[Ding! Han Iron Helmet equipped—Earth Deity]
[All battle armors have emerged!]
Rushing towards the glow that pierced the sky, Zhang Yuanqing felt both elated and disappointed: "The helmet has been claimed by the Earth Deity."
The elation stemmed from finally locating the elusive Old Man; persuading him to form an alliance could cement a victory.
The disappointment was that all parts of the battle armor had owners, leaving none for him.
No matter, alliances meant shared resources, and allies' battle armor was as good as his own, Zhang Yuanqing thought to himself.
Sun Miaomiao maintained high-speed movement, asking:
"Do you have a way to convince him?"
"Not sure, I'm not actually familiar with him," Zhang Yuanqing answered truthfully.
Sun Miaomiao nodded, then added:
"Hey, Yuan Shi Tian Zun, are you really not considering selling me your little spirit servant? I'll trade you an even more precious and powerful one."
"No way!"
"Think about it again."
"No deal!"
The two, each accompanied by their Yin Corpse, leaped and bounded among the ruins, rushing towards where the glow had faded.
Elsewhere, on the main road of the ancient city, Tian Xia Gui Huo, accompanied by Tone Deaf and Qing Songzi, headed towards the helmet's location. Due to caring for Tone Deaf, who bore a heavy breastplate, their progress was slow.
Tian Xia Gui Huo led the way, loudly declaring:
"Remember, we must pull the Earth Deity into our camp; only then can we negotiate with Yuan Shi Tian Zun."
"What if Yuan Shi Tian Zun has already formed an alliance with the Earth Deity?" Qing Songzi's breath was steady; long-distance running was as simple to him as eating and drinking.
Leaping over a pile of rubble, Tian Xia Gui Huo said:
"Then we'll find a way to reach an agreement with the Earth Deity. With the pressure of Zhao Chenghuang and Sun Miaomiao joining forces, they have no reason to refuse."
In Tian Xia Gui Huo's analysis, everyone's points were at risk and couldn't withstand reporting, so the best solution was to recruit the Earth Deity and then form an alliance with Yuan Shi Tian Zun, which was the optimal strategy.
Promise a spot to Yuan Shi Tian Zun in exchange for him using his substantial points to first wear down the Night Touring Ghosts of Taiyi Sect. Then they would make their move, sweeping Zhao Chenghuang's trio out of the game.
After that, they would discuss how to divide the remaining spots.
If they succeeded, the top three would belong to the Five Elements Alliance, sharing the spoils among themselves—how splendid.
However, if the Earth Deity had already allied with Zhang Yuanqing, their team's role would be greatly diminished, but negotiations were still possible.
When Zhang Yuanqing arrived at the scene, the Earth Deity hadn't left but was sitting on a half-collapsed earthen wall, a cigar in his mouth, his wrinkled face full of contentment.
Zhang Yuanqing noticed a helmet on his head, similar to ancient helmets seen in TV dramas, but very old.
Stopping a few meters away, Zhang Yuanqing got straight to the point, shouting:
"Old Man, let's form an alliance. Name your terms!"
Given the current situation, the Earth Deity had limited options for alliance: either with him or with Tian Xia Gui Huo's group.
As long as the Old Man saw that Sun Miaomiao had switched sides, he would definitely choose to join.
The Earth Deity didn't immediately agree, instead looking towards Sun Miaomiao behind him, surprised:
"Why is she with you?"
"She was won over by my unmatched charm; she's one of us now," Zhang Yuanqing boasted, patting his chest.
Sun Miaomiao rolled her eyes, gently rubbing Little Rascal's head.
"And you even have a child?" the Earth Deity chuckled, pondering for a few seconds before nodding slightly:
"We can form an alliance, but win or lose, you owe me two hundred thousand, and it's only for this instance."
"Deal!"
"Agreed."
Zhang Yuanqing then led Sun Miaomiao to the base of the earthen wall, saying:
"Our plan is to first eliminate Tian Xia Gui Huo's group, then face off against Zhao Chenghuang and Yuan Ting."
The Earth Deity, cigar in mouth, glanced at Sun Miaomiao and chuckled:
"It's not necessary to eliminate them first; taking out Zhao Chenghuang is also an option. Once we deal with those two from Taiyi Sect, Tian Xia Gui Huo's trio will be like fish in a barrel."
The Earth Deity still doesn't trust Sun Miaomiao enough, Zhang Yuanqing thought, smiling:
"That's what I was thinking too, depending on which side we encounter first."
Just as the Earth Deity was about to nod, he suddenly tilted his head, saying:
"Someone's coming!"
Zhang Yuanqing and Sun Miaomiao immediately pressed against the wall to hide, summoning their Yin Corpses to conceal themselves as well.
The Earth Deity looked back nonchalantly to see Tian Xia Gui Huo's trio approaching.
Upon seeing the Earth Deity, Tian Xia Gui Huo stopped in his tracks, a narrow-bladed long knife in one hand, the other raised high, saying:
"Old Man, shall we talk?"
Tian Xia Gui Huo? What a coincidence. Zhang Yuanqing whispered in a low voice, "Earth Deity, hold them off; Sun Miaomiao and I will ambush."
"What's there to talk about?" the Earth Deity asked, still puffing on his cigar, his tone casual.
"Before we talk, could you please raise your hands to show you're unarmed?" Tian Xia Gui Huo called out.
Behind him, Qing Songzi and Tone Deaf promptly raised their hands, showing sincerity.
Am I that shameless? The Earth Deity almost cursed out loud, reluctantly raising his hands and grumbling:
"Spit it out!"
Tian Xia Gui Huo said:
"We want to form an alliance with you to fight against Taiyi Sect's Night Touring Ghosts. Yuan Shi Tian Zun is also a target for our recruitment. I believe members of the Five Elements Alliance should work together to secure the top three spots and share the benefits equally."
The Earth Deity pondered for a moment, then asked:
"How can I trust you?"
Tian Xia Gui Huo replied:
"Easy! We can swear an oath in front of the elders, deacons, and colleagues. We're all reputable figures; if we break our word, how could we face anyone again?"
The Earth Deity, cigar in mouth, pretended to think, stalling for time:
"Well, I have no reason to refuse then. Fine, let's form an alliance. You three, take an oath."
At this moment, Zhang Yuanqing, who had entered Night Tour, peeked out.
The perspective of Tian Xia Gui Huo's trio was odd; they kept looking up at a 45-degree angle, ensuring they could never see the lower half of the Earth Deity's body.
The method of suddenly appearing by removing the Yin Corpse's pants wouldn't work well; normal people instinctively look towards sudden appearances. Having already used this tactic once, Tian Xia Gui Huo, who had been tricked before, would definitely be on guard and not fall for it so easily.
If he were to shoot directly, Tone Deaf had a breastplate for protection, Qing Songzi was a wood demon with regenerative abilities, and Tian Xia Gui Huo had fire resistance, not to mention any unknown defensive items.
As thoughts raced through his mind, Zhang Yuanqing decided to use the oldest method: a close-range sneak attack.
This way, even if the enemy had defensive capabilities, with his and Sun Miaomiao's combat strength, they could quickly subdue their foes.
The two Night Touring Ghosts circled the earthen wall, stepping softly, one on the left and one on the right, slowly approaching Tian Xia Gui Huo's trio.
Night Tour could mask noise and presence, but some things couldn't be hidden, like leaving footprints on soft ground or causing pebbles to roll while walking.
In the desolate and ruined ancient city, these small details were the easiest to give away.
Ten meters, eight meters, five meters. Zhang Yuanqing was very careful, avoiding not only sand and pebbles but also moss.
Just as he was about to strike, Qing Songzi's expression changed, and he urgently warned:
"Careful, it's an ambush!"
Qing Songzi had been secretly communicating with the surrounding plants to guard against Taiyi Sect's Night Touring Ghosts taking advantage of the conversation to stealthily attack.
After all, this was where the equipment appeared, and people like Zhao Chenghuang and Yuan Shi Tian Zun were surely heading this way, making it highly likely for all parties to encounter each other.
Sure enough, he quickly received feedback from the plants.
Discovered? Zhang Yuanqing's heart tightened, no longer hesitating, he thrust forward with the Bloodthirsty Blade.
Hearing the warning, Tian Xia Gui Huo reacted in advance, kicking back and leaping backward.
Zhang Yuanqing's stab missed.
As Tian Xia Gui Huo leaped back, his right arm whipped out, driving the narrow-bladed long knife in a sweeping motion.
The blade emitted a piercing sound as it cut through the air.
Zhang Yuanqing halted his step and raised his blade to block—Bloodthirsty Blade held vertically!
"Ding!"
The two weapons collided, the narrow-bladed long knife sliding across the Bloodthirsty Blade, and Zhang Yuanqing saw sparks fly, witnessing a notch form on the weapon that had accompanied him for many days.
Weapons of the Transcendent phase were gradually unable to keep up with my pace, he felt a pang of sorrow.
On the other side, Tone Deaf lowered his head and blew a mournful flute melody.
The soul-piercing sound waves echoed.
Everyone present clutched their heads, frowning deeply, except for the Earth Deity, who remained unaffected.
Sun Miaomiao's brows furrowed tightly, unable to maintain Night Tour, revealing her form.
As a Level 3 Night Touring Ghost with 90% experience, her spirit body was incredibly strong, so the flute's damage to her was minimal.
"It's you?"
Tian Xia Gui Huo, looking at Yuan Shi Tian Zun and Sun Miaomiao, exclaimed in shock: "You've formed an alliance?!"
How could this be? How could these two have formed an alliance?
"And me!" The Earth Deity stomped on the earthen wall, leaping into the air, turning himself into a meteorite, crashing towards Tian Xia Gui Huo.
"Don't come any closer!"
Tian Xia Gui Huo pressed his waistband.
Qing Songzi and Tone Deaf, in unison, pressed their waistbands.
This was three rounds of reporting.
The Earth Deity's tiger-like descent halted abruptly, forcibly changing his trajectory, and landed with a thud next to Zhang Yuanqing.
He cursed under his breath:
"Yuan Shi Tian Zun, you've put us in a tough spot; this game is really uncomfortable."
While complaining, the Old Man also pressed his waistband, looking up at a 45-degree angle.
Zhang Yuanqing pressed his waistband and looked up at a 45-degree angle, glancing at the trio from the corner of his eye, saying:
"Threatening, huh? Come on, I've got plenty of points; who's afraid of who!"
"Come on!"
"Come on!"
Both sides were shouting, each "proudly" holding their heads high as if they were gun-toting tough guys in a standoff, rather than planning to unbuckle their belts.
"What a lively scene!"
At that moment, a cold voice sounded from afar.
The clamoring parties paused, each glancing sideways with their peripheral vision.
The newcomers were none other than Yuan Ting and Zhao Chenghuang in black attire, followed by two Yin Corpses.
Zhao Chenghuang's deep gaze fell on Sun Miaomiao:
"Why have you allied with Yuan Shi Tian Zun, Sun Miaomiao? Don't forget who you are."
"Do I need your permission to act?"
Sun Miaomiao looked down at her little skirt, silently summoning her Yin Corpse, pressing its waistband as a threat.
Seeing this, Yuan Ting quickly pressed the waistband of his Yin Corpse's coat and looked up at a 45-degree angle.
Zhao Chenghuang frowned deeply, reluctant to follow the trend, but he too summoned his Yin Corpse, performing the same action, with the same upward gaze.
The three parties were at a stalemate.
This way of fighting was uncomfortable for everyone, but they had no choice but to continue, tormenting and threatening each other.
It was all Yuan Shi Tian Zun's fault!
In the footage, the top eight contestants, each pressing their waistbands and "proudly" looking up, left the audience in the arena silent, the entire venue as quiet as a graveyard.
The elders of Taiyi Sect and the Five Elements Alliance were either twitching at the mouth, turning ashen, or veins bulging on their foreheads.
The biggest scandal in the official twenty-one-year history had just unfolded.
All eight people inside were to be severely punished—no, they should be expelled!
In the ruins of the ancient city.
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"Fine!"
Zhao Chenghuang said indifferently: "If you want to help Yuan Shi Tian Zun, then so be it. How you explain it to Sun Zhanglao is your own business."
He turned to glare at Qing Songzi's trio, saying:
"Let's form an alliance, eliminate them, and I'll give you one of the two spots."
Tian Xia Gui Huo glanced back:
"How can I trust you?"
Zhao Chenghuang's tone remained cold: "Do you have a choice? If you're still willing to ally with Yuan Shi Tian Zun in this situation, then forget I said anything."
Qing Songzi immediately said: "Fine, we'll form an alliance!"
Tian Xia Gui Huo opened his mouth, glanced at Yuan Shi Tian Zun's camp, and could only say:
"Then let's form an alliance."
Although the will to form an alliance was reached, and the three parties became two, no one made a move.
The reason was simple: during a standoff, you could look up at a 45-degree angle, but who could fight with their neck craned?
If someone lacked martial virtue and suddenly dropped their pants in the middle of a fight, the chances of being caught off guard were extremely high.
The situation was at a deadlock.
Zhang Yuanqing's thoughts raced as he analyzed the point gap between the two sides:
Tian Xia Gui Huo only had three points, Qing Songzi, Tone Deaf, Zhao Chenghuang, and Yuan Ting each had four. Although his side had fewer people, they had more points. Reporting by dropping trousers was a mutually destructive act.
They wouldn't dare to wear each other down with such methods. To regain the advantage and turn the situation around, they would have to knock down the points of one of us.
As this thought surfaced, he heard Zhao Chenghuang coldly say:
"To celebrate our alliance, I'll start by giving you a small gift."
Looking up at a 45-degree angle, he declared loudly:
"I, Zhao Chenghuang, officially report the Earth Deity for peeping at a Yin Corpse's private parts, with the reason being: it's illegal!"
"I, Zhao Chenghuang, officially report the Earth Deity for swearing, with the reason being: it's immoral!"
Under the gloomy sky, the hundred-foot spirit drew its bow, firing two arrows towards the crowd below.
One arrow struck the Earth Deity, the other Zhao Chenghuang.
The first report stemmed from Yuan Shi Tian Zun's first act of removing the Yin Corpse's pants, which he deliberately ignored the Earth Deity, but Zhao Chenghuang remembered it all along.
The second report was based on Zhao Chenghuang's knowledge of the Earth Deity's penchant for swearing.
Unfortunately, the second report failed.
Hearing the reporting notification, the Earth Deity grumbled: "Do I look that stupid?"
After entering the instance, he was alone, so there was no one to swear at. Then he immediately learned of Yuan Shi Tian Zun's shameless reporting method, so the Earth Deity was cautious. Throughout several hours in the instance, he didn't utter a single swear word.
Zhao Chenghuang said indifferently:
"Now you only have four points left. Everyone, if we find a way to report the Earth Deity, we've won."
The breakthrough had been made.
Find a way to report the Earth Deity, right, the Earth Deity just deceived us into forming an alliance Tian Xia Gui Huo pondered for a few seconds, his eyes lighting up, his face twisting with excitement as he shouted:
"I, Tian Xia Gui Huo, officially report the Earth"
This is bad!!
The Earth Deity, Sun Miaomiao, and Yuan Shi Tian Zun's expressions changed.
Zhang Yuanqing chanted rapidly: "I report Tian Xia Gui Huo for urinating in public, with the reason being: he lacks civic virtue!"
The spirit in the sky immediately fired an arrow, hitting Tian Xia Gui Huo squarely.
".report reason: it's" Tian Xia Gui Huo didn't finish speaking before he saw the arrow enter his field of vision, and heard the spiritual realm notification:
[Ding! Your points have been cleared, you have been eliminated!]
The next second, Tian Xia Gui Huo disappeared from the instance, vanishing from everyone's sight.
Everyone was stunned, including the Earth Deity himself.
Tian Xia Gui Huo was eliminated?!
He became the first player to be eliminated.
Tone Deaf opened his mouth, frustrated and confused, saying: "Your reporting format is wrong, why did it succeed?"
Tian Xia Gui Huo lost because he spoke too much, allowing Yuan Shi Tian Zun to report him first.
Zhang Yuanqing scoffed:
"Isn't the reporting format 'report content' and 'report reason'? Didn't the mission notification tell you when you entered the instance? Official reporting was a joke I added, who told you that was the correct format?"
At the same time, he breathed a sigh of relief. This report was half luck, half speculation.
"!!!"
The contestants looked at him with stiff expressions.
Since Yuan Shi Tian Zun was the first to develop a way to report, his successful methods were definitely correct. Due to this inertia, no one questioned whether the reporting format had issues.
Besides, it wasn't important; as long as the report was successful, no one would nitpick such trivial details.
After the shock, the people present had a revelation based on Yuan Shi Tian Zun's report.
From entering the instance in the morning to now, from the first to the second instance, more than four hours had passed.
Transcendents need to eat, drink, sleep, and defecate, and among these people, someone must have used the restroom.
The next second, a cacophony of reports erupted.
"I report Yuan Shi Tian Zun for urinating in public, with the reason being: he lacks civic virtue."
"I report Zhao Chenghuang for urinating in public, with the reason being: he lacks civic virtue."
"I report Sun Miaomiao for urinating in public, with the reason being: he lacks civic virtue."
"I report..."
Arrows from the spirit in the sky continuously flew, targeting the contestants.
Most of these reports failed, with only Qing Songzi's report against the Earth Deity succeeding.
Yuan Shi Tian Zun's report on Zhao Chenghuang, Tone Deaf's report on Yuan Shi Tian Zun, Sun Miaomiao's report on Tone Deaf, and the Earth Deity's report on Yuan Ting all failed.
Since Yuan Ting had no one to report (he didn't need to), he didn't fail.
Suddenly, only Qing Songzi and Yuan Ting had the ability to report left, while everyone else's reporting function was sealed.
In terms of points, the Earth Deity was left with only one point, Tone Deaf and Zhao Chenghuang had three points each, Yuan Ting and Qing Songzi had four points, Sun Miaomiao had nine points, and Yuan Shi Tian Zun had thirty points.
Yuan Ting said gravely: "They've all lost their ability to report; we don't have to worry about pants-dropping reports anymore."
The implication was clear: it was time to fight!
Instantly, the atmosphere was fraught with lethal intent.
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