Chapter 74: Iron Sword Mad Lion

Running into robbers halfway, combined with the Trade District being so lively, it was impossible not to attract attention.

As soon as Iron Sword Mad Lion finished speaking, a crowd of gawkers swarmed around.

"Hey, isn't that Iron Sword Mad Lion from the Martial Alliance?"

"Is he really that strong?"

"Of course. Look at his level and equipment — he's a rare level 5 expert with at least 6 pieces of Bronze Equipment on him. I've seen the weapon he's holding too. It's called a Knight's Longsword, one of the strongest level 4 Bronze weapons. On top of that, he's killed plenty of players out in the wild. He's built up quite a reputation."

"Tch, he only gets by because he has numbers on his side. What's so impressive about bullying the outnumbered? If he's so tough, let him go up against the big guilds. All he can do is pick on newcomers here. And demanding twenty silver coins? That's way overboard. Even top players would be lucky to have three or four silver on them, let alone twenty. He's obviously trying to make it impossible for people to survive."

"Shh, keep your voice down. He doesn't just rely on numbers — he's got real skill. He used to be a top-tier player in that VR martial arts game before he had to switch to the Divine Realm. Yesterday, while contesting a mob out in the wild, he single-handedly took out four opposing players. Those four weren't noobs — they were all veterans, stronger than us. If he hears you, the moment you step outside the town, you're done for. Your only option would be to delete your character and start over..."

At this, the surrounding players all drew sharp breaths, not daring to say another word. They cast pitying glances at Shi Feng — why did he have to go and provoke an expert? And a protective one at that. Those twenty silver coins were as good as gone. His only alternative was to delete his character and start over, but reaching level 4 wasn't easy. If he deleted, over two days of effort would go to waste. Most people would rather pay up and be done with it than delete their character.

"This guy can't catch a break. Normally, spending a little money would be enough to gather twenty silver, but right now, game currency is not only expensive, it's also nearly impossible to buy up."

"Tell me about it. At these buyout prices, I'm tempted to sell too. But if this trend continues, it'll keep going up. I'm going to hoard as much as I can and save it for later."

Just as the onlookers were lamenting Shi Feng's bad luck, at a small stall on the street, several players clad in luxurious equipment were quietly watching him, all of them wearing faint smiles.

"Ci Xin, should I go help him out? That way, we can make Night Edge owe us a favor." A male Priest said to Ci Xin, who looked like a scrawny monkey.

Ci Xin pondered for a moment and found it reasonable. Although Shi Feng was highly skilled and even knew someone as important as the Ice Goddess, going up against a brutish powerhouse like Iron Sword Mad Lion — who also had guild backing — would undoubtedly put Shi Feng at a disadvantage. If he stepped in to help at the right moment, Shi Feng would surely be grateful.

The favor of a top-tier expert was extremely valuable. Sometimes when tackling a major Dungeon, you'd be short exactly that kind of expert. But without a decent relationship, they'd usually ignore you entirely — or worse, look down on you for having no manners, wondering who you even thought you were.

"We'll definitely go help, but we wait first. Only by showing up at the critical moment can we demonstrate our worth — and it'll be a good chance to show those second-rate guilds what we're capable of." Ci Xin spoke softly, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes.

After many years in the virtual gaming world, Ci Xin knew one truth well: every expert you befriended was another path open to you in the future. Shi Feng was a reclusive expert who knew the Ice Goddess herself — making an enemy of him instead of cultivating a relationship would be asking for trouble and setting up a powerful foe down the line.

Small guilds were destined to remain small. After all these years in the game, they still lacked the judgment to recognize this. It wouldn't be long before they were weeded out.

When the time came, making an example of the Martial Alliance would also solidify the Assassin Alliance's position in Red Leaf Town.

"You little punk, what happened to your tough act? Scared stupid? I told you I'd be back, and when I did, it'd be your end. Now hand over the twenty silver like a good boy, and you can keep playing. Otherwise, delete and start over." Watching Shi Feng stand there in silence, Ximen Piaoxue strutted behind Iron Sword Mad Lion, self-satisfied, thinking Shi Feng was terrified. And rightfully so — Brother Iron Sword's strength was unfathomable. Ten of him wouldn't stand a chance against the man. A mere lone player like this, facing the mighty Iron Sword, had probably been scared witless.

"Alright, Piaoxue, I don't want to make a scene. I'm not a thug. This twenty silver is just a lesson for him — to learn what kind of people he shouldn't mess with." Iron Sword Mad Lion shot Ximen Piaoxue a look, then turned to Shi Feng and said haughtily, "Don't worry. Iron Sword Mad Lion keeps his word. Hand over the twenty silver, and as long as you don't provoke the Martial Alliance in the future, we won't bother you."

Hearing Iron Sword Mad Lion's words, Shi Feng actually produced twenty silver coins from his inventory. They glinted with a silver sheen that drew every eye.

At this critical time, twenty silver coins were nearly impossible to purchase even with Credit Points, let alone produce all at once.

"Holy shit, you actually have money! So Piaoxue was telling the truth — you really are loaded. How about we become friends? I'll have your back. Anyone who messes with you messes with the Martial Alliance." Iron Sword Mad Lion stared at the twenty silver coins in shock, swallowing hard. Even he didn't have twenty silver on him right now. He never expected a lone player like Shi Feng to produce that kind of sum. With this many silver coins, his chances of competing for the Gleaming blueprint would increase considerably.

The watching players were so stunned by the sight of those silver coins their jaws nearly hit the ground.

This Shi Feng was insanely rich — a true tycoon.

Some executives from major guilds grew instantly jealous. Iron Sword Mad Lion's luck was unbelievable — he'd randomly accosted a player and struck the jackpot.

"How is this possible?" From a distance, Ci Xin watched with an expression of utter shock.

But Ci Xin wasn't shocked by the money — it was Shi Feng's actions that completely defied his expectations. Even if he couldn't win in a direct confrontation, this was a safe zone where no one dared to attack. Out in the wild, with Shi Feng's skills, escaping would be no problem at all. So why was he yielding and handing over twenty silver coins?

"You want twenty silver coins, right?" Shi Feng asked, looking at Iron Sword Mad Lion with a smile.

"Mm, let's trade." Iron Sword Mad Lion realized he'd lost his composure and immediately straightened up, ready to initiate the trade with Shi Feng.

Just as everyone was enviously watching Iron Sword Mad Lion about to receive the twenty silver coins for free—

An utterly pitch-black longsword plunged into Iron Sword Mad Lion's chest. In an instant, over a hundred hit points vanished from his health bar. He tried to fight back, only to find countless chains binding him so tightly he couldn't move at all.

Shi Feng calmly pulled Abyssal from Iron Sword Mad Lion's chest, then unleashed a Slash followed by an Earth Splitting Slash onto the man. Iron Sword Mad Lion's health plummeted wildly, with no sign of stopping.

The power of a Magic Artifact was nothing short of astonishing. Coupled with a level 6 Slash and a level 4 Earth Splitting Slash, taking down a level 5 Swordsman clad in Bronze Equipment was almost too easy — and with the advantage of a preemptive strike, even an expert would fall.

Those two strikes drained every last drop of Iron Sword Mad Lion's health. Without even the ability to fight back, he let out a scream and collapsed to the ground, motionless. Then his body dissolved into a shower of starlight, leaving behind a single piece of equipment.

"Anyone else want some?" Shi Feng fixed his gaze on Ximen Piaoxue and the other Martial Alliance members, grinning cheerfully.

In an instant, the entire street fell into deathly silence. Not a single person could utter a word.