"Little Xue, you did well just now," Lin Zhao said to Mo Chenxue, who had been silent, with a smile of approval.
Mo Chenxue's pretty face flushed, and she whispered, "As long as I didn't hold you back..."
Shen Xingchen chuckled. In fact, she could tell that Lin Zhao was consciously trying to foster team synergy and consider everyone's feelings. Although Mo Chenxue was now the top nomad of the Scarlet Moon Knights, her operational skills had always been a point of criticism. Lin Zhao's words now would allow Mo Chenxue to truly hold her head high within the guild.
"Axue, check the Boss's equipment." Lin Zhao looked at the mountain of loot piled up not far away and said with a smile, "The Town Seal will be under your care for now."
"Okay, sure." Chen Xue stepped forward and began to distribute the drops from the Earth-grade Boss. The results were slightly disappointing. Although the Giant Rock Demon was an Earth-grade Boss, it didn't drop any Earth-grade equipment. It dropped three Flowing Gold items, which were decided by roll for the top 10 players who needed them based on contribution. Ding Chi obtained a Flowing Gold helmet, Qingning got a Flowing Gold healer's robe, and Chen Xue acquired a pair of armor boots, her equipment getting better and better.
The rest was a pile of Dark Gold and Gold items, and anything of slight value was distributed by roll.
"No Earth-grade equipment, what a shame," Shen Xingchen sighed softly. They had all fought very hard, and it was truly a pity that no Earth-grade equipment dropped.
Beside her, Chen Xue said, "I heard from the folks at Seek Immortal that the one they defeated also didn't drop any Earth-grade equipment. It's a bit strange. Logically speaking, the first kill of an Earth-grade Boss should drop an Earth-grade item for everyone to marvel at. It's really unbelievable that none dropped."
"Indeed." Lin Zhao frowned. "If you don't give players any rewards, how can you expect them to fight desperately?"
As he spoke, he began to sort through his inventory. It was at this moment, while sorting, that he noticed what seemed to be an orange staff lying in a corner of his inventory. This orange was peculiar. It wasn't the golden sheen of Gold, Dark Gold, or Flowing Gold items, but a bright, dazzling orange. When did this staff appear? Could it have been picked up casually during the chaotic battle when it dropped from someone else?
He frowned, took the staff out of his inventory, and brushed his hand over it. Immediately, Shen Xingchen and Chen Xue, who hadn't been paying much attention to him, found their gazes locked on the staff. Lin Zhao had actually taken out an Earth-grade staff! Its attributes appeared before their eyes—
[Staff of the Earth Goddess] (Earth-grade)
Spirit Attack: 950-1350
Spirit: +125
Stamina: +122
Agility: +120
Special Effect: Spell Vamp +15%
Special Effect: Damage Boost, +20% damage dealt
Special Effect: All Elemental Spell Damage Increased by 15%
Special Effect: Spell Penetration, ignores target's 40% spirit resistance
Skill: [Wrath of the Earth], summons Wrath of the Earth within a 60x60 yard area, unleashing effects of earthquake, meteor shower, rolling stones, mudslides, and multiple damage effects, lasting 15 seconds. Damage is related to user's spirit attack power. Cooldown: 120 minutes
Attribute: Increases user's spirit attack power by 28%
Attribute: Increases user's defense by 28%
Lore: The Staff of the Earth Goddess, a staff condensed from the spiritual energy of the Earth Goddess after her slumber, possesses immense earth power. It is said that obtaining the Staff of the Earth Goddess is equivalent to gaining a portion of the divine power to control the earth.
Requires Spirit: 800
Requires Level: 85
"...What's going on?" Lin Zhao was baffled. "How did this end up in my inventory?"
"Is there a possibility..." Chen Xue looked at him disdainfully. "That it dropped when you killed Xian Bai, and Xian Bai's inventory contained the spoils from the Earth-grade Boss's first kill that he hadn't even had time to look at?"
"Damn it..." Lin Zhao frowned and slapped his thigh. "That has to be it... It's the only possible explanation."
Shen Xingchen's dimples deepened as she smiled. "Sell it to me? 40 million universal coins, that's the highest I can offer. Direct private transaction, saves the 5% auction house fee."
"Sell?" Lin Zhao was surprised. "No, I won't sell it..."
Shen Xingchen was slightly disappointed. "Why? You don't want to give it to me?"
"It's not that." Lin Zhao turned to face Shen Xingchen. "Xingchen, you're part of the Scarlet Moon Knights now. Regardless of anything else, after you joined the Scarlet Moon Knights, haven't we gotten along pretty well?"
"Yes, it's been okay..." Shen Xingchen nodded.
Lin Zhao continued, "Our contract is only for six months. Honestly, I personally hope you'll choose to stay after six months. After all, you're one of us now. I've always considered you family within the Scarlet Moon Knights. Since you're family, any equipment suitable for you should be yours, so there's no question of selling."
Shen Xingchen's lips curled. "Are you... flirting?"
"No." Lin Zhao looked at her earnestly. "This is a conversation between a boss and an employee. In any case, I've never thought about selling equipment to you. This staff... take it." With that, he directly tossed the staff to Shen Xingchen.
Shen Xingchen held the staff, a hint of bewilderment in her beautiful eyes. She looked at Lin Zhao and said, "Well... first, let me clarify. This is a gift, not a bargaining chip. Even if I take this staff, when the six-month period ends, I can still leave whenever I want."
"I know." Lin Zhao smiled. "An Earth-grade item can't buy you, Shen Xingchen. I understand perfectly. It doesn't matter. After six months, whether you stay or go is entirely up to you. I won't force you in any way. Axue, you agree, right?"
"Yes!" Chen Xue chimed in, assisting. "Xingchen, Lin Zhao is willing to give you the first Earth-grade staff on the entire server, which shows he truly considers you one of the Scarlet Moon Knights. You just need to understand the sentiment behind it. Don't worry, we won't restrict your freedom or dictate your choices. If you want to leave then, you leave. If you want to stay, you stay. Everything will be up to your own heart."
"Your way with words..." Shen Xingchen pursed her lips. "I can barely handle it. It used to be me who used words to trick others. How come now... I feel like I've been tricked by the two of you with your words?"
"Aiyoh~~~" Chen Xue gently patted her fragrant shoulder. "Since ancient times, deep affection can't be kept, only clever schemes win hearts~~~"
Shen Xingchen chuckled and looked at Lin Zhao again. "Lin Zhao, Alliance Leader, can I take the staff?"
"Equip it. It's yours."
"Okay~~~" Shen Xingchen said with a light smile. "Thank you, Alliance Leader. I'll give you a shoulder massage or a back rub another day as a thank you..."
Lin Zhao rolled his eyes, too lazy to bother with her.
"Clank!" The next second, Shen Xingchen equipped the Earth-grade staff, and her attack power surged significantly. Her pretty face flushed slightly, and she swung the staff. "Why don't I get a chance to enter an exclusive map when I equip an Earth-grade item for the first time?"
Chen Xue put her hand to her forehead. "Xingchen, you've watched too many trash game commercials..."
Lin Zhao: "..."
...
"Boss." Not far away, Mo Yin, clad in top-tier leather armor and wielding two Flowing Gold daggers, emerged from the void. "The Seek Immortals are here. They're gathering outside the valley entrance. There are at least 8,000 people, and I heard several thousand went to attack the B-grade oil well."
"Understood." Lin Zhao mounted his horse, sword in hand. "Once the B-grade oil well is secured, it will be time for Seek Immortal to launch their all-out assault on us. If we can withstand this wave, we'll essentially have secured this S-grade gem mine."
"Yes!" Shen Xingchen agreed wholeheartedly.
In the distance, Shu Mei Jian Qing Feng rode his horse over. "The Flourishing Peony, Knights of the Azure, and All-Out Villains have begun attacking our sect's S-grade oil well, so I'll have to leave for a while."
"Alright." Lin Zhao nodded, then looked at Dark Girl not far away. "The Guanghan Palace can go to the B-grade oil well. You don't need to directly confront Wuwang. As soon as Wuwang's main force leaves, you go attack the B-grade oil well and tie up Wuwang's main force. Without that 5% attack and defense bonus, Wuwang won't be able to take down our Scarlet Moon Knights' 6,000 main forces. When Wuwang retreats, our Scarlet Moon Knights will send 3-4 legions to help you secure a B-grade gem mine."
"Understood." Dark Girl mounted her horse and waved. "I'm off. Good luck, everyone!"
"Mm." Shen Xingchen and Chen Xue nodded in unison, watching the Guanghan Palace and Wuwang, their two allies, leave this contested territory. Soon, quite a few Scarlet Moon Knights members who had died earlier returned to the base. Before long, the Scarlet Moon Knights still had close to 6,000 main forces defending this hard-won S-grade gem mine. At this moment, the first ten minutes arrived. The guild funds increased by 10,000 gold, and guild experience gained 100 million points. With this, the Scarlet Moon Knights could gain guild experience even if they stood still, and the entire guild's development would be quite rapid. Da Feng Novel Network.
...
"Establish a defensive line. Hold the valley entrance to the death." Lin Zhao rode his horse to the valley entrance. Behind him, a group of cavalry players from the Scarlet Moon Knights gathered. Chen Xue, Ding Chi, Roman, Zhang Jun, and others led their respective teams to defend sections of the area. Further back were Shen Xingchen, Lu Li, Mo Chenxue, and other ranged players. The Seek Immortal guild had over 15,000 people, and there should be over 12,000 online now. Breaking through the Scarlet Moon Knights' defenses was not simple. They had to not only defeat the front lines of the Scarlet Moon Knights' heavy infantry players led by Lin Zhao, Chen Xue, and Ding Chi, but also withstand the barrage from the ranged teams led by Shen Xingchen, Lu Li, and Mo Chenxue. The valley entrance was narrow and easy to defend, difficult to attack. If the Seek Immortal guild truly wanted to capture it, they would have to fight with all their might.
"Rustle..." Xian Bai, clad in top-tier equipment, held his staff and looked at the Scarlet Moon Knights' defenses from afar, feeling utterly miserable. He had to attack. Otherwise, if they lost this wave, Lin Zhao would have the final say in Tianji City from now on. They absolutely couldn't lose in terms of morale.
"Beep!" Suddenly, Xian Bai received a message from Leng Yan: "I heard you just met with Su Xinghe? Are you trying to use Xinghe's power to destroy the Scarlet Moon Knights?"
"Ah?" Xian Bai tensed up. "I didn't! I didn't! Yan, don't guess wildly..."