Happy knew very clearly that the initial interferences were because of the players' undirected behavior. They sometimes launched small-scale revenge plots because they had been bothered or attacked. It had nothing to do with national prestige.
As expected, once Happy said those words, the five people were instantly stunned and looked at each other at a loss.
"Who among you leaked the news?"
"I said nothing."
"No way, did you guess it? We got to know about this from a school mate who went to another country to study. Happy, how did you know about something that's supposed to be behind-the-scenes?!" They stared at Happy in a dumbfounded manner.
In truth, they also knew about Towering Palace.
It was Happy's turn to be dumbfounded. 'These guys… Are they actors? They even managed to fool me.'
"Did you come here with the same goal as Thunderous Battle?" When he thought about it in-depth, Happy's expression became serious. "If you want to set foot in the cities in the coastal area, you will definitely be infringing upon Towering Palace's benefits. With how cautious Palace Master Clear Music is, you'll be forcing her to cooperate with Class One Hall."
Happy knew very clearly that for at least half a year, the foreigners would not be able to catch up with the Chinese martial artists' progress even if they did everything they could. In the end, the system will be forced to balance the game.
It slightly increased the EXP absorption rate for foreigners and decreased the difficulty of their quests so that they could catch up to Chinese martial artists. As of current, there was no need to pay too much attention and waste time on foreigners. Besides, doing so would only make them cross paths with Towering Palace.
Chapter 463 - World of Martial Artists in Other Countries, Independent Branch
Goryeo was the current North Korea and South Korea.
Since their population was smaller and the region was not large either, the resources in Goryeo were comparable to the size of a county. However, there were plenty of youngsters there, and they chased after all forms of entertainment. They were especially interested in the culture of the world of martial artists in the east, which had recently risen in popularity, along with the world of martial artists based on Goryeo according to historical literature and by gathering a pool of resources about them.
There were not many famous sects in Goryeo.
The ones that stood out were Bright Sword Sect, Furious Wind Dao, and Rain Listening Pavilion!
Bright Sword Sect was guarded by the master of Bright Sword Sect, Fu Cailin, who commanded the entire region with his Bright Sword. He was one of the Grandmasters of the world of martial artists, and his reputation was very great. It was rumored that his skills in Go and the sword were exceptionally great.
Furious Wind Dao and Rain Listening Pavilion might not be as great as Bright Sword Sect, but they were not far behind.
Fuso and Daiei were the current Japan…
Ever since the Tang Dynasty, quite a number of China's martial arts had entered the island, and all sorts of sword techniques and saber techniques became popular there. At the same time, karate, which was derived from Shaolin Temple martial arts, was born.
Sometimes, one or two genii with matchless talent would appear!
Thailand and Vietnam were poor and lagging behind. However, the weather in the countries with tropical rainforests developed fighters who had pretty good endurance. Their fist techniques had form, and they were fierce and domineering. Their blows were like gunpowder, and they exploded on touch.
Compared to the impressive techniques from China where the skills were combinations of fierce and soft techniques, their style, where all power in the body would be directed to one strike, and the things they learned due to the acc.u.mulation of culture, was completely different.
During the later half of the three years in Happy's previous life, those two countries enjoyed a period of glory. They had more than one person who entered the top one hundred during the Sword Among Us Tournament at Mount Hua.
*****
"The distribution of territory in World of Martial Arts in China has just been decided. The three great forces have split up the land in the game evenly, and Mu Clan is stuck between them. It's not easy for us to develop, and we absolutely need a breakthrough, but we don't intend to take that silly step and force Towering Palace to side with Class One Hall.
"I believe that Dream Clouds wishes for us to do just that. With Clear Music's level-headed and cautious personality, she certainly wishes that no one will bother her right now so that she can develop her palace in peace.
"If we attack Towering Palace at this moment, those with little power will just be asking for their own deaths. Chivalry Sect and Class One Hall are wary of taking action because they're worried of the backlash."
Phoenix Dances' words dragged Happy back to the present from his memories of his previous life, and he nodded in praise.
"If you can see this, it proves that you can already see the whole picture of the current Chinese world of martial artists. Next time, when you become independent of Mu Clan, you can be even better than before."
When Phoenix Dances heard this, she quickly shook her head.
"The past is the past, and the present is the present. I'm not a kid, and I can tell, you know? It's the best if Mu Clan is united right now! Once it's divided, we might give a chance for Class One Hall to break us. Besides, Mu Clan is about to become the fourth top sect. Our demand for people, branches, and top-class fighters is very high. If we split up, we won't be intimidating at all."
She paused for a moment before she looked around and said earnestly, "That's why there will no longer be any Beautiful Robes Faction in the future, just Beautiful Robes Hall…"
Happy said nothing, just cast a deep glance at Phoenix Dances. He felt that after this girl had experienced so many things, she had become much more m.a.t.u.r.e and level-headed than before. She had gradually gained outstanding abilities and knowledge.
"We came here because we thought of another path to take, and we want to suggest it to you, but it has already been rejected by Big Brother Thunder." She stopped talking for a moment again, and then, resolution appeared in her eyes. "But we think that while Big Brother Thunder's idea of developing steadily right now is correct, our plan isn't considered risky, which is why we decided to talk about it with you. If you think that it's suitable, please help us persuade Big Brother Thunder as well."
"Hmm?"
"What is it?"
Phoenix Dances, the Three Lonely Wolves, and Tea Words sat up straight. "This is what's going on. We've discussed this, and we plan to station a small group of people in Western Region and set up an independent branch over there."
"Independent branch?"
Happy frowned slightly.
True to its name, an independent branch was a stronghold that was outside the clan's protection zone and was self-sufficient.
Even though it retained Mu Clan's name and intimidating prestige, since it would be too far away, its intimidating force would be largely reduced, and there was even a possibility that it would not compare to a large sect in the local area.
"What's the reason behind it?"
"I want to train up the actual combat abilities of those in Mu Clan's War Hall," Phoenix Dances explained.
"Most of Class One Hall's great players have all reached Life and Death Realm! We've made some calculations, and aside from crazy players like One Emperor who are abnormalities, the players will need at least nine months to be able to move from Life and Death Realm to Moksha Realm.
"If being honest, they'll probably need even longer, because mastering one single Life and Death Realm martial art requires at least three months."
Happy said nothing.
"That's why, for the foreseeable future, it will be the world of Life and Death Realm players. Whoever is powerful will climb to the top. We will move from determining fights with qi realms to determining the victor through actual abi
lities. Those abilities include equipment, martial arts, medicinal pills, and other aspects."
Happy recalled the situation in his previous life.
'She's right!'
Over three years, only a few people managed to reach Moksha Realm. Besides, the difference between Moksha Realm and Life and Death Realm was not great. A Life and Death Realm player with around five hundred to six hundred qi points was the same as someone who had practiced a supreme grade Life and Death Realm martial art.
They were very powerful, and if they had fourth-echelon equipment, then even if they could not fight against Inaction Realm martial artists alone and kill them, they had the ability to protect themselves. And the players needed to practice a Moksha Realm martial art for at least half a year before they could officially claim to be Moksha Realm players.
Hence, before Happy left, during the time the Sword Among Us Tournament at Mount Hua became popular in World of Martial Arts, the game was still in the era of Life and Death Realm.
Phoenix Dances and her group's hypothesis and theory were right.
With various main quests, martial art manuals, refined equipment, medicinal pills, and wars of varying scales affecting and influencing them, no one wanted to just focus on practicing martial arts for a year or two and doing nothing else but pushing their qi points up.
Happy was somewhat convinced by their thoughts, but he could not help but ask some questions. "Why Western Region? Class One Hall's branches are in Western Region, and that place is not peaceful. It's also beyond the area where we can provide reinforcements. You can get actual combat experience anywhere, you know?"
"There are many hidden experts in China. Besides, fighting among players has become the main trend, but frequent battles will just drag a sect into a muddy swamp. If we're unlucky enough to run into people who have inherited ultimate techniques like Lu Mingyue, it's also something troublesome, but it'll be different at the borders.
"It's normal for players between countries to engage in PVP. The players who can enter our country from Western Region are definitely extraordinary. They can be a match for our elites, and when we kill them, we won't have to be worried.
"As for Class One Hall, they will also have trouble providing reinforcements for their people in Western Region. Even if we fight, we might not lose!"
Phoenix Dances paused for a moment before giving her second reason. "Also, foreigners have been coming over for our quests, especially those that provide ultimate techniques. I'm not pleased with that. Why can't they just get their own country's ultimate techniques? Why do they have to come for ours? What the heck is wrong with them? Aren't they blatantly trying to steal our stuff? That's why we have to send them back! We can't let any of them in!"
Happy was convinced, regardless of whether it was because of her first reason or second reason!
"I'll go and tell Thunderous Battle later so you're moved to become the second clan master of Mu Clan! You'll be in charge of that branch, since I know that you'll personally go there. I won't stop you, but remember this—you must be careful."
When Phoenix Dances heard Happy's resolute answer, she was pleased before she quickly shook her head. "No can do. Thunderous Battle already said that the second clan master's position is reserved for you."
Happy instantly laughed.
"There's no need for that. Everyone knows that I'm from Mu Clan now. Even if I don't have that title, it doesn't make a difference, while you have the ability to take up that position. You can share some of Big Brother Thunder's burden as well. He's under quite a lot of pressure right now, and I'm constantly away, so I'll have to trouble you."
"I understand!"
Phoenix Dances stood up in surprised delight. "I absolutely won't embarrass Mu Clan!"
Chapter 464 - A Single Boat
Yangjiang County was a large city that was close to the sea. It was located to the south, where Chivalry Sect reigned strong, but there were also some branches from Towering Palace in the area. At the same time, there were also alliances formed by various local sects. There were many people who carried weapons with them on the streets, and it could be said that all sorts of good and bad people were mixed together in that place.
There was a restaurant near the port of the city. Since the port could lead straight to Beijing and all the other places in the coastal area, it became a place where many martial artists landed. Many players liked taking a break there, and as they rested and ate, they tried to see whether they had a chance to find out some new information or trigger a quest.
On one day, an old woman in strange clothes, a beautiful girl with an ethereal presence, along with a teenage girl with an incredibly terrifying purple scar on her face arrived in the restaurant.
This group instantly attracted the attention of countless martial artists.
The restaurant was soon filled with people.
"Golden Flower Granny…"
"Knew it. And since Zhou Zhiruo and A'li are here, it means that Golden Flower Granny wants to get a boat to sail out to sea."
All sorts of whispers rose and fell in the restaurant as the people discussed the matter while their gazes wandered over the trio.
Golden Flower Granny paid no mind to the gazes of the people from the restaurant and just prodded the restaurant with her huge Golden Flower Cane.
"Waiter!"
"Coming."An employee who looked rather smart came before the old woman in a subservient manner. "Dear customer, would you like to eat or rest?"
Golden Flower Granny brought out a gold foil and said slowly, "This is for you. Go get me a boat as well as a boatman. I want to go to the sea. If you do well, the balance will be your reward."
"Thank you, I will definitely perform your task properly."
The waiter was instantly transfixed by the gold foil. He was so happy that he quickly agreed to it and, while holding the gold foil properly, ran out of the restaurant.
Golden Flower Granny bent her back and coughed.
A'li quickly came forward and rubbed her back while she brought out another gold foil and asked the manager to bring out wine, food, and stuffed buns.
"Alright, we'll get them ready!"
The manager took the gold foil with both hands and personally came forward to serve them, as if he was serving his own mother.
A number of people in the restaurant watched this indifferently.
*****
"Big Brother Night Rain, they're here!"
A group of men with simple clothes were gathered together not too far away from the restaurant while waiting for work. There was suddenly a shout, and they looked toward a man with a boorish face in the group.
The person who had called them was the waiter who had taken the gold foil from the restaurant.
"Good job!"
The man in the lead was known as Night Rain Follows Wind. He was well-built and muscular, and he had thick eyebrows and big eyes. They were lively, and when he heard the waiter's words, he stood up, and the heroic presence of a man from the wild was revealed.
"Brothers, we have work to do!"
The group quickly prepared a ship to set sail and waited on it.
Soon, Golden Flower Granny, Zhou Zhiruo, and A'li arrived at the port under the waiter's lead. They were followed by a large group of martial artists.
Those people came for Golden Flower Granny. Quite a number of them were from Beggar's Sect and from the six great system-allocated sects. Among them were also powerful players. They knew that Xie Xun and Dragon Saber were on Spirit Snake Island, and no one wanted to give up on them.
"Cough! Cough, cough, cough…"
When Golden Flower Granny arrived near the ship, she suddenly stopped, bent her back, and began coughing violently.
The hundreds of players behind her stopped and did not move forward.
Some of the smart ones ordered their people.
"Go and prepare a ship."
At that moment, the face of Golden Flower Granny darkened. She suddenly turned a
round, and while she shook her head, she swept a cold gaze over the various martial artists behind her.
"When I go back to the island, I don't wish for many people to follow me."
When she said the last few words, her tone changed, and the chilling killing intent made the expressions of the martial artists change. They instantly realized that the situation was bad.
"Hurry up and leave!"
But it was too late…
Golden Flower Granny suddenly jumped into the air with her hunched body. The distance of dozens of meters between her and the martial artists was instantly reduced to zero, and she shot to the area above the group while airborne!
She swung her Golden Flower Cane in the air, and it created a golden arc.
A vast amount of power came charging down with the force of an avalanche!
Many martial artists only sensed a strange and powerful power charging at them. They coughed up blood the next instant, and their consciousness was destroyed. They fell to the ground and did not stand up again.
Golden Flower Granny attacked a few times, and at least seventy people died at the port!
The martial artists fled without looking back.
Thud!
A number of martial artists who wanted to turn around and flee had golden flowers "stuck" to their heads, and they fell with a thud.
Night Rain Follows Wind, who stood at the port, s.u.c.k.e.d in a sharp breath. He exchanged a glance with his brothers on the ship, and their expressions became much more solemn.
"Cough, cough, cough, cough…"
When Golden Flower Granny saw the other people staying far away from her due to respect, she began coughing violently again. With A'li supporting her, she boarded Night Rain Follows Wind's ship.
The anchor was raised!
The ship broke through the surface of the water and went to the sea from the river.
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