Chapter 45: Lining Up for the Kill (Eighth Update)

Although Commander Yin Xun was restrained, he was merely bound with ropes that held his limbs; his hands and forelegs remained mobile.

At that moment, Commander Yin Xun swung down the hand holding his longsword. The Earth Spring Surge, which had been suppressed by the Pure Yang Stone Array, erupted once again.

All nine attackers, including Wang Liang, suddenly found pools of black water forming beneath their feet. As seasoned players, they instantly recognized what this meant. Yet none chose to retreat; instead, they made their decision in unison.

The four players restraining Commander Yin Xun leaned back, pulling his lower limbs outward as if quartering him, while Wang Liang and the others unleashed their strongest moves from every angle.

The second group, witnessing this, rushed forward as well. In truth, this second group and the ranged attackers were the main offensive force. Every member of the second group was skilled in swordplay—a dominant discipline in immortal cultivation games. Regardless of their skill level, in this moment their lethality far surpassed that of ordinary players.

They arrived just as Wang Liang and his group finished their assault. Wang Liang’s Life-Slaying Blade struck down, cleaving at the hand holding the command flag, while the other four players each launched their own attacks.

However, all chose to attack with full force, neglecting any defense against the Earth Spring Surge unleashed by Commander Yin Xun. As their strikes landed, they were blasted away by the geyser erupting from beneath.

Wang Liang was hurled over ten meters high and slammed heavily to the ground. Fortunately, his vitality was sufficient; he survived the blow.

Seeing Wang Liang tossed aside, Lu Chenghuang, who had been spectating, was startled. Fearing Wang Liang might die here and doom everyone present, he quietly intervened, replenishing Wang Liang’s life.

Thus, when Wang Liang struggled to his feet, he found he had suffered no grave injuries and, with a brief rest, could continue fighting.

The other players were not so lucky: all four main attackers were severely wounded. Yet the four restraining Commander Yin Xun had better fortune, stepping aside to avoid the surge’s full impact—though slightly affected, they escaped serious injury and continued holding the enemy.

The sword cultivators who had rushed in now pressed their attack. Some wielded longswords in close combat, others unleashed sword energy from mid-range, and a few had mastered flying swords for projectile assaults.

Almost simultaneously, eight longswords pierced Commander Yin Xun’s body. Already weakened and losing vitality, Commander Yin Xun suffered grave injuries from Wang Liang’s group; now, faced with sword strikes from all directions, he could only shrink downward, attempting to shield himself from this onslaught.

Meanwhile, the ranged spellcasters had completed their preparations. Treasury artifacts and spells rained down. With the Pure Yang Stone Array gone, ordinary artifacts merely distracted Commander Yin Xun; most players opted for targeted spells and magical implements—thunder, fire, and corresponding talismans.

These attacks struck Commander Yin Xun simultaneously, producing a crackling sound like roasting soybeans. His body, fused with his warhorse, charred black, exposing bone beneath.

Seeing this, every player grew tense. It was common for a boss to transform at the final stage. The skeletal soldiers outside contrasted with Commander Yin Xun’s fleshy form—something was amiss. If he turned into a skeletal warrior, what then?

At this moment, the third group—the physical attack squad—charged forward. Among all physical attackers, these were most adept at execution-type skills. The original plan was for them to strike at the critical moment; eight executing attacks would surely have an effect.

Now, with Commander Yin Xun in the midst of transformation, they couldn’t afford to wait. If they delayed until his metamorphosis was complete, it would be too late. So the eight rushed in from all directions.

Only two among them were players; the rest were NPCs hired by the players. Leading them was the butcher Tu Yi Dao from Yanggu County, famed for decapitating pigs with a single stroke—making him one of the county’s top executioners. The foremost experts were the official executioners, professionally trained.

Tu Yi Dao saw Commander Yin Xun’s condition and seized the moment. Without hesitation, he strode forward and swung his blade at Commander Yin Xun’s neck.

With a single blow, Commander Yin Xun’s neck was severed, but his transformation did not cease. The seven following quickly applied their skills. Unlike the sword cultivators, their attacks were broad and forceful; each attacker struck and immediately yielded position to the next.

After Tu Yi Dao’s strike, a player stepped up, wielding a blood-red greatsword and hewed heavily at Commander Yin Xun’s body. Without pause, he made way for another.

The next produced a gourd, releasing a burst of white light that slashed at Commander Yin Xun’s neck. However, with the head already severed, its effect was limited; he did not linger, promptly yielding for the next.

By this time, Wang Liang had risen, joining at the end of the line, both hands gripping the Life-Slaying Blade. As he advanced, the blade vibrated faintly.

When the last executioner stepped aside, Wang Liang raised his blade and, with a force imbued with trembling power, struck down.

With that blow, Commander Yin Xun’s body was cleaved in two, and the four players still restraining his limbs were flung aside.

Then Commander Yin Xun’s body exploded violently, scattering bones and flesh in all directions, with white guiding light falling across the ground.