Inside the Phantom Moon Cave dungeon, when Ding Ye's team stationed at the "Injury" gate formation reduced the boss Mo Lihai's health below 70%, he finally put away that eerie pipa that had terrified Jiang Yuan and the others.
"Phew! No more pipa playing!"
Wending Cangsheng wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and spoke to the group with lingering fear.
"Yeah, that pain earlier—I never want to experience it again in this life. It hurt worse than my hemorrhoids, dammit!"
Ding Ye quickly chimed in, only to earn a wave of disgust from the others, who scolded him for being gross.
"Huh? None of you have ever had hemorrhoids? Fine! I'll draw a circle and curse you all—each of you gets one, except for my little Yun!"
Ding Ye glanced back at them and said with a mischievous grin.
"Get lost! Say that again and I'll beat you to death!"
Hearing that she, a girl, had also been cursed by Ding Ye, Cangshu Buding blushed and snapped at him angrily.
"Focus on the boss first; we'll deal with this punk later!"
Jiang Yuan shot Ding Ye an angry glare and then comforted Cangshu Buding.
Reminded by Jiang Yuan, everyone refocused and resumed attacking the boss.
Soon, under the relentless barrage from the two powerful DPS, Wending Cangsheng and Jiang Yuan, Mo Lihai's health dropped to 60%. Then, a flash of white light appeared in Mo Lihai's hand, and that eerie pipa was back!
"Ahhh! No!"
The terrifying memory from before resurfaced, and Ding Ye immediately begged Mo Lihai loudly.
"Meteor Arrow!"
Just as Mo Lihai's fingers touched the four strings of the pipa, Chuangshi Xiaoyun suddenly drew her bow and loosed an arrow. It shot like a meteor, striking Mo Lihai's fingers!
With a clang, Mo Lihai's pipa-playing motion was interrupted, and the note about to sound came to an abrupt halt!
"Nice shot, Xiaoyun!"
At the critical moment, Chuangshi Xiaoyun had interrupted Mo Lihai's spellcasting. Ding Ye immediately gave her a thumbs-up and shouted excitedly.
"Way to go, Xiaoyun!"
Team commander Wending Cangsheng also beamed with joy, quickly praising Chuangshi Xiaoyun's brilliant move.
"Hehe! So it can be interrupted! Leave it to me from now on!"
Chuangshi Xiaoyun's unintentional action had yielded an unexpected surprise. She smiled happily and assured Wending Cangsheng.
With this new discovery, dealing with Mo Lihai became much easier!
The two heavy hitters, Wending Cangsheng and Jiang Yuan, just kept hammering Mo Lihai with skills, while Ding Ye did his best to hold the boss's aggro. If aggro was lost, Jiang Yuan immediately commanded the Celestial Sand River Turtle to use its taunt skill, keeping the hate firmly in check. Chuangshi Xiaoyun stopped dealing damage—her output was negligible to the team anyway—and her role now was to watch the boss closely. Whenever Mo Lihai pulled out his pipa, she would strike immediately to interrupt his spellcasting!
[Ding! Congratulations! Your team has defeated Mo Lihai! Rewards: Tai Chi Golden Pill *300, Creation Pearl *2000, Primordial Pearl *2000, Victory Stone *20, Heavenly Dragon Demon Blood *10!]
Forty minutes later, Mo Lihai's health slowly drained away. As the system notification sounded, several colorful beams of light appeared on the ground!
[Ding! Congratulations to player Ding Ye for obtaining equipment: Kun·Nine Heavens Radiant Divine Armor!]
[Ding! Congratulations to player Wending Cangsheng for obtaining item: Victory Stone *10]
[Ding! Congratulations to player Jiang Yuan for obtaining equipment: Kun·Treading Clouds Dreamflow Divine Bow!]
[Ding! Congratulations to player Cangshu Buding for obtaining item: Taiyi Secret Pattern Stone *5!]
[Ding! Congratulations to player Chuangshi Xiaoyun for obtaining item: Immortal Crystal *10!]
"Wow! A sharpshooter's weapon! Big shot Jiang Yuan, can you give it to me?"
Seeing Jiang Yuan pick up a weapon for her class, Chuangshi Xiaoyun immediately spoke up, asking him to give it to her.
"Sure, just share the dividends with everyone, as a token of appreciation."
Jiang Yuan didn't even check the weapon's price on the trading market. He simply said this to Chuangshi Xiaoyun and initiated a trade request.
"Um... big shots, I don't have much money. Can I give each of you ten thousand?"
Chuangshi Xiaoyun looked at Jiang Yuan, Wending Cangsheng, and Cangshu Buding, lowering her head a bit sheepishly.
"I don't want any dividends from Xiaoyun. Surely you guys wouldn't have the nerve to take them?"
Ding Ye suddenly interjected, making Jiang Yuan swallow the words he was about to say!
"Since Old Ding has spoken, I have to give him face. So, this bow is yours, Xiaoyun."
Jiang Yuan shot Ding Ye a complicated look. To save face for him, he nodded in agreement.
"Ding Ye, you got equipment too. Shouldn't you also share dividends?"
At that moment, Cangshu Buding looked at Ding Ye with a smile and asked.
"Boss, this armor I can use myself, so no need for dividends, right? Hehe!"
Ding Ye shamelessly grinned at Cangshu Buding and said.
"So it turns out only Brother Cangsheng and I got equipment that needs dividends, and these two are the ones taking all the perks!"
Cangshu Buding rolled her eyes at Ding Ye, half-joking and half-serious.
With the first boss, Wending Cangsheng and Cangshu Buding had both given dividends. But now, when it came to Ding Ye and Chuangshi Xiaoyun, Ding Ye first blocked everyone from asking for Xiaoyun's share, then tried to weasel out of his own. This behavior made Jiang Yuan frown!
"Old Ding broke the rules. Let's punish him by making him treat us to a big meal next time! What do you think?"
To lighten the mood, Jiang Yuan punched Ding Ye in the chest, put an arm around his shoulder, and said casually to Wending Cangsheng and Cangshu Buding.
"That's a good idea. I agree!"
"Fine, it's settled!"
Wending Cangsheng and Cangshu Buding weren't petty people. Seeing this, they gave Jiang Yuan face and nodded in agreement.
"No problem!"
Ding Ye seemed to realize his actions were a bit unfair, so he didn't refuse and agreed readily.
The team's atmosphere lightened up again, and they continued toward the remaining formation eyes of the Eight Gates Golden Lock Array.
A few minutes later, the five-member team passed through the "Injury" gate and arrived at the "Du" gate. This time, they didn't see the other two Mo brothers. Upon entering the "Du" gate, what appeared before them were elite monsters called "Illusionary Ox Demon" and "Fire Wheel Ghost Chariot," numbering around forty to fifty.