Chapter 221
Chapter 221
“Ding!~”
[System Notification: You have used the skill [Return to Ruin] and entered the Return to Ruin state. While in this state, all skill cooldowns are reduced to zero, all usage costs are reduced to zero, and activation prices are waived. Duration: Indefinite! (Note: The effect ends upon entering combat.)]
Without hesitation, Zhou Ming opened his skill list and fixed his gaze on the target of this Return to Ruin session.
Forbidden · Flames of Eternal Calamity!
An extraordinarily powerful technique gifted to him by Ning Wushen.
Thanks to its tyrannical power, it ranked within at least the top three of Zhou Ming’s ultimate trump cards.
“Flame Dragon Roar definitely has to be included…”
Zhou Ming did not dare grow overconfident. He focused completely on his selection, ensuring that the skills he intended to fuse had similar effects and that he had a corresponding goal in mind.
Heavenrend dealt tremendous damage, never missed, inflicted several forms of crowd control, and could even seal an opponent’s skill.
Heavenbinder removed a percentage of HP regardless of the difference in strength between user and enemy.
The third skill in his Heaven series would, of course, be an all-out ultimate with an enormous area of effect and devastating damage!
After that, Zhou Ming also added Forbidden · Red Lotus Karmic Fire to his plan.
It was the reward for his first kill of a King-grade boss and could heal his allies by the same amount of damage it dealt to enemies.
Red Lotus Karmic Fire and Flames of Eternal Calamity clearly complemented each other. The latter possessed tremendous destructive power but made no distinction between friend and foe, so it could easily cause friendly fire.
Once he had thought everything through, Zhou Ming found a suitable open field and began experimenting over and over.
“If the Heaven series truly becomes a complete set, it will surely grow into an unparalleled collection of divine skills!” Ye Zhibei watched from a distance and sighed in wonder.
“The way I see it, once Zhouyou Shijie passes away, if he doesn’t hide his tomb well enough, it’ll get robbed for sure!” As a thief, Yun Wuyou marveled at the sight while voicing this thoroughly “treasonous” opinion.
Just imagining that one day in the future, a thief might explore an ancient ruin and discover Zhouyou Shijie’s inheritance…
The thrill, the danger, and the mountain of loot made even Yun Wuyou’s fingers itch.
“Aren’t you getting a little too far ahead of yourselves?” Zhou Ming found their commentary both amusing and exasperating.
Rob his tomb?
Who would dare?
Besides, with the exclusive SSS-Rank skill [Immortality], as long as he did not suffer some great calamity, even Zhou Ming himself had no idea when he might eventually die.
“Not at all!”
Cangxuan could not resist teasing him. “Even god-tier powerhouses would covet those techniques of yours. As long as we survive this crisis, who can say what the future will bring?”
“…”
Zhou Ming shook his head and laughed, paying them no mind.
His affairs after death were not something the current him should be thinking about.
He corrected his mindset and continued refining his skills, ensuring that he thoroughly mastered and integrated them.
…
Meanwhile, at the bottom of the abyss…
The cross-domain teleportation array constructed by the Demon Gods was activated once again.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
A moment later, the energy dispersed, and three men appeared before them. The man in front wore blue armor and possessed a formidable aura only slightly inferior to Wu Xing’s.
[Heavenly Sacred Water · Gu Yi] (God-Tier Boss)
[Heavenly Sacred Gold · Gu Er] (God-Tier Boss)
[Heavenly Sacred Earth · Gu San] (God-Tier Boss)
…
“Many thanks to our friends from the Fire Domain for coming to our aid!” Wu Xing welcomed them warmly.
“We already understand the situation!”
Gu Yi nodded. “Until Lord Gu Ming escapes his confinement, we will follow your orders!”
“I will not fail the trust placed in me!” Wu Xing finally relaxed completely.
The token Gu Ming had given him allowed him to call in more reinforcements from the Fire Domain. Unfortunately, the cross-domain teleportation array consumed far too many resources, so he could only summon three.
Still, with three god-tier powerhouses assisting them and the ten god-tier powerhouses the Dark Faction still retained, holding Zhouyou Shijie back for a few months should be more than enough.
“I can hardly wait!”
Wu Xing’s eyes brimmed with killing intent as though he could already see the future outcome. He muttered, “Zhouyou Shijie, three months from now, I will watch you lose everything and die without a grave!”
…
BOOM!!
For the umpteenth time, towering flames erupted across the earth.
The area around Zhou Ming had long since been scorched black, forming a horrifying “basin.”
Over the following days, Zhou Ming meticulously created the third skill in his Heaven series. After all, the fusion involved two SSS-Rank forbidden spells. The process could never be simple.
Moreover, Return to Ruin merely provided a platform that compressed the time required. It never guaranteed a successful fusion.
“Ding!~”
[System Notification: Your [Round Two] match in the [Team Competition] of [Pinnacle Showdown] is about to begin. Would you like to proceed immediately? (Note: Failure to enter the arena within 3 minutes will prevent you from supporting your teammates.)]
“Yes!”
He had left the first round entirely to Wuwei Erzhi, so he definitely had to participate in the second. Otherwise, his attitude toward the tournament would be rather hard to justify.
Several seconds later, Zhou Ming appeared in the arena. Every player ranked on the Eastern Region’s level leaderboard was present.
This time, when she saw Zhou Ming, the girl Wuwei Erzhi had brought along had already lost her earlier enthusiasm.
“Thanks!”
Gratitude filled Wuwei Erzhi’s eyes. “If you ever need my help with anything, just ask. Don’t stand on ceremony!”
“It was nothing!”
Zhou Ming could more or less tell that the two of them had gotten together.
Good for them!
I need to work harder too!
Suddenly, Shunwo Zhewang approached him. “Zhouyou Shijie!”
“Hm?”
Zhou Ming looked surprised. “What’s up?”
“I ran into an extremely difficult quest related to my class advancement.” Shunwo Zhewang spoke awkwardly. “Could you help… Ahem!”
Apparently embarrassed to ask for a favor, he hurriedly added, “Let’s make one thing clear first. It’s not that I absolutely need you. The main problem is that the quest has restrictions and only players can participate. The guardian of the Dragon Domain also said it would be best if you joined me. You might gain something from it.”
“All right. Where should we meet?”
The moment the guardian of the Dragon Domain came up, Zhou Ming agreed without hesitation.
Shunwo Zhewang’s expression eased. “Please come to (1,565, 4,458, 5,667). I’ll wait for you there!”
He and Zhouyou Shijie were not on good terms, so being rejected would have been extremely awkward.
“Could you show us at least a little respect during a tournament match?” The five Black players matched against them in the arena looked impatient.
“Okay!”
With that weight off his mind, Shunwo Zhewang’s mood improved dramatically. He raised his staff and unleashed his signature forbidden spell. “Our friends from abroad, prepare to die!”
The five Black players: “…”
“Ding!~”
[System Notification: Team [Zhouyou Shijie] has won!]
…
After returning to the wilderness where he had been practicing his skill, Zhou Ming temporarily set the fusion aside, mounted the Crimsonflame Sacred Dragon, and headed for the coordinates.
Before long, he spotted Shunwo Zhewang standing on a deserted plain.
“Over here!”
Shunwo Zhewang waved to him.
“Is this where the quest takes place?” Zhou Ming asked in confusion.
After casting several envious glances at the majestic Crimsonflame Sacred Dragon, Shunwo Zhewang looked away and explained, “I don’t really understand the specifics either, but this quest is extremely unusual and relates to my class, Dragon Soul Mage!”
“Ding!~”
[System Notification: Barrier Breaker · Shunwo Zhewang would like to share the Hidden Special Quest [House of Time] (SSSS-Rank) with you. Accept?]
“…”
Zhou Ming stared silently at the quest’s difficulty rating for a long time.
Back then, the most difficult quest he had ever accepted was only SSS-Rank, and he had barely cleared it by trading his life for the Flame Giant King’s and exhausting everything he possessed.
SSSS-Rank!
This difficulty…
He could hardly imagine it!
“Whether you’re willing to try is up to you.” Shunwo Zhewang seemed to understand why Zhouyou Shijie was hesitating.
After all, when he first saw the quest’s difficulty, he had been unable to believe his own eyes as well.
Until then, he had never imagined that an SSSS-Rank quest even existed in [Destiny].
“If it feels wrong, we don’t have to force it,” Qianying said with concern.
“I’m mostly just surprised.”
Taking a deep breath, Zhou Ming accepted. “Let’s do it. I want to see just how difficult an SSSS-Rank quest really is!”
At this point, what room did he have left to retreat?
Before defeating Gu Ming, he could not afford to miss a single opportunity!
“Ding!~”
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have received the Hidden Special Quest [House of Time] (SSSS-Rank)!]
Not daring to underestimate it in the slightest, Zhou Ming opened his quest panel and examined the details.
…