446: Chapter 446 Do you still want me to go on a pilgrimage?

That feeling of being scammed came back.

"Please look at the stats, Boss." Hill stepped back, skillfully maintaining a safe distance.

Chen You opened the item panel.

[Item Name: Cyber Merit Wooden Fish]

[Quality: Legendary]

[Effect 1: Each time it is struck, the bound character gains 1 EXP point.]

[Effect 2: Each strike has a 0.00001% chance to trigger 'Boundless Merit', randomly granting 1 stat point.]

[Restriction: Must be struck by the bound character holding the hammer personally. Any mechanical, magical, or proxy-playing actions are ineffective.]

[Note: As long as you strike fast enough, max level is not a dream. Sincerity leads to spiritual efficacy, Amitabha.]

Chen You stared at the "1 EXP point" on the panel, then looked at his own EXP bar that required hundreds of millions of EXP to level up.

He took a deep breath, and then took another deep breath.

"Hill." Chen You's voice was surprisingly calm.

"Yes, Boss?"

"Do you believe I'll stuff this thing into your mouth?"

Hill maintained a professional smile: "Boss, you promised earlier that you would accept whatever came out."

"Besides, this item, in theory, really can provide infinite EXP and stat points. It completely fits the positioning of a Legendary-grade wonder."

"In theory?" Chen You laughed in anger. "I'd need to strike it ten thousand times for just ten thousand EXP! Can I level up even half a level if I break my fingers tapping it?"

"That requires you to test your own perseverance," Hill said solemnly. "The path to leveling up is inherently full of boredom and repetition."

"This item is the perfect tempering for your state of mind."

Chen You grabbed the little hammer and struck the wooden fish hard once.

"Clack."

A crisp, ethereal sound of wood striking echoed in the hall.

[EXP + 1]

Chen You looked at the pitiful white number floating above his head and felt his intelligence had been insulted like never before.

He had spent 40,000 gold coins in exchange for a piece of junk wood that gave one EXP point per tap!

"Refund." Chen You slammed the wooden fish onto the table.

"No refunds or exchanges." Hill crossed her arms. "Boss, I've already told you the rules of the blind box. In business, we value the spirit of contract."

Chen You stared at Hill for a long time.

He suddenly laughed.

He didn't continue to dwell on the refund, but instead picked up the wooden fish and the little hammer, turned around, and walked over to a chair in the corner of the hall to sit down.

"Fine, no refund, is that it?"

Chen You crossed his legs, placed the wooden fish on his thigh, and held the little hammer in his right hand.

"Clack."

[EXP + 1]

"Clack."

[EXP + 1]

"Clack-clack-clack-clack-clack..."

Chen You's tapping speed suddenly soared, and the little hammer turned into a blur over the wooden fish.

The crisp tapping sounds were like a torrential rain hitting banana leaves, exploding densely throughout the Supreme Tower hall.

Hill frowned: "Boss, what are you doing?"

"Tempering my state of mind." Chen You didn't even look up, his movements getting faster and faster.

"Didn't you say sincerity leads to spiritual efficacy? I'll just tap right here today, until I reach level 50."

"Besides, this place is safe, no one will disturb me."

Hill's expression changed.

"Boss, you can go back to the training room to tap."

"Not going, that place charges by the hour." Chen You didn't stop his hand. "It's fine right here, spacious and bright."

"Clack-clack-clack-clack-clack-clack..."

Ten minutes later.

Hill felt her temples throbbing.

The continuous sound of the wooden fish had pierced her eardrums and reached the depths of her soul.

She tried to ignore it, but the sound seemed to have some kind of magic; the more she listened, the more irritable it made her.

"Boss." Hill took a deep breath and walked in front of Chen You. "Let's make a deal."

Chen You looked up at her: "What? Is your state of mind disturbed?"

"I admit, this item might not be suitable for your current stage." Hill said through gritted teeth. "I can offer you a compensation plan."

Chen You's wrist hovered in mid-air.

"What compensation?"

Hill rubbed her temples and took a deep breath to adjust her facial muscles.

"I can apply for a 'Special Awakening' for this wonder."

Chen You didn't respond, his wrist dropping.

"Clack."

[EXP + 1]

Hill's eyelid twitched wildly: "Free awakening! No handling fee!"

Chen You then put down the little hammer in satisfaction and leaned back against the chair.

"You should have said so earlier. I am the most reasonable person."

"Start your performance."

Hill formed hand seals, and a complex golden rune array unfolded beneath the wooden fish.

The originally simple and unadorned surface of the wooden fish began to glow with cyberpunk-style patterns, and the sound of gears meshing came from inside the wood.

With a click.

[System Prompt: Legendary-grade wonder "Cyber Merit Wooden Fish" has awakened.]

[You have triggered the unique mythological-grade quest: Exorcising Demons in the Western Border.]

Chen You opened the quest panel.

[Quest Name: Exorcising Demons in the Western Border]

[Quest Description: In the far west of the Source Realm, shadows lie dormant. The holder of the Guiding Wooden Fish must head west, passing through eighty-one dangerous locations, and slay eighty-one Lord-grade great demons.]

[Quest Requirements: Kill 81 specified BOSSes. Current progress: 0/81.]

[Quest Reward: mythological-grade medicinal pill "Level Up Pill" (Ignores all rule restrictions, directly boosts level to 50).]

Chen You stared at the panel for a full minute.

"Eighty-one tribulations?" Chen You raised his head, looking at Hill with strange eyes. "And I have to head west all the way? Is the main brain of your Source Realm surnamed Wu?"

Hill looked bewildered: "Wu? This is an ancient trial left by the first-generation gods; what does it have to do with a surname?"

"Then did you assign me three disciples?" Chen You looked around the Supreme Tower hall.

"Like a hairy monkey, a pig that walks upright, and a bald guy carrying a pole?"

"Boss, what nonsense are you talking about?" Hill frowned deeply. "This is a solo trial; you must kill these eighty-one BOSSes personally."

"However, you can bring followers."

Chen You rubbed his chin.

Eighty-one BOSSes sounded like a big project.

But the temptation of that "Level Up Pill" was too great.

"Fine, I accept this quest." Chen You stuffed the wooden fish into his backpack. "However, since I'm going on a long journey, you should at least give me some kind of gesture, right?"

"I'm going to the Western Heaven to fetch scriptures... no, to the Western Border to exorcise demons. The journey is long, and the gas money is quite expensive."

Hill stepped back warily: "The quest reward is already mythological-grade; what else do you want?"

"Do you have a pass? You know, the kind of VIP card that lets me enjoy tax-free and free teleportation in all major cities."

"No!"

"Then give me a mount? Something like a White Dragon Horse?"

"No!"

"You're such a stingy NPC." Chen You curled his lips. "Then how do I know where these eighty-one BOSSes are?"

Hill pointed at Chen You's backpack: "The Guiding Wooden Fish will guide the way for you."

"The first target is in the Black Wind Mountain Range, three thousand kilometers west of Cangxing City."