68: Chapter 68 The Feast at Hongmen

Every word from Night Radiance was like an ice pick quenched in cold poison, driving deep into the nervous system of every player present.

Inside the great hall, there was a deathly silence.

The fanaticism ignited by "Ten Thousand Swords Returning to Origin" and the ambition sparked by the "technological explosion" were extinguished in this moment by the bone-chilling reality.

"Purification" and "Pollution," just more useful blades...

It turned out that the factional dispute they took pride in was, in the eyes of a true chess player, nothing more than the difference between a left hand and a right hand; in the end, it was all just to wield the blade.

This sense of powerlessness, of being calculated so clearly from head to toe, was more stifling and infuriating than being crushed ten thousand times on the front lines!

"Fuck!"

[Charge to the End] was the first to break the silence. His voice was hoarse, as if his throat were stuffed with burning grit. "I've been playing games for so many years, and this is the first time I've been used as a pawn and fucking helped them count the money!"

His rage ignited everyone else.

"Damn it, Fairy Yunshang, right? That bitch, I've got her marked!"

"Say no more, brothers. For our 'Filial Sons and Virtuous Grandchildren Expedition Council,' the first item on the agenda is how to skin this 'Fairy' alive!"

"Kill her! Let's go back and rally the troops right now. If we don't wreck the Sacred Land, I'll write my ID backward!"

The crowd was agitated, their killing intent boiling.

It seemed as if, in the next second, these three hundred vanguard members would storm back to the City of Liver Emperor and start an all-out war.

"And then what?"

A cold voice, like a precise scalpel, cut through the chaotic emotions.

It was [Plague Knight - Zero].

He remained half-crouched on the ground. The writhing shadows were no longer analyzing the aura of gods and demons but were slowly contracting, becoming denser and more dangerous.

"Then get charged with 'rebellion,' draw the celestial armies of the entire Sacred Land, and be wiped from this world like a bug being cleared?" He raised his head, his gaze beneath his hood sweeping across the crowd. "Fighting a war destined to be lost out of anger isn't bravery; it's stupidity."

The golden armor on [Holy Light Hunk] flickered. He glanced at Zero, then at the remnant soul of the Demon Lord trapped by the chains, and said in a deep voice, "But cooperating with this fiend is like asking a tiger for its hide! The path beneath our feet must not be tainted by the will of a demon!"

"Our path was already tainted by a hypocrite named 'Yun Shang' long ago." [Outlaw Zhang San] adjusted the virtual glasses made of data streams on the bridge of his nose; a series of complex rune deductions flashed across the lenses. "Night Radiance is right. Our greatest enemy right now isn't this remnant soul with only one breath left, but the net-weaver hiding in the clouds, thinking she controls everything."

He looked at Night Radiance, with no hatred in his eyes, only the hunger of a programmer seeing rare "source code."

"Besides, an object locked by the 'God Prison Rules' is essentially a living 'World Setting Compendium.' His existence is a risk to us, but also an immeasurable opportunity."

"I agree." [Demolition Office Director] stepped forward and stood at the very front of the group.

He looked around, his gaze finally landing on [All Realms Connector].

"Old Wan, you make the call. But the brothers' stance is clear: we can't swallow this anger! Whether the person on the other side is a fairy or a saint, if they mess with us, they better be prepared to have their ancestral hall demolished!"

Everyone's gaze converged on [All Realms Connector].

This "President," known among the players for his business acumen and negotiating skills, had an unusually calm expression at this moment.

He didn't rush to express his position but turned back to the black flame.

"The terms of the trade are very tempting." [All Realms Connector]'s voice carried no emotion. "However, the foundation of trust is fragile. How can we ensure the intelligence you provide isn't just another trap?"

Night Radiance let out a low laugh.

"Trust? My seat and you lot don't need such things." He said frankly, "What we need is a common enemy and common interests. I want revenge, and you want to survive. Before 'Yun Shang' and the Sacred Land behind her fall, we are the most solid allies in this world."

"As for the authenticity of the intelligence..." Night Radiance's remnant soul lifted slightly. "Isn't 'trial and error' what you 'antibodies' are best at? I'll give you the map, and you can verify it yourselves. Besides, it's not like I'm the one dying."

These words were incredibly scummy, yet also incredibly true.

The greatest advantage of players is the ability to "trial and error" infinitely.

[All Realms Connector] was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Fine. Preliminary cooperation agreement reached." He didn't waste any more breath and waved his hand. "All combat personnel, maintain vigilance. Technicians, immediately begin data sampling on these 'God Prison Chains'! Zhang San, I need the most detailed report on the environmental parameters and energy readings here."

With the order given, the players immediately switched from "plot audience" mode back to "efficient tool" mode.

The tech nerds dove toward the golden chains with eyes glowing, pulling out all sorts of strange "detectors" to begin their work.

[Outlaw Zhang San] sat cross-legged directly, pressing his hands into the empty air. Countless runes flowed from his fingertips, beginning to analyze and simulate the basic rules of this space.

Although [Holy Light Hunk] was reluctant, he understood that the situation was set. He led his "Purifiers" squad to set up a defensive perimeter on the outside, vigilantly watching Night Radiance's remnant soul to prevent any untoward movements.

Meanwhile, [Plague Knight - Zero] took his "Symbiosis Faction" members deep into the shadowed corners of the hall. Their bodies resonated with the lingering demonic aura and divine residue of the place, attempting to draw power from it and search for possible "backdoors" or "secret passages."

A strange and efficient temporary alliance was thus formed.

Just as the vanguard was conducting their heated "archaeological research" deep in the ruins, the situation in the "City of Liver Emperor," thousands of miles away, suddenly changed.

On this day, there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

The entire floating city-state was still emitting a buzzing, vibrant roar under the efforts of countless players.

The chimneys of the artifact refining factories puffed out steam mixed with spiritual energy, and the talisman printing factories emitted pleasant sounds like money-printing machines.

Suddenly, all sound ceased.

A soft yet irresistibly majestic white light descended from the nine heavens, precisely enveloping the entire "City of Liver Emperor."

Time seemed to have been pressed with a pause button at this moment.

All players, whether they were forging, alchemy, or PK-ing in the arena, found themselves unable to move, and even their thoughts became sluggish.

All they could do was look up.

In that white light piercing heaven and earth, an exquisitely beautiful figure slowly condensed.

She wore a dress woven from clouds and sunset, her dark hair like a waterfall, and her face was so perfect it didn't seem mortal.

Her eyes were gentle and compassionate, as if they could encompass all the suffering in the world.

Yet, it was this very figure that caused an indescribable chill to rise from the depths of every player's soul.

Fairy Yunshang!

Although it was their first time seeing her, this name instantly appeared in everyone's hearts.

She didn't speak, just smiled slightly.

This smile was like a spring breeze turning to rain; the world lost its color.

Immediately after, a golden invitation made of pure light, radiating the divine charm of the Great Dao, drifted down from her phantom image and hovered lightly over the central square of the "City of Liver Emperor," right above the headquarters of the "Filial Sons and Virtuous Grandchildren Expedition Council."

Subsequently, her figure, along with the beam of light that suppressed the entire city, receded quietly like the tide.

Time resumed its flow.

The "City of Liver Emperor" instantly exploded with commotion!

"Holy shit! What was that just now?!"

"It's Fairy Yunshang! It's definitely her! There are already screenshots on the forum!"

"Such terrifying pressure! I couldn't even move my little finger! Is this the strength of the Sacred Land?"

"What is she here for? A show of force?!"

"Look at the central square! What is that thing?"

Countless players swarmed toward the central square.

The golden invitation floated quietly in mid-air, emitting a soft halo.

The space around it was slightly distorted, as if it carried the weight of a world.

On the invitation, lines of ancient characters written in Great Dao runes flowed slowly and automatically translated into text that the players could understand:

"Heard of the rise of anomalies at the border, who rendered meritorious service in protecting the safety of the God Prison; truly the fortune of the Profound Gate."

"It is hereby decreed that in three months, the Ten Thousand Immortal Assembly will be held at the 'Yaoguang Terrace' in the Central Sacred Land to discuss the grand plan for the God Prison."

"Specially inviting the head of the 'Filial Sons and Virtuous Grandchildren' lineage to lead the outstanding members to pay homage, in order to recognize your contributions."

"Respect this. — Sacred Land Rotating Council"

A few short lines of text, yet every word was soul-piercing.

"Anomalies," "pay homage," "recognize your contributions"...

Every word was filled with the implication of "bestowal" and "summoning" from a superior to a subordinate.

Where is this any kind of invitation?

This was clearly an imperial decree that could not be refused!

A Hongmen Banquet already laid out!

The light of the invitation shone on every player's face, also reflecting the burning rage in their eyes, along with that sliver of... excitement that had been forcibly suppressed.

Yes, excitement.

To this group of BUG players who feared nothing more than peace and order, fear and anger were often the best catalysts.

Just then, [All Realms Connector], far away in the depths of the ruins, also saw the projection of this invitation through an emergency communication from those left behind.

His pupils contracted sharply.

"Heh, what a 'grand plan for the God Prison'..."

Beside him, Night Radiance's remnant soul let out a low, hoarse laugh, filled with satisfaction and mockery.

"See that? 'She' can't wait any longer. This is not just a Hongmen Banquet; it's a death warrant. Go or don't go, your ending has already been written."

[All Realms Connector] slowly closed the communication interface, raised his head, and his gaze swept over the busy crowd.

His voice, through the team channel, was clearly transmitted to everyone's ears.

"Everyone, stop what you are doing."

"Expedition Council, now, immediately, hold an emergency meeting."

His voice was calm, but everyone could hear the scent of an impending storm.

"There is only one agenda item—"

He paused, then said word by word.

"How to attend the banquet, whose banquet it is, and... how to completely flip this banquet table over!"