114: Close combat, Chinese players fight against Sakura

As Zhou Xing and the others continued forward, an incredibly massive city appeared in their field of vision.

The city walls were nearly a thousand meters high, smooth and flat, showing no signs of construction, as if naturally formed.

Its entire body shimmered with golden light, appearing incredibly majestic.

"Thiefs, go in first and check for any danger," Zhou Xing immediately ordered.

A group of Thief-class players received the command, quickly activated Stealth and Extreme Speed skills, their bodies instantly vanished, and then they quickly entered the city.

In a short while, a message came back: "No danger."

"Enter the city."

Led by Zhou Xing, all the China players entered this colossal city.

There were no buildings inside the city, it was empty, with only the four surrounding walls, clearly designed solely for battle.

There were no places to hide or take cover; once both sides entered the city, it would be a direct, close-quarters, fight to the death.

"Players from Sakura Country have arrived!"

Having just entered the city and before they could adjust their formation, the scouts in front had already sent back a message.

"All Warriors to the front, block the city gate! All Knights mount up, prepare to find an opportunity to flank! Mages, Archers, and other ranged professions, prepare your skills and release them all on my command!" Zhou Xing quickly issued orders.

Although this was his first National War, he had participated in many drills outside.

Unlike boss battles, where the focus is on holding the boss's aggro, understanding its mechanics, and maximizing damage output, with the Commander mainly providing reminders, and players largely relying on individual performance.

National War emphasizes coordination and high uniformity.

Actions must follow commands, skills must be released in unison, and movements must be synchronized.

Individual strength becomes minuscule on the National War battlefield, as they face tens of thousands of people.

If the defense is improper, a volley of skills can instantly wipe out a group of players.

Of course, unless your strength is truly overwhelming, like Qin Tian, who can single-handedly crush a ten-thousand-strong Sakura Country legion.

Upon receiving Zhou Xing's command, the China players instantly moved.

Although this was also their first National War, they had waited for this day for too long.

All Warrior players immediately took positions at the city gate.

Other professional players also quickly deployed their formations according to Zhou Xing's instructions.

The rumbling of the ground grew more intense, and as China's formation shifted, the Sakura Country players drew closer.

Because this main city had no city gate blocking the view, and the city walls were incredibly tall, the visibility was very clear.

They could already see players bearing the Sakura Country flag appearing in their line of sight.

They were countless Sakura Country players riding black warhorses, moving at extreme speed, charging forward.

"First group of Mages, prepare Great Fireball! Second group of Mages, prepare Ice Storm! Third group of Archers, prepare Thunder Arrows!..." Zhou Xing rapidly issued a series of commands as he watched the approaching Sakura Country players.

One thousand yards.

Eight hundred yards.

...

Five hundred yards.

"Archers, fire your arrows! Target the horses!" Zhou Xing commanded.

Whooshing sounds filled the air as lightning-infused arrows flew, striking the warhorses beneath the charging Sakura Country players.

[-12212]

[-8865]

[-11583]

...

Countless damage numbers flashed.

Countless Sakura Country warhorses fell, and the Sakura Country players on them were thrown to the ground.

However, there were simply too many people; although many Sakura Country players fell, countless more continued to charge from behind, getting closer and closer.

The Sakura Country players on horseback began to pull out their shields.

Those at the forefront were professions like Knights and Defense Warriors, with high health and defense.

The Sakura Country Healers following behind were not idle either; they raised their staffs, continuously chanting healing spells.

Green lights constantly flickered, healing the Sakura Country players in front.

"Fireball, release!"

"Ice Storm, release!"

"Defense Warrior, activate Solid Defense!"

...

As the Sakura Country players drew closer, Zhou Xing rapidly issued a series of commands.

Countless massive fireballs soared into the sky, crashing down on the Sakura Country players.

Large amounts of clouds quickly formed, and strong winds and blizzards poured down.

The fireballs struck the Sakura Country players, directly knocking them off their warhorses.

The Ice Storm drastically reduced their speed and caused continuous damage.

This was the advantage of occupying the city first.

One step fast, every step fast.

Before close-quarters combat truly began, a significant portion of the enemy's forces had already been weakened.

After a large number of Sakura Country players fell, they finally rushed to the city gate.

Various skills were unleashed, raining down on the China players.

However, unfortunately, Zhou Xing had already instructed these China players to activate their damage reduction skills in advance.

The timing was extremely precise; the Sakura Country players' charge failed to kill a single China player, and their fierce momentum was directly halted.

"Warriors, spread out! Mages, Archers, release your skills again!"

Upon receiving Zhou Xing's command, the Warriors at the front quickly dispersed.

The subsequent skills from the Sakura Country players missed their targets.

Conversely, China's offensive resumed, and countless skills once again rained down on the Sakura Country players who had charged into the city.

Another large group of Sakura Country players fell.

"Boss Zhou is amazing!"

"This command is awesome!"

"Brothers, let's go! Wipe out Sakura Country!"

...

In a single encounter, their side was unharmed while the enemy suffered heavy losses, which further boosted their already high morale and intensified their fighting spirit.

Zhou Xing, however, remained calm in the face of praise, though a faint premonition of unease stirred within him.

Although he had temporarily gained an advantage under his command, the National War battlefield involved a vast number of people.

The Sakura Country players who had just died were only a thousand, which could not shake their foundation.

The real battle had not yet begun.

Fortunately, it was still under his control, and with morale soaring, now was the time to launch an active attack.

"Brothers, charge! Knights, push forward! Melee, deal with the Sakura Country players who got in! Ranged, keep pushing them back! Healers, keep healing!" Zhou Xing swung his longsword and charged out first.

"Fight!"

"Let's f*cking fight Sakura Country!"

"Sakura Country, I'll f*ck you!"

...

The China players roared and charged forward.

Although they knew they could not revive after death and this was not a game, not a single person retreated; instead, they charged faster than the last.

They were afraid of being too slow and not being able to strike the heads of the Sakura Country players with their weapons.

As the two armies met, the battle became even more brutal than before.

Large numbers of players instantly fell, only to be replaced by others pressing forward.

Due to their high morale and fearlessness, the China players pushed back the Sakura Country players, who steadily retreated.

The Sakura Country players who had initially charged into the city were directly pushed back out.

Just as the situation was looking excellent and the Sakura Country players were being driven back, Zhou Xing's expression suddenly changed.

As a Commander, in addition to killing enemies, he was primarily observing the battlefield situation.

Zhou Xing saw a plume of black smoke rising from deep within the Sakura Country's rear.