Chapter 80: Emei Blocking the Entrance

“No wonder everyone said it was a tough choice between allocating character levels and distributing cultivation experience from Dao Scrolls. It really was true!”

Ye Rong really wished he could use ten or eight Ancestral Hall Manuscripts all at once, so he wouldn’t have any of these difficult dilemmas.

Their group descended Hanxiu Peak, chatting along the way, mostly discussing Manzhu Lver’s newly acquired Fifth-Rank Flying Sword.

The attached spell of Huan Xisha wasn’t suitable for grinding monsters and leveling up, as its cooldown was too long. However, it was the best spell for duels on the Dueling Stage, able to showcase its greatest strengths when competing against others in spell battles.

Clang!

“Emei Tianshui Division’s Tianshui Yifang has come to visit Qingcheng. Please, disciples of Qingcheng, come out and meet us.”

A loud, resonant sound, like that of a great bell, spread through the air. Just as Ye Rong’s group reached the outside of the mountain gate, they heard this booming shout.

“Emei Players? What’s going on?”

They looked at each other, unsure of what was happening or why Emei Players had suddenly appeared near the Qingcheng Sect.

The number of Emei Players had already reached four to five million, gathering various Closed Beta experts and guild leaders, with numerous Factions mixed in.

Over these past days, several major Factions had basically established themselves firmly in Emei. Those that hadn’t were either driven out of Emei or absorbed into one of the existing Factions. Recently, rumors had spread that several Emei Factions were considering cooperation, planning to establish a super Faction in the form of an alliance.

This Tianshui Division was one of Emei’s existing Factions, and Tianshui Yifang was even the founder of Tianshui Division. No one expected that he would now show up outside the Qingcheng Sect.

“They brought so many people. Are they here to pick a fight?”

Ye Rong gazed into the distance and saw nearly a thousand Emei Players present. The atmosphere was tense, with both sides poised for conflict.

On Qingcheng’s side, though there were fewer people—only about seven or eight hundred—they were inside their own Sect. Once word got out, they could quickly gather Qingcheng Players in numbers several times or even dozens of times greater than the Emei Players.

But regardless of strength, both sides were far inferior to the Emei Tianshui Division Players in terms of coordination and unity. Already, three major camps were faintly taking shape.

Moreover, before any real conflict broke out, Qingcheng Players might not actually have the courage to strike at Emei Players. Once Emei finished consolidating, it would become the largest Faction and an invincible giant within Far Shore.

In the early stages of the game, where alliances were more commonly based on Sect affiliation, no single Faction could challenge Emei.

“To think Tianshui Yifang came here leading the team himself. No matter what, as disciples of Qingcheng, we should go and take a look.”

Dongliu Cangshui forced a bitter smile and sent a Flying Sword Message, instructing his subordinates to return to the Sect immediately.

Tianshui Yifang had competed in several Chinese-style games, earning a formidable reputation each time. He was also one of the earliest guild leaders to decide to have large numbers of guild members enter the Closed Beta of Far Shore.

If the mighty Qingcheng were to have its entrance blocked, even if the other side was an Emei Division, it would be a huge loss of face. In the future, Qingcheng Players would instinctively feel inferior whenever they encountered Emei Players in Far Shore.

“We already lost a lot of face during the Closed Beta because of that Demon Race expert. This time, no matter what, I won’t back down!”

Dongliu Cangshui swore fiercely in his heart. The memory of the Seven Great Disciples of Qingcheng being defeated by a single person during the Closed Beta was his greatest shame. He had long resolved that even if his Lifespan were fully deducted or he lost eight to ten Levels, he would not retreat one step.

“It’s really lively. Are they using our Qingcheng to establish their authority?”

Ye Rong slowed his pace slightly. With a little thought, it wasn’t hard to understand Tianshui Yifang’s actions.

Picking an opponent like Qingcheng, which was neither strong nor weak, and considering the recent rumors, one could guess most of their intent. If this move succeeded, it would not only benefit Emei’s reputation but also help their Tianshui Division gain more influence in the future alliance.

As they approached, they noticed Houdao Xiaosheng was also there, leading his scattered group, trading insults with some Emei Players.

After all, they were currently hiding within Qingcheng’s Sect defense Forbidden Spells. Although they couldn’t attack outward from inside, attacks from outside couldn’t reach them either, so they didn’t have to worry about their lives.

However, having their entrance blocked for a long time would not only disrupt everyone’s leveling, but once word got out, Qingcheng’s reputation would be completely tarnished.

“Houdao Xiaosheng, what’s going on?”

Dongliu Cangshui asked. He wasn’t familiar with the leaders of the other groups and had little rapport with them.

“Hmph… Tianshui Yifang claims that our Qingcheng Players killed two of their Emei members, so he directly led over a thousand people to block our Sect entrance. Do you believe that reason?”

Houdao Xiaosheng’s expression was very unpleasant. He grunted for a while before answering the question.

“So you’re all just hiding in here? At least go out and talk to them, discuss a solution.”

“What else can we do? You know how strong Tianshui Yifang is. Just now, a few reckless newbies led about a hundred people to charge out. The other side ignored them completely until our side made the first move. Then they only sent one ten-person team and easily wiped them out.”

Houdao Xiaosheng said irritably. He had to figure out how to resolve the current situation while also calming his Players’ emotions, leaving him busy and frustrated.

With the entrance blocked and loud taunts, many Players wanted to rush out and fight, but Houdao Xiaosheng and a few captains restrained them. However, if this continued, morale would surely drop, leading some to think that this Sect or team had no future.

“Is there no brave leader in all of Qingcheng who can come out and say something? Are you all just turtles hiding in your shells?”

Tianshui Yifang floated in the air, with no Sword Light supporting him. Instead, a yellow cloud several zhang wide held up his body. Dressed in plain, loose white robes, his hair disheveled and sleeves fluttering, his tone already carried a hint of mockery and sarcasm.

“You brat insult our Qingcheng? You’re looking for death!”

A Sword Light shot diagonally upward, heading straight for Tianshui Yifang. Clearly, it was a Qingcheng Player who could no longer endure the humiliation.

“Heh, you’re not qualified to negotiate with me.”

Tianshui Yifang flicked his finger, and a palm-sized Azure Lotus flew out, directly imprinting itself onto that Sword Light. A sudden flash of green light flared and then vanished. Without even a scream, that Player lost his life and was sent to rebirth.

This effortlessly executed move stunned the entire crowd, calming the Qingcheng Players who had been restless and considering a charge outward.

If the enemy had experts like that, then charging out would only mean dying once, without achieving anything.

“Qingcheng’s Dongliu Cangshui is here to meet Emei’s Tianshui Yifang.”

Dongliu Cangshui suddenly strode forward, his gaze sharp and direct, fixed on Tianshui Yifang, not showing any weakness in his presence.