Preparation For War

"Hold the grass! Brother Ming!"

"Massacre! This is straight-up bullying!"

"Sea Race, do you even know who you're messing with? Time to turn you into grilled seafood!"

The players erupted into cheers. Some rushed to loot the fallen Sea Race warriors, while a few were already holding up bone spears.

"Take it back and glue it together. Maybe we can sell it as a legendary artifact!"

"Bro, these guys just dropped fresh loot. Are we sure we can't skin them for crafting materials?"

But while most were celebrating, one player, Star, froze mid-loot. He had heard the dying mutter of a Sea Race warrior.

"Wait… did he just say 'Sea Race army'?"

Star's eyes flickered as realization struck.

"New plot? Sea Race invasion? Are we getting an expansion pack?!"

Other players quickly caught on.

"Hold the grass. Has the Sea Race invasion event started?"

"When will they attack? I need revenge for my XP loss!"

"Finally, a new enemy! If I have to hunt one more War Hunchback Beast, I might just delete my character for fun!"

"But these Sea Race guys are strong! How are we supposed to fight them?"

"Why panic? Brother Ming is here!"

"Exactly! And Brother Noodle has done a hundred Leaps of Faith! He'll teach the Sea Race how to breathe air!"

Just as the excitement reached its peak, a system notification popped up.

[Issuing Sect Mission: Defend Against the Sea Race Invasion]

Goal: Survive the first wave. Kill 100+ Sea Race warriors.

Mission Evaluation: The longer you last, the better the rewards]

The players exploded with excitement.

"Hold the grass! A sect mission?!"

"An actual storyline?! Let's freaking go!"

"Wait, hold up… if this is a survival event, does that mean we get a fort defense mode?"

While the players were getting hyped, He Yiming was silent.

Even the system had issued a warning.

That meant the numbers coming weren't just large. They were overwhelming.

Hundreds, maybe even thousands.

And worse, a Foundation Establishment cultivator might be among them.

He clenched his fists. If that happened, it wouldn't be a battle. It would be a massacre.

He had seen the power of Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators before. A single one could drown a city, summon storms, wipe out entire sects with a flick of their hand.

And him?

He was only at the late stage of Spirit Vein Realm.

His mind raced.

Should I abandon the sect?

It was the safest option. He could leave, find another opportunity, rebuild later.

But the moment he stepped back, he would lose everything.

The sect.

The players.

The system.

His entire future.

His ambition would die here, buried beneath the Sea Race's advance.

No.

There was no retreat.

He turned to face the players.

"Disciples."

The sect square fell silent.

Hundreds of players turned to him.

"The rain is coming.

"And with it, the Sea Race."

Some players gulped. Others cracked their knuckles.

"The Sea Race and humanity have always been mortal enemies. They will not stop until every one of us is dead.

"They will come in numbers beyond counting.

"Hundreds. Maybe more.

"And among them… a Foundation Establishment cultivator."

One player whispered, "Oh damn. That means they can one-shot us, right?"

Another nodded. "Yep. Time to update my will."

He Yiming continued, his voice unwavering.

"They are strong. They are relentless.

"But I ask you…

"Do you dare stand and fight?"

Silence.

Then, laughter.

Loud, reckless, absolutely unhinged laughter.

"HAHAHAHAHA! BROTHER MING, JUST SAY THE WORD!"

"Foundation Establishment? Pfft. I survived getting drop-kicked off a mountain—this is nothing!"

"If we die, we just respawn! What's the big deal?"

"Hold the grass! This is just a battle royale event with extra steps!"

"LET'S GOOOOOOO!"

The hype was reaching the stratosphere.

Then..

[DING! EPIC MISSION UNLOCKED!]

[All Players] Mission: Defend the Yan Huang Sect

Goal: Protect the sect at all costs. Ensure Sect Master He Yiming's survival.

Reward: 100,000 Contribution Points (split among participants).

Bonus: Special rewards for exceptional contributions.

Warning: If He Yiming dies, the mission fails, the beta ends, and all players will be permanently logged out.]

The players froze.

"Wait, hold the grass. If Brother Ming dies… the beta is over?"

"WHAT KIND OF PERMADEATH SYSTEM IS THIS?!"

"We're not just fighting for the sect… we're fighting for our login rights?!"

"THIS JUST GOT PERSONAL."

One player screamed, "EVERYONE, FORM UP! PROTECT BROTHER MING WITH YOUR LIFE!"

Another ran up with a torch. "Someone start barricading! WE'RE TURNING THIS PLACE INTO A FORTRESS!"

"DO WE HAVE ENGINEERS? CAN WE BUILD TURRETS?"

"This isn't a game anymore. This is survival."

The atmosphere shifted. It was no longer just excitement.

This was determination.

He Yiming gave a small nod.

"Return to the sect. Bring every Sea Race corpse with you. We might learn something from them."

The players moved.

Back at the sect, preparation began immediately.

Some reforged weapons. Others stacked barricades. A few gathered in groups, shouting strategy like overexcited generals.

"Okay, listen up! Tank players at the front!"

"Melee fighters behind them! Ranged on the high ground!"

"DO WE HAVE SIEGE ENGINES YET?"

Meanwhile, He Yiming entered the Sect Master's Secret Chamber.

His thoughts raced.

"To reach the peak of Spirit Vein Realm, I need 2500 Luck Points… but I only have 200."

He gritted his teeth.

"My Colored Arm technique is strong… but against a Foundation Establishment cultivator? I don't know if it'll be enough."

There was only one option.

He closed his eyes.

Electricity crackled.

Golden lightning surged through his body.

A storm rumbled to life.

And He Yiming stood at its center.