Chapter 67

With a plan in mind, Lu Xing decided to trust one more time.

Before that, he needed to purchase a batch of Qi-energy bombs and prepare thoroughly for the challenge.

To buy them, he first had to find a member of the Arms Dealers Guild—the player named Weapon Master in the comments section was clearly one of them.

After opening the other's profile page, he selected "Add."

Not long after, the friend request was approved, and a chat window popped up before Lu Xing.

Weapon Master: Brother, you've come around? Don't worry—my strategy is absolutely viable, battle-tested, and I'll sell you the Qi-energy bombs at cost: just 100 Shou Shou Jili per bomb.

Seeing the reply, Lu Xing felt puzzled:

Explorer: You're selling them at cost? What's your gain?

Weapon Master: Obviously—what do you think the players in your livestream want? They want you to capture the Strange Butterfly ASAP so we can share the Wind-riding Painful Painful Minghun.

Explorer: Is that really that important to you?

Weapon Master: Of course. The Wind-riding Painful Painful Minghun is exactly the star-vein combo I've dreamed of. Before this, I was stuck on one problem: as the explosive power of the Qi-energy bombs kept upgrading, how do I avoid getting caught in the blast? I considered pairing it with a defensive Painful Painful Minghun, or searching for one that lets me throw from afar… until the Strange Butterfly appeared—I found my answer.

Explorer: Explain in detail.

Weapon Master: Simple. The Wind-riding Painful Painful Minghun allows flight. My chosen Hawk-Head Beast Painful Painful Minghun can only glide—can't sustain flight. With the Wind-riding Painful Painful Minghun, I can solve this perfectly. Then, in my main form, I'll become a battlefield bomber, dropping Qi-energy bombs from high altitude for wide-area bombardment, without worrying about the blast hitting me…

Conversing with Weapon Master, Lu Xing understood why he was willing to sell the Qi-energy bombs at cost.

The reason was simple: in Weapon Master's eyes, the Wind-riding Painful Painful Minghun could perfectly fix his own weakness and unleash the full power of the Qi-energy bombs.

In the end, Lu Xing spent 500 Shou Shou Jili to buy five second-generation Qi-energy bombs.

The price gave Lu Xing serious pause—but then he remembered: if he could blow up the Strange Butterfly, he'd earn tens of thousands of Shou Shou Jili in rewards, possibly even one hundred thousand. He decided the investment wasn't a loss.

With the Qi-energy bombs in hand, Lu Xing didn't head straight there. Instead, he returned to Emperor's Tomb Village and entered the Testing Tower for simulated explosion trials.

The Qi-energy bombs required conscious activation—a challenge Lu Xing found difficult.

Each bomb cost 100 Shou Shou Jili. He didn't want to waste them.

Using the Testing Tower's simulation space cost only 1 Shou Shou Jili; items from his backpack could be copied for simulated use, with zero actual loss.

Half an hour later.

Lu Xing, now able to extend his awareness and successfully detonate the Qi-energy bombs, set off on his quest to challenge the Strange Butterfly.

Hearing the news, players flooded into Lu Xing's livestream, offering encouragement:

Dark Land Is Fun: Bro, you finally grew a spine! Your earlier cowardice was infuriating. Bearing the great mission to capture the Wind-riding Painful Painful Minghun for all players, how could you back down? Go on!

Happy Hamster Gang: As a fully capable man, your victory isn't about overpowering with higher levels—it's about facing challenges head-on while still weak. Every failure hones you, makes you stronger. You've grasped the truth. Keep going.

Immortal Warrior: You kids today are too soft. One setback and you want to quit. Back in our day, playing virtual games meant getting beaten—that was normal. Parents saw gaming as a waste of time, said it blurred reality and fantasy. So we got beaten in-game, and beaten in real life too. Still, we pushed through. What's a monster beating? Pathetic.

Dao Follows Nature: Explorer brother, keep going—I'm counting on you to fulfill my flight dream. I believe you'll succeed. I don't have much Shou Shou Jili, but here's a little boost for your success (tip: 5 Shou Shou Jili).

…

The number of viewers in the livestream kept rising; the crowd waited eagerly for Lu Xing's challenge.

His previous failures had turned him into a joke, and many memes of his beaten expressions had spread across forums.

Yet behind the players' teasing, they still hoped Lu Xing would defeat the Strange Butterfly.

Because Lu Xing's success would add a powerful fourth-generation Painful Painful Minghun to the shared Painful Painful Minghun library.

Compared to other Painful Painful Minghun, the Wind-riding Painful Painful Minghun excelled in attack, defense, control, and flight—making it one of the most practical choices for players following the Beast Path.

After an hour and a half of travel, crossing the Ancient Battlefield zone, Lu Xing arrived at his destination.

Wind-Turbulent Pond.

Gazing across the pond's water, he saw the familiar massive eye.

Their gazes met. The Strange Butterfly leapt from the shrubbery, lifted its head toward Lu Xing—its arrogance written plainly on its face.

"Come here. I'll blow you to pieces."

Knowing the Strange Butterfly had keen detection awareness, Lu Xing didn't pull out the Qi-energy bombs yet. He planned to wait until it closed in before detonating.

As expected, the Strange Butterfly flapped its wings and skimmed across the water's surface, stirring a powerful wave as it charged toward him.

Even without any ranged weapons, the Strange Butterfly chose to fight him in close combat.

Seeing the arrogance in the Strange Butterfly's eyes, memories of past beatings surged into Lu Xing's mind. His heart pounded wildly; his nerves were at their limit.

When the Strange Butterfly was less than twenty meters away—within the Qi-energy bombs' blast radius—Lu Xing swiftly pulled five bombs from his spatial pack.

At that moment, the flying Strange Butterfly sensed a powerful energy surge erupting from the crystals in Lu Xing's hands.

"Hahahaha! Die!"

Seeing the fear in the Strange Butterfly's eyes, Lu Xing grinned broadly—he knew the moment of revenge had finally come.

In seconds, he would no longer be the laughingstock, but a hero in the players' forums. His name would forever be appended to the Wind-riding Painful Painful Minghun's description in the star-vein library, revered by future new players.

I will become legend. Explode!

Blinding Bai Guang burst from Lu Xing's hands.

But just as Lu Xing was about to claim victory, the Strange Butterfly, now close enough, slammed its wings—sudden gales engulfed the Qi-energy bombs in his grasp.

A powerful pull surged forth; Lu Xing couldn't hold onto the bombs.

The bombs were swept upward by the wind.

Boom!

The Qi-energy bombs detonated dozens of meters above Lu Xing's head, the shockwave pushing him backward several steps.

Huh?!

Staring at the panicked Strange Butterfly, Lu Xing's expression turned grim.

He involuntarily drew a deep breath, gazing at the Strange Butterfly whose eyes nearly overflowed with rage:

"I don't know if you understand human speech… but if you do, I hope you won't attack yet—let me explain…"

In the livestream, spectators who guessed Lu Xing's next fate had already launched into meme battles.

Night is falling: The Wind-Soaring trait is too strong; it can even be used as a disarm weapon. This Painful Painful Minghun is too perfect; I really want it. Pity I failed again this time.

Weapon Master: (Explorer with a bruised and swollen face. jpg) Predicting the lines for the beating to come; among them must be: "Stop hitting, please stop hitting" (Funny. jpg)

Slacking Off Today: (Explorer curled up taking a beating. jpg) As long as I curl up, I can reduce the points of impact. With Qi Die's crazy slapping, I just curl up like this—hey, I'll at least take 30 fewer hits. I'm so smart.

Happy Hamster Party: (Explorer wiping tears in grievance) Betting time, betting time! Everyone guess how long the Explorer can last before shedding tears. I bet 10 minutes.

Is This Beaver?: Right now I must recite a poem for the Explorer: "Qi Die bullied me for two or three years, why fear being bullied for another two or three? Bullied for a year after a year, add them up—how many years is that?" (Funny. jpg)

Amidst the laughter and cheers of the onlookers in the livestream, Lu Xing began a painful ordeal lasting over 20 minutes.

(End of Chapter)