Wangpan Mountain

Wangpan Mountain

Though named for a mountain, Wangpan Mountain was actually an isolated island far out at sea. A lone peak stood proudly amid the vast ocean, presenting a scene all its own.

After the ship docked, Zhang Cuishan led Ye Weiming and the two Wudang Sect disciples toward the open ground beneath the cliff at the mountaintop.

Following behind the NPC, the three players formed a team. Ye Weiming said to Yin Bukui and Xuan Xiaobi in the Team Channel, "I was thinking earlier: since this quest screens players before they even reach Wangpan Mountain, there must be a significant difference in whether they can enter the final stage. Like you said, if the quest rewards themselves do not differ much, then there must be other benefits to gain on Wangpan Mountain."

Upon hearing this, Yin Bukui glanced at Xuan Xiaobi, the meaning clear: See? I told you. Given the same information, he can still draw different conclusions.

Xuan Xiaobi directly asked Ye Weiming curiously, "Then what do you think the benefit will be, Brother Ye? The Dragon Slaying Saber?"

"How could that be?" Ye Weiming shook his head. "I have no idea what the benefit might be, but at the very least, it should be something like a chance to trigger a hidden quest. Otherwise, the earlier screening would have been meaningless."

The mountain was covered in jagged rocks and normally uninhabited, with no paths to speak of. Fortunately, all four were skilled martial artists, so the rugged terrain did not pose much of a challenge. As they neared the ridge, Yin Bukui glanced at Xuan Xiaobi beside him. The latter understood immediately and asked Zhang Cuishan, "Master, there are only four of us here today. We are badly outnumbered. Shouldn't we first find a concealed spot to observe them in secret, then make our move after forming a plan?"

Zhang Cuishan answered casually, "Since they have occupied Wangpan Mountain Island to hold this gathering, they naturally would not neglect their surroundings. I fear they spotted us before we even disembarked."

As they spoke, the four had already leaped onto the ridge. Before them lay a relatively spacious clearing. A wooden platform stood at its center, only about half a meter high. Its only purpose was likely to distinguish those upon it from everyone else. Beneath the platform, a dense crowd had gathered. Judging by their positions, clothing, and weapons, they appeared to belong to three different gangs.

"Those standing below are from the Sea Sand Gang, Giant Whale Gang, and Divine Fist Sect. The two sitting separately on the left appear to be disciples of the Kunlun Sect." As they walked, Zhang Cuishan explained the situation within the clearing to the three of them.

Yin Bukui's gaze fell upon a wooden table in the center of the platform. "The thing on that table looks dark and indistinct. Is that the legendary Dragon Slaying Saber?"

"To be honest, I have never seen the Dragon Slaying Saber either, but it is probably the real thing." Zhang Cuishan first gave his assessment, then added, "If you cannot see it clearly, try channeling your internal energy into your eyes to enhance your vision."

The three hurriedly followed his instructions. The vague black speck instantly became clear, much like using binoculars in a dormitory to examine blades of grass on the ground below. They still could not make out every minute detail, but they could at least see the outline of the Dragon Slaying Saber.

Learning another small trick for using internal energy was naturally cause for celebration. Compared to that, the Dragon Slaying Saber, which was destined to be beyond their reach, no longer seemed so important.

As they continued forward, Ye Weiming discovered that besides the NPCs from the three gangs, quite a few players had already arrived on the island. Unlike the NPCs, who all stood vigilant and ready, the players were far more relaxed. From a distance, he could already hear a din like a marketplace.

"Pair of aces!"

"Can't beat that..."

"Pass..."

"Damn it, check!"

"Damn it, you took my rook!"

"Hehe... your rook is gone, your rook is gone..."

"Come take a look! Fresh steamed meat buns! Eat them while they're hot..."

"Selling one fine sword! Blue quality, Attack +30, Arm Strength +2, top-tier gear! Price negotiable..."

On the square beneath the wooden platform, some played Chinese chess, some played Fight the Landlord, and some had set up stalls to sell goods. It was like a lively little market, utterly out of place amid the tense atmosphere of fighting over the Dragon Slaying Saber.

But this was a game. Players only needed to have fun. They had come here merely to complete a quest, and when it came to the so-called Dragon Slaying Saber, most people had a realistic understanding of their own chances.

Yet upon seeing the lively scene on Wangpan Mountain, Xuan Xiaobi sighed and complained in the Team Channel, "The few of us fought through one obstacle after another, enduring eighty-one trials before finally reaching Wangpan Mountain. But look at them. All of a sudden, I feel like this game has no fairness at all. It's so hard to play!"

"Stop complaining," Yin Bukui replied. "Do you really think their chances of gaining benefits here will be the same as ours?"

Xuan Xiaobi said, "At least for now, I can't see any difference."

"Hey, brothers!" At that moment, a slightly plump Mount Hua Sect player walked up with a grin. "The Saber Appreciation Assembly will not begin for another two hours. Want to buy a deck of cards and play some Fight the Landlord to kill time? If cards aren't your thing, I've also got Chinese chess, Go, checkers, Gomoku, mahjong, dice... Fair prices, no cheating the young or old."

As he spoke, he pulled out a price list and displayed it before them.

Xuan Xiaobi carefully examined the price list, then exclaimed, "Damn! You want 10 silver for a deck of cards, and you call that a fair price? You can buy one for just 1 silver in shops across the major cities, can't you?"

"But this is Wangpan Mountain." The fat Mount Hua player shrugged. "There isn't even a leveling spot here. Before the quest starts, everyone can only sit around and wait. Besides, it wasn't easy for me to haul all this stuff here from so far away. I have to make a little profit, right?"

Yin Bukui interrupted their conversation. "Sorry, we aren't interested. Xiaobi, hurry up and catch up..."

Xuan Xiaobi stopped bickering with him and quickly caught up with the group. The fat Mount Hua player continued calling after them, "My name is Jiao Tailang! If you change your minds, remember to come back and find me! Same price!"

Behind them were the lively players; ahead were NPCs with complicated emotions. The three had just followed Zhang Cuishan beneath the wooden platform when an NPC standing to the left of the Dragon Slaying Saber spoke. "Bai Guishou, Altar Master of the Skyhawk Sect's Black Tortoise Altar, greets Fifth Hero Zhang of Wudang Sect. Miss Yin Susu has been waiting for you in the tent for quite some time. Please follow me."

Bai Guishou took the lead, and the four naturally followed behind him.

Yin Bukui said proudly in the Team Channel, "See? I told you our treatment would differ from those who got onto the island so easily."

Before they had gone very far, the sound of fighting suddenly erupted behind them. When the three turned around, they saw several players who had tried to seize the Dragon Slaying Saber while Bai Guishou was away being beaten into white light. When they turned back again, Bai Guishou was still leading the way at an unhurried pace. He had not even bothered to look back once. Clearly, the Skyhawk Sect had absolute confidence in today's assembly.

Yet witnessing the same scene made Ye Weiming's heart sink.

With the Skyhawk Sect's formidable lineup, completing this quest smoothly today did not seem likely!