Chapter 8: Shaking the Small Thousand World (7)
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Under Liang Shan’s guidance, Lin Nan soared high above the Deficient Moon Valley.
Whether it was her first flight on the Dark Feather Crane or just being too close to the cold, aloof Black-Clothed Woman, Liang Shan’s face had been pale as a sheet.
Only when the grand main building of the Deficient Moon Valley peeked through the dense forest below did his complexion begin to ease up a bit.
As Liang Shan had previously mentioned, the area surrounding the Deficient Moon Valley was a sprawling expanse of mountains and valleys. Many players clustered around the city walls, haphazardly putting together shanties with straw, dead branches, and leaves that looked like they could collapse at any moment.
A gust of frigid wind swept through, making the thinly-clad players shiver uncontrollably. Without quilts or coats, they huddled together in a desperate attempt to stay warm.
In the open space by the city gate, some overturned iron pots lay scattered about, and the ground was marked with remnants of watery porridge. Except for a few remaining drops, the rice grains were nowhere to be found.
Their eyes were hollow, as if they’d completely lost the desire for a tomorrow.
Just a few days ago, they had crossed from the real world into the Asking Dao Continent, filled with excitement and a sense of superiority, but that was all in tatters now.
No one could maintain their dignity in front of hunger.
If they didn’t figure out a better way to tackle the food shortage before the bitter cold fully set in, this vast horde of nearly a hundred million players might not even see spring next year.
The Dark Feather Crane circled above their heads, let out a sharp cry, and then flew toward the valley.
The chaos from last night had taken a heavy toll on the refugees. Many players who had scrambled over the walls at night had turned into frozen corpses by the next morning, piled outside the Deficient Moon Valley, resembling a grotesque human pyramid. It was enough to dissuade the remaining ones from having any thoughts of claiming the city.
The Dark Feather Crane’s arrival only caused their eyes to flicker momentarily—any action from their extreme hunger was risky business, as it might drain their last bit of strength.
A few young boys burst into tears, their chaotic cries punctuated by desperate calls for “mommy” and “daddy.”
The scattered refugees in the forest were silent; after days of torment, they knew for sure they were stuck in this foreign land. Returning home seemed possible only in dreams.
At this rate, they’d all freeze to d*ath in this desolate foreign land…
Up until this point, the people still clung onto the last remnants of their humanity.
But soon, a starving young man, hunching over and stumbling, crawled up to the grotesque human pyramid.
He dazedly looked at the frozen bodies, then at his pale, gaunt hands.
“Waa…”
He cried out “I’m sorry!” while lunging in, desperately biting at the corpses.
The others were startled, quickly rushing forward to pull him back, “How can you eat human flesh?! Have you gone mad?!”
“I’m sorry, I’m just so hungry! Let me have a little, sniffle… just one bite… please, even if it means I d*e stuffed, I don’t want to starve to d*ath.”
The young man clung to the corpse, refusing to let go.
The rest stood there, stunned, before finally letting out a collective sigh.
Who would have thought scenes usually reserved for movies would play out in real life? How could they not be awed?
Such is the irony of fate—no one could fight back against it.
Even though the players hailed from various backgrounds—students, office drones, and those who usually cooked for themselves—what could a clever cook do without any rice? Even if they wanted to help themselves, in this biting cold, nothing could be done.
In a hurry, there weren’t many options for self-rescue!
A number of hibernating animals in the forest had been caught by the starving folks, but it merely offered temporary relief.
The long winter would last at least another two or three months, and by the time spring came, how many of these displaced modern humans, labeled as refugees by NPCs, would still be alive?
“Valley Master, I am the Extermination of Immortals’ leader, Cold Moon.”
Lin Nan offered a slight nod to the Valley Master of Deficient Moon Valley to show respect.
The Valley Master was a middle-aged woman, sharp-looking and thoughtful, clad in a light thick overcoat. Her gaze towards Lin Nan was filled with scrutiny and curiosity.
“So, you are Cold Moon… my apologies.”
The news about the change in Thousand Bird City’s leadership had spread throughout the Human Race, and the mysterious force behind Thousand Bird City was none other than the Extermination of Immortals.
Lin Nan nodded, “I have come to visit primarily to buy some food for the refugees outside the city.”
The Valley Master raised an eyebrow, “Oh?”
“Who would have thought the leader of Extermination of Immortals would be so charitable? It’s just unfortunate that our supplies are tight; even feeding my own people is a struggle. We’re hardly in a position to help others.”
Lin Nan replied, “Name your price. In ten days, I guarantee that each refugee outside gets at least two bowls of porridge per day.
Even if I don’t have enough cash right now, I command Thousand Bird City, Cold Wind City, and White Feather City. Regardless of any debts, I’m sure I could repay you swiftly.”
The Valley Master stared at her intently.
From the moment they met, she sensed that this woman was no ordinary person.
Just that obedient Dark Feather Crane was a coveted high-end mount sought by many cultivators; not to mention the sheer powerful aura radiating from the Black-Clothed Woman.
Since entering the Deficient Moon Valley, her disciples had been silenced in awe, not daring to meet her gaze.
So, if she just agreed without hesitation, wouldn’t that make the celebrated Deficient Moon Valley seem like it had no stature at all among the seven great sects?
With Lin Nan’s sharp perception, she quickly caught wind of the Valley Master’s thoughts.
She proactively suggested, “If you think I’m trying to pull a fast one, how about a little spar? Just a quick exchange of blows won’t disrupt the bigger picture. If I lose, I won’t press for aid.”
The Valley Master considered that, thinking it sounded reasonable. She’d gauge Lin Nan’s abilities first.
Instantly, the entire Deficient Moon Valley buzzed with excitement.
For years, few dared to openly challenge the Valley Master, let alone a newcomer.
Deficient Moon Valley, known for its assassination techniques among the seven largest sects, had carved a formidable place in the Asking Dao Continent.
As the pinnacle of Deficient Moon Valley, the Valley Master was naturally prideful, keen on giving this audacious Extermination of Immortals leader a wake-up call.
If she could easily defeat Lin Nan, it would bolster Deficient Moon Valley’s status to overshadow the Heavenly Sword Sect, perhaps even claim the top spot among the seven sects.
In the center of the oval training ground, the graceful Valley Master and the icy Lin Nan stood ten meters apart.
Liang Shan served as the referee for this little duel.
Initially quaking at the thought of facing Lin Nan, he now feared that the Valley Master would win too easily against the Black-Clothed Woman.
Deficient Moon Valley was renowned for its assassins—it was no empty boast.
Surrounding disciples eagerly cheered for their Valley Master.
“Both, just go easy on each other! Ready, set, go!”
