Chapter 122
Chapter 122
Early the next morning.
Zhou Ming rolled out of bed and stretched luxuriously, refreshed and full of energy.
He left home and ate breakfast at a nearby shop, filling his stomach with two vegetable buns, a cup of soy milk, and a bowl of sweet tofu pudding. Then he put on his gaming helmet and entered the game.
Whoosh!
Brilliant white light scattered as Zhou Ming appeared in the lord’s estate of Juyan City.
The Sin of Sloth required him to refrain from actively leveling for one month. Combined with the enemies surrounding him on every side, he had already been trapped in this isolated city for more than twenty days.
In just a few more days, once the siege cooldown ended, the armies of both great factions would likely arrive at the walls immediately and surround him on every side.
Ding!
[System Notification: Due to consuming [Heart-Burning Wine], Base HP permanently +8,000 and Mental Resistance permanently +20%!]
Just as expected!
Another excellent wine!
Last time it had been Heart-Cleansing Wine, and this time it was Heart-Burning Wine. Apparently, if Zhou Ming wanted to keep raising his Mental Resistance, he would have to rely on Ning Wushen, the God of Wine.
“Brother Zhou!”
When Ye Zhibei saw Zhou Ming log in, he walked over and took a large collection of items from his inventory. “I hope these can prove useful!”
“Much appreciated.”
Zhou Ming took out an equivalent value in gold coins and completed the exchange. After all, native residents could not give adventurers benefits for free.
Of course, every item was sold at the lowest possible price.
“I have nothing to do over the next few days. Brother Ye, could you teach me a few moves?” Zhou Ming asked. “I’ve never studied swordsmanship systematically, so I lack technique.”
In a full-dive simulation, combat tested far more than strength and reflexes. Technique was equally crucial.
He did not want it to become a weakness.
“Of course!” Ye Zhibei said with a smile. “As long as you’re willing to learn, I will hold nothing back!”
He took two bamboo swords from his inventory and handed one to Zhou Ming. “Practice brings true understanding. Fighting while you learn will produce the fastest results. We won’t use any skills, just attack each other.”
“All right!”
Zhou Ming was bursting with enthusiasm.
Learning swordsmanship from the Sword Saint himself? The efficiency could not possibly get any better!
Bamboo sword in hand, he immediately thrust forward.
“You must not be too impatient before attacking. That makes it easy for your target to read your intent!” Ye Zhibei casually deflected Zhou Ming’s bamboo sword as he instructed him.
“Remember, an attack must be ruthless. Aim for a weakness. Only then can you put greater force behind your thrust.”
“Ordinary people can rarely defend above and below at the same time. If your high attack is blocked, you can make a move down low, and vice versa. You’ll catch your opponent off guard and achieve your goal!”
…
The Sword Saint always explained his lessons in simple, easy-to-understand terms.
Zhou Ming continued seeking his guidance over the next two days. He felt he had benefited immensely, and his swordsmanship improved considerably.
“Attacking weak points truly is essential!” Zhou Ming had vaguely found the direction his fighting style should take.
“How can you two still be so carefree?” Renee watched anxiously from the side and urged them, “We only have a few good days left!”
“Don’t worry!” Zhou Ming said with a smile. “I know what I’m doing.”
Of course he had put those days to good use. The Boundless Belt, God-Gifted Scroll, Burn the Heavens, and several other items had all advanced by one grade under the effects of Super Lucky Star.
“As long as you understand.” Renee’s face remained pinched with worry. She feared they had all forgotten the danger. “I keep feeling like a storm is about to break. My chest feels tight.”
She was not particularly clever, but even she understood how dangerous the present situation was.
One misstep could send all of them plunging into a bottomless abyss!
Whoosh!
At that moment, a stunning young woman in white returned from outside the city.
“The things you wanted.”
Qianying took out the Heavenly Secrets Compass and a large collection of items.
[Schrodinger’s Health Potion] (A Rank)
Description: Until you drink it, it could be a peerless divine medicine or an exceptionally potent poison.
Item Effect: ???
[Beat a Retreat] (A Rank)
Description: Even a retreat should be sounded with enough spirit to inspire the heart.
Item Effect: Escape Speed +200% while being pursued.
Duration: 5 minutes
…
Only a handful of the items were likely to prove useful.
But there was also one exceptionally important item known as… the Double Reward Card!
Ye Zhibei understood. “You had the Divine Ember Queen use the Heavenly Secrets Compass to locate Mysterious Merchants, allowing her to purchase rare items?”
“Exactly!”
Zhou Ming nodded, then distributed Schrodinger’s Health Potions and Beat a Retreats among the others.
These purchase-limited items could indeed only be bought once from each Mysterious Merchant. But encountering many different merchants was another matter.
With the Heavenly Secrets Compass locating them, the Mysterious Merchants had nowhere to hide. After several consecutive days, Qianying had naturally acquired more of their limited wares.
It was worth noting that Zhou Ming had provided the items and gold coins himself, then sent Qianying to make the purchases. As a result, the system did not block the items from reaching him.
“These things really can provide a substantial boost to our combat power.” Renee finally relaxed.
At the very least, this proved Zhou Ming had indeed been making preparations.
“Gather tomorrow at eight,” Zhou Ming said solemnly. “Before then, please prepare yourselves for the possibility that both body and soul will be destroyed!”
“!!”
Everyone’s heart jolted.
There were still two days before Juyan City was scheduled to come under attack.
Clearly, Zhouyou Shijie intended to strike unexpectedly and catch the enemy off guard.
…
That night.
The moon shone bright.
Zhou Ming sat with his eyes closed, repeatedly considering every accident that might occur tomorrow.
He had appeared supremely confident before Ning Wushen, but confidence never guaranteed success. He had to exercise absolute caution and could not afford a single misstep.
“Even if the plan unfolds perfectly, the price you’ll pay will still be enormous,” Qianying’s voice sounded beside his ear. “The gods’ foundations are no laughing matter.”
Adventurers might be able to revive endlessly, but that did not mean native residents had no way to deal with them.
Items that increased rewards existed in this world, such as Double Reward Cards. Naturally, items that increased penalties existed as well.
Zhou Ming smiled. “Are you afraid I won’t be able to bear it?”
“…That question already told me your answer.” Qianying said nothing more.
“I’ve gambled many times since entering the Destiny Continent,” Zhou Ming said gently as he gazed at the jade disk hanging high in the sky. “This time, I’m still going to gamble!”
“Even if countless possible fates all lead to my death, I’ll still bet on myself to win!”
Beneath the moonlight, all was silent.
The young woman stood quietly beside him, listening to the young man’s determination to seek life in the face of death.
…
Night passed, and dawn arrived.
Eight o’clock sharp.
Everyone stood fully prepared.
“Boy, these old bones can’t withstand too much abuse!” An elderly man arrived on time. He was Tingfeng Xiyu’s mentor, Vanishing Swift Shadow · Yun Wuyou.
According to their agreement, Yun Wuyou would offer his full assistance, while Zhou Ming would expel Tingfeng Xiyu from the Hope Faction.
“Thank you for your help, Senior Yun!”
Zhou Ming cupped his fists, then opened the faction interface and began issuing commands.
Ding!
[System Notification: You have expelled [Windcatcher · Tingfeng Xiyu] from the Hope Faction!]
Ding!
[System Notification: You have expelled [Divine Ember Queen · Qianying] from the Hope Faction!]
Ding!
[System Notification: You have expelled [Sword Saint · Ye Zhibei] from the Hope Faction!]
…
In the blink of an eye, Zhouyou Shijie was the only member left in the Hope Faction, a commander without an army.
“!!”
Yun Wuyou was shocked. “Zhouyou Shijie, this old man never asked you to go this far!”
“What do you mean by this?” Ye Zhibei was equally stunned.
Qianying frowned slightly but did not ask why.
She understood Zhouyou Shijie’s intentions.
“If you still belong to the Hope Faction when the next stage begins, you may share the consequences. At least for now, you cannot remain members!” Zhou Ming looked exceptionally carefree.
In his heart, he knew the truth.
This was the responsibility he ought to shoulder as the faction’s leader.
Everyone had fought beside him and allowed him to lead them. That represented a trust beyond words, and he could not drag any of them down with him!
“I need you, but I don’t need you to pay with your lives,” Zhou Ming said sincerely. “Please forgive my willfulness. I’ve already received far too much help from all of you. This time, the battlefield belongs to me!”
“Your battlefield?”
Renee thought hard for a moment, then her eyes suddenly widened. “Don’t tell me… Don’t tell me you want to…”
“Exactly!”
Zhou Ming’s gaze burned, his spirit soaring. “Today, I will…”
…