5: Genius speculation

As he moved further from Mingyue Village, players became scarcer, while monsters grew higher in level and more numerous.

Li Si bypassed Wild Dog Plains and headed towards the farmlands to the south.

“Damn it, that guy ran too fast.” Fengyun Heavy Cavalry’s face was ashen.

“Boss, too much time has passed. It’s probably too late to catch that person now; the Comprehension Book has most likely already been used by him.”

“Damn it, just a little bit more.”

Fengyun Heavy Cavalry was filled with regret; if he had known it would turn out this way, he definitely wouldn't have claimed the Novice Village supplies when the server opened. Instead, he would have left Novice Village directly to kill monsters.

“Boss, look, that person went towards the farmlands.”

“Going to a Level 5 area alone? Is he looking for death?”

“Boss, should we warn him?”

“He’s a handsome guy, why bother with him? If he were uglier than me, I might consider warning him.”

Fengyun Heavy Cavalry smiled, his gloomy mood lightening considerably.

He often joked about his appearance to relieve stress and strengthen his inner self. At his age and with his status, appearance was no longer important; money, power, and social standing were the true priorities.

......

“Ding!”

“Danger in the farmlands. Please proceed with caution.”

“Heaven Rewards Diligence: After a long journey, your physical fitness has received a slight enhancement.”

“Movement Speed permanently +0.2.”

Li Si arrived at the farmlands, where endless crops swayed in the wind, like a painting.

However, this beautiful golden ocean was being ruined by some unknown Wild Dog.

“Oink!”

“Oink! ╯^╰”

Hundreds of Wild Dog swaggered about, mercilessly destroying Mingyue Village’s farmlands.

“Wild Dog”

“Level: 5”

“Health: 360 / 360”

“Mana: 98 / 98”

“Attack: 9-11”

“Skill: [Savage Charge]”

“Oh my goodness.”

Li Si was amazed by the Wild Dog' exaggerated stats, which were even higher than those of Wild Dog Elite. However, Wild Dog Elite had a talent—Wound Tear—so their combat power should be similar.

He went straight in with a normal attack.

-13!

The damage was decent.

After a hit, the Wild Dog became enraged at Li Si, snorting and charging towards him.

-21!

A high damage of 21 popped up above Li Si’s head, but his health bar didn't drop much, as his health cap was already 336 points.

“Baby, keep it up.”

Keep charging hard.

Li Si stood still, waiting for the Wild Dog.

-21!

-21!

Finally, on the Wild Dog's third skill release, the Limiter triggered.

“Ding!”

“Indomitable, fearless, Heaven Rewards Diligence, physical body sublimated.”

“Physical damage below 30 points reduced by 20%.”

Immediately, Li Si’s damage reduction attribute underwent a significant change.

Physical Damage Reduction:

Physical damage below 10 points reduced by 100%.

Physical damage below 30 points reduced by 20%.

Immediately, the Wild Dog launched its fourth charge.

-17!

Damage reduced by 20%.

“...BT.”

Li Si was incredibly excited.

“Ding!”

“Heaven Rewards Diligence, great virtue carries all things, steadfast in self, flesh and blood ascension.”

“Physical damage below 30 points reduced by 40%.”

“Ding!”

......

Fifteen minutes later.

Physical damage below 30 points reduced by 100%.

The attribute was perfected.

The Wild Dog could no longer inflict any damage.

“Brother Pig, I’m sorry, you’re useless now.”

At this moment, Li Si mercilessly wielded his butcher's knife.

Phantom Sword Dance!

In an instant, sword qi roared, and Li Si, holding his Newbie Sword, unleashed 11 slashes onto the Wild Dog.

-13!

-13!

-13!

.......

A total of 143 physical damage, and the Wild Dog’s health bar plummeted by two-fifths.

At the same time, Li Si's mana bar was almost depleted.

“Ding!”

“Heaven Rewards Diligence: Even with mana empty, the fighting spirit does not diminish; it soars undying.”

“Mana recovery +2.”

Haha....

It appeared as expected!

Li Si quickly opened his attribute panel and saw his mana slowly recovering.

“Brother Pig, you truly are my lucky star.”

“Therefore, I’ll give you a grand exit.”

Normal attack.

Normal attack.

Normal attack.

Li Si continuously used normal attacks, clearing the Wild Dog until only a sliver of health remained.

Then, a Phantom Sword Dance finished it off.

Dying under a golden skill, Brother Pig, you didn't lose out.

“Ding!”

“Diligent study, tireless effort, Heaven Rewards Diligence, mana generation.”

“Mana permanently +20 points.”

Nice.

Mana cap is also a good reward.

Li Si, holding his Newbie Sword, pounced on the nearby Brother Pig.

......

“Holy crap! This guy is amazing!”

Qian Duoduo stared blankly at Li Si’s back. Fighting a Level 5 Wild Dog alone, this guy was definitely a super, super big shot.

“I really want to follow a big shot, but why would a big shot take me? I only have damned RMB, and such vulgar yellow and white stuff surely wouldn't catch a big shot’s eye.”

All sorts of thoughts arose in Qian Duoduo’s mind.

“Damn it!”

“I’m not worthy.”

“Forget it, I’ll just find a regular small expert to help me level up.”

After much thought, Qian Duoduo turned and left the farmlands.

Time passed.

While Li Si was beating up Level 5 Wild Dog, other players were being beaten up by Wild Dog.

Half an hour later, a hundred Wild Dog were beheaded, and the quest was completed.

Li Si returned to Novice Village to hand in the quest.

“Ding!”

“Quest completed—Farmland Disaster (2 Stars).”

“Obtained Weapon—Excellent Sword (Green).”

“Obtained Item—Backpack Expansion (Green).”

“Two items?”

Li Si once again celebrated his luck; normally, a 2-star quest only gives one item, but this quest gave two items.

And both were green-grade equipment.

“Excellent Sword (Green)”

“Level: 1”

“Attack +5-8”

The attributes of a green-quality Excellent Sword were naturally better than those of the Newbie Sword.

Li Si decisively replaced his Newbie Sword with the Excellent Sword, then proceeded to examine the second item.

“Backpack Expansion (Green)”

“Level: 1”

“Slots +30”

Not bad.

Adds 30 slots.

Li Si was satisfied and immediately expanded his backpack.

In an instant, the number of backpack slots became 40.

He felt delighted; this quest was simply full of rewards.

“Ding!”

“Heaven Rewards Diligence: Through the trials of the quest, you have gained insight into the ways of the world, and your attributes have increased.”

“Health permanently +50.”

“Mana permanently +30.”

Haha!

Completing a quest could actually trigger the Limiter.

Unbelievable.

Strands of Heaven Rewards Diligence aura condensed, and Li Si’s stats improved.

Carrying the Excellent Sword, Li Si walked towards the wilderness.

As he passed the Ironworks, the conversation of two players caught his attention.

“Brother, stop dilly-dallying, hurry up and level up! The first kill of a green boss can get you on the Mingyue Village announcement, and being first in level definitely can too.”

“Second Brother, you are a genius, an absolute genius. Wait a moment, I’ll buy my weapon and then we’ll leave immediately.”

Holy crap?

A genius idea!

Li Si was greatly inspired; leveling up might indeed get him on the Mingyue Village announcement. However, it was a pity that his level was capped at 1, so he had no chance to power level.

“Find a player and help him level up?”

“He gets on the announcement, and I get the reward?”

This was also a genius idea. Li Si marveled at his own wisdom, then began to ponder what kind of player would be suitable.

Firstly, they couldn't be short on money, otherwise, they might become greedy.

Secondly, they couldn't be too smart, otherwise, they might cause trouble.

After a moment of deliberation, Li Si made a decision: find a foolish rich guy to execute the power-leveling plan.

Immediately, he headed straight for the Novice Village gate.

The area near the Novice Village gate was bustling with hundreds of players coming and going.

“Wild Dog speed run, need a tanky player.”

“Team up to farm Level 3 Wild Ox, need two damage dealers, minimum 5 attack.”

“I have a damage talent, 13 max attack, taking bosses for leveling, 100 RMB per hour.”

“Looking for an expert to help me level up, I’ll pay 30 RMB per hour.”

“......”

Players were shouting in groups of three or five.

“These people aren’t very good.”

Li Si looked around and found that they were all ordinary players; there were no rich guys, let alone foolish rich guys.

Just as Li Si was about to randomly pick a player to execute his power-leveling plan,

A plump player returned from the wilderness and shouted to the crowd: “Need an expert to help me level up. I’m not short on money; the stronger you are, the higher the reward. No noobs.”

The stronger you are,

The higher the reward?

Li Si’s heart instantly stirred. This chubby kid had the aura of a rich guy, and he also seemed not very smart, which fit his power-leveling plan perfectly. If he could help the chubby kid level up, it would be killing two birds with one stone: earning money and power-leveling simultaneously.

......