Lin Zhao stared blankly, the attributes of this necklace were simply explosive. He dubbed it the "Perfect Necklace." Three stats exceeding 180 was one thing, but a critical hit rate of a terrifying 12% was astonishing. The Prisoner Dragon Necklace he was currently wearing only offered 6% critical hit. This was an immediate upgrade from a humble bird to a phoenix. As for the 60% damage amplification, 18% lifesteal, and 120% accuracy, these were like slow-cooked frogs, gradually accumulating power until one became invincible, capable of slicing through opponents like Ke Guo Wu Ming and Ling Ren Fa Zhi as if they were mere vegetables.
Moreover, this god-tier necklace wasn't all. Its pursuit effect was also different from ordinary equipment. Necklaces dropped by general players had about a 10% chance of a pursuit effect, usually dealing 200% damage at a 20% proc rate, resulting in an effective output boost of only 200% * 20% = 40%. But this necklace's Sun Chaser Strike was different. A 5% chance to unleash 1500% of attack damage translated to a 1500% * 5% = 75% damage amplification effect, significantly higher than ordinary equipment. However, the fatal flaw was its low proc rate combined with explosive damage, making it a luck-based pursuit effect. In player-versus-player combat, Lin Zhao only needed this 5% chance to win. It would also be formidable against bosses.
Furthermore, the most outrageous aspect of this necklace was its super-explosive skill, Blazing Ascension. This offered immense output plus crowd control, akin to Mo Chen Xue's ultimate skill, Divine Shepherd's Blessing, with the only drawback being a slightly longer cooldown. But Lin Zhao's attack power was immense. With a Blazing Ascension, it was like dunking a basketball on someone's head – whoever got dunked on died!
"Hoo..."
He took a deep breath and, filled with ambition, equipped the Sun Chaser Necklace. Instantly, his attributes soared significantly—
[White Robe] (Swordsman)
Level: 138
Attack: 10150-12050 (+456%)
Defense: 5850 (+470%)
Health: 90520 (+20%)
Critical Hit: 26%
Lifesteal: 70% (Maxed)
Damage Reduction: 40%
Damage Amplification: 342%
Intellect: 99
Charisma: 89
Reputation: 169780
Combat Power: 40520
Realm 1: Nascent Soul Realm
Realm 2: Blood Circulation Realm
...
His combat power had surpassed 40,000, and his lifesteal had reached its cap. In "Heavenly Realm," the maximum lifesteal a player could possess was 70%. As for critical hit, there was likely a cap as well, but no player had reached it yet. With these attributes, if Lin Zhao encountered Ke Guo Wu Ming or Ding Chunqiu again, defeating them would be much easier.
"My lord."
As he was deep in thought, Tuo Zhi slowly rose beside him. This Sword Immortal of the Twelve Realms had rested by Lin Zhao's side on a low shrub for the night and had now awakened. The spiritual energy in the Spiritual Ruins had become dense again, and she had recovered more than half her strength. Smiling, she said, "We should also return to the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool."
"Mmm."
Lin Zhao glanced in the direction of Que Yu Lake and asked, "What about the remains of the fallen soldiers at the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool?"
"Later, laborers from the Great Shang Dynasty will head north to collect them. They will naturally be sent to the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool. My lord need not worry."
"That's good."
Lin Zhao stood up and said solemnly, "Prepare food and drinks. We'll head home after a full meal. Everyone wake up, gather the Cloud Xi warhorses, and ensure not a single one of these hard-won warhorses is lost."
"Yes, Commander Lin!"
Everyone rose in unison.
Mu Gua, however, looked worried. "Now we definitely don't lack Cloud Xi warhorses. In the battle at Que Yu Lake, we killed at least a hundred thousand demon cavalry. The number of Cloud Xi warhorses we collected alone is over fifty thousand. However... warhorses can be used immediately after capture, but we don't have that many Snow Domain cavalry. Training Snow Domain cavalry is quite difficult, not to mention the current shortage of recruits. Many youths in Tianchi Town have already sacrificed themselves in the realm. It's a generation gap..."
"I know."
Lin Zhao nodded. "Let's go back first. We can discuss these matters slowly."
"Mmm!"
Not long after, Lin Zhao mounted his horse and, with less than fifteen thousand Snow Domain cavalry, passed through Gu Xia Pass and returned south to the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool. Lin Ruo escorted them for ten miles before bidding a reluctant farewell. Watching his kinsman's retreating back, Lin Ruo felt a complex mix of emotions. The figure carried a hint of exhaustion and loneliness. The losses at Snow Domain Heavenly Pool in this great battle were too immense, clearly exceeding his limit.
But Lin Ruo was powerless. The Stone Army had also lost more than half its strength, barely able to defend itself.
Not long after leaving Gu Xia Pass, a bell sound once again echoed in Lin Zhao's ears. Unusually, the Snow Domain Legion's eastward advance to aid the Stone Army this time yielded rewards, and quite generous ones at that—
"Ding!"
System notification: Congratulations on completing the [Aid Stone Army] quest. You have received compensation rewards: Current level experience +200%, Charisma +3, Golden Mullet Coins +5, Reputation +15000!
...
Although there were no additional equipment rewards, the experience, charisma, and reputation rewards were quite good. Moreover, they surprisingly received five unbound Golden Mullet Coins, meaning Lin Zhao's little treasury was even more substantial. He was already a millionaire without even touching his studio's commission.
This was wealth earned through his own sword and blade, and he spent it with absolute justification!
Evening.
Lin Zhao led his men to the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool. The Snow Domain cavalry returned to their camps to rest. There was no victory banquet; everyone's mood was not particularly good. However, on the ledger on the second floor of Natural Abode, Tang Guangjun's name had been recorded in the esteemed guest column. Although he was merely a minor esteemed guest, Tang Guangjun was overjoyed. From this day forward, he was truly half a person of the Mountain Peak Villa.
Tuo Zhi, Chen Ben, Chu Yu, Mu Gua, and others returned to heal their wounds and cultivate. Lin Zhao, with Xiao Ke tucked inside his sleeve, flew on his sword to the Washing Sword River. He was once again received by Wang Yue into the River God Shrine. Upon entering the main hall, he waved his sleeve and released Xiao Ke. Xiao Ke fell to the ground with a splash, covered in wounds and appearing frail. Upon seeing Lin Xing Chu emerge, he immediately knelt and said, "Empress, Xiao Ke has performed his duties faithfully, accompanying young master Lin Zhao in countless battles, and his spirit of meritorious service has not diminished in the slightest!"
Lin Zhao smiled and nodded, "Aunt, Xiao Ke has indeed achieved great military exploits in the Northern Domain. Our breakthrough of several demon army tents owes much to Xiao Ke's great contribution."
At this moment, the thirteen-realm Flood Dragon descendant, who was covered in wounds and appeared youthful, raised his head and looked around with a smile, resembling Wang Yousheng from the reconnaissance company.
Lin Xing Chu glanced at him, and Xiao Ke immediately knelt again, daring not to speak.
In fact, Lin Xing Chu knew this thirteen-realm Flood Dragon descendant's true nature best. To put it bluntly, if given the chance, he would likely have no hesitation in killing both her and Lin Zhao, and then ascending to the upper realm to become a carefree demon immortal. The only reason he was so docile was that she had suppressed him to this extent.
Lin Zhao smiled. His aunt's actions had her reasons, and Lin Zhao's reasons were different. Often, Confucian principles were like silent nourishment that subtly touched the heart. It was like Tang Guangjun, who was originally very disagreeable, but during his time at the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, influenced by the demeanor of the Mountain Peak Villa, Tang Guangjun's state of mind had been subtly changing, and for the better.
Xiao Ke was the same. There was nothing in the world that could not be taught, it just depended on the cost of education. If the karma was too deep and education too difficult, then it was best to simply cut him down with a sword. Physical transcendence was also transcendence.
...
Afterward, Lin Zhao returned to the Mountain Peak Villa. Dong Cang had just finished preparing what he had requested, cooking four fragrant small dishes, and stewing a large bowl of white fish soup. All were packed in a food container. Lin Zhao then filled a pot with Void Ting Purple Bamboo Wine, and carrying these items, he left the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool on his sword. Shortly after, he arrived at General Huangfu's Sword Suppressing Tower. As it happened, the old general was on the top floor, wiping the blood from his sword.
"Lin Zhao has arrived!"
The old general smiled.
"Mmm."
Lin Zhao descended gracefully, placed the food container down, and took out the delicacies one by one. He smiled and said, "The fish soup was just made. Old General, you can have two bowls to warm yourself. There's also a pot of Void Ting Purple Bamboo Wine that was just heated."
"Good!"
The old general immediately sat down on the ground. After drinking two bowls of white fish soup, he felt deeply satisfied and said, "Lin Zhao, the fish soup from your Snow Domain Heavenly Pool is truly heart-warming. No wonder the Sect Master, Huo Piaoyao, and even the God of War speak of it with such high praise."
Lin Zhao smiled and nodded. "It's alright, it's alright. It's mainly due to the favorable feng shui of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool. These few small dishes were also carefully fried by Dong Cang. Old General, please taste them."
"Good."
The old general ate with great speed, drinking cup after cup of wine.
Lin Zhao sat beside him, accompanying him, and smiled. "This time, Lin Ruo and I were forced to fight against the demons and monsters. This battle was very passive and quite unsightly. If it weren't for your support, Old General, with two thousand Confucian scholars descending the mountain to aid us, the outcome would have been uncertain. I bear your kindness in my heart, but the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool has a meager foundation. The most we can offer seems to be these few small dishes and a pot of wine."
"It is enough."
The old general laughed heartily. "We Confucian warriors find joy in battlefield combat. To have something to eat and a pot of fine wine, what more could one regret? Furthermore, I came not just for you, Lin Zhao, but for this human world."
"Mmm, you are right, Old General!"
Lin Zhao nodded with a smile.
Suddenly, after taking a large gulp of wine, the old general turned sharply towards the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool and smiled. "It seems there are guests at the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool. How about you return to the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool?"
"Ah?!"
Lin Zhao's heart skipped a beat. He immediately bid farewell and returned to the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool on his sword.
...
On the mountainside, an old man with white hair, wearing a green long robe, ascended the mountain with a sword on his back.
"Yo!"
At the mountain gate, a slovenly man raised his arm horizontally and said lazily with a smile, "Old Sword Immortal has traveled the world for a long time, and you've done more wicked deeds than I, Tang Guangjun. Why don't you spare the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool? It's not interesting."
"Oh?"
The other party narrowed his eyes, slowly reached for the hilt of the sword behind him, and smiled. "If I insist on going up the mountain, do you think I, Tang Guangjun, can stop you?"
"Even if I can't stop you, I must try!"
Tang Guangjun raised his eyebrows slightly, clasped his fists, and smiled. "Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, Mountain Peak Villa, minor esteemed guest Tang Guangjun, wishes to learn from the Old Sword Immortal's peerless sword techniques. I would have no regrets even if I die!"
"Then die."
The old man slowly drew his sword, and immediately a majestic sword intent swept across the entire Snow Domain Heavenly Pool!