Chapter 147 - 126: Old Friends and New Friends

Chapter 147: Chapter 126: Old Friends and New Friends

The Physical Attack of Red Equipment was much lower than that of Legendary Equipment. Therefore, switching weapons would lower his Physical Attack, which in turn would reduce his Physical Defense and Magic Defense.

These numerous drawbacks meant Yu Zhun couldn’t switch weapons lightly—unless...

This weapon gave him a compelling reason to do so.

[Falcon’s Fury Song Dagger] was exactly that kind of weapon.

Looted from the Assassin named Belorn whom he killed in the [Nether Abyss], this weapon pushed Agility to its absolute limit.

Its original Equipment effect, [Instant Trace], had once forced Yu Zhun, despite his max-level [Sword Dance], into a disadvantage when facing Belorn.

Another Equipment effect, [Frenzied Song], tempted Yu Zhun even more. After all, it provided both mobility and Enhancement.

But the new Equipment effect that Salas had refined, [Eagle Strike], gave Yu Zhun a massive surprise!

When paired with his boots’ Equipment effect, [Pursuit], which locked onto a target and prevented them from escaping combat, this allowed for relentless, long-distance chases!

If he had possessed this when facing Lu Wen, even if the opponent used an item to flee hundreds of meters away, Yu Zhun could have instantly caught up to him!

"Excellent!" Yu Zhun sheathed the second dagger at his waist, patted Salas on the shoulder, and strolled into their temporary camp.

Aside from the four remaining guild members, nine other players stood in the camp.

They were the players from [Moon-devouring Celestial Wolf] participating in this joint Dungeon raid.

"The chairman is here!"

Seeing Yu Zhun’s arrival, Rich Lady, who had been entertaining the nine players, quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Sticking her tongue out playfully, she stepped aside, completely shedding her previous authoritative demeanor. The other members exchanged knowing smiles at the sight.

"Hello, everyone." Yu Zhun strode toward the nine people and quickly spotted a familiar figure among them.

It was Zhou Yunhao, the older brother of Zhou Changtian—the captain of the raid team that had just achieved the perfect first clear of [End of the Red Land].

Just yesterday, he and Zhou Changtian had paid a visit to thank Yu Zhun for the raid guide that had helped his younger brother.

"Chairman Yu, I’ll be leading the [Moon-devouring Celestial Wolf] team this time," Zhou Yunhao said with a hearty laugh, stepping forward to shake Yu Zhun’s hand.

The fact that [Moon-devouring Celestial Wolf] chose a player with personal ties to Yu Zhun as their leader was a clear demonstration of their goodwill.

"Let me introduce everyone," Zhou Yunhao said naturally, gesturing to the people behind him.

Zhou Yunhao himself was a [Holy Knight] of the Warrior Series.

In addition, the team included a [Stealth Blade] and a [Phantom Hunter] from the Assassin Series; a [War Priest], a [White-robed Shepherd], and a [Resurrection High Priest] from the Priest Series; a [Magic Machinery Genius] and a [Dark Mage] from the Mage Series; and a [Firearms Expert], which was an archer First-Turn Profession.

In terms of levels, all nine were above Lv35, with quite a few already at Lv40. While their Equipment wasn’t entirely maxed out, it was still of excellent quality.

This lineup matched the personnel requirements Yu Zhun had requested after reviewing the guide materials for [Giant Demon Valley].

The [Holy Knight] excelled in both offense and defense. Although they lacked the astonishing tankiness of a [Flawless Heavy Shield], they were classic well-rounded Warriors.

The [War Priest] was a purely buff-oriented Priest First-Turn Profession, capable of simultaneously providing buff auras and multi-target buffs.

The [White-robed Shepherd] was a "plus" version of the base Priest Profession, boasting enhanced Healing and buffs—a balanced progression path.

Coupled with their second [Resurrection High Priest], this temporary 15-person raid team had effectively assembled every First-Turn Profession of the Priest Series. With Priests making up a third of the roster, the team boasted an overwhelming amount of Healing.

The [Magic Machinery Genius] was the only First-Turn Profession that required a specific Life Profession to unlock; only a [Blacksmith] could choose it.

They could enchant items and modify them into [Magic Machinery] to fight alongside them, offering highly versatile combat styles.

The [Dark Mage] was a progression path that fused Magic with debuffs, essentially acting as a weakened hybrid between a Mage and a [Curse Calamity].

The [Firearms Expert] was the only archer progression path that converted single-target physical damage into area-of-effect physical damage.

The inclusion of these Professions diversified the raid team’s tactics and methods, serving as a minor experiment for Yu Zhun.

If it proved effective, the [Godslayer] guild would consider recruiting some First-Turn players in the future, rather than exclusively taking Initial Profession players.

After memorizing the nine players’ names and their corresponding Professions, Yu Zhun offered them a friendly smile. "I’ll be counting on all of you this time."

"Let’s go. To the Dungeon Hall!"

Divine Revelation World, Server 39393.

A young man with disheveled white hair sat quietly atop the highest tower in the Main City. Sunlight spilled over him, seemingly cloaking his figure in a golden halo. The gentle wind rustled his hair and fluttered the black blindfold tightly covering his eyes.

An old man dressed in luxurious robes quietly approached the youth from behind. Looking at him, a trace of heartache flickered in the old man’s eyes. "Lu Wen..."

"Master." Sensing his presence, Lu Wen turned back to look at the Ascension Pavilion Master. "Have the others in the raid team assembled?"

"Yes." The Ascension Pavilion Master nodded slightly. "The Dungeon Hall sent a notification. [Giant Demon Valley] is about to open."

After speaking, his gaze couldn’t help but drift toward Lu Wen’s ears.

Upon returning from the [Nether Abyss], Lu Wen had immediately plunged into the First Turn trial without rest. Using the [Hidden Pathway Reassignment Card] he had exchanged for, he successfully transitioned into the hidden First-Turn Profession most suited to him—[Silent Sword Saint].

Afterward, he locked himself in his room in dead silence for two whole days.

When he finally emerged, he had completely lost his hearing.

Although Lu Wen hadn’t said a word, the Ascension Pavilion Master, who had watched him grow up, intimately understood the boy’s inner pride. Suffering such an inexplicable defeat in the [Nether Abyss] had dealt him a massive blow.

Especially since he had lost to the server where [Blood Rainbow] resided.

"You don’t need to worry about me, Master." Catching the Ascension Pavilion Master’s gaze, Lu Wen smiled. "After advancing to [Silent Sword Saint], I no longer need my hearing.

"I refuse to let my strength depend on whether or not others choose to reveal their names."

"If I ever encounter him again..." Lu Wen recalled the young man who had handed him his crushing defeat. "I’ll show him who the true strongest is!"

With that, Lu Wen leaped forward, plummeting straight down from the hundred-meter-tall tower. The instant before he hit the ground, everything around him quietly stagnated. His falling momentum completely vanished, and his feet touched down gently.

The exclusive skill of the [Silent Realm Sword Saint], [All Things Are Silent]!

Divine Revelation World, Server 23993.

A robust young man, built like an iron tower, stood as still as a stone statue before a cenotaph, lost in a long silence.

He was once one of only two SSS-rank talent possessors in the younger generation. Together with the other SSS-rank talent possessor, they were known as the [Contradictory Gemini].

He was the most impenetrable "shield."

However, all of that was in the past now.

Now, he was the sole SSS-rank talent possessor of the younger generation—because the other one was dead.

That young man, who had been not only his partner but also his closest friend, had been left forever in the sunless [Nether Abyss].

"Belorn." After a long while, the young man slowly clenched his fists. "If I ever find out who killed you, I swear I will avenge you."

Although the [Nether Abyss] was a solo Dungeon, more than one player had made it out alive. As long as he used cross-server channels to investigate, it wasn’t impossible to find solid clues.

"Tagel," an old man quietly appeared behind the youth.

"Hall Master." The young man turned to look at the World’s Strongest expert behind him.

"Everyone deeply mourns Belorn’s death," the old man sighed. "But you cannot let this ruin you.

"We have already lost one SSS-rank talent player. We cannot afford to ’lose’ a second."

"I understand." Tagel took a deep breath, forcing himself to rally his spirits. "Hall Master, why did you seek me out this time?"

"You need to enter the 4A-difficulty [Giant Demon Valley] immediately," the old man said slowly. "The other fourteen members are already in position. You will lead them."

"[Giant Demon Valley]?" Tagel was momentarily stunned. "I haven’t studied that Dungeon at all."

"It’s fine. You won’t need a strategy," the old man shook his head slightly. "All we need to do is coordinate."

"Coordinate?"

"Even though someone else has already claimed the cross-server perfect first clear rewards for [Giant Demon Valley], our server’s perfect first clear rewards are still incredibly generous.

"Our Divine Zone ally, Server 9305, has dispatched a raid team led by their strongest SSS-rank talent player with the goal of achieving a perfect clear.

"They specifically requested your assistance by name."