Chapter 60
Chapter 60
Taking me away from here?
A ripple stirred in Qianying’s eyes.
If she remembered correctly, this was the third time she had heard him say something like that.
“Ahem!”
Even someone as shameless as Zhou Ming found it difficult to endure her silent stare at such close range. He coughed awkwardly twice. “I didn’t mean anything else. What I meant was… I owe you a great debt, and I have to repay it many times over.”
“Thank you!” Qianying said with heartfelt gratitude.
Zhou Ming shook his head. “No. I should be thanking you!”
“Chirp, chirp!”
Xuanniao folded its wings and landed on Zhou Ming’s shoulder. It stared at him in silence.
There you two went, acting all lovey-dovey and turning it into a third wheel!
“Speaking of which…”
Zhou Ming changed the subject and looked toward Xuanniao. “Just calling you Xuanniao doesn’t feel very personal. How about I give you a name?”
Suspicion entered Xuanniao’s eyes.
[Celestial Spirit Beast · Xuanniao doubts your naming ability!]
“You’re really underestimating me!” Zhou Ming laughed, then inspected it carefully.
This Celestial Spirit Beast had glossy black feathers, a small body, and light wings. It looked much like a swallow.
Xuanniao proudly raised its little head under his gaze.
“Most of your feathers are black. How about Little Black?” Zhou Ming asked tentatively.
“???”
Xuanniao looked ready to kill him.
Zhou Ming abruptly saw the error of his ways. “Little Black is a bit lacking… How about Xiaoyou?”
Xiaoyou?
Xuanniao considered it for a moment, then nodded in satisfaction.
The “you” in Xiaoyou evoked shadow and darkness, much like black, but the name sounded completely different. It was clearly far more elegant.
[You have successfully named your pet Xiaoyou. Pet Loyalty +3!]
[You have entered the map Purple Moon Valley!]
Before long, Zhou Ming arrived at his destination. Black tigers filled the valley, each with razor-sharp claws and fangs. Medicinal herbs called Purple Moon Grass grew all around them.
As a matter of courtesy before battle, Zhou Ming used Inspect on the monsters.
[Demonized Black Tiger] (Elite Monster)
Level: 60
HP: 50,000
Attack: 2,400-2,550
Defense: 1,100-1,280
Skills: [Starving Tiger Pounce] [Tiger’s Might] [Tiger Roar]
Description: Fierce tigers corrupted by demonic energy. They are intensely hostile toward any creature that approaches. Hopefully, you won’t become their next meal.
…
Elite monsters!
This was a monster grade above ordinary creatures, with significantly higher stats in every category.
Rather than approach immediately, Zhou Ming raised one palm toward the sky as fire-element energy gathered above him.
Clang!
The phantom of a greatsword more than five meters wide appeared in midair, wrapped in dense flames and radiating a chilling edge.
As Zhou Ming continued charging, the phantom sword grew larger and larger. The pressure it emitted intensified with every passing moment. Air currents scattered from its presence before it had even fallen.
Eight meters… Ten meters…
At last, a fifteen-meter greatsword hung high overhead. Its sword intent was cold and menacing, like the sword of Damocles suspended above the enemy’s head.
“ROAR!”
The Demonized Black Tigers roared in fear and agitation.
“Go!”
Once the charge reached its current limit, Zhou Ming clenched his raised hand into a fist, then thrust one finger forward.
Hiss!
Heavy as a mountain, the greatsword crashed down with unstoppable force. It pierced straight through the Demonized Black Tiger at the center, while raging waves of fire erupted in every direction.
The monsters caught in the impact were thrown backward like kites with broken strings.
[You have used Dawnbringer, dealing 100,120 Critical Hit damage to Demonized Black Tiger. Suppression cannot be inflicted because the target is dead. All enemy units within a 200 × 200-meter area around the impact point take 3,231-3,786 damage, with a high chance of suffering Burn and Knockback!]
Dust and flames roared through the air. The greatsword plunged into the ground and blasted out an enormous crater.
“Holy shit!!”
Zhou Ming reveled in the sight. He turned to Xuanniao and raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t your master handsome?”
One hundred thousand damage!
Even if the Demonized Black Tiger had two lives, it still wouldn’t have been enough!
The next batch of players who came looking for trouble were in for a treat!
Xuanniao: “…”
Clap, clap, clap…
Inopportune applause suddenly rang out. “Handsome. Super, invincible, explosively handsome!”
Zhou Ming turned toward the voice. The newcomer wore a black cloak that concealed his face, but his thin frame stood over two meters tall. He looked like a towering bamboo pole, making him impossible to miss.
[Mysterious Merchant · No. 1] (God-Tier NPC)
Level: ???
HP: ???
Attack: ???
Defense: ???
Skills: ???
Description: Merchants who wander Destiny Continent. Their movements are elusive, and they appear and disappear without warning. One thing is certain: if you have money, you will draw their attention.
…
A god-tier NPC!
Zhou Ming’s expression turned solemn. He cupped his hands. “And you are…?”
“Exactly what you see, a merchant!” the Mysterious Merchant answered amiably. “We have no grudge against each other, and I belong to neither of the two factions. I simply want to do a little business with you.”
“Business?”
Zhou Ming remained skeptical.
“He isn’t lying about that.” Qianying appeared beside Zhou Ming and explained, “I don’t know what the Mysterious Merchants ultimately want, but they have never declared allegiance to either side. All they care about is money!”
“When it comes to money, more is always better!” the Mysterious Merchant admitted without shame. “Of course, no amount of money can compare to even a fraction of the Divine Ember Queen’s ability!”
“Since you say you’re here for business, you must have plenty of goods. Would you mind taking them out and letting me look?” Reassured, Zhou Ming turned the conversation to merchandise.
“Look all you like. If you want something and have enough money, you can buy it!”
The Mysterious Merchant seemed to have been waiting for those exact words. He immediately displayed the goods he had brought.
[Schrodinger’s Health Potion] (A Rank)
Description: Until you drink it, it could be a peerless divine medicine or an exceptionally potent poison.
Item Effect: ???
Price: 10,000 gold coins
Purchase Limit: 1
[Beat a Retreat] (A Rank)
Description: Even a retreat should be sounded with enough spirit to inspire the heart.
Item Effect: Escape Speed +200% while being pursued.
Duration: 5 minutes
Price: 10,000 gold coins
Purchase Limit: 1
[Fashion Mystery Box]
Description: Any game with a conscience would include something like this, wouldn’t it?
Item Effect: 1% chance to obtain a cosmetic outfit.
Price: 50,000 gold coins
Purchase Limit: 1
…
Expensive!
Absurdly expensive!
Even with a million gold coins to his name, Zhou Ming didn’t dare spend recklessly.
The sight of a shop reminded him that the system had also opened a Fame Shop. Once he returned, he would have to see what it sold.
“Fair prices and honest dealing for young and old alike!” The Mysterious Merchant seemed to know he had found a wealthy customer and grew exceptionally enthusiastic. “If you can think of it, I sell it. If you can’t think of it, we sell that too!”
Something he couldn’t think of?
Curious, Zhou Ming asked, “Do you have Flame Dragon Blood Essence?”
“Something like that is a specialty of the Dragon Domain!” The Mysterious Merchant didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Zhou Ming asked no further questions and silently browsed the merchandise.
He had no idea where the Mysterious Merchant had found so many bizarre items.
“Huh!”
At a certain moment, Zhou Ming’s eyes brightened. He had discovered an invaluable treasure.
…