Unfortunately, the big three guilds and Zhang Pingfan's competitive boss kills still yielded no results.
Zhang Pingfan was doing better; at most, he didn't get the guild token he wanted, but at least he got some equipment to compensate himself.
The big three guilds, however, had it much worse. Although they killed several bosses, the price they paid was too great, clearly not worth it.
"No, if we keep fighting like this, before the guild token even drops, our guilds will collapse under the pressure!"
The level difference was too large; most players were around level 26.
Players at level 26 challenging level 30 bosses, especially epic-grade ones, meant a huge level disparity. Player attack damage was reduced to the minimum. If not for the sheer number of players, they probably wouldn't have been able to defeat the epic-grade bosses at all.
It was now 11:00 PM to 12:00 AM.
The guild leaders of the big three guilds, for the first time in a while, initiated a conference call.
They were under immense pressure, with the Village Chief ahead and new guilds formed by the major families behind them.
If they wanted to survive, they had to carve out an existence between these two forces.
"You two, what do you think? If we continue fighting like this, even though the three of us can afford it, there's no need!"
Bing Shan Han Yue said, "Just the subsidies for our members tonight have reached hundreds of thousands, not to mention the loss of various equipment and potions. Moreover, we've all seen the drop rate of these bosses. Even the Village Chief couldn't do it, so we estimate it'll be even harder!"
Liu Dao nodded and said, "That's right. It's not that we can't afford it. If, like the Village Chief, we kill 54 bosses without a guild token dropping, then we truly can't afford these costs. Even if we could, the guild's situation wouldn't be ideal!"
Tian Qi Huang nodded with a grim expression. Yes, he thought the same. They had challenged all the bosses they could that night, but still, no guild token had appeared.
"We have no room to retreat now. Those major families from the capital have entered the game and are frantically recruiting talent, sparing no effort. Although our three guilds hold high positions in the online gaming world, we are still far from comparable to them!"
"Yes, they use money to poach. We haven't succeeded, and they've started digging into our allied guilds. Some elite members have already left. Although there are penalty clauses, they don't seem to lack money, clearly those major families paid their penalties!"
The other two nodded in agreement, clearly experiencing the same situation in their guilds.
Tian Qi Huang said, "My suggestion is to let the Village Chief fight for the guild token for us, and we'll buy it directly, without making a fuss. Otherwise, we simply can't compete with those major families. While those major families aren't very familiar with the game yet, we should strike first. What do you think?"
"Brother Tian Qi, your idea aligns with mine. I have the same thought, but will the Village Chief accept our offer?"
Bing Shan Han Yue said, "I'll try to contact Dou Youyou. We're both women, so it should be easier to talk! The Village Chief cares so much about Dou Youyou, so it shouldn't be a problem."
"Yes, finding Youyou is a good idea. This Village Chief is truly amazing; he even found the Xuan Bing Long Lin Yi, which was destroyed, again!"
"What's so strange about that? After all, he's an NPC, very different from us players. Perhaps it's just another piece."
"That's true. If we can establish a relationship with the Village Chief, we won't have to worry about suppression from those major families. What do you think?"
Tian Qi Huang frowned, finding it hard to believe Liu Dao could say something like this.
"Liu Dao, you're the leader of one of the three great guilds. Are you suggesting we form an alliance with Dou Youyou's guild?"
Liu Dao said, "Brother Tian Qi, the times have changed. Our three guilds may still appear to be high and mighty, but we know the truth in our hearts. If we can ally with Dou Youyou's guild, that would be best. I'm just afraid they won't accept us, which would be truly awkward!"
"This..." Tian Qi Huang didn't know what to say. Ever since this game changed, many things had become unpredictable.
Bing Shan Han Yue said, "I'll handle these matters. Dealing with girls is something women are better at. How we proceed will depend on your decisions."
"Alright, then we'll trouble you, Sister Han Yue!"
"Don't be so polite. The three of us are in the same boat now. If one of us capsizes, the remaining two won't have an easy time."
Zhang Pingfan returned to his small courtyard with a look of anger. He had killed all the bosses himself. Although the big three guilds had snatched a few, none of them had dropped the boss token.
"What kind of garbage drop rate is this? If you don't want to give out guild tokens, just say so. Why make it so difficult!"
"Master, please calm your anger. Did you encounter any trouble?"
Hei Huang picked up the greatsword from the ground and handed it to Zhang Pingfan.
"You? Do you know what a guild token is?"
"Uh, to be honest, this subordinate really doesn't know!"
"I knew you wouldn't know. Make me a pot of tea, I'm so angry. What kind of terrible drop rate is this? If I find out which programmer set this up, I'll smash his head in!"
Hearing the words "smash his head," Ri Tian, who was sleeping not far away, had his fur bristling. He then quietly moved out of Zhang Pingfan's sight.
"Master, please calm down. I'll make you tea right away. The Pingjiang City Lord came by today, but you weren't here!"
"Oh, what did he come for?"
"Your outer disciple's physical condition is gradually recovering after my treatment. The Pingjiang City Lord wanted to tell you that this little fellow is doing very well and whether he should be cultivated as a key figure!"
Zhang Pingfan nodded. Since he had accepted the outer disciple publicly, he couldn't let him disgrace him.
"Then tell the Pingjiang City Lord that my disciple cannot be disgraced!"
"Understood, Master. The tea is ready!"
"Hmm, this tea tastes good!"
"It's good as long as Master likes it. I have more!"
"Yes, very good, very good!"
The next morning, as soon as Dou Youyou logged in, she received a message from Bing Shan Han Yue.
"Hello Miss Youyou, I am Bing Shan Han Yue, the guild leader of Moon Palace!"
Dou Youyou looked at it with curiosity. Why would the guild leader of Moon Palace want to meet her?
"Yes, is there something? If not, I still have to do quests. My master's quests are quite urgent!"
If it wasn't something important, Dou Youyou would likely turn and leave.
"Miss Youyou, please don't rush. It's definitely good news. Did the Village Chief manage to get a guild token yesterday?"
Speaking of the guild token, Dou Youyou's face was filled with anger.
"No, the drop rate is too low. My master is so angry. I really don't know which brain-dead programmer set this drop rate!"