Chapter 275 ·Sea of Corrupt Flowers

Chapter 275: Sea of Corrupt Flowers! Two Legion Commanders Join Forces! (Please Vote with Your Monthly Tickets!)

As the saying went, sharpening the axe did not delay the chopping of firewood.

The Calamity Legion did not immediately launch another offensive. Blindly charging in recklessly served no purpose. It would only further dampen the legion's morale and increase everyone's Fatigue.

Although quite a few players had already gained the Fatigue debuff, most of them were only lightly fatigued. Fatigue of this level would recover after resting for two or three hours.

But if it accumulated into Severe Fatigue, it would take at least seven or eight hours to recover.

The legion decisively chose to rest at the nearest barracks. After logging off, the players did not waste this precious time. Instead, they each held strategy meetings to study how to attack Old Wan.

“To capture Old Wan.”

“We first have to eliminate Madam Zou.”

“The question is, how do we find Madam Zou?”

“According to the intelligence Jia Xu provided, Madam Zou's mobility is extremely poor. Old Wan isn't particularly large. As long as we spread out and search, we'll definitely find her.”

“A carpet search? It may be a stupid method, but as long as it works!”

“That's too passive. We don't have that much time to waste on Madam Zou. Our goal is to capture all of Old Wan and challenge the super boss Dian Wei!”

“If we end up getting wiped out three or five times just fighting Madam Zou,”

“how are we supposed to fight the battles afterward?”

“True. We have to end it quickly. We can't waste time on an ordinary boss!”

“……”

The leaders of the various legions all began offering suggestions, while the cloud players also proposed many ideas. However, most of these suggestions lacked practicality. At that moment—

“We've figured it out!”

Black Pupil Rui Ge posted several images on the forum. “These are screenshots players captured using the Eye of Malevolence in the Core Pollution Zone. It's easy to see that these spiderweb-like energy patterns form the formation covering Old Wan.”

“We carefully compared the views from different players. Looking at the spiderweb-like formation structures, it's easy to notice that all the energy webs radiate outward.”

“Since they're distributed radially, there must be a single source.”

“As long as we find that source,”

“we'll find Madam Zou!”

“……”

Everyone immediately felt this made perfect sense.

Several players had taken screenshots from the Eye of Malevolence's perspective inside Old Wan.

These images quickly became the Calamity Legion's most important clues for locating Madam Zou.

Arthur King said, “We've already uploaded the spiderweb distribution patterns in the images, along with the photographers' locations, into a computer for analysis. The results are already out!”

He posted another image.

It was easy to see that the spiderweb patterns followed a clear structure.

All the energy radiated from a single core.

If nothing unexpected happened, that was the formation core the players were searching for—the location of the Corrupted Madam Zou. Eliminating her would destroy the entire formation.

After the Calamity Legion completed its rest and the negative debuffs had mostly disappeared, everyone gathered once again at the Blessing Point in Matou Hamlet. Around 4,600 players participated in this operation.

“Let's make some simple assignments.”

Ye Li Meng said, “Since we can't determine where we'll end up after entering Old Wan, there's no point making a detailed battle plan. During this operation, everyone must adapt to changing circumstances.”

“Everyone head toward the formation's core!”

“Our primary target is Madam Zou. Our secondary target is clearing out the other monsters!”

“Remember, if you encounter Dian Wei, there's no escaping him. Do your best to keep him occupied and buy us enough time to eliminate Madam Zou.”

“Any questions?”

Everyone shouted in unison, “No!”

None of the legion commanders objected.

Ye Li Meng nodded in satisfaction before raising the giant hammer in his hand.

“Brothers and sisters! Within this limited time, we must show the spirit and determination of the Calamity Legion! Even if this mission is a disaster, we'll charge straight into it!”

“Victory to the Calamity Legion!”

“Victory to the Calamity Legion!”

After the rally.

They immediately set off.

Several thousand members of the Calamity Legion fearlessly charged into the mist. As expected, the formation hidden within the fog activated.

The moment the four thousand-plus Calamity Legion members entered, they were immediately scattered throughout the dense mist. They were randomly divided into groups of several to a dozen people and dispersed across every part of the Core Pollution Zone.

At this moment.

In one area of Old Wan.

Arthur King counted the people around him.

There were only nine others.

Including himself, there were exactly ten people.

Among them were Dark Lucifer, Gungnir, Battousai, Dance of Shiva, Deer Girl, and the rest—all third-order experts from the Ragnarok Legion. Although they weren't numerous, their combat power was formidable.

The Ragnarok Legion was a Calamity Legion formed by overseas player factions joining together.

Although it had been established later than the other five major legions, its growth had been rapid and its strength was by no means weak. After all, it was backed by several super financial sponsors as well as covert support from European official forces.

Furthermore, the legion had gathered nearly every top expert from outside Xia.

Of course.

This was Ragnarok's greatest advantage.

But it was also its greatest hidden danger.

Because these experts came from many different countries and regions, it was difficult for them all to remain united under Arthur King. At any moment, they might leave the legion to establish their own factions for the sake of personal interests or their countries' needs, causing the legion to split apart.

Deer Girl said, “Oh my God, we've gotten separated from everyone else again!”

Dark Lucifer asked, “Where are we now? Should we activate the Eye of Malevolence for reconnaissance immediately?”

Arthur King replied, “The Eye of Malevolence is a talent skill with heavy consumption. We'll take turns using it. I'll go first.”

After saying that,

he activated the Eye of Malevolence.

His forehead twitched slightly.

Then a vertical eye slowly opened.

Arthur King closed both of his normal eyes.

Replacing his vision entirely with his talent ability.

It truly had to be said.

This game was simply incredible.

It was difficult for humans to imagine senses beyond their ordinary perception.

Yet ever since the territory defeated the Corpse Lich Territory and obtained the Eye of Malevolence ability, every territory citizen above second order had gained a third eye.

Under the Eye of Malevolence's gaze, the surrounding mist became much thinner.

The massive spiderweb-like currents of energy flowing throughout the fog also became clearly visible.

Just as they had predicted, the spiderweb-like energy patterns indeed radiated outward.

By observing their flow and distribution, it wasn't difficult to locate the energy's core.

Sure enough.

Many hands made light work.

True experts were often hidden among ordinary people.

Although this wasn't a particularly difficult secret to discover, without everyone pooling their ideas together, they certainly wouldn't have found it this quickly. Otherwise, they would have wasted a great deal of time.

Iron Fist Johnson asked, “Well?”

Arthur King observed for a while before nodding.

“I think our reasoning is correct. The energy network forming the formation reveals its core, and our current position happens to be very close to the formation's center.”

Deer Girl exclaimed, “That's wonderful!”

Battousai snorted.

“Hmph. In that case, let's stop wasting time here. There are definitely other squads nearby. We have to defeat this boss before anyone else!”

Gungnir nodded.

“This is an opportunity to increase Ragnarok's prestige and honor!”

The players were filled with fighting spirit.

Most of these overseas players had ambitions of their own.

As the only non-Xia faction, Ragnarok absolutely could not remain at the bottom among the five major legions.

Arthur King wasted no time.

Immediately leading his nine subordinates toward the center of the formation.

However, after walking for only a few minutes, a dangerous aura suddenly descended upon them.

“Watch out!”

“Monsters!”

Gungnir was the first to issue the warning.

Arthur King and the others immediately locked onto their targets.

Several dozen meters away in the sky hovered several hideous monsters.

They were an unfamiliar humanoid species with insect-like characteristics, gray wings, and bloated mutated bodies. At first glance, they somewhat resembled the legendary Mothman.

【Old Wan Flower Servant】, Level 24 Elite Monster...

Deer Girl said, “Flower Servants? What a strange name. Why have we never seen monsters like this before?”

Dark Lucifer replied, “They're probably boss minions belonging to Madam Zou. That means we're already very close to our target.”

Battousai said, “Prepare for battle!”

Several Old Wan Flower Servants immediately attacked the players.

Their method of attack was to flap their wings, instantly scattering countless glowing scales throughout the surrounding area.

“Mental attacks!”

“Everyone, defend yourselves!”

“Don't get mind-controlled!”

Arthur King's golden armor activated its equipment skill.

The skill significantly increased his teammates' attributes and resistances.

The Flower Servants' attacks looked ordinary, but they were actually extremely dangerous.

These scales carried both mental and poison attributes.

Once they attached to the body or were inhaled, they could inflict hallucinations, paralysis, weakness, and various other abnormal states,

until the victim completely lost the ability to fight.

Fortunately, the Calamity Legion had come fully prepared.

Arthur King possessed a skill that increased group resistances.

Combined with the Eye of Malevolence, which both enhanced resistance and allowed him to detect dust particles invisible to the naked eye, he could identify danger immediately.

The ten players quickly swallowed antidote pills, then used several talismans and skills that increased resistance to abnormal conditions and poison, temporarily ensuring they remained unaffected.

“Counterattack!”

“Kill them!”

“Go to hell!”

The Ragnarok players immediately launched their counterattack.

As one of the legion's strongest warlocks, Dark Lucifer raised his staff and unleashed a barrage of explosive fireballs.

Green Skill—

Chain Explosive Flames!

Although it was only a green-quality skill, its destructive power was hardly inferior to many blue skills.

Dark Lucifer's staff was the Bone-Eroding Staff that had belonged to the Grand Elder of the Corpse Lich Territory.

This high-grade green staff, enhanced to +7, greatly amplified spell attacks.

Six tremendously powerful explosive fireballs shot out like rapid cannon fire.

One after another, they struck an Old Wan Flower Servant.

It was only a third-order elite.

There was no way it could withstand such an attack!

Just as Dark Lucifer confidently believed he would kill it instantly, something completely unexpected happened.

-0!

-0!

-0!

……

All six explosive fireballs struck the Flower Servant, yet dealt absolutely no damage.

They didn't even explode.

Instead, they disappeared as though swallowed by the sea.

“What happened?”

The other players were equally shocked.

Under everyone's astonished gaze, the Old Wan Flower Servant struck by Chain Explosive Flames underwent an obvious transformation.

Its originally gray body suddenly turned blazing crimson.

The next moment, massive amounts of crimson scales erupted outward.

The visible red particles quickly formed a whirlwind, which then released blazing energy

and burst into flames.

“Shit!”

“These monsters can absorb spells!”

“Spell attacks not only fail—they actually strengthen them and give them entirely new attack methods!”

“……”

Arthur King didn't even have time to order a retreat.

Violent flames engulfed all ten players.

The overall power was more than ten times stronger than Dark Lucifer's Chain Explosive Flames!

Even if these players survived, they would lose a layer of skin.

“Vibrating Sword Qi!”

Arthur King wielded his +7 Flame Skeleton Greatsword, driving it violently into the ground.

Immediately afterward, a wave of vibrating sword qi spread outward from beneath his feet.

This was Arthur King's signature skill.

It had been created by combining the green skill Shockwave with the green skill Charged Gathering Slash.

Although it remained a green skill, its actual combat effectiveness was excellent.

Even so, it only temporarily halted the spread of the flames.

More and more Old Wan Flower Servants arrived from every direction.

After absorbing the fire energy filling the battlefield, their bodies also rapidly turned crimson, granting them the ability to launch fire attacks.

If things continued like this, the ten players would soon be roasted alive.

However, at that moment, a sharp Earth Dragon Arrow shot over from the distance.

The Earth Dragon Arrow was forged from the blade limbs of a Hundred-Legged Earth Dragon.

It was also currently the most widely used high-end arrow.

Its power was exceptionally formidable!

It ignored part of the target's defense while possessing armor-piercing effects.

As a result, it could easily inflict tremendous damage!

Of course, even with identical equipment, different users could achieve completely different results.

The owner of this arrow was none other than Raise a Cup to the Moon, who had coincidentally arrived nearby while leading his squad.

The commander of the Immortal Dragon Soul Legion held a Level 7 Demon Night Greatbow, which had been upgraded to blue quality.

It could directly create demonic energy arrows, or infuse physical arrows with demonic energy.

Firing an Earth Dragon Arrow from this bow already produced terrifying destructive power.

Raise a Cup to the Moon also activated Armor-Piercing Assault Arrow, accurately landing a headshot on the Old Wan Flower Servant that had absorbed Chain Explosive Flames and was manipulating the flames.

-4642 (Fatal Critical!)

Instant kill!

After firing that arrow, Raise a Cup to the Moon did not pause for even a moment.

Using the Eye of Malevolence on his forehead to lock onto new targets, he rapidly fired another eight arrows.

Every single one was an expensive Earth Dragon Arrow.

In one volley, he killed another three Flower Servants.

Beside Raise a Cup to the Moon stood Blind Swordsman, Warrior Like the Wind, Three Thousand Zhang with One Pee Against the Wind, Dawn Knight, Bottom Student, and many other third-order elites from the Immortal Dragon Soul Legion.

The two squads met.

Immediately reversing the situation.

Especially with an extraordinary archer like Raise a Cup to the Moon present, it made no difference whether the monsters could fly.

His attack range completely covered the battlefield.

Flying only made them more conspicuous, making them even easier to shoot down.

The Immortal Dragon Soul's third-order experts were no ordinary players either.

Although Blind Swordsman wasn't especially famous throughout the Calamity Legion,

within the Immortal Dragon Soul, his status was equivalent to Lone Boat's in the Hall of War Gods.

Although Blind Swordsman still couldn't compare to Lone Boat or Black Pupil Rui Ge, he was undoubtedly among the strongest players at present, firmly belonging to the first tier.

Meanwhile, Warrior Like the Wind, Three Thousand Zhang with One Pee Against the Wind, and the others were likewise formidable.

With the elite squads of the two legions joining forces, the dozens of Old Wan Flower Servants were quickly wiped out.

Arthur King expressed his gratitude to Raise a Cup to the Moon.

“Thank you!”

Raise a Cup to the Moon replied, “No need to thank me. We're all members of the Calamity Legion. We should help each other!”

Although that was what he said, from Raise a Cup to the Moon's perspective, and that of the forces backing him, Ragnarok was undoubtedly the most dangerous of the five major legions.

The reason was simple.

The other four legions, no matter which one eventually became the strongest, would still belong to Xia.

Only a faction like Ragnarok could never be allowed to do so!

Raise a Cup to the Moon possessed reliable intelligence.

Ragnarok was backed by numerous European financial groups and official organizations.

In the future, it would very likely become the Immortal Dragon Soul's greatest rival!

It could even be said that Ragnarok and the Immortal Dragon Soul were destined to become enemies sooner or later.

Of course, at least for now, things hadn't reached that stage.

The only reason Raise a Cup to the Moon had intervened was because he prioritized the bigger picture.

The Immortal Dragon Soul was wary of Ragnarok.

But wasn't Ragnarok equally wary of the Immortal Dragon Soul?

Arthur King was backed by one of the world's foremost intelligence organizations.

He had already realized

that the Immortal Dragon Soul's background was anything but ordinary.

He even had an inexplicable feeling that Raise a Cup to the Moon and the Immortal Dragon Soul would eventually become the most troublesome opponents on his future path.

Dawn Knight said, “Boss, the boss should be just ahead. We'll eliminate her soon!”

Three Thousand Zhang with One Pee Against the Wind laughed.

“Then what are we waiting for? Let's charge!”

Warrior Like the Wind grinned.

“Hey, you Ragnarok guys. We just saved your lives. How about letting the Immortal Dragon Soul have this boss?”

Battousai immediately sneered.

“We never asked you to save us. According to the rule of first come, first served, this boss belongs to us.”

The Immortal Dragon Soul players immediately became furious.

Raise a Cup to the Moon stepped forward in time to prevent the conflict.

“The boss belongs to everyone who finds it. That's always been the legion's tradition. There's no need to argue over something like this!”

He paused before continuing, “The situation is urgent, time is running out, and only by working together can we overcome this challenge!”

Arthur King nodded.

“Commander Wang Yue is right. This isn't the time to think about monopolizing everything. Compared to a Corrupted boss, the legion's overall mission is far more important.”

Both sides quickly reached an agreement.

Next, they would challenge Madam Zou together.

The commanders of all five major legions reported their situations through the Voice Transmission Stones in the player chat.

“Commander Arthur King and Commander Raise a Cup to the Moon are leading their elite squads into the formation's center!”

“The mission of eliminating Madam Zou will be left to them!”

“Our job is to stop the surrounding Abyss monsters from approaching, especially Dian Wei from interfering at the critical moment!”

“At any cost!”

“Buy time for the two commanders!”

“……”

The legion quickly reached a consensus.

With two legion commanders personally leading their elite squads, they should be more than capable of dealing with Madam Zou.

The greatest threat now was the countless Abyss creatures scattered throughout Old Wan.

Especially Dian Wei!

Because of this, everyone else did not go to reinforce them.

Instead, they launched attacks against every monster throughout Old Wan.

Ye Li Meng, Black Pupil Rui Ge, Little Bell, and the others gathered their respective forces.

They prepared to head toward Dian Wei's location to challenge him and buy as much time as possible.

Meanwhile, the squads led by Raise a Cup to the Moon and Arthur King fought their way through numerous Flower Servants, finally arriving at an incredibly grotesque, twisted, Sea of Corrupt Flowers.

【You have been affected by the "Sea of Corrupt Flowers." You lose 100 Health every minute!】

【You have been affected by the "Sea of Corrupt Flowers." You lose 100 Health every minute!】

【……】

The moment the twenty third-order players stepped into this terrifying and bizarre sea of flowers, they immediately felt their health draining rapidly.

“This should be the place!”

“Wow, what a twisted scene! It looks exactly like a boss battlefield!”

“But where's the boss?”

“This place drains health way too quickly!”

“Even we can only last a few minutes!”

“Hurry and find the boss!”

“……”

They didn't need to search for long.

Because in the middle of the Sea of Corrupt Flowers, there was something impossible to overlook.

It looked like a small mountain completely covered in vegetation, or perhaps a gigantic rice dumpling wrapped in countless twisted plants.

It radiated wave after wave of dense Abyss energy, along with an immensely powerful oppressive aura.

“That's it!”

“Boss Madam Zou must be sleeping inside!”

“Wake her up!”

“……”

This battlefield had an enormous impact on the players.

Every additional second they stayed cost them a significant amount of health.

Naturally, they had no patience to waste.

They immediately launched attacks.

Yet whether using spells or physical attacks, none of them managed to inflict meaningful damage.

The vegetation covering it was simply too dense.

Its growth speed was astonishing.

It regenerated almost instantly.

“Let me!”

Raise a Cup to the Moon drew the Demon Night Greatbow

and took out a very unusual Earth Dragon Arrow.

Gungnir asked, “What kind of arrow is that?”

Warrior Like the Wind grinned.

“Learn something new. Our boss personally forged that into a third-order blue-quality Earth Dragon Arrow!”

“What?”

“Third-order blue quality?”

“How can an Earth Dragon Arrow even reach that level?”

The Ragnarok members were all astonished.

Arthur King explained, “There's nothing strange about it. Earth Dragon Arrows are also equipment. Since they're equipment, they can naturally be upgraded and enhanced.”

As long as one was wealthy enough and willing to spend Quality Gems and Forging Stones,

even a single arrow could be enhanced to absurd levels!

Throughout the entire legion, only the extravagantly wealthy Raise a Cup to the Moon would spend such precious materials on consumable equipment like arrows!

Even without using any skills, the combined power of the Demon Night Greatbow and the third-order arrow itself already surpassed most blue offensive skills!

Raise a Cup to the Moon activated Draw Bow Charge, drawing the bow to its absolute limit.

Only after gathering all his strength did he unleash an Armor-Piercing Assault Arrow at the twisted mass of vegetation.

The next instant!

The entire Sea of Corrupt Flowers trembled violently!

The terrifying power of the arrow shattered nearly a quarter of the plant mass, almost exposing the very core inside.

“Still not enough!”

“Even the boss's ultimate arrow wasn't enough?”

“What do we do now?”

“……”

Raise a Cup to the Moon's arrow failed to completely pierce the target.

The vegetation covering its surface began growing wildly once again.

Within moments, all the damaged areas had regenerated.

Seeing this, even Raise a Cup to the Moon frowned deeply.

The situation was proving even more troublesome than he had imagined.

If they couldn't force the boss to emerge, how could they possibly kill her?

“Let me try!”

Arthur King seemed to notice something.

He activated the Undying Flame Curse contained within the Flame Skeleton Greatsword, then launched a Charged Gathering Slash at the target.

Although Arthur King was certainly powerful, compared to Raise a Cup to the Moon's attack, this slash wasn't particularly impressive.

Yet something astonishing happened.

The flames attached to Arthur King's strike did not disappear.

Instead, they continued burning.

“It's working!”

Raise a Cup to the Moon exclaimed,

“Undying Flame Curse? So that's it!”

Arthur King's Flame Skeleton Greatsword had been one of the most valuable spoils from the Corpse Lich Territory campaign.

Not only was it a high-quality Level 7 weapon, its attached Undying Flame was an exceptionally formidable ability.

The skill inflicted an extraordinarily persistent burning curse upon its target, continuously dealing tremendous damage.

As long as the curse remained, the Undying Flame would never extinguish.

Before long, the Undying Flame spread uncontrollably, burning all the vegetation to ashes.

At that very moment, a chaotic and twisted aura suddenly erupted.

“We did it!”

“Even Boss Wang Yue's devastating attack couldn't break the seal!”

“Yet Arthur King shattered it with a casual slash!”

“One thing truly counters another!”

“Oh, Arthur, well done!”

“……”

The members of the Ragnarok Legion were overjoyed.

The Immortal Dragon Soul Legion players also put away their earlier contempt.

Although Arthur King's reputation lagged behind the other legion commanders, anyone capable of becoming a legion commander was unquestionably no ordinary person.

Raise a Cup to the Moon exchanged a glance with Arthur King, and the two nodded to one another.

At the same time, they both gave the same order to their subordinates.

“Everyone, get ready!”

“The boss battle is about to begin!”

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