Cultivation: But Not a Game

The BOSS dropped an eighth-tier essence, an eighth-tier magic treasure, and several high-grade materials.

Su Yu did not bid in the auction, but after it was over, he received a share of ten thousand gold from the total sale of fifty thousand gold.

Moreover, he became famous within the team; everyone knew he was the human expert who destroyed Smoke Wave City and was being hunted by the Horned Demon People.

On the way to Chixia City, everyone was curious and asked him how he destroyed Smoke Wave City.

Without keeping everyone in suspense, Su Yu detailed the strategy he used back then, drawing waves of astonishment.

Of course, he concealed the Vast Sea part, and the story was slightly modified but logically coherent.

The group quickly arrived in the seas near Cloudy Island, but as they approached, they realized the Red Tide there wasn’t as overwhelming as expected, not nearly like it had besieged the island.

Su Yu, with a puzzled expression, asked:

"Wasn’t there supposed to be a massive Red Tide, including seven super BOSSes attacking? Why aren’t they here?"

Others were equally confused. Chu Tao muttered to himself:

"Could it be that they’ve already been cleared?"

"Um... that’s indeed possible."

"We received the news ten hours ago; that’s certainly enough time to break the siege."

"What should we do then?"

"Find another place, or lure the Red Tide from elsewhere."

Yu Chengyun looked at everyone, particularly Su Yu, and asked:

"What do you think?"

After pondering, Su Yu said:

"Let’s lure them from elsewhere. This city has a population of millions, more than Smoke Wave City, which will surely attract the Red Tide, and maybe some are already coming."

"Su Yu makes sense. What does everyone think?"

"I think he’s right, let’s split up and search."

When you have enough power, respect and status naturally come your way.

From being ignored at the start, to now having his opinion sought on every action, even for team reconnaissance, he doesn’t need to move, just stays and sips tea, occasionally fighting monsters—extremely leisurely.

But the leisure didn’t last long; within less than an hour, a message came from one of the small teams, the voice somewhat anxious:

"Spotted a group of two hundred Six-Eared People at eleven o’clock, all Loose Immortals."

Yu Chengyun, who was sipping tea and discussing Tao on the Flying Ship, immediately stood up and shouted in the channel:

"Everyone, withdraw immediately."

Those leveling up nearby quickly returned and gathered around the Flying Ship, while those sent out to lure the monsters couldn’t return instantly. Su Yu glanced at the 68 who had already gathered.

Yu Chengyun, with a serious look, said:

"Usually, tribes don’t fight during a Red Tide, but these Six-Eared People, numbering twice to nearly four times our count, have a good chance of attacking. Everyone, stay alert and prepare for battle."

Someone immediately asked:

"What’s the probability of them attacking?"

Yu Chengyun said solemnly:

"Very likely."

Su Yu frowned, saying:

"We’re outnumbered, let’s avoid conflict if possible."

After a pause, he suddenly snapped his fingers, causing spatial ripples to spread behind him, and a figure silently appeared.

"Earth Immortal?"

"It’s an Earth Immortal Spirit Puppet!"

Everyone’s mood lifted, with many breathing a sigh of relief.

"With this Spirit Puppet here, they’re unlikely to attack."

But still, caution prevailed, and everyone remained vigilant, gathered on the Flying Ship.

Five or six minutes later, a large Flying Ship broke through the raging Red Tide’s blood clouds and stopped not far from them. The deck was full of Six-Eared People players scrutinizing them.

"They’re human!"

"There’s few of them, only a quarter of us; should we surround them?"

"There’s an Earth Immortal."

"That’s just a Spirit Puppet, not much of a threat, but it could be dangerous nonetheless."

Many Six-Eared People turned to the two experts with auras far surpassing their kin, a handsome man, and a beautiful woman, and solemnly asked:

"Brother, Sister, should we go?"

The Six-Eared People resemble humans closely, except with six varying-sized ears, their innate sixth sense is far superior to other races.

For instance, human players’ innate sixth sense is at least ten points, but the Six-Eared tribe’s baseline is over twenty points, with high potential for awakening sixth sense-related innate abilities and even divine techniques.

These two Six-Eared experts scanned the vigilant humans and soon focused on Yu Chengyun, their eyes showing a hint of seriousness.

"A human expert!"

"Only one, but the threat..."

As their gaze landed on Su Yu beside Yu Chengyun, the man’s eyelid twitched violently, a shiver running through him—a gut-wrenching instinct.

"Another expert!"

"Just a Second-Layer Dao Foundation? Concealed cultivation?"

The two Six-Eared experts exchanged glances, nodding with tacit understanding:

"Should we leave?"

"Let’s go!"

They gestured, and the Flying Ship turned, passing by several kilometers apart.

Yu Chengyun graciously nodded in their direction as they left, exhaling lightly before turning and smiling at Su Yu, saying:

"Fortunately, we have Mr. Su, otherwise there would have been a big battle."

Su Yu smiled; there was no need to explain. The intuition between strong individuals let Yu Chengyun see that the Six-Eared People left suddenly because they lacked confidence, with the key factor being the two of them.

He didn’t send anyone to follow the Flying Ship of the Six-Eared People to see where they were going. Humans were certainly coming for Chixia City here. Since the Six-Eared People were unwilling to make a move, they naturally gave up on Chixia City as well, otherwise, they would have acted early.

With the crisis over, everyone continued as planned, until more than three hours later when one of the squads brought good news.

"A large group of Red Tide is approaching Chixia City, extremely massive in size. Initial reconnaissance shows at least six or seven super bosses inside, with possible hidden ones deeper within."

"That’s enough."

Everyone immediately got active and started to prepare.

Some used the Secret Skill of Concealment to gather their energy, while those without it used concealment treasures or tools. Su Yu noticed four individuals who had practiced the Celestial Ghost Transformation Skill, transforming into Red Tide Essence.

Like him, the transformed Red Tide Essence could blend into the Red Tide without being attacked.

The remaining players without any Secret Skill of Concealment gathered together. One Loose Immortal took out a handkerchief-like treasure and spread it out over an area of over a hundred acres, covering everyone, which gradually faded along with the people inside until they disappeared.

"This treasure is quite good."

Then, before the team approached Chixia City, another squad brought more good news.

Another squad found a smaller group of Red Tide approaching Chixia City, which seemed to contain two super bosses.

"Excellent, even more stable now."

The group followed behind the Red Tide, watching as the Red Tide surrounded Chixia City. Eight super essence bosses over level two hundred emerged and began attacking fiercely around the Red Tide City.

Yu Chengyun said solemnly in the channel:

"We won’t make a move first. Wait until the Horned Demon People send Loose Immortals out to kill the BOSS and ambush them, trying to eliminate the experts."

At this time, Su Yu privately transmitted to Yu Chengyun:

"What’s your detailed plan? What kind of results do you want to achieve? Just destroying Chixia City?"

Yu Chengyun immediately replied:

"Indeed, the main goal is to destroy Chixia City. Does Mr. Su have any better suggestions?"

"I have an idea."

"Please share."

"Simply destroying Chixia City offers limited benefits; plundering a city only yields several million gold at most."

Uh...

Yu Chengyun listened with some speechlessness.

Just several million gold? Do you realize what you’re saying, with such a big attitude?

Even ranked in the Peerless List, a sect Daozi, owning a private celestial mansion, and being a shareholder of an Overlord Guild, he only accumulated two to three million gold since his cultivation began.

As the leader, getting a tenth of several million gold would be a significant income he couldn’t ignore.

He asked, keeping a calm face:

"From your perspective, you can gain even greater rewards?"

"Indeed."

Yu Chengyun immediately became interested and asked:

"Explain in detail!"

"Very simple, have you considered completely besieging the city, killing all the Horned Demon People players and fixing their respawn points?"

"...That’s difficult to achieve, isn’t it?"

"For others, it might be hard, but with me, it’s not that hard."

He smiled slightly and said:

"I’ve done it before."

Yu Chengdong’s eyes immediately glowed:

"I totally forgot Mr. Su’s previous achievements."

"No problem, if it can be done, I’m willing to assist you, brother."

"Certainly!"

Su Yu accepted the offer without hesitation.

Soon, Yu Chengyun’s voice came through the channel:

"I have good news, everyone should know Mr. Su previously destroyed Misty City alone, not only gaining immense harvests but also completely eradicating tens of thousands of Horned Demon People, gaining billions of cultivation points and hundreds of thousands of Dao proficiency."

"Previously, Mr. Su managed alone with limited benefits, now with over a hundred of us, Mr. Su is confident to lead us in a big strike. I, Yu Chengyun, am willing to step down and let Mr. Su lead as captain. Does anyone have objections?"

Upon hearing this, everyone’s eyes shone, and as the speech concluded, everyone unanimously responded:

"Of course, no problem, I support Mr. Su as captain."

"Captain Su, just tell us what to do, old Hu will definitely follow your lead."

"Me too."

"Count me in."

Everyone responded unanimously, and none disagreed.

Su Yu gestured for silence, and the voices quickly quieted down and faded away. He smiled and said:

"Rest assured, everyone, the probability of success is very high, and the rewards upon success will far exceed your expectations."

His gaze swept across faces full of surprise and anticipation; he began assigning tasks and negotiating the distribution of spoils in advance.

Indeed, he had a bold idea, formed after the fall of Misty City.

Last time, there was only him alone, and it was his first encounter with such a situation, unable to cover all aspects, which led to the wasting of a massive amount of cultivation points and Dao proficiency.

Now, Chixia City’s situation is very similar to Misty City, and there are so many people at his disposal, all strong, so he thought he could attempt that previous bold idea again, and make another big haul.

No need for much; just doubling the cultivation points and Dao proficiency again would be enough to make his Dao Foundation rise by two more layers.

After assigning tasks and strategies, the team waited outside, while Su Yu and several Loose Immortals practicing the Celestial Ghost Transformation Skill transformed into essences and stealthily approached the forefront of Chixia City.