Chapter 131
Chapter 131
[Forbidden · Flames of Eternal Calamity] (Rare SSS Rank)
Description: Ignite the flames of calamity, incinerating both yourself and your enemies.
Skill Effect: Deals 5,000% damage based on 200% of your Attack to all units, ally or enemy, within a 1,000 x 1,000 area. This attack is guaranteed to inflict Burn and causes enemies to lose 1% HP per second for 10 seconds.
Required Class: Fire-Element Mage
Cooldown: 3 days
…
Zhou Ming: “!!”
The skill was incredibly powerful, the ultimate dream of any mage. But what truly shocked Zhou Ming was that he could see a panel belonging exclusively to the game world while standing in reality.
He knew that the power he gained in the game could be genuinely mastered by his physical body, but the panel’s appearance still exceeded the limits of his understanding.
In response to his actions, a crisp and melodious system chime sounded in his ears.
“Ding!”
[System Notification: Would you like to learn the skill [Forbidden · Flames of Eternal Calamity] (Rare SSS Rank)?]
“…Yes!”
Zhou Ming agreed silently.
“Ding!”
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have successfully learned the skill [Forbidden · Flames of Eternal Calamity] (Rare SSS Rank)!]
“Brother Ning, may I ask you a question?” Zhou Ming went straight to the point.
Ning Wushen showed none of the airs expected of a supreme powerhouse. “Ask away!”
“Does Destiny Continent truly exist?” Zhou Ming directly voiced the greatest doubt in his heart.
Ning Wushen shook his head. “Some of it is real, and some of it isn’t.”
“…”
Zhou Ming froze.
Some of it was real, and some of it was not?
What kind of answer was that?
“At your current stage, you absolutely mustn’t dig too deeply into the truth.” Ning Wushen tapped the table, stopping him from pondering the deeper meaning of those words. He warned, “Otherwise, I’m afraid you won’t be able to accept it.”
Zhou Ming was stunned. “Is it really that frightening?”
“Of course!” Ning Wushen half-joked. “It scared me so badly that I trembled all over and had nightmares for days.”
Zhou Ming could faintly sense the horror hidden behind the truth.
Even a being above the god tier seemed to dread it deeply.
After that, Zhou Ming and Ning Wushen began enjoying their dinner.
“After this battle, I believe the road ahead of you will be smooth,” Ning Wushen said as he ate fried chicken that was crisp on the outside and tender within. “Even if I say nothing, I believe it won’t be long before you learn the truth yourself.”
“Do you think the truth is too terrifying, Brother Ning, so you need someone else to walk that road with you?” Zhou Ming asked thoughtfully.
“Hahaha…” Ning Wushen laughed. “Life is hard enough already. Some things are better left unsaid!”
While eating his burger, Zhou Ming suddenly thought of something. His will stirred.
If a panel from the game world could appear in reality, then perhaps his Talent could also…
Sovereign’s Descent!
Zhou Ming immediately tried it.
This time, however, no system chime responded even after a long wait.
“Give it up. You’re only borrowing the God-Demon Orb to temporarily grant yourself some of your in-game effects. It can’t encompass anyone else,” Ning Wushen explained, having sensed what he was trying to do. “I exist outside the rules, so naturally, you can’t copy my Talent!”
“What a shame.”
Their relationship was good enough that Zhou Ming spoke without reservation. “That aside, can you still return to Destiny Continent, Brother Ning? I have a Mysterious Blueprint I’d like you to examine…”
“Unless there’s an urgent matter I must handle, I’d rather not go back. Jumping between two dimensions isn’t nearly as entertaining as it sounds. If you need my help, just bring the Mysterious Blueprint directly into reality. Given your growth rate, that shouldn’t take you too long.”
“All right. You have my thanks in advance.”
…
After eating his fill and bidding farewell to Ning Wushen, Zhou Ming returned home.
With nothing else to do, he opened the official website. After he had logged out of the game, the gods and Demon Gods had raised their bounties on him yet again, and screenshots of the relevant announcements had been posted on the forums.
“Ding!”
[Server-Wide Announcement: Flame Venerable · Zhouyou Shijie has triggered the special storyline [Battle to Slay a God] and received a vast number of rewards. As the price, his Level has fallen to 1!]
“Ding!”
[Server-Wide Announcement: Attention! The Light Faction has substantially increased the bounty on adventurer [Flame Venerable · Zhouyou Shijie]. Killing this adventurer grants a Rare A-Rank skill. This bounty can be claimed repeatedly. Anyone who obtains the God-Demon Orb and hands it over to the Light Faction will receive the following additional rewards: one Unique Hidden Class, one Rare SS-Rank title, and one Rare SSS-Rank skill book!]
“Ding!”
[Server-Wide Announcement: Attention! The Dark Faction has substantially increased the bounty on adventurer [Flame Venerable · Zhouyou Shijie]. Killing this adventurer grants a Rare A-Rank item. This bounty can be claimed repeatedly. Anyone who obtains the God-Demon Orb and hands it over to the Dark Faction will receive the following additional rewards: the choice of any Demon God as a master, one Rare SS-Rank title, and one Rare SSS-Rank skill book!]
…
There was no question about it. They wanted to use someone else as the knife that killed him again.
“Do they really think players can threaten me just because I’ve fallen to Level 1?” Zhou Ming did not care in the slightest.
One day!
Give him one day, and he could return to the Level Rankings.
At the end of the day, he had lost only his Levels. The permanent base stats he had accumulated through past class advancements and Crime Value would not disappear.
Over the next two days, Zhou Ming returned home to visit his parents and gave himself time to unwind.
In truth, he had been in extreme danger ever since he first entered the game. This peace was a rare luxury, making it the perfect chance to relax.
Otherwise, keeping his nerves taut for too long would inevitably lead to anxiety.
…
Two days later.
Early morning.
Zhou Ming eagerly put on his gaming helmet and reentered the world of Destiny.
The restriction against actively leveling was finally over!
Now he could set out on his journey again!
He was also eager to see what reward the Sin of Sloth would grant him.
“Whoosh!”
White light scattered, and Zhou Ming appeared where he had logged out.
The moment he entered the game, system chimes rang in his ears one after another.
“Ding!”
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have completed the quest [Life on the Line] (Exclusive SSS Rank) and received the reward [Forbidden · Flames of Eternal Calamity] (Rare SSS Rank)!]
“Ding!”
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have passed [Trial of the Seven Sins: Sin of Sloth] and comprehended the Flame Demon Lord’s exclusive skill [Soul Refinement] (Exclusive SS Rank)!]
“Ding!”
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have passed [Trial of the Seven Sins: Sin of Sloth] and unlocked the Flame Demon Lord’s exclusive ability [Revelation]!]
…
There they were!
Zhou Ming rubbed his hands together excitedly.
Forbidden · Flames of Eternal Calamity was unquestionably an explosively powerful area-of-effect forbidden spell, but its actual value could not compare to the exclusive skill and ability granted for passing the Trial of the Seven Sins.
“You’re back.” Qianying appeared beside Zhou Ming.
Zhou Ming nodded to her. “Sorry to keep you waiting!”
“I’ll take you to a suitable map.” Qianying extended her hand.
“All right!”
Zhou Ming nodded and took her hand. The two flew into the clouds.
Along the way, he eagerly opened his panel.
“Hiss!!”
The instant he saw the exclusive ability, he sucked in a sharp breath and froze in shock.
It was actually…
…