A weapon of Star Purple level would manifest astonishing radiance and celestial phenomena upon its emergence, but Hong Mo had disabled such displays when he acquired it, leaving him perplexed as to how the other party discerned its nature.
Hong Mo and his companions adopted a combat stance, while Chen Tian descended slowly to the ground.
Han Ying Mie Tian was startled by Chen Tian's appearance. Upon seeing him, Ge Zi and the others cautiously approached Chen Tian.
Chen Tian spoke, "How about we play a game? If you win, this weapon is yours. If you lose, please leave. What do you say?"
"Chen Tian!"
Hong Mo showed a hint of distress, but Chen Tian ignored him. Qing Ling then shook her head, saying, "Brother must have his reasons. Let's watch."
Han Ying Mie Tian's interest was piqued, and he inquired, "Intriguing. What game is it?"
"Team battle. Up to ten of you can form a team and clash with us. If you win, the weapon is yours. You know that forcibly seizing a player's weapon incurs system punishment, unless the player willingly relinquishes it. Otherwise, there's no way."
"Hmph! I know. But since you wish to play, I shall indulge you. We'll send out the same number of players as you. That way, it won't be said that our Han Ying Guild bullies others!"
Hong Mo roared, "Shameless!"
So, when you initially attempted to seize it, that wasn't considered bullying?
Chen Tian stated, "Just those four. I suggest you field ten. After all, in my eyes, four are insufficient to defeat them!"
"Boy, do you think you're so formidable? You're merely level fifty, and you yourself haven't even surpassed the newbie zone. Hmph, but since you're seeking death, we shall oblige. Once my discussion is complete, we shall commence!"
Han Ying Mie Tian said with a sinister grin, then rejoined his team. He needed to find allies, as team battles required strategic coordination.
Meanwhile, Chen Tian addressed Qing Ling and the other three, "This trial will include an additional task: defeat the players from the Han Ying Guild before us in a team-based battle. You will face ten opponents as a team of four. Cooperate well!"
"Understood, Brother!"
Shu Zi, Ge Zi, and Hong Mo understood. Chen Tian was doing this for the good of their team.
It was only in adversity that individuals, and by extension, teams, would truly grow. Without enduring hardship, one could never identify their flaws.
Chen Tian then turned his gaze towards Han Ying Mie Tian. Han Ying Mie Tian swiftly assembled a team, and a contingent of ten players, all at level fifty, appeared before Chen Tian and his group.
Chen Tian surveyed their team composition and smiled. It seemed the opponents had strategically chosen their team to counter Shu Zi's group. However, this was also beneficial, as it would foster greater synergy among them.
Han Ying Mie Tian then declared, "We have ten players. If you wish to concede, now is the time. Don't embarrass yourselves later!"
Shu Zi retorted, "Shameless! Their ten players' classes are designed to counter ours. How utterly shameless!"
Shu Zi's words left Han Ying Mie Tian momentarily speechless. Indeed, to field ten players against four, and to deliberately select classes that countered them, was nothing short of shameless. However, Han Ying Mie Tian was solely focused on securing the long spear.
He then urged, "Let's begin! The numbers are set."
The ten players behind Han Ying Mie Tian wore expressions of casual confidence, as if they held Shu Zi's group in utter contempt.
Shu Zi and the others perceived their attitude and felt a surge of anger.
Hong Mo asked Chen Tian, "Chen Tian, can we kill them?"
"Of course! I believe they think the same. After all, if they kill us, who knows if the item might drop?"
Chen Tian smirked. He understood the opponents' mindset. They would undoubtedly fight with lethal intent. However, Chen Tian had no intention of intervening. If he were to act, it would be a swift resolution, rendering the need for others and these discussions moot.
Subsequently, Shu Zi, Ge Zi, Qing Ling, and Hong Mo stepped forward, as did the ten players behind Han Ying Mie Tian.
Chen Tian and Han Ying Mie Tian spoke in unison, "Team battle, scene selection!"
Wilderness team battles also involved scene selection, but it was randomly chosen by the system rather than player-dictated.
Then, on the interfaces before them, a deep blue ocean scene appeared, and the surrounding environment instantly transformed.
Sixteen individuals stood upon a cerulean sea. Chen Tian and Han Ying Mie Tian observed from the sky.
Map: Hai Ling Island!
This was a special map. Combat was prohibited on this ocean; the only permissible combat zone was an island tens of thousands of meters away. Furthermore, the team that first landed on the island would receive a buff.
Therefore, this contest would be divided into two parts. Numbers began to appear in the sky: three, two, one. As the countdown ended, fourteen individuals sprinted across the sea's surface.
Whoever reached the island first would gain an advantage and initiative.
As Qing Ling ran, she cast an amplification magic circle, instantly boosting the quartet's speed.
However, Han Ying Mie Tian's mage was not to be outdone, also casting amplification skills on their teammates. The two teams surged forward in a frantic race.
Han Ying Mie Tian then said to Chen Tian, "Concede. We've won this match."
He exuded an air of supreme confidence. However, Chen Tian understood the basis of that confidence: first, their numerical superiority of ten to four; second, their levels were comparable to Shu Zi's group; and third, if they secured the island first, combined with the buff and their numbers, Chen Tian surmised these were the reasons for Han Ying Mie Tian's self-assurance.
But Chen Tian remained silent. Victory or defeat would only be known through the contest.
On the sea's surface, Chen Tian's team advanced at a steady pace, while the Han Ying Guild players rapidly pulled ahead, soon leaving Shu Zi and his companions behind.
However, Qing Ling's lips curved slightly upwards. It seemed the opponents hadn't noticed yet.
She then instructed, "Continue at a steady pace. It won't be long before we catch up, even overtake them. Maintain your speed."
Shu Zi and the others nodded. If Qing Ling hadn't made her move, they would have foolishly exerted themselves to their maximum effort.
Qing Ling didn't speak, but her actions alerted Shu Zi and the others. Thus, they also slowed their pace. They were a team, and Qing Ling must have discovered something; otherwise, she wouldn't have suddenly decelerated.
They only needed to trust Qing Ling. Trust was the core principle of any team.
As Shu Zi and his team proceeded at a steady pace, they soon spotted the Han Ying Guild players. At this moment, they were resting on the sea's surface.