CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 51: THE GRAY-CLAD GANG (HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!)

Thunder Light Palm (Volume 1), a Martial Artist Level palm technique, consisting of three layers, divided into two volumes. It uses a special Breathing Technique to stimulate and mobilize the blood qi throughout the body into power, concentrating this power in the palms. When unleashed, it strikes like a thunderbolt, with a sudden flash of lightning, and its power penetrates all. Mastering the first layer, the Thunderbolt Realm, doubles the speed and strength of one’s hands and inherently grants penetrating force. (One must become an Inner Sect Disciple to exchange for this volume, requiring 300 Martial Arts Hall Contribution Points and 10,000 Martial Arts Hall Points.)

Although the description of the Thunder Light Palm on the notification board was brief, there were many battle-hardened experts present who understood its terrifying power at a glance.

"Is this the martial art of the Martial Artist Level? The first layer alone doubles speed and strength, and it has inherent penetrating power. Even if the opponent is wearing armor, it might not be able to withstand it. This is truly a divine skill for breaking defenses!" Outer Gunman, looking at the introduction, almost drooled.

Although sniping enemies from afar is thrilling, it can’t compare to the joy of fighting up close, especially with such an indefensible martial art. Even with little close combat experience, one can exchange injury for injury, life for life.

"Buy it! We must buy it!"

Zhao Hu was also staring intensely at the Thunder Light Palm on the notification board, his eyes practically on fire.

In the Pilgrimage called Iron Fist Unbeatable, he felt constrained in the Descent of High Martial battles, but mastering the Thunder Light Palm—harnessing power—would make it impossible for enemies to ignore his attacks.

Moreover, with a twofold increase in speed and strength, someone like him with nearly 150 kilograms of power could strike with 450 kilograms of force, equivalent to an Intermediate Apprentice. Once his physical condition reaches the Apprentice Level, his strength could soar to 600 kilograms, equivalent to an Advanced Apprentice’s strength, truly a skill that surpasses one’s level.

"Indeed, not only must we acquire the Thunder Light Palm, but we must quickly become elite disciples." Zhang Qingwei nodded, eyes full of fervor, "With elite disciple status, we can buy our own private room. Although the points cost isn’t listed yet, the Martial Arts Hall is only so big, and there are limited rooms, varying in size."

"As the number of players increases, these rooms will definitely become insufficient. In the future, many people might have to live outside. If we have our own room in the Hall, it will be much more convenient for taking tasks or exchanging items, and using Instructor No. 1."

"Furthermore, this private room doesn’t prohibit other players from living together, essentially serving as a small guild base. If we can buy multiple rooms, it will greatly aid in future recruitment."

"Unfortunately, Contribution Points cannot be traded." Luo Wushang pondered and instructed, "Now, other players probably also realize the enormous value of elite disciple status. We must earn Contributions quickly. Although none of us are Inner Sect Disciples yet, we can first gather 20,000 Points. Currently, only one team is allowed to take the mining tasks, so we should rent a big tricycle to do the mining tasks."

"Mining tasks don’t provide high Points, but the Contribution Points are substantial: twenty Contributions for a ton of ore and five for each log. If we do several trips a day, a single person could earn far more than 200 contributions a day."

"As long as one person becomes an Inner Sect Disciple, we can rent another, doubling the rate of earning contributions."

With Luo Wushang’s words ending, the Celestial Might members began pooling Points, and other teams reacted quickly, all frantically gathering Points, neglecting weapons and equipment. They decided they could go all in against robbers in the wild, even with just shovels, exchanging life for life.

And in the live stream, players watching Fang Zhen’s broadcast were going crazy.

"Damn! These bastards, I’m not even in yet, and they’re already preparing to buy land."

"Dear Devs, let me in. I’m online 24/7, guaranteed efficiency. I’ll even repair Martial Arts Hall points at half the rate."

"Want to get in? It’s not that easy. Better pass the assessment first."

"That’s right. There are more people wanting in now. Rumor has it that the gaming platform, at the request of numerous players, has set up a dedicated forum for the game Descent of High Martial. Whether it’s player requests or some moguls’ requests is unknown, but you must realize the game’s impact. People are already buying Martial Arts Hall Points on the forum. One Point equals 50 bucks, yet no one wants to sell, and prices keep rising."

"One Point is 50 bucks, but those people were rewarded 3000 Points before, didn’t they just make 150,000 in an instant?"

"What’s 150,000? The game’s potential is huge. If before the large influx of players, you can buy a private room in the Hall, selling it for billions later is plausible. Those major guilds and moguls, though not in the game yet, are smart. They can first buy Points, and once they are in, gather Contributions to acquire those private rooms in one go."

As everyone in the live stream was frantically discussing, Luo Wushang and the three teams quickly raised 20,000 Points and sprinted to rent a big tricycle from Lin Qi.

This scene even made Lin Qi sigh at the terrifying effects of status and privilege.

None wanted weapons or equipment at all, just eagerness to grind for elite disciple status, just for those rooms in the Hall.

Fortunately, three teams for transporting ores only required one token. Otherwise, the three parties might have ended up fighting.

"Celestial Might Guild recruiting, experts leading the way to the mines, loot on the way is shared equally."

"Mecha Squad recruiting. Anyone joining can have priority over a 100-square-meter planting plot."

"Vagabond Leisure Squad recruiting, leader Yiyi. Anyone joining, a daily compensation for three deaths!"

"Newbies starting the Martial Arts Hall repair task. Anyone interested? Together, let’s become honorable Inner Sect Disciples!"

...

As Lin Qi rented out three large tricycles to the three teams, a group of players gathered at the late-night training ground, teaming up eagerly. The lively scene was like a market fair, leaving passing vagabonds utterly stunned.

They had seen crazy gangs, but never one so insanely active.

Staying up late into the night, working fervently, as if people weren’t considered humans, yet the gang members were excited, clearly not satisfied, as if possessed.

Black Obsidian Martial Arts Hall, dawn on the third day.

Lin Qi had barely slept in the lounge when the noise outside suddenly woke him up.

"Hall Master! Hall Master! Someone has come!"

"Someone’s come? Who? Luo Qi?"

"No, it’s the Feather Race."

"The Feather Race? Are they attacking?"

Hearing the Twilight of the Gods’ report, Lin Qi instantly sobered up. Though he knew the matter of attacking the planting base would inevitably be discovered, he didn’t expect it to happen so soon.

Originally, he estimated it could be concealed for ten or fifteen days, during which Black Obsidian Martial Arts Hall could repair a lot, and the thirty players’ combat strength would undergo a qualitative change. By then, relying on the complex underground caves, they could entangle the White Feather Gang, wearing down their living forces with the players’ infinite revivals.

He didn’t expect it would come so quickly.

"No, they aren’t from the White Feather Gang." Twilight of the Gods explained, "They say they’re from the Cyan Sparrow Gang, here to find someone who can make decisions."

"Cyan Sparrow Gang?" Lin Qi nodded and instructed, "Bring them here."

Lin Qi had some impression of the Cyan Sparrow Gang, another Feather Race gang ranked in the top hundred in the wild, always in conflict with the White Feather Gang. Last time, Luo Qi was kidnapped due to a clash between the two gangs. Unexpectedly, the Cyan Sparrow Gang would come around.

"Yes!" Twilight of the Gods could not hide his joy.

New plot!

New plot has arrived!

And he had come online just at the right time, truly hitting the jackpot.

Not long after Twilight of the Gods left the lounge, he returned to the training ground with three Feather Race youths.

The three were two men and a woman, dressed in common vagabond attire, completely concealing their Feather Race wings, appearing just like three human vagabonds.

However, the aura and demeanor of these two men and a woman were incomparable to ordinary vagabonds, especially the leading handsome Feather Race youth. Though there was no scanning equipment used.

The Fixed Star Explosion Visualization Technique had reached 19% of entry level for Lin Qi. He could faintly sense that the leader youth should be an Extreme Apprentice, with the two beside him being Advanced Apprentices, indicating formidable strength for all three.

The appearance of the three Feather Race members also attracted the trainees in the training ground, who all gathered around, curiously observing them.

"Fluo, are you sure this is the Gray-clad Gang that attacked the White Feather Gang’s base?" the graceful Feather Race woman asked, glancing dismissively at the players present. "Since we entered, I only sense five Apprentice-level experts. How could such limited power silently annihilate a White Feather Gang base?"

"Of this, I’m sure."

The leader named Fluo was extremely confident, walking towards the Martial Arts Hall’s lounge while curiously observing the players gathering around.

The players gathered, watching the three Feather Race NPCs enter, and excitement bubbled among them.

"Quick! Contact those offline!"

"If they don’t come online soon, they’ll miss the new plot!"