125: Chapter 125 Killing the Leader! That rip-off "One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones"?

A heavy sword has no edge; great skill does not rely on technique.

But under the augmentation of absolute strength attributes, this ordinary spare heavy sword transformed into a weapon capable of crushing mountains.

"Boom——!!"

The air was forcefully compressed by the violent power into visible white shockwaves; before the heavy sword even fell, the terrifying wind pressure had already caused the ground to crack inch by inch.

The Black Robe Leader's face, which had been stiff with shock, was finally filled with endless terror.

He wanted to escape.

As one of the three leaders of the Demon Lair, he possessed countless means of self-preservation.

Shadow Evasion, Substitute Puppet, Void Realm displacement...

However, at this moment, he discovered with horror that the space around him seemed to be completely locked down by an extremely overbearing aura.

It was not spatial magic, but rather pure, barbaric force compressing every inch of space for evasion!

"No!! I am the king of the Night Walkers; I cannot die here——"

The Black Robe Leader's shrill scream came to an abrupt halt.

The heavy sword fell.

There were no flashy Moves, only the most primitive and violent physical destruction.

The Black Robe Leader's prideful protective black Qi dissolved the moment it touched the sword's edge, like snow meeting boiling water.

Immediately following was his body, which instantly twisted, deformed, and finally disintegrated completely under the massive kinetic impact.

"Bang!"

A dull, thunderous sound exploded within the narrow cave.

The entire hall shook violently, and countless rocks fell from the ceiling.

Where Qin Ji's sword landed, the hard rocky ground exploded into ripples of earth like a water surface; the shockwave, carrying rocks and dust, completely destroyed the surrounding bone thrones and nether torches.

When the dust settled, only a deep crater several meters in diameter remained on the ground.

At the bottom of the pit, the Black Robe Leader had vanished, leaving behind only a few faintly glowing items lying quietly among the rubble, proving that the arrogant BOSS had once existed.

【System Notification: You have successfully killed the Demon Lair Leader (Clone), gaining +500,000 EXP!】

【System Notification: You have reached the Rank cap of 20; overflow EXP will be automatically stored.】

Qin Ji casually sheathed the heavy sword on his back with fluid movements, as if he hadn't just smashed a BOSS, but a reckless fly.

He walked to the edge of the pit and scanned the loot.

There was no major explosion of loot; after all, this was just a Clone of the Black Robe Leader, and since it was killed during a story quest, the drop rate was reduced.

There were three items on the ground.

A pitch-black ring, a skill book emitting an ancient aura, and an unknown black fragment.

Qin Ji picked up the ring first.

【Shadow Ring (Gold)】: Increases dark attribute resistance, comes with the skill "Shadow Step".

The attributes were average, the kind of stuff to throw into the guild warehouse.

Subsequently, his gaze fell on the skill book.

The cover was a cyan-gray color with no text, only three blurry Dao rhymes flowing across it; vaguely, one could see three illusory figures sitting cross-legged between the pages.

As soon as Qin Ji's fingers touched the cover, a line of System notification popped up.

【System Notification: Congratulations on obtaining the special skill book — "One Qi Transforms into Three Purities (Incomplete Version)"!】

"One Qi Transforms into Three Purities?"

Qin Ji's pupils constricted slightly.

The name was too prestigious. In the Eastern mythological System, this was the supreme Divine Ability of the Dao sect.

Even in a game like "ragnarok" with a predominantly Western fantasy background, a skill with such strong Eastern flavor definitely belonged to the level of hidden easter eggs.

He immediately clicked to view the attributes.

However, the next second, the anticipation on Qin Ji's face froze.

【One Qi Transforms into Three Purities (Special Skill)】

Quality: Special (Cannot be upgraded)

Effect: You can consume 1000 Mana points to manifest three Clones.

Clone characteristics:

1. Inherits 100% of the main body's attributes and characteristics (including hidden attributes like luck and charisma).

2. Absolutely fragile: Clones cannot perform any form of combat attacks, and will die immediately upon taking any damage (including environmental damage or grazes).

3. Independent consciousness: Clones possess simple intelligence and can execute complex non-combat commands.

Cooldown: 30 natural days.

Description: This is a Divine Ability that has been castrated to the extreme; perhaps it was once glorious, but now... it can only be used for show.

"..."

Qin Ji looked at the "cannot be used in combat" and "dies upon taking damage" entries, and the corner of his mouth couldn't help but twitch twice.

Just this?

This can be called One Qi Transforms into Three Purities?

This is simply a Pinduoduo version of the Shadow Clone Technique, the kind of low-quality glass product that breaks at a touch!

The moment he got this skill book, countless flashy operations flashed through Qin Ji's mind: the main body AFKs while the Clones grind monsters; or four "Snow Emperor"s simultaneously releasing Ten Thousand Arrows, directly covering the entire map.

But reality gave him a loud slap in the face.

Cannot fight, cannot tank monsters, and cannot even serve as cannon fodder to draw aggro — because it breaks at a touch and cannot buy any time.

"What is the use of this thing?"

Qin Ji frowned tightly, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the rough cover of the skill book.

The 1000 mana cost wasn't a problem, and the once-a-month cooldown was acceptable, but this "zero combat power" setting kicked this skill from the altar directly into the sewer.

Is it really just for show?

No.

Qin Ji's gaze suddenly stopped on the lines "Inherits all attributes and characteristics" and "can execute complex non-combat commands".

In a flash, a thought exploded in his mind.

Since it can't fight, then... work?

In this game, besides killing and fighting, there is another massive System — Life Professions!

Blacksmith, Pharmacist, Enchanter, Talisman Master... these secondary professions are crucial in the Late Stage of the game.

Especially those legendary-grade equipment and potions; they are not dropped by killing monsters, but must be crafted by Grandmaster-level life players.

But secondary professions have a huge drawback: they are too time-consuming.

Grinding proficiency requires thousands of boring, repetitive operations, which is simply a waste of life for combat players who race against time.

Therefore, many experts in his previous life paid to hire specialized life players, never dabbling in it themselves.

But now...

Qin Ji looked at the skill book in his hand, the disdain in his eyes gradually transforming into a glint of light.

The Clones inherit all attributes, which means they possess Qin Ji's monstrously high luck!

In this game, the rate of forging top-tier items and the success rate of alchemy are all linked to luck!

Let three Clones with super-high luck grind secondary profession proficiency day and night, while the main body levels up and hunts for treasure outside...

"This isn't a trash skill at all; this is clearly a Super Slave Summoning Technique!"

The gloom in Qin Ji's heart was swept away.

Three Clones, just enough to correspond to the three most profitable secondary professions: Pharmacy, Blacksmithing, and Talisman Making.

As long as he trains these three professions to the Grandmaster level, combined with his own high luck, the entire high-end market of the Star Kingdom in the future will be monopolized by him alone!

"Although it's not quite the world-destroying power I imagined, this... is not a loss."

Qin Ji decisively clicked to learn.

The ancient book in his hand transformed into three streams of clear Qi, which followed his arm and burrowed into his glabella.

In the skill bar, the gray Daoist icon instantly lit up.

But now was not the time to summon the Clones.

Qin Ji glanced at his EXP bar.

Rank 20 (Full).

If he didn't perform the first class advancement, the EXP would remain stuck here.

Although it could be stored, many Advanced dungeons and maps had Rank thresholds.

For example, that quest to "revive the Ancient Eastern Kingdom" was restricted to after the second class advancement.

"Go change class first."

Qin Ji didn't hesitate at all and directly crushed the town portal scroll.

...

Tianxing City, Class Advancement Hall.

As one of the core main cities of the Star Kingdom, it was always bustling with noise.

Under the huge dome, countless players shuttled in front of the counters of various class instructors, and the noisy conversations gathered into a massive wave of sound.

"Looking for a healer for the party! Need someone busty, only Priests!"

"Buying 15th Rank Silver Staff at a high price, private message if you have one, scammers will have their whole family die!"

"Carrying through the class advancement quest, only 5 silver coins, hurry up to get on board!"

Qin Ji, wearing an inconspicuous gray cloak, skillfully wove through the crowd like a slippery fish, and in a moment, he squeezed his way to the Archer instructor's area.

It was relatively quiet here.

After all, in the early stages of the game, Archers were always in the lower-middle part of the disdain chain because they were squishy and their output was not as violent as Mages.

Behind the instructor's counter sat an Elf woman wearing emerald green leather armor.

She had golden hair like a waterfall, and her pointed ears trembled slightly with her breathing; the nameplate on her chest read her name: Elistoduo.

"Hello, I would like to change class."

Qin Ji took off his hood, revealing the face that was now known to the entire server.

Elistoduo, who had been lazily trimming her nails, jumped up from her chair the moment she saw who it was, her beautiful emerald eyes wide with shock.

"Snow... Snow Emperor?!"

Although her exclamation was not loud, under Qin Ji's deliberate eye pressure, it did not attract the attention of the surrounding players.

"It is me." Qin Ji nodded calmly.

Elistoduo took a deep breath, and the leather armor on her chest rose and fell with it.

She looked Qin Ji up and down with a look of seeing a monster, "With your strength... you can even treat the ban in Black Wind City as nothing, yet you still need to come for this kind of basic class change?"

In the NPC's intelligent logic, a powerhouse of Snow Emperor's level should have long ago embarked on the path of a hidden class or a Divine-Grade Legacy.

"The basics are the foundation of everything." Qin Ji replied indifferently, "Is that not allowed?"

"Of... of course!"

Elistoduo waved her hands hurriedly, a professional smile appearing on her face, although there was some awe in that smile, "With your strength, the class change quest is completely unnecessary. I can handle the class change procedures for you directly."

This was the privilege brought by reputation and strength.

Ordinary players still have to kill hundreds of wild boars to prove themselves, while Qin Ji only needs to show his face.

"Thank you."

As Elistoduo waved the staff in her hand, a soft green light enveloped Qin Ji.

【System Prompt: You are undergoing your first class advancement, Class: Archer.】

【Please select your elemental affinity direction: Metal (Armor Penetration), Wood (Life Steal), Water (Purification), Fire (Burn), Earth (Shield).】

Five options appeared before Qin Ji's eyes.

This was the watershed for first-class advancement Archers.

The Metal element pursues ultimate burst, the Fire element deals sustained damage, the Earth element leans towards survival, and the Water element is functional support.

Qin Ji's gaze swept over the five icons and finally settled on that emerald green leaf without hesitation.

Wood element!

The reason was simple: Life Steal.

The class characteristic of a Wood element Archer is: All damage dealt (including skills, basic attacks, and special effect damage) will gain a 1% Life Steal effect.

It looks like a low ratio, but the keyword is "all damage".

Qin Ji possessed the 【book of life and death】.

As long as the target is locked, it can deal massive true damage every second.

Previously, neither the Bloodthirsty Necklace nor the Life Steal affix of the jiu he long bow could trigger the healing of the 【book of life and death】, because equipment Life Steal usually only acts on basic attacks or specific physical skills.

But the class characteristic belongs to the blessing at the Law level!

Once he changes to the Wood element, every instance of damage dealt by the book of life and death will continuously restore his health.

Coupled with high-frequency AOE skills like 【Lightning Jump】, as long as there are enough monsters, he is a moving blood fountain!

"I choose the Wood element." Qin Ji said in a deep voice.

"A wise choice." Elistoduo praised, although she felt in her heart that the Metal element was more suitable for this killing god, "The Wood element's survival ability is extremely strong, just like a forest, endless and continuous."

"Ding! Congratulations on successfully changing class to: Wood element Archer (first class advancement)!"

【Class characteristic activated: Forest Drain (When dealing any damage, recover 1% of the damage value as Health).】

【Level cap unlocked to level 50.】

【All attribute growth correction increased.】

"You can now spend gold coins to learn the basic skills of a Wood element Archer from me..." Elistoduo opened her skill list and looked expectantly at this big spender.

Qin Ji glanced at it.

《Thorn Trap》, 《Power Shot》, 《Natural Camouflage》.

They were all common goods with low multipliers and outdated mechanics.

"No need."

Qin Ji turned and left without any hesitation.

Just kidding, in his current skill bar, any passive he picked out could beat these "secret techniques" taught by the instructor. Learning these not only wastes gold coins but also occupies skill slots.

Elistoduo looked at Qin Ji's resolute back, opened her mouth, and finally could only sit back on the chair helplessly, muttering in her mouth: "What a weirdo... doesn't even learn skills, is he relying on basic attacks to fight monsters?"

...

Leaving the class change hall, Qin Ji was not in a hurry to leave the city.

He turned into an empty deep alley.

This was a blind spot for players' vision, with only a few wild cats foraging near a trash heap.

After confirming that there was no one around, Qin Ji raised his right hand, and clear Qi flowed in his palm.

"One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones!"

Buzz—!

The air trembled slightly, and three illusory figures peeled out from his body, landing and turning into physical entities.

Identical faces, identical equipment, even the indifferent temperament in their eyes was exactly the same.

The only difference was that there was no ID displayed above the heads of these three Clones.

"Go."

Qin Ji's mind moved, and the three Clones immediately understood.

They did not need verbal communication; their thoughts were directly synchronized.

Clone No. 1 turned and headed towards the blacksmith shop, Clone No. 2 went to the Alchemist Association, and Clone No. 3 hid in the shadows and headed to the Rune Master Guild.

Watching the backs of the Clones leaving, Qin Ji nodded with satisfaction.

Is this the joy of a capitalist?

He doesn't have to do anything, and he has three free Advanced laborers working for him.

After dealing with the Clones, Qin Ji took out the last item from his backpack.

It was the one extorted from the Black Robe Leader — 【equipment evolution scroll (Purple)】.

This scroll emitted a violet halo, with complex magic patterns flowing on its surface; just holding it in his hand, he could feel the astonishing magic power contained within.

"Good steel should be used on the blade."

Qin Ji did not hesitate and directly took off the warm jade pendant from his waist.

【purification jade pendant】.

This piece of equipment had saved him from dire straits countless times, and that active skill "remove all negative status effects" could be called a Divine skill.

But with the increase in enemy Rank, especially when facing Advanced BOSSes like the Black Robe Leader who frequently came with "Abyssal Corrosion", the cooldown time and judgment priority of the purification jade pendant were starting to seem a bit strained.

If it does not evolve, this jade pendant will soon be unable to keep up with his pace.

"I hope it can give me a surprise."

Qin Ji took a deep breath and slammed the scroll onto the jade pendant.

"Evolution!"

Boom!

Purple light erupted instantly, illuminating the dim alley as bright as day.

That light did not scatter but poured into the jade pendant crazily like liquid.

The jade pendant trembled violently, making a crisp ringing sound, and golden cracks began to appear on its originally warm surface, as if something was breaking out from the inside.

A few seconds later, the light suddenly converged.

A brand new jade pendant floated quietly in Qin Ji's palm.

It was no longer the monotonous milky white as before, but the whole body presented a translucent glazed texture, and the center had an extra drop of blood-like crimson, emitting an eerie and sacred aura under the afterglow of the sunset.

Qin Ji reached out and grasped the jade pendant, the cold touch penetrating his heart, and at the same time, a powerful fluctuation that even made him feel palpitated came with it.

The sun set, stretching the alley to be narrow and deep.

Qin Ji stood at the junction of shadow and light, his purple-gold pupils reflecting the crimson luster of the jade pendant, a sharp arc slowly curling at the corners of his mouth, just like a hunter who had just sharpened his fangs, preparing to harvest higher-Rank prey on this continent.