17: Chapter 17 Players Take Sides, Supporting Lin Che

The news that the Wild Wolf Gang's hundred-man team would flatten Luofeng Village in three days was still scrolling across the world channel.

The earthen slope at the village entrance, however, did not become deserted as the Wild Wolf had expected.

On the contrary, there were even more people.

Outside the monster-grinding zone, hundreds of solo players crowded together, their shouting reaching a fever pitch.

"Run? Run my ass!"

A Warrior carrying a wooden shield slammed it onto the ground. "If it weren't for Big Shot Lin these past few days, I'd still be fighting over Slimes outside the village!"

A small Mage beside him immediately nodded. "I went from level 2 to level 5 just by relying on the rabbits and wolves here. I even got two pieces of Green equipment. The Wild Wolf Gang thinks they can just take this place with one word? In their dreams!"

"Right!"

"Have you all forgotten how the Wild Wolf Gang used to bully people?"

"Stealing kills, blocking roads, collecting protection fees—who hasn't been disgusted by them?"

"Now Big Shot Lin has set aside a grinding zone for us solo players and even shares potions and gear. If we run now, are we even human?"

The crowd instantly erupted.

"Stand with Big Shot Lin!"

"Screw the Wild Wolf Gang!"

"So what if they have a hundred-man team? We have plenty of people too!"

Hundreds of solo players raised their weapons, their voices rising in wave after wave.

Lin Zhe stood in the center of the slope, his expression as calm as ever.

He didn't speak.

But he saw the attitude of these players clearly.

Before, they had surrounded him for buffs, for experience, and for drop rates.

Now that the Wild Wolf Gang was pressuring them, they hadn't scattered. Instead, they proactively chose a side.

That was enough.

Xing Jianwan stood by Lin Zhe's side, her gaze shifting slightly.

She had originally thought the news of the Wild Wolf Gang's hundred-man team would scare off most of the players.

After all, solo players feared trouble most of all.

But it seemed the benefits Lin Zhe had provided over the past few days had already bound these people firmly to this place.

A lifestyle player named [Old Li Cuts Wood] squeezed out of the crowd and shouted, "I've already sent a message to the Fengyu Village channel. The Wild Wolf Gang used to steal gathering spots over there too. Plenty of people are willing to come help!"

Another Archer also shouted, "I have friends over in Shiti Village. They were forced to pay tolls by the Wild Wolf Gang. As soon as they heard we're fighting them, they said they'd transfer over tonight!"

"I'll go post on the forums!"

"I'll handle the screenshots. I'll dig up all the old videos of the Wild Wolf Gang bullying people!"

"Let the other novice villages see exactly what kind of trash they are!"

No sooner said than done.

Dozens of players opened their channels and forums on the spot.

Messages were sent out rapidly.

[Recruiting for Luofeng Village! Fighting the Wild Wolf Gang in three days. All who come share the grinding zone buff!]

[Collection of Wild Wolf Gang's Evil Deeds: Stealing kills, blocking gates, extorting solo players. We have recordings of it all!]

[Brothers who have been bullied by the Wild Wolf Gang, come to Luofeng Village. Let's get revenge together!]

Once the messages were sent, other novice villages quickly responded.

[Fengyu Village Player: Those Wild Wolf Gang dogs are finally getting what's coming to them? I'm in!]

[Shiti Village Player: They stole my Blue gear once. Count me in!]

[Qingmu Village Solo Player: Does Luofeng Village really have an EXP buff? If so, I'll lead a team over!]

[Passerby A: Regardless of anything else, if I can beat up the Wild Wolf Gang, I'll lend a hand.]

The Luofeng Village channel was also flooded with messages.

"They're coming! More than twenty people from Fengyu Village have already signed up!"

"Shiti Village too!"

"Hahaha, the Wild Wolf Gang thinks they're the only ones who can call for backup? We can do it too!"

"Big Shot Lin's reputation is off the charts!"

The atmosphere on the slope grew hotter and hotter.

The players who had been a bit nervous earlier now had eyes that shone brightly.

They weren't a large guild.

Their levels weren't top-tier either.

But they had numbers.

And they were all holding back a grudge.

The Wild Wolf Gang had been arrogant for too long. Now that someone could finally suppress them, no one wanted to miss this chance.

Xing Jianwan also opened her friend list.

Her fingers tapped rapidly as she sent out over a dozen private messages in succession.

Before long, she looked up at Lin Zhe.

"I've contacted people from several novice villages near Lingxiao Pavilion."

"The main force can't make it, but I can mobilize thirty players above level 8."

"They are all elites, with at least half a set of Green gear each."

"They'll arrive before tonight."

Hearing this, the surrounding players immediately cheered.

"People from Lingxiao Pavilion are coming too!"

"Thirty people above level 8? This is much more stable now!"

"Goddess Xing is awesome!"

Xing Jianwan ignored these voices and just looked at Lin Zhe.

"They will follow my command."

Lin Zhe nodded.

"That's enough."

Xing Jianwan was slightly stunned.

"Enough?"

The other side had a hundred-man team.

But Lin Zhe spoke too calmly.

So calm it was inexplicably reassuring.

Just then, streaks of white light lit up in the direction of the distant teleportation array.

A dozen or so players arrived first.

Before their IDs, they all carried the mark of Lingxiao Pavilion.

The leader was a level 8 Knight, wearing three pieces of Green gear and holding a Bronze Shield.

He walked quickly to Xing Jianwan and said respectfully, "Sister Wan, the others nearby are still on their way. The first batch of thirteen has arrived."

Xing Jianwan nodded.

"Guard the outer perimeter. Do not mess with Lin Zhe's rules."

The Knight glanced at Lin Zhe with a look of surprise, but quickly lowered his head.

"Understood."

The Lingxiao Pavilion members quickly dispersed, standing at the edge of the grinding zone.

Their high levels and good equipment made the solo players feel even more secure the moment they appeared.

Lin Zhe swept his gaze over the surroundings.

Solo players.

Reinforcements from other villages.

Lingxiao Pavilion elites.

The lineup was beginning to take shape.

Since these people were willing to stand up for him, he naturally wouldn't let them do so for nothing.

With a thought, Lin Zhe opened the monster spawn fine-tuning panel.

A faint golden map appeared before his eyes.

He didn't make major changes; he simply marked the players participating in the defense based on the existing grinding zone.

[Would you like to add a temporary experience buff to friendly defending players?]

[Current adjustable range: 10%]

Lin Zhe confirmed immediately.

Hum—

A faint golden ripple spread out from the center of the slope.

All the players who had signed up and joined the defense team lit up with a faint glow simultaneously.

The next second, a prompt popped up before them.

[You have gained Lin Zhe's recognition]

[Temporary Buff: Defender's Experience Bonus]

[Effect: +10% extra experience for killing monsters]

[Duration: Three days]

The entire area went silent for a moment.

Then, it completely erupted.

"Holy crap! An experience bonus!"

"An extra 10%!"

"And it lasts for three days!"

"Big Shot Lin gave us a buff!"

"There's a reward just for picking a side? This is too awesome!"

The players who had just arrived from Fengyu Village hadn't even settled in yet, but their eyes widened when they saw the prompt.

"There really is a buff?"

"I thought they were just boasting!"

"Damn, this trip was worth it!"

The grinding zone instantly became heated.

Players who were originally just there to help were now all acting like they'd been injected with chicken blood.

"Team up and grind! Level up quickly!"

"Three days to push to level 7!"

"With this 10% experience, even the Wild Wolf Gang will be shocked when they get here!"

"Brothers, let's grind!"

As soon as the rabbits spawned, they were insta-killed by three teams.

The wolves by the forest were also pulled away in turns by teams of players.

Golden lights of experience constantly flashed.

Someone leveled up.

Someone got gear.

People were frantically posting screenshots in the channel.

[The Defender's buff is so good! I just got here ten minutes ago and my experience has already shot up!]

[This place in Luofeng Village is too ridiculous. No wonder the local players are protecting Lin Zhe with their lives!]

[The Wild Wolf Gang wants to steal this place? They'll have to go through us first!]

On the world channel, the tide was also beginning to turn.

Before, some people thought the Wild Wolf Gang's hundred-man team was a guaranteed win.

Now, more and more players were starting to watch for the excitement.

Some even called out directly.

[Wild Wolf Gang, don't wimp out. You better show up in three days.]

[We're waiting to see how you flatten Luofeng Village.]

[Lin Zhe has quite a few people on his side now. Feels like a good show is coming.]

In the center of the slope, Lin Zhe watched all this with a faint gaze.

He had never expected these players to deal with the Wild Wolf Gang for him.

But players picking a side was a power in itself.

Awe.

Support.

Binding of interests.

All of these would turn into his Power of Rules.

Xing Jianwan walked to his side and said softly, "They're very motivated now."

Lin Zhe looked at the constantly respawning wolves in the distance, his tone calm.

"Then let them gain a few more levels."

Xing Jianwan nodded gently, tightening her grip on the cold light staff.

In the distance, another white light of teleportation lit up.

Even more players coming to support were rushing toward the earthen slope at the village entrance.