It was very early in the morning, but lines of guests were lined up to enter the pod cafe. The Golden Peony ships were also allowing visitors to board to use their pods, as well as the academy. On the continent of Nanying, every city with the capability was packed with cultivators who wished to participate in the free event. Despite all the pods being occupied, the lines of people did not dissipate since there were those who wished to watch, as well as those who were on waiting lists for when the current occupants would be expelled.
Mo Xuan was already in the Musuo mode awaiting the start of the event just like the tens of thousands of others were. Twenty minutes before the planned start of the event, his surrounding changed as he went from his personal space to a room on a flying ship flying high above the world.
"Attention all participants, please direct your attention to the following announcement that will soon commence", an announcer said, "Good luck and God speed."
A light screen appeared in front of him,
[ Good morning, welcome to Demonic beast continent. We once thrived on this land, but a beast tide larger than any has ever see caused us to flee the lands for our lives.]
Mo Xuan was confused at first, but he saw a message on the screen that explained that this was just a game scenario and not true in any way. The light screen changed,
[ Your mission is to be the tip of the spear.
We are leading an attack force to reclaim our lands, and you have been selected to be the first ones to engage the enemy. Pay attention to your objectives because they will update in real time, and leaving them undone will only make things harder for yourselves. Fight the enemy, and your contributions will be calculated at the end of your turn. You only have one life in this event, so when you eventually lose, allow the next in line to enter the pod. The more you accomplish and the better your accommodations, the better your final score will be. Your prize will be based on your final score, but be warned that this conflict will escalate in difficulty over time and you will be eliminated at some point. Take the rest of this free time to prepare, and follow the glowing arrows on the floor when it illuminates.]
Mo Xuan did like many others, and walked around until he found a group of people who were grabbing equipment and putting it on. He also found the storage that belong to his number, and put it on. He was pleased when he saw that it shared a visual appearance as the armor suits the law enforcement used during the last attack from the Draco Empire. After putting everything on, he waited as the others on the flying ship with him also did the same. Soon an announcement came over the ship's speakers:
[ Soldiers, we are almost over the drop point. If you have not gotten ready, this is your last chance before the start. If you are not in position at the signal, the pod will open to allow the next on the waiting list to participate. If you are ready, follow the directions that will appear now.]
Mo Xuan saw the arrows on the floor illuminate, and it became chaotic as everyone made their way to their destination. After a minute, he entered a small room where there were four seats, and two were already taken. No longer after, the final person entered and sat in the last seat, and the door to the room closed.
[ The first mission is to land and defend the area as resources will be sent down to create a base for defense. Do your best to hold out as the command has evaluated that the first enemies should not be dangerous, just numerous. Expect stronger reinforcement to arrive based on your situation, and do your best to achieve a high score. Launch in thirty seconds], the announcer directed everyone.
A timer appeared, and the room shook as large cargo doors on the bottom of the ship opened in preparation of launch. The wind howled outside causing the drop pods to shake as the timer reached zero, and all the pods were released from their restraints. Fire shot out of the top of the pod, and it instantly accelerated towards the ground. Hundreds of flying ships released thousands of pods, and the sky was full until they all impacted the ground.
Mo Xuan was surprised when their pod impacted the ground because they did not feel the effects of the landing, but he ignored it as the doors opened. The three others inside the pod and him all came out with their weapons drawn. The pods would start the process of establishing the base for more resources to be deployed to, so Mo Xuan prepared for the enemy. Soon bugs as large as dogs and horses are seen running towards the landing spot.
Mo Xuan rushes forward, and easily dispatches the few bugs that show up first, and he and the others get into a rhythm as more appear. This continues for an hour, but then the bugs who show up start to feel more powerful. The first enemies that were present felt about as strong as Body Perfecting realm cultivators, but now the bugs are about the same strength as Qi Gathering realm cultivators, and the four of them are feeling the pressure.
Mo Xuan no longer uses just his sword to fight, but also leads the enemies around to finish them off with talismans in the most effective manner. After another thirty minutes, he is still fighting but things are different. He has sustained several injuries, and his armor is damaged as well.
Mo Xuan sees a rather large number of bugs approaching their position, so his uses his trump card, an array is thrown out that acts as a beacon for the flying ships above. He watched as the beams of lights and explosions rend the swarm to pieces. It's only been a few hours, but this is the first time in awhile that he has felt this hurt and tired. Just when he was doing his best, a big the size of an elephant appeared, and he resolved himself as he grab his last talismans and ran at it. The other three do their best to cover him, and an explosion happened when he reaches the bug's leg. Unfortunately, it appears the strength of the bugs have advanced again to the Foundation Establishment realm, and the remaining three react as the bugs rush towards their location. Just as they resolved themselves, a new pod impacts the giant big, and reinforcements finally arrive. Mo Xuan closed his eyes as he finds himself back in his personal room with a light screen detailing his achievements.
"That was amazing", he says as he leaves the pod.
It closes up to perform its self cleaning routine before reopening as the next contestant enters.
Feng Wu had just landed on the battlefield, and exited the pod with her team. She had been part of the third wave, and things were cooling off as the current wave of bugs was killed and her team were waiting for the next. The number of drop pods after three waves had reached the required amount, so a message was sent to everyone currently fighting.
[ The base has been completed, (Missions) and (Store) are now available]
Feng Wu wanted to check things out, but she had not been fighting for too long.
"I will watch things here", she told the others close to her, "Just do not take too long."
As they walked back towards the 'base', Feng Wu thought about this event. She had experienced bugs that acted at a pack, some with great strength, and others were fairly quick.
"I probably should not say this, but I hope something interesting happens soon", she said out loud since no one else was around. Just as she stood there scanning for enemies, something caught her eye and she quickly dodged. A large bear sized mantis realized it missed its prey, and tried escape. Feng Wu went into action as what appeared to be feathers seemed to float around her. One of the feathers hit a space where nothing was apparently there, but it caused the camouflage of a second mantis to warp.
Feng Wu started dancing, causing more feathers of fire to swirl around filling the area with obstacles for the invisible predators to avoid.
As she initiated this plan, she got on the communication array, "This is the honorable Feng Wu, to all members of the defense force be on the lookout. I have encountered mantises the size of a bear that are very adept at blending in with the environment. Partner up or us techniques that will inhibit their stealth."
After dodging a few more times, Feng Wu was able to box them into an area and kill the pair of mantises in her area. Unfortunately, the next wave is coming and she was not able to visit the base to prepare. She ended up expending some talismans that she had hoped to hang on for awhile longer, but it did allow her to buy enough time for the others to return.
The teams went back to their normal rhythm against the new wave, but the new bug was starting to take its toll on the defenders. Foundation Establishment cultivators who had been able to keep up with the Golden Core seniors, suddenly found themselves as the target of the sneak attacks from the mantises.
"If you are at Foundation Establishment realm", Feng Wu suggested, "It would be better if you return to the base, and use your points to find a way to defend the base."
The remaining cultivators at that realm launched their most powerful talismans to create an opportunity to fall back.
"Daoist Fen Wu", another of her Golden Core team members called out to her, "Take this time to escort them back, and visit the shop. We can hold things as they are now, so take the opportunity."
Feng Wu nodded and chased after the returning cultivators. It did not take long, and once the group was inside, she separated from them and headed to the mission and store fronts. She accepted all the missions for the bugs she was already facing before turning in her points from two artifacts and an array. After grabbing a few more smaller items, she left the base and returned to her post.
When Feng Wu returned, her team was in the thick out it, so she deployed the two artifacts. The first one was a turret that engaged the enemy as soon as it anchored itself. Talismans were quickly shot at the horde of bugs turning the battlefield into a colorful display of destruction as flames, lighting, and ice were used. The second artifact floated next to her, and focused deadly beams at larger targets.
"If anyone else needs to make a run back, I would advise to go now", she stated.
"I'll head back", one of her teammates said.
Over the next hour, everyone had at least chance to go to the shop and this allowed them to push the line back. As the wave ended, Feng Wu sat back to replenish her energy and maintain her artifacts.
"I hope everyone is ready", she commented, "That last wave was manageable, so it's going to get tougher."
One of her teammates frowned, "Even if it's true, there is no reason to state it."
Feng Wu was about to rebuttal when she heard a high pitched sound, "Enemy incoming…"
Before she could finish her warning, something had passed by her teammate in a blur, and she watched as his head rolled off his shoulders.
Zephyer Seaborn was a high ranking officer of the merfolk's army before the migration when he transitioned to the Law Enforcement Ministry. He was Merfolk ascendant or the equivalent of a Void Refinement realm cultivator. He had been watching the combined forces of cultivators and beastkin fight the big swarm of bugs and ever new species they had introduced to combat the united force. When the flying scythes were introduced, the Golden core cultivators and Essence beastkin had quickly taken many loses causing the Nascent souls to sortie. This had stabilized the situation again, but the bugs continued to adapt. New bugs the size of houses had been seen on the battlefield, and they had started launching these strange smaller insects that would explode on impact. All this had led to a new crisis, and he was finally able to enter the fray.
As Zephyer's pod streaked towards the ground, he took control of it and directed straight towards one of the towering creatures. A few moments later, his pod annihilated the giant bug and he exited with a plan in mind. He gathered the moisture in the air until it nearly created fifty oval shapes that looked like magnifying glass lenses. Then he created hundreds of spherical focusing orbs, and enacted his plan. Within a minute, thousands of invading bugs had been killed, and the chaotic battle grew quiet. Then the defenders broke out in cheers as they realized that they have survived the wave. This scene could been seen in every direction as the Void Refinement realm cultivator or Ascendant beastkin deployed had saved everyone under their care.
Zephyer floated to the ground, and was getting ready for the next wave when an announcement was heard by all.
[ Congratulations, the base was established and defended through all the waves. This ends the demonstration of this game mode, but do not worry, all the scores are being counted and the prizes will be sent out.]
Zephyer's eyes went wide as he understood what had happened.
"No! It was finally my turn!", he said as the battlefield faded back to his personal room.