Chapter 123
Chapter 123
“Exactly!”
Zhou Ming’s eyes blazed, his spirit soaring. “Today, I will… slay a god!”
Slay a god!
This was the path to survival he had chosen!
“!!”
Yun Wuyou and Renee, who did not yet know the details, were utterly shocked. They hardly knew what to make of his goal.
If everyone worked together to help him kill a god-tier expert, the challenge would not be insurmountable. After all, the Divine Ember Queen and the Sword Saint were both among the finest god-tier experts.
But Zhouyou Shijie had expelled all of them from the Hope Faction. He clearly intended to shoulder everything alone.
“Let’s go!” Zhou Ming ordered. “No matter how this ends, if the situation becomes hopeless, please leave immediately!”
“Where are we going?” Ye Zhibei immediately summoned his flying sword, ready to carry Zhou Ming.
“The Icebound Ruins,” Zhou Ming answered.
Everyone understood.
Zhouyou Shijie had clearly chosen the battlefield long ago. He had no intention of sitting in Juyan City and waiting for death.
Ding!
[System Notification: Vanishing Swift Shadow · Yun Wuyou has used [Forbidden · Swift Gale Shadow]. Allied units within a 100 x 100 area gain Attack Speed +100% and Movement Speed +300% for 3 minutes!]
Yun Wuyou raised a hand. Wind elements spread in every direction and formed a unique domain.
“I know you still need to gain a few levels, so we should move as quickly as possible,” Yun Wuyou said gravely.
“Thank you, Senior Yun!”
Zhou Ming cupped his fists.
He was currently Level 78 and indeed remained just short of his goal.
Riding Ye Zhibei’s flying sword, the group raced toward their destination. The scenery below flashed past in a blur.
Beep! Beep!
Along the way, Zhou Ming received several messages from Tingfeng Xiyu, whose tone was frantic.
“Brother Zhou, the battle to defend Juyan City hasn’t even started yet. Why did you kick me out?”
“My mentor has trapped me in some tiny place and won’t let me leave. Are you all hiding something from me?”
“Brother, say something!”
…
Warmth welled in Zhou Ming’s heart.
Tingfeng Xiyu genuinely wanted to help him.
That was exactly why Zhou Ming had to protect the pillars of the Hope Faction.
“Countless god-tier experts are destined to take part in this battle,” Zhou Ming replied. “Neither of us has had enough time to grow…”
Unlike the native residents who had already cultivated to great heights, Zhou Ming and Tingfeng Xiyu were adventurers.
Players could not possibly gain the strength to defeat god-tier experts in a mere two months, no matter how many extraordinary opportunities they encountered.
“Good luck.”
Tingfeng Xiyu had no choice but to abandon the idea of joining the battle.
Inside a cave, he clenched his fists, helplessness filling him. “I’m too weak!”
If there were no “small fry” to handle in a war among gods, he knew he would only become a burden.
But…
No matter how hard he worked, he still had an extremely long road ahead.
Ding!
[System Notification: You have entered the map [Icebound Ruins]!]
About twenty minutes later, the fierce wind rushing against them gradually turned bitingly cold, and snowflakes filled the sky.
The Icebound Ruins!
Zhou Ming looked down. The former Hanfeng Mountains had been reduced to shattered walls and rubble in the battle among the Flame Giant King, the Sword Saint, and the others. Snow and ice had since buried the wreckage once more, filling the landscape with cold mist and glittering crystals.
“The hunt will end where it began!”
That was Zhou Ming’s plan.
Moreover, the monsters roaming this region happened to be the perfect targets for the levels he currently needed.
The moment he entered the Icebound Ruins, Zhou Ming attacked the Snow Apes. Most fell in two or three sword strikes, while a single descent of Heavenrend wiped out an entire group.
Zhou Ming was not surprised.
The Longquan Sword’s Attack was no joke!
At this point, he could one-shot even Rule by Inaction or Submit and Perish.
Ding!
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have successfully killed [Snow Ape]. Current Level EXP +2.48%!]
Ding!
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have successfully killed [Snow Ape]. Current Level EXP +2.45%!]
…
Zhou Ming’s experience bar rose rapidly. Before long, he reached Level 79, and his momentum showed no sign of slowing.
He did not dare waste a single second. The Demon Gods could arrive at any moment.
Of course, he understood that the Sin of Sloth prohibited him from actively gaining experience for one month. But he had completed the Sin of Wrath only a few days after conquering Juyan City, which meant the month would not end before the gods reached the city walls.
“God-Demon Orb, going a month without leveling isn’t difficult, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I’m not leveling simply for the sake of leveling. You should understand…” Zhou Ming murmured. “If you insist on declaring that I’ve failed the trial, I have nothing to say!”
“Roar!”
A muffled roar suddenly rang out. A colossal creature came charging from the distance in great strides.
Zhou Ming raised his head, and his eyes lit up. “You again!”
Bang!
The Snow Ape King leaped high and lunged at Zhou Ming, brutality and killing intent filling its eyes.
Shhk!
The Longquan Sword in Zhou Ming’s hand hummed. The flaming blade split the Snow Ape King in two the instant it came within reach.
-3,001,548! (Critical Damage)
He had one-shot a Level 100 Radiant Boss, dealing so much excess damage that even the Snow Ape King’s two lives would both have been erased at once!
This was Heavenrend’s power after he equipped the Longquan Sword!
Ding!
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have successfully killed [Snow Ape King] (Radiant Boss) and received the following rewards: Current Level EXP +96.88%, Fame +300, and 25 Gold Coins!]
Ding!
[System Notification: You have leveled up!]
Ding!
[System Notification: Your level now meets the requirement. You may visit your mentor to advance your class!]
…
Whoosh!
Golden light scattered as Zhou Ming officially reached Level 80.
At last, every preparation was complete!
His nerves taut, Zhou Ming hurriedly took out the God-Demon Orb and gripped it tightly.
Gurgle…
Strands of fiery crimson energy poured from the God-Demon Orb and gradually flowed into Zhou Ming. His strength climbed again and again as his long hair streamed like fire.
Ding!
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have completed the class advancement for [Flame Demon Lord]. Your Growth Stars have increased substantially!]
Ding!
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have completed the class advancement for [Flame Demon God]. The fire element within you has been further released. HP permanently +10,000, Attack permanently +500, and Defense permanently +400!]
Ding!
[System Notification: As the first adventurer to complete a second class advancement, you have received the following additional rewards: Fame +1,000, Free Attribute Points +100, and the skill [Baptism by Fire] (Rare S Rank)!]
Ding!
[System Notification: Would you like to announce the legend you have created on the Destiny Continent? (Note: If announced, it will be visible to all players on the server.)]
…
Another rapid series of system chimes sounded.
Without hesitation, Zhou Ming took the reward for being the first to complete a second class advancement from his inventory. Before he could even give an order, Xiaoyou flew out of the pet space and helped advance the skill.
[Baptism by Fire] (Rare SS Rank)
Description: Just as a being with exceptional affinity for the fire element will not be harmed by flames, bathing in fire instead brings strength.
Skill Effect: All Attributes +50%
Duration: 2 minutes
Cooldown: 10 minutes
Class Requirement: A class that controls the fire element
…
A low-cooldown enhancement skill that increased All Attributes without demanding any price!
The reward could not have arrived at a better time!
Zhou Ming slapped his hand forward without hesitation.
Ding!
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have successfully learned [Baptism by Fire] (Rare SS Rank)!]
“Chirp! Chirp!”
At that moment, Xiaoyou gave a warning and pointed one wing toward the distant void.
Zhou Ming understood.
They…
Were here!
…