35: Chapter 35 The Roar of Doubts and the Forbidden Artifact in the Backpack

The weightlessness of spatial teleportation felt like an invisible giant hand, ruthlessly crushing one's internal organs into a ball, followed by the sudden heaviness of landing.

The sensation beneath his feet changed from rough gravel to warm, hard magic-conducting marble.

Qin Ji opened his eyes. The lingering azure spots on his retinas hadn't fully faded when a clamor of human voices flooded his ears like a rising tide.

“Teaming up for 'Mechanical Ruins,' need a healer! Don't even need you to heal, just know how to cheer from the sidelines!”

“Buying gold at a high price, 1:500 ratio. Scammers' whole families will die!”

“Freshly dropped Level 15 Silver Greatsword with fire enchantment! Don't miss out as you pass by!”

This was the City of Origin—Emerald City.

Unlike the medieval dilapidated feel of the Newbie Village, this giant city suspended in the Void Realm displayed a breathtaking 'Crystal Punk' aesthetic. Massive anti-gravity mage towers pierced the clouds, their surfaces flowing with liquid arcane energy; in mid-air, alchemical airships running on maglev tracks cast giant shadows, while steam and neon runes wove a bizarre and gaudy tapestry amidst the steel jungle.

Qin Ji casually brushed non-existent dust from his shoulder, a lingering static sensation from the teleportation array's energy surge.

Blacksmith Wang's shrill roar seemed to still echo in his ears, causing the corners of his originally cold, hard mouth to involuntarily curl into a pleasant arc.

“Old man, that stone coated in fluorescent powder took me all night to grind into a handicraft. Taking a necklace from you as payment isn't too much, right?”

He wasn't in a hurry to explore this magnificent main city; instead, like an ordinary tourist, he strolled along the wide central avenue.

Although Emerald City was filled with players at this time, most were in a hurry. Those able to reach the main city at this point were all elites from major guilds or professional high-level players who had been grinding for a day and a night.

Qin Ji casually opened his personal panel and glanced at the frantically flashing World Channel.

Sure enough, just as he expected, the discussion regarding 'Snow Emperor' had already exploded.

In a pinned post on the [Gods Forum], a 'death sentence' regarding him was being carried out.

The poster was a well-known blogger with the ID [Brother Dong], and the title was written in bold, bright red font:

“A Short-Lived Masterpiece: An In-Depth Analysis of Why ‘Snow Emperor’ is Destined to Fade into Obscurity”

“...I believe everyone is familiar with Snow Emperor; the first kill announcement was indeed shocking. But please note, a full 24 hours have passed since that first kill! During this every-second-counts frontier period, while other top experts are tackling Level 15 dungeons, our Snow Emperor is still idling in the Newbie Village.”

“According to my data model analysis, his burst in the Newbie Village relied entirely on some kind of one-time-use item or a pathfinding bug with the monsters. After entering the main city and facing bosses with 'Super Armor' and 'Berserk' mechanics, such opportunistic methods will completely fail.”

“As for some saying he's charging up a big move? Stop joking. Who would pass up an annual signing salary of hundreds of millions to play in the mud in the Newbie Village? There is only one conclusion: his special item's duration has expired. Now, he is just an ordinary player who dares not face reality.”

Under this lengthy analysis post of several thousand words, there was a chorus of agreement.

“Brother Dong is right. I thought those damage numbers were ridiculous; it must have been a bug.”

“What a pity. I thought a god was going to emerge in the China server, but it turns out he's just a meteor.”

“A solo player is just a solo player after all. Without guild resources piled up, he won't even have the money to repair his equipment in the Late Stage.”

Of course, there were also voices of rebuttal.

A player with the ID [Futou Shield Mountain] was battling the crowd in the comments section, looking as if he were about to smash his keyboard.

“Bullshit! Have you guys seen the stream recordings? Is that kind of positioning something an item can provide? Brother Dong, use your brain before you speak!”

“Snow Emperor is just keeping a low profile! When he comes out, you trolls will have your faces slapped swollen!”

Qin Ji watched these two groups arguing incessantly on the virtual network, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.

Humans were always like this, accustomed to using their narrow perceptions to define the limits of the strong. They thought they were discussing the truth, unaware that in Qin Ji's eyes, this was merely a group of ants arguing whether a Dragon would starve to death because it couldn't find any worms to eat.

“Futou Shield Mountain... this fat guy is quite interesting.”

Qin Ji remembered this ID and casually closed the noisy forum interface.

He didn't need to explain, much less prove anything.

In this world where data was king, only the weak cared about public opinion; the strong only used the sword in their hands to make everyone shut up.

He turned and walked into a relatively quiet alley, stopping in front of a shop with a sign that read 'Starry Sky Appraisal Office.'

The storefront wasn't large, but it exuded an ancient and mysterious aura.

Pushing the door open, the wind chimes made a crisp sound. Behind the counter, an old NPC wearing a monocle was listlessly polishing a crystal ball. Above his head were the words [Advanced Appraiser · Rogge].

“Appraising equipment?”

Rogge lifted his eyelids and glanced at Qin Ji, his tone somewhat indifferent. “For anything below Silver rank, go to the self-service machine on the left. For Gold rank and above, put it on the counter. Let's get this straight: appraisal fees cannot be credited, and no refunds if it fails.”

At this stage, most players were lucky to have a piece of Bronze equipment. Rogge clearly didn't think this guy in newbie cloth clothes could produce anything good.

Qin Ji didn't speak; he just stepped forward and gave a casual wave.

Clatter—!

A pile of equipment glowing with various colors filled the mahogany counter like dumped trash.

It wasn't just one or two pieces, but a full dozen!

Moreover, the surface of every piece of equipment flowed with deep, dark light—the obscure fluctuations unique to unappraised equipment. The aura emitted by a few of them even caused the crystal ball on the counter to vibrate in slight resonance.

Rogge's hand polishing the crystal ball suddenly froze.

As an Advanced Appraiser, his sensitivity to equipment auras far exceeded that of ordinary people. In this pile of seemingly messy 'trash,' there were actually several fluctuations that made even him feel heart palpitations.

“This... this is...”

Rogge's Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty. His originally cloudy old eyes instantly widened, and his monocle almost slipped off.

“Stop the nonsense and appraise them all.”

Qin Ji casually tossed a heavy bag of gold coins, which made a pleasant clink as it hit the counter. “If it's not enough, I'll add more, but I'm in a hurry.”

“Enough! It's enough!”

Rogge's attitude instantly performed a 180-degree turn, his wrinkled old face smiling like a chrysanthemum. With trembling hands, he carefully picked up the heavy sword at the top.

Buzz—

As the light of the appraisal skill fell, the rust on the surface of the heavy sword instantly peeled away, revealing a blade as black as ink. A thick scent of blood immediately filled the entire shop.

【Appraisal Successful! Obtained Gold-rank weapon: Bone Crusher Greatsword!】

Rogge gasped. Before he could even marvel at it, Qin Ji impatiently pushed another item in front of him.

It was a necklace.

A necklace that was crimson all over, as if formed from countless drops of solidified blood. It lay quietly on the counter, and the surrounding light seemed to be absorbed by it, making it appear exceptionally eerie.

This was the quest reward Qin Ji had swindled from Blacksmith Wang using the 'fake Ore.'

The moment Rogge's hand touched the necklace, he jerked it back as if burned. He looked up at Qin Ji in terror, his voice slightly distorted: “This... the aura on this... this is a cursed object! Where did you get this?”

“Appraise it.” Qin Ji's voice was calm without a single ripple, his purple-gold pupils filled only with coldness.

Rogge swallowed hard and gritted his teeth, mobilizing all the magic power in his body.

“Great Eye of Truth, please dispel the mist and reveal the reality...”

Amidst the chanting, a brilliant silver light shot from his fingertips, enveloping the crimson necklace.

Sizzle, sizzle—!

The moment the silver light contacted the necklace, it actually made a crackling sound like cold water being poured into hot oil. Black-red mist surged frantically, attempting to resist the appraisal power.

【Appraisal Failed!】

Fine beads of sweat broke out on Rogge's forehead, and his face turned pale.

“Again.” Qin Ji was expressionless.

“The grade of this thing is too high, my magic power...”

“Again.”

Qin Ji interrupted him, slamming another bag of gold coins onto the table.

Money can make the devil turn the millstone, and it can certainly make an NPC risk his life.

Rogge took a deep breath, pulled a bottle of blue potion from a drawer and downed it. His eyes burst with piercing light as his hands firmly pressed down on the restless necklace.

“Open... for me!!!”

Boom—!

A low rumble exploded within the small shop.

The crystal ball on the counter was instantly covered in cracks, and the surrounding air was forcibly pushed aside by a terrifying energy, forming a visible shockwave that shattered the hanging paintings in the shop.

A blood-colored pillar of light shot up through the roof. Although it was fleeting, that shivering pressure truly descended.

The light dissipated.

The necklace floated quietly in mid-air. Its originally obscure appearance had vanished, replaced by a crystal-clear texture like a ruby, with what seemed like blood slowly flowing inside.

Rogge slumped in his chair, panting heavily, his eyes full of awe.

“Leg... Legendary rank...”

Qin Ji reached out and grasped the necklace.

It was icy cold, yet carried a warmth that thirsted for blood.

【Sigh of the Bloodthirsty Monarch (Legendary · Fragmented)】

【Slot: Neck】

【Equip Requirement: All Attributes > 200 (Unique Soulbound)】

【Basic Attributes:】

【Strength +150】

【Physique +150】

【Agility +100】

【Spirit +100】

【Special Entries:】

【Gluttonous Feast】: All your attacks (Physical/Magical) will carry a 30% Lifesteal effect. Excess healing will be converted into a Blood Shield lasting 30 seconds (Shield cap is 50% of Max HP).

【Monarch's Majesty】: Immune to all control effects (Stun, Freeze, Petrification, Charm). When a control skill check is received, automatically triggers a localized 'Blood Explosion,' dealing True Damage equal to 10% of your current HP to enemies within 5 meters.

【???】: Sealed (Requires devouring high-tier Souls to unlock).

【Description: It was once the favorite accessory of that tyrant. Every link imprisons a Soul that tried to resist him. Listen, they are weeping.】

Qin Ji looked at the attributes on the panel, the smile in his eyes growing deeper.

30% Lifesteal.

Full crowd-control immunity.

Plus that 'Blood Explosion' counterattack that was practically tailor-made for him.

For a monster who possessed [Greedy Grasp] and whose HP and Attack Power were infinitely stacking, this piece of equipment was the final puzzle piece.

Before, he might have feared being ground to death by the crowd-control chains of a human wave tactic.

But now...

Control immunity meant he couldn't be restricted; lifesteal meant he was a perpetual motion machine.

“As long as you can't one-shot me, I can kill all of you.”

Qin Ji casually put the necklace around his neck.

In an instant, a majestic force flooded his limbs and bones. His already terrifying attribute panel welcomed another surge.

He turned his head, looked at the still-trembling Appraiser Rogge, and casually tossed a gold coin as a tip.

“Fix the roof, old man.”

He pushed the door and walked out.

The streets outside were still noisy, and the sunlight was piercing.

In the distance, several high-level players with the [Dynasty Guild] prefix were walking by in a group, their faces filled with insufferable arrogance.

Qin Ji stood in the shadows, his fingers gently stroking the icy ruby at his collarbone.

On the forum, those posts mocking him for 'fading into obscurity' were still constantly refreshing, their popularity growing higher and higher.

But in reality, a true Vicious Beast that had broken free from its shackles had quietly bared its fangs.

“The air in the main city is indeed much fresher than in the Newbie Village.”

Qin Ji looked up slightly, his gaze passing through layers of buildings to lock onto the towering trial tower in the center of the city—the [Tower of Heaven].

That was the place where all the strong proved themselves, and also the 'buffet restaurant' with the highest monster density in the entire main city.

The setting sun was like blood, casting his elongated shadow onto the mottled walls. Qin Ji set off, his black trench coat fluttering in the evening wind. Deep within those purple-gold pupils, sparks seemed to be burning—like a disaster about to set the plains ablaze, calmly and cruelly watching this overly prosperous city.