Fireworks of Romance and Bai Zhi

To be honest, if it weren't for the explanations from the Fireworks of Romance, Bai Zhi really wouldn't have understood the intricacies involved.

However, he now vaguely understands.

In the early stages when Player are at lower Level, their main focus is on survival, using various survival Skill in conjunction with items and Equipment that increase their chances of survival.

Therefore, at this stage, there are no power levels to distinguish between Player; the competition is simply about who has the better Survival Ability.

However, this situation changes later on, specifically after reaching Level 25, because at that point, Player will find that mere Survival Ability are no longer sufficient to deal with the Anomaly they encounter.

"Dignity Value, Gratitude Value... If that's the case, then are there also Complaint Value and Foolishness Value?"

After thinking for a moment, Bai Zhi asked with great interest.

"I encountered someone before who seemed to need nothing but Anger Value; he was a really disgusting guy... Aren't there any limits to these things?"

"It depends on your own setup and choices. You'll find out when the time comes. At your current leveling speed, level 25 will be quick, right? The Mandatory Quest before level 25 have a difficulty cap, so they won't be too difficult for you."

Fireworks of Romance curled her lip.

"That's why I said level 25 is a Water Cleaving. Only after level 25 do Player receive a so-called system strength assessment; before that, they're all considered mediocre. Once the Player base grows, all sorts of bizarre and unconventional Talent Core builds can emerge. If you're not careful, you could suffer a great loss."

"For example?"

Bai Zhi raised an eyebrow slightly.

"[Myriad Things Exchange], [Equivalent Exchange], [Devil's Whisper], [Cause Before Effect], [Logic Distortion], [Life Save Disk], [Concept Armament]... These are the top-tier core constructions I've learned about through various channels, and I wouldn't tell just anyone."

After thinking for a moment, Fireworks of Romance began to speak with a hint of smugness.

"Do you know about the Underworld? To tell you the truth, not only the Underworld, but even the Eighteen Levels of Hell are real. In about half a month, I'll be able to go there. If you're willing to join Underworld guild now, I might be able to help you get a spot to go to the Underworld."

"Uh... well..."

"Don't think I didn't help you. This spot is very hard to get; most people want it but can't get it."

Finding it a bit inconvenient to talk like that, she simply took a few steps to stand in front of Bai Zhi, backing away as Fireworks of Romance solemnly held up a finger.

"That's the so-called Land of Inheritance [the Underworld]. After going Underworld, as long as you pass the test, you have a chance to obtain these top-tier inheritances. How about it, are you tempted?"

"So these are the things that the [Inheritor] are passing down?"

After hearing Fireworks of Romance's words, Bai Zhi couldn't help but feel slightly surprised.

The Dead Zero had told him about the Land of Inheritance [the Underworld] and the so-called Inheritor.

At that time, he was curious about what exactly was passed down inside, but now that he thinks about it, the Equipment, items, and Skill left behind are secondary; these core structures are the most important.

"... You know?"

The corner of Fireworks of Romance's mouth suddenly twitched violently.

"Uh... I don't know."

Bai Zhi shook his head decisively.

"... Tell me honestly, who are you?"

For some reason, Bai Zhi noticed that the Young Girl in front of him seemed to grit her teeth.

"This kind of information is top secret. Even I went to great lengths to find out about it. How did you, someone who hasn't even joined Player Guild, know about it?"

"I wanted to interact with you as common, but all I got was suspicion and doubt. Fine, I'm not pretending anymore, I'm laying my cards on the table."

After a moment of silence, Bai Zhi sighed and then began to speak with a heavy heart.

"Some stories are long to tell. The very beginning goes back to the time when Pangu separated heaven and earth, when the world was like..."

"I suspect you're making fun of me, so I want you to pay me back now. Paying back debts is a matter of course."

Fireworks of Romance and Romance extended her hand to him with a blank expression.

"You borrowed 7,000 Game Coins from me before, and now with interest, it's a total of 10,000. Pay me back."

"... You said before that you wouldn't charge interest."

"Can't I change my mind?"

"Fireworks of Romance" hummed softly.

"You're allowed to make fun of me, but I'm not allowed to raise interest rates?"

"Okay, I have connections."

Bai Zhi raised his hands in surrender.

"You should know Zhuge Yun, right? He's my good buddy. When he was so hungry he couldn't afford food, I even treated him to a bowl of instant noodles. He's the one who told me all this."

"... That eccentric guy?"

After thinking for a moment and remembering who the other person was, Fireworks of Romance's face immediately darkened.

"It's best to stay away from him in the future, otherwise he'll lead you astray. Don't be fooled by his seemingly honest appearance; he's actually full of bad intentions."

"What, you two know each other?"

Bai Zhi was somewhat surprised.

"We were high school classmates, just common classmates. I never expected to run into him again in a place like that."

"Fireworks of Romance" hummed softly.

"That guy is a real schemer; he even wrote me love letters back in school."

"Your suitor?"

"What kind of suitor?"

Fireworks of Romance wore a cold smile.

"He gave the love letters he wrote to me to other people, and gave me the love letters he wrote to other people. But that's not the point. The point is, do you know exactly how many love letters he wrote at the same time?"

"How many?"

"Twenty letters!!"

Whenever she talks about this event that directly caused her innocent fantasies about love to vanish, Fireworks of Romance feels her anger rising all over her body.

"Well..."

"Alright, let's not talk about those annoying things anymore, let's get to the point."

With a wave of his hand, Fireworks of Romance solemnly held up one finger in front of him.

"The Talent Core build is the most crucial thing. After I tell you, you can't tell anyone else, or you'll be targeted and it'll be terrible. After all, sometimes, other Player are more dangerous than the Anomaly."

"... Intelligence warfare?"

After a moment's thought, Bai Zhi nodded thoughtfully.

"That's true. After all, the way you're constantly losing your composure makes you completely unapproachable in other people's eyes..."

Looking at the Young Girl in front of him, Bai Zhi was filled with admiration.

"I thought I was on the Third Floor, but I didn't expect you to be on the fifth floor. That's amazing."

"Uh... cough cough, that's right, that's how military strategy works, using deception and real tactics."

A fleeting look of confusion crossed his face, and Fireworks of Romance coughed a few times.

"So you have to keep this a secret, okay?"

"Don't worry, I have a strong sense of professional ethics."

Bai Zhi's face was solemn.

"But since you already have the idea of building your own Talent Core, yet you still want to enter the Underworld... is it possible for these two things to coexist?"

"No, but my goal isn't those top-tier talent builds. Only what suits me best is truly the best. My goal is those legendary weapons and..."

Before she could finish her sentence about Fireworks of Romance, she suddenly felt as if her heel had hit something, and her whole body fell backward uncontrollably.

Bai Zhi reached out and hugged her just in time.