Section 2

"Fight! Fight! Everyone fight! It would be best if they all died, that way it would be the easiest for me!" Dai Hui, hiding in the bushes, kept praying, exhilarated by his wise decision. He vowed to remain calm and to be the last yellow sparrow.

No price tag can move him; a secret manual, a powerful weapon, or vast wealth could make him very strong. However, regrettably, none of these are the purpose of Li Huang's gaming. He simply enjoys this world, and thus he revels in it. He pays attention to every detail and process of the game. Becoming stronger or weaker is merely a byproduct of his journey, not what he values most, nor is it his pursuit. He simply enjoys this world, and thus he revels in it. He pays attention to every detail and process of the game. Becoming stronger or weaker is merely a byproduct of his journey, not what he values most, nor is it his pursuit.

Dai Hui glanced around and was quite satisfied with everyone's reactions, before finally speaking: "Our classmate Li Huang, this morning, stole the sword of the great hero from Xiangzhong at the Sword-Resolving Pool of the Wudang Sect. What boldness indeed!"

"Oh, quite impressive!" Qisi Zhe continued to speak without pause, yet his body suddenly leaped backward. It seemed he had not exerted much force, but he effortlessly evaded several steps. Li Huang's punch missed its target, but his momentum did not wane, and he quickly unleashed several more punches, yet in the end, they all struck nothing.

This is ... ...

Nevertheless, the intelligence of the players cannot be overlooked. For instance, that Qizhe found a clue and went to the bottom of the valley to wait for an opportunity. Fortunately, only this one person discovered this; if a few more skilled players had come, Li Huang would not have had a high degree of confidence.

It seems you are quite confident as well

The three of them had not spoken to Li Huang for some time, and Li Huang was too lazy to pay them any mind, busily tidying up the textbooks on his desk. It was early morning, and there was still some time before class began. This was also a time that Li Huang had deliberately chosen; during this period, the number of players online in the game was at a low point, making it more convenient to carry out his plans with fewer people around.

Dai Hui was thoroughly injured internally. He was contemplating that if he could not buy off someone, he would try to probe his classmates for Li Huang's whereabouts. However, once Yao Mengjie proposed this idea, Dai Hui's plans fell through. At this moment, the only person who truly knew Li Huang's location might indeed be Yao Mengjie. ... This woman ... . ... Dai Hui secretly gritted his teeth; he was certain he could not obtain any information from Yao Mengjie. The other person who might know was probably Wu Xi.

"Rest assured, since I have said I will not speak, I certainly will not speak." Qisi Zhe declared emphatically, "You better run quickly and not get caught by others, prepare yourself for my next challenge."

Upon looking in the direction from which Dai Huizhao's voice came, it was a massive rock at the edge of the cliff, and the sound seemed to be emanating from behind the stone

But Li Huang just smiled and shook his head: "How would you know if you don't try?"

A class that felt like sitting on pins and needles finally came to an end, and Dai Hui decisively moved to sit behind Li Huang and the others, prompting Yao Mengjie to cast a scornful glance in his direction

"I never expected it to be such a fellow... This is the game. Sigh, if it weren't for the game, how could such a thing be hidden in your pocket? If you couldn't hide it in your pocket and were holding it from the very beginning, I would have naturally been on guard and would definitely not have been hit so easily. It's too surprising, truly too surprising, that there is such a sword. This must be something you made yourself, right?" said Qisizhe.

Suddenly, two sharp shouts reached Dai Hui's ears, and the content of the dispute instantly invigorated him. In the game, his internal skills granted him sharper hearing than in reality, and he quickly discerned the direction from which the shouts came. Dai Hui hurriedly employed his lightness skill, and after several leaps, the sounds of fighting had already begun. He accelerated once more, and before long, the two players engaged in combat entered his line of sight

"The mountain has been closed off, in order to retrieve the stolen sword," said Zhao Yuanzhi

Yao Mengjie tilted her head and whispered to Li Huang, presumably inquiring about the methods of sword theft. Li Huang spoke softly, eliciting waves of astonishment from Yao Mengjie. Even the model student Wu Xi was not paying attention in class, continuously gazing at Li Huang, her long eyelashes not even fluttering.

Of course, this excludes the factors of practical combat and the situation where expert players did not participate in the evaluation of the Sky Tower

In the classroom, eerie sounds of scratching desks and grinding teeth echoed. Amidst this complex background noise, Wu Xi smiled brightly at Li Huang, resembling a rose in the morning light: "I heard that you are quite skilled, Li Huang. I hope you will guide me more in the future!"

"No. Reading novels, watching TV, and watching movies have made me understand a principle: at critical moments, one must not say too much; saying too much will surely lead to trouble. Therefore, I am going to take action. If you want to know, wait until I kill you and retrieve the sword, then we can find a place to sit down and talk slowly." said Qi Sizhe

You speak

Hehe. Zhao Yuanzhi smiled and said, "If this can help recover the stolen sword, it would certainly be a significant achievement. However, with so many disciples searching for the sword and only one sword to be found, the chances of success are akin to winning the lottery. In fact, during the resolution of such a major incident, there will undoubtedly be many subsidiary events to engage in. Recovering the sword is the main storyline, the ultimate goal, but what about my current situation? By assisting Gu Yunfei in managing the mountain closure, am I not also contributing to this matter? Moreover, I can say that my contribution is quite certain. Although it is certainly far less significant than recovering the sword, I cannot leave empty-handed, can I? Therefore, rather than gambling on a lottery-like chance, it is better to focus on doing something with a high degree of certainty here."

Xu Ming and Shang Boran exchanged a surprised glance at him: "Going to class?" Dai Hui, who was obsessed with gaming, often skipped classes. How could he be so diligent as to attend class after an all-nighter?

And now, seeing her standing in front of Li Huang, smiling sweetly at him, Dai Hui's heart was at one moment in the Antarctic and at another in the Flame Mountain

The onlookers held up their portraits, while vigilantly sizing each other up, as if Li Huang understood that the most dangerous place was also the safest, and would similarly stand among them holding his own portrait.

It is truly unsightly..." Qisi Zhe said with a sincere expression

After the morning class, Li Huang was pulled by Yao Mengjie to have lunch with Wu Xi, causing all the boys to turn green with envy and drool.

According to official statements, the Xintian Tower is merely an intelligence agency. Naturally, it possesses certain intelligence while lacking others. As for whether the NPCs not listed will one day appear on the list, the officials have indicated that this will depend on the interactions between the NPCs and the Xintian Tower

However, although both are disciples of Wudang, Qi Sizhe and Dai Hui are quite different

Certainly, the ranking provided by the Xintian Tower is merely an order of precedence; regarding the specific martial arts to be cultivated and the level of refinement achieved, such details cannot be found on the list

"The Person in the Jianghu" is a martial arts online game, thus the portraits sent to the players are done in traditional brush style. The face depicted in the portrait, Dai Hui feels, bears a striking resemblance to Li Huang himself. However, for players who do not know Li Huang at all, it is somewhat challenging to locate him based solely on this image. Some individuals, driven by a suspicion that it is better to mistakenly attack than to miss an opportunity, approach anyone who somewhat resembles him and strike. Those who are more mature and composed, fearing that they might mistakenly attack someone and create an enemy, and worrying about provoking a difficult character, will carefully compare features, much like the players currently observing. They hold the portrait while recognizing and discussing it.

Thus, Li Huang became the object of pursuit for these "street girls," often surrounded by several girls asking him questions as soon as he entered the classroom. As a result, the level of indifference he faced among the boys increased once again. In response, Li Huang could only let out a long sigh, gritting his teeth and patiently playing the role of a question-answering machine under the envious gazes of the boys.

Good morning. Li Huang turned around and smiled at Yao Mengjie

How to find Li Huang? Dai Hui pondered for a whole day. At first, he felt that he still had some advantages. He was well aware of how far Li Huang could run during the time after successfully stealing the sword, and Dai Hui had a clear idea in his mind.

Hello, Li Huang

The lost patience suddenly returned, as this sound made Daihui feel a sense of familiarity

Dai Hui was consumed by jealousy, glancing at the two individuals beside her who were sleeping soundly. Instantly, a surge of anger erupted within her, and she slapped her hand down, exclaiming: "Stop snoring, it's so noisy!"

Dai Hui received the letter and hurried over, only to suddenly realize that not all the disciples guarding the gate of Wudang Mountain were NPCs; there were actually players among them. In particular, wasn't that person none other than Zhao Yuanzhi, the top player expert of the Wudang Sect?

Li Huang turned around and left again, leaving Dai Hui, who was left hanging in vain, with a face ashen with anger. After a moment of daze, he got up and pulled out his textbook from the desk

Who issued the order? Dai Hui asked

The messages were all aimed at the stolen sword he possessed, with some offering martial arts manuals in exchange, others proposing to trade exquisite weapons, or even outright promising real cash... Li Huang admired the boldness of these crazy heroes from Wudang, marveling all the way.

As expected of the third of Wudang. Li Huang thought to himself, quickly stepping aside. Although it was not graceful, he managed to evade the reach of Qi Sizhe's palm with a large stride.

"Then do not disappoint me, draw your sword, and I may spare you," said Qisi Zhe

Dai Hui could no longer endure the situation and was about to explode when he saw the teacher returning to the podium; the second class had already begun. Dai Hui had no choice but to swallow his anger, nearly causing internal injury. He then heard Yao Mengjie whispering to Li Huang: "Li Huang, you must not tell anyone about this, not even your closest classmates."

The Wudang Sect has closed its mountain, prohibiting non-Wudang disciples from ascending. Furthermore, even the game settings that allowed new players to join the Wudang Sect have been temporarily suspended.

Hehe, it's nothing. Li Huang was being modest

"Yes, so I put it all in my pocket." Li Huang nodded

In the world of "Jianghu," when a player dies, they lose a significant amount of money, equipment, items, and martial arts skills. Dai Hui felt a surge of anger and directed it towards Li Huang, who had arrived late. If there had been an additional Li Huang, perhaps they could have turned the tide, or at the very least, managed to retreat unscathed

"Well, let's take a look at it again in the evening!" said Li Huang

Girls are not as enthusiastic about intense competitions as boys; instead, they show great interest in chatting, gardening, and trying on fashionable clothes—activities that boys often find quite dull. Even completing tasks seems mentally taxing for them, and Li Huang, a task expert, can provide them with considerable assistance

Li Huang entered the game, and as he expected, he received a large number of carrier pigeon messages, filling up his maximum limit for receiving transmissions. However, Li Huang had no time to examine the peculiar contents of these numerous messages, because at the very moment he reached his limit, he sensed that someone was nearby

While planning to act quietly and avoid exposing himself right away, Dai Hui approached and thought, perhaps it would be better to reconsider! He realized he was not the first to arrive; Wudang Mountain was bustling with activity! Such a loud shout instantly attracted a crowd, who surrounded the scene, yet no one dared to intervene recklessly. One by one, the Wudang players began to unfold a scroll, trying to identify the two individuals who were entangled in a fight.

Why is this happening! Clearly, my level is higher than his! My equipment is better than his! My reputation points are among the top!

Dai Hui's expression showed signs of losing composure. Yao Mengjie was far less beautiful than Wu Xi; in Dai Hui's eyes, she was merely a noisy bystander. He was itching to curse her as a shrew, but with Wu Xi present, he suppressed his anger and said: "I know lightness skills; I can leap to the top in one bound, so why bother with a regular jump?"

Li Huang is likely to be short on time recently

Shang Boran was awakened from his sleep and instinctively thought he was being called upon by the teacher, with a classmate reminding him. He quickly stood up, which immediately caused a burst of laughter from everyone.

Well, I have guessed it; your deployment requires a thorough understanding of Wudang.

Dai Hui has also found it quite difficult to casually call out this name; he has become accustomed to the various negative emotions intertwined with it.

So your Soft Cloud Sword cannot confine me!

Several classmates exchanged glances and could only nod in agreement. Dai Hui and Zhao Yuanzhi said their goodbyes and were about to leave when suddenly curiosity struck: "Yuanzhi, why aren't you going to find that guy who stole the sword?"

Li Huang has already seen this person, yet this individual remains completely unaware that someone has appeared here

"Alright, let's go! I also want to see what weapon you use. Is it a sword as well?" said Qisi Zhe

Li Huang stopped in his tracks and turned around

"In the Jianghu," unlike other online games, players do not have their names displayed above their heads. Therefore, to confirm whether someone is Li Huang, they must first compare images.

Li Huang had been dodging left and right, but when he uttered the words "Cannot trap me," by the time he finished the four characters, he had already torn a wound from the sword net woven by Qi Sizhe, delivering a punch directly to Qi Sizhe's chest

Li Huang hurriedly turned around and saw a young man in a white robe lying sideways on a large rock beside him. He supported his head with his left hand, held a blade of grass in his mouth, and grasped a sword with his right hand, rhythmically striking his shoulder and waist with both the sword and its sheath. The sheath was purple, and with the man's movements, the sword occasionally slipped out of the sheath by a few inches, faintly shimmering with a green light.

It is surprising that someone is here, and judging by the person's bored expression, it is likely that the one waiting is Li Huang

After thinking it over, I realized that I have this unique opportunity to share a dormitory with Li Huang, yet I have not made any use of it at all. Dai Hui is once again thinking about gnawing on the desk.

It seems that they are already aware of what Li Huang has just done in the game

Qi Sizhe fell silent for a moment: "Alright. Reluctant to part, I heroically sacrifice myself for others to reap the benefits. Have I truly become a hero?" As he acknowledged this, Qi Sizhe also mocked himself.

"Like you, I have merely conducted a thorough and meticulous investigation." Qisi Zhe smiled again

The direct disciple of Master Zihe has six individuals, with Gu Yunfei being the sixth in rank and the youngest, appearing to be just in his early twenties. However, he is described in the official character card as a genius among geniuses, reportedly possessing an extraordinary ability to remember martial arts techniques at a glance. In terms of strength evaluation, his level is marked with a question mark, indicating that his capabilities are unfathomable

Therefore, reclaiming the Tai'a Sword and returning it to the great hero Xiangzhong is a matter of a hundred times greater importance than killing Li Huang. If the Tai'a Sword can be retrieved, it is certain that Wudang will bestow significant rewards. Moreover, this concerns the prestige of Wudang, and the sword must be reclaimed swiftly. The sooner it is done, the more substantial the rewards may be. If it takes a year or more to retrieve the sword, the rules of the Wudang Sect regarding the Sword Release Pool may have already been abolished due to pressure from the martial world. In that case, reclaiming the sword would only be a slight restoration of face, and the significance would be worlds apart.

"Not too long." Qi Sizhe smiled

Unexpectedly encountering such a skilled opponent upon entering the scene left Li Huang feeling quite challenged. In the blink of an eye, five seconds had passed. As Li Huang made his appearance, Qi Sizhe, who had been lazily reclining on a large rock, instantly reacted. He bent his body and flipped up, his sword still sheathed, but his left hand came down in a palm strike, as if he feared that Li Huang might escape and wanted to secure him firmly.

Haha. Li Huang smiled and said, "Can you bear to do that?"

The one guarding the mountain gate is Gu Yunfei, one of the direct disciples of Zihe Zhenren, the leader of the Wudang Sect and the foremost expert in the martial world, known to those players with some knowledge of the Jianghu.

However, seeing that no one could blend in, everyone's mindset became balanced, and they began to point fingers at those embarrassing individuals

When the game was newly launched, a throng of new players nearly overwhelmed the gates of the Wudang Sect, marking a moment of great excitement.

"This is a long story," Li Huang had just begun to speak when he noticed that the teacher had already arrived at the classroom door. The students who had not yet taken their seats hurriedly occupied their places. Yao Mengjie and Wu Xi were sitting in a row, leaving an empty seat between them. She waved to Li Huang, saying, "Li Huang, sit here"

There was no one behind the boulder, but there were quite a few scattered items on the ground. Dai Hui had a keen eye and immediately spotted a sheathed longsword among the three weapons lying horizontally on the ground.

"Indeed," Li Huang nodded.

The crowd was in an uproar. Although Dai Hui emphasized the word "thief" with a heavier tone, it was just a game; after all, if one could kill people, what was the big deal about stealing a sword from an NPC? No one was truly troubled by this issue. Instead, they felt genuine agreement with Dai Hui's somewhat sarcastic remark of "good courage".

Dai Hui made a sound of acknowledgment and quickly left. Xu Ming and Shang Boran exchanged a glance, promptly pulled out their textbooks, and followed closely behind like two attendants.

This back and forth has indeed delayed some time, but Dai Hui is now completely at a loss regarding finding Li Huang, which is why he is willing to waste this time

Dai Hui certainly would not remind them, as Li Huang was not present at all. He allowed this group to waste time here and left quietly.

Two seemingly unremarkable things, when combined together and paired with the background of a Wudang disciple, immediately brought a name to Li Huang's mind—Qi Sizhe

Dai Hui once pursued Wu Xi. He came from a distinguished family, possessed remarkable looks, and had great confidence in himself. He believed that a perfect girl like Wu Xi was naturally meant to be his girlfriend, just like luxury sports cars and watches. She would serve as a striking embellishment beside him, the young master Dai.

"Well then, goodbye." Li Huang shouldered the great sword and waved his hand.

The theft of the Sword-Resolving Pool of the Wudang Sect is a significant event, and it is bound to yield substantial rewards. If someone can assist the Wudang Sect in resolving this trust crisis, players believe that regardless of whether they are disciples of Wudang or not, they will certainly receive the commendation of the Wudang Sect

Li Huang!" Just as he was about to step out, Dai Hui suddenly called out loudly. It had been a long time since he had addressed him, and the name sounded quite awkward when it came out of his mouth. Clearly, he felt uncomfortable saying it, yet he had no choice but to call out.

As Li Huang just entered the general education classroom, he was immediately given a spirited slap on the back by someone

Hahaha, you don't really think your abilities can escape the assassination order issued by the Wudang Sect, do you? Dai Hui's smile revealed a sincere ferocity

Then I wish you a long journey! Zhao Yuanzhi smiled faintly

That depends on how you use it. If you use it this way, indeed, no one would have expected you to pull such a large sword out of your pocket, making it quite difficult to evade. However, if one were to be forewarned, as I mentioned earlier, and had taken precautions, they would not easily be hit. Furthermore, it has a significant drawback.

This sword is rather excessively large. It is as tall as a person and as wide as a person, lacking any sword light, as it is almost entirely covered in rust.

Did you obtain the sword of the great hero from the Sword-Removing Pool?" Dai Hui asked

I see through this figure in the yellow shirt

Dai Hui is the dormitory leader, and Xu Ming and Shang Bo Ran are close to him. Consequently, the three of them have developed a negative opinion about Li Huang. They do not interact much in the game, and when they see each other in daily life, their demeanor is also quite cold, occasionally exchanging sarcastic remarks.

Of course, Li Huang smiled, and Dai Hui's face immediately revealed an expression of ecstatic joy. Just as he was about to speak again, Li Huang uttered two words—"Not for sale"

You?" Yao Mengjie glanced at Dai Hui with evident disdain, "How could the Wishing Pavilion on Mount Dancang be so easily reached? Can you do it?"

Dai Hui, constrained by Wu Xi beside him, suppressed his anger, ignored the woman, and continued to try to persuade Li Huang: "Alright! Li Huang, if you want some excitement, just name a place, and we will have a duel. If I win, I only want the sword. If I lose, you can dispose of me as you wish"

This ... ... should be considered a sword, right

What the Wudang Sect cannot tolerate is clearly not an act of righteous bravery. What exactly did Li Huang do that was so outrageous?

Yao Mengjie rolled her eyes and interjected with a retort directed at Dai Hui, before finally turning her gaze towards Li Huang. She was well aware that Dai Hui would only make such a statement if he was confident in his position.

Haha, that's absolutely right! Dai Hui, if you have any ambition, then don't resort to this kind of talk. If you have the ability, go find Li Huang, kill him, and take the sword.

This is a player's name. "People in the Jianghu" real-name authentication, the name is the real name, the appearance is the true appearance. Li Huang in the game is indeed Li Huang, Qi Sizhe is Qi Sizhe, and Dai Hui is naturally Dai Hui.

You all just wait for my news here!" Dai Hui could only helplessly say to the several classmates who had come to help.

In the corner beside the mountain gate, there were players piled together in various strange shapes, all of whom had previously attempted to breach the mountain gate but were subdued by the disciples of the Wudang Sect through acupoint sealing. Among them were many renowned experts within the player community, all serving as living warnings for the Wudang Sect.

He decided to first ascertain the situation behind the boulder before proceeding.

Dai Hui is a disciple of the Wudang Sect. Li Huang has obtained the sword from the Wudang Sword Pool and has become a public enemy of Wudang. It is likely that Wudang has issued a bounty order for its disciples in the martial world. Dai Hui must have received this order, which is why he brought Xu Ming and Shang Boran offline to observe.

Li Huang smiled upon hearing this. When Dai Hui asked him in the morning whether the sword was for sale, he had already guessed that the most important item in the Wudang Sect's assassination order was certainly to retrieve the Tai'a Sword, rather than to kill him, Li Huang

Yuan Zhi!" Dai Hui quickly approached to greet him, knowing that Zhao Yuan Zhi was a master. He had previously intended to befriend him and finally found someone he could converse with.

Is there even a need to try? Dai Hui restrained himself from calling him an idiot. This is not a martial arts novel; the rules of Wudang are strict, and the number of disciples is limited. This is currently the most popular online game in the country, and the disciples under Wudang number well over a million. You don’t even have a sect now, do you? The Wudang skills you learned before must have become useless by the time you left the sect. Any player with a slightly higher level could easily defeat you. Moreover, Wudang has sent two of its most esteemed disciples, Ling Feixiao and Gu Yunfei, to handle this matter. The Wudang skills you learned before must have become useless by the time you left the sect. Any player with a slightly higher level could easily defeat you. Furthermore, Wudang has sent two of its most esteemed disciples, Ling Feixiao and Gu Yunfei, to handle this matter. I don’t need to tell you how powerful these two NPCs are, do I? With just a finger, they could take down a whole group of players. How do you plan to escape?

Can such a thing still be considered a sword? Qisi Zhe was trying hard to convince himself

"Alright, be careful, I am going to use my weapon," Li Huang said.

Li Huang is a second-year student at LGE Academy's senior department. He and his three roommates have been immersed in the game "People in the Jianghu" since its release. However, no one expected that the originally harmonious group of four would develop a rift due to the game.

I see that your punch has a follow-up move. Fortunately, my lightness skill is quite good. How about that? Not bad at dodging, right? Qi Sizhe surprisingly praised himself and even attempted to earn his opponent's commendation

Wu Xi has also been brought into the game! As soon as Yao Mengjie finished speaking, all the boys in the classroom immediately raised their eyes, their scorching gazes resembling a million flying arrows, all aimed at Li Huang. Wu Xi! The goddess of dreams for all the boys in the school, Wu Xi! How could she, with her stunning smile, be walking towards that detestable Li Huang!

Dai Hui is inducing.

"Forget it, even if you die, you will lose your cultivation and equipment, which is quite a pity." Li Huang smiled; he had a good impression of Qi Sizhe and was quite willing to befriend him, so he did not intend to kill Qi Sizhe

Qi Sizhe lay back on the large rock again. However, this time it was not by his own leap or climb, but rather he was struck and sent flying by a sword from Li Huang, landing directly on it. His posture was far from the elegant and comfortable stance he had at the beginning; he stared blankly at Li Huang, gazing at the sword in Li Huang's hand

This is the online protection for "People in the Jianghu". When players go online, they have five seconds to observe their surroundings. During these five seconds, their location appears as a blank space to any other player or NPC. Only after five seconds will the player truly appear in the scene.

Your choice is wise, as it can be kept in your pocket, looking neither unsightly nor drawing attention to oneself. Qisizhe also nodded.

I have thought of a solution, said Qisizhe

"Now you have been caught by me, I am leaving," Li Huang said with a smile

"Put away your great sword! It looks terrible, really," Qisizhe shouted in the end

Surrender the sword!

"Hahaha, I got it, I got it, it's the sword of the great hero of Xiangzhong!" The player exclaimed excitedly, performing a graceful somersault off the giant rock. However, before he could land, several beams of cold light shot up, instantly pinning him to the giant rock.

Li Huang knew without looking back that it was his classmate, Yao Mengjie, who was greeting him. "People in the Jianghu" is not only popular among male players, but also has a significant number of female players, and Yao Mengjie is one of them. She has also brought many of her female classmates into the game.

"Didn’t you say it yourself? Without any skills, who would dare to steal a sword from the Sword Pool of Wudang?" Li Huang said

Currently, the systems holding the front line are all NPCs, and the players' cultivation levels are evidently still quite low. However, the strength of NPCs does not refresh like that of players; although their cultivation can improve or regress after being injured, there is another aspect: NPCs' names can also disappear from the leaderboard. This does not occur because the NPC has gone to the Celestial Tower to make such a request; rather, it is because the NPC has already died. When players die, they can respawn, but when NPCs die, they exit this world permanently. This has led players to subtly feel that one day, the phrase "people in the martial world" may exist without any NPCs, truly becoming a martial world composed entirely of players.

"Soft Cloud Sword." Li Huang called out the name of this sword technique

Not bad, truly impressive. One can tell at a glance what kind of martial arts it is; such insight is indeed quite rare

Dai Hui's heartbeat suddenly began to quicken; he could recognize Li Huang at a glance, but he would also need to compare the sword with the portrait.

The further one walks towards the valley entrance, the more the steep peaks on both sides become gentler. Upon reaching a slope that is completely walkable, Li Huang no longer continues forward but instead chooses to walk up the slope, preparing to cross the mountain directly. However, after taking just a few steps, he is compelled to stop in frustration.

Suppressing the jealousy that burned him alive, Dai Hui asked in the signature gentle voice of Young Master Dai: "Wu Xi, do you also want to play 'People in the Jianghu'? Have you already created an account? If not, I can help you out; just let me know what you need."

Li Huang felt a genuine admiration for Dai Hui. How could this guy manage to have a frosty expression when looking at himself, yet instantly turn around and smile as warmly as spring?

Does he have time? It's up to you to decide

Li Huang has traveled extensively, experiencing countless tasks and events, gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience. He noticed that although Qi Sizhe's palm strike had not yet landed, the force of the palm wind had already pushed him back to the brink of falling. He immediately recognized this as the Wudang School's Zhenshan Palm technique. Qi Sizhe's palm strike could already exert a force one meter away, indicating that both his internal strength and palm technique were remarkably advanced.

The Wudang Pursuit Order! The classmates playing "People in the Jianghu" in the classroom suddenly turned to look at Li Huang in surprise

Wudang, as a premier and prestigious sect, emphasizes decorum and reason. Unlike the evil sects such as the Demon Cult and the Wushan Sect, where offending a significant figure can lead to a death warrant being issued against you, Wudang only resorts to such measures when absolutely necessary. If Wudang is compelled to issue a death warrant, it indicates that the individual in question is either a major threat to the martial world, intolerable to the point of no return, or has committed an act that Wudang cannot possibly condone.

Good!" Li Huang unexpectedly responded. He had a rather favorable impression of this third-ranked master of Wudang. It's a game! It should be like this. I am the one stealing the sword, and you are the one trying to retrieve it; at this moment, we are in opposition, we are enemies. However, once the event is completed, everyone can return to the same player identity, and it wouldn't hurt to be friends. We are all just looking for some fun; why create so much animosity for no reason? But once the event is completed, everyone can return to the same player identity, and it wouldn't hurt to be friends. We are all just looking for some fun; why create so much animosity for no reason?

Well, that's settled then. Don't reveal the secret of my great sword!" Li Huang Gao tapped his great sword with his hand

White robe, purple scabbard long sword

One could probe Wu Xi for information, but this might lead Wu Xi to perceive his intentions, thereby damaging his own image, which is something Dai Hui is even less inclined to allow

"One can observe the clouds from within the pavilion, as it is originally constructed for the purpose of allowing people to view the clouds and rest. Why must one leap to the top of the pavilion?" Dai Hui was well aware that his skills in lightness martial arts were not sufficient to carry someone to such a height. Yao Mengjie was evidently cognizant of this fact as well, which is why she confidently used this point to make her argument.

With Gu Yunfei's level of hearing, it is considered an astonishing realm in the current understanding of the players. The players' current standards have not yet reached a level where they can have any deep interactions with Liu's eldest disciple, so no one is clear about Gu Yunfei's true nature. At this moment, after such a remark was made, Dai Hui immediately felt a chill run down his spine, unsure of how to lead people up the mountain. Zhao Yuanzhi, on the side, smiled wryly and said, "I think we should just forget it, right?"

At this moment, he was somewhat distant from that side, and the specific appearance of the sword was not entirely clear. However, a strong premonition had already arisen in his heart. He suppressed the urge to rush forward immediately, standing at a distance and circling around, precisely to guard against this moment

Dai Hui found himself in a somewhat amusing yet exasperating situation. Upon glancing at the two individuals entangled in a scuffle, he immediately recognized that neither of them was Li Huang. It was evident that this was a misunderstanding, a case of mistaken identity.

"Therefore, defeating me is the only thing you can do," Li Huang said

Everyone acted in unison, showing no signs of guilt towards the unfortunate player. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, yet at this moment, there seemed to be an excess of orioles. The player's excited cries before death quickly attracted more players. The sword of the hero from Xiangzhong lay on the ground, but at this moment, anyone daring to touch this sword knew what fate awaited them.

The person who acted was none other than the Wudang Sect players who had rushed to this place after hearing the shouts. An item that could be exchanged for an exceptionally high reward might even cause a rift between friends, let alone among strangers who are not acquainted. In the game, equipment and items are of great importance and value. In comparison, friendship and camaraderie among peers are rather insignificant.

"How did you do it?" asked Yao Mengjie, her eyes sparkling.

Li Huang turned around and looked at Dai Hui

In complete confusion, Dai Hui continued to wander aimlessly in an attempt to win a prize. As a result, he encountered two more such mistaken identity incidents, yet he did not catch even a glimpse of Li Huang. Just as he was losing patience, he suddenly heard a loud shout from over there: "I will fight you to the end!"

"It should not be the sect master's order; it is likely the idea of those two responsible for this matter," Zhao Yuanzhi said. The two, of course, refer to Ling Feixiao and Gu Yunfei, the sixth disciples. Dai Hui's concern about this issue is not without purpose. If this were an instruction from the sect master, then an external disciple would need the sect master's order to ascend the mountain; Gu Yunfei would not dare to privately allow anyone to go up. However, since this is the idea of these two disciples, then it is entirely up to Gu Yunfei to decide here. If he can provide an explanation, perhaps it would be possible to bring people up the mountain.

Zhao Yuanzhi's remarks left Dai Hui feeling convinced, yet he showed no intention of changing his mind. He simply nodded and laughed, saying, "You are right, but I still prefer the feeling of winning a big prize"

Li Huang suddenly became the center of attention again. In that position, even he felt somewhat awkward and uncomfortable, but Yao Mengjie continued to urge him without concern: "Hurry up!"

Qi Sizhe is one of the outstanding players in this competition. He ranks third in Wudang cultivation, which means that according to the system's data assessment, Qi Sizhe is the third highest skilled player among Wudang players

He is still very confident. Li Huang smiled

Take a closer look ... ...

Oh? Dai Hui!" Zhao Yuanzhi turned around and responded.

"This is not good," Qisi Zhe shook his head. "Even if you do not kill me, I will still strive to fulfill the assassination order. You have spared me once, but I truly cannot bring myself to spare you. The reward for this assassination order must be quite substantial, so if you do not kill me, it will indeed leave me in a dilemma. You might as well just kill me!"

Dai Hui did not slack off; he dashed out in a single leap. Almost simultaneously, he saw several figures also rushing towards the giant rock at the edge of the cliff. Dai Hui's heart tightened, and he immediately had a different thought. He deliberately slowed his pace, choosing not to rush forward like those individuals, but instead took a wide detour around the area.

The matter between Dai Hui and Li Huang is known to all the classmates in the class. Yao Mengjie has always looked down on petty-minded boys, and as long as someone is considered her friend, she fiercely defends them. It doesn't matter if Li Huang is in the right or not; Yao Mengjie can arrogantly create a justification for him.

As he gradually reached the valley entrance, Li Huang had already stowed the giant sword back into his pocket. Along the way, he passed the time by reading a large number of flying pigeon letters.

How? Li Huang put down the sword

Once again, he spoke four words while already making his move; however, this time there was a pause between the two words, so it can be considered as four and a half words' worth of effort. Li Huang swung his sword and struck.

"How could you possibly create such a sword? What is your purpose? It must have some special function, right?" said Qisi Zhe

"Hmm, not bad," Li Huang said

Many skilled players cannot afford to lose face and have chosen to log off to avoid the situation. Little do they know that although their characters have left the game, the system, in pursuit of realism, has retained their appearances. While the players themselves are absent, their reputations continue to suffer. As for the players who have intentions of infiltrating Wudang, upon arriving here and witnessing these events, each of them has changed their expression.

At this point, it is evidently too early to consider this issue, as the players' skills are still far from being able to challenge many of the NPC masters. Players are more focused on the rankings of pure players, observing the competition among themselves.

Li Huang! It is Li Huang!

"You have placed this giant sword in your pocket. Had I known in advance, this move would certainly not have saved you; perhaps I would have already gained the upper hand due to my lightness of foot. Now, I have decided not to reveal the secret of your giant sword, which means you can still use this method to save yourself at least once. Does this count as not saving you once? Can it offset the favor you granted me by letting me go this time? In this way, you do not need to kill me, and next time I have a chance to succeed, you won't have to feel conflicted. Quite good, isn't it?" said Qi Sizhe. Does this count as not saving you once? Can it offset the favor you granted me by letting me go this time? In this way, you do not need to kill me, and next time I have a chance to succeed, you won't have to feel conflicted. Quite good, isn't it?" said Qi Sizhe.

Li Huang

In the evening, after finishing dinner, Li Huang returned home and, after a brief rest, finally took the gaming headset. Dai Hui quickly pulled the headset out from under the covers and put it on his head, entering the game ahead of him

Dai Hui's heart was already ablaze with eight hundred flames, yet he still forced himself to hold back and no longer discussed the matters of the Wangfu Pavilion and the clouds of longing. Instead, he smiled and said, "That is indeed a bit of a pity; Li Huang will probably not have much time for a long while."

Before Zhao Yuanzhi had a chance to respond, Gu Feiyun unexpectedly interjected, "There is no way."

Of course there is

However, one point to note is that the cultivation assessment of the Celestial Tower requires players to actively sign up for the evaluation; otherwise, they will not appear on the cultivation ranking. Once players participate in the assessment, as long as they do not cancel, the changes in cultivation will be automatically updated.

Li Huang still smiled

The reason is that Li Huang has been immersed in various tasks since entering the game, while the other three, like the vast majority of players, enjoy the continuous enhancement of their abilities. Tasks are merely one of the avenues for them to improve their strength; they pursue the rewards of the tasks, not the process itself. Enhancing their strength and navigating the martial world, what they seek is the thrill of bloodshed and vengeance. They find it particularly difficult to understand Li Huang's approach of engaging in various tasks and treating the online game as a single-player experience.

Sigh... Dai Hui let out a breath. He wanted to bring some helpers, partly to ensure a high chance of success when dealing with Li Huang, and partly to maintain his own competitiveness. At this moment, although Wudang Mountain was filled with disciples searching for Li Huang, these individuals were motivated by rewards, aiming to gain recognition from the sect after resolving this major incident. Therefore, the Wudang players were not united in their enmity; instead, they regarded each other as rivals, fearing that others might benefit from the situation while they themselves ended up empty-handed. At this moment, although Wudang Mountain was filled with disciples searching for Li Huang, these individuals were motivated by rewards, aiming to gain recognition from the sect after resolving this major incident. Therefore, the Wudang players were not united in their enmity; instead, they regarded each other as rivals, fearing that others might benefit from the situation while they themselves ended up empty-handed

The rankings include various sects, overall rankings, NPCs, exclusive player rankings, and comprehensive rankings

On Wudang Mountain, wherever one can find a place to land, there are disciples of Wudang. This statement is by no means an exaggeration when expressed today

What are you doing

At this time, the influx of people to Wudang Mountain was not limited to the players of the Wudang Sect. Players from various other sects and factions, having learned of this news through various means, also rushed to Wudang Mountain in hopes of luck. However, these disciples from non-Wudang sects would be stopped at the foot of Wudang Mountain.

This image was sent along with the assassination order issued by the Wudang Sect, and there are a total of two pieces. One is of Li Huang, and the other is of the sword of the great hero from Xiangzhong

"Impressive!" Qi Sizhe exclaimed in surprise. With his Mountain-Shaking Palm, anyone with weaker cultivation would have been immobilized by the palm's wind, left to wait obediently for the strike. Yet, Li Huang was able to step away from within less than one meter of his palm, and it appeared to be effortless. Qi Sizhe immediately realized that this opponent was not simple.

It is only natural for Dai Hui to resort to such means to obtain the Tai'a Sword in exchange for rewards. Li Huang believes that once he is online again, he will undoubtedly receive countless messages from Wudang players sending carrier pigeons, offering to purchase this sword.

"If you can't escape, then just die. It's just a game; what's the big deal about dying for a moment?" said Li Huang

"Tsk, you are so ignorant. Clearly, you do not know that the view of the 'Wangfu Cloud' from the top of the pavilion is entirely different. Wu Xi, let Li Huang teach you how to jump to the top of the pavilion tonight; that is where you will truly see the 'Wangfu Cloud.'" Yao Mengjie deliberately brought Wu Xi and Li Huang together, making Dai Hui even more envious and resentful.

Li Huang tidied up his textbooks under the astonished gaze of the three individuals, preparing to head to the classroom

Well, however, your two moves of sword theft do not seem to reveal your martial arts skills within them

This sword..." Dai Hui hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke, "Are you selling it?"

Hmm? Why do I feel that this one wearing a bamboo hat looks like it!

Qi Sizhe indeed did not hold back, drawing his sword and declaring "Look at my sword!" The azure light of the sword instantly spread throughout the valley.

In the ranking of cultivation at the Xintian Tower, Qi Sizhe is ranked third among the disciples of Wudang.

Li Huang, you are impressive, daring to steal a sword from the Wudang Sword Pool!" Yao Mengjie immediately praised him, which made Dai Hui roll his eyes in frustration

To dare to steal a sword from the Sword Pool of Wudang, one must possess extraordinary courage

Dai Hui is merely one of the outstanding individuals among the disciples of Wudang, while Qi Sizhe is truly one in a million among Wudang players, and to say otherwise would be an understatement

However, what puzzled him was that Wu Xi refused to engage with him. Dai Hui could not understand how there could still be girls in the world who would turn down such a good opportunity

A bounty order refers to the mobilization of the entire force of various sects, gangs, and organizations in the martial world to pursue and kill a specific individual

Indeed!" Li Huang nodded.

Before Li Huang could respond, a voice sounded from behind him. Dai Hui, who had just entered, wore a gloomy expression, harboring a belly full of jealousy, and cast a cold gaze at Li Huang and Wu Xi

Dai Hui invited several classmates to come and lend their support, but none of them were disciples of Wudang. Upon arriving at the mountain gate, they were naturally stopped. Seeing those masters reduced to mere models and humiliated, the group dared not act rashly and sent a message to Dai Hui via carrier pigeon

With such a master in command, who would dare to provoke trouble

You seem to know quite a lot

Shall we still wear the yellow shirt

"Truly patient," Li Huang remarked

I have a few friends who want to go up and take a look together. Do you have any suggestions? Dai Hui did not rush to find the NPC but instead discussed it with Zhao Yuanzhi.

As he approached the valley entrance, Li Huang became increasingly cautious. With his extensive experience in missions and understanding of the game mechanics, he knew that the NPC disciples guarding the sword pool at that time could not provide players with much information. This was because a crucial aspect of his sword theft involved death and resurrection, which was purely a characteristic of online games and did not conform to the laws of reality. To render this world more authentic, the NPCs in the game would replace such jarring online game features with a logically coherent explanation. What they could convey was merely that Li Huang, in the role of the sword seeker, had approached the sword pool and then stolen the sword of the great hero Xiang Zhong.

The influence of the Wudang Sect needs no further elaboration. You are now under a pursuit order from Wudang; do you really think you can escape? In any case, it is a dead end. Why not sell me the stolen sword? The price is negotiable

"Hmph, you have replied, but Wu Xi has not yet learned lightness skills. If you want to see the husband-cloud, can you take her up there?" said Yao Mengjie

In the overall rankings, the leaders of various sects and guilds undoubtedly occupy the top positions. Currently, the first place on the cultivation ranking is held by the leader of the Wudang Sect, Master Zihe. Although advanced in age, he still maintains his position as the foremost expert in the martial world. However, the officials have made it clear that just as players who do not participate in the evaluation will not appear on the leaderboard, many NPCs have also not been included in the Xintian Tower rankings from the very beginning.

"Can you share it with me?" Li Huang asked

"What is it?" Li Huang asked

I have spent time at Wudang," Li Huang said

"You cannot escape, even if I cannot kill you. Just send out a few carrier pigeons, and you know the consequences," said Qisi Zhe

A figure suddenly appeared behind the giant rock, bending down to pick up the sword that Dai Hui had been staring at.

In the game, when a player dies, they can be immediately resurrected, but they will lose a bit of experience points and some money and equipment. The sword that is lost is related to the dignity of Wudang. If the Taia sword cannot be retrieved, it will undoubtedly result in a significant loss of reputation. How can we still have the face to allow guests at Wudang to disarm themselves in the future

As Dai Hui logged in, he immediately began searching in all directions within a circular area centered around the Sword Pool. He called for assistance, but to his surprise, none of his helpers could come up. Reluctant to waste this hard-earned advantage, he continued to circle around. Unfortunately, despite his efforts, he did not see Li Huang. As time passed, Dai Hui realized that his small advantage had nearly been exhausted. Reluctantly, he decided to descend the mountain to see what was happening, only to find it was a wasted trip. Upon returning to the mountain, he looked at the numerous Wudang players searching for Li Huang scattered across the landscape, and his mood was utterly dismal.

That online game is only about running errands, with no excitement whatsoever for those who play it

"Indeed, I created this peculiar object for a task, but later found it to be quite useful," said Li Huang

"He has left." Dai Hui and Zhao Yuanzhi bid farewell and proceeded to walk up the mountain

"How long have you been waiting?" Li Huang asked

Li Huang was not surprised by this

At noon, after returning to the dormitory, Dai Hui fixed his gaze on Li Huang, watching to see if he would enter the game. However, he only saw Li Huang climb into bed and fall into a deep sleep. Dai Hui had stayed up all night, and the emotional turmoil of entanglement, frustration, and jealousy had drained his physical energy. He could no longer hold on, but he was also afraid of missing the moment when Li Huang entered the game without him knowing. Thus, during that noon, Li Huang enjoyed a beautiful nap, while Dai Hui sat there like a head of garlic, not daring to blink. It was only when Li Huang went to class that Dai Hui seized the opportunity to take a quick nap, preparing to follow Li Huang online in the evening to seize the chance.

If it were merely a difference in gaming styles, it would not have jeopardized the friendship among the few. However, a few days ago, Daihui among the three had a dispute with other players and called upon Lihuang for assistance. Unfortunately, Lihuang was unable to respond in time due to being engaged in a task, and by the time he arrived, it was already too late. The other two roommates, Xuming and Shang Boran, managed to escape narrowly, but Daihui was killed by the opposing players.

Li Huang found it unfortunate that due to this game, his relationship with Dai Hui and his group of male friends had deteriorated significantly, yet the number of girls who actively approached him had increased.

Li Huang found himself at a loss in this situation. At that time, he was deeply embroiled in a task and could not simply leave at will. According to Dai Hui, Li Huang should have sacrificed himself to escape and hurried to save him. Such strict demands left Li Huang utterly speechless. Subsequently, Xu Ming and Shang Boran, having suffered losses in the PK, did not blame their own lack of ability, but instead stood with Dai Hui, placing all the blame on Li Huang. This selfish attitude was something Li Huang could not accept. As a result of this incident, Li Huang realized that the three friends were far less lovable than he had initially thought, and he gradually became indifferent towards them. The four of them were essentially in a state of cold war.

Hmm? Are you not going to kill me? I can no longer move and cannot resist. I am severely injured. Your sword is not a sharp weapon; it is a blunt instrument. It did not sever my bones but rather shattered them. I can no longer fight; you may kill me.

Thus, in the game, these three individuals are generally mixed together, while Li Huang walks alone in the world.

In the subsequent class, Xu Ming and Shang Boran, sitting next to Dai Hui, were drooling as they slept with their heads on the desk after staying up all night. However, Dai Hui was fixated on the three figures in front of him, completely devoid of sleepiness

It's just a game! You can respawn after dying! Everyone is still quite brave to take a risk. From the very beginning, players have been trying various methods to sneak into Wudang Mountain, but at this moment, the players have all settled down.

"Indeed, without some skill, who would dare to steal a sword from the Sword Pool of Wudang?" After saying this, Qi Sizhe landed and withdrew his hands, his gaze falling upon Li Huang

Li Huang's scheme was a great success, allowing him to breathe a sigh of relief. He got up and poured himself a glass of water to drink. At that moment, the other three also took off their helmets, looking at him with great astonishment.

You also know that you are certainly going to die, so why not sell the sword to me? It is far better than being left with nothing after being killed by someone.

Ah yo..." Qisi Zhe exclaimed in surprise. He had already been on guard, but now...

Hmm

He was certain that if this matter were his doing, Yao Mengjie would definitely throw a word of disdain at him—thief

Thus, the circle of players beside the sword did not utter a word; they exchanged glances, maintaining vigilance and keeping their distance. Outside their circle, more players were rushing in their direction. It seemed that this small group of yellow sparrows was about to quickly devolve into mantises.

Well, it is indeed strong, but it is just too uninteresting

Alright..." Li Huang said helplessly, raising the giant sword, ready to strike down. However, Qi Sizhe, perhaps overshadowed by the shadow cast by the giant sword, suddenly called out, "Wait a moment."

In the realm of the Jianghu, there are no ranks among individuals, only the mastery of martial arts. The depth of one's martial arts skills determines the strength of a character. The Xintian Tower is also a Jianghu faction, and it employs a systematic approach to specifically assess the level of mastery of any character.

This fool! Dai Hui had anticipated this moment; the instant that guy picked up the sword and shouted, Dai Hui quickly rolled over and concealed himself in a nearby thicket.

As for Dai Hui and the other two, they have been playing games all night and have not yet slept.

"Hmph, can you be any more shameless?" The response came again from Yao Mengjie.

Selling swords seems like a very good choice; escaping the pursuit order from Wudang is indeed quite difficult. As soon as one is killed, the Tai'a sword will surely drop. This escape game is not so easy.

The two individuals were instantly dumbfounded; this NPC had astonishing hearing, clearly indicating exceptional internal martial arts cultivation. In the game, sensitivity to vision, hearing, and even touch can change due to martial arts training. Players can genuinely feel the changes that martial arts bring to their bodies, which is why the game officials repeatedly emphasize the importance of distinguishing between the game and reality. One should not return to reality thinking they can effortlessly leap to the second floor or shatter a wall with a single slap.

As the teacher's gaze swept over, Li Huang helplessly walked over. Dai Hui, sitting in the back row, watched the three of them leave and was so angry that he felt like gnawing on his desk

Yes, use the sword

Today, the entrance to the mountain does not appear as bustling as it did on that day, as all players have widely dispersed throughout the entire area of Wudang Mountain. If they were to gather in one place, it would likely far exceed the initial turnout.

"Your lightness skill is not very good; otherwise, you might have already hit me. It seems that the gap in lightness skills is my greatest advantage, and I must make good use of it. What about you? Why haven't you used your weapon? Is your weapon just your fists?" Qi Sizhe activated his lightness skill, moving around Li Huang, relying on faster movements to attempt to seize a position that Li Huang could not defend.