Chapter 219: Danger and Opportunity, Hand in Hand

Hong Jishi began to recount information about the Ancient Battlefield, and Jiang Chen listened attentively.

"This place is called the Ancient Battlefield; it is quite dangerous, yet danger is also full of opportunity. As for its concrete history and origin, no one knows—at least neither I nor Lao Li understand," Hong Jishi said.

Li Xueru glanced at Hong Jishi in passing, as if reminding him not to involve himself.

But Hong Jishi paid no mind and continued his explanation.

"The Ancient Battlefield can be divided into three tiers: Upper Layer, Lower Layer, and Deep Layer. Each tier is interconnected yet independent; they depend on each other but do not interfere. In short, a very peculiar relationship exists among them."

At that moment, a Light Orb appeared in Hong Jishi's palm.

The Light Orb gradually reshaped into a three‑dimensional map.

The map showed two floating continents with a massive black hole between them, resembling the vortex at an Instance Entrance.

"I intend to take you to the Upper Layer, because those above Level 70 cannot enter it; they mainly operate in the Lower Layer. Conversely, those below Level 70 cannot enter the Lower Layer. However, occasional Spatial Tunnels appear between the layers, breaking the rule and allowing some people from the Lower Layer to reach the Upper Layer, though their time there is very limited—no more than an hour."

Hong Jishi's explanation was extremely detailed, starkly different from his usual carefree style.

Jiang Chen listened carefully, ensuring he missed no important detail.

Li Xueru grew somewhat impatient, feeling Hong Jishi's topic had strayed from the point and his words were somewhat verbose.

He couldn't help

to remind, "Can't you just start from the beginning and summarize the key points? Why so much nonsense now?"

Hong Jishi also realized he might have spoken too much, which conflicted with his usual direct, rough teaching style.

He is not good at lecturing; he usually teaches only basic points.

He turned to Li Xueru, attempting to seek help: "How about you speak then?"

Li Xueru sighed and explained, "According to legend, in a distant ancient era, humans, Abyss Creatures, and the Dragon Race erupted into an unprecedented massive war. The Ancient Battlefield was formed during that time. The intensity of that war was unparalleled; it not only shattered space but also rendered time chaotic."

"Within the Ancient Battlefield lie buried the divine artifacts, the strong, and souls of an entire era. Their lingering wills eventually gave rise to all kinds of monsters, perilous lands, Secret Realms, and Instances."

"While it contains danger, it also holds opportunity; good luck can grant you the divine artifacts and various chances left from the ancient age."

"Besides us Human Professionals, the Ancient Battlefield also hosts Abyss Demons and Dragon Warriors."

"Thus danger comes not only from antiquity but also from Other Races."

"Now, do you understand?"

Hong Jishi added, "Not only Other Races; even fellow Humans must be cautious—when profit is at stake, race matters not."

Hong Jishi recounted a creation‑myth story, and Li Xueru further completed it.

If you still don't get it, Jiang Chen is either a fool or an idiot.

In short, the Upper Layer space of the Ancient Battlefield is an activity zone for those below Level 70.

Occasionally, a Spatial Tunnel opens, and there will also be

characters above Level 70 strolling around the Upper Layer space.

There, one must watch out for ancient remnants and also be wary of Other Races.

Those not of my kind must have different hearts; we met on the Ancient Battlefield, and they are a life‑and‑death enemy, with no reason to argue.

have hearts that differ; encountering them in the Ancient Battlefield means life‑or‑death

a mortal enemy, no need to elaborate.

Various accidents happen there from time to time.

Sometimes an Instance will

suddenly appear and pull you in.

Moreover, there is no level restriction; a Level 40 character might enter a Level 60 Instance, even at Hell Difficulty, and die in a very ugly way.

Therefore, an Instance Exit Talisman must be carried at all times.

Likewise, opportunities are abundant.

Not only ancient divine artifacts, but also things you wouldn't imagine.

It is said that skills incompatible with Human Professionals come from there

brought back.

Some even awaken talents directly there.

Not awakened during Job Change, but midway.

In the Ancient Battlefield, anything is possible.

"I understand!" Jiang Chen whispered.

Such a fine place sparked his interest.

Hong Jishi cleared his throat lightly: "Now I will state the most important point."

"Why I want you to go to the Ancient Battlefield: in the Upper Layer's Central Area there is a Secret Realm called the Divine Selection Secret Realm."

"By passing through this Secret Realm, you can obtain a trace of Divinity."

"Divinity has great effects; one is that it can increase the probability of Profession Ascension during Job Change."

"Your Soul Crystal, combined with my arrangement, can at most raise your Profession Ascension probability to sixty to seventy percent, although not low, it is still not safe."

"If you can obtain Divinity, Divinity will grow stronger as you level up, and that way the probability can be raised to at least ninety percent"

"You can try a Dragon Crystal; if it fails, I'll use a Mermaid's Tear to help you awaken your talent at the Second Transcendence."

"Then, occasionally in the Upper Layer space, an Instance called 'Demon Dragon Hall' will appear randomly; whether you encounter it depends on your luck."

"If you find it and clear it on Hell Difficulty, you will obtain a Dragon Crystal."

"Dragon Crystals have a chance to awaken a talent, regardless of whether it's during Second Transcendence."

"You can try with a Dragon Crystal; if it fails, I will use a Mermaid's Tear to help you awaken a talent during Second Transcendence."

Lin Mo mistakenly asked, "Teacher, what level is this 'Demon Dragon Hall' Instance?"

Hong Jishi replied, "Sometimes it's Level 35, sometimes Level 50; it's said some have seen a Level 65 'Demon Dragon Hall' Instance, but it's hard to say."

【61】 "When I entered back then, the Instance was Level 40; at that time I happened to be Level 45. Though it was hard to beat, I still cleared it."

【62】 While saying this, Hong Jishi felt a bit proud.

【63】 A Level 45 Professional solo‑running a Level 40 Hell Difficulty Instance and succeeding is indeed a point of pride.

【64】 For Hell Difficulty Instances, ordinary Professionals simply cannot solo.

Li Xueru said lightly, "Think about Jiang Chen's instance‑clearing record; do you have the nerve?"

Hong Jishi, with an annoyed expression, "Can you stop always messing with my setup?"

Li Xueru chuckled, "The truth always hurts the most."

Hong Jishi shouted, "Lao Li, I'm not done with you."

"So what if it's not over? Do you actually want to fight me?" Li Xueru said without any hesitation toward Hong Jishi.

The old friends' bickering seemed habitual, and Jiang Chen felt rather warm seeing it.

After a while of arguing, Hong Jishi said, "So? Going to the Ancient Battlefield or not?"

Jiang Chen didn't even think.

"Going."

In a place like this, not going would only invite ghosts.

Especially that Divinity; he must obtain it.

Profession Ascension is crucial; Hong Jishi values it so much that Yi Ning could hold back his level for a year just to obtain a Nirvana Soul Crystal.

From this you can see that Profession Ascension is extremely important to practitioners.

Raising a tier in professional rank is a comprehensive upgrade.

Jiang Chen also doesn't know how strong his profession will become after another Ascension.

There's also Dragon Crystal.

It has a chance to directly awaken a talent.

Hong Jishi said that if it's his first talent awakening, using mermaid's tears and various arrangements gives him a ninety‑percent chance to awaken the talent.

But if it's the second time, the probability drops sharply; it might not even reach thirty percent.

Jiang Chen also doesn't know whether the system‑granted talent counts as a first awakening.

No certainty.

But with a Dragon Crystal, regardless of first or not, there's a chance to awaken a talent again.

If there's a chance, he must get it.

"Master, did you rely on a Dragon Crystal to awaken your talent back then?" Jiang Chen asked humbly.

Hong Jishi laughed, "Indeed, I used a Dragon Crystal to awaken my second talent."

"And it was a very strong talent!"

Hong Jishi struck a boastful pose, as if waiting for Jiang Chen to keep asking.

Jiang Chen didn't continue.

Among practitioners there are rules; some questions are too delicate to ask in detail.

This made Hong Jishi feel depressed.

He silently produced a golden‑shining Talisman.

He had all varieties, each fully functional.

The luster flowing over them showed none were low‑grade.

"Take this."

Jiang Chen took it and examined it.

"Advanced Instance Escape Talisman."

"Talisman."

"Advanced Cooldown Talisman."

"High-level Random Teleportation Talisman."

"High-grade Puppet Talisman."

"Master, what is this…" Jiang Chen was puzzled why he was given these.

Hong Jishi said, "The Advanced Cooldown Talisman isn't a gift; it's just a loan. Return it later. This thing is hard to make; you'll have to craft it yourself someday."

"The other items are for your survival; this High‑grade Puppet Talisman can shield you when you take fatal damage. But there are only three; use them sparingly."

"The other two are for escaping death, you know."

"Put these in your pocket; if you enter an Instance, you can't use storage space—it's pointless."

Hong Jishi seemed uneasy and repeated the warning.

In short, he just wants Jiang Chen to stay safe.

It's clear that sending Jiang Chen so early makes him a bit anxious.

The earlier one obtains Divinity, the better; trusting Jiang Chen's strength, he decided to send him to the Ancient Battlefield at Level 30.

The Shenlong Tower Illusion appeared in Li Xueru's palm.

It swooped into the air and then enlarged.

"Get ready, we're leaving!"

With a light shout from Li Xueru, a beam of light fell onto Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen's form faded, and in an instant vanished without a trace.

After sending Jiang Chen away, Hong Jishi said gravely, "Send me to Fortress No. 1."

Li Xueru understood Hong Jishi's meaning.

In Fortress No. 1's Hall of Heroic Souls, Jiang Chen's imprint remains, able to sense some of his conditions.

Knowing Hong Jishi's thoughts, he said little and directly sent him to Fortress No. 1.

The Hong Shen Courtyard fell silent again.

The Shenlong Tower Illusion vanished, and Li Xueru closed his eyes again.

This

In that instant, the wind stopped, the sound vanished, and it fell into silence.

Everything makes one wait with bated breath.