Hope of talent upgrade

“Baka, look at the mess you’ve made!”

The Ibe family is the fourth largest conglomerate in Sakura Country.

Without money, it wouldn't be possible to constantly hire snipers to physically abuse netizens who’ve offended them offline… Ibe Jiro is the second son of the current family head.

Because he was born later, there was more than a decade difference between him and the eldest son.

So, even though he seemed more outstanding than his elder brother in all aspects, he couldn't get involved in any power.

Of course, he certainly wasn't short on money.

If the Abyss hadn't descended, Ibe Jiro would have had virtually no chance to rise to power in this life!

The game salvation was said to be very fair, with random talents.

However, players had actually figured it out.

People who were very successful in reality often ‘randomly’ received better talents.

Of course, intelligence and emotional intelligence were both indispensable.

As time went on, someone conducted a corresponding survey.

In famous universities around the world, those who were well-rounded had a higher proportion of purple talents… So, overall, Ibe Jiro was quite good in all aspects and was highly valued by his father.

The only thing they didn't anticipate was that Yang Jian, such a BUG, would appear in the game at this time!

Since ancient times, heroes have been judged by success or failure.

Why does justice always triumph in the end?

Because only when it triumphs does it become justice.

If Yang Jian hadn't undergone the Abyss Essence transformation, he would have simply died this time!

At most, he would be remembered when the Abyss invaded in the future, with people wishing that the once invincible Tianmu Zhenjun hadn't died… And Ibe Jiro would have been regarded as a hero by other East Asia countries… Unfortunately, there were no ‘ifs’… His actions weren't discreet enough, and they were exposed!

He would have to bear the consequences himself!

Of course, the head of The Ibe family didn't want to push his excellent second son out to bear the cost.

What's the big deal?

Could that Yang Jian really come knocking on their door?

“From today onwards, you will cultivate your strength within the family grounds, and you are not allowed to leave for even half a step! Focus on leveling up…”

Ibe Jiro, kneeling in the ancestral hall, breathed a sigh of relief.

Next to him, Ibe Taro, who had witnessed the entire process, showed a hint of regret in his eyes.

His younger brother's game talent was an orange combat talent, while he only had a blue one… Now, he indeed controlled the family's businesses.

However, the people of Blue Star were no longer focused on work.

Every day, the most common thought was when the end of the world would arrive.

When would the third batch of game slots be opened!

Watching his father leave the ancestral hall.

Ibe Jiro, still kneeling on the ground, provocatively raised an eyebrow.

“I’m fine, are you very disappointed?”

“What do you mean by that? I'm your elder brother!”

“Elder brother? Heh heh, it's true I paid the money, but the one who placed the order on the dark web wasn't me at all! I also sent people to deal with that homeless person… How did others manage to find out about me so quickly?”

Ibe Taro: … “Do you think Father doesn't know about all the things you’ve done? Do you think you can stay out of it?”

“I don't know what you're talking about!”

“You already hold real power in the country's fourth largest conglomerate, why are you still targeting me?”

Regardless of whether he was targeted or not, the key was to deny it to the death!

…Yang Jian had no time or inclination to deal with The Ibe family's internal disputes.

He was currently contemplating how to use Ibe Jiro's life to deter all of Blue Star.

Why did the world generally become more peaceful after nuclear weapons emerged?

Because it allowed for the equality of all beings.

In previous wars, the children of the poor fought, the families of the rich paid, and the children of officials were promoted.

Later, with the equalizer for all beings, one shot to the soul, and everyone was finished.

No matter what your class.

The effect Yang Jian wanted to achieve was to extinguish all improper thoughts in one go.

Actually, it was very simple to kill the opponent.

The straight-line distance from Linhai City to Sakura Country was only a little over a thousand kilometers.

With Yang Jian's current attributes, a round trip would only take about two hours!

As for the time needed to kill Ibe Jiro… would that even take time?

One arrow, and he would be off to meet his great-grandmother!

The only problem was that it wasn't impactful enough… So… Yang Jian: How's the Meteor Shower skill coming along?

Zhou Yue: Are you really going to drop one on Sakura Country's capital?

Yang Jian: Just aim for The Ibe family's compound and throw one; our focus is revenge… And for revenge… a little collateral damage is normal!

Zhou Yue: I have no problem with it, it's just that there's no place to practice on Blue Star!

Zhou Yue had no psychological burden about dropping a Meteor Shower on The Ibe family.

If it were the Holy Mother Xia Minglan, she would probably spout a long list of grand principles.

The world is so beautiful, yet you are so irritable; this is not good… not good!

Because he saw through her Holy Mother nature, Yang Jian never brought her along when leading teams to level up!

It was too irritating!

Yang Jian: I'll ask Hu Mingwei and see if they have any suggestions!

Zhou Yue: What good suggestions could they have? At most, they'll appeal to your emotions and reason, asking you to let bygones be bygones… Yang Jian: How dare you! I was almost headshot by a sniper rifle, and you want me to let bygones be bygones?

Zhou Yue: You don't want to just kill him simply, you insist on being impactful, but you also don't get a hidden or advanced class. You're just a regular Hunter, how are you going to be impactful? If nothing else works, go block the gates of Dongji City and make them kill him themselves? Otherwise, no one gets to leave?

Yang Jian: …I suspect you're mocking me, and I've even taken a screenshot!

However, this suggestion did open up a new line of thought for Yang Jian.

The gates of Dongji City would indeed be blocked, but not now… Given the nature of Little Japan and Little Xi Ba, if a truly powerful figure emerged, they would probably immediately go against the big brother!

That would be even more annoying!

It's better to cut off their thoughts early… But, the current priority is to train his little mascot and master the ability to cast spells on Blue Star.

Yang Jian now had the Star Hunter class change scroll in his hand.

He certainly wasn't willing to settle for other, slightly inferior classes.

He could only accelerate his own progress.

After another three days, Yang Jian's level finally reached 38.

His two top generals, Bamboo Leaf and Mo Song, also reached level 38.

Yang Jian even took the time to arrange for Little Sea Turtle to level up!

Now, it was a level 38 Little Sea Turtle… Yang Jian planned to change maps.

After level 35, the difficulty of leveling up increased significantly.

Yang Jian had been using such a powerful cheat for so long, yet he still hadn't reached max level.

Five days had passed since the attack; if he didn't retaliate soon, others would start to see Yang Jian as a pushover!

He checked his attributes.

【Player: Tianmu Zhenjun】

【Position: Star Palace President】

【Class: Hunter】

【Level: LV38】

【Abyss Essence: 0 points】

【Physical Evolution Progress: 15.77%】

【HP: 182960 / 182960】

【MP: 28490 / 28490】

【Attack: 133718】

【Armor: 106765】

【Strength: 43+960 + 16837 (Affects melee attack power, parry, etc., affects secondary attributes like carrying capacity)】

【Agility: 81+1080 + 19224 (Affects ranged attack power, critical strike, armor, and dodge, affects secondary attributes like speed)】

【Stamina: 43+840 + 17317 (Affects defense, maximum health, etc.)】

【Intellect: 43+370 + 2350 (Affects maximum mana, spell power, spell critical strike, etc.)】

【Equipment: heart of khaz'goroth (Blue), malorne's oath of loyalty (Purple), Zhou Yue's Love Declaration (Orange)…】

【Talent: Devour (Orange)】

【Description: Devour an orange or lower-grade equipment not higher than your level, inherit all of the equipment's attributes, can be stacked infinitely.】

【Cooling Down: Remaining time: 17:55】

【Upgrade Condition: 1 / 50 (Only orange equipment counts towards upgrade condition)】

【Current Devoured Attributes: Strength +16837, Agility +19224, Stamina +17317, Intellect +2350, Attack +13350, Defense +4057, Ranged Attack Power +160, Spell Attack Power +276, Attack Speed +1, Space Slots +142, Arrow Slots +12, Block +580, Dodge +10】

【Skill: Deception】

Now, apart from the progress of his physical strengthening, which was rapidly declining, all other attributes were steadily increasing.

Yang Jian had acquired a total of 17168 points of Abyss Essence so far.

And the heart of khaz'goroth had gained a total of 34790 points of life essence during the third trip to the Dragon Tomb.

Now, it wasn't too far from upgrading.

【Abyss Essence required for upgrade: 57908 / 100000】

Looking at the necklace, which was still half-way to upgrading, Yang Jian thought that the next time he took action against the Abyss, he might be able to fill the heart of khaz'goroth's requirements!

Why 'might'?

Because Yang Jian was thinking… maybe he should sneak into other worlds to kill the Abyss.

Preferably to worlds where the game system no longer existed to kill the Abyss.

In other words, to worlds even older than the Tian Yao Realm… to test whether his [Devour Spirit Body] could directly absorb Abyss Essence!

Although heart of khaz'goroth was incredibly useful.

Yang Jian also hoped it would unlock new permissions.

But… it was better for great power to reside within oneself.

No matter how good the equipment, it was not as important as one's own strength.

If his own strength was not enough, and the necklace became too powerful, it wouldn't necessarily be a good thing!

It was also good to appropriately suppress its power!

After all, Yang Jian didn't know if there was any remnant will of Khaz'goroth in this necklace… Moreover, Yang Jian's own strength was growing too quickly.

Sometimes, if he didn't save a little Abyss Essence for backup, what if his strength wasn't maxed out before unification… Yang Jian thought about it, and it seemed impossible for such a thing to happen!

After all, as long as he didn't level up or devour equipment, he couldn't possibly lose points just by breathing, could he?

He opened the level leaderboard and saw that Yang Jian dominated the competition with an extremely exaggerated advantage.

First Place: Tianmu Zhenjun, Level 38 7%, Class: Hunter, Guild: Star Palace (President).

Second Place: Yueyin Qingya, Level 27 12%, Class: Element Controller, Guild: Star Palace (Vice President).

Third Place: Thousand Years of White Clouds, Level 24 43%, Class: Void Hunter, Guild: Star Palace (Vice President).

Fourth Place: Qingqing Zijin, Level 21 83%, Class: King of Beasts, Guild: Star Palace (Vice President).

Fifth Place: Bai Xiaobai, Level 21 12%, Class: Elemental Summoner, Guild: Star Palace.

Sixth Place: Thunder God Envoy, Level 20 34%, Class: Thunder Mage, Guild: Asgard (President).

Seventh Place: King Arthur, Level 20 31%, Class: Arcane Mage, Guild: Norse Pantheon (President).

Eighth Place: Western Cowboy, Level 20 22%, Class: Mechanic.

Ninth Place: Bettina Sanchez, Level 20 17%, Class: Gunner.

Tenth Place: GOAT, Level 20 14%, Class: Discipline Priest, Guild: Light Church.

Yang Jian looked at the new level leaderboard.

He clearly felt that he had completely pulled away from the main group.

Yang Jian decided to implement the second plan!

For example… to make good use of the Titan Necklace's forging authority.

These past two days, when Yang Jian was slacking off, he checked his forging skill.

【Forging (Divine Potential): 1 / 1000】

Looking at the forging blueprints, Yang Jian knew all of those from the Zhenhai City Forging Master's Association.

He also knew what the Zhenhai City Forging Masters didn't know.

He even knew many forging blueprints that didn't exist in the New World at all.

Yang Jian had his eye on one particular forged item.

【Forged Item: Falling Star Arrow (Orange)】

【Forging Requirement: Forging 320 points.】

【Materials Needed: star glow wood 0 / 1 (Purple), Peacock Plume 0 / 4 (Purple), saronite ore (Orange) 0 / 1, water of life (Orange) 0 / 1】

【Requires: Forging Hammer, Anvil】

Why did Yang Jian have his eye on such a thing?

Because its attributes were also quite peculiar.

【Falling Star Arrow (Orange)】

【Usage Requirement: Bow】

【Usage Level: Level 40】

【Attack Damage +100】

【True Damage +1000】

【Additional Damage to Abyss +1000】

【Description: During a divine war, every point of damage is precious. Of course, don't even think about this if you're not at that level!】

If he were level forty, if he lost one of these arrows after shooting it, he would be sick to his stomach.

He'd jump up in his sleep and slap himself twice.

Moreover, although the forging materials for this arrow were not many, each one was incredibly precious!

Currently, the Star Palace's warehouse only had 17 Peacock Plumes.

This item, of course, wasn't dropped by peacocks.

Instead, it was dropped by a Level 20 Silver BOSS bird on the edge of the Southern Wilds!

This thing was not easy to kill.

As a Silver BOSS, if the rhythm wasn't handled well, it would truly fly away to escape… As for the other items, Yang Jian decided they would be the next tasks to search for.

Yang Jian was interested in this arrow just to see if he could exploit a bug!

What if devouring this item also counted as an equipment?

Then, he could push his talent to gold with the smallest cost… A golden Devour Spirit Body, he wondered what kind of gains it would bring him in another world!

Looking at his forging skill!

He still needed to start practicing from scratch… Zhou Yue: I'm ready, when do we make our move?