CHAPTER 249: CHAPTER 230: SCHEMING AND BEING SCHEMED

North of Vermilion Bird City, the snow falls year-round, with a biting cold wind.

Less than a hundred meters outside Vermilion Bird City, you can see the vast expanse of endless snow in the distance.

Stepping into the snowfield is like entering another world; everything before your eyes is covered in thick snow and ice.

Cold Winter Ridge is located to the north of Vermilion Bird City. After passing through a frozen wasteland inhabited by Demonized Snow Demons, there is a mountain range of snowfield peaks that are continuous and perilously high.

Without using a Flying Mount, no one can traverse this terrain on foot.

However, at the base of one of the peaks is a near hundred-meter-long Ice Tunnel that penetrates the entire mountain.

By passing through this tunnel, one can cross the steep and rugged snow peaks to reach the next map: Cold Winter Ridge.

Cold Winter Ridge is known in later generations as the Snowman Country.

Upon entering, you’ll find the mountains are populated by snowmen dressed in bizarre costumes.

However, the snowmen here are not at all adorable.

Any Player appearing in Cold Winter Ridge is seen by them as an invader and relentlessly attacked.

In the continuously howling Ice and Snow World, teams of Players riding white horses gallop freely on the avenue, bringing a hint of unique color to this vast world.

In the Guild channel of Shengshi Dynasty:

Wei Xiao (Guild Vice President): "Everyone quickly pass through the mountain tunnel and gather at the exit. Clan Leaders, Team Leaders, and Group Leaders confirm members before putting on Disguiser Masks."

Gu Beicheng (Guild Leader): "Isn’t our task to protect the President?"

Drunkard (Guild President): "Plans have changed; everyone follow Wei Xiao’s instructions."

Gu Beicheng (Guild Leader): "Alright."

Super Nai (Guild Team 2 Leader): "Received!"

Swordheart (Guild Leader): "Received!"

...

Wei Xiao (Guild Vice President): "Listen to me next."

...: "Everyone gather at the tunnel exit and wear the Disguiser Masks. Kill everyone except allies;

...: "Kill those who can’t identify themselves confidently!"

...: "Kill anyone trying to privately enter Cold Winter Ridge!"

...: "Essentially, don’t let anyone pass through the Ice Tunnel to Cold Winter Ridge."

Upon hearing this, the entire Guild channel was instantly filled with blood-boiling excitement!

Now, with the natural narrow entrance of the Ice Cave, everyone can finally avenge their defeat in Rebel Canyon.

Since at Vermilion Bird City, Shengshi Dynasty Players were guarding the northern gate, once the plan was implemented, Shengshi Dynasty Players naturally were the first to reach the Ice Tunnel.

All Shengshi Players, upon learning of the plan, were frantically weaving through the snow and wind, as the chance to redeem their honor lay not far ahead...

In the Guild channel of Luoshen:

Luoshen Demon Fiend (Guild Vice President): "All members who arrive at the Ice Tunnel shortly, pass through the tunnel as quickly as possible."

...: "At the tunnel exit, Shengshi members will be guarding. Remember to identify yourself to avoid accidental harm."

...: "Everyone who joins with Shengshi, try to follow their arrangements and hold the exit, forbidding anyone from passing."

...: "Those not timely passing through the tunnel, wear the Disguiser Masks at the entrance and indiscriminately attack anyone trying to enter the Ice Tunnel. Understand?"

Luoshen Kuangxiao (Clan Leader): "Understood!"

Luoshen Diemeng (Group 17 Leader): "Understood!"

...

Luoshen Demon Fiend (Guild Vice President): "Lastly, I’ve got good news for everyone: Tonight all losses and consumptions are reimbursed by Shengshi. Moreover, everyone participating tonight gets a minimum reward of 500 Reality Coins, so... give it your all!"

...

In the Proud Sanctuary Guild channel:

Aoshi Fengye (Guild Vice President): "Everyone put on Disguiser Masks, prevent anyone from passing through the Ice Tunnel entrance."

...: "When reaching the destination, each family should form small teams led by respective Team Leaders, Clan Leaders to coordinate all teams. No mistakes this time, understand?"

Aoshi Weiba (Clan Leader): "Understood!"

Celestial Walker (Clan Leader): "Understood!"

...

Aoshi Fengye (Guild Vice President): "Do not be stingy with potions; tonight regardless of the outcome, every person gets 500 Reality Coins. Completion of the task rewards will double. Outstanding performance doubles again. All costs reimbursed by Shengshi."

...: "To appreciate Shengshi’s generosity, everyone’s gotta fight!"

......

Similar scenarios simultaneously unfold in major Guilds. Driven by financial incentives, Guild members, each flushed with excitement, surge towards the Ice Tunnel.

The Guilds’ plans were almost immediately known by those who were alert.

A sudden voice appeared in the World channel.

[World] Zi Yu: "Brothers, rush ahead! Shengshi wants to block the tunnel; we must not let them succeed, fight through to the death."

This statement made the World channel explode instantly.

Many were coming to Vermilion Bird City for the first time, yet every map had temporary cramming sessions for essential intel.

This so-called Ice Tunnel was known to connect the North City Snowfield to Cold Winter Ridge.

If blocked at the northern tunnel exit, it means tens of thousands will become trapped by the major Guilds.

Bursting through the extensive defense set by the Guilds is extremely difficult now.

This tunnel only allows ten people to pass side-by-side. Even hundreds passing at once may not be enough to fend off their attacks.

In such a narrow entrance, the advantage of numbers cannot be fully exploited.

Now what comes to mind is using a human wave tactic to forcibly break through the tunnel.

Fu Chen suddenly private chatted with Divine Hall Yingying.

Fu Chen (private chat): "They want to block the tunnel exit, what should we do?"

If major Guilds are determined to strictly guard the tunnel exit, relying on the equipment and levels of these tens of thousands makes it challenging to break through.

Especially since these countless Players are almost like scattered troops, fighting separately.

Once a battle breaks out, their potential will surely decrease. This is not the outcome Fu Chen wishes to see.

However, Divine Hall Yingying replied, frowning:

Divine Hall Yingying (private chat): "Stopping these people from forcefully pushing through the tunnel is a trap!"

Fu Chen (private chat): "What? A trap?"

Divine Hall Yingying (private chat): "Our goal is the key, not reaching Cold Winter Ridge. Considering Drunkard’s speed, do you think he can run ahead of us?"

Upon hearing a little hint from Fu Chen, he immediately understood the crucial point, his eyes lighting up:

"You mean, are they wasting the strength of these scattered players before Drunkard arrives?"

Divine Hall Yingying responded with a cold laugh: "What do you think?"

Fu Chen bowed his head in thought, suddenly understanding the other’s intent.

Fu Chen (private chat): "Good grief, I almost got caught in their scheme."

Right then, Fu Chen thought of something and replied again: "Should we stop them halfway?"

Divine Hall Yingying sneered (private chat): "The snowfield is too vast, might not intercept them. This is the only exit; we’ll wait here! As long as he shows up, I have ways to get what I want."

"Also, find ways to prevent those fools from forcefully breaching the tunnel to avoid falling into their trap. We need these cannon fodders upfront."

Fu Chen (private chat): "Alright!"

[World] The Sadness of a Chairback: "Don’t force yourselves through the tunnel. It’s their trap. Let’s wait at the tunnel exit for Drunkard to show up. Don’t fall for their trick, don’t rush the tunnel and die needlessly."

[World] The Sadness of a Chairback: "Don’t force through the tunnel. It’s a trap. Let’s wait at the exit for Shengshi Drunkard to come. Don’t fall into their trap, don’t recklessly charge the tunnel and die in vain."

...

Upon seeing the messages on the World channel, the Players in the game were in an uproar.