The Incomplete Edition of "Five Tiger Gate-Cleaving Sabers"
As expected, it was an elite-level monster, not a boss-level creature.
Tang Xuan looked at the game notification, murmuring to himself, yet an involuntary smile tugged at his lips.
Though merely an elite monster, its drop rate was extremely high, unexpectedly yielding two items!
One must know that the level 10 boss monster, the Twin-headed Black Centipede, had only dropped a single century-old wild ginseng, which could be exchanged for a second-tier martial arts manual, "Thirteen Plum Blossom Needles."
Yet this level 15 elite monster had directly dropped a second-tier martial arts manual.
Tang Xuan opened it to have a look.
"Five Tiger Gate-cleaving Blade, Incomplete Edition (Second-tier Blade Technique)"
"Focused on upward slashing, chopping, sweeping, stomping, cleaving, smashing, hooking, and hanging maneuvers, supplemented by thrusting, slicing, twisting, parrying, and sweeping attacks, combined with wrist flourishes, back flicks, head wraps, and brain coils. Movements are swift and nimble, brimming with strength and vigor, bold and agile, with both spirit and form in harmony. This is a rather difficult blade technique."
"Increases attack power by 15%. Each use consumes 5 points of internal energy and requires a blade-type weapon."
"Even this incomplete edition is already a second-tier blade technique. The original must be third or even fourth-tier," Tang Xuan mused, nodding to himself. The Five Tiger Gate-cleaving Blade was indeed a renowned high-level blade technique.
He could easily infer that the bandit leader of Blackwind Stockade had learned this technique from the chief of the stockade. Since the learning was incomplete, what he possessed was the partial edition.
He then glanced at the equipment he had just obtained.
"Tiger Fang Sword (Green): Attack Power +35"
"Green gear!"
Before the official launch of "Grand Wuxia," the ranking of equipment had already been announced.
From lowest to highest: white, green, blue, purple, and gold!
The lowest, white gear, also called "plain boards," was like the iron sword Tang Xuan was wielding.
"Iron Sword (White): Attack Power +10"
Above that was green gear, whose attributes far surpassed plain white equipment.
This green Tiger Fang Sword increased attack power by a whopping 35!
Beyond that, blue equipment not only had higher stats, but some even came with special attributes.
If green equipment was considered a fine weapon in the martial world, then blue equipment would be regarded as a divine weapon.
As for purple and gold equipment, their true nature was left for players to discover.
"With this green Tiger Fang Sword, I can now learn the Incomplete Five Tiger Gate-cleaving Blade," Tang Xuan smiled, choosing to study the martial skill.
"Ding! Five Tiger Gate-cleaving Blade, Incomplete Edition, mastered."
As a man blessed with a cheat system, his skill immediately leapt from level 1 to the mastery stage.
Opening the skill details:
"Five Tiger Gate-cleaving Blade, Incomplete Edition (Mastery): Increases attack power by 180%. Each use consumes 5 points of internal energy and requires a blade-type weapon."
At level 1, the skill increased attack power by 15%. At level 2, 30%; level 3, 45%, and so on. At level 10 (mastery), it boosted attack power by 180%!
After instantly raising the skill to mastery, Tang Xuan had already surpassed the strength of the Blackwind Stockade bandit leader he had just defeated.
Most likely, although the bandit leader possessed this technique, his own skill level was not high, just like his internal energy technique was lacking.
Moreover, the bandit leader's weapon was nothing more than an ordinary broadsword.
The unexpected drop of the green Tiger Fang Sword was truly a pleasant surprise!
No matter the game, the first player to slay a boss or elite monster always receives some special reward.
That is the thrill of pioneering!
Tang Xuan unequipped his plain iron sword and equipped the Tiger Fang Sword, increasing his attack power from 210 to 235.
If he now used the Five Tiger Gate-cleaving Blade, Incomplete Edition, at mastery, with a 180% boost, his attack power would soar to 658!
He meditated for a while on the spot, recovering some stamina, health, and internal energy.
Only then did he leave the mine, heading back to the novice village.
...
"Novice quest 'Collect Iron Ore' completed. You have received 2,000 experience points and 500 copper coins."
"Ding! Congratulations, your level has increased. Current level: 9."
Tang Xuan returned to the weapon shop in the novice village, found the blacksmith, and turned in the iron ore collection quest.
He had already gained considerable experience after reaching level 8, and this substantial reward of 2,000 experience points propelled him directly to level 9.
At this stage, the fastest leveling players were only just finishing the "Collect Herbs" quest or other beginner tasks, reaching level 5 at best.
Only now were they beginning to take on the blacksmith's level 5–10 "Collect Iron Ore" quest, forming parties to head to the mines.
Tang Xuan sold all the extra iron ore—beyond the 100 pieces required for the quest—directly to the blacksmith, earning more copper coins.
Only then did he choose to log off.
He had spent the morning on the herb gathering quest and the afternoon gathering iron ore; just like that, a whole day had passed.
He needed to log off and eat—after all, in the real world outside the game, he'd gone hungry the entire day!
Some players, lost in the game, chose to keep playing; others logged off, wolfed down a quick meal, and dove back into the game right after.
Once Tang Xuan logged off, he discovered that Wang Yajun, Luo Qingqing, Qin Yanran, and Li Weiwei had all exited the game as well.
He wondered how his four beautiful tenants—his future wives—had fared in the game.
"You lazy pig! What level did you reach? All of us have reached level 5 already!" Li Weiwei was the first to blurt out, clearly unable to contain herself. It seemed the four girls had already exchanged information, and all had reached level 5, making them the frontrunners among the players.