225: Christmas and New Year Carnival

9. Sword Heart Enlightenment (Level 0/10): Allows for a certain degree of flexible use of internal energy for attack or defense.

Skill Points: 20

Basic Swordplay (Level 0/10): Includes all sword moves for normal attacks.

Basic Fencing (Level 0/10): Includes all fist moves for normal attacks.

Basic Movement Technique (Level 0/10): Increases body flexibility and includes all basic evasion footwork.

Combined Skills:

Divine Punishment Sword Shadow (Combined Skill): Consumes 3000 energy and is released together with the Divine Punisher Ji Linghan. The Divine Punisher summons the power of thunder to pierce the target's limbs, dealing 600% magic attack (Ji Linghan) lightning damage, and applies 'Shield Break' and 'Paralysis' debuffs. The Sword Immortal summons twelve sword energy phantoms to pierce the target, each sword energy dealing 600% physical attack (Chu Yixing) sword damage, and applies a 'Thunderstorm' effect, dealing 300% magic attack (Ji Linghan) lightning damage to the target each time. Cooldown: 60 minutes.

moonlight sword Array (Combined Skill): Consumes 5000 energy and is released together with Moon Goddess Han Ruoxue. Summons countless light swords from the ground, forming a pincer attack with pure moonlight beams descending from the sky. Deals 600% physical attack (Chu Yixing) sword damage + 600% magic attack (Han Ruoxue) moon damage per second to all hostile targets within the sword array. This skill ignores shields and directly attacks the main body. The sword array lasts for 8 seconds. Cooldown: 60 minutes.

Chu Yixing looked at the skill bar and found that the skills had been reduced and merged, and the newly added skill 'Sword Heart Enlightenment' at the end gave him much more autonomy in energy usage.

After familiarizing himself with the new panel, Chu Yixing began to cultivate his mental cultivation method and decided to inquire about matters related to the second advancement at the academy the next day.

The next day, Chu Yixing and the other the five people of the Dawn Squad appeared on the Qilin Academy campus. They had already contacted their respective Counselors in advance.

After talking with their Counselors, the the five people went together to the Academy Dean's office. From the Dean, they received news that every year around New Year's Day, there would be an exclusive event for awakened professionals of that year. This year's was about to start, and they should prepare for it.

Chu Yixing and the other the five people cleared all the Instances they could, then returned to the Courtyard House to discuss whether they needed to take on some quests to get familiar with the changes after their second advancement.

The system's cold, mechanical voice sounded in the the five people's ears:

[Global System Announcement]

[To all newly awakened professionals on Blue Star within the past year:

To celebrate Christmas and New Year's, unleash the potential of the new generation, and promote international exchange, the 'Dual Holiday Carnival' limited-time event is now officially launched!]

[Event Duration: December 24th 0:00 - January 2nd 24:00, a total of 10 days.]

[Participants: All professionals on Blue Star whose awakening duration has not exceeded one year (based on the time of first awakening profession). Those awakened for more than one year will participate in higher-tier events separately.]

[Event Content and Rewards:

1. Daily Themed Challenges: During the event, a themed activity will be released daily at 0:00, covering various modes such as exploration, hunting, puzzle-solving, competition, and cooperation.

2. Point Leaderboards:

National Point Ranking: Based on countries, it calculates the total points obtained by all participating professionals in that country. The ranking is updated in real-time.

Squad Point Ranking: Based on registered squads, it calculates the total points obtained by squad members. The ranking is updated in real-time.

3. Event Rewards: After the event ends, generous rewards will be issued based on the final rankings of the National Ranking and Squad Ranking, including but not limited to: high-level skill books, rare materials, exclusive titles, pet growth acceleration vouchers, national/squad luck bonuses (lasting for one month), etc.]

[Event Rules:

During the event, all participating professionals in non-safe zones (event-exclusive areas) will have their life protection mechanism raised to the highest level. When near death, they will be forcibly teleported back to the nearest safe point without consuming revival counts, but their daily event point acquisition efficiency will be reduced by 50%. This state lasts for 2 hours.

Some special items obtained during the event can be exchanged for rare resources in the event shop.

Any form of malicious competition or cheating is strictly prohibited. Violators will be severely punished by the system, and their affiliated country and squad points will also be affected.]

[The first day's event, 'Christmas Snow Night's Gift,' will officially begin at 0:00 tonight. All professionals, please prepare!]

[May the ice and snow bring blessings, may the New Year grant hope! Celebrate, new stars of Blue Star!]

The system's announcement faded, and in the discussion room, the the five people were silent for a moment.

"It's here! Just received the Dean's notification, and now the system announcement is here! The Dean couldn't have..." Yu Yue suddenly stood up, laughing at his own words as he spoke. Dawn Light next to him also let out a clear, high-pitched neigh.

Xu Bai's eyes sparkled with interest: "Global scope, national ranking, squad competition... Sounds a bit interesting. Shadow Claw, it seems we're going to be busy." The Shadow Hound cub let out a low growl.

Ji Linghan looked at Thunder on his shoulder: "Finally, another group activity! Thunder, I hope this time I can take you all to participate." Thunder, perched on his shoulder, stretched its neck and let out a long cry, lightning flickering between its wings.

Han Ruoxue's voice was clear and cold, yet carried a hint of eagerness: "National honor, squad ranking, we have an inescapable duty. Silver Pupil." Silver Pupil, lying at her feet, gracefully stood up, its azure pupils like two miniature moons in the darkness.

Chu Yixing's gaze swept over his teammates, and he spoke steadily: "System events mean both opportunities and challenges. Our goal is to be first on both rankings. Everyone, do you have confidence?"

"Yes!" The four people responded in unison, their fighting spirit high.

"Good!" Chu Yixing nodded, "Check your equipment, potions, and pet status, then rest. Gather in the front hall at 23:55, ready to enter the event area!"

Everyone began to act separately, and after ample preparation, they quickly took time to rest.

At 23:59 PM, the the five people of Chu Yixing silently waited in the front hall.

Exactly 0:00!

[Global System Announcement: The first day's event, 'Christmas Snow Night's Gift,' begins now!]

[Event Content Time: December 24th 0:00 - 24:00]

[Event Location: A 'Christmas Snowfield' special Instance space randomly generated globally (independent of the real-world map, accessible via system teleporters in major cities).]

[Event Objective: Explore the snowfield and collect 'Christmas Bells,' 'Sweet Gingerbread,' and 'Wish Star Dust.' Special monsters 'Naughty Snow Monster' and 'Reindeer Vanguard' will spawn in the snowfield. Defeating them has a chance to drop event materials and grants additional points.]

[Point Rules:

1. Collect 'Christmas Bells': 1 point/each

2. Collect 'Sweet Gingerbread': 2 points/each

3. Collect 'Wish Star Dust': 5 points/each

4. Defeat 'Naughty Snow Monster': 10 points/each

5. Defeat 'Reindeer Vanguard': 50 points/each

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New author, new book, welcome everyone to point out errors, provide suggestions, advice, inspiration, etc.!

This is my first time writing a book, please be gentle with criticism, and please comment, collect, recommend, and add to your bookshelf!

Seeking supporting characters and villains. You can send me their names and identity background information via private message or write them in the comment section!

Seeking future plot ideas. Everyone can write about the activities, plots, conflicts, etc., they wish to see in the book review section!