Chapter 46
Chapter 46
Blazing Heaven Sword remained suspended in midair for a full seven or eight seconds before gradually fading away.
By then, the Flame Lizard King’s Shockwave had nearly run its course, allowing Zhou Ming to survive it without injury.
“That really did feel a little like sword flight!” Zhou Ming marveled inwardly. Blazing Heaven Sword was astonishingly versatile, a divine skill equally suited to showing off and killing enemies.
20%!
10%!
The Flame Lizard King’s HP steadily declined. It cycled through every skill it possessed to no avail, so furious that it stomped and jumped in place.
At last, only a sliver of HP remained.
Zhou Ming swung his sword and finished it off, barely able to keep a straight face.
The first Gold Boss kill had really been this easy and pleasant!
Anyone with eyes could see that his victory came entirely from mechanics and had nothing to do with stats!
Sure, maxed fire resistance might have given him one tiny, practically imperceptible advantage against a fire-element enemy.
Boom!
The boss crashed to the ground. System chimes immediately rang in Zhou Ming’s ears.
“Ding!”
[Congratulations! You have killed the Gold Boss Flame Lizard King and received the following rewards: Level +2, Fame +100, and 2 gold coins!]
“Ding!”
[Congratulations! You have killed the Gold Boss Flame Lizard King. As the first player in the game to defeat a Gold Boss, you receive the additional rewards: Free Attribute Points +30, Fame +1,000, and Rare skill Holy Flame Purification!]
“Ding!”
[Publicly announce the legend you have created on the Destiny Continent? Note: If announced, it will be visible to all players on the server.]
…
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two rays of golden light descended, raising Zhou Ming to Level 42.
He glanced at the Level Rankings and saw that the gap between himself and second place had reached double digits.
“Congratulations on claiming the first Gold Boss kill, brother!”
Tingfeng Xiyu stepped forward to congratulate him.
He had personally witnessed Zhouyou Shijie’s fight against the Gold Boss.
All he could say was…
It looked like he wasn’t cheating, yet somehow felt more outrageous than cheating!
“Let’s head back!”
Zhou Ming picked up the equipment dropped by the Flame Lizard King, excitement surging through him.
He had seen two pieces of Gold-grade loot!
He would soon discover which grade came above Radiant.
“Qianying, do I have a chance if I go looking for a Radiant fire-element Boss now?” Zhou Ming asked on a sudden whim.
“You can’t simply find one because you want to,” Qianying replied in a voice as clear as a spring, cutting straight to the heart of the matter. “The stronger a creature becomes, the rarer it is. It will also possess greater intelligence!”
“I see.”
Zhou Ming understood.
The conditions were far too demanding. He would need a Radiant Boss that attacked only with the fire element, lacked the intelligence to adapt, and lived on a map accessible to players.
Beyond that, whether he could survive the boss’s physical attacks remained a serious problem.
Putting aside such unrealistic fantasies for now, Zhou Ming chatted and laughed with Tingfeng Xiyu as they returned to Qingshui City.
The city was nothing like it had been before.
Now that it had advanced into a secondary city, Qingshui City looked increasingly imposing. Its walls towered overhead, newly laid blue bricks gleamed, and heavily armed guards stood rigidly on both sides of the broad gates.
Zhou Ming walked inside. Rows of buildings filled his vision, all of them completely renewed.
“They know it’ll all burn to the ground in a few days, yet they’re still building on this scale!” Zhou Ming sneered inwardly. “The Light Faction really is swimming in money if they can afford this!”
A city couldn’t be upgraded overnight.
For the Light Faction to complete the work so quickly, it had to have spent enormous resources and imposed a heavy burden on the populace.
“Gaibang Guild is recruiting! Qualified players, come quickly! Monthly cash subsidies based on contribution!”
Alongside the merchants’ calls, players were shouting advertisements through the city.
The Gaibang Guild!
Zhou Ming turned and saw the guild’s three administrators screening players with outstanding levels and equipment near the city gate.
The man in front was handsome and well-equipped. Every gesture carried the air of a leader.
“Boss!”
Gaibang Laosan spotted Zhou Ming and immediately warned him, “That’s Zhouyou Shijie!”
“Hm?”
Gaibang Laoda raised his head and looked toward Zhou Ming.
[Zhouyou Shijie] (Flame Demon Lord)
Level: 42
HP: ???
Attack: ???
Defense: ???
Skills: ???
…
“!!”
Gaibang Laoda’s heart lurched.
Zhouyou Shijie’s panel was already so far above his that even a player on the Level Rankings couldn’t inspect it!
Terrifying!
The other players also sensed the atmosphere changing.
When these two sides met, it could truly be called a collision of bitter enemies.
“Zhouyou Shijie, the Gaibang Guild will repay the humiliation we have suffered!” Gaibang Laoda declared grimly.
“There’s no need to rush to demonstrate your position for someone’s benefit!”
Zhou Ming didn’t take the threat seriously. He turned to leave. “The whole internet says the Gaibang Guild and I are mortal enemies, but I think you should be thanking me instead!”
“Thanking you?”
Everyone stared in bewilderment.
Zhou Ming had reduced the once-renowned Gaibang Guild to an online laughingstock. Yet the guild’s supreme leader was supposed to thank him?
What kind of logic was that?
“Nonsense!” Gaibang Laosan shouted angrily. “Why would the Gaibang Guild ever thank you?”
“Third!”
Gaibang Laoda shook his head, signaling him to be quiet.
Then he stared at Zhouyou Shijie’s retreating back in complicated silence.
The others didn’t understand Zhou Ming’s words, but Gaibang Laoda understood them perfectly.
Strictly speaking, if Zhouyou Shijie hadn’t provoked the gods, how would Gaibang Laoda ever have gained the fortune to become a god-tier expert’s disciple and obtain a Rare hidden class?
His opportunity truly had come because of Zhouyou Shijie.
“Perhaps you really are someone extraordinary. Unfortunately, everyone wants you dead!” Gaibang Laoda murmured. “There’s no escape for you now!”
…
After entering the city, Zhou Ming parted ways with Tingfeng Xiyu. He found a deserted corner and began taking inventory of his spoils.
In addition to two pieces of Silver equipment, his inventory contained two objects shining with a brilliant golden light.
[Crimson Flame Ring] (Gold Grade)
[Fire Scroll] (Gold Grade)
Description: Treasures obtained by the Flame Lizard King after attacking a passing merchant, carefully preserved ever since.
Effect: Enhances a piece of equipment and converts its trait to the fire element.
Effect 2: Small chance to raise the equipment’s grade by 1.
…
Both were excellent!
Rings were exceedingly rare. Zhou Ming had obtained one in the beginner village, but his other ring slot had remained empty ever since. Now he had finally filled the vacancy with an item of exceptional grade.
As for the Fire Scroll, it was difficult to estimate the exact strength of its first enhancement effect…
“If I can trigger the second effect and raise Blackwind Sword’s grade directly, then any ordinary player who attacks me will die on sight!” Desire stirred within Zhou Ming.
If he equipped a weapon and ring above Radiant grade, his Attack would rise beyond anything other players could reach, greatly improving his chances of breaking out of the coming death trap.
Then he remembered something and smiled.
“Xuanniao, can you come out and do me a favor?”
Luck was intangible and unpredictable.
But Zhou Ming had a divine pet at his side!
“Ding!”
[Your pet Celestial Spirit Beast · Xuanniao has refused your summons!]
“…”
Still sulking?
Zhou Ming adopted a serious tone. “What meaning is there in staying inside the pet space forever? Why not spend some time with me? You might discover that I’m a considerate and understanding big brother.”
“…”
Xuanniao gave no response.
“I order you to come out!”
When the bird continued playing dead, Zhou Ming’s voice turned stern. “Touch the Fire Scroll!”
The situation was far too urgent for him to worry about Xuanniao’s feelings!
Kind words had accomplished nothing. He had no choice but to summon it by force.
Whoosh!
The next instant, Xuanniao reluctantly flew out and appeared before him. Seven-colored light erupted from its body and flowed into the Fire Scroll.
“Ding!”
[Through Celestial Spirit Beast · Xuanniao’s Super Lucky Star, your item Fire Scroll has advanced to Radiant grade!]
“Ding!”
[Due to your forced summon, Celestial Spirit Beast · Xuanniao’s loyalty has decreased by 2. Current loyalty: 48! Note: Below 30, there is a risk of escape.]
…
Zhou Ming was helpless.
Every gain came with a loss!
He still needed a way to raise Xuanniao’s loyalty.
“This can’t continue forever,” Qianying said telepathically. “I have a rather extreme method that might make Xuanniao submit to you willingly.”
“Oh?”
Zhou Ming’s eyes lit up. “What method?”
“It’s simple. You only need to…”
…