I roamed the snowy region for a couple of hours and found some mobs below Level 100 to kill. I earned some experience and cleared my red name while I was at it.
When it was past 8 pm, my name finally returned to green, and I was Level 56. I checked my stats. My Attack was over 60k, and my HP was 350k. However, my Defense was a pitiful 11895, and it was my greatest weakness right now!
On the map, Seven-star Lamp had left the Peace County and was grinding in a certain area in the southwest.
One thing was clear, though. Seven-star Lamp hadn't sent me a message, and neither had I. Our attitudes were as clear as day. This was a quest, so we might as well kill each other. There was no need to talk about friendship at a time like this, not to mention that Seven-star Lamp and I weren't friends at all. We had been enemies since we entered the game, and we had never been friends in the truest sense of the word.
Seven-star Lamp once said, "If you want to conquer the world, you must first get rid of Snow Moon. If you want to get rid of Snow Moon, you must first get rid of Scholar."
His attitude was clear, and so was I. Anyone who stood in my way would die. No matter who my opponent was, I would never back down!
… …
"Alright, it's time to return to the city and hunt down Seven-star Lamp. It's better to strike first than to strike later than to strike later!"
I packed up my stuff and used a return scroll. White light flashed, and I appeared in White Cloud City.
Beep ~!
The Shadow Follower sent me a message: "Scholar, did you offend Seven-star Lamp?"
"What's wrong, Wind?"
"Seven-star Lamp has gathered a bunch of Soul Battle Robes experts to grind at the Velociraptor Highlands in the southwest forest. He even said that he would kill Frivolous Scholar if he saw him."
"Oh, I see."
"Do you need help?"
"No need. Just do what you need to do."
"Okay!"
Turning off the communicator, I took a deep breath. Seven Star Lamp didn't have much confidence in himself. He actually gathered a group of experts to protect me. It seemed that killing off one of his troops had already had some effect on him.
But no matter what, this battle was unavoidable. If I didn't fight, it would mean that Snow Moon was afraid, and that wasn't what I wanted.
I summoned my Inferno Warhorse. After a long neigh, the fiery-red warhorse galloped out of White Cloud City's west gate. When I reached the edge of Moonlight Forest, I summoned Spirit Maiden and had Ling 'er stay in the air as a lookout. This way, no one would ambush me.
Honestly, if I fought Seven-star Lamp at Level 255, I would have had an 80% chance of winning. But right now, I probably didn't even have a 20% chance!
In the entire world, how many people could beat Seven-star Lamp in the territory governed by White Cloud City?
Ling Xue and Bing Cha could only fight to a draw with the Seven-star Lamp, and no one else had the confidence to beat Seven-star Lamp. Dark Swordsmen's powerful skills weren't just for show. Once they got hit, they were done for. Not to mention, I was only Level 56, and my Defense was lower than a mob's. One critical hit from Seven-star Lamp was probably enough to send me back to the city for free.
Whoosh!
I entered Shadowmeld. My movement speed wasn't affected too much, but no one could see me. If I wanted to beat Seven-star Lamp, I had to succeed in an ambush!
I opened the map and looked. Wait!
Seven-star Lamp's coordinates were moving. He must've noticed my arrival, so he made a plan!
On the map, Seven-star Lamp's red dot was rapidly moving toward the north. It looked like he wasn't planning to retreat to the Peace County. Was he going to choose a place to fight me?
Forget it, I'll kill him first!
After running for more than ten minutes, the distance between me and Seven-star Lamp had shrunk greatly. I could vaguely see a huge graveyard in front of me. Why did he lure me here?
Could it be...
In that instant, I understood. Seven-star Lamp had the Dark Contract skill, and he could convert the HP of undead creatures for his own use. This was obvious enough. Seven-star Lamp might be arrogant, but he had no choice but to be cautious when his opponent was me. This bastard knew how to use the right time and place to his advantage!
Beep ~!
Seven-star Lamp sent me a message: "Heh, Scholar!
Come at me if you have the guts! Let's have a fair duel today, and I don't need any helpers. Let's see if a Level 242 Dark Swordsman like me can beat a Level 56 Holy Domain expert like you! "
… …
Fuck, this bastard knows how to attack the heart before the battle begins.
I swiftly replied, "I'm coming. Be careful!"
"Heh!"
I turned off the communicator and looked at the surrounding terrain. This was a rather large graveyard. The ground was corroded, and in this kind of environment, dark creatures' HP regeneration increased by 50%. Moreover, there were a few high-level Level 225 Skeleton Warriors roaming around the graveyard!
Damn, this Seven-Star Lamp kid is so sinister. At a crucial moment, he can even use monsters to intercept and kill me. This wishful thinking of his is too good.
I deactivated Blaze Warhorse and entered Shadowmeld again. Then, I snuck into the graveyard.
Rustle rustle rustle...
My Morning Dew War Boots stomped on the corroded ground. Not even a blade of grass could be seen in this barren land, and there were pale white skeletons everywhere. When I got closer, a Level 225 Warsong rank skeleton abruptly stopped moving and stared at me with its black eye sockets. It let out a low growl!
My heart skipped a beat. Not good!
Has it discovered me?
My heart raced. Seven-star Lamp is too cunning. His method of killing with a borrowed knife is very ingenious!
I didn't dare to breathe too loudly as I cautiously backed away. Finally, the skeleton's last trace of aggro disappeared and it continued to wander around the graveyard.
"Phew..."
I let out a sigh of relief, but I didn't dare to be careless. I walked step by step toward Seven-star Lamp's position. I wasn't far, at most 200 yards away. With my movement speed, I could reach it in half a minute!
Suddenly, the red dot on the map started moving rapidly!
Seven-star Lamp is here!
A red light flashed toward me. Seven-star Lamp was riding a skeleton horse. His blood-red cape was especially eye-catching, and he was holding the Chaos Heaven Piercing Blade. His eyes were cold as he arrived at the corroded ground in front of me. He smiled darkly and said, "Scholar, I know you're here. Come on out!"
Rustle rustle rustle...
I couldn't see him, but I could hear rustling on the ground. Moreover, it sounded like something was stepping on the corroded ground.
Seven-star Lamp's eyes turned cold. He had already determined the location and shouted, "You want me to invite you out? How ungrateful. Eat my Ghost Sword Energy!"
I raised my hand and swung my sword. A long beam of sword energy immediately swept across the ground and turned up the soil. However, I didn't see anyone.
"Huh?!
I was tricked! "
Seven-star Lamp exclaimed, but it was too late. A flaming longsword suddenly appeared on his right and swung fiercely!
Moreover, a blue whirlpool of frost surrounded the blade. This was clearly the effect of the transformation!
"Shield Breaking Slash!"
Bang! Seven-star Lamp lost a huge chunk of his HP!
“283737！”
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to one-shot him. He still had about a third of his HP left.
Seven-star Lamp was currently wearing the Ice Bones set, so it was no wonder he could block my attack after transforming!
"Fuck!
So powerful … "
Seven-star Lamp complained, but his reaction wasn't slow. He raised his arm and activated Death Illusory. He was already 40 yards away.
I quickly got closer. My body was covered in the blue flames of my transformation. My indigo hair danced wildly in the air. I looked murderous!
"Charge!"
Again! My attack was incomparably sharp!
Moreover, a sword energy descended from the sky. It was Ling'er's Four Directions Sword Slash. I wanted to one-shot Seven-star Lamp. Otherwise, if the battle dragged out, I might suffer a huge loss!
"Rising Dragon Strike!"
To be safe, I used my ultimate skill to greet him!
But Seven-star Lamp wasn't going to sit still. In a flash, he activated his invincibility skill, and threads of black light appeared around him.
I gritted my teeth. The invincibility skill lasted 25 seconds. I had no choice but to retreat!
Seven-star Lamp cackled. "Since you're here, then don't leave. Eat my blade first!"
In the blink of an eye, the Chaos Heaven Piercing Blade glowed with a dark light like a demon eating.
"Dark Cross Slash!"
Thud!
I couldn't block this fierce attack at all. I was sent flying, and my chest felt like it was being torn apart —
“293268！”
Fuck, one attack and half of my HP was gone. I only had a little bit left!
Seven Star Lamp let out a low roar and released his black wings. He also raised his arm and used Dark Contract to drain the HP of a skeleton next to him. His own HP was already full.
No, I was too weak right now. I was no match for Seven-star Lamp!
Left with no other choice, I feinted and used Afterimage Strike!
Although Seven-star Lamp was in his transformed state, he instinctively dodged the golden afterimage. He tilted his body slightly and easily dodged it. When he looked back, he was immediately enraged. "Scholar, you're too shameless! You used Shadowmeld while I was busy! I despise you! I despise you!"
As he spoke, Seven-star Lamp urged his horse forward and used Ghost Sword Energy on a withered tree. However, he couldn't pinpoint my coordinates.
The red dot on the map was huge, and it had already overlapped with Seven-star Lamp's original position. It was impossible to determine my position within 50 yards, and Seven-star Lamp didn't have an AoE skill like Bing Cha's [Lightning Storm].
I moved left and right, not daring to rashly reveal myself. After all, if Seven Star Lamp wanted to kill me, it would only take an instant. Once my stealth was seen through and he seized the initiative, I would be done for.
Compared to my situation, Seven-star Lamp was in an even more awkward situation. He looked left and right, afraid that I would suddenly jump out and one-shot him. In the end, Seven-star Lamp spurred his horse forward and shouted, "Scholar, come at me if you dare!"
As he said this, Seven-star Lamp charged out of the graveyard and headed south. The southern wind was so strong that I could barely keep my eyes open.
"What the hell is Seven-star Lamp doing?" I was a bit surprised, but I wasn't afraid. If I'm afraid of you, Seven-star Lamp, then I'll leave Snow Moon!
I couldn't catch up to him while I was using Shadowmeld, so I summoned my Blazing Warhorse and followed him.
Seven-star Lamp looked back and immediately turned around to Charge!
I hurriedly dismounted my mount and entered Shadowmeld again in a flash. Seven-star Lamp saw that the situation was bad, so he turned around and ran again!
Seven-star Lamp wanted to Charge me head-on, and I wanted to ambush him. Both of us were conflicted.
Swhoosh swhoosh...
The two of us crossed an open field and saw a group of high-level Snow Moon players grinding in front of us. Their leader was Melancholy!
Surprised, Melancholy turned around and asked Seven-star Lamp, "What are you doing? You look like a stray dog!
It's rare to see the guild leader of Soul Battle Robes being chased like this! "
Seven-star Lamp glared at me. "What do you mean chased? I'm just training for a marathon. What, you have a problem with that?"
Melancholy shot me an idiot expression and said, "Do whatever you want, but don't run into any Snow Moon players. If you do, I'll drag you, the boss of Soul Battle Robes, down from your horse even if it costs me my life!"
Seven-star Lamp smiled hatefully and spurred his horse past.
Although I saw this, I didn't tell Melancholy to attack. It would be an unfair victory, and I wouldn't be able to live up to my conscience even if I killed Seven-star Lamp.
Seven-star Lamp disappeared into the forest, but I was already out.
Melancholy couldn't help but laugh. "No wonder Seven-star Lamp is acting like a stray dog. Scholar is the one chasing him. Now it makes sense."
I smiled. "Keep training, everyone. I'm leaving …"
"Take care, take care."
… …
A few minutes later, I was stunned by what I saw. A group of Soul Battle Robes players were waiting in the forest in front of me, and Seven-star Lamp was standing at the very front.
"Hehe, Scholar, I can't drop a level just like that. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been afraid of you just now. It doesn't matter if you've reached the Holy Domain, but I still need to rush to Level 255. Sorry for the inconvenience, but I'm going to complete this quest no matter what!"
As he said this, Seven-star Lamp growled, "Cover the entire area with Illumination Arrows. We can't let Scholar go invisible anymore. Everyone else, charge with me!"
The highest-leveled player among Soul Battle Robes players besides Seven-star Lamp was player Fei Peng. Enemies are bound to meet on a narrow road. I didn't expect to run into this guy in a random toilet.
A group of heavily armored knights charged forward, the hooves of their warhorses trampling over countless thorns. This group of people was truly valiant, they actually beautifully ignored the restrictions of the terrain, charging through the dense forest. I hope all of you will suffer a crushing defeat!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A dozen or so knights crashed into a tree, screaming and neighing.
Countless tactics flew through my head. It was too late to escape now, so I could only rely on a burst of speed to kill Seven-star Lamp. I had already calculated everything just now. My first ambush might have looked futile, but it wasn't. I had already broken Seven-star Lamp's invincibility skill, and as long as I used it properly, I should have no problem killing Seven-star Lamp while he was in the middle of a group of Soul Battle Robes players!
I dispelled Blazing Warhorse!
Cyclone Transformation!
Blue cyclones spun around me, and ice and fire rose into the air and engulfed me. My aura instantly turned grave and stern, and the Soul Battle Robes players around me were all shocked by my transformation.
"Rapid Thunder Gale!"
My speed increased explosively, and I attacked!
Seven-Star Lamp's pupils instantly widened. He already had a bad feeling about this. In the darkness of the forest, a dazzling blue figure drew four beautiful zigzags with incomparable precision and arrived in front of him in the blink of an eye. The group of Soul Battle Robes players could only stare dumbfounded at the scene before them.