Contradiction Ferments

"Ling Feng? What's going on?"

Emperor Blood God Slayer waved his hand, and the underlings around him immediately fell silent.

One of the guild members was still under attack by a Goblin, but he stopped all movement and let the Goblin beat him to death without daring to make a single sound.

The young man named Ling Feng glanced around expressionlessly, then replied:

"Blood God, our people found a level 4 green-quality one-handed sword at the Warehouse."

"Level 4? Green?! Are you sure?" Emperor Blood God Slayer's pupils contracted slightly.

"Absolutely sure!" Ling Feng nodded, his face still as still as dead water:

"Along with the level 4 one-handed sword, there was also a level 4 boss material—[Hill Sheep Leader's Horn]. Someone must have taken down a level 4 boss and put these items up for auction."

"Could taking down a level 4 boss be the work of Skycutter's crew?" Emperor Blood God Slayer frowned slightly. "But that doesn't add up either! Why wouldn't they use such good equipment themselves instead of auctioning it off? Skycutter Sword is a Warrior himself!"

"No, no, it wasn't the Skycutter Guild that took down the boss." Ling Feng explained with a grave expression:

"I suspect a solo player killed the level 4 boss single-handedly and obtained these equipment and materials. Since he couldn't use them himself, he put them up for auction."

"A solo player?!"

Emperor Blood God Slayer found it hard to believe.

He was currently half-equipped with level 3 gear, paired with a level 3 one-handed sword, and he absolutely couldn't solo a level 2 boss like the [Goblin Leader].

Solo a level 4 boss?

How was that possible?

Ling Feng said seriously, "My deduction should be correct, because this solo player also listed a green-quality Skill Scroll—[Fatal Strike]."

Ling Feng detailed the attributes of [Fatal Strike], then added:

"This skill is essentially a top-tier skill for a Warrior class during the early stages. No guild force would release a Skill Scroll of this level."

"So the one who killed the level 4 boss can only be a solo player, and that player isn't a Warrior."

After hearing Ling Feng's description of [Fatal Strike], Emperor Blood God Slayer glanced at his own skill bar.

His only damage skill, [Heavy Strike], dealt only 120% physical damage, while [Fatal Strike] dealt 170%-340%!

With the same 3-second cooldown, his skill might as well be trash!

"What's the name of the player who listed those items?" Emperor Blood God Slayer's expression turned unusually serious.

"His name is Kexing." Ling Feng answered solemnly.

Five minutes later, at the Warehouse in Novice Village 002.

Emperor Blood God Slayer and his underlings arrived in a flurry.

By then, the square outside the Warehouse was packed with players.

"Heavens! There really is a level 4 boss material in the Warehouse!"

"I haven't even leveled up to 2 yet, and someone's already taking down a level 4 boss!"

"Which Grand Duke guild has such deep pockets? Took down a level 4 boss?"

"The guy auctioning this stuff is called 'Kexing'? Which guild is he from?"

"Don't guilds usually keep such good equipment and skills for internal use? Why sell them?"

The players gathered in the Warehouse square, all buzzing with discussion.

But right at the Warehouse entrance, Emperor Blood God Slayer encountered an "uninvited guest" blocking the door.

This uninvited guest also had a group of people with him, and he was now smiling at Emperor Blood God Slayer.

Emperor Blood God Slayer waved his hand, signaling his underlings to stop.

Then he coldly stared at the uninvited guest:

"Skycutter Sword? You! Why aren't you staying put in Number One Novice Village? What brings you to Number Two Novice Village to join the fun?"

The opposing Skycutter Sword was a middle-aged Uncle with a square face, weathered by experience.

He was now leaning on his sword, looking at Emperor Blood God Slayer with a playful expression: "The game's only been open a few hours, and I hear someone's monopolizing leveling zones, ruining the game's ecosystem. As the biggest guild in the game, of course we have to step in!"

"You sure meddle in a lot!" Emperor Blood God Slayer was very displeased.

But Emperor Blood God Slayer also knew that, with the current manpower in the game, they were far from a match for the Skycutter Guild.

So he changed the subject:

"I came here to check out that green-quality Skill Scroll. Skycutter Guild Leader, blocking the door—are you trying to keep us out?"

"Of course not." Skycutter Sword smiled:

"The Warehouse is a public space. Naturally, I won't interfere with your right to use public facilities."

"Of course, we also won't allow anyone to disrupt others' right to use public facilities—like monster zones for leveling. Please!"

Skycutter Sword made a "please" gesture with a smile, then strode into the Warehouse first.

Emperor Blood God Slayer shot Skycutter Sword a fierce glare, waved his hand, and led his underlings into the warehouse.

The warehouse, like the Mage's Hut, was an independent plane, so after entering, Emperor Blood God Slayer couldn't see Skycutter Sword—only the NPCs and his own party members.

Emperor Blood God Slayer's underlings didn't spot anyone from Skycutter Guild inside the warehouse and immediately breathed a sigh of relief, then started cursing:

"Who does that Skycutter Sword think he is, acting all high and mighty?"

"Who does he think he is?"

"Once our people get into the game, he'll get what's coming to him."

"Shut up!" Emperor Blood God Slayer snapped coldly.

The underlings quickly clamped their mouths shut, holding their breath, not daring to make a sound.

Emperor Blood God Slayer swept a cold glance over his underlings and began checking the skill scroll details on the warehouse's auction interface.

Seeing that the [Fatal Strike] skill scroll's attributes matched Ling Feng's description exactly, and that it had already soared to a high price of 500 Psionic Coins, Emperor Blood God Slayer let out a long breath:

"Ling Feng, we must get our hands on this skill scroll!"

"But Emperor Blood, we can't raise that much money," Ling Feng said with difficulty. "Right now, it's not just Skycutter Sword bidding against us—there's also a guy called Snowflake Leopard from Novice Village No. 1 bidding on this scroll."

"Snowflake Leopard?" Emperor Blood God Slayer frowned. He hadn't heard of this person.

Ling Feng explained: "Snowflake Leopard is the guild leader of a very prominent guild in Novice Village No. 1. Their guild seems to be called 'Relevant Department.'"

"'Relevant Department'? Strange name." Emperor Blood God Slayer stroked his chin. "But we must get this skill scroll! At any cost!"

"But—"

"I know we don't have enough money, but I've already thought of a plan. Later, take some people to Novice Villages No. 3 through No. 7 and collect a 'Village Entry Fee' from every player entering those villages. Each entry costs at least 1 Psionic Coin!"

"If one player pays 1 Psionic Coin, and a novice village has tens of thousands of people, we can collect tens of thousands of Psionic Coins! Then we'll have the money."

Emperor Blood God Slayer was brimming with confidence.

Ling Feng was stunned by the plan: "Emperor Blood! Even though our guild is going for a chaotic evil route, this will stir up public outrage among all players! Before long, players might band together to kick us out of the game!"

"How can you be so dense!"

Emperor Blood God Slayer couldn't help but smack Ling Feng with the hilt of his sword:

"During this operation, you'll pretend to be members of Skycutter Guild."

"It's 'Skycutter Guild' that's forcibly collecting entry fees from all players. It has nothing to do with us, Emperor Blood God Slayer! Got it?"