151: Instance [Source of Plague]

“Class isn’t over yet, what are you doing squatting here?”

Teacher Wu, carrying teaching materials, saw a weathered figure squatting on the curb as he passed the sports field. It was the martial arts teacher.

The martial arts teacher was lighting a cigarette, looking dazed. When he saw that it was Teacher Wu, his expression became even more complicated.

“You’re the one who told Cheng Zhen to come to martial arts class, right?”

“That’s right.” Teacher Wu nodded. “His combat level isn’t great, so I wanted him to improve!”

The martial arts teacher: “...”

How much more improvement does he need? Is he going to replace me?

“By the way, what are you spacing out for? Where are the students?” Teacher Wu remembered that it should still be class time and looked around curiously.

“...They’ve all been sent to the infirmary.” The martial arts teacher looked utterly worn out.

Teacher Wu was shocked: “What?! What happened? Where’s Cheng Zhen? Did he also get injured and go to the infirmary?”

“I am too incompetent to teach him, so I sent him to the sophomores’ combat class.” The martial arts teacher flicked his cigarette ash, a hint of relief inexplicably flashing in his eyes.

Teacher Wu: ?

(Sophomores’ teacher: You old fox, you set me up!)

Cheng Zhen’s current state was a bit like a protagonist in a wuxia novel, who, after a mysterious senior transmits all their lifelong cultivation, instantly levels up to 99.

After various secret manuals for internal cultivation, external techniques, and movement skills were applied to him, he directly upgraded from an ordinary person to a martial arts master. In terms of understanding internal and external cultivation, he was indeed deeper than the martial arts teacher.

However, knowing is one thing; familiarity is another. To gain combat experience and improve his practical abilities, Cheng Zhen, following the teacher’s arrangements, annihilated the adorable freshmen and then went to wreak havoc on the sophomores...

Meanwhile, at the Jing Ci Guild headquarters in Y City.

“If this continues, that kid will definitely snatch the top spot!”

Jing Zhiyuan’s face was gloomy, his right hand clenched tightly into a fist.

They had gone through so much trouble, spent a fortune recruiting people, and creating New Player instance card guides, even offending several guilds. Wasn’t it all for the top spot on the rankings?

Jing Zhiyuan would never let such an important reward fall to anyone else.

Tap, tap...

Compared to the agitated Jing Zhiyuan, his father, Jing Qingfeng, appeared much calmer.

But the tapping of his fingers on the table indicated that he was deep in thought.

Three months ago, the Shanghai Guild’s Guild Master told him something surprising—

His son had divined that the top player on this year’s New Talent Rankings would receive an exclusive reward!

Ordinary Raiders might be completely bewildered. They only knew that equipment grades ranged from worn-out to legendary, but they had no idea what an exclusive reward was.

An exclusive reward possesses a unique effect; you won’t find a second one if you search the entire world, heaven and earth.

It is not only perfectly suited to its owner but is also said to possess astonishing growth potential.

It’s rare for something to move two major Guild Masters so much, and an exclusive reward definitely counts as one. After all, fewer than ten people nationwide had ever received such a reward, so it would be strange if they weren’t envious.

Moreover, the few Great God who previously received exclusive rewards obtained them in 8★+ high-difficulty instances, but this time, the reward appeared in the New Player trial.

Roughly speaking, what’s the difference between this and a freebie?

If the Shanghai Guild Master had a way to secure it, he certainly wouldn't have told anyone else. Unfortunately, his son had already completed the New Player trial half a year ago, so the top spot was 100% unrelated to him.

Furthermore, the Shanghai Guild’s strength was only mid-tier among all guilds; it simply didn’t possess the ability to monopolize power.

Thus, the Shanghai Guild Master turned his attention to his maternal grand-aunt’s niece’s paternal cousin, who was the Guild Master of the Jing Ci Guild.

The Jing Ci Guild was powerful, and more importantly, Jing Zhiyuan had just awakened and could contend for the rankings!

Moreover, he had obtained a fifth-tier skill, making it highly possible for him to reach the forefront.

Since he couldn’t get it himself, he would bet on stronger individuals, do them a favor, and allow himself to benefit as well!

After making up his mind, the Shanghai Guild informed the Jing Ci Guild of the news, and the two parties began to cooperate, which then led to a series of subsequent events.

Jing Qingfeng closed his eyes in contemplation.

After a long while, he opened his eyes and looked at the rankings.

“My son must obtain this reward.”

As long as Cheng Zhen wasn't there, the top spot would definitely belong to Jing Zhiyuan!

...

In recent days, Cheng Zhen continued to improve his practical combat skills.

After all, Worker University was brimming with martial virtue, and there were quite a few hidden talents among the prodigies.

Cheng Zhen spent several days, arduously annihilating a group of sophomores, before finally being sent to take junior-year courses under the tearful gazes of everyone.

One morning, Cheng Zhen’s eyelid twitched, and he vaguely felt a sense of being watched.

He carefully observed his surroundings but found nothing.

However, he didn't think it was an illusion. After all, he knew his own situation; it would be strange if the Jing Ci Guild easily gave up on the mysterious reward that had moved them so much.

Several days had passed since Cheng Zhen completed his fourth instance.

If he didn't use an item to delay his entry into the instance, in another four or five days, the Endless Game would forcibly make him enter an instance.

Cheng Zhen wasn't in a hurry, but others couldn't possibly not be.

But just as Men Hao said, Worker University’s security was very good. Many defensive and warning items were placed around the residential area, and an alarm would surely sound if an outsider intruded.

Cheng Zhen had previously speculated about the situations that might arise.

Either they would try to cause trouble for him within the instance, as before, or they would make a move in reality.

After thinking it over, Cheng Zhen believed it would be better to resolve it within the instance.

After all, it’s not fearing a thief, but fearing a thief's constant Thinking of. If they really kept lurking in reality, who knew what items they would use to unleash a large-scale AOE, or find certain skill users to launch an assassination.

Even if the school's defense facilities were good, the abilities of skill users were incredibly varied, and it would be normal for a major guild to find someone who could exploit bugs.

But if it were within an instance, it wouldn't be certain.

The Endless Game treats everyone equally; it wouldn't give you special treatment just because you're from a major guild.

The instance rules would restrict everyone equally, and this situation, in turn, allowed Cheng Zhen not to fear certain veterans.

Moreover... if he really had to fight back, Cheng Zhen would be constrained by various reasons in reality, but in an instance, he wouldn't have to worry about things like 'excessive retaliation'.

After making up his mind, Cheng Zhen first used a 【4★+ instance card】 on himself.

Last time he had intended to use one but unexpectedly received one for free, saving Cheng Zhen the cost of an item card.

This time, he would just use it directly. If that group of people went crazy and used an 【8★+ instance card】 on him, then Cheng Zhen might really have to say goodbye to the beautiful world.

Once the 【4★+ instance card】 was applied to his status bar, as long as it wasn't removed by a 【Removal Card】, no other instance cards could be applied, so Cheng Zhen didn't have to worry about that situation.

As for the situations that might arise next, Cheng Zhen had already seen one case before.

He pretended not to know and went for a stroll outside the school. Sure enough, a line of text appeared on him:

Being Followed.

—Ge Chang’s 【Follow Card】 used successfully!

—He will enter the next instance with you~

Just as Wei Si wanted to kill Xiao Jiao, using a 【Follow Card】 allowed one to directly pursue someone into the instance, this lawless land, to cause trouble.

Cheng Zhen looked at the person’s name and felt a bit regretful.

It would have been great if Jing Zhiyuan had entered the instance with him.

But thinking about it, of course, if they wanted to kill him, they would definitely find professionals.

Given Cheng Zhen's manner of accumulating points so rapidly, if Jing Zhiyuan went in with him, it would be uncertain who would kill whom.

Although not catching Jing Zhiyuan made Cheng Zhen feel a pity.

But if it were certain experts, they should have quite a few treasures on them, right?

Cheng Zhen looked at the items he had opened from the Misty Snow Ice City clearance chest and couldn't help but chuckle twice.

【Instance matching...】

【Joining instance: Plague Source】

【Instance Difficulty: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★】

【Participants: 10 people】

【Clearance Mission: Help Twitch!】

【Clearance Hint: Attention! Attention! They are going to spread it!】