Chapter 756: Leveling Up

【You choose to accept the other party's attempt to strike up a conversation.】

【Player 'Mysterious Weakling' has initiated a chat with you.】

'Mysterious Weakling': "I see that your bone structure is extraordinary, Your Excellency; at a glance, one can tell you are a person of great ability..."

'Feng Shangfei': "Speak human language..."

'Mysterious Weakling': "Please, let's team up! Although I am weak, I know a lot of intelligence... Big Brother, do you know how hard it is to randomly encounter another player in this crappy game without any items?... My exploration level and Spirituality are both insufficient; if I don't get something done, I'll die when the deadline hits!"

'Feng Shangfei': "What intelligence? Speak and let me hear it..."

'Mysterious Weakling': "Intelligence regarding the final BOSS of the second chapter—the exotic beast 'Hou'. Does Big Brother want to know? As long as you take me with you during the final battle, I will tell you."

【Suddenly, you hear a heart-wrenching roar!】

Other players die when they die; if he dies, he loses at most one life, so what is there to fear?

If he were to take that 'Mysterious Weakling' along, he might just end up getting the guy killed.

'Mysterious Weakling': "Big Brother, rest assured, let me tell you... I spent a long time as a beggar in Tianlong City and finally obtained a map—it can lead to the home of 'Guafu Qing'... The man of this house was once the most outstanding hunter in Tianlong City, but later died in the battle to conquer the exotic beast 'Hou'... Guafu Qing must know a lot of intelligence regarding 'Hou'..."

"Someone who can track me down so quickly is certainly not some small civilian organization. Are you from the Daxin official forces?"

A female team member beside her answered solemnly.

"Many thanks to my friend for showing mercy!"

Chen Ci got out of the car, without the slightest concealment, and walked toward Aaron, who was carrying a lunch box.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Aaron's mouth.

【Through your conversation with Guafu Qing, you learn that the exotic beast Hou 'resembles a dog, is as large as an ox, is covered in red fur, is several feet long, devours humans and various evil beasts, and its roar is heart-wrenching... possessing the ability to shake one's soul!'】

Aaron opened the lunch box, ate a prawn, and looked up.

His hands instantly became soft as if boneless, like two giant pythons, muscles bulging, as he strangled toward Aaron!

——Snake Hunting Fist!

It is not the case that one can do whatever one wants just by becoming a player.

【You choose not to take the beaten path!】

Anyway, Aaron is not afraid of death; sooner or later, he will be able to level up his skills.

"Personal Protection in reality, intelligence and item support in the game... even if you obtain rare tools for dialogue or teaming up, you can invite experts from our Association to team up with you..."

"'Black Butterfly'?" A trace of doubt appeared on Aaron.

【You have encountered a Wild Beast Bear!】

"A player organization, their methods are a bit dirty... relying on possessing a bit of superpowers to do whatever they want." A look of obvious disgust appeared on Chen Ci's face: "But you are different; you are a player willing to abide by the law. Even if you don't join our Association, our Association will still do its best to help you!"

【Natural beast instincts allow you to easily discover the traces of those small beasts...】

Rip!

"Confirmed, the target is named Aaron, an orphan, unemployed, previously owed a pile of external debts, but later suddenly paid them off... suspected of having a source of wealth after becoming a player."

Chen Ci explained: "Between a Martial Artist and a Warlock, sometimes there is no clear boundary. For example, that kid you finished off earlier... he relied on a Soul Bewitching Technique to commit crimes multiple times..."

"The roar of the Hou carries a terrifying demonic power that can cause even Martial Artists to be extremely strongly affected, resulting in symptoms like auditory and visual hallucinations... If you want to kill this exotic beast, unless you have practiced a heart-calming martial art, you had better find a Warlock teammate."

【You have obtained the map shared by 'Mysterious Weakling'!】

'Then what was I doing earlier, brewing so much emotion and planning?' Chen Ci realized that he couldn't speak again: "Uh... welcome to becoming a member of our Association."

The female team member said admiringly.

Chen Ci nodded: "Our Association doesn't have many people in your vicinity. Currently, it is not recommended to start the mission to kill 'Hou'... According to our estimates, it requires at least a five-person team, equipped with a Warlock, and each person must have a martial art practiced to the Furnace Fire Pure Green realm to even slightly attempt it..."

【You track all the way and discover a huge footprint; you choose to continue tracking!】

【You have killed the wild dog pack... Your movement technique has improved!】

Aaron thought for a moment and felt that there seemed to be more to it; what 'shake one's soul'? That was clearly a sonic attack.

Aaron immediately chose to refuse: "It seems that to solo 'Hou', this game character is currently not quite enough... time to find a place to level up."

If that is the case, then how did he die at the hands of 'Lao Cai Bang Zi' in the simulator back then?

Three days later.

Accompanied by the game's prompt, Aaron discovered that he finally had an additional map option.

Originally, he had wanted to reveal his strength and seize the initiative, letting this kid understand the principle that there is always someone better, and heavens beyond the heavens.

"Mm... many thanks."

"Correct."

Although he had already learned 'Heavenly Crippled Ghost Leg' and 'Wild Wolf Fist', the most powerful martial art Aaron possessed at this moment was still the 'Secret Martial Art' created by combining Spirituality!

"This..."

"No!"

"Boss..."

He chose this hotel, which is easy to expose, rather than sneaking into a resident's home, which naturally has a deeper meaning.

【'Feng Shangfei' executes 'Heavenly Crippled Ghost Leg', kicking toward the vital point of 'Hou' with the move 'Ghost Shadow Layers'!】

The reason he chose the hotel was mainly to go fishing.

This was Chen Ci's harvest in the 'Ancient' game, and, after an unknown number of dangerous choices and attempts, he had upgraded it to the 'Furnace Fire Pure Green' realm!

At this time, the skill levels in 'Ancient' had also been roughly figured out by the Association.

【Evasion successful!】

This time, he went directly to the Daliang Government Office, choosing to save his progress—no, save his respawn point—and then accept the mission.

【You have rescued the young girl abducted by bandits; the other party decides to offer herself to you. You prepare to...】

Anyway, such verbal promises are generally not binding, and it feels quite good to have someone willing to act as a meat shield when fighting a BOSS.

"I'm fine..."

Feng Shangfei: "I agree, but if you dare to deceive me, you know the consequences..."

Chen Ci had not expected at all that this kid opposite him would start a fight without a word!

After resting for a while, he lay on the sofa and entered the Ancient game.

After one move, life and death are decided!

Feng Shangfei: "And then?"

Chen Ci followed him in: "Friend... are you also an Ancient player?"

Amidst Chen Ci's shock, Aaron spread the five fingers of his right hand, his nails tearing through the air with a hissing sound, reaching Chen Ci's chest!

Clatter!

Chen Ci retreated several steps, staring blankly at his own chest.

"Since you are willing to join the Association, we are all our own people now; we will help each other if anything comes up in the future... I will take you to report to the Lin City branch of the Association tomorrow."

【Battle ended!】

【You accepted the official notice and arrived at Nanshan!】

【You defeated the thief!】

【Hou is unscathed, it pounces!】

As he spoke, his clothes fluttered loudly, and his skin took on the luster of refined iron!

—Eagle Claw Iron Cloth Shirt!

Only then did the lunch box fall from mid-air, to be caught steadily by Aaron in his hand.

"Then... let's leave it at that. I'll go make contact with the other party to see what their personality is really like and whether they are suitable to be recruited into our Association."

"Hm? Finally here?"

An inconspicuous van was currently parked by the side of the road.

"Spirit Snake Breath!"

【You arrived outside Tianlong City!】

Chen Ci gave a wry smile, discovering that the bellyful of words he had prepared could not be spoken.

Aaron weighed the lunch box in his hand, then tossed it into the sky: "Since that's the case... let me see your strength!"

Compared to the stubborn Chen Ci, he was the one who truly hadn't used much effort.

【You were ambushed by a group of thieves, you have died!】

On the screen, blood-red characters appeared.

【Hou dodged! Hou launched another attack!】

【You discovered the strange beast Hou! Hou also discovered you!】

【Your insight into fist techniques has improved!】

Mysterious Weakling: "Then I can't get in... there's no option to enter the house, I'm just stuck here... woo woo woo... and I have no money, I randomly ran into a few other players before, they couldn't do it either..."

After possessing an Extraordinary Ability, making money was a very simple matter; Chen Ci just nodded without delving into it much.

【Accept the notice?】

【Hou lets out a heart-wrenching roar! Judging...】

'Such strong defense... this... how is this possible?'

But the next moment, he felt a sharp pain in his fingers, as if he had struck the hardest steel!

Seeing someone approaching at this time, with the faint fluctuation of Qi on their body, he felt no panic at all and walked into a small alley.

【Feng Shangfei picked up the Bowl and smashed it hard against Hou's head!】

Chen Ci gasped violently for a few moments before coming back to his senses and solemnly expressing his thanks.

"Actually, I belong to the Folk Custom Enthusiasts Association. Although we have received support from the government, we are still considered a non-governmental force..."

"Is this Hou's roar quite formidable?"

Chen Ci's ten fingers, like the red tongue flicked out by a venomous snake, tapped successively on the acupuncture points of Aaron's hands.

【Feng Shangfei is injured!】

Chen Ci looked at his chest and coughed: "After all... it's a test for a newcomer, I couldn't use my full strength; I only used fifty percent!"

Chen Ci acted very kindly.

【Your movement technique has improved!】

Then, he returned to Tianlong City, in front of the Daliang Government Office.

Aaron understood instantly.

"No need to be polite, after all, I don't want to provoke the official forces either..." Aaron waved his hand.

When Aaron's back disappeared, the female team member from before hurriedly chased after him: "Are you okay? I saw you get beaten so badly..."

【Feng Shangfei chose to dodge! Judging...】

As long as one leaves Tianlong City, one can occasionally farm wild monsters, beasts, or even PK red-named players...

One could see that at the chest area, countless fabric fragments were fluttering like butterflies, revealing his pectorals.

【Battle starts!】

A flash of light appeared in Chen Ci's eyes: "So you were at that office... Hou? Its shape resembles a dog, it likes to eat people... most importantly, it's its roar!"

【You have arrived at Guafu Qing's House. Guafu Qing has kept the door closed, refusing to see guests... You take out the Bowl, pretend to be begging for alms, and successfully mix your way inside.】

It can generally be divided into five realms: Beginner, Entering the Hall, Furnace Fire Pure Green, Peak of Perfection, and Chushen Ruohua!

The further one improves, the rarer high-level skills become!

Being able to cultivate a Qi Martial Art to the Furnace Fire Pure Green level is not considered weak, even among players!

【Feng Shangfei uses Wild Wolf Fist to attack the Hou! Due to being unskilled, the execution fails!】

"Does that mean if I solo, besides equipping calming-type martial arts, my own martial arts must at least be above Furnace Fire Pure Green?"

"Calming? Does Unfixed Heart Zen count?" Aaron thought for a moment and asked another question: "What is a Warlock?"

With this trick, no wonder the Hou isn't afraid of being surrounded!

"It seems that to surround and attack this Hou, I still need to plan carefully. At the very least, I should improve my martial arts first..."

Aaron thought for a moment and decided he could try it when he had time later.

【Guafu Qing's House!】

On the other side, Aaron, having closed the door, had a calm expression: "The Folk Custom Enthusiasts Association?"

But now, it seems like I am the one being beaten?

So the clown was actually me?

Chen Ci felt like crying, but he had to say it: "Aaron... do you know that your current situation is very dangerous? Although I admire your act of saving those sisters at night before... that kid who used the Soul Bewitching Technique also has some background; he is one of the Black Butterfly's people."

Aaron waved his hand, threw the finished bento box into the trash can, and turned to walk toward the hotel.

Chen Ci said seriously: "Ancient games are not like others; if a game character dies, they are truly dead... Once you encounter fur-balls or fur-people, you would surely cough up blood from the loss, right?"

Inside the hotel, Aaron logged out of the game and muttered to himself.

【The Hou pounced over, pinned Feng Shangfei underneath, and opened its bloody maw...】

"Jianghu Warlocks... they are also a system that cultivates 'Qi', but unlike us Martial Artists, they lean more toward the spell side..."

He felt speechless in his heart.

Feng Shangfei: "Share it with me, I'll go take a look..."

After all, Aaron liked to habitually keep a tiny bit of a trump card.

Just now, if the opponent had just moved forward a little more, he would have been disemboweled!

"Wait, I haven't finished yet. What are the benefits of joining?" Aaron shoveled a mouthful of rice and asked slowly.

Chen Ci swept a glance over without leaving a trace: "Have you confirmed the target?"

After all, he was, at any rate, a big shot on the Mysterious side.

【You have died!】

【Feng Shangfei practices Unfixed Heart Zen, resistance to abnormal status increased... Check failed! Feng Shangfei is not affected by the roar!】

Aaron went out, bought some takeout, and brought it back to the hotel to eat.

'This official player faction clerk... is actually... this weak?'

'I know, the previous team-up was a warning.'

Aaron muttered to himself in his heart and nodded: "I need intelligence support... regarding the 'Hou'."

【1. The great cause is not yet achieved, how can one have a family? Reject her!】

"Nothing to be unwilling about... I'll join!"

【You use Wild Wolf Fist to kill a Wild Beast Bear. Your fist technique level has increased; it is currently 'Entering the Hall'!】

"Different applications of Qi, is it?"

As for leveling spots?

Aaron immediately chose to head there.

"So that's how it is, but this newcomer is also very impressive..."

【2. Accept her】

【3. Unknown】

(End of chapter)