Recently, a small team has been gathering around Zhao Shiyu, occasionally raiding dungeons and acquiring a lot of good equipment. However, as the team gradually got organized, internal conflicts began to surface. The main issue was the unequal distribution of loot. Zhao Shiyu believed that since the team was originally formed by him and a few others, they naturally deserved a larger share. This led to clear unfairness in the distribution process, causing several arguments within the team. Soon, morale began to decline, and clear divisions emerged.
Zhao Shiyu spoke with several team members multiple times to suppress the conflicts. Unable to find better alternatives, those individuals had no choice but to stay. However, the hidden dangers within the team had already taken root.
It was laughable how conceited Zhao Shiyu was, lacking self-awareness. On several occasions, he secretly colluded with Fu Guangtao and Bai Jun to hoard good equipment, thinking no one would find out. However, there are no completely sealed walls in the world. Several members within the team had already started planning their own paths.
Zhao Shiyu, along with about seventeen or eighteen people, was gathered at the back of the classroom discussing strategies for their next dungeon raid. Thick stacks of reference materials were spread out on the table. The dungeon they were planning to go to had already been cleared many times by elite groups from major guilds, leaving behind many small tricks and raid strategies. They collected and organized these strategies, and once they completed necessary preparations in the game, they would set off.
Although this group wasn’t top-tier in the game, they were among the stronger second-tier players. Their preparations before every dungeon run were always thorough. However, some discordant voices had emerged within the team.
“I don’t support this expedition to the Spider’s Cave. It’s clearly beyond our current capabilities. Our magical damage output is still too low. We should at least clear the Mysterious Cave twenty times to upgrade our mages’ gear and boost our magical damage before attempting such a high-level dungeon,” argued a slightly overweight boy named Chu Chenghao, who played a paladin in Faith. His level and strength were comparable to Zhao Shiyu, Fu Guangtao, and Bai Jun. He was known for being amiable and decisive, thus holding considerable influence among classmates.
“There’s no need. Our mages’ magical damage is already sufficient. If we can clear the Spider’s Cave, our equipment will reach a whole new level. There’s no point wasting time in the Mysterious Cave!” Fu Guangtao arrogantly replied.
“You’re aiming too high. Going to the Spider’s Cave will definitely result in wipeouts. A team isn’t something that can be carried by just a few people. Don’t you understand the concept of teamwork? What do we need for the Spider’s Cave? Toxicity Necklace? Tooth of Vitality? Flame Gem? Do most of the mages in our team even qualify to use these items? Instead of risking the Spider’s Cave, we should spend some time in the Mysterious Cave to equip our mages with Arcane Robes and Staves. This way, the overall magical damage of the team will improve.”
Chu Chenghao’s words caused several mages in the team to fall into deep thought. Items like the Toxicity Necklace and Tooth of Vitality were clearly high-end gear they couldn’t use. These items would inevitably end up equipping Fu Guangtao, Bai Jun, and others, while they would slave away and get nothing in return. Chu Chenghao was clearly on their side, immediately gaining their psychological support.
Seeing that several nearby mages were swayed by Chu Chenghao, Fu Guangtao inwardly cursed and said, “The items in the Mysterious Cave are all trash. You can find them everywhere in the auction house. If we could clear the Spider’s Cave, would we even care about those items?”
“It’s true that the items in the Mysterious Cave can indeed be bought, but if we don’t go there, are we supposed to buy them from the auction house? Can we afford them? Will you pay for them? Or will we sell the Toxicity Necklace obtained from the Spider’s Cave and use the money to buy Arcane Robes? In the end, you’re still trying to get better gear for yourselves, dragging the entire team into danger for personal gain. I’m definitely not going. Whoever wants to go can go by themselves.” Chu Chenghao’s stubbornness flared.
“Damn it, you always have something to say. Last time, because of you, we couldn’t even go to Whitebird Canyon and had to stay stuck in the Mysterious Cave for so long. Our gear would have been much better by now if it weren’t for you. Who do you think you are? I’ve been wanting to beat the crap out of you for a long time. Just try it,” Fu Guangtao glared at Chu Chenghao menacingly.
“You’ve got the guts, come on then. I’m not afraid of you,” Chu Chenghao fearlessly returned Fu Guangtao’s glare.
However, in the First Military Academy, Fu Guangtao dared not actually start a fight.
“Don’t think you’re someone special. Our team can function just fine without you. I know people in the accounting department who can help me recruit a paladin anytime. You can go or not, as you please,” Zhao Shiyu looked at Chu Chenghao with a hint of disdain.
“I have something to do tonight. I won’t be going to the Spider’s Cave,” a thin boy said. He was an arcane mage in Faith and dared not openly confront Fu Guangtao and others but supported Chu Chenghao in this way.
“Me neither.”
“Same here.”
These were all lower-level members of the team who had endured unfair treatment since joining and now supported Chu Chenghao.
Chu Chenghao looked at this group with gratitude, feeling a sense of emotion inside. This was exactly what the saying meant: those who follow the righteous path will gain much support, while those who stray will lose it. Zhao Shiyu, Fu Guangtao, and Bai Jun had treated the team as a tool for personal advancement, never considering the efforts of each member.
Suddenly, a majority of the team sided with Chu Chenghao and refused to participate, leaving Zhao Shiyu in a panic.
Zhao Shiyu looked at one of the boys and asked, “Chen Mo, you’re not going either?”
Zhao Shiyu tried to retain some members, including Chen Mo, who secretly had a crush on her.
The boy named Chen Mo remained silent.
Seeing that the team was clearly unable to proceed to the Spider’s Cave, Bai Jun quickly stepped in to mediate, smiling as he said, “Nothing has been decided yet. Let’s all sit down and discuss. If we can’t go, we’ll make other arrangements.”
Chu Chenghao snorted coldly and said, “I see now. You’re all in cahoots, always thinking about gaining benefits for yourselves. We walk different paths and can’t work together. I’m leaving. Find someone else.”
As this group was engaged in a heated argument, Xu Yan, Fei Zhe, and Xia Tianyu approached from the side.
“Chu Chenghao, we’re recently forming a team. Would you like to join?” Xu Yan asked.
“How many people do you have so far?” Chu Chenghao asked. Although he didn’t interact much with Xu Yan normally, he knew a little about his character, at least not like Fu Guangtao and others.
“Currently, there’s just me, Fei Zhe, and Xia Tianyu, but we’ll be recruiting soon. Nie Yan said he might come by our team if he has time. Also, a few members from Blue Bells mentioned they want to join. We should be able to form a team within a day or two,” Xu Yan replied.
Xu Yan’s words immediately drew the attention of the surrounding classmates. Could Xu Yan really recruit members from Blue Bells? They knew that Xu Yan had joined Blue Bells right after the start of the semester. Previously, they didn’t understand the strength of Blue Bells, but after the gathering at the First Military Academy, they had personally witnessed what kind of organization Blue Bells truly was.
Chu Chenghao hesitated for a moment. Since he had nowhere else to go now, he nodded and said, “Okay, but I have to say in advance, I reserve the right to leave the team.”
“Of course, welcome to join,” Xu Yan said with a cheerful smile.
“Xu Yan, can I join too?” Chen Mo suddenly asked from the side.
“Welcome.”
“I also want to join.”
In a flash, at least ten people wanted to leave the team led by Zhao Shiyu, Fu Guangtao, and Bai Jun. They had long been fed up with these individuals and, seeing an opportunity to break free, didn’t hesitate to depart—even though they knew little about Xu Yan, Fei Zhe, and Xia Tianyu.
Seeing so many people wanting to leave the team, Zhao Shiyu and the others became anxious.
“Damn it, Xu Yan, you piece of trash, you’re here to poach members too. Don’t you know your own worth? With just your few people, can you even form a team? Even if you form one, what dungeon can you tackle? Goblin Swamp?” Fu Guangtao mocked Xu Yan.
“We can start with Goblin Swamp. At least we won’t be like some people who only think about getting gear for themselves. Besides, who the trash is remains to be seen,” Xu Yan shot back without hesitation.
At this moment, Chu Chenghao spoke up, “We can start from scratch. From now on, you take your broad road, and we’ll take our narrow bridge.”
The entire command class was now completely divided into two factions.
“A bunch of trash, all of you can just go to hell. In the game, I’ll beat you up every time I see you!” Fu Guangtao said menacingly.
Xu Yan, Fei Zhe, and Xia Tianyu immediately became angry. Fu Guangtao was too arrogant and self-important. They hadn’t received gear from Nie Yan before, but that didn’t mean they were afraid of Fu Guangtao. Now, their strength had improved significantly.
Fu Guangtao’s open hostility further deepened the classmates’ disgust.
“Are you daring to fight tonight?” Xia Tianyu coldly stared at Fu Guangtao.
“You’ve got the guts, come on then,” Fu Guangtao sneered.
The atmosphere became tense, with both sides locked in a confrontation, neither willing to back down. Xu Yan quickly counted; they had recruited thirteen people, making sixteen when including themselves. With just a few more people, they could form a complete team. The remaining individuals were the die-hard loyalists of Zhao Shiyu, Fu Guangtao, and Bai Jun, whom Xu Yan and others wouldn’t accept even if they came.
To earn the respect and loyalty of these people, they must lead with virtue. Xu Yan recalled Nie Yan’s approach to managing the Bull Tribe, realizing there was still much work to be done to build a cohesive and powerful team.
They gathered together, introducing each other’s levels, while Zhao Shiyu and others from afar cast venomous glances.
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