Unexpected Encounters and Guild Strategies

Lin Shenyue led Chris out, sensing something amiss nearby. Ye Jue’s expression also darkened.

“Be careful,” he warned in a low voice. “The undead have sensed our presence and are already closing in.”

Lin Shenyue’s expression tightened. She pulled Chris’s hand, drawing him closer.

“Be careful,” she instructed. “Stay close to me.”

Chris pursed his lips and nodded.

Ye Jue’s gaze deepened slightly.

“They’re here,” he stated coldly.

A cacophony of “clack-clack” sounds echoed from all sides of the house. “Get back inside,” Ye Jue ordered. “We’ll guard the door.”

Lin Shenyue nodded, pulling Chris back into the house. Ye Jue’s expression grew grim as he watched the skeletons surge from every direction.

A flicker of battle intent ignited in his eyes. Though these skeletal soldiers were individually weak, their sheer numbers were overwhelming.

If Chris’s words were true, and everyone in the village had become undead, there would be at least several thousand skeletal beings. Even if only a fraction arrived, they would pose immense trouble.

Lin Shenyue gazed at the encroaching undead, a hint of worry crossing her face. With so many monsters, her mana would likely be depleted before they could even eliminate a tenth of them.

Ye Jue had naturally considered this factor. “If your mana is low, conserve it first,” he advised calmly. “Only unleash your full power once it recovers. However, it’s best to always keep some mana in reserve.”

Lin Shenyue nodded in understanding, then took a deep breath, steeling herself for battle.

****

Within Vermilion Bird City, at least several hundred thousand people had already taken up residence. However, spread across the vast city, the flow of people still seemed sparse.

Many players were also forming teams to hunt skeletal warriors, so only an occasional player could be seen on the streets.

In a small tavern in the southern part of Vermilion Bird City (though not a concentrated NPC business district, taverns were scattered throughout the city), a considerable number of people had gathered. They belonged to Red-Faced Drunkenness, a prominent guild among the Ten Great Guilds.

The guild master was a great beauty who had dominated several games, and she enjoyed considerable popularity in this game as well.

At this moment, they were outlining their future development strategy, with the guild master, Drunken Beauty, presiding.

She looked at everyone calmly. “I trust you’ve heard that, besides us, the Undying Dynasty also plans to establish itself in Vermilion Bird City. It’s inevitable that we’ll clash with them as we develop.”

“On this topic, do any of you have anything to say?”

The assembled individuals were all high-ranking members of Red-Faced Drunkenness. Upon hearing Drunken Beauty’s words, they immediately began discussing amongst themselves.

They knew, however, that Drunken Beauty was merely listening to their opinions; she had already formulated a plan in her heart.

Ultimately, one man spoke up. “As one of the four main cities, Vermilion Bird City is too large a piece of cake for our guild to devour alone. Why not unite with the Undying Dynasty, form an alliance, and manage Vermilion Bird City together?”

Drunken Beauty’s expression remained unchanged upon hearing this. “Is that what all of you think?” she asked mildly.

The others exchanged glances. Unsure of Drunken Beauty’s true thoughts, they eventually nodded in unison, for they couldn’t conceive of a better solution.

Drunken Beauty scoffed, a cold glint in her eyes. “Are you truly so afraid of them? Do you not realize the Undying Dynasty does not share your sentiment?”

The hearts of the crowd sank. Finally, the man spoke again. “Then, Guild Master, should we seek other partners?”

Drunken Beauty narrowed her eyes. “Regardless, the Undying Dynasty intends to confront us head-on, and we will not back down.”

“Send out the order: temporarily avoid any members of the Undying Dynasty you encounter. If avoidance is impossible, call for assistance from nearby guild members.”

“Additionally, With the Wind…” She looked at the man who had just spoken. “You are to constantly monitor the Undying Dynasty’s situation.”

“Besides our two super guilds, the Undying Dynasty and us, several other large guilds are also planning to enter, along with dozens of small and medium-sized guilds. I’m sure you all understand the Undying Dynasty’s intentions.”

“Therefore, our primary task is to first win over suitable allies. Specific alliance targets will be discussed later.”

The others readily agreed. Drunken Beauty nodded. “You may all disperse for now. With the Wind, please stay.”

After everyone had left, Drunken Beauty spoke. “You need to pay close attention to the single players within Vermilion Bird City. If any exceptional players emerge, contact me first. I’ll see if we can recruit them into our guild.”

“Also…” She glanced out the window, pausing for a moment. “Send out the word to recruit lifestyle players, offering excellent benefits. For high-level lifestyle players, their benefits will match those of our elite team members.”

With the Wind frowned slightly upon hearing this. “Isn’t that too generous?”

Drunken Beauty replied calmly, “Generous? You’ll understand whether it’s generous or not later. Just do as I say.”

He nodded casually and walked out.

Drunken Beauty watched the world outside the window, her brows furrowed. ‘What exactly does the Undying Dynasty intend to do?’ she wondered.

****

After more than three hours of arduous struggle, Lin Shenyue and Ye Jue finally cleared out the surging skeletons.

“Let’s leave quickly,” Ye Jue urged. “Other skeletons might be on their way.”

Lin Shenyue nodded, pulling Chris along as she followed Ye Jue away.

Once they were out of the village, Lin Shenyue asked, “What should we do with him?”

Ye Jue considered for a moment. “How about this: I’ll ride my horse and take him with me, and you ride your horse alone.”

Lin Shenyue was about to agree when Chris unexpectedly refused. “No, I don’t want to! I want to be with this big sister.”

Lin Shenyue paused, realizing Chris was referring to her. She looked at his determined gaze, a hint of helplessness in her eyes. “Then I’ll take him,” she conceded.

Ye Jue looked at Chris, muttering under his breath, but he had no choice but to go along with Lin Shenyue’s decision.

Lin Shenyue, with Chris, galloped towards the city gates. Though she felt a little helpless about Chris’s unwillingness to follow Ye Jue, she harbored no other thoughts, subconsciously still viewing herself as a man.

Just as the two were about to return to Vermilion Bird City, they were suddenly surrounded by a group of people.

Lin Shenyue frowned slightly upon seeing those who had encircled them. Ye Jue, however, understood what was happening the moment they were surrounded, simultaneously realizing how conspicuous he was on horseback.

The leader of the group was momentarily stunned upon seeing Lin Shenyue’s beauty. He immediately whistled, a lewd grin spreading across his face.

“Well, well, look what we have here—a little loli! Come here, uncle will give you candy.”

Watching the men burst into laughter, Lin Shenyue’s anger flared. Not only were they treating her as a girl, but they were also trying to trick her like a child. This truly infuriated her, despite her usually good temper.

If not for her lack of offensive abilities, she would likely have launched an attack already.

Upon hearing the man’s words, Ye Jue’s expression also darkened. It was his oversight; he had forgotten to get Lin Shenyue some items to conceal her appearance. Otherwise, such incidents were bound to happen again.

During the novice village phase, PK was not allowed, so people didn’t have many ulterior motives. However, after leaving the novice village, restrictions were lifted, and the darker aspects of human nature gradually emerged.

At this point, conflicts among players would begin to increase, eventually leading to large-scale battles.

“What do you want?” Lin Shenyue asked coldly.

Upon hearing Lin Shenyue’s soft yet clear voice, the leader’s face twisted into a lecherous smile. “Why, to have you, of course.”

Lin Shenyue was initially stunned, then enraged. However, without any offensive abilities, she could only clench her staff, utterly helpless.

Ye Jue’s eyes also narrowed. But at this moment, his attack power was also very weak. It would be difficult for just the two of them to defeat these dozen-plus individuals.

Numerous solutions flashed through his mind, and finally, his gaze settled on Chris and the city gate, which was now within reach.