Chapter 187: Chapter 136: The Crazy Players (Part 1)

“Morals Aid Group” is a somewhat famous player QQ group. Although it hasn’t been established for very long, it often comes up with some game-breaking strategies, often resulting in buzz-worthy content spreading from it.

However, this time the content wasn’t particularly explosive; it was just that someone in their group had gone through great efforts to detect the attributes of one of the top-ranked players, First Under Heaven.

Seeing the screenshots of the data that were released, players found that this top escort master had exceptional attributes in all aspects, with his basic intuition skill being particularly prominent. His advanced escort-related skills had even surpassed level 50, with some reaching level 55.

Players currently don’t have level 50 skills, with most stuck just over level 30. It is conservatively estimated that reaching level 50 could take about half a year of continuous and relentless effort.

Moreover, according to the game’s introduction, level 50 is the cap, and players need to combine an understanding of the game, synergy between various skills, and collaboration with other players to have a chance at defeating the powerful First Under Heaven and claiming the corresponding title.

Once a skill level surpasses 30, every increment requires immense effort, but the payoff in terms of power increase is also immense.

At level 45, each increment yields almost a transcendental effect, making the skills even more explosive.

But unexpectedly, an NPC has now broken through the level 50 cap, reaching even higher levels.

If it were any other game, players might curse the developers for unfairly boosting NPCs to extend the life of the game.

But since it’s a game from Fang Cheng Studio, players would think that it definitely represents an Easter egg in the game, a hidden feature for them to discover that would make the game even more exciting.

Seeing the screenshot thrown out by the Morals Aid Group, Fang Cheng was quite helpless.

This is obviously an NPC’s scheme; just follow the storyline and you’ll be fine. It really isn’t as explosive or extreme as you think.

Be good, go play the game, don’t think about anything else.

Temporarily ignoring these players, Fang Cheng went to the next Taoist Academy, planning to take the token from there, then continue on his journey.

This Taoist Academy was located in the far north of the continent, a place covered in perennial snow and bitter cold, barely visited by anyone.

The good days here last only a short five months, the rest of the year is winter, which brings a tranquil atmosphere, quiet enough to hear the snowfall.

Yet, in this place, there was still a Taoist Academy.

Walking on the snowy ground, Fang Cheng felt that this place was nice, with its courtyard design having a lot of character.

Before him stood the Taoist Academy, isolated on the frozen riverbank. A young Taoist wrapped in cotton cloaks was chipping ice at the river to collect water. Seeing Fang Cheng approaching through the snow, he bowed and asked, “Sir, for what purpose have you come? Are you here to convert or to make a charitable donation? If you’re here to learn, we can only teach you some basic Taoism, nothing else.”

Fang Cheng also smiled and returned the bow, then said, “I’ve come for the token.”

“So it’s you… My master has been waiting for you for a long time. Please, Mr. Fang, come inside.”

Nearly a month of game time has put player’s footprints in almost every corner of the continent, even this remote small Taoist Academy was no exception.

However, players are quite pragmatic, and after finding that this place didn’t offer what they wanted, the previously bustling Taoist Academy has now returned to its former quiet state.

The Temple Master here was likely also a prophet, but predicting Fang Cheng’s arrival was not hard.

The Prophet knew someone was seeking the token, and after inquiring about the person’s background, it was clear that the one coming here for the token had to be Fang Cheng.

Since Fang Cheng hadn’t made any effort to hide his movements, it was possible to guess a lot of information just based on intelligence analysis.

With a slight nod, Fang Cheng walked straight into the Taoist temple and found an elderly Taoist squatting under the eaves with corn, peanuts, and some food beside a small stove.

Hearing the door open, he didn’t turn his head, and simply said, “You’ve finally arrived, quickly help me chop these into small pieces and put them into the plum wine.”

Without hearing a response, the elderly Taoist turned around with dissatisfaction, but when he noticed it was Fang Cheng, he paused before realizing what was happening.

He took the Jade Pendant from his waist and tossed it to Fang Cheng, then said, “Mr. Fang, here is the token. It’s mealtime now; you’re welcome to eat before you go.”

Then, pointing at the roasted food, he said, “Do me a favor and eat less later, so I can eat less as well. This way, my disciple can have a bit more to eat.”

“I brought some food, but only ordinary chicken, duck, fish, and some beef jerky.”

The old Taoist’s expression became subtle as he watched Fang Cheng take food out of thin air from his storage bag.

After that, dragging his lame foot, he wobbled into the back kitchen, returning with two bowls of plum wine in his hands.

He placed one bowl in front of Fang Cheng and said, “Drink it while it’s warm. This wine is from my cellar, and it’s just the right temperature now; too cold or too hot wouldn’t be up to standard.”

Game characters can’t taste, but Fang Cheng’s Divine Sense can.

Sipping the slightly tart but well-textured plum wine, Fang Cheng gazed over the wall and onto the river’s snowy surface, feeling as though the whole world had become serene.

The world was blanketed in white, yet the gradations of proximity created a varied array of lines, revealing simplicity and the silent beauty of nature, which calmed the mind.

Drinking plum wine and enjoying the scenery, Fang Cheng thought that having such a bowl once in a while wasn’t too bad.