Su Fan casually dealt with the contestants who had ill intentions towards him. The remaining individuals, knowing he was not to be trifled with, dared not cause him trouble.
Time ticked by, and the number of contestants in the arena steadily decreased. Tragedies unfolded everywhere, with corpses littering the ground.
Such were the cruel rules of the martial arts tournament.
"No! Don't kill me! I surrender! I surrender!"
A defeated contestant, his arm severed and blood gushing onto the ground, begged another for mercy with a look of terror.
"Too late. You should have left earlier."
The other party showed no mercy and struck him down.
There was no concept of surrender in the martial arts tournament. The only chance to surrender was to leave the arena oneself, but clearly, he had lost the ability to do so.
Similar tragedies were happening everywhere, not uncommon. Those who participated in the martial arts tournament had to be prepared to face death.
Success is built upon the bones of the defeated; the victors always climb over the corpses of their failures.
An hour passed quickly. The entire preliminary selection site resembled a living hell, with blood flowing and limbs scattered.
Out of thousands of participants in the preliminary selection, only a little over a hundred remained standing.
A person in uniform entered to check the status of those still alive.
The defeated who were not yet dead were swiftly dispatched by the uniformed individual.
"Congratulations on passing the preliminary selection. The martial arts tournament officially begins tomorrow, and there are generous rewards for the winners," said a eunuch to the over a hundred survivors on stage, chuckling.
[Ding! Mission complete. Gained 10000 experience points, Martial Essence Stone +1]
[New mission: Martial Arts Tournament Preliminary Round. Achieve victory in the preliminary round.]
[Ding! Congratulations on leveling up.]
Several prompts sounded in Su Fan's ears. He had completed the preliminary selection mission and gained experience, successfully leveling up to level 30.
The Martial Essence Stones Su Fan possessed, combined with the ones given by Cheng Yaoyin, now totaled five.
Su Fan was determined to use them. The martial arts tournament would only become more dangerous as it progressed; strengthening himself was the surest way to increase his chances.
Su Fan immediately upgraded "Improvised Training" to ++.
Improvised Training ++
Type: Offensive
Buff skill. Upon use, increases weapon damage by 300% for 30 seconds, with a 40-second cooldown.
Weapon damage is further increased by 100%.
The remaining three Martial Essence Stones could upgrade other skills by one level, but the gains would be minimal. Su Fan decided not to upgrade "Improvised Training" further for now.
He considered choosing between "Flowing Stream" and "Thunderclap" to upgrade, or perhaps upgrading both by one level.
After some thought, Su Fan decided to upgrade both by one level, deeming it the most cost-effective.
Thunderclap +
Type: Offensive
Lightning attribute attack. Slashes forward with a sword energy (blade light) that carries lightning, dealing 300% damage and inflicting paralysis.
Golden Bell Shield +
Type: Defensive
Releases a shield equivalent to 150% of defense. It can withstand at least one attack exceeding the shield's capacity, with the excess damage not affecting the user.
Flowing Stream +
Type: Offensive
Passive. Increases damage by 80%. Each consecutive hit increases damage by 8%.
Su Fan also took the opportunity to upgrade "Golden Bell Shield." Although he didn't use it often, it was a life-saving skill.
Su Fan reviewed his skills and found that "Break Through All Armies" was currently the weakest. However, as an initial skill, it was already quite good.
Su Fan's equipment was also due for an upgrade. He didn't have enough resources to craft sets, so he would focus on crafting epic gear.
It was time to enhance the Twin Blade Azure Frost Sword and the Moonfall Token.
These were inherently top-tier equipment. As long as the attributes they gained upon refinement were not subpar, they would undoubtedly be the best of the best.
He first refined them into epic gear and then enhanced them. After completing the process, Su Fan examined the new attributes and found them satisfactory.
Moonfall Token (Epic) +8
Level: 30
Intelligence +40 (+110)
Strength +40 (+110)
Ice Attribute Damage Increased by 50%
Ice Attribute Resistance Increased by 35%
Intellectual Heart: This equipment's Intelligence bonus is doubled.
Twin Blade Azure Frost Sword (Epic) +8
Level: 30
Damage: 150-200 (+1250)
Strength +40 (+110)
Constitution +40 (+110)
Speed +40 (+110)
Attack now deals Ice Attribute Damage
Every 10 points of Intelligence increases Ice Attribute Damage by 1%
Elemental Damage Increased by 35%
The doubled Intelligence and increased elemental damage were perfectly suited for Su Fan's current equipment synergy.
After equipping these two items, Su Fan's overall strength more than doubled. Primarily, his attacks now dealt Ice Attribute damage, and his equipment provided a significant boost to elemental damage, naturally increasing his overall damage output.
Su Fan's current displayed damage was 2000. Converted to ice damage, the Moonfall Token alone added 50% ice attribute damage. Su Fan's current Intelligence was a staggering 583, translating to a 58% increase in ice attribute damage.
Adding the elemental damage bonuses from the two pieces of equipment, one at 30% and the other at 35%, amounted to an additional 65%.
The overall increase was nearly 180%.
Su Fan quickly calculated that his basic attacks now dealt over 5000 damage!
He could defeat a monster of the same level with just two hits, which was incredible!
Indeed, top-tier equipment provided a massive boost, with one item being equivalent to a full set.
This made Su Fan restless; he had to acquire a set of top-tier equipment, not caring about other attributes, only elemental damage!
Su Fan now understood what kind of attributes he needed. With his current setup, increasing elemental damage was key. As long as his elemental damage increased, his overall damage would skyrocket.
"You're still alive?"
Xiao Yan said with some disappointment upon seeing Su Fan emerge unharmed.
"You wanted me dead?"
Su Fan was speechless.
"Not exactly, I was just surprised to see you unharmed," Xiao Yan said with a smile.
In truth, he was quite happy to see Su Fan return alive.
But this was just the beginning; who knew how long Su Fan could last? Perhaps he wouldn't make it next time.
"I have a long life! I'll outlive you!"
Su Fan replied indignantly.
Couldn't this guy say something more auspicious?
"Yes, yes, congratulations on your victorious start. Let's go! I'll treat you to a meal!"
Xiao Yan slung an arm around Su Fan's shoulder and headed towards a restaurant.
"Do you have money?"
Su Fan looked at Xiao Yan with suspicion.
"Did you forget we raided a bandit lair?"
Xiao Yan winked at Su Fan.
Su Fan then remembered that Xiao Yan still had half of the bandits' fortune.
It was only because he spent it quickly; otherwise, he would be a small tycoon.
"Let's go, let's go! I want to eat the best!"
Su Fan quickened his pace towards the restaurant.
Su Fan had tasted the delicacies in the game before. Even a small noodle shop could produce such delicious food. A grand restaurant surely wouldn't disappoint, so he had to try it!
"Why the rush, like you're starving?"
Xiao Yan looked at Su Fan, speechless.