Players: All NPCs in the Sect Are Moles

Lin Qingfeng looked at the sect panel, a gratified smile on his face as he watched the NPC contribution points skyrocket from Su Ling’er’s "slaughter" of the red-named monsters.

He was about to turn and praise Su Ling’er, but the moment he saw her, the smile on his face froze instantly.

The night wind seemed to stop.

The slender figure in red was clutching a stone bench, swaying precariously.

Her face was as pale as a sheet, and a startling trickle of bright red blood hung from the corner of her mouth.

Her large, limpid eyes now blazed with an almost twisted rage.

The blood dripped from her chin.

It made a soft DRIP... DRIP... sound.

And on the bluestone slabs below, the blood blossomed into tiny crimson flowers.

"Vile demons... Despicable degenerates..."

She gritted her teeth, her voice hoarse.

"I... I am irreconcilably at odds with you rats who dare to offend the Guixi Immortal Sect!"

Before the words were even out, she coughed, "PUH," and another spray of blood flew from her lips.

She seemed to want to hurl more curses, but the coppery taste of blood rising in her throat choked the words back.

"These... PUH—!"

This time, as she tried to speak again, another mouthful of blood erupted, and her whole body swayed.

Lin Qingfeng was completely dumbfounded.

’You’ve got to be kidding me.’

’Little Junior Sister, did you really get this worked up over a bunch of red-named monsters?!’

’Aren’t you being a little too thin-skinned?’

’I know our Guixi Sect is a place of such unity and camaraderie, and it’s given you a strong sense of belonging.’

’But there’s no need to get so angry you’re coughing up blood just because someone came knocking to stir up trouble, right?’

’What an incredible sense of sect honor!’

’What a purely devoted heart for the Dao!’

’I can be completely at ease giving her the position of guide!’

’But...’

’But for Little Junior Sister to get so worked up that she’s coughing up blood on the spot over such a small thing, her mental fortitude still needs some strengthening.’

’The slightest hint of trouble for the sect is enough to make her sick with worry and consumed by rage.’

’As soon as the Golden Autumn Harvest Festival event is over, I’ll immediately set her up to begin Foundation Establishment with the Sword Refining Skill!’

’It’ll temper her disposition at the same time!’

’The future mission of guiding new disciples will rest entirely on your shoulders.’

’You truly are a pillar of the Guixi Sect, the best future guide we could ask for!’

’And I can finally be a hands-off manager!’

GYEHEHEHEHE!!!

Unfortunately, tonight is the Golden Autumn Harvest Festival, and there’s an even more rewarding event BOSS phase later. I can’t let Little Junior Sister fold here and literally die of anger.

He subconsciously reached for a few medicinal pills, but forced himself to stop.

’During the event, NPCs can’t use restorative pills given by players. If she’s still on a pill cooldown during the upcoming boss fight and can’t get any contribution rewards, wouldn’t that be a huge loss?’

However.

’There are a few event locations that, while not offering many contribution points, can restore health and improve one’s Cultivation.’

Besides, he felt the most important thing right now was to help the enraged Little Junior Sister calm her mind.

So, he shot a meaningful look at the few disciples who had yet to reach Foundation Establishment.

"Cheer squad! Where are you?!

Get over here! Little Junior Sister has been thoroughly provoked by these demonic, red-named monsters and is in dire need of your encouragement!

Quell Little Junior Sister’s rage!"

...

Meanwhile, Su Ling’er felt as if her entire world was collapsing.

The excruciating pain of her soul tearing apart churned in her mind, but the clarity granted by the divine skill kept her from fainting, forcing her to remain conscious and bear it.

With her own hands, she had annihilated the vast majority of her last hope—the hundred-odd Contracted Spirit Insects that carried her intelligence.

Only a scattered few remained, and she didn’t know if they could escape.

She felt like she was already dead.

’That she was going to die right here.’

Just then, however, a few disciples surrounded the ones that had slipped through the net. Several flashes of sword-light fell, annihilating them in an instant.

The last spark of hope was extinguished.

The world began to spin as she clutched the stone bench, her robes stained crimson with her own blood.

The "cheer squad" appeared once again.

The large banner, still emblazoned with the words "The Future Light of the Guixi Sect," and those blindingly bright glowstones.

Then, they surrounded her once more.

"Little Junior Sister! Hold on! The sect is with you!"

"Our Dao Hearts are eternal! Our struggle never ends! Annihilate the wicked and protect our sect!"

"If you don’t fall! The sect won’t fall!"

’It’s over...’

Her frayed nerves felt like they were about to snap. It felt like her head was going to explode.

’The Supreme Heart-Clearing Soul-Stabilizing Skill...’

’She was discovering that obtaining a divine skill wasn’t as great as she’d imagined.’ 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

’This divine skill was nothing short of a vicious curse!’

’It was this damned art that kept her from fainting from the agony, forcing her to consciously endure this twofold torture!’

"PUH—!"

She sprayed another mouthful of blood and swayed, looking as if she were about to collapse.

But looking at the "cheer squad" closing in around her, she knew she had to make the act more convincing.

So, mustering every ounce of her strength, she roared:

"These demons! They’ve gone too far!!!"

She even turned to her senior brother, her eyes welling with tears of grief and indignation.

"Senior Brother! Please allow me to fight to the death for the sect!"

’You goddamned arch-demon!’

’The first chance I get, I’m going to tear you into a hundred thousand pieces!’

Roaring, she charged forward, as fragile as a candle in the wind, yet imbued with a tragic resolve.

Watching this scene, the other disciples couldn’t help but feel a sense of solemn respect.

’Who knew Little Junior Sister was so devoted to our sect!’

’Our sect is a model of unity and camaraderie. By the time we can leave, the sect will surely be the leader among all orthodox cultivators.’

’Unfortunately, for now we can only rely on Little Junior Sister to significantly boost the NPC contribution progress.’

’Look at her!’

’Just look at her!’

’Now *that* is a disciple of the Guixi Sect! *That* is a true pillar of our sect!’

He took a few steps forward and slowly steadied Su Ling’er, his face a mixture of concern, worry, and gratification.

"Your unwavering loyalty is witnessed by heaven and earth. Even I... your senior brother, am moved.

However, the journey of the Great Dao begins with the self.

If the raft of the Dao is damaged, how can one cross the sea of suffering?

Do not let a moment’s anger harm the foundation of your cultivation.

Look at the state you’ve worked yourself into.

It pains my heart to see... truly."

Hearing this, Su Ling’er was so enraged she nearly stopped breathing.

She looked at her senior brother’s smiling face and roared internally:

’Stop with the pretty words!’

’Give me something real!’

’The pills?’

’Where are the life-saving pills?!’

’Give me one, quick!’

’I’m dying of pain here!’

’You skin-flaying demon! You squeeze a person dry and won’t even give them a drop of medicine?!’

Lin Qingfeng looked at his little junior sister’s "moved beyond words" expression and came to a decision.

"It seems the life-or-death struggle just now has unsettled your mind."

"Very well!"

He once again expertly grabbed the sash at Su Ling’er’s waist and hoisted her into the air.

"Junior Sister, I shall take you to the next location to participate in the ’Five Beasts Immortal Play.’ You can recover properly there."

Huh?

’Five Beasts Immortal Play?’

...

「Real World」

「News Archives」

This event introduced several new interactive models.

Some social observers have pointed out that the "server-wide synchronized parade" in the event showed a degree of organization and coordination far beyond the scope of ordinary entertainment, looking more like a large-scale "social behavior stress test" targeting its users.

The Ashen Heaven Group stated in response that it was merely an experience designed to enhance community cohesion.