Suddenly.
In the wilderness around the imperial capital, rings of light began appearing—some big, some small, some even overlapping each other, looking quite chaotic.
The restless thunderstorm clouds suddenly calmed down.
The fierce winds that had been blowing also dissipated, and the whole world fell into silence.
Only those rings of light continued slowly rotating.
“Teleportation arrays? The monsters come out from those arrays, right?” Lu Ran asked.
It wasn’t a complete guess.
Back in Blackfire City, Lu Ran had heard other professionals mention it.
“Yes, teleportation arrays. The bigger the main city’s area, the greater the number and coverage range of the arrays, and the more monsters there are. Likewise, there are also more professionals. It all corresponds.” Liu Xinxin nodded and said.
“Then what about the difficulty? How do you judge that?” Lu Ran asked.
Liu Xinxin explained:
“Look at the color of the teleportation arrays. White is Level One difficulty.”
“Green is Level Two difficulty.”
“Blue is Level Three difficulty.”
“Purple is Level Four difficulty.”
“It’s somewhat similar to how equipment grades are divided. Basically the same.”
…
If that’s how it works.
“Then gold should be Level Five difficulty? And red would be Level Six difficulty?” Lu Ran asked.
“That’s the idea, but since a monster siege above Level Four has never been triggered before, nobody really knows. Don’t think too much about it. Just handle today’s situation well.” Liu Xinxin said.
Lu Ran nodded.
He stared at those teleportation arrays, big and small, for a while.
Then asked, puzzled, “White teleportation arrays—does that mean this monster siege is Level One difficulty?”
“No, this is only the beginning. The color of the arrays will still change. When monsters actually start being teleported through, that’s when the color and corresponding difficulty are finally locked in.” Liu Xinxin shook her head and said.
And at this moment.
Within those teleportation arrays, indeed, not a single shadow of a monster could be seen. No monsters had appeared yet.
But soon.
In less than a minute.
The color of those teleportation arrays suddenly turned green.
The emerald-green teleportation arrays blended with the surrounding wilderness, hills, forests, and vegetation, radiating green light. Looking around, they densely surrounded the entire imperial capital!
“Level Two difficulty now.” Liu Xinxin murmured.
On the surrounding city walls, and among the professionals crowding outside the city, everyone was watching eagerly.
“Haha… Level Two difficulty! This wave is worth fighting!”
“Level Two difficulty—the experience isn’t that high. Change again, Level Three would be best!”
“Don’t! My level isn’t high enough! I’m a newbie—I can’t handle Level Three!”
“I’m already itching with impatience. Who cares what difficulty it is—I’ll kill them all the same!”
…
On the other side.
Heavenly Dao Alliance headquarters.
Yu Qingcang had already deployed his people, arranging four commanders to head to the areas near the four city gates, positioning Heavenly Dao Alliance professionals to prevent danger and unexpected situations.
Messages kept coming through on his wrist.
“Level Two difficulty now. Good, the momentum is decent. But Level Three or Level Four difficulty would be more useful for Lu Ran.” Yu Qingcang muttered.
Then.
He looked up at the crowd from the Heavenly Dao Alliance.
And shouted, “According to the deployment just now, move out! All commanders, stay in contact with me at all times. If there’s any unexpected situation, report to me immediately!”
Not just the Heavenly Dao Alliance.
The imperial capital’s own city defense garrison also began to mobilize.
But it was clear they weren’t in a hurry.
The current monster siege was only Level Two difficulty. Nothing to be nervous about. They probably wouldn’t even get a chance to act—they’d just watch the show and couldn’t even earn experience.
But then.
The teleportation arrays around the imperial capital changed color again, turning blue!
It was a deep blue, almost black, instantly standing out sharply in the wilderness.
“Level Three difficulty now.” Liu Xinxin stared at the teleportation arrays in astonishment.
Although it was only Level Three difficulty, the color transition was so fast, so smooth!
The watching professionals also stared eagerly.
Seeing the teleportation arrays turn blue, most professionals cheered excitedly.
After all.
Among all professionals, those with levels between Thirty and Forty were the most numerous!
“Beautiful! Haha… Level Three difficulty, just what I wanted!”
“Level Three works too. Level Four would be better, but Level Three kills monsters faster, so that makes up for it.”
“Level Three difficulty is safer! I like it!”
“But it seems like no monsters have appeared yet? Could it be Level Four difficulty?”
“Damn, it really is Level Three difficulty! I’m done for. How am I supposed to fight this? Any veterans willing to carry me?”
…
For a moment, everyone was saying different things.
But like some people said, the teleportation arrays hadn’t started sending monsters through yet.
Instead, after a few more minutes, the color of the teleportation arrays turned purple!
Purple—Level Four difficulty!
This was also the highest difficulty monster siege on record since the dataized world began!
The normal monsters, elites, and bosses all ranged from Level Forty to Level Fifty!
Among professionals, although not many could reach Level Forty-plus, there were definitely quite a few.
The imperial capital was big enough to handle it.
But many newer professionals, those with lower levels, had no place to voice their suffering.
“It’s over, it’s over! Level Four difficulty—I definitely can’t handle this.”
“I don’t want to die yet. I’m going back to sleep. Good luck, everyone.”
“Level Four is great! Haha… maximum rewards!”
“I didn’t expect it to actually be Level Four difficulty. Fine, I’ll join in too.”
“Strange. The timing this time seems off. And why haven’t any monsters appeared yet?”
…
Nobody knew who shouted that no monsters had appeared.
Immediately, everyone’s gaze locked onto those purple teleportation arrays in the suburbs.
That’s right.
Although those teleportation arrays, big and small, were still spinning rapidly.
Not a single monster had been teleported out!
“Could it be…” Liu Xinxin’s pupils suddenly contracted as she murmured in surprise.
The next second.
Woom~
At the same time, all the teleportation arrays turned gold!
This scene terrified many professionals. The originally noisy and lively scene instantly fell silent.
After a brief moment of silence.
“Holy crap! A Level Five difficulty monster siege!”
“Damn it, monsters up to Level Sixty! How the hell are we supposed to fight that?”
“Could there even be a Level Sixty boss? We’re done for!”
“Run! Get out of the imperial capital! Run!”
“Run my ass! The teleportation arrays are all locked down!”
“Level Five difficulty—unprecedented!”
…
At this moment, everyone panicked.
Level Three difficulty was a citywide bonus. Level Four difficulty would weed out some people, but it was still manageable.
Level Five difficulty—nobody gets to play anymore!
Monsters ranging from Level Fifty to Level Sixty—where would they find enough high-level combat professionals to fight them?
Panic began to spread.
Liu Xinxin, Lei Tai, and Ye Hongyi exchanged glances, their expressions turning even grimmer.
Because the golden teleportation arrays still hadn’t teleported a single monster through!
“Could it be… Level… Level Six difficulty?” Lei Tai asked hesitantly, nearly biting his own tongue!
