CHAPTER 77.1: BASTARD GAME, STABBING MY BACK

Blood-like sword lights turned into raging flood dragons. The Black Army, mighty as gods and fearsome as demons, were slain just like that.

Qi Yuan glanced at the broken moon above. "Not even an elite monster. Heck, it doesn't even give me EXP. Woe is me."

Moon Maiden raised her head to look at him. The moon in her eyes curved into a crescent. Meanwhile, Qi Yuan's sword was still reaping lives. The powerful and mysterious Black Army fell one after another.

The sword slid back into its sheath, and Moon Maiden held it reverently.

Qi Yuan urged. "Come, let's go to the next place."

Before leaving, Qi Yuan shattered all the claws of the alien demons that reached into the mortal zone. After all, this was a game.

First, you kill the small mobs, then the big bosses. Isn't that always the rule?

***

In Kunwu City, which had walls nearly seven zhang high...

Suddenly, a sword light came from the south, plunging into the city.

Someone said mockingly, "This sword kills only the chief villains, tyrants, and Emperor realms!"

The drifting voice spread into the ears of the entire city. Many had blank expressions, but some were shocked, some overjoyed, and some enraged.

An old man climbed angrily from the bed of a tender young girl. "Which brat dares to be so bold!"

His answer was met with a flash of blood-red sword light.

"Aaaah!" the naked young girl screamed as the old man’s head rolled to the floor.

The sword light raged, severing heads in all directions. The entire city was plunged into chaos.

A burly man, pale as paper, stammered, "E-E-Elder Brother! The governor is dead!"

A plump, round fellow widened his eyes at the news.

Then, they heard the mocking voice again. "From today, the Law of Filial Piety is abolished. Honor the old, yes, but also cherish the young. Cherish everyone, especially yourself."

As the words faded, a blood-red dragon rose from the city.

The fat man looked up, suspicion in his eyes. "Why does this voice sound so familiar..."

He suddenly recalled the masked man he had met outside the city gates while waiting in line. Could it be...

An ominous thought sprouted in his heart.

***

Meanwhile, outside Kunwu City, the sword returned to its sheath.

Qi Yuan looked down at the short Moon Maiden. "How much have you mastered now?"

"N-ninety percent."

"Still just a little short?" Qi Yuan frowned. "We need to help you achieve full comprehension. Come, let's go to the next city."

For seven straight days, the entire Hundred-City Alliance was thrown into turmoil. A masked swordsman, hand in hand with a sword-bearing young girl, traveled from one city to another.

Each time, the sword came forth like a dragon. The Emperor realm cultivators and the powerful figures in the city were all cut down.

A beggar, who watched one of the massacres from afar, saw the swordsman ask the girl, "How much have you learned?"

The girl lowered her head, fingers twisting her clothes. "Ninety percent."

In other cities, wandering heroes also caught sight of the same scene. They named the swordsman the Faceless Sword God after his mask, and the girl the Ninety-Percent Maiden.

In seven days, Qi Yuan led the Moon Maiden across one hundred thirty-seven cities and thirteen mass graves of the Hundred-City Alliance. Soon, the number could no longer be counted, and blood ran like rivers.

On the last day, Qi Yuan stood in the final city, hands on his waist. He had no opponents left. "How much this time?"

Moon Maiden answered carefully, yet firmly, "...Ninety percent."

Qi Yuan sighed, "I've already slaughtered all the alien demon' lackeys in the mortal zone. Their master should be reacting soon. If you still say ninety percent, that's really unfair."

Moon Maiden fell silent. She gazed pleadingly at Qi Yuan. "Could you wait three hundred years before going to slay the alien demons? Until the lunar eclipse. Then, I will still hold the sword for you."

"A lunar eclipse?" Qi Yuan looked at the moon above, then at her. "No matter how fun a game is, you can't play it for three hundred years, right?"

Moon Maiden said nothing, only staring at Qi Yuan stubbornly.

Qi Yuan took her hand, and together they vanished into the vast falling snow. "Come. Let's return to the Seventh Moon Lake. It's time for me to leave."

At the Seventh Moon Lake, the shimmering waters were frozen over, buried beneath thick snow.

Qi Yuan sat once more on the cold blue stone. He said softly to Moon Maiden, "Rest for one night. Tomorrow, I must go."

Moon Maiden stared at him silently. After speaking, Qi Yuan closed his eyes. She watched him for a while, then turned and went back to the wooden hut.

Then, Qi Yuan logged out.

***

At the top of the Seven-Colored Peak...

Upon going offline, Qi Yuan stepped out of his straw hut.

He stood before Jiang Lingsu's dwelling. "Junior Sister."

Jiang Lingsu had just bathed and her hair was still damp. "Senior Brother, what is it?"

"I'm preparing for my Foundation Establishment. If it is fast, it may take three to five days. But it might also take half a year or longer. If anyone looks for me during this time, tell them I'm in seclusion."

"Ah?" Jiang Lingsu was stunned. "Foundation Establishment takes that long?"

Qi Yuan said seriously, "Junior Sister, I intend to attempt the Heavenly Dao-class Foundation Establishment. Naturally, it will take longer."

Jiang Lingsu was speechless. Heavenly Dao-class Foundation Establishment? Dream on.

Besides, even that wouldn't take so long. She suspected her senior brother was actually cultivating some secret art. His strength was already so terrifying, most likely from practicing countless powerful secret arts.

"Alright, don't worry, Senior Brother. I'll keep watch." She paused, then asked, "Senior Brother... if you're cultivating secret arts, you won't starve to death, will you?"

Qi Yuan was exasperated, "The spirit stones you gave me are still here. How could I starve? If a cultivator actually starved to death, that would be too humiliating."

But Jiang Lingsu really felt he was capable of such a thing.

After a few more instructions, Qi Yuan returned to his own hut.

He looked at the vegetable knife in the yard. Bending down, he untied the rope from its hilt. "I won't tie you anymore. While I'm in seclusion, you'll guard the house."

The knife shuddered slightly, as if in agreement.

Qi Yuan set up several small arrays with the formation jades he had taken from the Black Mountain Sect. Then, he re-entered the game.

Snow fell coldly on his face. He opened his eyes to see a small red hand brushing snow carefully from his shoulder.

Moon Maiden retracted her hand, afraid she had disturbed him. "You... you're awake?"

Qi Yuan gazed into the endless white distance, mist rising from his breath. "Mhm."

Moon Maiden immediately felt warmer as she glanced at him shyly. "Will you go slay the alien demons tomorrow?"

Qi Yuan nodded. "Mhm."

Her little face froze. "After tomorrow... I will leave the Moonlight Clan. I will train hard. I will go help you to slay the alien demons!"

Qi Yuan patted her hair. "Don't set your goals based on me. Set it for yourself."

Moon Maiden didn't quite understand, but nodded anyway. "Wait here."

She wanted to bring out the fish soup she had cooked. Before he left, he had to taste it. She hurried back to the hut.

Qi Yuan watched her retreating back, then looked up at the Ancient Qichun Tree. Its branches were laden with heavy snow, with icicles hanging down.

He suddenly recalled a line he had read in the past. "The scenery of the north, a thousand miles of ice, ten thousand miles of snow drifting."

Another line came to him. "For lofty ideals, ready to sacrifice, daring to make the sun and moon shine anew."

Looking at the desolate world, he murmured, "This world really is beautiful, just as Jin Li said. And I am a player... I don't need to sacrifice. I can just erase the NPCs."

Footsteps in the snow drew near. Moon Maiden came running, carrying a steaming bowl of fish soup. The hot vapor reddened her face.

Qi Yuan said with his back to her. "Slow down, be careful not to fall."

Moon Maiden stared at him, cradling the soup.

Suddenly, a sharp silver line dropped from the sky.