It was 2:30 PM.
As a shower of golden light rained down and bathed him, Lin Zhao successfully leveled up to 43. He remained the top-ranked player in Cloud County, though only within its borders. A glance at the level leaderboards of other county cities made him feel somewhat unbalanced. The top player in Hantai County, Yi Shi Cang Liang, was level 44. In Haixi County, Jian Xing Kong was level 46, and the second-ranked player, Zheng Du, was level 45. The top players in most other counties were generally at a higher level than him.
To believe his level was superior to all others would be like a frog in a well. Other guilds naturally had their own strategies for concentrating resources to cultivate top players. Lin Zhao, however, was not much different from a lone wolf, and he had to constantly endure the targeting from Sheng Shi Mu Dan. The early game environment for clearing new areas was actually far less favorable than for the elites of those major guilds. He understood; he would take it slow, and his level would eventually catch up.
He continued to grind for experience points, neither rushed nor impatient.
...
At 4:30 PM, with a "clatter," a rock monster fell, dropping a gleaming golden spear. The spear was a polearm, the specialty weapon for Paladins. Furthermore... this was dropped by an ordinary monster. Could it be a Gold-grade item? The next moment, Lin Zhao picked up the spear and brushed it with his hand. Indeed, it was Gold-grade, and its attack power was quite impressive—
[Giant Rock Spear] (Gold-grade)
Attack: 220-295
Strength: +40
Stamina: +38
Effect: Lifesteal +4%
Effect: Armor Break, ignores 7% of target's defense.
Effect: Deals 35% splash damage to targets within 5 yards.
Additional: Increases user's attack power by 5%.
Requires Strength: 350
Requires Level: 42
...
These stats were already quite formidable. While its attack power was far from that of the Qing Lu Sword, it was still a one-handed weapon. Paladins wielded either a spear or a sword in one hand and a shield in the other. For a one-handed weapon to possess such high damage was already quite remarkable. The most valuable aspect of this Giant Rock Spear, however, was the narrow range between its attack minimum and maximum—220 to 295. Such an attack range would ensure a high damage floor for its wielder, resulting in very stable output. Compared to the Iron Blood Battle Axe with an attack range of 165-300, any discerning eye could see that the Giant Rock Spear offered more consistent damage and was clearly the better choice.
Holding the Giant Rock Spear, Lin Zhao smiled faintly. He had spent the entire day killing rock monsters. He had looted a large number of Silver-grade and Dark Iron-grade items, but this was his first Gold-grade item, and it was a level 42 Gold-grade weapon. If this Giant Rock Spear were put up for auction in Cloud County, it would fetch at least 50,000 common coins. However, he didn't need to sell it now, as two Paladins had arrived at the studio...
...
Around 6:00 PM, Lin Zhao's monster kill quota had exceeded 800. With another two hours of grinding, he should be able to complete the task. His monster-killing speed had gradually decreased, primarily because he had cleared out most of the rock monsters in the northern part of the Green Stone Forest. It was becoming difficult to gather large groups of monsters; sometimes, he had to travel for ten minutes across the map.
At this moment, Chen Xue sent a message saying it was time to eat. Perfect timing. He would go offline for a meal and also tend to his monsters, which would allow for more spawns when he logged back in.
He logged off and went to eat.
Xiao Ju Zi helped her mother carry the dishes to the table, while Wang Ju, having just finished her work with sweat on her brow, brought a pot of stewed chicken with mushrooms to the table and said with a smile, "Dinner's ready."
"Mhm, thank you for your hard work, Sister Ju Zi!" Lin Zhao replied with a smile and a nod.
"..."
Chen Xue sat beside him, gazing intently at him.
"What's wrong?"
Lin Zhao lowered his voice, whispering to Chen Xue, "Did I say something wrong?"
"Nothing..."
Chen Xue pursed her red lips and said, "I just feel you're being a little too affectionate with her."
"Ah!?"
Lin Zhao exclaimed, "Is that your inner demon acting up? I wasn't..."
Chen Xue chuckled, "Alright, let's eat."
"Okay."
Beside Chen Xue, Luo Man poked her pretty head out, her bright, lively eyes looking at Lin Zhao. She said with a smile, "Was the Giant Rock Spear you gave Chen Xue yours?"
"That's right."
Lin Zhao held his rice bowl, "Your level is a bit low, so it's not suitable for you for now. I gave it to Chen Xue first."
"Brother~~~"
Luo Man pouted, a hint of grievance in her expression. "Next time, you should ask me too... Although it's technically correct to give it to Chen Xue, you didn't even ask me. That's a matter of attitude!"
Lin Zhao was sweating profusely. "I know, I know..."
Chen Xue glanced at Luo Man, "Are you eating or not? If not, get lost."
Luo Man giggled, "I'm eating, I'm eating!"
...
In the evening, he continued his efforts.
He grinded until about 9:00 PM when a golden shower of light descended from the sky. Grinding monsters above his level had significantly accelerated his leveling speed, exceeding Chen Xue's earlier estimations. By 9:00 PM, Lin Zhao had already reached level 44. At the same time, he had also filled the kill quota required for his quest, completing the mission with exactly ten thousand kills.
He returned to turn in the quest.
Lin Zhao directly initiated the return journey and trekked to the front of the outpost. The outpost gate was tightly shut. So, Lin Zhao shouted from outside, "I'm back, open the gate."
"Understood, young hero, please wait a moment!"
A few seconds later, the heavy wooden gate slowly creaked open a crack. Lin Zhao then swiftly entered and proceeded directly to the front of Cavalry Captain Xu Yin, cupping his fists. "The rock monsters in the Green Stone Forest have been cleared."
"Good!"
The Cavalry Captain's face lit up with excitement. He smiled, "Young hero, you truly did not disappoint. Come, this is your reward!"
The next moment, a harvest season arrived—
"Ding!"
System Notification: Congratulations on completing the main quest [Clear the Stone Men] (S-rank). Reward: Experience points for this level +65%, Gold coins +120, Reputation points +300, Charm points +1, and an additional reward: [Blazing Flame Armor] (Dark Gold-grade)!
...
Dark Gold-grade?! Armor?
Lin Zhao could hardly believe his eyes. This arduous and tiresome S-rank quest had actually earned him an extra Dark Gold-grade armor piece? After all... Dark Gold-grade armor was practically priceless at this stage. There were probably only a handful of such items on the entire server. And now, he had received his first Dark Gold-grade item?
His heart pounded. He opened his inventory. An armor piece exuding an aura of majesty lay quietly in a corner of his inventory. Its flowing chilong patterns and dark gold chest plate made it undeniably unique—
[Blazing Flame Armor] (Dark Gold-grade)
Type: Armor
Defense: 220
Strength: +48
Stamina: +45
Effect: Dodge +6%
Effect: Damage Reduction +4%
Effect: Damage Absorption +5%
Effect: Tenacity, increases user's HP cap by 1500.
Effect: Determination, reduces all elemental magic damage taken by 10%.
Additional: Increases user's defense by 10%.
Requires Level: 45
...
"Buzz~~~"
Lin Zhao merely glanced at the stats of the Blazing Flame Armor, and his head began to buzz with a dull ache. What divine attributes were these? To confront most players at this stage while wearing such armor, what difference would it make from cheating? The terrifying 220 defense points alone were significant, but it also boasted an astonishing five effects, and each of them seemed so... shameless?