Chapter 173
Chapter 173
“Yes!”
Zhou Ming accepted the quest.
At that moment, both sides secretly breathed sighs of relief.
Shimizu Jin had no desire to fight the Hope Faction until both sides were destroyed. In truth, the Hope Faction was only bluffing the Sakura Region’s emperor. Cangxuan’s greatest trump cards had not even finished cooling down.
“That method actually worked!” Turmoil surged through Yun Wuyou’s heart.
His own thinking had stopped at “stealing,” while Zhouyou Shijie’s operation had already advanced to “scamming”!
Without lifting a finger, he had achieved his goal with only a few words!
What a masterful play!
“Take it!”
After confirming that the quest’s constraints were sufficient, Shimizu Jin reluctantly took the milky-white Yasakani no Magatama from his inventory and tossed it to Zhou Ming, his face twisted with anguish.
If his life had not been at stake, there was no chance he would have surrendered the Sakura Region’s greatest treasure so easily.
Zhou Ming caught the quest reward and said indifferently, “You can get lost now!”
In truth, this had been a gamble!
He had bet that Shimizu Jin feared death.
The result spoke for itself. Zhou Ming had narrowly won.
Ding!
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have obtained the Rare SSS-Rank item [Yasakani no Magatama]!]
“Once the gods stand united, we’ll see how long you can keep laughing!”
After throwing out a few parting threats, Shimizu Jin and Sato Taka fled in disgrace with Yamagami Yusai.
“Mission accomplished!”
Zhou Ming breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, the Sakura Region’s emperor had also been present during the defense of Snowflake City and witnessed Cangxuan’s overwhelming power. Otherwise, the bluff might not have worked.
“You have my respect!”
Yun Wuyou sighed. “The younger generation truly is formidable!”
“You’re exaggerating, Senior Yun.” Zhou Ming answered modestly, “I was only a fox borrowing a tiger’s might. At the end of the day, I merely borrowed everyone’s power.”
He had not become so carried away that he forgot his true strength.
At present, two things made god-tier powerhouses genuinely wary of him: his foundation and his formidable team. Only by fully realizing the potential of Flame Demon Emperor and Sword Demon Emperor could he truly intimidate the gods through his own power.
Ye Zhibei smiled. “That was surprisingly pleasant to hear.”
Afterward, Zhou Ming took the Yasakani no Magatama from his inventory and inspected its details.
The effects of a Rare SSS-Rank item surely would not disappoint him.
…
Elsewhere…
“Mentor, save me!”
On the way back to Amaterasu City, Yamagami Yusai hurriedly begged for help, unable to remain calm.
In reality, Zhou Ming from the East was a bulletproof monster. Unless a modern weapon packed enough force, hitting him would probably feel no different from scratching an itch.
Zhou Ming had said he would find him tomorrow. How could Yamagami Yusai not panic?
“Back then, I had to expend an extraordinarily precious SSS-Rank item to determine Zhouyou Shijie’s exact location,” Sato Taka reassured him. “There is no chance he possesses anything like that!”
“But…”
Yamagami Yusai still felt uneasy.
“Enough!” Sato Taka declared confidently. “If he truly dares kill you, your mentor will avenge you!”
To him, this was no great problem.
If Zhouyou Shijie was truly willing to expend an SSS-Rank item for this, then losing one insignificant disciple would be well worth it.
Yamagami Yusai: “…”
Ending the subject, Sato Taka turned toward Shimizu Jin. “Your Imperial Majesty, the Yasakani no Magatama is a national treasure. Are you truly willing to hand it over to Zhouyou Shijie just like that?”
Shimizu Jin glanced at him indifferently. “Then why don’t you go take it back for me?”
“Uh!”
Sato Taka fell silent.
He would certainly participate if the gods attacked together, but trying to take it back alone would be no different from a sheep walking into a tiger’s den.
Even as a Shadow Assassin, he would struggle to bypass the defenses of five god-tier powerhouses and assassinate Zhouyou Shijie.
“There’s no need to keep today’s events secret. Spread the news as widely as possible!” Shimizu Jin said after a moment’s thought.
Sato Taka considered the idea carefully, then said in admiration, “Your Imperial Majesty is wise!”
Spread the news far and wide!
That meant every god would begin fearing for themselves, terrified that they might become the Hope Faction’s next target for plunder or elimination.
If that happened, the national regions that had once been nothing but loose sand might set aside their old grudges and formally unite against the Hope Faction.
“One more thing!”
Shimizu Jin’s voice was icy. “Tell Kagura Yuri that the Sakura Region is facing a crisis of life and death. We need her help!”
…
[Yasakani no Magatama] (Rare SSS-Rank Item)
Description: One of the Sakura Region’s greatest treasures. It protects its owner from disaster and ensures safe passage wherever they go.
Item Effect 1: All control effects suffered by the owner are unconditionally halved.
Item Effect 2: The owner’s Stamina Recovery Speed increases, and Mental Resistance +50%.
Item Effect 3: The owner’s chance of being critically hit -30%.
Bonus: Luck +10
(Note: Takes effect while stored in your inventory.)
It truly was a treasure!
Zhou Ming’s eyes lit up.
Worthy of an SSS-Rank item, the Yasakani no Magatama’s effects were exceptionally powerful. They had already seen a glimpse of its first effect while controlling Shimizu Jin.
If the group had not caught him by surprise and denied him any time to react, the result might have been completely different.
Its faster Stamina recovery was also perfectly suited to prolonged battles, almost as though it had been made specifically for Zhou Ming.
Of course, the most important part was that it did not occupy an equipment slot.
“Now that we have the Yasakani no Magatama, I’ll contact Ning Wushen next,” Zhou Ming told them frankly. “It’s late, so I’m going to rest first… Also, I may come back a little late tomorrow.”
Come back a little late tomorrow…
Everyone understood immediately and voiced their support.
A threat that could be removed should naturally be eliminated as soon as possible, before any new complications arose.
“Be careful on the way!” Qianying reminded him. “Even a lion uses its full strength when hunting a rabbit!”
“I will!”
Zhou Ming gave Qianying a look that said, “Trust me, I’ve got this,” then opened the system panel.
Log out!
…
It was the middle of the night.
The faint rustling of insects drifted in from outside, lending the night a peaceful serenity.
Zhou Ming silently removed his gaming helmet. Unlike usual, he did not relax. His expression remained detached, and his gaze was ice-cold.
When patience was necessary, a gentleman could wait ten years to take revenge.
When patience was unnecessary, a gentleman would not let a grudge survive the night!
Zhou Ming believed the present situation belonged to the latter category.
Someone like Yamagami Yusai would become an endless source of trouble if he was not eliminated quickly.
As though nothing unusual was happening, Zhou Ming put on casual clothes, opened his door, and set out alone beneath the moonlight for the Sakura Region in reality.
The Sakura Region was a tiny place!
That was why obtaining the Yasakani no Magatama had taken considerable effort. To avoid a major battle, he had been forced to let Shimizu Jin leave.
Yet precisely because the Sakura Region was so small, finding someone there would be easy. There was no need to trouble Ning Wushen over such a minor matter.
Ring, ring, ring…
At a certain moment, his phone rang.
He took it out and saw an unfamiliar number.
Zhou Ming answered. “Hello?”
“You’re going to the Sakura Region?” A vigorous male voice came through the phone.
Zhou Ming immediately knew who was calling.
Lin Zhongshan!
A high-ranking official of the Eastern Region.
“You found out quickly!”
Zhou Ming dispensed with pleasantries. “It seems Yamagami Yusai is connected to the Sakura Region’s upper ranks. Thank you for helping me pinpoint my target.”
Without question, the Sakura Region’s upper ranks had urgently contacted the Eastern Region. That was why Lin Zhongshan had learned of Zhou Ming’s intentions so quickly.
“…”
Lin Zhongshan was clearly caught off guard, seemingly surprised by Zhou Ming’s quick deduction. He then said, “The Sakura Region has suspended its visa-free entry regulations. Its borders will not be open to you.”
“I don’t need them to open the borders for me,” Zhou Ming replied.
“You aren’t planning to take a plane?”
“Do I need one?”
“…”
…