Chapter 118
Chapter 118
A National Artifact!
Everyone knew the system had specifically listed it as the champion’s reward when the event first opened. Now, it was finally about to be revealed to the public!
“What will he get?”
“Damn it! When will I ever get to stand where Zhouyou Shijie is standing?”
The venue seethed with noise as everyone whispered among themselves, waiting for the most anticipated moment of Pinnacle Showdown.
After a full thirty seconds, the system chime finally rang out.
Ding!
[Server-Wide Announcement: Congratulations! Adventurer [Flame Venerable · Zhouyou Shijie] has won the championship of Pinnacle Showdown and received the following rewards: Level +8, Free Attribute Points +300, [War Soul-Grade Equipment Selection Chest] x2, one random Rare SS-Rank Skill Book, Prize Wheel Spins x3, one Rare SS-Rank Cosmetic, 10,000 Gold Coins, and the exclusive item [Champion’s Trophy]!]
Ding!
[Server-Wide Announcement: Congratulations! Adventurer [Flame Venerable · Zhouyou Shijie] has won the championship of [Pinnacle Showdown] (Eastern Region) and received the Eastern Region’s Basic National Artifact, [Longquan Sword]!]
…
“Holy crap, they even brought out the Longquan Sword?”
“A Rare SS-Rank Skill Book and a Rare SS-Rank Cosmetic? I admit I’m jealous!”
Gasps of astonishment erupted throughout the spectator stands.
As brilliant golden light scattered, a pile of treasures appeared before Zhou Ming. His level soared at the same time, reaching Level 78.
Without hesitation, he swept every treasure into his inventory, grinning from ear to ear.
The Basic National Artifact, Longquan Sword!
He did not even need to think to know its stats would be explosive.
That raised another question!
The Longquan Sword was also equipment. What would it become after Qianying enhanced it?
Ding!
[Server-Wide Announcement: All ranking rewards have been distributed. The [Prize Wheel Event] will now open automatically!]
Just when everyone thought it was over, the system continued making announcements.
Whoosh!
A massive prize wheel appeared before each of the top ten players who had spins available. The wheel was filled with vivid colors and labeled with all kinds of benefits, with a different reward in every small segment.
“I’ll go first and test the waters!” Tingfeng Xiyu stepped forward, intending to take the first spin.
“Xiaoyou!” Zhou Ming called.
How could a prize draw based on luck begin without Xuanniao making an appearance?
“Chirp! Chirp!”
Xuanniao appeared in midair and cast Good Fortune Divination on Tingfeng Xiyu, granting him an additional 25 Luck.
“Thanks, Brother Zhou!” Tingfeng Xiyu said gratefully.
Zhou Ming laughed. “We’re brothers. No need to thank me!”
Brimming with anticipation, Tingfeng Xiyu activated the prize wheel. A piece of Radiant-grade equipment flew out.
“I’ll take it!”
Tingfeng Xiyu was thoroughly satisfied.
The other contestants stepped forward one after another to use their spins. Submit and Perish had the best luck. With two spins, he actually managed to draw an S-Rank skill.
“That’s more like it!” Submit and Perish remained outwardly composed, but inwardly he was overjoyed.
“My turn!”
Zhou Ming naturally went last. After all, he had the most spins. He had received three when he won the championship and another three from the system afterward, giving him six in total.
Ding!
[System Notification: Celestial Spirit Beast · Xiaoyou has used [Good Fortune Divination]. Your All Attributes +50%, and you have received the random beneficial effect: Luck +30 for 3 days!]
Good Fortune Divination was highly variable. At its strongest, its effects were absurd. At its weakest, it might only grant 10% to All Attributes.
This time, even Lady Luck was clearly standing on Zhou Ming’s side.
“Spin!”
Pets could not spin on their owners’ behalf, so Zhou Ming had no choice but to do it himself. He watched the lucky wheel whirl, then decisively used all six spins in a row.
Ding!
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have drawn the reward [Mount Capture Stone] from the [Lucky Prize Wheel]!]
Ding!
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have drawn the reward Free Attribute Points +10 from the [Lucky Prize Wheel]!]
Ding!
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have drawn the reward [God-Gifted Scroll] (S Rank) from the [Lucky Prize Wheel]!]
…
Oh?
Had he actually pulled something good?
Just as Zhou Ming was pleasantly surprised by the S-Rank scroll, the sixth spin stunned him senseless.
Ding!
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have drawn the reward [Stone of Divine Condemnation] (God Tier) from the [Lucky Prize Wheel]!]
Everyone: “!!!!!”
Holy shit!
Holy fucking shit!
Zhou Ming almost thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. He hurriedly stuffed the Stone of Divine Condemnation that flew from the wheel into his inventory, afraid someone else might start coveting it.
“I think I just saw something incredible,” Bawang said, narrowing his eyes.
“Indeed!”
Submit and Perish nodded.
As top experts, their eyes were far sharper than those of ordinary players.
“I have nothing to say.”
Rule by Inaction slowly exhaled. “Contentment brings happiness, as they say. I’m completely satisfied with what I received.”
He gave Zhou Ming a deep, meaningful look. “The pressure you’re about to face is probably beyond anything any player on the entire server can help you with. May fortune favor you in battle!”
“Thank you!”
Zhou Ming nodded.
The gods had been targeting him for more than a day or two. The other adventurers naturally understood that the enemies he would face in the battle to defend Juyan City would be unimaginable beings.
“I’ll fight beside Brother Zhou!” Tingfeng Xiyu declared with all the hot-blooded spirit of youth.
“…”
Zhou Ming looked at Tingfeng Xiyu, who had solemnly vowed to share his hardships, and patted him on the shoulder without a word.
To survive this calamity, Zhou Ming would have to risk his life and wrest a path from certain death.
Just as Rule by Inaction had said, no player on the entire server could help him.
Ding!
[Server-Wide Announcement: Congratulations to all recipients of event honors! [Pinnacle Showdown] has now concluded. The special space will close automatically in 1 hour, so please leave in time!]
No matter how fierce a struggle might be, it would eventually come to an end.
Only the effort to keep living remained constant.
…
The scene before Zhou Ming shifted, and he returned to Juyan City.
He did not dare waste a moment. He immediately opened his inventory and carefully examined the specific rewards he had received as the champion of Pinnacle Showdown.
The first item he saw was a skill book with a pitch-black cover. A faint dark light radiated from it, making its extraordinary nature obvious.
[Soul Plunder] (Rare SS Rank)
Description: An exceedingly rare technique on the Destiny Continent. It grows stronger against powerful opponents, and its might is unknown.
Skill Effect: Plunder an enemy unit, taking at least 5% of its Panel Attributes. The Attributes plundered fluctuate according to the enemy unit’s strength. Duration: 5 minutes. (Note: The exact percentage plundered depends on the difference between the two parties.)
Cooldown: 5 minutes
(Note: The user must remain in hostile combat with the target being plundered. If combat ends, the effect immediately expires.)
…
“An absolute top-tier divine skill!”
Zhou Ming was ecstatic.
This was practically the perfect skill for a duel. It weakened his opponent while strengthening him, massively improving his odds of victory!
The only slight flaw was that he had to remain in genuine combat with his opponent. A friendly spar where both sides joked around would not count, denying him any opportunity to exploit a loophole.
Otherwise, he would absolutely have plundered Qianying’s Attributes before going off to fight someone else.
“Xiaoyou!”
Zhou Ming immediately had it bestow today’s Super Lucky Star upon the skill book, advancing it to Rare SSS Rank.
[Soul Plunder] (Rare SSS Rank)
Description: An exceedingly rare technique on the Destiny Continent. It grows stronger against powerful opponents, and its might is unknown.
Skill Effect: Plunder an enemy unit, taking at least 10% of its Panel Attributes. The Attributes plundered fluctuate according to the enemy unit’s strength. Duration: 5 minutes. (Note: The exact percentage plundered depends on the difference between the two parties.)
Additional Effect: Soul Plunder cannot be dispelled.
Cooldown: 5 minutes
(Note: The user must remain in hostile combat with the target being plundered. If combat ends, the effect immediately expires.)
…
After its enhancement, Soul Plunder became even more tyrannical. The fact that it could not be dispelled guaranteed it would drive his enemies insane.
Zhou Ming slapped a hand onto the skill book and used it on the spot.
Ding!
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have successfully learned [Soul Plunder] (Rare SSS Rank)!]
Clang!
Afterward, Zhou Ming eagerly took a sharp sword from his inventory. It was over three feet long, and its blade reflected a cold gleam in the sunlight. Lifelike dragon patterns ran along it, looking ready to soar into the sky at any moment. It was unquestionably a divine weapon.
“Qianying, could you enhance this for me?” Zhou Ming asked with a broad smile.
Whether he could clear the Exclusive SSS-Rank quest depended heavily on the spoils he had just received.
Qianying immediately understood. Strange white energy surged from her hands. It seemed to contain some mysterious substance, and under its influence, the Longquan Sword grew even sharper, capable of slicing through iron like mud.
“This is a fine weapon,” Qianying said in surprise.
“If it can earn Qianying’s praise, then I really struck it rich this time!”
Holding the slightly heavy Longquan Sword, Zhou Ming’s heart surged with excitement. He ran a hand over its blade, and its stats appeared before him.
…