Did the Top-Ranked Girl Get Exposed Today? [HoloVerse] - Chapter 3

Feng Xiaoxiao felt as though she were rising endlessly through a warm sea, her thoughts hazy and muddled. Suddenly, her eyes snapped open, and she awoke fully, like a fish leaping out of the ocean.

When she opened her eyes again, the scene before her was no longer the futuristic gaming pod but an ancient, picturesque game setting.

A small bridge spanned a flowing stream, peach blossoms bloomed in abundance, and low bamboo and wooden houses nestled among the mountains and waters.

It was early morning. In the thin mist, farmers heading out to work waved and laughed as they bid farewell to their families. Wisps of white smoke rose from the houses where breakfast was being cooked, a serene and idyllic scene, like a hidden paradise.

Feng Xiaoxiao felt a bit dazed. In the damp morning air, her breath was clearly visible. Sprouting blades of grass were dotted with dewdrops, and a cool breeze brushed against every cell of her body, sending a slight shiver through her.

This was Peach Blossom Village in the game, more commonly known among players as the “starter village”, the birthplace for every player entering “Tianxia.”

The last time Feng Xiaoxiao had been here was when she first started playing “Tianxia.”

At that moment, an invisible barrier wall restricted her movement. She had to choose her class before officially starting the game.

[Please select your class in ‘Tianxia.’]

The system dutifully projected several virtual avatars around Feng Xiaoxiao and began its introductory explanations:

[Sword Dream: Wields a longsword as their weapon, often serving as the DPS in a team. Amidst flashes of blades and shadows, they decapitate enemies within illusions.]

Feng Xiaoxiao had deleted her account, Shang Xianyue, and now the top-ranked Sword Dream player’s image remained blank.

[Healer’s Realm: Can use flowers and leaves as tools, often serving as the healer in a team. Withered trees bloom again, healing the world.]

The current top-ranked player was Meng Zhongren. In her image, she held a nine-petaled lotus, petals cascading down, instantly healing any wounds they touched.

[Celestial Feather: A dual-form class, wielding feather bows and longswords. Often serves as a DPS or support in a team. Born with dual wings, they soar through the clouds.]

A sudden clap of thunder, and amid a storm, Di Xiang spread her wings, a feathered arrow shooting from her hand to shatter the thunder.

[Guardian Light: Uses their flesh and blood to forge resilient shields, often serving as the tank in a team.]

The top-ranked Guardian Light player, Danhuang Liuxinbao, stood guard in front of teammates, shields deployed, blocking all catastrophic damage from enraged bosses.

[Flower Guardian: Adorned with twin bells at the waist and ribbons bound to the hands, they issue commands with a flick of the wrist. Often serves as a ranged DPS in a team, turning clouds and rain with their hands, embodying the law itself.]

Flower Guardian is a new class, and the rankings fluctuated frequently. No one had yet emerged to lead the Flower Guardian players.

[String Song: Wields a long zither as their weapon, often serving as support in a team. The music resonates, and the strings sing eternally.]

The current top-ranked player is still Wu Shixian, or rather, Wu Shixian’s account. The new owner had renamed the ID to Bu Ranchen and even changed the character’s appearance.

In the system’s projection, a woman who resembled an immortal descending from the clouds lightly plucked the strings with her fingertips. Leaping notes transformed into various buffs applied to teammates, while changing melodies-imposed debuffs on enemies, restricting their movements.

Aside from the new class, Flower Guardian, Feng Xiaoxiao was already intimately familiar with the others. In simple terms: Sword Dream for DPS, Healer’s Realm for healing, Celestial Feather for support or DPS, Guardian Light for tanking, and String Song for support.

However, in “Tianxia”, classes offered a high degree of freedom. It wasn’t uncommon for players to forge unconventional paths and reinvent the intended roles of their classes.

Just like the top-ranked Meng Zhongren in the Healer’s Realm class, the Healer’s Realm character she controls can not only provide massive healing to teammates but also manipulate hallucinogenic plants to trap enemies in illusions until they die.

There are also some players who are both amusing and frustrating, like those who “stack all health because they’re afraid of dying.” Their health bars are so thick that even Feng Xiaoxiao’s full-power strikes can’t take them down quickly.

Then there’s Guardian Light, who “stacks all defense because they’re afraid of pain”, making them a popular choice in all kinds of dungeons. When facing high-damage bosses, many players compete to have them on their team.

The downside is their pitiful damage output, even after casting a few skills on a chicken in the beginner’s village, the chick might still struggle back to its feet.

Now, as a newbie, Feng Xiaoxiao was contemplating which class to play. First, she ruled out Sword Dream, she had grown tired of it after playing for so long.

Next, she eliminated Guardian Light. Taking damage for teammates? Feng Xiaoxiao considered it a blessing if she didn’t end up harming her teammates. The same logic applied to Healer’s Realm.

Among the remaining classes, Feng Xiaoxiao suddenly recalled her duel with Wu Shixian. Back then, her opponent seemed utterly bewildered by her sword shadows and ended up strumming her zither strings to cast a buff on Feng Xiaoxiao. Feng Xiaoxiao, living up to expectations, swiftly ended the fight with a single strike.

Then there was Bu Ranchen. After Wu Shixian sold her account, Feng Xiaoxiao sought out the new account owner, Bu Ranchen, for a fight. Bu Ranchen arrived with great confidence.

Only to realize she had brought the wrong weapon, she had equipped the Healer’s Realm’s treasured Lotus Weapon from Wu Shixian’s inventory.

The player herself was baffled: “I saw this thing was meticulously maintained, placed at the top of the backpack, and even had an inscription. I thought it was some legendary treasure she cherished… So why would a zither player care so much about a Healer’s Realm’s weapon?”

This mystery remained unsolved even after Bu Ranchen switched weapons and lost the fight.

With both top-ranked players acting like this, it seemed like String Song players weren’t the sharpest tools in the shed…

Feng Xiaoxiao’s reasoning wasn’t unfounded. The top-ranked players of each class had a significant influence on others, creating a kind of “celebrity effect” where others would mimic their actions.

Under Feng Xiaoxiao’s influence, Sword Dream players generally became quite battle-hungry, obsessed with the allure of high damage.

Celestial Feather players, influenced by Di Xiang’s competitive nature, were steeped in an atmosphere of relentless grinding from top to bottom. As for Healer’s Realm, Meng Zhongren’s unconventional playstyle led to all sorts of bizarre strategies, with daily headlines like “What strange creature has Healer’s Realm created today?”

Feng Xiaoxiao didn’t know much about Guardian Light, only vaguely recalling that they were about as sharp as Celestial Feather players, equally foolish.

Celestial Feather wasn’t even on Feng Xiaoxiao’s radar.

Feng Xiaoxiao was quite intrigued by the new class, which was officially described as “mystical practitioners from a hidden sect, walking the line between good and evil.”

Choosing the best of the remaining options, Feng Xiaoxiao decisively selected Flower Guardian.

[Your selection has been confirmed. Current class: Flower Guardian.]

After Feng Xiaoxiao chose the Flower Guardian class, her initial plain outfit was replaced by a set of deep green beginner’s attire.

A dark belt hung with bells chimed softly as she moved, and her wrists were bound with silk ribbons resembling dodder vines, the ends trailing like dark green fish swimming through the air.

Beams of light scattered and flew toward Feng Xiaoxiao, and the Flower Guardian’s introductory incantation slowly surfaced in her mind.

With a single thought, vines surged forth from the ground, piercing through the soil. Sharp thorns sprouted from the green tendrils, and under Feng Xiaoxiao’s command, they shattered a distant, massive boulder.

Feng Xiaoxiao was thrilled, this was far more fun than just swinging a sword around.

The newbie guide provided by the system had now taken the form of a little butterfly, happily fluttering around Feng Xiaoxiao in circles.

“Congratulations on choosing the Flower Guardian class! From now on, I’ll be guiding you into the world of ‘Tianxia’!”

Feng Xiaoxiao nodded in response to the little butterfly while playing with the silk ribbon in her hand, casually asking, “What’s your name?”

“I don’t have a name yet. You can give me a nickname.”

Nickname…

Feng Xiaoxiao thought for a moment. “Since you’re blue, I’ll call you Bingbing Lan.”

Bingbing Lan had no objections. It perched on Feng Xiaoxiao’s fingertip, its voice still lively and cute. “Now it’s your turn to name yourself. What should we call you?”

Feng Xiaoxiao thought again, this time longer than when naming Bingbing Lan. “Xiaoxiao Yue.”

[ID confirmed successfully. Your registered name is: Xiaoxiao Yue.]

As Bingbing Lan spoke, Feng Xiaoxiao’s character interface unfolded before her.

[Personal Interface]

Player Name: Xiaoxiao Yue

Class: Flower Guardian

Level: 1 (New Arrival)

Special Bonuses: Attack↑

Defense↓

(…)

Feng Xiaoxiao reached out and tapped the skill icons, checking each of her available skills one by one: a passive crowd control removal, a shield summon, and her only offensive skill.

“I have a question.” Feng Xiaoxiao closed the interface, unwound the silk ribbon from her hand and tossed it aside, but the ribbon quickly flew back and wrapped around her wrist again.

“What’s the use of this thing? And why are my attack and defense stats abnormal?”

In Feng Xiaoxiao’s personal interface, her initial attack was significantly higher than other classes, while her defense value was the opposite. With that little defense, a single bite from a dog in the starter village would wipe out most of her health bar.

“It’s pretty useless, dear.” Bingbing Lan first answered her question about the ribbon.

“‘Dodder Bind’ is part of the Flower Guardian class design. This class naturally possesses higher magical power than ordinary people and excels at utilizing natural forces to cast spells, but this also makes them prone to attracting evil spirits. If not guided and restrained, they will gradually lose their original nature and cause disasters.

Therefore, the Flower Guardian sect leader placed a forbidden curse, every Flower Guardian’s hands, which gather spiritual power, will be bound by dodder vines. Frequently borrowing natural power will cause the Dodder Bind to absorb spiritual energy to strengthen itself, and a stronger Dodder Bind will better restrain its host.”

“So not only is it useless, it also hinders me from getting stronger?” Feng Xiaoxiao no longer cared for this entangled ribbon, and now she disliked it even more.”

“Pretty much…” If Bingbing Lan had human-like eyes, they would definitely be looking at Feng Xiaoxiao with clear yet foolish innocence. “It mainly serves decorative and restraining purposes…”

Feng Xiaoxiao also understood why her initial stats showed high attack and low defense, this was the game’s balancing mechanism for the class, ensuring every class has both strengths and weaknesses.

“Understood.” Overall, Feng Xiaoxiao was quite satisfied with her new class. “High damage, fragile, violent DPS, right? I get it.” She quickly identified her future development direction.

Bingbing Lan: Although I’m not sure what exactly she understood, whatever she says goes.

“Village Chief of Taoyuan Village seems to have some troubles lately. As a newcomer, you decide to enthusiastically help her. Available beginner quest: ‘Taoyuan Matters.'”

Following the procedure, Bingbing Lan issued her the beginner quest. Feng Xiaoxiao accepted it and followed the quest directions to the village chief’s house.

At this moment, the village chief was frowning deeply, stroking the orange cat she kept at home.

Feng Xiaoxiao flashed a sincere, unfeigned smile at the elderly woman with graying hair. Her words were as genuine as her smile. “Oldie, got any quests for me?”

In the game “Tianxia”, players were set as young heroes who, fresh-faced and penniless, aspired to make their mark in the world. After receiving admission qualifications from various sects and professions, they resolved to journey to these factions to apprentice under masters.

But while ideals were plump, reality was bony. Not long after leaving home, they were swindled out of their travel funds and ended up in Peach Blossom Village, where kind villagers took them in temporarily.

The village chief automatically ignored Feng Xiaoxiao’s form of address. Her wrinkled face blossomed into a chrysanthemum-like smile as she gazed kindly at Feng Xiaoxiao.

“There’s a local tyrant named Li in the village who bullies the weak and exploits the villagers. Would you, young hero, be willing to rid the people of this scourge?”

Feng Xiaoxiao nodded in agreement.

[System Notification: You have accepted the quest: Eliminate the Village Tyrant. (Friendly reminder: The tyrant has a risk of going berserk. Please remain vigilant about your own safety.)]

The village chief then asked, “Recently, young women in the village have been frequently disappearing. Would you, young hero, be willing to investigate this matter?”

This was a quest she hadn’t encountered before. Since more rewards were always welcome, Feng Xiaoxiao accepted it as well.

Using her initial lightness skill, she lightly tapped the ground with her toes and soared upward. Like a dragonfly skimming the water, she used the rooftops below as stepping stones to leap toward her destination.

The wind no longer carried the morning’s dampness but instead brought the warmth of the rising sun, brushing against her face.

In an instant, Feng Xiaoxiao arrived near the Li residence.

Even before landing, she could hear a woman’s argument and an elderly person’s furious roar.

At the entrance of the Li house, a shattered wine jug lay discarded to the side. A towering man, nearly two meters tall and built like an iron pagoda, was angrily gripping a pale-faced woman. He roughly seized her by the collar, lifting her to eye level, and exhaled a heavy, foul breath.

[Tyrant Li Zhu: It’s an honor that I’ve taken a liking to you!]

[Tao Niang: My heart already belongs to another. I would rather die than submit to you!]

Enraged and humiliated, Li Zhu raised his other iron-like palm. “I’ll teach you a lesson today!”

“Li Zhu!” An elderly woman nearby struck the ground heavily with her cane, her expression filled with grief and indignation. “You’ve become more and more outrageous! Idling about, bullying the weak. You… you’re going to be the death of me!” She lunged at Li Zhu’s arm. “Let this child go at once!”

“Old hag, this is none of your business,” Li Zhu retorted irritably, kicking the old woman away. “If you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll beat you up too!”

The old woman hadn’t expected him to be so deranged as to kick her. Caught off guard, she was sent flying under the peach tree, her words abruptly cut short.

“Grandma!” The pale-faced woman screamed and rushed toward the old woman. Two clear tears streamed down her gaunt, illness-ravaged face.

[Tao Niang: Sister Liu, where are you?]

She glanced at the lifeless old woman, then at the deranged Li Zhu, her eyes dazed. A bitter taste spread from her chest to her mouth.

A surge of blood rushed upward, and with a cry, bright red blood gushed from her mouth, leaving her even weaker.

It was at this moment that Feng Xiaoxiao arrived.

Her typically indifferent eyes locked onto the target. She loosened the wrapped bindings around her and descended like a startling swan’s shadow, sweeping in front of Li Zhu.

A decree connecting heaven and earth issued from the young girl’s lips. The nearest peach tree branches began to writhe and grow wildly along the ground. Enormous, crimson peach blossoms unfurled their tightly closed stamens, lunging like a serpent’s tongue toward Li Zhu’s face.

Tossing the troublesome Tao Niang aside, Li Zhu grabbed the peach blossom branch with his bare hands, veins bulging as he snapped it, splattering green sap all over his palm.

His hands coated in green liquid, he turned his neck, bloodshot red eyes glaring at the uninvited guest who had suddenly appeared.

[System Alert: Li Zhu has entered a frenzied state! Players, evacuate immediately!]

“You reckless little brat! How dare you ambush your Grandpa Li!”

The sharp branch hurtled straight toward Feng Xiaoxiao’s forehead. A mad glint flashed in Li Zhu’s eyes, he was determined to teach this insolent woman a harsh lesson she would never forget!