Hai Xi Prefecture, 4 AM.
As the colossal body of the Titan Spirit collapsed, a glistening, golden Awakening Divine Stone dropped into Su Xinghe's palm. He used it without hesitation, and a majestic Jianhu (Sword Lake) surged forth within the Lingxu. Merely seconds after the Jianhu awakened, Su Xinghe retrieved a pre-prepared flying sword and cast it into the lake, followed by a piece of Hai Shen Yan (Sea God Rock). Thus, the refining of the sword began.
Simultaneously, his gaze swept over the pile of loot, and he spotted a golden token.
An Alliance Creation Token. This was the second one the Xinghe Guild had obtained. Across the entire Huaxia District, Xinghe was the first guild to establish an alliance, its guild level far ahead of the national servers. Now, with another Alliance Creation Token dropped, its value was self-evident. Currently, only four guilds had formed alliances in the national servers: Xinghe, Canglong, Xunxian, and Shengtian. With the vast player base in the Huaxia District, the number of guilds aspiring to form alliances was immense. Therefore, this Alliance Creation Token at this juncture was a treasure that money could hardly buy.
"A massive profit."
Shen Lingyuan, carrying his shield, grinned. "Our Xinghe's luck is truly incredible. The second Alliance Creation Token, there can't be any others in the national servers, right?"
"It's not just luck."
Su Xinghe smiled slightly. "Our strength also played a significant role. To date, we've already defeated fifteen Flowing Gold-level Bosses. Both logically and reasonably, it's not excessive for us to have obtained a second Alliance Creation Token."
"Mmm."
Shen Lingyuan chuckled. "How do you plan to handle this Alliance Creation Token? Gift it, auction it, or keep it for when it's needed?"
"I haven't decided yet."
Su Xinghe's lips curled. "Let's talk about it tomorrow. When Xingchen logs on, we'll see what she says."
"Alright!"
...
Around eleven in the morning.
The members of the Scarlet Moon Knights Guild studio gradually woke up. Lin Zhao sent a message in the group chat, urging everyone to get up, wash, and eat lunch before continuing to farm dungeon maps in the afternoon.
Lunch was once again a lavish affair. Wang Ju single-handedly prepared a table full of delicacies. Wearing an apron, she ate with everyone. However, Wang Ju sat as far away from Chen Xue and Roman as possible. She didn't want to sit with those two girls, feeling inferior. Although she didn't say it explicitly, Wang Ju knew in her heart that those two young ladies were blooming and in the prime of their lives, while she was nothing. Thinking back to her experiences from a few years ago, she felt she wasn't even worth a withered flower.
Lin Zhao sat beside Chen Xue, holding his bowl, and praised Wang Ju's cooking profusely. At the same time, he subtly hinted for Chen Xue and Roman to get along a bit better with Wang Ju. These two simpletons couldn't always be so aloof; it wasn't good. Chen Xue was better, occasionally showing concern for Wang Ju. Roman, however, pouted and quietly told Lin Zhao that she suffered from social phobia and wasn't familiar with Sister Ju, needing time. Yet, Lin Zhao felt that Roman had no fear when she first met him. On the contrary, in front of the three male members of the studio, she exhibited severe social butterfly syndrome.
At one o'clock in the afternoon, they logged in.
"Whoosh!"
Lin Zhao, Chen Xue, and other red-named players appeared one by one in front of the teleportation cavalry. Players were arriving from not too far away, intending to sneak into the Titan Dungeon for a quick gain. However, the Titan Dungeon map was simply too small to accommodate so many players. Consequently, many mid-to-upper-tier players from Yun Shang Prefecture adopted a more prudent approach. They would level up to 99% in the outer maps, then enter the dungeon, apologize profusely to everyone, gain just 1% of experience, and leave. They were gambling on whether this 1% of experience could awaken those class talent abilities.
Every cat has its way, and every mouse has its way.
Each person's method of survival was different, and it had always been this way.
Lin Zhao led his party into the dungeon map, and immediately, a squad leader from the White Robe Alliance came to greet them, leading them on horseback directly to the center of the map. Lu Han had already reserved a small area as a "special zone" for the five members of the Scarlet Moon Knights Guild. The map wasn't large, but it was sufficient for five people to level up. Moreover, this location was at the heart of the dungeon map, with access in all directions, making it easier for Lin Zhao and his group to reinforce any direction.
"Mo Yin is back."
Ding Chi smiled faintly. "Let's bring him into the alliance."
"Mmm."
Chen Xue pursed her red lips and said, "I'll go check on Lu Li and Qing Ning."
"Alright."
Lin Zhao nodded, then picked up his Qinglu Sword and went to draw monsters for everyone to gain experience.
...
In the eastern part of Yun Shang Prefecture, within a grove of green bamboos, a small guild named "Deep Blue" was leveling up. The guild leader was a Level 60 Sword Master named "Deep Blue Blade." Clad in dark gold and gold-grade equipment, judging by his level and strength, this Deep Blue Blade was undoubtedly one of the elite players in Yun Shang Prefecture.
At this moment, Deep Blue Blade was leading over 100 members of his guild, sweeping through this bamboo forest map. Among the party, a Level 61 female mage with a beautiful countenance, wielding a staff that shimmered with rotating light, continuously unleashed powerful spells into the monster horde. Her damage output was far ahead of the rest of the team, nearly 30% more than the second-highest. And behind her stood a graceful nomad.
"Why?"
Deep Blue Blade frowned and asked, "Is it because the Scarlet Moon Knights Guild just merged with the Passionate Youth Brigade that you look down on small guilds like ours, Deep Blue?"
"No, it's not."
Lu Li shook her head, her red lips pursed. "Actually, the first guild that accepted Qing Ning and me after we entered the game 'Tian Xia' was the Scarlet Moon Knights Guild. Chen Xue personally invited us to her party. And the White Robe Alliance leader has been very good to us, always treating us as family. Therefore, we developed a sense of belonging from the start. Guild Leader Deep Blue, do you understand what that sense of belonging means? It means that as long as the Scarlet Moon Knights Guild needs us, we will always be there. The first guild I ever joined was the Scarlet Moon Knights Guild, and I hope to remain with them until the end, regardless of the guild's size."
Qing Ning nodded. "Yes, although our time in the Scarlet Moon Knights Guild was short, fighting together, battling together, getting beaten together... life was tough, but it was happy. White Robe Alliance Leader and Sister Chen Xue are both exceptionally kind. To be honest, if the Scarlet Moon Knights Guild hadn't been suppressed so severely, and Sister Chen Xue hadn't forcibly ordered us to leave, I wouldn't have wanted to go."
"I see..."
Deep Blue Blade frowned. "Then there's nothing we can do. It's not appropriate for us at Deep Blue to force you to stay."
"It's alright."
Lu Li smiled. "Even if Qing Ning and I leave, we'll still be friends."
"Indeed..."
Just then, a "ding" sounded, and Lu Li received a message from Chen Xue: "Code word: Dang Gui!"
"Ah?!"
Lu Li was filled with surprised joy. "I can return to the Scarlet Moon Knights Guild?"
"Mmm!"
Chen Xue nodded emphatically. "Bring Qing Ning back with you. Our Scarlet Moon Knights Guild is not what it used to be!"
"Okay, where should we meet you?!"
"Just come directly to the Titan Dungeon. We'll take you to farm dungeon maps!"
"Yay~~~"
Lu Li chuckled and turned to Qing Ning. "Chen Xue messaged us. She wants us to meet her at the Titan Dungeon map. We can return to the Scarlet Moon Knights Guild!"
"Really? That's great!"
Qing Ning cheered with delight.
Deep Blue Blade looked dejected. Were his two main players really leaving?
"How about this?"
Lu Li pursed her red lips. "Guild Leader Deep Blue, why doesn't Deep Blue just not establish an alliance? You can join the Scarlet Moon Knights Guild with us. We can still play together in the same guild."
"Ha?"
Deep Blue Blade was taken aback and laughed. "Lu Li, you're not only leaving, but you want to drag me along? Impossible. We at Deep Blue all have our dreams; how can we easily join other guilds? Don't underestimate our resolve to establish our own sect..."
"Oh..."
Lu Li said no more, merely forwarding Deep Blue Blade's ID to Chen Xue.
"Ding!"
A message arrived, an friend request from the stranger Chen Xue. At this moment, Deep Blue Blade fell into contemplation.
...
Twenty minutes later.
Titan Dungeon, at the teleportation cavalry point.
Lin Zhao and Chen Xue rode their warhorses, standing side-by-side, looking like a perfect couple.
In the distance, a group of people emerged from the woods. Lu Li and Qing Ning walked at the forefront, smiling and greeting Lin Zhao and Chen Xue. Behind them, Deep Blue Blade led his more than 100 brothers. He clasped his fists in greeting towards Lin Zhao and Chen Xue from afar, his expression resolute. He said in a deep voice, "Deep Blue Blade, leading my followers, I sincerely join the Scarlet Moon Knights Guild from this day forward. We are willing to serve with all our might!"