《Shadow's Awakening》 First Encounter Year 2210, Yanxia, Jinghua City. Even in the outskirts, the streets of Jinghua City never escaped the clutches of congestion. Ye Tianxie walked alone amidst the bustling crowd, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, his head slightly lowered as he gazed at the ground. His unfocused eyes didnt look ahead, yet he never collided with anyone. He wore a blue plaid collared shirt, slightly worn black slim-fit pants, and a pair of sky-blue slippersan outfit exuding a carefree, unrestrained homey vibe. However, even with this casual appearance, the dangerous aura he unconsciously exuded made many young women steal glances at him. Today marked the 60th day since the distribution of the gaming devices for Destiny and also the official launch of the game at exactly noon. At this moment, the time pointed to 9 AM. Despite it being the 60th day, the nearest distribution center still had an endlessly long queue. Ye Tianxie wasnt surprised. He stopped at the end of the line, observing that the crowds size was entirely incomparable to the first month of distribution. Few had the patience to wait until today like he did. He lifted his head, looking at the blue-and-white sky, where a long streak ran across its center a white scar-like mark stretching across the heavens. Ever since it suddenly appeared a hundred years ago, it had sparked global turmoil and countless expert speculations. However, as time passed, people grew from finding it bizarre to regarding it as a natural part of life. Now, anyone born into this world would always see a sky bearing this scar, while an entirely pure blue sky only remained in century-old images. "Hello, sir. Please provide a DNA sample," the receptionist greeted with a professional smile. However, after a long moment, she received no response from the man before her. Ye Tianxie smirked slightly, admiring the young woman before himan embodiment of "pleasing to the eye." Appreciating beauty was one of the greatest enjoyments for all men, and he was no exception. Under his direct, invasive gaze, this womanwho dealt with countless individuals daily and never lost her composurefelt her heartbeat inexplicably quicken. His deep, dangerous eyes carried an inexplicable pull, as if an irresistible mystery beckoned her into its depths. She found herself sinking into his gaze, powerless to resist A single broken hair lay in Ye Tianxies palm as he presented it before the young woman. It was as if she awoke from a trance, no longer daring to meet his eyes. Flustered, she awkwardly picked up the strand of hair from his hand. In that fleeting moment of contact, the brief touch between their fingers amplified the strange feeling in her heart. This man is dangerous a voice whispered in her mind. Yet, her erratic heartbeat refused to settle. Not daring to lift her head, she busied herself with the device in her hands to conceal her slight panic. "What type of device do you prefer a pendant or a wristband?" Full-dive virtual reality games had risen at the end of the 21st century and reached their peak in the 22nd. They connected players to an alternate reality through gaming helmets or pods, creating an entirely new world for humankind. By the 23rd century, virtual gaming had taken another unprecedented leapDestiny, a game shrouded in endless mystery. What astounded everyone was that its gaming device was neither a cumbersome helmet nor an immersion pod but rather a small pendant worn around the neck or a lightweight wristband. No cables, no complicated operations, not even the need for charging. According to official statements, the built-in power source could last for over fifty years. Each person could own only one device, bound to their DNA upon registration. Even more astonishingly, every device was distributed for free. After much hesitation, the girl mustered up all her courage, keeping her head low as she placed a thick card in Ye Tianxie''s hand. "Sir, this this is my personal phone number. If you have any questions about usage, you can you can call me anytime." By the end, her voice was as soft as a whisper. Even she couldnt believe that shewho rejected countless suitors dailyhad voluntarily given her contact information to a man she had just met. Ye Tianxie glanced at the nearly weightless black wristband on his arm, then flashed a smile that left the young woman spellbound before turning to leave. She stood there in a daze, staring at his departing figure, seemingly entranced. Turning a corner, Ye Tianxie flicked his wrist, and without even glancing at the two cards in his hand, they disintegrated into paper scraps. His expression remained unchanged as he walked at a steady pace toward his residencea place that could no longer be called a "home." In this materialistic world, filled with filth and corruption, a girl like her was as rare as a diamond in the sands. But for a man who had once possessed the most beautiful stars in existence, even a diamond was merely a diamond.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. He raised his wrist, examining the black wristband. Despite already knowing much about it through various sources, holding it in his hands for the first time still left him astonished. Perhaps everyone who received one would have the same doubtscould something this small, this light, truly connect to Destiny, the game hailed as the miracle of the century? Just as he was lost in thought, hurried footsteps approached from ahead. As Ye Tianxie turned a corner, he nearly collided with a figure rushing toward him. Instinctively, he raised his left hand to blockand his palm met something incredibly soft and rounded. The perfect sensation sent a wave of excitement through his nerves, his fingers unconsciously giving a slight squeeze before he realized what he was touching. Then, he turned and bolted. "AHHH!" A scream so loud that it nearly shattered Ye Tianxies eardrums erupted behind him. He glanced back, catching sight of a young girl in a blue-and-white plaid dress, her hands tightly covering her chest in panic. Behind her, four men in black suits and polished leather shoestwo of them wearing dark sunglasseschased after him with grim expressions. Their attire screamed, Look at us, were bodyguards. They were incredibly fast. Within moments, they had nearly caught up, just inches from grabbing Ye Tianxies back. Ahead was an alleyway between two buildings. With a swift turn, he darted inside, and the four men followed immediately. But then they stopped. Not because the alley was a dead end, but because the man they had been chasing had vanished. They had seen him run in. The gap in time between them was less than half a secondthere was simply no way he could have disappeared from sight. Did he fly? Or turn invisible? The four men stood there, dumbfounded. After a long hesitation, one of them suddenly shouted, "Damn it! Could this be a diversion?!" and they quickly retreated. Above them, standing atop a six-story building, Ye Tianxie watched them leave, a thoughtful expression on his face. He raised his left hand, his lips curling into a wicked smirk. His palm still carried the memory of that astonishingly soft sensation, and the faint fragrance of a young girls perfume lingered in the air. "Hmm looks like this little girl isnt just anyone," he murmured to himself. "If Ive traumatized your delicate heart, that would be my greatest sin Because, I did it on purpose." A brand-new breakthroughDestiny, a game shrouded in mystery. Beyond everything else, its gaming device alone was enough to leave the world in awe. Gone were the cumbersome helmets and bulky immersion pods, replaced by a small pendant worn around the neck or a sleek wristband on the wrist. No cables, no complicated operations, not even the need for charging. According to official statements, the built-in power supply could last over fifty years. Players were free to choose their preferred device, but each person could only own one, permanently bound to their DNA. Even more astonishingevery device was distributed completely free of charge. Ye Tianxie tugged at the thin black cord around his neck, drawing the girls attention. Hanging from it was a peculiar ornamentjet black, elongated, and irregularly shaped, with seven evenly spaced holes of identical size. Perhaps it was just an illusion, but under the sunlight, she could faintly see each of the seven holes reflecting an incredibly subtle gloweach in a different hue. When combined, they seemed to form the seven colors of the solar spectrum: red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and violet. Sir, p-please wait a moment. The girl, realizing her momentary distraction, quickly composed herself, though her actions became even more awkward. She carefully placed his hair sample into the machine, unconsciously memorizing the information displayed on the screen. Finally, she pressed the red button, completing the DNA binding process. Handing over a black wristband along with an elegantly crafted business card, she said, Sir, this is your device. Please take care of it, and enjoy your time in the game. This is our branch offices service cardif you have any questions, feel free to contact us at any time. Ye Tianxie extended his left hand but did not take the items immediately. The girl hesitated, then finally gathered her courage to lift her gazeher eyes meeting his deep, captivating ones. The moment their eyes locked, her heartbeat quickened once more. Then, he spoke. "CharmsJasmines Dream. The perfect blend of jasmine, rose, and lily of the valley. A fragrance that intertwines warmth and freshness, elegant and delicate, pure yet intoxicating. It belongs to a girl of grace and tendernessa fairy bestowed upon this world by the gods. I wonder do I have the honor of letting such a fairy personally fasten this black binding upon me?" A soft flush bloomed across the girls fair cheeks, her head lowering as she fidgeted nervously. The professional composure she had trained for years seemed to have vanished without a trace. CharmsJasmines Dream. It was her favorite perfume, the one she had adored ever since she first encountered its scent. To this day, her fondness for it had never faded. Ye Tianxie hadnt expected her to be so easily flusteredshe seemed more like an inexperienced girl untouched by romance. That only heightened his desire to tease her further. His deep eyes glimmered with mischievous amusement as he watched her delicate handsslightly damp with nervousnesstremble as she fastened the black wristband onto him. A simple motion, yet under her quivering fingers, it stretched into an agonizingly slow process. Throughout it all, Ye Tianxie savored the sight of her enchanting expressions, thoroughly enjoying the delightful moment. "Destiny" Ye Tianxie''s home was located in the most luxurious villa district of Jinghua City, where any single villa was far beyond what an ordinary person could afford in a lifetime. Every resident here was a magnate among magnates. However, Ye Tianxie was an anomaly in this placehe never socialized, had no job, and was often the subject of idle gossip from passersby wondering how he could afford such a villa. Perhaps the only plausible explanation was that he had inherited a vast fortune from a relative. To him, this was merely a villa, but not a home. It was empty, with only one person present when he returned. Entering his room, Ye Tianxie lay down on his bed, raising his left hand in eager anticipation. He pressed his fingers against the center of the wristband, attempting to issue the mental command: "Enter the game." Then, a scene that many had doubted, even ridiculed, unfolded before his eyes. His vision went blank, and after a brief moment of disorientation, a dazzling world of shifting, intertwining colors emerged. Amidst this vibrant spectacle, a crisp and melodious female voice sounded: "Ding Welcome, Mr. Ye Tianxie, to the world of Destiny. The game will officially launch in two hours and thirty-nine minutes. Please be patient. As this is your first time using the game device, would you like to create your character?" "Yes," Ye Tianxie replied. The initial experience was no different from the mainstream virtual games of today. However, what caught his attention was the voice of the systemit bore no trace of artificial synthesis, sounding as natural as a real person speaking. It seemed that the so-called "99% realism" claim might not have been an exaggeration. "Ding In the world of Destiny, you will embark on a new life with a new fate. A person''s life has only one starting pointonce you choose your path, there is no turning back. Please carefully select the destiny you wish to pursue. Now, please create a name that will accompany you for a lifetime. Since your gaming region is in Huaxia, your name must be in Huaxia characters, with a minimum of one and a maximum of ten characters." The meaning behind these words was crystal clear. In Destiny, there were no second chancesno character resets, no do-overs. Once a name, attributes, or class was chosen, it was permanent. The game was called Destiny, and in destiny, there were no multiple choices. "Tian Mo Xie!" Ye Tianxie uttered the name without hesitation. "Ding The name you have chosen is already taken. Please select another." "What?!" His brow furrowed instantly, his expression darkening. A flicker of danger flashed through his eyes. With billions of people in Huaxia and nearly everyone owning a Destiny device, it was not surprising for names to be taken. However, for this particular name to be occupiedit meant something far beyond mere coincidence.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. "Sir, the name Tian Mo Xie has indeed been taken. Please choose another." The voice, as if sensing the shift in his mood, carried a hint of unease. Despite his rage, Ye Tianxie couldn''t help but be impressedthe emotional nuance in this system-generated voice was flawless. After a long silence, he finally spoke again. "Xie Tian." Deep within his gaze, a chilling glint flickered. Daring to take that name Are you provoking me? Fine. But I hope you can bear the price of such provocation. "Ding Xie Tian has been successfully registered. Would you like to adjust your appearance?" A smirk played at Ye Tianxie''s lips. "Increase it by 100%!" "" The female voice noticeably paused before replying hesitantly, "Sir, the maximum adjustment limit is 20%. Shall I enhance it by 20% instead?" "That will do." "Appearance enhancement complete. This adjustment serves to protect players'' privacy during the early stages of the game. However, the effect will automatically disappear after your first class advancement. If you wish to continue concealing your identity, you may purchase a free exquisite mask from any citys general store. Now, please select your pain sensitivity level. The range is from 5% to 100%. This setting affects pain perception only and does not impact other senses." "Of course, 5%." Ye Tianxie answered without hesitation. Only a fool would choose 100% pain sensitivity and subject themselves to endless torment in a game full of combat. He was not someone who tolerated lossesif someone dared to prick him with a needle, he would find a way to cut them ten times over. "Pain sensitivity set to 5%. Now, please allocate your initial attribute points. Each player has 25 initial points, which can be freely distributed among the four basic attributes: Strength, Constitution, Agility, and Spirit. Each attribute must be at least 4 and no higher than 10. Additional points can be earned by leveling up. Please make your selection." A white attribute panel appeared before Ye Tianxie, listing the four stats along with their descriptions. Each attribute had varying importance depending on the chosen class. Staring at the panel, Ye Tianxie fell into deep thought. Attribute allocation was directly tied to class selection. What kind of class should he choose this time? The lightning-fast Phantom Assassin? The unbreakable Iron Guardian? Or the unseen Lord of Shadows? A fleeting image of a delicate silhouette crossed his mind. His fingers finally moved, tapping on Strengthmaxing it out at 10. Then, he allocated all remaining points into Constitution, bringing it to 7. With 10 Strength, 7 Constitution, and 4 in both Agility and Spirit, it was evident that he was opting for a melee class. "Attribute allocation complete. Now, please distribute your fixed attributes. Every player has 10 fixed attribute points, which can be assigned to Luck, Comprehension, and Charm. Each attribute must be between 0 and 10. These fixed attributes can only be increased through equipment or special means." "Please allocate your points wisely." Unexpected Game Content Each of the three fixed attributes was extremely importantlosing any one of them would be painful. This made allocating fixed attributes far more difficult than distributing free attributes. However, Ye Tianxie didn''t hesitate in the slightest. Without a second thought, he maxed out Charm to its full value10 pointswhile setting Luck and Comprehension to 0. ...Sir, are you sure about this choice? With Luck at 0, your drop rate and critical hit rate in the world of Destiny will be at their lowest. Your attacks will always take the minimum value within their range. And with Comprehension at 0, your experience in Destiny will be... Do you think my Charm is worthy of a full 10 points? Ye Tianxie flashed a devilish grin at the air in front of hima grin that, at least in his own opinion, was utterly irresistible. ...Sir, you are indeed quite charming, the system voice replied, compelled to offer a polite response. Then it''s settled. Next should be the class selection, right? Ye Tianxie smirked with satisfaction. Ding Fixed attribute allocation complete. Please wait while the system scans your innate attributes. This process will take between ten and twenty seconds. Oh? Innate attributes? Ye Tianxie was slightly surprised. The inherent free and fixed attributes could already be considered "innate attributes," so what exactly did this term refer to? Ding Innate attribute scan complete. Your innate attributes are as follows: Reaction Speed: 72 Perception: 53 Focus: 42 A new white panel appeared before Ye Tianxie, displaying three attributes he had never encountered in any of his previous gaming experiences. The accompanying descriptions piqued his interest. A player''s innate attributes in Destiny directly reflected their real-world capabilities. Reaction, Perception, and Focusall mental attributes. Since Destiny, like all full-dive virtual games, operated using the brains neural waves as the medium, these attributes, which were tied to the brain, remained unchanged. Simply put, one''s real-world abilities translated seamlessly into the game. Whats the average value for innate attributes? Umm The average is around 7 to 10. 7 to 10? Ye Tianxie stared at the numbers on the panelseveral times higher than the averageand bit down on a grin. Innate attributes had always played a role in virtual games, but Destiny had merely found a way to quantify them through an advanced scanning process. Having reaction speed seven times that of an average person What did that mean? Twice the norm could make someone seem superhuman. Three times, and they might be called a superhero. Seven times? There was only one way to describe itUltraman!The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. "Now, please choose your starting class. Destiny offers seven basic combat classes: Warrior, Shield Guard, Archer, Assassin, Priest, Mage, and Summoner. Life professions must be discovered within the game. Based on your allocated attributes, we recommend either the Apprentice Warrior, which specializes in melee combat, or the Apprentice Shield Guard, which focuses on defense." "Apprentice Warrior!" Ding You have chosen the Apprentice Warrior class. Warriors excel in physical offense, employing a variety of attack techniques while maintaining relatively strong physical defense. However, their mobility, accuracy, and evasion are relatively weaker. Upon reaching the first job advancement, you may choose one of two specialized branches. The primary attributes for a Warrior are Strength, Constitution, and a minor emphasis on Agility. Each point of Strength increases physical attack by 2, each point of Constitution increases HP by 10 and Defense by 1, each point of Agility increases Evasion and Accuracy by 1, and each point of Spirit increases magic attack by 2 and MP by 10. Assigning Apprentice class Please wait Seconds ticked by. The class assignment should have been instantaneous, yet the world remained eerily silent. Ye Tianxie waited patiently. "Please wait." Ye Tianxie: Ding! Class assignment failed due to an unknown error. After a long wait, the system finally respondedbut with an outcome Ye Tianxie hadn''t anticipated. "Class assignment failed? What do you mean?" Ye Tianxie frowned deeply. The class assignment was one of the very first steps in any virtual gamean utterly basic process that should have no possibility of failure. Given the almost mythical reputation Destiny had been granted, why was it experiencing such an unprecedented error? "I Im not sure. I tried over a dozen times just now, and all of them failed I suggest that you wait until level 10 in Destiny and then find a class instructor to directly transfer into a full-fledged Warrior." The female system voice sounded noticeably nervous. Destiny had already created billions of characters in the China region alone, yet there had never been a single instance of a class assignment failing. Even the AI system, with its near-human intelligence, was caught off guard. "Switch classes at level 10?" That meant he would be classless during the crucial early-game phase, putting him at a significant disadvantage compared to other players in terms of progression speed and combat capabilities. Suppressing his frustration, he said, "Didnt you claim that Destiny ensures a completely fair starting point for every player? If I really cant get a class now, at least give me some sort of compensation." "I I Im so sorry, I really am" The systems voice trembled with distress, laced with nervousness and even the faintest hint of a sob. Its soft, ethereal tone painted an image in Ye Tianxies mindone of a teary-eyed little girl, her face full of grievance. The fury in his chest was forcibly swallowed back down. He glanced at the time1 minute and 58 seconds to 10:00 AM. With a sigh, he relented, "Forget it." Before the system could respond, he issued a mental command: Exit Game. The world around him distorted, shifting into complete darkness. When he opened his eyes again, he was back in his room, staring at the ceiling. He raised his wrist, looking at the sleek, black armband. Though he still harbored frustration, he couldnt help but marvel at the game equipments sheer technological sophistication. 9:59 AM. A quick glance at the clock. Ye Tianxie got up from his bed and walked over to the azure blue gaming pod beside it. This pod belonged to Godslayer, a virtual game that had accompanied him for nearly seven months. But today, he would part ways with Godslayer for good. Ever since Destiny''s game equipment had started distribution two months ago, the seven most popular virtual MMORPGs worldwide had all announced that their servers would be permanently shut down today. This shocking development made one thing clear: Destiny was set to become an irreplaceable part of humanitys future. The Unrivaled Legend (Part one) World of "Godslayer" C Youfeng Plains This place is inhabited by weak monsters below level 15, most of which are mild-tempered, making it the ideal training ground for beginner players just stepping out of the novice village. However, with the average player level now exceeding 70, few adventurers still roam these lands. Ye Tianxie stood in the plains, clad in peculiar, radiant white gear, gripping a golden, oddly shaped bow. A light-colored cloak draped over his head, obscuring his face from view. Yet, the person he had arranged to meet was unexpectedly absent. Seconds ticked by. As the clock struck precisely 10:00 AM, Ye Tianxie took one last glance at this world before logging off in a flash of white light. Emerging from his gaming pod, he pressed a hand lightly against its front panel. A dull cracking sound echoedthe core of the pod was now completely shattered. Since he had decided never to return to Godslayer, he made sure there would be no reason to ever step back in. And so, his final arranged meeting with another came to an end. Others might wait for him an entire day and night, but he would never wait an extra second for anyone. If they failed to show up at the agreed time, he would turn and leave without hesitationregardless of who they were. That was his pride. "Bloodfiend Moon, I''ll see you in Destiny." He muttered. "Originally, you would have been the first to know my new name. Unfortunately, you missed your chance." Three seconds after Ye Tianxie''s departure from Godslayer, a pitch-black figure shot across the sky like a streak of shadowed lightningmoving as if flying at low altitude. The figure exuded an eerie, chilling aura, unmistakably belonging to a woman. She was dressed in a tightly fitted, plain black outfit, with a dark veil concealing most of her face, revealing only the area above her nose. Yet, despite the partial concealment, the glimpse of her flawless, snow-white skin and alluring curves left no doubt that she was a peerless beauty. She halted at the spot where Ye Tianxie had stood moments before, scanning her surroundings with a complex gaze before letting out a faint sigh. She knew she was lateby just a few seconds. And that proud man would never wait for someone, not even for mere moments. Standing still amidst the gentle wind, she no longer hid her stunning figure. The tight black outfit accentuated her slender waist, the curve of her full chest, and the roundness of her hips. The snug fit of her lower garments only further highlighted the sheer perfection of her S-shaped silhouette, an image so mesmerizing that no onlooker would be able to tear their eyes away. Beneath the dark veil, her cold and beautiful eyes gleamed faintly. Her delicate, jade-like fingers grasped a fully transparent short dagger, its edge as pristine as freshly formed iceuntouched by dust or blood. At that moment, two players in the distance began approaching her. They had clearly noticed her and quickened their pace. She raised the hand holding the transparent dagger, closed her eyes, and flung the weapon far awaya blade coveted by every assassin in the world of Godslayer. Then, in a burst of white light, she disappeared. The two approaching players arrived moments later, their in-game names following the same theme: Dora A Dream and Dora B Dream.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. Dora A Dream rushed forward, picking up the discarded short dagger. The moment it landed in his hand, his body trembled involuntarily. As he examined its attributes, his pupils contracted sharply. His voice quivered as he shouted, Se-Sealed Bloodfang! This this is Bloodfiend Moons weapon! Am I dreaming?! That black-clad figure just now Could she really have been Bloodfiend Moon?! Dora B Dream stepped closer, curiously peering at the dagger. Bloodfiend Moon? Is she some kind of top player? Dora A Dream cast a disdainful look at him and shook his head. You bookworm. I swear, you must be the only person in the world who doesnt know Bloodfiend Moon. Uh Dora B Dream chuckled sheepishly, waiting for an explanation. Dora A Dream tilted his head back slightly, his hand clutching the Sealed Bloodfang still trembling. In Chinas virtual gaming scene, there has always been a ranking of the strongest experts. The top ten are known as the Ten Great Masters of China. This ranking shifts periodically, with names coming and going but the top three have never changed. These three are revered worldwide as the Three Legends of China. And Peerless Asura Bloodfiend Moon is one of them. Her reputation was cemented two years ago in a game called Sky Dominion, and since then, she has shaken the entire gaming world. "Peerless Asura"? That''s her title? Dora B Dream asked. Dora A Dream nodded. Thats right. Shes a lone wolf, always traveling alone, but she has killed more people than you can possibly imagineso many that she was given the title Asura. Not only is she powerful and proud, but she is also shrouded in mystery. Other than her name, Bloodfiend Moon, no one knows what she looks like or who she is in real life. However, we do know she is an incredibly beautiful woman, which is how she earned the title Peerless. "Oh? Hold on," Dora B Dream interrupted. "Didnt you just say no one knows what she looks like? Then how does she have a title like Peerless? Dora A Dream explained, Two years ago, in Sky Dominion, there was an in-game ranking called the Most Beautiful Female Players List. This list was determined by the system based on a players overall charm index, making it highly objective. Bloodfiend Moon ranked first. So she was famous for her beauty before she became infamous for her ruthlessness. Anyone who harbored designs on her met a cold and bloody fate. As Dora A Dream spoke, his face showed deep admiration. But he knew that someone like him could only look up to such a figure from afarnever reach her. "All of them? Does that mean shes the strongest of the Three Legends? Is she unbeatable?" Dora B Dream asked, surprised. If the top player in the gaming world was a woman, that would be both astonishing and awe-inspiring. "No, not at all!" Dora A Dream shook his head firmly, his eyes filled with something Dora B Dream couldn''t understand. It wasn''t just admiration, but awe, fear even a trace of reverencelike one would have toward a deity. "That title belongs to one manTian Moye. The absolute peak of Chinas gaming world. His universally recognized title is" "The Unrivaled Evil Emperor." "The Unrivaled Evil Emperor Tian Moye?" Dora B Dream murmured, repeating the name, trying to imagine what kind of person could be worthy of such a title. "Unrivaled" A claim of true invincibility. In this entire world, how many could genuinely live up to that title?" In an era where the gaming world had become humanitys second reality, the number of people unaware of this name was dwindling fast. "Tian Moye Though his name contains Moyea reference to the legendary bladehe is an unpredictable and lawless figure. Like Bloodfiend Moon, he is a lone wanderer. The most powerful guilds and alliances, commanding hundreds of thousands or even millions of players, have all attempted to recruit himonly to be turned down. And anyone who dared provoke him suffered merciless retaliation. He fears no power, no enemy, and there is nothing in the gaming world he would not dare to do. Eventually, no guild dared approach him, and no one had the courage to make him an enemy." Dora A Dream sighed as he spoke of the legend who stood at the pinnacle of the gaming world. But legend was no mere honorary titleTian Moye had shaken the gaming industry time and time again, proving himself worthy of the name. The Unrivaled Legend (Part Two) "Hes just one person and even the most powerful factions with millions of players wouldnt dare provoke him? Isnt that a bit exaggerated?" Dora B Meng hesitated. Anyone hearing such rumors for the first time would find them unbelievable. The world of virtual games was designed to be relatively faireveryone started from the same point, existed in the same world, and while differences in levels and equipment could create disparities in strength, how large could that gap truly be? This was a game governed by rules, not some fantasy novel where a single person could stand against an entire army like an all-powerful war god. "I knew you''d say that. If I were you, I''d probably think the same," Dora A Meng replied with a knowing smirk. "But the title of ''Unrivaled Evil Emperor'' Let me just tell you a few things hes done." "Every player has a class they favor and excel at. Even when switching games, top-tier players usually stick to the class that suits them best, especially those striving for ultimate mastery. But Tian Mo Xie is an exceptionone of the many things that make him so evil. Three years ago, in a game called Sky Frontier, he chose to play as an Assassin. It was in Sky Frontier that his name first shook the world. He accomplished countless unbelievable feats there, but one of the most infamous was an incident involving the leader of a faction called Blood Wolf Alliance. After a minor conflict, Tian Mo Xie killed the faction leader in under five seconds. "Anyone with common sense would have let the matter go at that point, but the leader, blinded by rage, sent several hundred elite members to ambush Tian Mo Xie a few days later. In the end, those hundreds of players failed to take him down, and instead, half of them ended up dead. What followed was even more terrifyingTian Mo Xie personally assassinated that faction leader seventy-two times. No matter the time, no matter the location, no matter how many guards he had, as long as he was online, he couldnt escape Tian Mo Xies pursuit. Within half a month, he was killed so many times that his level dropped below ten, forcing the system to send him back to the beginners village. But even then, it wasnt over. Every time he stepped out of the beginner''s village, he was immediately killed again. Eventually, he never logged into Sky Frontier again, and Blood Wolf Alliance completely disbanded." "Two years ago, Titans Ascent became a global sensation. In that game, Tian Mo Xie chose to play as a Shield Warriora class known for high defense and low attack power. But his attack and defense were equally overwhelming, and what was even more absurd was that, despite the Shield Warrior class being the slowest in the game, his mobility far exceeded that of Assassins. With immense attack, defense, and agility combined into a single character, the players of Titans Ascentstarted calling him a walking bug in the system. "Let me give you an example. Around six months after the game launched, two of the top ten factionsMaple Alliance and Battle Soul Hallwere engaged in a massive siege war. The defending side, Maple Alliance, was clearly at a disadvantage. At that moment, Tian Mo Xie just happened to pass by and decided to join the defenders. With nothing more than a sword and a shield, his presence alone threw the attacking forces into complete disarray. The side that had been pushing forward suddenly found themselves being forced back. Their front lines crumbled, and eventually, they were forced to retreat. The siege war had involved twenty thousand players and a single person had turned the entire tide of battle. "Afterward, when the Maple Alliance leader asked why he had helped, Tian Mo Xie simply replied that he thought their name looked pleasing. That was it."The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. "Battle Soul Hall was smart enough not to seek revenge. Tian Mo Xie was known for his unpredictable naturehe never needed a reason to do anything. His aid to Maple Alliance wasnt because of friendship, nor was it due to any grudge against Battle Soul Hall. He probably forgot about the whole thing the very next day. But had Battle Soul Hall gone after him, then they would have truly made an enemy of him. And those who ended up on his bad side well, lets just say their lives became absolute hell." "And now, in Godslayer, Tian Mo Xie has chosen yet another classRanger. Six months ago, a horde of monsters attacked a small town called Luoyan. He alone held off the entire eastern front with just a bow, ensuring that not a single monster entered the town. Three months ago, a lord-tier boss appeared in the northern Sunfire Forest. A team of three hundred players was struggling to take it down when Tian Mo Xie happened to pass by. He stood there watching for a while then made his move. With just a single bow, he snatched the boss kill right out from under them. The loot? He took everything. The players could only watch in stunned silence as he walked away. "That battle was recorded and spread like wildfire. His precision, movement, and calculation made people compare him to a god of archery. Not once did he let the boss touch him. Meanwhile, the hundreds of players had unknowingly been turned into his pawns, serving as living shields while he orchestrated the entire fight." "There are countless legends about him. But like Blood Phantom Moon, no one knows what he looks like or who he is in real life. Not even the most well-connected factions have been able to dig up any information." Dora B Meng stood there, mouth agape, listening in stunned silence. It was like hearing a mythical legendsomething far beyond the realm of reality.
11:00 AM. With a flick of his wrist, Ye Tianxie cracked open an oversized can of fruit, tilted his head back, and poured the contents straight into his mouth, swallowing without chewing. The empty can was tossed aside carelessly, landing with a loud clang on the floor, joining a growing pile of discarded bottles and containers. The air in the room was thick with the scent of leftover food and garbage. This was Ye Tianxies way of having lunch. His room was a complete messthe bed had never been made even once, and the living room looked more like a landfill than a luxurious villa. No one would have expected such an extravagant home to be treated with such blatant neglect. But to Ye Tianxie, none of it mattered. This was just a place to stay. Whether it was clean or messy was completely irrelevant. With a press of the remote, the TV turned on. If he remembered correctly, the final press conference by Destiny''s operator, Celestial Group, would take place an hour before the game''s launchsomething he didnt want to miss. On the screen appeared a white-haired elderly man, already a globally recognized figure. Judging by his appearance, he seemed to be over eighty years old, with a gentle demeanor and kind, benevolent eyes. He was Celestial Group''s president, Plos, and also the chief developer of Destiny. What shocked the world even more was the fact that Destiny had only two developersone was Plos, and the other was an entity known as Alpha. The rest of the participants were merely responsible for the manufacturing, transportation, and distribution of the gaming equipment. And an even more astonishing truth: Alpha was an extraterrestrial, a bona fide alien. His identity had been confirmed and verified by every nation on Earth. This revelation was one of the reasons why Destiny caused such a global sensationbut only one of them. Despite Destiny being advertised as utilizing alien technology that was seven hundred years ahead of Earths, people were still in awe of how Plos had managed to elevate the game''s influence to such an unprecedented level. The worlds top ten banks had collectively pledged their support. The seven largest virtual gaming companies had all announced their transition into different industries. Governments of every nation were actively promoting the game on an official level. Each of these achievements was something no previous game had ever attained. Game publisher？ "Hello, Mr. Plos. Is it true that the virtual realism of Destiny can reach the advertised 99%?" A journalist dressed in standard professional attire asked politely. "Of course, my dear lady. I believe that wonderful world will leave you utterly captivated." Plos smiled warmly. Despite his advanced age, his voice remained powerful, and his sharp eyes occasionally flashed with a brilliance that showed no signs of cloudiness. "Fully immersive virtual games have been around for more than 120 years now. Yet even Second World, the most successful of them all, declined within just seven years. Mr. Plos, how long do you think Destiny, a game destined to be revolutionary, will last?" Plos narrowed his old eyes slightly. "If I must give an ideal timeframe, I would hope forever." His voice was as composed as ever, but for a fleeting moment, an almost imperceptible, eerie smile flickered across his deeply wrinkled face. "Destiny incorporates alien technologydoes that mean its world design will be vastly different from past games?" "A world design?" Plos thought for a moment, then shook his head. His expression gradually grew serious. "The fundamental concept of the world wont change drastically. However, what I must say, and what I need to emphasize, is this: Though this is a simulation game, I hope people wont treat it as just a game, but as another chapter of their lives. In truth, isnt life itself a game filled with ups and downs? But unlike games, life cannot be saved, nor can it be restarted from the beginning. Life may be a game, but never try to game your life. Remember the name of this gameDestiny." A strange silence suddenly filled the press conference. Plos sudden shift in demeanor, the gravity in his voice, and the subtle warning embedded in his words made everyone reflect deeply on what he had just said. But no one truly understood the hidden meaning behind his wordsnot yet, at least. "Mr. Plos, for some time now, players around the world have been speculating about Destiny''s core intelligence system. Could you provide any details?" Plos shook his head apologetically. "Im sorry, but that is a classified secret. However" he suddenly smiled mysteriously, "what I can reveal is that Destiny''s core intelligence is not located on Earth. I wonder if that answer satisfies you?" Not on Earth Could it be in outer space? Plos'' statement immediately triggered a worldwide frenzy of speculation. "Mr. Plos, game fairness has always been one of the most crucial concerns for players. Has Destiny achieved perfect fairness?" A male journalist stood up and asked. In every pre-launch press conference for any game, fairness was always a standard question. Over the past century of virtual gaming history, both the question and the answer had become routinewithout exception, developers would pledge with absolute certainty that their game was perfectly fair. However, this time, Plos remained silent for a long while before slowly delivering a shocking response:Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. "There has never been true fairness in this world." "This" The journalist was momentarily stunned by the unexpected answer. "The idea that everyone is born equal is, to me, the most absurd and laughable misconception. Some may scoff at my words, but let me remind you of some undeniable truths A child born in a rural village may work tirelessly his entire life just to achieve the standard of living of someone born in the city, whose starting point is already the rural childs lifelong goal. Is that fair? Some are born with disabilities, while others enter this world with perfect physiques and features. Is that fair? Two people with the same starting pointone works diligently for decades to secure a stable home, while another, through sheer luck, wins the lottery and enjoys a lifetime of wealth without effort. Is that fair? True fairness has never existednot in the real world, nor in Destiny." "What I can guarantee," Plos continued, "is that every player will start with the same basic attributesthe same number of free points, the same fixed stats, and complete freedom to choose their own path. But as for what fate awaits each player only the heavens know." Silence. A long, profound silence. Then, the room erupted into thunderous applause. Plos had skillfully turned the question to his advantagehis explanation of a fair starting point was far more compelling and convincing than any exaggerated promises. More importantly, he had voiced what many had long felt in their heartsthere is no such thing as absolute fairness in this world. "Mr. Plos, Destiny has received full support from governments worldwide and backing from the ten largest banks. Does this mean the exchange between in-game currency and real-world money will finally be free from the chaotic fluctuations seen in past games?" Another journalist posed the question. The phrase full support carried immense weight. Though it differed from strong support by just one word, the implications were worlds apart. "Haha, that is precisely what I wanted to clarify." Plos chuckled. "Alpha and I spent an extensive amount of time running complex calculations regarding the in-game economy. The acquisition and expenditure of Destiny''s currency have been meticulously balanced through these calculations, ensuring a stable exchange rate with real-world money. I can personally vouch for this. However, once currency exchange is enabled, the games fairness will inevitably take a hitwealthy players will have a significant advantage over ordinary players. Therefore, to extend the period of relative fairness, currency exchange will not be available at launch. As for how long it will be postponed that remains undecided." "With your assurance, Mr. Plos, I believe all players will be at ease" Like a statue, Ye Tianxie watched the entire press conference without moving a muscle. By the time it ended, the clock had struck exactly noon. He turned off the television, lay back on the sofa, and pressed his fingers against the gaming wristband Instantly, the world before him turned blank, then transformed into the radiant, multicolored world he had seen before. "Ding Welcome to Destiny. Your character has been created. The game will begin in 43 seconds. Please wait" The voice was different from the one Ye Tianxie had heard earlier. Clearly, given the massive number of players, the system must have assigned an enormous number of NPC receptionists, making the odds of encountering the same one extremely low. "30 seconds remaining. Please wait" "20 seconds remaining. Please wait" "10, 9, 8 3, 2, 1 Welcome to Destiny. You have been assigned to Newbie Village No. 60001. Enjoy your game." Newbie Village As the voice fell, Ye Tianxies vision spun wildly, and the world around him shifted rapidly. He didnt noticenor could he havethat at the very moment he was teleported to the novice village, the strange pendant he had always worn around his neck mysteriously faded away, vanishing as if it had merged into his body. Before his sight fully recovered, a chaotic cacophony of voices assaulted his ears, making him wince. He opened his eyes and looked aheadpeople, nothing but people. There were a total of 100,000 novice villages in the Huaxia region, but given the terrifying population of Huaxia, each village was still packed to the brim, with flashes of light signaling new players arriving nonstop. "A step ahead, an advantage forever"this was a rule that belonged to the strong. Everyone wanted to be the first to set foot into and explore this mysterious world. Ye Tianxie let his gaze sweep over the crowd as he took in his surroundings. It was an ancient town, with architecture bearing the traditional features of Huaxias millennia-old heritageyellow-tiled eaves, wooden structures, and a quaint, antique charm. The air was refreshingly pure, free from the pollution of the real world. Looking up, the deep blue sky was dotted with drifting clouds, untainted by smog, and missing that long, ominous scar known as the Sky Mark. The novice villagean inevitable starting point in almost every game world. Ye Tianxies presence instantly made him the center of attention. His nearly perfect appearance and the demonic, irresistible allure he exuded had a fatal attraction to women. Now, add another 20% enhancement to that facehis crude novice attire did nothing to diminish his charm. The moment he stood there, he could already hear men gasping in shock and women letting out excited squeals. Ye Tianxie was not one who enjoyed crowds; one could even call him cold and distant. Unlike most players who rushed toward the limited number of NPCs in the novice village to see if they could trigger any quests, he simply pushed his way through the crowd and walked straight out of the village. Finding a relatively quiet corner, Ye Tianxie glanced down at his attire. As with nearly all virtual games, the starting equipment was nothing more than a set of coarse clothing barely sufficient to cover the body, with negligible attributes: All his gear combined only granted a meager +4 defense. Ye Tianxie willed his inventory opena freely summonable and concealable bag with fifty slots. Inside, a lone, slender sword lay in solitude. He retrieved it, gripping it in his hand. Ye Tianxie turned his gaze forward and started toward the outskirts of the novice village, checking his initial stats along the way: Basic Attributes: Fixed Attributes:A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Combat Attributes: Miscellaneous Attributes: Elemental Resistances: Skills: Looking at the "None" beside his class, Ye Tianxies brows twitched slightly before quickly relaxing. Prolos was rightabsolute fairness never existed in this world. So what if he didnt have a starting class? Even without stat bonuses or skills, he could still stand far above the rest. "Destiny, huh? Destiny belongs to the strong." He muttered softly and continued forward. As he expected, the area closest to the novice village was already swarming with people. This was undoubtedly the spawning ground for the lowest-level monsters, the ideal training zone for level 0 players. However, at first glance, aside from the dense crowd, there were no monsters in sight. Finally, a faint white glow flickereda tiny creature appeared at the feet of a group of players. Ye Tianxies eyes shifted, and he used his only universal skill, Identify. The monsters stats immediately appeared before him: Before he could finish reading, the poor creature was already buried under a flurry of attacks. Watching the lifeless corpse and scattered feathers, Ye Tianxie shook his head and murmured, "Of all things, why choose to be a chicken?" Two players passing by happened to overhear his words and were immediately thrown into disarray, watching in stunned silence as his weathered figure disappeared into the distance Crowds were the last thing Ye Tianxie wanted to deal with. He headed north, crossing two maps occupied by level 2-3 monsters. Even then, the number of players hadnt decreased significantly. It wasnt until he passed through a Small Raccoon habitat that he finally felt a sense of opennessthis area was no longer flooded with terrifying numbers of players. Instead, small groups of adventurers had each claimed a section of land for training. Strangely enough, every single one of them was femalenot a single man in sight. The monsters here were noticeably larger and more peculiarhalf-meter-tall rabbits walking upright. Each one carried a stout club on its shoulder, swaggering around aimlessly. They didnt react to his presence, continuing their idle roaming. Ye Tianxie twirled his Novice Shortsword, stepping toward one of the rabbits. Before attacking, he instinctively cast Identify: Skills: Ye Tianxies expression darkened. The sword in his hand, which was about to strike, hesitatedthen swiftly withdrew. He took several steps back before turning around and leaving without a word. No wonder there were no male players here. Clearly, this Ferocious Bunny was a system-assigned exclusive training monster for female players, designed to balance their disadvantages when competing against male players for leveling spots. Kill the wolves! As he moved forward, the number of players gradually dwindled until none were in sight. This was the territory of level 5 monsters. From this point onward, most monsters gained the trait of actively attacking intruders. At this early stage of the game, this place was a forbidden zone for ordinary playerslevel 3 was already the upper limit of what they could handle. Of course, that applied only to ordinary players. Ye Tianxie took a step forward, about to enter the monster-infested area when, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a slight movement. He turned his head and was startled to find a figure sitting under a short tree not far to his right. She sat against the tree, her body so frail and withered that her skin looked like dried bark. It was as if she had fused with the tree itself, which explained why Ye Tianxie had completely overlooked her presence at first. A skinny old woman An NPC? Ye Tianxie walked toward her. "Is there anything I can help you with?" he asked, forcing a slightly awkward friendly smile. If put more bluntly, his words essentially meant: Do you have a quest? Hand it over. As soon as he spoke, his expression froze. He had noticed the old woman''s legscrossed motionlessly on the ground, their exposed parts an eerie shade of gray. Petrification. The thought flashed through Ye Tianxie''s mind. The core energy of this worldthe Eternal Fates Markhas vanished, its whereabouts unknown. Without its power, the sealing force of the Tower of Fate has finally collapsed, allowing the eight Demon Lords to break free. The escaping demonic energy has begun to corrupt the land, turning even the gentlest creatures into raging beasts... Adventurer from another world, would you be willing to help me collect ten wolf eyes? I need them but my body is sealed here, unable to move. Will you aid me? Ding The Sealed Elder has requested your assistance in collecting ten wolf eyes. Quest Type: Common Quest Duration: None Quest Reward: Unknown Accept. Ye Tianxie chose without hesitation. Though it was an ordinary quest, the reward labeled as Unknown piqued his interest. At this early stage of the game, such cryptic descriptions shouldn''t normally appear, which meant there could be something special about this quest. This kind of intuition had been honed over years of gaming. Ding You have accepted the quest The Sealed Elders Request. Can you tell me why your legs have become like this? Ye Tianxie didnt rush off in search of wolves. Instead, he crouched down, maintaining his friendly expression. If the Unknown reward had caught his curiosity, then the old womans nameless title had truly grabbed his attention. In Fate, every living being had independent thoughts. And as someone who had stubbornly maxed out his Charm stat, Ye Tianxie was confident that those extreme 10 points werent for nothing. He wanted to see if he could dig something out of this old woman. Young man, just go. Some things are better left unknown, the elder replied coldly. Well If you cant move, how about I carry you back to the Beginners Village? Ye Tianxie hesitated before suggesting.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. My body cannot leave this place. But I appreciate your kindness. You should go. Alright. Ye Tianxie gave up. Where is the nearest wolf pack? Up ahead. Got it. Ill bring back what you need soon. Leaving those parting words, Ye Tianxie scanned his surroundings and continued deeper into the territory. The world of Fate was currently in spring, with a gentle, warm breeze flowing past. Ever since he had first entered the gaming scene, he had never gone through the typical experience of a level 0 player killing level 1 monsters. His starting point was always somewhere jaw-droppingly higherlevel 5, or even beyond. That was the only way he could avoid the crowded grind zones and enjoy his solitude. Northern Hills C Level 5 Wild Wolf Territory. Wild Wolf C Level 5 HP: 170 A highly aggressive, pack-dwelling creature that actively attacks humans who step into its territory. A level 0 player, equipped with nothing but basic, attribute-less newbie gear, facing level 5 monsters alone? In nearly every virtual game, that was no different from suicide. But that rule only applied to ordinary players. Because no other players had ventured this far yet, the wild wolves were densely packed, wandering aimlessly, ignoring Ye Tianxie, who stood just outside their territory. He stepped forward cautiously, testing their aggro range, then picked up a small stone from the ground. With a flick of his wrist, he threw it at the nearest wolf. -1. The rock struck the wolfs head, causing a bright red damage number to appear. The once-quiet wolf instantly snapped its gaze toward Ye Tianxie, its eyes flashing with a faint crimson glow. It let out a long, piercing howl before baring its fangs and sprinting toward him. Wolves were fastat least 1.5 times faster than a players base movement speed. But more importantly, that howl wasnt just a cry of rage. In the distance, two more wolves perked up, let out their own howls, and charged toward him. Three! Ye Tianxies eyes narrowed as he watched the approaching wolves. He didnt attempt to retreat out of their aggro range. Instead, he slowly raised his newbie short sword. Whoosh! A violent gust of wind rushed at him as the first wolf lunged, its razor-sharp fangs closing in on his waist. Ye Tianxie remained motionless, his eyes calm. Only at the very last momentwhen those deadly teeth were about to touch himdid he abruptly shift his body just slightly to the side, allowing the wolf to brush past him. The smaller the dodge, the less time and movement were wasted. Executing a perfect evasion was far from easy. The first wolf landed, its attack missing entirely. Another gust of wind followed as the second wolf lunged at him. Without looking, Ye Tianxie suddenly leaned backward, his body folding at a perfect 90-degree anglejust as his right hand casually flicked his short sword upward. Slash! -15! The second wolf, leaping over him, had its belly sliced open mid-air. A crimson damage number appeared. In any game, wolves were a classic example of high-speed, high-attack, low-defense enemies. This was precisely why Ye Tianxie had chosen them as his first target. If he had been up against something like a bear, with its high defense but slow attack speed, it would have been much easier to dodge, but he wouldnt have had the damage output to break through its defenses. The third wolf lunged next, right behind the second. Ye Tianxie smoothly straightened his body halfway, using a slight pivot on his left foot to shift his stance by just a fractionjust enough for the wolf to miss him by a hairs breadth. As it landed, Ye Tianxie spun on his heel, dashed forward, and struck at the still-recovering second wolf. His short sword stabbed forward twice, both attacks landing cleanly. Three wolves. Three consecutive attacks in less than two seconds. Yet not a single strike had landed on Ye Tianxie. His movements? Flawless. His positioning? Minimal. A simple sidestep, a half-turn, and a seamless switch from facing forward to a side stancethat was all. Loli Guoguo (part one) In the world of Destiny, all blood and gore effects from attacks were completely censored to ensure a comfortable experience for players. There were no severed heads or limbsnothing too gruesome. Having dodged the attacks of the three wolves, Ye Tianxie swiftly launched his counterattack. After stabbing the second wolf twice, they finally regained their footing and lunged at him once more. This time, all three wolves attacked simultaneously, aiming to tear him apart. Ye Tianxie narrowed his eyes and surged forward at full speed, narrowly slipping between the two wolves. As he passed through, his blade slashed across the second wolfs body, and by the time he came to a halt, he was already behind them againtwo more quick thrusts followed. His target remained the sameonly the second wolf. -13, -15, miss. After enduring five consecutive attacks, the second wolf''s HP bar had already dropped by nearly a third. Feeling the pain, it howled in rage and lunged again. But as if predicting its every move, Ye Tianxie suddenly ducked low, kicked off the ground, and slid nearly two meters forward while maintaining an extremely low stance. Twisting his body mid-motion, he slashed upward with two casual yet precise strikes. If any other player had been watching, their jaws would have undoubtedly dropped to the floor. A level 0 player, clad in nothing but newbie gear, was fighting three level 5 monsters at once. Yet, after over a dozen attacks, not a single wolf had even managed to touch him. Even more astonishinghe hadnt used a single skill. In Destiny, even level 0 players started with a basic apprentice skill from their chosen class. But Ye Tianxie was a complete anomaly. He had no class, no skills, and could only rely on simple slashes, thrusts, and cuts with his beginners sword. His movements were like a phantom weaving through the wolves relentless attacks, his blade constantly drawing agonized howls from his prey. In less than half a minute, the second wolf let out a final weak howl before collapsing to the ground. A faint glimmer shone beside its corpsea dull, coin-shaped object. "Two down." Ye Tianxie loosened his tense grip slightly, switching from defense to offense. He charged forward and slashed at the next wolfs throat. If this were the real world, his strike would have sent a bloodied wolfs head flying through the air. -12, -12, -14, -13, -12 A true martial artist could defeat an armed opponent with nothing but a wooden branch. At this moment, Ye Tianxies reaction speed and combat intuition, honed to a level far beyond ordinary players, shone brilliantly. These were the very abilities that allowed him to dominate the gaming world. Under the swings of his unimpressive beginners sword, another wolf soon fell with a final wail of despair.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. A satisfied grin spread across Ye Tianxies face as he leisurely toyed with the last remaining wolf. Yes, a level 0 player, dressed in nothing but newbie gear, was toying with a level 5 monster. -15, -14 As the final wolfs HP bar emptied, Ye Tianxie momentarily slowed down, allowing its claw to strike his body. -21! A faint sting spread from the point of impact. Ye Tianxie glanced at the damage number above his head before effortlessly finishing off the last wolf with a swift stab. With all three wolves slain, Ye Tianxie let out a soft breath and surveyed the ground. Other than the coin-shaped object from the first wolf, there was nothingno wolf eyes, not even a single strand of fur. His luck stat was 0. That meant every monster he killed had its drop rate reduced to the lowest possible value. Expressionless, he crouched down and picked up the lone coin, staring at the text imprinted on it. Risking his life, overcoming three enemies five levels above himhis reward was a single copper coin. [In the world of Destiny, 1 gold coin = 10 silver coins = 100 copper coins. According to the official exchange rate, 1 gold coin = 1 Huaxia currency unit.] So, all that effort for one cent. Ye Tianxie stored his first in-game earnings into his inventory, flipped through the wolf corpses, then suddenly smacked his forehead. Damn it To extract wolf eyes from a monsters corpse, he needed the Gathering skill. And he had completely forgotten about it. Basic life skills like Gathering were usually learned from the village elder in the newbie town. Ye Tianxie stood up, considering whether to head back to the starting village, when a familiar sensation against his chest made him freeze. Something was hanging from his neck. He hesitantly reached for his collar and felt a thin cordone that he knew all too well. This He tugged at the cord, pulling out a black pendant from beneath his newbie gear. Holding it in his hand, he stared at it in a daze. The pendant was embedded with seven differently shaped sockets, glowing faintly with an eerie dark light. It was her only keepsake But why? Why was it here? This was Destiny. With the newbie outfit covering it, he hadnt noticed it until now. But when he stood up just now, the pendant had fallen against his chest, and its cold touch finally alerted him. It was exactly the same as in the real world. The shape, the sockets, the subtle yet unmistakable iridescent glowit was identical in every way. How was this possible? How could a real-world object appear inside the game? This completely defied logic. As he stood there in shock, the pendant in his grasp suddenly emitted a flash of white light. The glow was so intense that Ye Tianxie instinctively squinted. When he refocused, he saw the white light slowly detach from the pendant, floating into the air like a miniature sun. And then Ohhh la la! Ahahaha! Im free! Im finally free! Oh la la la la la!! Ye Tianxies expression froze. He would nevereverforget that voice. It was sweet, innocent, and melodious. Yet it carried an unmistakable arrogance that made people want to plug their ears. Because the owner of this voice had plagued his entire lifedriving him crazy, making him laugh, making him helpless, making him want to pin her down and spank her. The white glow faded, revealing a petite figure. She had jet-black hair, eyes as bright as starlight, and flawless white skin wrapped in an equally pristine dress. A little girl. Not just because she looked around twelve or thirteen years old, but also becausejudging by her tiny frameshe was barely thirty centimeters tall. Ye Tianxies eyes widened in disbelief, his face frozen in a look of utter shock. If any sane person witnessed such an absurd scene, they would only have two possible reactions One: stand there, dumbfounded. Two: pinch themselves to check if they were still dreaming. Loli Guoguo (part two) The little girl saw Ye Tianxie, and her pitch-black eyes immediately brightened, sparkling like two little stars. "Eee-ya-ya, are you my master? Oh la la, it seems like you''re not what I imagined! I thought my master would be a strange uncle with a big beard!" "Why?" Ye Tianxie asked stiffly, the three words popping out of his mouth. He didnt even know why he asked that. "Because I''m such a cute little loli, if a strange uncle were my master, he would definitely spoil me and give me delicious food... Huh? Oh..." The little girl opened her mouth, bit her finger, and thought hard for a while before her eyes suddenly lit up. "Ah, oh la! It''s something called a lollipop!" Ye Tianxie''s expression twitched, and a feeling of tightness settled in his chest. "Eee-ya-ya, master, my name is Guoguo, the cutest and most obedient little loli in the world. Whats your name, master? Oh la la! You dont need to tell me, the smartest loli Guoguo already knows. Your name is Xie Tian. Oh la la, what a strange name." The little girl gracefully spun in the air, as though showing off her adorable body to Ye Tianxie. She was very small, and upon closer inspection, her tiny face was incredibly delicate. Her cuteness was flawless, presenting a perfect beauty untouched by any imperfection, free from the dust of the mundane world. Her slender figure, and beneath her skirt, two delicate little feet dangled naturally, with skin as smooth as snow from her calves to her toes. Her tiny toes looked like they were dusted with pearl powder. Guoguo... your name is the strange one! Ye Tianxie thought bitterly to himself. Then, turning the question around, he asked, "Who are you?" Where did she come from? A hidden monster? No, I''ve used the detection spell, and it didnt return any information. A hidden NPC? Could there be such an exasperating NPC? Also, the light earliershe seemed to have floated out of this strange pendant that appeared out of nowhere. "Oh la la, I already said, Im Guoguo, the cutest and most obedient little loli in the world," the little girl floated closer to Ye Tianxie, gently drifting forward. Then, with her eyes sparkling like diamonds, she asked, "Master, can you give me a lollipop?" "Do you know what a lollipop is?" "Oh la, I dont know." "Then why do you still want one?" Ye Tianxie almost broke down. This was the world of Destiny, where there wouldnt be such a thing as a lollipop. Moreover, there was an indescribable strangeness about this little girl... "Huh? But she told me that lollipops are the favorite food of lolis. And Im the cutest little loli in the world, Guoguo, so I really want to eat one... Master, youre my master! Having such a cute little loli, of course, you should love me and pamper me well," the little girl said with an innocent expression. Ye Tianxie: "Who is she?"Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. "Oh la la! I wont tell you!" The little girl replied briskly. "" "Alright." Ye Tianxie stepped out of the wild wolf territory, saying as he walked, "Answer a few of my questions, and Ill give you a lollipop." "Wow! Really? What questions does master want to ask?" The little girl floated happily behind him, excitedly waving her arms. "Why do you call me ''master''?" Ye Tianxie asked. "Because youre my master!" Guoguo blinked and answered. Three wavy black lines appeared on Ye Tianxies forehead. He forced himself to stay calm and asked, "Then why should I become your master?" "Because youre the first person Guoguo saw. The first person Guoguo sees is Guoguo''s master!" The first person she saw? Ye Tianxie replayed the scene of how this little girl appeared in his mind... Could she really have come out from the things she left for him? Then why did it appear here again... What hidden meaning is there behind all of this? "Did you come out of here?" Ye Tianxie stopped and picked up the black pendant hanging on his chest. From the side, he could see that its black surface emitted seven faint glows from top to bottom. "Oh la la, yes, master saw it clearly," the little girl answered. "Then why were you inside? What exactly is this thing?" Ye Tianxie raised the pendant and held it up in front of Guoguo. Its strange shape and colors had made him try to uncover its secrets before, simply because it was the thing she left for him. Thats why he never let it out of his sight. "Oh la, I dont know. Does master know?" The little girl asked with an innocent look on her face. You know, and I still ask you... Ye Tianxie thought to himself bitterly. He couldn''t help but think, it''s a good thing that I''m the one standing here; if it were someone else in this situation, who knows how they would react. "Then what do you know?" Ye Tianxie said, his face filled with helplessness, his gaze lingering on the pitch-black pendant in his palm. He had once desperately hoped to discover something hidden inside it, perhaps some kind of text, so that he could understand the reason for her departure, even if it was just a clue. There are many things in the world that can''t be explained by logic, and many things that are so mysterious they can''t be understood. Like his encounter with her, her departure, and now... the appearance of this strange little girl. His astonishment only lasted for a short time before he began trying to find the reason behind it. Perhaps this incredible situation before him was somehow connected to the answers he longed to know. However, it was obvious that this seemingly gullible little girl who kept calling him "master" wasn''t as easy to fool as she appeared. No matter how cute and innocent she looked, her ever-moving eyes betrayed her little cleverness... or perhaps, her little cunning. "What do I know... mmm." Guoguo fiddled with her fingers, tilted her little face in thought, and then said vaguely, "I know... if master thinks ''Moment of Fate'' in his heart, something incredible will happen!" Ye Tianxie''s brows twitched. "Moment of Fate," that phrase seemed familiar. He closed his eyes slightly and softly thought to himself, Moment of Fate! The strange pendant in his hand suddenly flashed with a dim white light for a brief moment. Then, in his widened eyes, it rapidly enlarged, growing larger and larger... A heavy sensation came from his hand, and Ye Tianxie stared blankly, his gaze fixed on the enormous object in his hand. It still had the same irregular, elongated shape, the same seven differently shaped holes surrounding it, and the same dull rainbow-colored light reflecting off it, but its size had grown far beyond what it had been. With a width of nearly 30 centimeters, it was larger than almost any weapon, and its length was nearly equal to Ye Tianxies height. The original pendant cord had mysteriously not snapped, hanging empty around his neck, while the part that had connected the cord was now firmly gripped in his hand, like holding the hilt of a strange weapon. This is... Moment of Eternal Fate Oh la la! See, see! The cutest loli, Guoguo, wasnt lying! Guoguos proud laugh echoed, clear and sweet, a sound that was pleasing to the ear, but at the same time, it made one feel an overwhelming urge to cover her mouth. Ye Tianxie didnt respond to her. His gaze remained fixed on the huge object in his hand, which had transformed from his most valuable possession. Beneath his still expression, there was a growing sense of shock. He had actually seen its attributes, and its name was... Moment of Eternal Fate! The energy core of this worldthe Moment of Eternal Fatehas disappeared and is unknown where it has gone. Without the power of the Moment of Eternal Fate, the sealing power of the Tower of Destiny has finally collapsed. The Eight Demon Kings have all escaped, and the overflow of demonic energy is beginning to affect all lands. Even the most docile animals have become violent The words of the old man with petrified legs echoed in his mind. The first thing he had mentioned was this Moment of Eternal Fatethe worlds core of power? What was even more surprising was that this so-called core of the worlds power was a weapon! Moment of Eternal Fate (Fragment): Skills: Ye Tianxie: The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Holding this strange weapon, the Moment of Eternal Fate, which had forcibly bound him as its owner without his consent, his hands trembled slightly. The attack power it added surpassed that of a level 20 normal weapon. Even more startling, it boosted all four basic attributes by 40 pointsequivalent to a direct level increase of 8! What was even more impressive was the special attribute that turned regular attacks into area-of-effect attacks, allowing him to hit every target in range. This kind of attribute had never been seen even in the strongest weapons of past games like Qingtian or Shishen. And its gradeImmortal Spirit! Ye Tianxie wasnt surprised. The 30 fixed attribute points it provided with the Destiny''s Blessing alone fully justified its Immortal Spirit grade. Its worth noting that fixed attribute increases were extremely difficult to achieve, and gear with such attributes was rare. In Qingtian, even legendary-grade accessories only had a maximum of 3 fixed attributes. But the Moment of Eternal Fate offered an unbelievable 30 fixed points! Pale, Iron, Bronze, Silver, and Goldthese were the classifications for equipment in the Destiny world from low to high tiers, with Gold being the dividing line. Beyond that, there were even rarer Immortal Spirit, Heavenly Radiance, Divine Mysteries, Holy Extinction, and Forbidden equipment. Ten names made up the ladder of gear in this world. From Gold-tier and upwards, equipment began to have unique qualities, emphasizing how precious such gear was. An Immortal Spirit item was the dream of countless players, and possessing a Heavenly Radiance item would make someone invincible. A Divine Mysteries item could shatter the balance of power, appearing with an almost negligible chance. Holy Extinction items were legendary, with few ever seen, and Forbidden items were said to be nothing more than myth. The term "Forbidden" meant they were not meant to exist and should never disrupt the worlds balance. Yet, here he was, holding an Immortal Spirit item in his hands during the early stages of the game. He could only imagine the shockwaves it would cause if news spread that someone had already obtained such a rare piece of equipment. But even so, that wasnt what concerned him the most. What he cared about was... why had this object, left by her, appeared here? And why had it led to the appearance of this strange girl and this weaponthe Moment of Eternal Fate that had lost its power core? Oh la la! Master, isnt it so cool? Hee hee, this is my gift for you. Do you like it, Master? Guoguos voice snapped Ye Tianxie out of his daze. His lips twitched slightly... It was unbelievable, but this was originally mine, wasnt it? Since when did it become your gift to me? Master, can I have a lollipop now? I really want one... I really want one... Guoguo lightly twirled her body. Her petite figure, moving gracefully, radiated an almost suffocating beauty, while her voice made every bone in Ye Tianxies body almost melt. He nearly succumbed. The little girl clearly wasnt asking for a lollipop from somewhere, but rather to satisfy her strange sense of pride in being a loli by having a lollipop... What is the core of Destiny? Ye Tianxie asked. The core of Destiny? Eek! Master, if you dont give me a lollipop, I wont tell you! Guoguo pouted slightly, and her once joyful expression quickly shifted to one of playful annoyance. If you call me Master, you have to listen to me! Eek? Why do I have to listen to you if I call you Master? Do you know what Master means? Nope! Then why are you calling me Master? No reason! The Crybaby Loli and the Coldhearted Master Ye Tianxie couldnt help but worry that if he continued talking to this peculiar little girl, he might end up going insane. So, he had no choice but to shift his attention to the unlucky wild wolves in the distance. Once again, he stepped into their territory, gripping the Eternal Moment of Fatea weapon so exaggerated in appearance that anyone who saw him would first notice the weapon in his hand rather than the person wielding it. It wasnt a sword, nor a blade, nor a blunt weapon. Entirely pitch black, its irregular, twisted form was impossible to describe. Seven holes adorned its surface, each emitting a different color of light. One thing was certainwherever it went and whoever wielded it, it would always be the center of attention. With the combined length of Eternal Moment of Fate and his arm, Ye Tianxies attack range extended up to two meters in front of him. At this moment, he no longer needed to lure a single wolf to avoid drawing the rest of the pack. Without hesitation, he charged straight into the dense group of wolves. As soon as he stepped into their aggression range, countless pairs of blood-red eyes locked onto him, and their owners lunged at him with furious howls. With a diagonal swing, Eternal Moment of Fate carved a pitch-black arc parallel to the ground. The three wolves leading the charge were struck simultaneouslydamage numbers of -85, -87, -85 floated into the air in bright red. With Ye Tianxies attack power nearly reaching triple digits, these wolves no longer posed the same threat as before. The strike slightly halted their advance, and in that brief moment, Ye Tianxie took a swift step back and slashed twice in quick succession. The three wolves that had just closed in on him instantly collapsed to the ground. Oh la la! Master is amazing! Take them all down! Defeat those little monsters! Guoguos voice made Ye Tianxie momentarily lose focus, almost allowing five wolves to surround him. He hastily repositioned himself but still got slashed twice by wolf claws. In response, he unleashed a flurry of attacks, eliminating the wolves he had intentionally gathered in front of him. Finally, the delightful sound of a level-up notification rang in his ears. Ding... Your level has increased to Level 1. HP +10, MP +10. You have gained 5 free attribute points. He allocated all five points to Strength, pushing his attack power past the 100-mark. The wild wolves that previously required three strikes to kill could now sometimes be taken down in just two. Leveling up in Destiny was excruciatingly difficult. Starting from level 0, it had taken slaying nine wolves five levels above him just to make the leap from level 0 to level 1. And the leap from level 1 to level 2? The required experience increased tenfold100 EXP for level 1, but a whopping 1,000 EXP for level 2. Such a drastic increase in leveling difficulty was unheard of in virtual gaming history. Two more wolves collapsed at his feet. Glancing at the growing pile of wolf corpses around him, Ye Tianxie bent down and picked up the scattered coins that had dropped. Altogether, they only amounted to five copper coins. Despite the Blessing of Fate granting him +10 Luck, increasing item drop rates, the system was still stingy beyond belief. Other than a few lonely copper coins, not a single healing potion had dropped. Stepping out of the wolves territory, Ye Tianxie decided to return to the beginner village to learn the gathering skill and complete a quest that piqued his interest. Holding the eerie, jet-black Eternal Moment of Fate, he still felt a surreal sense of disbelief. He tentatively tried to store it like a regular weapon. Instantly, the massive weapon vanished from sightbut instead of entering his inventory, it transformed into an accessory and reappeared as a pendant hanging from the black cord around his neck.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Some things in this world defied understanding. As he held the pendant-like form of Eternal Moment of Fate in his palm, he couldnt yet unravel its mystery, but he knew one thing for sureits existence meant that even without a class, his starting point was already far ahead of other players. Fair? Or unfair? Yiya! Master, where are you going? Seeing Ye Tianxie head south, Guoguo immediately floated after him. She hovered at shoulder height, yet without wings or any movement of her limbsshe simply drifted through the air like a weightless cotton ball caught in the wind. Going back, Ye Tianxie replied absentmindedly, his mind still replaying the bizarre events that had just transpired. Back where? Somewhere fun? Or to Masters home? Master, you still havent bought me a lollipop! Im the cutest and most well-behaved little Guoguohow could I not get a lollipop? Yiya! Master, youre so rude! How can you ignore such an adorable little loli like me when Im talking to you? Hey! Evil Master, are you even listening to me?! Ye Tianxies patience finally snapped. He halted abruptly, swung his hand, andaccompanied by a startled yelpgrabbed the tiny girl from midair, holding her in his palm. A soft, warm sensation spread through his fingers, causing him to subconsciously relax his grip a little. With a cold face and a fierce expression, he growled, No. More. Talking! Guoguo was only about thirty centimeters tall, so Ye Tianxies hand easily grasped her from her waist to her legs. She stared at him, wide-eyed and frozen in shock. Slowly, her tiny lips quivered, and her bright, crystal-clear eyes welled up with tears. Then, with an ear-piercing wail, she burst into sobs. Waaaah!! Youre bullying me! Youre bullying me!! Her cries were so loud they made Ye Tianxies eardrums twitch, and her tears flowed like a torrential flood, soaking his palm in mere seconds. Her sorrowful wails were so heartbreaking that anyone who heard them would feel an urge to comfort her. Ye Tianxies scalp tingled, his expression shifting to slight panic. There was no trace of pretense in her cryingthose flowing tears were absolutely real. The sheer misery in her voice made him feel as if he had just committed the cruelest act in the world. The stern look on his face crumbled completely. He hurriedly released his grip, cradling her gently in his hands. Lowering his voice as much as possible, he said, Alright, alright, I was wrong. Dont cry anymore Guoguos body was so light it felt almost weightless. Ye Tianxie had never imagined a day when he would be frantically trying to console a little girl. But his attempt had the opposite effecther wailing grew even louder. Waaah! You bullied me! You bullied me!! Alright, alright, it was my fault. I promise I wont bully Guoguo ever again, okay? Ye Tianxie forced himself to smile as gently as possiblea smile so unfamiliar that it came out completely distorted. Uuu Liar! How could you be so mean?! Im so cute and obedient, how could you bully me?! Waaah! Her tears flowed once more, quickly soaking Ye Tianxies hand. His mouth twitched, and even his heart spasmed a little. From childhood until now, he had always been the one receiving affectionhe had never once comforted anyone else before. If Guoguo stops crying, I promise Ill never bully her again, and Ill always like the worlds cutest and most well-behaved little loli, Guoguo. Deal? Ye Tianxie racked his brain to come up with the most comforting words he could, even though saying them made him feel completely out of character. He could only hope for some peace. To his surprise, the world fell silent almost instantly. Guoguos tear-streaked face froze. Her large eyes, still filled with unshed tears, sparkled with an almost dazzling light. Then, with a serious expression, she asked, Oh la! Master, do you really mean it? Yes. Ye Tianxie forced the word through gritted teeth. Just moments ago, she had been crying her heart out. Now, she was beaming with joy. The drastic shift made Ye Tianxie seriously question whether he had fallen into this tiny creatures trap. Yay! Yay! Guoguo cheered, her tear-streaked face lighting up with delight. Master has to keep his word Ooh! I want a lollipop! Ye Tianxie: Guo Guos Mysterious Abilities Arguing about lollipops with a tiny girl who didnt even know what a lollipop was felt like an incredibly brain-dead thing to do. So, whenever Guo Guo brought up the topic of lollipops, Ye Tianxie wisely chose to remain silent. However, this seemingly harmless, ridiculously naive little girl clearly had her own tricks up her sleeve. No matter how much Ye Tianxie tried to probe, she never revealed who she was, why she existed within the Eternal Moment, or why she called him "Master." Either she would respond with a mischievous I wont tell you, or she would give a blatantly unbelievable excuse like, Oh la la! I really dont know! Beginners Village Standing at the entrance of the Beginners Village, Ye Tianxie watched the massive crowd flowing in and out. As he felt the weight of many gazes upon him, he glanced sideways at the little Guo Guo perched on his shoulder with a resigned expression. His appearance had been enhanced by 20%, and combined with his already striking features, an aura of subtle wicked charm and danger clung to himmaking him a natural focal point wherever he went. Yet, not a single gaze landed on Guo Guo. Did every player in Destiny have a tiny creature like this with them? The thought crossed Ye Tianxies mind, but he quickly killed it off as utterly ridiculous. "Guo Guo, can they not see you?" Ye Tianxie asked, testing his theory. "Oh la! Master is so smart! How could so many people see such a cute and obedient little loli like me? Guo Guo is amazing, you know! If I dont want to be seen, no one can see me, and no one can touch me either. Right now, only Master can see and touch me!" Guo Guo beamed with pride, laughing playfully. Clearly, other players not only couldnt see her, but they also couldnt hear her voice. No one even glanced in her direction when she spoke. Ye Tianxie shot a strange look at the tiny girl on his shoulder. Just how many secrets and mysteries was this little enigma hiding? "Then, can you go back inside this thing?" Ye Tianxie pointed at the Eternal Moment resting against his chest. Since she had floated out of it, she should be able to return, right? "I can but its so dark in there! I dont wanna go back!" Guo Guo pouted, playing with her silky soft hair as her sparkling black eyes curiously observed the scenery and people around them. Ye Tianxie didnt ask any more questions and stepped forward into the Beginners Village. He had always been used to walking the world alone, but now, with this chirping little spirit constantly flitting around him, the sense of companionship felt surprisingly not bad. A nearly imperceptible smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. As for Guo Guos origins and the secrets of the Eternal Moment, time would eventually reveal the answers. He was eager to know, but he wouldnt waste time fretting over it. At this moment, he had only been inside Destiny for less than an hour. The mysterious connection between his inexplicable pendant and the worlds energy corethe Eternal Momentmade him increasingly aware that Destiny was far from an ordinary game.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
The Beginners Village had only a sparse few buildings. Though the area was still bustling with players, it was no longer as overwhelmingly crowded as when he first arrived. In the village center stood the elderly village chief, busy handing out quests to the swarming newcomers. Ye Tianxie approached him and politely asked, Hello, Village Chief. Is there anything I can help with? No matter ones status or temperament in the real world, maintaining respect for NPCs was an essential rule in any game. Otherwise, instead of receiving quests, one might get misleading informationor worse. Every NPC in Destiny possessed an independent personality and will, making them no different from real people. Ding Due to your exceptional charm, the Beginners Village Chiefs favorability toward you has increased by +20. The system notification made Ye Tianxie twitch slightly. That initial 10 points in Charm werent for nothing. Combined with the Eternal Moments bonus of 10 more points, his Charm level was already far beyond the average players. The village chief, who had seemed exasperated from dealing with countless players, visibly brightened when he saw Ye Tianxie. A warm smile spread across his face as he began, "The core energy of this worldthe Eternal Momenthas vanished, its whereabouts unknown. Without its power, the seal on the Tower of Fate has collapsed, releasing the Eight Demon Kings. The spreading demonic energy is corrupting the land, turning even the most docile creatures into bloodthirsty beasts" His speech mirrored the words of that eerie old woman from before. Ye Tianxie patiently listened until the chief finally got to the point. "Adventurer from another world, in you, I see the dawn of a new heros rise. Even the once-gentle chickens have been tainted with a terrible madness. Would you be willing to help me eliminate 30 Angry Chickens?" Ding The Beginners Village Chief has requested you to eliminate 30 Angry Chickens. This was a basic quest for Level 0 players, offering nothing of interest to Ye Tianxie. He didnt accept it but instead locked eyes with the chief and spoke seriously: "Village Chief, since you see the hope of a hero in me, then giving me such a simple task is an insult. I imagine this is the same quest youve given to countless others from my world. I want a challengeone they are not capable of completing." If any ordinary player had said this, the village chief would have likely scoffed at their arrogance, given them a lecture on humility, or even chased them away. But for Ye Tianxie, with his astonishing 20 Charm The village chief blinked in surprise, then chuckled warmly. His smile grew even more approving as he nodded. "Good, you have the pride of a hero. Your presence, your gaze, and your unyielding spirit convince me even more that you may truly become the one who stands against the evil threatening our world. Very well, I shall grant you a worthy task." Ding The quest "Eliminate 30 Angry Chickens" has been canceled. The smile faded from the chiefs face, replaced by a solemn expression filled with sorrowful nostalgia. "In the not-so-distant north lies Direwolf Valley, home to fierce wolves corrupted by the demonic energy. They frequently emerge from the valley, threatening the once-peaceful Beginners Village. Long ago, my sonaround your ageset out alone to rid us of this menace. But he never returned." A deep sigh escaped the old mans lips before he continued, "Brave adventurer, could you journey to Direwolf Valley and bring me 100 Fierce Wolf Fangs? I wish to carve them into a gravestone to honor my sons courage and the short but valiant life he lived." Hidden Persuasion Quest！ Ding The Village Chief of Novice Village No. 60001 has requested your help in collecting 100 wolf teeth. Wolves Again. First, it was wolf eyes, and now its wolf teeth. Ye Tianxie accepted the quest, and the village chief nodded in relief, saying, Young man, Ill be waiting for your triumphant return. Here, I hope these will be of use to you. Ding You have received 10 Small Recovery Potions, 5 Apples, and 5 Steamed Buns from the Village Chief of Novice Village No. 60001. Not bad a little extra bonus. Ye Tianxie stashed the items away and thanked the village chief. The village chief chuckled and said, Before you go, let me teach you a basic life skill. With a wave of his old hand, a faint white glow spread between them. Ding You have learned Beginner Gathering, which allows you to collect basic materials from monster corpses. Master, master! That thing called an apple looks like its edible! I want to eat it, I want to eat it! After a brief moment of silence, Guo Guo suddenly clawed at Ye Tianxies ear, whining. A vein twitched on Ye Tianxies forehead as he hissed, Be quiet! Oh? What did you just say? The village chief looked up in confusion. Ye Tianxie turned to him with an innocent expression, perfectly mirroring the old mans confusion. I didnt say anything. The village chief hesitated, then muttered to himself, wondering if his old ears were finally failing him. Choosing not to dwell on it, he smiled and said, By the way, Old Wang at the blacksmiths shop seems to be looking for someone to help him out. You should go check with him. Ye Tianxie nodded, bid farewell, and walked toward the small forge, where the rhythmic sound of hammering echoed. "Wuuu Master, I want to eat that apple You promised you wouldnt bully the cutest, most obedient Guo Guo anymore Wuuu Tearful eyes, a pitiful voice, and a gaze brimming with impending waterworksYe Tianxie knew he had lost this battle. He retrieved an apple from his inventory and handed it to Guo Guo. The moment she held it, her tiny body nearly dropped to the ground from its weight. Struggling to hover back up while clutching the oversized fruit, she beamed. Wow! So big! It looks so yummy! Opening her tiny mouth, she bit down hard on the apple, barely making a dent in its skin. After a great effort, she finally managed to tear off a small chunk and began happily munching, letting out little delighted hums with each bite.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Watching a little girl enthusiastically devour an apple almost as big as her own head was unexpectedly amusing, even making Ye Tianxies lips curl slightly in an imperceptible smile. The Blacksmiths Request Hello, Blacksmith Uncle. Is there anything I can help you with? The blacksmith turned upon hearing his voice, his dark, soot-covered face breaking into a smile. Ah, a traveler from another world. Indeed, I do need some help. My forge has been running low on materials lately. Could you collect some wild boar tusks for me? Ding Due to your exceptional charm, Blacksmith Old Wangs favorability has increased by +20. Blacksmith Old Wang requests your help in collecting 20 Wild Boar Tusks. The crunch crunch sounds of Guo Guos apple consumption continued incessantly beside Ye Tianxies ear. Since she had gotten her hands on the apple, the sound hadnt stopped. Fortunately, once the apple entered her grasp, it seemed to have become invisible to others, just like her. Otherwise, the sight of a floating apple gradually vanishing bite by bite would surely leave people in shock. After a brief moment of thought, Ye Tianxie declined the quest with a smile. Blacksmith Uncle, wild boar tusks are indeed useful forging materials, but I believe wolf teeth are even more durable. How about I collect some wolf teeth for you instead? Wild boars were level 2 monsters, and their territory was currently swarmed with players grinding for levels and quests. Gathering twenty tusks would likely be time-consuming. Meanwhile, he had just accepted a quest from the village chief to collect wolf teethwhat a perfect opportunity to double up on efficiency. The blacksmiths eyes lit up, his smile widening. Its rare to see such an eager young man these days. But wolves are vicious creatures, much more dangerous than boars. Are you sure youre willing to gather wolf teeth for me? Ding Blacksmith Old Wangs favorability +10. Quest updated: Collect 20 Wolf Teeth instead of Boar Tusks. Rewards remain unchanged. Accept the quest? Of course! Ill bring them to you as soon as possible. Ye Tianxie replied cheerfully. Although the quest rewards hadnt changed, the additional +10 favorability was already rewarding enough. Just as he turned to leave, the blacksmith suddenly called out to him. "Young man Sigh. Its been a long time since Ive met someone as kind and warm-hearted as you. Would you mind taking a little time to help me with something else? Maybe just maybe, you might be able to do it. Ye Tianxie halted and immediately turned back with a warm smile. Helping others is my greatest honor. If those who knew his true nature had heard him say this, they would probably drown him in endless scoffs and ridicule. The blacksmith put down his hammer, let out a deep sigh, and a sorrowful expression clouded his rough features. "I have a seven-year-old son He is the most precious treasure of my wife and me. But a month ago, a massive batcompletely black from head to toeappeared in the skies above Novice Village. After circling for a long time, it suddenly dove down and snatched my son away in its monstrous claws, flying off towards the distant south" "That was a demona massive, corrupted bat. Or perhaps it was one of the creatures that escaped from the Tower of Fate. From the moment my son was taken, I knew I would never see him again. Under the claws of such a beast, he could never have survived" "Young traveler could you do me a favor and comfort my wife? Since our son was taken, she has changed completely. Her body grows weaker by the day, her mind more fragile. She murmurs our sons name endlessly, teetering on the edge of madness. If this continues, she, too, will leave me before long Everyone in the village has tried to console her, but nothing has worked. Even if you cant help her, I would still be grateful to you for trying. A monumental secret Ding Blacksmith Lao Wang requests your help to console his wife. Quest Type: Hidden Quest Duration: None Quest Reward: Blacksmith Lao Wangs gratitude. Do you accept? As soon as the quest prompt sounded, the words Hidden Quest echoed in Ye Tianxies ears, making his heart pound twice in excitementthis was actually a hidden quest! Without hesitation, Ye Tianxie chose to accept. Hidden quests had an extremely low trigger rate, and most were unique, but their rewards were far superior to ordinary quests. In the beginner stage, the chances of triggering a hidden quest were practically negligible, yet he had managed to activate one so easily. The reason? His Charm stat, which had already risen to 20 points. This hidden quest''s trigger conditions required at least 10 Charm points and a favorable impression of 30 or higher from Blacksmith Lao Wangan incredibly demanding requirement. Finding someone who, like Ye Tianxie, had allocated all of their fixed attribute points to Charm was practically impossible. This alone demonstrated how difficult it was to trigger a hidden quest. Ye Tianxies decision to max out his Charm wasnt an impulsive mistake. In both Sky Dominion and Godslayer, he had always prioritized Charm when assigning free attribute points. Luck? Its main effect was improving drop rates. The higher the drop rate, the greater the chance of acquiring wealth and rare equipment. But Ye Tianxie didnt need a high drop ratebecause he could simply rob others. If he set his sights on someones equipment, escaping from him was not an option. As for Perception, while most players valued the experience boost it providedsince levels determined a players strength in the gameYe Tianxie considered it irrelevant. In Destiny, even maxing out Perception only gave a 3% experience bonus. But if he wanted to, he was confident that even with the same level and gear as other players, his leveling speed would be at least 30% faster. A mere 3% increase meant nothing to him. However, being this reckless with fixed attribute allocation was something only he dared to do. A regular player with zero Luck and no ability to rob others would be doomed to a life of scavenging and begging for charity Inside the blacksmiths shop, a small, dimly lit room that no other players had ever set foot in was finally unlocked. In the faint light, Ye Tianxie saw a frail, unkempt figure sitting motionless on a worn-out chair. Blacksmith Lao Wang glanced at her, let out a long sigh, and turned to Ye Tianxie. "Please Im counting on you, young man." With that, he closed the door from the outside. Once Ye Tianxie left this room, the quest would be considered completewhether as a success, failure, or abandonment. The woman sitting in the chair remained utterly unresponsive, staring blankly into space, no different from a mentally broken person in the real world. Ye Tianxie quickly scanned the room, deep in thought, before stepping toward her.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Persuasion-type quests. He had encountered them before in previous VR games, and they were far more difficult than fighting a high-level boss. Worse still, they rarely offered a second chanceif persuasion failed, the same person would instinctively reject further attempts. Just as he was about to speak, a half-eaten apple core suddenly dropped from the air. "Ahh so full~ Apples are so delicious!" A soft, satisfied voice rang out. Ye Tianxie looked down to see the apple corecompletely stripped of every bit of flesh. He was certain no human alive could eat an apple so cleanly without damaging the core. And given her tiny body size Ye Tianxie looked up and, sure enough, saw Guo Guothe little girl perched on his shoulderher belly slightly puffed up beneath her dress. She lazily stretched, leaned against his neck, and looked utterly content. "As a thank-you for giving me such yummy food, the cutest and most obedient Guo Guo will tell you a little secret~" Her words made Ye Tianxie turn his head sharply. "What secret?" he asked. "Ah~ It''s about this weird lady!" Guo Guo yawned. "If you want to persuade her, it''s actually really easy! Just make her believe that her child isnt dead... Ahh~ So sleepy Guo Guo''s gonna sleep now. Bye-bye, Master~" Before he could ask any further, Guo Guo vanished into a flash of white light, merging back into the Fates Mark on his chest. Her vague hint and her obvious desire to escape questioning made Ye Tianxie even more curious about her mysterious nature. He replayed Guo Guos words in his mind, carefully crafting his next move. Then, he finally spoke
The only blacksmith shop in the entire Beginners Village was always packed. In Destiny, where drop rates were abysmally low, most players could only scrape together enough gold to buy basic equipment or complete minor quests. Yet, at this moment, Blacksmith Lao Wang was distracted, his gaze constantly shifting toward the tightly shut room. An hour passed. At last, a soft creak broke the silence. The door, which had been closed for an entire hour, slowly swung open. Ye Tianxie stepped out with a calm expression, exhaling deeply. Blacksmith Lao Wang rushed forward. "Young man, did you?" Before he could finish, his eyes widened in shock His wifewho hadn''t left the room in over a monthwas following closely behind Ye Tianxie. The once lifeless gaze in her clouded eyes had cleared, returning to the bright and lively state of before. Then, in a steady, clear voice, she said, "Im fine now." Blacksmith Lao Wang was at a loss for words. Overwhelmed with gratitude, he simply said in the most sincere voice possible: "Thank you young man. I will never forget this kindness." Ding You have completed the quest: Persuade Blacksmith Lao Wangs Wife. Reward: +20 Favorability with Blacksmith Lao Wang.
Leaving the blacksmith shop, Ye Tianxie headed straight for Wolf Valley in the northern part of the Beginners Village without pausing. Hidden quests were never easy, as expected. It had taken him nearly an hour of persuasion to finally break through to the woman. But just when he thought the quest was over, she lifted her head, her disheveled hair falling away to reveal a pair of hollow, piercing eyes. "Young man If you can bring back my son Xiaomingeven if its just his corpseI will tell you a huge secret." Her tone, her gaze, and the eerie chill in her voice sent an inexplicable shudder through Ye Tianxie. It felt as though a cold wind was seeping into every fiber of his being. His instinct screamed at him This woman is not as simple as she seems. A huge secret What kind of secret could possibly be so monumental? Red Leaf Alliance A Secret of Monumental Proportions... But what kind of secret could truly be called monumental? At the very least, one thing was certainthis quest he had unintentionally triggered in the beginners village was far from ordinary. God knows whether that kid named Xiao Ming was dead or alive, or where he had been taken. He didnt even know what the kid looked like. Fortunately, the quest had no time limit or penalties, so there was no reason for him to refuse it. Wow! Look at that guy! My god, hes unbelievably perfect! A curvaceous female player dramatically covered her mouth in astonishment. Her sparkling eyes were locked onto Ye Tianxie. He must have adjusted his appearance settings, the female player next to her remarked. Even if he did, he must be super handsome in real life too! You little flirt, getting all worked up again. If you like him, just snatch him up! Hmph! With my beauty, getting him would be a piece of cake. The female player adjusted her expression, put on a seductive smile, and sauntered forward. She lightly patted Ye Tianxies shoulder and said in a sultry voice, Handsome, care to help us level up? Her peach blossom eyes were filled with unmistakable flirtation and invitation. Ye Tianxie narrowed his eyes, about to respond, when he suddenly noticed the name floating above her head. The words that were about to leave his mouth were forcibly swallowed. He turned on his heel and walked away, leaving the female player stomping her foot in frustration. Her name, of all things, was... Granny Rong of Daming Lake. Heading north, he passed by a crooked tree and noticed that the eerie old woman with a sealed lower body was now surrounded by layers upon layers of players. Although the item she requestedwolf eyeswas from a simple quest that even level-zero players could accept, the sheer number of players crowding around her made the task more difficult. Ye Tianxie had spent over an hour at the blacksmiths shop, and in that time, players had ventured far north, reaching the territory of higher-level monsters. Wolf Valley, located at the northernmost part of the beginners village, had a desolate and eerie atmosphere. Yet, despite that, the scenery and air were exceptionally refreshing. Occasionally, distant wolf howls echoed through the valley. The entrance to Wolf Valley was a narrow passageway. As soon as Ye Tianxie stepped inside, he raised an eyebrow slightly. He wasnt alonethere were other players present. A quick glance revealed five players surrounding a massive wolf, engaged in fierce combat. Compared to Ye Tianxies simple novice clothing, these players were fully equipped, with some gear even emitting a faint blue glowSteel-tier equipment. The wolf they surrounded was nearly twice the size of a regular wolf. It let out enraged howls as it endured their attacks, its health bar decreasing slowly but steadily. Above its health bar, its name was displayedGiant Dire Wolf, with three golden stars preceding it.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. A three-star boss! Giant Dire Wolf (Level 5, Three-Star Boss) HP: 1300 A mutated variant of the dire wolf species, possessing a massive physique and strength far surpassing that of ordinary dire wolves. Skill: Berserk In Destiny, bosses were categorized into One-Star, Two-Star, Three-Star, and Lord-tier. Strictly speaking, monsters marked with one or two stars werent truly bossesthey were more like elite versions of their respective species. A One-Star boss was equivalent to a regular elite monster, boasting stats 1-2 times stronger than common monsters. A Two-Star boss was an elite among elites, 1-2 times stronger than a One-Star. A Three-Star boss, on the other hand, was the true ruler of its territory, significantly stronger than the previous tiers. Lord-tier bosses were the absolute rulers of vast regions, possessing terrifying power. Above them were creatures even more fearsome than ordinary bossesBeasts of the Immortal Spirit, Celestial Radiance, Divine Mystery, and Holy Annihilation. High-level players forming large teams might have a chance to take down a lower-level Immortal Spirit Beast, but beyond the Celestial Radiance tier, their existence could be summed up in four wordsutterly undefeatable. The names floating above these players heads piqued Ye Tianxies interest. Every single one of them had a name beginning with Red Leaf. The name Red Leaf Alliance flashed through his mindhe had some slight connections with this faction. The sudden intrusion of an outsider made the five battling players tense up slightly. They had only just discovered the map Wolf Valley and then stumbled upon this wandering three-star boss. It was both a stroke of luck and a painful challenge. But upon seeing Ye Tianxie in his basic novice gear, their momentary tension turned into disdain. His flawless appearance made them grit their teeth in envy, jealousy, and hate. Their moment of distraction lasted only an instant. Facing a three-star boss with an average party level of three was no easy feat, even with all five of them working together. Their team consisted of a Novice Shield Guardian, Novice Warrior, Novice Archer, Novice Mage, and Novice Priestfive players, five different classes. The Shield Guardian held up a wooden shield at the front, guzzling potions while gritting his teeth against the Giant Dire Wolfs onslaught. The Warrior slashed furiously from behind. The Mage, standing at an optimal casting range, continuously hurled non-elemental Magic Bolts. The Priest, struggling to maintain his mana, ran around healing while sipping small mana recovery potions. The Archer crouched behind a rock, letting arrows fly one after another. -9, -11, -8, -22 Their coordination was impressive, their positioning near perfect, allowing them to barely hold their ground. The Three-Star Bosss high defense rendered their attacks relatively ineffective. Their main source of damage was the Mages Magic Bolts, which bypassed defense. Despite this, the Giant Dire Wolfs health was still dropping at a steady rate. When Ye Tianxie arrived, the wolfs health bar had already fallen to about 30%. Ye Tianxie stopped, watching the five tense players with an amused expressionnot one of admiration, but of pure entertainment. To be fully equipped at this stage showed these players were no ordinary beginners. Their teamwork and positioning were also near flawless. If they werent high-ranking members of the Red Leaf Alliance, they were at least players with some level of authority. Keep pushing! Its got less than 300 HP left! Hurry Im almost out of potions! Priest, watch the healing! The Shield Guardian activated Taunt and roared. My mana is almost gone too. The Priest quickly cast a healing spell before scurrying away, waiting for the cooldown to refresh. Monster stealing At that moment, an unexpected change occurred, one that Ye Tianxie had anticipated. The massive, ferocious wolf, whose health had dropped below 20%, suddenly stopped its attack. It howled into the sky, releasing a terrifying aura of violent rage. Its fur stood on end, and its enormous eyes turned blood-red. The abrupt surge in its terrifying presence caused the five players to shudder in fear. The apprentice shield guard involuntarily stepped back and exclaimed, "It''s going berserk! Everyone be careful! Increase your damage output!" Berserk: When the health of the giant ferocious wolf drops below 20%, there is a 50% chance to trigger this skill. Once triggered, its attack power, attack speed, and movement speed all increase by 30%, while defense is reduced by 30%. The effect lasts for 1 minute. After entering a berserk state, the giant wolfs previous "Taunt" effect was naturally lifted. Instead of continuing to attack the apprentice shield guard blocking its way, it suddenly leaped into the air with a furious roar and pounced on the apprentice priest standing behind the shield guard. The priest was caught off guard and didnt even have time to scream before a huge paw slammed into his chest, taking half of his health. The apprentice shield guard, startled, quickly turned around, but his "Taunt" skill was still on a 10-second cooldown, leaving him unable to immediately attract the wolfs aggro. The apprentice priest, in a panic, tried to retreat, but how could he possibly outrun the berserk wolf? It clawed at his chest again, and the priests health bar was instantly emptied. His body collapsed to the ground, turning into a white light and vanishing, sent back to the novice village. With the priest down, the remaining four players were thrown into disarray. The two ranged players frantically tried to deal damage. The wolf, having killed the priest, turned with an angry roar and charged at the apprentice mage, who was still casting magic projectiles. "Fall back!" the apprentice shield guard shouted. With the mages low health, he wouldn''t survive even two hits from the berserk wolf. Now that the priest was sent back to the novice village and his healing potions were all used up, with the wolfs remaining 200 health, it felt like an insurmountable obstacle. Even if all four of them were wiped here, they might not be able to take down those last 200 health points. The four players scattered in different directions, heading for the safe zones outside the map. The apprentice shield guard charged straight toward the direction where Ye Tianxie was, shouting, "Hey! Can you help us out? This boss is about to die. Join our team, and well trade you our healing potions... After we kill the boss, well give you one of its dropped pieces of equipment!" Ye Tianxie narrowed his eyes slightly, and a calm smile appeared on his face. "Alright, but you better keep your word." "Ding Player Red Leaf Iron Wall has invited you to join his team. Do you accept?" "Heh, accepted."This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. The system prompt notifying him that he had successfully joined the team sounded in his ear. The apprentice shield guard had already arrived in front of Ye Tianxie and hastily said, "Quick, trade me your healing potions... This is a level 5 boss, not only can you gain a lot of experience, but youll also get a piece of equipment. Youll make a huge profit!" If it werent for a desperate situation, Red Leaf Iron Wall would never have asked for help from a player who hadnt even bothered to change out of their starting clothes. Ye Tianxie efficiently took out five small healing potions from his inventory and traded them. The apprentice shield guard quickly accepted without saying a word and turned to charge toward the giant berserk wolf, which was chasing after the apprentice archer. He shouted, "Prepare for damage!" The apprentice shield guard quickly used his "Taunt" skill, making the giant wolf momentarily hesitate and turn to charge at him. He stood still, holding his shield to block the wolfs attack. The other three, who had been running away, gathered back together and began another round of attacks. Ye Tianxie, seemingly without urgency, strolled over leisurely and began stabbing the giant wolf with his starting sword. The damage numbers were unmistakably... -1, -1, miss... The team panel now displayed Ye Tianxie''s name, and his level was clearly 1. The faces of Red Leaf Alliance''s four members showed the same expression of disdain. The wolfs health dropped from 200 to 150, then down to the 100 mark. The fighter wielding a two-handed sword cast a cold glance at Ye Tianxie and whispered to Red Leaf Iron Wall, "Kick him out of the team, or else well share our experience with him... Who knows, he might even try to steal our loot." Before the apprentice warrior even finished speaking, Ye Tianxies ears rang with a notification: "You have been kicked out of the Red Leaf Iron Wall party." A cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth. He suddenly took a step forward, and his starting short sword disappeared. In its place, a massive black arc swept toward the giant wolfs body... -142! A magnificent yellow critical hit appeared above the wolfs head. With a pitiful wolf''s howl, its health was instantly emptied. The giant wolfs body collapsed to the ground, and it dropped a pile of copper coins, health potions, and three pieces of equipment glowing with blue light. "Ding, you have successfully killed the 3-star elite Giant Ferocious Wolf and gained 400 experience points." The four members of the Red Leaf Alliance stood frozen, staring in shock as Ye Tianxie picked up the three pieces of equipment from the ground. The gleaming equipment confirmed that they were made of steel, and getting three pieces of steel equipment from a single drop was enough to surprise them. Their eyes were now fully focused on the enormous black weapon in Ye Tianxies hands. Its form was more exaggerated than a two-handed greatsword, with a twisted, indescribable shape, and occasional flashes of strange colors. Any player who saw this weapon for the first time would probably have the same reaction. After the shock came a feeling of greedy excitement. They no longer felt guilty for kicking Ye Tianxie out of the team, nor did they feel the humiliation and anger of having their boss stolen. That strange weapon, along with the over-100 damage that Ye Tianxie had just dealt, made it clear that this was no ordinary, powerful weapon. "How dare you steal our boss! Get him!" The apprentice shield guards expression shifted repeatedly, before he finally growled and rushed at Ye Tianxie. However, seeing the eerie smile on Ye Tianxies face, his heart inexplicably skipped a beat, and his step faltered. He swung his sword toward Ye Tianxie. "Ding... You have been attacked by Red Leaf Iron Walls party. You have 30 minutes to retaliate." You knew too much In open-world PK (Player Killing), even novice players will accumulate Infamy Points. If the initiator of the PK kills their opponent, their Infamy Points increase by 1. However, if the defender retaliates and kills their attacker, they will not gain any Infamy Points. The higher one''s Infamy Points, the harsher the death penalty. Infamy Points decrease automatically over time, with 1 point deducted every 5 hours while in the wild. If Infamy Points exceed 10, the player will be wanted by city guards, and upon entering a city, they will be arrested and imprisoned. While in jail, Infamy Points decrease at a rate of 1 per hour. Additionally, Infamy Points can be cleared with money, but the cost is exorbitant1,000 gold coins to remove a single point of Infamy. Players below level 10 will not suffer level or experience loss upon death, but they will drop equipment and even in-game currency. Ye Tianxie didn''t attack the shield warrior in front of him. Instead, with a subtle yet unpredictable footwork, he weaved between the shield warrior and the swordsman, leaping forward and slashing at the apprentice mage who was preparing to hurl a magic projectile at him. The combined reach of his Eternal Destiny blade and his arm extended his attack range to a full two meters. The apprentice mage barely caught sight of a dark shadow before a sharp pain seared across his throat. A striking red damage number, "-196," floated above his head. His mere 90 HP was instantly reduced to zero. His widened eyes remained frozen in shock as his body collapsed lifelessly to the ground. A critical hitagain! An instant kill! An instant kill occurring during the early-game phase of the novice village PK scene was practically unheard of. While such feats might be common in the later stages of the game, when players'' strength varied significantly, witnessing an instant kill at this stagewhere everyone had just startedwas absolutely mind-blowing. As the remaining three were still reeling in shock, Ye Tianxies next attack had already arrived. His blade swept across both the apprentice shield warrior and the apprentice swordsman. The two snapped back to reality and instinctively retaliated with their only available attack skills. However, the colossal damage numbers Ye Tianxie had just dealt left them shaken, even as their greed intensified. Such overwhelming attack power at the current beginner phase could only be described as "broken". There was no doubt that this level of destruction stemmed from his extraordinary, otherworldly weapon. It was as if Ye Tianxie had predicted their moves in advance. With precise control, he leaned back slightlyjust enough to dodge their strikes by a hairs breadth. At the same time, he swiftly retracted Eternal Destiny, causing the apprentice swordsmans greatsword and the shield warriors one-handed sword to pierce through the airbarely missing his chest. Their blades stopped just inches away, as if this evasion had been meticulously calculated. A whistling arrow shot past Ye Tianxies ear. His heightened reflexes and sharpened senses, far surpassing that of ordinary players, allowed his body to instinctively react to danger without even consciously focusing. In a flash, Eternal Destinyswung once more. Two crimson damage numbers popped up. The apprentice swordsmans HP dropped to zero in an instant, his body dissolving into a streak of white light as he was sent back to the novice village.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Hongye Ironwalls face turned pale. He hastily took a step back, but before he could move any further, Ye Tianxie had already closed the distance between them. A dark silhouette expanded rapidly in the apprentice shield warriors pupilsbefore his vision was consumed by darkness. In the blink of an eye, two more players had fallen under Ye Tianxies blade. The apprentice archer, hiding behind a rock, was the only one left. Watching his teammates perish one after another in mere seconds, he froze in terror. When he finally snapped back to reality and attempted to flee, Ye Tianxie had already appeared before him, his massive weapon poised to strike. AHHHH!! A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the air. Ye Tianxie paused his attack, watching as the apprentice archer collapsed to the ground in fright. His face was pale as he pleaded desperately, P-Please spare me, big bro! Ill give you all my equipmentjust dont kill me! His exaggerated reaction piqued Ye Tianxies interest. With an amused smirk, he asked, Are you scared of dying? Just now, you seemed to be shooting your arrows quite happily. Death under level 10 wouldnt cause level drops, and even if it did, he was only level 3he could regain the lost experience in just half an hour. There was no reason to be this terrified. However, this unfortunate Hongye Allianceplayer had foolishly set his pain perception to 100% real-life simulation when first entering the game. That meant Ye Tianxies attack would feel exactly like getting slashed in reality. He had regretted this decision from the moment he started playingbut fate offered no chance for a reset. Ye Tianxie watched his terrified expression with great amusement. Slowly lowering Eternal Destiny, he said, Alright, Im actually a merciful person. Even though you guys broke your promise and attacked me first, I wont kill you indiscriminately Heres a dealif you can answer one question to my satisfaction, Ill let you go. The apprentice archers face brightened with hope, and he nodded frantically. Thank you, big bro! Ask away! Ill tell you anything I know. Ye Tianxie lightly traced his finger along Eternal Destinys blade, speaking casually. Am I good-looking? Uh Of course! Big bro, youre the most handsome person Ive ever seen! The apprentice archer nodded fervently. At this moment, even if Ye Tianxie were a pig falling from the sky, he would have to flatter him without hesitation. SHIIING! A black arc of light slashed across the apprentice archers body, followed by a gut-wrenching scream. Another critical hit. Another instant kill. His corpse vanished into a white light, joining his ill-fated teammates on their return to the novice village. Ye Tianxie straightened up, gazing toward the desolate north with a deep, enigmatic look in his eyes. Letting out a soft sigh, he murmured: "You knew too much." Walking over to the Giant Direwolfs corpse, Ye Tianxie picked up three recovery potions and a scattering of coins. But when he counted the amount, he couldnt help but be stunned. This three-star elite boss had actually dropped a full fifty copper coins! Converting to Huaxia currency that was a whole five cents! A fortune! Pocketing the massive five-cent windfall, Ye Tianxie finally examined the three pieces of equipment dropped by the Giant Direwolf: Ye Tianxies smirk deepened. A promising start. Trade Steel-tier weapons have 1-2 more additional attributes compared to Pale-tier weapons, and their base stats are slightly stronger as well. After a quick glance, Ye Tianxie casually tossed the newly acquired equipment back into his inventory and continued deeper into Wolf Valley, still clad in his beginners gear. It wasnt that he didnt want to equip themit was simply because all of them required a melee-class profession, and he didnt meet that requirement. After all, he didnt have a profession at all. He hadnt walked far before a pack of roaming wolves came into view. These were the lowest-level Dire Wolves in Wolf Valley, differing from the Wild Wolves he had previously slain only in their slightly larger aggro range. Ye Tianxie stepped forward unhurriedly, drawing three Dire Wolves in close before swinging his Eternal Moment of Fate He hadnt forgotten the five recovery potions he had practically given away to Red Leaf Ironwall earlier. And taking something from him always came at a hefty price. At the respawn point in the Beginner Village, the five Red Leaf Alliance members reappeared one after another. The apprentice warrior who revived alongside Red Leaf Ironwall gritted his teeth and said, Seventh Brother, when have we ever suffered such humiliation? We cant just let this slide! Ill call in a few brothers right now and hunt him down! And that weapon of his Hold your tongue. Red Leaf Ironwall raised a hand to stop him. I need to report this to the guild master. Hes bound to be interested in that weapon. The communicator in the world of Destiny was a wristband worn on the hand. It wasnt just for communicating within the game and with the real worldit also functioned as a clock, a camera, a video recorder, and more. Additionally, it could be freely hidden or summoned. Lifting his wrist, Red Leaf Ironwall spoke into the communicator, Guild Master, I was just killed by a Level 1 player. Not just mehe took down four of us in a row That guy is only Level 1 but can deal over a hundred damage. Oh? A mans voice responded from the communicator. Guild Master, Im sending you a photo now. Youll understand what I mean. He transmitted a hastily snapped picture from earlieran image of Ye Tianxie wielding the Eternal Moment of Fate. There was a long silence from the other end before a voice finally came through: What an imposing design Even if this weapon appeared in a Beginner Village, its still something that would drive any warrior-class player mad. He must have triggered some kind of hidden quest Ah Qi, Im very interested in this weapon. You must get it for me. If it really has the kind of attack power you described, it will be of great help to me. Try negotiating with him firstif we can buy it or trade for it, that would be ideal. Even if he demands a price of over a million, we can accept it. Someone capable of triggering and completing a hidden quest this early is not someone to make an enemy of just yet. I understand, Guild Master. Red Leaf Ironwall acknowledged before shutting off the communicator. He waved a hand and ordered, Move out! Back to Wolf Valleyhe should still be there!
Ding Your level has increased to Level 2. HP +10, MP +10, and you have received 5 free attribute points.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Ye Tianxie once again allocated all five points into Strength, raising his attack power to 116. Wolves that previously took two to three strikes to kill could now be felled in just two swings, with the occasional critical hit resulting in an instant kill. Another small group of Dire Wolves collapsed. Ye Tianxie walked up to the scattered wolf corpses and, without expression, activated his Basic Gathering Skill. Ding You have gathered 2 Wolf Eyes and 3 Wolf Fangs. Ding You have gathered 2 Wolf Eyes and 1 Wolf Fang. Glancing at his inventory, now containing over fifty Wolf Eyes and Wolf Fangs, Ye Tianxie casually dispatched a few newly spawned Dire Wolves before turning back. He wasnt in a hurry to complete the Village Chief and Blacksmith Old Wangs quests, but the old ladys mission that one had piqued his curiosity a little. Beginner Village had no Return Scrollswherever one wanted to go, it had to be on foot. As he exited Wolf Valley, five familiar figures approachednone other than the Red Leaf Alliance members he had sent packing back to the respawn point earlier. Ye Tianxie didnt slow his steps or change his expression, walking past them as if they didnt exist. Xie Tian, were from the Red Leaf Alliance How about a trade? Red Leaf Ironwall took a step forward, speaking directly and skipping over their prior conflict. A trade? Ye Tianxie smirked and swept a glance over the five before speaking with a hint of disdain. I have no interest in dealing with people who go back on their word. Each person he glanced at felt an involuntary shiver run through them, especially the apprentice archer who had suffered both physical and psychological trauma. He shrank behind his teammates, as if still trapped in the nightmare from earlier. Red Leaf Ironwalls face darkened, but he held his temper and said, What happened earlier was just a misunderstanding Ill be straight with you. Our Red Leaf Alliances leader, Red Leaf Blazing Wind, is very interested in your weapon. If youre willing to part with it, you can name any terms for the trade. The guild master even said hed consider letting you join Red Leaf Alliance and become one of our branch leaders! The Red Leaf Alliance, while not as dominant as the two titans Divine Domain and Wings of Oblivion, was still a household name in the virtual gaming world. It ranked within the top ten, and few dared to provoke them lightly. The mere mention of their name was often enough to intimidate most players, let alone directly invoking the guild masters name. Oh Ye Tianxies expression showed a hint of intrigue. He lifted the Eternal Moment of Fate as if in contemplation before slowly saying, 100 gold coins. 100 gold coins!? Red Leaf Ironwalls eyes widened, his expression shifting rapidly before he gritted his teeth. Fine! Youre straightforwardwell gather the coins immediately Lets go! Without wasting any more words, he led his team away. One hundred gold coins, once the currency exchange opened, would amount to a mere one hundred Huaxia creditspractically nothing to the entire Red Leaf Alliance. However, in this early stage where every copper coin was precious, even a single gold coin was a massive fortune. Even after looting a Dire Wolf King that held an astonishing five-copper treasure hoard, Ye Tianxies total wealth only amounted to six silver coins. Ye Tianxie didnt spare them another glance as he headed toward the elderly man with sealed legs. Guild Master, he asked for 100 gold coins. Gold coins, not real-world currency, Red Leaf Ironwall reported through the communicator. Oh? 100 gold coins? Seems like he isnt very ambitious. Mobilize all our members in the same Beginner Village to start collectingget the 100 coins as soon as possible. Even if we have to exchange at a 1,000:1 rate with Huaxia credits, well accept it. Move quickly! Yes. Red Leaf Ironwall acknowledged and sprinted toward the Beginner Village. Even if the exchange rate was 1,000 Huaxia credits per gold coin, 100 gold coins would only amount to 100,000 credits. But obtaining that weapon at the start of the game would grant them an overwhelming advantage, with benefits far exceeding mere monetary value. You can all get lost "Hello, madam. Here are the wolf eyes you asked for." Under the crooked-neck tree, Ye Tianxie traded ten wolf eyes into the hands of the strange old woman. Immediately, the system notification for completing the quest rang in his ears... but the so-called "mysterious" quest reward nearly made him curse out loud. "Ding... You have completed the quest ''The Request of the Sealed Elder.'' Quest reward: 10 experience points, 1 silver coin." Just 10 experience points and a single silver coin for ten wolf eyes? He could sell them at the store for at least 2 silver coins! Ye Tianxie had to resist the urge to blurt out, "Old lady, can you be any stingier?" "Thank you, young man. These wolf eyes will be of great help to me." The old woman raised her withered, bark-like face. Though her words were filled with formatted gratitude, her eyes carried no trace of appreciationonly a detached indifference. "Young man, I can see that you are both kind and courageous. Would you be willing to collect 100 more wolf eyes for me?" "Ding... The Sealed Elder has asked you to gather 100 wolf eyes. Quest type: Normal. Time limit: None. Reward: Unknown." "Accept." The old woman''s second request actually put Ye Tianxie at ease. Clearly, this was a chain quest, and the first stage of chain quests often had ridiculously meager rewards. However, as they progressed, the rewards would become increasingly generous. If this was a multi-stage quest, would the next stage demand 200 wolf eyes? What about the stage after that? 300? Without wasting another word, Ye Tianxie returned to the depths of the Wolf Valley and resumed slaughtering the vicious wolves. The moment he stepped into their territory, the wolves, drawn by the scent of a living being, swarmed toward himonly to be cut down in two sweeping strikes from Eternal Fate''s Hour. Two hits, guaranteed kills, with an attack radius of two meters. Even a well-coordinated six-player party at level 5 wouldn''t be able to match Ye Tianxie''s efficiency. Gradually, after just ten minutes, the wolves stopped attacking in groups and began approaching one by one. Another ten minutes passed, and he actively sought out the wandering wolves in the distance. Another ten minutes later... the surrounding area was completely devoid of wolves. The few that managed to respawn barely had time to find their footing before being instantly slain by him. In the end, this small valley was completely monopolized by a single person. "Ding... Your level has increased to Level 3. HP + X, MP + X, and 5 free attribute points gained." After counting the more than 300 wolf eyes in his inventory, Ye Tianxie finally stepped out of the Wolf Valley. Unfortunately for the Red Leaf Allianceor rather, very unfortunately for themhe once again ran into the same five people.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it Given that China had a total of 100,000 beginner villages, the fact that five members of the Red Leaf Alliance ended up in the same village was already quite rare. Straightening his expression, Red Leaf Ironwall stepped forward and said to Ye Tianxie, who remained as expressionless as ever, "Xietian, we''ve gathered the 100 gold coins. Once the trade is complete, we''ll even throw in a level 3 two-handed weapon as a bonus. The Red Leaf Alliance will also recognize you as a friend." 100 gold coinsthis amount was astronomical at this stage of the game. To prevent any unforeseen circumstances, they had paid a massive price to gather the sum in the shortest time possible and then rushed straight here. Fortunately, they had found Ye Tianxie right away. "The Red Leaf Alliance? Is that supposed to be impressive?" Ye Tianxie grinned, his voice dripping with mockery and disdain. Red Leaf Ironwall''s face darkened but quickly regained composure. "We may not be as powerful as Divine Domain Alliance or Heavens Wings, but we are not a force to be trifled with. We have over a hundred thousand brothers who stand by each other through thick and thin. We do not fear Divine Domain or Heavens Wings, and soon, we will trample them beneath our feet!" Ye Tianxie, of course, was familiar with the names of Divine Domain Alliance and Heavens Wings. He stepped forward, stopping right in front of Red Leaf Ironwall, and extended his right hand. "100 gold coins. Hand them over." Red Leaf Ironwall remained motionless, his expression cold. "Payment and goods should be exchanged at the same time. The Red Leaf Alliance has never made a habit of paying first." "Neither do I." Ye Tianxie withdrew his hand, glancing at them with half-lidded eyes. "Your alliance''s credibility and conduct make me unwilling to trade simultaneously. Either hand over the money first, or get lost." The mocking disdain in his words made the faces of all five members of the Red Leaf Alliance darken. Throughout their gaming careers, the name "Red Leaf Alliance" had always commanded respect and even fear. Who would dare treat them with such contempt? And yet, now, they were being outright dismissedby a single person, no less. The Apprentice Warrior had already raised his two-handed sword, but Red Leaf Ironwall stopped him with a gesture. Their priority was to acquire the weapon their leader, Red Leaf Gale, wantednot to act on impulse. If it were possible, they would have long since attacked Ye Tianxie and tried to loot the weapon off his corpse. But in their previous encounter, he had single-handedly taken them all down in less than ten seconds. They had no choice but to endure. "Fine..." Red Leaf Ironwall took a deep breath, forcing his voice to remain calm. "We admit that we were in the wrong earlier. Well transfer the gold first. Xietian, I trust you wont make the foolish decision of going against the entire Red Leaf Alliance. You may be strongstrong enough to take on all five of us alonebut behind us stands a hundred thousand Red Leaf brothers. Whether you want to be a friend or an enemy, I''m sure you''ll make the wise choice." After compromising, he followed up with a not-so-subtle threat. Backed by the sheer might of 100,000 members, this was the kind of intimidation that could make most players back down. Unfortunately for him, Ye Tianxie was not most players. Some people were simply born immune to threats. In fact, for people like him, such threats often served as the perfect excuse to kill. Red Leaf Ironwall stepped forward and initiated the trade, transferring 100 gold coins to Ye Tianxie. The moment the system notification confirmed the successful transaction, Ye Tianxie''s inventory gleamed with a hundred shiny gold coins. His expression brightened into an unmistakably delighted smile. Turning halfway away, he lazily said, "Alright, Ill take the money. Now, you can all get lost." Kill again！ The five members of the Red Leaf Alliance all turned pale. The ever-composed Red Leaf Ironwall finally darkened his expression and said in a deep voice, What do you mean!? "You took five of my recovery potions earlier. I only charged you 100 gold coins for themwhat a fair and perfect transaction. I still have five more. If you''re interested, I''ll give you a special deal this time50 gold coins. What do you think?" A small recovery potion cost 2 copper coins at the beginner village''s potion shop, but in Ye Tianxie''s hands, its price skyrocketed to 20 gold coinsan astronomical 1,000-fold increase. Even with Red Leaf Ironwall''s patience, he nearly lost control and slashed at Ye Tianxie right then and there. Gritting his teeth, he sneered coldly, Ye Tian, it seems youre determined to make an enemy of the Red Leaf Alliance? Red Leaf Alliance, Green Hat Alliance, whatever you call yourselves, it has nothing to do with me. Im just taking back whats rightfully mine. Five potions for only 100 gold coins? You guys got a steal. Ye Tianxie tilted his head slightly, a sinister smirk creeping up his lips. He suddenly realized that changing his in-game name might not be such a bad thingit seemed to bring him unexpected amusement. If he had used his old name, even the Divine Domain Alliance and Wings of Oblivion would have wisely chosen to steer clear the moment they saw it. Very well Ye Tian, the Red Leaf Alliance will remember you. Lets go!! Red Leaf Ironwall forcibly swallowed his rage, leaving behind a cold, menacing remark before turning away with a roar. Since joining the Red Leaf Alliance, he had never been humiliated like this. In Beginner Village No. 60001, there were only five of them from the alliance, and they knew they had no chance of dealing with Ye Tianxie right now. They had no choice but to endure the humiliation for nowonce they left the beginner village, they would settle the score. He would make sure this man called Ye Tian understood the meaning of regret. Hold it right there. Seems like youre forgetting something. Red Leaf Ironwall stopped in his tracks, turning back with a grim expression. Ye Tianxie casually raised three fingers and said lazily, You wasted three minutes of my time. My time is far more valuable than your lives. One minute lets say its worth 1,000 gold coins. Thats 3,000 gold coins in totalhand it over. "Ye Tian, dont push us too far!" Even a clay Bodhisattva had a temper, let alone these prideful players. The apprentice warrior among them clenched his greatsword halfway, his eyes burning with fury. If he didnt know that attacking Ye Tianxie was as good as suicide, he would have struck already. "Cant afford it?" Ye Tianxie''s expression darkened, a mocking smirk playing on his lips. "How unfortunate. That means youll have to compensate me with your lives."This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Before his words had fully landed, he made a sudden, unpredictable sidestep, instantly slipping past Red Leaf Ironwall. The five members of the Red Leaf Alliance barely had time to react before Ye Tianxie''s massive, pitch-black weapon reappeared in his hands. The thought of dodging had only just surfaced in their minds when four of them were simultaneously struck by Fates Moment -110, -103, -108, -208. The apprentice priest, who had already died once at the claws of the giant Direwolf, was pitifully taken out in a single critical hit. The remaining three saw their health bars instantly drop by more than half accompanied by the wretched scream of the apprentice archer. In the real world, where even minor injuries were rare, few people could truly endure the excruciating pain of being slashed. The four surviving members instinctively tried to retreat in horror, but Fates Moment had an enormous attack radius. Only the apprentice archer, driven by sheer panic, managed to scramble away. Meanwhile, the apprentice warrior and apprentice mage were finished off in Ye Tianxies swift follow-up strike, their health bars emptied as they dissolved into white light. A chill gust swept from behind. Without turning around, Ye Tianxie spun Fates Moment in a dazzling arc, slamming it into Red Leaf Ironwalls shield. A damage number of -99 popped up, and against the odds, a knockback effect triggered, forcing Red Leaf Ironwall back two steps. Ye Tianxie swiftly turned, thrusting twice into his chest, sending the so-called "Ironwall" back to the beginner village before he even had a chance to touch the hem of Ye Tianxie''s clothes. A somewhat decent wooden shield clattered to the ground beside his fallen body. That left only the apprentice archer, who was now fleeing in terror. When he glanced back and saw that his four comrades had perished in mere moments, his heart nearly leaped out of his chest. He ran for his life, but fate was cruela protruding rock on the ground caught his foot, causing him to stumble and crash onto the dirt. As he struggled to get up, a tall, looming shadow cast over him. He looked up to see that pitch-black, fearsome weapon, and his entire body went limp with fear, drenched in cold sweat. He had just suffered one devastating blow from it earlierthe sheer pain and the sensation of death were seared into his memory forever. Desperately, he waved his hands and stammered, D-Dont dont kill me! My pain setting is at 100%! Please, Im begging you, dont kill me Ill give you all my gold and gear Please, big brother, spare me, dont kill me! Ye Tianxie flashed the same chilling smile as before, his expression almost benevolent. Alright, those who know me know that Im actually quite merciful. Even though you wasted my time and couldnt afford proper compensation, I suppose I shouldnt be too ruthless How about this? Ill ask you one question. If you can give me a satisfactory answer, Ill let you go. A question another damn question Horrible memories came flooding back, and the apprentice archer nearly burst into tears. Trembling, he asked, W-Whats the question? "Am I handsome?" I I dont know. Slash! A dark gleam flickered as his weapon struck the apprentice archer, who let out a gut-wrenching scream. Ye Tianxie let out a deep sigh and said flatly, If you dont even know that, whats the point of living? Watching the pitiful apprentice archers body dissolve into white light, Ye Tianxie sheathed Fates Moment and murmured, No matter the world, its best to know your place. Not everyone is someone you can afford to provoke Before logging into Destiny, youd best check the almanac first. The Third Stage of the Collection Quest The name above his head turned bright red, indicating a Sin Value of 5. Once the Sin Value reached 10, it would start turning blackso dark it was almost red. Sin Value was the last thing Ye Tianxie cared about, as it could be cleansed with money. Although the price of 1,000 gold per point was unaffordable for most, as long as it was a problem that could be solved with money, it wasnt a problem for him. 100 goldafter currency exchange became available, this might turn into an amount no one would even bother with. But in the early stages of the game, it was a fortune that couldn''t even be bought with money. The hundred gold he had just obtained wasnt simply a form of punishment; it was going to be a huge advantage for him in the beginner village. Beginner Class Change Trial! When players reached level 10, they could accept the class change trial from the village chief. Only those who passed could be sent to the cities of the Destiny world. The trial had five difficulty levels: Easy, Normal, Hard, Nightmare, and Abyss. Players could choose their difficulty, and passing any of them would allow them to complete the trial. The difference lay in the rewards: The trial could be attempted solo or in teams of up to 12 players. Currently, the average player level was still far from 10, but Ye Tianxie was already preparing for his class change trial. These 100 gold coins were part of his preparation. He acted carefree and arrogant, but in reality, everything he did had a purpose. Even adjusting his appearance to 20% more attractive wasnt for vanity but as a way to increase his Charm stat. Just like in the real world, a person with a more pleasing appearance naturally received more goodwill. In contrast, talking to someone with a face full of acne would make most people want to end the conversation as soon as possible. The same logic applied in Destiny. Every NPC in this world had human-like intelligence and emotions. After circling back to the sealed old woman, Ye Tianxie took out 100 wolf eyes. His backpack still contained more than 200, and he was secretly hoping the old lady would now ask for 200, so he could dramatically pull them out all at once. Items like potions and common materials were stored at 100 per inventory slot.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Ding You have completed the quest "The Sealed Elders Request." You receive the following rewards: 100 EXP, 1 Gold Coin. Ye Tianxie: "" Ten wolf eyes had only given him 10 EXP and 1 silver coin. Now, 100 wolf eyes had earned him 100 EXP and 1 gold coin. He suddenly felt suffocated. "Thank you, young man. These wolf eyes will be of great help to me. I can see that you are both kind-hearted and brave. Would you be willing to help me collect 1,000 wolf eyes?" The elder''s hollow, lifeless eyes stared at him as she repeated nearly the same words as before except this time, the number had jumped from 100 to 1,000! Ding The Sealed Elder has asked you to collect 1,000 wolf eyes. Quest type: Normal. Time limit: None. Reward: Unknown. Accept? 10 to 100, 100 to 1,000 A tenfold increase each time. Would the next request be? Ye Tianxie quickly shut down that train of thought and accepted the quest before silently walking away. A thousand wolf eyesat his collection speed, he could easily gather them within a day. This had to be the final stage of this chain quest. Ten thousand? No way. A players inventory only had 50 slots, and with 100 wolf eyes taking up one slot, 10,000 would require 100 slots. In the beginner village, where there were no items or methods to expand storage capacity, it was impossible for any player to collect that many. Five thousand would likely be the cap. Ye Tianxie made his way back to Dire Wolf Valley, where the wolf territory he had cleared earlier was now teeming with wolves once again. As soon as they saw him, they howled furiously, as if recognizing the man who had nearly wiped out their entire kind. Against these wolves, which could no longer threaten him, Ye Tianxie had no trouble at all. Swinging Fates Hour, he weaved effortlessly through the wolf packs. After more than half an hour, the entire wolf area had once again been cleared to the last strand of fur. Standing atop a rock, he yawned as he waited for the wolves to respawn. One thing worth notingthe five Red Leaf Alliance players, whom he had sent back to the respawn point earlier, didnt come back to die again. Bored, Ye Tianxie glanced at his EXP barand nearly fell off the rock in shock. The EXP required to level up from 3 to 4 was five times that of leveling up from 2 to 3! If leveling up was already this hard in the beginner stage, what would it be like after leaving the village? Time passed quickly in the monotonous cycle of wolf hunting. The Dire Wolf Territory was at the entrance of the valley, while deeper inside lurked even stronger wolf-type monsters. But for now, these wolveswhom he could take down in two hitswere the most efficient targets for leveling. In the world of gaming, if you wanted to become truly powerful, you had to endure the grind of leveling up. Ye Tianxie had long been accustomed to it and had even learned to enjoy it. The launch of Destiny had made the once-bustling Jinghua streets eerily silent. Its influence extended over all of humanity and would only continue to grow. Perhaps, in the future, human habits and even the structure of the world itself would change because of it. Since Destiny went live at noon, time had unknowingly ticked away, swinging with greater momentumafternoon, then into the early night. Mutant Blood Wolf Ding! You have leveled up to Level 4. HP +10, MP +10, and gained 5 free attribute points. The long-awaited level-up notification finally echoed in Ye Tianxies ears. As always, he allocated all his attribute points to Strength before crouching down to harvest the corpses of the fierce wolves. The once menacing wolf territory was now eerily silentnot a single wolf remained in sight. With that, Ye Tianxie finally took a step forward, heading deeper into the Valley of the Direwolves. Passing through a narrow gorge, he arrived at an entirely new area. This place was even more sinister, the air itself carrying a biting chill that sent shivers down the spine. The wolves in sight were no longer just violent direwolves but even more ferocious Blood Wolves! Blood Wolf C Level 7 Their health was only 50 points higher than the direwolves, but their speed and aggro range were significantly greater. The moment Ye Tianxie stepped into their territory, three gusts of bloody wind howled toward him from different directions. He dodged two of them but allowed the third wolfs claw to land on his body. -35! With only the standard beginners gear and no points allocated to Constitution, Ye Tianxies defense was pitifully low. At 11 defense points and 210 HP, getting surrounded by multiple Blood Wolves would mean being torn apart within seconds and sent straight back to the beginner village. Yet, Ye Tianxie didnt retreat. Instead, his eyeswandering aimlessly moments agowere now burning with excitement. His figure weaved through the wolf pack with fluid movements, every second spent predicting, sensing, and analyzing the wolves trajectories. The black arc of Fates Hour slashed through the air One hour later, the once-mighty Blood Wolf pack had completely vanished. Holding Fates Hour, Ye Tianxie now stood alone, irritatedly waiting for them to respawn. While other players still didnt dare to treat the Valley of the Direwolves as a grinding spot, he had already single-handedly claimed the entire Level 7 Blood Wolf territory for himself. Ding Your Hunger has exceeded 90. Please consume food immediately. Whoosh! A sharp gust of wind nearly scraped his face, leaving a stinging sensation. Ye Tianxies gaze sharpenedinstead of retreating, he advanced. Seizing the brief moment when the Mutant Blood Wolf retracted its claw, he lunged forward, slashing its neck with Fates Hour. At the same time, he lowered his body, using his momentum to slide beneath the wolf. As it turned to retaliate, he struck viciously at its leg Five consecutive strikes! With his superior attack power granted by Fates Hour, he instantly depleted a quarter of the Level 7, Three-Star Elite Bosss HP. The Mutant Blood Wolf roared in fury but suddenly lost sight of its target. Letting out an enraged howl, it spun around in search of Ye Tianxieonly to find nothing. The moment it turned, Ye Tianxie had already repositioned himself behind it, slashing another heavy strike at its hind leg, drawing a pained wolf howl.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. The Mutant Blood Wolf was massive, over four meters long and nearly three meters tall. Yet, its overwhelming size had ironically become Ye Tianxies biggest advantage. Every time it turned around, Ye Tianxie would vanish from its sighteither slipping under its belly, circling to the left, or dashing to the right. Every time it tried to lock onto him, it saw only a fading afterimage. -100, -99, -103, -208, -99 A flickering white silhouette danced among the howling fury of the giant blood wolf. A steady stream of red damage numbers, occasionally mixed with yellow crits, floated into the air without pause. A dozen seconds later The Mutant Blood Wolf, now dizzy and disoriented, let out a final, despairing wail before collapsingits brief existence as a Mini-Boss coming to an abrupt end. Ye Tianxie watched it fall with calm indifference. By now, he had already cleared out all the surrounding Blood Wolves before they could respawn. Had there been other wolves interfering, this battle wouldnt have been so easy. But a single Level 7, Three-Star Elite? If he couldnt even handle this, how could he ever live up to the title of "Unyielding Evil Emperor"? In town, Hunger increases by 1 every 5 minutes, while in combat, it increases by 1 every 3 minutes. Ye Tianxie swallowed his last steamed bun, barely reducing his Hunger to 70. It was time to return to the village and restock on food. Just as he turned around, a flash of blood-red light erupted in the distance. A colossal Blood Wolf, nearly twice the size of an ordinary one, materialized from the crimson glow. It lifted its head and let out a long, chilling howl. Ye Tianxie immediately halted. Without a shred of hesitation, he shifted his stance and slashed straight for its throat with Fates Hour!
Mutant Blood Wolf C Level 7, Three-Star Elite -102, -99, -101 Despite its elite status, its defense wasnt much higher than the Giant Direwolfs. Within three slashes, Ye Tianxie had already inflicted considerable damage. The Mutant Blood Wolf finally completed its dramatic entrance animation, its blood-red eyes locking onto Ye Tianxie. With a roar, it swiped a massive clawnearly as large as Ye Tianxies headstraight at him. Even in the dim light of the Valley of the Direwolves, the sharp, icy glint of its claws was still blinding. After the battle, Ye Tianxie casually looted the dropped equipment, not even bothering to check its stats before tossing it into his bag. Without a class, he couldnt equip it anywayout of sight, out of mind. A few shiny silver coins soon followed into his inventory. Then, crouching down, he instinctively used Beginners Harvesting on the Mutant Blood Wolfs corpse. Ding You have obtained Mutant Blood Wolfs Eye. Ding You have obtained Amethyst Necklace. Oh? Ye Tianxie raised an eyebrow at the dull purple-glowing necklace in his hand, momentarily caught off guard. In any virtual game, accessory equipment like necklaces, rings, and earrings were always the rarest drops, and they usually granted special attributes. Due to their rarity, even an Iron-grade necklace could be worth more than a Bronze-grade armor. But what was truly bizarre wasthis necklace wasnt looted from the Blood Wolf It was harvested from its corpse. Had this Mutant Blood Wolf somehow mutated into a necklace hoarder? Amethyst Necklace
A quest item? Ancient Ring of Life Ye Tianxie and the Lost Amethyst Necklace Ye Tianxie regretfully put the necklace back into his inventory, turned around, and left Wolf Valley, making his way back to the Beginners Village. By this time, it was already close to 8 PM, yet the Beginners Village remained bustling with activity. The lively noise was dominated by shouts of various trades, and the outskirts of the village were lined with all sorts of street stalls. "Level 3 battle axe with +7 attack1 point more than a regular white-tier axeonly 2 silver coins!" "Level 3 apprentice mage robe with +2 spirit! 1 gold coin, or trade for level 3 iron warrior gear!" "Top-tier grass shoes with +3 movement speed, 8 silver coins, no bargaining!" After an afternoon of hunting vicious wolves and blood wolves, and with his remarkable 10 points of Luck, Ye Tianxie had amassed over ten pieces of equipment in his inventory. Among them, four were steel-tier items with decent attributes, and not a single one was below level 5. At this early stage, even a single piece of steel equipment was enough to make players fight tooth and nail. If someone were to walk through the village fully equipped in steel gear, they would instantly become the center of attention, receiving envious and jealous gazes from countless players. Though Ye Tianxie had a stash of highly coveted gear in his inventory, he had no intention of setting up a stall to sell them. After all, for someone carrying over 100 gold coins, these were nothing more than pocket change. Ignoring the crowd, he walked straight to the village chief. Before Ye Tianxie could speak, the village chief, recognizing him instantly, lit up and greeted him first. "Brave adventurer, we meet again! Your eyes tell me that you have completed your mission brilliantly." "Yes, Village Chief, here are the wolf fangs as proof of my completion." Ye Tianxie handed over the 100 wolf fangs required for the quest. The elderly village chief squinted his eyes, nodding approvingly. "Good! You truly are a remarkable warrior. Here is your reward." Ding! "You have successfully completed the quest and received: 1,000 EXP, 5 silver coins, and a pair of level 5 steel boots." "Thank you, Village Chief." "No need to thank me. This is a well-earned reward for your bravery. Haha, such a polite young man." Ding... Beginner''s Village Chief #60001s favorability towards you has increased by +1. Ye Tianxie: "..." Sigh, this damn Charisma stat... With 20 pointstwice the max value for normal playershis Charisma was truly on another level. He smirked to himself, then took out the glowing amethyst necklace from his inventory and held it up to the village chief. "Village Chief, I found this on a blood wolf. Do you recognize it?"The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. The old man lowered his head slightly. The moment his half-closed eyes landed on the necklace, they widened in shock. His expression froze, and he remained silent for a long time. Finally, he reached out with a trembling, withered hand, grasping the purple gemstone necklace tightly. His entire body shook as he spoke, his voice quivering to the point of being almost inaudible. "This... this is... the necklace my son wore before he passed away!" Hearing this, Ye Tianxie instantly understood its origins. The necklace must have belonged to the village chiefs son, who had ventured into Wolf Valley alone and perished there. It must have been left behind, later picked up by the mutated blood wolf, and ultimately ended up in Ye Tianxies hands. The village chief clutched the necklace tightly, as if trying to meld it into his palm. His voice trembled with emotion. "This was the last gift my wife left for my son. It was his most precious possession in life. Seeing it now, its as if Im seeing my late wife and son again... I thought I would never lay eyes on it for the rest of my life... Thank you. Thank you, young man, for bringing back something so precious to me. When I look at this, I can almost see my sons heroic figure once more..." Tears streamed down the old mans weathered face. He held the amethyst necklace to his chest, silently mourning the distant past and his departed loved ones. Ye Tianxie remained silent. He knew that the old man needed this moment of peaceand that only once he was done reminiscing would he receive what was clearly a hidden quest reward. After a long while, the village chief finally opened his eyes. Wiping away his tears, he regained his composure, patted Ye Tianxie on the shoulder, and said, "You are not only a brave warrior but also a kindhearted one. I will remember this debt of gratitude... I have nothing valuable to repay you with, but take this ring that I once wore. I hope it aids you on your journey. I look forward to the day you become a true hero, bringing justice to those who threaten this world." A simple yet ancient ring appeared in the village chiefs hands, which he placed in Ye Tianxies palm. A faint blue glow shimmered on the rings surface A ringan incredibly valuable accessory-type item. And judging by the blue glow This was actually a steel-tier ring! [Ancient Ring of Life] Item Grade: Steel Equip Requirements: None Item Description: A ring that the village chief of Beginners Village #60001 found in the wild many years ago. Its origins are unknown. Attributes: +100 HP, regenerates 2 HP per second. Ye Tianxie was briefly stunned by the unexpected strength of the rings attributes. Without hesitation, he equipped the Ring of Life in front of the village chief and said sincerely, "Thank you, Village Chief. This ring will be of great help to me." "Haha, I am glad to hear that," the village chief chuckled, nodding slowly. Ding! "You have successfully completed the unique hidden quest [Lost Amethyst Necklace]. Rewards: 800 EXP, Special Equipment Ancient Ring of Life, Beginner''s Village Chief #60001''s favorability +20." Ding! "Beginners Village Chief #60001''s impression of you has increased to ''Confidant'' level." In Destiny, NPC favorability towards players had several tiers: The higher the favorability, the more friendly the NPCs would be, providing better guidance, granting more quests, and increasing the chances of triggering hidden tasks. Conversely, if favorability dropped below zero, players would face hostility, misleading directions, and even be unable to accept basic quests. When favorability reached -50 or lower, there was a chance that the NPC would attack. At -100, hostility was guaranteedan NPC would attack on sight, without hesitation. Reality or illusion? In less than a day, the village chief of Novice Village No. 60001 had already developed a deep trust in Ye Tianxie. This was undoubtedly an excellent start for his time in the novice village. After bidding farewell to the village chief, Ye Tianxie entered Blacksmith Old Wangs smithy. "Hello, Uncle Blacksmith. Here are 500 wolf fangs, which should last you for quite some time," Ye Tianxie said with a smile, placing all the wolf fangs he had gathered in front of Blacksmith Old Wang. The blacksmith paused his hammering and let out a gasp of admiration. "Brave warrior from another world, you have once again amazed me with your courage and dedication. Such high-quality forging materials I truly don''t know how to express my gratitude." Ding You have successfully completed the quest ''Blacksmith Old Wangs Commission.'' You received 1,200 EXP and a level 5 Apprentice Assassin Greaves. Due to exceeding the requirements of Old Wangs commission, his favorability towards you has increased by 15 points. Ding Blacksmith Old Wangs impression of you has risen to the level of deep trust. Ye Tianxie had completed the blacksmiths commission more than ten times over. Although the material rewards remained unchanged, the 15-point favorability boost was enough to make him very satisfied. Just as he was about to leave, Old Wangs voice suddenly called out from behind. "Kind-hearted warrior, may I take a look at the ring on your hand? I can sense a mysterious power flowing from it." Ye Tianxie quickly turned around and took off the Ancient Ring of Life, placing it in front of the blacksmith. Old Wang picked up the ring, examining it carefully for a while before looking up and saying, "As I suspected, this is a ring imbued with a mysterious power. However, due to its extreme age, it can no longer fully display its abilities. Brave warrior, would you be willing to entrust it to me? With my skills, I am confident that I can reforge it to unleash even greater strength. Consider this my humble way of repaying you for awakening my wife and helping me so much." "Of course," Ye Tianxie replied with a calm smile, but deep inside, he was so excited that he could have hugged and kissed the old blacksmith Favorability pointswhat a truly wonderful thing! "Thank you for your trust. I will need half a day to unlock its power. Come back then, and perhaps youll be in for a pleasant surprise," Old Wang said with a hearty laugh. "Alright." Leaving the smithy, Ye Tianxie bought a small pile of decent-tasting fruits from the general store, eating until his hunger level returned to zero. In a rare moment of conscience, he even set aside one of each fruit for Guo Guo. Speaking of which, ever since she returned to Eternal Moment, she hadnt come out againprobably, maybe, possibly, she had overslept. Ye Tianxie glanced at the time and closed his eyes, silently thinking: Log out. The world around him spun wildly, and when his vision stabilized, he was greeted by the familiar sight of his bedroom wall. The clock showed 8:00 PM. Having gone eight hours without food, he naturally felt famished. He sat up, grabbed the remote, and turned on the TV before heading to look for something to eat But the news broadcast on the screen suddenly made him stop in his tracks, his brows instinctively furrowing. "At 7:30 this evening, the CEO of Tianwai Group and the creator of Destiny, Pross, was found dead in his home under mysterious circumstances. The cause of death remains unknown, and authorities are currently conducting an urgent investigation. Based on his final expression and the suicide note confirmed to be in his handwriting, preliminary conclusions suggest suicide"Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Pross is dead!? The worlds major media outlets were reporting on this shocking news in extreme detail. No one could have anticipated that on the very day Destiny took the world by storm, its creator would perish According to reports, there were no visible injuries on Prosss body, nor any signs of internal damage. No traces of lethal substances were found in his system. And yet, he was inexplicably dead. Even the worlds top doctors attempted to revive him using the most advanced cardiac defibrillators, but to no avail. Beside his body lay a lengthy suicide note. The most critical lines read: "The online player count, surpassing anything in history, proves Destinys success. My lifelong dream has finally been fulfilled, and I can now depart this unremarkable life in peace. Though I may no longer be in this world, Destiny will never fall. Alpha has returned to his homeland and will continue to oversee Destiny from afar" The final line of the note, written in deep, blood-red ink, read: "Cherish your destiny!" This eerie, striking statement triggered global speculation and debate. The phrase alone spawned countless theories that flooded the internet. Ye Tianxies gaze locked onto the TV screen, focusing on Prosss serene expression in death. There was no regretonly a sense of fulfillment and relief. His mind replayed Prosss final words from his midday press conference, which now seemed laden with hidden meanings. After contemplating for a long time, Ye Tianxie murmured, "Pross what is it that you wanted to say but couldnt?" At that moment "Oh la la That was such a good nap. Did Master miss me? Huh? Where is this place?" Hearing this clear, familiar voice, Ye Tianxiewho had always been calm and composedsuddenly froze as if struck by lightning, his expression turning to complete shock. Hallucination This must be a hallucination But a floating ball of white light shattered his self-delusion. The white light rose, slowly ascending to his eye level. Then, it dispersed, revealing a small girl twirling gracefully in midair. Her jet-black hair and snow-white dress fluttered gently as she spun, her delicate face coming into view. "Huh? Master, whats wrong? Why are you staring at me like that? Did you miss me that much?" Guo Guo pouted, pressing her hands against her cheeks in an adorable, bashful expression. Seeing Ye Tianxie remain motionless, she puffed up her cheeks and hesitantly poked his forehead with her tiny finger. "Eyaa Master?" The sensation on his forehead jolted Ye Tianxie back to reality. He shook his head violently, his eyes locked onto Guo Guo. He reached up and touched the spot where she had just poked himthen shook his head again. She was still there, staring at him curiously. A hallucination Or maybe not a hallucination? What the hell is going on?! Ye Tianxie suddenly reached out, cupping Guo Guos tiny body in his hands. The soft, cotton-like sensation in his palms was unmistakably realthere was no way this was just an illusion. Guo Guo shifted nervously in his hands, looking up with a pitiful expression. "Master Are you mad at me for sleeping too much?" "Guo Guo," Ye Tianxie stared at her seriously. "Answer me honestlywho exactly are you? And why are you here in the real world?" "Huh?" Guo Guo blinked, processing his words for a moment before suddenly covering her mouth in shock. Her big eyes widened, her face filled with panic as she mumbled, "T-This This is another world? Oh no, oh no, I mustve overslept too much and didnt realize where I was going before I ran out! No wonder everything smells so weird Uuu, what do I do, what do I do? I wasnt supposed to come out so soon Uuu, what do I do now" Ye Tianxie heard every word of her distressed murmuring loud and clear. So she came here by accident!? This little troublemaker Ye Tianxie collapsed onto the sofa, his mind still reeling from shock. With a sigh, he said, "Guo Guo, if you call me Master, then you should listen to me. If you hide things from me, I might get really mad." "Uuuu" Guo Guo shook her head vigorously, then timidly looked up at him. She hesitated for a moment before softly whispering, "I want a lollipop." Thud! Ye Tianxie fell face-first onto the floor. Buying candy, kidnapping The summer night was cool, with a gentle breeze drifting through the air. Ye Tianxie walked alone down a bustling street illuminated by countless lights, his hands tucked into his pockets. The flow of people and traffic passing by failed to catch even a sliver of his attention. His mind was preoccupied with the image of Guoguo appearing in this world just moments ago. All the answers must lie within this "Moment of Fate." He reached for the black pendant hanging on his chest. Whether it was the world of destiny or the real world, Guoguo had emerged from within this object. This inexplicable and miraculous "Moment of Fate" could exist freely between the world of fate and the world of the game. But why? What had she left behind for him? Who... was she? Ye Tianxies steps suddenly halted. This was a question he had avoided and forgotten for many years, yet now it surged through his heart like a long-buried tide. He exhaled deeply before continuing forward. After crossing three streets, he finally arrived at the nearest vending machine. Although the villa district where he lived had no shortage of 24-hour supermarkets, the thought of a grown man running out in the middle of the night to buy a heap of lollipops was simply too embarrassing. He could already imagine the cashiers bewildered stare piercing through him. Glancing around cautiously to make sure no one was watching, Ye Tianxie pulled out a hundred-yuan bill and fed it into the machine. He tapped the lollipop button twenty times in quick succession. A stream of colorful candies clattered into the collection tray. After another quick scan of his surroundings, he nonchalantly stuffed them into his pocket, making sure they were well concealed. Just as he was about to leave, he hesitated for a moment before turning back. Fishing out another hundred-yuan bill, he purchased ten assorted chocolate bars, filling his other pocket to the brim. Mission accomplished! Letting out a small sigh of relief, he quickened his pace back home. Never in his life had he imagined hed one day sneak out just to buy candy for a little girl. But Guoguos innocent, pitiful, and expectant gaze had utterly defeated him. Night had completely fallen. A dark cloud veiled the incomplete moon, stripping the land of its faint silver glow. The city lights flickered, flaunting their brilliance, yet they could never illuminate the countless sins and filth hidden in the darkness. Ye Tianxie had always seen himself as an outsider, someone fundamentally out of sync with reality. At times, he was cold and withdrawn; at others, he did things most wouldn''t dare to attempt. What was it that he truly sought? Even he was still searching for the answer. Observing the world with detached eyes, peering into corners unseen by ordinary people, he felt himself drifting further and further away from it all.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. *"Blue, you are so sky." "White, you are so cloud." He gazed up at the darkened sky, its clouds painted in dull, shifting shapes, and recited a poem so dreadful it would make his elementary school teacher weep and dive headfirst into a sewer. A cool breeze swept past his ears. Ye Tianxie tilted his head slightly, savoring its faint freshness, tainted though it was with the scent of the citys pollution. Then, his footsteps stopped. His gaze shifted slightly to the righttoward a dimly lit alley in the distance. "Mmmph mmph let go of me help someone" A trace of mockery curled at the corner of Ye Tianxies lips. He withdrew his gaze without a second glance and continued walking. The capital of Huaxia, the nations grandest metropolis, was riddled with filthboth seen and unseen. He had long since grown numb to it. What had once sparked anger had gradually become mere routine, until eventually, he ceased to care at all. Perhaps this was just another law of reality, one he no longer had any interest in interfering with. The muffled cries were over a hundred meters away, far beyond the ears of ordinary people. No one would see what was happening in that dark corner. Turning a street corner, Ye Tianxie casually glanced in that directionthen stopped in his tracks once more. Through the night, his gaze cut across the distance, locking onto the terrified face of a girl in that alley. Something about her felt familiar. Not distant, but recentso recent, it was as if he had just seen her earlier that day. A moment later, realization dawned on him. Sighing in mild exasperation, he turned around and walked toward the alley, muttering under his breath, "Lucky you. You must have checked your horoscope before heading out today."
"Hurry up! Her bodyguards arent ordinary people. If they find her, were in trouble." "Tch! Those idiots are probably still running in circles, chasing their own tails. Hah, elite mercenaries from the Cheetah Organization? What a joke. All it took was a simple diversion, and they scattered like headless chickens." The man with a buzz cut, dressed entirely in black, sneered. "Enough. Get her in the van." Under the shroud of night, the rear door of a black van slid open. A girl, her mouth sealed with tape, was shoved roughly toward the vehicle. Her eyes widened in terror as she struggled desperately, muffled whimpers escaping her throat. Four men in black. Their expressions and attire made their intent clearthey didnt even need a sign that read "Were criminals." "Ah, what a beautiful night," a lazy voice echoed suddenly. The four men stiffened instantly, their heads whipping around. A young man stood leisurely in the dimly lit distance, dressed in casual loungewear. A relaxed smile played on his lips, yet, inexplicably, just the sight of him sent a chill down their spines. None of them had noticed when he had arrived. Not a single one. The leader of the group quickly masked his surprise. He spat out his cigarette, his sharp, wolf-like eyes gleaming coldly in the darkness. "Take care of him," he ordered flatly. "Mmmph!" The girl let out a desperate whimper, her frightened eyes fixed on the unexpected figure. She had nearly lost all hope. But now, like a drowning person grasping at a lifeline, she thrashed with renewed desperation. Click! A metallic sound sliced through the air. A silver handgun was raised, its barrel aimed directly at Ye Tianxies forehead. A sinister smirk crept across the four mens faces. Bulletproof Fate and the Lollipop-Loving Loli The dark muzzle of the gun made Ye Tianxie narrow his eyes, but instead of fear, his smile grew even brighter. Taking a step forward, he lazily said, Youd better put that gun down. I dont particularly like people pointing guns at me. Otherwise the consequences might be more than you can afford. Hah, idiot. The man in black holding the gun sneered as if he had just heard the most ridiculous joke. Their leader said coldly, Enough talk. Finish him. Bang! By the 23rd century, silencers had been perfected to near-flawlessness. The bullet left the barrel with nothing more than a faint, barely audible sound. Ten steps. Ye Tianxie was no more than ten steps away from them. The instant the gun fired, the bullet had already struck him squarely in the forehead. His steps came to a halt. Ugh ugh The young girl, overwhelmed with despair, shut her eyes tightly, not daring to witness the horrifying scene of this man, who had suddenly appeared, collapsing in a spray of blood. But then, a soft ding reached her earsthe sound of metal falling onto a hard surface. Silence. The surroundings fell eerily quiet, as if they had suddenly become a ghostly abyss. A faint breeze swept through the sweltering summer night, but instead of bringing relief, it sent an unnatural chill down the spines of the four men in black, as though it carried with it the cold breath of hell itself. There was no blood. In the shrinking pupils of the four men, they could see the bullethaving struck Ye Tianxies foreheadfalling harmlessly to the ground with a crisp, almost taunting sound. Their minds went blank. What did they just witness? An illusion? Or were their eyes playing tricks on them? The young girl finally summoned the courage to open her eyes. Looking at Ye Tianxiecompletely unharmed, without a single woundher eyes filled with disbelief. Ye Tianxie raised a hand and lightly pressed the spot where the bullet had struck. Slowly, a grin spread across his lipsa grin that, in the eyes of the four men in black, looked like that of a demon straight from the depths of hell. He hadnt been hurt, but he still felt a slight sting. Thinking back, he couldnt even remember the last time someone had dared to point a gun at him or when that person had met their end. With a loud clatter, the silver handgun fell to the ground. The man who had been holding it trembled violently, his hands shaking uncontrollably. At such close range, this man had blocked a bullet with his bare bodyno, with his head. The sheer impossibility of it, the nightmarish horror, shattered his mental defenses completely. An Esper! the leader stammered, his face turning pale as he instinctively stepped back. Espers a realm beyond their reach, beyond what mere mortals could ever hope to contend with. His foot had barely touched the ground when a dark shadow flashed before him, carrying with it a bone-chilling wind. A sharp, searing pain erupted from his chesthis heart. As his consciousness faded, he heard that terrifying man whisper in his ear: Sorry to disappoint you. Im not. The four men in black collapsed almost simultaneously. If anyone had been watching, they wouldnt have been able to see what had happenedonly that, in the blink of an eye, they had all dropped to the ground like puppets with their strings cut. Ye Tianxie clapped his hands together and sighed with mock pity. I was only planning to leave you as four brain-dead fools but since you were so eager to die, I might as well grant your wish. Raising an eyebrow, Ye Tianxie turned his gaze to the girl, who was still staring at him in a daze. He walked over, lifted her up, snapped the ropes binding her wrists, and removed the tape covering her mouth. Under the faint light, a delicate and slightly stunned face came into view. Her long, silky hair fell over her shoulders, her elegant features radiating a mesmerizing beauty. Despite her pale complexion, an air of noble grace lingered around hershe was clearly no ordinary girl. All right, you can go home now. Ye Tianxie supported her gently. Yet, even after a long pause, she remained silent. Half-leaning against him, her tear-filled eyes shimmered like starlit dewdrops. Her lips, pale from fear, trembled lightly, her breathing soft and uneven. She had yet to fully recover from the shock. The girl was slender and tall, only half a head shorter than Ye Tianxie. As she leaned closer, she caught the unmistakable scent of himwarm, distinctly masculine. In her daze, she forgot her situation entirely, not even realizing she was leaning against a mans chest. She simply gazed at him as if trapped in a dream. A dangerous, electrifying sensation spread from her waist. The warmth of his large, calloused hand pressing against her sent a flush rising up her neck. Her fair skin turned a soft pink as she suddenly snapped back to her senses. Like a startled rabbit, she leapt away, eyes wide with alarm. Ye Tianxie turned his back to her, his voice cool and indifferent. Goodbye, beautiful lady. Be more careful next time. Its best not to wander alone at night.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. She stood frozen as his words replayed in her mind. She had nearly been kidnapped. Then, he had appeared then he had stopped a bullet with his head and then, in the blink of an eye, those men had all collapsed. Her mind finally pieced together everything that had happened. By the time she snapped out of her daze, Ye Tianxie was already far ahead. Wait! Whats your name!? she shouted, leaning against a car for support, her voice urgent. Ye Tianxie didnt stop walking. His voice floated back lazily, Lei Feng. Lei Feng? Lei Feng your lollipop fell. Ye Tianxie stumbled. If there had been a sewer grate nearby, he would have gladly lifted it and crawled inside. His pace quickened, and in an instant, he had disappeared into the night. Such a heroic rescue. Such a towering, godlike image. Ruined. All because of a single lollipop. Hey! Dont just leave like that The girls voice rang out again, but he was already gone. She watched his retreating figure disappear into the distance, her gaze flickering in confusion. That back why did it seem so familiar? Miss! Miss! Hurried footsteps approached. Soon, five middle-aged men in black suits rushed over, panting heavily. Seeing the black van and the four motionless bodies on the ground, their expressions changed drastically. Miss, are you all right? These men Im fine! I meanIm not fine! She stomped her foot angrily, her voice making the men lower their heads in guilt. I was almost kidnapped! If it werent for someone saving me, Id already beugh! Our deepest apologies, Miss. It was our negligence. Before, it was always Master Feng protecting you, and this time, without him, we instinctively chased after the attackers we failed you. When we return, we will accept any punishment. But Miss, these men? One of them knelt down and checked for a pulse. Moments later, he stood up, his face grim. All dead. Dead? Dead!? The girl gasped, stepping back in shock. Her hands flew to her mouth. That man the one who blocked a bullet, the one who took them all down in an instant Was he an Esper, just like her father had warned her about? As she tried to process it all, another memory surfacedthe earlier incident in the day. The moment she thought about it, the two figures in her mind merged into one. The clothes the shoes AHHH! She pointed forward, her voice trembling with realization. Hes the pervert who groped me this morning!!! Lei Feng, your lollipop fell. Back home, after closing the door, Ye Tianxie recalled the words called out from behind him. At that moment, he felt an overwhelming urge to just drop dead. "Oh la la! Master, you''re back! Did you buy lollipops? Did you?" As soon as she saw Ye Tianxie, Guoguo, who had already explored every corner of his home, flew over in excitement, her voice full of urgency. Lollipops Ye Tianxies face darkened. With a defeated sigh, he collapsed onto the sofa and muttered weakly, "No And from now on, don''t ever mention lollipops again!" Guoguos excited expression vanished instantly. She blinked, and in the next second, her face was filled with deep grievance. Wuu Master, you promised me You promised to buy me lollipops You cant go back on your word How could you lie to the cutest, most obedient Guoguo At that moment, Guoguo looked as pitiful as could beher soft pink cheeks flushed, her tiny hands twisting the hem of her dress anxiously, her big, glistening eyes filled with unshed tears, like a misty rain over a deep blue mountain lake. Her little mouth pouted as if she were about to burst into tears any second, as though she had suffered the greatest injustice in the world. Guoguos pitiful act was an ultimate weapon capable of breaking through any defense. At the very least, Ye Tianxies defenses crumbled instantly. He hurriedly took a lollipop out of his pocket and placed it in front of her. Relax, I was just messing with you. LookI got you a lollipop. The speed at which Guoguos expression changed was nothing short of miraculous. The moment she saw the lollipop, her previous grievance vanished without a trace. Her teary eyes sparkled with excitement as she floated up, grabbed the large lollipop with both hands, and let out a cheerful exclamation. Wow! So this is a lollipop? Its so pretty! Yes. Ye Tianxie regretted not buying a watermelon insteadthen he could have seriously told her that was a lollipop. Waaah Oh la la! Master is the best! The absolute best! Guoguo cheered joyfully, clutching the lollipop as she flitted around in the air, her little hands eagerly fiddling with it. In no time, she had figured out how to unwrap the transparent packaging all on her own. She leaned in and took a sniffthe fruity aroma made her close her eyes in delight, a look of pure bliss appearing on her face. Then, carefully, she stuck out her little pink tongue and gave it a gentle lick. Wah! So sweet! Its really delicious! Guoguos eyes shone even brighter as she let out a string of delighted exclamations. Holding the lollipop in both hands, she kept licking it, her tiny tongue moving rhythmically The sight made Ye Tianxie space out for a moment. After casually grabbing something to eat for dinner, Ye Tianxie glanced at the clockit was already 9:30 PM. His daily meals had no set schedule; he ate purely to fill his stomach, and more often than not, he had no idea what he had just eaten, nor did he care about the taste. As for Guoguos dinner If she even needed dinner, it was the lollipop she was holding. Even after a long time, she had only managed to eat half of it. Ye Tianxie stood up and said, Guoguo, Im going to take a shower. Stay here, watch TV, eat your candy, and dont run around. Got it, Master! Guoguo is the best-behaved! Guoguo obediently continued licking her lollipop, her starry eyes fixed excitedly on the TV screen. Inside the bathroom, reclining lazily in the cool water, Ye Tianxie finally had a moment of peace to reflect on everything that had happened after entering the world of Destiny today. The appearance of the Eternal Moment of Fate, the appearance of Guoguo and how she had also shown up in his real life. It all felt so surreal, as if he were caught in an illusion too strange to accept. Lowering his head, he lifted the black pendant resting on his chestthis item, named Eternal Moment of Fate. Closing his eyes, a celestial figure, haunting and unforgettable, surfaced in his mind. This pendant was the only thing she had left behind when she departed all those years ago. He had never once taken it off, not even while bathing. Perhaps he could gradually find some answers from Guoguo, who was mysterious in every possible way. But first, he had to slowly win over this little one like buying her candythat would be step one. Thinking of Guoguo holding the lollipop with such joy, Ye Tianxie couldnt help but smile. The cool water lowered his body temperature, washing away the lingering heat of the summer night. Ye Tianxie let out a long, relaxed sigh, pushing aside his thoughts as he closed his eyes, enjoying the refreshing sensation of being submerged in water. He felt so comfortable that he almost wanted to drift off to sleep right then and there. Eeeh! So Master is taking a bath Oh la la! I love baths the most! I wanna take one too! The Bronze Ring and the Fate Core!
Yiya! So Master was taking a bath Oh la la! I love bathing the most! I want to bathe too! A crisp voice suddenly rang in Ye Tianxies ears, sending a shiver down his spine. He nearly jumped straight out of the bathtub. The door was clearly locked tightthere was no way even the smallest gap existed, so there was no way Guoguo could have gotten in. Even if she somehow had, he should have noticed. But the voice was undeniably right next to him. Before Ye Tianxies exaggerated expression could recover, Guoguo floated lightly in front of him. She had just barely finished dealing with her lollipop when she realized that her master was missing. Following his presence, she tracked him here, and the moment she saw the bath, an intense urge to join in overwhelmed her. Oh la la! Bath time! Guoguo brushed her hands over her body, and instantly, Ye Tianxies vision blurred. The next second, his eyes widened to their limits. Right before him was a soft, snow-white silhouette. The little dress Guoguo had been wearing had disappeared completely, revealing a tender, flawless body as white as jade. Her pitch-black hair cascaded over her snowy shoulders, making her fair skin seem even more dazzling. Her body was like a piece of pure, translucent snow jadeso delicate that one would hesitate to touch it. On her chest, two small, gently rounded mounds sat like upturned snow bowls, their shape distinct and their soft pink peaks clearly visible. Below, her slender legs were pressed gently together, smooth and flawless, without a single strand of hair. Her tiny, milky-white feet floated in the air, her toes round and crystalline like polished pearls. She was unbelievably small, her body so pure and ethereal that it seemed untainted by the mortal world, without the slightest imperfection or impurity. Wow~! With an excited cheer as if from the heavens, Guoguo descended, plunging herself into the water, creating a splash as small as her body. Only then did Ye Tianxie snap out of his daze, instinctively covering his nose. Guoguo, who let you in?! Ye Tianxie pinched himself in secret, trying to shift his gaze elsewhere and divert his thoughts. Beneath Guoguos innocent and pure appearance, she concealed an almost impossibly perfect body. And in front of such a tiny little thing, he had nearly lost control. Because I want to take a bath too, Guoguo surfaced from the water, grinning happily. Girls and boys cant bathe together! Oh la? Why not? Guoguos face was filled with innocent confusion. Ye Tianxie struggled for a long time, but he couldnt find a proper answer. Why? Should he explain the concept of propriety between men and women? Even if he tried, Guoguo probably wouldnt understand. Oh la? Master, you look so weird Huh? Whats this long, big thing? How strange, why dont I have one? Ah? Its so warm here and its getting a little bigger DONT TOUCH IT!! Waa Master is so fierce But I want to touch it Eh? Eh? Eh? Eh?! Its getting even bigger!
Wow! So this is Masters bed? So soft, so comfy! Even better than sleeping on flower petals! Guoguo lay on the bed with blissful satisfaction, rolling around and reveling in the never-before-experienced softness. She kept shifting positionslying on her back, crawling, turning sideways, or just rolling back and forthher airy laughter continuing until she finally dozed off into a sweet sleep. Ye Tianxie, however, remained awake for a long time, occasionally glancing at the peacefully sleeping Guoguo beside him. Even in her dreams, her expression was so charming that he felt an impulse to kiss this little thing. Who was she? Where had she come from? What secrets was she hiding? He didnt know. All he knew was that from this moment on, his life would be completely different. Having grown accustomed to solitude, he now found himself with an unexpected companionone who would undoubtedly cause him endless headaches, yet one he did not reject at all.
By the time Ye Tianxie woke up the next day, the sun was already high in the sky. Beside him, Guoguo was still fast asleep. She wasnt exactly a well-behaved sleeperthroughout the night, she had unconsciously grabbed him awake three times. And now, her sleeping posture was outright improper: her delicate arms were sprawled out, and her slender legs were spread wide open. Ye Tianxie quietly observed her for a moment, then carefully got out of bed and left the bedroom. After a quick breakfast, he sat on the sofa, pressed his fingers against the wristband on his left hand, and mentally commanded himself to enter the world of Destiny. As his eyes closed, the pitch-black pendant on his chest mysteriously disappeared once again. At the same time, Guoguo, who had been peacefully asleep in the bedroom, also slowly faded away.
Destiny World Ye Tianxie reappeared right beside the item shop where he had logged out the previous night. Taking a quick glance at the still-bustling crowd, he moved toward the blacksmiths shop. Level 5 full-strength warrior looking for a party to farm Little Green Snakes!This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it Big bro, can you spare a steamed bun? Im starving Selling premium apples! Cheaper than the store by two copper coins! Limited stock, hurry and buy! In Destiny, the body remains in a state of deep relaxation, and the brain enters a semi-sleep state. While it cant replace real sleep, it significantly reduces the need for it. For young people with boundless energy, staying online for 24 hours straight wasnt even an issue. The previous night, Ye Tianxie had reached level 4. Overnight, the average player level had risen to level 4, with many already hitting level 5. Food in the game was outrageously expensiveat least for penniless newbies who could barely afford health potions. A single steamed bun that reduced 30 hunger points cost a whopping 5 silver coins! The same price as an apple that only reduced 10 hunger pointsthough the latter was crisp and sweet, while the former was dry and hard to swallow. Because of this, while not many players died to monsters, a huge number were starving to death. The newbie village was filled with food beggars, making it nearly impossible for new players to accumulate much wealth. Most of their precious copper coins barely covered the cost of food. At the blacksmiths shop, the old blacksmith, Wang, immediately spotted him and broke into a rare smile. Ah, my eager young warrior, Ive been waiting for you! Here, this is your ring. I finally succeeded in imbuing it with even stronger mystical power. A silver ring was placed into Ye Tianxies hand. Its shape was identical to yesterdays, but its previously dull surface now gleamed with a faint golden hue. The moment Ye Tianxie caught sight of the subtle yellow glow on its surface, his heart pounded with excitement. Yesterday, the ring had only emitted a weak blue light. But now, it was radiating yellowthe unmistakable glow of a bronze-tier artifact! The Ancient Life Ring: A bronze artifact, no special requirements to wear. The village chief of Newbie Village No. 60001 had unknowingly picked up this ring in the wild many years ago. Its origins were unknown, but after being carefully forged by Old Wang, the blacksmith of Newbie Village No. 60001, its power was greatly enhanced: Attribute: Life +200, automatic life regeneration of 5 points per second. It was indeed a Qingtong artifact, and the current attributes were more than double what they had been yesterday! Suppressing his excitement, Ye Tianxie put on the Life Ring. His health instantly increased by nearly half, and he politely said, "Thank you, Blacksmith Uncle, your forging has been a great help." "Hehe, hearing that makes me very pleased," Old Wang the blacksmith nodded and smiled. After purchasing a few of the most cost-effective steamed buns from the store, Ye Tianxie quickly headed north, aiming for the Wolf Valley once again. At least for now, no other players would venture into the Blood Wolf''s territory, which still belonged to him alone. After a night''s "rest," the Blood Wolf territory, once cleared by Ye Tianxie, was once again filled with wolves. Perhaps due to the strong enemy''s invasion yesterday, they appeared in groups of three to five or seven to eight, with no lone wolves in sight. This worked to Ye Tianxie''s advantage, as he stepped into the territory and immediately charged toward the pack, causing the once-quiet valley to resound with the screams of the blood wolves. In no time, the once-dense pack of wolves became sparse. Due to the Newbie Village''s effect, the blood wolves respawned very slowly, and their regeneration rate couldn''t keep up with Ye Tianxie''s slaughter. The death cries of the wolves finally woke up Guoguo, who had been peacefully sleeping. The Eternity Fate Mark in Ye Tianxie''s hand flickered with a brief white light, and Guoguo''s body materialized next to his shoulder. Half-closed eyes, stretching lazily, she murmured, "Ah, that was such a good sleep." With a wave of the Fate Mark, the four blood wolves Ye Tianxie had lured together collapsed at his feet. He turned around and said, "Guoguo, did you forget something?" Guoguo blinked her big innocent eyes and said, "Huh? Forget something? I don''t remember." "You said yesterday that if I bought you a lollipop, you''d tell me what the Fate Core is. I don''t like it when little girls go back on their word," Ye Tianxie raised an eyebrow and struck at a freshly spawned blood wolf in front of him. Guoguo rubbed her eyes, giggling, "Oh, I remember now! Hehe, the lollipop you gave me was really delicious, no wonder my sister said... Hmm, what was the Fate Core again? Let me think, I think I forgot. I''ll try hard to remember." Ye Tianxie: "..." Ye Tianxie''s movements became even more agile as the blood wolves attacked, his body dodging in and out of positions in the span of a second. Guoguo, like his little shadow, hovered closely behind him, her bright eyes looking up as she tapped her chin with a small white hand, seemingly lost in thought. But after a long while, Ye Tianxie still hadnt received an answer. "Hmm... I really cant remember... Dont worry, Master, Ill think of it eventually!" Guoguo smiled sheepishly. Behind Ye Tianxie, she wiggled her little hand, and a lollipop appeared in her grasp. Having had experience unwrapping one before, she quickly peeled off the thin wrapper, licking the lollipop as she continued to think. ...The lollipop seemed to work wonders, as Guoguos intellect suddenly seemed to jump. Without warning, she shouted excitedly in Ye Tianxie''s ear, causing him to jump in surprise and almost get bitten by a blood wolf. "Master, I remember! The Fate Core is the power core of the Fate Mark in your hand. There are seven of them!" Ye Tianxie quickly cleared away the nearby blood wolves, then turned back and asked, "Power core?" "Yes, the power core. Master, look..." Guoguo said eagerly. "The seven missing spots on the Fate Mark originally had seven Fate Cores. Then, for some reason, they disappeared, and that''s why the Fate Mark''s power became so weak... Let me think... There are seven Fate Cores: the first one is red, called Blood Feather... The second... I can''t remember, but I know its orange... Then there''s yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple..." As Guoguo spoke, she tried her best to recall, her little tongue unconsciously licking the lollipop in her hand. Ye Tianxie patiently waited, not interrupting her, his gaze falling on the Fate Mark in his hand. As Guoguo described, the seven strange gaps on the Fate Mark were originally meant to hold seven Fate Cores, each containing immense power. The Fate Mark itself was a vessel for these Cores'' power. Without the Fate Cores, the Fate Mark would be nothing more than an empty artifact, lacking true strength. Red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple... The seven empty gaps on the Fate Mark shimmered with faint hues of these colors, clearly representing the seven scattered colors of sunlight. The first Fate Core was the red Blood Feather. Blood Feather? A blood-colored feather? Ye Tianxie''s gaze moved upward, and indeed, the uppermost gap was shaped like a feather. He had become very familiar with the shapes of these gaps, and up until today, he had always thought they resembled narrow flames. "Where are these seven Fate Cores?" Ye Tianxie looked at Guoguo. As soon as he asked, his expression froze, and his pupils contracted in shock, as if he had seen something unbelievable. "I dont know. But I know the Eternal Fate Mark is very powerful. A long time ago, the Fate Mark suddenly appeared on the Lost Continent. No one knew where it came from Later, the highest deity of the Lost Continent used the Eternal Fate Mark to defeat the most terrible evil monsters. These monsters were then sealed in the Fate Tower by the Fate Mark. But then the Fate Mark disappeared... and it reappeared in your hands, Master. How strange!" Guoguo said with a curious expression. But there was one thing she wasnt curious aboutwhy she had appeared from the Eternal Fate Mark! "No matter what happened, the Fate Cores never disappear. If you can find them, Master, you''ll become very powerful... Huh? Why are you looking at me like that... Huh? Huh? Huh? Do you want a lollipop too? No, no! Lollipops are for the cutest, most obedient little Guoguo, Master cant have any!" Seeing Ye Tianxie''s gaze fixed on the lollipop in her hands, Guoguo hurriedly clutched it protectively, taking a few cautious steps back, her eyes wary. The Most Infuriating Quest in Novice Village 60001 The Core of FateA Glimpse into the Unknown He had already grasped a rough idea of what the Core of Fate was. But as for where they werehe had no clue. Yet at this very moment, he suddenly saw a goal. A goal that made his heart race, a goal he desperately longed to achieve. Or perhaps, this goal had already existed within him long ago, ever since she left. It had always been there, buried deep in his hearthe just never knew how to reach it. He had to uncover the secret of the Mark of Fate. That way, he might finally understand why she left back then and where she had gone. Though, perhaps, this was nothing more than his own wishful thinking. But even if there was only a sliver of hope to find her, he was willing to do whatever it took, no matter the cost. The Core of Fate... A sudden belief took root in his heartif he could gather all seven Cores of Fate and reforge the true Eternal Mark of Fate, then he would find the answer he so desperately sought. But right now, none of that mattered!! Guo Guo! Ye Tianxie shook his head vigorously. He had never doubted his own eyesight, yet at this moment, he found himself questioning it once again. The last time this happened, it was also because of Guo Guo, because of the Mark of Fate, because of Destiny. Where did you get that lollipop?! The pendant around his neck had appeared in the world of Destiny, and that had already shocked him. But now, Guo Guo had appeared in the real worldhis first instinct had been to believe he was dreaming. And now, once again, he was witnessing something that nearly made him lose control That lollipophe had bought it for Guo Guo just yesterday! A real-world item, something that should never have existed in this world! Hmph! Guo Guo pouted, looking both dissatisfied and proud. Master, youre so mean! You clearly brought so many lollipops yesterday, but you only gave me one So while you were sleeping, I secretly took all of them! Its no use being mad at me now! Hmph hmph hmph! She stole them all while I was sleeping? Ye Tianxies face twitched. But that wasnt the point! His expression turned serious. Guo Guo, you can bring things from that world into this one? Huh? Bring things from that world into this one? Guo Guo tilted her head, repeating his words. Then suddenly, her eyes widened in panic. Ah!! She gasped, both hands flying up to cover her mouth, and the lollipop in her grasp fell to the ground. Ye Tianxie took a step forward and picked it up. There was no doubt about itthis was the exact same lollipop he had bought for her yesterday. The discarded wrapper lying nearby was undeniable proof. The candy was fresh, clearly just taken out, and aside from the fact that it was now covered in Guo Guos shiny drool, it was unchanged. Lollipop: A sweet treat loved by children. Effect: Restores 5 Hunger and 5 HP upon use. It even had stats. Ye Tianxie had the sudden urge to smack himself in the head. Once again, his understanding of the world had been completely shattered. Uuu Im done for! I wasnt paying attention and didnt realize I was back here And I just took it out to eat Uuu, Master found out What do I do? What do I do?! Big Sis said I shouldnt let him find out so soon! Uuu What should I do now Guo Guo covered her lips, eyes wide with distress, her crystal-like pupils shimmering with unshed tears. Her voice was barely a whisper, but Ye Tianxie heard every word loud and clear. Clearly, this tiny little thing was hiding many secretssecrets she absolutely did not want to reveal. Like the fact that she could appear in the real world. Or that she could bring real-world objects into the world of Destiny. Yet in less than two days, her simple mindfar less scheming than an ordinary personshad caused her to spill every single secret. If not for Ye Tianxie pointing it out, she wouldnt have even realized it herself. Ye Tianxie took a deep breath, calming the storm within him. Guo Guo, so you really can bring things from the real world into this one Who are you, really? Guo Guos eyes turned pitiful, and her voice shrank to a whisper. Master uuu I cant tell you. Ye Tianxie narrowed his eyes. He thought of Prolos cryptic words at his last press conference, thought of his sudden passing and his will, and then recalled all the impossible events of the past two days. He shook his head firmly. No. Then what was the truth? He raised the Mark of Fate and charged toward the distant Blood Wolf pack. The truth is something only the strong are qualified to know. Fate is always in the hands of the strong. In any world, this was an eternal, unchanging law. He wouldnt force Guo Guo to tell him anythinghe doubted hed get much from her even if he tried. Instead, he would find out everything he wanted to know with his own power. And really, wasnt that the principle he had always lived by? Noon, under the crooked tree. Ye Tianxie wordlessly handed over one thousand wolf eyes to the strange old woman.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. After days of gathering, his basic Gathering skill had improved significantly. If he kept up this pace, he could reach the intermediate level in less than a month. Ding You have completed the quest The Sealed Elders Request. Reward: 1,000 EXP, 10 gold coins. "Thank you, young man. These wolf eyes will be of great use to me." The old woman studied him with hollow, lifeless eyes. Then, she spoke again. Young man, I can see that you are kind-hearted and courageous. Would you be willing to help me gather 10,000 wolf eyes? Ye Tianxie: !!%@WHAT?! "Why cant you tell me the truth?" "Because Master has not yet gathered the seven Cores of Fate. You are not qualified to know. Otherwise if Master knew Master would die. Ye Tianxie: !? Thats why I wont tell you, Master! No asking, no asking, no asking!! Guo Guo puffed up her cheeks and shouted, then in a flash of white light, she disappeared. Ye Tianxie fell silent, lost in thought. But thenanother flash of white light. Guo Guo reappeared, darting forward. Before Ye Tianxie could react, she snatched the lollipop from his hand and vanished once more. Ye Tianxie stared at his now-empty palm, utterly speechless. Guo Guos obsession with lollipops was something beyond his comprehension. The world of Destiny was it really just a simple game? The old woman gazed at him with empty, soulless eyes and repeated her request. The only difference was this time 10,000 wolf eyes. "Ding The Sealed Elder has asked you to collect 10,000 wolf eyes. Quest difficulty: Normal. Time limit: None. Reward: Unknown. Do you accept?" If not for the fundamental rule of never angering an NPC, he would have spat out two words: Go. Die. Yet, despite himself, he responded: Accept. And turned away without hesitation. If he stayed a second longer, the old woman might just get herself killed by the Mark of Fate. That very night, a post titled The Most Disgusting Quest in Novice Village 60001 appeared on the Destiny forums in the Huaxia region. Written with sheer frustration, the post detailed the excruciating process of the Wolf Eye Collectionquestline. The author then proceeded to unleash an unrelenting torrent of curses, not only at the quest NPCan unfortunate old ladybut also at the game developers, cursing their ancestors for ten generations. As soon as the post went up, it triggered an avalanche of responses from players who had also suffered at the hands of this quest. Indeed, after enduring unimaginable hardships and finally, with trembling hands, handing over 1,000 wolf eyes to the old woman, the quest rewards and the subsequent task prompt left them all on the verge of vomiting three liters of blood in rage. However, a certain "gaming expert" eventually managed to calm the storm with a reply: Chill, everyone. You clearly dont understand the essence of this quest. This is actually a wholesome quest designed to improve your gathering skills Look, havent all of you noticed a significant increase in your gathering proficiency after completing it? For the next few days, a phrase became the running joke in Novice Village 60001: Anyone who takes the old ladys Wolf Eye quest is a complete idiot. As a result, the old lady with the sealed lower half became the most miserable NPC in the village. Other NPCs were constantly surrounded by swarms of eager players, while she sat all alone under a crooked tree, staring into the distance, lost in thought. Yet, among the seasoned players with sharp instincts, some werent so quick to dismiss this seemingly troll quest. Would the world of Destiny really include a quest that served no purpose other than to torment players? There was something unsettling about that old ladyan inexplicable strangeness that made some players suspect she might be hiding a secret quest. Not everyone abandoned the quest. A handful of players began strategizing, having their guild members expand their inventory space in the city before dying on purpose to respawn in the village, all to complete this quest. They were waiting for a grand revelation.
Seven Days Later It was now the ninth day since Destiny launched. Player numbers continued to skyrocket each day, reaching record-breaking figures that stunned even the most optimistic industry analysts. Even the so-called "experts" who had made bold predictions before the games release were now left in disbelief. After eight days of grinding, the average player level was finally approaching level 10. The most hardcore gamersthose who practically never logged offhad already hit level 10, which meant they could take the Novice Class Advancement Trial and be teleported out of the village to the major cities for their class advancements. Yet, strangely enough, despite the number of level 10 players in the Huaxia region, not a single one had successfully advanced their class. Destiny had an extremely low drop rate, making it hard to create major disparities in gear quality. Right now, anyone with a single piece of Bronze-tier equipment was met with envy and admiration wherever they went. As for Silver-tier gear? Despite a global player base in the billions, fewer than ten people owned a Silver-tier item. This meant that early on, most players were on an even playing field. The only way to distinguish true elites was through their leveling speed. Anyone who had managed to reach level 10 under these conditions was undoubtedly a top-tier player. And true experts had high standards. They would never allow themselves to fall behind at a new starting point.
The Novice Class Advancement Trial Leaving the Novice Village required passing the Class Advancement Trial, which had five difficulty levels: Additionally, all players who cleared Abyss Mode would have their names announced across the entire war zone, forever recorded in the Novice Village Hall of Heroes.
Every difficulty level granted at least +4 stat points, but the gap between Easy and Abyss was a staggering 16 attribute points and 3 fixed stats. No true expert would allow themselves to fall behind at this critical juncture. Thus, the strongest players teamed up, determined to conquer the Abyss Trialno matter the risk. Abyss Mode was practically a death sentence for anyone who entered. Survival was almost impossible. But the rewards were equally irresistible: Badges were among the rarest equipment types in the game, making them the most coveted. Unlike regular gear, badges had no equip limitmeaning if a player collected 100 badges, they could wear all 100 at the same time. This, of course, also meant that badges were incredibly difficult to obtain. And finally, there was one more tempting reason: Fame. Any player who cleared Abyss Mode would have their name displayed across the entire war zone, forever etched in the Novice Village Hall of Heroes. Abyss Trial! But it didnt take long for these top players to realize that the Abyss-level trial was simply an impossible challenge. No matter how many times they attempted it, they all ended up completely wiped out before even making it halfway through. Eventually, they gave up, convinced that no team could ever clear such a trial. After all, the Abyss represented utter despairhopelessness itself. Thus, this first batch of level 10 players shifted their focus to the Nightmare-level trial. "Nightmare" symbolized sheer terror, and this difficulty level fully lived up to its name. Even the strongest players suffered repeated failures. However, unlike with the Abyss-level trial, the setbacks didnt discourage them. Each time, they pushed a little further, inching closer to victory. It was only a matter of time before someone would finally reach the end of the Nightmare trial. Of course, that applied only to the true elites standing at the pinnacle of strength. For regular players without top-tier equipment or financial backing, even the Hard-level trial was an insurmountable wall.
Novice Village 12000. Waves of grinding parties came and went, flooding the village in an endless cycle. The air buzzed with the constant calls of vendors peddling their wares. As more and more players neared level 10, the topic of conversation increasingly revolved around the upcoming class advancement trial. It might have been just a test, but the results would mark the first real power gap between players. In an unremarkable corner of the village, a man sat quietly on an old, weathered stone. He made no sound, motionless as a lifelike statue. His cold and proud demeanor, coupled with piercing eyes, carried an irresistible charm that could make any womans heart race. Clad in the fitted attire of an Assassin, his lean, well-proportioned frame was accentuated by the snug fabric. There was no doubtthis was a man who exuded an undeniable magnetism. No matter where he went, he would undoubtedly draw attention. But those who met his gaze would instantly understandhe was far more than just attractive. He was dangerous. A tall, slender figure approached him soundlessly. Standing before him, the newcomer bowed his head, averting his gaze to the ground. Had anyone observed his expression beforehand, they would have seen something akin to reverencean almost religious awe. Ying, is everyone ready? The seated man lifted his gaze, his voice calm. Feeling the weight of that gaze upon him, Ying instinctively bowed even lower. Young Master, everything is prepared. This team of twelve consists of the absolute strongest players in Novice Village 12000. Their gear and consumables have been fine-tuned to perfection. We are fully confident that this time, we will clear the Nightmare-level trial. The man nodded slightly, his tone indifferent. We''ve already failed four times. Last time, we were so close. This time, failure is not an option. Lets gowe must complete the trial before Wings of Oblivion. Its a perfect opportunity to crush their momentum. Understood. Ying hesitated briefly before adding, Young Master, there is one piece of troubling news. Oh? The mans brow furrowed. We received word from Wind Shadow of Novice Village 15000Heavenly Blade Hades has apparently agreed to join forces with Wings of Oblivion for the Nightmare-level trial. I fear Youre worried that Heavenly Blade Hades, Boundless Slayer, will actually join Wings of Oblivion? The mans expression darkened momentarily before he let out a soft chuckle. Ying, youre overthinking it. A man like Heavenly Blade Hades would never tie himself to any factionthat would mean giving up his freedom. Hes simply using them as a stepping stone to clear the Nightmare trial. Ying quickly nodded. Youre right, Young Master. Besides, with the strength of our Divine Dominion Alliance, even if Heavenly Blade Hades were to join Wings of Oblivion, it wouldnt be a concern. Even if Boundless Slayer continues his legendary reign in Destiny, he is still just one person and even he has to rely on Wings of Oblivion to attempt the Nightmare trial. The man looked up and slowly shook his head. Youre both right and wrong. Against ordinary players, one persons strength means little. But there are three individuals you should never underestimate Do you know who Im talking about? Yings expression stiffened. I I do. There were only three people in the entire gaming world who commanded such respect from the leader of the Divine Dominion Alliance. The Undefeated Evil Emperor, Tian Moye. The Heavenly Blade Hades, Boundless Slayer. The Peerless Asura, Bloodfiend Luna. Three names that shook not just the Huaxia region but the entire world of online gaming. Each of them had performed feats so legendary they were almost unfathomable. The mans eyes darkened slightly. Especially Tian Moye I have never fought any of them personally, but whether it was in Sky Dominion or Godslayer, I was always confident that I wouldnt lose to Boundless Slayer or Bloodfiend Luna. But against Tian Moye Ive never once believed I could win. If anyone else had heard those words, they would have been utterly shocked. To be confident in matching Boundless Slayer and Bloodfiend Lunawho was this man? He was Buried God, the leader of the Divine Dominion Alliance. A man who rarely needed to act personally due to the sheer size and power of his guild. Only a handful of people truly understood the depths of his strength.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Yings face showed a trace of shame. Young Master, we still havent found any traces of Tian Moye or Bloodfiend Luna. No need to blame yourself. Buried God stood up, a subtle, unreadable smirk playing at his lips. Theyre the type who always seek out the road less traveled. If they dont want to be found, no one will find them. What interests me more is has there been any movement from the July Commerce Guild? Ying shook his head. Nothing. Weve been keeping close watch, but theres been no activity from them at all. Buried God frowned slightly in thought before murmuring, Liu Qiyue wouldnt stay silent forever I wonder what kind of surprise shes preparing for us this time. Lets go. Ying followed closely behind him. Though Buried Gods expression remained as calm as ever, when he mentioned Liu Qiyue, Ying had caught a fleeting trace of something rare in his eyesfascination. Liu Qiyue A woman with the face of an angel, the body of a goddess, and the cunning of a devil. She was the only woman who had ever made Buried God show that kind of expression. ovice Village #60001 Amidst the bustling crowd of Novice Village, Ye Tianxie, clad in the most outdated beginner''s gear, still remained the center of attention. Even without extravagant clothing, his face alone was a devastating weapon, effortlessly capturing the gaze of both men and women. Every time he returned to the village, he was reminded that maximizing one''s appearance settings wasn''t always a good thing. "Younger brother, come, let big sis take you to level up. It''s free and we can also play some fun little games~" A woman clad in steel armor with the charm of a mature lady grabbed his arm, her seductive eyes filled with flirtatious intent. Clearly, she was a lonely woman yearning for company. Seeing his unimpressive gear, she had naturally assumed he was a fresh newbie. "Big brother, this piece of equipment is for you Can we add each other as friends?" A timid young girl, who looked about seventeen or eighteen, shyly held out a level-five white-grade steel sword. "You there, young man, wanna play together?" This time, it was a woman in her forties By the time Ye Tianxie finally reached the village chief in one piece, his forehead was already glistening with cold sweat. "Brave young one, it''s been a while. Oh? You''ve already reached level ten? Haha, very good! I assume you''re here for the class advancement trial?" Upon seeing Ye Tianxie, the village chief immediately greeted him with a warm smile. Just moments ago, Ye Tianxie had finally reached level ten. Compared to those game addicts who played nonstop for twenty-four hours straight, his daily playtime had never exceeded ten hours. Yet, with the assistance of the Eternal Fate''s Mark, his level had not fallen behind at all. Even without the Fate''s Core, the Fate''s Mark still retained its classification as an Immortal-grade artifact. Combined with his unmatched leveling efficiency, it was simply impossible for anyone to surpass him. "Yes, Village Chief, Im here to take on the class advancement trial and head to the mysterious Lost Continent," Ye Tianxie replied with a smile. "Excellent. I believe youll embark on a journey of great glory and admiration there. However only those who pass the class advancement trial will earn the right to be transported. There are five difficulty levelsEasy, Normal, Hard, Nightmare, and Abyss. Which one do you wish to challenge?" Ye Tianxies gaze remained steady as he slowly and firmly said, "Abyss." The village chief nodded slightly and smiled. "Your answer does not surprise me. Your eyes and your courage already told me you would choose the greatest challenge. Very well, I shall send you to the Abyss-level trial grounds. But, brave young man, remember my wordswhen facing an enemy far stronger than yourself, failure is not a disgrace but a form of wealth. It will make you yearn for greater power. Now, gather your teammates and bring them here." To this day, no team had ever passed the Abyss-level trialnot even the Nightmare-level trial had been cleared. The difficulty of the Abyss trial and the final foe one had to face were well known. Anyone who chose this trial was stepping into a true abyss an impossible challenge for a novice. The village chief did not stop or dissuade Ye Tianxie. As he had said, failure would only push him to seek greater strength. "I have no teammates. Just send me alone," Ye Tianxie said with a smile, giving the village chief an utterly shocking answer. "Oh? Brave young man, youre not serious, are you? You intend to take on the Abyss-level trial alone?" The village chief looked at him in disbelief. Even twelve-person teams couldn''t make it halfway through the Abyss trial, yet this young man wanted to challenge it alone? Was he ignorant, or simply mad? "Yes. Please send me to the trial grounds," Ye Tianxie replied. "This Brave young man, you must not know how terrifying the Abyss trial is. Many warriors from your world have attempted it, but not a single one has returned alive. While you may not experience real death, there are still severe penalties for dying there Sigh, I might as well tell youthe Abyss trial is an impossible challenge. Even if you reach the trials end, what awaits you is" "Village Chief, you dont need to tell me all this." Ye Tianxie shook his head, still smiling. "I enjoy excitement and challenges. The more impossible something seems, the more I want to attempt it. Besides" His gaze sharpened, like an eagle circling in the sky, ready to swoop down on its prey at any moment. "Im not just here to challenge and experienceIm here to win. Because I do not allow myself to lose!" "But" "There are no ''buts''." Ye Tianxie interrupted, his brow lifting, the corners of his mouth curling up. "Nothing in this world is truly absolute. Even the most terrifying abyss has an end. Village Chief, send me in." The village chief stared at Ye Tianxie in silence for a long time, as if seeing him for the first time. The young man before him felt completely different now. What he exuded wasnt courageit was pride. A pride that was unyielding and absolute, backed by an overwhelming force of convictiona belief called self-confidence. His gaze was clear, his eyes sharp enough to make one hesitate to meet them, and even the unseen aura around him carried a presence that compelled submission. His words werent the reckless arrogance of an ignorant foolthis was a man who could not afford to lose. But where did his confidence come from? After a long silence, the village chief finally let out a deep sigh and said in a meaningful tone, "Brave young man for the first time, I find myself longing to witness the birth of a miracle. Something that should be impossible yet I desperately want to see it happen. Your courage, your pride, and your conviction theyve moved me." "" Under such grand words of praiseones that could befit a heroYe Tianxie, thick-skinned as he was, couldn''t help but feel a bit embarrassed. I just want to get the highest-tier reward. Why so much drama? "I sincerely hope that you will succeed. Here, take these." The village chief took out twenty small white potions and placed them in Ye Tianxies hands. [Unnamed Special Recovery Potion]: A unique potion acquired by the village chief of Novice Village #60001 from an unknown source. It possesses effects beyond those of regular healing potions. Only 30 bottles exist. Effect: Instantly restores 300 HP upon use. No cooldown time. Holding the small batch of potions, Ye Tianxies fingers paused ever so slightly as he read the description. No cooldown time These are instant-use healing potions with no cooldown! Overpowered Items in the Novice Village All recovery potions sold in the shop have a cooldown time of five seconds, differing only in the amount of health restored. A basic recovery potion restores 100 HP per use, an intermediate one restores 200 HP, an advanced one restores 400 HP, and the highest-grade potion restores 1000 HP. As the recovery amount increases, their prices also multiply accordingly. However, potions without cooldown As long as one has enough of them, no matter how powerful the enemy is, as long as they cant kill you in a single strike, you can remain completely unscathed. Such an overpowered potion should not existno amount of money could buy it. Even though there were only 20 bottles, Ye Tianxie was already infinitely satisfied. He stored these special potions away and gratefully said, Thank you, Village Chief. With your help, I now have even more hope. The horrors of the Abyss Trial far exceed your imagination. My assistance is just a minor effort at best, the Village Chief replied. Brave young one, I suggest you visit Yuan Lao at the pharmacy. Some of his collections might be of great help to you Here, take this. This is my letter of recommendation. With it, he should be willing to bring out the strange items he has crafted over the years. Ding You have received the special item: Letter of Recommendation from the Chief of Novice Village No. 60001. A thin letter appeared in Ye Tianxies inventory. He sincerely thanked the Village Chief before heading towards the pharmacy. Once again, he couldnt help but marvel at how wonderful the favorability system was! The owner of the pharmacy in Novice Village No. 60001 was a shriveled-up old man, so skinny that just talking to him made people subconsciously lower their breath for fear that a strong gust might blow him away. His name was Yuan Que perhaps a devoted admirer of some ancient Chinese physician. Typically, elderly men who were both highly skilled and long-lived carried an air of superiority, often looking at others with only half-open eyes. Yuan Que was no exception. Regardless of who came to buy medicine or complete a quest, he always maintained a lazy and indifferent demeanor. Even when facing Ye Tianxie, whose Charm stat was as high as 20, he merely gave him an extra glance. Hello, Master Yuan Hello, my ass! Speak up if youve got something to say, and dont waste my time! And who told you to call me Master?! Before Ye Tianxie could even finish his greeting, Yuan Que impatiently cut him off, spitting a spray of saliva in the process. Ye Tianxie subtly took a half-step back to avoid it without making a sound. Then what should I call you? Ye Tianxie raised an eyebrow. Dont you know whats trendy these days? Call me Brother Que! Yuan Que straightened his face, looking completely serious. Brother Que. Ye Tianxie suddenly had the urge to turn around and leave. Theres a sayingif you spend too much time with lunatics, you risk becoming one yourself. Hmm. Yuan Que nodded in satisfaction, his expression still as stiff as a rock. So, what brings you to Brother Que? Youre not too bad, kid. If youre here to buy medicine, Ill give you a generous 0.2% discount today. Damn A 0.2% discount? You call that a discount?! Ye Tianxie secretly scoffed but kept his expression entirely serious. Without haste, he took out the Letter of Recommendation from the Chief of Novice Village No. 60001 and placed it in front of Yuan Que. The Village Chief told me that youre a master of the craft, the greatest figure in this villages history. Before embarking on my journey, he insisted that I must seek your guidance. Having gone 800 years without receiving flattery, Yuan Que was secretly delighted by Ye Tianxies absurdly obvious flattery. His gaze towards Ye Tianxie visibly softened. Oh? That old bastard sent you to see me? Let me take a look. Ding Yuan Ques favorability towards you has increased by 5. Ye Tianxie inwardly mocked the old mans intelligence while handing over the letter. Yuan Que took it, narrowed his already squinted eyes, and examined the thin piece of paper carefully for a long time. Then, he raised his head and scrutinized Ye Tianxie for another long moment before finally speaking. The moment I saw you, I knew you had potential. Looks like I was right. Even that old bastard of a Village Chief thinks highly of you enough to squeeze every last bit of value out of me Fine, fine, I owe that old bastard a favor. Here, take a lookthese are my treasured collections from over the years. Buy whatever you like. Yuan Que opened a small cabinet beside him, revealing a row of bizarre-looking items. At the same time, a system notification rang in Ye Tianxies ears. Ding You have triggered one of the hidden elements of Novice Village No. 60001Yuan Ques Pharmacy Special Items. In front of him were five inventory slots, each containing a different kind of item haphazardly arranged. A pungent smell filled the air. Yet, as Ye Tianxie inspected the properties of these five simple items, he grew increasingly astonished. Unnamed Special Recovery Potion: A unique healing potion crafted by Yuan Que, possessing properties that ordinary recovery potions lack. Only 30 bottles exist in total, with 20 bottles snatched away by the Village Chief of Novice Village No. 60001 six months ago. Currently, only 10 bottles remain. Effect: Instantly restores 300 HP. No cooldown. Price: 5 gold coins per bottle. Unnamed Special Magic Potion: A unique mana potion crafted by Yuan Que, possessing properties that ordinary magic potions lack. Only 30 bottles exist in total, and all 30 are still available. Effect: Instantly restores 300 MP. No cooldown. Price: 10 gold coins per bottle. The special potions without cooldownso these game-breaking potions were actually made by this scrawny old man! Though they were dozens of times more expensive than high-level healing potions with greater recovery effects, their unique cooldown-free attribute absolutely justified the price. Ye Tianxie had already decidedhe would buy the remaining ten bottles.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. As for the special magic recovery potions With only Detection and Gathering as his current skills, he had no use for them at the moment. If he had enough money, he would have bought them all without hesitation because once outside, these were items that money couldnt buy. But right now, every single copper coin had to be spent wisely. As he scrolled further down, Ye Tianxie began to wonder if he was seeing things. Double Thundercracker: A pair of explosive firecrackers made by Yuan Que using his own homemade gunpowder. A total of 20 were crafted. Effect: Igniting and throwing it at a single target triggers two consecutive explosions that ignore defense, dealing a fixed 150 damage per hit. Price: 10 gold coins per unit. Mega Firecracker Chain: A large firecracker string meticulously crafted by Yuan Que using his homemade gunpowder. Only 5 were made. Effect: Igniting and throwing it attacks all targets within a 5-meter radius, dealing a fixed 300 explosion damage per target, ignoring defense. Price: 30 gold coins per unit. Master Yuan Brother Que, you actually research gunpowder too? Hah! Of course! Im the greatest apothecaryobviously, I research all kinds of medicine. Hurry up and buy them if you want. If you dont have the money, then scram. If you think Ill just give them away for free, youre dreaming. Yuan Que snorted impatiently. Gunpowder is also medicine? Ye Tianxie gave the old man a look of admiration for treating common sense like a toy. But when his eyes landed on the next item, his admiration nearly turned into murderous intent. Lighter: A lighter crafted by Yuan Que based on engineering principles he picked up from who-knows-where. Not for sale. However, if one were to purchase all of the Double Thundercrackers and Mega Firecracker Chains in one go, Yuan Que would generously include this lighter as a complimentary gift. Not for sale Must buy everything Complimentary gift How the hell was he supposed to light the firecrackers without a lighter?! Was this old man outright saying"Either buy them all, or dont buy any, because buying just a few is useless unless youre a fire-element mage? Though frustrated by Yuan Ques obsession with firecrackers, Ye Tianxie had to admitthe power of these hidden items was undeniable. These were practically tailor-made to help him clear the Abyss Trial! He checked his backpack and then glanced at Yuan Que before silently stepping out the door. The old man watched expectantly, only to see Ye Tianxie walk away without a word. But just a short moment later, Ye Tianxie quietly returned Standing in the wind, he hesitated for a long time before finally giving up on the idea of setting up a street stall. At present, with the 100 gold coins he extorted from the Red Leaf Guild earlier, his total wealth amounted to 183 gold coins. For ordinary players struggling to make ends meet, this was an astronomical sum. As for his backpack Thanks to his sky-high 10 points of Luck, after over a week of slaughtering fierce wolves, blood wolves, and even the demon wolves in the depths of the Wolf Valley, his inventory had swelled to a total of thirty pieces of equipment. Most of them werent just standard white-grade items sold in shopsamong them were over ten steel-grade items with bonus attributes, and even four bronze-grade pieces that would make players drool with envy. In this gold-starved newbie village, bronze equipment for level 10 players was so rare that even the worst piece could fetch over 100 gold coins, sometimes even more depending on demand. If Ye Tianxie were to stand at the village gate and shout, Selling level 10 bronze equipment! hed be swarmed in an instant. Those guild elites and wealthy players who cared more about power than money would fight to outbid each other, and in the blink of an eye, he could become the richest player in the village. But just like a first-time vendor nervously stepping into a market, Ye Tianxie stood at the village entrance for ages yet not a single word left his lips. After all, this kind of thing just wasnt his style. With a sigh, Ye Tianxie turned back to Yuan Que. He reached into his backpack and took out a bronze hammer used by Shield Warriors, slamming it onto the counter with a dull thud. This wasnt just any ordinary hammerthe rounded head was covered with sharp spikes. One accidental touch, and the consequences would be unpleasant. The arrogant smirk on Yuan Ques face instantly vanished, his expression turning ghostly pale. His whole body stiffened, and he nearly toppled off his chair. With a trembling voice, he stammered, W-w-we can talk this out I-I-Ill have you know, back in the day, I was a Level 100 Grand Magus! E-e-even if a hundred of you came at me, I wouldnt be scared Ye Tianxie was speechless Did this old man not realize that players couldnt attack fixed NPCs!? Relax, you misunderstood. Heres the thingI dont have enough gold to buy all your stuff, so I was wondering if I could trade some of my items instead Take a look at this hammer. Its a bronze hammer with a solid +20 attack power. Perfect for looting, pillaging, and Stop! Yuan Ques tense expression finally eased. He let out a couple of forced coughs to cover up his earlier panic, patted the dust off his clothes, and instantly regained his serious demeanor. He tapped the bronze hammer, then shot a cautious glance at Ye Tianxie before saying, I never do credit or pawn deals but since that old fossil of a village chief sent you, this hammer hmm, not bad. Ill give you 50 gold for it. 50 gold that was at least three to four times lower than its market value. But considering that selling it to the blacksmith would only net him a measly 10 gold, Ye Tianxie decided to suck it up. He quickly calculated the total cost of the bizarre items, then weighed the coins in his bag before gritting his teeth and taking out a pair of gleaming bronze boots. The boots were adorned with two ferocious wolf headsthese were the Wolf Demon Boots, dropped by a level 10 Magic Wolf. They not only had incredible stats but also an eye-catching design. Anyone who walked around in these would undoubtedly attract envious and jealous stares. Take a look at these boots, sir These arent just any ordinary boots. Look at the stats, look at the design! If you put these on, the +5 movement speed boost will have you sprinting like the wind. Whether youre out gathering herbs or making a quick escape when things go south Gold coins! Check out this stylish helmet 50 gold! And heres a top-tier bracer, something you wouldnt normally be able to buy even if you wanted to 60 gold! In the end, all four of Ye Tianxies bronze gear pieces were practically pawned off like junk to Yuan Que. Once the total trade value reached 230 gold, Ye Tianxie finally let out a long sigh of relief. He then took out another handful of gold coins and stacked them on the counter. Heres 1? gold, making it a total of 400 gold. Ill take all your special recovery potions, Double Burst Firecrackers, and Grand Firecrackers. Seeing the four bronze items and the glittering pile of gold coins, Yuan Ques old eyes narrowed into slits of delight. He eagerly scooped up the gold while grinning from ear to ear. Kid, now thats what I call straightforward Here, these are all yours. If you ever come back to my shop, Ill give you a generous 0.3% discount! Ding You have lost 1? gold. You have received special items: 10 bottles of Unnamed Special Recovery Potion, 20 Double Burst Firecrackers, 5 Grand Firecrackers Bonus item: 1 Lighter. Lighter: A tool that can be used to start fires. Can be crafted by novice engineers. Uses remaining: 200/e. Raging Carnivorous Flower Feeling the remaining 13 gold coins in his bag, Ye Tianxie spent 10 gold to purchase 100 bottles of Advanced Recovery Potion (instantly restores 400 HP, 5-second cooldown, selling price: 1 silver coin, usage restriction: Level 10 and above Clearly, at this stage, most players couldnt afford or even use them). With the last 3 gold, he bought six steamed buns. Glancing at the glaring "0" next to his gold balance, Ye Tianxie left Yuan Ques shop with a heavy heart. This time, he had truly gone all in, spending every last coin. It was a do-or-die momenthe had only one chance to clear the Abyss-level trial. If all his preparations still werent enough, then passing it in the future would be even less likely. Back in front of the village chief, the old man nodded and spoke in a gentle tone, Your expression tells me that youve made some preparations. So, brave young one, are you ready? I will send you to a terrifying placea trial so dangerous that even I wouldnt dare step foot in it. This is a cruel test. Once you are sent there, you cannot leave unless you either die or complete the trial. If you attempt to forcibly log out, you will suffer a penalty equivalent to death Are you truly ready? Ye Tianxie thought for a moment before suddenly saying, Wait Chief, give me one more minute. The village chief chuckled and nodded, No problem. Being fully prepared is the right choice. Go ahead, Ill be here waiting. Ye Tianxie logged out on the spot and returned to the real world. Standing up from the sofa, he rushed into his bedroom and approached the Godslayer gaming pod he had once used. Carefully, he detached the Life Support System from the machine. With the rapid advancement of virtual gaming, the emergence of Life Support Systems became inevitableallowing players to remain online 24/7. Over time, these devices had become smaller and more convenient, while their functionality had only improved. The current Life Support System was a compact, shoebox-sized device with two long straps attached. Ye Tianxie secured the straps around his wrists and logged back into Destiny. When a player''s body experienced hunger, the Life Support System would automatically provide nutrient fluid. Despite its small size, a single full charge could sustain a person for an entire month without logging out. While it was fully capable of maintaining bodily functions without adverse effects, world-renowned experts had repeatedly warned: The Life Support System cannot replace real food. Long-term reliance can still lead to a decline in physical functions, and a lack of physical activity will result in nerve and muscle deterioration. Thus, players are strongly advised to manage their gaming time and maintain a proper diet. Back in the game, Ye Tianxie appeared before the village chief once more and politely said, Im back. You can send me now. One last reminderonce you enter, you cannot leave unless you die or complete the trial. If you attempt to log out forcibly, you will suffer the same penalty as death Are you absolutely sure youre ready? The village chief asked seriously. Ye Tianxie nodded. Yes, Im ready. Heh Good. I hope youll show me a miracle beyond belief Now, go! A strange talisman appeared in the village chiefs hand, and as he chanted softly, the talisman glowed with a pure white light. The world before Ye Tianxies eyes instantly blurred. When his vision cleared, he was already in another world. It was a serene valley, with a gentle breeze carrying the fragrance of flowers and the sounds of chirping birds. The fresh air was intoxicating, and Ye Tianxie took a moment to savor it before refocusing and scanning his surroundings. Behind him, just a dozen meters away, stood a towering mountain wall, sealing off any possibility of retreat. In front of him was another mountain wall, only a dozen meters high, with a clearly marked door-shaped engraving upon it. Above the engraving, four crooked characters were inscribed: Trial Gate! Ye Tianxie took a deep breath and stood still, cautiously sensing his surroundings. Only after confirming that nothing seemed out of the ordinary did he proceed toward the Trial Gate. He had always been a cautious personperhaps even excessively so. This trait had long since become second nature to him. Even though there appeared to be no immediate danger here, and the trial itself should logically begin beyond the gate, he remained on high alert. After all, assumptions are often wrong, and surprises are usually fatal. Standing before the stone door, he reached out his hand. The moment his palm touched the gate, a deep rumbling sound echoed as the massive stone door slowly opened, revealing a new world beyond. Ye Tianxie hesitated for a brief moment before stepping inside. Rumble The moment he entered, the stone gate behind him suddenly shut tight. This was an Abyss-level trial. And he was alone. Setting foot in this land was no different from stepping into a chasm of despair, devoid of light and hope. The ground was still lush with green, but the air had become eerily cold. Ye Tianxie summoned his Destiny Hour and moved forward. Not far ahead, another identical stone gate stoodbut before it were twelve swaying plants Frenzied Man-Eating Flowers! A one-star elite And there were twelve of them right from the first trial? Moreover, these twelve Man-Eating Flowers were among the strongest of their rank. With their 70 base attack, Ye Tianxies 18 defense and 470 HP (boosted by his Life Ring) wouldnt last long against their bites. But what made them truly terrifying was their 3% chance of instant devourif triggered, it meant instant death. Even worse, the layout of these flowers was disgustingly strategic. They werent spread out, nor arranged in rows or columns. Instead, they formed a perfect semicircle, ensuring that no matter which one Ye Tianxie approached, he would be immediately surrounded and attacked by the others.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Ironically, their inability to movea trait that should have been their greatest weaknesswas now a maddening advantage. Even the usual strategy of luring enemies out one by one was completely impossible. The difficulty of Abyss-level trials truly lived up to its name. Ye Tianxie studied the formation carefully before suddenly smirking. A twisted grin formed at the corner of his lips. He loved challenges. He loved thrills. But even more than thathe loved thrilling challenges. Looking at the formation before himsomething that even a full party of twelve players would struggle to overcomehe could almost hear the blood in his veins boiling with excitement. The monsters in a trial were never fixed. Especially in high-difficulty trials, they adapted based on the challenger. For instance, in this hopeless Abyss-level trial, if Ye Tianxie had been a ranged class, the trial would never have spawned immobile plants. Instead, it would have been high-speed creatures designed to prevent a ranged player from maintaining distance. But Ye Tianxie had no class, and his stats leaned toward melee combat. That meant his trial was designed to be the worst possible match-up for him. A battlefield where he couldnt pick them off one by one. A formation that forced him into an all-out fight. A group of enemies that he couldnt avoid nor outrun. This was Abyss-level difficulty. Ye Tianxie observed for a moment, and a strange smile suddenly curved at the corner of his mouth. He enjoyed challenges, loved excitement, and was even more passionate about thrilling challenges. Looking at the carnivorous plant formation in front of him, which even a team of twelve had trouble overcoming, he could almost hear the sound of his blood boiling. The trial monsters werent always the same, especially in high-difficulty trials, where the monsters adapted to the individual trial-taker For example, in a trial of despair at the abyss level, if Ye Tianxie had a ranged profession, the monsters would not be the stationary carnivorous plants but highly mobile creatures capable of closing the distance quickly, preventing a ranged profession from escaping. Ye Tianxie didnt have a profession, but his attributes clearly favored melee combat. Therefore, what awaited him was the toughest trialthe carnivorous plant formation, a kind of monster layout that couldnt be broken down one by one. Each raging carnivorous plant was nearly the height of a person, with a large red bud hanging from the greenish vine, swaying irregularly. But with close observation, one could vaguely see two rows of fine teeth reflecting a faint cold light from within the bud. The twelve raging carnivorous plants were densely arranged in a semi-circle with a diameter of nearly four meters, their giant red buds colliding with each other as they swayed. Ye Tianxie thought for a moment and walked straight forward. Each plant was no more than two meters tall, meaning its attack range couldnt exceed two meters. And the way they were arranged Ye Tianxie suddenly paused, a hint of disdain appearing at the corner of his mouth. His steps quickened, and the carnivorous plants detected the presence of life, with each huge bud that hadnt yet bloomed turning to face him. If he attacked from the left or right, the plants were packed too closely together. As he attacked the nearest one, others would inevitably strike him as well. Additionally, as he got closer, the timing of their attacks would vary slightly, attacking one after the other But what if he stood right at the center of these plants? Ye Tianxies gaze became focused as he searched for the most suitable positiona point equidistant from all twelve plants, the center of the semi-circle formation! His body halted, then he jumped, landing perfectly on the calculated spot. The moment his toes touched the ground, twelve cold winds surrounded him, and twelve wide bloodthirsty mouths, with twelve sets of dripping teeth, lunged at him simultaneously. Ye Tianxie was calm and unperturbed. This was exactly what he wanted to see. His toes pushed slightly, causing his body to shift backward by less than ten centimeters. The twelve sets of massive teeth almost merged in front of him, but they perfectly missed his clothes. The twelve buds began to retract, and in that instant, Ye Tianxie moved forward half a step, extending his arm. The "Moment of Fate" in his hand carved a pitch-black arc. -172, -168, -169, -166 The length of Ye Tianxies arm, combined with the reach of "Moment of Fate," created an attack range of nearly two meters. From his current position, the black arc passed through all twelve raging carnivorous plants, and twelve red damage numbers appeared almost simultaneously, forming a chain Before they even dissipated, another small circle of damage numbers appeared as "Moment of Fate" swung a reverse arc, attacking all twelve plants again With the distribution of the plants and the attack range of "Moment of Fate," any slight shift forward or backward would have caused Ye Tianxie to miss hitting them all at once. When the second attack landed, Ye Tianxie swiftly retreated a small step, and twelve gusts of cold wind collided with his chest. The one point, the point that made all twelve carnivorous plants attack simultaneously. As long as he stood on this point, they would all attack at once, retract afterward, and given the synchronized movements of these raging plants, Ye Tianxie essentially only had to dodge one plants attack. But if the point shifted even slightly to the left or right, the effect would change entirely. Ye Tianxie would face the attacks of some plants simultaneously and others one after another, making it incredibly difficult to dodge or counterattack. In just one encounter, Ye Tianxie remained unharmed, while over a third of the life of all twelve raging carnivorous plants was depleted. With "Moment of Fate" in hand, and all his attribute points invested in strength during level-ups, Ye Tianxies attack power had reached a strength of 200, at least twice that of a typical player of the same level. The plants attacks were fast, but their frequency was relatively slow. The time it took for one attack was enough for Ye Tianxie to make two attacks. His inhuman reflexes allowed him to dodge the simultaneous attacks effortlessly, then quickly counterattack. If the twelve plants launched chaotic, unpredictable attacks, he might struggle to avoid them, but against these perfectly synchronized movements, he felt no pressure at all. Slash! At the third encounter, a blow from "Moment of Fate" engulfed all the raging carnivorous plants. Two plants were killed in a critical hit, and another black arc swept across, finishing off the remaining ten. They all collapsed to the ground, becoming lifeless, withered plants. "Is that all?" Ye Tianxie sneered, then flipped through the remains of the plants, tossing a yellow-glowing bronze item and two steel items into his backpack. Though the carnivorous plants were strong, as a one-star mini-boss, their loot drop rate was far better than that of ordinary monsters. After collecting coins, potions, and other spoils, Ye Tianxie crouched down and cast his frequently used gathering skill on the plants corpses. " Ding No items available for gathering from the violent carnivorous plants." Ye Tianxie stood up, stepped over the corpses, and walked forward, standing before a stone door. He placed his hand on it. The first trial had been a breeze for himonly a few seconds had passed, and he was unharmed but that ease was only relative to him. Regardless of his precise positioning, distance calculation, or incredible reflexes and confidence, how many could achieve the same? Standing at the most perfect spot to make all twelve plants attack at once was undoubtedly the best strategy, but if his reaction had been even slightly slower, the result would have been inevitablebeing killed instantly! Behind the stone door, the ground no longer had the eerie green hue but instead presented a dark, oppressive atmosphere, the air noticeably colder and gloomier. Before him stood more carnivorous plantssame number, same appearance, same distributionbut their color was different Dark Carnivorous Flower: Level 10, Two-Star Elite Health: 1700 The Dark Carnivorous Flower is a mutated form of the raging carnivorous flower, having absorbed an excessive amount of magical energy. Its nature has become even more vicious. While tearing into its target, it releases a terrifying toxin. Skill: Deadly Devour The flower opens its razor-sharp teeth to bite a single target, dealing 100 points of base damage and inflicting a 100% chance of poisoning. The poisoned target loses 15 health per second and has a 4% chance of being completely devoured. Shadow Dance Hunt, Unscathed Trial Twelve two-star mini-bosses stood before him, their emerald-green stems writhing as pitch-black flower buds quivered violently, exuding an insatiable hunger to bite and devour. Though the only apparent difference was their color, these Dark Carnivorous Flowers were far more terrifying than the previous Raging Carnivorous Flowers. Without hesitation, Ye Tianxie strode forward. Their identical forms and shared abilities meant they had the same attack range and patterns. While their attack power had increased significantly and now carried a lethal poison effect, none of that mattered if they couldnt land a hit. In essence, they were no different from the Raging Carnivorous Flowers he had just annihilated. Using the exact same strategy, without a single mishap, all twelve Dark Carnivorous Flowers collapsed. They had launched six attacks in totalyet not one had so much as grazed Ye Tianxie. Had even one attack landed, his trial would have ended then and there. The Raging Carnivorous Flowers couldnt hit him, nor could the Dark Carnivorous Flowersand this was no mere stroke of luck. His razor-sharp precision allowed him to effortlessly evade each fatal strike while ensuring that every counterattack perfectly encompassed all twelve enemies. What should have made this trial exponentially harder for most challengers had instead turned into a perfect setup for Ye Tianxie to clear the stage in record time. A heap of Dark Carnivorous Flower corpses lay at his feet as he sifted through the remains for loot. This time, they had yielded two bronze-tier and two steel-tier pieces of equipment, along with a pile of potions and silver coins. Elite monsters had a significantly lower spawn rate compared to normal enemies, and two-star bosses were even rarer. However, their drop rates were much higher. In this abyssal-level trial, where elite mini-bosses appeared in droves, rare equipment was practically spilling into his inventoryassuming, of course, one had the strength to claim it. Ding You have obtained Dark Carnivorous Flower Pollen from the Dark Carnivorous Flower. Ding You have obtained Dark Carnivorous Flower Pollen from the Dark Carnivorous Flower. Ding The teams that had cleared the first two trials before him had taken no less than an hour for each stage, and all had been full twelve-player squads. Yet Ye Tianxie had done it alone, in under two minutes. No one would believe it if they heard. They would laugh it off as an impossible joke. But the third trial of the Abyssal Test was where the real nightmare began. As the stone door creaked open, a group of towering bulls came into view. There were twelve of them, just like before, but the moment Ye Tianxie appeared, they all snapped their heads toward him. Then, as if spotting an archenemy, they charged forward with murderous intent. Above their heads, next to their names, hung three golden stars.
Raging Blood Bulls C Level 10, Three-Star Elite Health: 2500 Originally ordinary cattle, these creatures underwent horrific mutations after consuming excessive amounts of melamine and clenbuterol-laced feed. Their temperaments turned savage, their bodies swelled to monstrous proportions, and their muscle density skyrocketed. They gained immense, unnatural strength and now violently attack any foreign intruder. Skill C Brutal Charge: The Raging Blood Bull gathers all its strength and rams its target with immense force, dealing massive damage and a high chance of knocking the target down, stunning them for 2 to 3 seconds. After each charge, the bull experiences a brief 1-second movement delay.
Dark Carnivorous Flower Pollen: A black-hued pollen from the Dark Carnivorous Flower, infused with deadly toxins. Special Effect C Kidney Stone Flare-Up: When executing Brutal Charge, there is a 5% chance that an undiagnosed kidney stone condition will flare up, slowing movement and attack speed while causing a health drain of 5 HP per second for 3 minutes.
Twelve three-star elites. Encounters like this were unheard of. If anyone saw such a lineup, they would turn and flee without hesitation, only returning with an army to take them down. With a strict twelve-player team limit, this formation became an insurmountable obstacle. What made things even worse was that these bulls couldnt be lured one at a time. The moment Ye Tianxie stepped into the trial zone, every single Raging Blood Bull locked onto him and charged. This meant that the entire third-stage arena was within their aggro range. Until their target was dead, they would not stop attacking. There was no time to rest, no chance for trickery. A while back, five well-equipped members of the Red Leaf Guild had been utterly crushed by just one three-star elite. A full twelve-person team going up against twelve of them? The odds of victory were laughably slim. And yet, here stood Ye Tianxiealone. But he was someone who had never lost, and someone who could never afford to lose. As the first three bulls reached striking distance, he had already calculated their movement speeds with pinpoint accuracy: between 78 and 82. Slower than an average players initial speed of 100. Hmph Ye Tianxie narrowed his eyes, his sharp gaze locking onto the monstrous bulls barreling toward him. A typical player could barely solo a one-star elite of the same level. A two-star elite? Nearly impossible. And a three-star elite? Out of the question. To take down a single three-star elite without casualties, a full, well-balanced party was requiredtanks to soak damage, healers to sustain them, and damage dealers to whittle down the enemy. If a lone player faced a three-star elite head-on even a powerful mage, known for their high damage, would be obliterated within three hits. From the fallen Dark Carnivorous Flowers, Ye Tianxie had harvested twelve units of their toxic pollen. He examined the item description carefully, a thoughtful glint in his eyes, before storing them away. Then, without hesitation, he pushed open the stone door and stepped into the next trial.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. From the moment he crossed the first gate to the second trials completion, he had taken less than two minutes. If word got out, people would scoff at the absurdity. Every level 10 player sought to challenge the Abyssal Trial for its unparalleled rewards, often assembling full teams for the attempt. Yet over half of these groups were wiped out in the first stage. Those who passed were undoubtedly elite teams, and those who reached the second stage? The best of the best. Their attributes, equipment, and coordination far exceeded that of ordinary players. Even so, among the millions of level 10 players in the Huaxia region, only three teams had ever cleared the second trial. Not a single one had made it past the third. Those who had barely survived the second stage had been utterly annihilated in the third, and after experiencing its terror firsthand, none had dared to attempt it again. There were five trials in total, yet the third had already driven them to complete despair. What could they possibly do to clear the Abyssal Test? Among the three teams that had made it this far, one belonged to the Divine Domain Alliance, one to Sky Shroud, and the last remained a mystery. With his current health, Ye Tianxie could barely withstand simultaneous attacks from two raging bulls. Three could potentially kill him instantly, and four would be certain death. And twelve even with the extra 200 HP granted by the Life Ring, it was still an impossible scenario. For an average player, this challenge was beyond reachnot just for a solo player but even for a full twelve-man party. But Ye Tianxie was no ordinary player. In the blink of an eye, he had already mapped out the positions and charge paths of all twelve bulls. Without moving a muscle, he raised Moment of Destiny, calculating the bulls approach time down to the fraction of a second, while simultaneously predicting the layout of the battlefield in the next second and the second after that. A subtle sidestep, followed by a sharply angled turn mid-attack, and Moment of Destiny traced a graceful arc through the air. In that fleeting moment of stillness, one charging bull violently slammed into another, knocked off course by Ye Tianxies maneuver. With pinpoint precision, he immediately repositioned himself, shifting his focus to the four incoming bulls from behind. Meanwhile, the three bulls he had just evaded were momentarily stunned, trapped in the one-second delay caused by Savage Charge. The Phantom Magiciana name foreign players had given to Chinas legendary Unyielding Evil Emperor. There were few recorded videos of his battles against powerful monsters, but each one left the world in awe. His movements were so incomprehensibly precise, so breathtakingly fluid, that players could only describe them as "magic." Attacks always seemed mere millimeters away from hitting himyet they never did. He dodged seamlessly, avoiding consecutive strikes with impossibly small margins. What else could explain such feats besides magic? Virtual reality games might level the playing field by standardizing stats and abilities, but they could never standardize a player''s mind. They couldn''t dictate a persons reflexes, decision-making, or reaction speed. Ye Tianxie was known as the player with lightning-fast reflexes, inhuman reaction speed, and a mind sharper than a blade. He moved like a fish in water, always a step ahead, always predicting, always evading. Some even speculated he was something beyond humanan Esper. A reaction speed like his, combined with such incredible mental processing power, was not something an ordinary human could possess. At the very least, his brain''s cognitive development had to be far beyond that of a normal person. Many tried to uncover the real identity of Tian Mo Xie, but no one succeeded. He never revealed his true face, rarely appeared in public, and possessed near-paranoid counter-tracking skills. In a virtual world where even the authorities couldn''t pry into player privacy, identifying him was an impossible task. The stampede of bulls kicked up clouds of dust, their overlapping roars shaking the air. Ye Tianxie moved like a ghostly shadow, weaving effortlessly through the frenzied herdsometimes to the left, sometimes to the right, sometimes recklessly charging straight into their path. His movements seemed completely erratic, as if guided by pure instinct. But if a player were watching, they would be left in utter disbelief, as if witnessing an extraterrestrial entity beyond human comprehension. Every single step he took landed in a fleeting gap between the bulls, and as soon as he moved, that gap was instantly filled by another stampeding beast. In a single second, he shifted positions four times, dodging in a way that looked like pure sleight of hand. When his feet finally touched the ground again, he was standing beside the backs of three bullshis perfect opportunity to strike. Moment of Destiny lashed out, and three crimson numbers floated into the air. Thirty seconds had passed. He had attacked three times. And the number of times he had been hit? Zero. This was a dazzling performanceone that no audience would be fortunate enough to witness. Moo A deep, guttural roar erupted. One of the charging bulls suddenly wobbled mid-sprint, its body shaking uncontrollably as a -5 damage number appeared above its head. Unluckily, in the heat of battle, it had triggered its long-standing kidney stone condition. But even through the pain, it remained ferocious, continuing its relentless charge despite its slowed movements and dwindling health. Behind Ye Tianxie, a half-meter-high boulder loomed in his path. His eyes flashedwithout hesitation, he leaped backward onto the stone. The moment his feet touched down, he pushed off with all his strength, soaring forward once more Boom! Three bulls crashed into the rock at full speed, sending it flying. Meanwhile, Ye Tianxie flipped gracefully through the air, vaulting over their massive bodies. He landed behind them in one smooth motion and struck twice with a deadly backslash before swiftly retreating once again. A player''s base jump height was 1 meternowhere near enough to clear a charging bull. But by leveraging the height of the rock, he had extended his jump range just enough to flip over them. With this advantage, he exploited their moment of vulnerability, landing precise strikes on their exposed backs before dashing away once more. His attack frequency was lowintentionally sobut each strike chipped away at their health bit by bit. His expression remained calm, his thick brows slightly furrowed, his entire mind locked in a state of absolute focus. Because he knew that one moment of distraction, one slight misstep, would end this battle in an instant. Under such relentless pressure, even the best reflexes would eventually falter. A single mistake could leave him cornered with no way out. But Ye Tianxie had set himself a ruthless goalnot just to defeat these twelve Three-Star Elites But to take them all down without taking a single hit. This was his madness. The same madness that drove him to set goal after impossible goal for himselfand achieve them. The Savage Bulls were powerful, but they lacked the agility to keep up with him. That alone gave him the right to pursue this challenge, to demand this level of perfection from himself. The white fabric of his beginners outfit flickered as he moved, his figure shifting like a ghostly mirage. Slash! -153, -155 Slash! -150, -152 Dark streaks of light cut through the gaps in the chaos, landing shallow but relentless blows. The Savage Bulls grew even more frenzied, their roaring cries rising in intensity. Thirty minutes passed. The same relentless sequence repeated over and over. And finally, amidst a despairing howl, the first bull collapsed mid-charge Not just itevery single bull in the herd had been reduced to less than half health. Maintaining high focus wasnt the challenge. The challenge was sustaining that focus, minute after minute, second after second, never letting up. Mental fatigue was far more terrifying than physical exhaustion. In these past thirty minutes, Ye Tianxie hadnt paused for even a single second. Every instant was spent reacting, dodging, recalculating. Beneath his composed exterior, his mind was performing countless calculations, every second filled with predictions, assessments, and decisions far beyond the comprehension of any ordinary human. The Final Trial: Confronting the Abyssal Lord As if it were a miracle... For the past half-hour, under the relentless and chaotic attacks of twelve Rampaging Savage Bulls, Ye Tianxie remained completely unscathednot even a single touch from any of them. What''s more, as time went on, he only found it easier to deal with them. The reason was simple: when these savage bulls launched their wild charges, they always charged in a perfectly straight line, never adjusting their course based on their targets movement. This flaw was one of the key reasons Ye Tianxie was able to hold out for so long without injury. As the first Rampaging Savage Bull collapsed, Ye Tianxie''s burden lightenedjust slightly. A fleeting smirk crossed his lips before he swiftly seized another opening in his movements. With a sharp, fluid motion, his right hand slashed out, delivering an unstoppable and domineering strike... Time ticked away, and the prolonged battle between a single Level 10 player and twelve Level 10 three-star bosses continued. Any randomly selected ten-second clip of this fight would be enough to leave spectators utterly dumbfounded. The legend of the "Unyielding Evil Emperor" was never built upon overpowering gear or attributesit was his godlike movement, the kind that could allow him to waltz through a battlefield of a million soldiers and effortlessly take the head of a general. In past virtual worlds, whenever Tian Mo Xie made a high-profile appearance, no matter how grand the stage was, it would always become a one-man performance starring him alone. A streak of black light flashedanother Rampaging Savage Bull fell. A dozen seconds later, yet another bull succumbed under the weight of Destinys Moment. With their relentless and concentrated attacks, every opportunity Ye Tianxie had to strike was precious. He couldnt afford to focus on a single target or systematically eliminate them one by one. Instead, he struck at whichever enemy was closest whenever an opening appeared. As a result, all the bulls had sustained varying degrees of injuries. By the time the third one fell, over half of the remaining nine had already been reduced to less than a third of their health. With a heavy thud, yet another charging bull crashed to the ground. Its unexpected collapse caused a momentary disruption in Ye Tianxies movement, nearly putting him in the path of three bulls simultaneous horn strikes. But the most shocking part? He hadn''t even attacked that bullit had died due to a kidney stone attack! A glimmering gold coin dropped from the bulls corpse, but what caught Ye Tianxies attention even more was a faint silver glowSilver-tier equipment! Without hesitation, he maneuvered the remaining bulls into one spot before dashing toward the fallen one. With a swift motion, he grabbed the shimmering item and stashed it into his inventory. He knew exactly what a single Silver-tier piece of equipment meant in Destiny at this stage of the game. It had been nearly ten days since the games launch, and worldwide, fewer than ten Silver-tier items had been discovered. Perhaps in the future, when players far surpassed Level 10, it would become a worthless relicbut right now, it was an invaluable treasure. The thought of it possibly disappearing if left unattended made him snatch it up without a second thought. However, there was no time to inspect the item. Turning swiftly, he faced the incoming charge of the remaining savage bulls. Three minutes later, the fifth bull collapsed... Another minute passed, and the sixth and seventh fell simultaneously... A few minutes later, the eighth went down. The last four bulls, each hanging on by a thread with nearly empty health bars, still roared ferociously as they continued their blind rampage. Looking around, the once pristine grassland had been completely ravaged, trampled and scarred by their relentless charges. Compared to the chaos of twelve rampaging bulls, these remaining four were hardly a threat in Ye Tianxies eyes. He gauged their remaining health and, instead of dodging, charged straight toward them. With an effortless slash -152, -155, -155, -150. Four damage numbers flickered as the bulls let out their final, dying roars. In an instant, the last of them fell, scattering silver coins across the battlefield. And with that, Ye Tianxies grand performance came to an end. Silence finally returned. Now, only he remained standing. Exhaling lightly, Ye Tianxie began collecting his spoils. As three-star elite monsters, these savage bulls naturally had a much better drop rate than their two-star counterparts. His inventory was nearly full, so he discarded all the white-tier equipment he had accumulated and made space for two Bronze-tier and two Iron-tier pieces from the fallen bulls. Then, activating Harvesting Technique, he extracted twelve identical bull horns from the corpses. Savage Bull Horn: The dual horns of a Rampaging Savage Bull, possessing exceptional durability. A fine material for forging. As he harvested the final bulls corpse, a faint golden glow caught his eye. Pushing aside the carcass, he discovered the sourcea bronze-colored earring! Feeling a surge of luck, Ye Tianxie picked it up. Accessories were incredibly rare; even a plain earring with a single minor stat boost could be considered a priceless treasure at this stage of the game. Resist Earring (Bronze-tier) Requirement: Level 10 An earring imbued with magical resistance. Effect: +3% resistance to all magic attributes. A 3% increase in overall magic resistanceit meant a flat reduction of damage from all magic attacks. Ye Tianxie nodded in approval and immediately equipped it on his left ear. In Destiny, earrings were categorized into two typessingle earrings and paired earrings. Paired earrings could only be equipped as a set, but single earrings allowed players to wear one on each ear. Since this was a single earring, he could still equip another one later. Once worn, all seven of his magic resistances rose by 3%.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it Flipping open his inventory, Ye Tianxie pulled out the Silver-tier item the bull had dropped and examined its stats. Savage Bull Bracers (Silver-tier) Requirement: Level 10, Melee Class, Strength 40+ Bracers crafted from the hide of a Rampaging Savage Bull. Status: Unidentified, unable to equip. Silver-tier equipment and above required identification before use. In the beginner village, the village chief was the only available appraiser. Ye Tianxie furrowed his brow slightly as he stowed the bracers back into his inventory. His level was sufficient, and his strength stat met the requirementbut without a formal class, he couldnt equip it at all. He needed to complete his trial and reach the city to obtain an official class as soon as possible. Still, deep down, a lingering feeling told him that the reason he couldnt acquire a novice class wasnt as simple as it seemed... Ding Due to your flawless completion of the first three trials of the Abyssal Test, you have received an additional reward: Luck +1, Charm +1, Comprehension +1, and you will be directly transported to the final trial. The crisp system notification made Ye Tianxie look up in surprise. Throughout the first three trials, he had emerged completely unscathed, creating a miracle that defied common sense with apparent ease. This remarkable feat had triggered the only hidden condition within the trial process, granting him a rare bonus that increased all his fixed attributes by one. However, the last part of the notification stirred mixed feelings within himhe wasnt sure whether to rejoice or be concerned. The Abyssal difficulty trial consisted of five stages, with each stage being exponentially more challenging than the last. Being sent directly to the final stage meant he could skip the fourth trial, but at the same time, he would miss out on a group of monsters that were undoubtedly much stronger than those from the third trialand with them, a considerable amount of potential loot. Moreover, this shortcut did not reduce the trials difficulty. It merely saved time and resources. If he could clear the final stage, he naturally would have been able to clear the fourth as well. But if he failed then even passing the fourth stage first would have made no difference. A white glow descended from above, enveloping Ye Tianxies body. His surroundings shifted instantlythe lush green of the previous area vanished, replaced by an expanse of pure white. Then, the brightness dimmed, revealing an entirely new scene. The first thing that caught his eye was a massive stone platform, nearly a meter high. Atop the stone platform lay a slumbering creaturean enormous, fully violet tiger! In the real world, tigers were typically striped or white, but never had he seen a violet one. Yet, everything about this beastits massive frame, its feline features, and the bold, violet character on its foreheadleft no doubt that it was a tiger. Ye Tianxies sudden arrival didnt wake the slumbering beast. Its colossal body, easily stretching three meters even in its curled-up state, rose and fell rhythmically with each breath. This was itthe final trial of the Abyssal difficulty. And the only entity present was this one creature. [Amethyst War Tiger - Tagore] Level 20 Lord Boss HP: 20,000 Once the reigning lord of all beasts in Newbie Village No. 60001, this tiger accidentally ingested an amethyst imbued with the power of lightning, causing its strength to surge dramatically. It grew to the level of a lord-tier boss and disappeared from its original territory a year ago, its whereabouts unknown. Skills: Seeing the details of the slumbering beast, Ye Tianxie instinctively sucked in a breath and immediately held it, fearing even the slightest noise might awaken the monster. A Level 20 Lord Boss!? What the hell Ye Tianxie clenched his fists tightly. At this moment, even someone as proud as he was finally understood the true meaning of the word Abyss. Lord-tier bosses had no place in the early stages of the game. With the underdeveloped stats, skills, and equipment of new players, such creatures were simply unbeatable. Unlike ordinary bosses, lord-tier bosses possessed not only overwhelming stats but also refined attack patterns, skills, andmost importantlya certain level of intelligence. Not to mention this was a Level 20 Lord Boss. Four terrifying skillseach one deadly. Close-range slashes, long-range lightning strikes, area-of-effect debuffs, and a berserk state upon near death. Every ability was a nightmare. There wasnt a single weak point among them. And according to the official game descriptions, Lord-tier and higher bosses had at least one hidden skillwhich meant this monster had at least five abilities. And since it was hidden, it was bound to be even more lethal than the known ones. For the first time, even Ye Tianxie had the urge to turn around and flee. His breathing became slow and steady, his body completely motionless, his gaze locked onto the slumbering beast. One second passed. Two seconds One minute Two minutes He stood still, unmoving, like a statue anchored to the ground. He was deep in thought, analyzing every possible way to defeat this formidable foe. His first thought was the Double Thunderfire Bombs and Firecracker Strings he had purchased from the eccentric old pharmacist Yuan Que. He had 20 Double Thunderfire Bombs, each dealing 300 points of defense-ignoring damage. If all of them hit, they would inflict 6,000 damage. Adding the five strings of firecrackers, the total damage output would reach 7,500but that was only assuming perfect accuracy and that he could remain unharmed in the process. Even if this boss had no passive health regeneration, that would still leave it with 12,500 HP. How could he possibly handle the rest? Attack it head-on? Even disregarding the level gap and the resulting accuracy penalties, he knew full well that his current attack power could never pierce the defenses of a Level 20 Lord Boss. Even if he landed a hit, it would likely only deal 1 point of symbolic forced damage. Three minutes passed. Five minutes Finally, Ye Tianxie carefully lifted his foot, stepping forward in utter silence. His toes touched the ground so lightly that it made no sound at all. The first step was followed by the second then the third Perhaps it had grown too comfortable in its solitude, or perhaps it simply wasnt as vigilant as he expected, but the Amethyst War Tiger remained asleep even as he approached the massive stone platform. Its slow, steady breathing remained unchanged. Being this close, he could feel the oppressive aura of a kingly beast. Ye Tianxie adjusted his posture, then reached into his inventory and pulled out a small black pouch. With a swift motion, he scattered its contents toward the Amethyst War Tiger before turning and sprinting away. That black substance was not firecrackers. Because firecrackers werent black. It was the poisonous pollen he had collected from the Dark Man-Eating Flowera substance marked in its item description as possessing a terrifyingly lethal toxin. Between Life and Death: The Battle of Endurance and Strategy The pitch-black pollen scattered over the Amethyst Battle Tiger, seeping into its body. A faint, nearly imperceptible black hue surfaced on its purple fur, followed by a small "-5" floating above its head. The sleeping beast finally stirred, letting out a low growl as discomfort spread through its bodyonly to be instantly drowned out by a thunderous roar as an explosion erupted. Boom! Boom! -150, -150. A double firecracker, ignited by a lighter, came hurtling from the distance, striking the Amethyst Battle Tiger squarely in the face. Two identical red damage numbers floated above its head as the explosions rang out, completely igniting its fury. In an instant, it locked onto its targetan intruder had trespassed into what was once its exclusive domain. With a deafening roar, it leaped up, claws outstretched, lunging straight for Ye Tianxie. -5, -5, -5 A steady stream of damage numbers continued to appear above the beasts head, one per second. And within those numbers, Ye Tianxie saw a glimmer of hope. His breath steadied, his mind sharpened, and his piercing gaze calculated every second with precision. The moment the Amethyst Battle Tiger launched into the air, he tossed another firecracker. Not a single one could miss. That was the bare minimum he demanded of himself. The airborne beast had no means of evasion and was struck head-on. Another 300 HP vanished in a fiery blast. Yet, the attack did nothing to halt its trajectory. A massive shadow loomed over Ye Tianxie. As the icy wind from the beast''s charge whistled toward him, he abruptly arched his upper body backward, nearly parallel to the ground. The shadow, along with the impending death it heralded, roared past him. Ye Tianxie swiftly produced a third firecracker, igniting and hurling it at the now-landed tiger. However, its agility far exceeded his expectations. Though the firecracker struck, the moment it touched the ground, the Amethyst Battle Tiger spun around with explosive speed, charging directly at Ye Tianxie, who had just thrown the attack. The enormous purple figure expanded within his pupils. As the gleaming, razor-sharp claws filled his vision, his mind instinctively calculated Movement Speed: 150! The brief stiffness following his throw, the beasts lightning-fast reaction, and his misjudgment of its speed Even though he forcefully shifted half a step to the side, the tiger''s claw still raked across his body. A sharp pain flared at his side. -468! In an instant, Ye Tianxie''s full HP bar was reduced to almost nothing470 to 2. Staring at the fragile sliver of health he had left, a cold sweat broke out over his body despite his usual composure. If not for the extra 200 HP granted by his Life Ring, he would have been instantly slain. Without hesitation, he retreated rapidly, gulping down a high-grade recovery potion and a special healing potion to restore his health. Yet, the chilling wind of death still pursued him. With only 100 movement speed, how could he possibly outrun a beast with 150? The Amethyst Battle Tiger was nothing like the mindless Frenzied Bulls he had faced beforethose creatures had only 80 movement speed and lacked the intelligence for quick adjustments. Faced with an imminent fatal strike, Ye Tianxies body reacted instinctively. He twisted sharply, narrowly dodging the attack. Utilizing his momentum, he tumbled to the ground in a roll, his gaze flickering toward the stone platform where the beast had previously been sleeping. In an instant, a plan formed in his mind. Without a second thought, he dashed toward the platform, which spanned over three meters in length. ROAR! The Amethyst Battle Tiger, having missed its target, let out a furious howl and immediately gave chase. Ye Tianxie leaped onto the stone platform, and in the same motion, turned his headjust in time to see the beast pouncing up, almost colliding with him. Then, he disappeared. It wasnt true disappearancehe had simply leaped off the platform''s edge, crouching low against its side, vanishing from the tigers line of sight. The platform was under a meter in height, easily within Ye Tianxies jumping ability. But his size allowed him to hug the edge, something the colossal tiger could never do. As expected, the Amethyst Battle Tiger''s massive form sailed overhead. The moment it passed, Ye Tianxie swiftly retrieved another firecracker, ignited it, calculated its landing point, and tossed it toward the beasts inevitable crash site. Without waiting to see the result, he immediately flipped back onto the platform, sprinting to the opposite edge. A pained roar erupted behind him as the explosion hit its mark. He turned and made a taunting gesture at the beast. -5, -5, -5 The damage numbers continued, small but relentless. Enraged, the Amethyst Battle Tiger leaped onto the platform once more, but just as it was about to reach Ye Tianxie, he repeated his movejumping down and hugging the edge. Once again, the massive beast soared past him, landing directly onto another firecracker. Boom! Another 300 HP lost. Again and again, the same cycle repeated. Ye Tianxie used the stone platform to execute the same pattern, while the Amethyst Battle Tiger, bound by its own massive frame, fell into the trap. It pounced repeatedly, missing every time, only to be struck by another firecracker upon landing. A true warrior knows how to exploit every advantagehis own strengths, his equipment, the surrounding environment, even the opponents body structure. As time passed, the Amethyst Battle Tiger had lost over 2,000 HP, and Ye Tianxie had yet to miss a single firecracker throw.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. If the tiger were as brainless as the Frenzied Bulls, it would continue falling into the same trap. But it wasnt. This time, when Ye Tianxie jumped onto the platform, the tiger did not immediately chase after him. Instead, it turned its eyes upward, its mouth widening, and let out a deafening, earth-shaking roar. ROOOAAAR!!! The sound carried a heavy, crushing force. Ye Tianxie felt the world itself tremble as a powerful dizziness overtook him. His running steps faltered, and he collapsed onto the platform. His mind went blank, his consciousness fragmented. Through the haze, he could barely make out the looming shadow of the charging Amethyst Battle Tiger. Battle Tigers Roaran area-wide control skill with a high chance of inflicting fear and stun for at least three seconds. First second... The Amethyst Battle Tiger pounced right in front of him. Second second... A massive, lightning-infused tiger claw came crashing downDawn Tiger Strike, a small-area AoE attack with a high chance of instantly killing Ye Tianxie. If the unfortunate 30% damage boost were triggered, his death would be an absolute certainty. -469! Compared to the previous moment when he barely survived with just 2 HP, this time, his full health bar was instantly slashed down to a single point leaving him teetering on the razors edge of death. Third second... The Amethyst Battle Tiger raised its claw again, ready to strike. But just as it was about to land on Ye Tianxies body, clarity suddenly returned to his eyes. In his fallen state, dodging was impossible, so he acted at the fastest speed possiblegulping down two Special Recovery Potions in rapid succession. +300, +300, -466. Heaven and hell, life and deathso terrifyingly close. Two green recovery numbers and one blood-red damage number floated above him simultaneously. Ye Tianxie had barely survived. If he had been even 0.1 seconds slower, his fate would have been sealed. Dragging his near-lifeless body with just 4 HP remaining, Ye Tianxie rolled off the stone platform and crouched tightly against the rock wall. He quickly downed a High-Grade Recovery Potion and another Special Recovery Potion, refilling his health completely. Sweat drenched his forehead, his heart pounding furiously. The sensation of teetering on the edge of deathnothing could be more exhilarating. The stun effect, which should have lasted at least three seconds, only affected him for two. That fraction of a second made the difference between survival and instant death. His early recovery wasnt luckit was the result of a player attribute that nearly everyone overlooked: Focus. A higher Focus stat made it harder to be interrupted while casting spells, sometimes even shortening cast times. That was common knowledge among players. But what they didnt know was that Focus also helped resist status effects such as stun, sleep, confusion, and fear. The higher the Focus, the less likely ones mind would be shaken by external forces. However, since the difference in Focus among ordinary players was usually insignificant, this aspect remained unnoticed. Additionally, Focus also subtly increased success rates for gathering, forging, crafting, and mining. -5, -5, -5... The continuous damage numbers still floated above the Amethyst Battle Tigers head. The fact that the Dark Devourer Flower Pollen was still active after nearly three minutes startled Ye Tianxie. 5 HP lost per second300 HP per minute900 HP over three minutes When he first encountered the Amethyst Battle Tiger, he had felt nothing but powerlessness. But now, those small but relentless damage numbers ignited a burning hope within him. His blood boiled with excitement. If thats the case... then theres no reason to lose! Suddenly, a strange, binding sensation swept over his body. Ye Tianxies eyes snapped upward and saw a faint purple glow enveloping the Amethyst Battle Tiger. His expression darkened, and without hesitation, he bolted awaythree meters, four meters, five meters... ten meters! CRACK! A violent purple lightning bolt ripped through the sky, striking the ground just inches behind him. He barely escaped. Sky Thunder Breaka ten-meter radius homing attack. Once locked on, dodging was impossible unless completely outside its range. No matter how fast Ye Tianxies reflexes and movement speed were, nothing is faster than lightning.And no one can outrun lightning. With 2.5 seconds of casting time, this skill was a matter of life or death. He didnt dare to test its damagebecause a single miscalculation could mean instant obliteration. Ten seconds Twenty seconds Finally, the damage numbers above the Amethyst Battle Tiger stopped. Ye Tianxies mental countdown ended at the exact same moment. 200 seconds! The Dark Devourer Flower Pollens poison effect had lasted for a full 200 seconds. That meant... each dose drained exactly 1000 HP! Twelve doses of pollen. If he managed to land all of them, that would be a total of 12,000 damage! A truly beautiful number. The 20-second cooldown had passed. The enraged Amethyst Battle Tiger halted, lifted its head to the sky, and let out another deafening roar. But this time, Ye Tianxie did not retreat. Instead, for the first time, he charged straight toward the beast. "ROAR!!" The War Tigers Roar shook the heavens, its overwhelming force reverberating through the air. Ye Tianxies body stiffened for a momentbut this time, he neither collapsed nor lost consciousness. In that brief moment of rigidity in the Amethyst Battle Tigers body, Ye Tianxie closed the distance, scattering another cloud of black pollen onto its head before instantly retreating. Once again, that dark mist reappeared on the beasts body. He did not get stunned this time. It wasnt luck. It was his Focus. With his far superior concentration, he was confident that this level of intimidation was not enough to disrupt his consciousness. The first time, he was caught off guard. Now, fully preparedit no longer affected him. -5, -5, -5... Like the slow, relentless footsteps of the Grim Reaper, the poison damage continued to tick away. Against this Amethyst Battle Tiger, even if he only dodged without attacking, the battle was far more difficult than fighting twelve Berserk Wild Bulls at once. But now, Ye Tianxie had a fully-formed strategy. Using the stone platform to control the tigers movement, Dark Devourer Flower Pollen to slowly chip away at its HP Each dose of pollen lasted 200 seconds. And every time the effect wore off, the Amethyst Battle Tiger would immediately be poisoned again. BOOM! BOOM! -150, -150. SLASH! -467! Against such an overwhelming opponent, Ye Tianxie had to push his reflexes and calculations to the absolute limit. Dodge. Evade. Survive. His only chance of victory lay in his items. If this were a battle of pure strength, even ten of him wouldnt be enough to win. The Dark Devourer Flower Pollen was running low, consumed one by one. At the same time, his recovery potions were also dwindling. Half an hour later Only one final dose of pollen remained. And in his inventoryjust five bottles of Special Recovery Potion. A Battle of Legends: The Impossible Victory Golden Spoils of War Every time he was attacked by the Amethyst Battle Tiger, his full health would inevitably drop below ten. Without fail, he would immediately gulp down two special recovery potions or a regular potion with a special one to fully restore his health. Whether it was sheer luck or the fact that the tigers maximum damage happened to be precisely 469, each time he was struck, he was left with just a sliver of healthtwice even down to a single pointbut never was his life completely extinguished. Over the span of half an hour, Ye Tianxie had endured more than a dozen attacks from the Amethyst Battle Tiger. Against an enemy with a movement speed exceeding his own by 50%, while still managing to launch occasional counterattacks with firecrackers or poison pollen, such a feat was nothing short of mythical. The tigers lightning strikes never once hit himwhenever the incantation for "Heavenly Thunder Break" began, he would instantly sprint beyond its ten-meter range, causing the descending lightning to miss every time. At the cost of being swept once by the tigers tail, Ye Tianxie finally sprinkled the last portion of Dark Devourer Flower pollen onto the beast. With that, all twelve doses had now taken effect on the Amethyst Battle Tiger. He instantly restored his health to full, retreated swiftly, and reached for the Twin Boom Cannons that he had not used in a long time. When a bosss health drops to a critical level, it will unleash its final skill, drastically increasing its threat level. The best strategy is to concentrate the most powerful attacks at the end, eliminating it as quickly as possibleotherwise, the battle could end in disaster. Three more minutes passed. As the last dose of poison faded, Ye Tianxie finally hurled his Twin Boom Cannons one after another -150, -150, -150, -150 The twelve doses of Dark Devourer Flower pollen had drained 12,000 HP from the Amethyst Battle Tiger, and more than a dozen Twin Boom Cannon explosions had inflicted an additional 3,000 damage. Every second, Ye Tianxies nerves were on edge, meticulously calculating the beasts remaining health. -150, -150! The Amethyst Battle Tigers health finally dropped below 4,000. Its enraged roars grew even more frenzied. Suddenly, it stopped chasing Ye Tianxie, lifted its head, and let out a thunderous roarone unlike any previous "Battle Tiger Roar." Just as Ye Tianxie was about to question it, six pale yellow lights descended from the sky, landing beside the tiger, accompanied by six synchronized roars. They were six Striped Giant Tigers! Striped Giant Tiger C Level 20, HP: 1,250 Originally the subordinates of the Amethyst Battle Tiger, they share a mysterious bond with it and are summoned when it faces a formidable enemy. Skills: Tiger Rend Strike, Tiger Tail Sweep. This was Companion Summon, a hidden skill triggered when the Amethyst Battle Tigers health falls below 20%! Just dealing with the Amethyst Battle Tiger alone had pushed Ye Tianxie to the brink of danger. If six more tigers joined the fray, it would become completely unmanageable. While these Striped Giant Tigers werent as fast as their leader, their speed likely wasnt far behind. The six tigers formed a perfect circle around the Amethyst Battle Tiger. Instead of attacking immediately, they all raised their heads and roared in unisonwhether as a greeting ritual or some form of summoning chant. But to Ye Tianxie, their action was nothing short of idiotic beyond salvation. His eyes narrowed as he swiftly approached, retrieving a lighter and several large firecracker bundles from his inventory. One after another, he ignited and hurled them at the optimal location, ensuring the explosions would engulf all seven tigers. -300, -300, -300, -300, -300, -300 Each bundle of firecrackers exploded right in the center of the pack, perfectly covering all the tigers in its blast radius. The speed of throwing items was not tied to a players attack speed but was instead entirely dependent on hand speedsomething that was not represented numerically in Destiny, but was directly correlated with a persons reflexes and mental processing speed. The rapid series of explosions brought no celebratory atmosphere, only a chorus of furious roars. But just as the six Striped Giant Tigers were about to launch their attacks, the fifth bundle of firecrackers detonated, instantly wiping out all six of them, ending their pitifully short-lived supporting roles. Seeing its summoned reinforcements obliterated in the blink of an eye and its own health dropping to the critical 10% threshold, the Amethyst Battle Tiger''s eyes widened with fury. With a deafening roar, its body crackled violently with streaks of wild lightning, coursing through its limbs and eyes with a menacing sizzle. Without hesitation, Ye Tianxie turned and fled, dodging a lightning strike by mere milliseconds before launching yet another Twin Boom Cannon at the enraged beast. Back in the game Godslayer, he had played as a Ranger, wielding a terrifyingly precise Soul-Chasing Bow. Among the many rumors about him, one stood outevery arrow he loosed would strike its mark, never missing. -150, -150. -150, -150. As the Amethyst Battle Tiger closed in, two more Twin Boom Cannons exploded upon it. Its health finally dropped below 10%. At that moment, it abruptly halted its movement, and Ye Tianxies expression tensed. Without a moment''s hesitation, he dashed toward the stone platform. ROAR! A terrifying roar filled with uncontainable rage and hatred erupted. The tigers previously purple-glowing eyes slowly turned blood-red. An overwhelming pressure engulfed the battlefield. Its entire body became encased in a thick layer of violet light, resembling burning purple flames Battle Tigers Wrath! Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.Triggered automatically when the Amethyst Battle Tigers health falls below 10%, increasing its attack and movement speed by 30% while reducing its defense by 50%! Boom! A Twin Boom Cannon exploded on the tigers body, displaying a red -300 in the air. The beasts enraged eyes turned to Ye Tianxie, its massive form kicking up a violent gust as it charged like a bolt of purple lightning. With its attack power now increased by 30%, the Amethyst Battle Tiger could instantly kill Ye Tianxie in a single strike. Moreover, its movement speed had nearly doubled his own. Though it had less than 2,000 HP remaining, every passing second now teetered on the edge of life and death. A glowing, clawed strike grazed past Ye Tianxies face, the fierce wind slicing against his skin. As he narrowly sidestepped the tigers berserk charge, he swung the Mark of Destiny in retaliation -72! With the tigers defense slashed by 50%, Ye Tianxie finally broke through its natural armor. Even with his 200 attack power, the strike only dealt 72 damage, meaning its original defense could mitigate around 250 points of damage! Such a formidable defense Ye Tianxie was certain that, aside from mage players with spells that ignored physical resistance, no one in the world could possibly break through its defenses at this stage. The Amethyst War Tiger lunged back at him, its razor-sharp claws gleaming with a terrifying purple light that sent chills down one''s spine. With the beasts movement speed now double his own, Ye Tianxie had no chance of outrunning it. Gritting his teeth, he suddenly dropped flat to the ground, pressing his body tightly against it. In that instant, a fierce wind imbued with crackling lightning force howled past above his head. Calculating the Amethyst War Tigers position in a split second, he instinctively hurled a Twin Blast Bomb and rolled swiftly to the bottom of the stone platform, curling up tightly. Boom! Boom! The explosions rang in his ears as he squinted, gripping Fates Moment tightly, and slashed upward in one swift motion. Just at that moment, the massive body of the Amethyst War Tiger soared over the stone platform above his head. Miss! Fates Moment struck its body, but instead of dealing damage, a glaring "Miss" floated in the air. The ten-level gap between them and their insurmountable power difference was undeniable. Ye Tianxie quickly withdrew, lit another Twin Blast Bomb, and flung it toward the tigers landing spot before leaping back onto the stone platform. The moment he landed, two more deafening explosions rang out, accompanied by the enraged roar of the Amethyst War Tiger. The deadly aura of impending doom surged toward him once more... Each time he evaded an attack, it was like brushing past the scythe of death. Once was swift, twice was perilous, three times was sheer luck, four times was a miracle but ten times twenty times In his virtual gaming career, he had once single-handedly kited a boss of the same level to death with just a bow, avoiding every single attack throughout the battle. Soloing a Lord-tier boss was considered a legendary feat in the gaming world, yet the challenge he now faced was far beyond merely taking down a same-level boss without injury. This battle ranked among the greatest trials in all his years of gaming. Ye Tianxies blood was boiling, every cell in his body feeling as if it might explode at any moment. He was like a razor-thin thread stretched across a thousand metersone slight breeze would be enough to snap it. At this moment, even a momentary lapse in focus would result in him perishing beneath the Amethyst War Tigers claws. The Dark Man-Eating Flowers pollen was gone. The firecrackers were gone. Even the Twin Blast Bombs were used up. He had exhausted all his trump cards against the Amethyst War Tiger. This was his one and only chancebecause he would never be able to obtain those tools again in the Novice Village. Yet, he felt no fear. Instead, he was exhilarated. His eyes, mind, and very consciousness were fully fixated on the Amethyst War Tigers silhouette, his nerves stretched taut, reacting with unparalleled precision to its every minuscule movement. With the Twin Blast Bombs depleted, he freed up a sliver of his focus, searching for that fleeting, nearly imperceptible opening for attack. Ironically, he had the Amethyst War Tigers berserk state to thank. Though it put him in constant mortal danger, it was also the very reason he could damage the beasthis only chance of victory. When one concentrates on a single thing with absolute focus, time seems to fly. When one teeters on the brink of death, every second stretches into an eternity. Yet, for Ye Tianxiewhose mind was utterly consumed by the battle, balancing on the razors edge between life and deathtime itself lost all meaning. He had no idea how long he had been fighting. -69 Miss Miss Miss 72 Miss The Amethyst War Tigers claws repeatedly grazed past his body, yet after entering its berserk state, where its speed had increased by 30%, it astonishingly failed to land a single hit. Ye Tianxies dodging no longer relied merely on his superior reaction speed and perceptionit had evolved into an instinctual survival response, a subconscious defiance against death itself. Miss Miss Miss -72 -70 Miss -142! Man and beast crossed paths in a fleeting moment, and a streak of black light sliced through the sliver of space between their nearly touching bodies. For the first time, a glaring yellow critical hit number floated into the air, draining away the last bit of the Amethyst War Tigers health. The beast let out a long, sorrowful roar, its massive body still lunging forward before finally collapsing onto the ground. As its mournful cries echoed through the air, it fell completely still. A large pile of loot, glistening with various radiant hues, spilled forth from its corpse. A massive drop! A truly massive drop! A Lord-tier boss The first to ever be slain. Taken down while being ten levels higher. Soloed. Any one of these factors alone would have guaranteed an extraordinary loot drop. The final trial of the Abyss-tier Challengethe level 20 Lord-tier boss that no novice player should have been able to defeathad just fallen at Ye Tianxies hands. This was a miracle, an impossible feat forged from a blend of skill and sheer luck. Even Ye Tianxie himself was certain that if he were to attempt this battle again, he wouldnt be able to replicate his victory. The abyss was meant to symbolize despairyet within despair, there remained the faintest glimmer of hope And Ye Tianxies hope had been the Dark Man-Eating Flowers in the second trial. Without their pollen, he would never have defeated the Amethyst War Tiger. Likewise, if not for the peculiar tools he had purchased from Yuan Que at the Novice Villages apothecary, victory would have been impossible. But that didnt mean this was a battle won purely by fate. If it had been anyone else who attempted this Abyss-tier Challengeeven with the exact same items, even with a full twelve-man teamthey still would not have been able to defeat the Amethyst War Tiger. This was a trial meant for true champions. Ye Tianxie exhaled deeply. The moment he allowed his body to relax, an overwhelming wave of exhaustion washed over him, tempting him to collapse onto the ground and gasp for breath. He had no idea how long the battle had lasted, nor how many times he had come within a hairs breadth of death. A faint, tranquil smile curled at his lips. He had won. He had accomplished a task that should have been impossible. Ding You have successfully slain the level 20 Lord-tier boss, Amethyst War Tiger. Reputation +20. Ding Your level has increased to 11. HP +10, MP +10. You have gained 5 free attribute points. The crisp system notifications brought a sense of relief to his near-exhausted nerves. Straightening his body, he retrieved Fates Moment and slowly walked toward the Amethyst War Tigers corpse. There, two golden lights caught his eye. The glow of Gold-tier equipment! The Lone Conqueror of the Abyss The Amethyst Battle Tiger dropped 12 gold coins, 20 healing potions, and an astonishing five pieces of equipment. None of them were ordinarytwo gleamed with a golden radiance, while the other three shimmered in silver. The golden items included a shield emblazoned with a roaring tiger and a serrated golden dagger, while the silver ones comprised a broad suit of armor and two identical pairs of battle boots. Tiger Soul Shield: Gold-tier item. Requirement: Level 20 Shield Guard. Status: Unidentified, unusable. Tiger Fang Blade: Gold-tier item. Requirement: Level 20 Assassin. Status: Unidentified, unusable. Battle Tiger Armor: Silver-tier item. Requirement: Level 20 melee class. Status: Unidentified, unusable. Battle Tiger Boots: Silver-tier item. Requirement: Level 20 melee class. Status: Unidentified, unusable. Discarding some of the less valuable items from his inventory, Ye Tianxie carefully stored the five dazzling gold and silver pieces in his backpack. The Amethyst Battle Tiger was a Level 20 lord-tier boss, so it was expected that its loot would also be around Level 20. However, any one of these three silver-tier or two gold-tier items was enough to stir up a huge sensation if made public. Turning over the Amethyst Battle Tigers body, Ye Tianxie spotted two scrolls of different sizesone a dull gray, the other plain white. He picked up the gray one first. As he expected, it was an extremely rare, nearly impossible-to-obtain Skill Scroll! Skill Scroll C Berserkers Will Requirement: None. Effect: Grants the skill "Berserkers Will" upon use. When HP drops below 20%, the user can activate this ability, increasing physical and magical attack power as well as movement speed by 30%, but reducing defense by 50%. Consumes 30 MP, lasts for 30 seconds, and can be upgraded. Berserkers Will This was the very skill the Amethyst Battle Tiger had triggered when it was on the brink of death. However, this version was even strongernot only was the activation requirement less restrictive compared to the tigers original 10% HP threshold, but it also allowed manual activation instead of being a passive trigger. A 30% boost to attack power and movement speed was something that even second- and third-tier class buffs struggled to match. Even more shocking this was an upgradeable skill, meaning it would only become stronger over time. Ye Tianxie did not immediately use the skill scroll but stored it away before picking up the second scroll. The moment he held the white scroll, a crisp system notification rang in his ears: "Ding Congratulations on completing the Abyss difficulty class advancement trial! You may now use the ''Abyss Trial Completion Certificate'' to request the village chief to teleport you to the Lost Continent. Since you have cleared the highest difficulty trial, we will announce it publicly three times. Would you like to hide your name?" "Hide my name?" Ye Tianxie twitched at the suggestion. "I''d have to be crazy to do that! Also, three times isnt enoughannounce it five times! I want the entire world to know my name, Xie Tian!" The scroll in his hand was none other than the Abyss Trial Completion Certificate. The female system voice seemed to hesitate for a moment before falling silent, either at a loss for words or silently complying.
System Announcement: "Ding Player ''Buried God'' and his team have successfully cleared the Nightmare difficulty class advancement trial, becoming the first team in Destiny to accomplish this feat. All team membersBuried God, Divine Shadow, Divine Falling Star (12 members in total)have received +4 Strength, +4 Vitality, +4 Agility, +4 Spirit, +1 Luck, +1 Charisma, a random class-appropriate Bronze-tier equipment piece, and an additional +20 Reputation." A huge uproar followed. The system-wide announcement sent waves through the entire Huaxia region, like a meteor crashing into a calm lake, causing shock and excitement among countless players. Divine Domain Alliancea name well known and feared, representing immense power and influence. Once again, they had left all other players far behind. While many were still struggling repeatedly with the Hard difficulty trial, the Divine Domain Alliance already had a team that cleared Nightmare difficulty! Some were envious, others jealous, and many could only sigh in frustration. The overwhelming advantage held by such a powerful guild was something ordinary players could never hope to match. With their vast resources, best equipment, and elite teams, they alone had the capability to conquer Nightmare difficulty trials. Outside Novice Village #12000, twelve beams of white light flashed, and twelve figures materialized. There were both male and female members, perfectly balanced in roles and classes. Their equipment was dazzlingBronze-tier gear was exceedingly rare, yet each of these twelve players wore at least two pieces. Most notably, the leader, a tall male warrior, had silver-tier bracers that made onlookers pupils contract in awe. "Haha! We did it!" The apprentice archer Divine Falling Star, wielding a bronze bow, shouted in excitement. The entire squad wore expressions of triumph. They had failed countless times in the Nightmare trial, but through sheer strength, superior preparation, teamwork, and some luck, they had finally succeeded. "Hmph, in the end, we were still the first to clear Nightmare mode. I bet the leader of Heavenly Wings, Tianzi, is looking pretty upset right now," sneered the towering shield user Divine Skywall, one of the two Shield Guards in the squad. He had taken on the brunt of the damage throughout the trial, acting as the team''s immovable wall. His name was well known among all Huaxia playershe had been the strongest Guardian in Godslayer, and now, he remained a pillar of the Divine Domain Alliance. Buried God glanced toward the novice village with a calm smirk. "Good work but dont get complacent. Tianzi has Kill Without Mercy backing him up. Hell likely clear Nightmare difficulty soon. For now, take the rest of the afternoon to finish any unfinished business in the village. Then, well head to the main city and class-advance as quickly as possible. We must establish our dominance in the Lost Continent before Heavenly Wings does!" For him, Heavenly Wings was his strongest, and perhaps only, true rival. In the south, "Son of the Gods", and in the north, "Tianzi"two of Huaxias most powerful figures. Their rivalry, both in reality and in gaming, had never ceased. Over time, it had only intensified. Rumors swirled that their conflict wasnt just about controlling their respective guilds but also because of a woman. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. A woman named Liu Qiyue. "Master, latest reports just in Canglangs team was completely wiped in Hard mode''s fifth stage ten minutes ago. Tianzi and Kill Without Mercy attempted Abyss difficulty two hours ago but were wiped in thirty minutes. After regrouping, theyve now entered Nightmare mode," Divine Shadow reported to Buried God. "Hmph." Buried God sneered. "Fools. Abyss difficulty is impossible to clear" "Ding System Announcement! Player ''Xie Tian'' has successfully cleared the Abyss difficulty class advancement trial, becoming the first player in Destiny to do so!" "He has earned +5 Strength, +5 Vitality, +5 Agility, +5 Spirit, +1 Luck, +1 Charisma, +1 Insight, and +100 Reputation. He has also received the first-ever ''Novice Village Heros Medal'' in the Huaxia region, and his name will forever be recorded in Destinys history!" Silence. A deathly, suffocating silence. For a moment, time seemed to freeze. The entire Huaxia region fell into an eerie, unnatural stillness. Every player, wide-eyed and slack-jawed, sat in stunned disbelief, listening to the system notification that had echoed five times in their ears. Abyss!? The Abyss difficulty trial!? Someone actually cleared the Abyss difficulty class advancement trial!? "This... this is impossible." Divine Domain Falling Star''s face was filled with shock and disbelief. The repeated system announcement made him question his own hearing. "Were the strongest team, with the best equipment, yet weve never even made it past the third stage of the Abyss trial. Theres no way a stronger team exists! This ''Xie Tian'' guy." Wait Xie Tian Just one person!? It was as if a colossal lid had been slammed down over them, suffocating everyone in the overwhelming shock. Realization dawned, and the twelve members of Divine Domain fell into a dead silence once more. No one spoke. The system announcement had mentioned only one nameXie Tian. That meant he had done it alone. He had single-handedly conquered the Abyss difficulty trial. "Impossible impossible" Divine Domain Falling Star muttered in a daze, shaking his head. "Theres absolutely no way Even if he somehow cleared the Abyss trial, theres no way he did it alone. He must have had a full twelve-member party, and the others must have died at the final stage There''s no way a single person could do it." Every single one of them had personally experienced how terrifying the Abyss trial was. They had attempted it time and time again, only to fail repeatedly. Their best attempt? They had barely survived the second stage, losing six members along the way. And in the third stage? They had lasted mere minutes before being wiped out completely. They had the best equipment, the most complete supplies, the strongest teamwork, and the highest stats. They were, without a doubt, the strongest novice team. Yet even with all that, they couldnt clear the Abyss trial. How could one person possibly succeed where they had failed? "Youre wrong." Divine Domain Skywall shook his head grimly. "For teams that enter the trial together, as long as even one member survives and clears it, the entire team is considered victorious. But the system announcement only mentioned one name. That means he really did it alone." All traces of excitement disappeared from their faces. Just moments ago, they had been basking in their pride, celebrating their triumph over Nightmare difficulty. But in less than a minute, that pride had been mercilessly shattered. Compared to a single person clearing the Abyss difficulty triala feat so impossible it seemed more like legend than realitytheir so-called "glory" now seemed utterly insignificant. "No way! Could it be a game exploit?" Divine Domain Falling Star muttered in a daze. "Even the weakest monsters in the Abyss trial are one-star elites. We had to be extremely careful just to deal with one of them, but he supposedly defeated twelve in an instant? And then there were two-star elites, three-star elites, and even more terrifying enemies beyond them How could one person possibly survive that? And why have we never heard of this Xie Tian before?" "Destiny doesnt have exploits," Divine Domain Skywall said coldly. Buried God remained silent for a long time, his expression unreadable. Finally, he turned and spoke. "Everyone, return to your own tasks. Shadow, find out everything there is to know about this ''Xie Tian'' as soon as possible. Im sure Tianzi will be very interested in him as well." "Yes, young master," Divine Domain Shadow responded before vanishing into the crowd.
Novice Village #60001. The moment the system announcement rang out, a team struggling in the Hard difficulty trial came to an abrupt halt. Like every other player, they stood frozen, listening to the notification with stunned expressions. Among them, the five leading members stood at the front, their faces shifting between pale and flushed in utter disbelief. "Xie Tian Xie Tian Its him!" A trainee archers face turned ashen as he recognized the name. He was none other than the unfortunate archer from the Maple Alliance, the one who had been humiliated by Ye Tianxie twice. Maple Ironwalls expression darkened. As one of the leaders of the Maple Alliance, he had never forgotten his grudge against Xie Tian. He had sworn that as soon as they reached the main city and gathered their forces, he would track Xie Tian down and make him pay. But now, he suddenly realized how naive he had been. One person had cleared the Abyss difficulty trialthe same trial where full twelve-man teams couldnt even pass the third stage. What did that mean!? A miracle? A legend? A myth? Was this really someone they still wanted to provoke? Maple Ironwall hesitated. Then, picking up his communicator, he contacted the leader of the Maple AllianceMaple Gale.
At the end of the trial grounds. As the system announcement echoed for the fifth and final time, Ye Tianxie nodded in satisfaction. Five times. The system had been obedient. Just then, a small, round medal the size of his palm gently floated down from the sky, hovering before him. It was a dull bronze colornothing flashy, no dazzling glow, no intricate engravings. Both its front and back bore only two simple characters: "Brave One." Ye Tianxie picked up the medal, closing his fingers around it completely. Medals. No matter which virtual world, they were always the rarest, most invaluable type of equipment. The fact that they had no equip limit alone made them unbelievably scarce.
Brave One Medal Symbol of the Brave C Only those who have cleared the Abyss difficulty trial may obtain and equip this medal. Effect: Prestige +100. Untradeable. Undroppable. Unstealable. If discarded, it will be permanently lost.
"...That''s it?" Ye Tianxie stared at the medal, dumbfounded. Apart from the +100 Prestige, there were no other stats. This was the Abyss triala difficulty level deemed impossible to clear. The reward should have been something game-breaking. Yet, this Brave One Medal looked like the most underwhelming prize imaginable. It didnt even compare to the Bronze-tier equipment awarded for clearing Nightmare difficulty. In Destiny, Prestige was an extremely difficult stat to increase. It could only be gained through significant achievements, completing special quests, or killing powerful bosses. Even completing a high-level quest would rarely award more than five Prestige points, and only defeating lord-tier bosses or higher would grant Prestige. So, 100 Prestige was actually an enormous amount. But Prestige mainly mattered for forming guilds, alliances, and other player factions. To someone like Ye Tianxiewho preferred to play soloit was practically useless. Still Ye Tianxie tightened his grip around the medal, deep in thought. Was Prestige really all it gave? It didnt seem likely. There had to be something hidden, something that hadnt been revealed yet. Hopefully. The Tower of Fate and the Path of No Return With the Badge of the Brave pinned to his chest, Ye Tianxie crouched down and began using "Gathering" on the corpse of the Amethyst War Tiger. Ding... You have obtained an Amethyst Tiger Pelt. Ding... You have obtained seven portions of Amethyst Tiger Meat. Ding... You have obtained a special item: Fragment of the Amethyst Stone. "Oh?" Ye Tianxie pinched a tiny, sand-grain-sized stone between his thumb and index finger. Despite its minuscule size, it gleamed with a blinding purple light. A faint current of electricity crackled across his fingertips, causing a slight numbing sensation. Wisps of electric arcs danced on the surface of the stone, releasing a soft but distinct sizzling sound. Fragment of the Amethyst Stone: Originally a jade stone that had existed for thousands of years, it was struck by the energy unleashed during the battle between the Twelve Sages of the Lost Continent and the Eight Demon Kings, becoming infused with an immense concentration of lightning energy. The Tiger King inadvertently swallowed this stone, evolving into the Level 20 Lord-class Amethyst War Tiger, gaining the power of lightning. However, as it had not fully absorbed the stone''s energy, this final fragment remained within its body. Effect: Upon consumption, Lightning Resistance permanently increases by 5%, and Lightning Magic damage is increased by 1%. Without hesitation, Ye Tianxie swallowed the Fragment of the Amethyst Stone. Items that could permanently enhance a character''s attributes were extremely rare, their value immeasurablea true priceless treasure. Ding... You have used Fragment of the Amethyst Stone. Your Lightning Resistance has permanently increased by 5%. Lightning Magic damage is increased by 1%. The fully harvested corpse of the Amethyst War Tiger vanished from the ground. Ye Tianxie stood up and gazed ahead. In the distance, the once-sealed stone gate was now wide open. A satisfied smirk appeared on his face as he stepped inside. The moment he crossed the threshold, a soft chime echoed in his ears. His vision was instantly flooded with blinding white light, and the surrounding environment shifted rapidly. In the blink of an eye, he found himself back outside the Beginner Village. Holding the Proof of Abyssal Trial Completion, he strode into the village, heading directly toward the village chief. "Village Chief, Im back," Ye Tianxie greeted warmly. Upon seeing him, the village chiefs eyes lit up, just like before. However, instead of speaking immediately, he scrutinized Ye Tianxie from head to toe before nodding. "Not bad... You took much longer than I expected... Heh heh, now you should understandit''s absolutely impossible to clear the Abyssal Trial, right? But dont worry, just lasting as long as you did already proves youre an impressive" The chiefs words suddenly halted. His old eyes widened in shock, staring fixedly at Ye Tianxies chest. He remained frozen for a long while before stammering, "B-Brave... the Badge of the Brave... You You actually cleared the Abyssal Trial? T-This... this this..." NPCs in the world of "Destiny" cannot hear system notifications, so the village chief had no idea that Ye Tianxie had actually cleared the Abyssal Trialhe had never even considered it as a possibility. No one understood the sheer difficulty of the Abyssal Trial better than the village chief. He knew every detail, including the final boss, the invincible Amethyst War Tiger. Given the strength limitations within Beginner Village, even a full party of twelve playersor even dozens or hundredsstood zero chance of defeating it. And yet, Ye Tianxiea single playerhad somehow succeeded. Though the village chief had encouraged Ye Tianxie and even provided him with some assistance, it was only because he admired himhe never actually believed he could pass the trial. After all, only by clearing the Abyssal Trial could one obtain the Badge of the Brave! "Yes, and I must thank you, Village Chief," Ye Tianxie replied with a smile. "Without your help, I wouldnt have stood a chance." Indeed, if not for the 20 special recovery potions the village chief had given him, and the special item recommended by Yuan Que, he might have cleared the earlier trials, but there was no way he could have defeated the Amethyst War Tiger. The village chief stared at him blankly for a long time, his shocked expression finally easing back into normalcy. He shook his head solemnly, saying, "No... I know exactly what Yuan Lao had in his possession. Even if you took everything, without exceptional ability, theres absolutely no way you could have defeated the Abyssal Trials powerful foes." He paused, then sighed with deep emotion. "I always believed you would become an outstanding warrior... but I still underestimated you. You are only the second person in all these years to obtain the Badge of the Brave. Witnessing this miracle with my own eyes... I am truly overjoyed." The village chief''s expression turned serious as he continued, "Now, my greatest wish is to see you one day obtain the legendary Heros Badge and Warlords Badge, then set foot upon the Tower of Destiny." "Heros Badge Warlords Badge Tower of Destiny?" Ye Tianxie echoed, his gaze filled with curiosity. The village chief lifted his head slightly, lost in thought for a brief moment, before speaking. "Since you have earned the Badge of the Brave, you are now qualified to know this information." This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. He let out a sigh before continuing. "Years ago, when the Eight Demon Kings wreaked havoc across the Lost Continent, the Twelve Sages managed to seal them within the Tower of Destiny using the power of the Eternal Clock of Fate. The Tower of Destiny has 111 floors, each one imprisoning countless creaturesevery single one of them a ferocious beast or monstrous demon. The higher the floor, the stronger the seal, and the more terrifying the creatures within." "The Tower of Destiny stands at the very center of the Lost Continent. It is sustained and powered by the core of this lands energythe Eternal Clock of Fate." "However, three years ago, the Eternal Clock of Fate suddenly vanished from the towers peak. Its disappearance weakened the towers seals day by day. Eventually, a massive surge of demonic energy erupted from the tower''s summitthe unmistakable aura of the Eight Demon Kings. Before long, they all escaped... and vanished without a trace." The village chief sighed again before continuing. "During the battle against the Eight Demon Kings, five of the Twelve Sages perished. The remaining seven disappeared afterward, their whereabouts unknown. Without the energy core, the Lost Continent is now drowning in growing demonic energy, and natural disasters have become more frequent. Countless people have sought the Eternal Clock of Fate, hoping to uncover what transpired within the Tower of Destiny." "Thus, countless warriors ventured inside but none ever returned. Eventually, the Tower of Destiny was completely sealed offordinary people are now forbidden from stepping inside. It has become a true forbidden zone." Ye Tianxie: "..." "To enter the Tower of Destiny, one must possess the Badge of the Brave, the Heros Badge, and the Warlords Badge. Without all three, entering is nothing but suicide." "Finally, one warriorafter enduring a trial akin to hell itselfgathered all three badges and entered the Tower of Destiny." "However... he still failed to reach the towers peak. At the 80th floor, he nearly perished and was forced to retreat." "That man is the current strongest warrior of the Lost Continent, a fighter whose power rivals that of the Twelve Sages themselvesNameless." The Tower of Fate is a terrifying place. Although the Eight Demon Kings are no longer there, countless demonic beasts and wicked entities have been sealed within for millennia, growing stronger with each ascending level. Only true warriors can enter. You have already experienced how difficult it is to obtain the Badge of the Brave, but acquiring the Heros Badge and the War Gods Badge is an even greater challenge. The trials are so grueling that they can easily drive one to despair. Yet, only those who can overcome such despairing trials can be called true champions. Ye Tianxie listened quietly, gradually forming a picture of the Tower of Fate in his mind. The village chief could never have imagined that the missing Eternal Fate Mark was in his possessionno, that it had even become his weapon. Beneath his calm exterior, his heart pounded wildly once again. The core of this world''s power, the key that sealed countless demons, why had it appeared on him? And in the real world, no less It was left behind by her. Why!? Oh la! I heard it the Tower of Fate, the Tower of Fate Master, Master, you have to go to the Tower of Fate! Guoguos voice suddenly rang in his ears. First came her voice, then her tiny body slowly materialized, sitting cross-legged on Ye Tianxies shoulder in a most unladylike manner. She yawned, stretched, and looked half-asleep. Why? Ye Tianxie asked in a low voice. Because as soon as I heard about the Tower of Fate, I suddenly rememberedthe Purple Fate Core of the Eternal Fate Mark is still at the top of the tower Huh? Thats weird, why do I know that? Why? Guoguo bit her finger, puffed out her cheeks, and blinked as she tried hard to think of an answer. But as for how she knew not even the gods could answer that. Master do you have any more apples? Unable to figure it out, Guoguo instantly switched her focus, floating in front of Ye Tianxie and clutching the hem of his clothes, looking pitifully at him. She was just about ready to burst into tears if he didnt give her one. Ye Tianxie had experienced firsthand just how deadly this little girls tearful assault could be. He had no desire to go through it again. Sighing in defeat, he pulled an apple from his inventory and shoved it into her hands. Guoguo let out a delighted squeal, hugged the apple, and floated back onto his shoulder, happily munching away. The village chief sighed deeply. Young warrior Perhaps No, I believe that one day, you will be worthy of setting foot in the Tower of Fate. Now that you have obtained proof of passing the Abyss Trial, do you wish to be transported immediately to the mysterious Lost Continent? Only there will your journey in this world truly begin. It is a vast, beautiful, bountiful, and mysterious land, yet filled with dangers at every turn. You will first arrive at Tianchen City, one of the five great cities of the Lost Continent. That will be the true starting point for all outsiders like yourself. Have you made your decision? Once you leave you will never be able to return. Never? Ye Tianxie frowned. Not even if I drop below level ten? No. The village chief shook his head firmly. Once you leave, you can never return. Even if your level drops to zero, you still cannot return. The Lost Continent is vast enough for you to spend a lifetime exploring. You may walk every inch of its land, you may even venture beyond it into unknown territories, but you will never return to this starting point. This is the law of this world, a rule that cannot be broken unless you gain the power to shatter such rules. Never return? A thought flashed through Ye Tianxies mindan odd hidden quest he had stumbled upon in the blacksmiths shop. And that old woman, whose legs were sealed, had tasked him with collecting ten thousand wolf eyes. Although the rewards for the previous parts of her quest had been so abysmal that they made him want to slice her in half, his gut told him that the system wouldnt design a completely meaningless, trap-like quest. Without seeing it through to the end, no one could say what awaited at its conclusion. But if he could never return to the beginner village, then this quest would truly become impossible to complete. Village chief, is there any way to expand my inventory? Ye Tianxie asked after some thought. Tianchen City will have what youre looking for. But here no. The chief shook his head. Ye Tianxie hesitated, then sighed. Then, I wont go to Tianchen City just yet. There are still some things I need to take care of. The chief nodded approvingly. Thats wise. Once you leave, you can never return. Think carefully about anything you may have overlooked. Oh, and His eyes suddenly lit up. You should go see Yuan Que. If he sees that Badge of the Brave he might just have a big surprise for you. Yuan Que that strange old man. Alright, Ill go now. Ye Tianxie nodded and made his way toward the apothecary. Yuan Que Im here. The village chief told me to come see you. Ye Tianxie got straight to the point as he entered, deliberately puffing out his chest to make the Badge of the Brave clearly visible. Now, he finally understoodthis badge was far more than just its surface attributes. Its hidden potential was already beginning to excite and astound him. You brat Yuan Que cracked open one eye, but the moment he saw the badge, he abruptly shot up like a spring-loaded puppet. The Badge of the Brave You actually Ye Tianxie casually tapped the badge on his chest. Eh, just casually passed some trial and ended up with this. Then the village chief told me to come chat with you. Yuan Ques reaction was even more exaggerated than the village chiefs, but he recovered just as quickly. Slumping back into his seat, he rubbed his nose and finally looked up, speaking words that made Ye Tianxie want to cough up blood: You see, kid Im actually a master. Ye Tianxie barely resisted the urge to spit in his face. He held back, waiting for him to continue. Sigh The village chief knows me too well. Truth is, Ive been waiting for someone like yousomeone worthy of obtaining the Badge of the Brave. He paused for dramatic effect, then added in a grave tone, his expression heavy and his gaze distant, his voice slow and full of depth I am truly a master. The Demonic Serpent and the Treasures Beyond Reach From the time I was young, I began my journey across the Lost Continent. Ever since, I have spent my entire life traveling every corner of this vast land. Over time, legends of my name spread throughout the world. Back then, I was handsome, dashing, and elegantlike a prince descending from the heavens. People hailed me as the most beautiful man on the Lost Continent. Coupled with my unparalleled martial skills, wherever I went, people regarded me with awe, admiration, and intense jealousy. Even the Emperor of the Lost City personally sought to recruit me, and the citys princess longed to throw herself into my arms. But I refused them allbecause that was not what I desired. What I truly yearned for was my own freedom. Looking at Yuan Ques dried-up, twig-like body and a face that could hardly compare to tree bark, Ye Tianxie felt his stomach churn. He began to wonder if he should even stay and continue listening. Yuan Que cast a glance at Ye Tianxies expression and sighed heavily, his wrinkled face filled with helplessness. Kid, you wouldnt understand how charming I was back in the day Forget it, no point in bringing it up. Because of a promise, I chose to stay here, forever unable to leave. However, during my travels across the continent, I risked my life countless times to obtain treasures beyond imagination. Ive always kept them with me but as time passed, and I find myself with one foot in the grave, I no longer wish for these priceless treasures to simply fade into oblivion with me. Yet, I also refuse to give them away so easily. So, Ive been waitingwaiting for someone capable enough to earn the Badge of the Brave And now, youve appeared. At last, I can bring out these treasures. Treasures beyond imagination Hearing Yuan Ques exaggerated boasts, which even an idiot wouldnt believe, Ye Tianxie felt only the faintest spark of curiosity. Yuan Que retrieved an ancient yet neatly crafted box, placing it before Ye Tianxie. He then opened it slowly, his face full of reluctance and heartache. Kid, take a good look. If you want anything, just let me know. Because you have the Badge of the Brave, Im willing to take out these treasures, which are more precious to me than my own life, and sell them to youall at an exclusive 0.4% discount. Ye Tianxies gaze fell on the so-called treasures inside the box, and the moment he saw the first items attributes, his entire body shuddered. He rubbed his eyes, doubting his vision. An illusion! This has to be an illusion! There was no way such overpowered items could exist! But his eyes and his instincts told him this was no illusion The previous doubt and disdain on Ye Tianxies face vanished completely. His gaze lingered on each item, his expression growing more and more exaggerated. His mouth hung open, unable to close for a long time. Inside the box lay a jumble of colorful objectsbottles, beads, even some strange greenish plant roots But every single one of them was, without a doubt, worthy of being called game-breaking. Ye Tianxie suddenly felt his throat go dry. Each of these itemstiny as they seemedheld an overwhelming power. He was nearly overwhelmed with disbelief. These were all items that permanently increased attributes, and most of them didnt just add a single point, but a whopping ten! The Water of Life even granted 1,000 HP per use! Whats even crazier was that, aside from the Water of Life, all the other effects could stack. One Celestial Titan Fruit granted +10 Strength. Eating ten would give +100 Strength! And such ridiculously broken items were appearing in a starting village?! Then, as Ye Tianxies gaze shifted toward the back of the box, he spotted two relatively worn-out objects placed separately. A key Ye Tianxies mind stirred as he looked at the final item. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. It was an old dagger. The handle was barely the width of a finger, and the blade was just as short. The blades shape was irregularly twisted, with a triangular tip that resembled the head of a venomous snake. Its form was eerielike a serpent slithering forward, its coiled body forming the twisted blade, and its triangular head at the tip completing the image of a deadly poisonous viper. Demonic Serpent: The Celestial Sovereign Weapon Requirements to Use: Level 50 Assassin class, Agility 300+ Description: The most venomous and sinister weapon in the Lost Continent. Legend has it that it was forged using the lifeblood venom of tens of thousands of highly toxic serpents. The poisonous miasma released during its creation instantly killed all the blacksmiths who forged it. Due to its extreme toxicity, the Supreme Deity of the Lost Continent sealed away a significant portion of its venomous power. Later, it was acquired by Yuan Que, becoming the legendary weapon that cemented his dominance across the land. Attributes: Skills: Lethal Venom Strike Serpentine Poison Dance
Ye Tianxie: "" Demonic Serpent! A Level 50 Celestial Sovereign Weapon! Even Ye Tianxie, who always remained composed and indifferent, felt his heart race. If the fact that such a weapon existed in Novice Village #60001 were to spread, it would undoubtedly trigger an earth-shattering frenzy. Countless players would go to unimaginable extremes to obtain it. A Level 50 requirement? In the hands of an NPC? That didnt matter. This weapon had no business appearing at this stage of the game! What shook Ye Tianxie even more was the line: "Later, it was acquired by Yuan Que, becoming the legendary weapon that cemented his dominance across the land." The hell? Was this dried-up old man, who looked like a strong breeze could send him flying, really the "legendary expert" he claimed to be? And now, the Demonic Serpenta weapon capable of driving every player insanewas actually up for sale by Yuan Que. The price? 100,000,000 gold. One hundred million gold coins! An astronomical sum that would make any normal person speechless. But at that price if someone were to get their hands on a Celestial Sovereign Weapon, they could absolutely dominate the world. The weapons attributes alone were enough to prove its worth. If an Assassin wielded it, they wouldnt even need high attack powerjust its terrifying poison effects would make anyone think twice before challenging them.
Permanent attribute-boosting artifacts, a mysterious key, and now, an overpowered Celestial Sovereign Weapon Ye Tianxie''s eyes flickered with contemplation. These prices were utterly impossible for any novice player to afford. But objectively speaking, they werent unreasonable given the items value. All this time, Yuan Que had been closely watching Ye Tianxies expressions. Sensing the flickering thoughts in his mind, he suddenly narrowed his eyes and asked coldly, "Are you thinking about killing me and taking everything?" "Hmm Uh! No!" Ye Tianxie instinctively nodded, then immediately shook his head in panic, sweat dripping from his forehead. Truth be told, he had seriously considered it. If he killed this old man and looted his entire inventory, he could instantly become unstoppable well, at least among players. But then he remembered This old man had wielded Demonic Serpent, collected legendary artifacts, and survived obtaining them. Fine. As much as he hated to admit it, this geezer was probably not someone he could mess with.
"You little brat!" Yuan Ques face darkened, and his beard almost stood on end. "I was originally planning to gift you one of each of these attribute-boosting treasures for free but now? Forget it! Not happening! Nada!" He let out a snort and said, "Look, because you have the Braveheart Emblem, Im even allowing you to buy them! Now either pay up or get lost!" Buy?! BUY YOUR DAMN HEAD! In a Novice Village where 100 gold coins made someone a rich man, let alone tens of thousands or millions And as for Demonic Serpent? Even if he sold every single player in Novice Village #60001, he still wouldnt be able to afford it! Taking a deep breath, Ye Tianxie forced a smile and said, "Brother Que, look you have all these legendary treasures, but youre not using them yourself. Given that you''re bound to stay here forever, wouldn''t it make sense to entrust them to someone who could stand against the impending calamity in the Lost Continent?" Yuan Que squinted. "Oh? And youre telling me that hero is you?" Ye Tianxie kept a straight face. "The village chief said so." "Pfft! Even if that old geezer said it, I dont care! His business with me is his business. Im staying here in this Novice Village for the rest of my life. The fate of the Lost Continent is none of my damn concern! You want my treasures? Bring me money! Not a single coin less!" "Also, if it werent for that old geezer, you wouldnt even have the chance to buy these from me!" Ye Tianxie clenched his teeth and gave the treasure chest one last, reluctant look, committing everything inside to memory before turning around and walking out of the shop. Only after Ye Tianxie left did Yuan Que leisurely close the box, sigh, and resume his dead-fish pose.
Outside the shop, Ye Tianxie muttered curses under his breath. "Greedy bastard, money-grubber, tightwad, Scrooge McDuck" He then turned to his companion. "Guoguo, do you have a way to steal those items from that old man?" Guoguo, who was happily munching on an apple, lifted her head, her cheeks stuffed with fruit juice. "Master mmph, that grandpa is super strong! Even if there were a thousand of you, you still wouldnt be able to beat him mmph." Ye Tianxie rubbed his forehead in frustration. Then, he suddenly asked, "How do you know hes that strong? Have you met him before?" Guoguos chewing stopped abruptly. She blinked a few times before tilting her head in confusion. "Eh? Why do I know that? Why?" Ye Tianxie: @#%
The Art of the Perfect Scam He patiently waited for Guoguo to finish her apple. After pondering for a short while, Ye Tianxie raised his left wrist and connected to an external call. The communicator in Destiny not only allowed in-game communication but could also directly connect to the real world. Moreover, while inside Destiny, if someone visited in real life, a call came in, the player''s body suffered excessive hunger due to prolonged online presence, or any unexpected event occurred, the communicator would automatically issue an alert or warning. After two evenly spaced rings, the call was immediately picked up, and a slightly rough voice impatiently spoke: "Second Brother, you finally decided to show some signs of life! You have no idea" "Third Brother, I need to ask you something." Ye Tianxie cut him off without waiting for him to finish. "Huh? What is it?Hey, listen, that damn freak" "When does currency exchange open?" Ye Tianxie interrupted again, completely disregarding him. The other side of the call went silent for a moment before hesitantly replying, "Uh Based on my very rough estimate, itll probably, maybe, possibly take around a month?" "A month?" Though hed used a long list of qualifiers to emphasize the uncertainty of his answer, Ye Tianxie knew that with his style and intelligence network, if he dared to give such a relatively specific time frame, there had to be some basis for it. According to the village chief, once he left the newbie village, there would be no way to return. Would he really have to stay here for over a month just to buy these overpowered items? "Oh! Second Brouh! No, slip of the tongue, Second Brother, please dont get mad. So are you short on cash?" "I need two billion. And I need to use it in the newbie village," Ye Tianxie stated flatly. "What the fTWO BILLION?! Second Brother, you, you, you" He stammered before composing himself. "Uh, but according to some not necessarily reliable information Ive received, currency exchange wont be available anytime soon. And even when it does open, you wont be able to use it in the newbie village. Because, according to another piece of intel, to exchange real money for in-game currency, you first need to visit a city in the game and obtain a special financial card. The exact details arent clear, but one thing is certainwithout that card, theres absolutely no way to convert real-world money into game currency. So, the first step has to be leaving the newbie village and reaching a main city, and only then" Click! Ye Tianxie ended the call. Looking at the few scattered gold coins in his inventory, he was speechless. If he could exchange currency freely, he wouldnt mind staying in the newbie village for over a month. For those god-tier items, anyone with enough funds and a functioning brain would make the same choice. Though he would fall behind by nearly a month compared to others, what he would gain in return would more than make up for it a hundredfold. But reality was cruelhe didnt even have the option to wait. Slowly accumulating two billion gold coins in the newbie village Whoever thought of that idea should be sent straight to a mental institution. On the other hand, if he left the newbie village, he could obtain two billion in-game currency, but he would never be able to return here Was there really no way around this? Overpowered items werent easy to come by, and obtaining them was even harder than reaching the heavens. But if they existed, then there had to be some glimmer of hope to acquire them. Destiny boasted the most sophisticated intelligent systemsurely it wouldnt set up an impossible, soul-crushing trap? Gritting his teeth, Ye Tianxie turned on his heel and headed back to the item shop. From noon to afternoon By the time he stepped out again, the sky was already turning to dusk. Even though this was just a game world, he still felt parched. After half a day of relentless bombarding, exhausting every trick in the book, that old man Yuan Que remained as calm as a corpse, only repeating the same three words over and over "Bring me money." Money. Money wasnt everything, but without money, you were nothing. Ye Tianxie clenched his backpack. Apart from an enviable stash of top-tier equipment, all he had left were a few gold coins he had obtained from the Abyss Trial. At this moment, he truly understood the importance of money. And the fastest way to make money? Killing monsters? Mining? Gathering herbs? No. None of those were as fast as robbery. But considering the current financial state and skill level of newbie players, robbery didnt seem very profitable either. Ye Tianxie suddenly found himself reminiscing about those five fat sheep from the Maple Leaf Alliance. Given his current situation, he was in dire need of some quick cash. Ding! His eyes slowly lit up. He had just been thinking about those rich lambs, and as if summoned by fate, here they were, delivering themselves to him. Led by Maple Leaf Ironwall, five members of the Maple Leaf Alliance had clearly spotted him and were now quickening their pace toward him. Ye Tianxie glanced aroundseeing that no one else was paying attention, he composed himself and leisurely watched them approach. These guys had come looking for him for one of two reasons: to recruit him, or Maple Leaf Ironwall stopped in front of him, adjusted his posture, and tried his best to put on a warm and friendly expression. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. A mysterious player named "Xie Tian" had single-handedly cleared the Abyss Trial, creating a near-mythical achievement. These five were among the few who actually knew his name, and at this moment, they wouldnt dare act arrogantly in front of him. If it werent for the guild leaders strict orders, they wouldnt have wanted to deal with this guy ever again. Standing before him now, whether it was his presence or the legendary feat he had achieved, Maple Leaf Ironwall could feel an invisible pressure making it difficult to breathe. He had just opened his mouth to speak when Ye Tianxie beat him to it, smiling warmly. "My dear frioh, I mean, my friends from the Maple Leaf Alliance. We meet again! I regret that my emotions got the better of me last time, leading me to act somewhat irrationally. I hope you wont take it too personally. So, what brings you all here?" The overly gentle and polite tone left the five Maple Leaf members collectively dumbfounded, their brains momentarily unable to process it. Maple Leaf Ironwall struggled for a moment before finally squeezing out a smile. "N-no, not at all! That day, we were the ones at fault first Ahem, Xie Tian, our guild leader was deeply impressed upon hearing that you cleared the Abyss Trial alone. He greatly admires you and is eager to meet you. Would you be interested in joining the Maple Leaf Alliance? Our guild leader has promised that if you join" "Im someone who values my freedomI wont be joining any guilds or factions. Apologies." Ye Tianxie responded politely. His tone, expression, and the friendly smile on his face were refined and gentlemanly A stark contrast to the person they had encountered before. Maple Leaf Ironwall nodded, as if expecting that response. Without further persuasion, he got straight to the point. "As our guild leader predicted. He said that someone like youa supreme expertmust be a lone wolf. That said, he still hopes to befriend you Xie Tian, to be frank, we came here today to ask for a favor." "Oh? Your guild leader seems to be quite the character. I''d actually be interested in meeting him someday. As they say, one doesnt truly know another until after a fight. We do share some history, after all. Since I was indeed at fault before, just tell me what you need help with. If its within my ability, Ill certainly lend a handconsider it a gesture of friendship with your guild leader." Ye Tianxie maintained a warm and easygoing smile. The five of them were overjoyed beyond expectation. They had originally thought that even if they managed to find Xie Tian, they would be met with a cold face and mocking words. They were simply gritting their teeth and giving it a hopeful try, but to their surprise, things were going this smoothly. Hongye Ironwall quickly said, "Then we must thank you in advance, Brother Xie Tian. This is also our leader''s wish, and in all of Huaxia, only you have the ability to do it Our leader hopes you can lead a few of us through the Abyss Trial. Of course, the reward will definitely be satisfactory to you." As long as a team enters the trial map together, even if only one person successfully clears the trial, everyone in the team would pass at the same time. This design had its fair share of fairness and unfairness. Because of it, countless people were trying to track down Xie Tian, hoping to get his assistance in clearing the Abyss Trial. If successful, their starting point would be far ahead of ordinary players, allowing them to make a name for themselves. Each trial could be attempted multiple times, but the rewards could only be obtained once. If all five members of the Redleaf Alliance passed the Abyss Trial, not only would they gain attributes far superior to regular players, but the name of the Redleaf Alliance would also resound throughout Huaxiaperhaps even the entire world. The impact on their guilds growth would be immeasurable. Xie Tian frowned slightly, making the Redleaf members uneasy. However, his expression soon relaxed as he said, "Alright, I can do it." The five of them were so excited they almost knelt on the spot. But before they could thank him, Xie Tian slowly added, "However, all the equipment that drops during the trial belongs to me." "Deal! Thats no problem at all! We only need the proof of passing the trial; we wont touch anything else," Hongye Ironwall immediately nodded. Instead of feeling dissatisfied, he actually felt more reassured by Xie Tians condition. "Also, youve seen how difficult the Abyss Trial is. Every stage is a prolonged battle of attrition. I need enough supplies 1,000 gold coins worth. Within an hour." "One one thousand gold coins?" The Redleaf members collectively gasped. That was practically the price of a full set of Level 10 bronze equipment. A thousand gold coins'' worth of supplies was he planning to eat potions like meals!? However, compared to the 100 gold coins they had struggled to gather last time, collecting 1,000 gold coins now wasn''t as daunting. As players leveled up, their income of gold and silver coins also slowly increased. A thousand gold was no longer an astronomical figure. Hongye Ironwall hesitated for only a second before nodding firmly. "Alright! Brother Xie Tian, please wait here. We will return as soon as possible Let''s go!" The five of them quickly departed. Xie Tian watched their backs and sighed dramatically. If someone insisted on handing him money, what could he do? "Boss, that Xie Tian scammed us into gathering 100 gold coins last time at great cost. Do you think hell" the Redleaf trainee priest whispered to Hongye Ironwall. Hongye Ironwall calmly shook his head. "Relax. This time, he wont. Didnt you notice how differently hes treating us now? Hmph! His reputation has already spread far and wide. He cant hide even if he wanted to. In his position, does he dare to provoke our Redleaf Alliance again? Sure, he passed the Abyss Trial alone, but no matter how strong he is, can he take on our entire Redleaf Alliance? If I were him, even if I were ten times stronger, Id make the exact same choiceto smooth things over and help us out to build a better relationship. Hmph, his reaction doesnt surprise me at all Try to scam us again? Hed have to be a suicidal idiot." "That makes a lot of sense, Boss," the unfortunate trainee archer nodded in agreement. "Enough chatter. Split up and start gathering gold immediately. Offer a 1,000 Huaxia dollar exchange for each gold coin if necessary!" "Oh!!" Forty minutes later, at the same spot. A half-drowsy Xie Tian finally saw the five Redleaf members approaching from afar. In the meantime, he had once again bombarded the apothecary Yuan Que with relentless questioninguntil the old man lifted his gleaming, venomous snake, forcing Xie Tian to flee for his life. "Brother Xie Tian, weve prepared everything you asked for. Are we setting off now?" Hongye Ironwall showed no hesitation as he transferred the 1,000 gold coins into Xie Tians hands, clearly unconcerned about him going back on his word. Xie Tian took the gold and gave them a long look If he had known they could be squeezed for this much, he should have asked for more earlier. Satisfied, he nodded and said, "I was just in need of some funds. You guys are really generous. Thanks in advance Well then, see you." Xie Tian waved his hand, turned around, and started walking away. Hongye Ironwall froze for a second before quickly stepping forward and calling out, "Xie Tian, what do you mean? Didnt you agree to take us through the Abyss Trial!?" "Oh?" Xie Tian stopped, turned back, and looked at them with a confused expression. "Did I say that? By the way, what are your names?" The five Redleaf members expressions were a sight to beholdeach of them looking as if they had just swallowed a mouthful of dung but couldn''t spit it out. They realized, with utter disbelief, that they had been scammed yet again. Just like last time, they had painstakingly gathered a fortune in gold coins, only for it to go up in smoke in the hands of the same manalong with their dignity. Hongye Ironwalls chest heaved violently. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to remain calm. "Xie Tian so you really intend to make an enemy of our Redleaf Alliance?" "Redleaf Alliance? Heh" Xie Tian turned fully around, narrowing his eyes into thin slits. "Alright, Ill remember that name. Your generosity today will be forever engraved in my heart. The next time I need money, you guys will be the first ones I think of. Now that youre no longer useful to me, you can get lost or" Xie Tians lips curled into a sinister smile. "Are you looking for a fight?" The moment the word "fight" left his mouth, the trainee archerwho had already suffered at Xie Tians hands twiceimmediately turned and ran, vanishing without a trace. Hongye Ironwall took a step back, glaring at Xie Tian before saying in a low voice, "Were leaving!" Getting scammed twice in a row by the same person, in the exact same way, left Hongye Ironwall seething with hatred. At the same time, he felt the overwhelming urge to slap himselfhard. It all started because they had stumbled upon Evil Wolf Valley and made the mistake of inviting Xie Tian into their team, only to kick him out One misstep had led to an entire chain of disasters. As the five Redleaf members left in utter humiliation, Xie Tian sneered and muttered under his breath, "If youre smart, you wont show up in front of me ever again." The Unchosen Path With a hefty sum of 1,000 gold coins in his pocket, Ye Tianxie couldnt help but feel a surge of confidence. However, when he recalled the sky-high prices of those overpowered items, he let out a silent sigh and made his way toward the village chief. "Hello, Village Chief." "Oh! Brave young man, are you ready? Do you wish for me to teleport you to the distant Lost Continent? That will be your new beginning, and I believe your name will soon spread across that land." The village chief greeted him with a hearty smile. "Not yet." Ye Tianxie shook his head, his expression serious. "Village Chief, I have a few questions. If it''s convenient, Id appreciate your answers." "Haha, ask whatever you like! If I know the answer, Ill certainly tell you," the chief replied with the same kind smile. His "heartfelt" level of favorability wasnt just a superficial friendlinessit meant he would share nearly everything he knew with Ye Tianxie. "In the north of the village, under that crooked tree, there''s an old woman whose legs have been turned to stone. You must know about her... Who is she? What''s her story?" Ye Tianxie asked. To his surprise, the village chief shook his head. "Her origins have always been a mystery in our novice village. Even when I was born here, she was already there, sitting in that state for countless years. She never speaks to anyone, and whenever we ask who she is, she remains silent. The only thing she ever asks for are wolf eyes. No one knows why she collects them, but once, the blacksmith Old Wangs wife speculated that she might be trying to lift some kind of strange seal on her legs." "I see..." Ye Tianxie nodded slowly, though he still had no clues. "I heard that Blacksmith Wangs son, Xiao Ming, was recently taken away by a giant bat demon. Where did that bat come from? Why did it appear in the novice village? And where did it go?" Ye Tianxie asked his next question. He had no reason to leave without completing the novice villages hidden quests. The village chief hesitated for a moment before letting out a long sigh. "Yes, its true. Old Wangs son was indeed taken away by a giant bat. But that bat is no longer in the novice villageit has already flown to the Lost Continent. Xiao Ming... is surely" "The Lost Continent?" "Our novice village has always been peaceful and isolated. That giant bats appearance was a terrifying anomaly. Later, the oracles told me that the bat closely resembled a demon general who once served one of the Eight Demon Lords. Its likely that it escaped from the Tower of Fate when the ''Moment of Fate'' occurred. But how it ended up here, and why no one knows," the village chief said, shaking his head. Indeed, this was one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of Novice Village #60001. Ye Tianxie pondered for a moment before suddenly saying, "That means... there must be a special way to return to the novice village from the Lost Continent, right?!" The village chief was visibly stunned. "This... seems to be exactly as you said" Ye Tianxies expression eased into satisfaction. As expected, Destiny wouldn''t create an outright impossible task. Whether it was that bizarre old womans extreme quest, the mission to help Blacksmith Wangs family find their lost son, or even those absurdly powerful items in the village store everything pointed toward one thinghow to return from the Lost Continent to the novice village. There must be a way. There had to be hope! "Village Chief, I have nothing holding me back here anymore. Please send me to the Lost Continent. Since that bat demon could return to the novice village from there, this farewell might not be forever. Perhaps one day, I too will find a way back," Ye Tianxie said with a smile. "Oh? Hahaha! Good very good! Your words bring me both comfort and anticipation. Alright, I shall send you to the Lost Continent now. Staying here would only limit your potential. There, you will receive a mature profession and become a true warrior. But before that, allow me to enhance some of your basic survival skills." A soft, golden-white light radiated from the village chiefs palm and enveloped Ye Tianxie. A crisp, pleasant system notification rang in his ears: "Ding The Village Chief of Novice Village #60001 has upgraded your ''Gathering Skill'' to Intermediate level. You can now collect higher-tier items from monster corpses and special locations." In the novice stage, players could learn many life skillsbesides Gathering, there was Herbalism for collecting medicinal plants, Mining for extracting ores, Blacksmithing for forging weapons, and more. These skills could also be easily learned in the cities of the Lost Continent. However, Ye Tianxie only had one life skillGathering. He didnt bother with the others. The progression of life skills was significantly harder than leveling up; their ranks were Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Immortal, Heaven, God, and Saint. The village chief had just saved him at least ten days of tedious training by instantly boosting his skill to Intermediate. "Thank you, Village Chief." "The Lost Continent has five main cities, named after the celestial elements: Tianri City, Tianyue City, Tianxing City, Tianchen City, and Tianxuan City. At the very center of the continent stands the Imperial City, the grandest city and the highest seat of power. You beings from another world can only enter it once you reach level 50. The Imperial City is also the closest city to the Tower of Fate, making it the first to suffer from the towers demonic influence. Its current state is unknown. Now, go! I look forward to the day your name is written in the annals of the Lost Continents history!" This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. A bright white light enveloped Ye Tianxie, and his surroundings blurred into a brilliant radiance. The next moment, his body vanished from the novice village.
When the scene reformed, Ye Tianxie opened his eyes to a completely different world. The novice villagethe very first starting point every player had to go throughhad now become a thing of the past. He had left it behind at level 11. By now, countless players had already moved on to the cities to advance their classes. But among them, only he had successfully cleared the Abyss Trial. And as for reaching level 11 perhaps he was the only one. The experience required to level up from 10 to 11 was enormous, but Ye Tianxie had relied on the massive experience reward from the Abyss Trial. In other words, at this moment, he was likely the highest-level player in the game. And soon, the games various ranking leaderboardsan inevitable feature of any virtual worldwould activate once enough players had completed their class advancements. This was a vast squarespacious yet not empty. Many players were already wandering around, and from time to time, flashes of white light would appear as new players descended from the beginner village. To Ye Tianxies right stood a massive floating stone tablet bathed in white lightthis was the city''s resurrection point. One of the five major cities of the Lost ContinentTianchen City. This was the inevitable next starting point for all new players after leaving the beginner village. It was a completely equal and fair starting line for everyone, as all players had only this one mandatory option and could not be teleported to any other major city. Ye Tianxie focused his thoughts and summoned his status panel: Character: Xietian Level: 11 Class: None Reputation: 220 Gold: 1013 Hunger: 75/180 Basic Attributes: Fixed Attributes: Stats: Elemental Resistances: Class Advancement Looking at the word "None" next to his class, Ye Tianxie determined his first goal. He walked towards several NPCs in the square, whose presence was obvious. With his exceptionally high Charm stat, it was easy for him to get directions to the class advancement hall. Without hesitation, he made his way there. Due to the sheer number of players in the Huaxia region, this sole class advancement hall was built to an astonishing scaleabout the size of two real-world football fields. Since countless players who had reached level 10 were still struggling through the difficult or nightmare-level class trials for the enticing rewards, the number of players currently here for advancement wasnt overwhelming. The hall was divided into seven sections, each labeled clearly. Ye Tianxie scanned the signs and headed straight for the warrior class advancement zone. There, a middle-aged man with a full beard sat comfortably on a wide chair. The Destiny world had a somewhat semi-humanized settingno matter what a players starting class was, they were not restricted when choosing their official class. For example, a Trainee Warrior didnt have to become a Warrior and could instead choose to be a Mage or Assassin, and vice versa. However, in practice, this setting was nearly uselessonly a fool would pick a class different from their initial one, as it would render their previous attribute investments meaningless. "Hello, I want to become a Warrior," Ye Tianxie said decisively as he stood before the bearded middle-aged man. Ding Due to your exceptional Charm, the Warrior class advancement mentors favorability towards you has increased by +20. Ye Tianxie: "" The Warrior class mentors expression softened. He sat up straight and smiled. "Very well, young man. Let me first check your stats Not bad, youre indeed suited to be a Warrior. Warriors are the strongest close-combat fighters on the Lost Continent. On the battlefield, we are always the ones charging ahead, fearless. The basic Warrior class is divided into two types based on weapon choiceone is the Spear Warrior, who has high attack power and range but lower attack speed and accuracy. The other is the Sword Warrior, which is more balanced in all aspects. Which type of Warrior do you want to become?" "Sword Warrior," Ye Tianxie replied. Destinys Markwhat kind of weapon did it count as? It didnt belong to any of the standard eighteen weapon categories, and it wasnt even a conventional weapon at all. However, its attack style was identical to a sword, so Ye Tianxie was more inclined to treat it as one. But he couldnt ignore the concern that, since Destinys Mark didnt belong to any weapon category, the Sword Warriors sword-based skills might not be usable with it. "Very well, then" The Warrior class mentor stood up, closed his eyes slightly, raised his hand, and solemnly chanted, "In the name of the God of War, I bestow upon you the power of the Sword Warrior!" A white radiance descended from above, enveloping Ye Tianxie, softly surrounding him before slowly merging into his body. The Warrior class mentor lowered his handbut the system notification for a successful class advancement never came. Instead, something unexpected happened. The white light that had merged into Ye Tianxies body suddenly scattered as if violently repelled. The Warrior class mentor looked surprised. Meeting Ye Tianxies questioning gaze, he pondered briefly before trying again. Raising his hand, he chanted, "In the name of the God of War, I bestow upon you the power of the Sword Warrior!" Once again, the white light descended from above, but this time, before even touching Ye Tianxie, it was swept away as if dispersed by a fierce wind, vanishing without a trace. "Whats going on?" Ye Tianxie frowned in confusion. The Warrior class mentor fell into deep thought, then looked up and said, "Dont worry. This situation has happened before. It means that your physique is not suited to be a Warrior Its unfortunate, but you should choose a different class instead. With your current attributes, you can still become a Shield Guardian." He gestured toward the neighboring class advancement area. Not suited to be a Warrior? Ye Tianxie was stunned. In all his years of playing virtual games, he had never heard of something like this happening. A vague sense of anomaly crept into his mindan anomaly tied to all the inexplicable occurrences he had faced since entering the world of Destiny. Why had he failed to receive a starting class at the very beginning? And was this Warrior class rejection truly just a matter of "unsuitable physique," as the mentor claimed? Or was there something deeper at play? Without a word, Ye Tianxie turned and walked toward the Shield Guardian advancement area. The Shield Guardian mentor was a burly middle-aged man. Ye Tianxie approached him and said directly, "Greetings, honorable mentor. I would like to become a Shield Guardian." Ding Due to your exceptional Charm, the Shield Guardian class advancement mentors favorability towards you has increased by +20. At this point, Ye Tianxie had grown numb to this notification. He even suspected that every time he spoke to an NPC for the first time, this same message would appear. The Unchosen Hero The burly job transfer mentor scanned Ye Tianxie''s attributes, nodded, and said, "You are indeed suited to become a Guardian. However, as Guardians, we focus on defense rather than attack, so you should allocate your attribute points primarily to stamina. For us, each point in strength only increases attack power by 1, whereas every point in stamina grants 15 HP and 1 defense. Guardians are the most powerful class in the Lost Continent, possessing the strongest defensive capabilities. On the battlefield, we are the unbreakable shield that no one can do without. A beginner Guardian can choose between two specializations: Light Guardian and Dark Guardian. The Light Guardian not only boasts strong HP and defense but also has healing and support abilities, making them excellent protectors of their allies. The Dark Guardian, on the other hand, possesses fearsome debuff skills that can weaken even the strongest foesturning them into mere shadows of their former selves. Not only can they withstand enemy attacks, but they can also cripple their enemies strength. Now, which Guardian path will you choose?" "Light Guardian," Ye Tianxie answered without hesitation. He wasnt thinking much about the job transfer itself at this momenthe was more concerned about confirming something he wasnt willing to accept. "Very well. Then, in the name of the Guardian Deity, I bestow upon you the power of the Guardian. May you become a proud protector!" The Guardian mentor raised his hands, and at the same time, a shield-shaped white glow formed above Ye Tianxie''s head. The light then descended, drifting toward his body. However, the moment it made contact, it was instantly repelledbouncing off as if striking a flawless mirror, before dissipating without a trace. Ye Tianxie: "" The Guardian mentor, initially calm, now wore a face of surprise. He raised his hands again, repeating the same ritual. The shield of light reappeared, but the moment it touched Ye Tianxie, the exact same phenomenon occurred. "Hmm" The Guardian mentor pondered for a moment before saying, "No need to worry. This isnt unheard of. It seems that your physique prevents you from becoming a Guardian. But with your current attributes, you should still be able to become a Warrior." Ye Tianxie turned silently and walked away, leaving the puzzled Guardian mentor behind as he headed toward the Archer job transfer zone. "I want to become an Archer," Ye Tianxie said, his voice devoid of enthusiasm. "Hello, young man Oh?" The Archer mentor, a middle-aged man dressed in elegant green robes, looked at him carefully. "Are you sure you want to be an Archer? Although Archers are the most powerful class in the Lost Continent, your attributes seem more suited for a Warrior or Guardian." "I''m sure." So far, every job transfer mentor he had met claimed their class was the "strongest class in the Lost Continent"yet each had a different claim. "Very well. I must say, young man, you have good judgment. Archers possess the strongest long-range combat abilities. As long as we maintain our distance, the battlefield belongs to us. A beginner Archer can specialize in one of two paths: the Sharpshooter, who excels in powerful ranged attacks, or the Hunter, who specializes in setting deadly traps. Which path do you choose?" "Sharpshooter." "Excellent In the name of the Bow God, I grant you the power of the Archer!" This time, a bow-shaped halo of white light appeared above Ye Tianxie''s head. Yet, just like before, the moment it touched his body, it vanished without a trace. "This" The Archer mentor showed the same look of astonishment as the previous mentors, then raised his hand again. "Thats strange Let''s try once more." "No need," Ye Tianxie cut him off, turning away immediately. Next, he approached the Assassin job transfer mentor. "We Assassins are the strongest class in the Lost Continent. We possess the fastest movement speed and the most explosive attack power. While we may not be suited for open battlefields, we are the nightmare of all enemiesthe unseen blade in the night. Are you ready to become an Assassin? Will you choose the path of the Assassin, focused on one-hit kills, or the Thief, specialized in extreme mobility?" "Assassin." Ten seconds later Ye Tianxie walked away from the Assassin job transfer zone, his expression cold. He then headed toward the Priest job transfer area. One minute later, with the same cold expression, he walked out and entered the Summoner job transfer zone. Less than a minute later, he emerged once again, looking like a man whose patience had reached its breaking point. Frustrated. Aggravated. Furious. Even these words together couldnt fully capture Ye Tianxies emotions at that moment. "I want to become a Mage!" he said as he arrived at the Mage job transfer zone. His voice was like steel grinding against steel, every word forced through clenched teeth. Had an ordinary player spoken to a job transfer mentor in such a tone, they would have been met with scornor outright rejection. But with Ye Tianxies absurdly high charisma stat of 22, the Mage mentor merely smiled with intrigue, sizing him up before speaking. "Young man, I like your spirit. Choosing the Mage classthe strongest class in the Lost Continentshows that you have excellent judgment. While Mages have low health and defense, our destructive power is unrivaled. If we claim second place in firepower, no one dares claim first. Furthermore, magic attacks bypass all physical defenses, making Mages indispensable for both dealing damage and breaking enemy formations. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. The Mage class is divided into five elemental branches: Water, Fire, Wind, Lightning, and Earth. Each has its own unique strengths. So, which magic element do you favor?" "Fire!" "Oh! Excellent choice," the Mage mentor beamed. "Young man, you truly have an eye for greatness. Fire magic is the most powerful of all elements Now, in the name of the Arcane Deity, I grant you the power of Fire Magic!" This was the final job transfer zone. Ye Tianxies last hope. If he failed here as well, then Truthfully, after failing to become a Guardian, he had already lost all hope. And just as expected, when the radiant glow of magic descended upon him, it was repelled, vanishing completely the moment it touched his body. He could feel it nowhis body was rejecting it. Rejecting all attempts to grant him a class. "Hmm? How odd Well, no worries! Lets try one more" "No need, old Mage!" Just as the Mage mentor was about to attempt again, a sudden voice interrupted him. The Mage mentor turned around, eyes widening in surprise. "What are you old geezers doing here?!" More than one person had arrivedthere were six of them in total. And these six individuals were unmistakably the job transition mentors for the six major professions: Warrior, Shield Guard, Archer, Assassin, Priest, and Summoner. With the addition of the Mage transition mentor, all seven mentors, who were originally scattered across the vast transition hall, had now gathered in one place in an oddly peculiar manner. Faced with their sudden arrival, the Mage transition mentor looked visibly surprised and somewhat at a loss. Heh! The Warrior transition mentor let out a strange chuckle. Something interesting happened, so we had no choice but to come. Old Mage, you failed to transition this kid too? Not just youevery single one of us failed when we tried to assign him a profession. All of you failed? The Mage transition mentor was astonished, but his expression suddenly changed dramatically as he exclaimed, You mean not just me, but all of you as well? Thats right. The Shield Guard transition mentor nodded solemnly, his gaze shifting toward Ye Tianxie. And I somehow failed to notice before hes wearing the Heros Emblem! Seven pairs of eyes simultaneously locked onto Ye Tianxies chest, where a simple, bronze-colored badge hung quietly. The two engraved charactersHerocaused the seven transition mentors eyes to flicker intensely for a long time. This could it be The Mage transition mentors expression grew grave, and the way he looked at Ye Tianxie changed significantly. Ye Tianxies mind raced, but he remained silent, watching them quietly. It seemed something even more interesting was about to unfold. Young man oh, so your name is Xie Tian. The Warrior transition mentor spoke in a deep tone. Xie Tian, do you know why you cannot obtain a profession from us? Ye Tianxie shook his head, waiting for an answer. There have been cases before of people being unable to obtain any profession, but they are extremely rare. Such occurrences generally fall into one of two categories: The first is that the individual is simply too weakso weak that they cannot bear the burden of any profession and thus are unqualified to transition into one. People this weak are incredibly rare. "But you you have obtained the Heros Emblem, which means you cannot belong to that category. That leaves only the second possibility and this one is even rarer. In fact, in my entire life, I have only heard of it happeningI have never seen it before. The gazes of all seven mentors grew noticeably more intense. Their decision to abandon their respective duties and gather here solely for Ye Tianxie was proof that they had discovered something monumental. There are exceedingly few who have ever obtained the Heros Emblem. A hundred years ago, there was a man named Gu Ping who possessed one. In the past century, only one other personNamelesshas been recorded to have it. That alone is enough to prove your worth. "But the second case is when the individuals inherent power is too strong! So strong that the professions we attempt to assign you are unqualified to become your profession! As a result, your body instinctively rejects them! The Warrior transition mentors voice was solemn. Namelessthe undisputed number one expert of the Lost Continent. And now, another person with a Heros Emblem had appeared. Even more astonishingly, he was rejecting all profession assignments. According to legend, the only person to have ever possessed such an ability was Nameless himself Ye Tianxie: His previously frustrated expression vanished in an instant. He looked up at the seven mentors, meeting their varied gazes, and humbly said, Actually Im not as impressive as you think. A normal players profession wasnt qualified to become his profession? Damn, that was an absurdly cool flex! The Warrior transition mentor shot him a glare. Xie Tian, youre a Hero from another world, and your attributes arent all that different from other off-world Heroes whove just left the beginner village. Yet you still managed to obtain the Heros Emblem. That makes me very curious about what kind of special power you possess. However, judging by your current stats, its possible that your power is still in a dormant, slumbering state not yet fully awakened. He then continued, Xie Tian, having no profession must be quite frustrating for you. Would you be interested in meeting someone? Im sure hed be very intrigued by you. Oh? Who? Ye Tianxie asked. One bizarre event after another was happening to him. More and more, he was beginning to feel that Fate wasnt just an ordinary virtual gameit was more like a parallel reality, separate from the real world. My mentor, the greatest Grand Arcane Mage of Tianchen CityKong Xiu, the Mage transition mentor answered. The Hour of Fate is vanishing, the demonic forces are stirring, and a great storm is brewing. Right now, the Lost Continent needs true warriors. "Recently, my mentor Kong Xiu instructed us to watch for off-world Heroes with extraordinary potential. You possess the Heros Emblem and reject all profession assignments He will undoubtedly be very interested in you. Perhaps he will guide you toward becoming a supreme existence like Nameless. The Grand Arcane Mage, Kong Xiu a hidden NPC whom ordinary players would never get to meet!? Alright, take me to him! At this point, only a fool wouldnt nod and agree immediately. He had unexpectedly encountered an unfair predicament, only for it to be followed by something that seemed like a miraculous stroke of fortune. Yet, a thick fog of mystery loomed over it all. This was fatean unpredictable fate that could never be fully deciphered. From the unusual movements and expressions of these seven transition mentors, Ye Tianxies interest in what was to come only grew stronger along with a deep sense of curiosity buried within his heart. And with that moment, all seven transition mentors of Tianchen City abandoned their posts, effectively "skipping work." Countless players, who had just left the beginner village and arrived excitedly at the transition hall, could do nothing but stare blankly at the now-empty positions where the mentors once stood. For these seven mentors to willingly neglect their duties and risk punishment just to witness what was about to unfoldit was clear just how much Ye Tianxie had piqued their interest. Tianchen City was far more magnificent than Ye Tianxie had imagined. As he followed the seven transition mentors through the streets, he took in every sight along the way. Describing the city as adorned with glazed tiles, gilded in gold, and magnificently opulent would still be an understatement. Compared to the grandeur of palace cities in period dramas, this place surpassed them by an immeasurable degree. And if even the citys central district was like this, then what about the imperial capital? Just how vast and luxurious would it be? At the heart of Tianchen City, slightly west of the heavily guarded City Lords Manor This place was eerily quiet. The streets of Tianchen City bustled with endless traffic, and the influx of players had exponentially amplified the noise level. Yet here, it was as if something had completely sealed off all external sound. The moment Ye Tianxie stepped inside, all the noise in his ears disappeared without a trace. The Lone Wolf’s Awakening This was an incomparably vast hall, exuding a solemn and chilling atmosphere. The eerie silence that permeated the space made it feel as though one had stepped into a ghostly realm. The ceiling soared over ten meters high, and the scale of the hall was overwhelmingly grand. The floor was covered with a carpet adorned with intricate patterns, while dozens of massive pillars of varying colors stood irregularly throughout the chamber. At a glance, the space seemed utterly empty, with only a single figure presentan elderly man with white hair and a flowing white beard. The old man sat cross-legged on the floor, eyes gently closed, his long beard reaching the ground. His face was as still as an ancient well, embodying the demeanor of a true enlightened sage. The aura surrounding him, imbued with an ethereal and dignified presence, only reinforced this impression. Ye Tianxies gaze swept over the old man from head to toe, finally settling on his beard, idly wondering just how many years it had taken to grow to such a length. The moment they stepped into the hall, the seven Job Change Mentors, who had been brimming with confidence along the wayeither bombarding Ye Tianxie with questions or boasting about the prowess of their respective professionsfell completely silent. Even their expressions grew solemn and cautious, like obedient students suddenly finding themselves before a strict teacher. "Master, we have come with an important matter," the Mage Job Mentor said respectfully, facing the old man, who remained completely unmoved by their arrival. "What is it?" The old man''s lips did not move, yet his deep voice resonated through the chamber. His tone carried a dreamlike, distant quality, as if it came from the heavens themselves. If one were to close their eyes, it would be impossible to determine the direction from which the voice originated. "Master, for the first time since the nameless one all those years ago, another individual has appeared bearing the Heros Emblem Moreover, he has rejected all seven of our profession blessings. I believe you will find him quite interesting." A brief silence followed. Then, in an instant, the quiet old man opened his eyes, locking his gaze onto Ye Tianxie. Yet, contrary to Ye Tianxies expectations, he felt nothing unusual from the old man''s stare. Meeting his eyes, it was as if he were looking at any ordinary elderly manthere was none of the overwhelming presence that legends claimed powerful figures could exude through a mere glance. However, the moment those eyes opened, the already icy air within the hall seemed to freeze over completely. The entire chamber fell into absolute stillness. The seven Job Change Mentors beside Ye Tianxie stood as if paralyzed, not daring to move or even breathe too loudly. Judging by their reactions alone, Ye Tianxie could immediately tellthis old man was certainly not one with a gentle temperament. Yet, just as that thought formed in his mind, it was instantly shattered. "Hehehe Young man, you must be the one they were talking about," the old man said softly, his voice gentle and warm. He slowly rose to his feet, a serene smile spreading across his face like a spring breeze. "Your Heros Emblem does not lie to me. And indeed, from you, I can sense an aura distinct from that of ordinary people. You, come closer." Ye Tianxies eyes flickered slightly. He glanced at the expressions of the seven mentors beside him before stepping forward, approaching the old man. The seven mentors hesitated momentarily before carefully following behind him. The old man studied Ye Tianxie from head to toe, his smile growing even warmer. "This is indeed a Heros Emblem. To think that in my lifetime, I would once again see someone capable of earning it, just like Nameless from years past And you only level 11, with average attributes. To obtain the Heros Emblem should have been an impossible feat. Yet, you succeeded. If you werent standing before me right now, I would find it completely unbelievable You are the first person in many years to make me doubt my own eyes and judgment." Ye Tianxie smiled faintly, saying nothing. Only level 11, with ordinary attributes That was true. His success in the Abyss Trial had relied not just on his talent attributes, which were several times greater than the average persons, but also on the attack items he had purchased from Yuanque at the novice village''s apothecaryitems that were considered game-breaking at that stage. In the end, his triumph in the Abyss Trial had not been solely due to strength. Luck and opportunity had played significant roles as well. Without those attack items, he never would have stood a chance against the final boss, the Amethyst War Tiger. The Heros Emblem could only be obtained through the novice village trial Which led to the questionhow had Nameless, who had also been just level 10 back then, overcome such an impossibly difficult trial? If it had been purely based on raw strength then he truly deserved the title of Lost Continents number one expert. "Come with me," the old man said, patting Ye Tianxies shoulder before leading him toward a half-open stone door to the right. After taking a few steps, he suddenly turned around and bellowed so loudly that Ye Tianxie nearly jumped out of his skin, "AND JUST WHAT THE HELL DO YOU SEVEN BASTARDS THINK YOURE DOING FOLLOWING US?!" The seven mentors froze in place, petrified under the thunderous roar. The Mage Job Mentor swallowed nervously and stammered weakly, "W-We just wanted to see what kind of person this Xie Tian really" "SEE YOUR DAMN SISTER! You lot actually left your posts without my permission?! Unbelievable! What have I always taught you?! GET OUT OF HERE BEFORE I DECIDE HOW TO PUNISH YOU!" The old man''s eyes widened furiously, his beard bristled, and the muscles on his face wrinkled like ancient tree bark. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. "Ahy-yes, yes, Master!" The seven mentors paled and immediately backed away, scurrying out of the hall as fast as they could. The moment they crossed the threshold, they turned and bolted like the wind, vanishing without a trace. Ye Tianxies expression remained frozen for a full five seconds before he managed to regain his composure. This old man, who had seemed as gentle as a kindly old goat just moments ago was clearly not as mild-tempered as he first appeared. Yet, as soon as he turned back to face Ye Tianxie, in the blink of an eye, that kindly old goat expression was back in place. He chuckled warmly. "Come, follow me." Ye Tianxie silently bared his teeth but maintained an impassive expression as he followed. The heavy marble door creaked open, and a wave of soft, radiant light spilled into the chamber. Thenboomthe stone door slammed shut behind them. This old man was the one the Mage Job Mentor had referred to as the strongest magic master of Tianchen CityKong Xiu. The room they had entered was a completely enclosed chamber, devoid of any external light sources. Yet, it was bathed in a soft, glowing white light, making everything clearly visible. The source of this illumination was not fire nor lamps, but a colossal gemstone. A massive jade stone, emanating a gentle white glow, stood more than a mans height tall. Upon closer inspection, it was a perfectly symmetrical octahedron, hovering motionlessly in the exact center of the chamber as though held in place by some unseen force. All the light in the room emanated from it. The elderly man gazed at the pristine octahedral gemstone before him, his voice gentle as he spoke. "Young man, judging by your expression, you must be wondering why you instinctively reject the blessings of the seven primary professions. Given that you possess the Heros Emblem, this phenomenon is not surprising. A true hero, when burdened by conventional professions, finds their innate talent and strength stifledthus, their very being repels such limitations. Just like Nameless did in the past. He, too, rejected the seven fundamental professions." If not for his previous bout of furious shouting, his demeanor now would have painted him as nothing short of an enlightened sage, exuding an air of transcendence. "What profession did Nameless ultimately acquire?" Ye Tianxie asked, the words "hidden profession" flashing through his mind. Hidden professionsunique roles beyond the seven basic professionswere known for their rarity and distinctiveness. While not necessarily stronger than standard professions, they each carried their own unique attributes. In games like Skybreaker and Godslayer, hidden professions existed as well, with no more than ten players ever gaining access to them. Yet, he had never been among those select few. He had never obtained a hidden profession, instead ascending to an unrivaled peak through conventional means. Lone Wolf. The name left Ye Tianxie momentarily stunned. It sounded more like a creature than a profession. "Surprised, arent you?" Kong Xiu chuckled knowingly. "Lone Wolfthat was his profession, one that belonged solely to him. This profession did not exist before him; it was born from his own power, and he named it himself. It was I who helped him awaken that power. In other words, the reason Nameless became an invincible legend of the Lost Continent is because of me." The first part of his explanation carried a solemn, authoritative air, but by the time he reached the end, his wrinkled face had transformed into one of unabashed pride, his self-satisfaction nearly tangible. Ye Tianxie silently deducted five more points from his impression of this so-called "Grand Magus" and "enlightened sage." With this kind of mindset, hes supposed to be some wise and transcendent master? More like an overgrown child with a superiority complex. Though these thoughts swirled in his mind, his expression remained composed. Instead, he turned toward Kong Xiu, eyes burning with admiration and eager anticipation. This look of reverence greatly pleased the old man, who smiled even more kindly. "You have obtained the Heros Emblem despite your current level and attributes, and you naturally reject the seven primary professionsthis proves that, like Nameless, you harbor immense, latent power within you, a power even you have yet to realize. Tell me, young man, am I correct?" Ye Tianxie nodded. Immense, hidden power Could it be that his own extraordinary, innate abilities had somehow influenced his existence in this world? Or was it something else entirely? Kong Xiu chuckled. "No matter. The truth is, I have long been waiting for someone like youa true hero. Only those who obtain the Heros Emblem are genuine heroes. And among them, those who reject conventional professions are the rarest of the rare. When I first saw you, I nearly lost my composure Because, perhaps, another Nameless is about to be born!" Ye Tianxie: "" "This gemstone is called the God-Summoning Stone. It is the most precious and mystical artifact in all of the Lost Continentthere exists only one. Long ago, the supreme deity of the Lost Continent, the Goddess Xiyao, bestowed it upon Tianchen City, and the esteemed Lord of the City granted it to me, so that I might use it to guide true heroes. It was with the aid of this very stone that Nameless became who he was." As he spoke, Kong Xiu led Ye Tianxie closer to the mysterious gemstone. The nearer they got, the more he could feel an inexplicable warmth emanating from it. Now up close, he could see that the "white glow" it emitted was, in fact, radiating from a transparent crystalline structure. It was an eerie and otherworldly sight. "This God-Summoning Stone is remarkable," Kong Xiu continued. "When one channels their energy into it, the stone reveals the true extent of their powerincluding any latent potential. With my magical guidance, I can further awaken this dormant strength. That was how Nameless true power was drawn out. From the moment his abilities awakened to the day he fully mastered them, he took less than three years. He was a true prodigy." By now, Ye Tianxie had heard the name "Nameless" more times than he could count. Yet every time Kong Xiu uttered it, his expression wasnt one of reverence, but unmistakable self-congratulationas if Nameless greatness was merely a testament to his own achievements. Ye Tianxie sighed internally. "Are you saying" "Thats right!" Kong Xiu nodded emphatically. "There is no doubt that you possess extraordinary, hidden power. Now, lets see just how strong it truly is Could it be that your potential rivals that of Nameless?!" Ye Tianxies eye twitched. Can you shut up about Nameless already? You might as well rename yourself Nameless'' at this point. "What do I need to do?" "Simple. Place your hand on the God-Summoning Stone, close your eyes, clear your mind, and remain perfectly still." Ye Tianxie nodded, stepping forward and pressing his right palm against the gemstone. A smooth, cool sensation greeted his touchnothing more. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and quickly calmed his mind. The God-Summoning Stone has eight facets because it is composed of eight different energy crystals. When a person connects with it, the strength of their power determines the stones reaction. An ordinary person might not trigger any response at all, whereas a skilled warrior could light up the lowest-tier crystal. As for the strongest of the strong someone like me, for instance, can illuminate two crystals. Ye Tianxie: "" Keeping his eyes closed and his mind serene, he felt his energy subtly flowing through his palm, as though seeping into the ancient stone before him. "Now, do you know how many crystals were activated when Nameless touched the God-Summoning Stone?" Ye Tianxie: "" He remained silent, suppressing the urge to roll his eyes as he focused on the task at hand. Destined for Greatness: The Rise of an Unparalleled Force "Four! He illuminated a total of four power crystals! Such strength has reached the pinnacle of what we humans can achieve. Its nearly impossible for another to match, let alone surpass. The ''Divine Resonance Stone'' contains a total of eight power crystals. The remaining four require an even greater power to respond. No such a being would no longer be considered human but a god! A true god The only one said to have ever awakened all eight crystals is the Supreme Goddess of Lost ContinentShiyao!" Zing! As Kong Xiu spoke, a blinding white light suddenly flashed from the base of the massive crystal. One of the eight originally transparent power crystals embedded within the Divine Resonance Stone finally came to life. "Yes just like that. Steady your mind, dont get distracted. This is only the beginning. Given your rejection of the Seven Professions, you should be able to illuminate three crystals!" Kong Xiu took a step back, nodding in affirmation. A fleeting moment of surprise crossed his facewas it just his imagination, or was the brilliance of the crystals glow slightly stronger than he remembered? He quickly dismissed the thought, attributing it to the long years since it was last used. Zing! Just as Kong Xius voice fell, a second beam of white light erupted, brightening the enclosed chamber. "Good, the second one! Few have ever managed to awaken two power crystals. Just this alone proves that you are no ordinary person!" Zing! Almost instantly, a third streak of white radiance burst forth. Kong Xiu nodded again, his smile growing more satisfied. "Excellent! As I expected, the immense potential within you is enough to awaken three power crystals! With this potential fully unleashed, you are destined to become a mighty force, although" His words abruptly halted. Zing! The fourth crystal flared to life. Kong Xiu froze mid-sentence, his expression suspended between shock and exhilaration. "Four Four crystals! Just like Wuming! Another one who can awaken four power crystals Your potential rivals that of Wuming himself!" Zing! A fifth light ignited, reflecting in Kong Xius rapidly contracting pupils. The chamber, now bathed in an overwhelming white glow, seemed almost too radiant to bear. "F-Five Five crystals!" His eyes widened in disbelief, his voice trembling under the weight of the revelation. He instinctively rubbed his eyes, desperate to confirm whether this was reality or some cruel illusion. Four was the limit of human strengthawakening five was the realm of gods! Zing! Kong Xius entire body trembled as the sixth crystal followed suit. "This this this is impossible" His voice faltered, his mind unable to process what he was witnessing. Zing! The seventh crystal turned pure white. He could no longer speak. His soul seemed to have left his body, his expression blank, his spirit shattered by the sheer enormity of what was unfolding before him. Zing! When the eighth crystal illuminated, when the entire ''Divine Resonance Stone'' shone with unparalleled brilliance, Kong Xiu had only one thought left I must be dreaming. What else could explain this utterly incomprehensible, reality-defying scene? Throughout the entire process, Ye Tianxie had remained motionless, eyes closed, oblivious to the expression of utter disbelief on Kong Xius face. Even as all eight crystals blazed with light, his hand remained pressed firmly against the stone. And stillit was not over. As the power crystals reached their peak brightness, the chamber became blindingly luminous, like standing under an unrelenting midday sun. But then, Kong Xiu noticed something terrifyingthe light was still intensifying. It grew stronger, harsher, unbearably radiant. And it all came from the Divine Resonance Stone. CRACK! A deafening explosion shattered the air. Kong Xiu would never forget this moment, this ear-splitting sound that nearly ruptured his eardrums. Right before his disbelieving eyes, the Divine Resonance Stone, now radiating an almost divine brilliance, exploded. Blinding white light engulfed everything. And in that instant ROAR!!!! A tremendous, earth-shattering roar echoed through the chamber, shaking Kong Xius very soul. His eyes remained fixed, locked open despite the searing brilliance. He saw it. A shadow, indistinct but unmistakable. The silhouette of a dragon. It had only appeared for the briefest moment, but the sheer presence of it sent a chill down Kong Xius spine. And that deafening roarit was the roar of a dragon. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. The light dissipated almost as quickly as it had erupted. From the moment the Divine Resonance Stone shattered, to the dragons roar, to the final fading of the radianceonly a few seconds had passed. The sheer intensity of the experience jolted Ye Tianxie from his trance. His eyes snapped open, a flicker of confusion passing through them as he looked around. The familiar feeling beneath his palm was gone. The Divine Resonance Stone had vanished. Instead, the ground before him was littered with countless shards of colorless crystal. The white glow was quickly fading, leaving behind a silent chamber filled with an eerie, stunned stillness. His gaze turned toward Kong Xiuwho was now collapsed on the floor, eyes wide with an expression of utter shock and emptiness. Frowning slightly, Ye Tianxie asked, "What just happened?" He had been completely immersed in his own consciousness, unable to perceive the events unfolding around him. At the sound of his voice, Kong Xiu barely stirred, his vacant eyes finally showing a flicker of response. His head slowly turned, as if even that simple movement required all his strength. His pupils fixed on Ye Tianxies face "D-D-Dragon soul" he stammered, barely forming the words, his voice dazed and hollow, as if lost in a dream. The Divine Resonance Stone had shattered. Something even the Supreme Goddess Shiyao herself could not have accomplished. It had shattered in his hands. Because the power within him was simply too immenseso immense that even the Divine Resonance Stone could not withstand it and had collapsed under the sheer pressure of his potential. This is impossible This is beyond impossible Even though he had witnessed it all firsthand, even though it had happened right before his very eyes, Kong Xiu could not believe it. For what he had just seen was something that should have never existed in reality. A shattered Divine Resonance Stone. A dragons shadow. A dragons roar. Something that only existed in the oldest legends. The power of the Dragon Soul. Kong Xiu trembled as he struggled to rise from the ground. As the strongest Grand Magus of Tianchen City, his movements at this moment were as feeble as those of an old man in his twilight years. Never in his life had he experienced such an intense loss of composure. Even when Wuming once displayed the power of the Wolf Attribute in this very place, the shock he felt back then was not even a fraction of what he was experiencing now. "You... Who exactly are you!?" Facing Ye Tianxie now, Kong Xiu had lost all previous composure and warmth. His old face was completely contorted with overwhelming disbelief, his facial muscles twitching, and his eyes quivering violently. The way he looked at Ye Tianxie was as if he were gazing upon a creature from beyond the heavens. Ye Tianxie observed his reaction with amusement before speaking slowly, "Xie Tian." "Xie Tian..." Kong Xiu repeated, scanning Ye Tianxie''s expression but finding no trace of deceit. His expression gradually softened. Ordinary people might be born with slight differences in physique or talent, but the gap between them was typically small. True strength was forged through effort. However, there existed a rare group of individuals who were fundamentally different from the rest. Their bodies contained an innate power, mysterious in origin and often lying dormant. Some awakened at birth, others during their growth, some through external guidance, and some perhaps never at all. Even in the real world, such individuals existedthey were called Espers. Their numbers were minuscule, yet their naturally superior abilities placed them on an entirely different plane from ordinary humans. These latent abilities often inclined toward specific attributessome towards elemental forces, while others mirrored the traits of beasts. Years ago, Wuming had stood before the Summoning Stone, and a colossal wolf silhouette had manifested behind himWolf Soul Power! Kong Xiu had no doubt about what he had just witnessed: a dragon. That deafening roar was unmistakably a dragon''s roar. At that moment, he had only caught a fleeting glimpse of the dragon''s form, unable to discern its exact details. But the mere presence of that image... In all his knowledge and memory, there had never been a single instance of a power manifesting the attributes of a dragon. Wolves symbolized solitude and pride. But dragons... they possessed the strongest bodies, the mightiest power, and the most inviolable majesty. They were eternal sovereigns, revered by countless beings. And the shattered Summoning Stone had proven, in the most shocking way possible, just how terrifying that latent power truly was. But what was even more certain was that Ye Tianxie himself had no idea what kind of power he truly possessed. "Your potential... is immense." After a long period of silence, Kong Xiu finally uttered those simple words. Yet, how could "immense" even begin to describe a force capable of shattering a stone that even the Goddess Xiyao could not break? No matter how resilient his state of mind was, Kong Xiu could not possibly maintain his composure in the face of such an existence. But he was still Kong Xiu. He was already doing his utmost to regain control over his emotions. "Then, is there a way for me to change my profession?" Ye Tianxie asked, puzzled by Kong Xius expression and the fragments littering the ground. He had a vague idea of what might have happened but found it difficult to believe. However, more than anything, his primary concern remained his profession. In a virtual game world, lacking a profession was like having one''s hands and feet bound. The white light continued to fade, and the enclosed space grew dimmer. Kong Xiu remained silent, his heart still pounding from the events he had just witnessed. Years ago, he had been able to use his unique magic to partially awaken Wuming''s latent power. But if someone could light up more than four Power Crystals, that was a force entirely beyond his reachbeyond even his comprehensionbecause such power should only belong to a true god! "The reason your body rejects the seven major professions is not a coincidenceit is destiny. With the potential you possess, the seven professions are unworthy of you... because what you have is the power of a dragon!" Kong Xiu said slowly. "The power of a dragon?" Ye Tianxie frowned slightly, looking at Kong Xiu in confusion. "Those with such latent potential often lean towards a specific attribute. Years ago, Wuming''s power aligned with the wolf, but you... are a dragon! And a dragon far more powerful than Wuming''s wolf could ever be!" As he spoke, Kong Xiu''s gaze never left Ye Tianxie, as if he were trying to engrave his image into his very soul. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine such a person existed, let alone that he would appear before him so suddenly, without warning. What did the emergence of such a person signify? Who was he? Where did he come from? What kind of background did he have? Why did he possess such an overwhelming Dragon Soul potential? And more importantly... what kind of future awaited him? Ye Tianxie remained silent for a long time. His path in the world of Destiny was beginning to deviate further and further from his expectations. One improbable event after another had unfolded before him. The power of a dragon... Latent potential... Profession rejection... Why were these anomalies occurring in the world of Destiny? Could it be... that his peculiar abilities in the real world were somehow influencing his existence in this one? Since childhood, he had always known that his strength far surpassed that of his peers. And as he grew older, his advantage only became more terrifying. Ordinary weapons could not pierce his body, boiling water did not burn him, and even bullets could not harm him. This transformation had been gradual, never occurring suddenly, so he had never seriously sought out the reason behind it. Back then, he had simply been grateful for this power... because it allowed him to protect her. "What are you saying?" Ye Tianxie finally asked. Kong Xiu shook his head, his expression solemn. "Your potential is too vastI cannot help you... However, when you are strong enough, you should travel to the Lost Continents imperial city, the Lost City. There, you will find the most powerful Grand Magi and War Gods. Perhaps they may have a way to assist you." If this terrifying potential were to be fully awakened, what kind of warrior would be born? One thing was certainhis strength would far surpass Wuming... Perhaps even... the Goddess Xiyao! Lost City. According to the sparse information available on the official website, it was a region only accessible to players who reached level 50 and abovethe central city of the Lost Continent. Midnight Rendezvous at the Vending Machine "Is There No Other Way?" Ye Tianxie asked. A profession that ordinary players could acquire effortlessly had become an insurmountable barrier for him Was he really destined to remain jobless in the world of Destiny forever? Kong Xiu shook his head. "No. Unless Your innate power instinctively rejects ordinary professions. Unless your latent power awakens, in which case, it will naturally manifest as your own unique profession Or, you manage to find a hidden profession with strength that matches your potential." Ye Tianxies expression shifted, and he let out a faint, bitter smile. "Alright. In that case, I wont trouble you any further." Either he awakened his power or found a hidden profession What kind of joke was this?! He had no idea what kind of power was buried inside him, let alone how to awaken it. As for hidden professions? Acquiring one of those legendary hidden professions was harder than reaching the heavenswhere on earth was he supposed to find one? Opening the stone door, Ye Tianxie stepped out into the light. Just as he was about to leave, Kong Xius voice suddenly called out from behind him. "Xietian, wait a moment." Ye Tianxie stopped in his tracks and turned around. Kong Xiu quickly approached, his brows slightly relaxed, an excited look on his face. "I just remembered somethingthere might be something that can help you." "Oh? What is it?" "The Dragon Gods Stone!" Kong Xiu said. "Legend has it that far to the south, in a place called Hidden Dragon Abyss, there lies a bottomless chasm. At the bottom of this abyss, there exists a Dragon Gods Stoneformed from the dying essence of the greatest Dragon God of ancient times. Young dragons that come near it will immediately awaken their dragon power." He paused for a moment before continuing, "The Lost Chronicles contain records of the Dragon Gods Stone, suggesting that its existence is more than just a myth. If the stone can awaken dormant dragon power then perhaps it could also awaken the dragon power within you." "You want me to find the Dragon Gods Stone?" Ye Tianxie furrowed his brows, contemplating Kong Xius words. "Thats right. Hidden Dragon Abyss is a forbidden land where humans are not allowed to set foot. But even if it werent forbidden, ordinary people wouldnt have the ability to reach it. The dragon race has been absent for a long time, but that doesnt mean theyve gone extinct. If there are dragons dwelling in Hidden Dragon Abyss, they will not allow intruders. Even Ino, even ten of mewouldnt dare approach. But you You possess the Emblem of the Brave, which is already a miracle in itself. Perhaps even greater miracles will be born through you. "Moreover, you have the power of the Dragon Soul. If dragons still exist there, they might not be hostile toward you And besides, you otherworlders dont truly dieyou only lose levels instead of facing real death. Though the journey there is nearly certain death for you as you are now, I still hope that, if given the chance you will go to Hidden Dragon Abyss." Kong Xius expression grew increasingly solemn, his voice even more serious. Today, he had witnessed something beyond his wildest imagination, and now, he was desperately eager to witness the birth of an unprecedented powerhouse. After all, this was the first person to ever shatter the Awakening Stone through sheer potential. The first to possess dragon power. Was the Dragon Gods Stone truly at the bottom of Hidden Dragon Abyss? No one could say for sure. Could it really awaken Ye Tianxies latent power? No one knew. Did dragons still exist there? No one had the answer But, as Kong Xiu had pointed out, players couldnt truly die. Ye Tianxie had no reason not to at least try. "Where is Hidden Dragon Abyss?" Ye Tianxie asked. "Three thousand kilometers to the south. Once you reach that area, you can ask anyone, and theyll know where it is. But with your current strength, you wont survive the journey. You wouldnt even make it near before being torn apart by the powerful monsters along the way. Wait until you reach level 70no, level 80. By then, you should be strong enough to approach the abyss. As for how youll actually descend into that bottomless chasm thats something youll have to figure out on your own." Three thousand kilometers Level 80 Entering a bottomless abyss What kind of sick joke was this?! A distance of three thousand kilometers? With the base movement speed of 100, even if he traveled nonstop, it would take an eternity to reach it. Not to mention the various high-level monsters along the way that would make the journey a living nightmare. Level 80? It had taken Ye Tianxie nearly ten days to reach level 11at this rate, reaching level 80 would take forever! And as for falling into a bottomless abyss Right now, a fall of just a dozen meters could kill him. A bottomless chasm? Hed die hundreds of times over! His heart was in turmoil. Without another word, he turned and silently walked away under Kong Xius watchful gaze. "Oh la la! Master, I saw everything, and I heard everything too!" Perched on his shoulder, Xiao Guoguo beamed, as if she had just accomplished something incredible. In her tiny hands, she clutched a lollipop that was already half-devoured. Her little pink tongue swirled around it as she savored the taste, her face filled with blissful satisfaction. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Aside from the occasional tantrum when she didnt get her wayforcing Ye Tianxie to comply every timethis tiny troublemaker lived as carefree as a pampered princess. In fact, from the second day after meeting her, Ye Tianxie had been questioning who was really the master between them. "Guoguo, do you know where Hidden Dragon Abyss is?" Ye Tianxie asked while lost in thought. Despite looking like an innocent little sprite, this tiny thing had more knowledge than anyone could have imagined. "Hmm" Guoguo blinked, stuffing the lollipop into her mouth before mumbling, "I dont know right now But if I had ten apple-flavored lollipops, ten lemon ones, ten mango ones, ten orange ones, ten peach ones, and ten banana ones I might remember something." Veins bulged on Ye Tianxies forehead. This trick again?! Guoguo had pulled this scam on him countless times beforeand it had worked every single time. Every time he asked her a question, if she happened to know the answer, she would seize the opportunity to extort him. And in the end Ye Tianxie always gave in. By the time Ye Tianxie logged off, the sky outside had already darkened. As usual, he casually put together a simple dinner before finally, under Guoguos pitiful gaze and incessant chatter, throwing on a coat and heading out It seemed that Guoguos supply of lollipops was about to run out again. This was the third time today he had gone out to buy lollipops for Guoguo. The first time he had ended up saving a young beauty who, coincidentally, had been harassed by him earlier that day. The second time, nothing eventful happened. And now, for the third time it was once again nighttime, and once again, he had the suffocating feeling of wanting to die. Under the cover of darkness, Ye Tianxie hurried towards the familiar vending machine. If he could, he would have covered his face entirely. After crossing two streets, he finally arrived at the vending machine. Almost instinctively, he glanced around furtively, making sure no one was watching before swiftly inserting money into the slot. His fingers moved over the different lollipop flavors, tapping each selection ten times in a row. Clatter, clatter The machine whirred as colorful lollipops began dropping one after another. Ye Tianxie waited patiently, wishing they would all just fall out at once so he could grab them and leave immediately. This short, agonizing moment felt like a punishment he desperately wanted to escape from. But of course, things never went as planned. Before all the lollipops could even finish dropping, hurried footsteps echoed nearby. And not just any footstepshigh heels. The rhythmic tapping sound reached his ears from a distance, growing closer at an alarming rate. Ye Tianxie felt frozen. Leave? Stay? Before he could decide, the owner of those footsteps had already arrived nearby. He didnt turn his head but instead subtly lowered it, pretending not to notice. If he had a hat right now, he would have pulled it down to cover his face completely. Being caught by a woman, late at night, sneakily buying lollipops What would she think? What would she say? How embarrassing would it be?! As Ye Tianxie silently wished for a tornado to sweep this woman away into the Pacific Ocean, the footsteps stopped right beside him. A pair of eyes stared at him, unreservedly and intently. "Lei Feng! Youre Lei Feng! I finally found you! Im the girl you saved that nightdo you remember me?" A crisp and cheerful female voice rang in his ears, filled with excitement and delight. Ye Tianxie stiffened. In an instant, he realized who this girl was, and his head lowered even further. His voice deepened as he muttered, "Sorry, youve got the wrong person." Lei Feng Lei your sisters Feng! Did she really believe that name? Had she never even heard of Lei Feng before?! Wait could she actually not know? "Hmph! Liar! You''re wearing the exact same outfit as last timeI recognize it! And that night, I had people check all the surveillance footage from this street. I saw you passing by here and stopping at this very vending machine to buy loads of lollipops and chocolates! Four nights ago, you came again and bought even more lollipops! Thats when I knewyou must really love lollipops, but because youre embarrassed, you only buy them at night when no one''s around So, Ive been waiting here all this time, knowing you''d show up eventually. And tonight, I finally caught you! Hey! Turn around and look at me!" At this moment, Ye Tianxie had only two thoughtsone, to immediately dig a hole and bury himself in it; two, to rush home and swat Guoguo with a fly swatter for causing all this. Clatter, clatter The last lollipop fell, bringing the total to fifty. A mountain of lollipops piled up before Ye Tianxie. Staring at them, he nearly teared upshould he take them or not? "Wow! You bought so many again! You really love lollipops, huh? Hehehe, dont be embarrassed! Everyone has their little secretsits no big deal!" Her words said "no big deal," but even a fool could hear the barely restrained laughter in her voice. She stepped forward, opened her shoulder bag, and before he could react, swept all the lollipops inside. "Okay! Ill hold onto these for you! Now, stop pretending to be a statue and look at me!" A faint scent of lilies drifted into Ye Tianxies nose, making it twitch slightly. Women who preferred this fragrance were usually natural and free-spirited, often carrying an innate sense of elegance and nobility But from their limited interactions and her current behavior, this girl seemed to be the complete opposite of that. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a light blue silhouette. A pair of eyes were trying to move into his field of vision, eager to see his face. Realizing he had no way out, Ye Tianxie reluctantly turned his head to look at her. The moment their eyes met, a flicker of admiration flashed through his gaze. Women who could truly impress him were rarevery rare. She was undeniably beautiful. Ye Tianxie had noticed that the first time he saw her. She wore a light blue knit top paired with short shorts, revealing a pair of long, fair legs with flawless proportions. But what truly caught his attention was her skinperfectly smooth, without a single blemish, even under the dim streetlights. It seemed to glow faintly, an ethereal sheen that accentuated her beauty. Especially her legslong, slender, perfectly shaped, like they were sculpted from white jade. Just looking at them made his heart race, and he felt an irresistible urge to touch them. The girl, meanwhile, was intently studying himhis eyes, his nose, his lips, his jawline She was tall, almost eye-level with him, though that was likely due to the light blue high-heeled sandals she wore. The first time they met, she barely saw his face, only catching a glimpse of his fleeing figure. That night, she had hated him to the corebecause of him, she had sat on her bed hugging herself, crying all afternoon. Her father had flown into a rage, mobilizing every resource to hunt him down. Yet the second time they met, he had saved her life. That was when she finally got a clear look at himand his image was forever imprinted in her mind. At the time, she didnt yet know he was the one who had harassed her. But when she finally found out she realized she could no longer bring herself to hate him. That night, she had lain awake, tossing and turning. And from that moment on, she had been consumed by an intense desire to find him again. An Unwanted Burden or an Unexpected Goldmine? "Lei Feng, do you still think Ive mistaken you for someone else?" The girl looked at him and smiled brightly, while the name she called him made Ye Tianxies face twitch. "Before meeting me, have you ever heard of the name Lei Feng?" Ye Tianxie asked seriously, keeping a straight face. His gaze subtly swept toward the bag slung over her shoulder Inside were hisno, Guoguos lollipops! No matter what he said now, he wouldnt be able to explain himself. "Hmm? No, never Are you famous or something?" The girl arched her eyebrows with a playful smile. "" She doesnt even know who Lei Feng is, yet she dares to wander around outside? No wonder she got kidnapped Ye Tianxie said solemnly, "Actually, my name is not Lei Feng." "Hehe! So you finally decided to tell the truth. I knew it! Your name is Ye Tianxie, isnt it?" The girls smile became even more radiant, but the way she lightly clenched and fidgeted with her hands in front of her betrayed the slight nervousness she felt when facing him. Ye Tianxie: " And whats your name?" "My name is Su Feifei Remember it?" As soon as he asked, the girl immediately gave him her name. Then, silence fell between them. Su Feifei hesitated for a moment before softly asking, "Do you really like eating lollipops that much?" Ye Tianxies face instantly darkened, turning as black as an African refugees. Trying to stay composed, he replied, "No, I buy them for my daughter." Guoguo just play along as my daughter for now. "Huh? You have a daughter?" Su Feifeis eyes widened in shock. "But you clearly live alone! You stay in Villa No. 6 of Tianyuan Estate all by yourself." Ye Tianxies expression grew even darkerdarker than an African refugees wait, what even is a ''Black Continent refugee''?! Who knows! His lips twitched slightly as he asked, "Have you been investigating me?" "Youre my lifesaver! Of course, Ive been wanting to find you all this time. My dad has been looking for you too, to properly thank you. And, well its just a coincidence, but the Tianyuan Estate where you live happens to belong to my dad, so it wasnt hard to find you. But I didnt want to disturb you, so I just waited here for you to show up." Young girls always long for romantic encounters. Besides, that night, she had witnessed with her own eyeswithin a mere ten steps, he had used his body to block a bullet and, in an instant, taken the lives of four men. Could someone like that be an ordinary person? Knowing this, Su Feifeis father dared not approach him without fully understanding his background. Someone with such power the first thought that came to mind was that Ye Tianxie must be an ability userone of those people who exist on a level that ordinary individuals cannot come into contact with or offend. But Su Feifei, after all, was still a girl under twenty. She lacked her fathers steadiness, caution, and patience. Instead, she created her own way to meet him again, and then "Oh? And why were you looking for me?" Ye Tianxie was starting to get a headache. From the joy, nervousness, and persistence in her bright eyes, he could see a determinationan unwavering decision made the moment she found him. He had a vague premonition that something was going to cling to him. And the estate he lived in was her fathers property? Wait a second! Her surname is Su! Damn!! Even with Ye Tianxies unshakable composure, he nearly jumped in shock. He suddenly thought of a mana name renowned across all of Asia, someone who was a household name in Huaxia: Su Luo! The richest man in Huaxia a man whose wealth was said to be enough to buy half of Asia! Could this girl, Su Feifei, actually be the daughter of Huaxias number-one tycoon!? It was widely rumored that Su Luos wife had fallen victim to an enemys vendetta nearly a decade ago. Since then, he had never remarried and was only ever seen with a single girl at his side. No matter how high a person riseswhether in power, reputation, or wealththey inevitably tread upon countless "corpses" in various forms. That means amassing an immeasurable number of enemies and consequently, both he and his family are perpetually in danger. Beneath their dazzling, glamorous lives, they bear a pressure that ordinary people cannot even begin to fathom. "I already told you, youre my lifesaver," Su Feifei said with a radiant smile, choosing not to press him further about the lollipop situation. Ye Tianxie now looked at Su Feifei differently than before. He raised an eyebrow indifferently and said, "But that night I seem to have ''accidentally'' taken advantage of you. That makes us even." With that, he casually waved his hand, turned around, and walked awayleaving behind the lollipops he had just struggled to buy. In truth, as he said, if not for that small moment of mischiefdeliberately teasing her to add some amusement to his lifehe wouldnt have interfered and saved her that night. "You You Hey!" Su Feifei had deliberately chosen to never bring up that incident again, even pretending not to recognize him as the person who had done it. She never expected him to be so blunt about it! Her face flushed slightly red, and when she saw him turning to leave, she quickly hurried forward to block his path. "You youre not allowed to leave!" "Are you planning to sue me for harassment?" Ye Tianxie looked at her with an amused expression. "Hmph!" Su Feifei didnt look angry at all. Instead, she pouted and said something that nearly made Ye Tianxie collapse on the spot: "Im going to live at your place!" Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. "Wh What!?" After three seconds of silence, Ye Tianxie realized his voice had actually trembled slightly. Have girls these days become this bold? Just picking random men off the street and Or is my charm just too overwhelming, making every woman I meet cry and beg to jump into my bed? "Because you harassed me that night!" "And how exactly does that mean you have to move into my house? Whats the connection?" Ye Tianxies brain was starting to feel foggy. The thought process of the daughter of Huaxias richest man was clearly different from that of normal people. "Because because" A faint pink hue crept up Su Feifeis face. Then, summoning her courage, she looked at Ye Tianxie with determined and stubborn eyes. "Because Ive never been touched by a man before and that night, you You have to take responsibility!" Ye Tianxie was momentarily stunned, his gaze sharpening as he carefully observed her expression. The determination mixed with shyness in her face was too genuine to be faked. There was no sign of guilt or hesitationshe was telling him the truth. In Ye Tianxies experience, most wealthy heirs grew up indulging in extravagance and debauchery from an early age, far removed from the concept of "purity." Such children of privilege were hardly associated with innocence. But Su Feifei, this true heiress of extreme wealthcould she really be? Then again "Miss Su," Ye Tianxie rubbed the bridge of his nose with an odd expression. "What year do you think this is? Dont tell me just because I accidentally touched you, youre planning to dedicate your entire life to me?" "You You wish! Who said" "Ah! Right, right! So you were just joking about moving into my house. Alright then, goodbye." Ye Tianxie, as if granted amnesty, immediately turned around and walked away. "Hey!" Su Feifei once again blocked Ye Tianxies path, her expression now filled with urgency and frustration. "Are you even a man?!" "Am I a man... Do you want to find out?" Ye Tianxie smirked wickedly. "You!" Su Feifeis face turned bright red. Suddenly, she lifted her head and locked eyes with him. "Tell me, do you think Im pretty? Would you say Im a beauty?" Ye Tianxies gaze slowly traveled from her delicate face down to her long, slender legs, deliberately pausing at her chest. He nodded seriously. "You are indeed a beautiful womanvery pleasing to the eyes." "Then you" "But whether youre beautiful or not doesnt seem to have anything to do with me, does it? Bye!" Before she could say a third word, Ye Tianxie cut her off, waved coolly, shoved his hands into his pockets, and walked away at a steady, unhurried pace. "Hey! Hey!" Su Feifei hurriedly took a few steps to chase after him, but an eerie scene unfolded before her eyes. His steps were slow and even, yet the distance between them stretched as if he were covering ten steps with just one. Within moments, he had vanished into the darkness of the night This time, not a single lollipop fell from his pocket. "Ye Tianxie! Ye Tianxie You awful bastard! Im coming to your house tomorrow, just you wait! Hmph!!" Su Feifei stomped her foot angrily, glaring in the direction he disappeared. Her bright, beautiful eyes practically shot sparks. She had always been the one rejecting othersthis was the first time she had ever been rejected so thoroughly. Two figures cautiously approached her from behind. The one on the right hesitated before whispering, "Miss just now, you said you were going to live with him Youre not serious, are you?" "Of course, Im serious! Hmph!" Su Feifei snorted and strode off in the direction Ye Tianxie had gone. "But Miss, this doesnt seem appropriate. I mean, yes, hes handsome, and he did save you, but we havent fully investigated him yet. This this seems a little too fast?" The man tried to persuade her cautiously. "Fast, my ass! What do you think this is? You think Im offering myself to him? Hmph! Let me tell you, hes a hundred timesno, a thousand times stronger than the two of you! If I live at his place, I wont have to worry about my safety at all. Ill just take him along whenever I go out! With you two useless guys, I have to be on edge every single day! Now move it! I need to go pack my things!" The two bodyguards lowered their heads in shame. They were among the top-tier elites in their field, but any adversary sent to assassinate Su Luo or his associates was bound to be an expert among experts. The frequency of attacks was far beyond what most people could imagine. It wasnt that their skills were lackingit was simply that the risk factor for Su Luo and his daughter was astronomically high. "But hes still a man, and hes around your age, Miss. Youre so beautiful If he ever decided toMiss, you wouldnt be able to resist at all. This really isnt" "He wouldnt dare!" Su Feifei huffed, her cheeks puffing up in frustration. "Didnt you see how he was practically running away from me just now? He was avoiding me! That that jerk!" "." The two bodyguards fell silent, trailing behind her. This stubborn young ladyshe had truly made a rather insane decision this time.
In the dark shadows, Ye Tianxie silently watched as Su Feifei got into a rather inconspicuous black business vehicle and disappeared into the night. He glanced up at the clear sky, wondering if today was a day of fortune or a complete disaster. "Su Feifei Heh. Is she going to be an unwanted burden or an unexpected goldmine?" That wasnt the main issue for now. What really mattered was Ye Tianxie hadnt actually left because he was concerned about Su Feifeis safety. He had stayed because She had taken the fifty lollipops he had painstakingly bought! With a flick of his finger, the concrete beneath him cracked, sending a few sizable chunks of cement flying into the air. He caught one and casually tossed it. Bang! A security camera pointed in his direction was instantly shatteredthanks to Su Feifeis unintentional reminder. He turned back to the vending machine, fed in some cash, and A notification popped up: "Lollipops Sold Out." Ye Tianxie let out a long sigh, staring at the sky in sheer exasperation.
Other than madmen, no one enjoys loneliness. It is human nature to reject solitude. Ye Tianxie was no exception. But ever since she had quietly left, he had always been alone. Even with the few friends he had, he never let them visit his home, nor did he ever actively reach out to them. It wasnt that he loved being alone. It was just that he had yet to find another person who could stay by his side the way she once did. And so, he chose to let himself sink into the silence, burying the grief and longing he never showed to the world. And then, without any warning Guoguo entered his world. Looking at his empty hands, he suddenly chuckled. He had actually gone out just to buy lollipops for a little girl. For him, this was truly an unbelievable thing. The Ye Tianxie of the past would have never imagined himself doing something like this. Though he was reluctant to admit it, though it seemed beneath his image when he thought of Guoguos adorably innocent face as she enjoyed her lollipops, he couldnt help but smile. And now that he hadnt brought them back for her, he actually felt a little uneasy. He didnt want to see her disappointed or sad. Less than ten days together, and he already felt this way Had this little girl quietly become a part of his world? It was a wonderful feeling. And if one day, she suddenly disappeared Would I Would I truly be unwilling to let her go?
When he returned home and opened the door, the first thing he heard was Guoguos sweet, childish voice coming from the bathroom: "Bath time, bath time, I love bath time~ Bath time, bath time, I love bath time~ Bath time, bath time, I love bath time~" Then, a sudden pause. "Huh? Masters scent! Waaah! Masters home! That means more lollipops!" The sound of splashing water followed. Ye Tianxie: "" Moonlit Serenity: The Girl Who Shouldn’t Exist Bang! The bathroom door burst open as if blown by a gust of wind, and a snow-white figure shot out, trailing scattered droplets of water. She flew straight toward Ye Tianxie, her voice urgent with excitement: Master! Lollipop! Lollipop! The moment Guoguo appeared before him, Ye Tianxies eyes froze, and then, almost instinctively, he covered his nose, groaning, Guoguo put some clothes on first! She was completely bare, not a single thread on her body. Her hair, arms, and tiny feet were all covered in shimmering droplets. The faint pink hues on her chest were barely concealed by two stray drops of water, creating an impactfully stunning visual. Guoguo seemed utterly unaware of the concept of modestyshe never cared whether she was clothed in front of him. At night, she would strip down completely and sprawl across Ye Tianxies pillow in the most unseemly sleeping postures. If he so much as turned his head everything, whether he should see it or not, would be laid bare before him. And during bath time? She cared even less. For Ye Tianxie, this was pure torment. Her flawless, delicate figure was petite, but that did nothing to diminish the irresistible charm that emerged from her combination of innocence and purity. It was a kind of allure that stripped away all defensesat least, Ye Tianxies self-control had been repeatedly shattered. Ye Tianxie never considered himself a good man, let alone a righteous gentleman. If Guoguo were a normal girl, the desire she stirred within him would have already pushed him to take action without hesitation But her tiny frame was so small that, on multiple occasions, it nearly brought him to tears. Im still bathing! I dont wanna wear clothes! Master, wheres my lollipop huh? Thats weird. Why dont I smell any lollipops? Guoguo flicked the water droplets off her little hands and twitched her tiny nose, her voice full of confusion. Theyre sold out today, so well have to buy some tomorrow. No more sweets at nightits bad for your teeth, Ye Tianxie said, adopting the tone of an adult coaxing a child. But if lectures like that worked, then Guoguo wouldnt be Guoguo. As expected, her once-excited expression immediately crumbled. Her soft pink lips pouted, and her big eyes welled up with misty grievance, as if tears would fall at any second. Faced with Guoguo in this state, there were only two ways to calm her downeither fulfill her demand or make a promise big enough to satisfy her, like guaranteeing to buy her a hundred lollipops tomorrow. Any other form of consolation would be completely useless. Ye Tianxie was just about to speak when, all of a sudden, Guoguos pitiful expression vanished without a trace. She blinked her crystal-bright eyes, which shimmered like stars, then pouted slightly and said, Master, you dont seem to be lying this time Hmm, then I wont eat lollipops tonight. But you must remember to buy them for your cutest, most obedient Guoguo tomorrow! Master, come take a bath with me. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Late at Night The room was silent, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight that poured in like liquid silver. It filtered through the white gauze curtains on the balcony, casting a gentle radiance across the spotless floor and illuminating the delicate face resting on the bed. Guoguos sleeping posture was carefree, yet her sleeping expression was so adorably serene that it made one want to scoop her up into a tight embracelike a precious porcelain doll. Up close, her small face appeared even more exquisite. She was a breathtakingly beautiful young girl, around twelve or thirteen years old. Her features were delicate and youthful, her skin smooth and radiant, her brows as finely shaped as those in a painting. Her complexion was as fair as freshly fallen snow, and a faint dimple graced her round cheeks, adding to her unparalleled charm. She lay slightly askew on the pillow, hugging a tiny cushion that matched her petite frame. Her jet-black hair fanned out across the pillow, accentuating her exposed jade-like face, her rosy lips, and her fair, lotus-root-like arms. A thin, plain white blankettorn from who-knows-where by Ye Tianxiecovered her small figure. Even though her body was partially concealed, her delicate curves were still irresistibly alluring. Beyond the blanket, her bare upper body was left completely exposed, her snow-white skin glowing with a luster that seemed purer than frost, more translucent than jade. Her lower legs, peeking out from beneath the blanket, were as smooth as if they had been dipped in creamso white they almost dazzled the eyes. Ye Tianxie gazed silently at the tiny girl before him, as if mesmerized by a sleeping spring blossom. Though they had spent many days together, there was still an undeniable sense of surrealism lingering in his heart. This girl had stormed into his life without warning, adding a vibrant touch of color to his once-empty world. Though they had only just met, she had integrated into his life with incredible ease. On the very first day, she had entered his home; on the very first day, she had somehow made him willingly buy lollipops for her; and on that very first night, they had even shared the same bed. Everything had unfolded so naturally, so effortlessly, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. Despite her seemingly na?ve and clumsy nature, Guoguo had her own little clever tricks. Yet, when it came to him, there wasnt even the slightest hint of warinessonly pure, wholehearted acceptance. She treated him as someone intimate, someone she could rely on, cling to, act spoiled around, and even playfully defya "master" she acknowledged in the most serious way. Ye Tianxie had no idea where this sense of closeness came from. In fact, even now, he didnt truly know who this tiny girl was or how many secrets she carried within her. As if sensing his lingering gaze, Guoguos long eyelashes quivered slightly. After a moment, the breathtaking girl slowly opened her eyes. Her irises gleamed like polished black gemstones, shining as brilliantly as the stars. The clear moonlight reflected off her ethereal features, casting a dreamy haze over her, making her look even more otherworldly. Still groggy with sleep, her misty eyes flickered toward Ye Tianxie, and she let out a soft, unconscious murmur. But almost instantly, her drowsy lids fluttered shut again, and she drifted back into her beautiful dream. This was the first time Ye Tianxie had ever watched the tiny girl beside him with such quiet intensity. Almost unconsciously, he reached out, wanting to gently brush his fingers across her delicate face. But just before his fingertips made contact with her cheek, his hand froze midairthen slowly withdrew, afraid of waking the peacefully sleeping girl. Lying back down, he stared blankly at the ceiling for a while before finally closing his eyes. His consciousness soon faded into a hazy blur. Guoguo possessed a kind of pure, radiant charm that no ordinary person could ever havean aura that made people instinctively lower their guard around her. And yet, it was precisely this kind of Guoguo that Ye Tianxie longed for the most even though she was someone who, perhaps, was never meant to exist in his world at all. Reverie Under the warm sun of a frigid winter, a chilling wind whispered through the land. A recent snowfall had blanketed the earth in thick layers of white, stretching endlessly in every direction. Against this stark purity, a small, curled-up figure clad in gray stood out sharply in the vast expanse of dazzling whiteness. At the base of a small hill, a young boy slowly opened his eyes. He rose to his feet, his movements calm and deliberate. Though the air was bitterly cold, his clothing was thinjust a tattered, dirt-streaked gray coat riddled with holes. Yet, strangely, he showed no signs of discomfort from the freezing temperature. His expression remained eerily tranquil, and his eyessharp and glacial as twin ice crystalsshimmered with an indifferent, almost unfeeling light. Taking a few steps forward, his feet sank deep into the snow. Suddenly, he stopped, crouched down, and gently scooped up a handful of snow. Gazing at the delicate flakes in his palm, a faint smile, almost imperceptible, surfaced on his otherwise emotionless face. It was a beautiful smilesubtle yet striking. The image of a cold, distant boy standing amidst an endless field of white, gracing the world with a fleeting smile, was one that could stir the heart but in this desolate place, there was no one to witness it. He knelt, placed the snow back on the ground, then gathered more, piling it carefully in one spot. Slowly, the mound grew, rising to match his own height. With meticulous care, he shaped and smoothed its form, completely immersed in the task as if pouring his very soul into it. Before long, the amorphous pile took the shape of a human figure. The boy smiled again, a quiet, wistful expression. He gazed at his creation for a long time before carefully retrieving a small biscuit from his tattered clothing. Gently, he broke it in half and placed one piece atop the snowman. He was only ten years oldan age where most children bask in the warmth of parental love, carefree and without worries. But he had spent much of his life alone, wandering, without home or purpose. That tiny piece of biscuit was his only food for the day. He was cold, distant, rejecting all human connection, yet deep inside, he longed for a companionsomeone who could ease his loneliness. But he had lost the ability to trust, fearing, resenting, and despising the world. So, the only friend he could create was this snowman before himone that would stay by his side and never betray him. Friends, after all, were meant to share things. If the snow were to melt, it would reveal a barren, desolate mountain, rarely visited by people. He wandered aimlessly, seeking places where human presence was scarce. He had no destination, no purpose, no futureonly the instinct to survive. He was an enigmaa boy so consumed by emptiness and detachment that he seemed almost unreal. Even the lifeless snowman he had just built felt more tangible, more present than he did. Slowly, he nibbled on his hardened biscuit, careful not to eat too fast, as if afraid of finishing it too soon. In the silence, only the faint sound of his chewing and the occasional whisper of the wind could be heard. Then, just as even the wind seemed ready to surrender to the desolation, a faint, hurried sound sliced through the quieta series of rapid, urgent footsteps. The lifeless landscape, frozen in an eternal hush, was suddenly infused with an unexpected presence. The boy stopped eating. His sharp, guarded eyes, filled with a wariness far beyond his years, snapped toward the source of the sound. The footsteps were light yet swift, carrying an urgency as if their owner was desperate to reach some unseen destination. But strangely, they were heading straight for him. From a distance, the boy saw a figureone that, for reasons he couldn''t comprehend, made his long-frozen heart suddenly beat wildly in his chest. It had been so long since he had felt anything at all, and now, his gaze and his mind were utterly transfixed. As the figure drew closer, he finally saw herher face, her form. In that instant, the world lost all color. The endless white of the snow, the misty blue of the sky, even the dazzling light of the sunall faded into nothingness. Only she remained, a breathtaking existence that eclipsed all else. She was a girl, about his age. At just ten years old, she should not have been wandering alone in a place like this, just as he shouldn''t have. Yet, despite her tender age, she possessed an otherworldly beautyone that seemed impossible for a child to have. It was a paradox, an indescribable allure that defied explanation. Her delicate features seemed sculpted from ice, glistening under the setting sun with an ethereal radiance. A faint, tranquil smile curved her lipsserene, content, like a lotus blooming under the moonlight. She carried a mist-like aura, an illusion of a celestial being untouched by the mortal world. But then, as her feathery lashes fluttered open, revealing a pair of mesmerizing, liquid-like eyes, the illusion shattered. Those deep, enigmatic pupils glowed like rare black pearlsclear, penetrating, yet unfathomably dark, as if gazing into them for too long would freeze ones very soul. She was coldso cold, like an untouchable ice sculpture. Yet at the same time, she exuded an irresistible allurea sacred, untouchable charm, a mysterious and intoxicating beauty. Just a glance, just the faintest curve of her lips, was enough to captivate, to ensnare, like the deadly temptation of a night-blooming poppy. Even if one knew it could mean their end, they would still be drawn to her, helplessly, like moths to a flame. Holy Icy Enchanting Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Could a ten-year-old girl truly possess such qualities? Could such a being even exist in this world? Had anyone else heard of her, they would have dismissed it as impossible. But those who had seen her would believe they had just witnessed a girl born from dreams. The boy''s gaze was as if something had firmly grasped him, rendering him motionless in his daze. He forgot to breathe, forgot to speak, even forgot his own existence. In his eyes, in his heart in his entire world, there was nothing left but the girl standing before him, looking at him with an expression he couldnt understand. His emotions had been frozen for many years, yet his heart was still that of a ten-year-old boy. He found her beautifulso beautiful that he felt as though he had stepped into a dream. The cold wind stirred, lifting strands of her hair. As she gazed at the boy before her, the frost in her eyes gradually melted into a soft, mesmerizing mist. She wore only a thin, snow-white garment, blending seamlessly with the frozen world around her, creating an ethereal and breathtaking scene. And that dreamlike face of hers was the most enchanting stroke of color in this masterpiece of ice and snow. Without her, this picture would have been nothing more than a lifeless expanse of pale, empty whiteness. When a womans beauty reaches an extreme, she is described as "one who causes fish to sink and geese to fall," a beauty that can topple nations. But for her, at the mere age of ten, such earthly praises were unworthyusing them would only serve as an insult, a desecration. Drip. The gentle curve at the corner of the girl''s lips never faded, but the coldness in her eyes was quietly dissolving. Eventually, it melted into a single teardrop that silently fell onto the snow at her feet. A tear And then, suddenly, she lunged forward, wrapping her arms tightly around the boy before he could even register what was happening. She clung to him with all her strength, her suppressed tears finally spilling over, soaking into his tattered clothing. "I finally found you" Leaning against his shoulder, she murmured softly. Her voice was as delicate as the wind whispering through a secluded valley, as ethereal as if it came from beyond the heavens. Her pure white robes stood in stark contrast to the boys filthy, ragged gray attire. Yet, she showed no hesitation, no aversiononly an almost desperate determination to hold onto him, as if afraid that if she loosened her grip even a little, he would vanish forever. A faint, warm breath brushed against his neck, and the delicate body in his embrace trembled slightly. Never before had he held a girl in his arms, nor had he ever been embraced by one. The boy stood there, utterly frozen, increasingly convinced that he must be dreaming. After a long while, the girl, having wiped away her tears, finally loosened her hold. Yet, she still remained close to him, her luminous, misty eyes gazing at him in a dazed, spellbound way. And he, too, looked at her with an almost unreal expression. Standing so near, he could see her skinpale as snow, smooth as jade. Her breathtaking eyes shimmered like crystalline ice, and her lips, a deep crimson, resembled the delicate petals of a cherry blossom. Her long, cascading black hair swayed gently in the cold wind, accentuating her poetic, otherworldly beautyso overwhelming that he barely dared to look directly at her. Anyone who saw her would be utterly convinced that every inch of her beingher body, her face, her skin, her breath, her gaze, her voice, her smilecould effortlessly conquer any man. Even now, even at the mere age of ten. "You who are you" A boy who had always shunned people, rejected contact, and kept his distance, now found himself unable to summon even the slightest thought of pushing her away. He could only stare at her in a daze, his voice so soft that even he could barely hear it. Tears blurred the girls vision once more, but she smiled. That innocent, breathtaking smile felt like the most beautiful flower blooming before his eyes. Softly, she said, "First can you tell me your name?" "Ye Tian." He had almost forgotten his own name, but under her gaze, he spoke it without hesitation. "Ye Tian" She murmured the name, then gently asked, "Why are you here all alone? Where is your home? Where are your parents?" "Home?" The girl suddenly felt his entire body stiffen, and in an instant, his skin turned cold as ice. He shook his head, his voice devoid of all emotion. "I have no home My father is dead. My mother is dead My brother died protecting me I have always been alone." The girls body trembled slightly. It was only now, as she looked at him more closely, that she noticed the snowman he had built, the ragged state of his clothing, and the half-eaten biscuit in his hand. In that moment, it felt as if thousands of blades had pierced through her heart, the pain so intense that her freshly wiped tears blurred her vision once more. She reached out with her warm hand, cupping his face as she choked back her sobs. "Why why are you always so alone No! I dont want this I wont let you be alone anymore. I wont let you suffer anymore. You gave up so much for me This time, let me give you everything I have to protect you" She spoke words he could not understand. "Why are you are you mistaking me for someone else?" he asked instinctively. "No Even if I forgot myself, I would never forget you. I could never mistake you for someone else." She shook her head gently, letting her tears fall away. Then, with a soft, tear-streaked smile, she whispered, "Your birthday is July 7th, isnt it?" The boy was momentarily stunned before he nodded blankly. "I was born on July 7th, too Do you believe it? We were born in the same year, the same month, the same day, the same hour even the same second." The boy: "" "From now on, you wont be alone anymore. Let me stay with you, okay? If youre willing can you do one thing for me? From now on, you wont be called Ye Tian anymore. Your name will be Ye Tianxie. Okay?" "Ye Tianxie" Sunlight streamed through the bedroom window. Ye Tianxie finally awoke, sitting up in bed as he stared blankly ahead, lost in the dream that had replayed countless times in his sleep. Every time this happened, his expression would turn vacant, filled with a rare confusion and sorrow. If we were meant to part, why did we meet in the first place? If we met, why did we have to be separated? Didnt you promise to stay with me forever? Why was that "forever" so short? Where are you where did you go why did you leave For more than a decade, she had stayed by his side, loving him more than anything in the world. And yet, even now, after all this time He still didnt know who she was. He let out a long sigh. Three years had passed since she left. Her absence had once driven him mad, broken him, plunged him into despair. He had clawed his way out of it step by step, clinging to the hope that, just as she had disappeared without warning, one day she would return. But whether it took three years, ten years, or thirty He knew he could never erase the sorrow and longing in his heart. He would never let her go. He believed she was a celestial maiden, a gift from the heavens, the most dazzling, most beautiful star ever bestowed upon him. An Uninvited Guest: The Heiress Moves In The sky outside had brightened, and judging by the time, it was probably around eight or nine in the morning. Beside him, Guo Guo was still fast asleep, but at some point, her sleeping position had changedshe was now lying on her stomach. Her fair little bottom was slightly raised, making Ye Tianxie feel an inexplicable urge to poke it gently. Her small face was pressed into the soft bed, and a thin line of drool trailed from the corner of her mouth. Ye Tianxie didnt wake her. He got out of bed as quietly as possible, slipping his feet into his slippers. Just as he was about to move, a sudden bang bang bang sounded at the door, causing him to pause. Bang bang! Bang bang bang bang! Clearly, the doorbell at Ye Tianxies place was broken. Whether it had always been broken or if he had deliberately sabotaged it, only he knew. The loud knocking finally disturbed Guo Guos sleep. She opened her eyes, blinking a few times before propping herself up on her soft little arms. Still drowsy, she looked toward Ye Tianxie. Master theres a really loud noise. As she sat up, two faint pink marks came into Ye Tianxies view. He quickly averted his gaze, looking toward the source of the noise with a sigh. Being a good person really doesnt pay off Looks like trouble is knocking. Huh? Trouble? Guo Guo tilted her head. Then, suddenlyEh? Eh eh eh! Lollipops! I smell lollipops! So many of them! So many different flavors! Wow! Her sleepiness vanished in an instant. She threw off her small blanket and, with a swift motion, her white dress magically appeared on her body. With an excited squeal, she dashed toward the door like a little bee drawn to nectar. Ye Tianxie froze for a moment, then suddenly rememberedlast night, Sophie had taken all fifty lollipops and put them into her bag! Master, open the door! Its lollipops! Lollipops are here! Guo Guo floated around near the entrance, her voice filled with anticipation. Ye Tianxie hesitated for a moment before finally opening the door. The inside of Ye Tianxies house had long been a mess, filled with an unpleasant odor. The moment the door opened, a faint, refreshing fragrance drifted in, standing out against the stale air. And there she wasa breathtakingly beautiful girl, standing in front of him with a playful smirk. It was the kind of smile that exuded confidence, a hint of triumph. She looked around eighteen or nineteen, with flawless snow-white skin, elegantly arched brows, and mesmerizing eyes that shimmered like the stars in the night sky. Her silky black hair cascaded down her shoulders like a gentle stream. She was, of course, Sophie. She was wearing the same outfit from last nightshort top, hot pantsshowcasing her long, alluring legs and graceful, slender figure. A stunning girl, the kind that could easily stir up a mans deepest desires. Even Ye Tianxie felt, for a fleeting moment, the urge to claim her for himself. Tianxie, Im here! Arent you going to welcome me? Sophie waved at him with a cheerful grin, completely unfazed by stepping into a mans home for the first time. Her eyes darted past Ye Tianxie, quickly scanning the interior of his house. And then AHHH!! She instantly clamped a hand over her nose and took a step back as if she had been physically shoved. Her delicate brows furrowed deeply. Y-You Your house smells horrible and its such a mess Even a pigsty would be cleaner than this! Youve been to a pigsty? Ye Tianxie asked dryly, his expression stiff. He was well aware of the state of his homehe never folded his blankets, never cleaned up, and left all kinds of junk scattered across the floor. Empty bottles and cans were everywhere. But whether it was out of habit or sheer disinterest, he had never bothered tidying up. He had simply grown used to it, to the point where he no longer noticed the stench. IOf course, I have! And it was a hundred timesno, a thousand times cleaner than this! Sophie huffed indignantly. And hello? You live in Tianyuan Estate! Its the most luxurious villa district in Jinghuano, in all of China! And yet, you Ye Tianxie raised an eyebrow, shrugging dismissively. Miss Sophie, this is my home. If you dont like it, thats not my problem. Id suggest you go back to your perfectly pristine mansion instead of forcing yourself into my pigsty. Sophies brow twitched. She suddenly dropped her hand from her nose and, as if in defiance, stepped forward. I said Id stay at your place, and I meant it! Even if your house really is a pigsty, Ive already made up my mind! Hmph! She strode past Ye Tianxie, her long, flawless legs carrying her inside like she owned the place. Only after fully stepping in did she truly grasp just how chaotic his home was. A moment ago, she had thought it was worse than a pigsty. Now, she realized that was a serious understatement. The disaster zone before her made her previous description seem generous. Her hand instinctively flew back to her nose as she stared, dumbfounded, at the interior of this so-called luxury villa. How How could someone live like this!? Yet despite the absolute disaster of a living space, Ye Tianxie himself was impeccably dressed and well-groomed. It made no sense! Even with her nose covered, the lingering stench made hersomeone raised in a wealthy, pristine environmentwant to turn and flee. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Ye Tianxie stood behind her, watching her reaction with great amusement. He was certain that there was an 80% chanceshe would back out and leave immediately. But unfortunately for him Sophie belonged to that remaining 20%. She turned around, still covering her nose, but her expression was one of amusement. You really do live alone, huh? No woman would ever let you live like this. Her lips curled into a mischievous smile. Well then, I guess its up to me! Ye Tianxie: Lollipops! Lollipops! She smells like lollipops! Apple-flavored, lychee-flavored, orange-flavored, mango-flavored Master, I want them! I want them! Is this big sister going to live with us? Let her stay! She has so many lollipops! Guo Guo perched on Ye Tianxies shoulder, tugging on his hair while staring eagerly at the pink handbag Sophie carried. The scent of her favorite treats was practically calling out to her. Sophie turned and called out, Hey! Hurry up and bring my stuff in! Move it! Following her gaze, Ye Tianxie saw a luxurious hovercar parked nearby. Four men, dressed like bodyguards, stood rigidly beside it. Their expressions were eerily uniforman odd mix of helplessness and resignation. The car rolled up to the entrance, and Sophie flung the door wide open, waving her hands impatiently. Hurry up! Be careful with my crystal dolls! And my goldfishdont spill the water! Ye Tianxie stood behind her, his voice filled with incredulity. Miss Sophie, shouldnt you at least ask for my permission first? I dont recall ever agreeing to let you move in. Standing behind Su Feifei, Ye Tianxie spoke in a strangely peculiar tone, Miss Su, shouldnt you at least ask for my permission first? I dont recall ever agreeing to let you move in. Hey! Su Feifei turned around, pouting in dissatisfaction as she looked at him. Im a great beauty, you know! Im willingly moving into a guys houseyou should be thrilled! Look at you, living alone in such a huge place, wasting so many rooms. Youre not seriously stingy enough to refuse a room to a gorgeous girl like me, are you? And besides, just look at this mess~~! Even a pig would feel wronged living here! I can help you clean up, you know? Let me tell you, Ive never cleaned up anyones house before. Youre making a huge profit, a massive one! Ye Tianxie: Hmph! And dont forget, youre my lifesaver! Not to mention Her voice suddenly softened as she lowered her head slightly, whispering so that only Ye Tianxie could hear, You shameless guy even touched me You have to take responsibility! Now that Ive set my eyes on you, youre not getting away. For the first time in his perfectly healthy life, Ye Tianxie felt a headache coming on. At the same time, he suddenly became very curious about what kind of environment this girl had grown up in. The amount of stuff Su Feifei brought with her was ridiculousher bed, blankets, pillows, desk, vanity, a wardrobe packed full of clothes, all sorts of girly toys, luxury items, daily necessities and even a huge bag of snacks. She had practically moved her entire room over. She was making it clear to everyoneshe was dead serious about moving in. She and Ye Tianxie had only met a few times in passing. She had no time to test his boundaries, let alone understand himhis background, personality, habits, character He was practically a stranger to her, yet she was rushing to move in with him. No one around Su Feifei could understand what this otherwise intelligent young lady was thinking. Was it the lingering heartstrings from that night when he saved her from despair? Or was it something else? But one thing was certainSu Feifei wasnt joking. In fact, she was in such a rush that before dawn, she had already dragged everyone she could find out of bed to help her pack. When the four black-suited bodyguards carried her extravagant, impossibly soft bed through Ye Tianxies front door, they all stopped in unison. Their eyes widened, mouths dropped open, and their jaws nearly hit the floor. They had seen messy rooms before, but never anything this extreme. Even as men themselves, they had the overwhelming urge to turn around and walk away Was their noble young lady really going to live in a place like this? They couldnt help but glance at Ye Tianxie, who stood off to the side, not saying much, his expression unreadable. The looks in their eyes spoke volumes. Look! My bed! Isnt it gorgeous? Hehe Hurry up and find me an empty room. Oh, by the way, which room do you usually sleep in? Su Feifei asked cheerfully. The displeasure she had earlier from the overwhelming stench had somehow vanishedshe had clearly steeled herself for this move. Ye Tianxie mechanically lifted his arm and pointed to his usual bedroom. Then Ill take this one! I know you live alone, so there shouldnt be anyone else here, right? Su Feifeis high-heeled sandals clacked as she confidently strode over. The door was tightly shut but unlocked. With a light twist, she pushed it openonly to immediately regret it. The moment her hand touched the doorknob, she could feel the thick layer of dust caking it. And as soon as the door swung open, a cloud of dust burst forth, sending her scrambling backward, wildly waving her hands in front of her face, barely holding back a cough. Ye Tianxie turned his head away, feigning an innocent expression. You You You How many centuries has it been since you last cleaned this place?! Su Feifei stomped her foot, then cautiously pulled open another roomonly to be greeted by yet another wave of dust. Completely speechless, she turned around and pointed at the first room she had chosen. You four You have exactly one hour to clean this place until not a single speck of dust is left! The four bodyguards, each from highly esteemed backgrounds, stood at the doorway in stunned silence. Finally, the eldest among them pulled a pained expression and said, Miss Cleaning this place might actually be harder than tearing the whole house down and rebuilding it Ye Tianxie: No backtalk! You have one hour. If you dont finish on time, Im deducting your entire months salary! Now get to it! Left with no choice, the four bodyguards reluctantly took on the role of janitors and dove into the dust-laden room. Within three steps, three of them had already coughed their way back out, only to steel themselves and force their way in again. Three minutes later, two of them rushed back out, and soon after, an entire set of top-of-the-line, luxury-grade cleaning equipment was wheeled in. In Ye Tianxies house, they couldnt find a mop, a vacuum cleaner, any cleaning agents not even a rag. Ye Tianxie simply turned on the TV, staring blankly at the screen, ignoring Su Feifeis energetic shouting and commanding, paying no mind to the four bodyguards running back and forth. He looked more like an outsider than the actual owner of the house. His home had always been a place where outsiders werent allowed. Even his closest friends had never been invited inside, and those who truly understood him never attempted to come. And yet, today, he had let Su Feifei in. And not only that, but he was allowing her to run rampant inside his home. What exactly was going through his mind? Three hours later. It was a truly bizarre sight. A young lady from the wealthiest family in China, determined to move into a young mans house, and doing so with utmost sincerity. Meanwhile, the man in question offered barely any resistance or rejection, letting her do as she pleased. They acted like old friends who had known each other forever, when in reality, they had only met three times, totaling mere minutes of interaction. The mountains of trash and scattered bottles that Ye Tianxie had been accumulating for who knows how long had finally disappeared, and the floor had at least started to resemble something that could be called clean. Such a massive villa, in such an appalling state, couldnt possibly be tidied up in a daynot even with forty people, let alone just four. These non-professionals could only do a rushed cleanup of the most visually and olfactorily offensive areas, with their primary focus on the room Su Feifei had claimed as hers. A Daughters Cry: The Burden of Fear and Longing for Freedom After an almost superhuman effort from the four bodyguards, the once uninhabitable room was finally transformed. Every speck of dust had been meticulously cleaned, and luxurious wallpaper was reapplied to the walls and ceiling. A light yellow carpet was laid on the floororiginally from Su Feifeis own bedroom, which she insisted on bringing along. By sheer coincidence, it fit the room perfectly, blending in as if it had always belonged there. This discovery had Su Feifei squealing with delight, convinced that she and this room were destined for each otherso much so that her excitement sent chills down the spines of the four bodyguards. The bed, wardrobe, desk, vanity, and mirror were all arranged in place. The four impeccably dressed bodyguards, who had started the day in pristine suits, were now covered in a layer of grime, looking as though they had crawled out of a dust heap. Yet, seeing the room finally presentable, they allowed themselves a small sigh of relief. Su Feifei had been raised in the lap of luxury; expecting her to stay in the previously unkempt space was simply unthinkablenot just for her, but even for them. Now that everything was set up it meant she was truly planning to stay here. "Miss, everything is ready," one of the bodyguards reported. Without missing a beat, Su Feifei whipped out a freshly written shopping list and thrust it in front of the bodyguards face. "Here! This is what I need. Get everything on this list within the next hour!" Staring at the listnearly a meter longthe four bodyguards almost shed tears on the spot. Meanwhile, Ye Tianxie, who had been watching TV in an almost corpse-like state, finally shifted his gazenot towards Su Feifei, but towards the door. Hurried footsteps approached, and moments later, the slightly ajar front door was pushed open with force. A sharply dressed man strode in, his eyes sweeping across the room with a single glance. His already furrowed brow deepened. The man appeared to be in his early forties, of average build and unremarkable appearance, with a strong, square-shaped face. However, his razor-sharp gaze was enough to make ones heart skip a beat. He exuded an imposing aura, an unspoken pressure that made it feel as though he were standing high above, looking down at those below. Two other middle-aged men followed closely behind him, maintaining a precise one-step distance. Their appearances were equally unremarkable, yet the moment their eyes landed on someone, a suffocating weight seemed to press down, making it harder to breathe. The sharp gaze swept across the room before finally locking onto Su Feifei, who had turned around in shock. In that instant, Ye Tianxie instantly deduced the mans identity. Su Feifei and the four bodyguards all looked at the unexpected visitor in astonishment. She took a cautious step forward before hesitating, then carefully asked, "Dad why are you here?" "Hmph!" The middle-aged man snorted, his brows still tightly knit. "Nonsense! Absolute nonsense! If I hadnt come back, would you have actually moved in here? Into another mans home?" As he spoke, he glanced at Ye Tianxie from the corner of his eye. When their eyes met, something flickered in his mind. This young man had an almost perfect appearance, with an effortless charm that could easily break down any young girl''s defenses. But what stood out most was his expressionhe showed no surprise, no nervousness, no fear. Instead, behind his calm demeanor, there was the faintest hint of amusement. The way he looked at Su Luo was not with deference or concern, but with curiosity, as if studying something of interest. Su Luo. Su Feifeis father. The wealthiest man in the entire Huaxia nation, and the richest in all of Asia. His wealth was enough to rival nations. He had spent his life building an empire, encountering countless powerful figures and weathering every storm imaginableyet this young mans reaction left him momentarily perplexed. "Boss," the four bodyguards immediately stepped forward, bowing their heads in unison, looking as though they had committed a grave sin. Su Luos gaze swept over them before he scolded, "How could you allow her to act so recklessly? Why didnt you inform me sooner? This is unacceptable!" The four men remained silent, standing stiffly as they braced themselves for punishment. They had considered informing him, of coursebut when their young lady was truly determined, she was far scarier than their boss. "Dad!" Su Feifei bit her lip, her eyes filled with defiance as she looked at him. "Just leave this matter alone! Ive already made up my mind. Until I decide to leave, Im staying here!" "No! Absolutely not!" Su Luos tone was firm. "Feifei, youre not a child anymore. Do you even realize what youre doing?" Su Feifeis unwavering gaze made his brow twitch slightly. She was showing that same stubborn lookthe one that meant she had made up her mind, no matter what. And then there was the fact that her room back home was now empty. She had brought everything here, including her most cherished possessionsthe ones she could never bear to part with. That meant she was truly serious about this. What on earth was drawing her to this place? "Yes! I know exactly what Im doing!" Su Feifei insisted, shaking her head. Her eyes flickered toward Ye Tianxie for a brief moment, hoping he would say something to support her. Ye Tianxie switched off the television and finally turned halfway toward them, wearing an expression as though he were simply watching a show unfold. His casual, almost entertained demeanor made the two men behind Su Luo nearly want to punch him straight through the floor. Su Luo fell silent for a moment, visibly taken aback by his daughters inexplicable determination. As her father, he should have understood her better than anyone in the worldyet, right now, he had no idea what she was thinking. Could this really be nothing more than a moment of impulsive recklessness? Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. His expression softened slightly, and he sighed, his voice lowering in an attempt to reason with her. "Feifei, I understand what you think youre doing. But do you even know him?" He gestured toward Ye Tianxie. "Do you know his background? His character? His temperament? Youve barely spent any time with him, let alone gotten to know him. Youre only doing this because he saved you? And look at this placeit was a disaster! How could you possibly endure living here? Feifei, youre not a child anymore. You should know whats appropriate and what isnt." Su Feifei bit her lip again. Her fathers words did nothing to shake her resolve. She shook her head once more. "Dad, Ive already decided. Im staying here. No matter who tries to stop meI wont listen!" Su Luo exhaled deeply, his brows furrowing tighter as he stepped forward, stopping right in front of his daughter. Su Feifei didnt back away. She lifted her head, meeting his gaze with unwavering determination. "Come home with me. Well talk about this after we get back." He reached out to grab her arm. Su Feifei took a step back, avoiding his grasp, and shook her head vehemently. "Im not going back! Dad, Im not playing aroundI really want to stay here. Please, just let me be!" Su Luos frown deepened, and he took another step forward. "Youre coming home." "I''M NOT GOING BACK!!!!" Her near-screaming outburst stunned Su Luo into silence. Even Ye Tianxie and the six bodyguards froze in place. "You''re asking me to go back back where? Back home?" Step by step, Su Feifei retreated until her back was pressed against the wall, her body weakly leaning against it. "No! I dont want to I dont want to go back there I finally found another place, a place I long for, a place thats so much better Even if this path is completely wrong, I still dont want to go back" Su Luo''s heart trembled slightly. The expression, voice, and gaze of his daughter at this moment suddenly sent a piercing pain through his chest. "Dad I am your daughter You care about me, but have you ever truly understood me? Do you know what I want, what I really think?" "When I was nine, my mother died. From that moment on, you were the only family I had left But you had too many business deals to make, too many connections to manage, too many people to deal with You could never be there for me every day like Mom was Do you even know what my life has been like since she passed?" "From a very young age until now, at least twice a week, Ive had to face kidnappings and assassination attempts aimed at me. I was afraid during the day, I was afraid at night. Every time I stepped out of the house, I was on edge. Even at home, I was never truly at ease That year, Mom died, and I survived under her protection. But do you know how many times I wished I had died with her that day? Died at the hands of the enemies you made?" Su Feifeis shoulders trembled. The confident and spirited girl who always carried herself with arrogance in front of her bodyguards now shrank against the wall, curled up like a wounded bird. Her voice grew increasingly sorrowful, until her vision blurred with tears, streaming down her cheeks. The smirk on Ye Tianxies face faded. He silently watched her for a moment, then let out a slow exhale, tilting his head slightly upward. "Feifei" Her words struck Su Luos heart like heavy hammers, pounding into the depths of his soul. Watching his daughter, now sobbing uncontrollably, his heart convulsed with unbearable pain. His road to success had been paved with the failuresand even the corpsesof countless others. Because of this, he had made enemies beyond counting. Some were driven by greed for his wealth, some were bankrupt men desperate for revenge, some were business rivals, and others were simply deranged individuals who resented the rich far too many of them. He had endured it all, long since grown accustomed to it. And just like him, his daughter had endured it as well. He had spent so little time with her. And every time he returned home, all he ever saw was the beautiful, cheerful, carefree girl who seemed to have no troubles at all. Seeing her like that had always wiped away his exhaustion and lifted his spirits. But now, he realizedhe was wrong. He had always been wrong. All these years, the daughter he thought he knew had only ever been putting on an act to ease his worries, to avoid becoming another burden on him. He had never once truly understood her heart. "All these years, no one who tried to kidnap me ever truly succeeded. But so many times, they came so close Just oncejust once would have been enough Have you ever thought about what would happen to me if I fell into their hands? Would I die like Mom? Or would I suffer a fate worse than death?" "I''m scared. I''ve been scared every single day You can''t imagine how many nightmares I have, how many nights I''ve secretly cried myself to sleep because of fear But even so, I never had anyone who was really there for me." "Last year, you were only home for thirteen days in total. The rest of the time, I didnt even know where you were. This year so far, you''ve only been home for seven days Aside from those brief moments, I was always alone. I didnt even have a single person I could truly talk to!!" Su Luos body wavered, his hands and feet trembling visibly. His face, drained of blood, had turned deathly pale. He loved his wife and daughter deeply. That was why, even after all these years, he had never remarried. He didnt want to betray the memory of his late wife, and he feared his daughter wouldnt be able to accept it. He had always tried to give her everything she wanted, to buy her the best of everything But at this moment, he finally realizedhe had been an utterly unqualified father. Su Feifei raised her hands, wiping the tears from her face. "But now, I have finally found someone who makes me feel safe That day, I was almost kidnapped. It was him who saved me. Hes strongstronger than I ever imagined anyone could be. When he pulled me to safety, I thought for a moment that he was the guardian angel I had only ever dreamed of, someone who would protect me and take away my fears" "I''ve been afraid for too many years, Dad. You cant understand how desperately Ive longed for someone like that to appear. And youll never understand how important this feeling is to me. From that day on, I couldn''t stop thinking about him, because I told myselfI believedthat as long as I stayed by his side, I would never have to be afraid again. No one would ever be able to kidnap or harm me Dad, are you really going to take away the one thing Ive finally found and longed for?" Su Luo: "" "I''m not foolish. I''ve never been foolish. And I am not being impulsive." "I have many so-called friends, both male and female, but I have always felt utterly alone. I hate them. I hate the social events you take me to. Why do those women always try to get close to me? Why do those men swarm around me like flies that wont go away? Its not because of who I amits because of you. Because of your wealth, your power. Because Im your only daughter, and marrying me means inheriting everything you own." "And youmore than anyoneknow just how rotten and corrupt their hearts have been shaped by their privileged lives. Compared to the fear of being kidnapped, what terrifies me even more is the thought of becoming nothing more than a pawn in some arranged marriage for the sake of power and profit." "That so-called high society life it''s not what I want. I dream of being just an ordinary girl. I dream of finding my own partner, someone I truly love, someone I choose for myself. I want to be with the person I love, not just be a bargaining chip in some business deal!" The world fell into silence. Su Luo stood there, trembling, his breath barely perceptible. His blank, dazed eyes and pallid face made it seem as though his very soul had left his body, wandering off into some unknown abyss. Su Feifei slid down against the wall, hugging her arms around herself as she crouched down, sobbing helplessly. She was so, so tired. And now that she had finally found what she had been longing for, no one could understand just how much it meant to heror why she was so desperate to hold onto it. She had found someone who could protect her, someone who would keep her from ever living in fear again. And not just that He was someone who made her heart race, someone she didnt despise. She had finally found him. The six bodyguards standing to the side remained silent. Watching their young mistress sob like this, their hearts ached. They knew. They knew all too well what kind of life she had been living, what she had been enduring. The Weight of Trust Su Luo Finally Takes Action Su Luo finally moved. He lifted his foot slightly and walked towards his daughter. But after just two steps, he stopped. He suddenly realized that, at this moment, he had lost the courage even the qualification to face her. He had always believed that he had done enough, that he had provided his daughter with the most prestigious and comfortable life. But now, he saw the truthhe was an incompetent, even detestable father. He suddenly turned around, locking eyes with Ye Tianxie, who had been watching the scene. The misty uncertainty in his gaze wavered for a moment before his eyes became sharp and cold. He spoke, "Is there a cleaner room upstairs?" Ye Tianxie shook his head crisply. "No." Su Luo fell silent and sighed softly. "Come with me." With that, he turned and walked toward the staircase, which was covered in a thick layer of dust. Each step he took was heavy. The two bodyguards who had accompanied him followed closely, not daring to leave his side. Ye Tianxie glanced at Su Feifei, then stood up from the sofa and followed them upstairs. In that moment, he felt as though he had just met a different Su Feifei, finally gaining a deeper understanding of hera person just as lonely, just as pitiful as himself. On the Balcony By now, it was almost noon. The scorching sunlight streamed through the glass, illuminating Su Luos figure. Yet, it could not dispel the coldness and pain in his heart. Hearing footsteps behind him, he turned around to face Ye Tianxie. His sharp eyes swept from head to toe, scrutinizing him carefully. Only now was he truly taking a serious look at this man. When Su Feifei had been saved by Ye Tianxie that day, he had begun investigating everything about him. But what he had discovered had left him stunned time and time again. "Youre Ye Tianxie?" Su Luo broke the silence. Ye Tianxie nodded slightly, smiling lightly. "Mr. Su, youre the richest man in Asia. Every minute, you make more money than most people earn in a lifetime. So lets not waste time with small talk. Just say what you want to say." Su Luos expression remained unchanged, but his gaze became even more focused. "It seems you know who I am, and you also know who Feifei is As far as I know, youve been living alone for years and almost never interact with outsiders. Yet this time, you didnt refuse Feifeis rather ''unreasonable'' request to stay here. I assume that has something to do with my identity, doesnt it?" "Hah, and if I said no, would you believe me?" Ye Tianxie chuckled. His tone and expression were casual, without any pretentiousness. "Youre rightI didnt refuse, simply because she is your daughter, Mr. Su. Otherwise, she wouldnt even have the right to step into my home." His words were straightforward and blunt. Behind Su Luo, the two bodyguards frowned in unison, their gazes toward Ye Tianxie turning darker. However, Su Luo showed no anger at all. Instead, his tense expression relaxed slightly. "Youre not a hypocritical man. No matter your intentions, since youre willing to be direct that alone makes me feel more at ease if Feifei stays here. Since you havent refused, does that mean youre willing to protect Feifei?" "I suppose so? In a way, I do feel that your daughter and I are somewhat fated." A rather interesting "fate"harassing her in the morning, saving her life at night. That was quite the connection indeed. As he thought about this, he reached into his pocket for his cigarettes. But the moment his fingers touched the pack, something inside him suddenly jolted Why does he know I keep my cigarettes in this pocket? He opened the pack and pulled out the third cigarette from the top row. Then, carefully tearing off the tip, a tiny metallic object fell from the cigarette and landed on the floor with a soft clink. Picking up the small metal piece, Su Luo and his bodyguards stared at it in utter shock, their gazes toward Ye Tianxie shifting as if they were looking at a ghost appearing in broad daylight. It was clearly a bugging device! Without hesitation, Su Luo removed his right shoe. On the sole, at the heel, was another thin metal pieceanother bugging device. Crushing the two devices into useless scraps, Su Luo put his shoe back on. When he turned to face Ye Tianxie again, his heart was no longer calm. "Shock" was no longer enough to describe the storm raging within him. A psychic someone with terrifying abilities. Aside from that explanation, he could think of no other way to rationalize what had just happened. "Can you tell me a bit about yourself? Your family, your" "No." Before Su Luo could finish his sentence, Ye Tianxie refused flatly. His tone, which had been somewhat neutral earlier, turned noticeably colder, his brow furrowing. Su Luo did not push further. Yet inside, his astonishment and admiration for this young man deepened. He had spent half his life navigating the ruthless business world, encountering countless young talents. But none had ever been as calm and composed as Ye Tianxie. He clearly knew who Su Luo was, yet he acted as though he didnt care at all. His demeanor was neither humble nor arrogant, and there was no trace of fear or reverence in his tone. It was as if the name "Su Luo" and everything it represented meant nothing to him. "Alright, thats your private business. I wont pry any further." Su Luos expression turned serious as he fixed his gaze on Ye Tianxie. "Since you claim youre willing to protect Feifei, how can you prove that you have the ability to do so?" Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. This was the question he cared about the most. Clearly, he had already decided not to force his daughter to leave. But no father would ever entrust his childs safety to someone without absolute confidence. "Hmm how should I answer that?" Ye Tianxie scratched his nose lightly, as if he was speaking to himself. Then he said, "How about this Mr. Su, you have a bugging device under your right foot. And the older gentleman behind youtheres a bug hidden inside the third cigarette in the top row of his pack. You may check for yourselves now." Su Luo and the two bodyguards froze. The bodyguard on the right side of Su Luo hesitated for a moment before reaching into his pocket and taking out his cigarette pack. He glanced at Ye Tianxie with deep suspicion. Ye Tianxie had never touched him, nor had he been anywhere close to him. Yet he had just pointed out, with absolute accuracy, the exact location of the hidden device. Even they, as trained professionals, had not noticed the bugs. And now, a man who had never even gotten close to them could sense them? This was beyond ridiculous. It was simply unbelievable. "Have I proven my abilities now?" Ye Tianxie asked casually, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Are you an esper?" Su Luo blurted out almost instinctively. "No!" Ye Tianxies reply was even more direct and decisive. His eyes remained calm, devoid of any unnatural flicker. "Then you" Su Luo hesitated. If it wasnt some supernatural power, then how could such an inexplicable ability be explained? "You dont need to know." Ye Tianxie cut him off mercilessly. An esper? He scoffed at such a notion. But as for what his abilities truly werehe himself didnt know. Su Luo fell silent. When he had first investigated Ye Tianxie, he had encountered nothing but layers upon layers of mystery, pieces of information that no matter how hard he tried, he simply couldnt uncover. And now, after meeting him in person, the mysteries surrounding this young man only seemed to multiply. For the first time in his life, he found himself unable to read someone, unable to grasp their true nature. And this someone was a whole generation younger than him. His years of experience warned himdigging too deep into Ye Tianxie might just be a dangerous endeavor. "Youve demonstrated your counter-surveillance skills. But what I need to see is your ability to protect her," Su Luo finally said. He stepped aside, gesturing toward the two men who had been standing silently behind him. "These two were the champions and runner-up in the National Special Forces Tournament ten years ago. Even now, their namesBlack Panther and Red Wolfare still well-known among China''s military. With their protection, I have remained safe all these years. If you can defeat them, I will have no reservations about letting Feifei stay here." The two bodyguards immediately stepped forward, understanding Su Luos intention. Before coming here, they had already known that Ye Tianxie had once saved Su Feifeis life. However, given their own strength, they had instinctively underestimated this young man. But now, after witnessing his eerie abilities firsthand, their initial contempt had completely vanished. Both men adopted serious expressions, readying themselves for battle. However, Ye Tianxies next words made their faces darken instantly. "Should I cripple them, or just kill them?" He cast a lazy glance at Black Panther and Red Wolf, speaking as if he were discussing something as mundane as eating or sleeping. Su Luo was caught completely off guard by this response, momentarily left speechlessbecause he could neither answer "cripple" nor "kill." Ye Tianxie shrugged and casually lifted his right hand. Instantly, Black Panther and Red Wolf tensed, their brows furrowing as they prepared to engage. Though they had once been the strongest special forces soldiers, they understood the dangers of underestimating anyone in a world full of hidden masters. And despite Ye Tianxies young age, they could feel an inexplicable pressure emanating from himafter all, who would dare to be this arrogant without the skills to back it up? Yet, instead of attacking, Ye Tianxie simply curled his fingers and flicked the air. A crisp sound echoed, and suddenly, the tightly shut glass door of the balcony swung open. Instinctively, Black Panther and Red Wolf turned their heads to lookbut in that split second, they felt a sudden gust of wind rushing toward them. The moment they turned back, they found themselves already caughtYe Tianxie had grabbed each of them by the throat, one in each hand. "Getting distracted in combat is a fatal mistake. Whether as soldiers or bodyguards, you should never forget this principle." With that, he flung both men through the open balcony door as if they were nothing more than ragdolls. They soared through the air, landing outside in a heap. And just as eerily as it had opened, the glass door slowly swung shut behind them. The fight hadnt even started, yet it was already over. Su Luos shock multiplied several times over. At this point, even if he were a fool, he could clearly see that the difference in strength between his two bodyguards and the young man before him was on an entirely different level. "Alright, Mr. Su. Now that the outsiders are gone, lets get to the real conversation." Ye Tianxie clapped his hands and turned around, still as calm and indifferent as before. There was no arrogance in his demeanorjust as if he had merely shooed away two insignificant pests. "Now, do you believe I have the ability to protect your daughter?" He smirked, then added casually, "Oh, and you can rest assuredI have no interest in making any moves on your daughter. She may be noble and beautiful, but shes not my type. However" His lips curved upward slightly. "If she comes on to me, well, as a normal man, I might not refuse. Who knows? You might end up seeing something you really dont want to." Su Luos face darkened, his expression shifting between light and shadow. His eyes flickered with hesitation, struggling with an internal conflict. Su Feifeis words had pierced his heart, filling him with guilt and remorse. He finally understood why she had made this once-incomprehensible decision. Seeing her tearssomething he hadnt witnessed in yearsmade it impossible for him to stop her anymore. He no longer had the right. But this man before him Everything about Ye Tianxie sent chills down his spine. And yet, for all his efforts, he had found out next to nothing about him. His investigation had only scratched the surface, while the true depths of Ye Tianxie remained completely out of reach. How could he possibly feel at ease entrusting his daughter to someone like that? "Tell me your reasonor your true motive." After a long silence, Su Luo finally spoke. "Its simple." Ye Tianxies grin widened. "Im a little short on cash lately and you just so happen to be the richest man in Asia. Thats all there is to it. And since Ill be protecting your daughter, I assume youll be paying me quite a hefty protection fee, right?" Hearing such a blunt admission, Su Luos chaotic thoughts unexpectedly settled a little. Indeed, from the very beginning, he had not sensed a trace of deceit from Ye Tianxie. There was something about himan inexplicable, almost magical qualitythat made people unconsciously believe his words. In the ruthless business world, deception was second nature to Su Luo. He was a master of masks, dealing with equally deceitful individuals every single day. Trust was a luxury he could never afford. Yet, standing before Ye Tianxie, he found himself inexplicably wanting to believe him despite this being their very first meeting. Ye Tianxie had been completely straightforward. He had accepted Su Feifeis request because he wanted money. A substantial protection fee. Su Luo thought back to his daughters painful words, the tears she had shed, and the reality he had failed to see for over a decade. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, as if finally letting go of the last shred of hesitation. "Until today, I never realized that Feifei has never been truly happy. On the contrary, because of me, she has lived every day in fear and shadow. And yet, to put my mind at ease, she has always worn a happy mask in front of me And all this time, I never noticed. Ten years I never noticed, not even once" His voice grew quieter and quieter, as a deep sorrow, like autumn leaves drifting in the wind, settled between his brows. A Deal of Trust: The Guardians Oath My Wife Is Gone Forever My wife is dead She has been gone for ten years, taken by the enemies I brought upon myself. Later, I wiped out those enemies in the most ruthless way possible But so what? My wife will never return. And our daughterthe daughter she shielded with her own body, the life she exchanged her own forbecame my only remaining family, the most precious thing in my life. I have always granted her every wish, believing that it would make her happy every day But I was wrong. I was wrong all along. He lifted his head and let out a long, sorrowful sigh. At this moment, this manrenowned across the world, commanding both power and respectrevealed a side of himself that perhaps only Ye Tianxie had ever seen. He turned to face Ye Tianxie and said, If this is truly Feifeis choice, I wont stand in her way I only hope that she will be truly safe with you. If staying here means she can live happily every day, then I will be grateful to you for the rest of my life. If your gratitude can be expressed in large sums of money, Id be more than happy to accept it. Ye Tianxie chuckled, his meaning unmistakable. Su Luo had talked for quite some time but had yet to mention the protection fee that Ye Tianxie was most interested in. It was only right to give him a little reminder. Ten million! If you can keep my daughter safe, I will pay you ten million every year! Su Luo declared, his expression composed. He did not find Ye Tianxies bluntness offensive. Money was the reason Ye Tianxie accepted Su Feifei. What he could not accept was a lack of reasonbecause that would only multiply uncertainties. Ten million An astronomical sum that an ordinary family could never accumulate in a lifetime. Such an offer was a testament to Su Luos stature as Asias wealthiest man. However, to Su Luos surprise, Ye Tianxie did not immediately accept. Instead, his brow arched slightly, and the relaxed smile on his face slowly faded. Narrowing his eyes, Ye Tianxie said indifferently, Your daughters safety is only worth ten million? The most precious treasure in your life isnt even worth a ten-thousandth of your fortune? Su Luo frowned but responded firmly, This has nothing to do with Feifeis importance to me. Ten million is a price worthy of your abilities. And I believe when it comes to protecting someone, this is the highest price ever offered. Even the elite bodyguards by his side, Black Panther and Red Wolf, were each only paid two million per year. And they werent just responsible for protection. The highest price? Ye Tianxies lips twitched slightly. He glanced at Su Luo with a peculiar expression before casually saying, Once, someone offered me two hundred million a year to be his personal bodyguard Do you believe that? Two hundred million a year!? Su Luos expression changed dramatically. But after a moment, he slowly shook his head. Impossible! No one in this world would be insane enough to offer such a price. And even if they did You wouldnt be lacking money. Heh, I simply turned him down. Becoming his personal bodyguard would mean losing my freedom. But your daughter protecting her doesnt take away my freedom. Besides, your daughter is breathtakingly beautifulmuch more pleasant to look at than some man. And most importantly I believe youll offer a price far higher than two hundred million. Do you believe that? Ye Tianxie smirked mysteriously. A bodyguard with an annual salary of two hundred million? Even Su LuoAsias richest manfelt like he was listening to a fairy tale. Who could possibly warrant such an astronomical price? And who had the audacity to offer such a ludicrous sum? Even he would never pay that much. Who was that person? Su Luo asked darkly. Initially, he dismissed the claim as a joke. But looking at Ye Tianxies expression, he suddenly felt it might be true If so, then who in the world possessed such power and wealth? And for someone to be worth two hundred million annuallywhat kind of secrets lay beneath this young mans seemingly ordinary appearance? You should know him, Ye Tianxie said slowly. Then, he revealed the name. Zuo Zhen Hua! Three words, like three thunderclaps, crashed down on Su Luo. His entire body trembled violently, his pupils constricting to the size of a needle. He staggered slightly, and when he looked at Ye Tianxie again, his gaze had completely changed. Zuo Zhenhua The name of the man who held the highest authority in Chinathe youngest supreme leader in the nations history. A man whose mere footsteps could shake China, whose mere words could shift the world. The people protecting him were undoubtedly the most elite soldiers, perhaps even supernatural beings with extraordinary abilities. He had the greatest power and the strongest protection force in the entire country. Yet such a man had once offered two hundred million a year to secure Ye Tianxie as his bodyguard? Did that mean Ye Tianxies strength surpassed that of the most elite soldiers, even the strongest supernatural beings? Do you believe it? Ye Tianxie asked, watching the tremor in Su Luos gaze. His eyes remained calm and clear, without any sign of falsehood or deception. With Su Luos vast experience, he knewsuch an expression could not be lying. Suddenly, he understood why he had been unable to uncover any real information about Ye Tianxie. He also understood where that sense of danger stemmed from. Everything about Ye Tianxie was shrouded in mystery, and beneath that veil, his true power might have already reached a level beyond ordinary comprehension. What kind of person was he? And if the man whom even the supreme leader of China failed to recruit was now the one protecting his daughter then what enemy in the world could possibly harm her? Three hundred million. Su Luos voice was steady, his decision made. As long as you keep my daughter safe, I will pay you three hundred million a year. In six months, you will receive the first installment. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Even as he uttered that astronomical figure, Su Luo found himself feeling relieved. For the first time in years, a weight had lifted from his heart. His daughter was his most precious treasure. He had already lost his wifeif his daughter lived in fear and shadows, or worse, if she was taken from him as well, then what meaning would all his wealth have? Three hundred million A true, unprecedented fortunegreater even than what Zuo Zhenhua had offered. Because to him, his daughters safety mattered far more than the supreme leaders. More than anything in this world. Excellent. I accept. Ye Tianxies smile was dazzling. With your fortune, three hundred million a year wont even put a dent in your empire Then, his eyes glinted playfully. But arent you afraid Im lying to you, Su Luo? Youre Asias shrewdest businessman, yet youre making such a hasty decision. Doesnt that seem out of character? Su Luo gazed at him, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his lips. "If I must give a reason, then I can only say I trust my instincts. Three billion. My word is my bond. I hope that in the coming year, Fei Fei can stay safe and, more importantly, truly be happy Consider this a request from me to you." His voice paused. "I can guarantee the first part. As for the second her happiness isnt something I can control," Ye Tianxie responded with a slight smile. "No, you can." Su Luo shook his head, his complex gaze locking onto Ye Tianxies deep eyes. "Do you really think Fei Fei insisted on moving in with you just because of your ability to protect her? The night you saved her, she must have seen your strength, and thats why she firmly believes you can keep her safe, allowing her to finally feel at ease But have you ever considered what kind of impact your power, your appearance, and the way you saved her in her moment of despair might have on a girl? You really havent thought about it?" Ye Tianxie: "" "Honestly I have no idea how to answer that, because Im not a woman," Ye Tianxie paused for two seconds before delivering a response that was enough to make anyone want to punch him. Su Luo nodded slightly and turned to leave. "Hey, it seems like youve already decided to trust me. But this concerns your daughters safetybelieving me based solely on my words isnt exactly the style of the sharpest businessman in Asia. So, to repay your trust, to set your mind at ease and, of course, mostly for my own sake, theres something you should see." Su Luo halted, turning back in curiosity. Ye Tianxie stepped forward, reaching into his pocket and slowly pulling out a small object about the size of a palmround and resembling a badge. When Su Luo saw the emblem imprinted on it, along with the words beneath it, his expression changed dramatically. His face paled in shock as he stammered, "The The Guardian of Huaxia" "You dont need to say its name out loud." Ye Tianxie cut him off. "Su Boss, you really are well-informed, to even recognize something like this. Since you know what it is, then you should also know that I wasn''t lying. Now, do you feel reassured?" He pocketed the badge again. "Honestly, when I first got this thing, I never thought Id actually have a use for it Good thing I didnt throw it away." The storm raging in Su Luos heart had reached an overwhelming peak. In this short time since stepping into Ye Tianxies home, he had experienced more shocks than in his entire life. His emotions fluctuated more intensely than ever before. And when he heard Ye Tianxies last remark, the muscles on his face visibly twitched. That badge the legendary emblem symbolizing the highest honor In the hundreds of years since Huaxias founding, only three people had ever received it. Including the one he just saw, that made four. And this man had actually considered throwing it away. What kind of things could truly catch his interest, then? "Well Since Su Boss is reassured, could that first three billion be transferred to my account sooner rather than in six months? Im actually a little tight on cash right now," Ye Tianxie said with an utterly serious expression, finally revealing his true intentions. "No wonder" Su Luo muttered, his gaze flickering as he stared at Ye Tianxie. No wonder even Zuo Zhenhua had been so eager to have him as his guardian. No wonder Ye Tianxie had dared to reject him. Before him, only three people had ever received that badgebut none had been as young as this man. What kind of secret was hidden behind him? As Ye Tianxie had said, Su Luo had an instinctive trust in him. But instinct alone wasnt enough for true beliefespecially when it came to his daughters safety. Even though Ye Tianxie had demonstrated capabilities beyond imagination, Su Luo still would have investigated him in every possible way. But with that badge there was no need. And beyond that, with that badge in his possession, no one could even dare to investigate him. Knowing that, Su Luo could completely and utterly set his heart at ease. Fei Fei had made her decision on impulse. But at this moment, Su Luo was certainher choice would be the best decision of her life. Though even she herself had no idea who exactly she had chosen. "By nine oclock tomorrow morning, three billion Huaxia dollars will be transferred to your account," Su Luo stated, his voice firm and devoid of hesitation. Three billion a yearbuying his daughters absolute safety, securing his own peace of mind, and deepening his connection with such a person. To a businessman like him, this was a deal worth makingworth every cent. "Su Boss is indeed a straightforward businessman." Ye Tianxie snapped his fingers, his eyes almost sparkling. Money, after all, could come easily if the one paying was the richest man in Asia. If he were guarding anyone elses daughter, he wouldnt make three billion even in a lifetime. Su Luo smiled. "If youd like, you can call me Uncle Su or Uncle Luo." "Uncle Luo." Ye Tianxie responded without hesitation, smiling as well. Su Luo nodded in satisfaction. He lifted his head slightly before lowering his gaze back to Ye Tianxie, his eyes now carrying something deeper. "To be called Uncle by someone like you Heh, I actually feel honored. Fei Fei she is my only daughter. I want her to be happy for a lifetime. If you are willing to protect her forever, and if she is willing to be protected by you for life I will give you all my wealth." The meaning behind his words was unmistakable. Ye Tianxie maintained his usual calm expression, his gaze indifferent, offering no response. A trace of disappointment flickered in Su Luos heart. His daughter had beauty, an exceptional figure, and an unmatched temperament. As for family background as her father, he was the undisputed richest man in Asia. He had always believed that there was no man unworthy of his daughteronly men unworthy of her. And he had never thought that any man would refuse his daughter. Yet, here before Ye Tianxie, his beliefs were overturned. For the first time, he felt that his daughter wasnt worthy of a man. This man He was like a favored child of the heavens, possessing things far beyond what ordinary people could imagine. He was standing right here, yet he seemed to be on an entirely different leveloverlooking everything from above. If not for meeting Ye Tianxie today, Su Luo would never have believed that such a person could exist. And if Fei Fei were to end up with a man like this, what kind of perfect life would she have? At the very least, she would never again be harmed by anyone. And as for him, he could finally be at easemore at ease than ever before. Turning away, Su Luo walked toward the stairs. As he stepped down, he spoke in a voice so soft it seemed as though he were talking to himself, yet his words carried weight: "Take care of Fei Fei. But if you ever do anything to hurt her against her will no matter who you are, I will stop at nothing." Watching his retreating figure, Ye Tianxie smiled. "Good. Thats exactly what a father should say." Father A certain memory flickered through his mindthe nightmare of that night. A shadow crossed his expression, darkening it briefly before fading away. He did not follow Su Luo downstairs. Instead, he stood on the balcony, gazing out at the familiar world before him. His face remained calm, his eyes as still as a dead seasilent, unreadable. What was he thinking? What was he remembering? Lollipops, Fate, and Unexpected Encounters Letting another person move into the home that once belonged only to me and her Was it really just because I needed the money? Or had my heart, after all this time, finally begun to soften, even just a little? Or maybe, after being alone for so long, I had subconsciously longed for someone to talk to, someone to accompany me. And the change in my heartI vaguely feltbegan the day Guoguo appeared. So, I should just go with the flow, follow the desires of my heart, accept it, and look forward to what comes next. She wanted me to always be happy, to never be alone again If thats what she wished for me, then even if shes no longer here, I shouldnt let myself become that lifeless shell of a man again, silently venting my emotions in another world "Master, lollipop lollipop" Guoguo''s voice had grown weak, sounding as frail as if she had just woken up. Ever since Su Feifei stepped into this house, she had been calling out for "lollipop" nonstop all the way until now. Such terrifying persistence. And yet, during this time, Ye Tianxie had stubbornly resisted being swayed by her pleas. "Just a little longer. As soon as they leave, you can have your lollipop," Ye Tianxie explained once again. Guoguos eyes shimmered, brimming with moisture, as if tears could fall at any moment. After spending this brief period with her, Ye Tianxie was now certain of one thingthis little girls tears were practically worthless, spilling out at the slightest provocation. "Ah, the daughter of Asias richest man What a tempting offer Such a pity." Ye Tianxie gazed ahead, sighing to himself. Once you''ve seen the vast ocean, no other waters can compare; once you''ve glimpsed the divine, the mundane will never suffice. He had once held a true goddess in his arms, so now, no ordinary woman could ever stir his heart again. If there was one exception then to this day, only shethe woman known as "the most perfect beauty in Huaxia"had ever come close. She, the eldest among the four of them, the one even he had to respectfully call "Big Sister." Ye Tianxie had no interest in whatever Su Luo was saying to Su Feifei downstairshe could guess well enough without listening. As he mulled over his thoughts and endured Guoguos pitiful yet incredibly persistent siege, time slipped away quickly, the sun shifting noticeably in the sky. Finally, impatience crept in. He lifted his left hand and pressed his fingers against the black wristband. Ding To ensure your body does not suffer unexpected harm while playing the game, please adjust your posture to a sitting or lying position. A lying position is recommended. The world before him remained unchanged, but the gaming device in his hand emitted a soft, robotic female voice. Ye Tianxie curled his lips in mild exasperation. Just as he was about to head downstairs, the sharp sound of high heels clicking against the floor reached his ears. Moments later, Su Feifeis bright and cheerful face appeared in his view. Women and their ability to change moods in an instant could leave men utterly speechlesssometimes even dumbfounded. Just moments ago, she had been hugging her arms, crying in sorrow. Now, her face was lit up with excitement, not a single trace of her previous grief remaining. She practically bounced over to him, grinning ear to ear. "Wow! Tianxie, youre amazing! My dad not only agreed to let me stay here but also dismissed all those annoying bodyguards. He even said youd be able to protect me, so I dont have to be scared anymore, no matter where I go, day or night! My dad isnt someone who trusts others easily! How did you convince him?" "My surname is Ye." Being addressed so casually as "Tianxie" made Ye Tianxie feel a bit uncomfortable. Su Feifei arched her brows. "Well, since well be living together from now on, calling you Tianxie makes us sound closer. You can call me Feifei." Ye Tianxie rubbed his nose, subtly dodging the question. "Miss Su, what about your all-powerful business tycoon of a father?" Su Feifei didnt seem to mind his formal address or lack of enthusiasm. She giggled. "My dad and the others left. Hehe, from now on, youve got a gorgeous beauty like me living with you. Arent you feeling~ excited~?" "Miss Su, youve never once asked for my opinion on this matter. Even if this place belongs to your family, its still myhome, isnt it?" Ye Tianxie said, looking annoyed. "Oh So, a stunning beauty like me wants to move into your house, and youre unwilling? Are you sure youre a normal man?" With just one sentence, Su Feifei completely stifled whatever rebuttal Ye Tianxie had been about to make. If he continued arguing, hed definitely end up being labeled "not a normal man." Womenespecially beautiful ones, especially those who were both beautiful and born into powerful familiesgrew up basking in admiration and flattery. Over time, it naturally shaped them into self-centered beings. To put it simply, they were narcissists. They believed every man should dote on them, revolve around them, and if they ever chose to approach or rely on a man, that man should feel honored rather than troubled. And if a man ignored them? Well, he was either mentally ill, physically impaired or just plain blind. Clearly, Su Feifei was a prime example of this kind of woman. From the moment she decided to move in, she hadnt once asked for Ye Tianxies consent. In reality, women like this werent too common. Su Feifei belonged to the high-class variety. The lower-tier ones Well, if they caught a man staring at them on the street, theyd curse him as a pervert, a creep, a sleazebag. But if he didnt look at them, theyd curse him for pretending to be noblemaybe even conclude he was a eunuch or impotent. Ye Tianxie suddenly felt a headache coming on. He was beginning to doubt whether agreeing to protect this spoiled princess for three billion a year was a brain-dead decision. Not all women were like her. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. "You want to know if Im normal? Want to test it out?" Ye Tianxie said, his face expressionless. "You" Su Feifei glared at him in anger, but then something seemed to cross her mind. Her face turned slightly red, her voice lowering to a murmur. "Perv, lecher You must be one of those guys who go around taking advantage of girls on the street. What a waste of that handsome face!" "Fine, youre right. But somehow, someone is still insisting on moving into this pervy, lecherous, desperate-for-women guys house Could it be that youre actually a woman who secretly wants to be taken advantage of?" Ye Tianxies face remained indifferent, but his words shot Su Feifeis insult right back at her. Su Feifei wrinkled her nose and huffed. "Hmph! What an uncultured man! I wont argue with you anymore. Im hungry, going downstairs to eat Hey! You havent had lunch yet either, right? Want to come with me?" Ye Tianxie raised a brow. "Miss Sus lavish meals? A mere commoner like me could never afford such luxury." "Ugh, youre so annoying!" Su Feifei tossed her head in frustration and ignored him, stomping downstairs. Watching her from behind, her long, jade-like legs moved gracefully, their beauty undeniable. Ye Tianxie found his eyes lingering on them for a moment longer than he intended. "Lunch... lunch! Lollipop lollipop is gone again! Master my lollipop!" Standing on Ye Tianxie''s shoulder, Guoguo tugged at his hair with all her might, her voice filled with grievance as if she had suffered the greatest injustice in the world. "Ugh Master, you just said that after those people left, you would give me lots of lollipops. Master, you broke your word You''re the worst! You''re not nice to Guoguo at all, not at all waaah" Ye Tianxie was defeated once again and hurriedly chased after Su Feifei. "Miss Su." Su Feifei had just walked down the stairs when she turned around, her bright eyes carrying a slight pout as she looked at him. As if by fate, the two of them had so quickly and smoothly ended up living under the same roof. Despite being strangers before, there was no trace of awkwardness between them. Strangely enough, there was no formality either; instead, they naturally fell into bickering, and their exchanges flowed effortlessly. This dynamic, like that of a pair of quarreling lovers, was born from the combination of Su Feifei''s personality and Ye Tianxie''s temperament. Yet, perhaps neither of them realized that while they were constantly at odds, deep down, they didn''t dislike it at all. In fact, this peculiar atmosphere was gradually drawing them closer together. "Uh can you return the cough, lollipops you took from me yesterday? It seems like you have them with you," Ye Tianxie forced himself to ask, his face filled with reluctance. The moment the words left his mouth, he had the overwhelming urge to slam his head into a wall. And just as he expected, Su Feifei''s expression immediately turned strange. She didn''t answer right away but instead gave him a long, amused look, taking in his evasive gaze and embarrassed expression. Then, unable to hold it in any longer, she burst into laughter, clutching the stair railing as she doubled over. "Hahaha haha I hahahahaha" She held her waist as she laughed, her full chest bouncing slightly like two little bunnies. Meanwhile, Ye Tianxie''s face grew darker and darker until it was almost as black as coal. Laugh! Laugh all you want! Laugh until you suffocate! Laugh until you twist your waist! Laugh until you get pregnant better yet, laugh until your chest disappears! Ye Tianxie mentally cursed in all sorts of "vicious" ways. Finally, Su Feifei bit her lip, struggling to hold back her laughter. She reached into her bag, pulled out a single lollipop, and held it up between her delicate fingers, swaying it playfully in front of Ye Tianxie. Her voice was teasing and honeyed, "Come on, little brother, call me ''big sister,'' and I''ll give you a lollipop heeheehee" "Big sister! Big sister! I want a lollipop!" Of course, the one shouting wasn''t Ye Tianxie, but Guoguo, who was practically on the verge of tears. Unfortunately, not only was her body invisible to everyone except Ye Tianxie, but her voice could only be heard by him as well. To everyone else, she might as well not exist. This was the last straw. Enough was enough! Ye Tianxie suddenly took a step forward, closing the distance between him and Su Feifei so quickly that she almost bumped into him. Then, before she could react, a shadow flickered before her eyes, and the lollipop in her hand vanished. Almost at the same time, her bag suddenly felt significantly lighter. Startled, she quickly checked her bagonly to find that all fifty of her lollipops had disappeared! This bizarre, almost supernatural event made her heart pound. Instinctively, she recalled the night when he shielded her from bullets and, in the blink of an eye, took down four mennot just injuring or knocking them out, but outright killing them. A killer. In this era, someone who had taken lives would inevitably be seen as terrifying. For a young woman, encountering such a person should have been frightening. Su Feifei should have been afraid. But strangely, she wasn''t. Not even a little. That peculiar feelingshe couldn''t explain it. "You like lollipops that much?" she asked, pressing a hand against her bag, her smile laced with amusement. "No!" Ye Tianxie answered stiffly. "That''s okay," Su Feifei said, her eyes curving into crescents as she grinned. "Men with cute little habits are even more lovable. No need to be embarrassed about it." "" Three black lines appeared on Ye Tianxie''s forehead. Very wisely, he chose to remain silent. He placed all fiftyno, fifty-onelollipops on the table behind him. At this point, no matter how many explanations he gave, Su Feifei would never believe this wasn''t some weird quirk of his. "Hey! The one from last nightthe orange one, give it back," Su Feifei suddenly stepped forward and demanded. Noticing Ye Tianxie''s inquisitive look, her cheeks turned slightly pink. Then, in an exaggeratedly delicate voice, she said, "That lollipop was a love token from a little brother named Lei Feng, given to me on a dark, moonless night~ I can''t give it to you" Snatching up the orange lollipop, she giggled and ran off. "Oh la la! So many lollipops! They''re all mine now! Oh la la! Master is so good but that big sister is even better! I really like that big sister with all the lollipops!" With just a touch of her tiny hands, all fifty lollipops mysteriously disappeared, as if she had hidden them away in some secret stash. Then, humming happily, Guoguo floated into Ye Tianxie''s bedroom to enjoy her treats. But her words made Ye Tianxie want to bury himself under his blankets and cry. Unbelievable I bought those lollipops! I had to swallow my pride just to get them back That Su brat was the thief! How did she suddenly become the good person here?! Knock, knock, knock Knock, knock, knock The sound of knocking echoed through the house. Ye Tianxie''s home was usually so quiet that it almost felt lifeless. In contrast, today, it was livelier than ever. He opened the door, already guessing who it would be. Sure enough, it was one of the bodyguards who had accompanied Su Feifei earlier. The man didnt step inside but politely said, "Hello, Mr. Ye. My last name is Du. Mr. Su asked me to deliver some items the young lady might need Also," he quickly took out a simple yet elegant card from his pocket and handed it to Ye Tianxie with both hands, "this is Mr. Sus private number, which he does not give out publicly. He said that if you ever need anything, feel free to contact him directly. "Additionally, Mr. Su has transferred the first payment into your account. You may check it now." Taking the card, Ye Tianxie wasn''t too surprised by how quickly the first installment of the three-billion deal had arrived. Su Luo was a highly successful businessman. His achievements werent a coincidence but the result of his principlesone of which was that he never procrastinated. If something could be done immediately, he wouldnt wait until the last moment. He had promised the money would be in Ye Tianxie''s account before nine o''clock the next morning That was merely the deadline. The actual transfer had been made much earlier. The Rise of a Legend in Destiny Outside the door, a cart stacked higher than a person stood there, overflowing with colorful items. Just one glance made Ye Tianxie feel a bit dizzy from the overwhelming colors. He spoke first, "Thank you for your trouble. Please tell Boss Su that he can rest assured." A flicker of doubt crossed the bodyguards eyes, but his professional demeanor kept him from asking further questions. He gave a slight nod, pushed the cart to the door without stepping inside, then turned and left. Whatever agreement Su Luo and Ye Tianxie had reached, he was unaware. He also had no clue what the "first payment" Su Luo mentioned entailed. Naturally, Su Luo wouldn''t share such details with anyone else. Once the bodyguard was out of sight, Su Feifei finally emerged from her new room, grinning. "Wow! So many things! Tianxie, hurry up and help me push them inside." "Push your own stuff." "Hey! Are you even a man? Making a girl push things on her ownif people saw this, they''d think you were useless!" Ye Tianxie glanced at her but didnt respond. He lazily strolled toward his own room. "Ye Tianxie! Stop right there!" Su Feifei stomped her foot, placing her hands on her hips. Huffing with frustration yet brimming with satisfaction, she continued, "Hmph! Dont think I dont know... My dad told me everything. Hes paying you three billion Huaxia currency a year to protect me! Three billion! I almost thought hed gone crazy." "Yeah, your dad is paying three billion for me to protect you just to protect you, not to be your servant." Ye Tianxie yawned, looking drowsy and completely indifferent. Su Feifei blinked, then smirked as she threw out her trump card, her voice dripping with playful sweetness. "Little Tianxie who loves lollipops, do you believe I could make the front page of Huaxia Daily with an explosive story about your obsession with lollipops?" Ye Tianxie turned around. Under Su Feifeis triumphant gaze, he pushed the cart all the way into her room, then returned to his own room filled with silent resentment. Meanwhile, the true culprit behind Ye Tianxies so-called "love for lollipops," Guo Guo, was sitting on the bed, happily enjoying one. Her satisfied expression made Ye Tianxies teeth itch with frustration. He ignored her and instead started scanning the room as if searching for something. "Hmm? Master, what are you looking for?" Guo Guo asked curiously while licking her lollipop. "Hmm a fly swatter." "Eh? Whats that?" "Something used to smack little pests." "Then is Guo Guo a pest?" She blinked her big, innocent eyes, looking at Ye Tianxie seriously. And just like that Ye Tianxie stopped searching for the nonexistent fly swatter. Just then, his door swung open, and Su Feifei waltzed in with a mischievous smile. Ye Tianxies room was a complete mess, but to her surprise, it didnt have the kind of suffocating stench typical of a bachelors space. She had braced herself for an assault on her senses, but instead, she was mildly impressed. She carried a delicate lunchbox, placing it on the table beside him. A rich aroma of food began to fill the room. Before she could speak, her eyes landed on a discarded lollipop wrapper near the bed. Instantly, her eyes curved into crescent moons as she teased, "Little Tianxie, eating too many lollipops is bad for your teeth. My dad had someone prepare lunch for usthis ones yours. Eat more proper meals and less candy, got it?" Glancing at the wrapper on the floor Ye Tianxie knew there was no way to clear his name now. However, for someone who hadnt had a proper meal in a long time, the enticing aroma of the food aggressively awakened his appetite. Without bothering to argue with the young lady, he picked up the lunchbox and prepared to eat. "Huh? Youre playing Destiny too?" Su Feifei suddenly exclaimed when she noticed the black wristband on his arm. But she quickly realized how silly her question was. With the way Destiny had been distributed for free on such a massive scale, nearly everyone owned the gaming device. Playing it was normalnot playing was what would be strange. Tianxie simply responded with a nod. "Yay, thats great! I play every day! Guess what? Im already level eightpretty impressive, right?" Su Feifei moved over and plopped down on Ye Tianxies bed. That action made his heart jumpif Guo Guo hadnt dodged in time, she would have been squashed under Su Feifeis round, perky bottom. "Yeah, impressive," Ye Tianxie replied with a straight face when, in fact, just yesterday, the average player level had already surpassed eight. "Oh, right! Whats your in-game name? Which newbie village did you start in? Since were fated to meet like this, maybe we were in the same village! Then I could come find you in-game too!" Su Feifei leaned in closer, her brows arched in excitement. The pleasant scent of her perfume and natural body fragrance tickled Ye Tianxies senses. His eyes involuntarily drifted downward, catching sight of her long legs. A man admiring a woman usually involves focusing on her face, lips, chest, or legs, stirring certain desires And Su Feifei had it allslender legs, a graceful neckline, a beautifully curved figure, and stunning looks. Even without her prestigious family background, she possessed the charm to captivate any man. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Especially her legs Aside from one other person, Su Feifei had the most beautiful legs he had ever seen. Now that she was this close, he could clearly see her flawless, snow-white skin, the faint traces of veins under the surface, and the soft, supple curve where her toned thighs met her slender waist. Everything about her was tempting, making him want to reach out and trail his fingers all the way down to her delicate ankles For a woman to make him feel this way Ye Tianxie quietly classified Su Feifei as a "little temptress." "Wait until you leave the newbie village, then we can talk about playing together. Otherwise, its pointless to tell you." "Whywait, dont tell me Youve already changed classes?!" Su Feifei blinked in surprise before letting out a small gasp. "Im already in Tianchen City." Ye Tianxie dodged the question about his class change without missing a beat. "Wow! That means youre already level ten! Thats amazing!" "" For some reason, being praised by this young ladyalong with her admiring tone and slightly awed gazegave Ye Tianxie an unexpected sense of accomplishment. He frowned slightly and tapped his forehead, wondering if something was seriously wrong with him. "Alright, Miss Su, go back and eat your lunch. From now on, you''re not allowed to just barge into a guys room." Ye Tianxie picked up his lunchbox. "Fine, fine." Su Feifei didn''t argue, grinning as she agreed. Then she added, "A guy like you who hates going out must be holed up at home playing games all day Well, I wont bother you then. Ill hit level ten soon, too." She pumped her little fist in the air before standing up and leaving. "As long as you stay here, even if an atomic bomb drops, it wont touch you. So just eat and sleep in peace." Ye Tianxie muttered without looking up. Su Feifei paused for a moment, turned back to glance at him, then secretly smiled before walking away. That lunch from Su Feifei turned out to be the most delicious meal Ye Tianxie had eaten in a long time. For someone who never cared much about food, it actually left a lingering aftertaste, even making him feel like maybe proper meals werent so bad after all. After satisfying his hunger, he then spent quite a bit of effort coaxing Guoguowho had stuffed herself full of lollipopsinto falling asleep. Without bothering to check what the newly moved-in Miss Su was up to, he lay down on his bed, closed his eyes, and entered the world of Destiny. The moment he entered the game, the familiar system notification chimed in his ears, and that very notification sent a wave of excitement rippling through the entire Huaxia server. "Ding As of now, the number of players in the Huaxia region who have successfully completed their first job change has exceeded one million. The Warzone Level Rankings and Reputation Rankings are now open." "Ding You have ranked first on the Reputation Rankings. If you wish to protect your privacy, you may choose to hide your name. Would you like to do so?" In nearly every virtual game world, rankings like these were inevitable, yet they were never just simple lists. Especially in the Huaxia region, where being rankedwhether for level, reputation, or even future wealth rankingsmeant standing at the peak, above millions of ordinary players who could only look up in awe. "What a dumb question Id have to be insane to hide my name." Ye Tianxie sneered. First place in reputation ranking? He wasnt surprised in the slightest. In the early stages of the game, gaining reputation points was extremely difficult. Most players would be lucky to have more than ten. Yet for Ye Tianxie, just the Brave Emblems passive 100 reputation and the Abyss Trials 100 reputation reward already put him leagues ahead of the rest. The system didnt respond again. Ye Tianxie remained silent for two seconds, but when no further notification came, his expression stiffened. He lifted his head, his brows twitching. "Dont tell me I didnt make it onto the Level Rankings?" The system only announced his placement on the Reputation Rankingsnothing about the Level Rankings. At the same time, the central plaza of Tianchen City was packed with players. While one million job-changed players was only a fraction of Huaxias massive player base, it didnt mean only a million had reached level ten. Many were still in the beginner villages, repeatedly challenging higher-tier trials in hopes of gaining an advantage over others. At the revival point in Tianchen Citys central plaza, two massive magic screens had been erectedone displaying the Huaxia Level Rankings, the other the Reputation Rankings. Each list showed the top ten names, but players could also summon the rankings through mental command to view the top 1,000. However, even within those top 1,000, every name belonged to an elite. To break into the top ten, displayed publicly on the plazas screens, was a symbol of unmatched strength and supreme honor. Reputation Rankings: 1st Place: Xie Tian, Reputation: 220 Xie Tians name stood high at the top of the Reputation Rankings, and the "220" beside it was particularly striking. On this leaderboard, where the strongest players in Huaxia were ranked, his was the only three-digit reputation scoreeye-catching and overwhelming. Ye Tianxie merely gave the Reputation Rankings a cursory glance before shifting his focus to the Level Rankings. But the moment he saw the name at the top, his brows furrowed sharply. Level Rankings: 1st Place: Tian Moye, Level: 11, Class: Archer Tian Moye!? A surge of killing intent flared within Ye Tianxies chest. He locked his gaze onto that name a name that once belonged to him. His lips slowly curled into a sinister smirk. Things are more interesting than I thought. Whoever has the guts to use this name really does have some skill. Is this a provocation? A challenge? Hah First place on the Level Rankings Hah As long as I exist in this world, as long as I dont allow it, no one else gets to be number one! The brief flash of fury passed in an instant, leaving behind only a deep desireto utterly crush and trample whoever had dared challenge him. As he always said, he wasnt someone who could afford to lose. And in his very bones, there flowed a pride incomprehensible to ordinary people. Even the slightest provocation was no different from touching his reverse scale. Regaining his composure, Ye Tianxie smirked coldly and turned to the second name on the Level Rankings. His brows twitched once again. Tian Moyethis name was well known to nearly every player, and to the top-tier elites of Huaxias gaming world, it was practically legendary. Because Tian Moye was a myth, an undefeated god. Never once had he lost. His name appearing at the top of Destinys Level Rankings? To most players, it felt inevitable. Yet, apart from Ye Tianxie and the current "Tian Moye," no one knew the truth. The one who now bore this name was no longer the infamous, fearsome Tian Moye of the pastbut rather an imposter with undeniable strength. Level Rankings might not perfectly reflect raw power, but they were an undeniable indicator of a players prowess. In Sky Tower and Godslayer, it was always the same trio dominating Huaxias Level Rankingsnever changing, never yielding: Tian Moye. Kill Without End. Blood Demon Moon. Before Destiny launched, countless players had speculated whether this trinity of legends would continue their dominance. The Rising Legends: A Clash of Titans in Tianchen City To Ye Tianxies slight surprise, the second name on the level rankings was completely unfamiliar to him. It was a name he had never heard beforeclearly a womans name: 2nd Place: Dream Feather Robe Level: 11 Class: Assassin A completely unfamiliar name, one that Ye Tianxie had never encountered before. 3rd Place: Kill Without End Level: 11 Class: Sword Warrior Kill Without End that man known as the Heavenly Blade Underworld King. Ye Tianxie was all too familiar with him. Unlike his own brand of devilishness, this man had a singular obsessionblades. No matter which virtual game he played, he always wielded a blade, and not just any blade, but massive, overwhelming ones. Among all combat classes, only warriors could wield such weapons. In reality, Kill Without End was an undisputed master of the blade. Since memory and comprehension of weapons remained intact in virtual games, his expertise gave him a massive edgean inherent advantage that made virtual worlds fundamentally unfair. Then again, if any virtual game could interfere with human memory or neural functions, no one would dare play it. 4th Place: Son of Heaven Level: 11 Class: Gun Warrior Son of Heaven Emperor. Anyone familiar with Wings of the Shrouded Sky would know exactly who that name belonged to. The Emperora man of arrogance backed by the power to justify it. From birth, he stood at the pinnacle, calling himself a natural-born ruler. And his actions only served to prove that claim. In the gaming world, he commanded the admiration of all players. In reality, he struck fear into countless individualsincluding those who held the core power of Huaxia. 5th Place: Shadow of Heaven Level: 11 Class: Wind Mage Another completely unfamiliar name. 6th Place: Gods Burial Level: 11 Class: Assassin Gods Burial. Though unfamiliar, anyone who dared use "God" in their name was bound to be someone extraordinary. Ye Tianxie immediately thought of a person. And anyone who could make it into his memory was never ordinary. The Northern Emperor and the Southern Divine Sontwo young figures wielding unmatched power and influence in Huaxia. Backed by forces so immense that ordinary people couldnt even dream of approaching them, they werent known for their connections alone. They had earned their status through sheer talent, strength, and cunning, with their backgrounds merely serving as formidable support. No one in reality dared to provoke these two. Yet, unlike the Emperors arrogance and dominance, the Southern Divine Son was calm and composed. The two were notorious rivalsboth in the real world and in the gaming world. 7th Place: Cangchen Level: 11 Class: Summoner Another unfamiliar name. But what caught Ye Tianxies attention was this persons classSummoner. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. It wasnt the class choice itself that surprised him, but the fact that summoners were notoriously weak in the early stages of any virtual game. Their offensive abilities were limited, relying entirely on their signature summons. And in the beginning, a summoner could only call forth a single creature, which, at best, was on par with a monster of the same level. As a result, summoners typically leveled up far slower than warriors or mages, only becoming formidable in the mid-to-late game. The same held true for Shield Guardiansindispensable defensive anchors in any team, yet cursed with painfully slow leveling due to their low attack power. Scanning the rankings, there wasnt a single Shield Guardian in the top fifty. And among the top hundred, only one Summoner had made itthis very Cangchen, ranked seventh. This person was anything but ordinary. 8th Place: One Sword Reaching the Clouds Level: 11 Class: Sword Warrior 9th Place: Defiant Shadow Star Soul Level: 11 Class: Sword Warrior 10th Place: Zero Level: 11 Class: Assassin No Blood Fiend Moon Why wasnt Blood Fiend Moon on the list? All ten players in the rankings were at Level 11, meaning the difference between them was razor-thin. A single moment could see the tenth place rising to first. Yet among these names, he wasnt there. Ye Tianxie was slightly surprised but quickly dismissed it. After all, compared to those who spent 24 hours a day in the game, his playtime was barely half that. But what truly puzzled him was Blood Fiend Moons absence. Blood Fiend Moonthe enigmatic woman he had first met as an ice-cold, almost inhuman figure. Yet, under his influence, she had finally begun to show traces of humanity. She had spent a long time by his side in the virtual world. With her personality, she wouldnt have changed her name. And with her astonishing talent and strength, how was she not in the top ten? Ye Tianxie knew just how powerful she was. Few people could claim to understand her true strength better than he did. Yet, even now, he knew nothing of her real identitynot even her face. His gaze lingered on the giant screen displaying the top ten rankings. When his eyes passed over the very top name, they turned cold for a fleeting second before returning to normal. Tian Moye That false Tian Moye did not deserve that position. As long as he existed in this worldfirst place would never belong to anyone else. Time to level up. All across the plaza, white lights flickered as new players arrived from the beginner villages, having completed their class advancement trials. Among the already-advanced players, some wore various animal-themed masks. That reminded Ye Tianxie of something. He touched his face, confirmed his direction, and headed towards the central item shop of Tianchen City. Shopkeeper, just give me a maskany one will do. Upon entering the shop, Ye Tianxie addressed the thin old man behind the counter. After arriving in Tianchen City, the systems face-adjustment effect had automatically worn off, restoring all players real-world appearances. To keep a low profile, it was necessary to do as he had in previous gamesbuy a mask. And on his first day in the game, the system had conveniently informed him that masks sold in the city were completely free. Ah, welcome, young man. The shopkeeper, affected by Ye Tianxies Charm stat of 22, was noticeably more polite than he was to regular players. With a kindly smile, he retrieved a tiger-faced mask and handed it over. Strictly speaking, masks arent equipmenttheyre just appearance-altering accessories. At least, the ones in my shop are. The city lord ordered us to provide free masks to you brave warriors from another world. But, young man, let me tell you something the old mans eyes gleamed with curiosity. Some masksexceedingly rare and precious onesare said to grant powerful attributes, even extraordinary abilities. Ah, how I wish I could witness such a legendary mask myself someday He suddenly paused, his gaze locking onto Ye Tianxies chest. His expression changed drastically. Oh! Young manif my eyes arent deceiving me, could that be the legendary Braveheart Emblem? The shopkeepers voice trembled in disbelief as he stared at the badge on Ye Tianxies chest. Ye Tianxie picked up the Braveheart Emblem, his tone calm yet firm. Yes, it is. Unique Quest from the City Lords Mansion "Oh... No wonder you feel so special. It turns out you''re someone who, just like Nameless back then, has obtained the Badge of Valor. Years ago, Nameless used his strength to avert a great catastrophe in Tianchen City and saved the entire city. From that moment on, I knew that heroes were worthy of respect and admiration... Young man, I look forward to seeing you become a hero like Nameless. If you ever need anything, just come to meeverything in my shop is 30% off for you." Ye Tianxie: "..." Putting on the tiger mask, Ye Tianxie thanked the shopkeeper and walked out. The tiger mask was just a simple tiger-head disguise, covering the entire face while leaving two fairly large openings for the eyes. It didnt obstruct vision at all, nor did it feel uncomfortable to wear. A rotund, potbellied man appeared in his line of sightit was the warehouse keeper of Tianchen City. Upon seeing Ye Tianxie enter, his already squinted eyes, squeezed by layers of fat, narrowed even further into thin slits. "Young man from another world, is there anything I can do for you?" "Expand my backpack capacity to 200 slots," Ye Tianxie said, pulling out 150 gold coinsa fortune that no ordinary player could afford. At this stage, having 150 gold coins was equivalent to being a multimillionaire in the real world. Players could have their backpack capacity expanded by the city''s warehouse keeper, with a maximum upgrade from 50 slots to 200 slots. The cost was one gold coin per slot. It was a reasonable price but considering that there were five hundred million players across China, and assuming most of them expanded their backpacks to the max, the total gold spent would amount to a staggering 75 billionmoney that naturally flowed into the hands of the mysterious Tianwai Group. A seemingly insignificant game mechanic could generate such an astronomical sum, proving how easily the company could recoup its initial investment in distributing free gaming equipment. "Alright, please wait a moment" The warehouse keeper responded with a beaming smile. However, in the next instant, his nearly invisible eyes suddenly widened in sheer disbelief as he pointed at Ye Tianxie''s chest. "T-That! If my eyes arent deceiving me isnt that the legendary Badge of Valor that only Nameless could obtain back in the day?!" The exaggerated shock on this fat man''s face was almost identical to the old shopkeeper''s reaction earliereven his words were about 80% the same. Ye Tianxie could only sigh and lift the Badge of Valor again. "Yes, this is indeed the Badge of Valor." "My heavens! Youre actually a warrior bearing the Badge of Valor What an honor! Please, put away your gold coins! You are destined to be a herohelping you is my privilege. How could I possibly take your money? Let me expand your backpack to the maximum right away. I hope this can aid you on your journey." With an expression of utmost sincerity, the warehouse keeper eagerly refused Ye Tianxie''s gold and swiftly upgraded his backpack to the 200-slot limit. Clutching the Badge of Valor on his chest, Ye Tianxie suddenly felt like kissing ithard. When he first received it, he had complained about its seemingly useless "+100 Reputation" attribute. But now, all those complaints had vanished into thin air. A trial as impossible as the Abyssal Test could never have given him something ordinary. While its immediate stats seemed unimpressive, its hidden benefits had already proven themselves multiple times in such a short span of time. "You all hold great respect for those who possess the Badge of Valor?" Ye Tianxie asked, testing the waters. The warehouse keeper lifted his chin, his greasy, round face glowing with an almost sacred light. "The Tower of Fate teeters on the brink of collapse, and the Eight Demon Kings have all escaped. Now, everyone knows that the Lost Continent could face an unprecedented catastrophe at any moment. That is why we need heroeswhy we long for heroes to appear And more than anything, we hope for heroes like you, those who bear the Badge of Valor, to rise and save the Lost Continent. So, we will do whatever we can to assist heroes in their endeavors." "I see Well then, I hope I can become the hero you all expect me to be," Ye Tianxie said with an earnest expression. What he was actually thinking? Only he knew. The shopkeeper had mentioned that Nameless once single-handedly saved the entire Tianchen City. No wonder his name was so well-known here. Even Kong Xiu, the city''s most powerful mage, spoke of him with pride and admiration. "By the way, fated hero, I suggest you visit the City Lords Mansion. The City Lord has many pressing matters that require the aid of warriors like you from another world. Since you have earned the Badge of Valor just like the legendary Nameless, your strength must be extraordinary. Im sure the City Lord would be more than happy to meet you," the warehouse keeper suddenly suggested just as Ye Tianxie was about to leave. The look in Ye Tianxie''s eyes immediately changed as he gazed at the fat man. He had originally been planning to look for quests, and now, this was a direct lead. Without hesitation, he turned toward the center of the city and headed for the City Lords Mansion. However, the moment he arrived, he was nearly scared off by the overwhelming crowd. The enormous City Lords Mansion was packed wall to wall with people, making it seem as if ten entire marketplaces had been crammed into one. And this was with only a million players having completed their class transitions. In just a few more days, the chaos here would be unimaginable. The purpose of all these players was singularaccepting quests. To the right of the City Lords Mansions entrance, a massive board displayed five available quests, each tailored for players around their current level. Below the board, more than a dozen officials were lined up, drenched in sweat as they struggled to handle the overwhelming tide of players eager to take on missions. Ye Tianxie pushed his way through the crowd for a long time but still couldn''t get close. Frustrated, he turned his attention to the large quest board instead.

Lightning Rabbits of the Falling Wind Plains

The Hideous King of the Blackwood Forest

Ye Tianxie stared at the quest descriptions, a smirk forming on his lips. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Lost Marbles After reading through these three quests, Ye Tianxie lost all interest in checking the fourth, another ordinary white-lettered quest. Instead, his attention turned to the final onethe one written in blue. White text indicated a common quest that anyone could accept. But blue Investigate the Whereabouts of the City Guards A Unique Quest! A unique quest meant that once a player accepted it, no other player could take it. These quests often had extremely high entry requirements and were significantly more difficult than normal quests. However, their rewards were equally exceptional. When this unique quest appeared on the City Lords notice board, it stirred countless players into a frenzy. But that daunting 200 Reputation requirement was like an insurmountable wall, crushing their hopes. The first player to reach 200 Reputation would likely be the one to claim this quest. And as soon as the Reputation Ranking was revealed, all players who knew of this quest fixated on the leaderboards #1 spotthe glaring "220" next to a name that shattered their last hopes. Unlike the Level Ranking, where small gaps existed between players, on the Reputation Ranking, that three-digit number loomed like a crane towering over a flock of chickens, utterly suppressing the nine names below it. Even the second-place player, despite being just one rank lower, had barely one-tenth of his Reputation score. And that name at the topXie Tian. A name that had shaken Huaxia and the entire Destiny world from yesterday to today. A single person, just one, had managed to pass the Abyssal Trial. Now, in the Huaxia battle zone, almost everyone knew the name Xie Tian. Even other countries had started paying close attention to himthis name that had forged a legend, an almost unbelievable myth.
Navigating the crowd like a nimble fish, Ye Tianxie swiftly reached a nearby NPC official. Taking a deep breath, he stated, "Im here to accept the quest to investigate the whereabouts of the City Guards." The overworked official froze for a moment. He was about to explain that accepting this quest required 200 Reputation, but before he could speak, Ye Tianxie proactively displayed his status panelwhere the "220" Reputation value was clearly marked. The official was visibly stunned. In his understanding, these outsiders from another world shouldnt even be able to accumulate over 100 Reputation at this stage200 was simply impossible. Yet here Ye Tianxie stood, shattering that assumption. The official blinked multiple times, double-checking again and again before finally speaking. "You do qualify for this quest. Please, follow meI will take you to see the City Lord."
City Lords Mansion The City Lords Mansion was massivefar exceeding Ye Tianxies expectations. Judging by the eerie silence, Ye Tianxie could tell he was the first player to ever set foot here. Following the official through a series of twists and turns, he finally arrived at the City Lords study, where the City Lord usually handled affairs. The official respectfully reported, "My Lord, an adventurer from another world wishes to help investigate the disappearance of the City Guards last month." At his desk, brows furrowed, the City Lord of Tianchen appeared to be a man in his early fortieshis refined features indicated a life of wealth and privilege. He looked up at the officials words, clearly surprised. "What? Someone has already reached over 200 Reputation?!" His sharp gaze immediately landed on Ye Tianxie, scanning him up and down before shaking his head. "Young man from another world, you are far too weak. You lack the strength to complete this task. Come back when your level is at least 18 or higher." Although this Unique Quest had no explicit level restriction, the Reputation requirement itself acted as a barrier. Based on his calculations, achieving 200 Reputation should require a player to be nearly Level 20. But here stood Ye Tianxiejust Level 11yet somehow boasting over 200 Reputation. A Level 11 player attempting this mission? Suicide.
Ye Tianxie didnt budge. Instead, he slowly lifted the Badge of Valor pinned to his chest, and in a calm, measured tone, said: "City Lord, level is not the only measure of strength. Perhaps this can prove my capability?" "T-Thats the Badge of Valor?!" The previously composed City Lord of Tianchen suddenly leapt to his feet, his face filled with shock as his eyes locked onto the bronze emblem on Ye Tianxies chest. The official who had led Ye Tianxie here was equally stunned. The moment he heard the words "Badge of Valor," his gaze turned fiery with excitement, his entire demeanor toward Ye Tianxie shifting drastically. Ye Tianxie remained composed, merely nodding. The City Lords reaction was even more exaggerated than those of the shopkeeper and warehouse manager earlierconfirming his suspicion. This was it. The Badge of Valor was far more valuable than he had originally thought.
The City Lord finally calmed himself, sitting back down and nodding in approval. "Anyone who possesses the Badge of Valor is a true hero and a heros strength is beyond question." A slight smile played on his lips. "No wonder you reached 200 Reputation so quickly. You are no ordinary young man Well then, would you be willing to assist me with something of great importance?" Ye Tianxie nodded. "City Lord, please speak." The City Lord sighed, a troubled expression settling on his face. "Tianchen City is located in the eastern region of the Lost Continent, where the climate is the most comfortable, resources are abundant, and food is never scarce. As a result, we have never faced any major conflicts, nor do wild beasts stray from their territories into our lands. Even when the Fates Hour disappeared and the dark energies of the Tower of Fate began to spread across the continent, Tianchen City remained peaceful." "But then three years ago, a great birds cry echoed above Tianchen City" Ye Tianxie listened intently. "It was a massive bird A Phoenix. Later, we learned that it was something that should never have appeared here." The City Lords expression turned solemn. "Phoenixes, like dragons, are noble and sacred creatures on the Lost Continent. They symbolize beauty, divinity, and good fortune. They are revered by our people However, a Phoenix should only exist in the blazing lands of the far southno one has ever seen one near Tianchen City." "But on that day, it was indeed a Phoenix. A Phoenix whose entire body was as red as blood." Ye Tianxies eyes narrowed. "A Blood Phoenix?" In Chinese legends, Phoenixes were typically multi-colored, with golden ones representing royalty, and fiery-red ones symbolizing flames and rebirth. But a Phoenix the color of blood? That had never been heard of before. The Blood-Sweat Horse & The Berserker’s Hunt The Blood Phoenixs Terror That crimson phoenixthough it had the form and cry of a true phoenixwas nothing like an ordinary one. A real phoenix brings blessings to humanity, but the moment this Blood Phoenix appeared, it launched a frenzied assault on Tianchen City... Phoenixes are powerful, and so was the Blood Phoenix. Only after an arduous battle and the combined efforts of everyone in Tianchen City were we able to drive it away, narrowly averting a catastrophe that should never have happened. But... it didnt end there. Since then, the Blood Phoenix has reappeared near Tianchen City time and time again, always leaving behind nothing but destruction and devastation. For the past three years, it has attacked almost every few months, and all we could do was repel itwe never had the power to eliminate it. The City Lord of Tianchen let out a long sigh. If only we had warriors as strong as those guarding the Lost City, we wouldnt be struggling like this Just last month, the Blood Phoenix appeared again. It ravaged our city before we barely managed to drive it away as always. But this cannot go on forever. So, after that attack, I gathered Tianchen Citys finest guards into an elite squad. They followed the Blood Phoenixs trail, determined to locate its nest and uncover the reason behind its relentless assaults. If there was even the slightest chance, they were to do whatever it took to eliminate it. The City Lord paused for a moment before continuing, his voice heavy with concern. Now more than a month has passed, and not a single word has come back from that brave squad. Aside from their initial reports in the first few days about the Blood Phoenixs location, we have heard nothing since. Many believe they must have met a terrible fate at the hands of the Blood Phoenix... But I refuse to believe it. I cannot believe it. He turned to face Xie Tian, his gaze firm yet pleading. Brave warrior from another world, will you travel south and investigate their whereabouts for me? Ding Tianchen City''s Lord has entrusted you with the task of investigating the missing city guards. Accept. Thank you, young man. The City Lord nodded, smiling in relief. You bear the Heros Emblem, which means you must be an extraordinary warrior. Knowing youre taking on this dangerous mission eases my worries greatly. Xie Tian asked, Where exactly is the Blood Phoenixs nest? The squad sent back its location on the fourth day after their departure That was the last message we ever received from them. Come, take this. The City Lord handed over a newly marked map. This map indicates the Blood Phoenixs Nest. You should be able to find traces of the missing squad somewhere nearby. But listen carefully, young man. The City Lords expression turned serious. Though I know you must be strong, do not attempt to approach the Blood Phoenixs nest. Its power is beyond anything you can face right now. Xie Tian accepted the map, glanced at the marked location, then closed it with a calm nod. Understood. Ill complete this mission as quickly as possible. This was undoubtedly an exceptionally difficult and dangerous quest But if it werent, how could it be a Unique Quest? I look forward to your safe returnand the good news I hope you will bring. The City Lord smiled.
Preparation for the Journey Xie Tian left the City Lords mansion quietly. After wandering around Tianchen Citys central commercial district to familiarize himself with the layout, he visited a general store to purchase 20 return scrolls, then stopped by an apothecary to buy three bundles of high-grade recovery potions. Finally, he made his way to the Mount Shop. According to the City Lords map, it would take about three days on foot to reach the Blood Phoenixs Nest. The Lost Continent was vast, and even though three days of travel covered only a small portion of the map, it was still too long to go without a mount. Since currency exchange wasnt available yet, most playerslimited by their low levels and small activity rangehad no reason to spend a fortune on a mount. However, for a long journey like this, a mount was a necessity.
The Mount Shops Unexpected Gift The Mount Shops owner was an elderly man, appearing to be in his seventies or eighties. He half-reclined in his chair, looking half-asleep. Unlike the other shops, which were constantly flooded with players, his Mount Shop was deserted. Even if he wanted to be alert, it seemed the lack of business made it impossible. When Xie Tian entered, the old man only glanced at him lazily, assuming he was just another window shopper who would leave in seconds. The Mount Shop sold four types of mounts: Hey, boss! Ill take a Tall Warhorse, Xie Tian called out, pulling out 300 gold coinsthe spoils he had extorted from the Red Leaf Guilds five fat sheep. At the same time, he subtly pushed his chest forward, making sure his Heros Emblem was clearly visible. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Hearing someone actually buying a mount, the old man finally opened his eyes. His first glance was at Xie Tian, but his second glance locked onto the Heros Emblem on his chest. Th-Thats a Heros Emblem! Just as Xie Tian expected and hoped, the Mount Shop owner immediately snapped awake, his expression and voice filled with excitement. Yes, this is indeed a Heros Emblem I acquired by chance, Xie Tian responded calmly. The old man studied him seriously for a moment before speaking. I never thought Id live to see another person bearing the Heros Emblem Im truly moved. Brave warrior from another world, take back your gold. Helping you is my honor. This Tall Warhorse is freeno, wait The old man hesitated, then seemed to make a firm decision. The Lost Continent needs heroes. We long for true warriorsand we wish to support them in any way we can. So instead of a Tall Warhorse Ill give you this. He took a deep breath and spoke firmly: This Blood-Sweating Ferghana Horse is yours. Xie Tian: What the f* A Blood-Sweating Ferghana Horse for FREE?!** Originally, he had only hoped to get a free Tall Warhorse. But now a 30,000-gold coin mount was being gifted to him?! Was this real life or a dream?! "Ding... You have received the mount ''Blood-Sweat Horse'' as a gift from the Tianchen City Mount Shop Owner. It is now stored in your mount space, and you can summon it at any time to ride." The notification in his ear snapped Ye Tianxie out of his stunned disbelief. He quickly composed himself and said to the mount shop owner, "This will be of great help to me. Thank you for your generosity." "Hehe, I''m honored to hear that," the mount shop owner replied with a warm smile. Every player had their own mount space, capable of holding up to ten mounts, but only one could be summoned for riding at a time. Mounts served as a means of transportation and were immune to damage while being ridden. In the early stages of the game, only warriors and shield guardians could engage in combat while mounted, while archers, assassins, mages, priests, and summoners had to wait until they reached level 30 and learned the appropriate skillssuch as the archery professions "Mounted Archery"before they could fight on horseback. Mounts generally lacked offensive abilitiesat least, all the ones sold in Tianchen City''s shop did. However, mounts were categorized by strength, ranked from Tier 1 to Tier 5, followed by Spirit-tier, Celestial-tier, Divine-tier, and the highest, Extinction-tier. The shop only sold mounts up to Tier 4, which were relatively accessible to players. From Tier 5 onwards, mounts gained additional supportive effects, and some even possessed offensive capabilities to assist their riders in battle. However, obtaining a Tier 5 or higher mount was incredibly difficultfar beyond the reach of ordinary players. Given that a Tier 4 Blood-Sweat Horse already cost 30,000 gold coins, it was hard to imagine how valuable a Tier 5 mount would be. Mounts could be ridden within city limits, but if Ye Tianxie were to summon and ride his newly acquired Blood-Sweat Horseworth a staggering 30,000 gold coinshe would undoubtedly attract countless eyes. After a brief moment of hesitation, he ultimately decided to leave the city on foot. To the south of Tianchen City stretched an endless expanse of open plains known as the Fallen Wind Plains. The area was home to relatively weak creatures. At the moment, a glance across the landscape revealed a sea of players. The highest-level players had yet to surpass level 11, making this regionwhere monsters ranged from level 10 to 12the ideal grinding spot. Combined with the city lords quest to hunt Thunder Rabbits, it was no surprise that the place was packed with players. However, Ye Tianxie was in no rush to complete his unique quest. His immediate goal was leveling upto surpass the current top player on the rankings as quickly as possible. He had told himself long ago that in any virtual world he set foot in, the number one spot would never belong to anyone else! Weaving through the bustling crowd like a marketplace, Ye Tianxie pressed forward into the depths of the Fallen Wind Plains until he reached an area devoid of other players. This was the territory of the level 15 Raccoon Cubs. Raccoon Cub (Lv. 15) HP: 680 A small mammalian creature of the raccoon family, known for its keen senses and habit of using its front paws to capture food and attack. Due to past legal disputes over name and likeness infringement by a certain crispy noodle brand, it harbors a deep hatred for instant noodles. Skills: None. After a player underwent their first job advancement, their skillset expanded significantly, and their stats increased accordingly, resulting in a noticeable boost in strength. Naturally, monster difficulty scaled up as well. These Raccoon Cubs were far stronger than the creatures in the beginner village. Meanwhile, since Ye Tianxie had yet to acquire a formal profession, he hadnt gained any extra abilities upon surpassing level 10. The gap between him and other players had grown, putting him at a relative disadvantage. Fortunately, Raccoon Cubs were passive creatures and would not attack unless provoked. Ye Tianxie didn''t rush into combat right away. Instead, he slowly took out a skill scroll from his inventorythe "Berserk Battle Will" scroll he had obtained from the final trial of the Abyss, dropped by the Amethyst War Tiger. With a swift motion, he crushed the scroll in his hand. A dark glow emanated from the shattered scroll and infused into his body. "Ding... You have acquired the skill ''Berserk Battle Will.'' When your HP drops below 20%, you can activate this skill to increase physical and magical attack power, as well as movement speed, by 30%, at the cost of reducing defense by 50%. Mana Cost: 30. Duration: 30 seconds. No cooldown. The effect will automatically end when HP rises above 20%." "Wow! I can feel my master gaining new power! Are you stronger now?" A sleepy voice chirped in Ye Tianxie''s ear as Guoguo appeared on his shoulder, stretching lazily. She pulled out a lollipop, licking it as she spoke in a muffled voice. Ye Tianxie paused just as he was about to charge forward. He turned to Guoguo and asked, "Guoguo, is there something you forgot to tell me?" "Eh?" Guoguo blinked, tilting her head. "Did I? I dont remember." "Yesterday, you said if I bought you lots of lollipops, youd tell me about Hidden Dragon Abyss." "Hidden Dragon Abyss? Whats that?" Guoguo blinked again, eyes wide with innocent confusion, as if she had never heard of it before. Ye Tianxie nearly slapped her off his shoulder in frustration. "Ah-la-la, I really dont know anything about Hidden Dragon Abyss! But I have seen a dragon before! It was really, really big and kind of scary. Oh, and theres a real dragon in a deep, dark place to the south!" Guoguo nibbled on her lollipop as she spoke seriously. South deep and dark Could it be Hidden Dragon Abyss? But even if it was how was this any different from saying nothing!? "Wow! These little kitties are so cute!" Guoguo''s eyes sparkled as she spotted the herd of Raccoon Cubs, her tiny face lighting up with excitement. She clapped her hands together and cheered, "Master, let''s wipe them out, okay?" Faced with this tiny creatures utterly absurd thought process, Ye Tianxie had no choice but to accept defeat. He summoned Moment of Destiny, his weapon, and charged toward the Raccoon Cubs. -49, -50, -48 With a single light stab, Ye Tianxie instantly drew the attention of the entire herd of Raccoon Cubs. The once-docile creatures swarmed toward him in a frenzy. Damage numbers popped up above his head one after another. Normally, these monsters would only deal around 30 damage per hit to other players of similar level, but since Ye Tianxie was still wearing beginner gear, he was taking around 50 damage per hit. Ye Tianxie stood his ground without dodging, allowing his HP to drop rapidly. His health bar continued to shrinkuntil it finally fell below 100 points dropping to less than 20% of his total HP. Leveling up At the moment his HP dropped to double digits, Ye Tianxie, who had remained motionless, suddenly leaped backward with full force, dodging all incoming attacks. In that instant, a dim glow erupted around him... "Berserk Battle Will!" A surge of uncontrollable fury ignited in his chest, burning through his body and blood. In a split second, he felt an overwhelming surge of strength in his arms, and his body became unexpectedly agile. With a cold smirk, he lunged toward the approaching raccoons, launching his counterattack -264, -268, -259 With "Berserk Battle Will" activated, he needed only three strikes to take down each raccoon, and if a critical hit landed, just two. But in this state, his HP was merely 87! At the same time, he had disabled his Life Rings automatic HP regeneration, keeping his health at a level where he could barely withstand a single attack from a raccoon. Because if his HP exceeded 20%, the effect of "Berserk Battle Will" would automatically vanish. During his grinding sessions, he pursued the highest efficiency and fastest leveling speed. But to play with "Berserk Battle Will" in this reckless manner, there was probably no second person who dared to do the same. The 30% attack boost allowed him to swiftly drain the life from one raccoon after another. The 30% movement speed increase made his maneuvering, positioning, and dodging even more fluid. The berserk sensation from the skill activation did not hinder his reflexes in the slightest. Though the raccoons were numerous, their movement speed was only 60facing multiple enemies alone, he felt no pressure at all. The wilderness of the Lost Continent was naturally far larger than the starter villages map. The raccoons'' territory was vast enough to accommodate thousands of players grinding at once. Ye Tianxie alone could never monopolize an entire area like he did in the starter village. Because of this, he never encountered a shortage of monsters, ensuring his leveling efficiency remained at peak levels. While the vast majority of players were grinding in teams against Level 10 Lightning Rabbits or Level 11 Black-furred Rabbits, who would have thought that someone was solo farming Level 15 monsters with terrifying efficiency? With "Berserk Battle Will," the Level 11 Ye Tianxie displayed power surpassing that of a Level 15 character. "Yiya Master, over there, over there! More are spawning, go that way!" "Wow! So many more appeared over there, let me count One, two, three, four Ah, I lost count! Master, hurry and eliminate them!" "Eh? That little kitty just dropped something that looks like a hat! Master, pick it up!" If he could, Ye Tianxie really wanted to stuff his ears with cotton. Not only did Guoguos voice chatter like a restless little bird, but she also acted like a tiny princess bossing around her servant, pointing here and there, shouting orders But thinking about how she was just a childish little one, Ye Tianxie decided to tolerate it. Time passed between relentless attacks and Guoguos excited chatter. Two hours later "Ding Someone is knocking on your door in the real world. Would you like to log out?" Ye Tianxie swung Destinys Moment, swiftly slaying three raccoons in front of him, then retreated to a safe area. Throughout these two hours, he had remained in the "Berserk Battle Will" state, keeping his HP consistently below 100. What most would never dare attempt was just routine for him. While keeping HP below 20% with "Berserk Battle Will" was great for slaughtering weaker monsters, it required extreme caution against monsters of the same level, and facing enemies stronger than himselfor bosseswould be outright suicidal. Yet, against Level 15 raccoons, four levels above his own, he had survived for two whole hours unscathed. That so-called "harsh restriction" of the skill seemed almost nonexistent in his hands, as if it simply granted him a permanent 30% attack and speed boost. Ye Tianxie had very few friendsonly three he truly considered as such. And these three knew his temperament well enough to never visit him unless absolutely necessary. So, under normal circumstances, no one should be knocking on his door. Logging out of Destiny, Ye Tianxie left his roomonly to see Su Feifei eagerly running to open the door, exclaiming excitedly, "Hey! You guys are so slow! Come in, we need to clean this place up completely this afternoon!" Ye Tianxie frowned and walked over. Outside the door, a large truck was parked, with six workers unloading cleaning equipment. On the trucks side, two large, striking characters were displayed"Cleaning Service"! "Who told you to call them?" Ye Tianxie cast an indifferent glance at Su Feifei, his expression blank. "Hmph! You lazy bum, do you even realize how dirty this place is? Im going to be living here from now on, so of course, it has to be spotless! Thats why I called the best cleaning company in Jinghua" "Send them away." Ye Tianxie cut her off without hesitation, his voice carrying a hint of coldness. "Huh?" Su Feifei pouted in frustration, noticing his unfriendly tone. "Why? Theyre just cleaners, not thieves Besides, your place is so simple, theres nothing worth stealing anyway!" Ye Tianxie shook his head, replying coldly, "Miss Su, if you think my place is too dirty and messy, you are free to leave. I will return the three billion Huaxia credits your father transferred to me without a single cent missing. But in this house, I will never allow outsiders to step in. The fact that Ive tolerated your father and your bodyguards being here is already my bottom line. If you want to stay here, do not bring anyone else in." With that, he turned and walked back to his room without another glance, slamming the door behind him. Su Feifei stood frozen at the entrance, stunned into silence. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Logging back into Destiny, Ye Tianxie reactivated "Berserk Battle Will," brandishing Destinys Moment and charging into the freshly respawned raccoons. The peaceful field was once again filled with the dying wails of raccoons. Clang! To Ye Tianxies left, a flash of yellow light flickered. A raccoon, noticeably larger than the others, with dull silver fur mixed into its coat, emerged. It seemed to be born knowing of Ye Tianxies slaughter within its domain, as it immediately charged toward him. Raccoon Leader C Level 15, Two-Star Elite HP: 2200 The small leader of the raccoons, possessing a larger body and stronger attack power than its kin. Skills: Scratch, Bite. With his already low defense further weakened by activating "Berserk Battle Will," Ye Tianxie was now practically defenseless. Given his remaining health, even two hits from an ordinary raccoon could take him down. Against this mini-boss, which was significantly stronger than the regular raccoons, a single hit could potentially be fatal. After clearing out the surrounding raccoons, Ye Tianxie still didnt restore his health. Instead, he charged straight at the oncoming Raccoon Leader. Before they even got close, his Moment of Destiny was already swinging. The blades two-meter reach perfectly struck the Raccoon Leaders belly, displaying a red damage number: -242. Landing the hit, Ye Tianxie immediately retreated, moving out of the raccoon''s attack range just as it launched its counterattack. Raccoons primarily attacked using their front claws, but unfortunately, their reach was rather shortnothing compared to Ye Tianxies nearly two-meter weapon range. Even though the Raccoon Leader was much larger than the regular ones, its attack distance wasnt significantly improved. It swiped at the air, howled in frustration, and lunged at himbut its movement speed wasnt much better than a normal raccoons, far inferior to Ye Tianxie, whose speed was boosted by 30%. Keeping a precise distance, Ye Tianxie kited the Raccoon Leader, retreating while attacking, ensuring that his Moment of Destiny could strike while staying just out of reach of the enemy''s claws. Leisurely and systematically, he whittled away at its health. This was a more sophisticatedperhaps even more underhandedversion of "kiting." In the world of virtual MMORPGs, movement speed was a crucial attribute. It wasnt just about how fast you could travel; it had a huge impact on battle tactics and outcomes. Against powerful enemies, movement speed could mean the difference between life and death. High mobility not only allowed for better kiting but also made it possible to escape from enemies too strong to handle. Among all the classes, Assassins boasted the highest movement speed. Their agility compensated for their low health and defense, making them unparalleled in ambushes, guerilla tactics, and disengagements. Ye Tianxie, however, had reflexes far beyond even the best Assassins. He could exploit movement speed differences to perfection. For the Raccoon Leader, facing him was nothing short of a nightmare. -241, -244, -236 Ye Tianxie kept up his attacks while skillfully controlling his distance. The Raccoon Leader, despite being strong enough to one-shot him at his current health, never landed a single hit. No matter how furiously it attacked, no matter how fast it ran or how loudly it roared, it simply couldnt touch him. Meanwhile, his Moment of Destiny carved into its belly over and over again. Perhaps even Ye Tianxie himself hadnt noticed how his attack recovery speed was significantly faster than normal players. Every time he swung, he returned to a neutral stance instantly, minimizing his post-attack delay and leaving the Raccoon Leader with zero chances to strike back. -250, -237, -470! With a final pained wail, the Raccoon Leaders health dropped to zero. It collapsed mid-charge, defeated by Ye Tianxies shamelessly devious combat style. Compared to his Abyss Trial experiencewhere he had fought twelve one-star bosses, twelve two-star bosses, twelve three-star bosses, and a Level 20 Lord Bossthis Level 15 two-star elite raccoon was pathetically weak in his eyes. There was no challenge, no thrill. His victory had nothing to do with his equipment or statsit was entirely due to his own abilities: inhuman reflexes and a terrifying ability to analyze opponents and environments instantly. As the Raccoon Leader fell, it dropped two silver coins, several potions, and a dimly glowing piece of equipment. [Tenacious Shoulder Guards] Level 15 Bronze Equipment Requirement: Level 15 Melee Class Defense +20, Strength +6, Vitality +5 A sturdy shoulder guard that offers decent protection. Shaking his head, Ye Tianxie reluctantly stuffed the Level 15 Bronze Gear into his inventory. With his 12 Luck statand the fact that he had single-handedly annihilated countless elites and bosses during the Abyss Trialhe was confident that he possessed the best collection of high-tier equipment in all of Chinas gaming servers. But, to his frustration, most of it was useless. Aside from the few pieces of gear without class restrictions, all of his powerful equipment was just gathering dust in his inventorybecause he still didnt have a class. He desperately needed a class. Any class. Even the most basic one would do. Class attributes and the ability to equip better gear were secondary. The most critical part was access to class-exclusive skills. Right now, he only had one active skillBerserk Battle Will, which came from a skill scroll. Besides that, his only combat option was basic attacks. No skills meant no skill combos. No combos meant no real sense of battle exhilaration. With a sigh, Ye Tianxie crouched down and used "Gathering" on the Raccoon Leaders corpse. Ding You have obtained a [Raccoon Pelt]. [Raccoon Pelt] Harvested from the Raccoon Leader. More durable than ordinary raccoon fur. Can be used to craft light armor. Ding No more materials can be gathered. Exhaling lightly, Ye Tianxie stood up and opened the Level Rankings. 5th Place: Xie Tian (Ye Tianxie), Level: 11, Class: None. In just three hours, his ranking had skyrocketed from outside the top 100 to 5th place. While other players were teaming up to kill Level 10 Lightning Rabbits and Level 11 Black-furred Rabbits, Ye Tianxie had been solo farming Level 15 monsters in a near-berserk state with under 100 HP. Naturally, his EXP gain per unit of time was several times higher than ordinary players. "In any game world where I exist the number one spot will never belong to anyone else." This wasnt arrogance. It was a simple statement of fact, backed by absolute power and unshakable confidence. To Ye Tianxie, his leveling speed was completely normal. But to the players watching the Level Rankings, his meteoric rise was mind-blowing. The name "Xie Tian" had already spread across all of Chinas gaming circles within a single day. The mysterious player who had single-handedly conquered the Abyss Triala challenge that no one else had clearedhad drawn the attention of countless gaming elites and major guilds. Now, with his terrifying leveling speed, he was once again proving his dominance to all of Chinas players. Then, without a pause, he resumed his raccoon massacre. (Raccoons: Damn you, human! What did we ever do to deserve this?!!) A Home Unknown to Me Like most virtual MMORPGs, Destinys world never truly experiences night. However, in the real world, the sky was gradually darkeningdusk was approaching. To the west of Fallen Wind Plains lay a grinding spot controlled by the Divine Dominion Guild. Ever since the name Divine Dominion spread, no other players dared to set foot in this vast surrounding area. They all knew too well what that name represented. At the same time, no one would have imagined that the leader of the guild was right there among them. "Young Master... Just now, that guy Xietian actually climbed to third place on the level rankings!" Divine Shadow appeared behind Burial God, his face full of shock. Due to the guild''s special interest in Xietian, they had been monitoring the level rankings ever since they were released. The first time they checked, Xietians name was ranked 178th. But just a few hours later, when Divine Shadow opened the rankings again, he was stunned to see Xietian had climbed to seventh place. He could hardly believe his eyes. Breaking into the top 100 of the rankings was a feat only achieved by hardcore grinding fanatics with immense strength and stats. None of them would stop leveling up at this stage. It was a race where no one rested. Yet, this lone player, a man named Xietian who had emerged from the Abyss Trial, seemed almost divinely empoweredtrampling one powerhouse after another as he soared up the ranks. How was this even possible...? What kind of method was he using...? "Already in third place?" Burial Gods silver dagger traced an arc through the air, slashing across a massive lizard before him. The creature''s health bar instantly emptied, and it collapsed lifelessly to the ground. Turning around, Burial God frowned and pulled up the level rankings. Xietians meteoric rise was simply too absurd to ignore. His gaze swept across the top ten players. Suddenly, his expression darkened. His eyes locked onto the very top of the list, unmoving. Divine Shadow grew nervous at Burial Gods reaction and hesitantly asked, "Young Master, what''s wrong? Could it be" "See for yourself," Burial God said flatly, his expression unreadable. He slowly turned away, his brows furrowed as he stared into the distance. "Xietian..." He murmured the name under his breath. A name that he could no longer afford to ignore. Following his command, Divine Shadow quickly opened the level rankings. His gaze traveled upward higher and even higher "F-First place!?" The moment he saw the top name on the list, Divine Shadows eyes widened in utter disbelief. He let out an involuntary cry of shock. Level Rankings: 1st Place: Xietian | Level: 11 | Class: None! "Impossible This has to be a mistake He was just in third place moments ago!" Divine Shadow stammered, unable to recover from his shock. He stared at the ranking again and again, struggling to accept what he was seeing. A minute ago, Xietian was ranked third. In the blink of an eye, he had surged past both first and second place, claiming the very top spot. This wasnt like jumping from 1,000,003rd place to 1,000,001st This wasnt even going from 103rd to 101st This was first to third. It should have been absolutely impossible in such a short span of time! "He must have just taken down a boss and gained a massive amount of experience," Burial God said indifferently, still facing away. He lifted his gaze slightly and muttered, "What Im more interested in is why doesnt he have a class? Did he deliberately avoid choosing one or is there some other reason?" "Shadow, tell our guild members to keep an eye on him. I want to know as much about this man as possible." "Splat!" A three-star raccoon leader collapsed after nearly twenty consecutive strikes from Ye Tianxie. The sizable creature crashed to the ground with a dull thud. Ye Tianxie let out a small sigh of relief but didnt rush to pick up the loot. Instead, he summoned the level rankings screen with his mind and admired his own name sitting at the very top. A list that most players couldnt even dream of making an appearance on was, to him, as simple as reaching out and taking what he wanted. The massive experience boost from a single Level 15 three-star boss had propelled him to first placeleaving countless players in a state of shock. The Raccoon Leader (Was it different from a Raccoon Boss? Was it? Was it? Well, ones a leader, and ones a boss Hmm. Yeah, no real difference. But why was one two-star and the other three-star? How should I know! Stop asking me such complicated questions!) It dropped two pieces of lootone was a common Level 15 white-tier item meant for selling at stores, and the other was a bronze-colored pair of greaves. [Tenacious Greaves] (Bronze) Requirement: Level 15, Melee Class Defense +15 | Strength +5 | Vitality +5 This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. These greaves feel exceptionally sturdy. They should provide decent protection. "Ding You have an incoming call from the real world. Would you like to log out?" The system prompt rang in his ears. Ye Tianxie stashed the greaves into his inventory, calculated the time, and then chose to log out. As his vision cleared, the first thing he saw was a delicate figure. A young girl, dressed in a tight-fitting purple top, was leaning over and staring at him unblinkingly as he lay on the couch. Up close, her slender figure carried a hint of seductive charm. The snug fabric of her outfit clung to her curves, especially around her chest, where the topmost button seemed on the verge of popping off. Her hands were as fair as jade, her skin smooth like porcelain. Her slender arms and dainty waist only enhanced her enchanting allure. But what stood out most were her long, shapely legsjust one glance made him want to reach out and touch them. Her delicate body rose and fell slightly with each breath, sending subtle tremors through her form. Her figure was nearly flawlessone that could easily stir a mans imagination. Realizing that Ye Tianxie had opened his eyes, Su Feifeis expression flickered with a trace of embarrassment, as though she''d been caught in the act. However, she quickly regained her composure, straightened up, crossed her arms, and wrinkled her nose. "Its already dark, and youre just now logging out. What, were you planning to starve to death in there?" Ye Tianxie stretched lazily, ignoring her remark. Instead, he glanced at the electronic clock on the wall8:00 PM. As he stood up, he immediately noticed something different. That familiar scent he had grown used to was almost gone. Though faint traces still lingered, most of it had been replaced by a delicate floral fragrance. His eyes swept across the room. The once messy floor was now spotless, polished to a mirror-like sheen. Every glass surface gleamed crystal clear. Even his cluttered desk was now immaculate. The thick layer of dust that had covered his television was gone, wiped clean with meticulous care. Not a single speck remained. As the owner of this house, Ye Tianxie knew exactly how messy it had been before. But now, before his eyes, it was as if he had stepped into an entirely different worldone of immaculate cleanliness. "You" Ye Tianxie looked at Su Feifei, finding it hard to believe this was her doing. As the daughter of Asias richest man, she had undoubtedly grown up in the most privileged environment, where she never had to worry about anything. Chores, heavy lifting, or any kind of manual labor should have been completely foreign to her. All she had to do was say the wordor not even that, and someone would handle everything for her. And yet looking at everything around him, who else could have done this but Su Feifei? "Hmph!" Su Feifei pouted in dissatisfaction, recalling the annoyed face Ye Tianxie had made when she mentioned hiring a cleaning service that afternoon. "Relax! Without your permission, how would I dare let anyone else in? I cleaned everything myself phew, I sweated so much, and I even got my favorite outfit dirty!" She then suddenly beamed, swaying slightly from side to side. "Look, doesn''t this purple outfit look good on me?" "It does." Ye Tianxie nodded mechanically. "Hey! What kind of reaction is that!?" Seeing his obviously stiff expression, Su Feifei stomped her foot in protest. "You do housework?" Ye Tianxie asked tentatively, glancing around his home again. It still felt unreal. "Of course I do! Hmph! Just because my dad is Su Luo, dont think Im some spoiled princess who just waits to be served. My mom taught me from a young age to handle my own affairs, to learn how to cook and do houseworkotherwise, I''d just be a useless vase when I get married. So I always clean my own room and never let anyone else in. And the dishes I like to eat the most? I cook them myself!" She suddenly gasped. "Ah! I almost forgot!" The moment she mentioned cooking, something seemed to click in her mind. She hurried into the kitchenone that Ye Tianxie hadnt used in forever. Now, however, it was spotless. Ye Tianxie knew his house better than anyone. To clean it to this level in just one afternoonhe could clearly imagine how exhausting it must have been. He had been in the world of Destiny the whole time, meaning she had spent all those hours scrubbing every corner by herself. And yet, when she faced him, there was no complaining, no resentment, not even a smug sense of accomplishment. Instead, there was a subtle, almost imperceptible satisfaction in her expression. At that moment, Ye Tianxie realized just how little he truly knew about this girl, despite the short time they had spent together. It also forced him to rethink his perception of wealthy heiresses. Was she really trying to treat this place as a new "home"? He fell into deep thought. This house belonged to him, but ever since she left, he hadnt felt a sense of home here for a long time. Just then, Su Feifei walked out of the kitchen, holding an exquisite tray from who knows where. Even from a distance, the rich aroma made Ye Tianxies stomach stir restlessly. She placed the tray in front of him. Seeing his slightly dazed expression, she chuckled proudly. "This is your dinner. I was going to call you earlier, but you were so engrossed in the game that I didnt want to disturb you. Look, this is my homemade lean pork congeehmph! I guarantee its better than any youve ever had! And this small plate here, its my favorite side dish. My mom taught me how to make it, so I bet youve never tried it before. It even has a pretty nameNine Stars Around the Moon. Go on, taste it!" Su Feifei sat across from him, resting her chin in one hand, smiling expectantly. "You can cook?" "Of course! I already told you, didn''t I?" She pouted again. "Honestly, youre supposed to be my bodyguard, but Im the one cooking for you you''re really lucky, you know?" Ye Tianxie: "." "Just eat already! Listen, other than my dad, no one else has had the privilege of eating my cooking." "Then why cook for me?" "Because well, sometimes you''re annoying, but you did save my life, after all." Su Feifei giggled, though she seemed a little unsure of her own answer. Looking at the previous state of Ye Tianxies home, with the mess and random junk everywhere, it wasnt hard to guess what his usual diet was like. His kitchen had clearly been abandoned for ages, and there wasnt a single grain of rice or vegetable to be found. Fortunately, Su Luo, knowing both his daughters habits and Ye Tianxies situation, had sent her a lot of food supplies along with the other things she needed. So when Su Feifei prepared a late-night snack for herself, she instinctively made an extra portion for him as well. Strangely, it felt like a natural thing to do. Deep down, an unknown longing seemed to stir inside her. And now, watching him take a sip of her congee, she felt an odd sense of fulfillment. It was a new, unfamiliar feelingjust like her insistence on cleaning this place until it was spotless. Somewhere in her subconscious, she truly wanted to treat this place as another home. A home where she wouldnt feel afraid. A home where she could find comfort and rely on someone. "Its delicious," Ye Tianxie said sincerely after setting the bowl down. He could feel the warmth of the congee flowing down his throat and into his stomach, carrying with it an unfamiliar sense of warmth that seeped into his heart, spreading to every corner of his body. For a moment, an image of someone flashed in his mind. He blinked, briefly lost in thought. "Of course! I started learning to cook when I was six. My dad has eaten all kinds of delicacies from around the world, but his favorite meals are still the ones I make!" Su Feifei grinned triumphantly, her expression full of pride. "Oooh! Smells so good! So, so good!" A tiny voice suddenly interrupted them. Gugu, who had been napping, was woken up by a scent unlike anything she had ever smelled before. She rushed over to Ye Tianxies shoulder, her tiny nose twitching excitedly. Normally, Ye Tianxies haphazard diet never interested her, which was why she remained obsessed with lollipops. But now, the aroma of Su Feifeis congee had completely captivated her. Trials of Daily Life and the Path to Destiny "Master" The rising steam from the small bowl blurred Guoguo''s vision. Her tiny body circled around the bowl anxiously before finally looking up at Ye Tianxie, her glistening eyes filled with a pitiful plea. She unleashed her ultimate weaponthe gaze that had never failed. Ye Tianxie sighed, picking up the light plastic spoon and scooping a full spoonful of porridge. He discreetly moved it under the table, out of Su Feifeis sight. Guoguo immediately fluttered down, landing on his lap, and cradled the spoon with both hands, happily eating away. Mmm mmm Oh la la, so delicious! So, so delicious Guoguo mumbled between bites, her cheeks puffed up like a little hamster. Su Feifei crossed her arms and huffed, And another thing! When I was cleaning this afternoon, I found so many instant noodle cups and fruit canisters! Hmph! You lazy man, how can you eat that kind of junk all the time?! She straightened her posture, her tone growing more determined. Ive decided! For your health and for my safetysince you need to be in top shape to protect meIm taking full control of your diet starting next week! Ill make sure you get the most perfectly balanced and nutritious meals!" Healthy meals? Ye Tianxies mouth twitched slightly. He was pretty sure there wasnt a person in this world with a body healthier than his. Mhm! I might as well tell you in advance. Starting next week, Mondays breakfast will be a bowl of rice porridge, a glass of milk, three slices of whole wheat bread, and an orange. Lunch will be braised beef, a vegetable salad, winter melon soup, and a fresh tomato. Dinnerjust a small bowl of corn porridge, some stir-fried asparagus, and a raw cucumber. On Tuesday, breakfast will be a baked potato, an apple, a large glass of soy milk, and two slices of bread. Lunch will be three boiled eggs, grilled sea fish, and stir-fried mushrooms with greens. Dinnersweet potato porridge, cold spinach salad, and braised tofu. Wednesdays breakfast will be a bowl of oatmeal porridge, a glass of milk, and twenty grapes. Lunch will be three fresh shrimp, a bowl of carrot soup, and" One minute later, Ye Tianxies face had turned pale. Three minutes later, he could feel something white foaming up from his stomach. He lowered his head, focusing all his energy on finishing his bowl of lean meat porridge, pretending not to hear anything. Master, more more. Guoguo, who had finished every last drop in her tiny spoon, stood on tiptoe, lifting the spoon high above her head. Her big, sparkling eyes were filled with anticipation. Ye Tianxie glanced at his own empty bowl and then at Guoguos expectant gaze. The last mouthful of porridge he had been about to swallow suddenly felt impossible to get down. Theres none left. W-What? No more? Guoguos little face froze for a second, then her lips trembled. Waaahhh!! Master drank it all! Master is so selfish! You didnt leave anything for me! Master doesnt love me at all! Youre the worst waaahhh!! She plopped onto Ye Tianxies lap, clutching her spoon, sobbing pitifully. Ye Tianxie felt a headache coming on. After struggling with himself for a moment, he finally sighed, took Guoguos tiny spoon, and transferred the last bit of porridge from his mouth onto it. In an instant, Guoguo stopped crying. She happily held the spoon again, savoring the taste with a blissful expression, completely unconcerned that it had just been in Ye Tianxies mouth. She might call him "Master," but Ye Tianxie had long realizedhe was more like this little ancestors babysitter. But faced with such a tiny girl, he couldnt hit her, couldnt scold her. Even if he could, he never would. That innocent, pitiful, and pure gaze could melt the hardest of hearts. That was Guoguos charm or perhaps, her ability.
Su Feifei had only been here for a day, yet she had already turned Ye Tianxies life upside down. As he finished this first meal she had made for him, his impression of her unknowingly shifted. For Su Feifei, this was also a day that would change her fate forever. She had stubbornly and recklessly made a decision that others might never understand. But she alone knew how deeply she craved a sense of security. And when such a person appeared in her lifewhether it was impulsive, reckless, or even self-destructiveshe had to hold onto this choice. Living in fear every day, drowning in darkness, waking up from nightmares she never wanted to go back to that kind of life. Thats why she wanted to stay by Ye Tianxies side. To stay close to the man who had saved her life and was so strong that it almost felt unreal. A man who could block bullets with his body. A man who could take four lives in an instant without even flinching. With someone like him protecting her what was there to fear? What was there to worry about?
Su Feifei sat alone on the couch, staring blankly at the television screen. The sound of running water from the bathroom echoed in her ears, making her heart restless. Her mind kept conjuring up the image of Ye Tianxie showering. It was the first time in her life that she was living under the same roof as a man. The first time she had ever heard the sound of a man taking a shower. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Her heart grew chaotic. She desperately tried to focus on the drama playing on the screen. Finally, the story pulled her in A mother and daughter, separated by death, crying out in agony. Su Feifeis eyes dulled as she stared at the heartbreaking scene. A deep sorrow stirred within her chest, an unbearable ache. Memories from ten years ago resurfaced That night of chaos. And the mother who had shielded her with her own body with her life. Tears welled in her eyes before she even realized it. Lowering her head, she tore a tissue from the box, pressing it against her face, stifling her sobs.
The bathroom door opened. Ye Tianxie stepped out, dressed neatly as if he had never bathed at all. Aside from the damp traces in his hair, there was no sign he had just showered. Noticing Su Feifeis trembling shoulders, he paused, then walked up to her. Whats wrong? Who made you cry? II wasnt crying! Caught off guard, Su Feifei turned away stubbornly, hiding her reddened eyes. It was just the TV reminding me of something. The TV? Ye Tianxie frowned and glanced at the screen.
[Are you struggling with infertility? Have you experienced repeated miscarriages, leaving you unable to conceive? Are you desperate for a child? Worry no more! At XX Citys XX Hospital, we bring you world-class medical technology and top-tier services! We guarantee treatment first, payment later! If we fail, you receive a full refund PLUS additional compensation! Because we are specialized, we are professionals! Call our hotline now: XXXX-XXXXXXX. Visit our website: notascam.com.] Ye Tianxie: @#%A Misunderstanding and A Quest Begins Staring at the commercial flashing on the TV screen, Ye Tianxies expression was nothing short of spectacular. He turned his head, carefully choosing his words before speaking in an unusually cautious tone: Ahem Miss Su, actually, you dont need to worry too much. With modern medical advancements, infertility is no longer an unsolvable problem. But still, Id advise you to avoid uh future miscarriages if possible. Its not good for your health. And, well children are innocent, after all. You What are you saying?! MiscarriageAh! Su Feifei had just looked up when her eyes landed on the advertisement playing on the TV. She froze for a second before her face turned crimson with embarrassment, wishing she could just vanish on the spot. No, its not what you think! I Ahem, I understand, I totally understand. No need to explain. Ye Tianxie nodded seriously, a face full of tolerance and generosity. Then, he casually pointed at the bathroom door. You can go take a shower now Dont worry, I wont peek. You!! Fuming, Su Feifei grabbed a cushion and hurled it at the TV before stomping toward the bathroom, slamming the door shut with a loud bang. Ye Tianxie glanced at the innocent TV, shaking his head. Women completely unreasonable creatures. What did the TV ever do to her? BANG! The bathroom door suddenly burst open again. Su Feifei stood there, face red, puffing with anger. For your information! Im still a virgin! I havent even dated anyone before! Hmph! BANG! The bathroom door slammed shut once more. Ye Tianxie: Two minutes later, the TV switched back to the emotional mother-daughter separation scene. And suddenly Ye Tianxie understood everything.
Leveling Up and the Grind Ding Your level has increased to Level 12. HP +10, MP +10, and you have gained 5 free attribute points. At Raccoon Plains, after an entire morning of slaughtering little raccoons, Ye Tianxie finally heard the pleasant sound of a level-up notification. Opening the leaderboard, he noticed that after taking a break from leveling all night, he had been overtaken by those no-life grind maniacs who played 24/7, slipping out of the top ten rankings. However, in just one morning, he had reclaimed his position at the top, becoming the first player in all of China to reach Level 12. What is the meaning of true disparity? When someones double or even triple efforts still fail to match anothers casual grind, that is the most brutal form of difference. As a no-speed, no-intelligence, no-skill monster, the little raccoons were among the weakest creatures of their level, with their only advantage being slightly higher HP than average. After all, a raccoon was still technically a bear and bears were thick-skinned and sturdy. That day, Ye Tianxie farmed raccoons. The next day, Ye Tianxie farmed more raccoons. The third day, he still farmed raccoons, his eyes gradually becoming dull and lifeless. By the fourth day After staying in the same map for so long, facing the same creatures repeatedly, with nothing around but raccoons and the occasional one-star or two-star elite monster, he was the only human in sight. No one to talk to. No one to fight over spawns. Not even a passerby. And today, as yet another raccoon lunged at him, a sudden wave of nausea hit him. Even the once-cute death cries of the raccoons now grated on his nerves. So, on the fifth day, Ye Tianxie finally set out southward to complete the city lords unique quest. Summoning his Blood-Sweat Horse, he galloped straight toward his destination. By now, he was already Level 14still the only player at that level in the entire server. He was confident that even if he took a full day off from grinding, no one would surpass him.
Meanwhile, Su Feifei was still stuck in the beginner village. She had barely gained any levels in Destiny at all. Instead, she had been meticulously cleaning and organizing their new home, completely treating it as her house. After tidying up the living room and kitchen, she had been methodically cleaning all the long-abandoned rooms, leaving barely any time for the game. Occasionally, she would log in to take a look but would quickly log back out. And as for Ye Tianxie, this lazy man who only cared about gaming and never lifted a finger to help? She didnt complain at all. From the sheer mess the house had been in before, she had already deduced that convincing this guy to do housework was about as difficult as reaching the heavens.
Journey Through Raccoon Plains Raccoon Plains was vast, filled with a variety of animal-based monsters ranging from Level 10 to Level 30. Beyond the raccoon territory were Level 17 Black Sheep, followed by Level 20 Hungry Plains Wolves. At the southernmost edge of the plains, Level 30 Fire Foxes roamed. Ye Tianxie didnt stop once. He rode past countless monster groups, heading toward the Blood Phoenixs Nest in the south. However, to get there, he had to pass through multiple regions filled with extremely dangerous creatures. Given his current stats, a single hit from one of them would be enough to send him straight back to Tianchen City. The difficulty of this unique quest was unquestionable. In fact, just reaching the quest location was already an enormous challenge. For an average player, it was downright impossible. For Ye Tianxie? Not exactly impossible but definitely not a walk in the park either. After several hours of dodging monsters and navigating the treacherous terrain, he finally exited Raccoon Plains. South of the plains lay a small townFalling Wind Town. In the world of Lost Continent, aside from the five major citiesSun, Moon, Star, Mystery, and Tianchenthere were countless smaller towns and settlements. While they couldnt compare to the grandeur of the main cities, these towns were fully equipped with all essential shops. Some hard-to-reach towns even sold special items unavailable in big cities. They also hid many secret NPCs, waiting for players to discover them. As possibly the first player to set foot in Falling Wind Town, Ye Tianxie took his time wandering around in style, accepting a few random quests before continuing southward. Just as he was about to leave the towns southern exit, he heard quiet sobbing. His gaze landed on a little girl crouched on the ground, crying pitifully. For some reason, hearing her soft, distressed wails made Ye Tianxie pause. He dismounted his horse and approached her. Hey, little one. Why are you crying? Did someone bully you? Flashing a rare gentle smile, Ye Tianxie spoke in an unusually soft tone. Wuuu My marble I dropped my marble wuuu The little girl continued sobbing, her tiny frame trembling. Ye Tianxies gaze followed hers and soon noticed a deep hole in the ground, about ten centimeters wide. He immediately understood. The marble she had been playing with must have rolled into that hole. The little girl finally looked up at him, tears still clinging to her lashes. Big brother my marble fell in there Can you help me get it back? Ding! [Quest Triggered: Retrieve the Lost Marble] Even this could trigger a quest? And it was a random one at that. The Sky of Destiny and the Shadows of Kings Random Tasks: A Unique Challenge Random tasks are a type of ordinary task but are distinctly different from regular ones. Unlike conventional tasks that have fixed locations and patterns, random tasks appear spontaneously based on the lives of the Lost Continents inhabitants. Their availability is limitedthey do not remain indefinitely and often vanish within a short timeframe. For example, the task of retrieving a glass marble only exists for five minutes. If no one accepts it within that time, it disappears. Even after accepting it, failure to complete it within the given timeframe means... well, that little girl certainly wont wait forever. Since random tasks fall under the category of ordinary tasks, their rewards arent significantly better. However, some of them may offer slightly special rewards. Ye Tianxie had always considered himself a kind and compassionate personat least when it came to helpless little girls. Besides, this task seemed so simple it couldn''t possibly be simplerjust picking up a glass marble. "Alright, little girl, don''t cry. I''ll get your marble back for you right away." He crouched down and reached into the deep, dark hole where the marble had fallen. However, he soon realized that this task was far from easyin fact, for him, it was downright impossible. His hand groped through empty air; he couldnt feel anything solid, let alone the missing marble. He frowned. If this were the real world, he could simply dig up the surrounding soil. Even if the hole were ten meters deep, hed eventually reach the marble. But in a virtual game world, players couldnt just destroy the terrain. The only way to break objects was by using weapons or items with destruction attributesrare commodities that were nearly nonexistent. Even with his years of experience in virtual gaming, Ye Tianxie had only ever heard of such attributes but had never seen or possessed them himself. Seeing him withdraw his hand, the little girl looked up at him eagerly. "Big brother, did you get it?" Ye Tianxie paused for three seconds before smiling. "Just wait a little bit, okay? Ill get it out for you soon." He shifted his gaze back to the hole and whispered so quietly that only one being could hear him: "Guoguo, go down there and get that glass marble." Guoguo was an existence only Ye Tianxie could see and touch. No one else could hear her voice, but no matter how softly Ye Tianxie spoke, she could always hear him. The hole was too small for him to enter, but Guoguo could easily float inside. Perched sleepily on his shoulder, Guoguo glanced at the deep hole and shook her tiny head furiously. "Ugh... no, no! My adorable dress will get dirty And what if there are scary bugs or poisonous snakes down there? No way, no way!" "Even if every bug and snake in the world were down there, they couldnt touch you," Ye Tianxie reasoned. "Come on, Ill buy you a lollipop." "Nope! I still have plenty of lollipops." "Im your masteryou have to listen to me!" "Huh? Why do I have to listen to you just because youre my master?" "...Alright," Ye Tianxie sighed, pulling out his trump card. "If you help me get that glass marble, Ill ask that woman to make you candied water chestnuts tonight." In just a few days of living with Su Feifei, Ye Tianxies impression of her had undergone drastic changes. Every day, his understanding of her shifted in ways that completely upended his previous notions of wealthy heiresses. Su Feifei, it seemed, was not an ordinary rich girl. On his first day, he saw her lively and bold personality, as well as her stubbornness and defiance. He learned about her past. But by the second day, he discovered another side of her. How many people from a life of luxury would cook their own meals and do their own chores? As the only daughter of Asias richest man, she shouldve been the kind of person who never lifted a finger. And yet she could cook. Not only that, but her cooking wasnt just foodit was divine. From the first bowl of porridge he drank that night to the three meals he ate the next day, Ye Tianxie suddenly realizedthis deal with Su Luo was an absolute win. "Candied water chestnuts candied water chestnuts Oh wow, really? Really?!" A string of drool dripped from Guoguos mouth, soaking a patch of her pristine white dress. She quickly sucked it back in before darting off his shoulder and into the deep, dark hole. Watching her eagerness, Ye Tianxie was speechless. He had to rely on Su Feifei to "command" the very creature that called him master yet never listened to him. Was there a more pathetic master than him? A moment later, a white blur emerged from the hole. Ye Tianxie immediately spotted the small, clear marble in Guoguos hands. Guoguo was a peculiar existenceshe could physically interact with objects just like a normal person, but external forces could never touch her. Anyone attempting to grab her would only grasp thin air except for Ye Tianxie. This defied all logic, yet no matter how hard he tried, he couldnt figure out why. "I got it! I got it!" Guoguo cheered, tossing the marble down into Ye Tianxies waiting hands before floating back onto his shoulder. She anxiously twirled in place, checking to make sure her dress was still spotless. Only after confirming that it was perfectly clean did she let out a tiny sigh of relief. Then, tugging on Ye Tianxies hair, she warned, "Master, I got the marble, so dont forgetFeifei has to make me candied water chestnuts! You have to remember I really want to eat them If you break your promise, Guoguo will be very, very mad!" Ye Tianxie nodded like a pecking chicken, then turned around and handed the glass marble to the little girl. "Here you go, little one. Your marble is back." The girls face lit up with joy. Holding the marble close, she beamed. "Thank you, big brother! This is my favorite marble because its the prettiest one I havejust like a crystal! And my mommy gave it to me. I love my mommy so much but shes very sick now. The doctor said shes going to" The little girl trailed off before smiling brightly again. "Big brother, thank you so much!" If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Ding Little girl Sasas favorability toward you has increased by 25 points. "No need to thank me," Ye Tianxie replied with a smile, though inwardly, he wonderedwas favorability the only reward for this quest? "Oh! Mommy told me that when someone helps you, you should always return the favor Big brother, this is for you." She held out a large white glass sphere. "This is a light-element lamp! Mommy said it contains a lot of light-element energy. If you tap here, you can release the energy to light up dark places. A single lamp lasts a long time, but this one is almost used up It can only shine for three more minutes. Daddy threw it away, but Mommy said we should be frugal, so I secretly picked it back up. Big brother, its yours now!" The white marble was nearly weightless in his palm. Ye Tianxie glanced at its three-minute lifespan and smiled gently. "Thank you, little one. Ill treasure it." When she spoke of her mother, there was a deep love in her voicealong with a hidden sorrow. Something about it stirred an ache in Ye Tianxies heart. Pure, untainted emotions like this always touched something within himsomething buried, something he never wanted to face. He remembered her nameSasa. Even if she was just a minor NPC in this vast virtual world even if they never met againhe still remembered her name. Though he couldnt explain why. The sky of the Destiny World was a pristine azure, with the ever-present sun radiating warmth and brilliance, gently embracing the thriving land below. The vast expanse above stretched endlessly without a single wisp of cloud, only occasionally pierced by sharp cries echoing across the open plains. This was the northern region of Tianchen City, a serene and picturesque land where even the monsters were docile. A figure clad in resplendent armor stood elegantly upon the verdant plains. The Son of Heaven gazed silently into the vast emptiness ahead, his sharp and handsome eyes glinting with an unreadable light. "A beautiful place This world is far more comfortable than that filthy one. If I could become its king, how satisfying that would be." A light breeze whispered past his ears, carrying away his murmured words into the vast sky. "King? That title belongs only to the strongest. Someone like Xie Tian. Wouldn''t you agree, my dear brother?" A woman dressed in a sky-blue mages robe appeared soundlessly behind him. The snug fit of her robe accentuated her figure, as graceful as the peaks of a mountain range. Under the blazing sun, she smiled enchantingly, her snowy-white complexion tinged with a delicate rosy hue, as if kissed by rouge. Her eyes, shimmering under the brilliant sunlight, gleamed with an unfathomable radiance. Her silky hair cascaded like a dark river, framing a face of breathtaking beauty. Her jade-like neck shimmered with an almost translucent luster. Eyes like the stars, lips as red as cinnabar, skin as fair as sculpted jadeshe was a woman of stunning allure. But more than her otherworldly beauty, it was her eyes that captured the soul. At a glance, they seemed no different from those of an ordinary personsave for their unnatural brightness. Yet, as if guided by an indescribable force, anyone who looked at her would first be drawn to them. And if they truly understood what they saw, they would realize, with a shudder, the sheer depth withinlike a boundless sea, an infinite cosmos. A depth so mesmerizing, so terrifying, that a single gaze could invoke an irresistible desire to drown within them. It was an intoxicating feeling, one that both captivated and instinctively terrified. Her smile was faint, so light it was almost nonexistent. She stood right there, yet a thin veil of mist seemed to shroud her presence, making her form appear ethereal, dreamlikelike a vision one might glimpse only in slumber. She was the kind of woman whom one glance could etch into memory for a lifetime. "Xie Tian?" The mention of that glaring name at the top of the ranking charts made the Son of Heaven narrow his long, sharp eyes. A glint of somethingperhaps cold contempt, perhaps something elseflashed through them like a blade. "Xie Tian, huh? He probably just stumbled upon some hidden quest, or used some opportunistic trick to pass the Abyss Trial. This is merely the beginning. What right does he have to be called ''King''?" A soft sigh escaped the woman''s lips. She cast her gaze forward, her voice as gentle as the breeze. "Never justify another''s strength with excuses. In the end, you still havent grown up." She was seventeen. The Son of Heaven, her elder brother, was twenty-four. A younger sister, seven years his junior, sighing in disappointment at her brothers immaturityit should have been an amusing sight. And yet Famous for his arrogance, unwilling to tolerate defiance from anyone, the Son of Heaven did not laugh. He did not sneer, nor did he rebuke her words. He didn''t even retorthis lips merely twitched slightly. He could never forget that it was this very sister who had made him who he was today. Without her, he might have ended up a beggar on the streets or worse, dead. He could defy, reprimand, or even mock his own parents without hesitation, but never hernot even with a single word of disrespect. Only his own family knew the truth: this girl, whose existence was known to almost no one, was the most terrifying person in their household. So terrifying that, on occasion, merely thinking of her made him shudder. Deep down, he feared her. She was the only one he feared. She was also the only one who could reprimand and restrain him. "Never overestimate your strongest opponent but never underestimate anyone either, even if they are just a beggar on the street. I told you this a long time ago," she murmured softly, her expression calm as drifting clouds and falling blossoms. She knew he might listen in this moment, but in just a few minutes, he would likely cast her words aside. After all, the hardest thing to change in a person is their nature. "I will take Xie Tian seriously, but that doesnt mean I fear him," the Son of Heaven said. The formidable background that placed the world beneath his feet had forged his confidence, his arrogance. He enjoyedno, he thrived onthe feeling of absolute control. "Then why, back then, did you not dare provoke Tian Mo Xie?" The girls eyes flickered as she cast him a sidelong glance, her words striking his most sensitive nerve. "Because Hmph, he simply never crossed my path," he scoffed. "Otherwise, he would have long since lost everything he once had. One man may defeat ten, or even a hundred perhaps even a thousand. But before my army of a million under the Wings of the Overlord, he is nothing but an ant." His laughter was laced with disdain, yet there was a subtle distortion to it. "Tian Mo Xie may not have been an army-slaying warrior, but within the protection of a million men, he could still take your life. Do you believe that?" Her voice was calm, yet to the Son of Heaven, it carried the chill of an icy wind. His laughter froze. Tian Mo Xie That name had lodged itself deep in his mind, an unshakable presence. He had never met the man in person, yet he knew every story, had watched every clip and recording about him. And in those fleeting images, a shadow had been burned into his consciousnessa shadow he could never erase. Taking the head of a general amidst a million soldiers Could that ghostly figure truly achieve such a feat? "If one chooses to make a move, they must be prepared to bear all consequences," she said gently, her star-like eyes piercing straight into his heart. "I don''t wish for my words to waver your resolve." "You overthink things," he replied, his expression relaxing into a leisurely, confident smile. "Im rather curious when provoked by the Wings of the Overlord, does he even have the courage to stand against me?" Then, his gaze sharpened. "Besides, my greatest rival is not him." The girls expression finally revealed a slight change in emotion. "The heavens have gifted me new eyes," she mused, "Perhaps I should see for myself what kind of woman could drive you all to such madness." The Son of Heaven turned to her, meeting her gaze. "Actually, what interests me more is the kind of man that could possibly catch your eye." "That man has yet to appear Perhaps, he never will," she answered with a soft, almost liberating smile. "I cant even imagine someone in this world who would be worthy of you," he murmured, a rare hint of self-deprecation in his tone. "Even the so-called ''Son of God,'' the only one who stands equal to me, is unworthy. Even Zuo Pojun, the untouchable force ruling the distant capital, is unworthy. If you and I werent siblings, even I would feel unworthy to defile you with my thoughts You dont belong to this world, my sister." She whispered, almost to herself: "The man destined for me will be a true king." She turned gracefully, her departure as ethereal as a drifting cloud. And as she vanished into the horizon, her final words lingered in the air "Your true enemy is not Zang Shen, but Xie Tian. He is the true Tian Mo Xie. If you can defeat him, then you can easily trample Zang Shen beneath you and claim the one you desireLiu Qiyue." The Blood Phoenix and the Hero’s Legacy: A Journey of Peril and Honor Overgrown Weeds and Jagged Rocks The sweat-blood horse, having galloped for an entire day and half the night, showed no signs of slowing down. Its powerful hooves struck the uneven terrain, sending loose stones flying. One towering peak after another flashed past as the rider surged forward. Unfolding the map given to him by the Lord of Tianchen City, Ye Tianxie quickly pinpointed his location. A few more hours ahead lay a small town called Guping. South of that town was his ultimate destinationthe lair of the Blood-colored Phoenix. In Chinese mythology, the phoenix, like the dragon, is a noble and revered divine beast. No matter the world, it should always stand at the pinnacle, an existence of supreme majesty. Even as a boss, it should be the most formidable of them all. Yet, in Ye Tianxie''s journey through Destiny, this legendary creature had appeared far too soon, leaving even him with a lingering sense of unease. "Oh la la, the wind feels so nice!" Guguo perched atop the sweat-blood horse''s head, her small legs swinging as the wind swept through her long hair. In her hands was her ever-present lollipop, which she licked with delight. Even now, Ye Tianxie wasnt entirely sure whether she truly adored lollipops or if she simply saw them as a way to embrace her own peculiar sense of pride as a loli. Most likely, it was the latter After all, under Su Feifeis influence, this tiny girlwho had seemingly never eaten meat beforewould cry out and pounce on it every time she saw it, eating until she was full. And yet, she never carried around a big chunk of meat to suck on like she did with her lollipops. The land was desolate, mountains of various heights chaotically scattered across the landscape. Traveling through this terrain was far more difficult than when he had first left Tianchen City. It was the perfect place for ferocious beasts to roam. Throughout his journey, Ye Tianxie never let his guard down, remaining constantly vigilant of his surroundings. At level 14, he was a high-ranking player among his peers, but in the grand scheme of the Lost Continent, he was at the bottom of the power scale. Here, even a randomly appearing monster could easily claim his life. After finishing her lollipop, Guguo licked the sweetness from the corners of her lips, sucking the last bit of flavor from the plastic stick before casually tossing it away. Stretching her tiny body, she adjusted herself into the most comfortable position atop the horses head and yawned. "Master, Guguo is going to sleep now. Be careful and make sure I dont fall. If I get hurt, youll feel really bad, wont you?" Ye Tianxie nodded. By now, he was completely accustomed to this little ancestors endless demandsbe they reasonable or not. Two Hours LaterGuping Town The town of Guping was named after a hero from a century ago. At that time, to the south of the town, there existed a dreadful place known as the Skeleton Cavern. The overwhelming yin energy there had given rise to various terrifying undead creatures, and as time passed, these beings grew stronger. Eventually, a powerful Undead Lord emerged. Ordinary undead could only exist in darkness, unable to withstand sunlight. However, a powerful Undead Lord had the ability to walk freely in broad daylight. A hundred years ago, this entity stepped out of the Skeleton Cavern, drawn by the presence of the living, and descended upon the nearest settlementGuping Town. The town suffered a devastating catastrophe. Just when all seemed lost, a warrior named Guping appeared. With his sword and shield, he stood against the Undead Lord and ultimately vanquished itat the cost of his own life. The Undead Lord had been a Level 100 Heavenly Calamity-tier Boss. Guping, the warrior, was a true hero whose name was remembered across the Lost Continent. He had been the Chief Guard of Lost City, a man who had earned both the Braveheart Medal and the Heros Emblem. That same year, the people renamed their town in his honor. From then on, Guping Town became a place that revered and honored heroes. Though not a bustling town, Guping radiated a sense of peace and tranquility. As Ye Tianxie rode in on his sweat-blood horse, he immediately attracted the attention of the townsfolk. The town was small, home to fewer than a thousand people, and had remained relatively isolated. Most of the residents knew each other, so the sudden arrival of an outsider naturally drew curious gazes. "Excuse me, could you tell me who the town mayor is?" Ye Tianxie stopped beside an elderly man who appeared to be in his fifties or sixties and asked politely. The old man looked up at him with a warm smile. "Greetings, traveler from afar. Welcome to Guping Town. I am the mayor here." Ye Tianxie was momentarily surprised before noticing the name displayed above the mans headGuping Town Mayor. Talk about luck Then again, with his Luck stat at 12, this wasnt too surprising. Dismounting from his horse, Ye Tianxie casually scooped up the sleeping Guguo and cradled her in one arm before recalling his steed. Despite all the movement, Guguo remained fast asleep, her tiny nose gently rising and falling with each peaceful breath. "Mayor, I come from Tianchen City, sent by the city lord to inquire about something," Ye Tianxie said, still holding Guguo without finding a suitable place to set her down. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. "Tianchen City What a place to admire," the mayor murmured with a hint of longing. Then, turning back to Ye Tianxie, he said, "Brave traveler from Tianchen City, tell me how we can assist you." Ye Tianxie nodded. "Not far south of this town lies the lair of the Blood-colored Phoenix. Do you know anything about it?" "I do Of course, I do," the mayors voice grew tense with emotion. "It is a creature of both beauty and terrora phoenix with the color of blood. Three years ago, it suddenly appeared from the south and rained down crimson flames, burning the southern outskirts of our town. Over the past three years, it has flown over us again and again. Though it has never attacked us since, we live in constant fear. Should it ever decide to unleash its flames once more, our townthis town built upon the legacy of a herowould be reduced to ruins." "A month ago, a team of warriors from Tianchen City ventured into the Blood-colored Phoenixs lair" The mayor let out a heavy sigh. "But alas" Ye Tianxies expression sharpened. "What happened to them? They have yet to return, and the city lord has sent me to find out what became of them." "Heh, when you mentioned you were from Tianchen City, I already had a rough guess about your purpose here. That Blood Phoenix, while not as powerful as a true phoenix, is still a phoenix nonetheless and possesses formidable strength. It is very likely a Heaven''s End Beast... or even a Divine Profound Beast, something completely beyond human capability to defeat. The twelve warriors who went in only one managed to return, gravely wounded." There''s still one survivor? "Where is he?" "Come, I''ll take you to him." The mayor of Guping Town got up and led Ye Tianxie towards a small house not far away. As they walked, he continued, "The lone survivor from Tianchen Citys warriors was severely injured. He lost both his combat ability and mobility and has been recovering here ever since. We wanted to send word back to Tianchen City, but we lack anyone strong enough for the task. The road to Tianchen City is fraught with dangerous beasts, making it an impossible journey for us." So that''s why the Tianchen City Lord had lost all contact with them. Given how long they had been missing, the City Lord likely assumed all twelve had perished at the hands of the Blood Phoenix. Sending Ye Tianxie here was merely a last-ditch effort, clinging to a sliver of hope. Perhaps even he never expected that there would still be a survivor. The mayor opened the door to a simple yet tidy wooden hut, revealing a modest bed with a bandaged man lying on it. Beside the bed, a middle-aged couple was tending to him. When they saw the mayor enter, they greeted him warmly. "Young man, here is the person you seek. Haha, warrior from Tianchen City, a friend has come to visit you." The mayor chuckled. "Friend?" The wounded man on the bamboo bed turned his head, looking at Ye Tianxie with some confusion. "Hello, my name is Xie Tian. I was entrusted by the Tianchen City Lord to find you. He has been deeply worried since there has been no news from you for a whole month." Ye Tianxie stepped forward, his face showing relief. The first part of his words was true, while the latter half was a deliberate embellishmentit was an effective way to establish rapport. Sure enough, the injured city guard visibly stirred, moving slightly despite his pain. He spoke with emotion, "It was our failure in duty that caused the City Lord such concern Sigh! My friend, please convey to the City Lord that aside from me, the other eleven have all perished. I myself will need about a month before I can return. Also, please inform the City Lord that the Blood Phoenix is far too powerful. It is at least a Heaven''s End-class beast and possibly even an invincible Divine Profound Beast. Only the strongest Grandmaster of Lost City might have a chance at destroying it. Moreover, the Blood Phoenix did not attack Tianchen City out of some unknown grudgeit has an underdeveloped mind and attacks purely on instinct. The people here say that the Blood Phoenix frequently flies around aimlessly, without any clear target. This randomness is the only reason weve been able to drive it away time and time again." As soon as the injured soldier finished speaking, a crisp system notification rang in Ye Tianxie''s ears: "Ding You have obtained the key information needed to complete the quest Investigate the Missing City Guards. Simply return to Tianchen City and report your findings to the City Lord to complete the quest." From yesterday morning until now, Ye Tianxie had traveled nonstop, passing through dangerous regions far beyond his level, avoiding waves of monsters that could instantly kill him. Now, at last, the quest was nearing its conclusion. All he needed to do was take out his Return Scroll and teleport back to Tianchen City to complete it. A quest with no combat, no collection tasksjust gathering intelligence. Yet, given the perilous location he had to travel to, no one would doubt the difficulty of this unique quest. The real challenge was not the investigation itself but reaching the destination in the first place. Running through areas meant for level 50+ players as someone under level 20, and doing so within a single day and nightthis was the true test. "Alright, Ill make sure to deliver your message. Focus on your recovery," Ye Tianxie said. He then pulled out his Return Scroll to Tianchen City and turned to the mayor with a smile. "Thank you, Mayor. You''ve been a great help to me." "Ding Due to your exceptional charm and courteous behavior, the mayor of Guping Town''s favorability towards you has increased by 22." "Haha, young man, you are too polite. If fate allows, you are always welcome here Ah! You your chest that emblem is that?" The mayors words suddenly broke off as he stared at Ye Tianxie''s chest with visible shock, his body trembling with excitement. His warm smile was replaced by pure disbelief. Ye Tianxie immediately understoodhis left chest the Brave Emblem. He had obtained this Brave Emblem only a few days ago, yet he had already witnessed its immense significance multiple times. At this point, even if the shopkeeper from Newbie Village #60001 offered him a Heavens End weapon worth a billion gold coins in exchange for the emblem, he would refuse without hesitation. And the power of this emblem extended far beyond just Tianchen City. Even in this secluded town, someone recognized it. What he didnt know was that a hundred years ago, the very hero who had saved this town and given it its new name had also possessed the Brave Emblem. The number of people capable of earning this emblem was incredibly lowone might not appear even in decades. But those who did were without exception true heroes and powerful warriors. Thus, in Guping Town, which revered and honored heroes, the Brave Emblem carried an almost sacred weight. This reverence had been passed down for generations. And now, after a century, the mayor had suddenly seen the very same emblem that had only existed in the towns records and legends. How could he not be overwhelmed? "This this is the Brave Emblem! Mayor, you recognize it?" Ye Tianxie feigned ignorance with a flawlessly curious expression. "The Brave Emblem it truly is the Brave Emblem Of course, I recognize it! This emblem represents a true hero. Our ancestors left us a commandmentto always honor and respect those who bear this emblem It has been a hundred years" The mayor''s emotions surged, his voice trembling with awe. The two middle-aged individuals in the hut mirrored his expression, their gazes fixated on the Brave Emblem with deep reverence. What kind of benefits could this bring me? Ye Tianxie still held the Return Scroll in his hand, but he had already abandoned the idea of using it. Keeping his expression neutral, he began quietly weighing his options. The Towns Plea: A Heros Burden The mayor took steady steps forward, approaching Ye Tianxie step by step. With a gaze that carried an almost reverent sincerity, he carefully examined the Heros Emblem up close before raising his head and speaking solemnly: "Young warrior who bears the Heros Emblem, on behalf of the entire town of Guping, I humbly ask for your help Will you save us from an impending disaster?" A disaster? A quest!? Ye Tianxie narrowed his eyes slightly, then calmly put away his Return Scroll. Adopting a listening posture, he replied, Please, go on. If I have the ability to help, I will. The mayors gaze lingered on the Heros Emblem for a brief moment before he let out a soft sigh and began, Our town was not always called Guping. Long ago, it was known as Little River Village. A hundred years ago, a terrifying Undead Lord emerged from the Skull Caverns to the south. It left its domain and came here, intending to annihilate all living beings in its path. Just as our ancestors fell into despair, a hero appearedhis name was Guping. And on his chest, he bore an emblem identical to yours The mayor spoke slowly and carefully, recounting a tale neither distant nor forgotten. He described the terrible power of the Undead Lord, the mighty strength of the warrior named Guping, and the final battle that ensued. In the end, the hero perished, but his name was forever remembered by generations of townsfolk. Then, the mayors tone shifted as he moved from the distant past to the present threatthe Blood Phoenix. No one knows when or where the Blood Phoenix was born. Three years ago, we first laid eyes on it. Phoenixes are creatures of fire and should prefer bright, hot environments. Yet, the Blood Phoenix is different. It dwells in a place of darkness and dampness, where neither sunlight nor moonlight ever reaches And that place is none other than the Skull Caverns. Ye Tianxie: !? Undead creatures fear fire, yet they show no fear of the Blood Phoenixs flames. Perhaps the crimson flames of the Blood Phoenix are not true fire at all. Since its arrival, it has coexisted with the undead of the Skull Caverns without conflict. Right now, it resides in the very depths of the caverns. Ye Tianxie frowned and asked, So what is it that you want me to do? The mayor gestured toward the wounded soldier from Tianchen City. This brave warrior barely made it back with a dire warningon the fifth floor of the Skull Caverns, after a hundred years, the lingering dark energy has begun to give rise to a new Undead Lord Ye Tianxie: The mayors voice turned grave. Once the Undead Lord fully matures, it will be able to leave the darkness and exist in the world above. When that happens, our town will be doomed. Young warrior, I implore youwill you use your strength and courage to eliminate this menace before it is too late? You bear the Heros Emblemjust like Guping. I believe you are the hero sent by the heavens to save us! Ding! The mayor of Guping Town has entrusted you with the mission: Slay the Undead Lord of the Skull Caverns (Quest Type: Hidden Unique). Defeat the Undead Lord!? What kind of joke is this!? The Undead Lord A level 100 max-level boss, with at least Heavenly Extinction tier rankinga monstrous death-type super boss! And he, a mere level 14 player with no class That thing could probably sneeze and kill him a thousand times over! Ye Tianxie didnt accept immediately. Instead, he maintained a calm expression and said, Mayor, I would love to help, but Im only level 14. Theres no way I could possibly defeat the Undead Lord. No! Young warrior, you can do it. Anyone who bears the Heros Emblem has the power to achieve the impossible! Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. The mayors confidence took Ye Tianxie by surprise. He continued, The creature in the caverns is not yet a true Undead Lordit is still in its infancy. Its strength has not fully developed. Based on our knowledge, right now, it should not be above level 20. With your power and the Heros Emblem, you can definitely defeat it and prevent the disaster looming over our town. But if we delay, it will reach level 100 in just six months, and then it will be invincible. The mayors words struck a chord in Ye Tianxies heart. Level 20 or below At level 10, he had slain the level 20 Elite Boss, the Amethyst Battle Tiger. Why should he fear a newly born Undead Lord now? Moreover, this was a Hidden Unique Questrarer than Hidden or Unique quests alone, one of the rarest quest types! They were incredibly difficult, but the rewards were always beyond imagination! With that thought, Ye Tianxies eyes flashed. He let out a confident chuckle and said, Alright. Ill take care of it. Ding! You have accepted the quest: Guping Town Mayors RequestSlay the Undead Lord of the Skull Caverns. The mayors aged face lit up with relief and gratitude. Thank you. You have given us hope. For the first time in years, the weight on my shoulders feels lighter. The Skull Caverns lie directly south of here. If you continue straight, you will see a land of darkness and a gaping, pitch-black entrance. If there is anything you need before you set out, just let us knowwe will do everything in our power to assist you. Very soon, Ye Tianxie discovered what everything in our power actually meant 30 bottles of Advanced Healing Potions (usable at level 10, restores 400 HP instantly, 5-second cooldown). 30 bottles of Advanced Mana Potions (usable at level 10, restores 400 MP instantly, 5-second cooldown). Staring at the 60 tiny bottles in his inventory, then back at the mayor and townsfolk sending him off with enthusiastic, hopeful, and reverent expressions Ye Tianxie nearly choked. So stingy This is way too stingy Would the quest rewards be just as stingy? Ye Tianxie sighed gloomily. The mountain path was treacherous, with barely a flat surface in sight. As Ye Tianxie pressed forward, the vegetation grew increasingly sparse. An hour into his journey, the ground was almost completely barren, with only a few withered plants clinging desperately to life, as if on the verge of decay. This was only natural. Any place capable of spawning undead creatureseven an Undead Monarchwas bound to be steeped in an overwhelming aura of Yin energy, also known as the Breath of the Dead. Death and life were mortal enemies; the presence of such energy devoured life itself, effortlessly extinguishing the weak. Because of this, no birds or beasts could be seen in the arealet alone humans. The Skeleton Cave was not far from Gu Ping Village. After an hours trek, Ye Tianxie came to a halt on a stretch of land so dark it was almost unnerving. Before him lay a pitch-black entrancenot merely a horizontal cavern, but a maw-like abyss that seemed to descend into endless darkness. A faint gust of wind carried an eerie chill, its sinister touch making his teeth chatter. Mixed within it was a stench so putrid it was almost unbearable, the unmistakable scent of decay. Ye Tianxie stood still for a moment, silent. Then, he stepped inside. The Skeleton Cave had existed for as long as anyone could remember. Its origins and purpose had long been lost to time. As Ye Tianxie ventured deeper, the silence around him grew heavier, the light dimmer, and the stench of rotting flesh increasingly suffocating. His brows furrowed. When his eyes finally adjusted to the darkness, he found that it was not an endless void that surrounded himbut a faint, eerie blue glow. A ghastly, corpse-like phosphorescence. This was no light from the outside world, no warmth of the sun, but the weak luminescence of decaying corpses. By this dim glow, Ye Tianxie could barely make out a range of five or six meters ahead. The ground beneath him was a lifeless black, unexpectedly smooth. But the cave was too silent. Deathly silent. Skeleton Cave, First Floor. And since this was a Skeleton Cave, there was no doubt about what kind of creatures lurked within. Creak The eerie silence was finally broken. A sound that, to any listener, would instinctively be recognized as bones grinding against each other. Ye Tianxie spun around sharply, his eyes locking onto a shadow emerging from the darknessas if clawing its way up from the depths of the earth itself. He immediately activated Insight. Skeleton Soldier C Level 17, HP 680. An undead creature born from the lingering aura of death, using the remains of the deceased as its vessel. Instinctively hostile toward all living beings. Though it lacks true consciousness, its body is unnaturally durable. Passive Ability C Undead Physique: Recovers HP automatically in darkness or areas filled with undead energy. Immune to 70% of death-type attacks. Skill C Skeletal Claw: Swings its bone-white hands to tear into its target, with a 20% chance of dealing 150% damage. Creak creak The sound of bones scraping against each other echoed in chaosfrom the front, the back, the left, and the right. The once-silent cave was now filled with an orchestra of deathly rattles, as if countless skeletal figures were rising all around him. Yet, instead of growing tenser, Ye Tianxie relaxed. Normally, the farther one strayed from the main city, the stronger the monsters became. Yet, on the first floor of this Skeleton Cave, the enemies were only Level 17. Numerous as they were, they posed no real threat to him. Creak creak creak Creak creak Dominating the Undead: The Rise of Ye Tianxie The mountain path was rugged and difficult to traverse, with hardly a flat spot in sight. The farther he went, the sparser the vegetation became. After an hour of walking, Ye Tianxie could barely see any plant life left. The few trees that occasionally appeared were in a withered state, looking as if they could perish at any moment. This was perfectly natural. Any place capable of spawning undead creaturesand even nurturing an undead monarchwas undoubtedly shrouded in an immense, eerie aura of death. This aura, also known as the Breath of the Undead, was the sworn enemy of life itself. It mercilessly devoured vitality, snuffing out weaker forms of life with ease. Due to the overwhelming presence of this deathly aura, there was no trace of birds or beasts in the vicinitylet alone any humans. The Skeleton Cavern wasnt far from Gu Ping Village. After an hours journey, Ye Tianxie finally stopped on a pitch-black stretch of land. Before him was a gaping, ominous cave entrance. Though it was horizontally aligned, it gave off the illusion of a bottomless abyss. A chilling wind, laced with a sinister, bone-chilling aura, slowly drifted out from within. Mixed in with it was the nauseating stench of decay. Ye Tianxie stood silently for a moment before finally stepping inside. The Skeleton Cavern had existed for an unknown length of time. Its origins and formation had long been lost to history. As Ye Tianxie ventured deeper, the surroundings grew quieter, the light dimmer, and the putrid stench of rotting flesh became increasingly unbearable. His brows furrowed. Once his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he realized it wasnt an empty void of blackness, but a space illuminated by a weak, eerie green glowthe sinister phosphorescence of decay. This glow did not come from any external light source or the radiance of the sun; rather, it was the faint phosphorescence emitted by decomposing corpses. By its dim illumination, Ye Tianxie could barely make out a range of five to six meters ahead. The ground was lifeless and blackened, yet surprisingly level. The silence was absoluteso much so that not even the faintest sound could be heard. Skeleton CavernFirst Floor. And since this was a place called the Skeleton Cavern, naturally, it wouldnt be lacking in the presence of skeletonsthe quintessential undead creatures. Creak A sound finally broke the silence, and anyone who heard it would instinctively recognize it as the unmistakable clatter of bones grinding against each other. Ye Tianxie sharply turned his head, his gaze locking onto a shadowy figure that seemed to rise straight from the ground. Without hesitation, he activated his Identification skill. [Skeleton Soldier: Level 17, HP: 680] A lifeless undead entity born from human remains infused with the power of death. Instinctively hostile towards all living beings. Though it lacks true consciousness, its body is unnaturally resilient. Innate Ability: Undead Body C Regenerates health in darkness or areas filled with undead energy. Immune to 70% of death-type attacks. Skill: Skeleton Claw C Slashes with its bone-white hands, dealing 150% damage with a 20% chance. Creak Creak Creak The rattling of bones echoed from all directionsfront, back, left, right. The once silent cavern was now filled with the eerie cacophony of skeletal movement. Ye Tianxie, who had initially been on edge, suddenly relaxed instead. Generally speaking, the further one ventured from the main city, the higher the level of monsters encountered. If the first floor of the Skeleton Cavern only housed Level 17 creatures even though they were numerous, they posed no real threat to him. Creak creak creak Ye Tianxies gaze swept across his surroundings. Twelve skeletons had formed a near-perfect encirclement around him, their ghastly bone-white arms raised menacingly as they closed in step by step. Mm Mmm Where is this place? Ugh Whats that awful smell? Huh? What are those weird things? AAAAAHHH!!! A shrill scream rang out, so piercing that Ye Tianxie almost dropped the Fates Moment weapon just to cover his ears. Wahhh! So scary so scary! Master Master! Are you there?! Theyre so scary wuuu Guo Guo clung to Ye Tianxies neck with all her strength, squeezing him so tightly that he could barely breathe. Her small head buried itself against his collar, refusing to lift up, let alone open her eyes. Like any little girl who loved purity and beauty, Guo Guo had a deep, instinctive fear and revulsion toward such filthy, ugly creatures. Ye Tianxie could feel her tiny body trembling She was so terrified that tears had already begun to well up. Finally Ye Tianxie had found something that could actually frighten Guo Guo. Alright, Guo Guo, dont be scared. Just watchyour master will take care of them in no time. For the first time, Ye Tianxie, who was usually the one being led around by Guo Guo, finally experienced the sense of authority a master should have. Lifting Fates Moment, he locked onto a direction and charged at the nearest Skeleton Soldier. Ye Tianxies gaze swept around him. There were a total of twelve skeletons, waving their eerie bone arms, closing in step by step from all directions, forming an almost perfect circle around him. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. "Ugh... Ugh... Where is this place...? Ugh It smells so bad Eh? These strange things Ah!!!" Sleepy-eyed Guo Guo, upon seeing the skeletons around her, suddenly let out a piercing scream so loud that Ye Tianxie nearly dropped the "Moment of Destiny" to cover his ears. "Uwaa!! So scary so scary Master Master, Master, Master, are you there? Theyre so scary Wuuu" Guo Guo clung to Ye Tianxies neck with all her strength, squeezing so tightly that he almost couldnt breathe. Her small head was buried deep into his neck, not daring to move, let alone open her eyes. Like all little girls who love pure and beautiful things, Guo Guo had an innate and immense aversion and fear toward these filthy, hideous creatures. Ye Tianxie could clearly feel her trembling She was so scared that her tears had already started falling. Finally Ye Tianxie had found something that could make Guo Guo afraid. "Alright, Guo Guo, dont be scared. Watch as your master wipes them out immediately." For the first time, being so heavily relied upon by Guo Guowho had always been the one leading him aroundYe Tianxie finally felt a sense of authority befitting a master. Lifting the "Moment of Destiny" horizontally, he picked a direction and charged toward the skeleton soldiers.
Character: Xie Tian Level: 14 Class: None Reputation: 220 Gold: 1,023 coins Hunger: 30/195 Basic Attributes: Strength: 95 Constitution: 22 Agility: 19 Spirit: 19 Fixed Attributes: Luck: 12 Comprehension: 12 Charm: 22 Health Points (HP): 560 Mana Points (MP): 330 Physical Attack: 252 Magic Attack: 38 Physical Defense: 26 Accuracy: 19 Evasion: 19 Reaction Speed: 72 Perception: 53 Focus: 42 Attack Speed: 100 Movement Speed: 100 HP Regeneration: 5 (Automatically regenerates 5 HP per second.) MP Regeneration: 0 Elemental Resistances: Fire: 3% Water: 3% Wind: 3% Lightning: 8% Earth: 3% Light: 3% Dark: 3% This was Ye Tianxies status at Level 14. With the attribute rewards from passing the Abyss Trial and the additional 200 HP from the Ring of Life, his total HP had reached 560. However, this number was only on par with an average warrior of the same levellet alone a shield guard, who would gain an additional 300 HP just from advancing from Apprentice Shield Guard to Official Shield Guard. However, thanks to the immensely powerful attributes of the "Moment of Destiny," Ye Tianxies offensive capabilities still surpassed other attack-oriented classes of the same level. Overall, his stats were only slightly ahead of regular players at his level. But he had no attack skills, whereas other players did. In this regard, he was at an absolute disadvantage. Yet, his talent attributesReaction Speed of 72, Perception of 53, and Focus of 42allowed him to unleash his seemingly mediocre stats to an extraordinarily terrifying effect. A true powerhouse never rises without reason. Under the dim green glow, the "Moment of Destiny" slashed out its first streak of dark light, striking three skeleton soldiers at once, even as their attacks landed on him at the same time. -201, -204, -200. -59, -62, -60! A Level 17 skeleton soldier had even less HP than the Level 15 raccoons Ye Tianxie had slain earlier, but its defense was significantly higher. After all, it was just a pile of hard bonesnaturally tough and durable. The three skeleton soldiers combined attack immediately took away nearly a third of Ye Tianxies HP. If these three could kill him in just three exchanges, then if all twelve surrounded him, he would be wiped out in an instant. Ye Tianxies expression didnt change. He remained motionless as he executed another simple, wide horizontal slash at the three skeleton soldiers before him, bringing their HP below half. -60, -62, -93! The skeleton soldiers retaliated again. The last attack, which triggered a 150% damage effect, nearly dropped Ye Tianxies HP below 100. Meanwhile, the surrounding skeletons, their skeletal limbs twitching as if they were dancing, had already drawn closer to him. A cold smirk curled at the corner of Ye Tianxies lips before vanishing instantly. With a precise sidestep, he rotated his body at a sharp angle, dodging all incoming attacks with minimal movement. A low, forceful shout escaped his lips: "Berserk Battle Intent!!" A dim light exploded faintly on Ye Tianxies body before vanishing in an instant. The uncontrollable, battle-hungry surge of energy filled his chest once more. Fates simulation was incredibly realisticeven a skill could influence a persons emotions so vividly. But Ye Tianxie didnt resist it at all. On the contrary, he liked it. He even craved this feeling. A cold, twisted smile formed on his lips as he lunged forward, executing a powerful diagonal slash toward his enemies. -275, -270, -552, -271. His attacks became more ruthless, his movements sharper, and his body more agile. This was the kind of sensation he found utterly exhilarating. When a person enters such a state during battle, thats when they can truly unleash their full potential. For an ordinary player, using "Berserk Battle Intent" against Level 17 skeleton soldiers would be suicidalno one would trade stability for increased attack power and speed in a dangerous fight. But Ye Tianxie was a terrifying anomaly. Instead of making him cautious, this state made him even more excited. In one sweep, three skeleton soldiers collapsed into a pile of shattered bones. No coins, no lootnot even a single copper coin. Ye Tianxie swiftly turned, calculated the distance, and swung his arms in a wide arc, cutting through five more skeletons at once. The moment his blade made contact with their bodies, a chilling "crack, crack" echoed through the dark cavern, like bones being sliced apart. Crack! Crack! Crack! In the blink of an eye, five more skeleton soldiers fell under Ye Tianxies rampage. With his overwhelming reaction speed and perception, these sluggish, wobbling skeletons stood no chance of landing a hit on him. Even with their numbers, they couldnt touch a single thread of his clothing. In this eerie, dimly lit cavern, Ye Tianxies movement among the skeletons was more ghostly than the undead themselves. Crack! Crack! Crack! Another three skeletons collapsed under his relentless assault. Ye Tianxies gaze shifted slightly toward the last three. His body flickered, leaving behind a faint afterimage. Under his maneuvering, the three skeletons unknowingly grouped together, stumbling toward him in a cluster. Only then did Ye Tianxie turn, striking them down with effortless ease. Silence fell. A pile of skeletal remains littered the ground beneath him. Twelve skeleton soldiersno loot, no coins even stingier than the townsfolk of Guping Town. "Wuuu Wuuu So scary, so scary Master, can we leave this place? Guo Guo is really scared" Guo Guo curled up into a tiny ball, clinging to Ye Tianxies neck. Just then, Guo Guo gasped and trembled violently. "B-But Master I-Its right behind you!!!" Ye Tianxie: "!@#%" His face turned pale as he whipped his head around. The Bone Crypts Peril: A Test of Speed and Survival A dozen blood-soaked shadows were silently and slowly closing in on him. These were skeletonsbut not ordinary ones. They had skeletal bodies but no skulls. Instead, from their blood-drenched necks, long, crimson tongues slithered out, dangling all the way to their chests. Ye Tianxie instinctively took a step back, his scalp tingling with a wave of nausea that almost made him vomit. He had no desire to examine these skeletons any further. Almost without thinking, he turned and bolted deeper into the skeleton cave. Damn it Lying to kids is definitely wrong. Words should never be spoken carelessly Serves me right, serves me right! After running just a dozen steps, the surroundings suddenly stirred. A massive wave of skeletons, previously lying dormant in deep slumber, began to rise from the ground with a clatter. The first layer of the skeleton cave was far from being limited to just the dozen or so monsters he''d seen before. Countless skeletons lay hidden, only reacting when a living being approached. Ye Tianxie quickly realized this but had no intention of staying behind to tangle with them. Activating "Berserk Battle Intent," he summoned his Ferghana horse and, at the fastest possible speed, escaped their detection range before they could launch an attack. He pressed forward in a straight line, searching for the entrance to the second level. Before long, a pitch-black void emerged in the dim greenish world aheadan opening leading to the next layer. Without hesitation, Ye Tianxie dashed inside, dismissing his horse as he entered. Before coming here, he had thoroughly questioned a city guard from Tianchen City who had ventured the deepest into this cave. The skeleton cave consisted of five levels: the first four were connected in a straight path, while the fifth split into two sectionsone where the Blood Phoenix resided and the other, presumably, where the Undead Lord was being nurtured. The moment he stepped into the second level, the eerie sound of grinding bones echoed around him. Judging from the chaotic noise, Ye Tianxie instantly estimated that at least seven or eight skeletons were approaching. Moreover, compared to the lowest-level skeletons of the first floor, those on the second level were bound to be stronger. Soon, their silhouettes appeared within his limited visionrows of skull-faced warriors. Unlike the plain skeletons of the first floor, these ones wore tattered armor, rusted helmets on their heads, and wielded corroded swords in their right hands while gripping old, battered shields in their left. Sword and Shield Skeleton Soldiers: Level 24, HP 1800 A combat-type undead monster born from the remains of fallen battlefield warriors. They retain the battle instincts and protective will of their former lives and will mercilessly attack all intruders. Innate Ability: Undead Constitution C Automatically regenerates health in darkness or undead environments, immune to 70% of death-related attacks. Skills: Behind the sword-and-shield skeletons, several shadowy figures drifted eerily like ghosts. Floating silently above the ground, three cloaked figures in black slowly emergedUndead Skeleton Mages! Undead Skeleton Mage: Level 24, HP 1200 A magic-type undead monster created from the remains of battlefield sorcerers. It possesses powerful necrotic attacks and healing abilities. Innate Ability: Undead Constitution C Automatically regenerates health in darkness or undead environments, immune to 70% of death-related attacks. Skills: Level 25 monsters... and two different kinds! Monsters above level 20 were a whole tier stronger than those between levels 10 and 20. Not only were their stats significantly enhanced, but their skills were more refined, and their attack patterns more varied. Seeing the undead mages'' abilities, Ye Tianxie immediately knew what needed to be doneif he wanted to defeat these undead creatures, he had to take down the mages first. The skeleton soldiers advanced in unison, their initially chaotic footsteps merging into an eerie, disciplined marchlike a well-trained undead battalion. These foes surpassed the twelve 10-star elite Berserk Bull Beasts he had faced on the third floor of the Abyss Trial in both overall strength and numbers. Back then, he had been level 10, and now, at level 14, with no job advancement, his power had barely changed. In other words, wiping out this group would be even harder than before. He tightened his grip on Fates Hour, adjusting his approach. Wahhh theyre here again so scary!! A loud shriek from Guoguo rang out, making Ye Tianxies eardrums buzz. He glanced at the incoming enemies and sighed helplessly. If youre scared, go back inside Fates Hourthen you wont see anything. A brief silence "Ahhhh! Master, why didnt you say that earlier?! I hate you so much!!" With a faint hum, Guoguo transformed into a small white light, merging into Fates Hour, falling completely silent. Ye Tianxie stood there, momentarily speechless. The skeleton soldiers closed in. Finally, Ye Tianxie movedstepping back once before dashing forward, slipping through the largest gap in their formation. The sluggish skeleton warriors swung their swords down, but only struck empty air. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Three necrotic energy bolts, glowing ominously in the darkness, shot toward him from different angles. Without looking back, Ye Tianxie pinpointed their trajectories from the faint sound of their flight and the movement of the air. In an instant, he changed direction, dashing toward one of the skeleton mages that had just launched an attack. Fates Hoursliced through the darkness, aiming directly at his target. The three projectiles missed their mark, and Ye Tianxies strike landed cleanly on the undead mage. MISS. MISS. . His attacks had failed completely. With a ten-level difference, his accuracy was drastically reduced. Without hesitation, Ye Tianxie turned and ran at full speed deeper into the cavern. More and more skeleton warriors and mages stirred in his wake. Thankfully, the heavily armored skeleton soldiers were too slow to keep up with him. However, the constant barrage of necrotic bolts from the mages forced him to dodge continuously. Listening carefully, he managed to avoid every attack without much effort, making his way to the far end of the second level. For an average level-14 player, making it through this place unscathed would be nearly impossible. But Ye Tianxie had traversed countless danger zones from Tianchen City to the remote Guping Townhe had even passed through the territory of a level-70 Golden Armored Earth Dragon without a scratch. Compared to that, escaping from a swarm of level-24 monsters that couldnt kill him instantly was childs play. A dark void loomed ahead. Without hesitation, Ye Tianxie dived in. The chaotic pursuit and magical bombardments behind him ceased. Silence returned. But the scenery had changed drastically. Unlike the eerie green glow of the previous floors, this place was bathed in a pale white lightnot a natural luminescence, but a chilling, deathly glow. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. The source of this light? The ground beneath his feetcomposed entirely of white bones. The Third Level of the Skeleton CaveBone Road. Just as the name implied, this passage was paved entirely with skeleton bones. The sheer eeriness sent a chill through Ye Tianxies heart. But thanks to the pale glow, his visibility had improved slightly. As he stepped forward cautiously, the caves slumbering denizens stirred. When they appeared, his pupils contracted slightly. A massive skeleton began lumbering toward him. Slow-movingbut only in terms of its stride frequency. In reality, each step covered a distance equal to three steps of the previous skeletons. It was five to six meters tall, unarmored, yet devoid of dirt or decayits stark white bones gleamed terrifyingly in the ghostly light. Giant Skeleton: Level 38, ??? A level gap of over ten meant his detection skill was useless. Level 38completely unbeatable.Perhaps due to its massive size, giant skeletons were noticeably rare in this area, and Ye Tianxie had only managed to provoke a single one. He quickly scanned his surroundings, then, just as before, charged straight toward the giant skeleton. High above, the massive skeletons exposed rows of eerie white teeth clattered up and down, as if murmuring in some ancient skeletal tongue. As Ye Tianxie charged recklessly forward, its towering leg bonefar taller than Ye Tianxie himselflifted ominously, bringing down an oppressive force as it stomped downward toward his head. At the exact moment its foot left the ground, Ye Tianxie abruptly halted, then swiftly retreated a small step. Boom! A deep, thunderous impact reverberated through the cavern, showcasing the sheer power of the giant skeletons attack. Its massive body and overwhelming strength were undeniable, yet its weakness was equally apparent. Just half a meter away from where he stood, the skeletal leg lingered without an immediate follow-up strike. Ye Tianxies eyes flashed with understanding. Its movements were unusually slow. From the sluggish way it had advanced earlier, Ye Tianxie had almost been certain that its lack of speed extended beyond mere movementit affected its attack speed as well. The previous stomp had caused the entire skeletal cavern to tremble, yet after that single strike, the skeleton remained frozen for three whole seconds. In those three seconds, Ye Tianxie had already dashed far into the distance. Without any real pressure, he blazed through the third level of the Skeleton Cavern. By the time he realized how slow these giant skeletons were, he couldnt even be bothered to dodge their attacks. The moment they raised a foot, he was already gone. He never feared enemies with immense attack powerwhat truly worried him were enemies with high mobility. Conversely, slow opponents, no matter how powerful, were easy to deal with. In fact, even if he were alone against a giant skeleton over twenty levels higher than him, and nine out of ten attacks resulted in a MISS, he was confident he would eventually take it down unscathed. Of course, if there were multiple enemies at once, his only option would be to run. The Fourth Level of the Skeleton Cavern. The ground was still littered with pale bones, but the eerie white glow had grown even brighter. The moment Ye Tianxie stepped forward, he spotted skeletal figures wandering in the distance. Yet, these skeletons were not only far more imposing than those on the previous floorstheir very appearance was strikingly different. Skeleton General: Level 55, ??? A pristine bronze war helm gleamed atop its head, and a flowing crimson cape draped over its back. The sinister armor covering its body exuded a faint metallic sheen, while solid bronze boots thudded against the ground with each step. In its hand, it gripped a long silver spear, its tip shimmering with an icy, lethal glow. The armor and boots concealed its skeletal frame so well that if not for the exposed skull, one might have mistaken it for a flesh-and-blood warlord. The Skeleton Generals aggression range was clearly larger than that of the previous sword-and-shield skeleton soldiers. (Well, obviouslyhow could it be called a general if it wasnt even superior to its own underlings?) The moment Ye Tianxie appeared, three Skeleton Generals turned their hollow sockets toward him, as if radiating pure hatred. Thud. Thud. Thud. Heavy war boots pounded against the ground as the three Skeleton Generals raised their spears and charged at him. Their strides, their posturecompletely indistinguishable from those of a living warrior. At level 55, a single graze from their spears would be enough to kill Ye Tianxie instantly. Once a players level exceeded an enemys by more than ten, whether killed by a monster, another player, or an NPC, they would suffer a harsh penaltylosing one level per death, randomly dropping 1 to 3 pieces of equipped gear (with a probability tied to their Luck stat), and forfeiting 1% to 5% of their gold (again, influenced by Luck). Every player in Destiny understood how excruciatingly difficult leveling up was, and how brutal the cost of death could be. Thats why they treasured their in-game lives dearly. Ye Tianxie was no exception. Facing three enemies who could kill him with ease, his eyes sharpenedthis was the sign of him getting serious. "Berserk Battle Will!" A deep voice shattered the eerie silence. The light of Berserk Battle Will ignited around Ye Tianxie once more. A shocking truthsince entering the first level of the Skeleton Cavern, his HP had never risen above 20%. Not once had he used a potion to heal. Such boldness, confidence, and sheer arrogance! Yet, the power supporting such confidence and arrogance must be unimaginably strong. Even at full health, the massive skeletons from the third floor or these Skeleton Generals could still one-shot him without fail. Keeping his HP under 20%allowing him to trigger Berserk Battle Will at any timewas undeniably the smartest choice. The abilitys 30% attack boost was meaningless to himthere was no way he could break through a level 55 monsters defenses with just that. What he truly needed was the 30% speed increase. Excitement and battle lust surged through his veins. His body felt weightless, as if carried by the wind itself. His gaze locked onto the incoming spear thrust. In an instant, he shifted his weight, tilting at a near-perfect 45-degree anglejust enough for the spear to whistle past his body. Then, his steps twisted in an unpredictable pattern, his body flickering like a shadow, slipping between the three Skeleton Generals before darting behind them. Without hesitation, he summoned his Blood-Sweat Horse, mounted it, and sped away. The Blood-Sweat Horse granted a flat +60 movement speed, but summoning it came with a tradeoffhis own extreme agility would be sacrificed. While players could control their mounts freely, there was no way it could match the seamless control of their own body. That was precisely why Ye Tianxie never summoned his mount before ensuring a safe escape. Berserk Battle Willa skill he had acquired back in the Novice Village. To most players, it was a suicidal ability. Even if they had it, they wouldnt dare to use it. But throwing it away would feel like a waste. Yet, Ye Tianxie had pushed this worthless skilland the only combat skill he possessedto an absolute peak, beyond what any other player could achieve. In his hands, any skillno matter how weakwould be wielded to its fullest potential. This was why he was known as the Unyielding Evil Emperor. His undefeated legend wasnt built on level, stats, or gear. Noif he were to fight an opponent with the exact same level, attributes, equipment, and skills, he could still guarantee a flawless victory, whether against ten or a hundred. That was his legend. With no enemies immediately nearby, his current base movement speed of 100, combined with the Blood-Sweat Horses +60, plus the 30% bonus from Berserk Battle Will, had pushed his speed to 208. He had summoned his mount only after confirming that even if he encountered another Skeleton General, his speed would allow him to slip past before it could react. But suddenlyan ominous sense of danger slammed into his nerves. Without hesitation, he flipped backward off his mount, landing behind it in a staggered stance. BOOM! A jagged bolt of gray lightning crashed down from above, engulfing the Blood-Sweat Horse entirely. Without its masters protection, the steed let out a final, pained shriek before its HP was instantly reduced to zero. It collapsed lifelessly to the ground. Ye Tianxies heart poundednot from relief at his near-death escape, but from sheer, searing heartbreak. His Blood-Sweat Horse worth 30,000 gold coins was gone! Emerging from the shadows, the caster of the deadly lightning revealed itselfa skeletal figure draped in a pitch-black cloak. Undead Cursed Skeleton: Level 57, ??? The fourth level of the Skeleton Cavern held more than one kind of nightmare. Upon stepping into the fourth level, Ye Tianxie initially saw only the Skeleton Generals, instinctively assuming they were the sole inhabitants of this floor. However, the cost of this misjudgment was severehe had nearly fallen into the abyss of death and, worse yet, lost his precious Ferghana Horse, worth a staggering thirty thousand gold coins. Mounts were unlike pets. While pets could revive upon deathalbeit with a level penalty and even the risk of betrayalmounts were typically protected from harm while being ridden. However, once separated from their owner, they could be attacked and permanently killed. Unlike players or pets, they wouldn''t resurrect. This rule applied to ordinary mounts, but for those ranked at level five and above, from the rare Immortal Spirit tier to the near-mythical Extinction tier, these powerful mounts possessed the ability to revive even after death. Ye Tianxies heart bled at the loss, and he burned with the urge to reduce the Undead Cursed Skeleton to a pile of shattered bones. As the creatures body began glowing with a sinister gray light, chanting its next spell, he clenched his teeth, tightened his grip on the Fate Hourglass, and made a swift, decisive choiceescape. Boom! Another deafening explosion erupted behind him. The undead magic cast by the Cursed Skeleton was on an entirely different level than that of the lowly Skeleton Mages from the second floor. In less than three seconds of chanting, it unleashed a devastating spell, covering a five-meter radius with lethal force. Barely dodging in time, Ye Tianxie suddenly spotted two Skeleton Generals blocking his path. Without hesitation, he picked up even more speed. Lowering his body in a sharp motion, he slipped past as two long spears whistled over his head. With a flawless low-angle sidestep, he evaded the attack, sprang up swiftly, and disappeared into the eerie, pale-lit darkness. The Fall of the Undead Monarch and the Awakening of the Blood Phoenix Fortunately, the monsters on the fourth level of the Skeleton Cave were not densely packed. With caution and a bit of luck, Ye Tianxie managed to make his way to the end without incident. Ahead of him, two pitch-black tunnels loomed. Each tunnel was wide enough for three people to walk through side by side and had a perfectly circular shape. Ye Tianxie silently examined the tunnel on the right, then activated the life recovery effect of his Life Ring and downed a high-grade healing potion. Once the potions cooldown reset, he stepped decisively into the left tunnel. Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap The passage was long and shrouded in darkness. In this eerie space filled with the presence of the undead, there were no bats, no venomous snakes, no crawling creaturesno sign of any normal life. After about thirty seconds of walking, a faint white glow finally appeared ahead. Ye Tianxie knew this glow was not from any source of warmth or lifeit was merely the cold, eerie light emitted by skeletal remains. Clutching a teleportation scroll to Tianchen City in his hand, he lightened his footsteps and moved forward cautiously. The fifth level of the Skeleton Cavethe dwelling place of the Undead Monarchwas just ahead. Although the mayor of Guping Town had confidently assured him that the newly formed Undead Monarch would not exceed level 20, Ye Tianxie knew better than to let his guard down. He planned to immediately inspect the monsters stats upon sighting it. If its level was within his acceptable range, he would attack without hesitation. However, if all he saw were question marks (????), he would retreat without delay and use the teleportation scroll before the creature could detect him. (Note: The teleportation scroll cannot be used once a monster has locked onto the player in combat or during any other restricted state.) Ye Tianxie was proud, but he was not a fool who would charge recklessly into a hopeless battle. As the light ahead grew brighter, his footsteps became lighter, and his brows furrowed in deep concentration. At the very end of the tunnel, he stopped, pressing himself against the cold wall. Carefully, he peered into the final level of the Skeleton Caveits deepest chamber. Surprisingly, this space was much smaller than the previous four levels. It was emptycompletely devoid of the guardian undead he had expected to protect the Undead Monarch. Instead, in the very center, a small mass of grayish light, about half the height of a person, flickered and swayed as if stirred by an unseen breeze. Undead Monarch (Juvenile Stage) C Level 15 Lord BOSS HP: 13,000 A being of pure death energy, nurtured and condensed over time until its emergence two months ago. Born in darkness, growing in darkness, it wields formidable undead power. Currently in its juvenile stage, but upon maturity, it will become the supreme ruler of all undead. Innate Ability: Undead Body C Immune to all death-type damage. Regenerates 650 HP per second in environments filled with darkness and death. Skills: Ye Tianxie felt a surge of joy upon discovering that the Undead Monarch was merely a level 15 Lord BOSS with only two skills. The mayor of Guping Town truly had not lied. However, when he saw its innate ability, his excitement vanished, and he nearly cursed aloud. Regenerates 650 HP per second in darkness and death-filled environments. That meant it automatically regained 5% of its health every second! A level 15 Lord BOSS was far stronger than an ordinary BOSS of the same level, boasting far greater attack and defense. Given Ye Tianxies current attack power, landing hits exceeding 100 damage would already be an achievement. Yet this so-called juvenile Undead Monarch, much weaker than its future self, regenerated 650 HP every second! What kind of sick joke is this?! Grinding his teeth, Ye Tianxie stood motionless for a long time, his mind racing. The Undead Monarch, still shrouded in gray mist, had not noticed him and remained eerily still. Advance or retreat? Advance... If this were an open field, Ye Tianxie would charge in without hesitation. However, to defeat this creature here, he would need an attack power exceeding 1,000 to deal meaningful damage. What could he possibly use to take it down? Retreat? He had come all this way, and the opponent was only level 15. At level 10, he had defeated a level 20 Lord BOSS. Now at level 14, why shouldnt he be able to take down this level 15 opponent? And with the allure of an extremely rare hidden BOSS before him, could he really just walk away? Ye Tianxie stood frozen, caught in a torturous dilemma. Luring it outside? Impossible. Even if the juvenile Undead Monarch could be led out of this chamber, undead creatures feared the light. The moment it neared the cave entrance, it would immediately retreat. Wait feared the light? Light?! A spark ignited in Ye Tianxies mind. He swiftly reached into his inventory and pulled out an item. Instantly, a brilliant glow illuminated the darknessa radiant, blinding light. For the first time in countless years, light filled the cave. A deafening, enraged roar erupted from the Undead Monarch as it was awakened by the very thing it loathed and feared. Ye Tianxie raised the glowing object high, then hurled it toward the Undead Monarch before charging forward, Destinys Edge poised to strike. The source of light was a small, round Light Magic Lampa gift from the pigtail-braided girl in Luofeng Town. It could emit light for three minutes. Ding Light has a devastating effect on the juvenile Undead Monarch. The surrounding environment has changed to a light-filled space. The Undead Monarch can no longer regenerate HP, all undead magic effects are weakened by 30%, and it now loses 5% HP per second. Upon hearing the system notification, Ye Tianxie nearly jumped for joy. True Undead Monarchs were incredibly powerful, but their juvenile forms were extremely vulnerable. Like all creatures in their early stages, they were exceedingly fragilefor a developing Undead Monarch, light was its greatest nemesis. -650, -650, -650 This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. The shadow within the gray mist convulsed violently, letting out an enraged, despairing shriek while desperately retreating from the glowing lamp. Every second, massive damage numbers floated above its head, its health bar visibly shrinking. Ye Tianxie, initially preparing for a fierce battle, paused and smirked. This feels almost unfair. He had only hoped the lamp would slow down its regeneration, not utterly cripple it. But now the result was almost laughably one-sided. -650, -650, -650 Relaxed and grinning, Ye Tianxie picked up the Light Magic Lamp and leisurely walked toward the retreating BOSS. The Undead Monarch, terrified of the light, howled in agony and fled further, while Ye Tianxie simply followed at his own pace. For the first time in his gaming life, he was making a BOSS run away. And the feeling? Absolutely exhilarating. Just as Ye Tianxie struck his fourth attack, the Undead Monarchs health bar was finally emptied under the erosion of light. With a heavy thud, its massive body collapsed to the ground, motionless. The grayish mist shrouding its form halted its drifting and slowly dispersed, revealing the yet-to-fully-formed body of the Undead Monarchalong with an array of equipment and items glowing in various colors scattered across the ground. "Ding... You have successfully slain the Level 15 Lord BOSS: Undead Monarch. Reputation +15." "Ding... Your level has increased to Level 15. HP +10, MP +10, and you have gained 5 free attribute points." "Ding... You have successfully slain the juvenile Undead Monarch and completed the unique hidden quest The Mayor of Guping Towns Request. Please report to the mayor of Guping Town to claim your quest reward." The experience points granted by a Lord BOSS were immense. Ye Tianxie, who had already reached 80% of Level 14, saw his experience bar instantly max out, leveling him up to 15. Picking up the slowly rolling Light Elemental Lanternfrom the ground, he could barely contain the urge to throw his head back and laughwhat should have been an intense and perilous battle had begun and ended in such an unexpectedly effortless manner. According to that little girl, the Light Elemental Lantern still had three minutes of light remaining. The radiant effect earlier had lasted no more than half a minute. Ye Tianxie swiftly deactivated its light and stored it back in his backpack. There was no way he would waste even a second more of this invaluable item. Who knew? Someday, it might once again perform a miracleespecially when facing fragile undead creatures. The body of the Undead Monarch was not skeletal but had begun taking on a humanoid form. At a glance, it resembled a three- or four-year-old child. Lord BOSSes were exceedingly rare, and once slain, it could take an extremely long timedays, weeks, or even monthsbefore another one appeared. For a special BOSS like the Undead Monarch, who knew how many years it would take for another to emerge? After all, it wasnt just an ordinary Lord BOSS but an entity still in its juvenile stage, merely displaying the power of a Lord due to its yet-to-awaken strength. However, the one thing that was certainwhenever a rare Lord BOSS was slain, it would always result in an extravagant loot explosion. There was no gold among the spoils, yet two golden-tier and three silver-tier equipment lay scattered around the Undead Monarchs corpse. Such an extravagant drop rate was likely only possible for someone like Ye Tianxie, who had single-handedly defeated the BOSS and possessed an astronomical Luck stat of 12. Undead Cloak: Golden-tier equipment. Requirement: Level 15, any class. Unidentified, unusable. A cloak!! Cloaks were among the rarest types of equipment. In every weapon store across towns and cities, players could buy helmets, armor, pants, boots, and gloves of various levels, but not a single store sold cloaks. Staring at the pitch-black cloak, which was faintly shrouded in a gray mist, Ye Tianxie sighed helplessly. Not only was it unidentified and thus unusable, but more importantly, he had no class, making him ineligible to equip anything at all. The second golden-tier item was a long spear that gleamed with a faint golden light even amidst the darknessUndead Spear. Undead Spear: Golden-tier equipment. Requirement: Level 15, Warrior class. Unidentified, unusable. After glancing at the remaining three silver-tier items, Ye Tianxie stored all five pieces of equipment in his backpack before picking up a misty gray scroll from the ground. Skill Scroll C Nether Fog: Grants the active support skill "Nether Fog" upon use. When activated, summons a deathly mist to suspend the body, slowing descent speed. A skill scroll... an exceedingly rare treasure with an appearance rate close to zero. Ye Tianxies mind briefly blanked. Despite having an unparalleled Luck stat of 12, he had never imagined thatafter obtaining one from the Amethyst War Tiger in the beginners villagethe second Lord BOSS he killed would also drop a skill scroll. And what did a skill scroll signify? Potions were consumable. No matter how powerful a piece of equipment was, it would eventually be replaced. But a skillonce learnedwas permanent. Additionally, skills obtained from monster-dropped scrolls were never ones that players could acquire from class instructors. This made skill scrolls invaluable, and their rarity was astronomical. Perhaps this was fates way of compensating for Ye Tianxies inability to obtain a classpresenting him with an event as unlikely as Mars colliding with Earth. Although... this skill didnt seem particularly powerful. After carefully storing the skill scroll, Ye Tianxie crouched beside the Undead Monarchs frail body and cast "Gathering" on its corpse. "Ding... Your Gathering attempt has failed!" Failed? The system notification made him pause. The message was not "No gatherable items found" but rather "Gathering failed." And that could only mean one thingthe items on the Undead Monarch were too high-level, surpassing his current Gathering skill proficiency. Ye Tianxie quickly realized the situation and remained unfazed. Instead of leaving, he continued casting Gathering on the corpse over and over again. "Ding... Your Gathering attempt has failed!" "Ding... Your Gathering attempt has failed!" "Ding... Your Gathering attempt has failed!" "Ding..." As he persistently cast the skill, his MP drained bit by bit. Twenty failed attempts later, Ye Tianxie remained composed, showing no signs of frustration. Without hesitation, he chugged a Mana Potion and continued the process. "Ding... Your Gathering attempt has failed!" "Ding... You have gathered Death Core!" "Ding... Your Gathering skill has leveled up to Advanced, allowing you to collect higher-grade materials from monsters and special locations." The notification made Ye Tianxie smirk, and at the same time, the Undead Monarchs body dissipated into mist, vanishing entirely. A Death Corea small, intensely radiant gray orbrested in Ye Tianxies palm. Despite its size, barely larger than a fingernail, the sheer energy emanating from it sent an eerie pressure against his skin. Death Core: A core containing immensely powerful and pure death energy. The Undead Monarch was nurtured by its power and is only formed in the most Yin-heavy locations. Usage unknown. This... Ye Tianxies gaze locked onto the small orb. The description alone made his heart race. After silently contemplating for a moment, he stored it in his backpack. Immensely powerful and pure death energy... capable of nurturing an Undead Monarch... It was evident that this Death Core was no ordinary item. But what was its true purpose? With the juvenile Undead Monarch slain, Ye Tianxie had achieved his goal beyond expectations, gaining far more than he had initially anticipated. Taking one last glance at the damp and eerie surroundings, he retrieved a Town Return Scroll for Guping Town. Just as he was about to crush the scroll "Screeeeech!!" A piercing, otherworldly screech erupted, shaking the entire dark cavern. The sound was so deafeningly close that it felt as if it had exploded right beside his ears. BOOM! The ground trembled violently. The walls quivered, their shaking intensifying. Ye Tianxie staggered, barely keeping his footing. That cry... Could it be... BOOM!! With an earth-shattering crash, the cavern wall collapsed, and a blinding light from the sky pierced through, dispelling all darkness. Ye Tianxie pressed himself into a corner, narrowly dodging falling debris. As the dust settled, his pupils contracted sharply. A massive crimson silhouette appeared before him. A name flashed through his mind Blood Phoenix! The Power of Fate: Blood Feather and Blue Soul How Enormous Would a True Phoenix Be? Since he had never seen one before, Ye Tianxie naturally had no idea. However, he was certain that the Blood Phoenix before him must be much smaller than a real Phoenix. At first glance, aside from its terrifying blood-red hue, its appearance bore no significant differences from the Phoenix in Huaxia legends. The fifth level of the underground skeletal cavern had been utterly destroyed by its sheer power The scene of destruction, and at such an intense level, demanded an unimaginably horrifying force. Its body stretched over ten meters long, its magnificent blood-red feathers standing upright like clusters of burning crimson flames. Its eyes, also blood-red, were now locked onto Ye Tianxie with an unyielding gaze. Under the Blood Phoenixs stare, its overwhelming aura weighed upon him like an impossibly heavy stone slab, pressing against his chest so hard that he was on the verge of suffocation. A Blood Phoenix of at least the Heaven''s End level was utterly beyond his strength to contend with. At this moment, Ye Tianxie had no chance to resistnot even the slightest struggle was possible. The sheer force of its presence had nearly stripped him of control over his own body, rendering him completely immobile. The shadow of death loomed ominously over him. Ding You are in combat and cannot use the Town Portal Scroll. Ding You are in combat and cannot use the Town Portal Scroll. After two failed attempts, Ye Tianxie finally accepted his fate. His gaze scanned the surroundings, searching for anything that could save his life According to the mayor of Ancient Ping Town, the other cavern in the fifth layer of the Skeletal Cavern was the Blood Phoenixs nest since it required absolute silence when resting. Moreover, it coexisted peacefully with the undead creatures in the area. Ye Tianxie couldnt figure out why the Blood Phoenix had gone berserk in its own nest, even destroying it completely and its target was clearly him! Could it have awakened when he attacked the Undead Monarch? That didnt make senseif that were the case, it should have awoken much earlier. What exactly caused this!? Chirp Another piercing cry, nearly shattering Ye Tianxies consciousness, erupted as the Blood Phoenix shot into the sky, sending countless fragments of debris flying. It then dived downward, carrying an aura of destruction as it charged straight at Ye Tianxie. The immense force from above crashed down like a raging storm, pinning Ye Tianxie firmly against the wall, making it impossible for him to even move his little finger. His brows furrowed tightly, his eyes locked onto the expanding blood-red silhouette in his pupils The gap in strength was beyond measure. Under the Blood Phoenixs locked-on attack, there was no chance of escaping by sheer luck. Fear? No. A bit of unwillingness? Perhaps. He simply couldnt understand why this Blood Phoenix was so enraged and why it was attacking him with such fury. At that moment, a white light appeared beside Ye Tianxie. Before her body had fully materialized, Guoguos panicked voice rang out: Eeyaah!! Master, Master, Blood Feather I suddenly caught the scent of the Fate Cores Blood Feather Ahhhhh! When Guoguo materialized and saw the blood-red Phoenix diving toward them, her tiny face instantly turned deathly pale, and she let out a terrified scream. She had seemingly forgotten that her existence was an exceptionally peculiar and intangible stateonly Ye Tianxie could see her, hear her voice, and touch her body. Other beings could neither perceive her nor hear her, nor could they touch her; any attack would merely pass through an illusion. Blood Feather Blood-red Phoenix Could it be As the feeling of impending death drew closer, countless thoughts flashed through Ye Tianxies mind in an instant, yet he found no way to save himself. He could only resign himself to fate and lower his gaze. Roar!! The surrounding space trembled once more. A deafening beastly roar, even more terrifying than the Blood Phoenixs screech, made Ye Tianxie snap his head upward. High in the air, he saw a blue silhouetteone that was charging straight toward the blood-red Phoenix. Boom!! With a miserable screech from the Blood Phoenix, the blue figure crashed heavily into its diving form, sending it flying off course. A massive damage number appeared above its head -120000! The crushing pressure on Ye Tianxie disappeared without a trace. In that moment, he saw the blue figure in full detail. It was a wolfa massive wolf, entirely blue from head to tail. It was this blue wolf that had soared into the air and slammed into the Blood Phoenix, saving Ye Tianxies life. Compared to ordinary wolves, its body was much sturdier, its claws and fangs sharper, its eyes more ferocious, and its aura more overwhelming And it was purely blue, without a trace of any other color. Blue fur, blue eyes, blue wolf earswhether in the real world or in a virtual game world, this was the first time Ye Tianxie had ever seen a blue wolf. A single impact had caused 120,000 damage Could this wolf be a Divine Mystic Beast!? In his shock, he didnt even think to use a Town Portal Scroll to escape. Instead, his eyes remained locked on the sky, where the blue and blood-red figures were now entangled in battle. ????: ????? ????: ????? Using Detection, all he could see were rows of question marks for both the blue wolf and the Blood Phoenixeven their names were unreadable. Their strength was on a completely different level from his, making his skills utterly ineffective against them. But more than the Blood Phoenix, he was becoming increasingly curious about this massive blue wolf. Its imposing presence awed him, and its strength seemed on par with the Blood Phoenix. Most importantly, it had saved him at the critical moment. Roar!! Chirp Boom! Boom! Bang The wolfs growls and the Phoenixs cries mixed with deafening collisions. The blue wolf repeatedly crashed its head into the Blood Phoenix, seemingly forcing it away from Ye Tianxie. Under its relentless impact, the Blood Phoenix let out anguished cries as its body was continuously knocked back and contorted in midair In this battle, it was clearly at a disadvantage. A massive surge of blood-red flames spread from the Blood Phoenixs wings, sweeping toward the blue wolf. Wherever the flames passed, the air itself twisted and melted. Though hundreds of meters away, Ye Tianxie felt an overwhelming heatwave rushing toward him. The blue wolf paused briefly in midair before opening its mouth wide. With a tremendous howl, a whirlwind of icy blue wind erupted from its body, colliding with the approaching flames. A bone-chilling cold instantly spread across the area, dissipating the scorching heat Fire burned. Wind howled. The sky above the Skeletal Cavern was now consumed by a chaotic blend of crimson and blue. Death loomed once more. Just as Ye Tianxie sensed it creeping upon him, a shadow flashed beside him. A hand grabbed him, and in the blink of an eye, he was gone from his previous location. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. BOOM!!!! A deafening explosion shook the air, enough to scatter a persons very soul. Yet, the sound came from a distance further than he had expected. The sense of impending death was gone. When Ye Tianxie looked ahead, he realized he was high in the sky, a thousand meters away from the battle. The reason he wasnt falling was the presence of another persona man, hovering in midair while holding onto him. Ye Tianxie turned to look at his rescuer, and the moment he saw his face, a slight tremor ran through his eyes and heart. This man "Who are you?" Ye Tianxie asked in a deep, solemn voice. The mans gaze shifted toward him at the sound of his voice. The instant their eyes met, Ye Tianxie felt as if he were staring into the eyes of a dead mancold, dim, lifeless, and devoid of any color a living being should possess. Suddenly, the sound of wind whistled past his ears. The blue-haired man lifted Ye Tianxie''s body into the air. In a single spatial shift, they were now standing atop the peak of a small mountain. The blue-haired man did not answer Ye Tianxies question. Instead, his gaze once again fixated on the fierce battle between the two beasts in the distance. Ye Tianxie frowned slightly and turned his attention in the same direction. The entire land trembled and crackedit wouldnt be an exaggeration to describe the battle between the two beasts as earth-shattering. The attacks exchanged between the Blue Wolf and the Blood Phoenix were as violent as a raging storm. Their clashesboth physical and energy-basedsent out waves of destruction capable of wiping out everything in their path. Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! With each of their dozens of collisions, the air was filled with deafening explosions. Though the Blue Wolfs ability to maneuver in the air was inferior to the Blood Phoenixs, it far surpassed the phoenix in agility and sheer strength. Its attacks came like a raging tempest, gradually forcing the Blood Phoenix back, leaving it with no chance to unleash its blood flames. Finally, another thunderous impact sent the Blood Phoenix hurtling high into the sky. It let out a piercing cry, twisting midair before unfurling its enormous blood-red wings. In an instant, what seemed like flames from beyond the heavens descended upon the land below. Yet the ferocious Blue Wolf did not retreat. Instead, it charged fearlessly into the blood flames, colliding head-on with them. A massive explosion erupted, tearing the ground apart within a thousand-meter radius. Towering waves of fire soared dozens of meters high, obscuring everything from sight. The entire area had become a land of death, saturated with destructive energy. Amidst the overwhelming sea of fire, a strikingly blue figure suddenly shot up into the sky. Accompanied by a thunderous roar, it crashed into the Blood Phoenix like a blazing blue meteor. A wretched cry rang out. The Blood Phoenix was sent flying, tumbling uncontrollably through the air before barely managing to stabilize itself. The phoenix and the wolf faced each other across a hundred-meter distance, their eyes filled with nothing but primal ferocity. Then, as if by unspoken agreement, they roared and screeched before charging at each other once more. Wind and fire intertwined, transforming the battlefield into a fiery hell of destruction. "Wow! Master, it''s so beautiful!" Guo Guo blinked her big eyes in excitement, watching the dazzling spectacle created by the battle between the Blood Phoenix and the Blue Wolf as if she were enjoying a vibrant cartoon. She paid no mind to the fact that Ye Tianxie had nearly lost his life twice because of these creatures. She truly had no reason to be afraid. Because of her unique body, not even ten of these creatures could harm her in the slightest. As for whether her master, Ye Tianxie, would survive well, that wasnt really her concern. Ye Tianxie: "..." "Also, Master, that uncle is really weird. He looks strange somehow. Do you know him?" Guo Guo asked cautiously, sneaking a glance at the blue-haired man. His extreme indifference, devoid of any emotion, made her feel slightly uneasy. "I dont know him," Ye Tianxie replied. Though he was answering Guo Guos question, to anyone elsewho couldnt see Guo Guoit seemed like he had suddenly spoken to himself out of nowhere. Yet, to his surprise, the blue-haired man standing beside him showed not even the slightest reaction. He didnt move an inchnot even his eyeballs. This person "Ah!! Master, I almost forgot That strange phoenix has the scent of the Blood Feather! Master, you have to defeat that phoenix! The Blood Feather must be hidden within it, and its something really, really important to you!" Guo Guo suddenly stood up on Ye Tianxies shoulder, shouting excitedly into his ear. Ye Tianxies eye twitched slightly Defeat the Blood Phoenix? He wasnt arrogant enough to think he could pull that off. Even when facing enemies far stronger than himself, he would never give up easilyhe would find every possible way to turn the tables. But the difference in power between him and the Blood Phoenix was simply insurmountable. How was he supposed to defeat it? "Huh" Guo Guo, who had been so worked up, suddenly fell silent. Her sparkling eyes blinked a few times before landing on the imposing, gigantic Blue Wolf. After staring at it in a daze for a moment, she muttered, "That blue wolf why does it feel so familiar?" Boom!!! The fierce clash between the storm-like wind and blazing fire erupted once more. As the battlefield was engulfed in another catastrophe, the balance of power between the two creatures finally shifted. A bolt of blue lightning shot out from the chaotic storm of destruction. With a deafening roar, it slammed straight into the Blood Phoenixs head. The Blue Wolf was as fast as a lightning strikeits relentless assaults had already battered the Blood Phoenix countless times, but this final blow nearly shattered its consciousness entirely. The phoenixs body convulsed violently as it let out a pained cry. It struggled in the air for a brief moment before finally plummeting downward. The airborne Blue Wolf immediately followed, descending even faster than the falling phoenix itself. Its massive jaws clamped down viciously on the Blood Phoenixs throat, dragging it down as they crashed into the earth below. -200,000! -200,000! -200,000! -200,000! A series of colossal damage numbers appeared above the Blood Phoenix, draining its life away. With a final resounding impact, both the Blood Phoenix and the Blue Wolf crashed onto the ground. The wolf, still biting down on the phoenixs neck, pressed it deep into the shattered earth. The Blood Phoenix screeched and thrashed desperately, but its fire-based power was no match for the Blue Wolfs sheer physical strength. No matter how violently it struggled, it couldnt escape the wolfs grip. Its health was rapidly depleting amidst its frantic resistance. A piercing cry shattered the sky. A crimson radiance burst forth from the Blood Phoenixs forehead, engulfing its entire body in searing blood-red flames. Its strength and aura suddenly skyrocketed several times over. Boom!! A massive explosion of fire erupted from the Blood Phoenixs body, sending the Blue Wolf flying backward. At the same time, Guo Guo let out a dramatic shriek, "Master! Look!!! On the phoenixs head Thats the Blood Feather! Its the Blood Feather!!" Even without Guo Guos warning, Ye Tianxie had already noticed. At the very moment the blood-red glow erupted, the Blood Phoenixs forehead revealed an intensely radiant crimson feather, shimmering like a flame burning against the sky. That was one of the Seven Fate CoresBlood Feather!? Why was it on this strange phoenix? At that moment, an even more dazzling blue light flared up from the fallen Blue Wolf. The intensity of the blue radiance far surpassed even the Blood Feathers crimson glow. The moment the light shone, the Blue Wolf flipped over with impossible speed and lunged once more at the barely-recovered Blood Phoenix. "Ah!!" Guo Guo suddenly let out another startled cry. "Whats wrong?" Ye Tianxie, who had rarely seen Guo Guo so shocked, turned to her with a frown. "That light just now That wolf Its Its Blue Soul! The Blue Soul of the Fate Cores!" Guo Guo stared wide-eyed at the Blue Wolf, utterly stunned. Ye Tianxie: "!!" A wolf Blue Soul A Fate Core Could a Fate Core actually take on a living form!? "It has to be! There''s no way Id mistake the power of a Core of Fate." Guo Guo clutched Ye Tianxie''s clothes, muttering to herself. On the Fates Mark, the sixth hollow from the top had always been an indescribable, irregularly twisted shape. Under the sunlight, a faint blue glow reflected from its surroundings. But this was clearly a wolfan incredibly powerful wolf And at that moment, Ye Tianxie suddenly realized That extremely irregular hole, the one he could never quite determine the shape of before, was strikingly similar to a wolf howling toward the sky! "Big Sis once said that the power of the Cores of Fate is immense. Once they detach from the Fates Mark, they instinctively seek a suitable energy vessel. And with their abilities, even if they don''t seek one out, they have the power to transform themselves into living beings Master, you dont just have to defeat that phoenixyou also have to defeat that wolf. Blue Soul possesses power second only to the purple Core within the Fates Mark. It''s even stronger than Blood Feather Wow! This is amazing! We found both Blood Feather and Blue Soul at the same time!" Ye Tianxie: "" The Blood Phoenix. The Blue Wolf. Either of these creatures alone was powerful enough to shake the entire Lost Continent. Yet both of them existed because of the Cores of Fate within the Fates Mark. Beneath his composed exterior, Ye Tianxie trembled with shockastonished by the sheer power and mystery of the Cores of Fate. He couldnt help but wonder if just a single Core could give birth to such an overwhelming force, then what kind of unimaginable power would the Fates Mark possess once all seven Cores were united? Blood Feather Blue Soul How was he supposed to claim them? The disparity in power between Blood Feather and Blue Soul was now glaringly obvious. The Blood Phoenix, its entire body engulfed in crimson light, had reached the absolute peak of its strength. Yet, all it could do was let out sorrowful cries, its body struggling helplessly within the Blue Wolfs jawsits resistance growing weaker and weaker. -720000, -720000, -720000, -720000 With its full power unleashed, Blue Soul inflicted an astronomical 720,000 damage per second on Blood Feather. If not witnessed firsthand, no player would ever believe that such a game-breaking damage number could appear in Destiny. No one would believe that a beast could grow to such an unfathomable level of power. For any player, numbers like these were beyond reachtrue, unattainable fantasy. And this blue-furred giant wolf Ye Tianxie was certain that if it wished, it could tear Tianchen City apart in an instant. If this creature had truly been born from a Core of Fate then how could he return it to the Fates Mark? Would it be possible to persuade it? Would it willingly return? Subjugate it? Heh not a chance. The Inevitable Fate: A Soul Adrift in the Wind At this moment, the cold, death-like blue-haired man beside Ye Tianxie suddenly moved No, rather than moved, he directly vanishedonly to reappear in an instant beside the entangled blue wolf and blood phoenix No! That was a thousand meters away That was teleportation! The clash between Blood Feather and Blue Soul, both unleashing their full power, produced unimaginable shockwaves. Yet, the blue-haired man stood there, untouched, as if the overwhelming force had no effect on himnot even a single strand of his hair was disturbed. Sensing the blue-haired man''s approach, the blue wolf''s glow intensified, and its eyes shone with an even more dazzling blue light. The blood phoenix, suppressed to the brink of exhaustion, struggled ever more feebly, pinned beneath the wolf''s razor-sharp fangs. Huh? Whats he doing? He looks really powerful. Guoguo widened her bright eyes in wonder. Ye Tianxie: "" The blue-haired man slowly raised his right hand. At that moment, the sky darkened slightly, and a bolt of pitch-black lightning descended from above, striking his palm. The black lightning twisted and crackled taking shapeforming a bizarre sword enveloped in a dark aura. The blade was merely half a meter longlonger than a dagger used by assassins but shorter than a standard sword. The raging lightning coiling around it made it look both mysterious and ominous. Even from a great distance, Ye Tianxie could hear the sword''s electric whispers. The black short sword descended slowly under Ye Tianxie''s gazeso slow it seemed incapable of causing any real destruction. Yet, as it fell, the blood phoenix let out a truly despairing screech Szzz Though the sound came from a thousand meters away, it nearly tore through Ye Tianxies eardrums. The black sword struck the blood phoenixs foreheadprecisely where the crimson feather lay. Alongside the tearing sound came the phoenixs anguished cry. As it howled, the blood feather was torn from its body, swept up like a leaf in a violent storm, soaring far, far away straight toward Ye Tianxie. With the blood feather gone, the blood phoenixs cries abruptly ceased. The crimson glow enveloping its body faded rapidly before its form began to dissolve into the swirling blood mist. From its proud head, to its neck, to its majestic wings, to its entire phoenix body it vanished like a sculpture of dust blown away by the wind. The blue-haired man withdrew his hand, and the black sword in his grasp dissolved into a streak of dark lightning before disappearing entirely. He watched emotionlessly as the blood phoenix faded before him A beast that had thrown all of Skydust City into turmoil had been utterly obliterated, reduced to drifting blood mist under the hands of a man and a wolf completely annihilated, vanishing without a single trace. The towering blue wolfs glow gradually dimmed, and its fierce aura receded completely. Then, its massive body began to shrink at an astonishing speed, transforming in the blink of an eye into a wolf of normal size. It now stood quietly behind the blue-haired man, its menacing wolf eyes unchanged. Blue hair. Blue wolf. There was no doubtthe blue-haired man was an NPC, and an overwhelmingly powerful one at that. There was no way he was a player. And the terrifying blue wolf the wolf formed from the Blue Soul of the Fate Core Could it be his beast? Blood Feather! Blood Feather Master, its the Blood Feather!! As Ye Tianxie was still in shock, Guoguo bounced excitedly on his shoulder, pointing at the crimson feather drifting toward them, her expression frantic as if she had spotted the most delicious food in the world. The blood feather floated closer, reflected in Ye Tianxies pupils until it finally, precisely, landed before him. He extended his hand and grasped itthe feather was as light as air. At that moment, a strange, unsettling force surged from the feather, piercing straight into his soul. His heart trembled, and he quickly gathered his focus, suppressing the chaotic emotions threatening to erupt. Before entering the Skeleton Cavern, he never expected to cross paths with the Blood Phoenix, nor to witness a battle between two mythical beasts. He never imagined the Blood Phoenix would be the Blood Feather itself, let alone that it would perish right before his eyes From the moment the cavern collapse began, everything had become unpredictableshrouded in an eerie, dreamlike unreality. Blood Feather Gazing at the glowing crimson feather in his palm, Ye Tianxie tightened his grip. Instead of questioning Guoguo, he turned toward the blue wolf and the enigmatic blue-haired man. Where the blood phoenix once stood, nothing remainednot even a trace. And now, the blue-haired man and the blue wolf had vanished as well. A flicker of blue caught his eye. Ye Tianxie turned his head just in time to see the blue-haired man and the blue wolf shift through space, appearing right beside him. The mans expression remained as cold and lifeless as ever, his emotionless gaze locking onto Ye Tianxie the moment he arrived. That stare devoid of warmth, gave no indication of his intent, making it impossible to read his thoughts. Behind him, the blue wolf also fixed its terrifying gaze upon Ye Tianxie. Under its piercing eyes, he felt as though two icy daggers were pressed against his body. Who are you? Why did you help me? And how do you know that I needed the Blood Feather? Ye Tianxie broke the silence, his voice steady. The blue wolfs intervention had been no coincidence. Nor had the blue-haired mans. And for him to deliberately send the Blood Feather into Ye Tianxies hands That could never be a coincidence. How did he know Ye Tianxie needed the Blood Feather? Could it be that he knew about the Fate Clock? Your strength alone could never obtain the Blood Feather. So I helped you. The moment the man spoke, Ye Tianxie was taken aback. Beneath his rigid, emotionless expression, his voice was unexpectedly gentlelike a warm, soothing breeze like a whispered caress to a lover. Oh la la, this strange uncle has such a nice voice, Guoguo murmured softly into Ye Tianxies ear. Why help me? Shouldnt you at least tell me your name first? Ye Tianxie remained composed, showing no sign of emotion. As the man had said, it was impossible for him to have obtained the Blood Feather by his own power. Even if he reached level fifty, or even level one hundred, he still wouldnt have stood a chance against the Blood Phoenix. He had to admitthe Blood Phoenix existed on a level that no player could ever hope to reach. And by his response he had all but admitted that he knew Ye Tianxie needed the Blood Feather. The only ones who should have known about the Fate Clock were himself and Guoguo. So how did this man Your Eternal Fate Clock requires it. You require it. The blue-haired mans words confirmed Ye Tianxies suspicions, sending another ripple through his heart. But still, he did not reveal his identity. It seemed something very interesting had been happening behind the scenes without his knowledge. How do you know I have the Fate Clock? Is it because of it? Ye Tianxie shifted his gaze to the blue wolf. If what Guoguo had said was true, then this wolf was the Blue Soul, one of the seven Fate Cores. Perhaps it could sense the presence of the Fate Clock. Was that why the Blood Phoenix had suddenly attacked him? Because it sensed the Fate Clock as well? The blue-haired man did not confirm or deny it. After a brief silence, he finally spoke againwords that made Ye Tianxies brow furrow. It seems youve figured it out. Yes it is Blue Soul. Ye Tianxie: "" Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. "The Fate Cores are seven in total. The Crimson Blood Feather is the weakest, while the Violet Sky Heart is the strongest. From weakest to strongest, they are ranked: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Cyan, Blue, and Violet," the blue-haired man stated coldly. "Although the Fate Cores originally belonged to the Mark of Destiny, each possesses its own independent power and consciousness. Even the weakest, the Blood Feather, can gather spiritual energy and take form as a living being. You must never expect them to return to the Mark of Destiny on their own when you find them." "What are you trying to say?" Ye Tianxie frowned. "If you want to obtain the Blue Soul defeat it." The blue-haired man stepped aside, revealing the blue wolf in Ye Tianxies line of sight. In that instant, an overwhelming pressure crashed down on him, like a towering mountain descending upon his body. His stance wavered, his balance nearly lost. Ye Tianxie clenched his teeth, forcibly steadying himself against the oppressive aura of the blue wolf. He averted his gaze and shook his head. "Right now, I have no chance of defeating it." "In that case, you will never obtain the Blue Soul. The Blood Feather consider it a favor from me." The blue-haired man also shook his head, his expression and gaze still as lifeless and emotionless as before. Ye Tianxie stared at him, his brows not furrowing but instead curling into a faint smile. "So you specifically came to find me." The blue-haired man met his gaze but did not deny it. "Tell me, who are you?" "Defeat me, and you will know Defeat me" The blue-haired man spoke in a low voice, his words carrying an unfamiliar tone that Ye Tianxie could not comprehend. Ye Tianxie: "" "Defeat me Defeat me" The young man repeated the words over and over again, his deathly still face finally showing a trace of emotionan emotion that should not have belonged to him. It was pleading. "Defeat me I beg you, defeat me" The young mans gaze quivered, his eyes shifting as his expression subtly changed sorrow. A sorrow Ye Tianxie could not understand. And yet, at that moment, when he saw that look in the blue-haired mans eyes, Ye Tianxies own vision suddenly blurred. It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck his heart. That gaze Why did it feel so familiar? And why why did it cause a deep pain in his chest? Had he seen him before? Impossible. He was an NPC of this world, and Ye Tianxie was a player. There was no way they could have crossed paths before. Then why why did this familiarity pierce so deep into his soul? "Tell me the reason. I don''t want to do something without a reason." Ye Tianxie''s breath became erratic, his heart pounding in chaotic turmoil, stirred by an inexplicable emotion. "A reason..." The blue-haired man closed his eyes slightly, lifting his flawless face to the sky. In an almost ethereal voice, he murmured, "If you can defeat me, if you can even kill me, I will be eternally grateful with everything I have. And you will obtain the Blue Soul. Otherwise, I can destroy it at any time. Is that reason enough?" Ye Tianxie: "!!" He shook his head, his voice cold. "That is not a reason." "There are things that neither you nor I can escape from in this life, no matter how far we go, no matter if we transcend time and space. It is a fate inescapable, no matter how we try to run. I have no choice and neither do you." The blue-haired man gazed blankly at the sky, speaking words Ye Tianxie could not understand. In that moment, the desolation and sorrow emanating from him reached an unbearable peak, suffocating the atmosphere around them. "Heh if that''s the case, I accept." After a few seconds of silence, Ye Tianxie suddenly lifted his head and gave his answer, without hesitation, without reluctance. The blue-haired man lowered his gaze to look at him. "You are strong. Before I entered this world, I never imagined that the beings here could possess such power. But since you dare to say such words, no matter who you are, I will not refuse. Even though I am nothing before you now, be it ten years or decades from now, one day I will defeat you. Do you know what vow I made when I was ten?" The blue-haired man: "??" Ye Tianxie''s eyes burned like twin flames. "In this world, there will only be those who cannot be defeated by methere will never be anyone I cannot defeat! This world will be no different!" Even though the blue-haired man was shrouded in mystery and immense power, even though he had saved Ye Tianxie from peril, Ye Tianxie never once allowed his presence to overshadow his own spirit. In this world, he had only just taken his first step, his strength among players unmatched, yet insignificant before the true powerhouses of this world. But his pridehis defiancewould bow to no one. A normal player would never compare themselves to an NPC whose power was set far beyond their reach. But Ye Tianxie was the exception. The arrogance buried deep in his soul, forged in blood and pain, had made his heart different from others since childhood. His unwillingness to be surpassed was not innateit was carved into him through a transformation of flesh and spirit. The blue-haired man fixed his gaze on him, staring into his eyes. Then, suddenly, he laughed. It was a soft, gentle laugh. With his flawless face, his smile possessed an irresistible charm, a lethal beauty. And yet, despite his smile, Ye Tianxie felt a sudden, inexplicable pain in his heart. That smile why did it feel so hauntingly familiar? "I will wait for the day you can defeat me." He smiled as he spoke. At this moment, he truly looked humanlike a real, living person with emotions, not just an empty shell. "I will help you one last time. After that, you must rely on yourself Tianxie." Ye Tianxie: "" Tianxie he called him Tianxie!? Tianxiehis name in the real world. The name she had given him. Only she ever called him that. But in this game, his name was Xietian! A coincidence? Or "You" Before Ye Tianxie could speak, the blue-haired man reached out and grabbed his arm. In an instant, the world around them turned blank and void. Spatial teleportation. The thought barely formed in Ye Tianxie''s mind before the white void was replaced by color once more. But the scene that unfolded before him was entirely different from the one just moments before. "Tianxie, farewell. When the time is right, we will meet again." Before Ye Tianxie could even take in his surroundings, the blue-haired man''s emotionless voice reached his ears. He spun around quickly. "Wait! You haven''t told me where this is And tell mehave we met before!?" An NPC in a game. A player from the real world. Two people who should never have had any connection. The question Ye Tianxie asked was absurd by any logic. But the tremors in his heart forced him to ask it. He needed an answer. "You will soon know where you are Many answers can only be found through your own strength, through your own eyes, through your own heart. Otherwise, even if you hear them from another, you will neither believe nor be at peace Farewell." Ye Tianxie: "" His voice was as elusive as drifting clouds in the cold wind, impossible to grasp, blurring the line between truth and illusion. The blue-haired man turned and walked away, the blue wolf silently following him. Ye Tianxie instinctively stepped forward to call out again but suddenly sensed something. His eyes snapped toward his surroundings. Only then did he realizehe stood at the very edge of a bottomless abyss. A true abyss, vast beyond sight. Before him stretched an endless expanse of darkness, merging with the blue sky at a distant horizon. And belownothing but an unfathomable void, swallowing all light. Where is this place? Shaking off his shock, Ye Tianxie turned swiftly, staring at the blue-haired mans departing figure. He had appeared out of nowhere, taken him to this strange place, and then left, just like that. A man of unfathomable mystery and undeniable allure. Everything about himhis expression, his gazetold Ye Tianxie that he was someone half-dead. No matter how perfect his appearance, no matter how unparalleled his strength, he could never truly be happy. Even deeper, hidden in his eyes, Ye Tianxie saw something elsea desire for death. He wanted to die. But somethingsomething he had to doheld him back, anchoring him to life. It was the only thing keeping him from ending it all. This was the only truth Ye Tianxie could decipher from him. And yet, even knowing that why did it weigh so heavily on his heart? Who is he? What has he been through? And why why do his eyes Wait!! That back that silhouette It was fading from his sight, becoming more distant. Then, as if struck by a bolt of lightning, Ye Tianxie trembled violently, his entire body shuddering. That back "WAIT! STOP RIGHT THERE!!" A near-hysterical roar tore from Ye Tianxie''s throat. Like a madman, he lunged forward, chasing that distant figure with everything he had. Wind howled past his ears. His chest felt like it would explode. At that moment, he forgot everythinghis thoughts, his breath, the world itself. Only that silhouette remained. That silhouette which overlapped with an unerasable memory. With every ounce of strength, with all his will, he ran, screaming for him to stop. The blue-haired man hesitated. That desperate, anguished cry froze him in place for an instant. The blue wolf halted, gazing silently at its master. The man lifted his head toward the colorless sky, closing his eyes filled with bittersweet sorrow. A hand lifted, waved gently behind him. A sudden gust surged forth. Ye Tianxie, still screaming, was swept into the air. The force flung him backward, his body tracing an arc through the sky And then, he fell. Into the abyss. The blue-haired man turned back, staring blankly at where Ye Tianxie had stood. His lips moved, barely whispering "Xiao Tian" Closing his eyes, he turned away. He had no goal, no direction. He didnt know where the road ahead would lead him, nor did he know where he was meant to go next. The desolate wind whispered through the air, carrying scattered leaves that drifted down from nowhere, twirling in the breeze with an air of quiet sorrow and loneliness. A man and a wolfhe was not alone, for a steadfast companion was always by his side. Yet his presence, his expression, his very silhouette radiated an overwhelming solitude. Though he moved forward, he stirred no trace of life; even the fallen leaves at his feet seemed more present than he was. His footsteps were steady but silent, as if even the air around him had grown bleak in his wake. Without realizing it, he had reached the peak of a withered hill, only noticing when the path before him ceased to exist. He stood there, unmoving, his eyes as lifeless as still water, staring blankly ahead. But in that void, he saw no color, no destination, no way forward. The cold wind brushed past him, lifting his flowing blue hair, but it could not so much as ripple the emptiness in his heart. At that moment, he was nothing more than a man still breathingyet devoid of a soul. The Abyss and the Dragon’s Secret The Blue Wolf silently stopped behind him. After a long silence, it finally raised its head, and from its slightly open mouth came an unmistakably human voice: "Master... You came back from hell just to see him, didn''t you? So why, now that you''ve finally met him, do you refuse to acknowledge him?" "What does it matter whether I acknowledge him or not...?" The blue-haired mans voice was light and indifferent, fading away into the wind. "I am nothing more than a wandering ghost who should have ceased to exist long ago. What right do I have to disrupt his life? I only wish to watch over him from afar... to wait for the day he defeats me. Then, I can finally close my eyes in peace and return to where I belong. The only thing I can do is give him a reason to grow stronger, a purpose to pursue." To give him a reason to grow stronger That was the only reason he was still alive. The Blue Wolf remained silent. After a brief hesitation, it spoke again. "Master... Have you not noticed? It seems he has already recognized you." The blue-haired man slowly closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they were as lifeless as still water. "The person I am now is no longer who I once was. My life, my body everything has changed, except for this broken soul. Even I can no longer recognize myself. He he wouldn''t either." "But" "Lan Po, lets go." His voice was cold, his footsteps rising as he walked toward an unknown future. A shattered heart A shattered life A shattered soul He was nothing but a lone, wandering ghost, struggling back from the depths of hell. A lone wolf. A solitary wolf. Nameless.
From light to dusk, then into utter darkness. Guo Guos voice rang out, caught between panic and excitement. The wind howled past, sharp as blades slicing against their skin. For anyone plunging into a bottomless abyss, the instinctive reaction would be to squeeze their eyes shut, thrash in fear, and scream in terror. But Ye Tianxie remained motionless, as if stunned. There was no shock, no fear, no paniconly a dazed, vacant expression. In his mind, the blue-haired mans departing figure lingered that silhouette He shook his head violently, trying to convince himself It couldnt be him. It was impossible. He was dead, had been dead for many years And even if he were alive, his appearance was completely differenthe never had blue hair. He couldn''t be an NPC in this world; they were two people who should never have intersected. But why why did his eyes feel so familiar? So familiar that they pierced his heart like a blade. When he saw that departing back, the realization struck him like lightning. That year. That silhouette. The last sight he had of him. He would never forget it. Because that was the last time he saw the one who had always protected himthe one who had given his life to save him. And yet, a voice deep inside whispered A persons face can change. Their body can change. Their voice, their hair, even their identity can change. But the soul in their eyes, and the back that belongs only to themthose never change.
"Ahhh! Master! Masterahhh!! Its so high, so dark, so scary!" Guo Guos frantic cries finally snapped Ye Tianxie out of his daze. Though she kept shouting about how terrifying it was, there was no real fear in her voiceif anything, she sounded more excited than scared. The abyss where was this place? The wind had been howling past his ears for what felt like an eternity. Darkness enveloped everything, and yet, the bottom was still nowhere in sight. This bottomless chasm was terrifyingly deep. From this height, he should have already died dozens of times over. Why did he bring me here? And why did he deliberately push me down? "Whoa! Master, master! So scary!" Guo Guos tiny body was floating effortlesslynormally, she could fly, so this kind of freefalling was something she had never experienced. The only reason she was falling now was because she was clinging onto Ye Tianxies hair for dear life. The sharp pain almost made him tear up. Listening to her excited shrieks, Ye Tianxie could already picture her flailing in the air with wide eyes. Little girls loved thrilling things, and Guo Guo was no exception. Was she really scared of falling? Even a ghost wouldnt believe that! "Where is this place?" Ye Tianxie frowned. Even in a situation that could break anyones will, he remained eerily calm. In a moment like this, the more one panicked, the closer they were to death. Only by staying composed could one grasp the faintest sliver of hope. His voice, distorted by the wind, still reached Guo Guo clearly. "Dunno! Master, where are we?" "" If I knew, why would I be asking you!? Ye Tianxies frown deepened. Right now, figuring out his location wasnt the priority. Why he had been brought here and pushed down no longer mattered. What mattered most was how to survive this fall! No matter how deep an abyss was, it had to have an end. And at this height, the moment he hit the ground, he would undoubtedly die. The deafening wind drowned out all other sounds. Remaining completely calm in this situation was nearly impossible. As he continued to fall, Ye Tianxie narrowed his eyes, scanning his surroundings but all he saw was darkness. Then suddenly, an idea flashed through his mind. He swiftly reached into his inventory and pulled out a scroll, crushing it instantly. Ding You have used the skill scrollNether Mist. You have obtained the skill [Nether Mist]. When activated, it conjures a mist infused with the power of death, cushioning the body and slowing descent. Consumes 20 MP. Duration: 5 seconds. Can be canceled anytime. Cooldown: 30 seconds. Nether Mist a skill that slowed falling speed. It was a seemingly useless ability dropped by a young Undead Monarch. Yet at this moment, it had become his only lifeline. Ye Tianxie didnt activate it immediately. Instead, he focused, shutting out the wind and Guo Guos shouting, concentrating on the airflow beneath him. If he used Nether Mist too soon, its effect would wear off before he landed and if he was still in freefall during the cooldown, the result would be catastrophic. His best chance to survive was to time it perfectlyactivating the skill so that the effect ended just as he touched the ground. But in complete darkness, with no way to see the bottom, how could anyone time it so perfectly? Closing his eyes, Ye Tianxie shut out everything, relying entirely on his senses. He focused on the airflow beneath him. When an object falls, it creates a downward draft. The closer it gets to the ground, the more the airflow changes. One minute. Two minutes. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Three minutes Three minutes had passed, yet he was still falling. The terrifying depth of this abyss far exceeded his imagination. But he remained motionless, utterly focusedbecause this was the moment his life depended on. No matter where he was, even in a game world, he would never accept his own "death." The wind roared on. When five minutes had passed, a faint disturbance in the air made Ye Tianxies nerves tense. His brow furrowed slightly. Half a second One second Two seconds Ye Tianxies eyes snapped open, and his lips moved. "Nether Mist!" A pale gray mist materialized beneath him. His body, once in freefall, immediately slowed as the mist cushioned him. "Eh?" Guo Guo blinked in surprise. "What happened?" His fall slowedslower and slower. The ground was near. Three seconds Four seconds Five BANG! His entire body shook violently. For a split second, he thought his bones had shattered. But he was alive. His health bar? Almost completely emptyonly 12 HP remaining. Was this sheer luck? Dragging his sore body upright, he exhaled. A disaster avoided. But now, it was time to figure outwhere was this place? And why had he been sent here? At the bottom of the abyss, there was no doubtnothing but absolute darkness, devoid of the slightest glimmer of light. No radiance could possibly seep through. However, just as Ye Tianxie took out the Light Element Lamp given to him by the little girl Sasha in Fallen Wind Town, Guo Guo''s voice suddenly drew his attention. Huh? Master, look! Theres something shining over there, twinkling just like the little stars in the sky. Even in the midst of this darkness, Ye Tianxie strangely realized that he could see Guo Guos figure clearly. It was as if her body was emitting a peculiar glow, making her fully visible. Yet, curiously enough, this light didnt affect her surroundingsthe area around her remained pitch-black. In this dark world, a tiny girl, no larger than half an adults arm, floated around curiously. The scene momentarily stunned Ye Tianxie. There was no denying ittoo many mysteries surrounded Guo Guo. Following the direction she pointed, Ye Tianxie immediately spotted the light. In this world of absolute darkness, such a singular glow should have been easy to notice, but it was so minuscule that it was nearly imperceptible. This either meant that the light was emanating from an extremely tiny object or that it was very, very far away. Lets go check it out. Ye Tianxie reached out, catching Guo Guo, who was twirling in the air and blinking curiously at her surroundings. Placing her on his shoulder, he stepped toward the light. To his surprise, the ground at the bottom of this abyss was unnaturally smooth. There were no uneven surfaces, not even a single loose stone underfoot. Ye Tianxie couldnt help but grow suspicious. The natural bottom of such an abyss should have been rugged and irregular, not this unnaturally level surface unlesssomeone had deliberately flattened it. His footsteps slowed slightly. A world of darkness, the depths of an abysscould there be terrifying creatures lurking here? Or perhaps something even more extraordinary? After all, the very fact that he had been able to enter this map was a miracle, and its existence was unlikely to be purely incidental. Half an hour passed, yet the path remained smooth. Ye Tianxie hadnt encountered any barriers, nor had he stumbled over anything. Meanwhile, the faint light ahead grew larger, unmistakably closer. A strange sensation stirred deep within himan indescribable feeling, a subtle tremor within his body and soul, as if something within him was responding, resonating with the presence of that light. Tap. Tap. Tap. His footsteps echoed sharply in the stillness. As he drew closer, the speck of light expanded into a small glowing mass. Walking further, he suddenly found himself right before itso close that he nearly touched it. This was A crystal? A glowing crystal? It was a perfectly round sphere, about a meter in diameter, resting on a stone pedestal nearly as tall. Its entire surface was transparent and pristine, exuding a gentle white radiance from an unknown source. Though its glow wasnt intense, in this world of darkness, it stood out strikingly. Wow! Such a big glass ball! And it glows Huh? Thats weird. Why does it glow? Guo Guo hovered around the big glass ball in fascination. The mere presence of such an object in the depths of an abyss was brimming with an almost surreal sense of fantasy. Huh? Guo Guo let out a small exclamation, suddenly pausing mid-air before pressing herself against the sphere. Master, look! Theres something inside this big glass ball! Mm, I see it, Ye Tianxie responded, his brows furrowing as his gaze locked onto the center of the crystal sphere. Inside it, there was a slumbering creature. At first glance, Ye Tianxie could tell it was a foxbut not an ordinary one. His mind immediately conjured up an image of the rare and exquisite snow foxes he had only ever seen on television. Its entire body was covered in flawless white fur, so pure that not a single imperfection could be found. It was the kind of white that was utterly pristine, like freshly fallen snow. The small foxs body was about the same size as Guo Guos. Its tiny, pointed ears stood erect, its black nose glistened like a black diamond, and its eyes were tightly shut. It lay curled up, motionless, within the center of the crystal spherehow long had it been in this position? A snow fox, sealed within a glowing crystal at the bottom of an abyss The sheer enigma of it all swirled in Ye Tianxies mind. He reached out his hand toward the sphere. Do not touch it. The voice wasnt loud, but it was heavylike a massive stone striking his heart. Ye Tianxies body jolted slightly, and his outstretched hand froze midair. He lifted his head, narrowing his eyes as he looked toward the source of the voice. Someone was standing before him, making no effort to conceal their presence. Wow! A voice! Someones here! Guo Guos excitement was evident, but it couldnt compare to the tremor Ye Tianxie felt deep within. Just what kind of secrets lay hidden in this mysterious realm of Destiny? How intriguing. There were no audible footsteps, yet a figure emerged from the darkness, becoming increasingly distinct in Ye Tianxies vision. A man clad in a pitch-black cloak, which nearly enveloped his entire form. The hood obscured most of his face, making it impossible to discern his features. But one thing was certainthis was a living, breathing person. A mix of surprise and caution rose within Ye Tianxie. Adjusting his breath, he asked, Who are you? That is a question I should be asking you. The mans voice was calm, yet devoid of warmth. Human, I am surprised that you have managed to reach this place but this is not where you belong. Judging by the depth of his voice, he was likely an elderly man. Yet, the immense weight and pressure carried within his words made Ye Tianxies heart tighten. We have never sought conflict with your kind, and I have no desire to make things difficult for you. Leave at oncethere is nothing here for you. The cloaked man slightly raised his head, his gaze flashing with a brief yet piercing coldness that sent a sharp tremor through Ye Tianxies heart. His words He referred to him as human. He also said, We do not seek conflict with humans. The abyss A sudden realization flickered in Ye Tianxies mind. He swiftly grasped onto the forming thought, focusing his consciousness. Youre a dragon? Ye Tianxies voice carried a tone of questionyet within it, unmistakable certainty. At that moment, he sensed a slight fluctuation in the immense pressure surrounding him. The last sliver of doubt within him vanished. His gaze shifted toward the radiant crystal sphere as if deep in thought. At the same time, the image of a blue-haired manhis cold expression and lonely silhouetteflashed through his mind. So, this was what he meant by helping him But how had he known? Even Ye Tianxie himself hadnt been aware of this before meeting Kong Xiu. But you are not a dragon, the elders voice responded. However, he no longer told Ye Tianxie to leave. It seemed that his words had sparked genuine interestor perhaps, after so many years of solitude, he simply did not wish for the first person he could converse with to leave so soon. How do you know Im not? Ye Tianxie asked with a smile. The elder fell silent. A few seconds later, the powerful aura suddenly vanished. The figure before him slowly raised his head, revealing an utterly ordinary yet unforgettable elderly face. His eyes, clear and devoid of any murkiness, locked onto Ye Tianxie. "It seems that years of solitude have dulled my spiritual perception. I didn''t realize it before, but your body carries the power of dragons Though your blood is not of pure dragon lineage, we dragons have never shunned the union with humans. Tell me, what is your name?" A union between dragons and humans? Ye Tianxies mind stirred. Kong Xiu hadnt lied to him. Even this old man could sense the presence of dragon energy within him. But what truly caught him off guard was the implication in the old mans wordsthat he was born from the union of a human and a dragon. He found the idea somewhat amusing but chose not to voice it. In a game, such notions might be acceptable, but in the real world, it would be outright ridiculous. Were his parents supposed to be dragons? Thinking of his deceased parents, Ye Tianxies expression dimmed momentarily before returning to normal. But why? Why had both Kong Xiu and this old man detected dragon energy within him? Was it some peculiar setting of this world, or was there a deeper reason? Right now, he had no answer. "Xietian," Ye Tianxie finally spoke, revealing his name in this world. "Xietian?" The old man murmured the name, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before he asked, "Who was your mother? And your father?" Ye Tianxie remained silent for a moment, then shook his head indifferently. "Theyve been gone for a long time. Ive already forgotten their names." "Then who guided you here?" The old man showed no surprise at his response, his tone as calm as still water. "Fate." "Good" The old man nodded. The rigid tension in his expression eased for the first time. Taking a few steps forward, he stood directly before Ye Tianxie, his voice steady. "The hesitation in your gaze tells me that while you have arrived here, you do not fully understand why. In truth, though you carry the power of dragons, this is not a place where you belong. However, if fate has led you here, then I shall honor its will." Ye Tianxie lifted his head, meeting the old mans gaze head-on. The Impossible Coexistence: Light and Darkness as One "I am the current guardian of the Dragon ClanLong Moy. I have been guarding the Hidden Dragon Abyss for thousands of years. Over the years, although you are not the first ''dragon'' to come here, you are the first to appear in human form." Ye Tianxie remained silent, waiting for him to continue while imprinting the name "Long Moy" in his mind. "Among beasts, only those who have reached the Saint Extinction Realm can acquire the ability to take human form. However, for our Dragon Clan, this ability is granted upon reaching the Divine Profound Levela privilege bestowed upon us by the heavens. At present, there are only four of us in the Dragon Clan who possess this ability, including myself. Yet, your dragon power is incredibly weakso faint that if I werent sensing with my full strength, I wouldnt even be able to detect its existence. And yet, you are able to maintain a human form. Do you know why?" "I dont." This question truly puzzled Ye Tianxie Why? Because he was a human, after all! A real, living human from a world without dragons Was this old man seriously mistaking him for a dragon? That aside, if dragons could only take human form upon reaching the Divine Profound Level, then this elderly mans strength was at least at that levelcomparable to the terrifying blue wolf that followed the blue-haired man. What did he originally look like as a dragon? Would he resemble the legendary five-clawed golden dragon of Chinese mythology? Witnessing a real dragon in this world would surely be a far greater shock than seeing one on a screen. The old man raised his eyes to meet his and slowly said, "That is because you are the child of a human and a dragon. If the father is a dragon and the mother is human, the offspring will be born as a dragon and can only take human form after reaching the Divine Profound Level. However, if the mother is a dragon and the father is human, the child will be born as a human. The dragon power within them remains in a dormant state, awakening at an extremely slow ratesometimes never fully awakening in a lifetime. Such individuals can eventually take on a dragon form once they reach a certain level of strength. You, on the other handyour father was human, and your mother was a dragon. Because your dragon power was never naturally awakened, you have remained in human form. As you are now, you can only be called a human, not a dragon." Ye Tianxies lips twitched. He suddenly wanted to laugh His father was humanthat he could accept. But his mother was a dragon? Heh. Thinking back to his childhood, to that ever-gentle mother, a sharp pain pricked at his heart. No matter how much time or distance had passed, the bond of family could never be severed. Even though more than a decade had gone by and he had grown into an adult, every time he thought of that nightmare-like night, a storm of rage threatened to explode within his chest. "You have come here with a purpose, havent you? To awaken your dragon power," Long Moy stated, his words carrying a heavy weight. "Thats right." Ye Tianxie nodded and shifted his gaze to the crystalline sphere before him. "It is said that the Dragon God Stone can initiate the awakening of a dragons soul power. If Im not mistaken this must be the Dragon God Stone." Hidden Dragon Abyss Dragon God Stone Everything that Kong Xiu had once mentioned, with great uncertainty, now lay before him in full clarity. What had seemed like a sudden misfortunebeing pushed into the abyss by the blue-haired manhad now become an unexpected opportunity. According to Kong Xiu, if he used the Dragon God Stone to awaken his power, he would be able to obtain a unique classjust like the strongest warrior, Nameless, who had created his own profession based solely on his own strength. "Thats correct. This is the Dragon God Stone, the very thing I have sworn to guard with my entire life." The old man nodded slightly. When his gaze fell upon the Dragon God Stone, it became solemn and devout, as though it were more than just an artifactit was a sacred belief more important than his own existence. "Since ancient times, our Dragon Clan and humanity have been allies. There has never been conflict between us. Though you are human, you carry the blood of our clan. More importantly, I do not sense any wickedness or malice within you. For that reason, you are fully qualified to use the Dragon God Stone to awaken your dragon soul." Ye Tianxie smiled. Anticipation, longing, and hope surged within him, but even more than thatcuriosity. Curiosity about the strange experiences that had led him here What was the truth behind it all? "It seems you are eager," Long Moy noted the change in his expression and took a few steps back, making way. "The Dragon God Stone was forged by the greatest Dragon God of our history, at the cost of his life and all his power. However, its purpose was not originally to serve as a catalyst for awakening dragon power. It was created to imprison an unimaginably fearsome enemy. Against such an enemy, that was the only solution. From then on, the Dragon God Stone has always been guarded by a powerful dragon, who would continuously infuse it with dragon power to prevent its seal from weakening. A hundred years later, our clan discovered that the immense and pure dragon energy within the stone could awaken the latent power of our kind. From then on, the Dragon God Stone became even more significant to us. You may now use it to awaken your slumbering dragon soul." To imprison a fearsome enemy? A fearsome enemy? Could it be Ye Tianxies gaze fell upon the Dragon God Stone. Within the faintly glowing crystal, a single creature lay sealed. That so-called terrifying enemy was the little fox inside? The one that looked so adorable, so harmless, that he felt an urge to pick it up and take it home? "This little fox?" Ye Tianxie turned and pointed at the snow-white fox at the center of the Dragon God Stone. Long Moy remained composed, unsurprised by his question. "It is the fearsome beast our greatest Dragon God sealed away. Too much time has passedits origins and the full extent of its power are no longer known. All we know is that our Dragon God called it the Xuan Fox." "Xuan Fox" "Do not be deceived by its appearance Today, the Lost Continent belongs to humans, but long ago, it was ruled by beasts, locked in endless brutal conflicts. Our Dragon Clan once guarded the southern lands. The Dragon God of that time, it was said, had reached the peak of the Saint Extinction Realmthere was no beast in the Lost Continent that could rival him. Just when he had pushed the northern beasts to the brink of annihilation the Xuan Fox appeared for the first time. What happened next is lost to history, but we do know one thingthe Dragon God sacrificed his life and all his power, just to seal it away. That alone speaks of its terrifying nature." Ye Tianxie: "" Glancing at the peacefully slumbering little fox, he still failed to find anything remotely "terrifying" about it. But then again, one should never judge a beast by its appearance Just what kind of creature was it? "How do I use the Dragon God Stone?" Ye Tianxie redirected the conversation, his eyes burning with determination. The closer he had gotten to this place, the more he had felt an indescribable stirring within his body. That sensationcould it be a resonance between his power and the Dragon God Stone? Wait Ye Tianxies heart suddenly jolted. Resonance? If that were true, then did that mean the power inside him was real? And the mysterious ability he possessed in the real worldcould it be similar to this worlds dragon soul power? "Relax your body, clear your mind of distractions, place your hand on the Dragon God Stone, and silently attune yourself to its energy. When your power and the stones power connect, your dragon soul will naturally awaken." Ye Tianxie nodded, stepping forward and pressing his hand onto the Dragon God Stone. "Save me" The ethereal voice echoed once more. This time, Ye Tianxie heard it clearlyso clearly that all doubts vanished. The voice it was truly coming from within his mind. He steadied his spirit and cautiously responded in his thoughts, Who are you? To his astonishment, his voice reached the other side. The response came from the girls voice, now tinged with a trembling excitement. Weak and frail, it carried a desperate urgency as it faded with each word: This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. You in front save me The voice grew weaker and weaker until it finally disappeared into silence. In front? Ye Tianxies pupils suddenly contracted sharply. His gaze locked onto the scene before himonto the small fox within the Dragon God Stone. Was it it!? There was nothing else before him. Only it Was it the one calling for help? Trapped for so many years, yet still alive? Still conscious!? At that moment, Ye Tianxie fully grasped just how terrifying this little fox was. The era of beasts stretched back millionsperhaps tens of millionsof years. Sealed within the Dragon Gods power since that ancient time, and yet, even now it had not perished! And more than thatit was a beast. So why was it speaking to him in a human voice? A voice that sounded just like a young girls? "I''m sorry, but I can''t help you." Perhaps the other party had exhausted all its remaining strength, for no voice came again. Ye Tianxie didn''t care whether it could still hear himhe rejected it outright. To save it? Even if he truly wanted to, the first thing he would have to do was destroy the Dragon God Stone. That was something he simply could not do. Even if he had the power, he wouldn''t dare. From the way Long Mo Cliff looked at the Dragon God Stone, Ye Tianxie could tell what it meant to the dragon race. Forget whether anyone even had the ability to destroy itif someone truly did, they would face the wrath and relentless pursuit of the entire dragon race. As the most powerful race on the Lost Continent, one that even humans revered and worshipped, who would dare provoke these supreme beings? And if this little fox was truly as formidable as it seemed, who would dare release it without considering the consequences? If it was a ferocious beastone that the Dragon God had been willing to sacrifice its own life to sealwho in this world could possibly stop it? Ye Tianxie hesitated no longer. He placed his palm against the Dragon God Stone. Instantly, a wave of energy surged through him. The sensation reminded him of the Summoning Stone that had shattered in Tianchen City because of him. These two divine stones had many similaritiesbefore their power could be used, one first had to establish a connection through touch. But there was a difference. The Summoning Stone probed strength and potential through this connection, assessing its wielder''s power. The Dragon God Stone, however, used the wielders energy to awaken the dormant Dragon Powerwithin them. The moment his palm made contact, the pristine white glow of the Dragon God Stone spread from his hand, enveloping his entire body. A warm sensation surged through him, as though he had been submerged in a hot spring. Long Mo Cliff nodded slightly and said, "Not bad. As I suspected, you do possess an unawakened dragon soul within you. Otherwise, the Dragon God Stone would not have reacted. Though you carry dragon power, your essence leans more toward humanity. For those born of a human father and a dragon mother, their dragon power awakens very slowly without the Dragon God Stonesome may never awaken it fully in their lifetime. However, because they possess dragon blood, even if they never awaken their dragon power, they will still be far stronger than normal humans. Their bodies are more resilient, their strength many times greater. Because we dragons possess the strongest bodies and the mightiest power." Ye Tianxie remained motionless, his eyes tightly shut, immersed in the familiar yet burning sensation surging through him. Though his body was absorbed in the process, his mind still clearly registered Long Mo Cliffs words. Suddenly, a bright white light flickered across the Dragon God Stone. Compared to the stones usual glow, this radiance was purerdazzlingly pristine, flawless beyond measure. It was a white so pure that no impurities existed within it, a holy light untouched by any blemish. At the same time, the same divine glow enveloped Ye Tianxie. Long Mo Cliff''s expression shifted, a deep astonishment appearing in his eyes. Light Your dragon soul power possesses the attribute of Light?! Ye Tianxie: "" Long Mo Cliff continued, his voice carrying a hint of awe. "Our dragon race boasts the strongest bodies and power, ruling supreme with overwhelming offense and defense. If we were to categorize it, dragons follow the path of sheer physical might. We typically do not possess elemental attributes. However, some dragons of extraordinary talent can break this rule. They are born with an innate elemental attributewithin their dragon power. Since the dawn of the dragon race, only a handful of dragons have ever been born with an attribute. Such dragons surpass even their kin in power. And once a dragon with elemental power appears, they are destined to become one of the strongest within the dragon race. Currently, throughout all of dragonkinds long history, only two dragons have ever possessed an elemental attribute. One of them inherited the Darkness attribute, reaching the peak of the Sacred Extinction Realm. The other, possessing the Light attribute, became the strongest among the three dragons that attained the Divine Profound Realm. And you a human actually possess Light-attributed dragon power?" Long Mo Cliff struggled to hide his shock. Ye Tianxies sudden emergence as a wielder of Light Dragon Power was completely unprecedented. Only dragons with purest bloodlines had ever possessed such attributes. Not a single mixed-blood dragon had ever been able to manifest one. Yet this half-human, half-dragon, whose nature leaned more toward humanity, had done the impossible. Even more impossibly, his dragon power had not even been awakened before today. How could this be? And this wasnt some result of light magicthe Dragon God Stone only reacted to dragon power, not to any other force. Long Mo Cliff took a deep breath. "The dragon race can only manifest two attributes: Light and Darkness. Dragons of Light are called Holy Radiance Dragonsthey possess not only the unmatched physical strength of all dragons but also extraordinary abilities of protection, healing, and even Light-based attacks. Dragons of Darkness are called Dark Abyss Dragonsthey wield destruction, wielding terrifying, dreadful powers of the abyss. Whether a dragon inherits Light or Darkness is not just a matter of talent, but also of their heart. A dragon whose heart aligns with the Sacred Path will, if they are exceptionally gifted, manifest the Light attribute. A dragon whose heart is drawn toward chaos and possesses immense talent may awaken Darkness instead. A Dark Dragon is not necessarily evilDarkness does not equal sin. However, they will never be a force of good either. Right now, the King of Dragons is a Holy Radiance Dragon. But the most powerful Dark Abyss Dragon disappeared long ago, vanishing from the dragon race entirely. Despite his unmatched strength, his dark nature meant he could never fulfill the dragon race''s sacred duty of protection." Long Mo Cliff carefully explained everything, knowing that the existence of a Light Dragon Power-wielding humanwould shake the dragon race to its very core. More importantlyhaving Light Dragon Power meant that Ye Tianxie possessed a Sacred Heart. He could not be an evil person. As the sacred white glow on Ye Tianxie intensified, the burning sensation within him remained, and a strange feeling of expansion and contraction pulsed within his chest. Power. Something was awakening inside him, integrating into his very beingbecoming his power. Dragon power did not awaken instantly. It was a slow process. Long Mo Cliff fell silent, observing as Ye Tianxie''s Dragon Power continued to grow, bit by bit. And then Something happened. Something that left Long Mo Cliff utterly horrified. The holy radiance surrounding Ye Tianxie suddenly vanished. Disappearing completelywithout a single trace. Even the sacred glow on the Dragon God Stone faded entirely, leaving only its original white sheen. Before Long Mo Cliff could even register his shock, a pitch-black radiance erupted into his vision. In an instantall light vanished. Everything was swallowed by darkness. The only thing still visible was Ye Tianxie''s bodyand the Dragon God Stone, now pulsing with a deep, abyssal black glow. Darkness Long Mo Cliff''s heart almost stopped. His normally calm, unshaken face went blank for three full seconds before a voice of absolute disbelief escaped his lips: "Darkness Dragon Power of Darkness?!" "Impossible... Impossible...! How can the power of Light and the power of Darkness exist together? This is impossible!" Long Moya''s eyes widened in disbelief, his voice barely more than a murmur. He was so stunned that he didn''t even notice when his hood slipped from his head, revealing his long, snow-white hair. But it wasn''t just himany member of the Dragon Clan who witnessed this scene would be just as shocked, unable to believe their own eyes. Light and darkness were not meant to coexist... Those who awakened the power of Light were beings with compassionate and virtuous hearts, embodying the sacred path. In contrast, those who possessed the power of Darkness carried a cold, shadowed soul steeped in the ways of the abyss. These two utterly opposing natures, these irreconcilable spirits, should nevercould neverexist within the same being. What in the world was happening? The dark radiance surrounding Ye Tianxie pulsed violently, its eerie glow reflecting in Long Moyas shaken eyes. Then, in the span of a heartbeat, the oppressive black aura weakenedonly to be instantly replaced by the holy light from before. For a brief moment, the darkness receded, and the world was illuminated once more. Yet in Long Moyas mind, all he could see was the haunting image of that pitch-black glow. But the light didnt last. Just like before, it dimmed, struggled for a few seconds, and was once again swallowed by the abyssal darkness, plunging the surroundings into an oppressive void. Three seconds later, the darkness was banished once more by light. Then again, it was overtaken by shadow. Light and darkness began to alternate in rapid succession, first shifting every few seconds, then every second, and soon, flickering back and forth multiple times in a single heartbeat... The Shattered Dragon God Stone and the Mysterious Snow Fox The surrounding space flickered between darkness and light. The moment light appeared, it was instantly swallowed by darkness; the moment darkness formed, it was immediately dispelled by light. These two opposing, mutually exclusive forces seemed to be waging a relentless battle for existence, each striving to assert its dominance while expelling the other. Yet, Ye Tianxie remained motionless, his eyes closed, his expression as calm as still waterneither joy nor sorrow touched his face, as if he was completely unaware of the changes occurring around him. The flickering light illuminated the aged face of Long Moya. He remained silent, his stiff and dazed expression fixated on Ye Tianxie and the transformation of the Dragon God Stone. Never before had his heart trembled with such intensity. This was an unimaginable anomaly, a miracle beyond comprehension. After his initial shock subsided, an insatiable desire took hold within himhe was desperate to see the outcome. What would happen when dragon power, imbued with both light and darkness, was awakened? What kind of force would ultimately emerge? Would it be the power of light, the power of darkness, or would the two opposing forces neutralize each other, leaving only ordinary dragon power? Or perhaps The fourth possibilitya theoretically impossible outcomemade his heart pound wildly once more. The alternating flashes of light and darkness continued for several minutes. Apart from this strange phenomenon, the area was eerily silent, so quiet it was unsettling. Even Guo Guo had retreated to a safe distance, her wide eyes and open mouth fixed on the transformation taking place within her master. Unlike Long Moyas shock, however, her expression reflected fascination and excitementas though she were witnessing something novel and thrilling. And beneath it all, a deeply buried sense of exhilaration. Finally, the scene changed once more, and this time, what unfolded before Long Moyas eyes nearly caused them to burst from their sockets. The ceaseless alternation of light and darkness ceased. On Ye Tianxies body and the Dragon God Stoneboth light and darkness now coexisted simultaneously. On the left side of Ye Tianxies body, an intense, sacred radiance shone so brightly that it was nearly impossible to gaze upon. It was pure, untainted light, untouched by any other force. Meanwhile, on the right side, a darkness as deep as an endless abyss enveloped him. It was not just ordinary darknessit was deeper, more unfathomable than any Long Moya had ever encountered. It felt as if anything caught within it would fall into an eternal, inescapable abyss. At the center of Ye Tianxies body, as well as the very core of the Dragon God Stone, a stark and piercing boundary separated light from darkness. Light and darkness had defied natural law, coexisting within a single vessel. The light did not dispel the darkness, nor did the darkness consume the light. This was a phenomenon beyond reason, a sight that shattered all understandinga reality so impossible that it took tangible form upon Ye Tianxie and the Dragon God Stone. Ye Tianxies eyes remained closed, yet at some point, his brows furrowed slightly, as though he were enduring an overwhelming sensation. At the same time, Long Moyas eyes widened to their absolute limit. As a dragon with divine-level strength, how could he not perceive it? The left side of Ye Tianxies body emanated a dragon force imbued with light, while the right side exuded dragon force steeped in darkness. It was it was truly happening. Both forces existed at the same time! Had the natural order collapsed? Why was something so utterly impossible occurring? Had the very principles of existence been overturned? Yet, it was still far from over. As if governed by an unseen accord or restrained by an incomprehensible force, light and darkness continued their impossible coexistence upon Ye Tianxies body. They expanded, growing more intense, their reach extending further and further. Gradually, a sphere of energy formed around Ye Tianxiea perfect balance of black and white. It fully enveloped him, growing larger and larger until it extended to Long Moyas feet, forcing him to step back, one step at a time. Behind him loomed an endless cliff. Long Moya retreated until there was nowhere left to go, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on the scene before him. He feared that even the briefest blink might cause him to miss some crucial moment of this unprecedented event. Then Whoosh! A bizarre, indescribable sound shattered Long Moyas vision. The black-and-white sphere of light suddenly expanded in an explosive burst, spreading outward like a detonation. Long Moya, now completely engulfed in the radiant energy, saw nothing but pure, immaculate light. Neither he nor Ye Tianxie saw itat the very moment of the explosion, the Dragon God Stone silently dissipated like mist. Hidden within the intense collision of light and darkness, a small, pure-white silhouette shot forth from the heart of the Dragon God Stone The light and darkness surrounding Ye Tianxie vanished in an instant. Yet now, surrounding him was something even more incomprehensiblean aura of colorless light. Ding Your Dragon Soul power has begun to awaken. Your power has been classified as the Evil Soul Force, existing between the sacred and the sinful. A new profession has been generated based on this power. Please name your profession The name must include Evil Dragon. In the silence, a melodic system prompt echoed in his ears. Ye Tianxies lips curled slightly. Without hesitation, he murmured: "Rebellious Evil Dragon." Rebellious He had always harbored an innate defiance. Ding The profession Rebellious Evil Dragon has been successfully named! Ding You have successfully advanced to the exclusive profession Rebellious Evil Dragon! Strength +45, Constitution +45, Agility +45, Spirit +45, HP +1150, MP +1150. For every level-up, you will receive 5 free attribute points, along with an additional +3 to Strength, Constitution, Agility, and Spirit. Each level-up will also grant +20 HP and +20 MP. Every point of Strength grants +2 Attack, every point of Constitution grants +10 HP and +1 Defense, every point of Agility grants +1 Accuracy and +1 Evasion, and every point of Spirit grants +2 Magic Attack and +10 MP. Ding You have obtained the exclusive abilities of Rebellious Evil Dragon: Evil Dragons Body, Evil Dragons Claw, Evil Dragons Eye, and Evil Dragons Soul. The dragon-exclusive forbidden skill Dragon Soul Burst has been unlocked. Ye Tianxies mind reeled as he absorbed the information. The sheer strength of these enhancements was staggeringan immediate increase of 180 attribute points! This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. And then, as he examined the four unique abilities, even with his unshakable will, his mind briefly blanked out in shock. He had never imagined that such an overwhelmingly powerful profession could exist within Destiny. This was a game-breaking existence! Finally, his gaze fell upon the last skillDragon Soul Burst. Its description contained only eight words: "Ignite the dragon soulannihilate everything." Just eight words. No details on its damage, range, cost, or effects. Nothingexcept those chillingly absolute words: "Annihilate everything." What level of destruction did it take to be worthy of such a phrase? Suppressing the surge of emotions within him, Ye Tianxie opened his eyes and took in his surroundings. The powerful light and darkness had completely vanished. Even the Dragon God Stonethe only source of light herehad been utterly obliterated. Yet, despite the absolute darkness, he realized something astonishing: he could see everything perfectlyeven the tiniest pebbles on the ground. Evil Dragons Eyethe eyes that could pierce through absolute darkness and absolute light! At the same time, he caught the gleam in Long Moy''s eyesdespite his dazed expressionand instantly realized that even he could now perceive everything in this dark environment. But then, he had existed here for thousands of yearshow could he not have adapted to the darkness? Long Moy did not look at Ye Tianxie but instead stared blankly at the shattered remnants of the Dragon God''s Stone. The treasure he had guarded for a millenniumthe most precious relic of the dragon race, even regarded as a divine symbolhad, at this very moment, disappeared before his eyes without a trace. Sensing Ye Tianxie''s gaze, Long Moy slowly turned his head toward him. His sharp eyes flickered unsteadily, but Ye Tianxie did not see the expected fury over the stones destruction. Instead, there was only profound shock and disbelief. "It''s broken gone The Dragon God''s Stone has actually vanished" he murmured, his voice hollow. For someone who had devoted his entire existence to guarding the stone, how could he possibly accept such an outcome? Suddenly, he let out a long sigh. His dazed expression gradually cleared as he looked at Ye Tianxie and slowly spoke: "In the history of my dragon clan, those who possess either light or darkness attributes are extremely rare, yet every one of them becomes an elite among dragons. But a dragon that possesses both light and darkness has never existed. The Dragon God''s Stone shattered because of you, and there are only two possible reasons for thateither the power that struck it was overwhelming, or the potential it sensed was so immense that it could not endure, crumbling into dust I do not know what the existence of a half-dragon human like you signifies..." Ye Tianxie remained silent. When he first heard about the Hidden Dragon Abyss from Grandmaster Mage Kong Xiu in Tianchen City, he had longed to find it. However, he had never expected to arrive here in such a short timeand in such an extraordinary manner. Not only that, but he had also smoothly acquired a profession of his ownone completely different from all other players. A profession so powerful that it far exceeded his expectations and imagination. Beneath his calm exterior, excitement surged through him. Now that he had achieved his goal, whatever Long Moy had to say no longer mattered. With an apologetic expressionwhether genuine or nothe said, "The Dragon God''s Stone must be very important to your dragon clan I didn''t expect it to disappear because of me." "The Dragon God''s Stone is far more important to us than you can imagine. But sigh, this isn''t your fault either" Suddenly, as if struck by a realization, Long Moys expression froze, and his face changed drastically. "The Dragon God''s Stone has vanished the Mysterious Fox Where is the Mysterious Fox inside it!?" The moment he spoke, his gaze instantly shot toward Ye Tianxie''s feet, searching intently. His dragon eyes, capable of seeing in the dark, quickly locked onto a tiny, exposed tip of a snow-white taildespite its attempt to remain hidden. At the same time, Ye Tianxie also noticed it. The small snow-white fox that had once existed within the Dragon God''s Stone was now curled up at his feet, using his leg to shield itself. When both pairs of eyes focused on it, the little fox realized it had been discovered. In a panic, it lifted its head and looked up at Ye Tianxie, who gazed at it with a mixture of curiosity and astonishment. Its dark, misty eyes shone with a pleatimid, frightened, and desperate. The atmosphere grew tense in an instant. Long Moy''s entire being stiffened with alertness, as though facing a formidable enemy. No other creatures knew of the Mysterious Foxs existence, but within the dragon clan, it was the subject of terrifying legends. It was said that even the mightiest Dragon God had exhausted his life force and all his power merely to seal itunable to destroy it entirely. That alone spoke of its unimaginable dreadfulness. However, just as Long Moy was about to unleash his full might, his aura suddenly relaxed. For when his energy locked onto the Mysterious Fox, he found its power pathetically weakso feeble that it felt like an insignificant creature, barely even at level ten. It posed no threat to him whatsoever. Ye Tianxie felt a subtle tug at his heartstrings as he looked at the little snow fox. Its helpless, pleading gaze reminded him of Guoguos expression when begging for candy. His mind flashed back to the soft, childlike voice he had heard earlierthat voice had come from this tiny fox. In a moment of instinct, he crouched down, gently picked it up, and cradled it in his arms. He saw the joy and warmth in its eyes as it curled up against his chest, snuggling deeper as if trying to merge into his body. Mysterious Spirit Snow Fox Level: 0 HP: 100 Origin: Unknown Sealed within the Dragon God''s Stone by the Dragon God seventy million years ago, just recently released. Petite in size, gentle in nature, highly ornamental, does not initiate attacks on any living being. Skills: None Weaknesses: None The moment Ye Tianxie''s Evil Dragon Eyes landed on the small fox, its information automatically appeared in his mind, momentarily stunning him. A mere level 0 creature with only 100 HP Could this truly be the same terrifying Mysterious Fox that once drove the mightiest Dragon God to despair? No Sealed for seventy million years Having survived within the Dragon God''s Stone for all that time How could it possibly be as simple as it appeared? "Put it down. I must erase its existence." Long Moy, who had been ready to strike, hesitated mid-attack, stopping his hand midway to avoid harming Ye Tianxie. He frowned deeply. Ye Tianxie gently shook his head and smiled. "Elder Long, with your power, you should be able to tellright now, its weak. Weaker than even me. Even if it was an evil fox, it poses no threat now. Besides, as a mighty dragon with divine strength, would you really strike down such a tiny, harmless creature? Don''t you think its rather cute?" The little fox lifted its head and gazed at Ye Tianxie with gratitude. "Youre wrong," Long Moy said gravely, shaking his head. "If it werent a creature of great evil, why would the Dragon God have sacrificed his life to seal it? If it werent powerful, how could it have forced the Dragon God to such extremes? And how could it have survived within the Dragon God''s Stone for so long? Its power was exhausted by resisting the stones suppression for seventy million years Yet even after all this time, it still lives. Its true strength far surpasses legend." His expression grew solemn. "Now that its free, its power will quickly recover. When that day comes who will be able to stop it? The catastrophe it may bring could be beyond redemption. Put it down. I must destroy it." Ye Tianxie remained unfazed. The foxs description clearly stated its peaceful natureit was delicate, tame, and incapable of attacking others. How could such a creature be truly evil? Even its appearance bore no hint of malevolence. He held the little fox tighter. Perhaps it was its pitiful gaze or its desperate cry for help that had touched him, but he found himself completely unwilling to let it die before him. When he decided to protect something, no onenot even a dragoncould make him back down. With unwavering determination, he said, "I trust my instincts. This is not an evil fox, but a pitiful creature that has been sealed away for far too long. It deserves compassion, not persecution. I believe theres more to its story than we know." Long Moys gaze darkened. "You are powerful and full of potential. I admire that, and I would aid you in any way I can But you are still young, too ruled by emotion. One day, that will cost you dearly." "Heh, Ive never regretted my choices," Ye Tianxie said casually, stroking the foxs soft, velvety fur. The little fox nestled closer, completely at ease. Long Moy took a deep breath. "Appearances can deceive. Your feelings can deceive you. Can you be absolutely certain it is not an evil fox?" With firm resolve, Ye Tianxie met his gaze. "Spare it. I will bear all consequences if there are any at all."