After disengaging from combat, Chu Tian stealthily circled back. He discovered that the monsters, after losing combat, did not return to their original positions. Instead, they stopped and began to roam within a certain range.
This gave Chu Tian renewed confidence. If that was the case, then with a little more time, he could lure them apart and kill them.
【Ding… System Notification: In five minutes, Heavenly Dao will enter its rest period. Players, please prepare to log off.】
Heavenly Dao was about to shut down, and Chu Tian did not intend to waste any more effort. He found a safe spot to prepare to log off.
【Ding… Global Announcement: In the Asian region, player 'Xi Xia Deng Hua Shi' from the Southern War Zone of Dragon Country has obtained [Talent Scroll: Fatal (God-Tier)] at coordinates: 15648.36897.15985】
【Ding… Global Announcement: Holder of [Talent Scroll: Fatal (God-Tier)], 'Xi Xia Deng Hua Shi', current coordinates: 15648.36897.15985. Holding time: 00 hours 00 minutes 00 seconds. Upon reaching twelve hours of holding time, ownership of the scroll will be confirmed.】
【Ding… System Notification: A God-Tier scroll has appeared. Heavenly Dao is entering a competition period. Until the ownership of the God-Tier scroll is confirmed, Heavenly Dao will not enter its rest period.】
Chu Tian, who had been preparing to log off, was stunned by the series of system prompts. A [Talent Scroll: Fatal (God-Tier)] had appeared.
Unfortunately, it appeared in the Southern War Zone. The war zone boundaries had not yet been opened, so it was impossible to get there.
Chu Tian recalled that in his previous life, it was around this same period that the Southern War Zone of Dragon Country produced the first God-Tier talent in the entire region. That talent was indeed Fatal. In his memory, this talent was eventually acquired by a sharpshooter player named 'Wo Shi Xiao Ji Jiao'. It was precisely because he obtained the God-Tier talent Fatal that he later achieved his god-like glory, becoming the only player in Heavenly Dao to possess four God-Tier talents simultaneously. He wondered if it would still be him this time around.
Since he couldn't compete for the God-Tier talent, its appearance, however, provided him with more time to level up. With Heavenly Dao not entering its rest period, this time could be utilized well.
He canceled the logout countdown and returned to the Soul Eater spawn point. He began luring the monsters and dispersing them. While luring the monsters, Chu Tian kept an eye on the situation with the God-Tier talent. The players in the Southern War Zone had relatively average strength. There were no particularly outstanding top-tier players, nor were there any powerful consortia investing in Heavenly Dao at this early stage. Therefore, the competition for this God-Tier scroll would last for a long time.
Ten hours later, Chu Tian had finally killed fifty Soul Eaters, obtaining a pile of skill books, several of which were for enhanced advancement skills. In the Southern War Zone, the God-Tier talent had changed hands several times; the current holder had only possessed it for less than half an hour.
Concurrently, Chu Tian's skills were further replenished with a group cleave skill in Leopard Form, [Primal Fury]. Using this skill would apply the 'Severing Finale' debuff to all enemies within 1.5 meters. Looking at the skills Sweep and Primal Fury, Chu Tian realized he no longer needed to use magic runes in the life-nurturing chamber to efficiently farm monsters for experience. This quest, even if it failed, had been incredibly profitable. He still had over a dozen skill books for other professions in his inventory. A skill book was worth around 100 gold, and an enhanced skill could fetch two to three thousand gold. This piece of colorful stone was truly his lucky charm.
Thinking of it, Chu Tian involuntarily thought of Luo Luo. He wondered how Luo Luo was doing.
…
In a certain location in the Taihang Mountains, atop a peak shrouded in clouds, at the end of iron chains.
The Luo Family's ancestral land, a pocket dimension.
Birds sang, streams flowed, and ancient-style pavilions were visible everywhere, creating a scene of heavenly beauty. Currently, the side chambers here were almost full with guests who had arrived early. In the center of the training grounds stood a towering statue, carved into the likeness of a benevolent old man with his hands behind his back, in the posture of ascending to heaven. Legend had it that this was the first patriarch of the Luo family. In front of the statue, a massive arena had been erected, with many people busily working on it. Everyone here was in high spirits and working with great enthusiasm.
“I wonder who will be the champion of this competition!”
“I heard that the second young master of the Luo family, Luo Geng, has already reached the mid-stage of Qi Cultivation!”
“That’s news from years ago! Young Master Zhang Cheng of the Zhang family has already reached the late stage of Qi Refinement. I think he’s most likely to be the champion this time.”
“No way! Then our young lady is in trouble. I heard that although Zhang Cheng is a master, he suffered an injury practicing martial arts when he was young, so he’s… not good in that area…”
“Hush… speak quieter! Many people from the Zhang family have arrived recently. If you’re overheard, you’ll be dead!”
The carefree person flinched, quickly looking around.
The forbidden area behind the Luo Family's ancestral mountain.
A woman dressed in magnificent ancient attire stood outside a cave emitting a chilling aura.
“Luo Yiyi, let’s see how long you can last in the Luo Shui Cold Cave, daring to injure me!”
“Heh heh…” A weak, cold laugh. If Chu Tian were here, he would undoubtedly recognize Luo Luo’s voice. Her voice trembled, accompanied by the sound of chattering teeth, as she said, “Luo Qing, if Luo Qingyu hadn’t blocked you, you would already be a corpse.”
Upon hearing this, Luo Qing touched her neck. Bandages were wrapped around her neck, and a trickle of blood seeped from her carotid artery.
“Hmph… you dead girl, you still dare to call me by my name? Is that how your parents educated you?”
“What of it? You’re selling me off, and you still expect me to call you Aunt? My upbringing as Luo Yiyi is none of your business. If you want to use me for a marriage alliance with other families to gain benefits, then give up on that idea!”
Although Luo Luo's voice was weak, she sparred with Luo Qing without yielding an inch.
“Heh heh, such a sharp tongue. I see you won’t shed tears until you see the coffin. Do you think your patriarch father will give up his position as patriarch to secure your freedom? Or do you think your spirit artifact, which can automatically protect its owner, can protect you forever? I’ll tell you this! As a woman of the Luo family, this is your fate. I resisted too, back then, but it was useless! I advise you to hand over the spirit artifact voluntarily and comply with the family’s arrangements. Perhaps your father can have an easier time.”
After speaking, Luo Qing turned and left without waiting for Luo Yiyi to reply.
Inside the cave, Luo Luo was entirely covered in a black robe. Looking at her trembling body, one could tell how cold it was here. The entire cave was covered in ice crystals. In front of her was a dark pool of water, constantly emitting a chilling aura. The spot where she sat was the only dry area. She clutched her chest, where the demonic stone Chu Tian had brought back from the gates of hell was now embedded. It was milky white and emitted a faint glow, radiating a warmth that made Luo Luo feel a little better.
Luo Luo’s face was pale, and she stared blankly at the pool, her thoughts drifting far away. Brother Chu Tian, are you doing alright?