Chapter 337: New Template, New Mode
Opening the Traversal Simulator, Zhou Ning couldn't help but pause in surprise.
Compared to before, after the upgrade, the simulator's texture looked much more refined. If it had once resembled a cheap mobile game interface, it was at least easier on the eyes now.
The overall UI layout wasn't drastically different, but there was now a new tab labeled "Template Cultivation Mode" next to the Traversal Simulation tab. Zhou Ning guessed it was just another new way to milk Traversal Coins—probably the so-called "hidden" update.
His eyes swept over the various options for a while before deciding to check out the new mode later. For now, he tapped into the Mission section first.
Back when he'd completed the One Punch Man run, his finger had moved too fast, and he'd missed a red notification dot in the mission tab. His obsessive tendencies had been itching ever since.
Once inside, Zhou Ning immediately understood. After countless simulated worlds, the long-term mission A Better Tomorrow was finally complete.
[A Better Tomorrow]: Only a true hero remains true to himself, and only a man of genuine virtue is truly free-spirited.
In over nine simulated worlds, become a hero recognized by the people.
Progress: (9/9)
He clicked Claim Reward, and a notification popped up on the panel:
[You have obtained a Hero Series Template Card (Superhero) ×1.]
[You have gained 240,000 EXP.]
[You have unlocked two new hidden missions. Redeem now?]
Two hidden missions? Zhou Ning raised a brow. The rewards for this chain of hidden missions had always been pretty stingy. The first time, it only gave him a one-time-use Superhero Template Card—which turned out to be Batman. The second time was better: a permanent one. At least the mission names sounded grand. Fortunately, the tasks themselves were easy; he didn't even need to think about them. Zhou Ning clicked Redeem without hesitation.
[A Better Tomorrow]:
Only a true hero remains true to himself, and only a man of genuine virtue is truly free-spirited.
In over fifteen simulated worlds, become a hero recognized by the people.
Progress: (9/15)
[Mission Tip]:
As long as you stay true to yourself, this mission isn't difficult. The real challenge is perseverance. Keep it up, great hero!
[The Archvillain]:
You are the nightmare of the righteous, the harbinger of the world's destruction.
In over three worlds, become a villain who makes the world tremble.
Progress: (0/3)
[Mission Tip]:
Indulge your desires. Enjoy your vacation in the simulation worlds. This mission is easy. Go on, Archvillain!
Zhou Ning: "…"
Easy, my foot!
He finally understood—the so-called Version 3.0 was emphasizing the clash between alignments. There'd been a note before the update mentioning a new "Affinity" attribute: templates aligned with one's personality would perform better, while those opposing it would be weakened.
He was currently Lawful Neutral, meaning he could theoretically complete both missions—but Zhou Ning suspected the system wanted him to choose a side early.
Still, he decided to take things as they came. Whether he completed the missions or not didn't matter; if luck was on his side, it'd happen naturally. He'd just take the free rewards. What annoyed him most was the [Literary Life] writing task.
After all that effort, the publisher still hadn't replied. Had his manuscript been rejected?
Opening the item menu, Zhou Ning claimed his reward and chose Use. A burst of purple light flared, followed by a dazzling white flash—the purple hinting at quality, the white at alignment. This was going to be a fairly standard Hero-type card.
The image on the card became three-dimensional: Zhou Ning stood in an orange skintight suit, a belt with an "A" emblem around his waist, green pants, and a trident in hand.
Behind him stretched a vast, endless blue ocean. Towering waves rose as he stood upon the crest, arms outstretched.
In the upper left corner, blue ocean waves condensed into glowing text:
Aquaman Zhou Ning
[Character: Aquaman Zhou Ning]
[Personality: Brave, optimistic, determined, emotionally intelligent.]
[Talents: Lord of the Ocean (Red), Amphibious Breathing (Purple), Communication with Sea Life (Purple), Super Physique (Purple).]
[Skills: Close Combat (Advanced), Swimming (Divine), Sea Beast Taming (Divine), Melee Weapon Mastery (Advanced), Telepathy (Advanced), Magic Mastery (Advanced).]
(Note: This template comes with Poseidon's Trident and a Harpoon.)
Aquaman, huh?
Not bad in terms of individual strength—two divine-level skills, one orange talent, and a solid skill spread. The issue was that the divine ones were Swimming and Sea Beast Taming—strong, but situational. On the sea, this template would be top-tier. Maybe he could send it into the One Piece world and farm points there. Just being able to tame Sea Kings made him overpowered.
After drawing this template, the hero faction expanded as well. Just as the villain faction had a six-member lineup, the hero side grew from two to four members.
Marine Biologist + Aquaman + Spider-Man + Strongest Sorcerer.
Though Zhou Ning still didn't know who the Strongest Sorcerer was, the lineup suddenly felt epic. The synergy bonuses were similar to the villains' side:
[Revered Heroes' Squad (4)]:
HP +500
Strength +4
Stamina +2
Agility +2
Synergy Effect:
When using Hero templates in traversals, mission completion rates increase faster.
Seeing this, Zhou Ning was almost certain now—this update was clearly building up the two opposing factions!
After reviewing his gains, he checked the Achievements tab. At some point, a new section had been quietly completed.
Achievements:
[Heaven-Shaking Catastrophe] (No stat bonus)
[Avengers] (No stat bonus)
[Mission: Impossible] (No stat bonus)
[Master and Commander] (No stat bonus)
Action Movie Tetralogy (Part 1) complete.
You have gained 80,000 EXP.
You have unlocked a hidden mission.
Hidden Mission (Triggers under special conditions):
[Battle Maniac]: As a true battle addict, you are always eager to test your limits.
Challenge five powerful opponents across simulated worlds and create five memorable battle scenes.
Progress: (0/5)
[Mission Tip]: Choose the right template, enter the right world—so long as it's not a slice-of-life story, this mission won't be hard.
Reward: Random reward.
Like the previous two missions, this one was basically free—easy to complete naturally. After all, his runs as One Punch Man in the Marvel world and Sword Saint Zhou Ning in the gaming world had already produced countless iconic fights. He wasn't worried at all. With a bit of luck, he could finish it in one go.
Once all the red notifications were gone, Zhou Ning exhaled in relief.
Now sitting on 160,000 Vecktas in cash, he figured he should splurge a bit before the next traversal—especially since the Draw Mode had also been updated.
A 10-pull cost 900 Traversal Coins—9,000 Vecktas.
After recharging 18,000 Vecktas, Zhou Ning took a deep breath and initiated the draw. This might be the most expensive pull he'd ever done.
He hadn't expected the draw animation to change too—ten cards suspended in midair, three of them glowing in shades of blue or purple. Tapping them would flip them over.
The first three were blanks. The fourth card shone with a violet gleam. When he flipped it, a thick book appeared.
[You have obtained an Epic-grade item: Devil Fruit Compendium.]
Devil Fruit Compendium: Epic-grade?