Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“Enhanced Vanishing Step! As expected, after this bunch of fellows turned into NPCs, the system treated them as such. Once they are dead, the top-tier techniques they possess can be absorbed as well.” Lin Jie was over the moon.

“This is great, I’ve been worried that I had no way of getting any top-tier techniques. Now that all of you are around, I’ll take the opportunity to get my hands on some top-tier techniques and slowly master them. I’ll absorb these runes when the time comes.” Lin Jie grinned. These mystic runes were the essence of top-tier techniques. Just like the Sun Demonic Sword, once they were absorbed, they could be used to enhance one’s own skills.

However, Lin Jie was unable to absorb the remaining three runes since he had not learned the required techniques. He would have to fight with Falcon, grasp the techniques, practice, and master them before he could absorb them.

This trip to the Spider Den was a huge success! Not only did he recruit a powerful recovery-type druid, Breeze Wind, for his team, he even ruined Baili Xuanyuan’s plan by coincidence. Those elite players, who were helping the Xuanyuan Alliance, had failed and became NPC-like existences, much less be able to fight against him.

Now, he even found out that these 7 people were harboring top-tier techniques, and that runes could be dropped from them. Thus, they became Lin Jie’s target to kill.

“Next up, I’ll have to search for the whereabouts of the remaining 6 people and kill them. It would be best if I can force out some additional information on that continent.” Lin Jie planned.

“But, even though I managed to kill Falcon with terrain advantage, his raw power still exceeds mine. If those people are stronger than Falcon, it would be hard to kill them with my current strength! My top priority now should be leveling up to Level 50. Then, I’ll use the Secret Techniques of Clomaros I obtained from the City of Light Corporal’s home, and see if I can get God of War’s Heritage skill and obtain a Mystic Skill Book. After that, I’ll kill the 6 people and learn their top-tier techniques. Finally, I’ll clear the Main Plot Dungeon and obtain the sword blade within it. In addition, I have to get in touch more with the Tower of Light. There’s definitely a sword blade in that Laini’s body!”

As he planned his next moves, Lin Jie settled on a goal. Unfortunately, he was unable to absorb the three pieces of runes. He could only toss them into his bag and leave them there.

At that moment, Lin Jie received a few messages on his friends’ column.

There were from the two great guilds, which they were in alliance with—Vampire City and Knight’s Glory. The two guilds actually kept their promise. After Lin Jie retreated, they did not come and cause any trouble. Once the maintenance for the City of Light was over, they then sent a message saying that they were planning to move their guilds.

“Leader Lone Wolf, it’s been a while. Your reputation has skyrocketed yet again. You even became the City Leader of the City of Light. With you around as the City Leader, everybody is envious of the welfare in the City of Light. How I wish to move all of my members into that city as well.” Very Fat laughed happily. He added, “Let’s cut to the chase. Knight’s Glory has allocated half of our manpower to contribute to the establishment of the City of Light. I hope that we can be in harmony with Leader Lone Wolf and develop together.”

Dark Earl laughed. “That fatso has put it in such a nice way. But I suggest you be careful, the monsters around the City of Light are much better than that of other cities. With the addition of the Tower of Light, the surrounding maps have fewer restrictions, and there are countless leveling grounds. There’s a chance people are eyeing these benefits, hehehe…”

Very Fat rolled his eyes awkwardly and said, “Can you not be so obvious with your words?”

“Cough, cough, enough. Both of you are welcomed to the City of Light. We’ll work and develop together. It’s just nice that after the monsters attacked the city the other time, many high-level camps spawned nearby. They are all elite monsters, and you guys can clear them with many benefits,” said Lin Jie.

“Well said, very well said. Recently, there’s been concerns over finding new leveling grounds, so it’s great now. Oh yeah, when will Leader Lone Wolf show us some face and go leveling up with us?” Very Fat sent out an invitation gleefully.

“We’ll talk about this again. I’ve been quite busy recently.” Lin Jie rubbed his temples.

“Okay, contact us anytime.”

Lin Jie hung up the call. His eyes shook as he thought things through, ensuring that everything was within his control. Then, he finally relaxed and prepared for his next plan.

At that moment, Bu Yi sent a message.

“Hey, Lin Jie… We agreed to go leveling with Baili the other time.” Bu Yi reminded him.

During the time Lin Jie was at the Blade Peak Canyon, Baili Changcheng had taken on the mission to fight against the Xuanyuan Alliance alone. He had been killed many times by Baili Xuanyuan and lost over 10 levels. Now, he was only Level 32.

She added, “Baili and I are already waiting for you at the city gate…”

Lin Jie knocked his head forcefully. Recently, there were too many things for him to handle. On top of that, he was caught up in the search for top-tier techniques. As such, this had slipped his mind. After he was reminded by Bu Yi, Lin Jie felt really guilty. He immediately went to Sky Provisions Shop to buy a bag of health potions and 100 bottles of Essence Oil for equipment repair, then rushed to the city gate.

Baili Changcheng and Bu Yi were long waiting for him. Bu Yi said softly, “Lin Jie might’ve been delayed because he was looking for maps.”

Baili Changcheng laughed, slightly embarrassed. “This fellow… Actually, you guys don’t have to specially come to help me level up. There are many leveling maps around.”

“There are not many good places to level up.” Lin Jie arrived and hopped off his horse. Then, he smiled awkwardly and said, “Baili is only Level 32 now. Let’s find a map and increase your level in one go back to normal.”

“There’s such a map?” Baili Changcheng was shocked. The “training grounds” referred to by players were simply able to spawn more monsters at a higher rate. They would train there for one to two days to increase one level and then change to a new map to maintain the efficiency of leveling up.

A map would directly increase by over 10 levels. That was the terrifying part…

“There are a few maps like that. But, they are just much more dangerous.” Lin Jie smiled. “Our destination is the Borean Tundra.”

Bu Yi cried out in shock, “Borean Tundra? That’s the map where the levels range from 55 to 70. Also, many powerful, ferocious wild beasts are there. With just the three of us… it’ll be really difficult, right?”

Lin Jie smiled and said, “The harder the map, the more the reward. We should make use of the additional EXP buff from the City of Light and level up as much as possible. Moreover… I heard that an old friend is at Borean Tundra as well. I plan to take a look around, maybe he may even give me a gift.”

“An old friend?” Baili Changcheng glared. “Why do I feel chills when I hear you say these words?”

“Okay, let’s go now. It’s quite some distance from here to Borean Tundra.” Lin Jie gave a smile with hidden meaning. He then rode his Iron-Willed Blood Horse and traveled with Bu Yi and Baili to the Borean Tundra.

Along the road, the outskirts of the City of Light felt much more crowded.

Due to the monster siege, many hidden fallen monster tribes revealed themselves, causing some changes in the surrounding maps. These monster camps were storing countless treasures from the past, and even bloodline heritage from ancient races. As such, they attracted many players over to kill the monsters and obtain treasures.

In addition, the people from the two great guilds, Vampire City and Knight’s Glory, also increased the human traffic at the City of Light.

The two guilds were harmonious. Other than their own training team, they even actively invited solo players to join them in leveling up. Once these solo players felt the warmth and benefits of these large guilds, most of the time, they would join the guild. Of course, solo players could also join the team and leave anytime, along with whatever battle drops they earned.

This strategy was much better than the Xuanyuan Alliance’s way of eliminating everybody.

On the way, there were many players from the Supreme Tribe, Vampire City, Knight’s Glory, Ironwall Empire, and Steel Allies. When they saw Lin Jie and Baili Changcheng, they all greeted them. Lin Jie even saw many players who used to be part of the Xuanyuan Alliance. It seemed that they were recruited by these guilds after they left.

“How’s Baili Xuanyuan?” asked Lin Jie.

“Even since he was defeated in the city siege, he has been in a terrible state!” When speaking about this man, Baili Changcheng trembled and rambled on. “Who knows how much money he had lost after bribing guilds, solo players, and even NPCs? Unfortunately, it was all in vain, and he lost everything. Not only did he fail to attain the City of Light, the Xuanyuan Alliance, which he had spent so much effort in establishing, was also destroyed. Now, he’s only left with the Three Alliances, and they are fighting stubbornly with their backs against the wall.”

Bu Yi laughed lightly. “The Three Alliances are Baili Xuanyuan’s original capital, it’s not easy to completely destroy them.”

“Bu Yi is right, but right now, he can’t make any big ruckus.” Baili Changcheng smiled and said, “There was an internal family meeting, and my father had also arranged for people to put pressure on Baili Xuanyuan, earning me the authority for development and all resources. However, that old fellow is still working to make profits for himself. He actually threatened to recruit experts who are several hundred times stronger than you, and the ones he found were such jokes… Does he think experts can be found just anywhere?”

When Lin Jie heard this, his face suddenly turned serious as he asked, “How many?”

Baili Changcheng was shocked by Lin Jie’s attitude. He showed three fingers and said, “Three of them. But I’m not sure who exactly they are. I heard that the three experts are even recruiting disciples, saying that even normal players can learn top-tier moves. Five hits per second, guaranteed mastery…”

“Split-Second Five Slashes?” Lin Jie recalled the quick attack that Falcon had used, and continued, “Pay close attention to their every move. If you can, find the chance to kill these people that Baili Xuanyuan has recruited. Return them to their beginner stats so that they cannot make a comeback!”

“Okay!” Baili Changcheng laughed. Then, he suddenly said, “Oh right, I heard a legend about a weapon in the Borean Tundra. Have you heard of it?”

“…”

Lin Jie pondered for a long time before saying, “Coldless Winter?”

“Yes! That’s the name!” Baili Changcheng said excitedly, “Coldless Winter! I heard that it’s a weapon made specially for Ice Elemental Sword Artists. Fu Sheng, do you think I’ll get this weapon?”

“I think… probably, yes.” Lin Jie had a flashback. In his previous life, Baili Changcheng had pierced through his chest with Coldless Winter.

Bu Yi noticed that Lin Jie was acting a little strange and asked him with concern, “Are you okay? Are you feeling unwell? Is it because you have been online for too long?”

“It’s nothing. Let’s go.” Lin Jie took a deep breath and gave a small smile.

Bu Yi observed Lin Jie’s face carefully and felt a strange pain in her heart. She did not know where this pain was coming from, but it felt as if she could experience the inexplicable pain of Lin Jie.

It was as if she could see that behind Lin Jie’s smiling facade, his face was twisted in pain.