With this new system in place, competition naturally arose among the members of the Snow Smoke Pavilion.
But a guild without any competitiveness has no room to grow.
Competition is a good thing—it’s better than just coasting along and waiting to die.
However, other guilds wouldn’t just stand by and let you develop freely; they would definitely do everything to hinder you.
Just like what’s happening now.
Chen Xiaoyan didn’t bother competing with them—some things simply didn’t require contention; the outcome was already decided.
Once he conquered the new dungeon, that would be when the real explosion began.
Did they also expect him to carry through Abyssal Canyon for free?
Ha—
This approach did have one drawback, though: it meant no more making small money by carrying others through dungeons.
Aww, my money!
No way, this time he had to make Mu Qingxue compensate him somehow; otherwise, he’d suffer a huge loss.
***
Back at the sect’s courtyard.
Chen Xiaoyan contacted Mu Qingxue immediately to share his proposal.
He hadn’t revealed it in Ping’an Town because he wanted her approval first.
After all, she was the boss—the one funding everything.
He was just a worker.
If he made decisions without her consent, no matter how good the plan, she would definitely feel uneasy.
[Mu Qingxue: This idea is great. Are you planning to start after clearing the new dungeon?]
[Chen Xiaoyan: Yes, we’re opening the new dungeon tomorrow.]
[Mu Qingxue: Enough people? Let me know if you need anything.]
[Chen Xiaoyan: Missing one Shence, three DPS.]
[Mu Qingxue: I have three DPS; Sanxue is already level 20.]
[Chen Xiaoyan: Then just need a Shence. Find me a top player—too weak, and they can’t tank the damage.]
[Mu Qingxue: I’m on it.]
Chen Xiaoyan also messaged Liu Yue to see if she knew any strong Shence players.
Two Shence, three healers, one Zhenwu, and four Shushan—that formation was perfect.
Tanks, healers, and DPS all covered.
Plus, Zhenwu’s Liyuan Sword Formation for crowd control—there shouldn’t be a repeat of the disaster at Monster Village, right?
“Why am I thinking so much?”
Chen Xiaoyan laughed at himself.
Whether the new dungeon was difficult or not, they’d find out tomorrow.
Besides, he didn’t plan to clear it in one go anyway.
With that thought, he pushed aside all these concerns and went to find Shen Qingqing to claim the sect’s daily tasks.
Unfortunately, there were no new tasks—only repeats.
The few spirit energy rewards from repeat tasks were meaningless to Chen Xiaoyan.
After completing the Xiang Yi Jue cultivation task in the courtyard, he logged off.
It was already past ten in the evening.
Taking off his gaming headset, Chen Xiaoyan just sat up on the bed.
Suddenly, his head buzzed loudly, his vision blurred with double images, and the room spun wildly.
“Tsk… what’s going on?” he held his head and shook it.
After a few minutes, the dizziness gradually subsided.
Chen Xiaoyan sat on the edge of the bed, worried.
Was this because he was overworked?
Looks like he’d have to be more careful in the future.
Making money in the game was important, but if he lost his health, no matter how much money he earned, he wouldn’t have a life to spend it.
“Go take a shower, eat, then sleep.”
Slipping on his slippers, he stood and headed toward the bathroom.
As soon as he stood, a wave of weakness swept over him.
Chen Xiaoyan ignored it.
He hadn’t eaten all day—it was no wonder he was weak.
In the game, he might not feel it, but once logged off, the hunger hit him hard.
In the bathroom.
Standing under the showerhead, he washed his hair, lathering shampoo.
“This hair…”
He touched the strands hanging down by his ears, utterly confused.
When did his hair get this long?
It could be tied into a small braid.
It hadn’t even been a month since his last haircut—how could it look like it had grown for several months?
Was something wrong with his body?
He decided he needed to find time to see a doctor.
If playing a game made him physically ill, he’d be devastated.
Afterwards, Chen Xiaoyan quickly ate a bowl of egg noodles and went to sleep.
A night without dreams.
Not until 8:30 the next morning, with the sun shining in, did he slowly wake up.
Seeing the time, he hurriedly ordered breakfast online.
After last night, he realized that while gaming was important, eating was just as crucial.
To grind in the game, you must have a healthy body.
Otherwise, how could you even grind?
After breakfast, Chen Xiaoyan took out his phone and logged into Penguin, sending a friend request to the fairy-like Xian Yun, then entered the game.
Abyssal Canyon, here I come!!!
***
Jinyang County, outside the Abyssal Canyon barrier.
Shouts, chatter, and buzzing voices never ceased.
More than twenty players waited outside the dungeon for their teammates.
One or two teams had rushed in first but returned crestfallen.
“Those Rock Lizards are so sneaky—they ambushed us, and three of our Shence teammates just got wiped out.”
“Yeah, those bastards hide in the rocks, invisible until your backline walks by, then they jump out and give you a ‘heaven-sent justice.’”
“Anyone made it past the Rock Lizards? Share your tips.”
Everyone shook their heads.
“Not enough healers.”
“Few Tianxiang players have reached level 20; they can’t open the new dungeon. Yihua is only good as support, but as a healer, her healing output isn’t enough.”
“Yihua? No heal, no damage, and the damage isn’t even high—basically a job no one loves.”
“Yihua online feeling aggrieved…”
“Brothers, I think I see a Tianxiang healer coming!”
At the sound, the players looked over, excitement surging at the sight of a pink figure.
“Finally, a Tianxiang little healer arrives.”
“Sorry, Unparalleled Tower declares—this healer is ours!”
“Unparalleled Tower, scram.”
Xian Yun rode her horse to the dungeon’s entrance, immediately noticing the green, predatory eyes staring like a pack of wolves.
Frightened, her face paled.
She hastily pulled on the reins and ran back.
“Huh? Miss, why are you running?”
“WTF, the healer’s running!”
“Can you guys chill? You all look so desperate, I’d run too if I were her.”
“Traitor, before talking smack, check yourself in the mirror. Do you have the right to say that?”
Meanwhile, Chen Xiaoyan teleported to Jinyang County with Chongchong and headed toward the dungeon.
On the way, they ran into Xian Yun, standing there looking helpless.
“What are you doing here?”
Chen Xiaoyan asked in confusion.
“Sister Xiaoyan, you’re here!”
She nodded and asked, “Um, why aren’t you waiting at the dungeon entrance? Why are you here?”
Xian Yun glanced toward the dungeon, her heart still uneasy.
“Those players are terrifying. When I just went over, they stared at me like wolves eyeing sheep. I panicked and ran back—didn’t dare go in.”
Chen Xiaoyan and Chongchong were baffled.
They exchanged a glance, then Chongchong burst into laughter.
Chen Xiaoyan chuckled along.
“Haha, you scared so easily? I’m dying laughing.”
Xian Yun looked helplessly at the still-laughing Chongchong.
“Calm down a bit,” Chen Xiaoyan called out.
Chongchong covered her mouth, her face flushed red.
“Xian Yun, join our team. Let’s go check it out together,” Chen Xiaoyan sent her a team invitation.