Chapter 13: The Third Chief of Black Wind Fortress
【Ding, congratulations on leveling up. Current level: 10.】
After slaying two bandit leaders from Black Wind Fortress and their gang, Tang Xuan’s level finally rose from 9 to 10 since entering the dungeon. The four women—Wang Yajun and her companions—had already advanced from level 5 to level 7.
Tang Xuan glanced at his game interface.
【Name: Half a Step to Victory】
【Level: 10】
【Health: 1000/1000】
【Internal Energy: 120/120】
【Attack: 255】
【Defense: 220】
【Speed: 220】
【Martial Arts: Plum Blossom Thirteen Needles (Mastered), Five Tiger Gate-Splitting Blade Incomplete Edition (Mastered), Basic Internal Energy (Mastered), Basic Lightness Skill (Mastered), Basic Fist Technique (Mastered)…】
【Inventory: …】
Just then, Li Weiwei let out a startled cry:
“Oh, it’s the incomplete edition of the Five Tiger Gate-Splitting Blade, a second-rank blade technique!”
From the corpse of one of the fallen bandit leaders, a skill book entitled “Five Tiger Gate-Splitting Blade Incomplete Edition (Second-Rank Blade Technique)” suddenly appeared.
Unlike Tang Xuan’s earlier solo kill of a level 15 elite boss, where he directly obtained a skill book, items and skill books dropped for everyone to collect when in a team.
Tang Xuan approached and saw that this skill book was identical to the one he already possessed.
He smiled and said, “Qingqing uses blades. Let her learn this skill book.”
Among Wang Yajun, Luo Qingqing, Qin Yanran, and Li Weiwei, three wielded swords. In their words, Madam Ning from Mount Hua—the famed Lady Ning—was their role model as a female swordswoman.
But Luo Qingqing, wearing glasses and always full of ideas, was a blade wielder—determined to become a blade master!
“This... I’m not sure about that.” Even the confident Luo Qingqing hesitated when Tang Xuan offered her the skill book. It was a second-rank martial arts skill, a mainstream blade technique highly sought after by players. If this appeared in the starter village, players would fight over it, offering sky-high prices.
Granted, as players advanced in level and joined major sects, they could learn second-rank or even higher martial arts. But at the launch of the game, this skill book’s value far exceeded ordinary second-rank skills.
Tang Xuan smiled and said, “Take it, no need for courtesy with me.”
These four beautiful tenants were his chosen wives; there was no need for formalities. Though precious, such a skill book meant little to him.
Frankly, these two bandit chiefs were quite poor, dropping only one skill book in total. Previously, a bandit boss he killed in the mines dropped not only a skill book but also a green-grade weapon.
Tang Xuan didn’t stand on ceremony, making the usually assertive Luo Qingqing blush as she faced the temptation of “Five Tiger Gate-Splitting Blade Incomplete Edition (Second-Rank Blade Technique).” She... found herself unable to refuse.
Tang Xuan began cleaning the battlefield, retrieving his flying needles and meditating to restore internal energy. The women gathered around Luo Qingqing, studying her new skill.
【Five Tiger Gate-Splitting Blade Incomplete Edition (Level 1): Increases attack by 15%. Each activation consumes 5 points of internal energy. Requires a blade weapon.】
Naturally, Luo Qingqing couldn’t boost the skill to level 10 mastery like Tang Xuan, who had cheat-like abilities. Still, this skill far surpassed the basic blade technique; as her level increased, so would her attack, eventually reaching Tang Xuan’s prowess, given time.
If she ever found the complete Five Tiger Gate-Splitting Blade, who knew whether it would be a third-rank or fourth-rank blade technique? Having this incomplete second-rank blade skill as a foundation would directly increase her skill progression with the authentic version.
After everyone had rested and restored their condition, they entered the pass.
Behind the pass guarded by the two bandit chiefs was a blue stone plaza.
On the plaza, a single humanoid monster was practicing martial arts.
The Third Chief of Black Wind Fortress, Level 20!
Boss-level enemy!
Upon seeing Tang Xuan and his companions intrude, the Third Chief halted his practice, glared fiercely, and bellowed, “A handful of brats dare to make a bloodbath in my Black Wind Fortress? You must be courting death! Prepare to die!”
Before the words faded, the Third Chief of Black Wind Fortress charged at them.
His movements were swift, clearly employing lightness skill.
Even the level 15 elite bosses had mastered basic internal energy, basic lightness skill, and the incomplete second-rank Five Tiger Gate-Splitting Blade. How could the level 20 boss—the Third Chief—not possess martial arts? He could only be stronger!
“You all fall back,” Tang Xuan commanded. With Wang Yajun and the others’ levels and stats, facing a level 20 boss would mean instant annihilation; they could offer no help.
He gripped the Tiger Fang Blade and advanced instead of retreating.
Activating his mastered basic lightness skill, his speed stat rose from 220 after reaching level 10 to an instantaneous 484—an increase of 120 percent!
He was not slower than the Third Chief; in fact, he was slightly faster.
A metallic clang rang out.
Blades clashed.
The Tiger Fang Blade in Tang Xuan’s hand struck fiercely against the Third Chief’s broadsword.
A keen observer would notice that the weapon wielded by the Third Chief was also a Tiger Fang Blade—the green-grade item Tang Xuan had acquired earlier during his wild adventures.