Around seven in the evening.
Ding Chi and Zhang Jun entered the Fiery Bee Forest, starting to hunt the giant hornets.
Lin Zhao shifted his position slightly, ceding some of the map to the two of them. However, it wasn't long before another group arrived, more than ten people in total. Their levels were not high, mostly between 21-23, arguably a little low. But they made up for it with numbers. A player with a captain's insignia above his head stepped forward, glanced at Lin Zhao's level and ID, and his initial arrogance vanished, replaced by respect. "Friend," he said, "our party wishes to hunt giant hornets here. We're hoping to get a copy of 'Qian Kun Yi Zhi.' Is that alright?"
"Yes, it is."
Lin Zhao yielded another portion of the map and walked deeper into the Fiery Bee Forest.
But soon, more people arrived, still a large group of low-level players. Everyone wanted a 'Qian Kun Yi Zhi,' but was it really that easy to drop? Lin Zhao had been killing them for half the day and had only gotten one.
However, Lin Zhao had no intention of hogging the leveling spot. Fighting with so many people was pointless. Besides, he had studied under Mr. Qin, and the lessons from books had sunk in to some extent. In fact, after the death of young Lin Zhao, when Lin Zhao woke up in reality, his personality had been significantly influenced by those memories.
For many things, there was no need to argue, nor to go to extremes. Once one understood the reasoning, anger would naturally dissipate.
Change map!
...
He headed directly north, arriving at the northern part of the Fiery Bee Forest. Giant hornets no longer spawned here; instead, it was the 33-level Fiery Hornets. Seeing these crimson, wheel-sized Fiery Hornets, Lin Zhao finally understood why the forest was called the Fiery Bee Forest. These Fiery Hornets were the true main characters!
Level 33, they still had high attack, low defense, and low health. Lin Zhao experimented and found that he could kill them in one combo with Sword Qi Impact + normal attack + Qian Kun Yi Zhi + normal attack. So, he decided to stay. Where one kills monsters, one kills monsters!
However, after killing only a few Fiery Hornets, his gaze flickered, and he saw an injured cavalryman sitting in the grass at the edge of the forest. His warhorse was tethered nearby. The cavalryman's right wrist seemed to be injured, with a large, swollen, fiery red pustule. He clutched his right elbow tightly with his left hand, sweating profusely from the pain.
It was an NPC. Judging by the situation, he had been poisoned by the Fiery Hornet's stinger. This would likely trigger some sort of quest.
So, Lin Zhao walked over with his sword. As he approached, he saw clearly. The cavalryman's name was Zhou Junqiang. He was robust and strong. As an NPC, his status panel was entirely different from monsters –
【Zhou Junqiang】(Second Realm Martialist)
Attack: ???
Defense: ???
Health: ???
Skills: ???
Description: One of the cavalrymen of Yunshang County
...
"What can I help you with?"
Lin Zhao knelt on one knee and asked, examining the man's injuries. The wound was extremely serious; if left untreated, his entire arm would be crippled. This made Lin Zhao frown. How could this Second Realm Martialist be so weak?
"You are..."
Zhou Junqiang looked at him, sweating profusely and breathing rapidly, and said, "Ah, a adventurer from Yunshang County~~~"
He was now in NPC quest dialogue mode.
Lin Zhao muttered inwardly but still played along, "Yes, yes. I've just arrived in this treasure land and met you at the edge of the Fiery Bee Forest. What a coincidence. Since that's the case, let me help you."
"Indeed..."
Zhou Junqiang gasped and said, "Young hero, I was on patrol on the official road within the county city, when I was poisoned by a Fiery Hornet. Damn it, these Fiery Hornets are too detestable. Can you go and find an antidote for me?"
"Hmm."
Lin Zhao nodded. "Where is the antidote?"
"It's within the Fiery Bee Forest."
Zhou Junqiang's cold sweat poured down as he said, "By killing these Fiery Hornets, you can obtain a 'Fiery Gland Sac.' You just need to... just bring me ten Fiery Gland Sacs."
"Understood. Hold on!"
The moment Lin Zhao stood up, the quest was already obtained –
"Ding!"
System Notification: Congratulations, you have obtained the quest [Fiery Gland Sac] (C-rank)!
Quest Content: Go to the Fiery Bee Forest, kill Fiery Hornets, and collect 10 Fiery Gland Sacs, which have a chance to drop. Hand them over to the cavalryman Zhou Junqiang for detoxification. You will then receive generous rewards!
...
Let's go, time to do the quest!
This was the first quest Lin Zhao had received in "Tian Xia," and it made him feel a surge of excitement. At this moment, he felt like he was starting to integrate, truly beginning to play the role of a "player."
Still, the 33-level Fiery Hornets were instantly killed by Lin Zhao's combo. However, the drop rate for the Fiery Gland Sacs was not high, only about one per ten Fiery Hornets killed. So, he would have to take his time, leveling up along the way. With quest rewards, the leveling speed would surely be much faster than purely killing monsters.
He continued to kill until past nine o'clock, having collected nine Fiery Gland Sacs.
At this point, Ding Chi said in the party channel, "Damn... we've killed so many giant hornets and not a single Qian Kun Yi Zhi has dropped. Zhao, how did you get yours?"
"It just dropped like that?"
Lin Zhao was a bit speechless. "I casually killed it with a sword, and then it dropped. It's all about luck. If you two haven't gotten one, you definitely didn't wash your faces today."
Zhang Jun rolled his eyes. "I not only washed my face, but I also used my beloved L'Oréal Men Expert facial cleanser."
"Tsk tsk..."
Ding Chi said sarcastically, not wanting to talk.
Zhang Jun felt a bit dejected. "This is… we'll soon be over level 30. If we don't get a skill book soon... will we have to come back to kill giant hornets for books at higher levels?"
"What do you think?"
Lin Zhao chuckled. "It's better to get it early, or you might really have to come back for it."
Zhang Jun frowned. "Do you think it's possible to play without Qian Kun Yi Zhi?"
"It's certainly possible."
Ding Chi laughed. "But in future PKs, when you hit for 1000 HP with a heavy slash, and they hit for 3000 HP with Qian Kun Yi Zhi, you'll naturally come back for the book."
Lin Zhao couldn't help but chuckle. "I think that's very likely. My Qian Kun is currently level 2, dealing over 900 damage per sword. Even level 33 monsters can barely withstand a level 2 Qian Kun Yi Zhi. You can imagine how terrifying the damage of this skill is, and the higher your attack power, the more terrifying this skill becomes. If we heavy armor wearers don't learn Qian Kun Yi Zhi, we'll be worse than dogs in the future."
"Damn it, keep killing!"
Zhang Jun said a bit exasperatedly, then added, "By the way, when you guys get equipment, if you find any helmet in the shape of a bamboo hat, give it to me first. I need to cover up."
Lin Zhao remembered Zhang Jun's dazzlingly bright and bare head and laughed. "Okay, okay, you'll get priority!"
Such a vain person, yet he couldn't grow hair. It was truly a twist of fate!
...
At exactly ten o'clock, the tenth Fiery Gland Sac dropped.
Lin Zhao returned with the quest items. Zhou Junqiang was still in the grass, his face covered in sweat from pain. Upon seeing Lin Zhao return, he looked as if he had found a lifeline and said weakly, "Young hero... did you find those Fiery Gland Sacs?"
"Found them."
Lin Zhao handed over all ten Fiery Gland Sacs. Zhou Junqiang's face was instantly filled with a joyous smile. He then crushed the sac after sac, the fiery fluid filling the pustules on his arm. In the next second, Zhou Junqiang sprang up, his whole body radiating golden light. His arms seemed imbued with divine strength, his wounds completely healed. He laughed heartily, "I'm all better!"
Lin Zhao put his hand to his forehead. Damn it, the medicine worked incredibly fast!
"Young hero!"
Zhou Junqiang bowed towards Lin Zhao. After cupping his fists, he said, "I am immensely grateful for your life-saving grace. Come, these are the rewards belonging to you!"
"Ding!"
System Notification: Congratulations, you have completed the quest [Fiery Gland Sac] (C-rank), receiving rewards: 200,000 Experience, 10 Silver Coins, 30 Reputation, and an additional reward: [Cavalryman's Knee Guards] (Silver-grade)!
...
"Huh?!"
Lin Zhao could hardly believe his eyes. He rubbed them again, confirming it was real. He had actually been rewarded with a pair of silver-grade leg guards! Zhou Junqiang was indeed a friend worth befriending; he truly gave good things!
Opening his inventory, a pair of shimmering leg guards lay quietly inside, with formidable attributes –
【Cavalryman's Knee Guards】(Silver-grade)
Type: Armor
Defense: 45
Strength: +22
Stamina: +16
Required Level: 25
...
The attributes were excellent. They provided a dual bonus to Strength and Stamina, both essential for swordsmen. If it had been Intelligence and Agility, it would have been more awkward.
Perfect timing. Lin Zhao's current leg guards were still the shabby, level 10 white Hunger Wolf Leg Guards. He immediately swapped them for the Cavalryman's Knee Guards, and his defense significantly increased.
"Young hero!"
Zhou Junqiang cupped his fists towards Lin Zhao again and said, "My home is not far from the west gate of Yunshang County. If you have free time, please come visit when I'm home. My wife is a good cook, you can try her food."
"Yes, alright."
Lin Zhao smiled slightly and said, "I'll definitely visit when I have time. By the way, can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
Zhou Junqiang smiled and said, "Whatever you ask, I will answer."
"Good."
Lin Zhao pondered for a moment and then asked, "A hundred years ago, Marshal Wu Yue Hao led fifty-three thousand Yun Province cavalry on a northern expedition, which ended in complete annihilation. What is the current situation in Yun Province? Is the title 'Yun Province Cavalry' still in use?"
"No longer."
Zhou Junqiang frowned and said, "As far as I know, after the complete annihilation of the Yun Province cavalry in that battle, Wen Hou reorganized the armies of Yun, Ning, and Yan provinces in the north, forming them into Legions. Thus, there is no longer such a thing as the Yun Province Cavalry. Currently, the cavalry in Yun Province are directly under the command of White Emperor City, and there is no longer a position for a Military Governor."
"Is that so..."
"Yes."
Zhou Junqiang smiled. "Since you are so interested in history, why do you only mention the Yun Province Cavalry? The event that most fascinates people should be the battle at Xue Yu Tian Chi, and the young marshal who orchestrated the world for a hundred years of peace..."
"Lin Zhao..."
Lin Zhao chuckled awkwardly. "I'm just worried that this name might have long been forgotten by the world."
"How could that be?"
Zhou Junqiang raised his eyebrows and smiled. "There has always been a saying throughout the human world."
"What saying?"
"'Lin Baiyi of Xue Yu Tian Chi, who in this world does not know him!'"
He said it with great spirit, then mounted his horse and cupped his fists, laughing. "The story of Young Marshal Lin Baiyi cannot be told in three days and three nights... Without further ado, I must return to camp to report. Young hero, we'll chat again when we have the chance!"
"Yes, safe journey."
Lin Zhao stood up and cupped his fists in farewell. As Zhou Junqiang's figure disappeared into the depths of the forest, he revealed a faint smile.
...
This world, it seems, is still that world~~~