Chapter 188

For Gu Fei and the others, they didn't need to think about overly complicated situations. Just Han Jia公子(Young Master Han) alone was enough to make them want to disappear. Now, the thought of him was giving them all headaches. Was Han Jia公子 coming or not? That simple question was a huge problem.

But one person was feeling quite lonely at this moment. Liu Xia... This girl had undergone extensive review sessions with Xi Xiao Tian and Yun Xiang, but so far, no one had paid any attention to her existence as the "Guild Leader." The role she had prepared hadn't been used at all. As for the suicide mission, that was just something they talked about; there was no need to actually stage it.

But who had time to care about her thoughts at this moment? After hearing the news, the group immediately began an emergency discussion, with everyone racking their brains, trying to figure out how to avoid the situation.

"I've got it!" Yu Tian Shen Ming was the first to come up with an idea, jumping up and shouting, "Why don't we tell them that the task can only be accepted by men, that women can't take it?"

"But I'm a woman..." said Liu Xia, the nominal task receiver, posing as the guild leader.

"No one's adding you right now, right? Let's take a gamble!" Yu Tian Shen Ming said.

"Gamble your head! It's a bit late to say that now," You Ge said. "From the start, we shouldn't have designated 彩云间(Caiyun Inn) as 'not to be invited,' but as 'unable to attend'! If we had done that, and stated the task conditions beforehand, we might have been able to get away with it."

"What's the point of discussing these things now? Think of a solution! What's the situation on Yun Xiang's side?" Jian Gui said.

Yun Xiang was in an awkward situation. After speaking with Wu Shi Zhi Jian, that guy had gone to notify Gu Xiao Shang, without asking him anything. He just stared blankly ahead. Dao Ying Nian Hua, another core figure in the guild, on the other hand, interrogated him extensively. What kind of guild? How many people? Who's the Guild Leader? What's the situation with the task? How does the auction work? These were all questions.

Yun Xiang was about to answer as he had prepared before, but then Xi Xiao Tian hurriedly sent him a message: "When asked about the Guild Leader, don't say it's Liu Xia. We need to prepare a new answer. Stall for time."

Xi Xiao Tian had confirmed with Gu Fei and the others that Han Jia公子(Young Master Han) probably knew Liu Xia. So, Liu Xia could no longer play that role; they needed to find someone Han Jia公子(Young Master Han) didn't know.

Among the group, the only one Han Jia公子(Young Master Han) definitely didn't know was Xiu Xiu Lian, but the problem was, if she quit now, the guild would immediately disband. And finding someone to replace her, they would have to go to the guild hall to apply, and it wasn't likely that a Rebirth Amethyst girl would be at the hall right now. That would take time, so how could Yun Xiang possibly stall for that long?

Yun Xiang had a plan!

When Xi Xiao Tian sent him the message, Dao Ying Nian Hua had already finished asking who the Guild Leader was and was waiting for his answer. Yun Xiang was glad he hadn't opened the message while speaking; that would have been a disaster. But now he had to stall. How? Yun Xiang couldn't think of anything that could delay his answer. Rambling aimlessly? That would only make him look more suspicious. In his desperation, Yun Xiang suddenly saw a flash of white light in front of him. After a moment of hesitation, he gritted his teeth and went for it.

Force offline! Yun Xiang chose to force himself offline. Although the resurrection camp was just a few meters away, logging off again now would be too unreasonable. He could only forcefully disappear like this. Everyone in the game knew that forcing oneself offline would usually not end well. Yun Xiang thought this would be a good cover, but... he hoped his luck would be good, and the penalty wouldn't be too severe.

"He actually used that method..." Xi Xiao Tian, seeing Yun Xiang's name go dark, guessed that it was probably because the other party had just asked the question, and he had no other choice but to resort to this drastic measure. "Quick, quickly find the best girl to go to the hall and join the guild."

"Who's closest to the guild hall? Who's closest to the guild hall?" Gu Fei hurriedly called out in the Rebirth Amethyst channel.

"What's going on again?"

"Emergency situation, I'll explain later. Everyone who's close, run to the hall and apply to join Extremely Heaven-Defying. It's an emergency, hurry, hurry, hurry!" When had Gu Fei ever been so flustered? The girls didn't dare to delay, but exactly how far away from the guild hall counted as "close"? The concept was very vague! So almost all the girls were moving towards the hall, running and gossiping in the channel. Seeing that everyone was moving, Gu Fei briefly explained the situation.

"You guys are really working hard. Let's add a few more people this time. Having only 20 hanging on is a bit too precarious," Qi Yue said.

And the choice for the new guild leader was almost unanimous. Among those present, the only one Han Jia公子(Young Master Han) didn't know was Xiu Xiu Lian. Although this girl was introverted and shy and definitely couldn't act out the role in person, just as a message receiver and sender, with someone nearby to guide her, it wouldn't be a problem. But Jian Gui was a bit worried: "Um, You Ge, we're not too familiar with your cousin. If we just add her to the guild, then kick her out to do this, wouldn't she be unhappy?"

"No," You Ge said confidently. "She's quite happy about it. The problem is, how to persuade her to come back later. That's what's giving me a headache."

"Uh? What do you mean?" Jian Gui asked.

"Nothing..." You Ge smiled wryly. How could he say it? Could he say that Xiu Xiu Lian thought you guys were ugly, fierce, bandits, lecherous, and liars, and none of you looked like good people?

And Xiu Xiu Lian was willing to accept this task precisely because You Ge had hinted to her that this was an opportunity for her to leave the guild.

Now they were just waiting for a Rebirth Amethyst girl to arrive at the guild hall, then join the guild. Then they could kick out Xiu Xiu Lian, and then Yun Xiang... During this time, it was best if he didn't log on. Even if he did, he'd have to log off again. They could just say it was due to frequent network issues...

This was a race against time. Everyone stopped talking about other things and listened to Gu Fei, who was broadcasting the events from the Rebirth Amethyst guild channel.

"Girl Number One is currently in the lead. She's less than 300 meters away from the guild hall."

"But Girl Number Four has a good chance of catching up, because she's an archer, with a more advantageous movement speed than Girl Number One."

"Ah, Girl Number Six, Girl Number Six suddenly closed the gap. She actually knows a shortcut from Crystal Plaza to the Papal Avenue. What an unexpected dark horse! Does no one else know this shortcut?"

"Girl Number Eight... Girl Number Eight, I think you should give up... You're going the wrong way. On behalf of Yu Tian Shen Ming, I extend my sincerest greetings to you."

"Damn it!! Why didn't you say so earlier? I bet on Number Eight!!!" Huo Qiu wailed.

"Haha, that's fate. I bet on Number Six. So, six is more auspicious than eight," Yu Tian Shen Ming laughed, not caring that Gu Fei was making fun of his poor sense of direction.

"Very good, now we've entered the sprint stage. Number One, Number Four, and Number Six, who will be the first to reach the finish line?" Gu Fei shouted, and everyone couldn't help but crowd around him.

"A tragic news, there's a traitor in our ranks. She actually bribed the participating girls. Girl Number Six could have been the first to enter the guild hall, but she's now stopped at the entrance. She's waiting. Behind her is Girl Number Four," Gu Fei said.

"Ah! No way!!!" Yu Tian Shen Ming shouted, "I protest! We demand fair play! We want to fight against corruption!!"

"Protest denied." Xi Yao Wu kicked Yu Tian Shen Ming away, raised her hands, and happily announced, "The champion is Girl Number Four. Everyone who bet, bring the money to me, hahaha!"

"Okay, received the membership application..." While Xi Yao Wu was laughing, Jian Gui was handling official business. After receiving the membership applications from three Rebirth Amethyst girls in succession, he accepted them and then, after saying a word to Xiu Xiu Lian, kicked her out.

"Why hasn't Yun Xiang come back up yet?" This was the question everyone was struggling with now.

"This idiot isn't just pretending to disappear, is he?" Just as someone voiced this question, a system notification sounded: Yun Xiang had reappeared.

Xi Xiao Tian had already left him a message: "Guild Leader is Xiu Xiu Lian." He also reminded him that he had really lost connection, that it wasn't a deliberate disconnect, and to pay attention to his emotions.

In the few minutes he was offline, Yun Xiang had already thought about how he should act this out. As soon as he logged back in, he had a look of violent irritability on his face. Completely ignoring Wu Shi Zhi Jian and Dao Ying Nian Hua, he quickly checked his equipment, experience, and money. This was a truly authentic performance, as the forced disconnection was genuine, and Yun Xiang was indeed eager to know what punishment he had received.

"F*ck, someone kicked the plug," Yun Xiang said to the people around him with a sobbing voice as he checked.

The members of Across the World were still humane and asked him with concern what penalties he had received.

"Experience was deducted. Damn it, 23% of this level was wiped out. Does the complaint system accept this?" Yun Xiang asked around.

"This... I'm afraid they don't care," Dao Ying Nian Hua said with regret. For level 40 and above, 23% of the experience was something that would take many hard days to earn back. It was all gone because of a kicked plug. He had to sympathize.

"Depressed..." Yun Xiang looked as if he wanted to bite someone.

This series of genuine performances finally got him through it. Wu Shi Zhi Jian, Dao Ying Nian Hua, and the others didn't suspect anything. They just thought he had run into bad luck. Seeing him at his lowest point and most depressed, the two of them were too embarrassed to bring up the matter they had been discussing earlier.

"Brother, mourn in silence. Losing experience can be earned back with hard work. It's better than losing equipment," Dao Ying Nian Hua consoled.

"That's the only way to look at it. Where were we?" Yun Xiang took the opportunity to change the subject.

"Oh, we were talking about your guild. Who is the Guild Leader?" Dao Ying Nian Hua said.

"The Guild Leader is called Xiu Xiu Lian. She's in a very safe place right now. If your side wins the auction, we'll cooperate with you and transfer the task at the appropriate time," Yun Xiang said.

"You've considered things very carefully!" Dao Ying Nian Hua smiled. The appropriate time was very important, because this task had been made public. The auction was one thing, but after the auction, would the other guilds use force or other means to cause trouble? Getting the task wasn't the goal; the key was to complete it. No one wanted to get the task and then be wiped out, ending up with nothing.

"That Guild Leader's name, it sounds like a girl?" Dao Ying Nian Hua asked.

"Yeah, our guild is just a bunch of old friends. It doesn't matter who's the Guild Leader. Anyone can do it," Yun Xiang said.

"Oh, that kind of guild is not bad," Dao Ying Nian Hua praised.

"Then I don't know if your side is going to participate?" Yun Xiang asked for final confirmation.

"Participate, of course we'll participate. But I also want to ask, I wonder how much we have to bid to directly take the task?" Dao Ying Nian Hua also wanted to try that move.

Yun Xiang naturally shook his head, indicating that they had no such intention.

"That's a pity," Dao Ying Nian Hua said.

"Uh, also, it seems President Wu Shi of 彩云间(Caiyun Inn) also contacted President Gu? We originally thought she wouldn't participate in such competitive activities, so is she planning to come now?" Yun Xiang asked.

"Come, of course she'll come," Wu Shi Zhi Jian said.

This was equivalent to creating a competitor for themselves. However, Dao Ying Nian Hua wasn't too upset, because he had known this would happen all along. Secondly, he understood, just like Going Against the Current, that if 彩云间(Caiyun Inn) came, the task would either belong to Across the World or 彩云间(Caiyun Inn). Even if 彩云间(Caiyun Inn) got it, they would need the help of Across the World. With Gu Xiao Shang's personality, she wouldn't let Across the World help for free. Of course, the kind of reward Wu Shi Zhi Jian was fantasizing about, like giving herself in marriage, was absolutely impossible.

"Oh, then can you give me 彩云间(Caiyun Inn)'s contact information? I can communicate with them," Yun Xiang said.

"Haha, is that all? No need, I'll relay the message. When does the auction start?" Wu Shi Zhi Jian just wanted to talk to Gu Xiao Shang more, so he eagerly offered to be the intermediary.

Yun Xiang had no choice but to say, "If everyone's ready, we can start anytime. Then I'll trouble President Wu Shi to contact 彩云间(Caiyun Inn)?"

"No problem. Then we'll set off now. Tell the others who want to participate to hurry up and finish the task sooner," Wu Shi Zhi Jian said and then ordered his guild members. Yun Xiang then saw all the players around him getting up and moving out. It seemed Across the World was planning to mobilize their entire force. Yun Xiang quickly sent the information back.

"Okay, now the situation is clear. There are still four guilds, but unfortunately, we only have two tasks. Cloud Herder and Black Finger, prioritize killing these two. Now, according to the news from Yun Xiang, Across the World seems to be mobilizing their entire force. After this is over, it may be difficult for us to escape. Everyone, do your best to kill enemies and earn points!" Jian Gui said.

"I think we should still try our best to send out the two people who will complete the task. It would be a pity if the task failed after death," Gu Fei said.

"This kind of task..."

"It's better to be safe than sorry!"

"Okay, let's try our best then! Since 彩云间(Caiyun Inn) is coming, Han Jia公子(Young Master Han) may appear. Many of us here are old friends, so simple disguises like covering our faces won't fool him. But fortunately, this lumberyard is in good condition, with many places to hide, especially the piles of wood. Everyone knows about the arrangements we've made. Later, after we determine their direction, the task personnel should lie in ambush at the best positions. The personnel who will be maneuvering outside, when will they be here..." Jian Gui asked.

None of them were suitable for the role of maneuver personnel. Originally, Xi Xiao Tian was going to do it, but now that Han Jia公子(Young Master Han) was involved, it might arouse suspicion. In fact, the task was already at great risk, namely, did Han Jia公子(Young Master Han) know Xi Xiao Tian's name? If he did, he might already be on guard. But this was something that couldn't be undone. Everyone had been busy for so long and didn't want to give up, so they could only bite the bullet and continue to work hard.

"We can only rely on Yun Xiang to preside over it," a message from Xi Xiao Tian said.

"Alas, can't that kid hurry back? I want to explain so many things to him," Jian Gui said anxiously.

"If it really doesn't work, just describe it in the channel. He's likely to be coming with the people from Across the World. Making too big a move would easily arouse suspicion," Xi Xiao Tian said.

"That's the only way."

"Yun Xiang, are you coming with the people from Across the World?" Jian Gui asked.

"Yes, I'm with them now," Yun Xiang said.

"Okay, then listen carefully. The auction will be handled entirely by you. I'll now explain our arrangements to you. You must remember them carefully..." Jian Gui messaged.

The four major guilds were not characters to be led by the nose. After agreeing to go to the auction, they had already begun sending out scouts to gather information.

Yun Zhong Mu Di originally planned to have a few brothers represent the Mu Yun Guild at the auction. But when he received the news that they could set off, he also learned that Across the World was mobilizing a large number of people. This forced Yun Zhong Mu Di to reconsider. If his guild only sent a few people, would they be bullied? It wasn't a system auction, so there was no order. What if Wu Shi Zhi Jian was despicable and blocked his people in a corner, or even killed them directly? How would they participate in the auction then?

On Black Finger's side, he had developed the habit of personally handling large team transactions since the mercenary days. He had originally planned to take a few brothers with him to the auction, but his scout reported that Across the World was mobilizing their entire force.

"Damn, these uncultured people..." Black Finger cursed inwardly. Holding an auction was not a pk, so why bring so many people? Black Finger thought Wu Shi Zhi Jian was acting like a nouveau riche, which was very undignified. But since they were sending so many people, Black Finger had the same concerns as Yun Zhong Mu Di. He had no choice but to gather a large team as well.

As for 彩云间(Caiyun Inn), all the news came from Wu Shi Zhi Jian and Gu Xiao Shang. Gu Xiao Shang's personality was indeed too lazy to compete with other guilds, but this city battle was really a bit too uneventful. They couldn't conquer the city, the tasks were all garbage, and when they wanted to deal with Qian Li Zui, they squatted for a day without seeing a trace. So under Wu Shi Zhi Jian's constant prodding, Gu Xiao Shang decided to go and see what it was all about.

"Oh? An auction task is so interesting? Which guild?" Han Jia公子(Young Master Han) asked upon hearing the news.

"They said it's called Surpassing Heaven's Realm, a small guild," Gu Xiao Shang said.

"Who's the Guild Leader?"

"She's called Xiu Xiu Lian, seems to be a girl. I haven't met her. She's hiding now and will commit suicide to hand in the task after the auction," Gu Xiao Shang said.

"That's well arranged!" Han Jia公子(Young Master Han) said.

"I'll go take a look first," Gu Xiao Shang said.

"It's just an auction, why do you have to go yourself? You pick a few trustworthy people, and I'll just follow along," Han Jia公子(Young Master Han) said.

Summoning monthly tickets, to charge and kill for second place in the game category! Students with tickets, please support, the difference isn't big!