Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Twilight Plains.
White light gathered as a fully fed Zhou Ming logged back in. He resumed his tireless game of chase with the local monsters.
The sun gradually sank toward the horizon, staining the sky crimson. Thanks to wave after wave of Demonized Black Panthers throwing themselves into his grinder, Zhou Ming’s EXP bar finally surged to the end.
“Ding!”
[System: You have leveled up!]
Level 20, achieved!
“Time to make some money!”
Rather than equip his new gear immediately, Zhou Ming prepared to keep his appointment.
Beep! Beep!
Just as he was about to start back, a chime sounded from his friends list.
He opened it and found a message from Tingfeng Xiyu.
“Boss, you’re not seriously going to meet him, are you?”
“Is there a problem?” Zhou Ming asked.
“It’s a setup!”
Tingfeng Xiyu sent him a screenshot. The image showed a vast, imposing crowd. “Gaibang Laoer has more than a hundred people waiting for you to walk straight into your death!”
“That’s quite the reception.” Zhou Ming remained utterly unruffled. “In that case, I’ll need your help.”
“???”
Tingfeng Xiyu sent a flood of question marks.
You need my help?
What could I possibly do for you?
“Lend me your equipment.”
…
Meanwhile, outside the gates of Qingshui Town, a dense sea of people packed the road.
They included not only members of the Gaibang Guild, but also countless players who had come to watch.
Zhouyou Shijie had become the game’s number-one celebrity almost from the moment he entered *Destiny*. Many players wanted to see the legend in person.
Gaibang Laoer, the one who had issued the duel challenge, stood at the very front. Burly and arrogant, he rested a large axe across his shoulder.
“Second Brother, Zhouyou Shijie might not bother with us at all,” Gaibang Laosan said beside him, a staff in hand.
Gaibang Laoer sneered. “If he doesn’t come, I’ll just send another announcement and tell everyone Zhouyou Shijie is a spineless coward without the guts to face me one-on-one.”
Zhouyou Shijie was beginning to make a name for himself in *Destiny*. Gaibang Laoer intended to step on his head and use the opportunity to build the Gaibang Guild’s fame and prestige.
Even if his opponent refused the challenge, he would lose nothing.
“He’s here!”
No one knew who shouted it, but Gaibang Laoer and Gaibang Laosan immediately looked up. In the distance, a young man carrying a silver sword walked toward them.
“Damn, look at that panel!”
“It’s only the second day and he’s already Level 20?”
“How did he do it?”
…
The crowd erupted into an uproar.
Countless players turned toward Zhou Ming and cast Inspect, unable to believe the attributes they saw.
Gulp!
Gaibang Laosan swallowed, visibly intimidated. “Zhouyou Shijie’s strength is rising way too fast!”
“What are you afraid of?” Gaibang Laoer remained calm.
He had spent a fortune on a complete set of Bronze equipment for this PvP match. A benefactor had also lent him assistance. There was no possible way he could lose.
As Zhou Ming approached, the Gaibang Guild players immediately swarmed forward from both sides, surrounding him so tightly that not even water could pass through.
“I thought this was supposed to be one-on-one?” Zhou Ming remained perfectly relaxed beneath their predatory stares. “When did it become a mob fight?”
“We’re just making sure you don’t run!”
Gaibang Laoer stepped forward and tightened his grip on the axe, ready to strike.
“No rush.” Zhou Ming raised a hand to stop him.
“What?” Gaibang Laoer frowned. “Scared?”
“If you want a duel, fine, but shouldn’t we put something on the line? Otherwise, where’s the fun?”
Gaibang Laoer eyed him suspiciously. “What kind of stakes?”
“Twenty thousand yuan in cash, with everyone here as witness,” Zhou Ming declared.
“…Fine!”
After a moment’s hesitation, Gaibang Laoer nodded. “Can we begin now?”
He could barely wait any longer.
What expressions would the surrounding players make when they saw him flatten Zhouyou Shijie in a few moves?
“Come on.”
Zhou Ming nodded.
Gaibang Laoer seized the initiative, raising his axe and charging straight at him.
“Who do you think will win?”
“Zhouyou Shijie definitely has the higher stats, but Gaibang Laoer’s Talent is no joke either!”
“The lower Gaibang Laoer’s HP falls, the higher his damage gets. He could turn the whole fight around in an instant.”
…
Everyone nearby watched with rapt attention as the two exchanged their opening blows.
Axe of Wrath!
As Gaibang Laoer closed in, red light flashed across his axe and its power abruptly surged. His aura climbed to its peak.
“Ding!”
[System: Gaibang Laoer has used the temporary skill [Axe of Wrath]. Attack +50% and Attack Speed +50% for 5 minutes!]
“Ding!”
[System: Gaibang Laoer has used the temporary skill [Divine Essence Ward]. HP +100%, Defense +50%, Damage Reduction +20%, and immunity to all negative statuses for 5 minutes!]
“That’s insane!”
Many of the watching players cried out in amazement.
“!!”
Zhou Ming’s expression grew solemn.
Temporary skills?
This was his first time seeing anything like them!
“Be careful!” Qianying’s voice rang out. “I sense someone spying on us!”
Someone spying… temporary skills…
Zhou Ming instantly understood. Killing intent flashed through his eyes as Gaibang Laoer charged toward him.
The person behind all this had planned well.
Unfortunately, the opponent they had arranged was hopelessly weak!
“Think you can survive this axe?” Gaibang Laoer asked with a vicious grin as he brought the weapon crashing down.
He had a feeling that after today, his name would be famous!
“Ding!”
[System: Gaibang Laoer has used [Heavy Strike]. His next attack within 3 seconds deals 30% increased damage!]
Zhou Ming made no attempt to dodge. He calmly lowered his silver sword, drew the Blackwind Sword from his inventory, and unleashed Rending Slash straight ahead.
Their attacks struck each other almost simultaneously.
-1,234!
-175!
In an instant, Gaibang Laoer’s HP plummeted to rock bottom.
Hiss!
Sharp breaths rippled through the entire crowd as if everyone had witnessed something impossible.
One slash had nearly killed him?
“What the fuck is that damage?!”
The moment he saw the number, Gaibang Laoer’s face turned green with fright. He hurriedly retreated, every trace of his earlier arrogance gone.
“Brothers, get him together!” Gaibang Laosan ordered.
“Kill him!”
The Gaibang Guild had clearly coordinated beforehand. The instant their third leader gave the command, its members surged forward without hesitation.
“Just as expected. A whole pack of honorless trash!” Tingfeng Xiyu cursed under his breath from within the crowd. He watched Zhouyou Shijie become completely surrounded, concern written across his face.
When this many people attacked at once, the pressure on a single player multiplied dramatically.
“Get down!”
A Gaibang Guild member swung a weapon at him.
Zhou Ming gave the attacker an indifferent glance and slashed.
-1,400! (Critical Hit)
A damage number far beyond anything current players could withstand floated high into the air.
…
For a brief moment, utter silence descended over the battlefield.
Zhouyou Shijie’s terrifying damage instantly intimidated everyone present.
“This is the grand scheme of a god-tier expert?” Zhou Ming shouted. “I’m not impressed!”
How could he possibly fail to see through their plan?
If this was a conflict between players, Qianying could not casually intervene.
In other words, this was an encirclement designed specifically to kill him.
Whoosh!
Space suddenly rippled. A man in luxurious robes appeared above the battlefield, floating in the air. His bearing was extraordinary, and his sharp gaze looked down on Zhou Ming as if observing an ant.
“Brat, curb your arrogance!” the man said coldly. “Neither the God-Demon Orb nor the Divine Ember Queen is something you have the right to touch. Your actions have offended nearly every great expert on Destiny Continent!”
“Then why haven’t you attacked? Come on, I’m begging you to kill me!” Zhou Ming remained unmoved.
The man flew into a rage. “If I want you dead, I hardly need to act personally!”
“Ding!”
[System: Attention! [Star Guardian ยท Mo Yun] (God-Tier NPC) has issued a bounty. Anyone who kills Zhouyou Shijie will receive one Rare A-Rank item. Reward can only be claimed once. Anyone who obtains the [God-Demon Orb] and hands it over will receive an additional unique hidden class!]
…