Chapter 430: Misha's Trial (Part 2)
"This is too difficult."
"I'm going to black out, I'm going to black out!"
"Damn! Don't splash lava on me when you fall in!"
"Dead!"
"I'm on fire too!"
The ideal was beautiful, but reality was cruel. Amidst the series of wails, most of the solo players charging ahead had already perished.
Most of them lacked sufficient Red Dragon bloodline concentration, making them unable to withstand the high temperatures or breathe the scorching, toxic volcanic gases.
It could be said that before the trial had officially begun, they were mercilessly eliminated.
The lava within the cave flowed slowly, with only small paths made of molten rock available for passage.
Many players fell into the lava, their bodies turning black and charred with a sizzling sound before being completely consumed, as if they had never been there.
"Is the first stage really this hard?"
"I'm out."
"I'll leave too."
"This trial is probably designed for those top players. I'm out."
"The devs really don't see us as human. They've locked the difficulty so tightly, I'll go rant on the forums."
"Why does the heavens treat me so harshly?"
"Are the devs cutting off our road as common players?"
Many players observing from outside the cave, realizing they had no chance of passing the trial, decided not to waste their experience and revival opportunities. They called out to their friends and strategically retreated.
Those who remained in the cave and could still hold on were mostly veteran players from the closed beta or elite teams cultivated by major guilds.
Their methods for crossing the Path of Burning were as varied as the Eight Immortals crossing the sea—each displaying their unique skills.
"Roar—"
Mantou and Singo rode on the backs of wyverns, having the creatures cling to the cave walls as they moved, ignoring the lava and heat below.
Summer Night Autumn Rain applied heat resistance and breath-holding potions to herself as she cautiously navigated the cave.
"Watch me!"
Born Battle Maniac, brimming with confidence, was unfazed by the heat and toxic gases. He made a powerful leap, covering a distance of nearly ten meters over several molten rocks.
The Mechanist Cult players were even more outrageous.
The leading player raised his arm and shouted, while the others pulled out small replica mechanical clocks and struck them continuously.
"Praise the God of Machines! Sound the grand bell four times!"
"Come forth—Fire Protector!"
"Boom!"
They raised their hands, and a multi-person Omega-powered armor descended from the sky.
Its body was crafted from heat-resistant materials, its fists embedded with gem-like nodes capable of emitting lightning, and its surface was covered with a flame-resistant forcefield.
The Sorcerer advancing within the Mechanist Cult was housed inside the armor's core, protected by layers of heavy plating.
A petite female player with short hair and black-framed glasses sat inside, her nickname displayed as [Art Is Explosion].
"Hahaha! Who can defeat us now that we have the Fire Protector?"
"Charge, holy guard army!"
The custom-built [Fire Protector] armor charged into the cave like a raging bull, jets of flame bursting from its boosters.
"As expected of the Mechanist Cult."
"They're ridiculously rich."
Mantou couldn't help but grumble enviously as he watched the massive armor.
After the establishment of the Crowbo Military Group, the Mechanist Cult players had become wealthier, reaching heights that ordinary players could barely imagine.
As key figures in the Empire's military technology, they often held positions within the military group.
It was said that for this advancement quest, the Mechanist Cult's guild leader Iron Frenzy had spent 3,000 gold coins to build the Fire Protector.
The [Royal Authority] guild was not to be outdone either.
"Royal Authority, glory!"
"Heroes never die!"
"The Dragon Pact Sorcerer slot belongs to us!"
Their paladins raised their shields, casting protective light against the flames, while their mages waved their staffs to create gusts of wind, dispersing the volcanic gases.
Under the shield's protection, two Dragonblood Sorcerers stretched out their arms to control the surrounding flames.
"Advance, advance!"
With luxurious equipment and top-tier professionals, they formed a moving fortress capable of resisting any external threat.
"Damn."
Lonely as Snow couldn't help but comment as he watched the overwhelming presence of the two major guilds.
"Guild leader, we claim to be a prestigious guild too, but where's our display of power? Look at them."
Charlotte remained calm and snorted, "Hmph, it's just for show. The true victor is yet to be determined."
"This arcane advancement class is something our Magic Coin guild is determined to claim!"
"I, as the guild leader, have personally come to assist. Isn't that prestigious enough?"
Indeed, there was no need for more.
—And it certainly wasn't because Charlotte had recently splurged on loot boxes and spent all her savings.
Charlotte and the other Sorcerers and mages of Magic Coin raised their staffs simultaneously.
[Flight Spell]
The members of Magic Coin took to the air, floating above the ground—even Lonely as Snow, clad in heavy armor, was no exception.
"Watch this."
"I traded a lot of experience points with Langpu for this gem."
Charlotte waved her staff again, chanting an arcane incantation as the magic crystal atop her staff glowed purple.
[Nezran Amethyst Radiance]
A bright purple crystal-like aura surrounded the team, temporarily making them immune to toxins and diseases.
"Your turn, Bright Moon."
Charlotte gestured.
The vice-guild leader of Magic Coin, Bright Moon, nodded in understanding and raised her intricately carved wooden staff, which glimmered faintly.
[Protect from Fire Damage]
A semi-transparent membrane enveloped the group, absorbing fire damage and protecting them as they navigated the burning path.
Several more mages followed up with shield spells and arcane armor.
This was the foundation of the Magic Coin guild.
Despite their occasionally unlucky guild leader, the guild boasted a "Magic Bureau" with over a dozen powerful spellcasters capped at level 8.
Lonely as Snow felt immensely secure under the layers of glowing protective spells and nodded in satisfaction. "Now, this is more like it."
He then muttered, "Good thing Witch Sister isn't here."
Indeed, Magic Coin's pillar, the famous "Lucky Disaster Warrior" Flying Witch, was absent.
Charlotte had thoroughly investigated the trial and knew that any mistakes could lead to total failure. So, even though Flying Witch had begged to come, Charlotte had firmly refused.
In the end, only about eighty of the three hundred players successfully entered the trial, while the remaining two hundred were eliminated.
Summer Night Autumn Rain cast a flight spell on herself, floating in midair.
She gazed toward the cave depths illuminated by firelight, her delicate brows furrowing slightly—it seemed she had noticed something moving within the lava.
"Look over there."