Chapter Thirty: The Leader

Immediately, the number of people in the Purple Void Illusion had already reached the maximum of five hundred, so the first dungeon accessible to the guild also capped at five hundred participants. Night Feather and the others entered the dungeon world one after another through the guild's entrance. The surrounding scene gradually blurred and shattered, then dazzling light reformed it, and everyone found themselves in a vast forest.

Night Feather’s group of six stood at the forefront. Before them rose a massive archway, a hundred meters tall, its stone walls engraved with ancient characters exuding an aura of profound antiquity. The archway stood open, yet within its bounds, a swirling vortex obscured the view. Through the haze, one could barely make out what seemed to be another forest or perhaps an entirely different world.

“Heaven and Earth Snow Lake, do you wish to enter? Entry is limited to five hundred, and only guild members may proceed.” A system prompt echoed in everyone's ears. Night Feather had already looked up information about this place; Heaven and Earth Snow Lake was among the guild’s early dungeons, famed for its generous rewards and contribution bonuses, and ranked as a must-clear map in the early stages. It could be challenged only once per day.

These early dungeons were not only beloved for their abundant bonuses but also for the significant guild contribution they offered. Naturally, Night Feather’s group would not miss such an opportunity—if they wished to reach level forty today, they had to first clear this guild dungeon.

“Let’s go!” Night Feather spoke first, and the six of them stepped forward, heading toward the vortex beneath the archway.

Passing through the vortex, the scene behind it became increasingly clear. The surrounding forest was even more breathtaking than the one they’d left, and in the distance lay a snow-covered lake—the only place where snowflakes drifted gently down.

Night Feather first surveyed the terrain near Heaven and Earth Snow Lake. The road ahead split into several paths, so he had to choose wisely to minimize damage to the group, for the monsters in this place were far stronger than any of them. Caution was imperative; this dungeon was not designed for just six adventurers—

But for five hundred.

Soon, members emerged from the vortex one after another, stepping into the world of Heaven and Earth Snow Lake. Many voiced their amazement at the vivid scene, never expecting such realism—it felt as if they had truly entered another world.

It was so real.

Warm Breeze and her group of six were naturally among them, and she gazed intently at the figure leading the way. Cool Night’s presence made Xiao Mei increasingly curious about the real identity behind the legend. His insight into the game defied all description—no word seemed sufficient, not even “miraculous.”

Guild Leader Cool Night: “Everyone, make sure your teams are properly buffed. When you’re ready, move out. Stay alert.”

Deputy Guild Leader Knowing Warm and Cold: “Each team should have a healer ready, just in case. Follow instructions closely.”

Deputy Guild Leader Dark Night: “Listen carefully. Before disappearing, make sure your teammates cast buffs to bring you back.”

Thus, the five hundred-strong force followed Night Feather’s chosen path. Night Feather glanced back at the mighty procession and smiled, shaking his head. The path they’d chosen was strange and eerie, with a tense atmosphere and a noticeable drop in temperature.

After advancing several hundred meters, some members began to encounter obstacles—unable to proceed, caught by a peculiar adhesive status effect. Players attempted to destroy the sticky substance with their attacks, but to their surprise, it proved impervious.

Guild Member Illness Turned Illusion: “Why can’t we destroy this adhesive?”

Guild Leader Cool Night: “Players of the magic class, please attack those affected by the adhesive status. That will break it.”

Following Night Feather’s instructions, the magic class players stepped in, easily resolving the sticky issue.

Deputy Guild Leader Dark Night: “Watch your step. The adhesive is confined to the edges, not the main path. It drips from the first monster, highly cohesive. Due to level restrictions, only magic class players can remove it.”

Night Feather’s group led the way, but for safety, Knowing Warm and Cold had assigned a top-tier fixed team ahead to scout, protecting Night Feather.

As they progressed another hundred meters, Night Feather’s eyes flashed coldly. He sensed danger and inwardly exclaimed, “Not good!” Though the scene ahead was dim and blurred, he caught sight of a strange disturbance—a shadow darting from a dark corner on the right at lightning speed. If the front team activated their overtime mode now, it would be a waste.

“Retreat!” Night Feather’s voice rang out with authority. His gaze fell on Huang Hong, who understood instantly. Mounted on Abyssal Nightmare, Huang Hong charged forward, brandishing his spear wreathed in icy blue light, slashing down at the shadow from above.

Meanwhile, Night Feather launched twin purple beams from his hands, forming chains that ensnared the shadow.

The fixed team in front, hearing Night Feather’s warning, snapped to attention and retreated at once. Had Huang Hong and Night Feather not held back the shadow, they would have had only two choices: activate overtime mode or suffer casualties.

The shadow looming before them stood nearly fifteen meters tall. As it became clearer, it revealed itself to be a six-armed spider ape.

The creature’s name appeared above its head: Level 35 Six-Armed Spider Ape.

Seeing this monster, nearly everyone’s expression changed. The first enemy to appear was already level thirty-five, and the dungeon’s design meant the next would be twice as formidable. Many players wanted to inspect the spider ape’s stats.

Its eyes glittered coldly, radiating vicious intent, sending chills down their spines. The six-armed spider ape was truly intimidating.

Guild Leader Cool Night: “Defend yourselves!”

As Night Feather spoke, his zither hovered before him. With slender fingers, he played gently, sending two purple beams to form chains that bound the spider ape—just as in the Nine Mountain Mine dungeon.

But this only held the creature for a few seconds. Many fixed teams, under Night Feather’s command, launched attacks, but the spider ape’s health was staggering; hundreds of simultaneous attacks only reduced its HP to ninety-five.

Only Night Feather’s team stood out. Luo Wei, controlling his puppet, attacked under multiple buffs. A lucky “critical hit” dropped the spider ape’s HP by three—a result far superior to the rest.

Each time the spider ape raised its arm to strike, Night Feather shouted, “Watch out!”

Guild Leader Cool Night: “Stay alert! If you get hit, you’re likely dead. This is a one-shot dungeon—death means you’re teleported out. Healers, be ready!”

By now, the spider ape’s HP was down to eighty. Many players watched Cool Night’s team, inspired by their flawless coordination. Their morale soared as the momentum buffs increased.

Guild Leader Cool Night: “Attack its legs. The arms aren’t the key.”

Everyone heeded Night Feather’s advice, focusing their fire on the spider ape’s legs. They soon discovered the legs were extremely tough, but with hundreds attacking at once, the creature’s body trembled. The brief restraint from Night Feather’s team bought time for everyone else to strike. Countless attacks hammered the spider ape’s legs, and with the boost from momentum buffs, they succeeded in dropping its HP by twenty.

The spider ape’s health fell to sixty, and its hardened leg armor began to peel away under the onslaught, exposing its weakness. With this vulnerability, everyone’s morale surged anew.

All at once, four hundred and ninety-four players targeted the spider ape’s exposed legs and unleashed a full-force strike.

Boom.