Chapter 169
Chapter 169
Ding!
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have successfully killed the War Soul-grade boss [Crimsonfire Python King]. As the first player in the game to defeat a War Soul-grade boss, you have received the following additional rewards: Free Attribute Points +100, Fame +1,000, and the Rare S-Rank cosmetic [Crimson Moon Robe]!]
Ding!
[System Notification: Would you like to make the legend you created on the Destiny Continent public? (Note: Once made public, it will be visible to all players across the server.)]
…
Destiny had always been generous with first-kill rewards. They provided Free Attribute Points, which had very few acquisition methods, and the rewarded items or skills usually remained useful for a long time and were rarely made obsolete.
Zhou Ming placed all his Free Attribute Points into Attack, then opened his inventory with some anticipation. A robe immediately entered his view.
The robe was dark crimson with intricate patterns that radiated mystery and nobility. Its fabric felt impossibly smooth beneath his fingers.
Ding!
[System Notification: Under the effect of Celestial Spirit Beast · Xiaoyou’s [Super Lucky Star], your item [Crimson Moon Robe] (Rare S-Rank) has advanced to Rare SS-Rank!]
[Crimson Moon Robe] (Rare SS-Rank)
Description: Constant as the moon, rising as the sun.
Effect: Conceals all equipped gear. HP +30%, Defense +20%, Movement Speed +50%.
Additional Effect: The maximum level of targets you can inspect increases by 30, while the level required for others to inspect you increases by 20.
Bonus: Slightly increases Affinity with friendly NPCs and slightly increases Fear in hostile NPCs.
…
“Now even my cosmetic slot is filled!” Without another word, Zhou Ming equipped it.
Whoosh!
An invisible force covered his slightly bulky equipment. Zhou Ming stood straight-backed, looking vigorous and refreshed.
After his battle with Flame Giant King, he had lost every piece of equipment on him, including his cosmetic and mount. Now he had finally replaced them, and what he possessed was far better than before.
“Time is short. Let’s go!”
Zhou Ming calmed his surging emotions, collected the loot dropped by the Crimsonfire Python King, and prepared to find a way to obtain the Yasakani no Magatama.
“All right!”
…
Meanwhile…
Inside the black mist-shrouded Abyssal Castle, all ten Demon Gods had gathered.
Although Cangxuan and Flame Giant King had been removed from their ranks, other Dark Faction powerhouses always had to fill the vacancies.
Led by Slayer of All Beings · Wu Xing, they wore solemn expressions and continuously poured out energy, each occupying one corner of a special energy array. The array glowed with a sinister crimson light, looking deeply unnatural.
“If we forcibly summon a being beyond the god tier from another world, could it threaten us as well?” Eric still felt that something was wrong.
Madness glimmered in Wu Xing’s eyes as he gave a sinister smile. “There’s no need to worry. It will only remain here for a short while!”
“The problem is, how do we guarantee it will listen to us and go after Zhouyou Shijie during that short window?” Windwalker · Balen could not resist interjecting. “If it attacks friend and foe alike, we’ll be in serious trouble!”
“Balen is right. We have no way to guarantee that.”
“Better safe than sorry. The being we summon from beyond the god tier has no grudge against Zhouyou Shijie, after all…”
…
The Demon Gods spoke over one another, all believing Wu Xing’s decision was unwise. One careless move could harm enemy and ally alike.
“Wu Xing, we have to be cautious!” Eric warned him repeatedly.
Ever since Ning Wushen had stopped him in reality and the siege of Snowflake City had ended in defeat, Wu Xing seemed to have lost some of his reason.
Perhaps Cangxuan’s betrayal, along with everything he had said, had dealt Wu Xing an enormous blow.
“Do you truly think I would act recklessly without considering any of that?” Wu Xing shook his head with a laugh.
“…”
The demons did not know how to answer.
“Rest assured, everyone. The Dark Faction will overthrow the Hope Faction and the Light Faction and stand at the summit of the Destiny Continent!” Wu Xing vowed. “As for the being beyond the god tier we’re summoning, I guarantee it will seek out Zhouyou Shijie, because…”
A cold smile curled across his lips. “They have a grudge!”
A grudge?
When had Zhouyou Shijie ever offended a being beyond the god tier?
Every Demon God except Wu Xing was baffled.
…
Ding!
[System Notification: You have entered the map [Amaterasu City] (Super Main City)!]
Elsewhere…
In a little over ten minutes, Zhou Ming’s group arrived at the most prosperous area of the Sakura Region, which was already not far from Undying Mountain.
Looking out across the plain, they saw a majestic city rising like a giant crouched upon the earth. Streets crisscrossed within, and magnificent buildings spread in every direction. Its prosperity surpassed a primary main city in every respect.
After all, each national region possessed only one super main city.
“Someday, we’ll build a city even grander than Amaterasu City!” Zhou Ming declared with soaring ambition.
The Hope Faction could not remain homeless forever!
The day when they established their own main city was no longer far away.
“Of course!”
Ye Zhibei smiled. “There’d be no sense of accomplishment in seizing someone else’s city and using it as our base. Besides, cities already differ in foundation and potential. Their rank alone doesn’t mean much.”
“It truly is something to look forward to!” Yun Wuyou sighed with emotion.
With both major factions watching him like hawks, Zhouyou Shijie had endured setback after setback and gradually risen until he was ready to establish a power no one could ignore. That experience alone was already the stuff of legend.
And Yun Wuyou, who had once intended to stand aside and merely watch, had become both a witness to and a participant in that legend through a twist of fate.
The group moved as they talked.
Since they were in foreign territory, they chose to sneak into Amaterasu City to avoid exposing themselves.
At the moment, Amaterasu City’s residents streamed endlessly through its streets, but adventurers were almost nowhere to be seen.
Zhou Ming did not find that strange.
After all, players had to meet level restrictions before entering high-level cities.
Primary main cities and super main cities only officially opened to players after their third class advancement, while most players were currently between Levels 60 and 80.
“First, we need to determine the Yasakani no Magatama’s exact location, or at least who has it…” Yun Wuyou said.
“Leave that to me!”
Zhou Ming used the exceptional Universe Compass once again. After consuming a junk item bought from the Auction House, he successfully obtained the treasure’s location.
Ding!
[System Notification: The item you wish to locate is currently at coordinates (4599, 6990, 4587)!]
Those coordinates appeared to be within the imperial palace.
Zhou Ming considered it. “The Yasakani no Magatama is extremely high-grade. Most likely, it’s in the hands of the Sakura Region’s emperor. Less likely, it’s stored in the national treasury.”
“If it’s in the treasury, that will be manageable. But the emperor of a national region is guaranteed to be a god-tier powerhouse with acute senses, making the theft extremely difficult!” Yun Wuyou stated the problem plainly. “I need to get close before I can use my stealing techniques.”
“…”
Zhou Ming felt a headache coming on.
He had known the process would not be simple, but actually carrying it out was proving troublesome.
Inside the Sakura Region’s super main city, a single careless move could trigger a siege and expose their whereabouts.
The gods would then gather, and with no limit on how many could enter, disaster was inevitable.
“Theft… If we’re discovered, it could trigger a siege and send everything spiraling out of control…”
Zhou Ming closed his eyes in thought.
He needed to obtain the treasure without triggering a siege.
“I doubt we’ll solve that problem anytime soon!” Cangxuan frowned deeply, feeling completely out of ideas.
“I’ve got it!”
An idea suddenly flashed through Zhou Ming’s mind.
“Hm?”
Cangxuan’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Seriously? That fast?
…