owlsbooks Chapter 338 Chen Shan's Preparations
Chapter 338 Chen Shan's Preparations
"Yes, Captain!" Situ Zhen rubbed his shoulders, but a sharp light shone in his eyes.
Chen Shan then looked at the other team members, especially the two berserkers:
"Don't look so down! How did our 'Rock Solid' reputation shine? It was earned through countless hard-fought battles! This preliminary round is the perfect opportunity to let the whole continent hear just how resounding and formidable our 'Rock Solid' name truly is!"
"Yes! The captain is right!"
"Let the guys from other regions taste the power of our shield!"
The team members were in high spirits and responded with shouts of encouragement.
"However..." Chen Shan changed the subject, stroking the stiff stubble on his chin, a sharp glint in his eyes.
"Going it alone will definitely put you at a disadvantage. Situ, the rules say that you can temporarily form teams, with a maximum of ten people."
We only have five core members, so we need to find a few more reliable, tough guys who can work together seamlessly, preferably with high burst damage or those who can compensate for our weaknesses in control and ranged attacks. Once we enter the competition area, we need to find a way to reunite as soon as possible and form an unbreakable team.
"Understood. I have the candidates in mind. I'll make contact with them in the next few days." Situ Zhen nodded.
"There's still equipment and supplies!" Chen Shan kicked the still-reddening remains of the colossus beside his feet with his boot.
"This iron lump is shattered, and considering our existing reserves, we should sell what needs to be sold and replace what needs to be replaced. My shield is good, but it would be even more reassuring to have a spare, secondary shield with special resistances or effects. Stockpile as many life-saving potions and scrolls as you can, don't be stingy!"
He paused, looked around at the crowd, lowered his voice, but made it even more forceful:
"Also, all of you remember this: our number one goal is to advance, to lead the brothers forward together. But if it really comes down to a choice..."
He patted his battered giant shield, which emitted a dull metallic echo:
"This shield will always protect our own people first! Points are calculated separately? Then let each person earn them based on their own abilities!"
But if anyone dares to stab their own team in the back, or betray their teammates for a few points... I'll be the first to slam them into the ground with this shield! Got it?!
"Understood!" the group replied solemnly. Chen Shan's words, though rough, established the team's ironclad rule—internal unity is paramount, the foundation upon which they could stand firm in dire straits.
"Alright! Stop dawdling!" Chen Shan put his helmet back on and slung the giant shield over his shoulder.
"Get yourself cleaned up quickly! Then head back to the city immediately! I'm going to thoroughly investigate those damn rules, and also..."
He looked south, roughly in the direction of Star Moon City, his eyes, as large as copper bells, flashing with a sharp, blade-like light.
"That guy who was the first to reach level 50... Lin Tian, right?!"
Chen Shan grinned, his smile brimming with intense competition. "I just don't know if his physique can withstand the onslaught of my shield! If we clash in the preliminaries, I'll have to give him a good thrashing!"
Chen Shan's attitude towards Lin Tian was completely different from Ye Yao's cautious avoidance; he was more inclined to acknowledge the strength of the two and eager to compete.
Defense is his pride. He longs to confront any being hailed as the "strongest" head-on and see whose barrier is more unshakeable!
"Let's go, brothers! In seven days, we, 'Rock Solid,' will be like the hardest wedge, driven firmly into those top 100,000 spots, and no one will be able to pull us out!"
Amidst Chen Shan's triumphant battle cry, the team sprang into action, carrying the rich rewards of slaying the lord and an overwhelming fighting spirit like molten lava, embarking on their journey back to Stone Gorge City.
In the Iron Rock Mountains, magma still surges, but a tenacious will called "Rock" has been forged in the heat and metal, ready to meet the survival storm that will sweep across the continent in seven days.
......
At this moment, in the northwest of Holy Radiance City, in a hidden instance marked "The Forgotten Sanctuary - Depths".
The light was dim, and the air was thick with the smells of decay, blood, and a blasphemous sulfurous odor.
The shattered stained glass windows could no longer let in any natural light; only the remaining, dim holy runes on the walls and the wandering, ghostly blue flames provided some illumination.
Scattered on the ground were fragments of rusted armor and withered bones, and murals depicting the deeds of saints were covered with filthy graffiti and dried bloodstains.
This place was once an ancient temple dedicated to a saint, but now it has been corrupted by the power of the abyss and become a lair for demons and the undead.
The final boss room of the dungeon is a spacious circular hall that should have been an altar.
The altar had long since collapsed, replaced by a blasphemous platform built of bones and twisted metal.
On the stage, a figure nearly four meters tall, with tattered fleshy wings on his back, curved ram horns on his head, and wielding a greatsword burning with green evil flames, [Fallen Guard Captain Malzak, Lv.32 (Dual Lord of Demon/Undead)], was frantically swinging the greatsword, summoning hellfire and undead to attack the intruder.
Confronting it was a small team of only three, yet radiating a steadfast, pure, and holy light that stood in stark contrast to the evil environment.
Standing at the forefront was not a traditional shield warrior, but a woman wearing silver and gold plate armor engraved with intricate holy runes, holding a kite-shaped shield that emitted a warm white light and a one-handed warhammer.
She stood tall and straight, her long, light golden hair tied into a neat ponytail at the back of her head, seemingly shimmering even in the dim light.
Her face was beautiful and pure, her azure eyes clear and firm, like the deepest and most tranquil lake.
At this moment, she was precisely parrying Malzak's fierce strikes with her shield. With each swing of her warhammer, scorching holy light burst forth. Each strike left a charred mark on the demon's filthy body, eliciting painful howls.
Slightly to her left behind her was a burly male warrior, also clad in plate armor but much heavier, wielding a tower shield almost as tall as himself, who was now vigilantly guarding against the harassment from the hellfire imps summoned by the BOSS.
To Emily's right and slightly behind is a young mage dressed in an ice-blue robe and wielding a crystal staff. Her frost spells not only deal considerable damage but also effectively slow down the boss and summoned creatures, creating opportunities for control.
The three-person team has no traditional healer, because Emily's Holy Light has the functions of healing, buffing, and attacking.
They fought their way here by relying on their superb teamwork, strong individual strength, and special attacks against evil creatures.
"In the name of the Holy Light, purify your defilement!" Emily shouted, and the Holy Light on her warhammer surged. A Holy Shock slammed into Malzak's sword-wielding wrist, interrupting his preparation of an area-of-effect Shadow Bolt spell.