Chapter 97: Level 25

When most chose to retreat, this bearded man, willing to join the action from their very first meeting, stood out. Although driven by desperation to fight for survival, it ultimately boiled down to his character.

While others enjoyed the festive atmosphere at the banquet, only the bearded man deliberately stirred trouble, showing neither respect nor restraint, even shouting angrily at the crowd. Such straightforwardness greatly appealed to Zhao Nan.

Fuyun’s personality differed from Lin Yu’s. The bearded man was fiery and outspoken, whereas Lin Yu was patient yet firm. Though their temperaments were worlds apart, their attitudes toward comrades aligned. Having met two such people within just two days in Tingfeng City was rare indeed.

Of course, personnel were no problem. The quality of the team matched their leaders, so they had little issue with manpower. The only concern was their overall strength.

By nightfall, Fuyun had relocated all personnel from his original safe zone to theirs, making the kindergarten area suddenly crowded. Without hesitation, Zhao Nan expelled those unwilling to fight to Fuyun’s own safe zone.

If they refused to cooperate, there was no reason to let them stay and dampen morale or cause disruptions.

Those driven out offered only feeble resistance before sulking away under the cold stares of others. Zhao Nan no longer cared about their fate.

Now, inside the kindergarten, the combined forces numbered about twelve hundred. After subtracting the disabled and wounded, only eleven hundred were truly battle-ready. Among them, three hundred were support roles, about two hundred were mages, and six hundred were frontline fighters.

After integrating both groups, a large-scale leveling operation began near the kindergarten that very night.

With ample supplies of healing potions and mana restoratives, their monster-killing speed naturally increased.

While Lin Yu, Xiong You, and Fuyun were busy grinding, Zhao Nan and Finina were equally active. Level 20 monsters offered little experience, and the only suitable spot to level in Tingfeng City was the square.

The Mutated Soul-Devouring Python King remained dormant as long as one didn’t enter its activity radius, sleeping soundly without even a yawn. Thus, the mutated elite monsters roaming the square became excellent experience sources.

Zhao Nan was not greedy. In a corner of the square, the two systematically hunted each type of mutated elite, carefully recording their movement patterns and abilities.

Time flew by—half a month passed.

...

After two weeks, Zhao Nan and Finina had smoothly reached level 25. Through relentless hunting of mutated elites, they had upgraded to full sets of blue equipment above level 20, even acquiring some fine purple accessories.

Naturally, these were elite monsters, so the drops were decent.

As for Orisis and Little Ice Phoenix, they had also reached level 20. The “Dragon’s Might” of the Sky Dragon could now suppress most mutated elite monsters in the main square. Those it couldn’t suppress were at least somewhat weakened. Only the Mutated Soul-Devouring Python King remained unaffected.

No matter how piercing Orisis’s roar, as long as it didn’t attack first, it stayed asleep in place.

In these two weeks, no monsters in the square had leveled up. Zhao Nan estimated it was time to cease this leveling method. Once the square’s monsters evolved another level, battles would become much tougher.

Meanwhile, Zhao Nan received word from Lin Yu that all team members had reached their target.

Everyone had reached level 20! Their skills fully mastered!

Before Tingfeng City fell, no player had hit level 20. Though some reached it in the following month, the loss of the city system meant no career advancement was possible. So, while everyone being level 20 didn’t greatly increase their power, it was still better than nothing. Moreover, this large-scale grinding improved team coordination.

The only way to quickly boost everyone’s strength was through equipment. Although Zhao Nan didn’t care much for low-level gear—thanks to his class and attributes—others did not share that luxury.

No mage since the beginning had his strong innate attributes, and most melee stealth classes lagged behind.

Nearby, about ten meters away, Finina sliced through a massive ice sculpture. Instantly, Zhao Nan’s experience rose slightly. Little Ice Phoenix chirped weakly, having grown considerably after reaching level 20.

Finina laughed softly, pointed, and the phoenix picked up a newly dropped staff from the shattered ice, flying it over to Zhao Nan.

After briefly examining the staff, Zhao Nan nodded in satisfaction. Finina strode over, and together they left the square area with ease.

“Not many staves have dropped these past two days. How many is this now?” Finina asked.

“Exactly fifty,” Zhao Nan replied, opening the panel on his wrist device and instantly mailing the staff away. The recipient was none other than Ximen Yu.

“Rare that he’s willing to help,” Finina smiled faintly.

“Not doing it for free,” Zhao Nan said indifferently. “I’m providing a place for mass farming of enchanting materials. If he’s training Ximen Xiaowu as a top enchanter, he’ll need plenty of high-level materials.”

“He’s no fool,” Finina frowned. “Hasn’t he noticed anything?”

“Even if he has, it doesn’t matter. I give him what he wants, he supplies what I need. That’s enough to build a partnership. He won’t care about time or place,” Zhao Nan said casually. “Besides, I had Mingyang open the ‘Purgatory’ guild’s intermediate training rooms. We’ve actually lost out quite a bit.”

“But re-enchanting equipment for over a thousand people isn’t simple,” Finina laughed. “I heard Mingyang’s been tormenting Ximen Xiaowu daily lately.”

“So her enchanting skill is steadily improving, huh?” Zhao Nan shook his head. “In the end, it’s mutual benefit. How’s your new skill coming along?”

“If I grind level 20 normal monsters, I aim to master it within three days.”

“Thanks for your hard work!” Zhao Nan sighed.

Higher-level skills require longer mastery times. Even for Finina, three days of nonstop effort was a tall order.

“The monsters in the square will probably evolve in the next few days. If we don’t hurry, all our efforts might be wasted.” Finina reached out and grasped Zhao Nan’s hand. “I’m sure your situation is similar.”

“I’ve got the skills I need.”

Currently, Zhao Nan only needed ordinary level 25 mage skills. Thanks to his copying ability, these were as powerful as the exclusive skills of stealth classes.

Zhao Nan stroked Finina’s cheek and said, “Don’t wander too far.”