I went online at 11: 45 Beijing time. There was only fifteen minutes left until God of War, Xing Yun, and the others agreed to meet up with me. I had to go online and participate in a grand player gathering at Giant Elephant Valley.
Swhoosh!
My eyes brightened as I opened the tent flap. The blinding sunlight outside made it hard for my eyes to adjust. It took me a few seconds to get out of the tent. In the distance, Giant Elephant Valley was bustling with activity. Countless Giant Elephant City players were gathered on the open ground at the center of the valley. It was a sea of people, and I estimated that there were at least ten million of them. It was hard to imagine what kind of power could make them gather here so united before the Nation War had even begun.
“HI！”
Next to me, Xing Yun suddenly patted my shoulder and said with a smile, "Lu Chen, I've been waiting for you here for a long time. You're finally online. Thank you for coming online."
I smiled. "What would have happened if I hadn't come online?"
Xing Yun clenched her fists, killing intent appearing on her beautiful face. She said with a smile, "I would immediately take a plane to China, find you, and beat you up. Do you think the consequences are serious?"
I nodded. "It is, but you might not be able to beat me."
"Hmph hmph, just you wait!"
Xing Yun looked into the distance and said, "Let's go. Since the start of Heavenblessed, Giant Elephant City has never been this lively. Seriously, it's so lively!"
I nodded. "Mn."
… …
Following Xing Yun, I adjusted the Ancient Divine Dragon so that I could summon it at any time. As long as there was any movement, I could immediately summon the little dragon. With the Ancient Divine Dragon's buff, I could basically enter a battle state at any time, and I wouldn't be instantly killed. The other book friends looked at me as usual.
The little wolf was also summoned. It followed me whimpering, the hair on its neck standing on end as it stared at Xing Yun warily.
"Yo, this wolf pet is pretty cute!"
Xing Yun glanced over and reached out to pat the wolf cub's head. However, the wolf cub abruptly took a few steps back and growled at Xing Yun. This level of hatred was very obvious. It remembered that Xing Yun was an enemy, which was why it was so hostile. If it were He Yi or Lin Yixin, the two great beauties, the wolf cub would immediately bite its tail and circle around their miniskirts like a pug.
"Hmph, you actually want to bite me!"
Xingyun waved his fist. "Sister Xiaoxin, I'll make you into a stew tonight, hehe..."
The little wolf ran to my side and followed me. I didn't need to worry about Cloud for now, but I could sense that she was the least wary of me in the entire India server. In other words, she trusted me completely, unlike God of War and Breeze and Rain who couldn't even hide their wariness of me.
…
Xing Yun was in front of us. He grabbed my wrist and smiled at the players in front of us. "Everyone, please make way and let us in. Don't fight!"
Instantly, waves of exclamations came from the crowd of players. "Oh, isn't that our Goddess of War?!
It's so beautiful, just like the poster … "
"Hey, who is the man you are holding in your heart?"
"I think … he's that Broken Halberd Sinks Into Sand who slaughtered the Japanese players in Death Row?!
Damn, he's really here. Book fans love to read:! "
"No matter what, Broken Halberd Sinks Into Sand is a China citizen. If he accepts our coronation, we … we absolutely won't accept it. How can the great India server accept a China citizen as our king?
This is absolutely unacceptable! "
"Yes, we absolutely won't accept Broken Halberd Sinks Into Sand as one of our four kings!"
… …
"Hehe …" Xingyun looked back at me and smiled. "You don't need to care about the words of these ordinary people. A true decision-maker shouldn't be bothered too much."
I nodded. "I understand. Also … Xing Yun, you're attending this coronation in both your life and your next, right?"
"Yes," Xingyun said. "That's right. What's wrong? Are you hostile toward him?"
I smiled. "I was kicked out of the China server because of his original master. Do you think I won't hold a grudge against him?"
"Alright, but you can't attack him during the coronation, understand?"
Xingyun looked at me meaningfully and smiled. "He's just in this life and his next. He's not worth your time. Once the coronation is over, I'll help you eliminate him once and for all if you're willing!"
I pursed my lips and smiled, but didn't say anything.
… …
It wasn't long before we entered the center of the clearing. This place looked like a huge altar, and right now, God of War, Breeze and Rain, Wild King, Grief Dark Cloud, Iron Scale, and a handful of other players of the India server were standing on top of the altar. They all looked majestic and awe-inspiring. In reality, these people were the ones who supported the India server. Two cities guarded the north and south, and no one dared to look at them directly.
"Come with me, the ceremony is about to begin!"
Xingyun suddenly reached out and grabbed my hand. She paused for a moment, but didn't let me see her expression. She held my hand and led me up the stairs. The other book friends looked at her normally.
I sucked in a deep breath and followed Xingyun. Behind me, the hilt of the Purple Ying Sword was already glowing. I was ready to attack at any moment.
On the stage, God of War saw me and smiled. He announced loudly, "Keep your voices down, everyone. The main character of Elephant City is about to ascend the stage. Please pull out your blades and raise them above your heads to welcome the king of the Central Continent, the King of War who will soon join the India server — Broken Halberd Sinks Into Sand!"
Thunderous shouts erupted from the crowd. Some were cheering, some were cursing. It was obvious that the Indian region wasn't all that united. They were criticizing me, a foreign king. Of course, under the pressure of the God of War's might, the voices of resistance were nothing but fleeting clouds.
Thud!
My Divine Martial War Boots landed firmly on the limestone floor of the altar. I looked at God of War, and he looked back at me. He walked up to me and extended his hand with a smile. "Welcome, Broken Halberd Sinks Into Sand!"
I shook his hand and immediately took two steps back to stand next to Xingyun.
… …
God of War abruptly unsheathed the sword on his back, gripped the hilt with both hands, and stabbed the blade deep into the bricks of the city. He shouted, "There is a saying that it is easy to raise an army of a thousand, but it is difficult to find a good general. I'm sure all of you are aware of Broken Halberd Sinks Into Sand's achievements in the China server, but a hero was persecuted by powerful officials and forced to spend an entire week in the Valley of Life and Death. No man can endure such humiliation, and that is why a fine bird chooses a good tree to nest in. Today, Broken Halberd Sinks Into Sand will join Elephant City. I, God of War, hereby swear that as long as Broken Halberd Sinks Into Sand joins Elephant City, he will be my brother, a brother I will never betray!"
Countless players below the altar waved their weapons and shouted God of War's name as if they were infected by his words. God of War truly deserved to be called the ruler of an entire region. His speech alone was impressive.
Then, God of War continued, "Today, Broken Halberd Sinks Into Sand will become one of us. He will become our brother, and what should we do if our brother is bullied?!
That's right, as long as he is willing, we can sweep across the Central and seek justice for our brother. We can destroy Candle Dragon, Warsky Alliance, and all the other guilds in the world. Once Broken Halberd Sinks Into Sand returns to the Central and becomes the king of the Central, wouldn't that be fulfilling our brother's dream? "
I didn't say a word, but I wasn't moved at all. It was clear that God of War was doing everything he could to recruit me, and if I changed my mind, it would truly be over for me. Make me the king of the Central?
Who the hell would believe that? Even if I did become the king of the Central, I would be nothing more than a puppet. Given my personality, there was no way I could do that.
Not to mention betrayal?
I couldn't convince my own heart!
… …
It was at this moment God of War raised his hand and laughed loudly. "Also, we have a traveler who has returned from a long journey. He has brought a generous gift for our motherland, so let's welcome Present and Hereafter with a round of applause!"
Golden robes glowing with magic light, Present and Hereafter walked out of the crowd amidst the thunderous applause. He activated his Magic Shield and walked up the stage step by step. A red inverted triangle symbol floated above his head. It was the symbol of a player who had a map of the Central Plains. As expected, Present and Hereafter still had a map of Dawn City. It meant that one of the tier 2 cities of the China server was under his control.
Dawn City was located in the southernmost part of the Central Plains, and it was only one step away from Thunder Mountain Range. If the Indians captured it, its strategic importance would be unimaginable. Breaking Dawn City was like a giant aircraft carrier that could carry countless Indian players to the Central Plains. They could attack any major city in China without being restricted by natural barriers like Dragonbone Mountain Range or Thunder Mountain Range. That was why Breaking Dawn City could not be captured.
Thud!
Now and Forever stood in front of me with a smile on his face. "We meet again, Lu Chen."
I nodded and resisted the urge to kill him immediately. Breeze and Rain were right next to me, and they seemed to be protecting Present and Future on purpose. The chances of success were too low if I attacked him right now. I only had one chance, and I needed to hit 100% of the time before I attacked him.
God of War looked behind him and said, "Minister, you may make the announcement now. Everyone else, please read as normal:!"
"Mn, alright!"
The crowd parted, and a Level 172 middle-aged archer with three golden stars above his head walked out of the crowd. He was none other than the minister of India's VR department.
The minister walked up to God of War and announced in a low voice, "Let the coronation ceremony begin! First up, the pride of the India server, God of War, the number one player in the world, shall be bestowed the title of 'Northern King' on behalf of the VR department. May he continue to guard the northern gate of Cyan Earth City!"
Thunderous applause filled the air. God of War's prestige in the India server was truly incredible.
Then, the minister continued, "The second king is the guild leader of Elephant City's Kings guild, Grief Dark Cloud. May he continue to be bestowed the title of 'Eastern King', and may Grief Dark Cloud and his guild continue to guard the eastern gate of Cyan Earth!"
The eastern gate was obviously meant to prevent Purple Grape City from ambushing them. It was a necessary move. Now that the Japan players had lost their main city, there was a high chance that the wolves would attack Elephant City as their base of operations. It would be a miracle if the India players didn't prepare for it.
Walking Cloud looked at me and smiled. "Don't worry!"
I glanced at Now and Hereafter and smiled back. "I'm not in a hurry!"
Now and Hereafter shot me a provocative look. "Shameless traitor!"
I gritted my teeth and continued to stand where I was. A smile appeared on my face as I said, "Yes, you shameless traitor!"
Noticing my reaction, Walking Cloud whispered into my ear, "Calm down. Don't let yourself be swayed by others."
I smiled, "Xingyun, you underestimate me too much."
Walking Cloud looked astonished. "..."
(The first chapter of a regular chapter.)