In Novice Village #4443, the conflict between the Sky Treader Guild and solo players was escalating.
Though solo players had the numbers, the Sky Treader Guild monopolized the best leveling zones.
While solo players were stuck at levels 4 or 5, the guild had already reached levels 7 or 8.
It wasn’t uncommon to see a few guild members chasing off a dozen solo players, forcing them to level in the dangerous depths of the forest.
But the monsters there were too high-level for them to handle, trapping the solo players in a vicious cycle of oppression.
Fortunately, the renowned Priest Hero had returned.
Boom!
A holy orb exploded, reducing a massive threat to a pile of charred remains.
Bai Yue Ling blew away the smoke rising from her staff, while behind her, dozens of solo players cheered and clapped.
“Finally hit level 6! Thank you, Priest Hero!”
“It took us so much effort to kill one treant, but Priest Hero took it down in one shot!”
“With Priest Hero here, we’ve all gained so many levels!”
Bai Yue Ling squinted happily, basking in the big sisters’ praise.
Watching the scene, Aiya whispered, “I thought you’d lead them straight to fight, but you’re helping them level up first.”
“Hmph, you don’t get it, do you?” Bai Yue Ling tapped her temple.
“First, I’m already too noticeable among otherworld travelers; I don’t want to make bigger headlines.
Second, soloing the Sky Treader Guild is ‘giving,’ but leveling with them and beating the guild together is ‘bonding.’ Bonding obviously builds more favor.”
If she was doing a good deed, she’d maximize the benefits.
Building rapport with these big sisters now might mean they’d help her out in a pinch later.
Why not?
Aiya thought for a moment. “There’s a third reason, isn’t there?”
“Uh… you got me.” Bai Yue Ling shrank back slightly.
“I don’t want to face Ying Ye’s wrath so soon.”
If she stalled long enough and returned to the castle at night, Ying Ye might not be mad anymore… right?
Bai Yue Ling wasn’t sure, but she definitely didn’t want to see that fox tail accessory again.
“Alright, everyone’s around level 6 or 7 now, right? Let’s go take down the Sky Treader Guild!”
“Got it!”
Led by Bai Yue Ling, the players marched back to Novice Village #4443, heading to the closest leveling zone.
Seeing dozens of people approach, Sky Treader Guild members immediately blocked their path, noses in the air.
“Stop! This leveling zone is reserved by the Sky Treader Guild. Get lost as far as you—”
Boom!
Bai Yue Ling expressionlessly blasted the highest-level members with a holy orb, then turned.
“The rest are yours.”
The solo players nodded eagerly, rubbing their hands with mischievous grins as they advanced on the remaining guild members.
“W-Wait! We’re backed by the gaming giant Sky Treader Guild… Don’t come closer… Ah!”
And so, Bai Yue Ling led the solo players on a rampage, clearing the leveling zones around the village again and again.
Under her leadership, more solo players joined the cause, swelling their ranks.
The Sky Treader Guild fought back, but against a level 12 Bai Yue Ling, they were powerless—
Especially since many guild members had developed PTSD from her glowing holy orbs, instinctively retreating at the sight.
“What do we do? The trash solo players have taken over the leveling zones!”
“Get Vice-President Xue Zhongxun Mei!”
“She’s in the hospital. They say she got so mad seeing Priest Hero hit level 12.”
“No choice—last stand! Everyone, assemble! At least kill Priest Hero once!”
The remaining Sky Treader Guild members launched a final assault, targeting Bai Yue Ling in a decapitation strike.
They spaced themselves out to minimize the impact of her holy orbs.
But Bai Yue Ling just sneered, mocking them unceremoniously.
“A bunch of useless losers. Your struggle is pretty amusing.”
She raised her staff, chanting softly, “Dark Holy Light!”
A dim holy light shot from the staff’s tip, spreading in a 90-degree arc, enveloping the approaching guild members.
Bathed in the dark holy light, their movements slowed, and their health bars plummeted rapidly.
“What… what’s this skill?!”
“Run… my health’s draining…”
“Can’t… can’t move… today’s leveling was for nothing!”
Under the dark holy light, the Sky Treader Guild members dissolved into white light.
[Your kill count has increased. Current kill count: 150.]
Bai Yue Ling stowed her staff, smugly wiggling her hips.
The Dark Holy Light skill was too convenient—group damage with soft control, boosted by an S-rank spirit attribute, even outperforming her holy orbs in practice.
I don’t have to worry about my holy orbs being too slow anymore!
***
“Thank you, Priest Hero,” Qiye said sincerely.
“The Sky Treader Guild won’t dare monopolize the leveling zones again.”
“No big deal,” Bai Yue Ling said, extending a small, tender hand with a grin.
“100 gold coins per person~”
“It’s a paid service?!”
“Kidding~ I know you’re all broke.”
***
After being decimated by Bai Yue Ling multiple times, the Sky Treader Guild fell into ruin, with many members’ levels dropping below even the solo players’.
This battle united the solo players further, filling them with admiration and reverence for Bai Yue Ling.
If she ever got into trouble, they’d surely be eager to lend a hand.
“These oppressed weaklings… I should’ve been the one to help them,” Aiya sighed, watching the cheering solo players.
“But I’m too easily deceived and lack judgment to help them in time.”
Bai Yue Ling patted the skirt armor covering Aiya’s hips, comforting her.
“You can try being more independent in the future.”
Aiya’s eyes dimmed. “I’m afraid I’ll mess it up…”
Bai Yue Ling blinked. “Then just listen to me and ignore everyone else.”
“Alright…”
The two girls arrived at the east side of the village, where a small wooden cabin stood—Aiya’s temporary home.
“Come in,” Aiya said, unlocking the door.
“The Fallen Light Armor is in a chest under my bed… Hm?”
She stopped, her gaze sharpening as she looked inside.
“Aiya?”
Bai Yue Ling peered in and saw a figure sitting in the room.
The figure had short green hair, its ends sharp like blades, with long, elegant ears.
She propped her chin with one hand, her lips slightly curved, her cold gaze fixed on Aiya.
“Miss Aiya, you’re finally back?”
Aiya’s brows furrowed. “Shi Qianla… what are you doing here?”
[Name: Shi Qianla]
[Race: Elf (Wood)]
[Level: 40]
[Class: Druid]
[Description: A wood elf from the Wilds of Nature, once a priestess of the Goddess of Nature, now the personal secretary of the third princess of the Rose Kingdom. For some reason, she harbors an inexplicable hostility toward her colleague Aiya, who serves as the princess’s personal guard.]
[Note: Though she appears as a young girl, she is 125 years old—barely an adult by elven standards.]