Chapter 221 – Defending the Homeland

This was the tenth day since the establishment of the “[Huaxia Summit] Summit Defense and Counterattack Alliance.”

For the first five days of the Dimensional Rift, the “Crush Holy Light Assault Team” had successfully entered the frontlines each time. However, the enemy had long been prepared and held the advantage of home turf, forcing the assault team to retreat in defeat. As a result, for the next four days, the assault team remained inactive, analyzing their earlier failures while lying low to seek a true opportunity to deliver a fatal blow to the enemy. On the other hand, the “Ever-Peak Defense Team” had spent nine uneventful days. Every time the rift opened, they rushed to search and arrive at the designated point as quickly as possible. Yet, for nine whole days, not even a single Cloud Piercing Arrow had flown in. It was as if the enemies had entered hibernation—whether from Holy Light Sanctuary or other servers, there wasn’t the slightest hint of invasion.

The main—no, actually, the entire—members of the Ever-Peak Defense Team were feeling quite lonely and had to find other ways to pass the time—

[Combat] Milk is Mom used Crimson Lotus Holy Fire.

[Combat] Desert Giant Lizard has died.

[System] Polly gained 1 XP.

[System] Grass Never Grows Fat gained 77 XP.

[System] Horse Without Night gained 77 XP.

[System] Crossplayer’s Blessing gained 1 XP.

[System] Drink Your Sister 3X gained 1 XP.

[System] Milk is Mom gained 1 XP.

[Combat] Polly used Specters and Ghouls.

[Combat] Desert Giant Lizard has died.

[System] Polly gained 1 XP.

[System] Grass Never Grows Fat gained 77 XP.

[System] Horse Without Night gained 77 XP.

[System] Crossplayer’s Blessing gained 1 XP.

[System] Drink Your Sister 3X gained 1 XP.

[System] Milk is Mom gained 1 XP.

[Combat] Crossplayer’s Blessing used Blade of Blessings.

[Combat] Desert Giant Lizard has died.

[System] Polly…

[System] Grass Never Grows Fat…

“Seriously, enough already! How am I supposed to enjoy leveling like this?!” 2B Fighter Jet had reached his limit. Three hours ago, these bastards had barged into his cozy leveling session with Sister Blood Bull under the pretense of “Waiting for the Dimensional Rift is so boring~~~” and then, goddammit, actually started helping him level! Heaven knows he didn’t want to max out so quickly! What was vanishing with the rapidly climbing XP bar wasn’t just an alt—it was his youth, running off into the sunset!!!

“Are you sure it’s the joy of leveling and not the joy of romance?” Birdy quipped, casually obliterating another lizard.

2B Fighter Jet gritted his teeth but had no retort. Though he had dealt with Wang Hao, he and Lin Yi still hadn’t officially started dating. Ultimately, it was because he hadn’t confessed, and the other’s personality made it impossible for him to take the initiative. So even after returning to his nine-to-five routine, leaving that city behind, the two remained merely “comrades-in-arms.” They grinded mobs together, leveled alts together—inseparable in the eyes of outsiders—yet neither brought up what had happened during those face-to-face days. Everything seemed unchanged on the surface: Lin Yi was still the fierce Sister Blood Bull, and he was still the eager 2B. Yet, something was different. Sister Blood Bull no longer treated enslaving 2B as casually as eating or drinking, and 2B no longer casually threw around flirtatious remarks like “wifey.” When they met, it felt like they were closer, but after returning, it somehow felt more distant. 2B couldn’t make sense of these convoluted emotions—he was just frustrated.

Especially when these private matters were exposed by others—

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: Why didn’t you respond when Birdy teased you? Are you mad? You can’t be… Or are you and Sister Blood Bull not even dating?!

[Whisper] Polly: You and Sister Blood Bull aren’t officially together, huh?

[Whisper] Drink Your Sister 3X: The Deputy Commander’s well-meaning teasing is supposed to be a catalyst for love! Why aren’t you saying anything? The girl must be so embarrassed!

[Whisper] Crossplayer’s Blessing: Aren’t you dating Sister Blood Bull?

[Whisper] Refined Into a Demon 715: The Deputy Commander just asked if you enjoyed leveling or romance more—didn’t you hear him? Why aren’t you answering? Sister Blood Bull must be waiting for your reply!

[Whisper] Mad Lad: I was just getting into it—why’d you clam up?

[Whisper] Little Lucky Charm: Big dummy.

If 2B Fighter Jet’s love life were a chiffon cake, it would now be riddled with holes from all the poking by his “helpful” friends!

And those last three weren’t even present—how could shopping in the Item Mall, gathering materials, and forging new weapons not distract them from their gossiping hearts?!

The gang didn’t wait for 2B Fighter Jet’s whispered replies, because right in the middle of this heartwarming daily routine—

[System] The Dimensional Rift has opened.

The Ghost Server Legion snapped to attention, abandoning their romantic musings to face the flashing blades ahead.

Fang Zheng: “Mad Lad, Your Uncle, 438—report your coords!”

Your Uncle: “26,189!”

Mad Lad: “444,444!”

438: “200,33!”

Good, the three of them weren’t clustered together but spread out, making it easier to search for the rift from different angles… Wait.

Fang Zheng: “Mad Lad, what the hell are you doing all the way out there?!”

Mad Lad: “Chasing the sun like Kuafu.”

Fang Zheng: “…”

Mad Lad: “If that doesn’t sound good, how about Chang’e flying to the moon?”

Fang Zheng rubbed his forehead. Recently, Mad Lad’s movements had become increasingly erratic, but now wasn’t the time to deal with disciplinary issues like lax team discipline: “Alright, Chang’e, please start searching the nearest open-world map for the rift spawn point.” 438 and Your Uncle, you do the same. The rest of us will use our leveling spot as the center and fan out to search the east, south, west, and north. 2B, bring your main account over to escort Sister Blood Bull back to the city. If she runs into players from other servers before she’s max level, it’ll be dangerous.”

Sister Blood Bull: “No need.”

2B Fighter Jet: “OK.”

The two spoke almost simultaneously. Fang Zheng thought for a moment and decided to let them handle this private dispute themselves. As the Commander, he’d already done his part in the macro strategy. ╮(╯_╰)╭

But before Sister Blood Bull and 2B Fighter Jet could decide who would take charge—or even before the Ghost Server gang had disappeared from each other’s sight—someone had already revealed the truth—

[Megaphone] Drink Till You Drop: “(XX,XX) Rift spawn point.”

Your Uncle: “Damn, even The Flash isn’t that fast! Unless the rift literally spawned on his head?!”

[Megaphone] Drink Till You Drop: “We were fighting a world boss when the rift opened right above us.

The entire Ghost Server: “…”

Your Uncle: “Sorry, I’ll shut up now TAT”

[Whisper] Drink Till You Drop: “After four days of inactivity, now’s the time to catch them off guard.”

Fang Zheng understood that Drink was preparing to lead the Summit’s elite forces out again. After all, finding the rift right after it spawned was a rare opportunity to seize the initiative. The reason he didn’t use the megaphone but whispered instead was to prevent leaks—after all, every server had planted spies in others by now.

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: “With our blessings (excluding Your Uncle), victory is assured!!”

[Whisper] Drink Till You Drop: “While we’re gone, hold down the fort!!”

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: “The Summit has us (including Your Uncle)—go forth with peace of mind!!

After seeing off the Crush Holy Light Assault Team, the entire Ghost Server quickly converged on the rift spawn point. In the earlier days, many small guilds or solo players had gone to the rift whenever it appeared. But with no enemies in sight, those eager for battle gradually lost interest, leaving only a handful who wanted to visit other servers. As a result, the Ghost Server squad encountered few people along the way—until they were just four open-world maps away from the spawn point, where they ran into a familiar face.

[Local] Milk is Mom: “Hey~~~ Why are you heading back~~~ Not going to play in the rift~~~”

[Local] Grave Sweeping Scroll: “…”

[Local] Drink Your Sister 3X: “Commander, they’re the ones coming to play.”

…Shit, the face was so familiar he hadn’t realized they were enemies!! TAT

In front of them stood seven players, led by ice Iceborn, with Liaodong Iron Cavalry, Ice on Fire, Bells in the Rain, Lantern Granny, Festive Lantern, and Grave Sweeping Scroll—all core members of Iceborn Legion they’d clashed with in Lover’s Constellation. On their side, they only had six, and if Sister Blood Bull’s alt was excluded, only five could actually fight. Though they had home turf advantage, they were still outmatched.

[Local] Grave Sweeping Scroll: “Ghost Server Legion Leader, long time no see?”

[Local] Milk is Mom: “Thanks to you, I’m alive and kicking~~~”

When two armies clashed, there had to be a signal to charge. Since the enemy was being polite, they were happy to hold their positions.

[Local] Grave Sweeping Scroll: “Given this awkward situation, how about we each take a step back?”

[Local] Milk is Mom: “I’d prefer if you took a bigger step—how about turning around and going home?”

[Local] Grave Sweeping Scroll: “We’re already here—no way we’re surrendering without a fight.”

[Local] Milk is Mom: “So you’re prepared for a battle between men?”

[Local] ice Iceborn: “Five against seven, and you still talk big? Bring it on.”

[Megaphone] Milk is Mom: “(XX,XX) Found the Iceborn Legion from Frostbite Canyon! Summit comrades, get over here~~~~~~~~”

……

Though the enemy was shameless, Iceborn had no choice. Once the coords were exposed, they’d be swarmed. But the Ghost Server clung to them like shadows—shaking them off was impossible. That left only one option—eliminate the Ghost Server before Summit reinforcements arrived and flee to another location!

[Combat] Grave Sweeping Scroll used Phoenix Rebirth.

With the Spirit Master’s AoE ultimate, the guild war officially began.

Fang Zheng had intended to urge the remaining three members to hurry over, but Birdy was faster: “Mad Lad, Your Uncle, 438—don’t come here.” Head to the area around Main City No. 2!”

At the Deputy Commander’s order, the three scattered comrades changed course without question, diverting to Main City No. 2.

The others, locked in battle with Iceborn, immediately understood Birdy’s reasoning—every server had three major main cities. Reaching the top of any one’s city gate tower counted as a successful summit, a rule universally acknowledged across Huaxia. If you drew a straight line between the rift spawn point and where Iceborn had appeared, its extension pointed directly to Main City No. 3—Iceborn’s target! In other words, the Ghost Server’s main force had already blocked the only path from the rift to Main City No. 3. Main City No. 1, being the largest and most significant—and having already been summited by Thousand Mountains—was the Summit’s top defensive priority. That left Main City No. 2 as the most vulnerable.

Though no enemies had been spotted there yet, it was better to be safe than sorry.

While Mad Lad, Your Uncle, and 438 rushed to Main City No. 2, Iceborn had already surrounded Fang Zheng’s group. But Fang Zheng, now equipped with his Purple Set, and Birdy, with his new purple necklace, were no pushovers. Combined with 2B Fighter Jet, eager to show off in front of Sister Blood Bull after so long, the two sides were momentarily deadlocked.

However, it wasn’t long before an urgent report came through YY from the comrades heading to Main City No. 2—

Mad Lad: “Fuck, Dutch Chamber of Commerce!!!”

When it rains, it pours. When the boat is leaky, it meets a headwind!

Fang Zheng: “Who’s there?”

Mad Lad: “Thousand Mountains, X, Scholar Lu, Mocha, Little Willow, War of the Gods, Dutch, Rain Through the Woods!”

Polly: “Is Don’t Stop the Meds not with them?”

Mad Lad: “He’s the Commander—can’t just show his face casually. He’s definitely sitting pretty back at Holy Light Sanctuary. Gotta go—I can’t take on eight alone!”

Fang Zheng: “Hey, don’t just run—”

[Megaphone] Mad Lad: “(XX,XX) Found the Dutch Chamber of Commerce! Summit comrades, get over here!!!”

[Megaphone] Mad Lad: “(XX,XX) Found the Dutch Chamber of Commerce! Summit comrades, get over here!!!”

[Megaphone] Mad Lad: “(XX,XX) Found the Dutch Chamber of Commerce! Summit comrades, get over here!!!”

…Well done.

As Birdy had guessed, Dutch Chamber of Commerce had targeted the vulnerable Main City No. 2. But with Mad Lad broadcasting their coords, Fang Zheng figured their summit attempt was doomed—since the Dimensional Rift’s inception, every successful summit had been achieved by sneaking into the city and planting a flag unnoticed. None had broken through after having their coords exposed.

[Combat] Drink Your Sister 3X has died.

This was what happened when you got distracted in battle—just a moment’s lapse, and a teammate fell.

Fang Zheng quickly refocused. By now, three or four Summit players had arrived to join the fight, gradually turning the tide. He cast Ten Thousand Blossoms on the whole team and prepared to cast Resurrection.

But before he could press the skill key, Birdy urgently said, “Your Sister, respawn yourself!”

Fang Zheng retracted his finger, and Your Sister immediately turned into a beam of light flying into the distance without another word.

Though he complied, Fang Zheng was puzzled, as were the others. Just as they were wondering, Birdy asked, “Mad Lad, what’s the situation with Dutch Chamber of Commerce?Mad Lad: “About seven or eight Summit players are already there, and Your Uncle’s on his way… Holy shit, Your Uncle’s purple staff looks unassuming but wreaks havoc… Wait, wait—this one’s mine, I’m not just here for show… HAHAHAHAHA Thousand Mountains, how the tables have turned HAHAHAHA…”

—The mark of a true Chinese comrade: when the legion leader asks for a “brief update,” you provide a “live broadcast.””

The path to Main City No. 3 was blocked by the Ghost Server’s main force, and Dutch Chamber of Commerce at Main City No. 2 was being held back by Mad Lad, Your Uncle, and other Summit players. Though they were either fighting tooth and nail or not at all, the situation was stabilizing.

Yet Meng Chudong still felt something was off.

“Commander, I’m at the respawn point,” Your Sister reported after reviving at full health.

Birdy thought for a moment, then suddenly asked, “Where’s 438?”

438: “I’m on my way to Mad Lad!”

Birdy: “Stop. Both you and Your Sister head to Main City No. 1!”

438: “Huh? Didn’t you just say Main City No. 2?”

Birdy: “Change of plans.”

438: “Roger!”

The ever-diligent Demon Refiner immediately changed direction, heading for Main City No. 1.

Though… was it just him, or did it feel like he was running an endless marathon…?

438 wondered if he was imagining things, but Meng Chudong wished he were. Because with Huaxia Summit’s main force gone, and Iceborn and Dutch Chamber of Commerce tying up almost all the remaining combat power, if someone wanted to slip through the chaos now, it’d be as easy as…

[Legion] Refined Into a Demon 715 has died.

Birdy: “438, what happened?438: “I ran into Your Sister…”

The Entire Team: “Did she stab you to death?!!”

438: “And Don’t Stop the Meds TAT”

……

Don’t Stop the Meds had lain low for nine days—not because he didn’t want to summit, but because he was waiting for the perfect moment. Finally, yesterday, spies embedded in Frostbite Canyon and Huaxia Summit reported that the former would attack the Summit today, while the latter’s alliance would strike Holy Light Sanctuary. Thus, a plan to “feint east, then strike west—twice” was born, and Holy Light Sanctuary had prepared its defenses accordingly.

As expected, Drink Till You Drop led the Summit’s main force away, Iceborn brought in its core members, and Thousand Mountains drew the attention of the remaining Summit players. Now, Main City No. 1 was practically empty, making it as easy as… Who could tell him why these two were standing in his way?!

Though the start was rocky, since they were here, he might as well fight.

Two vs. two—both teams had a healer and a Demon Refiner, and his opponents’ skills were far below his and Rain Ceases’. This battle was a no-lose situation!

[Combat] Refined Into a Demon 715 has died.

So what if they had Phoenix Seeking Phoenix? So what if they had the bewitching skill that confused pets? Poor mechanics were an insurmountable hurdle.

The Ghost Server healer was about to cast Resurrection, but Don’t Stop the Meds wouldn’t give her the chance. He sent his Electric Eel pet to pounce—even if it didn’t stun her, interrupting the revive was a done deal! Then, under Rain Ceases’ Crimson Lotus Holy Fire, she’d either die or nearly so. Even if she managed to heal herself, death would come in the blink of an eye. After that, he and Rain Ceases would infiltrate the Summit’s main city, summit the gate tower, and plant Holy Light Sanctuary’s flag—flawless!

[Combat] Drink Your Sister 3X makes a deal with the devil, using Black Magic Resurrection.

[Combat] Refined Into a Demon 715 revives.

[Combat] Refined Into a Demon 715 used Purple-Gold Red Gourd.

[Combat] Don’t Stop the Meds has died.

[Combat] Drink Your Sister 3X makes a deal with the devil, using Black Magic Crimson Lotus Holy Fire.

[Combat] Refined Into a Demon 715 used Heavenly Phoenix Tribute.

[Combat] Rain Ceases has died.

……