"Swish!"
The moment Lin Zhao stepped into the fifth level, a map prompt sound echoed in his ears—
"Beep!"
System prompt: You have entered the map [Chaos Temple Level 5]. This map currently has 1 Boss (Dark Gold Grade), 5 copies of [Qian Kun Yi Zhi] and 5 copies of the group skill book [Group Heal]. These will be carried by random monsters. Kill them for a chance to drop!
...
Suddenly, Lin Zhao's heart tightened. He was beginning to understand the resource distribution mechanism of this map. According to the realm classifications in "Tian Xia," there were the Upper Five Realms, Middle Five Realms, and Lower Five Realms. Thus, the Chaos Temple map should be divided into the Lower Three Levels, Middle Three Levels, and Upper Three Levels. The higher you go, the greater the rewards!
"As expected, the resources on the fifth level are better."
Chen Xue smiled slightly: "And there's the nomad's group heal skill book. If Qing Ning can learn Group Heal, our overall survivability will be much stronger in the future."
"Mhm."
Lin Zhao nodded: "Same as usual, you guys form one team, I'll be a team of one. Mo Yin doesn't need to participate directly. You can gain experience just by being in the map. Roam around and search. Find the Boss's location and the entrance to the sixth level. This time, let's try to defeat the Boss before proceeding to the sixth level."
"Okay!"
As always, Lin Zhao farmed monsters alone. The monsters on the fifth level were already Golden Grade monsters at level 55. Their attributes were slightly enhanced, but the difference was negligible for Lin Zhao, as his own attributes were already overwhelmingly superior. With his flying sword assisting him, Lin Zhao's strength now stood at the peak of Yun Shang County.
As he continued to farm monsters, the rewards were naturally abundant. Not long after, with a "clatter," a sword-armored monster killed by Lin Zhao let out a pained cry and dropped a gleaming golden cylindrical gun. The gun was attached to a magnetic storm converter, designed to be worn on a player's back, clearly a weapon for a Storm Gunner. Upon picking it up, its attributes were surprisingly good—
[Wildfire Grade Thunder Gun gp2.0] (Gold Grade)
Attack: 225-320
Agility: +40
Stamina: +38
Effect: Lifesteal +4%
Effect: Armor Break, ignores 6% of target's defense
Effect: Increases own damage output by 15%
Additional: Increases user's attack power by 7%
Requires Agility: 400
Requires Level: 42
...
Amazing, amazing!
Lin Zhao's lips twitched slightly. These high-tech items seemed out of place with the background story of "Tian Xia." However, it was a metaverse game, so various elements were quite complex. There were sword immortals who ascended with a single sword, powerful cultivators of the Upper Five Realms with myriad spells, martial artists who could split the heavens with a punch, and these high-tech units with magnetic storm converters on their backs. Naturally, in front of sword immortals and Upper Five Realm cultivators, such high technology was nothing; it was merely for players to bicker amongst themselves.
This Wildfire Grade Thunder Gun had excellent overall attributes and was a sharp tool for long-range sniping. If a Storm Gunner of level 40 or above wielded this gun, a double shot plus a Thunder Strike would likely inflict devastating damage, and a critical hit would be even more lethal.
With a "whoosh," he directly put it into his inventory. For Lin Zhao, the greater value of such items lay in selling them for money after returning to town. As for the money earned, it would naturally be used to purchase Sea God Rocks to refine Ming Yue's grade as quickly as possible and help Ming Yue level up. This flying sword primarily focused on offense and killing. The higher Ming Yue's level, the stronger Lin Zhao's personal strength would become. This was exactly the same as the sword cultivators in the game's background, with no distinction.
Not long after, Chen Xue obtained a copy of Qian Kun Yi Zhi. This time, it was Chen Xue's turn to learn it. Now, only Zhang Jun and Roman, the two heavy armor users in the Scarlet Moon Knights, had not yet acquired Qian Kun Yi Zhi. However, with the current progression speed, everyone would have a copy of Qian Kun Yi Zhi before long, and there might even be surplus. These would then be sold for money to buy more Sea God Rocks!
As Lin Zhao killed monsters, his mind buzzed. He felt like he was going mad from this flying sword. In this world, sword cultivators spent the most money nurturing their flying swords. Ordinary rogue sword cultivators couldn't even dream of it. Therefore, most sword cultivators could only rely on powerful factions, sects, or even imperial families. With no backing from a powerful force, a sword cultivator's flying sword could not be forged.
Lin Zhao now deeply empathized. Hence, he, like the young boy in the small town, only wished to make money. With money, the flying sword would become stronger, and with a stronger flying sword, his words would carry more weight. The real world outside was chaotic, and the world within the game was even more chaotic, a true world of the fittest. Without strength, everything else was just talk.
Mr. Qin Suihan, his teacher, had once taught him that Confucian cultivators walked the world with reason and etiquette first, aiming to teach the entire world manners and how to reason. However, most people in this martial world did not reason. Therefore, what should a scholar do when trying to reason with someone? First, his fist had to be strong. If the other party refused to listen to his reasoning, he would use his fist to make them sit down and listen obediently.
Lin Zhao had cultivated military talismans under his senior brother, the God of War Ding Muchen, making him half a military cultivator. Later, he became a disciple of the Confucian Sage Qin Suihan, making him half a Confucian. A person like him was most suited to travel the world and teach those who didn't reason how to reason.
...
"Beep!"
In the team channel, Ding Chi began to speak: "Lin Zhao and Chen Xue's decision was indeed wise. I heard from a friend in the game that a fight has already broken out on the fourth level of Chaos Temple. For the sake of an Dark Gold Grade Boss, the Azure Knights and the Prosperous Peony have clashed. Both sides have deployed over 500 people. A great battle! It's a shame we can't see it."
Chen Xue chuckled: "Normal. Dark Gold Grade Bosses have a chance to drop Dark Gold items, so it's natural they'd be tempted."
As she spoke, she let out a "Yikes" and said, "When did I allow you to call me Ah Xue, Ding Chi?"
"Ah!?"
Ding Chi scratched his head: "Can't I? My beautiful Xue..."
Chen Xue pursed her red lips. She had felt a bit resistant at first, but upon careful consideration, having been in the studio for so long, Lin Zhao, Ding Chi, and Zhang Jun had treated her with utmost respect, without any overstepping. Thus, her wariness eased somewhat. She smiled: "Go ahead and call me that. Whatever makes you happy."
"Ok!"
Just then, Mo Yin spoke in the team channel: "I've found the Boss. It's in the upper right corner of the map. After I created a 100x100 map grid, the Boss's coordinates are approximately (77, 89). Everyone come over?"
"Lin Zhao?" Chen Xue inquired.
"Let's go!"
Lin Zhao replied without hesitation: "Since a fight has already broken out on the fourth level, the fifth level won't be safe for long. Let's defeat the Boss immediately and then proceed to the sixth level. We'll conquer this map without stopping!"
"Mhm!"
Thus, the group headed straight for the Boss spawn point. When Lin Zhao, with his Qinglu Sword in hand, arrived first, a beautiful sorceress wearing a robe and wielding a fiery red staff stood on the stone floor. She wore a hooded cloak, revealing a flawless, exquisite face beneath it. Her beautiful eyes looked at Lin Zhao not far away, with a hint of anger.
Behind him, Chen Xue, Ding Chi, Rong Xing, and others arrived one after another.
Lin Zhao flicked his hand and shared the Boss's attributes in the team channel—
[Chaos Sorceress·Qin Yue] (Dark Gold Grade Boss)
Level: 55
Spirit Attack: 750-1300
Defense: 400
Health: 400000
Skills: ???
Description: A confidante of Chaos Sword God Jian Chen. Qin Yue was once a heroic figure who dominated an area with her extraordinary sorcery. However, she was forever bound to Jian Chen. After Jian Chen's demise, Qin Yue transformed into a guardian, willingly guarding the fifth level of the Chaos Temple.
...
"Her spirit attack power is very strong..."
Chen Xue narrowed her beautiful eyes and turned to look at Lin Zhao: "Do you have confidence?"
"No. I don't know if her attacks will even hurt."
Lin Zhao smiled slightly: "We'll find out by trying."
In fact, he did have some confidence. After all, he possessed two pieces of equipment with the "Determination" effect, which could reduce magic damage by 20%. Coupled with his Sword Draw and Turn Slash ability to dodge targeted skills from mages, Lin Zhao had a significant advantage. As long as he wasn't instantly killed by a miss, he would be fine. With over 12,000 health points, how could she kill him instantly?
Moreover, this fight would surely be easier than fighting the Giant Rock Demon Spirit. After all, as a first-turn player who had officially advanced to become a Sword Hero, Lin Zhao's hidden resistances had all increased.
"How should we fight?"
Ding Chi asked: "Should we test out the Boss's skill mechanics and cooldowns first, just like last time?"
"No time."
Lin Zhao shook his head: "I'll go directly. Qing Ning, heal me. Chen Xue, mark the Boss's skill cooldowns. I'll focus on attacking, and Chen Xue, you will direct the others."
"Alright, go ahead!"
Chen Xue picked up her Giant Rock Spear and gripped her Lava Shield, ready to charge the Boss and cover Lin Zhao.
The next second, Lin Zhao's sword energy struck the Boss. Immediately, he unleashed a series of moves: Sweeping Army, Qian Kun Yi Zhi, and Sword Controlled by Qi. The second sword strike triggered the Sword Energy Traceless pursuit effect, causing streams of dense sword energy to constantly pierce the Boss's body, dealing continuous damage. He was going all out from the start, indicating that Lin Zhao truly intended to unleash his full power.
A few seconds later, the Boss counterattacked. A scorching meteor descended from the sky, dealing over 3000 damage to Lin Zhao, which was still manageable. Then, another Fire Dragon Wave attack followed, dealing indiscriminate damage to targets within 30 yards. However, Lin Zhao could still withstand it, merely hacking away at the Boss. As the Boss began to cast a long-channeling ultimate skill, Lin Zhao directly used Rising Dragon Slash to launch it into the air, causing the powerful magic to be aborted.
"Charge!"
Chen Xue commanded, and a group of heavy armor users charged in simultaneously. The Deer Pear and Yokai on the periphery entered attack range and began bombarding the Boss.
...
The entire progression process was orderly. Lin Zhao consistently served as the team's DPS, with his output accounting for 40% of the entire team's damage. He also absorbed more damage than Chen Xue and Roman, the two beautiful knights. With each swing of the Qinglu Sword, the Chaos Sorceress's health bar plummeted. Unexpectedly, in less than eight minutes, the health bar of this Dark Gold Grade Boss was at its end!