Twelve o'clock sharp.
Lin Zhao and the others were forced to leave, their four-hour time limit in the secret realm had expired. They logged off for a late-night snack. Following Lin Zhao and Chen Xue's suggestion, everyone decided to stay up all night and enter the secret realm again, practicing until past four in the morning. After all, fewer players were online at night, and the leveling resources within the Titan Secret Realm would be more abundant.
...
Half past twelve, the group re-entered the Titan Secret Realm.
As before, they continued leveling in the south-eastern corner, near the White Robe and Youngsters' factions, occupying an entire pine forest area. The monsters in the secret realm respawned quickly, dropped good loot, and offered high experience points, making the leveling process feel enjoyable.
Half past one in the morning.
With a "clack," accompanied by Lin Zhao's sword strike, an ancient treant let out a whimper. As it fell to the ground, it dropped a few silver coins and a plump helmet. Upon picking it up, Lin Zhao saw it was an obsidian-grade leather helmet. He tossed it to Ding Chi, saying, "Give this to Mo Yin later, the stats are quite good."
"Mm."
Ding Chi glanced at it. "Good? The stats are more than good, I'm tempted to keep it for myself."
"Ambitious, aren't we?"
"Haha!"
Just as the Crimson Moon Knights Guild's members were enthusiastically fighting monsters, an unwelcome party arrived.
A group of people appeared on the western hillside. Leading them was Fei Long Zai Tian from Prosperous Peony, his expression weary from a night of torment. He had had enough of constant bickering and friction with those smaller guilds and decided to push eastward. Since this area belonged to the Crimson Moon Knights Guild and was not claimed by the Youngsters' faction, it seemed like a viable option.
"Just as I expected."
Fei Long Zai Tian narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Brothers, the Guild Master has issued a Peony Emperor's Edict, commanding us to eliminate these members of the Crimson Moon Knights Guild in the shortest possible time to prevent their resurgence. So, stop thinking about anything else, charge down immediately, use heavy assault to stun them, and focus ranged fire on Bai Yi and Xue Qiancheng. I want them dealt with in the shortest time possible!"
"Yes!"
Behind Fei Long Zai Tian, neat rows of Prosperous Peony members appeared. At a glance, there were at least 500 people. That Peony Emperor's Edict was a third-ranked Peony Edict, a rather high-level command. Ghost King's sudden midnight assault was not only to establish his authority but also to suppress the growing influence of the Crimson Moon Knights Guild. His intentions were clearly laid out.
"Damn it..."
Ding Chi suddenly turned, his sword pointing directly at the hillside. "This is troublesome. Da Jun and I will hold them off. Everyone else, retreat immediately, disengage from combat, and return to the city. We can't all be wiped out here."
"What a good brother..." Chen Xue said.
Lin Zhao also nodded with a smile. "Mm..."
Ding Chi was bewildered, unable to understand why these two seemed so unfazed. Did they really think that the five members of the Crimson Moon Knights Guild could take on over 500 opponents? A single mouthful of spit from each of them would be enough to drown them.
...
"Ding!"
A message arrived from Lu Han: "Boss, time to make a move?"
"Mm."
Lin Zhao nodded gently. "We've been biding our time long enough. It's time for our Crimson Moon Knights Guild to rise. You immediately lead the Youngsters' faction from the north. Deal with however many Prosperous Peony members show up. Also, tell Xu Du to quickly mobilize the White Robe faction to head west, ready for reinforcement."
"Got it!"
"Let's go!"
Lin Zhao raised his hand, drew the Qing Lu Sword, and charged forward on his horse. "You guys retreat slowly, I'll hold them off for a while!"
With that, the Qing Lu Sword and Ming Yue flew out. With two sharp hisses, a leading Prosperous Peony Templar Knight let out a mournful cry as he fell from his horse, dead. Two large blood holes appeared on his throat, instantly killing him. Immediately after, Lin Zhao activated his sword aura defense and, holding the Qing Lu Sword, clashed with several heavy assault players from the opposing side. After only a few strikes, the trampling effect of his Snow Rock warhorse was triggered, and waves of snow-colored cavalry trampling effects surged forth, dealing continuous damage to the surrounding players.
"Hmph~~~"
Chen Xue let out a light hum and gently spurred her horse forward. With a "peng," she forcefully collided with a group of Prosperous Peony players not far from Lin Zhao. With a flick of her spear, the Holy Sword form imbued around it transformed, becoming a golden barrier around her. This was the defensive form of the Holy Sword. With extremely high armor, resistance, and damage reduction, the opponents' attacks barely hurt Chen Xue. As she activated the Resurrection Wind, her health bar even began to trend upwards.
"Let's not get reckless, you three..."
Ding Chi, after slaying a charging heavy assault player with his sword, raised his hand to block Roman and Zhang Jun, his expression cautious. "Lin Zhao and Chen Xue can play like this, but we can't... They've both awakened the Yun Jian Lake and the Holy Sword. We have nothing. We'll just provide support. Charging headfirst is not for us."
"Mm."
Roman nodded, unusually agreeing with Ding Chi's statement.
...
"Keep charging!"
On the hillside, Ghost King appeared. He narrowed his eyes, eyes filled with opulence. He had been thoroughly defeated by the smaller guilds from Yun Shang County all night, and his territory had shrunk so much that his ambitions were almost shattered. Now, seeing this opportunity, he couldn't wait to slaughter the members of the Crimson Moon Knights Guild. It was a rare chance!
He slowly drew his long sword and pointed towards the woods on the east side of the hillside. He low-voiced, "Groups 4-7, attack together. Surround Bai Yi and Xue Qiancheng and eliminate them in the shortest time possible. Mages, Sharpshooters, and Storm Gunners, focus fire. Don't give them any chance to kill and recover health."
"Yes, my King!"
On the hillside, dense rows of Prosperous Peony players charged down. At this moment, the total number of participants in the operation against the Crimson Moon Knights Guild had likely exceeded 800 people.
"Too many people!"
Ding Chi yelled with all his might, "Lin Zhao, Chen Xue, find an opportunity to retreat. We can't be worn down to death here!"
At this point, Lin Zhao's health had been suppressed to 41%. The Holy Sword was indeed powerful, but under the relentless focus fire from the ranged attackers, it was incredibly difficult. Chen Xue's health was at 55%, her health bar dropping under the frantic targeting.
"Kill them!"
A group of Prosperous Peony members had ferocious expressions, wishing they could devour Lin Zhao and Chen Xue whole. They had suffered too much at the hands of these two before, especially Lin Zhao, who was a nightmare. If they could defeat Lin Zhao this time, the members of Prosperous Peony would cast away their inner demons and regain their confidence!
But just then, the sound of rustling came from the woods to the north. Along the edge of the pine forest, figures of cavalry appeared, each with the emblem of the Youngsters' faction above their heads. Over 100 heavy assault players were present late at night. The leader, Shao Nian Luo Fan Chen, rode a tall horse, clad in shining golden armor. He drew his golden long sword and pointed south, shouting, "Brothers, slaughter these scoundrels of Prosperous Peony! Save our Guild Master!"
"Huh?!"
On the hillside, Ghost King jolted. What did this mean? Weren't you, Lu Han, almost calling me brother earlier? How did you suddenly start calling Prosperous Peony scum now? And... what did saving the Guild Master mean? Who was the Guild Master? There were only two leader-level players around here. One was Lu Han, but he was a faction leader, not a Guild Master. That left him, the magnificent Ghost King, Guild Master of Prosperous Peony. Could it be that the Youngsters' faction had decided to defect to Prosperous Peony?
He took a deep breath, already calculating how he would be courteous in the future.
However, the next second, over 100 heavy assault cavalry from the Youngsters' faction charged out of the pine forest, directly towards the central army of Prosperous Peony. Immediately behind them were over 300 ranged and support players. The Youngsters' faction had almost mobilized their entire force. In less than a minute, they had broken through the center of Prosperous Peony's army. Lu Han, leading dozens of people who hacked and slashed their way to help Lin Zhao and Chen Xue, smiled and said, "As expected of two Guild Masters, you can really take a hit..."
Lin Zhao chuckled.
Chen Xue said, "The lines have been completely drawn. Let's begin. Have the Youngsters' faction change to the Crimson Moon Knights Guild emblem and adopt the Crimson Moon Knights Guild's designation. The White Robe faction as well!"
"Ok!"
Lu Han turned his horse and pulled on the reins. After killing several people with his sword, he raised his arm and shouted. Instantly, the Youngsters' faction emblems on all the players' chests slowly disappeared, replaced by the crimson moon emblem of the Crimson Moon Knights Guild. The superior affiliation of the Youngsters' faction now displayed the name of the Crimson Moon Knights Guild. Once the Crimson Moon Knights Guild was formally established, the Youngsters' faction would directly become a subordinate unit.
"Brothers!"
Lu Han's voice echoed through the mountains. "We, the Youngsters' faction, have long decided to permanently join the Crimson Moon Knights Guild. Bai Yi, from today onwards, is our Guild Master. Damn these Prosperous Peony scoundrels who have repeatedly ganged up on us and suppressed our Crimson Moon Knights Guild. Should we not settle the score today?!"
"Yes!"
A group of passionate youths from the Youngsters' faction roared in unison. In fact, most of them had just learned about the Youngsters' faction joining the Crimson Moon Knights Guild. But as soon as they heard that the divine player Bai Yi, who could defeat over 200 people from the Wind Camp with just one person and one horse, was their Guild Master, coupled with the fervent roars of their brothers beside them, it was incredibly exhilarating. In an instant, all the passionate players from the Youngsters' faction became fired up, feeling a sense of belonging. From now on, they were all members of the Crimson Moon Knights Guild!
"Kill!"
A group of people charged forward with roars. Lin Zhao, leading Chen Xue, Ding Chi, Roman, Zhang Jun, and others, began a counter-charge. Their combat power was formidable, and in a flash, they all turned red-named. Even Zhang Jun and Roman had turned red-named, but the red names were even more terrifying, forcing a large number of Prosperous Peony members to retreat.
...
"How could this be..."
Ghost King's veins bulged on his forehead. He never imagined that the Youngsters' faction would join the Crimson Moon Knights Guild. A 500-person guild joining a 5-person alliance? Wasn't that completely preposterous? Yet, everything before him was happening so realistically. In an instant, the Crimson Moon Knights Guild, which Prosperous Peony could easily handle, was now capable of confronting Prosperous Peony on the main battlefield. Furthermore, over 400 people from the Youngsters' faction were pushing back over 1200 people from Prosperous Peony, keeping them on the verge of collapse at all times.
"Guards!"
Ghost King roared, "This is a moment of life and death for our Prosperous Peony! Issue a Peony Divine Emperor's Edict! The brave win the day in narrow encounters! All assemble, and fight the Crimson Moon Knights Guild to the death!"
"My King, please be prudent!"
Fan Wang Zhi Xue, holding his staff, looked horrified. "The Peony Divine Emperor's Edict can only be used once in a lifetime. After you use it, do you plan to reincarnate and use it again? Your subordinate suggests you downgrade your consumption. Using a Peony Sacred Emperor's Edict would be sufficient. It can also mobilize troops..."
"Fine, then the Peony Sacred Emperor's Edict! Stop the nonsense and issue the order immediately! Notify all offline personnel to log in. I don't believe that over 2000 of us can't defeat their over 400 people from the Youngsters' faction!"
"Yes!"
At this moment, Ghost King had completely lost his composure.
Eighth update complete, brothers, please vote!