Many people in the Gobi Territory were contemplating their kill counts, and Wang Jiu was also calculating the progress of the slaughter.

It had deviated from her projections because the rats’ attributes had been enhanced—a result of the shriek let out by one of the rats before it died.

That damn thing struggled before dying, unleashing a frenzy skill.

She was surrounded and obscured by the rat swarm at the time and couldn’t stop it, which was why the swarm became difficult to control.

After a moment of thought, Wang Jiu immediately posted a purchase order on the auction house. The price was set high, and people quickly began selling to her.

But the total quantity wasn’t particularly large, and she needed some time. However, why were more and more rats arriving?

There were originally 150,000, and now it was almost 200,000. Even after killing 20,000, there were still 180,000 left. The scale was terrifying, covering almost the entire area in front of the territory, even shrouding many ruins, as they swarmed densely to surround and tear at her.

The barrier was completely enveloped, blocking out all light. Standing in the darkness, Wang Jiu wondered thoughtfully, Have the dead rats resurrected and returned?

She had wondered about this before. If the rats were also players, they should have returned to their race’s novice village to resurrect after death. Why had she never seen any in the sewers?

Either their resurrection point wasn’t in the sewers and was very, very far away—a place the resurrected rats would find difficult to return from.

Or they simply had no resurrection point at all.

Wang Jiu had asked about this before, but the System said it was a game secret and couldn’t be revealed.

Unable to figure it out for the moment, she stopped letting it distract her and patiently kited the rat swarm, careful not to let them get near the Gobi Territory.

Pulling aggro required skill. Whenever a group of rats broke away, she would use an attack to draw them back.

Several times, tens of thousands of rats, led by a few cunning ones, tried to run toward the territory, because there were so many people there, so much flesh and blood. They wanted to eat!

They couldn’t chew through Wang Jiu, so they grew agitated and needed to feed!

Wang Jiu noticed their restlessness and threw out some food.

Team channel.

Wang Jiu: “Trade me your food. I’m going to kite the mobs. Also, in five minutes, all fire-type Arcane Mages and Mages, get ready. Save all your fire skills.”

Everyone realized she was about to make a big move. The smarter ones, like Xie Lu and Jiang Ming, already had their suspicions. For the sake of the greater good, even with the friction between them, Qi Shuanghan, Jiang Ming, and the others all traded some food resources to her.

As for the mentioned fire-type Arcane Mages and Mages, they all typed ‘1’ in the team channel.

A large pile of food was thrown out of the barrier by Wang Jiu and scattered around the perimeter. Lured by the food, the starving rats went into a frenzy. They swarmed densely around Wang Jiu, instantly forming a four-to-five-meter-high hill of rats, squirming over each other in a horrifying and disgusting sight.

But at that moment, Wang Jiu used a synthesis box to combine the several thousand bottles of oil she had acquired through the mail into one super-sized container. She then used Shadow Step to flash three meters away and leaped up. Suddenly breaking free from the rat swarm’s encirclement, she threw the container from mid-air while still inside her barrier, then unleashed a Flowing Light attack out of thin air, shattering the oil container. Boom! A full two tons of oil scattered like a goddess strewing flowers, splashing down onto the rat hill, seeping through it from top to bottom.

At the same time.

Following her command, Wang Shu and the others launched a volley of fire. Boom! The fire skills burned at an extremely high temperature, instantly igniting the oil.

A sea of fire spread with a roar.

The System lamented: “That’s not oil burning, that’s money.”

Among basic materials, oil was the most expensive because it dropped infrequently and could be used for both consumption and fire attacks.

There were too many smart people in the world, not just Wang Jiu.

So the price had been driven up.

This wave alone burned through 50 gold.

After landing, Wang Jiu discovered that the level-seven barrier wasn’t omnipotent. It could resist attacks, but it couldn’t block out the temperature.

The high temperature from the sea of flames made her frown, but it was still tolerable.

What the hell, paying money to roast herself.

“Yeah, fire is the best way. It has a burn effect.”

“Quick, keep shooting!”

“Lao Wang is really going big!”

“Who has more oil? Cooking oil is fine too. Throw it out! Can the great fire mages coordinate for another wave?”

“Let’s pool it together and throw it all at once!”

Even without Wang Jiu’s instruction, the 3300 plus 2500 elites made a decision. They each gathered some oil and traded it all to—Wang Shu.

There was no other choice. With his Arcane Elf, the guy’s sustainability was formidable, and his skills seemed to be a complete set, making him the strongest among the fire Arcane Mages.

Wang Shu didn’t refuse. After quickly synthesizing the oil, he threw it out. Once it was shattered, another small sea of fire erupted.

But then Wang Shu threw out another bottle of something.

It exploded, and a wide area of red powder fell onto the rat swarm. When burned by the oil and fire, it released a pungent odor, and the rats… went berserk!

“Holy shit! So spicy!”

“Spicy braised rat meat?”

“Is that fucking Sichuan chili powder?”

“Fatty knows how to play!”

Wang Shu was gloomy: Can’t you just praise me for being capable? Why is it always Fatty, Fatty…

The rats were too densely packed. They shrieked and scurried chaotically in the sea of fire, trying to escape. But at that moment, the light-type mages cast a blinding radiance to rob them of their sight. In the chaos, they were wiped out by the ranged attacks prepared on the city walls, wave after wave of AoE.

The kill rate increased exponentially. In a short while, fifty thousand rats were annihilated, and the number was still rising crazily.

However, because of the sea of fire, the rats fell into disarray. Not all of them surrounded Wang Jiu; some, out of hatred, scurried toward the territory to attack.

The territory’s HP bar began to drop.

“They’re sieging the city after all!”

“Shoot them from the walls!”

“Hurry!”

“Fuck, they’re climbing up!”

Of the remaining 130,000 rats, at least half launched a fierce assault on the territory, climbing the city walls. Although there was a protective cover, the sight still made everyone’s scalp tingle. Even the residents inside the territory doing construction tasks were terrified.

Wang Jiu wasn’t flustered. She bought three thousand ordinary bronze bows from the auction house in one go and placed them in the territory armory, which only opened at level two. It was like a guild warehouse in a game, capable of storage.

In addition, she put all seven or eight hundred pieces of equipment from her inventory inside and set corresponding rental prices. Among them were no fewer than three hundred pieces of silver equipment, and the rest were high-quality bronze items. After all, the thousands of people fighting today were elites, so the equipment they dropped was naturally good.

A territory notification alerted everyone in the Gobi Territory. Seeing the dense array of equipment, they were shocked, then quickly paid to rent them.

One day wasn’t a long time, but it was useful right now. They could earn the cost back just by killing a few more rats!

The rental prices weren’t expensive. Silver equipment was only ten or twenty silver, with higher-stat items costing a bit more. The high-quality bronze items were all under a silver coin. Most people could afford it now, especially the bronze bows… Many able-bodied young people who couldn’t afford ranged weapons and could only do construction tasks in their spare time were actually very envious of the fighting on the walls.

Killing was the most mainstream way to get stronger in the apocalypse, after all.

Realizing their opportunity had come, they gritted their teeth and spent the money to rent equipment.

Jiang Ming and the others had only just realized that a level-two territory had such a function.

System: “What rental function? It was originally meant for distributing territory resources, generally for internal settlement during territory wars. The rental setting was for exchanging contribution points. If you didn’t have enough points, there was a time limit on usage. But she tinkered with it and turned it into renting with money…”

Uh, to put it bluntly, it was a flexible application, not much different. But some people quickly spotted the business opportunity—selling equipment immediately after getting it was the fastest way to profit. But the game had only been out for three or four days. With a territory population of tens of thousands, nine out of ten people lacked equipment. There weren’t even many people with a full bronze set. If they rented this equipment out, one wave of people would get stronger, upgrade their gear, and then the next, weaker wave could rent it. This would conserve resources while accelerating the speed at which the territory’s players grew stronger.

In the end, the money earned from renting wasn’t actually less than the profit from selling directly. In fact, if the territory developed fast enough and grew large enough, increasing by tens of thousands, how many times could the equipment be rented out? It would be a huge profit! Even if it stopped being profitable, they could still sell it on the auction house to weaker players!

Damn, there are so many ways to play with a level-two territory!

But that equipment she put up… it seems like it all dropped from us.

Fuck!

Jiang Ming and the others were green with envy, but they suddenly received a system notification. It turned out Wang Jiu had set the permissions so that anyone in the territory could apply to place their resources in the territory warehouse for rental.

She didn’t mind letting others make money. Anyway, she also needed to borrow the resources of these elites. It was a win-win situation.

Instantly, many elites with abundant resources quickly placed their items in the warehouse.

It was mainly equipment; they realized Wang Jiu’s purpose.

“Even if we don’t make much money, it can be used for storage. If we die later, at least it won’t drop.”

“Put it up there, let the tens of thousands of people in the territory join the fight!”

“It’s a win-win, hurry!”

“Anyone got food? Have the people in the open area cook something. My stamina is almost gone!”

“Coming, coming.”

Everyone in the territory was busy. Quite a few were cooking, and as soon as the food was ready, it was immediately sent to the city walls to replenish stamina.

After the rentals began, the real beneficiaries were the territory’s residents. They never expected such a good thing. Every household with someone who could fight quickly pooled their funds to rent equipment and get on the walls, especially ranged weapons. Some of the elderly and weak continued with construction.

With equipment, even old women could fight!

The number of people on the city walls instantly increased by twenty thousand, including some solitary old men and women. The scale of the slaughter grew, and the number of rats had already been sharply reduced to 100,000.

Just then, Wang Jiu took out several potions.

The moment they saw the potions, Wang Shu and the others’ hearts skipped a beat! They couldn’t help but want to cover their noses.

Lao Wang still has this stuff? Just how many bottles did she make?!

Wang Jiu: “Not many. This is the last batch. Alchemy materials are too expensive, and I have no money.”

The person who had spent three or four thousand gold today said this with perfect composure. Unfortunately, no one believed her.

The potions were thrown, and poisonous gas spread.

The rats, their fur and flesh burned, all started vomiting. The people on the walls opened fire.

The hundred thousand continued to dwindle.

One hundred thousand, ninety thousand, eighty thousand… Twenty minutes later, when the number of rats had plummeted to fifty thousand, only some battered stragglers remained, their momentum greatly diminished.

Everyone knew they were bound to win this battle. Victory was in sight!

Continue!

Kill!

Everyone sped up their attacks. Wang Jiu glanced at her remaining 300 Spirit Power and breathed a small sigh of relief. It was finally about to end.

Just before the last few rats were exterminated.

Wang Shu got excited and shouted loudly, “Brothers and sisters, keep it up! We’re about to win… win? What the hell is that?”

The crowd’s attacks instantly killed the last few small rats.

The swarm of two hundred thousand rats was finally wiped out. Everyone was exhausted, and many people’s fingers were bleeding from drawing their bows too much.

Just when they thought it was over, Wang Shu’s shout suddenly seemed to get stuck in his throat. His eyes widened in shock and suspicion.

“Master, look out!!”

A terrifying golden light flashed out from a suddenly appearing vortex. It was long, and the golden tail slammed fiercely against Wang Jiu’s barrier.

Boom! She and her barrier were sent flying like a cannonball into the ruins, crashing through two walls in a row.

The ruins finally collapsed entirely from the powerful impact, burying Wang Jiu within.

Dust and smoke billowed.

As everyone stood in shock, a system notification arrived.

“Congratulations. Due to your territory’s shameless taunting and frenzied slaughter, the largest rat swarm in the eastern sector of Luoyang has been exterminated. This has aroused the hatred of the rat race. Their resentment has crossed space and time, attracting the fury of the rat clan. They have dispatched the nearest Tuoluo Ground Rat expert to exact revenge…”

Everyone: “!”

Holy shit!

You can play like this? Dog System!!

While everyone was in disbelief, a wilderness invasion dungeon had already descended. The golden tail that had lashed out from the vortex revealed its true form.

It was a giant rat, ten meters long, incredibly fat and sturdy. Its claws were half a meter long and sharp, its fur was like steel needles, and it was clad in a layer of golden armor, emitting a strong golden light.

Such a massive BOSS gave everyone in the territory a sense of impending doom.

Xie Lu immediately used an inspection skill. He couldn’t see all its attributes, but he got the most crucial information.

“It’s a level 30 Golden Boss!”

Not just one Golden BOSS, but also five small Silver BOSSes and a hundred bronze mobs.

At that moment, everyone subconsciously thought of one person.

Where’s Lao Wang? Is she dead?

If you’re not dead, hurry up and get over here!

Before anyone could ask, Wang Jiu sent a pile of data.

The Tuoluo Ground Sub-leaders are level 20 Silver mini-BOSSes with average stats over a thousand and silver armor for defense. Below them, the fifty bronze rats wear bronze armor and have average stats over 300.

These were already tricky, but the most difficult to deal with was the Golden BOSS.

Everyone gasped as they looked at the final Golden Boss.

Tuoluo Golden Rat (Golden Boss, Level 30)

Strength: 4000

Agility: 1800

Stamina: 3500

Skill 1: Golden Whip. Increases Strength attack power by 50% when lashing!

Skill 2: Gnaw. Possesses a powerful chewing ability, suitable for attacking defenses like territories.

Oh ho, my god!

Its attributes are already insane; we can’t even break its defense. And that Skill 2 is even more terrifying.

With the Tuoluo Golden Rat’s attributes, a single Golden Whip was probably comparable to the effect of the Blazing Light Fire Mine Wang Jiu used to blow up Nevernight’s return point.

If it started gnawing on the territory, it probably wouldn’t last long before being destroyed.

Everyone was stunned.

How are we supposed to fight this? Let’s just lie down and die. No point in struggling!

But they soon discovered the situation wasn’t that bad, because all the gold, silver, and bronze rats were rushing toward the ruins where Wang Jiu was.

Wang Shu screamed in the team channel: “How is that not bad? Master!”

The people from Nevernight and Frost Territory: It’s really not that bad.

Toward Wang Jiu, having been tormented by her, they really couldn’t muster any pity.

After all, they weren’t masochists.

Suddenly, Wang Jiu sent a message in the channel, “I’ll pull the big one away. You guys finish off the rest. I’ll be back in ten minutes, and I don’t want to see any more rats.”

In her opinion, there were four people here with average stats over a thousand, and numerous elites below them. If they couldn’t even kill 5 Silver BOSSes and 50 bronze rats with that, they were no different from trash.

So her tone was very cold. Everyone understood her meaning and agreed. Qi Shuanghan even feigned concern, asking, “Then what about your safety, my lord?”

Wang Jiu: “What can be done? Can you even help?”

Not very damaging, but extremely insulting.

The collectively humiliated crowd: “…”

Just wait until you’re swallowed by the Golden Rat! Ptooey!

Wang Jiu shot out, and the Golden Rat’s aggro was entirely on her. It immediately chased after her.

“The system’s descriptions are always useful. The lord’s ‘shameless taunting’ probably pissed off the Golden Rat.”

The crowd only bantered for a moment, because Xie Lu had started assigning people to kill the 55 rats.

With the Golden Rat gone, their pressure indeed lessened. They could make a move.

“But we only have ten minutes.”

While kiting the Golden Rat away, Wang Jiu’s own Spirit Power was already very low. Even if all her skills were off cooldown, she couldn’t supply enough Spirit Power for much skill output, and ten minutes wasn’t enough to recover much either.

She could only run while activating the Spirit Recovery Array.

So, she was really just kiting the mob. However, she was also organizing the resources on hand.

Ignoring everything else, she only took out the Upgrade Scrolls and Strengthening Stones.

10 Upgrade Scrolls, 820 Strengthening Stones.

It’s great to have a lot of people. Dying wave after wave, with thousands of people dying, she earned several hundred Strengthening Stones alone.

She even got 10 Upgrade Scrolls, a priceless and rare resource.

On the auction house, people were posting purchase orders for these things at 200 gold each.

Remember, purchase orders, not sale listings!

Wang Jiu directly used the Upgrade Scrolls on the Azure Serpent Emblem, the Fish Abyss Badge, and the old lady’s necklace.

123456789! 10!

She heard a series of rapid, consecutive explosions.

After it was over, Wang Jiu tapped her foot and leaped onto a ruin. Looking back, she saw the massive Golden Rat charging in after her, crashing into everything in its path.

She continued running toward the former city center, where the ruins were densest, leading it in a circle several thousand meters around the Gobi Territory.

She then carefully examined her equipment.

The Azure Serpent Emblem and the Fish Abyss Badge were upgraded. The old lady’s necklace failed to upgrade.

Azure Serpent Emblem +7 (Golden Growth Badge)

Attributes: All Attributes +300

Skill: Serpent Phantom. When suffering a heavy blow, a serpent phantom can flash into existence to take the attack, allowing for an escape.

Fish Abyss Badge +7 (Golden Growth Badge)

Attributes: All Attributes +450

Skill: Fish Scale Armor State. Passively and permanently increases armor defense by 30%. Can be used in conjunction with all defensive skills.

Two successes out of ten attempts was considered very lucky. However, the quality of an item upgraded later was clearly not as good as a naturally golden one. The +7 stats were worse than a +4’s.

But Wang Jiu was still pleasantly surprised, because the most important part was its attached skills.

System: “Converted, that’s at least 2000 gold spent.”

Wang Jiu: “Get lost.”

After finishing the upgrades, Wang Jiu quickly synthesized the 820 Strengthening Stones into 205 top-grade Strengthening Stones. Then, she took out a battle robe, wrapped it around her hand, and frantically slammed the stones onto the Demon’s Eye and Nightmare Descent badges.

Demon’s Eye +4 (Golden Growth Badge)

Attributes: All Attributes +600

Attached Skill: See all attributes of all living beings above level 20.

Nightmare Descent +5 (Golden Rare Growth Badge)

Attributes: All Attributes +800 (including Spirit Power)

Attached Skill: Can enter the Nightmare Descent state, increasing all attributes by 40% for 10 minutes.

After upgrading the four badges, her total all-attribute increase was 1310 points!

Even without mentioning the skills from the Azure Serpent and Fish Abyss badges, this attribute boost caused a huge change in Wang Jiu’s stats.

HP: 402 (Attribute points convert to HP at a 5:1 ratio)

Spirit Power: 800 (Permanent Spirit Energy: 5600, Spirit Power Cap: 6100)

Strength: 2910

Agility: 3090

Stamina: 2810

Because of the Nightmare Descent badge, after two enhancements, her Spirit Power cap also increased, filling it with 500 Spirit Power.

She had originally thought that passing 2000 and 2500 in average attributes would also grant her a Spirit Energy title, but it didn’t. The system notified her that the next tier required an average of 3000.

This disappointed Wang Jiu somewhat. Her attributes were still quite a bit lower than the Golden Rat’s. As for skills, her current Spirit Power could only support one combo; she couldn’t sustain anything else.

A BOSS’s health was different from a human player’s. The former’s HP bar was terrifying, especially a Golden-grade BOSS.

Even if she used the Nightmare Descent state to boost her attributes far above the Golden Rat’s, she wasn’t confident she could deplete its HP bar within five minutes. Most importantly, she had experienced the power of its Golden Whip.

It was simply terrifying!

At the time, the system had warned her that the opponent’s strength far exceeded hers, and its attack power was about to surpass the barrier’s defense limit. Moreover, if the barrier was broken, restarting it would consume a lot of Spirit Power.

This greatly surprised Wang Jiu. The barrier was indeed not invincible; it had its limits.

That was why she had fled.

Now, after this wave of enhancements and weighing the pros and cons, Wang Jiu decided to lead it back to the territory out of caution.

She just didn’t know how things were going back at the territory.

Just then, a query from Xie Lu came through the team channel.

Xie Lu: “We’re finished over here. How are things on your end, my lord?”

Wang Jiu: “Arriving in three minutes.”

In terms of command ability, Wang Jiu admitted she was far inferior to a professional like Xie Lu. That’s why she had given them ten minutes, but he had only taken seven to integrate the territory’s forces and finish off the rats.

When Wang Jiu’s message arrived, the crowd, having just finished the slaughter, immediately rested, took potions, and ate.

“There aren’t many stamina recovery items, and even fewer Spirit Power recovery items. Damn, this game is so stingy. Are there any priests? A Holy Light, please!”

“Besides Holy Light, are there any other recovery skills?”

“You’re dreaming. So far, I’ve only seen Lord Lao Wang’s Spirit Recovery Array…”

As they spoke, everyone frantically consumed resources to recover their strength, because the Golden Rat was almost there.

At this time, Wang Jiu also sent a private message to Xie Lu.

Wang Jiu: “I only need you to gather for two attacks. The first time, hit it in its normal state. The second time, hit it at its 10% berserk state. But for the final blow, have at least three people with Holy Light ready to heal me.”

Xie Lu: “Alright.”

Although he didn’t understand why Wang Jiu had messaged him privately, Xie Lu didn’t ask why and went to the team channel to make arrangements.

Three minutes. What could be arranged?

Wang Jiu didn’t look, because she had to focus on kiting the frenzied Golden Rat. It seemed to be getting impatient.

And… Wang Jiu kept feeling like someone was watching her.

From very far away.

Wang Jiu frowned slightly and quickly approached the Gobi Territory.

Xie Lu and the others were on the city wall, watching as the massive Golden Rat madly chased Wang Jiu. Dust billowed, and a savage aura raged. Everything in its path was trampled and destroyed.

“Get ready.”

The toughest battle was about to begin.

Everyone thought so. Tensely, Xie Lu watched as the Golden Rat approached within three hundred meters of the territory.

He raised a hand, and the ranged mages and archers all readied themselves.

Three hundred meters, two hundred meters, one hundred meters!

Wang Jiu reached a point fifty meters from the territory gate, then used Shadow Step to leap onto the city wall where over ten thousand people were gathered. Wang Shu was especially excited.

“Master!!”

After landing on the wall, Wang Jiu placed a hand on Wang Shu’s face, pushed him aside, and took an egg pancake from a tray held by a woman behind him.

“Attack!”

At Wang Jiu’s word, Xie Lu gave the order, and everyone unleashed their strongest attacks.

BOOM!!

The volley of attacks shot out with astonishing momentum.

Feeling hungry and tired, Wang Jiu gently rolled up the egg pancake, put it in her mouth, and took a bite. Unhurriedly, she watched as the attacks from over ten thousand people struck the Golden Rat, knocking off 15% of its health.

As expected, even with their numerical superiority, most people still couldn’t break its defense. They weren’t rats that could get close and tear at it madly.

Still, dealing 15% damage wasn’t bad.

Not bad? After one strong volley, everyone’s Spirit Power was heavily depleted. As they were preparing for the second wave, the Golden Rat had already pounced on the territory.

The territory’s protective cover was bitten by its terrifyingly sharp, enormous mouth. The people on the wall were inches away from its fangs.

They could clearly see the movement of Spirit Power on its fangs. The Gnaw skill was activating!

Crack!

A thin crack appeared on the protective cover.

The territory’s defense HP dropped by 25%!

Aiya, holy shit!

Everyone was nearly scared out of their wits. This was too terrifying. Wang Jiu hadn’t expected its damage to be so high either. As the Golden Rat was about to take a second bite, she finished the last of her egg pancake, recovering some stamina. She casually patted Mei Qingshu on the shoulder, brushing it lightly.

Mei Qingshu’s heart stirred slightly. The gesture was a little familiar. A long time ago, her senior sister had been just like this.

Mei Qinghe: “Sis!! She wiped the grease on you!”

Mei Qingshu’s face instantly darkened, but before she could say anything, Wang Jiu had already leaped off.

Nightmare Descent.

HP: 402 (Attribute points convert to HP at a 5:1 ratio)

Spirit Power: 800 (Permanent Spirit Energy: 5600, Spirit Power Cap: 6100)

Strength: 4365

Agility: 4635

Stamina: 4215

After the buff, a dark altar formed under Wang Jiu’s feet as she landed. Her golden staff was fitted with the Lord’s Scepter. The people on the wall saw black energy howling and twisting around her. The scepter in her hand had an immense presence, emitting a dazzling golden halo with armament runes coursing over it. She then threw a Dark Curse at the charging Golden Rat.

Under the curse, it suffered a 30% debuff. The dark altar provided a 20% boost. On top of that, the Lord’s Scepter’s armament effect amplified the power of her spells and added a continuous burn damage effect.

It was as if a demon had crawled out of hell and breathed a world-burning, evil flame upon the mortal realm, scorching all living things.

The Golden Rat had a lot of fur. After taking this hit, its fur, originally like cold iron, was burned red as if it were melting. Its attributes dropped drastically, and it let out a piercing shriek.

X-Ray, Dissection.

When Dissection activated, Wang Jiu typed two words in the team channel.

“Neck.”

Xie Lu gave a hand signal, and the people on the wall quickly aimed for the Golden Rat’s neck.

BOOM!!

The Golden Rat shrieked as its health dropped from 85% to 60%!

They knocked off 25% in one go!

Oh ho, nice, nice!

Before the crowd could celebrate, they saw the Golden Rat charge again, continuing to gnaw on the territory, because its aggro had been pulled by the people in the territory.

The territory’s HP dropped from 75% straight to 50%!

Holy crap!

“Quick!”

“Keep attacking!”

“We’re screwed, the third Gnaw is coming!”

At this most dangerous moment, Wang Jiu activated her Mountain Ghost’s Night March state and launched a combo from the side: 30% Blood Wrath + Heavy Strike + Dismemberment. BOOM!!

Jiang Ming, Xie Lu, and other high-level players with inspection abilities suddenly saw the Golden Rat’s health plummet from 60% to 10%.

Everyone: “???”

The Golden Rat was severely wounded, its flesh mangled and fur split open. Its aggro shifted, and it whipped its Golden Whip toward Wang Jiu.

It was too fast. Even with her current 4635 Agility, Wang Jiu couldn’t guard against it. She could only activate her barrier.

BOOM!!

The rat’s tail struck the barrier. With a crack, the barrier shattered, and Wang Jiu was sent flying…

Bang! She flipped through the air and landed on a rock, which cracked and shattered under her feet. She then darted away.

Roar!! The Golden Rat went berserk. Its body suddenly twisted, its wounds began to heal, and the golden armor started to cover its entire body.

Does this mean it’s going for perfect defense?

If its berserk state completed, its debuffs would likely be purged, and its attributes would skyrocket. The territory probably wouldn’t be able to withstand another Gnaw!

If the territory fell, they would all die!

“Charge up!”

While Wang Jiu was in mid-air, the Golden Rat was about to lash out with a second Golden Whip. At that moment, Xie Lu had everyone else unleash their third and final attack.

Humming, rays of light shot from the city wall toward the Golden Rat’s neck, which was about to be covered by the golden armor. At that same instant, Wang Jiu glanced at her remaining bit of Spirit Power, drew out 50% of her blood, and at the same time, several rays of Holy Light descended upon her.

The holy light and the blood-red light erupted simultaneously, along with the golden light from the lashing Golden Whip.

A deafening bang.

10%-0%. A bloody hole was blasted through the massive Golden Rat’s neck.

At the same time, Wang Jiu was struck by the Golden Whip.

Her barrier was already broken. She had no way to withstand this blow.

“It’s over, Master!!”

Wang Shu, who had jumped off the wall, discovered several figures were faster than him.

Huh?

Are they bullying me for my low agility?

But Master isn’t dead?

Wang Jiu really wasn’t dead. A phantom of an azure serpent was coiled around her, shrouded in a misty green light. However, her face was very pale, and there was blood at the corner of her mouth. She was clearly severely injured.

Xie Lu, Mei Qingshu, and Qiao Xuejing ran to her side. Just as they were about to ask about her condition, the dust-covered Wang Jiu wiped the blood from her mouth and smiled. “In such a hurry to get over here. Want to pick up the items I dropped?”

The few of them were speechless, but then they saw Wang Jiu looking into the distance.

Hmm? Being perceptive, they followed her gaze.

It was the small forest outside 443 Novice Village.

The leaves and branches were dense, and they couldn’t see what was inside.

“The final blow wasn’t mine.”

Everyone was startled.

Wang Jiu’s expression was subtle, as if she were contemplating something. Meanwhile, the buzz-cut man in the small forest didn’t move either, just remained silent, hidden in the darkness.

Did their gazes meet?

It seemed he was weighing… weighing whether to charge in and kill her while she was at her weakest!

At this moment, he was holding a team follow talisman in his hand.

This was a standoff.

What broke it was a single sentence from Wang Jiu.

“But it wasn’t him either.”

Then who was it?

As Xie Lu and the others were feeling suspicious, they suddenly felt something strange below. “Not good!”

He reacted, but he was a step too slow.

A small white figure shot out bizarrely from underground and hugged Wang Jiu’s leg.

It dropped to its knees with a dramatic thud.

“Oh heavens, Great-Grandmother, Bai Bai has finally found you!”

A crisp, childish voice. Everyone was shocked.

Wang Jiu also froze for a moment, looking expressionlessly at the little thing hugging her leg.

It was snow-white and adorable, like an anime sprite.

But it was a little fox.

Great-Grandmother, a little fox?

Jiang Ming and the others, who had rushed over thinking Wang Jiu was under attack, all turned to look at her in unison.

Wang Jiu pressed her brow. Had she been latched onto as well?