The next day, in the early morning.
The weather was clear and sunny, and the morning light dispelled the clouds, casting its glow upon the entire Snow Domain Heavenly Pool. Countless players from the seven major guilds had gathered. Among them, most of the Scarlet Moon Knights were assembled in the plaza below the mountain villa on the peak. A total of over 18,000 people. At this moment, the Scarlet Moon Knights were a Level 4 guild with a 20,000-person cap, so the participation rate for this southern expedition was extremely high, exceeding 90%.
Chen Xue, mounted on a white horse, wielded a gleaming Earth-grade spear, clad in armor with a flowing cape behind her, exuding a heroic and spirited aura. Beside her, Shen Xingchen was dressed in high-tier exquisite mage attire, holding a ruby staff. Despite wearing a soft spiritual robe, the curves of her chest, waist, and hips were remarkably pronounced, causing Ding Chi, Zhang Jun, Bu Su Liren, and others to secretly lament the immense power of the capital wielded by capitalist villains.
With the two beauties holding down the fort, there was really nothing for Lin Zhao to do. For charging into battle, Chen Xue leading Ding Chi, Lu Han, Bu Su Liren, Roman, Shao Nian Xu Du, and others was more than enough. And for positional warfare and artillery duels, Shen Xingchen leading Mo Chenxue, Lu Li, Qing Ning, and others meant they wouldn't fear anyone.
Therefore, the Scarlet Moon Knights currently only lacked scale. In terms of numbers, they were inferior to the so-called T1 guilds in the national server, but in a real fight, they might not necessarily lose.
To support a large guild of over 50,000 members, it required far more than just a bit of funding. The Scarlet Moon Knights, after all, did not have the backing of a financial consortium. Lin Zhao, Chen Xue, Lu Han, Bu Su Liren, and others had all started from scratch, so they could only proceed slowly. It was almost impossible to get rich overnight.
...
"The other guilds are mostly here too."
Chen Xue glanced at Lin Zhao and, with a wave of her hand, shared a list of data just compiled from the various guilds. She said, "Star River, Azure Dragon, Seeking Immortals, and Victorious Heaven each have over 30,000 people participating. Boundless and Cold City have over 20,000. Our Scarlet Moon Knights have the fewest, with over 18,000 people in total, bringing the combined force to nearly 200,000, the most lavish lineup the national server has ever fielded."
"We have fewer people, but our combat strength is not necessarily inferior to other guilds," Lin Zhao said with a smile.
"Haha, of course!"
Lu Han said in a deep voice, "The brothers of our Scarlet Moon Knights are all seasoned veterans. Although we are not rated as T1, our actual combat strength is not inferior to any T1 when facing them. Even if Lord Lin Zhao were on the field, we wouldn't necessarily fear Star River. The 'All Villains' side has only seventy to eighty thousand people, so the problem won't be too big."
"Mm."
Ding Chi nodded with a smile, "But don't speak too soon. We'll know once we clash with Ding Chunqiu's group."
"Right!"
Bu Su Liren narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Especially the over 3,000 veteran members of 'All Villains' led by Ding Chunqiu. Those people have very high levels. I encountered them once when I was leveling in Deer Forest. Luckily, I was quick-witted, or I would have been taken down. Not only are those people high-level and well-equipped, but they are also quite comprehensive in terms of magical artifacts. Their sect allows players to exchange for magical artifacts after reaching 1,000 sect contributions. It's said that there are as many as over 500 players who possess dual magical artifacts. How many dual magical artifacts do our Scarlet Moon Knights have? Only about 80+ people in total. The gap is still quite significant."
Lin Zhao frowned. This was indeed a problem. Ding Chunqiu was someone who would do anything for profit, and his sect was much the same. Tan Xin was also someone who would disown even her parents for treasures. Ding Chunqiu becoming Tan Xin's disciple created a formidable synergy.
"It's fine."
Lin Zhao smiled slightly, "Let's fight first. If we don't fight, and let Ding Chunqiu's group take all the leveling resources in the Deer Forest and Luo Yan Mountain area, then the number of players in the national server leaning towards the Northern Four Clans will only increase."
"They are all bastards who side with whoever feeds them!"
Shen Lan Zhi Ren frowned, "When we go down the mountain later, there's no need to be polite. Kill any ghost cultivators you see."
"Right."
Lin Zhao nodded, "Xingchen, isn't it time to go down the mountain and depart?"
"Mmm~~~"
Shen Xingchen nodded with a smile, "Ayan has already led the people from Victorious Heaven to depart. Star River, Azure Dragon, and Boundless are also departing immediately. Our numbers are almost complete."
As she spoke, Shen Xingchen, who had recently reached the Golden Core realm, leaped lightly and landed on a ginkgo leaf magical artifact, a flying magical tool. She swayed slightly, stood firm with her staff, drawing the gazes of everyone. After a while, Shen Xingchen gradually got used to controlling the artifact, a sweet smile appearing on her face. She knelt on one knee on the artifact, caressed the tip of the ginkgo leaf, and then looked forward, her beautiful eyes filled with unwavering determination. She said softly, "Let our thoughts be one!"
"Whoosh!"
She flew away.
"..."
Lin Zhao held his forehead, finding this eldest daughter of the Shen family to be quite childish.
The surrounding male players were stunned, their faces slack-jawed. Our beloved Vice-Alliance Leader is truly cute and innocent. If one could have such a girlfriend, their life would be complete!
"Let's go, southwards."
Lin Zhao drew his Li Quan and pointed south. Instantly, on the flat ground of Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, over 18,000 members of the Scarlet Moon Knights descended the mountain in a mighty stream, heading straight for the Deer Forest and Luo Yan Mountain area to the south.
...
While the seven major guilds were heading south, many other things were happening in the south.
In the morning mist, dense water sounds emanated from the north bank of the Washing Sword River. Players who had joined the ghost cultivators arrived at the shore, laid their coffins behind them, and then placed the coffins in the water. Immediately, ripples spread. On the shore, such coffins had already formed a continuous line.
"Crack!"
Ding Chunqiu, clad in high-tier armor, leaped onto the water's surface, landing on the connected coffins. He stomped down forcefully and said, "Are they sturdy? Make sure they're all tied up. In ancient times, Cao Mengde chained his ships together. Today, I, Ding Chunqiu, will chain coffins together. Those behind, pass up the ropes and tie all the coffins together, so they won't be swept away by the river!"
"Boss."
A Level 126 Swordmaster squatted on a coffin nearby and said, "What's the point of doing this... It seems like it's useless except for looking impressive."
"You know nothing!"
Ding Chunqiu grinned and said, "A mere lower realm cultivator, what can you understand? Can those of you on the ground understand what's happening on the mountain?"
As he spoke, Ding Chunqiu waved his hand, and a wisp of ghost energy spread over the river. The next scene stunned all the 'All Villains' players. On the Washing Sword River, wisps of almost imperceptible water energy were continuously flowing towards the coffins on the surface. Under the nourishment of the water energy essence, the spiritual energy of the coffins was slowly increasing, and eventually, quantity would lead to a qualitative change.
"Chaining coffins together on the Washing Sword River was a plan I devised with my master," Ding Chunqiu said, frowning. "Firstly, we can use the water energy essence of the Washing Sword River to temper everyone's magical artifacts. As the quality of the coffins improves, the environment for nurturing zombies and vengeful spirits will also become better. When everyone can have a green zombie comparable to the middle realm, which guild in the national server will dare to glare at us? Even Su Xinghe will have to treat us with respect!"
Jiumozhi nodded with a smile.
"And the second point?" asked a Level 122 Divine Archer.
"That's even simpler."
Ding Chunqiu waved his hand towards the river, and faint gray figures emerged from the depths. Upon closer inspection, they were indeed Summer Clan heroic spirits hidden at the bottom of the river. After the Washing Sword River was cut off by Man Yuan and Liu Bai, these Summer Clan heroic spirits had to hide at the bottom of the river to avoid slaughter by the Northern Four Clans. They had escaped the ravages of the demon clan, but could not escape the prying eyes of the coffin-carrying lineage.
"Hmph!"
Ding Chunqiu smiled slightly, "The souls of these Summer Clan warriors are top-notch. Most of them have lived for hundreds of years. Once refined into vengeful spirits in the coffins, their power will be unimaginable."
"..."
Everyone gasped. No one had expected Tan Xin and Ding Chunqiu's plan to be so far-reaching. They intended to devour all the fortune and essence of the entire Washing Sword River!
"Boss!"
An assassin appeared on the shore, frowning. "Brothers ahead have sent news that the seven major guilds have departed. Star River, Azure Dragon, Seeking Immortals, Victorious Heaven, Boundless, Cold City, plus the Scarlet Moon Knights, a total of nearly 200,000 troops are heading south."
"Oh?"
Ding Chunqiu narrowed his eyes and asked with a smile, "Is the Alliance Leader of the Scarlet Moon Knights, Bai Yi, present?"
"He is also here."
"Very good."
Ding Chunqiu stood up, holding a blood-red, gnarled sword, and sneered, "Earlier, I defeated Su Xinghe in a one-on-one fight, and I am considered the number one sword cultivator in the national server. However, there are still so many doubts on the forums, suggesting that the Bai Yi on Snow Domain Heavenly Pool might be stronger. Just now, with Bai Yi heading south, I can truly have a spar with him. And afterwards..."
"What about afterwards?" someone asked.
Ding Chunqiu's eyes were filled with arrogance, "There will be no more such doubts."
...
At the bottom of the river.
Golden radiance diffused. The River God Maiden, trapped in the fissure of the earth roots, looked up at the scene on the Washing Sword River. Her willow-leaf eyebrows were slightly furrowed, her eyes showing a hint of anger. Had these ghost cultivators grown tired of living? Did they really think the Washing Sword River was now an unclaimed great river?
She gritted her teeth, water energy swirling around her body as she continuously tried to break free from the restrictions of the earth root rules. Just then, Lin Xingchu narrowed her eyes. Tens of miles away, deep at the bottom of the river, a small loach was crawling in the mud within the earth roots. Although small in size, it was well-formed. It had a head that was almost dragon-like, even possessing two dragon horns. Its body was covered in pale golden scales, and it had four claws. Furthermore, near its head, there was a small bulge, and a fifth claw was in the process of forming.
In an instant, Lin Xingchu's heart chilled.
It appeared to be a small loach, but in reality, it was a Level 13 Flood Dragon, a creature very close to a five-clawed true dragon. It must be another scheme by the demon clan, having a great demon of Level 13 hidden at the bottom of the Washing Sword River, waiting for someone?
Lin Xingchu narrowed her eyes. It didn't matter. This one has come to you.