[HP -140,000]
As Yu Zhun viciously thrust his blade, the Demonized Elf Priest—the last survivor among the five professions—crumpled to the ground. Its health bar was instantly depleted.
"PHEW..."
Breathing heavily, Yu Zhun revealed a solemn expression.
Although it was still a 1v5, this battle was completely different from the previous two. The Demonized Elves possessed incredibly rich combat techniques. The five different professions had coordinated seamlessly, unleashing a combined strength far greater than the sum of their parts.
During this fierce battle, Yu Zhun's health had repeatedly dropped below half.
He truly might have been pummeled to death by the five if not for a critical turning point: taking advantage of a fireball cast by the Demonized Elf Mage, the light from the flames had cast shadows of the other Demonized Elves. Using this, he had unleashed [Shadow Punishment], catching the archer off guard and securing a kill. This crucial move reduced their numbers while fully restoring his health, effectively deciding the outcome of the battle.
"It seems the spawn patterns of the Demonized Elves are indeed identical to the earlier Demonized Orcs. In that case, the next floor should feature a Demonized Elf Elite," Yu Zhun mused thoughtfully. "To me, the difficulty of an Elite Monster is slightly lower than this floor's 1v5 against five professions.
"So, I should be able to clear the next four floors smoothly.
"Beyond that, I'll just have to give it my all."
The difficulty scaling in the deeper levels of the Nether Trial was simply too steep. Even with [Open and Aboveboard], Yu Zhun couldn't confidently say he would clear them easily.
"Let's check out this floor's rewards first." Yu Zhun dashed toward the Teleportation Array and stepped inside. He wondered if it would be the Red Equipment he had guessed.
[Congratulations! You have successfully cleared the sixteenth floor of the Nether Trial!]
[Current Stage Rewards: EXP +4,000, Lv5 Epic Equipment of Choice x1, Equipment Enhancement Stone x40, Equipment Upgrade Stone x4!]
[All stage rewards can be claimed upon departure.]
[Leave] [Proceed to the Next Floor]
An Epic Equipment of his choice!
"It really is Red Equipment!" Yu Zhun's expression instantly lit up with excitement. "Even though it's only Lv5 Red Equipment, it's far stronger than Lv10 Purple Equipment! Plus, I can use Equipment Upgrade Stones to raise its level later on!
"Following this pattern, if I can clear the twenty-first floor, I'll get another piece of Red Equipment. I have to push hard."
Swiftly entering the next floor, Yu Zhun adeptly dodged a sudden volley of arrows, engaging in a deadly game of cat and mouse with an archer hidden in the shadows.
Soon, a Demonized Elf wielding a longbow revealed herself. Her equipment was vastly superior to that of the previous Demonized Elf Archer.
[Demonized Elf Elite Archer (Lv15)]
[Stats:
Health: 200,000
Mana: 1,000
Physical Attack: 2,000
Magic Attack: 0
Physical Defense: 500
Magic Defense: 500]
He cursed inwardly, "Holy crap, 2,000 Physical Attack!"
With that kind of damage, she could one-shot him in just three or four arrows. But so what? Right now, Yu Zhun didn't see a delicate, ravishing beauty in the Demonized Elf Elite Archer. All he saw was the bright, beckoning glow of Red Equipment.
"My name is Yu Zhun, and killing elites is exactly what I do!"
***
"[Open and Aboveboard] is now ranked 63rd on the Talent Leaderboard."
A sigh of amazement echoed through Ji Ruoxu's side hall. "Such a sudden massive jump... Barring any surprises, he must have cleared the sixteenth floor, right?"
Ji Ruoxu took a sip of tea, glancing back at the astonished man standing behind him, as well as the man and woman beside him.
When Yu Zhun had cleared the twelfth floor, Ji Ruoxu had already notified the other three Vice Hall Masters currently present in the Divine Revelation Hall—the trio standing behind him. The four of them had simply gathered together to wait for the leaderboard push to end.
"If I remember correctly, Patina, you managed to clear the sixteenth floor back in the day, right?" the astonished man asked, turning to the only woman among them. "Is there Red Equipment in the sixteenth floor's rewards?"
"Yes." The woman had long ice-blue hair and wore an elegant, flowing dress. Her expression was as cold and indifferent as eternally unmelting ice. "A piece of Lv5 Red Equipment of your choice."
"That's exceptionally good. Throw in some Equipment Upgrade Stones to raise its level, and it provides a massive early-game advantage," the man said, a look of envy flashing across his face. "I was stuck on the sixteenth floor back then and couldn't clear it."
"Same here," chuckled the other man, who had remained silent until now. Immediately after, both men turned their gazes toward Ji Ruoxu.
Ji Ruoxu's face instantly turned green.
Among the four of them, his recorded floor in the Nether Trial was the lowest.
But he couldn't be blamed for that! Although they all possessed SSS-grade talents, their focuses were entirely different. As a Mage, he was extremely squishy. He had been one-shot before he could even see his opponent. That was simply an impossible situation!
He grumbled internally, "What is the big deal about reaching a high floor in the Nether Trial anyway? If you guys are really capable, let's compare player levels!"
Patina swept her gaze over the three men and spoke expressionlessly, "The shifts in the top one hundred rankings on the Talent Leaderboard won't go unnoticed by those paying attention.
"With just a little deduction, those rats hiding in the dark will be able to guess it involves the Nether Trial and then try to probe him.
"As expected, these rats are about to make a move."
Hearing this, the other three instantly turned serious.
"Let them," Ji Ruoxu said, pinching the bridge of his nose with one hand. A magnificent light flickered in his brown eyes, as though a vast ocean were hidden within them. "As long as they act, they'll give themselves away.
"While they stay hidden, it's hard for us to strike.
"As for this young junior, I believe he's no fool.
"If he eagerly walks right into a trap casually tossed out by those rats, then we might be able to protect him for a moment, but we won't be able to protect him for a lifetime."
"That makes sense." The man who had previously marveled at the talent ranking shifts now wore a solemn expression. "Do you guys think this junior has any chance of tying the chief's record?"
The moment he said this, the entire side hall fell dead silent.
The 'chief' he referred to was the head of the current Nine Strongest, the incumbent Hall Master of the Divine Revelation Hall, the owner of the rank 1 talent [Unrivaled Command], and Blue Star's undisputed number one expert.
He was also the only human in all these years to have cleared the twenty-second floor of the Nether Trial.
After a long pause, Ji Ruoxu sighed softly. "We'll find out soon enough."
***
[Congratulations! You have successfully cleared the twenty-first floor of the Nether Trial!]
[Current Stage Rewards: EXP +6,000, Lv10 Epic Equipment of Choice x1, Equipment Enhancement Stone x60, Equipment Upgrade Stone x6!]
[All stage rewards can be claimed upon departure.]
[Leave] [Proceed to the Next Floor]
"My second piece of Red Equipment!"
Yu Zhun grinned from ear to ear, unable to contain his joy.
Even among veteran players above Lv30 who had already advanced their professions, very few possessed Red Equipment. Yet, he already had two! If word got out, it would shock countless people.
However, that last battle had been incredibly perilous.
Since equipping the [Black Snake Rock Armor], this was the very first time Yu Zhun's health had dropped below 20%, triggering the equipment effect, [Resurrection]. If not for that life-saving heal, Yu Zhun really would have met his end there.
After restoring his condition to its peak, Yu Zhun stood up and selected [Proceed to the Next Floor].
"Time to meet the second Boss!" he declared.