Chapter 47
Chapter 47
“It’s simple. If you stir the divine beast’s pride at the critical moment, its loyalty might make a complete turnaround,” Qianying explained. Then she added, “But the risk is considerable. One mistake and you might truly drive it away.”
Stir its pride!
Zhou Ming considered the idea while looking at the scroll that had advanced to Radiant grade.
[Fire Scroll] (Radiant Grade)
Description: A scroll touched by a Celestial Spirit Beast and imbued with a trace of its special aura.
Effect: Enhances a piece of equipment and converts its trait to the fire element.
Effect 2: High chance to raise the equipment’s grade by 1. Exact probability depends on the equipment’s grade.
Effect 3: While using the enhanced equipment, fire-element damage +20%.
…
Super Lucky Star had dramatically increased the Fire Scroll’s benefits!
The value Xuanniao could bring if it remained at his side was terrifying to imagine.
After some thought, Zhou Ming issued another command. “Xuanniao, I order you to cast Good Fortune Divination on me!”
Even when using a Radiant item to enhance a Radiant weapon, there was still a chance that the grade increase would fail.
Since he intended to do the opposite of appeasing Xuanniao and deliberately stir its pride, he might as well commit fully!
“Chirp!”
Bound by the rules, Xuanniao had no choice but to leave the pet space again and send a strange, multicolored energy toward Zhou Ming.
“Ding!”
[Celestial Spirit Beast · Xuanniao has used Good Fortune Divination. Luck +30 for 3 days, and you have received a random buff: Attack +20% for 3 days!]
“Ding!”
[Due to your forced summon, Celestial Spirit Beast · Xuanniao’s loyalty has decreased by 5. Current loyalty: 43! Note: Below 30, there is a risk of escape.]
…
Excellent!
Good Fortune Divination was extraordinarily powerful.
As for Xuanniao’s loyalty, he would ignore it for now. At the critical moment, he would attempt to unleash the long-lost SSS-Rank skill: the Demon Lord’s Gift of Gab.
Rip…
Once every precaution was in place, Zhou Ming decisively tore open the Fire Scroll.
Dense fire-element power immediately flowed out.
“Ding!”
[Select the equipment you wish to enhance!]
“Blackwind Sword!”
Zhou Ming took out his weapon and held it horizontally before him.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
As though they had found their target, the streams of fire energy surged into the pitch-black Blackwind Sword. It floated into the air and released wisps of flame. Crimson color spread from the tip until the entire blade glowed red.
Standing beside the weapon, Zhou Ming felt heat wash over him. It was as though his sword were being reforged, its edge growing sharper by the second.
At last, the fire energy faded. A soul-stirring crimson light flowed along Blackwind Sword as its power rose dramatically.
“Ding!”
[Through the enhancement of the Fire Scroll, your Radiant-grade weapon Blackwind Sword has advanced into the War Soul-grade Flamecloud Sword!]
Success!
Delighted, Zhou Ming wrapped his hand around the hilt. A tremendous power instantly traveled through his arm and flooded his body.
[Flamecloud Sword] (War Soul Grade)
Attack: 1,000-1,050
Trait: Attack +50% and Attack Speed +50%
Trait: Fire-Element Damage +20%
Effect: Crimson Flame, fire-element attacks restore HP equal to 1% of the damage dealt.
Special Skill: [Blazing Slash]
Required Fame: 800
Required Level: 35
Description: Formerly known as Blackwind Sword. After being baptized by the power of flame, its strength has risen dramatically and it is no longer what it once was.
[Blazing Slash] (A Rank): Deal fire-element damage equal to 200% Attack to an enemy unit!
…
Above Radiant grade came War Soul grade!
This revelation also exposed an equipment grade the officials had never announced.
“What outrageous Attack!”
Zhou Ming was extremely satisfied.
Compared to before, Flamecloud Sword’s Attack had increased fourfold. His entire previous Attack total had only been close to one thousand!
…
Afterward, Zhou Ming took out the ring as well. “Big Sister Qianying, your little brother wants…”
“I know!”
Qianying didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Fine, I’ll do it!”
With that, she used her power. The ring erupted with an even fiercer crimson light as its appearance grew more refined and imposing.
[Crimson Flame Ring] (War Soul Grade)
Attack: 220-240
Trait: Attack +20% and Critical Rate +10%
Trait: Attack Damage +5%
Effect: Burst, All Attributes +10
Required Fame: 500
Required Level: 44
Description: A Crimson Flame Ring modified by the Divine Ember Queen.
…
This ring alone provided as much Attack as the old Blackwind Sword, while also increasing Critical Rate and damage. It was unquestionably top-tier equipment.
Unfortunately, he was still two levels short of the requirement and would have to wait.
Zhou Ming happily put it away.
Their relationship had clearly grown much closer over this period of constant companionship.
When he asked, Qianying gave.
RUMBLE!
Zhou Ming was preparing to log out when the ground suddenly shook violently. Many people lost their footing and fell awkwardly.
“What’s happening?”
“What the hell? There are earthquakes in the game too?!”
Everyone’s attention was drawn to the sudden upheaval. The native residents were even more terrified, frozen in helpless panic.
“Look at the sky!”
Someone shouted, and the crowd looked up.
Above the black pillar of light that had pierced the heavens, a brilliant golden formation appeared. It stretched ten thousand miles and blotted out the sky. Under the pillar’s impact, however, cracks spread across it like a spiderweb.
Crack, crack, crack… SNAP!
The fractures expanded rapidly until the crumbling seal shattered completely.
Nothing obstructed the black pillar any longer.
At the same moment, blood-red text appeared in every adventurer’s message panel, heralding the approaching crisis.
“Ding!”
[Server Announcement: The gods’ seal has shattered, and the demons come bathed in blood. As peace and tranquility collapse, an age of chaos begins!]
“Ding!”
[Attention! The Dark Faction’s monsters will attack Qingshui City in 2 days. Adventurers affiliated with this territory, please save its people from disaster!]
“Ding!”
[You have obtained the main quest Hold the Line! Difficulty: S]
…
The first announcement was broadcast to the entire server.
The latter two applied specifically to players affiliated with Qingshui City.
Naturally, other regions would most likely receive nearly identical quests.
“Here it comes! A monster siege!”
“Nothing beats an event when you want to level quickly!”
“Qingshui City has Zhouyou Shijie. He’ll probably take first place in the siege rankings!”
…
Countless players rubbed their hands together, eager to begin.
To them, a monster siege was simply the game company handing out free rewards.
Among the crowd, Zhou Ming’s expression remained grave.
The Dark Faction had moved faster than he expected, almost as if afraid he would get too much breathing room.
“You don’t have much time left!”
An aged voice suddenly reached his ears.
Zhou Ming turned and found himself facing the NPC he wanted to kill more than anyone else in Destiny.
[Hero of Water · Shui Zhanqiu] (God-Tier NPC)
“What, are you here to persuade me to surrender again?” Zhou Ming wasn’t particularly surprised by the man’s arrival.
The Dark Faction’s envoy had already visited.
How could the Light Faction possibly stay away?
“Hmph!”
Shui Zhanqiu snorted coldly, then said indifferently, “You may view it that way… Even now, the gods are still willing to offer you a path of retreat. Surrender the God-Demon Orb and the Divine Ember Queen. I guarantee all past grievances will be erased, and our relationship will become one of equal, mutual benefit!”
“You’re that afraid the God-Demon Orb will fall into the Dark Faction’s hands?” Zhou Ming mocked.
Ultimately, every faction had sent an envoy because they believed his death was certain. Their only concern was who would claim the treasure afterward.
…