At two in the afternoon, they arrived at the Snow Domain Celestial Pool.
...
Lin Zhao didn't rush to accept quests. Hunting demons down the mountain was secondary to solidifying his current situation. After the last battle, it was clear the camp's defenses were too weak. Relying on himself and Xiang Ji fighting hand-to-hand was unsustainable. If those demon soldiers had swarmed in, all three NPCs would have been in mortal danger.
First, build a wall!
He urged his horse up the mountain, his Benlei Sword continuously cleaving massive rocks into square blocks. He filled his pack completely before returning to the camp and began the arduous task of "wall construction." About half an hour later, the outer wall of the camp had taken shape, and the overall area had expanded considerably. The outer wall was about three meters high, enough to block ordinary demon soldiers. Afterward, he used massive rocks to build a platform in the center of the camp, a full 7-9 meters high.
"Clink!"
The Demon Suppressing Crossbow was successfully set up, placed atop the platform. Once demons approached, it would automatically lock on and fire, making things much easier.
The camp had two gates, one in the front and one in the back. This setup considered the possibility of retreat. If the front gate was breached, they could still escape through the back. It was always good to have an escape route. The two bronze beasts purchased from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion were strategically placed at each gate. With this, the camp's overall defense had improved dramatically compared to before.
After finishing everything, he finally headed down the mountain.
...
On the north slope of the mountain, on a large blue rock, Xiang Ji stood in a powerful boxing stance. His stance differed from the Farmer's Three Punches. It was filled with fierce energy but lacked refined intention. Once a punch was thrown, it couldn't be retracted. The Farmer's Three Punches, on the other hand, was an offensive and defensive technique, particularly the "Formidable Wind and Waves" posture, which left ample room for maneuver.
Lin Zhao felt embarrassed to offer pointers. After all, he was merely a sword cultivator. While he could discern the flaws in Xiang Ji's boxing principles, he could only articulate them verbally. In a real fight, he couldn't even execute one move of the Farmer's Three Punches. In contrast, Xiang Ji exhibited great masterly demeanor. However, the deficiency in his boxing principles kept him at the Ninth Realm, preventing him from breaking through. The Sea Treading Realm seemed as distant as the horizon to him.
"You're here?"
Xiang Ji smiled and stopped practicing.
"Mm."
Lin Zhao nodded, glancing at a few more demon cultivator heads in the nearby bushes. Judging by the residual aura, there were two at the Seventh Realm and one at the Eighth Realm Golden Core stage. Unlike Lin Zhao, who only dealt with minor demons, Xiang Ji was ruthless, hunting Fifth Realm demon cultivators. However, the demons were helpless. This Ninth Realm martial artist could already travel by wind, appearing and disappearing like a gust. He would kill and take heads, leaving no trace. Unless the demons deployed someone from the Upper Fifth Realm, they couldn't stop him.
Recently, the demons seemed unusually restrained.
Lin Zhao looked north, his brow furrowed. He found it strange. Logically, a troublemaker like Xiang Ji should have been dealt with long ago. Had Yu Zhi's ambition been extinguished after the battle at the Snow Domain Celestial Pool? Did she no longer wish to conquer the human empire? This was unlike her.
"Xiang Ji, you need to be extra cautious," Lin Zhao said calmly. "Don't be too ostentatious. Beware of the demons setting traps for you. You might not come back."
Xiang Ji nodded. "I know. I'll be careful. Don't worry."
"Mm."
Lin Zhao spoke with him and then proceeded to accept his next quest. A moment later, a bell-like sound echoed in his ear. It was here—
"Ding!"
System notification: You have accepted the quest [Hunt Demons 2] (SS-rank)!
Quest description: Travel north of the Snow Domain Celestial Pool and defeat over 10,000 demon units of level 80 or higher. Upon completion, return to Xiang Ji for a generous reward.
...
The lowest-level target was level 80, and there were 10,000 of them. Assessed as an SS-rank main quest, the rewards would undoubtedly be substantial. With enough luck, such quests could grant additional treasures like flowing gold equipment, magical artifacts, or rare skill books, representing a huge profit. Ordinary players might not earn as much in a month as from a single quest like this.
Drawing his sword and mounting his horse, he rode down the mountain, passing through low-level monster areas until he reached the spawn zone for monsters between levels 82-85. He then began to draw aggro and AoE farm. Lin Zhao was now faster at killing monsters. His Benlei Sword had rendered a group of monsters numb with its power. While farming, he continuously pondered game details. After a group of monsters was cleared, a full-health rat demon nearby, carrying a steel spear, charged over, shouting incessantly.
"The Great King sent me to patrol the mountains, all human brats must die~~~"
Lin Zhao couldn't help but chuckle. As the steel spear lunged forward, he pulled back on the reins, narrowly evading the attack. Simultaneously, Lin Zhao's body was on the rat demon's right side. Its right flank was entirely exposed. This was an opportunity for a "counter-attack" in PK mode. In the next second, a "Rising Dragon Slash" sent the rat demon flying into the air.
The rat demon remained suspended in the air for a short period. During this time, Lin Zhao had landed and immediately followed up with a normal attack and "Throw of Providence," hitting the rat demon. Before it fell, he began charging his next skill.
"Qi Chong Dou Niu!"
With a "bang," the Benlei Sword unleashed an incredibly fierce strike, significantly depleting the rat demon's health bar and causing it to be knocked back. For the next second, the rat demon experienced a 0.5-second stun followed by a 0.5-second silence. Lin Zhao then unleashed a sword energy wave that enveloped its head. Before the rat demon could recover from the "Qi Chong Dou Niu" effect, he stunned it. He then followed up with a flurry of attacks: normal attack + "Sweeping Qiankun" + heavy slash + "Flying Sword Strike," a combo representing Lin Zhao's highest courtesy for a single target.
The result? Before the combo was even finished, this Second Realm rat demon tilted its head and died, dropping a few silver coins.
Lin Zhao took a deep breath, his heart settling.
After awakening "Qi Chong Dou Niu," his personal attack system was essentially complete. Lin Zhao's combat strategy was to initiate with "Rising Dragon Slash." As long as he found a slight opening, he could execute a counter-attack with "Rising Dragon Slash" to knock the target into the air, and then the opponent could basically be declared dead. After all, the damage from "Rising Dragon Slash" + normal attack + "Throw of Providence" + "Qi Chong Dou Niu" + "Sword Energy Impact" + normal attack + "Sweeping Qiankun" + heavy slash + "Flying Sword Strike" was simply too high, and it was all completed within three seconds. Whoever got hit by "Rising Dragon Slash" would die; that was essentially the idea.
Among these skills, "Throw of Providence" and "Sweeping Qiankun" could be followed by a normal attack to increase damage, but the operational requirement was too high. A slight misstep could affect the continuity of the entire combo. After all, this combo relied on the opponent being in a state of being knocked airborne, stunned, and silenced throughout. Any slight gap would allow top players to find an opening to break the sequence.
He frowned. No rush. The start was good. He would just practice diligently from now on.
...
Demon Realm, Ninth Army Tent.
"Bang!"
Bai Ye, an Eleventh Realm great demon, slammed his palm onto the bronze table in anger. "Why did Hua Lu, a Golden Core stage cultivator, die at the Snow Domain Celestial Pool? And she was leading thousands of troops! How could this happen? Who exactly is at the Snow Domain Celestial Pool that can annihilate so many of my forces?"
Below the tent, a man with a shrew-like face stood up. He was an Eleventh Realm shrew. He cupped his fists and said, "Lord Bai Ye, if it's absolutely necessary, allow me to make a trip. Even if that Xiang Ji is there, I will surely bring back his head to present to your esteemed table."
"No."
Bai Ye was naturally cautious. "We cannot be careless. The human race seems to be stirring lately. Fu Su Great Wall often has sword cultivators of the Upper Fifth Realm heading north, and once one even passed through Gu Xiao Pass, seemingly investigating something. The sword energy from Lin Xingchu of Xi Jian River can reach a thousand miles away, which is very troublesome. Furthermore, the ancestral home of the Mohists has also dispatched many wandering knights in the northern territories. This might be part of their plan, to lure and kill our Upper Fifth Realm demons. How precious are our Upper Fifth Realm demons? Each one carries a trace of the world's destiny. We cannot afford to lose them casually as we did a hundred years ago."
"Then what should we do?" a female demon general frowned.
Bai Ye rose and looked up through the large tent at the sky. "The snow is getting heavier tonight. Since that is the case, why not let Long Xue go? She is a Nascent Soul stage cultivator. With her numerous snow maidens, she should be able to sweep away those scoundrels at the Snow Domain Celestial Pool, shouldn't she? Issue an order: Long Xue will lead her contingent and, under the cover of the snowy night, launch an attack on the Snow Domain Celestial Pool. It would be best if you could bring back Xiang Ji's head."
"Yes!"
Below the tent, a woman in a pure white long dress slowly stood up. She was dressed in white as snow, her face flawless, without a single blemish. However, her entire demeanor was cold, as if she were the most emotionless woman in the world, having long seen through men.
Long Xue, a Ninth Realm demon cultivator, was originally a snow maiden who met a tragic end in the north. After years of cultivation, she finally reached the Nascent Soul stage. Now, she commanded the obedience of countless snow maidens in the northern territories. Wherever her army marched, widows were made.
...
Lin Zhao was still hunting demons in Lingbei.
"Beep!"
A message arrived from Leng Yan: "Lin Zhao, want to have hotpot tonight? Come to Ning City. There's a super amazing place on the top floor of the building in the center of Ning City. You've definitely never eaten there."
"Ah?"
Lin Zhao looked at the endless monsters before him. "I'm doing an S-rank quest. How about next time?"
"You're not allowed to refuse me."
Leng Yan shot him a sideways glance. "If you refuse me, I'll feel a strong sense of failure, like I've become so undesirable that no one wants me. So, you have to agree."
Lin Zhao's face darkened. "That's unreasonable, Miss Leng..."
Leng Yan chuckled. "I don't care. I just want to eat hotpot with you today."
"Alright!"
Lin Zhao nodded. "Just the two of us? Or should we invite Shen Xingchen? It'll be more lively with more people."
"Okay."
Leng Yan smiled. "Then I'll invite Xingchen. You can take the Shen family's private jet over, or... if you don't want to, I can send a plane to pick you up."
"I'm not that fussy. I'll hitch a ride on Shen Xingchen's plane."
"Mhm, mhm. We'll be waiting for you!"
...
In the top-floor hotel in the center of Ning City, Leng Yan stretched her long, slender, and smooth legs, kicking aside the quilt. A smile played on her lips as she lazily lay in bed, unwilling to get up. Inviting Lin Zhao to eat, and bringing Shen Xingchen along, was also good. In fact, she had a clear perspective. Since she liked him, she shouldn't try to control him. It was best to interact with him in the most comfortable way possible.
Her best friend, the person she liked the most, gathered together to eat hotpot. What could be happier or more fulfilling in the world than this?