother? Then... then wouldn't he be my future brother-in-law..."
Luo Man rolled her eyes. "Are you shameless? Would Shen Xingchen even look at you?"
Ding Chi rubbed his nose, feeling utterly defeated.
Lin Zhao laughed heartily, enjoying the banter between his brothers. However, this Shen Lingyuan seemed quite interesting, coming to challenge him like this. His brain must be a little problematic.
...
Outside the city, Platform of Life and Death.
The members of the Scarlet Moon Knights arrived. Lin Zhao walked at the forefront, drawing the Qing Lu Sword from his back. He chuckled, "We've arrived, brother-in-law... oh no, Bu Jian Shen Yuan..."
Damn, he'd slipped up, how embarrassing! Behind him, Chen Xue and Luo Man's beautiful eyes fixed on him simultaneously, radiating murderous intent.