446 Blade Peak Canyon
“Private soldiers…” Baili Changcheng’s eyes lit up as he spoke. “I know what you mean, these people will be absolutely loyal… no, that’s not the right word! I should say, this internal team will be like Savage Blade but with the nature of an organization.”
Lin Jie nodded. “Yes, in the succeeding period of time, I will prepare a series of mercenary missions, including treasure-hunting, exploration, monster-slaying, etc. Those that are able to pass these missions will enter the selection phase. As to the details, I will settle them. Bu Yi, I will hand the member selection process to you. As a girl, I believe that you are more scrupulous and precise than me. If anyone shows contempt towards you or the team, kick them out.”
Bu Yi hugged her wand and nodded cautiously. She bit her bottom lip gently and asked, “What about you? Where are you going?”
“I… I am going to enhance my strength. I thought that I had been powerful enough to lead our Brotherhood to the peak, but it seems that I was just being narrow-minded.” Lin Jie heaved a deep sigh and said, “The New Age is an enormous world, and everyone will have their own interesting experiences, many developments are beyond my presumptions. If I continue to be in my comfort zone, I will be taken over by others sooner or later. It will be impossible for me to kill Character Z, and even harder if we are talking about Baili Xuanyuan. However, if I leave…”
Baili Changcheng pondered for a moment and said earnestly, “Pass your Hermit Helmet to Dumb Fox. He is an intelligent one and has stood on our side after this battle. With his control behind the scenes, our Brotherhood will be able to progress smoothly. Supreme Tribe and I will aid you and go against Baili Xuanyuan as well.”
Baili Changcheng’s Supreme Tribe was only in at its beginning phase, and it was crazy for them to go up against Baili Changcheng’s Three Alliances! However, he had to be the one to volunteer. Otherwise, Baili Xuanyuan would concentrate all his resources on the Brotherhood.
Lin Jie stared at Baili Changcheng for a long while before lowering his head. “Baili, I am sorry. I had been too selfish in the past. If I had been willing to open up the Brotherhood to you, the Supreme Tribe would have advanced much more.”
“I’m from a business background, so I understand your considerations and the ways of the world,” Baili Changcheng replied nonchalantly. “Alright, focus on the things you have on hand. Besides, don’t keep thinking as though the Brotherhood cannot do without you. Who isn’t an expert here? Even if you were to go into isolation for an entire year, we will do just fine, go forth!”
Everyone exchanged glances and smiled. “That’s right, go on, you have us here.”
Lin Jie closed his eyes and saluted with his fist. “Okay, I will leave now! When I am back, it will be the return of a king!”
………
The news of Baili Xuanyuan’s return with his Three Alliances spread throughout the City of Light like a storm. Someone even uploaded a clip of Baili Xuanyuan’s fight where he used Needfire Red Lotus to counter Lone Wolf’s ultimate move, followed by his Red Lotus Descend that killed countless players.
Red Lotus Knight! A cool title, with an aggressive style and powerful attacks. The grandeur of creating a sky full of red lotuses had pushed Baili Xuanyuan’s status to the top. Additionally, with An Xiaoran stirring and hyping up in order to please him, the entire forum was discussing the ‘Return of the King’!
—’System Announcement (Player Baili Xuanyuan Calling): Brothers, I am Baili Xuanyuan, Mage Heavens’ Guild Leader. I am sincerely inviting the solo players from the City of Light to join Mage Heavens’ sub-guild as Three Alliances will soon raid the City of Light. Those that join the sub-guild will enjoy many benefits. Furthermore, let’s play a mini-game. Those that have already joined the Brotherhood or those that are planning to, you will receive a small reward of 1 gold coin if you film a video of you leaving Brotherhood in a high profile and joining Mage Heavens. I hope that everyone participates actively.’
—’System Announcement (Player Baili Xuanyuan Calling): …’
Baili Xuanyuan’s announcement was played a total of 10 times! The entire City of Light was pumped as Baili Xuanyuan was planning to raid the city again. The only difference was that he seemed much more confident than the previous time, seeing how he dared to call out! It was obvious that he was edging the Brotherhood out. Do not underestimate the 1 gold coin reward, it would equate to 100 dollars worth of cash! If quitting Brotherhood and joining Mage Heavens could get them 100 dollars of cold, hard cash while enjoying the benefits of raiding the city, who wouldn’t do it?
“Ahah, another one that’s here to confront the Brotherhood, I really pity you.”
“Pity? The one that you should pity is the Brotherhood, you haven’t been to the game’s official website, right? Baili Xuanyuan’s fighting clip has gone viral, a single move of his managed to instakill hundreds and break Lone Wolf’s skill. The humiliation of letting Baili Xuanyuan obtain one of Lone Wolf’s ultra-rare items had led the Brotherhood is in a ditch this time.”
“It’s just a small battle, how can you be sure that the Brotherhood is done for? Can’t you see that there weren’t many Brotherhood experts there? Even the Savage Blade team wasn’t present. In my opinion, the Three Alliances are despicable for launching a sneak attack!”
“Shameless your head, I’ve been sick and tired of the Brotherhood for a long time now. I support Three Alliances! I am going to join the Brotherhood, then quit and join Mage Heavens.”
Countless players held mixed feelings towards both organizations and were unable to reach a conclusion.
Baili Xuanyuan had already declared war, but Lin Jie had yet to accept it. He had handed over the Hermit Helmet, which represented ‘Codename Lone Wolf’, over to Dumb Fox, and the latter had promised to be low-profile. However, he would still react at crucial times.
“I am experienced in guild battles, Ghost Eyes and Heaven’s guilds will be on our side. We are all on the same boat and are bound together for good. Don’t worry, the Brotherhood is in safe hands.” Dumb Fox said earnestly, “However, you have to understand that pillars of support exist for every guild or organization. Unlike our guild, our pillar is the team and guild welfare. However, the Brotherhood’s pillar is you guys, Savage Blade. If you guys fall, the Brotherhood will be a mess, do you understand what I say?”
Lin Jie smiled and said, “I will not fall.”
News had arrived from The Heavenly Shield, the men from Ironwall Empire’s cities had begun gathering at the City of Light to fight against the Three Alliances. Instantly, there were frequent scuffles in the wilderness training areas as the Three Alliances started to eliminate anomalies by inviting those that performed exemplary in training. If they refused, death would await them! Within a few hours, there were over 100 PKs in the wild.
After making the necessary arrangements at Sky Provisions Shop and Central Auction House, Lin Jie teleported to Miradaka’s Land of Dusk.
Upon entering the map, he was welcomed by the dusk.
The dull sunset hung faintly in the sky as it emitted gentle warmth. The razor-sharp mountain peaks stood in the distance. The sunshine seemed to be reflecting razor tips instead of mountain peaks.
This was how Miradaka’s sun had always been. Never rising and setting, forever set in the dusk. Lin Jie struggled to remove his right leg from the failed teleportation circle as he glanced silently at the village.
The village had waned and was filled with debris. In actual fact, it was Miradaka’s odd weather that had resulted in a lack of vegetation on this piece of land.
Miradaka’s villagers relied on the meat-based soil here for food. However, after the War of Light, the ground cracked open, and all the soil had sunk to the bottom. Thus, the villagers had lost their source of food. After all the deaths and escapes, this land had finally become the Land of Dusk.
There laid the Blade Peak Canyon a distance away.
Lin Jie rode on his Tiger King and went towards his destination. He made full use of his Tiger King’s [Flounce] and used it once the CD arrived. Although it seemed to be a short distance away, it would take him 2 hours.
During the ride, Lin Jie began his analysis.
Lin Jie’s current stats were as followed:
Fu Sheng: [Human Berserker]
Level: 45
Health Points: 5,840
Mana: 200
Rage: 0
Attack: 1,383- 1,753
Defence: 1,193
Strength: 854
Endurance: 395
Agility: 83
Wisdom: 28
Spirit: 15
Resistance: 41 (12% decrease during abnormal state)
Grit: 15 (The chances of an attacking skill being interrupted is decreased by 1.5%)
Block: 15 (Equipping a shield allows you to gain 10% initial Block effects)
Parry: 48 (Parry chances 13%)
His attributes were powerful, and with 1,700 Attack Points, he was able to instakill weaklings. Coupled with Dragon Armor Removal, even Shield Specialists would be instakilled. His health bar was also insane, and he had Defense higher than a Shield Specialist. All he lacked was the special damage reduction skill that they had.
Currently, there were 3 methods to enhance his strength:
One, level up! After reaching Level 50, he could activate God of War, Clomaros’ special skill that was in the City of Light Corporal’s mansion. This would allow him to search for Clomaros to boost his strength.
Two, equipment! Based on the treasure map obtained after the leveling up mission, the next blade would be in the final War of Light Dungeon, making it unavailable for now. However, with his current equipment, if he collected a full set, his attributes would be greatly increased! Furthermore, Lin Jie knew the locations where a Dark Gold Set would spawn, and he could probably collect the full set after a few months.
Three, technique! Currently, this arbitrary word was what Lin Jie yearned for the most. He had already learned two out of the Nine Great Techniques of Berserkers. The first would be Berserker’s 100 Consecutive Strikes and second, the Seven Spinning Slash. The latter was a technique that Character Z wielded with experience.
Combo moves were extremely powerful! If it were to reach 100 consecutive strikes, he would definitely improve.
‘Nine Great Techniques…’ Lin Jie thought over his words as resolution filled his eyes. ‘I will grasp all Nine Great Techniques. Berserker’s 100 Consecutive Strikes, only 100 strikes! I can do it!’
The battle with Baili Xuanyuan did not wear away his will, but instead, it sparked his passion!
‘Learn Berserker’s 100 Consecutive Strikes and kill Character Z and Baili Xuanyuan!’ Lin Jie made up his mind as he let out a howl and bolted towards the Blade Peak Canyon.