Guo Se Tian Xiang, the most decadent place in Ningcheng.
...
In the supreme private room, there were only a few people.
Xu Ran, dressed in a casual suit, looked like a spoiled rich kid, but with good genes from his parents, he was very handsome and naturally popular in this nightclub. Whenever he arrived, a chorus of "Young Master Xu is here!" would erupt. Compared to Xu Ran's popularity, the other two seemed rather eclipsed.
Li Canghai, his face etched with the trials of time, was nonetheless wealthy, clad head-to-toe in designer brands, exuding an unmistakable boss aura that garnered him considerable attention. Xi He Da Guo Kui, however, was in an awkward position. He wasn't a boss, merely a subordinate trailing behind Boss Li, picking up scraps. Coupled with his rough appearance, he felt resentful. In a fit of pique, he picked the youngest and prettiest girl.
"Finally, we're all together again!"
Li Canghai laughed heartily and raised his glass, saying, "Long time no see, Brother Xu Ran, you're still as young and handsome as ever. In front of you, I feel like an old, useless man, past his prime~~~"
Xu Ran chuckled, "Brother Canghai, why say that? Looks are given by parents, but talent is earned. Brother Canghai, you founded the massive Cangnan Group, that's real capability! I'm beyond impressed!"
Xi He Da Guo Kui smiled, "Then… should I propose a toast?"
"Come, bottoms up!"
The three drank their glasses dry.
The young ladies beside them giggled and helped to liven up the atmosphere.
After a round of drinks, Xu Ran started to feel a little giddy. He slung an arm around a young lady's shoulder and said, "I'm so happy that you two brothers could come to Ningcheng. We must keep in touch often!"
"Absolutely!"
Li Canghai raised his glass, "Come, come, another round!"
"You got it!!"
As they drank, Li Canghai felt it was about time. He glanced at his phone, then slammed it onto the table with considerable force, his face turning sullen, his brow deeply furrowed.
"Brother Canghai, what happened?" Xu Ran asked.
"Sigh…"
Li Canghai gritted his teeth and said, "It's all the guild's messy affairs! Damn it, our Cang Zhi Qi Tuan in Yunshang County is reasonable, and we've never offended any other guild. But these guys from Fei Yue Qi Tuan are like they have some kind of mental illness, always picking fights with us. Is it just because Bai Yi is high-level and his flying sword is powerful? It's so damn disgusting! This afternoon, they kicked us out of the secret realm map again."
"Damn it!"
Xu Ran slammed the table, "What kind of trash is Fei Yue Qi Tuan, daring to challenge my Brother Canghai? Aren't they tired of living? Looking for death! Do they not have me, Sheng Tian, in their eyes?"
"Sigh…"
Li Canghai gritted his teeth, "Matters within the game shouldn't dampen Brother Xu Ran's spirits. Let's not talk about it, let's not talk about it!"
"How can we not talk about it?"
Xu Ran said, "Game matters are important too!"
"Right."
Li Canghai said, "Brother Xu Ran, how has Sheng Tian developed? A T1 guild on the national server, its strength must be terrifying by now, right?"
"It's alright."
Xu Ran held his wine glass, his cheeks slightly flushed, and said with a smile, "We broke through the ten-thousand-player mark a couple of days ago. We have ten legions, each with a thousand players. I lead one legion, but actually… I rarely lead. It's mostly handled by the two deputy leaders. I don't have the free time to lead a legion. If it wasn't for my sister forcing me, I'd be happiest being a casual player."
Xi He Da Guo Kui chimed in, "Brother Xu Ran commands one legion. If we could secure another, 2,000 players from two legions could reinforce our Cang Zhi Qi Tuan. With these 2,000 people, crushing Fei Yue Qi Tuan would be absolutely no problem."
"Ah!?"
Xu Ran was taken aback, "But… my sister doesn't let me attack arbitrarily. Usually, any cross-regional attacks need to be reported to her."
Saying that, he gritted his teeth, the alcohol taking hold, and grinned, "Who cares! The leader of the Ninth Legion is my buddy, a real bro. You guys set the time, and he and I will each lead a legion and charge in. By the time my sister notices… the fight will already be over. What is a mere Fei Yue Qi Tuan? Who takes them seriously?"
"Indeed."
Li Canghai secretly rejoiced. It seemed the news of Shen Xingchen joining Fei Yue Qi Tuan hadn't spread yet. Otherwise, given the sisterly relationship between Sheng Tian's leader, Leng Yan, and Shen Xingchen, Xu Ran would have been crazy to send troops rashly.
"Alright, it's settled then! Whether my brothers can continue to live a life of luxury depends on you, Brother Xu Ran!"
"Leave it to me~~~"
...
The next day at noon, Sucheng, the Shen family residence.
At noon, the living room was filled with the aroma of hot pot. With the service of several maids, Shen Xingchen and Shen Lingyuan were eating with their father, Shen Tiannan.
"Eating hot pot at noon?" Shen Xingchen pouted.
"What's wrong with eating hot pot?"
Shen Tiannan was in a bad mood today, "My daughter is disobedient and about to run away from home. What's wrong with eating a couple more Chongqing hot pots with her old man? Xingchen, you really don't make your dad worry."
Shen Xingchen felt guilty and quickly got up, rubbing her father's shoulders and massaging his legs, "Dad, I'm just changing my environment to live for a while, it's not like I'm not coming back."
"Hmph!"
Shen Tiannan was tough on the outside, but he thoroughly enjoyed it. His daughter Shen Xingchen was at her most obedient at this moment. But the thought of her going to live in a game studio still soured his mood. She was his precious pearl, how could she be like those hoodlums hanging around game studios?
But there was nothing he could do. What Shen Xingchen decided was the most important matter for Shen's Group. No one could change her mind. This little girl… was stubborn and smart, Shen Tiannan could only let her have her way.
"Lingyuan."
Shen Tiannan glanced at Shen Lingyuan, "How is the arrangement for assigning bodyguards to your sister progressing?"
"It's already arranged."
Shen Lingyuan replied respectfully, "Dad, I will personally oversee the arrangements. Nangong Jilin will lead a special forces team of 20 people. They will be equipped with 20 sets of Emperor Yan-grade armor, plus four large armored vehicles, along with daily necessities, etc. I've surveyed the area. There's an open lot to the right of the Fei Yue Qi Tuan studio. I bought it from the government this morning. This special forces team of 20 can live there."
"Understood."
Shen Tiannan frowned, "Are 20 people enough? How about… assigning another 3,000 people?"
"Ah!?"
Shen Xingchen's delicate mouth fell open, "Dad, do you want my future companions to look at me like a monster? That's enough, okay? You're already so old, and I still have to tell you what to do."
"Oh…"
Shen Tiannan, a formidable figure on the commercial battlefield, had to obediently listen to Shen Xingchen. "Then 20 people it is. They are all S-class special forces members, and they have Emperor Yan armor, so it should be fine."
"Mhm!"
Shen Lingyuan and Shen Xingchen nodded in unison. It really couldn't be any more. That would be too ostentatious.
...
In the afternoon, three o'clock.
Lin Zhao's red name was finally cleared. Chen Xue, Ding Chi, Lu Han, and others had returned from their expedition to Lingbei County, having thoroughly thrashed the "All Villains" and brought them under control. Now, with allies like Qin Shi Ming Yue, Fei Yue Qi Tuan could breathe a sigh of relief.
But at 3:30, Lu Han frowned and rode his horse to Lin Zhao's side, saying, "Boss, people from Cang Zhi Qi Tuan are back. Nearly 2,500 of them are arrayed to the north of the secret realm map, looking like they'll enter at any moment."
"Understood."
Lin Zhao nodded, "Don't go out. Let them come in and fight. Entering the secret realm map costs a lot of money each time. We need to drain their funds. We can't let them come and go as they please."
"Mhm!"
...
Hexi County City.
Sheng Tian's force of 2,000+ was gathering. Originally, Xu Ran wanted to get things done stealthily, but it didn't remain a secret. With a flash of light, a female swordswoman appeared before them. It was Leng Yan, the leader of the Sheng Tian guild. She wore a sword at her waist and was clad in a mix of top-tier gold and dark gold equipment. She walked forward, her voice icy, "Xu Ran, are you crazy? You dare to mobilize two legions without my command?"
"Sis."
Xu Ran frowned and said, "Actually, I didn't intend to hide it from you, but last night I already promised the people from Cang Zhi Qi Tuan that I would reinforce them. Moreover, I heard that the people from Fei Yue Qi Tuan are particularly arrogant. That Bai Yi even boasted he wanted to spar with you. He said that Sheng Tian's leader, Leng Yan, is just a 'powder keg' [figurative for useless], and that Xue Qiancheng thinks your 'Leg God' title is just for show, claiming her legs are much more attractive than yours."
"Really?"
Leng Yan smiled faintly, her beautiful eyes fixed on her unworthy cousin, and said with a smile, "Trying to provoke me with words? Do you really think your sister's head is filled with water?"
"Sis, they really said that, otherwise I wouldn't have been so angry."
"Enough nonsense."
Leng Yan said calmly, "Are 2,000 people enough? Bring all of legions 1, 2, and 3. 5,000 people crushing them is what we call imposing. Not to mention whether what you're saying is true or not, I'd also like to see how capable this Fei Yue Qi Tuan, which has pierced through the ceiling of Yunshang County, really is. And I'll verify it with Bai Yi and Xue Qiancheng. If they didn't say those words, you'll be in an awkward position."
"Sis, I'm already in an awkward position…"
"Less nonsense. Mobilize the troops, depart for Yunshang County! If our Sheng Tian doesn't send troops, we won't. But if we do, we must defeat all opponents until they are thoroughly convinced! How much funding did Cang Zhi Qi Tuan offer?"
"500 million!"
"Alright, we can send troops. Who would dislike more money!"
"You got it, Sis!"
...
Yunshang County, within the secret realm map.
The people of Cang Zhi Qi Tuan began to enter the secret realm map, forming a dense formation on the northern side. They were not in a hurry to attack. Lin Zhao, leading the members of Fei Yue Qi Tuan, arrayed themselves at their camp. However, with 1,000 people facing 2,500, it felt like there weren't enough numbers.
"Not good."
Chen Xue frowned, "Sheng Tian guild members have appeared in large numbers in Yunshang County and are heading towards the secret realm map. Could it be that Cang Zhi Qi Tuan bribed Sheng Tian? Then… it's really over…"
"Sheng Tian…"
Lin Zhao's expression tensed slightly. That was Leng Yan's guild. He hadn't contacted Leng Yan for so long because he worried she wouldn't recognize him, and he worried that actively seeking her out would seem like he was trying to latch onto her. Lin Zhao couldn't bear to lose face like that. But now that Leng Yan had arrived, helping the enemy to fight Fei Yue Qi Tuan, what could he do? Some things still needed to be said…
"What do we do?!"
Lu Han, Ding Chi, Luo Man, and the others were as anxious as ants on a hot pan.
"When soldiers come, block them; when water comes, dam it. Don't rush."
Lin Zhao said calmly, "Let's array ourselves and face the enemy first."
"Mhm!"
...
Not long after, the Sheng Tian guild members appeared on the right flank, a dark mass of over 5,000 people, all elites. These 5,000+ people could probably defeat three to four Fei Yue Qi Tuan.
Chen Xue, Lu Han, and the others' expressions grew increasingly grim.
"Hahahaha~~~~"
Seeing the grim expressions of the Fei Yue Qi Tuan members, Li Canghai, mounted on a tall horse, couldn't help but laugh, "How is it? Stunned, aren't you? Did you not expect that our Cang Zhi Qi Tuan could enlist Sheng Tian?"
"This is too funny."
Xi He Da Guo Kui chuckled, "Fei Yue Qi Tuan, where has your confidence from yesterday gone? Why do you look so dejected now? Hahahaha~~~"
"We will win this battle!"
Many members of Cang Zhi Qi Tuan were smug. Just then, Li Canghai gestured for them to be quiet and said, "Quiet down, Sheng Tian's leader has arrived."
Amidst the Sheng Tian guild's ranks, the front-line cavalry parted to create a path. Leng Yan, riding a white horse, clad in armor, slowly rode out to the very front of the Sheng Tian guild.
...
Leng Yan had arrived.
Seeing Leng Yan, Lin Zhao couldn't help but recall his days at Xue Yu Tian Chi. It was truly nostalgic. He slowly raised his hand and sheathed his Qing Lu sword. He walked straight out of the Fei Yue Qi Tuan ranks, stopping about 20 meters away from everyone. Looking at Leng Yan's familiar beautiful face, he slowly raised his hands, clasped them into fists, and said softly, "Miss Leng, it's been a long time…"
"Ah…"
Leng Yan involuntarily slid off her horse. Her snow-white legs, clad in battle boots, carried her step by step towards Lin Zhao. As she looked closely, tears streamed from her beautiful eyes.
The next moment, she rushed towards him, leaped into his arms, her slender, fair legs wrapping around Lin Zhao's waist. She clung to him, sobbing uncontrollably, crying into Lin Zhao's neck.