About ten minutes later, around nine o’clock.
Liu Yue and Hongchen Rumeng arrived one after another, the latter bringing along a male player from the Divine Strategy Mansion.
ID: Six Paths, Level 22.
His strength ranked him within the top five of the sect.
Blessed with incredible luck, he had the fortune to drop a chainmail armor in Monster Village.
Attributes: Defense +110.
Damage taken per hit would be reduced by 110 points.
Compared to Hongchen Rumeng’s equipment, which increased maximum HP, this was even better.
The conditions for equipment drops in this game were extremely strict—gear only dropped upon the first clear of a dungeon.
Unfortunately, only two dungeons had been unlocked in the Immortal Realm so far.
As a result, most players couldn’t obtain any equipment.
However, having a high-level player equipped with defensive gear was exactly the kind of main tank they needed.
“Welcome to the team, Six Paths.”
“Hello, everyone.”
Six Paths, like Hongchen Rumeng, wore the Divine Strategy Mansion’s exclusive battle attire.
He was not very old, probably in his early twenties, but looked mature for his age.
With sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, his upright bearing was imposing.
A long spear was slung across his back, his majestic posture resembling not a player but a battlefield general.
If it weren’t for the ID hovering above his head, they might have mistaken him for an NPC.
“Captain, this is a friend I recently met. What do you think? Qualified to join, right?”
Hongchen Rumeng leaned her elbow on Six Paths’ shoulder, touching the battle attire on him with a proud expression as she introduced him to Chen Xiaoyan.
Chen Xiaoyan smiled and gave a thumbs-up.
Well done.
“Since the team is complete, let’s introduce ourselves—skills, equipment—and then prepare to start the dungeon.”
Both Xianyun and Six Paths were new members, so they needed to build some synergy and understand each other’s conditions.
“By the way, Xiaoyue, do you still have that Qinghong Sword?”
Chen Xiaoyan looked at Liu Yue.
The Qinghong Sword had dropped in Monster Village before; it was a weapon exclusive to Shu Mountain players, and True Martial players couldn’t use it.
“I do.”
“Could you lend it to Qingxue for now?”
“Sure.”
Liu Yue didn’t hesitate, pulling the Qinghong Sword from her backpack and handing it to Mu Qingxue, reminding her with a word:
“Remember to return it.”
Upon hearing this, Mu Qingxue’s lips curled into a barely perceptible sneer, somewhat disdainful.
“It’s just a sword. What’s the big deal? After the dungeon, I’ll buy a better one.”
But when she glanced at the Qinghong Sword’s attributes, her eyes immediately widened.
The words “Upgradeable” shone with dazzling golden light in Mu Qingxue’s eyes, almost blinding her.
An artifact.
Definitely an artifact.
Even if it couldn’t be upgraded, this attribute would make many Shu Mountain players go crazy to snatch it.
Damn it, how does this woman get so lucky?
Mu Qingxue gritted her teeth and admitted to feeling jealous.
***
Abyss Canyon
In a narrow mountain path, gray mist drifted, enveloping the area in silence.
Hongchen Rumeng and Six Paths took the front lines to clear the way.
Chen Xiaoyan and Liu Yue formed the midline.
Mu Qingxue and Sanxue stayed in the rear, guarding against sneaky attacks from behind.
“The first wave of monsters is called Rock Lizards. They’ll suddenly descend from above to ambush, so watch your heads.”
“Rock Lizards have very strong defense but don’t deal much damage. There are a few hundred of them.”
Liu Yue relayed all the information she knew.
Upon hearing the number “a few hundred,” everyone’s expression grew serious.
“A few hundred? That’s better than the rat swarms in Monster Village,” Hongchen Rumeng gritted her teeth.
Liu Yue shook her head, her tone grave.
“No, the Rock Lizards’ damage isn’t comparable to those mutant rats. Without a main healer, the front line might not hold for even ten seconds.”
Hearing this, Hongchen Rumeng smiled and glanced back at Chen Xiaoyan.
“Aren’t we lucky to have our captain as the main healer?”
Liu Yue smiled but didn’t argue.
“I’m no slouch either,” Chongchong puffed out his chest and chimed in.
“To be safe, I brought Xianyun along. Three healers—if we still can’t clear this, then maybe we should give up and wait until we’re stronger before attempting the dungeon.”
Chen Xiaoyan’s tone was firm, and the others had no objections.
Their expressions gradually turned serious.
Seconds hadn’t even passed before Liu Yue sounded the alarm.
“Watch out, there’s movement above.”
Everyone instinctively looked up.
The mountain path above was shrouded in layer upon layer of mist, making it impossible to see clearly.
“Seems like nothing’s there,” Chongchong muttered.
“I’m strong in spirit power; I sense a dangerous presence from above,” Liu Yue explained.
True Martial cultivators specialized in spirit power—everyone knew that.
What they didn’t know was that spirit power could also enhance perception?
But thinking about it, it made sense.
Chen Xiaoyan quietly stared upward.
Other than the mist, she saw nothing else.
Still, since Xiaoyue gave a warning, whether or not monsters appeared, they had to be ready.
“Divine Strategy, prepare to activate super armor. Everyone else, quickly adjust your positions.”
As soon as Chen Xiaoyan spoke, she pulled Chongchong, Mu Qingxue, and the others to adjust formation.
Xianyun stared blankly as they moved, completely stunned.
“Xianyun, no matter what happens, unless instructed, just stick with Chongchong and stay by my side.”
“Understood, Sister Xiaoyan.”
Xianyun snapped back to reality and hurried to her side.
“Six Paths, it’s time to work.”
Hongchen Rumeng raised her spear resting on her shoulder and took a defensive stance, eyes vigilant on the skies.
Six Paths didn’t respond but silently drew his spear from behind and fixed his gaze upwards.
One second.
Five seconds.
Ten seconds.
The air was stifling and silent.
Everyone tensely stared above the mountain path, instinctively holding their breath.
Suddenly!
The mist began to ripple, as if something was about to break through.
Liu Yue had already drawn the Eight-Sided Han Sword.
Mu Qingxue and Sanxue drew their long swords, ready to strike.
But after half a minute, no monsters dropped down.
The rippling mist also calmed.
What was going on?
Everyone’s heads were full of question marks, completely baffled.
A minute… two minutes passed, and not a single Rock Lizard nor even a hair from one had appeared.
All nine pairs of suspicious eyes turned sharply to Liu Yue.
“I don’t know what’s going on either.”
She looked embarrassed.
Although she sensed danger above, no monsters had appeared.
“Keep your heads up and keep moving forward,” Chen Xiaoyan said without another word.
Even if monsters were lurking above, they had to move forward; standing still wasn’t an option.
So the group kept their heads raised, stepping forward cautiously, avoiding looking down at the path.
If they looked down even for a moment and were struck by an ambush from above, that would be a huge loss.
Losing a level upon death would be painful.
“Careful! Monsters are coming down!”
Suddenly, Liu Yue’s shout refocused everyone’s attention.
The mist churned wildly as one-meter-sized stones broke through the fog and fell, one after another.
One rock was about to hit Hongchen Rumeng.
Her pupils contracted sharply, and she gripped her spear tightly, crossing it horizontally to block the rock.
Unexpectedly, the rock didn’t shatter on contact but spun like a high-speed top, rubbing against the spear and sparking wildly.
“Whirlwind Sweep!”
With a bang, Hongchen Rumeng struck the descending rock with her spear, sending it flying away.
The rock landed on the ground and immediately sprouted arms and legs, along with a flat head.
It flicked out its tongue.