"Don't give them a chance to regroup."
Lin Zhao brandished the Qing Lu Sword, darting through the crowd. One enemy fell with each strike, their heads rolling as the players of Sheng Shi Mu Dan were cut down. Previously, he had fought alone, yet his prowess was already extraordinary. Now, with so many brothers from the Youth Brigade, his confidence soared. He charged back and forth through the throng, threads of healing light occasionally falling upon him. Having allies was truly a wonderful feeling.
"Got it!"
In the management channel of the Scarlet Moon Knights, Lu Han said gravely, "Should we immediately deploy the White Robe Brigade into combat?"
"En!"
Lin Zhao nodded, "Have them flank directly to Sheng Shi Mu Dan's rear and launch an attack. Deny them any chance to assemble. We'll kill as many as they send, and make sure Sheng Shi Mu Dan can never stand up again!"
"Ok, understood!"
At this moment, Lu Han's heart raced. He followed Lin Zhao's commands even more obediently. Why? Because it was Lin Bai Yi of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond giving the orders. Was there a need to question his command ability? Absolutely not.
...
One thirty.
After nearly an hour of fierce fighting, the entire mountain forest was nearly stained red with blood. The Youth Brigade's 400+ members were formidable in combat, and their coordination was impeccable. In small battle zones, their localized command was orderly, often allowing them to break through enemy formations of a hundred with just dozens of their own. A single Youth Brigade was crushing the enemy's 1200+ players. The White Robe Brigade, though newly formed, possessed individual combat strength. Their average level was a staggering 57, a terrifying presence in Cloud Top County. The entire brigade of over 400 people directly attacked the enemy's core, nearly kicking the Ghost King's backside.
As it approached two in the morning, the Sheng Shi Mu Dan guild was completely cleared out. There were almost no Sheng Shi Mu Dan players left on the entire Titan Secret Realm map.
Outside the forest.
Not far from the teleportation cavalry, the Ghost King, having lost a level, looked ashen-faced and frowned, "The Youth Brigade and the White Robe Brigade combined are no more than a thousand people. Why couldn't we win? We all have heads on our shoulders, are our people not human?"
"My King, please calm your anger..."
Fan Wang Zhi Xue said with a solemn expression, "It's mainly an issue of team synergy. The Youth Brigade's 500 members have been fighting together every day for years. As for Sheng Shi Mu Dan, fewer people followed from the Conquest, and most are newly recruited. Give our brothers some time, and we will surely improve."
"En."
The Ghost King's mood improved slightly. "Gather everyone, and charge again?"
"No need."
Fei Long Zai Tian shook his head, "We were just decisively defeated. Our fighting spirit is gone. It's better to let our brothers log off and rest well. Tomorrow morning, we'll re-enter the Titan Secret Realm, and then directly take over the Scarlet Moon Knights' occupied territory."
"That makes sense."
The Ghost King readily agreed, "Then we'll log off and rest. We'll gather precisely at nine tomorrow morning."
"Yes, my King!"
...
Titan Secret Realm.
After the Youth Brigade and the White Robe Brigade took over the territory of Sheng Shi Mu Dan, their leveling resources instantly increased. The southern region, having just gone through a large-scale bloody battle, ultimately saw the Scarlet Moon Knights emerge victorious, directly expelling "bullies" like Sheng Shi Mu Dan. Therefore, everyone applauded. The smaller guilds also gave face to the Scarlet Moon Knights and did not antagonize each other.
Just as it turned two-thirty, a ringing bell echoed through the sky of the secret realm map.
"Ding!"
Map Announcement: Players, please note, the [Spirit of the Titan] (Gilded Grade Boss) is about to descend upon the Titan Secret Realm map, carrying precious treasures. Players who defeat it will definitely drop an [Awakening Divine Stone]. After using the [Awakening Divine Stone], the next time you level up, you are guaranteed to trigger your class's first talent ability awakening!
...
"A Boss is out..."
Lin Zhao, after felling a deer demon with a single sword strike, turned and said, "Lu Han, immediately dispatch our assassins to search for the Boss's coordinates. Let's try to secure this Boss. If it drops an Awakening Divine Stone, this stone will be yours, as a reward from the guild to you, our first brigade leader."
"Ah?!"
Lu Han couldn't help but laugh heartily, "Does this mean I'll surely be the first to awaken my Sword Lake?"
"En, hurry!"
"Alright, I'll have someone do it right away!"
Lin Zhao continued to kill monsters while chatting with Chen Xue, "Tomorrow we should call Mo Yin back. Also, Lu Li and Qing Ning, if possible, call them back too. I don't know if they've settled down in other guilds. If they're unwilling, it's okay, no need to force them. We met once, no need to end on bad terms."
"En, got it~~~"
A few minutes later, Lu Han said in the management channel, "Found the Boss's coordinates. It's right in the center of the map, coordinates (22245, 22245). That area is currently occupied by a few small and medium guilds, and no one has discovered the Boss's location yet. Shall we head there now?"
"En."
Lin Zhao said, "Form a Boss-fighting team of 100 people. Chen Xue and I will tank. Lu Han, you and Ding Chi, Zhang Jun, Luo Man, Xu Du, and others will assist in controlling the Boss. Additionally, we'll need a large number of ranged and nomadic players, and a geomancer to set up formations to boost everyone's attack and defense."
"Understood, I'll have someone form the group immediately."
Lu Han thought for a moment, "What about the rest? Should they continue grinding monsters here?"
"Move closer."
Lin Zhao frowned, "The Azure Knights are on the left side of the map. Our fight for the Boss will inevitably alert them. Dispatch people now to set up a defensive line to their left, intercepting the Azure Knights. Our main force should quickly finish off the Boss so you can awaken your Sword Lake first."
"En, understood!"
...
Shortly after, over 700 members of the White Robe Brigade and the Youth Brigade established a barrier to the left of the Boss, blocking any infiltration by the Azure Knights. Meanwhile, Lin Zhao, Chen Xue, Ding Chi, Lu Han, and others led a hundred-person team directly towards the Boss. From afar, a massive figure lay across the jungle, resembling a colossal, decaying stone statue, wielding a battle axe, very much like the legendary Titans. Its body was a full 20 meters tall, making players appear as ants before it. A level 70 Gilded Grade Boss. Its level and tier were not high, posing a fatal threat to ordinary guilds, but to "veterans" like Lin Zhao who frequently tackled Gilded Grade Bosses, it was quite familiar.
"Up!"
He led the charge. He could kill Gilded Grade monsters even without a mount back then. Now, with a mount and brothers by his side, it was naturally easier. The next moment, he was sent flying by a single axe from the Spirit of the Titan, his mouth contorting in pain. This Boss had been strengthened; it was stronger than an average level 70 Gilded Grade Boss. But it didn't matter. The Scarlet Moon Knights were now numerous!
"Focus fire on our Alliance Leader!"
Chen Xue, holding her long sword, commanded from nearby. Although many in the Youth Brigade and White Robe Brigade were seeing this beautiful vice leader for the first time, beauty possessed a natural advantage. In an instant, everyone accepted her. Furthermore, as the legendary Xue Qian Cheng of the Azure Dragon, she was qualified to command everyone. Thus, no one had any objections, and her commands were followed absolutely.
"Ranged, begin the volley."
Chen Xue continued to command, "Beware of the Boss's dust attack. Ding Chi, Luo Man, Zhang Jun, have your charge cooldowns ready. I will remind you to charge before the Boss unleashes its next 'Shattered Jade' skill. Try to minimize the damage taken by our Alliance Leader and maintain his health."
"En!"
Ding Chi, Luo Man, and Zhang Jun nodded in unison.
Beside them, Lu Han drew his sword and halted his horse. Watching Chen Xue command, observing the team's strategy, he couldn't help but squint his eyes and smile slightly. It seemed... truly interesting. The Youth Brigade joining the Scarlet Moon Knights might genuinely be a good thing. In a guild like this, the Youth Brigade would become stronger and more cohesive.
Looking again at the white figure elegantly maneuvering at the Boss's feet, Lu Han's admiration grew even more.
My big brother Lin Shuai is unrivaled in the world!
...
In the left-side jungle, accompanied by the sound of disorderly hoofbeats, countless players from the Azure Knights approached to observe. From a distance, they could see the colossal body of the Spirit of the Titan towering above the treeline, constantly swinging its battle axe. Around it, the light of skill effects like Fireball and Double Shot flowed. Someone was already engaging the Boss.
"Damn it!"
Xi He Da Guo Kui frowned, "The Scarlet Moon Knights have already started!"
Li Cang Hai gritted his teeth, "They really are fast!"
"Boss!"
A sharpshooter guild leader said, "Although the Scarlet Moon Knights have merged with the Youth Brigade and the White Robe Brigade, their current numbers should not exceed 800. We are different; we still have a full 2000 people online. We must contend for this Spirit of the Titan. After all... it is guaranteed to drop an Awakening Divine Stone, which can awaken your first Sword Lake, Leader."
"..."
Li Cang Hai's heart was in turmoil. Did he not want it? He craved that first Sword Lake intensely. Didn't Bai Yi previously use the unpredictable movement and ranged harassment of flying swords against their Feng Zi Ying? Moreover, it was rumored that Xing He Guild's Chief Knight, Bu Jian Shen Yuan, had a sparring match with Bai Yi, and was almost completely defeated by the power of flying swords. If he himself possessed a Sword Lake and a flying sword, what would that look like?
He squinted his eyes. The world's martial arts scene, writing tales of glory, Bai Yi Sword Immortal Li Cang Hai, tsk tsk... wonderful!
"Charge!"
Li Cang Hai clenched his fist and said, "No more hesitating. Gather our forces immediately and prepare to charge the Scarlet Moon Knights' defensive line, stopping their Boss progression!"
"Yes, Boss!"
...
Not long after, a sky-shattering roar of battle came from the western mountain forest. Over 2000 players from the Azure Knights fiercely attacked the Scarlet Moon Knights' line of over 700. The two sides fought to a standstill. In fact, in terms of absolute strength, the Azure Knights were stronger than Sheng Shi Mu Dan. They had slightly more numbers and a more balanced combat capability. After all, Li Cang Hai's own methods were more numerous and advanced than Ghost King's, and his understanding and research of the game were deeper.
"The Azure Knights have begun their assault."
In the management channel, Lu Han said gravely, "Their offensive is fierce. It seems they intend to wade into the water and stir things up. They really don't want us to defeat this Boss."
"Can they hold them off?"
Lin Zhao, while hacking at the Boss's feet, asked gravely, "Or rather, how long can they hold them?"
"They can hold them off, but the losses won't be small."
Lu Han frowned, "However, this is the founding battle of our Scarlet Moon Knights. We must fight it, and we must fight the strongest guild in Cloud Top County, the Azure Knights!"
"En."
Lin Zhao nodded, "Concentrate our firepower, quickly end the battle with the Boss, and prepare to go reinforce them!"
"Alright~~~"