The afternoon.
...
In a forest of fiery red maple leaves, Lin Zhao wielded a Qinglu Sword, firmly holding the aggro of a Level 65 Flowing Gold Boss. Chen Xue, Luo Man, Ding Chi, and Zhang Jun took turns controlling the boss to reduce Lin Zhao's pressure. Further away, Shen Xingchen and Lu Li, two pháp system players, continuously waved their staffs, unleashing devastating spells on the Boss. Qing Ning, on the other side, kept Lin Zhao's health up with her healing skills.
"May the heavens bless us with a Guild Creation Token..."
Ding Chi chanted under his breath: "Hurry, as the law dictates, may Lord Laozi appear quickly!"
Lin Zhao almost spat blood and took another heavy blow from the boss. Shen Xingchen couldn't help but smile and said, "How could it be that easy? The drop rate for a Guild Creation Token from a Level 60+ boss is said to be only one in a thousand. For Level 70 and above, it might be a bit higher, but there are very few Level 70+ monsters within the county city territories, let alone bosses."
"Mhm."
Chen Xue nodded. "Let's take it slow. The Guild Creation Token is a matter of luck. We'll do our best."
"Right."
Shen Xingchen smiled and nodded, her hands never stopping as she continuously unleashed skills like Reinforced Meteor, Deep Frost Meteor, and Flame Laser on the Boss. In comparison, Lu Li, the former top pháp system player of the Crimson Moon Knights, seemed to be falling short in output. However, the young girl had her own pride. It didn't matter; she would take her time. One day, she would be able to see Shen Xingchen's back. Yes, that saying was 'to look up to someone.'
...
Just as everyone was fighting fiercely, a system bell suddenly echoed through the air, signaling the long-awaited event—
"Ding!"
System Announcement: Attention, all brave adventurers, the Capital City System of the Nine Provinces of the Under Heaven will officially open in seven days. At that time, players can enter a provincial capital city through county city teleportation. The monster resources within the capital city territories will be even richer. Once you enter a capital city, the Phantom Beast System will be immediately unlocked. The Northern Four Tribes are already restless, and the Nine Provinces of the Under Heaven are all recruiting soldiers and horses. We also ask all brave adventurers to work harder. The survival of the Under Heaven rests on us!
...
"It's here."
Shen Xingchen tilted her long neck and looked at the sky, smiling. "The provincial city system is about to open. If nothing unexpected happens, our next step should be to establish ourselves in Tianji City, the capital of Yun Province. Tianji City is the closest to the northern snowfields, so it will undoubtedly have the most open resources. Therefore, we should try our best to establish a guild within seven days. Otherwise, after entering Tianji City, the pressure will be too great, and we might not be able to bear it."
Luo Man's delicate eyebrows furrowed. "Will all the players from the sixteen counties of Yun Province gather in Tianji City then?"
"Mhm."
Shen Xingchen nodded. "County cities like Yunshang County and Haixi County are just Level 3 county cities. Tianji City, a provincial capital, is the true main city. Although it's a Level 2 main city, its resources will definitely not be comparable to the only main city in the Huaxia region, Baidi City. But it's still much more than a county city. Moreover, Tianji City is one of the capital main cities of the three northern provinces, so the population might far exceed our imagination."
"Perhaps..."
Ding Chi frowned and said, "We don't necessarily have to enter the main city of Yun Province. We can also enter the main cities of Yan Province or Ning Province in the north, it's the same..."
"It's different."
Lin Zhao shook his head and said, "In the background lore of 'Under Heaven,' the map of Yun Province is the most vast and its resources the most abundant, being the place that nurtured the 530,000 Yun Province Cavalry. Our Crimson Moon Knights must establish ourselves in Yun Province, to experience the clanging of swords and spears and the fervor of the battlefield. As the saying goes, a sharp sword is honed through grinding. If our Crimson Moon Knights can carve a bloody path from Yun Province, we will undoubtedly be formidable in the future."
"Agreed."
Chen Xue smiled. "I also agree to establish ourselves in Tianji City. After all, we are players from Yun Province, and coupled with Lin Zhao's connection to Yun Province, let's go with Tianji City. No need to choose anything else."
"Mhm."
Shen Xingchen smiled slightly. "Tianji City, according to the game's background story, was a city built for the human realm by a Mohist sage dispatched from the Mohist ancestral home. Tianji City has strong defenses and numerous mechanisms, with a heavy aura of warfare. It is said that upon establishing oneself in a main city, one will receive some very good city buffs. They haven't been released yet, but choosing Tianji City will definitely not be a loss."
"Alright."
Lin Zhao plunged his sword into the boss, "This topic is settled. It's Tianji City."
Why? Because Tianji City was closest to the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake, closest to the Fusang Great Wall, closest to the Washing Sword River, and closest to the place Lin Zhao's heart yearned for. Other than Tianji City, there was no other choice.
"Pity!"
Chen Xue stepped forward to check the loot. "Still no Guild Creation Token."
The two dark gold items dropped were given to Qing Ning and Lu Li, leaving Lin Zhao, Shen Xingchen, and the others with nothing. Well, dealing with bosses would just have to be a slow process.
"By the way."
Shen Xingchen said, "With so many people in our studio using the same internet line, it might cause some congestion and network latency at times. It doesn't affect us when we're just grinding monsters, but it could be problematic when encountering skilled players in duels. So, later, someone needs to go to the nearby mall and buy a dedicated accelerator for 'Under Heaven.' It's not expensive, around 5,000 Universal Coins. That way, we won't have to worry about any network issues in the future."
"Got it."
Lin Zhao nodded. "Ding Chi and I will log off and go buy it. We'll be back soon."
"Mhm."
Shen Xingchen glanced at him. "Are you taking your motorcycle?"
"What else?"
"No problem."
So, as Lin Zhao and Ding Chi logged off and stood up from their gaming pods, Shen Xingchen, who was between them, also logged off. "Lin Zhao, wait a moment. I'll get you something."
"Oh..."
Shen Xingchen returned to her room and came back holding a milky white car key. "You can take my car. It's safer. My car is custom-made and has advanced systems like bulletproofing and automatic danger avoidance."
"Ah?"
Ding Chi's jaw dropped.
Lin Zhao scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Isn't that too much? Your car looks quite expensive. What if there's a scratch... I can't afford to compensate for it, and you probably wouldn't feel right asking me to pay, would you?"
"Who said I want you to compensate?"
Shen Xingchen shot him a glance. "Can you drive it?"
"I've driven simulation systems at the company before, so it's not a problem."
"Then go. Be quick and come back soon."
"Mhm."
Lin Zhao grabbed Shen Xingchen's keys. As he did, his hand accidentally brushed against hers, a sensation of smooth, soft skin. Lin Zhao's heart fluttered, and he practically sprinted downstairs. Ding Chi followed. Shen Xingchen, however, frowned and watched the two figures fleeing downstairs, then couldn't help but chuckle. Was this the extent of the renowned Lin Baiyi's courage?
...
"Beep!"
Outside the villa, the headlights of Shen Xingchen's magnetic levitation supercar lit up. Lin Zhao held up the car keys and said to Nan Gong Ji Lin, who was standing in front of the RV nearby, "Shen Xingchen asked Ding Chi and me to buy a transfer accelerator, so she lent us her car. Just so you know, we didn't steal it."
Nan Gong Ji Lin chuckled and nodded. "Yes, just drive carefully. The young lady's car cost 90 million to customize from Lamborghini."
"..."
Lin Zhao and Ding Chi's faces went black. They felt like owning someone else's car was enough for a lifetime of hard work. So, life, sometimes, no matter how hard you try, isn't as simple as being born into the right family.
After getting into the car, Lin Zhao started the engine. After a slight jolt, the vehicle slowly lifted a little. It appeared to be hovering just above the ground, but in reality, it had already left the ground, just with a low center of gravity. On the road, a series of auxiliary driving systems activated one after another, with pleasant voice prompts and various road condition analyses and tips displayed on the screen. Lin Zhao was completely baffled. It seemed that even if he didn't touch the steering wheel, the car could drive itself to the mall.
"Damn, this is cool..."
Ding Chi rolled down the window, letting the wind mess up his hair. "It's worth it to ride in a car like this once in my life. We're really taking a huge advantage of Shen Xingchen."
"Whose Shen Xingchen?"
Lin Zhao glanced at him and smiled. "That's our dear Vice Guild Leader."
"Hahahaha, yes, yes, yes~~~"
The two of them laughed heartily in the car, without a care in the world.
...
Not long after, they arrived at a mall ten miles away. This mall was one of the main commercial centers in District D of Sucheng, offering everything from daily necessities to high-end equipment. The mall had two cinemas, but their box office performance wasn't good. In this era, with material scarcity, ordinary citizens simply didn't have spare money to watch movies. The real consumers here were basically the upper-middle class.
Lin Zhao parked Shen Xingchen's white sports car in the parking lot. As he got out, countless eyes turned towards him, making him feel rather embarrassed. Ding Chi, on the other hand, was much bolder. He even spat in his hand, rubbed it, and then used the spit as hair gel to slick back his hair from the sides, looking more mature. The untamed look in his eyes was completely unconcealed.
Lin Zhao couldn't bear to look at him. He identified the direction and said, "The electronics and dining are over there. Let's go."
"Roger that, Big Brother."
Ding Chi followed, like a subordinate.
The mall wasn't tall, only three floors. One part was dining, and the other was electronics. The dining area had various coffee shops, Sichuan restaurants, hot pot restaurants, and so on. This was clearly a place Lin Zhao and Ding Chi rarely visited. For example, eating hot pot would cost at least 400 Universal Coins for the two of them. What was their income level before? Only three to four thousand a month. After paying rent, utilities, and other expenses, only half was left. They were struggling to even eat and manage daily expenses, let alone eat hot pot.
They entered a shop, and the 'Under Heaven' transfer accelerator was placed in the most conspicuous position at the entrance. They bought one directly.
"A'Zhao."
Ding Chi didn't want to leave too early. Having finally gotten out, he smiled. "Shall we go have a cup of coffee and chat?"
"Sure."
They had been online fighting and grinding for days, and it was indeed too tiring. So Lin Zhao turned towards a coffee shop and said with a smile, "When we leave, let's bring one back for our dear Vice Guild Leader and Da Jun."
"Roger that~~~"
...
The two sat down. They weren't very good at ordering, so they ended up with a latte each and a tiramisu each. They sat somewhat awkwardly at the circular counter, taking small sips, afraid of finishing it in one gulp.
"Lin Zhao."
Ding Chi suddenly frowned. "Don't turn around. Look behind us naturally in a bit. Is that guy Ghost King? And that woman, she looks familiar too."
"Oh?"
Lin Zhao yawned lazily and then turned around as if by chance. Indeed, at a nearby table, two people were also drinking coffee. The man was dressed in a suit, and the woman wore a beige long dress. She was a great beauty, not very old, with a pair of big, watery eyes that were endearing.
Mo Chenxue, the clumsy nomad from 'Prosperous Peony,' also rated as one of the four great beauties of the national server. Lin Zhao had interacted with this girl before. Lin Zhao had always believed that such a foolish nomad, even if they paid him, the Crimson Moon Knights wouldn't take her!
...
"Later, shall we go watch a movie?"
Ghost King's gaze lingered on Mo Chenxue's chest, unable to move. He smiled gently. "After the movie, it will be time for dinner. I'll treat you to steak. Special grade beef air-freighted from Sumeria. Would you like to try it?"
"Ah?"
Mo Chenxue's small mouth parted slightly, and a hint of panic flickered across her pretty face.
Eighth chapter finished, brothers, recommend votes!