Xiao Jie naturally wouldn’t pretend this time. This was a genuine treasure.
"Thank you, Senior Li. I will make full use of this cultivation technique and ensure its essence will be carried on and shine brightly!"
As he spoke, he glanced at his backpack.
[Flying Cloud Chasing Moon (Qinggong)
Learning Requirements: Agility 40, Inner Power Mastery.
First Stage: Wind Stepping. Leap upwards into the air, up to 6 meters high.
Second Stage: Flying Cloud Crossing. Leap upwards again, up to 6 meters high, or perform a long jump in any direction, with a maximum of 12 meters.
Third Stage: Moon Chasing. Make a sudden rush movement in any direction while in the air, sprinting up to 15 meters.
Skill Description: As the poem goes—"Like a white bird as smoke rises, chasing the moon to pluck stars from the human world." This is the ultimate skill that made "Flying Yaksa" Li Cuilan famous.]
What a Qinggong! The moment Xiao Jie saw the skill description, he realized immediately that this thing was like a powered-up version of jumping out of the water and leaping like a swallow, whether for jumping high or long, it was a divine skill, perfect for scaling walls, ridge crossing, and first-class for escaping.
But the learning requirements were a bit high. The standard for Inner Power Mastery was an inner power value limit of over 500 points or any inner strength trained to Level 10. He had to focus on leveling up his inner strength later.
On the other hand, I Want to Be Immortal was envious as he didn’t know what secret book Granny Li gave Xiao Jie.
"Granny, what about me?"
"What do you mean ’what about you’? You’re not that great at fighting but top-notch at running away. Don’t you already have an axe? You didn’t get shortchanged in the rewards, so don’t be greedy."
A scolding left I Want to Be Immortal feeling quite downcast, but Xiao Jie could understand. Just now, I Want to Be Immortal had been shouting about running away, and the favorability Granny Li had toward him was probably good if it hit 60. The reason she gifted her own secret martial arts manual was likely due to the favorability reaching 100% and triggering a special reward.
"Alright, you two, the green hills won’t change, the clear water will flow forever. I’m off then; come on, Bao’er, It’s time for us to hit the road."
Watching the young and old disappear into the wilderness, Xiao Jie also let out a sigh of relief.
This expedition quest, at last, was perfectly completed.
And both their levels had risen to Level 13; it was time to return the Demon Talisman to Xuanxu Palace.
"Let’s go, to Xuanxu Palace to learn spells!"
"Haha, sure, Feng, let’s set out."
I Want to Be Immortal was also eager. Summoning their mounts, they galloped towards the main road, leaving behind the dilapidated little fishing village and the seemingly peaceful lake.
As soon as they hit the road, not far out, Xiao Jie received a private message from Mr. Ramen.
Mr. Ramen: Feng, sorry I ran off earlier. It’s just that I’m too cowardly and dare not push my luck. How’s everything on your end? Is the mission completed?
Hidden Moon Following Wind: No need to worry, it’s human nature. The mission is already completed.
Mr. Ramen: Ah, completed? Impressive, Feng, I admire that. Are you guys heading back to town? We still leveling together tomorrow?
Hidden Moon Following Wind: No, Cheng Xian and I have to do a task near Xiaofeng City, so we won’t be heading back for now. Plus, after the quest in the fishing village, there probably won’t be as many merfolk spawning for leveling anymore.
Mr. Ramen: Ah, that’s too bad, then contact me when you come back to Luoyang Town.
Hidden Moon Following Wind: Sure, we’ll get in touch—by the way, are you interested in joining us?
Mr. Ramen: No thanks, your play style feels too dangerous for me. Staying in Luoyang Town seems safer.
Hidden Moon Following Wind: Okay, that’s fine. Good luck.
Xiao Jie closed the private chat, and the two spurred their horses, racing toward Xiaofeng City.
Mr. Ramen closed the private chat, slightly regretting his actions for running away, but he was somewhat embarrassed that the others had actually managed to complete the quest. If he had stayed, maybe he could have gotten some rewards too.
It just wasn’t his fate.
But he did not regret it. If he were faced with the same choices again, he would probably decide the same way.
Having played the game for more than a year and seen many he knew fall in all sorts of bizarre ways, including high-level players around Levels 20 and 30, he understood the principle that "caution is the parent of safety." Sometimes, being a coward wasn’t that bad.
Now that he was Level 17, he just needed to slowly level up three more levels, get the Level 20 profession skill, and then he could retire gloriously.
Going on an adventure to Xiaofeng City? Better not think about it.
Soon he would make a small fortune as a famous internet fighter or a master, and that would be his life well lived, and he would also have his moment in the spotlight.
Mr. Ramen thought contentedly, galloping on his horse, and soon saw the outline of Luoyang Town in front of him. He relaxed and slowed down the horse a bit when suddenly a bunch of knights charged out from both sides of the road.
Without a word, they greeted him with an onslaught of remote weapons.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Strong bows and crossbows, javelins, and flying knives—all kinds of flying objects greeted him all at once.
The horse beneath him let out a tragic cry, riddled with arrows like a porcupine, and was fired upon and killed instantly.
Mr. Ramen rolled off the horse, and as soon as he stood up, he was surrounded by the group.
"Damn, my horse!" Mr. Ramen looked painfully at his dead horse on the ground. Although it was an inferior mount and cost 400,000, the loss was significant for the habitually broke Mr. Ramen.
He was both angry and afraid as he looked around at the people; damn it, they were from the World Association!