95: Chapter 95 Who told you I came here to find women?

The bluestone tiles beneath his feet shattered under the force of his sudden explosive kick, with fine, spiderweb-like cracks spreading outward. Qin Ji's figure had just solidified within the dust when a deep blue afterimage cut in from the shadows at the side without warning, precisely blocking all his paths forward.

The person who arrived wore Star Kingdom robes, with a lock of silver-gray hair peeking out from under her hood. It was none other than the Chief Court Mage of the Star Kingdom, Lina.

She did not make a move, only stared fixedly at Qin Ji with eyes that seemed to contain a galaxy, her voice low and hoarse: "Snow Emperor, name your terms. Regarding everything that happened in 'Fan Hall,' especially that deity's will... I hope this can remain a secret forever."

Qin Ji stopped in his tracks, not feeling surprised at being intercepted. He casually flicked nonexistent dust from his collar, his lips curling into an amused arc: "Your intelligence is quite swift. Since you represent the royal family, I won't waste words. Give me what I didn't get in the main hall—the god-tier talent awakening stone."

A flash of stiffness crossed Lina's previously calm face, and she frowned: "Every Awakening stone in the palace has a strict magical serial number. If I give it to you privately, I won't be able to answer to the Queen."

"That is your problem." Qin Ji stepped forward, the terrifying pressure causing the noble mage to subconsciously retreat half a step. "I can join the Queen's faction in name; consider this Awakening stone a prepaid salary. How about it?"

"Impossible." Lina refused flatly, but her tone carried a hint of helplessness. "The situation is volatile right now; the aura of the abyss is spreading at the borders, and every faction within the royal palace is eyeing the inventory. However..."

She paused, looking meaningfully at Qin Ji: "You cleared 'Fan Hall,' and even triggered divine punishment yet escaped unscathed. In the eyes of certain old fogies, you are already a spokesperson recognized by the 'God of Death.' This invisible influence is second only to the King in the Star Kingdom. As long as you keep your mouth shut, when the royal treasury opens to you in the future, you may have priority in selecting one legendary-grade item."

Qin Ji chuckled to himself.

As expected, these NPCs thought he cleared the level by currying favor with the deity. If they knew he had treated the deity's remnant soul like a mob to be farmed, this wouldn't be a negotiation—it would be a nationwide manhunt.

"Save that kind of empty promise for tricking rookies." Qin Ji waved his hand. Since he couldn't get the item on the spot, continuing to pester her was a waste of time. "Remember your promise. Next time we meet, if you're still empty-handed, my mouth won't be so tight."

Having said that, he sidestepped Lina, exerted force under his feet, and his whole body shot off like an arrow from a bow, instantly disappearing at the end of the street.

With Leona's 30% movement speed bonus, his travel speed now was ridiculously fast; the buildings on both sides flew backward like streaks of light.

He did not head directly to the [Abyssal Magic Well] outside the city.

Although he had the trump card of "resurrection in place," in a place like the abyss, one more preparation meant one more life. Especially after having "freeloaded" a high attack speed bonus from Leona, the long-sealed memory of the guide in his mind instantly became searing hot.

What class is most suitable for an attack speed build?

Besides the Thief, it's the Archer.

And in the most bustling red-light district of the Star Capital, there was a key item hidden that allowed one to change class into the Divine-Grade hidden class [Star Hunter].

Ten minutes later.

Qin Ji's figure stopped in front of a magnificent, golden pavilion—Drunken Moon Tower.

This was the most high-end den of iniquity in the Star Capital, commonly known as a brothel.

Even in a holographic virtual game, this kind of place remained a Holy Land that countless male players flocked to. Although limited by the System's protection mechanisms, preventing them from doing anything explicit, the atmosphere of debauchery and the top-tier AI interactions with the NPC ladies were enough to make countless rich players empty their wallets.

Although it was the Early Stage of the game, and most players were still struggling for a few copper coins, the entrance to Drunken Moon Tower was still filled with gorgeously decorated carriages, and those entering and exiting were mostly well-dressed NPC nobles.

Qin Ji gave a light cough and strode inside.

As soon as he entered, a wave of cloying incense hit his face. The sound of strings and bamboo instruments played in the hall, and a madam wearing a bright red brocade robe, still possessing charm, was smiling broadly while seeing off a pot-bellied viscount.

"Oh my, Lord Frings, take care~ Miss Cherry will miss you."

The viscount named Frings gave a wine-fueled burp and waved his hand: "It's just that Cherry is busy tonight, otherwise I would have... By the way, I heard tonight is the day the top courtesan 'Water Like Smoke' makes her debut?"

"Yes, yes, yes, Miss Water Like Smoke has been preparing for a long time; the bidding tonight will be very lively." The powder on the madam's face fell in clumps as she smiled.

Qin Ji listened to these conversations, but his gaze did not linger.

Water Like Smoke, one of the three great beauties of the Star Kingdom. In his past life, screenshots of her on the forums were revered as wallpapers by countless otaku, and some even grinded in the game for three months just to see her once. But Qin Ji knew very well that this was just a cash-grabbing gimmick designed by the game company; until the game servers shut down, this top courtesan had never truly belonged to anyone.

He came here to kill and loot... no, that's not right, he came to retrieve a treasure.

Qin Ji walked straight to the counter and casually threw a heavy bag of gold coins onto the table, making a dull "thud" sound.

"I want the Nine Phoenix Pavilion."

The madam, who had been greeting guests, was startled by the commotion. Turning to see the gold coins spilling out of the bag, her eyes went straight instantly. This bag had at least two hundred coins, enough to equal half a month's revenue for Drunken Moon Tower!

"Oh my, this Young Master is a stranger, but quite generous!" The madam immediately put on a fawning expression, her waist twisting like a water snake, "But it's truly unfortunate, tonight many big shots are here for Miss Water Like Smoke, this Nine Phoenix Pavilion..."

"Three hundred coins." Qin Ji tossed out another bag with an expressionless face.

A "gurgle" sound came from the madam's throat, and the rest of her words were choked back directly.

"The Nine Phoenix Pavilion is empty! It's been kept empty for you!" She snatched up the gold coins, fearing Qin Ji would change his mind, and shouted to the maid in green beside her, "Hurry up and take this distinguished guest to the Nine Phoenix Pavilion! Bring up the best wine and food!"

The maid in green had clearly never seen such a scene; she hurriedly bowed and led Qin Ji through the noisy hall, up the mahogany staircase to the third floor.

The Nine Phoenix Pavilion was the top-tier private room in Drunken Moon Tower. Named "Nine Phoenix," it actually referred to the nine screens in the room painted with dancing Phoenixes, which were extremely luxurious.

Pushing the door open and entering, Qin Ji waved away the maid who wanted to come up and serve him, and closed the door behind him.

The room was extremely spacious, with the floor covered in thick animal-hide carpets, and the air filled with a faint scent of Dragon musk. Qin Ji's gaze did not linger on the exquisite furnishings, but quickly scanned the surroundings, finally locking onto a half-person-tall blue and white porcelain vase in the corner.

This is it.

In his past life, an unlucky player got drunk here and accidentally broke this vase, ending up paying until he was bankrupt. But he discovered an ancient parchment scroll in the interlayer of the vase's shards.

That was a class change guide book for a Divine-Grade hidden class.

Qin Ji walked to the vase, his fingers tapping gently against the body, producing a crisp echo.

"To get a hidden class, visiting a brothel for once isn't a loss."

He raised his hand, preparing to smash this priceless antique with one palm.

Just at this moment.

"BOOM—!!"

The heavy door of the private room was kicked open from the outside, and the two carved wooden doors flew into the room like cannonballs, smashing heavily onto the floor and kicking up a cloud of wood shavings.

Qin Ji's palm was suspended in mid-air; he frowned slightly and slowly turned around.

Standing at the doorway was a burly man wearing heavy black armor, with a face full of flab, a broadsword hanging at his waist, and exuding a strong smell of alcohol and blood. Behind him, several bruised and swollen brothel workers lay on the ground wailing, and the madam was trying to stop him with a terrified expression, but was pushed aside by the man.

"Damn it, I'd like to see which eyeless bastard dares to snatch my private room!"

The man strode into the room, his military boots leaving muddy footprints on the animal-hide carpet. His bloodshot bull-like eyes swept around the room and finally settled on Qin Ji, letting out a sneer.

"Just you, this pretty boy?"

The man drew the broadsword from his waist, the tip pointing directly at the tip of Qin Ji's nose: "Kid, if you're sensible, jump out of the window now. This Nine Phoenix Pavilion belongs to me, Randy Cass, tonight!"

Randy Cass.

Hearing this name, relevant information instantly surfaced in Qin Ji's mind.

Deputy Legion Commander of the Kingdom's Third Legion, known for his brutality and lechery. In the game's progression in his past life, this guy was a typical minor villain, specifically responsible for delivering equipment and experience to players, but that was for players who had already leveled up.

At the current stage, as a Level 40 Elite BOSS, he could basically walk sideways in the Star Capital.

"Randy Cass?" Qin Ji withdrew his hand from the vase, turned to face this arrogant general, his tone as flat as if he were discussing today's weather, "That mad dog under the Grand Marshal?"

The air instantly froze.

The madam at the door rolled her eyes in fright, almost fainting on the spot. In the Star Capital, who would dare address this scourge like that?

The cruel grin on Cass's face froze, replaced by a violent killing intent. Blue veins bulged on the back of his hand holding the sword, and his voice seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth: "You know who I am, and you still dare to talk to me like that? It seems you're tired of living."

"I know who you are."

Qin Ji lightly brushed his cuffs, a cold stream of data flashing in his purple-gold pupils, "But the question is... do you know who I am?"

"I don't care who you are!"

Cass roared, his whole body erupting with crimson battle aura. He took a fierce step forward, the broadsword in his hand carrying the momentum to split mountains and crack stones, slashing down at Qin Ji's head!

This sword strike was heavy and powerful, the blade cutting through the air with a piercing shriek. If it landed, let alone a mage, even an Iron-Armored Rhino would be split in two.

However, facing this thunderous strike, Qin Ji didn't even lift an eyelid.

He just slightly sidestepped.

The movement was extremely small, yet impossibly fast.

With Leona's 30% movement speed bonus, coupled with his own Agility attribute that was stacked to a monstrous level, Cass's movements were like slow-motion playback in his eyes.

"Swish!"

The broadsword slashed down past the tip of Qin Ji's nose, smashing heavily into the floorboards; wood shavings flew, and the entire floor trembled as a result.

Cass missed his strike, his pupils shrinking violently.

Before he could react, a slender palm had already lightly pressed onto that large blue and white porcelain vase.

"Since you like violent demolition so much, then this sound shall serve as the funeral accompaniment for you."

Qin Ji's voice sounded eerily.

In the next second, his palm exerted force.

"Crack!"

The priceless blue and white porcelain vase shattered instantly, and countless sharp porcelain shards, under the agitation of the Qi, did not scatter to the ground, but floated in mid-air in defiance of physical laws.

Qin Ji's finger traced lightly in the Void Realm.

Those porcelain shards seemed to be endowed with life, flickering with a cold, chilling light under the lamplight, their tips turning in unison to aim at the stunned Cass.

"This... what kind of Demonic Technique is this?!" Cass instinctively felt a fatal chill and subconsciously raised his broadsword to block.

But it was all too late.

Qin Ji's lips curled into a cruel smile, and he tapped his fingertip lightly.

"Go."

There were no fancy skill light effects, only pure speed and power.

Countless porcelain shards turned into a shrill rainstorm, instantly swallowing the arrogant general.

The last glimmer of the setting sun shone into the room through the carved window lattice, dyeing the fragments covering the floor blood-red. Qin Ji held an ancient parchment scroll that had drifted down from the fragments in one hand, stepping on Cass's armor that was already riddled with holes, his purple-gold eyes coldly watching the lights of ten thousand homes gradually lighting up outside the window, like a God of Death just awakened, nonchalantly surveying this world that was about to be turned upside down by him.