Merits and a Jinx

Lu Xiu's final choice was something many viewers watching the live stream didn't expect.

They completely ignored Finn and went to execute the traitor.

And it really came one wave after another—for viewers watching the live stream, the whole process was like riding a roller coaster.

First, she encountered Finn from Prison Rock, then was interfered with by Jian Ning, then Lu Xiu started fighting two opponents at once, with two top players activating invincibility, and finally, there was the execution----

It's normal to be absent-minded.

About half a minute later.

The players finally recovered from that Shura, remote execution.

The barrage of comments also exploded like a tsunami.

"Holy crap—that's ruthless, but also incredibly cool."

"What's with the harshness! Traitors deserve to die! I've memorized those guys' IDs, you bastards! I'll go to the forum and curse them out later!"

"This method of execution is so brutal! Just smashing him to death—he's so cute, I thought blocking him was enough."

"Indeed—isn't this going too far? These are all players from Nine Provinces— "

"Shut up! What did you just say that was so incredibly idiotic!"

"That's right! Excessive my foot! They've directly attacked Lu Xiu Lu Xiu! And at this critical juncture, what are they trying to do? Normally it would be one thing! But what time is it now?!"

Two factions are locked in battle! This is the fate of a traitor who stabs you in the back at a time like this! I hate traitors the most!

"Yes! Now that he's confirmed to be a traitor, let's scatter his ashes!"

"My scalp is tingling—I feel like I shouldn't mess with Lu Xiu, right? Not only will I get tortured once, but I'll also be blacklisted afterwards!"

"What was that skill just now? It was so cool! It forced two top players to use their invincibility and survival skills to break free from the control at the same time!"

"Today I truly witnessed what it means to do it all by myself—I reckon both High Sequence players have developed PTSD from this."

"Especially Finn of Prison Rock."

"Just clicked into the live stream. Is this girl, who looks incredibly beautiful and quiet, Architect? She doesn't seem very strong in combat. [doge emoji]"

"That's too strong."

"I don't even want to call her crazy anymore—damn it, I'm actually starting to waver, I actually think she has her reasons. Get away from me! This damn looks-obsessed person!"

"

In the arena.

Lu Xiu was unaware of the outside world's reaction.

After a moment of silence, she made a move that surprised everyone.

Instead of checking her status immediately or even healing herself, she directly brought up the system's kill log panel.

[Notification: You have successfully killed the Nine Provinces faction player "Catnip Without Sugar" (ID: 134****). The target has been forcibly removed from the instance!]

[Notification: You have successfully killed the Nine Provinces faction player "Night Blade" (ID: 114****). The target has been forcibly removed from the instance!]

Lu Xiu stretched out her fair fingers and gently stroked them across the semi-transparent System Panel.

Start recording IDs.

This is in preparation for blacklisting players in future dungeons.

As for Jian Ning's ID—no need to remember it, it was already exposed during the Dark Souls speedrun.

All members of the Nine Provinces live stream:

The Architect my house is really vengeful!

But to be honest...

This approach is indeed very effective in deterring others.

Lu Xiu is not just good at fighting; if she blacklists someone, it means that the corresponding player will never be able to enter the instance she has created.

As Lu Xiu's dungeon ratings increase, the rewards become better and better, making it increasingly important to pay attention to.

That would be too high a price to pay.

The leader of the Spirit Pivot Construction Group broke out in a cold sweat upon witnessing this scene.

certainly.

Lu Xiu was unaware of this matter.

After writing down the last line of ID, she casually waved her hand, and the System Panel turned into particles of light and dissipated in the air.

Next.

She took out the Estus Flask, drank some, and after replenishing her health, her anger slowly subsided.

But anger aside...

She didn't underestimate Jian Ning either.

"There are even skills based on fantasy with such high plasticity."

Lu Xiu put away the Estus Flask, untied her ponytail which had become a little messy from the fight, and while retying her hair, she thought, "My skill pool is still not enough. Fortunately, I can Steal and deprive skills, otherwise I would have to use Effect and Cause Severance or Audience."

Both of these skills have long cooldowns, so you'll need to farm them multiple times. Also, it's essential to farm skills like Hunting Thread, which provides long-range, multi-control abilities; otherwise, you won't be able to retaliate if someone ambushes you from a distance.

Lost in her own thoughts, she stepped over the rubble and headed in the direction Finn had just fled.

Fortunately, she didn't directly express her thoughts.

Otherwise, I'd probably get flamed by the viewers watching the live stream.

Three counter-attack skills!

It's incredibly luxurious!

Still not satisfied!

But that's really what Lu Xiu felt at the moment—probably because the enemies she encountered were becoming more and more troublesome, plus she had just discovered that there really were Domain Skill that could counter cold weapons.

This proves that her initial concerns about creating a "Sifu" were not unfounded.

Therefore, she is now even more worried about encountering things she cannot handle in the future.

After all, a realm like [Edge-less Prison], which directly seals the lethality of cold weapons, can exist.

Who knows what kind of absurd thing might appear later that can't be forcibly pulled into an independent dimension?

"I really need to work hard to get first place on the battle merit list. Maybe I'll get a Root Skill as a reward? Ah, I should have known better than to block the Anor Londo. I should have let the Sister Friede kill some of the players in Prison Rock. Oh well, I'll see if I can go back later."

As Lu Xiu silently planned how to maximize her battle merits, she stepped into the passage.

The dim firelight around them was completely cut off, the light suddenly dimmed, and a cold, damp atmosphere belonging to the forest rushed over them.

Lu Xiu stopped at the edge of the passage.

Instead of blindly chasing after it, she tied her hair back in a ponytail, stood quietly in place, and slowly closed her eyes.

An invisible Mental Strength, centered on her, spread rapidly towards the dark and complex depths of the forest ahead, like silent ripples.

[Special Skill: Anti- Visual Mindscape]

In an instant, the complex forest terrain rapidly reorganized in her mind, constructing a complete mental image.

The towering trees, the rugged cliffs, the malevolent life force lurking in the shadows, and the players—all were laid bare within her perception.

But there was none of that enormous life form, like a raging fire.

A few seconds later.

Lu Xiu opened her eyes, somewhat displeased.

They run pretty fast, though.

Finn's Dao heart was clearly shattered by the unreasonable Neutralize and close-quarters beating.

After using her invincible skill, her survival instinct kicked in completely, and she managed to escape from the limit of her Visual Mindscape in such a short time.

Lu Xiu stood at the entrance of the dark passage, hesitating for a moment.

The terrain of the Darkroot Garden is extremely complex.

Hunting them down is no problem.

However, chasing after a High Sequence player who is terrified One Mind only wants to escape will not only waste a lot of time, but is also very likely to slow down the pace due to the complex terrain.

Not really worth it.

Most importantly, Lu Xiu had promised the Coordination Bureau that she would meet up in the lake area, so there was no need to waste her energy on a loser.

Let Finn escape—his fear will spread like a plague among the players of the Prison Rock faction.

"Never mind."

Thinking of this...

Lu Xiu withdrew her gaze and abandoned the idea of pursuing him.

She checked her current coordinates, then gracefully turned around.

They began following the hidden path along the edge of the Darkroot Garden, heading towards a lower-lying area shrouded in thick white fog.

The lake area.

When Lu Xiu arrived, she found that some other players had already arrived.

There's no Core Bonfire here—not to mention Core Bonfire, even regular Bonfire are rare.

Although it is a strategic position to enter Oolacile.

However, it's clear that most players would rather go to the Painted World than try to seize Oolacile's Core Bonfire first.

Because players have already explored this area briefly during the instance.

The boss in this area is ridiculously powerful.

Amidst swirling white mist.

Lu Xiu spotted two players from the Nine Provinces faction in the distance.

One of them was a round-faced girl whom Lu Xiu did not recognize.

The other one is Jian Li.

Her signature silver hair stood out starkly in the dim light.

Lu Xiu looked at the pretty face that resembled Jian Ning's, but lacked some of her glamorous beauty and had a more aloof air. She paused for a moment, then shook her head and walked straight over.

Hearing the noise, the two turned their heads.

When the round-faced girl saw that the person who came was Lu Xiu, her eyes lit up immediately. She Architect at Lu Xiu with curiosity and excitement, clearly seeing Nine Provinces for the first time.

Lu Xiu nodded slightly to her as a greeting.

Then, Lu Xiu's gaze fell on Jian Li.

The moment Jian Li saw Lu Xiu, a bright light seemed to appear in her normally calm eyes.

until.

Lu Xiu cut to the Open Gate, saying, "Just now, I gave your sister a good beating."

The color in Jian Li's eyes vanished instantly: "----"

The round-faced girl next to him was also taken aback. "Huh?"

Lu Xiu had no interest in any melodramatic scenarios involving discovering the truth later and then misunderstandings.

She hates internal strife.

So she told Jian Li everything that had just happened.

From encountering Finn.

Jian Ning was secretly interfering.

Then, in front of Jian Ning, he used the members of the Play Society as a flail to kill them.

I've told you everything.

Lu Xiu concluded, "That's how it is. She betrayed me, so I exposed her people and blocked her. She can no longer enter my instance."

The round-faced girl looked completely bewildered.

Jian Li lowered her eyes slightly, her eyelashes trembling.

Lu Xiu waited patiently.

Although the possibility is slim.

But if Jian Li harbors resentment towards her because of Jian Ning, then they should break up—to avoid being wary of each other in future battles.

A cold wind blew by, and white mist slowly drifted between the three of them.

The round-faced girl realized what was happening and didn't dare to breathe, fearing that the strongest player in the Strategy Group and the chief Architect of Nine Provinces would suddenly turn on each other right there.

After all—it sounds like Lu Xiu has some kind of conflict with Jian Li's sister.

However.

After a brief silence.

Jian Li wasn't as conflicted or angry as the round-faced girl had expected.

Instead, she felt a little guilty and whispered, "I'm sorry."

Lu Xiu tilted her head. "To apologize for your sister?"

"Yes, she attacked you because of me."

Jian Li pursed her lips and nodded gently.

Looking at Jian Li's slightly tense shoulders.

I remember the way Jian Li sat in the entryway with her knees drawn up to her chest because of Jian Ning's ID.

Lu Xiu sighed softly, then suddenly stepped forward and reached out her fair hand to pinch Jian Li's cool and beautiful face.

"Hmm----"

Jian Li's usually expressionless, beautiful face was instantly distorted by the pinching, and a rare look of helplessness flashed in her usually cold eyes.

The round-faced girl next to her gasped in shock.

Pinch, pinch cheeks?!

"That doesn't make sense."

Lu Xiu tightened her grip slightly, pinching Jian Li's soft cheek. "Her choice is her choice, it has nothing to do with you."

"Adults have to pay the price for their actions. I'm telling you this so you don't feel guilty, I'm just letting you know."

"I don't mind."

Jian Li looked into Lu Xiu's clear and beautiful eyes, and at her stunningly beautiful face without any abnormalities, and slowly shook her head.

"That's good."

Lu Xiu released Jian Li's face, then looked at the water shrouded in white mist ahead. "Are you fighting crystal monsters?"

"Right."

This time, it was the round-faced girl who responded, glancing curiously at the imposing Lu Xiu: "But we've only just arrived, we've only just begun."

"Okay, I'll do it too."

Lu Xiu drew her Nameless Blade, then, as if remembering something, looked at Jian Li again. "By the way, you guys? Where are Shen Nian and the others?"

"She's in the Blighttown."

Upon hearing Shen Nian's name, Jian Li instantly regained her usual composure. After a moment's thought, she summoned the System Panel and set the communication panel to be visible only to her friends.

Three minutes ago.

Shen Nian had just sent her a message.

[Shen Nian]: "I've landed in the middle of a Blighttown, in the middle of nowhere!!!"

[Shen Nian]: "Aaaaaah! This blowgun guy is driving me crazy! My head is covered in bumps from all the blowgun pricks!!"

[Shen Nian]: "After Lu Xiu's design of the underworld map turned into a battle scene, it became even more underworldly! Anyone who didn't know better would think I'd come to hell! I don't even have enough Antidote I brought! After the battle with a thousand people, I'm definitely going to go back and bite her!"

(°A°)⊥|"

What an unlucky guy!

Looking at the long string of resentful text on the communication panel, and the final emoticon of flipping the table.

Lu Xiu tried to hold back, but ultimately couldn't.

Pfft.

Lu Xiu burst out laughing, her eyebrows curving into a beautiful crescent moon. Her clear and melodious laughter echoed through the white mist, her shoulders trembling slightly, and her high ponytail swaying behind her head with her laughter, like a flower in full bloom.

The round-faced girl was stunned when she saw Lu Xiu's powerful aura suddenly disappear and her bright and charming smile vanish.

This is... this is way too unfair!

Fishing for a while.

On the other side.

Finn finally returned to Firelink Shrine.