Chapter Twenty-Three: The Duel
At this moment, a soldier of the Nine Mountains Army appeared before the six, clad in light armor, an ancient sword glowing at his waist. His face showed excitement and gratitude as he looked at Ye Yu and his companions.
“Thank you, young heroes, for unraveling the secret of the mineral veins. You have prevented a disaster that could have destroyed the entire martial world.”
A faint smile appeared on the faces of Ye Yu’s group; it seemed they had cleared the instance. A window emerged before their eyes, clearly stating: “Nine Mountains Mine Instance Completed. Comprehensive Evaluation: Perfect Clear.”
Then, a system voice sounded in their ears, “One minute remains before the instance closes. Please collect any items you require.”
Around the fallen body of the King of Nine Mountains, pieces of equipment shimmered into existence, some even glowing with the brilliance of precious gems.
A chime signaled that all six had leveled up, stepping into level 30.
Next, a world channel announcement was broadcast, and soon the world channel erupted in astonishment at these events.
System Announcement: “Congratulations to player Cold Night for becoming the first on this server to clear the Nine Mountains Mine instance, achieving a perfect comprehensive evaluation. The Imperial Court will inscribe the player’s name on the instance leaderboard, forever recorded in the server’s history.”
System Announcement: “Congratulations to player Xin Ai for becoming the first on this server to clear the Nine Mountains Mine instance, achieving a perfect comprehensive evaluation. The Imperial Court will inscribe the player’s name on the instance leaderboard, forever recorded in the server’s history.”
System Announcement: “Congratulations to player Clever Brother for becoming the first on this server to clear the Nine Mountains Mine instance, achieving a perfect comprehensive evaluation. The Imperial Court will inscribe the player’s name on the instance leaderboard, forever recorded in the server’s history.”
System Announcement: “Congratulations to player Monk Yixiu for becoming the first on this server to clear the Nine Mountains Mine instance, achieving a perfect comprehensive evaluation. The Imperial Court will inscribe the player’s name on the instance leaderboard, forever recorded in the server’s history.”
System Announcement: “Congratulations to player Shadow Night for becoming the first on this server to clear the Nine Mountains Mine instance, achieving a perfect comprehensive evaluation. The Imperial Court will inscribe the player’s name on the instance leaderboard, forever recorded in the server’s history.”
System Announcement: “Congratulations to player Qu Xiaozheng for becoming the first on this server to clear the Nine Mountains Mine instance, achieving a perfect comprehensive evaluation. The Imperial Court will inscribe the player’s name on the instance leaderboard, forever recorded in the server’s history.”
Without doubt, anyone opening the instance leaderboard would see a new entry appear.
Nine Mountains Mine: Discoverers – Cold Night, Xin Ai, Monk Yixiu, Clever Brother, Shadow Night, Qu Xiaozheng.
Nine Mountains Mine: Perfect Clear Record Holders – Cold Night, Xin Ai, Monk Yixiu, Clever Brother, Shadow Night, Qu Xiaozheng.
The first group of players to achieve a perfect evaluation in the Nine Mountains Mine would never be replaced or refreshed; their top spot belonged to them forever.
World 25 Ruthless Rogue: “Honestly, I just arrived at Nine Mountains Ridge, and the leveling maniacs have already perfectly cleared its instance?”
World 25 Snow Falls Deep: “Crying! Amazing! The first attempt and already a perfect evaluation? That’s true strength.”
Yet, the next message detonated like a bomb in the world channel.
World 25 July Seventh Sunny: “Latest news! The six leveling maniacs are now level 30. Judging by their level, they must have entered the instance below level 28. Impressive.”
Reading this message, some rejoiced while others despaired. The latter included Difference of Three Years, caught in the eye of the storm. Currently at level 27, with the lowest in his fixed team being level 26, he had the advantage of being a cash player and thus well-equipped. Yet, facing the likes of Cold Night and his companions, even the best gear could not bridge the gap.
Elsewhere in Nine Mountains Ridge, a team of six female players drew the attention of many male newcomers.
Their levels were equally astonishing: a unified level 27, and among them, one stood out.
Warm Night!
She was the last recipient of the Abyssal Nightmare mount, and rumors had her paired as Cold Night’s lover.
The professional composition of Warm Night’s team was clear for all to see.
Warm Night, Human, Sword specialization.
Mu Xin in the Curtain, Demon, Bow specialization.
Wei Ling, Demon, Command specialization.
Flower Under Shallow Moon, Demon, Witch specialization.
Whose Fragrance Among Flowers, Human, Spear specialization.
Wu Shan, Human, Medic specialization.
Their professional choices were immediately apparent, forming one of the most powerful fixed teams in Divine Mourning. Such cohesion demanded a high degree of teamwork, and the captain needed to embody one word: versatility.
“They’re just pretty faces. Level 27—who knows if someone’s playing for them or if they’re even real?”
“Haha, true enough. Their team is even stronger than Difference of Three Years. Maybe the rumors are true, and she really is Cold Night’s lover.”
“Yeah, that would explain how they got their levels so high.”
Current Warm and Cool: “If you’re unhappy, you can challenge us.”
This message in the current channel made many faces change.
Current Wei Ling: “All these people are just biased against female players. If you dare, let’s go yellow battle right now.”
The six female players exchanged amused glances.
Current Bodhi Heart: “No worries, we can yellow battle.”
At this moment, a male player spoke up, and many others responded, clearly accepting their challenge.
Their expressions shifted; the opposition’s numbers were simply too overwhelming.
“What should we do?” Flower Under Shallow Moon’s face darkened, turning to Warm Night for advice.
The situation had caught them off guard—the shamelessness of these players was unexpected. If it were a proper six-on-six, Warm Night would have no fear and could easily secure victory.
“Shameless! You don’t dare a fair six-on-six?”
Warm Night’s expression was icy, her lips curled in disdain, her eyes ablaze with murderous intent.
Current Bodhi Heart: “I truly don’t see the point, but since you’ve accepted the yellow battle, why worry about the numbers?”
Current Warm Night: “Or is it that you don’t dare to face us six-on-six? Or even one-on-one?”
Hearing this, Bodhi Heart’s expression shifted, and he fell silent. Yet the grim lines on his face showed he had been angered; he was level 27, a Human spear specialist, with strong defensive capabilities in early stages. Even sword specialists, known for their offense, would struggle to gain an advantage unless their gear compensated for the difference.
Current Bodhi Heart: “You’ve piqued my interest. Let me see how strong you really are.”
Immediately, the current channel showed a message.
Bodhi Heart challenged Warm Night to a duel, awaiting her response.
Warm Night, atop her Abyssal Nightmare, narrowed her eyes, her right hand gripping a sword glowing faintly. Her answer was clear.
Accepted!
Warm Night dismounted, evidently confident she needed no attribute boosts. Bodhi Heart brandished his spear, his toes tapping the ground as he lunged forward, the spear gleaming silver—a spear wind like a dragon.
Warm Night swept her sword sideways, sending a gust of sword wind.
Bang!
The explosion from their clash sent both retreating, sliding several meters before regaining their footing.
Current Warm Night: “To play spear at your level is shameful beyond words.”
Current Bodhi Heart: “We’ll see who’s really ashamed soon enough.”
With those words, both shot forward again, spear shadows swirling, sword winds rising.
Warm Night’s silhouette flowed like water, her movements smooth and elegant. This was the essence of the sword specialization: only those who wield the sword like flowing clouds and water deserve the name of swordsman.
She dodged deadly spear thrusts with ghostly agility, spun in a graceful three-hundred-sixty-degree leap, landing behind Bodhi Heart. Her sword swept at his waist, and with that strike, the duel’s aura faded, ending the bout.
Warm Night victorious, Bodhi Heart defeated.
Meanwhile, atop a mountain beside Nine Mountains Village, six figures stood watching the events unfold below.
“This Warm Night is truly formidable.”
“In early stages, sword specialization is weaker than spear, yet with nimble tactics and exploiting openings, she secured victory. Such refined skill is truly breathtaking.”
Suddenly, the situation changed again: at least twenty male players surrounded the six women, some even triggering yellow battle preemptively.
The scene shifted dramatically.