Although everyone thought the name “Shadow Trail Sect” was too exaggerated, surprisingly when registering at the administrative office’s guild management department, the name was approved on the first try.
Sister Pomegranate was dissatisfied with this but couldn’t change the fact that everyone thought it was a good idea.
After all, little players need face when traveling outside!
Calling themselves Shadow Trail Sect monks sounds much more impressive than “Martial Arts Association School monks,” and under the principle of minority following majority, the fighters among the players now had their happy home.
Now that people have been recruited, it’s time to properly seek “revenge.”
“Wait, shouldn’t we level up first?”
On their way to the sewers club with fierce determination, 【Fun-loving Alin】, who was pulled into the game by Niuniu, poked Khaki Tony Tai’s shoulder next to him and said quietly:
“Won’t we get instantly killed if we go into matches at level 1 without leveling up?”
“No, levels don’t matter in this game, there’s only a qualitative improvement after passing the Black Iron trial at level 10. Besides, they’re Silver rank, you won’t catch up even after three months of training, might as well go in raw.”
Khaki turned his head and explained:“Regular players do need to learn basic skills from NPCs at the Adventurer Guild when they first come in, but since we all have real martial arts skills, those basic sword arts and fighting techniques aren’t necessary. You guys can just start fighting directly, level up your innate skills and your character level will increase along with them.
At the current pace of this King of Fighters tournament, if you fight the maximum number of matches each day, you’ll probably reach level 10 in seven days at most.”
“Teacher Li and Master Yang will probably be even faster.”
Path of Mud and Oil also spoke up:
“They’re almost ‘Masters’ in the real world, here they’re just going through the motions. They’re heaven’s chosen ones who were born with unique professions and exclusive skills, I bet their level progression will definitely break the current record.”
“Then we can’t fall behind either, hahaha.”
Another professional 【Star Soul Eagle】 who was pulled into the game by Niuniu flexed his fists. This guy seemed quite optimistic in personality. He was the shortest among them, but the exaggerated muscle contours when he moved his arms made the three physical education students look at him enviously.
He was a judo athlete from the Sichuan provincial team and was Niuniu’s senior. When these goofballs first arrived at school, it was Star Soul Eagle who was responsible for receiving the physical education department’s students.
The most notable thing about this senior was that he wasn’t just an outstanding professional athlete with a promising future, but also a certified chef. It’s said this was because his family had been running a private restaurant since his grandfather’s generation, giving Star Soul Eagle quite impressive Sichuan cooking skills since childhood.
If this guy hadn’t loved martial arts since he was young, he probably would have taken over the family business to toss woks by now.
Niuniu’s purpose in pulling this senior into the game wasn’t just “simple” either.
Mainly because everyone was getting tired of eating stews and barbecue every day in Transia. Although food in the game was just for energy replenishment, if they could eat something good, who the hell would want to gnaw on dry bread every day?
“Brother Eagle, my buddies and I have prepared all the ingredients and seasonings, and even specially got a set of kitchen tools made from that black-hearted blacksmith Master Broken Blade.”
Niuniu sidled up with a fawning expression and rubbed his hands, saying to his senior:
“After today’s boxing matches are done, how about you show us your skills? Consider it a welcome feast in the game for Teacher Li and Master Yang. I’ll call over our friends from the game too, we can have a social gathering tonight.”
“Sure, no problem!”
Star Soul Eagle laughed, but then made a strange expression as he belatedly realized:
“Wait! You just said you want me to cook, do you need to eat in this game?”
“You don’t have to eat, but you’ll faint from hunger. Eating too much isn’t good either, you’ll frequently run to the bathroom. Lady Aqua told me the biggest benefit of this game for her is being able to eat freely without worrying about gaining weight.
What a strange thought.”
Sister Pomegranate saw through her little brother’s intentions at a glance, but since better food in the game was good for her too, she voluntarily explained:
“Anyway, the 《Reality Realm》 development team are all crazy people, they want to implement 100% realistic experience, so I advise you not to make any strange dishes. Because if you eat something weird you’ll really get diarrhea in the game, and it’s said to affect reality too.
Brother Meow has a lot to say about this.”
“F**k, that hardcore?”
Star Soul Eagle widened his eyes and said:
“Then couldn’t you make money by opening a restaurant in the game?”
“Yes yes yes! Open a restaurant!”
Brother Mao also came over to encourage:
“Not only can you earn extra income, but you can also find some apprentices in the camp to train. With administrative subsidies, you basically don’t need to run around taking missions to save up your first pot of gold. This is a great benefit of the manufacturing industry that we combat professionals are quite envious of.
Your situation of being born with the ‘chef’ profession basically makes you one of ‘heaven’s chosen’ too, you must make good use of it!”
“But if we’re cooking tonight, should we invite NPCs?”
Shrimp Catcher suggested from the side:
“This is a great opportunity to increase favorability! With Brother Eagle’s skills, these uncultured Transia barbarians will definitely swallow their tongues. I say, let’s take this chance to invite important NPCs like Lord Murphy, Lady Tris, Maxim and Regent Miriam over!
We might even trigger some hidden quests or something for Brother Eagle.”
“That makes sense!”
Khaki Tony Tai clapped his hands and said:
“I’ll go deliver the invitations now.”
“Wait a minute!”
Star Soul Eagle quickly pulled him back, shaking his head and explaining:
“At least let me see how the ingredients here differ from our side, otherwise how do I know if what I make will be edible? Being a chef isn’t that simple and easy, give me some preparation time.”
“Right right right, preparation prevents poor performance, this can’t be rushed.”
Niuniu patted his cousin and senior’s shoulders, saying:
“Let’s go fight in the boxing tournament first, we can talk about other things later.”
The group entered the sewers, leaving Murphy, who had already prepared for the feast and was hiding in his office peeling chopsticks for himself and Tris in the Blood Vulture Halls, looking disappointed. He had been waiting to be invited by the little players for a good meal.
But as such an important main storyline NPC, he couldn’t actively ask the little players to cook for him, he had to maintain some dignity and decorum.
However, this disappointment didn’t last long. Soon, Murphy leaned back comfortably in his chair, stroking the napping Astral Direwolf George beside him while opening the projection of the core bead.
Just like watching dramas and following shows, through the special perspective arranged by the Blood Rat Gang, he fixed his gaze on these professionals.
He really wanted to see how the professional skills from another world compared technically to this continent’s spirit energy inheritance.
Oh my my, it’s not just argumentative people who like to play Chinese chess, Lord Murphy likes it too.
————————
Although when the game first started testing, many players complained that the leveling system in this game was too unscientific and leveling up brought no improvements, making it unbearable, by the time the story progressed to the current stage these complaints had become rare.
Because it doesn’t affect the little players’ story experience in Transia, nor does it have the frustrating feeling of level suppression from traditional games.
Even a level 1 player can win against a level 10 gnoll in a duel if their skills are good enough, making the game experience more realistic while also somewhat reducing the fatigue that comes with grinding levels by killing monsters.
Moreover, for professionals with “innate skills” like 【Wan Hao】 and 【Fireworks Beef Bowl】, a system that replaces traditional character levels with proficiency is clearly much friendlier, allowing them to jump straight into the main storyline without having to spend time on level progression.
“Swoosh”
Master Yang of Beef Bowl lowered his recruit sword, while the northern thug opposite him stared dumbfounded at his shield that had been knocked away. In that instant, that belligerent fellow realized he had no chance of winning.
But with so many brothers watching from below, the bald brute gritted his teeth and gripped his sword with both hands, roaring as he charged forward, full of momentum like a butcher ready to chop meat. However, this fierce stance was full of openings in the eyes of Master Yang who had learned swordsmanship since childhood.
He didn’t even need to use his sword.
As the opponent charged over, he nimbly sidestepped while extending his left foot.
“Bang”
The opponent lost balance and smashed head-first into the edge of the completely unrepaired broken fighting stage. The impact was so great that he knocked himself unconscious, rolling his eyes back with blood streaming down his face as his panicked companions carried him away.
This robber from North Wind Fort’s King of Fighters tournament career thus ended, awaiting him was a life of labor reform digging trenches in the Baroness of Shadow’s domain.
Master Yang shrugged after his easy victory, feeling the vibration and slight pain that came when his left foot kicked the fellow’s shin.
That realistic sensation stirred up huge waves in this quiet middle-aged man’s heart. Although his exterior remained calm and composed, the curiosity and excitement in his eyes were undisguisable.
His life trajectory in reality perhaps seemed bland compared to this vivid combat, and he would occasionally envy his father and grandfather, who like him had learned martial arts from childhood and had participated in the overseas Chinese guerrilla warfare against the Japanese beasts in World War 2.
They were proper warriors, but by Old Yang’s generation, peaceful times were both a blessing and a regret.
He couldn’t just abandon his wife and children to run off to war-torn areas just to satisfy some of his yearnings, could he?
He wasn’t a war maniac after all.
But now it seemed his small wish from his youth had been fulfilled through a strange helmet. The sharp business sense from being a successful merchant was telling him something was wrong with this whole thing! However, Old Yang didn’t want to think about those things right now.
Facing the second northern thug who climbed onto the stage holding a war spear, covered in strange tattoos, Master Yang held his blade horizontally.
He beckoned to his opponent with a finger in a slightly arrogant gesture beneath his calm expression. In that instant, he seemed to return to that time of passion and ideals in his youth.
The northerner was clearly provoked.
He grabbed his war spear and thrust forward like a raging bear. Old Yang dodged nimbly, recalling his father’s teachings about dealing with long weapons when teaching him swordsmanship.
“The spear, king of weapons, those skilled with it have the valor to face ten thousand men, but it comes straight and goes straight like herding pigs in an alley, the further forward the more constrained. If you can’t achieve quick victory and let someone see through your moves and get in close, defeat is certain.”
Mm, Dad was right!
Indeed.
Three moves later, Old Yang advanced with his sword, closing the distance before the opponent could retract his spear. His blade flashed like a dancing mantis, cutting past in an instant. Amidst spurting blood he sliced open the opponent’s wrist, then followed up with a kick to lay him flat on the ground.
“Holy shit! Awesome!”
The little players in the audience shouted and whistled. Master Yang taking down two opponents in less than 3 minutes made them realize another extraordinary person had joined the player community.
This guy’s swordsmanship is even fiercer than Brother Mao!
Below the stage, Teacher Li frowned as he watched the taciturn Master Yang prepare to face his third match. He was also preparing to go on stage, but he grabbed Brother Mao’s arm and asked quietly:
“Has this elder of yours experienced some kind of incident?”
“Huh?”
Brother Mao made a strange expression and asked:
“How did you see that? Are you some kind of mystic?”
“Those who practice martial arts carry a certain air about them, you can see it when you’ve seen enough. Old Yang clearly has something pent up inside.”
Old Li said softly:
“Like a caged tiger, poised to hurt someone. Did you see his sword just now was clearly aimed at that northerner’s heart, only changing direction at the last moment? This is from harboring a grievance that can’t be released up or down, keeping it bottled up will probably lead to trouble.”
“Sigh, it’s hard to say.”
Brother Mao sighed and said:
“And it’s not really grievance, more like resentment I suppose. This grand-uncle of mine has had bad luck, although his financial fortune is very good, his son met with an accident some years ago. I pulled him in here hoping to help him relax, but according to what you’re saying, did I make a mistake?
Will he go berserk?”
“That won’t happen, Old Yang’s cultivation of inner peace is quite good, he can still hold back now.”
Teacher Li shook his head and sighed:
“But once the seal on killing is broken, what happens after is anyone’s guess. Though this is just a game after all, perhaps releasing some tension here might be beneficial.”
“Teacher Li, it’s your turn to go on stage!”
Niuniu called from not far away:
“I just sent a challenge letter to the ‘Iron Fist Club’ people, they’re here now. These guys supposedly all learned fighting from that Turner, you better be careful.”
“Even sending challenge letters.”
Teacher Li, who disliked being high-profile, sighed helplessly, but when he stood on the second fighting stage and the short Zack jumped up to face him, flexing his body a few times, Old Li narrowed his eyes.
Indeed different!
The person before him clearly had foundations, he had systematically learned some fighting techniques.
“You Transians really don’t know what’s good for you!”
Zack cursed unhappily:
“The boss has already spared you, yet you still come looking for trouble, don’t you know your own limits! Want to challenge the boss, right? Fine, we brothers are right here! Beat all of us, and naturally the boss will accept your challenge.”
Although these rebels from the great wilderness had joined the Blood Rat Gang, they still gave themselves a name called the “Iron Fist Club”, clearly representing their faction and their worship of “Iron Fist” Turner.
Regarding this, Lady Dorothy had objections, but she needed these guys to fill the organization so she temporarily allowed them to maintain a relatively independent system.
The Blood Rat Gang’s boss was hiding up high watching this boxing match right now.
She eagerly hoped the warriors could give her a surprise, severely dampening these northerners’ spirit, which would create an opportunity for her to divide and rule.
“Teacher Li! Show them what you’ve got!”
Niuniu, Sister Pomegranate, the girl group and student faction gathered around to be Old Li’s cheerleaders. After being severely “humiliated” by Turner yesterday, they were also eager to get payback.
Teacher Li didn’t dare be careless.
He had already learned from Niuniu and Pomegranate that the NPCs in this game had their own system of martial arts understanding. Just the “Wolf’s Fist” that Pomegranate demonstrated had merits worth learning.
Therefore accurately speaking, the very traditional Teacher Li was standing here with an attitude of “making friends through martial arts”, but after the actual fight began, the imagined difficulties and troubles didn’t materialize.
Facing Zack’s seemingly proper fierce attacks, Teacher Li handled them quite easily.
Even more easily than when practicing with Niuniu yesterday.
Although these rebels had learned some basics from Turner, they hadn’t mastered the “Way of Qi”, and in terms of fist techniques still hadn’t escaped the mindset of fighting with brute force. In terms of skill they were far less refined than Niuniu.
This left Teacher Li quite disappointed, like a charged up fist hitting cotton.
He was a fighter, he had his own pursuits, and right now this opponent honestly wasn’t up to his level.
“I heard your boss knocked out my junior to humiliate him, so I’ll return the favor in kind.”
Old Li said softly.
When Zack launched his next attack, he rushed forward to intercept, blocking with his arm while stepping forward, then elegantly swung his left palm up, striking the back of Zack’s head.
With a bang.
The Iron Fist Club’s number three member blacked out and face-planted onto the fighting stage as his feet tripped, falling into an infant-like sleep.
“Teacher Li is awesome!”
Such a clean and swift end to the fight made the student faction below go crazy with wild shouts, and also drew everyone’s attention from the Iron Fist Club.
Half an hour later, “Iron Fist” Turner, who was conserving energy at his stronghold, received a panicked subordinate running in to report, almost making him think he had heard wrong.
“What? 40:0! Were you fighting with your feet?”