Chapter 62
Chapter 62
Zhou Ming took the God-Demon Orb from his inventory and held it in his hand, anticipation rising within him.
According to Qianying, no one could guide the path of his class. Only the God-Demon Orb could help him complete a class advancement.
Bubble, bubble…
Sure enough!
Once Zhou Ming met the level requirement, the long-silent God-Demon Orb began radiating a vivid, bewitching red light. It looked as though a wisp of flame had ignited inside.
A moment later, fiery red energy spilled from it and surged into Zhou Ming.
Bang!
Just as he thought everything would proceed smoothly, the activated God-Demon Orb seemed to encounter some kind of resistance. The energy transmission was forcibly severed.
“What’s going on?”
Zhou Ming frowned. The system quickly provided an answer.
[For unknown reasons, you must complete the prerequisite class-change quest Defeat Su Feng (Difficulty: ???)!]
[Defeat Su Feng] (Difficulty: ???)
Description: You must prove that you possess power surpassing your predecessor.
Quest Requirement: Defeat Wind Wanderer · Su Feng. Coordinates: 1565, 1554, 1223.
Quest Reward: Class Advancement
Failure Penalty: Unable to advance your class.
…
Another complication!
Of course the system wouldn’t let him claim the reward for becoming the first player to complete a second class advancement so easily.
“Did something go wrong?” Qianying had noticed the discrepancy too.
“Yeah!”
Zhou Ming honestly explained the situation.
“Su Feng?!” Qianying exclaimed in surprise. “So he’s still alive?”
“You know him?”
“He was the previous owner of the God-Demon Orb. Unfortunately, he fell during his journey through the trials.”
“I see!”
Zhou Ming understood.
No wonder the quest required him to defeat Su Feng and prove himself.
Moreover, with Su Feng still alive, the God-Demon Orb probably didn’t consider his predecessor’s journey truly concluded.
“I’ll visit the Fame Shop first!”
Zhou Ming decided to raise his strength to its current peak before confronting Su Feng.
His opponent was a genius who had also earned the God-Demon Orb’s recognition. If Zhou Ming grew careless, defeat was entirely possible.
“ROAR!”
Just as he turned to leave, a roar came from behind him.
“Perfect timing!” A sharp light flashed in Zhou Ming’s eyes, and he raced toward the sound.
A massive tiger entered his view. It had blue-green fur, saber-like fangs, blood-red eyes, and a dense murderous aura. Ferocity radiated from every part of its body.
[Nether Tiger King] (Gold Boss)
Level: 65
HP: 350,000
Attack: 3,800-4,050
Defense: 2,200-2,350
Skills: [Powerful Bite] [Nether Claw] [Super Rage] [Roar of Fear]
Description: An unusual variant of the tiger race with exceptionally lethal power. Before challenging it, weigh yourself carefully. If you don’t carry enough meat, you won’t even fill its stomach.
…
As the ruler of a territory filled with Elite monsters, its stats far exceeded those of the Flame Lizard King. It couldn’t be underestimated.
Dawnbringer!
Zhou Ming raised a hand and began charging.
The blazing solar greatsword appeared in the sky.
“ROAR!”
The tiger’s roar shook the forest, deafeningly loud.
The Nether Tiger King was exceptionally sensitive to hostility. The instant it discovered the intruder, it charged with astonishing speed.
High Attack, high Attack Speed, and formidable Defense. This was exactly the kind of Boss no player wanted to face!
“Bow down!”
There was no time to complete the charge. When the Nether Tiger King reached him, Zhou Ming released the skill early. The blazing solar greatsword crashed down and bent its forelegs by force, pinning it against the ground.
-41,250! (Critical Hit)
Dawnbringer remained absurdly powerful. Even a Gold Boss lost one-tenth of its health bar in a single blow.
Zhou Ming immediately followed with Rending Slash.
The Nether Tiger King broke free from Suppression. One clawed forepaw swiped toward Zhou Ming with such speed that it was nearly impossible to evade.
-852!
Zhou Ming’s HP plummeted by nearly 2%!
Xuanniao, flying overhead, immediately used Misfortune Divination and sharply weakened the Nether Tiger King. Then it began healing Zhou Ming.
+3,404!
+3,404!
The astonishing healing and the Nether Tiger King’s relentless attacks arrived one after another, making Zhou Ming’s HP jump endlessly between 99% and 100%. It was like dancing on the edge of a blade.
About five minutes later, the Nether Tiger King let out a whimper and collapsed.
[Congratulations! You have killed Nether Tiger King (Gold Boss) and received the following rewards: Current Level EXP +66.8%, Fame +150, and Gold Coins +3!]
Zhou Ming collected the items it dropped and began his return journey.
On the way back, he opened his inventory and inspected the loot. Only two pieces of Gold equipment were worth mentioning. The staff could only be sent to the auction house, while the Nether Helmet was perfect for him and could replace his Goldsource Helmet.
[Nether Helmet] (War Soul)
Defense: 250
HP: 5,000
Trait: HP +50%
Effect: Nether’s Blessing. Restores 10 HP per second.
Required Level: 50
Required Fame: 500
Description: Put it on, and no matter what kind of head you have, it’ll become very hard.
…
With several pieces of War Soul defensive equipment now covering him, Zhou Ming’s Defense had nearly caught up to his Attack. His HP had reached a height most players could only dream of.
After returning to Qingshui Town, Zhou Ming listed the equipment he couldn’t use at the auction house, then headed toward the Fame Shop.
“It’s just a title! How can it cost that much Fame?”
“Have you seen how ridiculous the stat bonuses are? And they’re randomized too, custom-made for each player’s current overall situation. Of course they’re expensive!”
“Forget it. I can’t afford one!”
“Holy shit, look at my title! It’s badass!”
…
Crowds packed the area around the NPC. Many players were watching or buying the relevant scrolls.
At a glance, Zhou Ming spotted an old acquaintance.
[Ironblood Warrior · Gaibang Laoer] (Knight)
Description: The more blood he loses, the stronger he becomes.
…
“Well, well!”
Enemies naturally saw red when they met. The instant Gaibang Laoer ran into Zhou Ming, his face fell. “If it isn’t the great hero who saved Qingshui City!”
“You shouldn’t put it that way!” Zhou Ming replied modestly. “Without your guild leader’s Talent supporting me, I might not have held the city. I’ll have to visit one day and thank him properly!”
“You!”
Gaibang Laoer glared. Then he remembered that Zhou Ming’s mouth was even more dangerous than his sword. Rubbing his nose in frustration, he muttered, “I can’t be bothered arguing with you. Let’s see whether your title can beat my Ironblood Warrior!”
As he spoke, pride crept back onto his face. He was extremely satisfied with his title.
Titles were highly random, and everyone had different tastes. Some offered enormous stat bonuses but still sounded less impressive than weaker titles.
Generally speaking, though, stronger players received more spectacular titles.
“Then watch closely!”
Zhou Ming laughed and walked toward the NPC.
No one in the crowd had formed an orderly line, so he simply relied on strength far beyond an ordinary player’s and forced his way to the front.
[Fame Envoy] (Ordinary NPC)
“I want to buy something!” Zhou Ming said directly.
The Fame Envoy was swamped. He waved a hand at Zhou Ming. “Look for yourself!”
The next instant, a shop interface containing title-related goods appeared before him.
Zhou Ming examined it carefully, full of anticipation.
At last!
Titles and descriptions were no longer exclusive to NPCs. Players could finally have their own too!
…