Chapter Seventy-Three: Attack! The Battle for the Clouds (Part One)

The next day.

“The assault on Yuxiao City has officially commenced.” The system broadcasted an indiscriminate announcement, audible in both the player world and the monster world where Li Ren resided.

“So it finally begins.” A deep voice echoed from within Skull Mountain, reverberating through the deepest reaches of the skeletal caverns.

Lantis, Shadow, Lania, and the eastern clan chief all gazed in the direction of Yuxiao City, each lost in their own thoughts.

Inside Yuxiao City.

The NPC guard force was stronger than ever before. Where there were once only two greatsword guards stationed at the gates, now two full squads stood watch. The city walls bristled with a dense array of archers, many of them elite among the players themselves.

The streets of Yuxiao City were packed, yet everything was arranged with military precision. The three major player guilds were naturally not to be outdone, each gathering substantial forces in the city, eager to secure their share of spoils in this unprecedented war.

Players had also voluntarily organized themselves in line with the city’s defenses, countless reinforcements standing by at teleportation arrays all over, ready to arrive so long as the arrays held. As long as the teleportation circles remained active, player support would be ceaseless.

However, during this siege event, fallen players could not respawn in their original cities. This meant that those who died within Yuxiao City could not revive at its teleportation arrays. Where they would actually respawn became a matter of system randomness.

The three great player factions, led by the Unrivaled Legion, boasted extraordinary power. Their members were superbly equipped, and their levels, as always, far surpassed the rest. After all, they had Sauron, the perpetual number one on the ranking charts, and Sauron’s level had already reached 53! The experience required for each subsequent level was monstrous, yet he progressed with astonishing speed—a testament to his formidable strength.

Since the founding of their guild, the Star Alliance had vastly expanded their business dealings. Rumor had it that shadows of other powerful organizations now lingered behind them. The specifics were unclear, but the word on the street was that the Star Alliance was thriving.

Just the five-star gear worn by their five leading members was enough to prove their formidable strength. A portion of the player base had gravitated entirely to their side, making them the undisputed second-ranked guild!

As for the Purple Falling Cloud Pavilion, they seemed weaker by comparison, but only relatively so. The mere fact that they had created their own guild and established their own base was enough to ensure their third-place status among all players. Moreover, the recent rumors of their active cooperation with Falling Cloud City had made many reconsider their judgments.

Yuxiao City, City Lord’s Mansion.

A warrior wielding a massive sword stood proudly at the front, his expression solemn, his black eyes brimming with awe-inspiring authority.

This was Fan Yunshan, the Lord of Yuxiao City—an unrivaled greatsword warrior.

Players were brimming with confidence for the coming monster siege, and the atmosphere in the city was electric. Many eagerly awaited the start of the mission, fists clenched in anticipation; only Fan Yunshan gazed into the distance with a faint frown.

At that moment, the system announcement rang out.

Outside Yuxiao City, at the North Gate.

Waves of white light flickered incessantly. Archers and mage players lucky enough to be stationed on the city walls witnessed the unfolding spectacle, many activating their recording functions. As the white light continued, their eyes began to twitch involuntarily.

What did they see?

The official website had once published a partial monster dossier, only briefly mentioning a few creatures. The most powerful among them was listed as a level 180 demon lord. Who would have thought that right here, they would see such a demon lord with their own eyes? The overwhelming aura of evil radiated outward, driving the surrounding monsters into frenzied, savage howls.

And still, the teleportation light showed no sign of stopping.

When the final burst of white light faded, those before the walls beheld a sight they had never seen, yet almost everyone recognized—the Dragonkin!

“Heavens!” Some players were so stunned by the scene that they could only utter meaningless exclamations. Naturally, the footage was already being transmitted throughout the player world, and many others echoed similar gasps of disbelief.

Who could have imagined that a siege event so early in the game would pit players against monsters of such staggering level? Especially the mysterious and powerful Dragonkin—the stuff of legend. Looking at their own meager levels in the thirties or forties, most realized their attacks might not even scratch these monsters’ defenses.

But soon enough, worry gave way to hope. Suddenly, a brilliant light erupted within Yuxiao City, shining endlessly, enveloping everyone within its beams.

Yuxiao City’s Lordly Blessing: Attacks ignore level disparity, unaffected by level penalties; all attributes increased by 30%.

Seeing the buff appear over their heads, players finally breathed easier. Without it, none could imagine how this battle could even proceed.

Fortunately, there were so many powerful NPC guards to hold the line against the mightiest monsters, freeing the players to focus on dealing damage from the rear—guaranteeing their share of the rewards. As for loot, the NPCs wouldn’t touch a thing; only the players could claim it.

With such thoughts, the first monster siege in “Land of the Gods” thus began.

Li Ren stood at the very rear of the monster formation, inwardly sighing with relief. Otherwise, he would have had to face the terrifying greatsword guards and the dense ranks of archers.

He eyed the radiant light blooming within Yuxiao City, feeling the biting edge concealed within its brilliance. He knew at once that it could not bode well for their side—at least not for the monsters.

After all, the gap in level between players and monsters was so great that, without some form of assistance, the players wouldn’t stand a chance at defending the city.

As the monsters at the front charged under the lead of boss-level commanders, those in the rear—including Li Ren—also readied themselves. His goal was simple: to make a fortune off the chaos of war! Now, with the Ashen Ring and Blink at his disposal, he could come and go as he pleased. If he had to sacrifice all one hundred skeleton minions behind him, so be it. As long as he could strengthen his own Falling Cloud City, that was enough!

Yuxiao City!

Li Ren watched the siege unfold, the battle growing ever bloodier beneath the walls. A cold gleam flashed in his eyes, mingled with a hint of excitement—though just what he was so eager about, no one could say.