Chapter 3: Frenzied Leveling Up

Player: Wu Tian
Class: Warrior
Level: 1 (Martial Novice, according to the ranks of the Dragon God Continent: Martial Novice, Martial Practitioner, Martial Spirit, Martial King, Martial Lord, Martial Sect, Martial Emperor, Martial God; each rank has ten levels.)
Instant Kill (Basic): 1/100 (Currently at the basic level; can instantly kill enemies one level higher than the player. Cooldown time: half an hour. Skill levels: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Divine, Transcendent, Heaven-defying.)
Health: 100 (100/100)
True Qi: 100 (100/100)
Primary Skills: None
Support Skills: Alchemy (Proficiency 0/100), Forging (Proficiency 0/100), Beast Taming (Proficiency 0/100), Puppetry (Proficiency 0/100), Disguise (Proficiency 0/100)
Luck: 50 (Max 100)
Charm: 50 (Max 100)

Gazing at the attributes on his panel, Wu Tian broke into a broad, unrestrained grin. Today had truly been a stroke of luck—Zhao Si had come to deliver experience points of his own accord. It was simply exhilarating.

While Wu Tian was still basking in his joy, Zhao Si’s corpse swiftly vanished from sight, just as bodies in a game would disappear—gone without a trace in the blink of an eye.

Xiao Hui watched this scene in disbelief. Zhao Si had been felled by a casual sweep of the young master’s fist—he hadn’t even been truly struck—and yet he died just like that. And after his death, the body disappeared as well. It was utterly shocking.

“Haha! Xiao Hui, today is a day to be happy! From now on, we will suffer no more. Your young master’s climb to the pinnacle of life begins anew!” Wu Tian hugged Xiao Hui tightly, laughing boisterously.

A blush crept across Xiao Hui’s cheeks; the young master had never shown such intimacy before. What had come over him today?

A bit flustered, Xiao Hui nevertheless remembered Zhao Si’s death and asked worriedly, “Young master, Zhao Si just died. What if Qin Long comes looking for trouble because of this?”

Wu Tian cast a cold glance at the spot where Zhao Si’s body had disappeared. “That scoundrel bullied you—he deserved to die! His body’s been dealt with; no one will know. And even if Qin Long finds out, so what? If he tries anything, I’ll take him out in an instant!”

Sensing the indomitable confidence radiating from Wu Tian, Xiao Hui’s heart filled with joy. The confident young master she once knew had returned!

“Oh, and Xiao Hui, you must keep today’s events to yourself. My broken meridians, shattered core, and my master’s death were all the work of someone behind the scenes. I have a feeling it was someone within the Skyward Sect. If they discover I can train again, they’ll surely attempt another strike. Until I’m strong enough, it's best no one knows I’ve regained my abilities,” Wu Tian said seriously.

Xiao Hui nodded earnestly. “Young master, I promise I won’t tell a soul.”

“And for now, you should leave the Skyward Sect and lie low for a while.”

Xiao Hui’s face changed, her large eyes glistening with tears. She pouted and looked at Wu Tian. “Young master, are you casting me aside? I’ve looked after you since we were children—are you afraid I’ll only be a burden to you?”

Wu Tian was momentarily at a loss and hastened to explain, “Xiao Hui, don’t misunderstand. I’m only worried for your safety. I don’t yet have the strength to protect you. I need time to train, and as soon as I’m strong enough, I’ll bring you back to my side. Will you trust me?”

Xiao Hui’s sorrow turned to joy. Through her tears, she said, “I knew it—young master would never abandon me. I believe you’ll become strong again, and I’ll wait for your return!”

Wu Tian stroked Xiao Hui’s soft, jet-black hair and said resolutely, “Don’t worry, Xiao Hui. It won’t be long before you’re back at my side. Here, take these two hundred silver taels and lie low for a while. I also have two Soul Beads—when you’re near one, it shines brighter the closer I am, so I’ll be able to find you.”

“I’ll wait for you, young master!”

“And I will come for you, Xiao Hui!”

After giving Xiao Hui the silver and the Soul Beads, Wu Tian watched her leave the Skyward Sect under the cover of night. Only then did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

“I need to level up fast—if Qin Long learns I killed Zhao Si, he’ll come for revenge. Even with my Instant Kill system, I’m no match for him now. I must grow stronger, quickly!”

Wu Tian’s mind raced with thoughts of leveling up. Suddenly, a perfect place came to him: the Misty Forest, west of Pingyang City. This forest was one of the three most perilous lands in the Wild Martial Empire, home to countless fierce beasts—the deeper one ventured, the stronger the monsters became.

Even so, Misty Forest was a paradise for adventurers. Its abundant spiritual energy bred rare beasts and yielded precious herbs, spiritual treasures, and even ancient ruins.

“This is where my journey to the summit begins. Leveling up, here I come!” Standing on the outskirts of the Misty Forest, Wu Tian shouted his resolve to the skies.

Several adventurers nearby cast disdainful glances at the seemingly crazed Wu Tian. He ignored them all and plunged straight into the forest.

Beasts, too, were ranked from level one to nine. Yet on the forest’s edge, there were few true monsters—most were mere wild creatures with little or no rank. For now, Wu Tian could only survive on the outskirts, and so he began by slaughtering these low-level beasts with all his might.

Ding!

“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, you have slain a ‘Wild Boar’ and gained 20 experience points.”

“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, you have slain a ‘Man-eating Flower’ and gained 30 experience points.”

...

While Wu Tian was busy hunting wild creatures, inside an elegant tower in the inner court of the Skyward Sect:

“Reporting, young master, Zhao Si has been missing for an entire day,” a servant informed Qin Long.

Qin Long frowned slightly. “How could that fellow just vanish into thin air?”

“I investigated just now. Someone in the outer court saw Zhao Si enter Wu Tian’s dilapidated hut, after which he was never seen again.”

“Wu Tian? Are you telling me Zhao Si disappeared after entering Wu Tian’s hut?” Qin Long narrowed his eyes.

“That’s my analysis, young master. Zhao Si’s disappearance is likely connected to Wu Tian.”

“How did Zhao Si vanish inside that loser’s hut? I’ve been focused on my breakthrough these past days. Once I’m done, I’ll go see that worthless Wu Tian myself. He passed out from a single kick last time—I bet he’s itching for more now,” Qin Long sneered.

“What should we do about Zhao Si, young master?” the servant asked.

“Keep looking for him these next few days. No one just disappears into thin air—there must be clues,” Qin Long waved a dismissive hand.

“Yes, young master!”

After the servant left, a contemptuous smile crept onto Qin Long’s lips. “I haven’t had the chance to toy with that so-called genius lately. I’ll play with him another day.”