I Haven't Even Tried, and You're Already Down?!

Zhu Hao returned, dejected.

In the Lin Family Fort training grounds, pairs of disciples sparred with one another, fighting with great fervor. In sects and great clans like these, as long as one maintained a good relationship with them, places such as the training grounds would be opened up. By observing from the sidelines, one might gain insight into a skill.

Of course, such good fortune was rare, especially for trash like Zhu Hao, whose comprehension was only 5. Therefore, most Reincarnators chose the proper path: completing missions issued by sects or great clans, joining them, and obtaining their inheritances.

Speaking of comprehension, it was one of the most frustrating attributes for Reincarnators in the early stages. It offered almost no help in battle, so spending precious free attribute points on it felt painful. Yet if one did not raise it, it could very well leave a Reincarnator in utter misery at a crucial moment.

For example, after completing a series of missions and raising a plot character's favorability, one might finally be taught a powerful skill. But due to insufficient comprehension, an originally A-rank skill could drop to C-rank in the Reincarnator's hands. What an utterly heartbreaking thing that would be. Just thinking about it sent chills down one's spine~

Thus, pragmatic Reincarnators like Tang Mei'er did not bother gambling on the pitifully small chance offered by the training grounds. Instead, they relied on their own efforts and planning to reap tangible benefits.

If Tang Mei'er had known that this useless subordinate of hers had gone chasing blind luck and allowed Gao Xu to accomplish so much in such a short time, she would probably have been so furious that menopause came early...

Six hours could feel long or short, especially to this group of novice Reincarnators.

Perhaps they had been too persistent, or perhaps the plot characters themselves were rather easygoing. After being pestered for several hours, Xu Lang, the Green-Shirted Guest who had already established his "Marriage Kill," actually gave them a few pointers. While it was impossible for the novices to immediately comprehend a skill, it gave them immense hope.

Under such circumstances, Lin Tiannan presented them with another pleasant surprise.

Before setting out, he led the enthusiastic volunteers to the Lin Family armory and allowed every Reincarnator to choose a weapon as a sharp blade for slaying demons and exterminating evil.

Though the weapons were all standard white equipment, this was a windfall for novices who had arrived empty-handed. Naturally, the few novices who had previously spent points buying weapons were deeply disappointed and even cursed aloud. The veterans did not think much of them either, merely picking one up to sell to the Space for a few points after returning, better than nothing.

In truth, this was also one of the Space's preferential treatments for novices. Of course, such treatment did not appear in every plot world. Only in worlds of relatively high difficulty would similar adjustments be made to improve novice survival rates. It could be considered a form of balance.

If the novices had known the reason behind the weapon distribution, the expressions on their faces would likely not have been so jubilant...

Hidden Dragon Cave lay deep in the mountains southwest of Suzhou City, five or six li away. Some novices with poor constitutions naturally became deadweight. Fortunately, none of the wild monsters from the game appeared along the way. Otherwise, they likely would not have reached Hidden Dragon Cave until nightfall.

Gradually, signs of human habitation grew scarcer. In the end, only dense forest and shadowy vines remained around them, silent and still like a dead zone. Even their footsteps sounded especially jarring.

"This atmosphere really does feel like a monster's lair..." Quite a few novices grumbled inwardly. Nervous, they swallowed unconsciously and gripped their weapons so tightly that their knuckles turned white.

Needlessly exhausting one's stamina before battle was one of the great taboos. The three plot characters all shook their heads slightly at the sight, truly disappointed in this batch of companions.

At last, a cliff face covered in vines and hanging moss appeared before them. A deep cave entrance was faintly visible, with a terrifying red glow flickering from within.

Just as the three plot characters were about to enter, Qin Guang snorted coldly, pulled aside the icy vines, and stepped into the cave first.

His fearless, take-the-lead posture immediately stirred everyone's morale. Forget the plot characters—even the novices were invigorated. They instantly felt protected by a veteran. With someone tall holding up the sky if it fell, what was there to fear?

Leaving aside how foolish and naïve their thoughts were, once they entered the cave, the surroundings became even more gloomy and frigid. The stone walls seemed as though they could seep water at any moment, while a faint fishy stench filled the air and made everyone hold their breath.

Then, faint hissing sounds drifted toward them. Qin Guang, at the front, had already raised his round shield before himself in a defensive stance. Zhu Hao, following just behind him, gripped a sword in his right hand and held a thick wooden club in his left, its purpose unclear. Tang Mei'er lit a torch to illuminate the way for the group.

The Green Snakes from the main quest appeared first. These thumb-thick little snakes were entirely emerald green and moved quite quickly, but they did not have much health and their attacks were weak. Qin Guang easily blocked their lunging bites with his shield, while Zhu Hao swung his sword. In no time at all, the first wave of attacks was neutralized.

The novices immediately cheered in low voices, as though they themselves were the ones stylishly cutting down the snakes. This shared sense of glory quickly spread, and their fear from entering the cave began to fade.

But the Crimson Snakes that followed were not so easily dealt with. Not only were they swifter and fiercer, they also liked to rear up their upper bodies when attacking, flicking their dark-red tongues. The moment they opened their mouths, several droplets of venom shot forth like bullets.

The wooden club Zhu Hao had been preparing suddenly came in handy. Facing the venom, they did not use the round shield glowing with a faint blue light to block it. Instead, they met it with the wooden club.

The bright-red venom struck it with a smack, rapidly corroding its way inside. A plume of green smoke suddenly rose from the rotting wood. Zhu Hao's expression changed, and he hurriedly tossed the club aside. The smoke itself was poisonous; if one's poison resistance was insufficient, inhaling it through the nose or mouth would cost a great deal of health.

Qin Guang, who was leading the group, also darkened. Though they had already thoroughly researched the enemies within Hidden Dragon Cave, facing them for real still gave him a headache.

For example, Zhu Hao had just shared the decrease in the wooden club's durability. Just as the information had stated, the venom not only inflicted the abnormal status Poisoned for ten whole seconds, but also corroded equipment, causing durability to drop at a startling rate. It was truly disgusting.

It would have been one thing if it were the cheapest white equipment, like a wooden club. But his blue round shield was rare and precious defensive gear. Repairing it cost an eye-watering number of points. He absolutely could not let it be sprayed by venom.

But that made it impossible for them to remain as composed as before. Still, although Zhu Hao had a head full of straw, his ability to put on an act was no joke. After expending three wooden clubs to finally eliminate a wave of Crimson Snakes, he actually had the nerve to brush back his hair, tilt his head at a forty-five-degree angle, and calmly utter:

"I haven't even tried, and you're already down?!"