Chapter 198
Chapter 198
After that, Zhou Ming patiently followed his routine and continued leveling.
The process brought few complications. Unless they attacked in a group, the Wraith Swordsmen posed little threat to him.
Ding!
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have successfully killed [Wraith Swordsman] (Domain Grade ★★★★★). Current Level EXP +156.1%!]
Ding!
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have successfully killed [Wraith Swordsman] (Domain Grade ★★★★★). Current Level EXP +143.7%!]
…
As golden light descended time and again, the EXP gains rapidly declined.
That was inevitable.
Every explosive release made the next EXP bar that much harder to fill.
Zhou Ming did not lose heart and kept grinding.
…
At the same time.
Every player eagerly registering for the server-wide Pinnacle Showdown could see Zhouyou Shijie’s level rising rapidly. It was as though he had swallowed Viagra, firing off one level after another.
“Has he lost his mind? A level every few minutes?”
“Is he afraid he’ll lose Pinnacle Showdown, so he’s trying to win through a level advantage?”
“Sigh, whatever. As long as you don’t compete with a freak like that for the rankings, this game is still pretty comfortable.”
…
Some complained, while others had grown numb.
Ever since Zhouyou Shijie entered Destiny, legends about him had filled the game’s forums.
He was simply too monstrous!
Whenever players finally accepted his latest absurd feat and Zhouyou Shijie’s popularity began to fade, something even more outrageous would happen.
Moreover, the server-wide level rankings had activated when the national borders opened and could now be viewed freely, making Zhouyou Shijie appear even more ridiculous.
1. Zhouyou Shijie, Level 134, Eastern Region
2. First God, Level 99, Merri Region
3. Rule by Inaction, Level 98, Eastern Region
4. Hash, Level 98, Daehan Region
5. Banshee, Level 97, Romance Region
6. Submit and Perish, Level 97, Eastern Region
7. Cisheng, Level 96, Sakura Region
8. Demon Dragon, Level 96, Great Britain Region
9. Heiwang, Level 95, Tsar Region
10. Tingfeng Xiyu, Level 95, Eastern Region
…
Everyone else’s levels remained close together. A difference of only a fraction of an EXP bar could shuffle their positions. Zhouyou Shijie alone stood completely apart.
Looking down on everyone from Level 119 had already been excessive. Now he had widened the gap to more than thirty levels.
And it was still growing!
“Slash!”
On a vast plain.
Tingfeng Xiyu successfully assassinated a Level 150 Corrupted Tiger. Golden light rose around him. He opened the level rankings, looked at his position, and did not know whether to laugh or cry. “Seriously, bro?”
Recently, he had worked extremely hard to keep pace with Zhouyou Shijie.
But was this truly a speed any normal person could match?
Zhouyou Shijie was completely beyond his reach!
“Forget it. No point overthinking!”
Tingfeng Xiyu encouraged himself while continuing to level. “I don’t know what Destiny’s level cap is, but he’ll reach it sooner or later. Once that happens, our levels should finally even out…”
…
Time passed slowly.
While Zhou Ming worked hard at leveling, other players either prepared for Pinnacle Showdown or participated in Defend the Frontier. The atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
Whether they invaded other regions to seize cities and claim territory or fought for their nation’s glory in Pinnacle Showdown, these were matters of the highest importance.
Night fell.
All was silent.
“Whew!”
Zhou Ming removed his helmet and exhaled heavily.
The day had been exceptionally productive!
Not only had he embedded the Core of Darkness into a god-tier ring, his own level had also entered a period of explosive growth.
He would probably spend the next few days busy in the Snow Domain.
Suddenly, Zhou Ming sensed something. He rose and entered the living room, where he found that Ning Wushen had arrived at some point and was quietly playing a mobile game.
Though Ning Wushen could not return to the Destiny Continent, that naturally had no effect on him in reality.
“Brother Ning, how did it go?” Zhou Ming asked.
“Not very well!”
Ning Wushen looked grave. “I tried logging in again just now.”
“And?”
“And this happened!”
Ning Wushen opened a screenshot on his phone and showed it to Zhou Ming.
Ding!
[System Notification: Dear adventurer, the system has detected that you used extraordinary methods to enhance yourself. Your account has been suspended. The suspension will be lifted at 10:00 on October 1, 2999. Please refrain from violating game rules and work with all players to maintain a fair and impartial gaming environment!]
Zhou Ming: “…”
A ban of more than nine hundred years?
That was a little long!
“So from here on, you truly can only rely on yourself.” Ning Wushen gave Zhou Ming a long look. “Don’t blame me for not simply killing Gu Ming. He wasn’t weak, and the moment I used my full power, the rules detected that my actions exceeded their limits and immediately moved to suppress me. There wasn’t enough time.”
Gu Ming had an enormous HP bar.
No matter how powerful Ning Wushen was, he could not kill the man in one hit.
“Don’t worry. I’m not that lacking in self-awareness.” Zhou Ming laughed. “You held him off for me, Brother Ning. I’m far too grateful to blame you.”
“Then how about putting that gratitude into a few drinks?”
“Want to go out and have some fun?”
“Is that even a question?”
“Let’s go?”
“Let’s go!”
…
The two immediately headed to a lively roadside food stall and ate their fill.
“Looks like I can’t play Destiny anymore!” Ning Wushen said regretfully as he peeled a delicious spicy crawfish. “Do you have any other games to recommend?”
“Earth Online?” Zhou Ming suggested after some thought, half joking.
“That game isn’t very good. Most of the players work too hard and barely scrape by. The game designers even enter the game themselves and personally teach you how to play, leaving far too little room for player choice!” Ning Wushen shook his head and declined, shoveling shrimp meat into his mouth.
He preferred games with higher ceilings and more freedom.
Earth Online, however, was purely pay-to-win. Unless someone had extraordinary luck and rolled a top-tier account, they had little chance of making it work.
The two talked about everything under the sun and discussed life at length before returning home fully satisfied.
“I suppose I’ll keep enduring for now.” Before leaving, Ning Wushen spoke meaningfully. “Three months from now, you’ll learn the truth about Destiny. I only hope you can handle it when the time comes.”
“…An information overload?” Zhou Ming asked tentatively.
“You bet!”
Ning Wushen smacked his lips. “I won’t say anything more. Just work hard.”
With that, he stood, dusted himself off, and left.
Zhou Ming did not linger either. After paying the bill, he returned home.
…
The next day.
As usual, Zhou Ming ate breakfast, logged back into the game, and returned to the fray.
The moment he entered, however, he received a system notification.
Ding!
[System Notification: Your mount [Crimsonflame Sacred Dragon] has reached the Growth Stage!]
“It finally grew!”
Zhou Ming was delighted and hurriedly summoned the Crimsonflame Sacred Dragon. Without him noticing, it had grown to more than two meters long. Its claws and fangs were sharp, and it cut an imposing figure worthy of a dragon.
He could hardly imagine what a terrifying giant beast it would become once it reached full maturity.
Without hesitation, Zhou Ming opened the mount’s panel with eager anticipation and examined the details.
…