The stillness of the early morning was broken by the sound of marching feet. From the southern edge of the forest, the Jade Serpent Sect's forces emerged, their formation disciplined and ominous. At least a hundred warriors advanced in perfect unison, their dark green robes blending with the foliage, and their weapons gleaming in the pale sunlight. Their banners, emblazoned with the coiled serpent emblem, waved menacingly in the breeze.
Xiaojun stood on the raised platform near the southern perimeter, his sword strapped to his back. His system interface hovered faintly in his vision, the notifications relentless.
[Enemy Detected: Reinforcements Identified] [Combat Rating: High Threat Level]
"They're here," he said, his voice steady despite the knot tightening in his chest.
Lin Mei appeared at his side, her bow already drawn, an arrow nocked and ready. She glanced at the advancing force and nodded. "More than we expected. They brought siege weapons."
Xiaojun's eyes narrowed. Sure enough, a pair of large wooden rams, flanked by heavily armored warriors, were being wheeled toward the village. Behind them, he could see groups of archers and mages preparing to cover the advance.
"We stick to the plan," Xiaojun said. "Traps first, volleys second. Make them pay for every step."
Lin Mei nodded and disappeared into the shadows, relaying his orders to the archers.
As the Jade Serpent Sect closed the distance, the ground beneath them erupted with a sickening crunch. Hidden pits and spike traps claimed their first victims, screams of pain piercing the air as the vanguard fell into the carefully laid traps. Chaos rippled through their ranks as the attackers scrambled to regroup.
"Archers, fire!" Xiaojun's voice cut through the din.
From the raised platforms and rooftops, arrows rained down on the enemy. Liu Yan's precise volleys struck key targets, and the villagers cheered as the enemy's mages fell, their defensive barriers failing.
But the Jade Serpent Sect was not so easily deterred. Their commander, a tall woman with cold eyes and a wicked curved blade, barked orders from the rear. Her voice carried authority and menace as she rallied her forces.
"Push forward! Destroy their defenses! Show no mercy!"
The siege rams rolled closer, shielded by rows of warriors bearing massive shields. Xiaojun's jaw tightened. The rams were a problem—if they breached the barricades, the village would be exposed.
"Lin Mei!" he called.
She appeared beside him like a ghost, her expression sharp. "I know. I'll take care of it."
Before he could respond, she darted away, her bow at the ready. Moments later, a flaming arrow streaked through the air, striking one of the rams. The dry wood ignited instantly, and flames spread across the structure. The attackers scrambled to douse the fire, buying the defenders precious time.
"Here they come!" Wei Lin shouted from the front lines.
The enemy's first wave crashed against the barricades like a tidal wave. Spears and swords clashed as the defenders held their ground. Xiaojun moved through the chaos, his sword flashing as he cut down attackers with precision. Around him, the villagers fought with a desperate ferocity, their fear replaced by the need to protect their home.
A group of enemy warriors breached a section of the barricade, their leader a hulking brute wielding a massive hammer. He roared as he swung the weapon, splintering wood and sending defenders sprawling.
Xiaojun sprinted toward him, his system interface lighting up as he activated a skill.
[Skill Activated: Blade Dance—Increased Speed and Precision for 30 Seconds.]
The world seemed to slow as Xiaojun moved. He dodged the hammer's deadly arcs and struck with deadly accuracy, his blade slicing through armor and flesh. The brute staggered, his weapon falling from his grasp as Xiaojun delivered the final blow.
"Reinforce the barricade!" Xiaojun shouted, his voice carrying over the din of battle.
Wei Lin and his team surged forward, driving the enemy back and shoring up the defenses. Lin Mei's arrows continued to rain down, each shot finding its mark with unerring precision.
The battle raged for hours, the sun climbing higher in the sky as the village defenders fought tooth and nail to hold the line. Slowly but surely, the tide began to turn. The Jade Serpent Sect's forces, battered and bloodied, started to falter under the relentless resistance.
From her position on the high ground, Liu Yan spotted the enemy commander. The tall woman was issuing frantic orders, trying to rally her scattered forces. Liu Yan drew a deep breath and steadied her aim. Her arrow flew true, piercing the commander's shoulder. The woman fell back with a cry, her forces hesitating as their leader was dragged to safety.
"They're breaking!" Wei Lin shouted, his voice triumphant.
"Press the advantage!" Xiaojun called, leading a charge that pushed the remaining attackers back into the forest. The Jade Serpent Sect's forces, their morale shattered, retreated in disarray.
As the last of the enemy disappeared into the trees, the villagers erupted into cheers. The battlefield was littered with the bodies of the fallen, but the village still stood. Exhausted and bloodied, Xiaojun leaned on his sword, his chest heaving as he surveyed the aftermath.
The morning sun crept over the horizon, its light spilling into the charred and battered village. Smoke still curled from the remains of the barricades, and the air carried the sharp tang of blood and ash. The villagers moved sluggishly, their faces a mixture of relief and exhaustion as they worked to clear the battlefield of debris and tend to the wounded.Xiaojun stood in the village square, his system interface glowing faintly in the corner of his vision. The aftermath of the battle weighed heavily on him. Though they had secured victory against the Jade Serpent Sect, the cost had been high. Still, he knew there was no time to dwell on their losses. The village had to be rebuilt, stronger than before, if they were to survive what would inevitably come next.
Lin Mei approached, her arm wrapped in a makeshift sling but her expression fierce. "The villagers are ready for the debrief, Xiaojun. They're waiting by the eastern barricade."
He nodded, his mind already formulating the next steps. "Thank you, Lin Mei. How's Liu Yan?"
"She's resting, finally. We managed to stabilize the worst of the injured, but we're low on supplies again. We'll need another foraging run soon."
"One thing at a time," Xiaojun said with a sigh. He glanced at the notifications on his system interface, one in particular catching his eye.
[Victory Achieved! Reward: 1x Gacha Spin Earned]
Xiaojun dismissed the notification for now, setting it aside for when he had a moment to breathe. The immediate priority was ensuring the village's safety and bolstering morale. He and Lin Mei made their way to the eastern barricade, where the surviving villagers had gathered. Despite their tired expressions and the makeshift bandages that adorned many of them, there was a spark of pride in their eyes.
"You fought well," Xiaojun began, his voice carrying over the group. "The Jade Serpent Sect thought they could crush us, but we showed them the strength of this village. That was because of all of you. Your courage, your determination—that's what won the day."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd. Wei Lin stepped forward, his spear still splattered with the blood of the invaders. "What happens now, Xiaojun? Do you think they'll come back?"
Xiaojun's gaze hardened. "They will. The Jade Serpent Sect doesn't take defeat lightly. But next time, we'll be even more prepared. We'll rebuild the defenses, strengthen our numbers, and make this village a place they'll never dare attack again."
The villagers cheered, a sound born of weary triumph and a flicker of hope. As the crowd began to disperse, Xiaojun finally allowed himself to glance back at the notification. With a quick mental command, he activated the gacha spin.
[Spinning... Reward Unlocked: Phantom Blade of the Eternal Wind]
A faint shimmer of light appeared before him, coalescing into the form of an elegant sword. The blade seemed almost alive, its surface etched with swirling patterns that glowed faintly in the sunlight. As Xiaojun grasped the hilt, a rush of energy surged through him, and a new notification appeared.
[Item Acquired: Phantom Blade of the Eternal Wind
Attribute Boost: +30 Agility, +15 Strength
Passive Skill: Wind Step (Enhances movement speed and evasion)
Active Skill: Gale Slash (Unleashes a powerful wave of wind energy)]
Lin Mei, who had remained at his side, let out a low whistle. "That's…impressive. Looks like the system's taking a liking to you."
Xiaojun couldn't help but smile. The sword was more than a weapon; it was a beacon of hope, a reminder that they could rise above their circumstances. "This will make a difference. Not just for me, but for all of us."
Lin Mei nodded. "You'd better put it to good use. The Jade Serpent Sect won't know what hit them."
As the day wore on, the villagers threw themselves into their tasks with renewed vigor. Xiaojun led the efforts to repair the barricades, his new weapon slung across his back. He tested its abilities when he could, marveling at the way it seemed to hum with power in his hands.
By evening, the village had regained some semblance of order. Xiaojun stood once more at the watchtower, staring out at the darkening forest. The Phantom Blade rested at his side, a constant reminder of the battles yet to come. But for now, he allowed himself a moment of quiet, the weight of the village's future balanced by the determination burning in his chest.