Western continent, Frost Hills, Azure City:
As a Guild City located in a Level 90 neutral map, Azure City served as a transit point for the Winter Empire's players on their way to Level 100-plus maps. In addition, the Azure Chamber of Commerce focused on trade, making Azure City the largest trading city in the Winter Empire. Many players and powers visited the city to conduct business. Over five million players visited the city every day.
While players waited in line to enter the city, gigantic Flying Mounts flew past them from time to time, drawing the envy of the ordinary players in line.
"Azure City is amazing! I haven't seen many Flying Mounts in other Guild Cities, yet this is already my fifth Flying Mount!" A Level 103 independent Berserker exclaimed as he watched the Twin-headed Vulture fly past him.
"Flying Mounts usually fly past Azure City, but not this many. I've heard that Azure's several large families are holding a competition between their younger generations today, and they've invited many of their partner powers. Those Flying Mounts should belong to the various powers' upper echelons," a Level 108 youth wearing a Guild Emblem beside the Berserker explained.
"A competition between Azure's younger generations?" The Level 103 Berserker asked, confused. "What's so interesting about it? It's just a bunch of newbies fighting each other. It's not like it's a showdown between peak experts, yet these powers are bringing so many people to spectate?"
"You probably don't know much about the Azure Chamber of Commerce, right? Azure is a veteran family Guild. The several large families make a living by playing virtual reality games, and they devote all of their efforts to the game. You could say that these families have nurtured their younger generations since they were young, unlike the various superpowers' experts that only start their training at the age of 15 or 16. Although these younger generations are still young, every one of them is astonishingly strong. Some of them are even stronger than the superpowers' peak experts." The Level 108 Elementalist rolled his eyes at the Berserker before him. "Moreover, this competition is purely a competition of combat techniques. You can learn a lot just by watching. Why else do you think our partner powers would bring their newbies with potential to this competition?"
"I've heard that Azure's competition this time is extraordinary. Many of Azure's younger generations have even gone to Violet Sword to learn. A few days ago, Violet Sword released news that someone from Azure's younger generation managed to fight Wildfighter, the vice commander of one of Violet Sword's trump card legions, to a draw. This news has startled Violet Sword's upper echelons," a Level 110, Tier 3 Swordsman wearing the same Guild Emblem said.
"A draw with Wildfighter? Wildfighter is one of the top 30 experts on God's Domain's Experts List! " The Level 103 independent Berserker said in disbelief. "Moreover, Wildfighter has been famous for more than a decade now. He's publicly acknowledged as a monster. I've heard that Wildfighter can even solo a Level 110, Tier 4 Mythic monster. How could Azure's younger generation possibly manage to fight him to a draw?!"
Practically every Berserker knew about Wildfighter. In fact, he was the idol of many Berserkers. Wildfighter himself was one of them.
"This is insider information. I only learned about it because I have a friend who is a core member of Violet Sword," the Level 110, Tier 3 Swordsman said with a yearning look. "It would be great if I could watch Azure's family competition. Who knows, it might give me some inspiration and help me improve further." "That's right," the Level 110, Tier 3 Swordsman said with a yearning look.
One-on-one battles between peak experts were very rare. Even if there were, the various superpowers would keep it a secret and wouldn't easily reveal it to the public. Ordinary players could only watch the various superpowers' peak experts fight during Guild wars. However, there weren't many references to such battles.
The reason for that was because those battles relied on overwhelming Basic Attributes. Techniques were rarely used. Moreover, even when peak experts from both sides encountered each other, they rarely fought one-on-one.
One-on-one battles that relied on techniques were as valuable as teaching materials. Many people couldn't purchase such materials even if they were willing to pay a fortune, much less watch them from the sidelines.
While the independent Berserkers discussed among themselves, a low cry came from the sky, echoing throughout Azure City's main entrance.
Everyone in line at Azure City's entrance couldn't help but turn toward the source of the cry. What they saw was a gigantic condor over 20 meters in size and shrouded in black mist, approaching Azure City.
"Crap! That's Violet Sword's Netherflame Eagle! Even Violet Sword is here?! "
"So strong! It's almost as strong as a Grand Lord's! "
"It's not just close. That Netherflame Eagle can go toe-to-toe with a Grand Lord of the same level. Very few Flying Mounts on the western continent can compare to it."
Everyone discussed the Netherflame Eagle's sudden appearance, some of them even looking at it with yearning.
A Flying Mount that rivaled a Grand Lord's strength would be immensely helpful to players. As long as they had enough DPS, they could solo Grand Lords in the fields and level up quickly. Furthermore, with the Netherflame Eagle's speed, they could save a lot of time just by running.
However, as everyone chatted, the Netherflame Eagle transformed into a shadow and flew into the Azure Chamber of Commerce's Residence in Azure City.
As the Netherflame Eagle landed, a dozen or so players jumped down from its back. Every one of these players was Level 111 or above, and the leader of the group was a white-haired, silver-armored old man. He had even reached Level 112.
"We've already given you all the training that Violet Sword can give you. I hope you won't embarrass Violet Sword. Otherwise, don't say that I taught you, and you won't have a second chance to train with us!" the white-haired old man on the Netherflame Eagle said coldly as he watched the dozen or so people jump off the Netherflame Eagle.
"Instructor Torre, rest assured. We'll make sure the Long Family knows how foolish they were for not participating in this training," a silver-eyed, blue-haired youth with a greatsword slung across his back said respectfully.
"Good. I'll wait for you in Holy Flame City. Don't disappoint me and your elders!" the white-haired old man said, nodding. He was even more amiable toward the silver-eyed, blue-haired youth.
Following which, the white-haired old man rode the Netherflame Eagle out of Azure City, leaving the silver-eyed, blue-haired youth and the others standing in the center of the Guild Residence's plaza and watching Azure's members and upper echelons.
"Fifth Uncle, I can clearly sense that they're much stronger now that they've returned, especially Solitary Frost. He actually managed to fight Wildfighter to a standstill. Yan Xiaoqian has also received that person's favor. I've heard that she's improved a lot. It seems things won't be easy this time," Burning Owl, who watched from a short distance away from the plaza, muttered.
With his combat standards, he should've had a chance of reaching the top three, but after seeing the various major families' younger experts return from their training, he began to doubt his chances.
"Hopefully, Silk Moon has improved. Otherwise, the Long Family will have a hard time getting into the top three," Long Wushang said, frowning as he watched the dozen or so players return.
They had no hope of obtaining first place in this competition. After all, the gap between them and Solitary Frost was simply too large. This was especially true for Solitary Frost. The others were in an entirely different world from him. Meanwhile, many Void Realm experts had already reached the Void Realm. Hence, obtaining one of the top three spots would be a problem.
Their only hope was Silk Moon, who had the greatest combat talent.
However, as soon as Solitary Frost's group left the plaza and the crowd was about to disperse, a loud boom came from the sky above Azure City, causing an uproar among the city's players.
"What's that sound?"
"Is something special about to happen in Azure City?"
The sudden boom piqued the curiosity of Azure City's players. Some players even left their hotels and bars to search for the source of the noise.
However, a short moment later, Azure City's players were stupefied.
A hundred-meter-long steel behemoth had appeared a short distance away from Azure City and was heading toward the city.
"What's going on? Why is there a Flying Ship?! "
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