Chapter 264 : Starsea Reputation and Trial Treasure Chests

Not ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍long afterward.

The ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍fourth-floor maze boss was found.

【Maze ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Overseer】, Level 21 Overlord Unit...

“As ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍expected, it's a Tier 3 Overlord!” Black Pupils Sharp Bro said with a serious expression. “Everyone, be careful. Although it isn't a top-tier Overlord, once something reaches the Overlord rank and has Tier 3 cultivation, it won't be easy to deal with.”

Once ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍upon a time.

An ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Overlord-level existence.

Had been an unattainable, almost mythical existence.

This maze could spawn up to twenty Overlord monsters.

These major bosses alone were incredibly valuable resources.

In the past, the Calamity Army couldn't even handle a powerful Tier 3 Commander, let alone a Tier 3 Overlord. They would have needed hundreds or even thousands of Players charging together, sacrificing countless lives to barely scrape out a victory.

However.

As time passed.

The Calamity Army had continued growing stronger.

Back then, Tier 3 experts within the Calamity Army had been exceedingly rare. Now, all eighty-five Players inside the Colossus Maze had reached Tier 3, while both their attributes and skills had improved tremendously.

Under fair circumstances.

Hunting a Level 21 Tier 3 Overlord Boss.

Even if it were merely the weakest of Overlords.

Would still likely cost them considerable casualties.

However.

At this very moment.

The Boss remained asleep.

The Players not only possessed the advantage of striking first, but could also unleash concentrated fire with ease. With the strength of these eighty-five Players, even a Tier 3 Overlord wouldn't survive a full volley unscathed.

Furthermore.

The Calamity Army also had powerful backing.

When Zhang Zhongjing activated the alchemy technique Medicine King's Four Symbols Pill!

The four primary attributes of all eighty-five Players surged dramatically.

Combined with Zhou Cang's Loyal Valor Aura.

Everyone's attack power nearly doubled.

One concentrated volley.

Killed the Boss instantly.

Watching the great Boss shatter into pieces.

Every member of the Calamity Army experienced an indescribable thrill that shot straight through their entire body.

“Hey... we're not dreaming, are we? We just one-shot a Tier 3 Overlord Boss!”

“That's a Tier 3 Overlord!”

“I would've never dared imagine something like this!”

“……”

Black Pupils Sharp Bro sighed.

“This maze was originally an extremely difficult raid dungeon, but Jia Xu's ability has basically turned us into cheaters.”

Chi Mei Wang Liang added,

“Exactly. Without the Strategist's Eternal Night Veil covering us, forget instantly killing the Boss—even the ordinary dungeon monsters around here would've slaughtered us dozens of times.”

Raise My Cup to the Moon said,

“The two Generals and the Divine Physician have also dramatically increased the Calamity Army's combat power.”

Ye Limeng said,

“This is why talent is so important! No matter the era or the place, talented people are always the scarcest resource!”

Arthur King declared,

“The more Hero NPCs our territory has, the smoother our future will be. We absolutely must obtain the material that unlocks the hidden quest this time!”

“Exactly!”

“A powerhouse like Dian Wei!”

“How could the Human Territory possibly let him slip away?”

“Although our territory now has the ability to purify him, simply purifying someone like him would be such a waste!”

“……”

Clearly.

After the recent operations and battles.

The Players had become increasingly aware of just how valuable talented individuals truly were.

It was difficult for them to even imagine how they would've challenged this dungeon without Jia Xu.

【You collected loot: Essence +600,000, Magic Crystals +5,000, Blessed Sand +10, Forging Spirit Crystal +20, Gargoyle Demon Blood Essence +100, Gargoyle Demon Horn +100, Gargoyle Demon Soul Essence +10!】

“The loot's here!”

“Although this Boss dropped fewer Blessed Sands and forging materials than before, everything it dropped is now Tier 3 quality!”

“Not just the Blessed Sand and forging materials—even all the crafting materials are Tier 3 now!”

“And don't forget all that Essence and Magic Crystals!”

“This run was insanely profitable!”

“Awesome!”

“……”

A few seconds later.

The maze reset once again.

The Colossus Demons on the fifth floor had clearly become much stronger.

The average level of the Colossus Demons throughout the maze continued increasing.

However.

No one cared about those stone statues.

After all, they posed no threat whatsoever.

The group employed the same large-scale search strategy as before.

Within just over ten minutes, they located the Boss.

This time.

The Boss was Level 22.

One level higher than the fourth floor.

Yet it was still a Tier 3 Overlord.

Overall.

Its strength hadn't increased much.

The Calamity Army successfully killed the Boss.

Then immediately proceeded to the next round without stopping.

Sixth floor.

Seventh floor.

Eighth floor.

Ninth floor...

Every time the maze reset.

The monsters' levels increased.

Meanwhile.

The Boss advanced one level per floor.

Level 23.

Level 24.

Level 25.

Level 26...

At first.

The Calamity Army could still instantly kill the Bosses through concentrated fire.

However.

As the Boss levels continued rising.

A single full-power volley was no longer enough to kill them.

Whenever that happened.

Wen Ping or Zhou Cang would step forward.

They would hold the Boss for one or two rounds.

Before everyone finished it off.

The Players also discovered that whenever NPCs participated in battle.

The Boss's loot would decrease.

Behind the scenes.

Hang Yu quietly took away roughly twenty to thirty percent of the loot.

This was both a way of harvesting extra benefits.

And reinforcing discipline.

He wanted to prevent the Calamity Army from becoming overly dependent on NPC combat power, thereby developing habits of opportunism and laziness.

The Players didn't mind.

After all.

Although Wen Ping and Zhou Cang contributed damage during the fights.

The Calamity Army remained the primary damage dealers.

Losing only twenty to thirty percent of the loot was perfectly acceptable.

Besides.

The higher the Boss's level.

The richer its rewards became.

Even after losing twenty to thirty percent.

They still made enormous profits.

On the other hand.

Without the assistance of the two Generals and Divine Physician Zhang.

They would've never defeated higher-level Tier 3 Overlords so easily.

Even if they somehow won.

They would've paid a tremendous price.

After only two or three such battles.

They would've completely lost the ability to continue fighting.

Morning Dawn said,

“We've reached the thirteenth floor! The highest record this Trial Space has ever seen!”

Niu Shisan burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! Breaking the record is already guaranteed. We're definitely in first place now, right?”

Little Ma was equally excited.

“Even if we stop here, it'll still be enough to shock those Starsea elites outside!”

Midnight Butcher said,

“To be honest, I really want to see the expressions on those arrogant Starsea elites' faces when they discover that a bunch of humans broke the dungeon record!”

Black Pupils Sharp Bro replied,

“With the Strategist, Divine Physician, and the two Generals helping us, it'd actually be harder not to break the record. But that isn't our goal. We're nowhere near the point where we can relax.”

Ye Limeng asked,

“The real challenge is only beginning! How much time do we have left?”

Mad Blade Old Wang answered,

“About two and a half hours.”

Raise My Cup to the Moon said,

“We need to treasure every second. Half our time has already passed. Although only seven floors remain, they'll definitely become increasingly difficult.”

Chi Mei Wang Liang said,

“If the Lord had fought personally, he'd have already cleared the dungeon by now. The Lord is giving us the achievements and loot. I don't want to disappoint him.”

Little Bell shouted,

“Let's get moving!”

Everyone immediately felt a greater sense of urgency.

Taking first place in this trial dungeon.

Was already beyond doubt.

However.

Based on their current pace.

Clearing all twenty floors before time ran out would still be difficult.

Everyone summoned their Black Dragon Spirit Horses.

Those who possessed Thunder-Horned Eagles summoned them as well.

This time.

It took only seven or eight minutes to locate the Maze Boss hiding among the Colossus Demons.

【Maze Overseer】, Level 30 Overlord Unit...

The Boss on the thirteenth floor had already reached the peak of Tier 3.

Even after receiving the effects of the Medicine King's Four Symbols Pill and Loyal Valor Aura.

The eighty-five Players' damage output had nearly doubled.

Yet.

One concentrated volley only removed one-third of the Boss's health.

Among Bosses of the same level.

This one wasn't especially powerful offensively.

However.

Its health and defense were astonishingly high.

Once the Maze Overseer awakened.

Its attacks could instantly kill Tier 3 members of the Calamity Army.

Wen Ping and Zhou Cang immediately stepped forward to draw its attention.

The ten Mystic Tiger Colonels also joined the effort to restrain it.

Thanks to Zhang Zhongjing's incredible support abilities.

The battle ended without incident.

The Players once again obtained a generous amount of loot.

Even more than before.

Yet.

Their expressions had grown increasingly solemn.

Morning Dawn worried,

“The Boss on the thirteenth floor is already at the peak of Tier 3. Could the fourteenth floor possibly have a Tier 4 Overlord Boss?”

Black Pupils Sharp Bro replied,

“Hard to say. But the Calamity Army doesn't fear hardship. No matter how powerful our opponent is, we'll face it head-on.”

Ye Limeng laughed.

“Well said! Let's just do it!”

The maze reset for the thirteenth time.

Everyone entered the fourteenth floor.

From beginning to end.

Hang Yu and Jia Xu had remained mounted upon their steeds, merely watching without taking action.

Hang Yu wanted the Calamity Army to gain more combat experience.

Jia Xu simply wanted to be lazy whenever possible.

Watching the Calamity Army constantly motivating themselves with boundless enthusiasm.

Jia Xu couldn't help praising them.

“The Calamity Army Your Lordship has created may have rather peculiar personalities, but they truly are dependable warriors.”

Hang Yu replied,

“They possess tremendous potential, though they still require tempering.”

“Wenhe, prepare yourself to fight as well.”

“From this point onward.”

“They won't be able to emerge unscathed on their own.”

Trial scoring.

Depended partly on the number of floors cleared.

And partly on the overall performance of the army.

Since they were destined to attract attention this time anyway.

They might as well achieve the highest evaluation possible.

“I obey!”

Jia Xu would've preferred to remain idle.

But he naturally couldn't refuse his Lord's command.

He immediately rode his Black Dragon Spirit Horse and followed the group.

The Calamity Army employed the same exploration strategy as before.

They soon discovered.

That the fourteenth floor no longer contained any Tier 2 monsters.

Even the ordinary dungeon monsters.

Were all Tier 3 Commanders.

Without Eternal Night Veil concealing them.

Given the Calamity Army's current strength.

Forget challenging the Boss.

Simply moving through the maze would've been nearly impossible.

They would've suffered total annihilation within moments.

Before long.

A Thunder-Horned Eagle located the target.

【Maze Overseer】, Level ???...

Although everyone had mentally prepared themselves.

Seeing the Boss's information still made the Players gasp.

The Players' maximum level was only 25.

They could only view information on monsters up to Level 30.

The fact that they couldn't even see this Boss's level.

Proved it had definitely surpassed Level 30.

According to the NPCs.

It was.

A Level 31 Overlord Unit.

Although the difference between Level 30 and Level 31 was only one level.

That single level.

Crossed an entire major realm.

And the higher one's cultivation.

The greater the gap between realms became.

With the Calamity Army's current strength.

Without the Divine Physician.

Without Zhou Cang's and Wen Ping's Destiny Skills enhancing them.

They would struggle to defeat even an average Level 30 Overlord.

Let alone.

A Tier 4 Overlord.

Nevertheless.

Despite fully understanding how terrifying their opponent was.

The Calamity Army showed no hesitation.

They immediately applied every talisman buff available.

Then launched their customary concentrated barrage.

After the first assault.

The Boss had lost only one-eighth of its health.

Once attacked.

The Maze Overseer immediately awakened.

An incomparably terrifying pressure swept across the battlefield.

Its mental oppression alone was enough to force hallucinations upon everyone.

“So strong!”

“So this is the gap between realms?”

“It looks like higher-tier beings naturally suppress lower-tier ones!”

“Everyone!”

“Activate Arcane Eye!”

“Otherwise.”

“We'll be crushed before the battle even starts!”

“……”

Every member of the Calamity Army activated the Territory Talent Skill Arcane Eye Awakening.

Although this skill consumed tremendous energy.

It could resist mental suppression.

Dispel illusions.

And significantly enhance combat power.

Zhao Xian shouted,

“We're activating ours too!”

Deng Hong replied,

“Understood!”

The ten Mystic Tiger Colonels likewise activated their Arcane Eyes.

Vertical eyes appeared upon the foreheads of all ninety-five warriors.

At the same time.

They simultaneously activated the Lord's Aura.

Their attributes surged yet again.

At this moment.

Everyone had entered their strongest possible state.

Holding absolutely nothing back.

Elite Players like Ye Limeng.

Had already reached the threshold of Commander-level combat strength.

Now.

With Destiny Skills.

Talent Skills.

Territory Skills.

And every enhancement stacked to the limit.

Each of them.

Could at least defeat a Mystic Tiger Colonel fighting under normal conditions.

Their combat power.

Could no longer be underestimated.

Zhou Cang and Wen Ping attacked first.

The two of them.

Together with the ten Mystic Tiger Colonels.

Successfully suppressed the Boss for the time being.

Although this Level 31 Maze Overseer possessed Tier 4 Overlord strength.

Its foundation and overall combat ability.

Were clearly among the weakest within that rank.

It wasn't enough.

To withstand this lineup.

Even so.

Causing casualties.

Remained entirely possible.

At this moment.

Jia Xu suddenly took action.

He summoned countless rune chains.

They descended from every direction.

Firmly suppressing the Maze Overseer.

Jia Xu controlled.

Wen Ping defended.

Zhou Cang attacked.

Zhang Zhongjing provided support.

The ten Mystic Tiger Colonels assisted.

And eighty-five fully empowered members of the Calamity Army unleashed continuous damage.

Even a Level 31 Overlord.

Had no hope of turning the tide.

Their relentless assault.

Finally shattered it completely.

It exploded into a blue loot sphere.

Hang Yu immediately used Xiao Ba to inspect the loot.

【You inspected the loot: Essence +2,000,000, Magic Crystals +12,000, Blessed Sand +10, Four-Color Forging Crystal +20, Gargoyle Demon Blood Essence +60, Gargoyle Demon Horn +60, Gargoyle Demon Soul Essence +4!】

Another huge haul.

As expected of a Tier 4 Boss.

Its drops were exceptionally generous.

There was no need to explain the Essence or Magic Crystals.

The Blessed Sand.

The forging materials.

Even the crafting materials themselves.

Were all Tier 4 Blue-quality materials.

Their value was astonishing.

There was no need to mention the Blessed Sand or forging crystals.

The hundred-plus portions of Tier 4 Blue-quality materials alone.

Were worth an incredible fortune.

Even if Hang Yu chose not to sell them.

And couldn't use them in production for the time being.

He could simply dismantle them into Material Essence.

To replenish the Territory's material reserves.

As far as Material Essence extraction was concerned.

One Tier 4 material.

Equaled ten Tier 3 materials of the same quality.

One Blue-quality material.

Equaled ten Green-quality materials.

Or one hundred White-quality materials.

Which meant.

The Material Essence contained within a single Tier 4 Blue-quality material.

Was equivalent to.

1 × 10 × 10 × 10.

Or one thousand portions of Tier 3 Material Essence.

These 124 portions of Tier 4 Blue-quality materials.

Could be converted into.

124,000 portions of Tier 3 Material Essence!

It had to be remembered.

That at this stage.

The Territory's construction.

Required vast quantities of Tier 3 Material Essence.

Even if these materials were converted in the simplest, most direct way.

This single monster.

Would make an enormous contribution to the Territory's development.

After a brief moment of consideration.

Hang Yu made his decision.

He took fifty percent of the loot.

This percentage was determined according to how heavily the Players had relied upon NPC strength during the battle.

Even after losing half the rewards.

The remaining portion.

Was still more than enough to motivate the Players.

“Whoa!”

“We're rich!”

“Tier 4 materials!”

“Tier 4 Blue-quality materials!”

“Are materials this high-level really supposed to appear at our current stage?”

“This is incredible! Even though we can't use them ourselves, they'll definitely exchange for a massive amount of Contribution Points!”

“Thank goodness the Strategist suppressed the Boss!”

“Otherwise, we never would've won so easily!”

“……”

Naturally.

The Players noticed that half the loot had disappeared.

However.

By now.

They understood the game's mechanics well enough.

They had already expected it.

So they accepted it calmly.

And remained thoroughly satisfied.

“This battle took quite a while!”

“The later floors will only become harder!”

“Let's keep going!”

“……”

When the maze reset once more.

The Players immediately resumed their advance.

They successively conquered.

The fifteenth floor.

The sixteenth floor.

The seventeenth floor.

The eighteenth floor.

The nineteenth floor!

The Players soon realized.

That after the Boss on the fourteenth floor reached Level 31.

The Bosses on the following five floors.

Never increased in level again.

They all remained Level 31.

Yet.

Their health bars grew thicker and thicker.

Their attributes and combat strength became increasingly terrifying.

If the fourteenth-floor Boss had merely been an entry-level Overlord.

Then by the nineteenth floor.

It had already reached the level of a second- or third-rate Overlord.

Although its strength had risen dramatically.

With the Territory's four Hero Units.

The ten Mystic Tiger Colonels.

And ninety-nine combatants surrounding a single enemy.

They ultimately achieved victory every time.

Without suffering any serious danger.

Throughout this process.

They obtained tremendous amounts of loot.

Hang Yu consistently took away fifty percent.

Finally!

The final reset arrived!

The twentieth floor appeared!

As the Players stood before the final floor.

None of them could suppress the excitement and joy within their hearts.

“How much time's left?”

“About thirty minutes!”

“I think we've got this!”

“Hurry!”

“Find the Boss!”

“We're about to clear the dungeon!”

“……”

The Players skillfully divided their responsibilities and began searching.

As they passed through one gigantic corridor after another.

【Black Halberd Colossus Demon】, Level ???...

【Twin Sword Colossus Demon】, Level ???...

【Colossus Demon Sorcerer】, Level ???...

【Colossus Demon Priest】, Level ???...

Midnight Butcher couldn't help complaining.

“Can this dungeon get any more ridiculous? Even the ordinary monsters are now Level 31 Tier 4 Commanders!”

Artist Pai Zong said with lingering fear,

“Thank goodness we have the Strategist. Otherwise, even if we were given ten thousand attempts, we'd never clear this maze!”

At this moment.

The true horror of the Colossus Maze was finally revealed.

“Everyone, over here!”

“I found the Boss!”

“It's on my side!”

Little Bell excitedly shouted in the public channel.

After seeing the message.

Everyone immediately rushed toward her location.

The Boss on the twentieth floor.

Was still Level 31.

However.

Judging by the aura it emitted.

Its strength had nearly reached the level of a first-rate Overlord.

Even though its level hadn't changed.

The twentieth-floor Boss.

Could defeat four or five Bosses from the fourteenth floor.

The usual strategy.

Jia Xu controlled.

Zhou Cang handled offense.

Wen Ping handled defense.

Zhang Zhongjing remained behind, healing and supporting.

The ten Mystic Tiger Colonels assisted.

While eighty-five members of the Calamity Army dealt damage.

This Maze Overseer.

Was extraordinarily powerful.

Its area-of-effect attacks repeatedly placed everyone in grave danger.

Fortunately.

Wen Ping's General Skill greatly increased everyone's defense, health, and recovery.

Combined with Zhang Zhongjing.

As well as the healing from Morning Dawn, Midnight Butcher, and Glorious Years.

They repeatedly escaped disaster.

Through their combined assault.

The Maze Overseer was soon reduced to half health.

At that very moment.

It entered a Berserk State.

Instantly shattered Jia Xu's sealing restraints.

Then rapidly condensed an overwhelmingly powerful shockwave.

Which it fired toward the Mystic Tiger Colonels and the Calamity Army.

“This is bad!”

Jia Xu's expression changed dramatically.

A Tier 4 Overlord truly deserved its reputation.

Even under these circumstances.

It still managed to erupt with explosive strength.

If this attack landed successfully.

At least one-third of everyone present.

Would be wiped out.

At that critical moment!

Riding the Shadowless Evil Dragon Steed.

Surrounded by protective Dragon Qi.

Hang Yu suddenly appeared high in the sky.

He raised the Yellow Heaven Demonic Dragon Spear with both hands.

Unleashing a gigantic blade radiance.

Boom!

The blade radiance collided head-on with the shockwave.

The two overwhelmingly powerful forces clashed for a brief instant.

Before completely canceling one another out.

“The Lord has made his move!”

The morale of the Calamity Army instantly soared!

Although the Boss on the final floor was indeed powerful.

The Territory.

Still hadn't gone all out!

Now that the Lord had personally intervened.

Was there any suspense left?

The Maze Overseer let out a furious roar.

Beating its wings.

It escaped the encirclement and soared into the sky.

Preparing to unleash an even stronger large-scale attack.

Seeing this.

Hang Yu infused the Yellow Heaven Demonic Dragon Spear with King's Might.

He then condensed his protective Dragon Qi.

Transforming it into Flood Dragons.

Which coiled around the spear.

“Raging Dragon Throw!”

The powerful equipment skill was activated.

The Yellow Heaven Demonic Dragon Spear transformed into a Flood Dragon tearing through space itself.

Striking the Maze Overseer before it could finish gathering power.

-14,533 (Critical!)

The power of this strike.

Was truly extraordinary.

Even this thick-skinned Tier 4 Overlord suffered severe damage.

It was blasted out of the sky.

Then immediately restrained once more by Jia Xu's sealing chains.

“The Lord is amazing!”

“It's finished!”

“Everyone!”

“Attack together!”

“Charge!”

“Victory's right in front of us!”

The Calamity Army had finally seen the light of victory.

At this point.

The Boss had only one-fifth of its health remaining.

With the Lord personally suppressing it.

There was absolutely no way they could lose.

Attack after attack rained down upon the Maze Overseer.

Although this resilient Boss attempted two desperate counterattacks.

Both were effortlessly repelled by the Lord.

Throughout the entire battle.

Not a single human.

Lost their life.

Finally.

With one sorrowful cry.

The final Boss fell.

“We won!”

“Hahaha!”

“We actually cleared the raid dungeon!”

“Long live the Calamity Army!”

“Long live the Territory!”

“Long live Lord Hang Yu!”

“……”

The difficulty of this dungeon.

Was truly hellish.

Especially.

Clearing all twenty floors.

Precisely because of that.

The moment they accomplished such an impossible objective.

Everyone felt an overwhelming sense of achievement and satisfaction.

“Thank you for your assistance, My Lord!”

Little Bell and the others stepped forward.

Preparing to thank their Lord.

Unexpectedly.

At that exact moment.

The Lord standing before them.

Suddenly dissolved like an illusion.

Disappearing where he stood.

“Huh?”

“Where did the Lord go?”

While everyone stood there in confusion.

They suddenly saw Hang Yu.

Riding the Shadowless Evil Dragon Steed.

Slowly approaching them from the opposite end of the maze corridor.

“The Heavenly Evolution Treasure Mirror really is useful.”

Hang Yu held an ancient bronze mirror in his hand.

It was precisely the relic obtained after defeating the Corpse Lich Territory.

A trace of surprise flashed through Jia Xu's eyes.

“Oh?”

“So that was it.”

“My Lord's earlier appearance was merely a mirror image.”

“What?”

“A mirror image?”

Wen Ping.

Zhou Cang.

And Zhang Zhongjing.

Were all stunned.

The ten Mystic Tiger Colonels.

And the eighty-five members of the Calamity Army.

Were utterly dumbfounded.

So.

The Lord hadn't personally fought at all.

He had merely been testing the Heavenly Evolution Treasure Mirror.

This relic could ignore spatial distance and every obstacle.

Instantly projecting a mirror image to any location within controlled territory.

Or even to places outside the territory.

As long as a visual anchor existed there.

It truly was.

An exceptionally useful relic.

Black Pupils Sharp Bro exclaimed,

“The Lord suppressed the final Boss using nothing more than a mirror image!”

Ye Limeng also wore an expression of deep admiration.

“If even a mirror image possesses such strength, then if the Lord himself fought personally, that Boss wouldn't stand a chance.”

“No way!”

“But the Lord is only Tier 3!”

“Does that mean Lord Yu has already surpassed the Overlord rank?”

“I've always estimated the Lord's strength as high as possible.”

“But it looks like I still underestimated him!”

“With the Lord's strength.”

“He could probably solo the twentieth-floor Boss!”

“……”

The instant the Boss died.

Hang Yu had already processed the loot.

【You inspected the loot: Essence +3,000,000, Magic Crystals +2,000, Blessed Sand +30, Four-Color Forging Crystal +50, Gargoyle Demon Blood Essence +120, Gargoyle Demon Horn +120, Gargoyle Demon Soul Essence +10!】

This time.

He took away seventy percent of the loot.

Just after Hang Yu finished distributing the rewards.

A notification from the Will of the Stars sounded within his mind.

【Ding! You have passed the Colossus Maze Lord Trial!】

【Obtained: Trial Treasure Chest (Blue) ×1!】

【Starsea Reputation +1,000!】

Success!

Hang Yu's spirits immediately lifted!

This trial.

Had existed for fifty years.

It had been challenged hundreds of thousands.

Perhaps even millions of times.

Yet no one had ever cleared it.

And now.

Hang Yu had finally led his people.

To completely conquer it!

So many supreme races.

So many genius Lords.

Had all failed.

Yet in the end.

A group of humans.

Had achieved what none of them could.

Without question.

This would cause quite a sensation throughout Sacred Azure City!

Hang Yu.

Who had once been completely unknown.

Would finally gain fame and recognition.

His harvest this time.

Was truly enormous.

Not only had he acquired tremendous loot.

He would also obtain the prize material he desired.

Furthermore.

By taking advantage of this completely free Trial opportunity.

He had earned a Trial Treasure Chest!

This was a reward obtainable only after completely clearing a Trial Space.

It contained treasures.

That neither Destiny Treasure Chests nor Abyss Treasure Chests could produce!

(P.S. Please vote!)