Reality, Huaxia Region, Ningcheng.
...
In the streets and alleys, people hurried about their lives. Some rode motorcycles through the city delivering precious cargo, some held water cards by the water tower waiting to collect water, some shouted loudly at breakfast stalls, hoping to sell a little food to supplement their families. Military helicopters flew back and forth in the sky, transporting troops, and beyond the city walls, the sound of artillery fire could even be vaguely heard.
But people turned a blind eye. War raged outside the city, a fact everyone knew.
In the very center of the city, numerous grid-like civilian areas surrounded a golden skyscraper. This was Ningcheng's center, the administrative and economic hub of the entire city. This skyscraper housed those who held the most technology, wealth, and power in Ningcheng.
On the top floor of Ningcheng's center, a woman slowly opened her eyes in the morning light. In the morning light, she had a slight morning temper, kicked off the quilt with one foot, revealing two legs that could be called peerless in the world. They were snow-white, long, and lustrous. All the beautiful words in the world seemed insufficient to describe these legs.
Xu Yan, the daughter of the Xu family conglomerate in Ningcheng.
In an era of dwindling resources, Xu Yan, born with a silver spoon, naturally didn't know what poverty was, nor did she want to. She only wished to live happily every day.
She had another famous name in Ningcheng.
Leng Yan, a top ten figure in the Huaxia region of the Earth United Government's previous game, "Conquest." She was the leader of the top ten guild, Sheng Tian, in the national server, a figure who commanded respect in the game.
In the Huaxia region's gaming world, there were always three legends.
Shen Xingchen's beauty, Leng Yan's legs, and Xian Bai's mouth.
Shen Xingchen, the number one goddess in the Huaxia region's gaming world, was exceptionally beautiful, capable of taking on the world in terms of looks.
Leng Yan's legs were also quite impressive. She loved wearing hot pants and short skirts, showing off her legs. She believed her legs could conquer the world, and even Shen Xingchen's legs ranked second to hers.
Xian Bai's mouth. The number one philanderer in the national server, Xian Bai, possessed a handsome face that even men envied. He had countless romantic conquests with rarely a failure. It was said that even two lead singers of a popular girl group in the Huaxia region had had romantic entanglements with him. But Xian Bai, the wanderer, didn't care if you were a big star or a rich young lady; he pursued, he dumped, he moved through a hundred flowers without a leaf clinging to him!
...
Today was Leng Yan's birthday.
"Sigh..."
After getting out of bed, she sat in a chair by the floor-to-ceiling window, holding a cup of milk delivered by the robot servant, and looked at the scenery of Ningcheng spread out before her. She was somewhat dejected, saying, "Every birthday seems to be the same, still having to spend it with Mom and Dad... It's boring. When will I get a boyfriend... Everyone thinks I'm hard to pursue, but at least they could try to pursue me. If they don't even try, I don't have the chance to reject them..."
She finished her milk and placed the empty cup aside, sighing. Her pretty face looked out the window, lamenting, "Kings are lonely, and stunning beauties don't have boyfriends..."
Beside her, the communicator beeped. A holographic image of a butler in a suit immediately appeared, saying, "Miss, your father's birthday gift has arrived. Would you like to see it?"
"Oh!"
Leng Yan pursed her red lips. "What is it this year?"
"A customized eight-engine sports car from BMW Group, capable of both air and ground travel, with bulletproof and radiation-proof functions. It also comes with a guided missile system capable of attacking targets within a hundred kilometers with an accuracy of within one meter. Of course, it's best not to use this function; girls shouldn't be involved in fighting. The entire customized sports car cost thirty million universal coins!"
"Got it."
Leng Yan remained reclining in the chair, pouting her lips. "I'll go take a look after lunch."
"Miss!"
The butler cleared his throat. "Your father asked me to tell you not to spend all day in the game; it's unhealthy. Why don't you meet up with your girlfriends and go shopping at our mall this afternoon?"
"Got it~~~"
Leng Yan smiled with a dimple. "Then please help me tell him to drink less and exercise more in the afternoon. I can't even bear to look at his beer belly."
"Hahaha~~~"
The butler laughed. "I don't dare to say that. You should say it yourself during dinner."
"Mm."
Leng Yan said, "Bring breakfast in. I'll go online after I eat."
"Yes!"
After eating, as Leng Yan was about to go online, she couldn't help but think of someone in the game. Today was her birthday. If she told him in the game, how would this highly intelligent NPC react? Would he wish her a happy birthday?
She hadn't seen him in the game recently. It was said he had moved to the Mountain Peak Villa, the residence of the top ten young experts in Tianchi Ridge.
Leng Yan's lips curled upwards, feeling a little pleased. "The man I've set my sights on is indeed exceptionally outstanding!"
...
Tianchi Ridge, early morning.
On this day, the Mountain Peak Villa was shrouded in mist. Lin Zhao woke up early and practiced a set of martial arts in the courtyard with Mu Si, Zhu Zhi, and Gu Luan. The three of them used the military boxing techniques taught by Chu Huaixi, while Lin Zhao used the Farmer's Three Punches. Both were equally vigorous.
After finishing their boxing practice, Shu Zhi walked out of her room, glanced at Lin Zhao, and smiled. "Your injury seems much better?"
"Mm."
Lin Zhao gently patted his chest and smiled. "Martial artists have strong bodies; they recover quickly."
"Indeed."
Mu Si glanced at Luo Yang and chuckled. "Luo Yang was slapped by a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, and it's been so many days, and he's still using a cane. This frail body of his might not even withstand a punch from us six-realm martial artists."
"Save it."
Luo Yang, leaning on his long sword, hopped out. "If you have the guts, disperse your fist aura and let my natal flying sword stab your Qi Sea. I guarantee you'll never be a martial artist again."
Hua Ping walked out carrying a plate of snacks. "Who wants something to eat?"
At this moment, the eleven people in the Mountain Peak Villa had become a close-knit group, as if they had truly become a unit after a battle.
Just then, the gate creaked open, and three people entered.
Chu Huaixi, Chen Yu, and Huang Tingyu.
"Greetings, Commander Chu, Princess Yu, Deputy Commander Huang!"
Everyone bowed together.
"Mm."
Chu Huaixi cupped his hands in return and said, "We've come here today to announce two matters."
He looked at the group of young men and women. "The first matter is that starting today, Mountain Peak Villa will officially join the Death Squad. I have ordered that all ten Centurions of the Death Squad be demoted to deputies. And you, Shu Zhi, Luo Yang, Mu Si, Hua Ping, Lei Yue, Zhu Zhi, Gu Luan, Dong Hu, Wu Lian, and Zi Ye, will be the ten new Centurions of the Death Squad!"
"Ah!?"
Shu Zhi and the others were overjoyed.
Mu Si excitedly said, "Commander Chu, is it true? Am I really... going to be a Centurion of the Death Squad?"
"Mm!"
Chu Huaixi nodded. "With your cultivation and talent, you are more than qualified to be a Centurion. From now on, you will all join the army. And once you join the army, you must listen to the advice of your deputies. Military matters are similar to cultivation, yet different. You must humbly seek guidance and make the Death Squad stronger!"
"Yes, Commander Chu!"
Everyone was excited.
Lin Zhao was stunned and muttered to himself, "All ten of my subordinates have become Centurions, what about me? The Death Squad wouldn't let me be a Commander, because the Death Squad has no Commander; Chu Huaixi personally commands it. Could it be that I'm replacing Chu Huaixi? That's impossible."
"What about me, Commander Chu?"
The young man finally couldn't help but ask.
"As for Lin Zhao..."
Chu Huaixi smiled. "You have a new assignment. Princess Yu will tell you."
"Mm."
Chen Yu stepped forward and took a bamboo box from a attendant. She opened the box, which contained a stack of maps stamped with various seals.
"What is this?" Lin Zhao was confused.
"This is a complete set of topographic maps of the northern territories."
Chen Yu smiled. "From the Fusang Great Wall to the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake, and then two thousand li north, spanning twenty thousand li east to west, the topography, terrain, features, and spiritual energy of the entire central continent are all contained within these maps. This set of maps is the culmination of tens of years of hard work by the cultivators of the Tianchi Army. Now, Chu Huaixi and I have decided that you will escort this set of maps on a long journey to Bai Di City, the imperial capital of the Great Shang Dynasty, and deliver these maps to the legendary Marquis of Wen, Wen Shuoyang."
Lin Zhao's heart trembled. "I'm escorting it alone?"
"Mm!"
Chen Yu smiled. "Yes, only you. You'll travel through mountains and rivers, on your own. You can consider this journey a form of cultivation. When you reach places like the Fusang Great Wall, where the sword's essence lingers, you can even stop for a while to refine your boxing and sword techniques and temper your state of mind. Of course, after delivering the maps, you will purchase a swift horse and ride back to serve the Tianchi Army."
Chu Huaixi said, "When you return to Tianchi Ridge, you will be the new Commander of the Death Squad!"
"Ah!?"
Shu Zhi, Luo Yang, Mu Si, and the others were greatly surprised, and at the same time, they rejoiced for Lin Zhao. The position of Commander of the Death Squad was the highest rank in the entire Tianchi Army, second only to Chu Huaixi and Huang Tingyu. It was even higher than Chen Yu's rank as Commander of the Fengcheng Camp!
Lin Zhao nodded. "When do I leave?"
"Immediately. Take all your Qingfu coins with you, as you will definitely incur many expenses along the way." Chen Yu said.
"Okay! Then... Little Stone and Little Jiu'er?"
"Don't worry, someone will take care of them. You can go without saying goodbye. Head directly south and descend the mountain."
"Yes!"
So, Lin Zhao packed his belongings, took two sets of clothes, slung his ancient sword over his back, and brought over a thousand Qingfu coins. He then meticulously wrapped the bamboo box containing the topographic maps to protect them from rain and water. Afterward, he walked side-by-side with Chen Yu through the small town, heading south.
...
Early morning.
A female swordswoman in armor, with long, slender legs, arrived at the Mountain Peak Villa. It was Leng Yan.
She knocked on the door.
"May I ask, whom are you looking for?"
The person who opened the door was Mu Si. His eyes stared intently at the woman. She was so beautiful.
"Is Lin Zhao here?" Leng Yan asked.
"Oh..."
Shu Zhi smiled. "Our master left for the south not long ago. He may have already left the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake."
"Ah!?"
Leng Yan felt as if struck by lightning, standing there blankly. A mist gathered in her clear, bright eyes, and she was on the verge of tears.
...
This, truly, was fate playing tricks on people!