"We've been together for a while, some of us have been teaming up since the first dungeon run."
"My name is Wang Zhen, an E-level Shield Guardian."
"I'm Liu Mei, a Healer."
This team had three Tanks, three Healers, but only three damage dealers. Clearly, this was not an optimal setup. However, in the wild, their monster-killing efficiency might be low, but their survival ability was quite good.
"Hey, you haven't joined a team yet, want to join us?"
"What team?"
"Even within the same guild, we can form many small teams. If you're willing to join, you can be the leader."
"Alright, count me in."
Whether or not to join a team didn't really matter, but since they invited him, he decided to join. Wang Zhen and the others were only around level seventeen or eighteen, so with Xiao Chen's strength, being the leader was no problem.
"Gale Squad, the name's not bad. But looking at you guys, you don't seem like a gale."
"The name was given by a previous leader, and it's been used ever since."
It was a sad story; those leaders were no longer around.
"You have joined Gale Squad, team kills grant each member an additional +5% experience."
So there were benefits like this. Five percent extra experience was quite a lot. It meant that when Xiao Chen killed a monster, others could share five percent of the experience. The extra gain was fine, but if it meant losing his original experience, he would leave the team immediately. Moreover, it was mutually beneficial, as others' kills would also give him some experience. Even a little extra experience was welcome.
"Leader, with your impressive damage output, you'll reach level 30 in no time, right?"
At this rate, leveling up was indeed fast. Of course, as the level increased, the experience required to level up also rose, so it would still take some time.
"About a month, I guess."
"That's pretty fast."
"Maybe by then, we can also reach level twenty-five or twenty-six."
"Of course, that's assuming everyone is still alive by then."
It wasn't their first day on the battlefield; these young people were used to life and death, so they talked about it calmly.
"Don't worry, everyone will be just fine."
Everyone knew it was a lie, but it was still comforting to hear.
"That's right, with the leader's strength, nothing will happen."
Xiao Chen only appeared strong in front of these newcomers.
"Oh no, a level 25 elite is here, I can't hold it!"
A level 25 demon spider, with over thirty thousand health, was almost like a boss. The team members were on high alert seeing such a demon spider. A few months ago, Xiao Chen would have run away upon seeing this creature. Now, he could handle it.
"You don't need to hold it, just let it come."
Xiao Chen, as an Archer, had health almost on par with Wang Zhen, the Tank. Of course, Xiao Chen's confidence came not from defense, but from his high damage output.
"Ding, Liu Mei has cast Battle Intent on you, Attack +176."
Xiao Chen was pleased; his teammates reacted quickly. Although an increase of over a hundred in attack didn't change much.
"Slow Spell!"
It was unclear which teammate cast the skill, but the elite demon spider's speed slowed instantly.
"Not bad, not panicking, and the coordination is decent."
A level 25 elite monster could wipe them out. Staying calm in the face of life and death was indeed not easy.
Xiao Chen was the first to hit the target, and with his high damage output, the aggro stayed on him.
"Strange, these Abyssal Demon Spiders are quite high level, yet they act purely on instinct?"
They were real living beings, shouldn't they try to kill as many targets as possible? If they were more intelligent, they should aim to take out a few small ones first. Intelligent monsters should bully the weak and fear the strong, right?
"Leader, could it be that they are just low-tier monsters?"
"Low-tier at level twenty-five?"
"After all, there are monsters over a hundred levels, even higher."
"The lower their intelligence, the better, otherwise, there would be more casualties."
As they spoke, Xiao Chen moved while shooting dozens of arrows.
[Ding, Kill +1, Silver Coins +40, Spider Silk +1.]
Last time Xiao Chen killed these Abyssal Demon Spiders, he attacked from a distance on a high platform. Now, getting closer, he saw these spiders could also spray various toxins. Without the Healer occasionally dispelling, the Tank wouldn't last long.
A low-tier team encountering an elite monster could be wiped out. With Xiao Chen's addition, their monster-killing efficiency improved significantly. The Tanks pulled monsters from all directions, and Xiao Chen only needed to focus on dealing damage.
In the same leveling spot, Xiao Chen farmed Abyssal Demon Spiders for several days. Now his damage output was finally decent, and his contribution points in the guild ranked in the top ten thousand.
Daily Contribution Points: 203, Guild Rank: 8316.
***
Four days later, several teammates reached level 20, and Xiao Chen leveled up with a flash of golden light to level 26. Xiao Chen triggered the "One in a Million" skill a few more times, adding dozens of attribute points in total. There was no sudden surge in power, just day-by-day perseverance.
"If I keep accumulating like this for a few years, maybe I can be like Su Ming and the others."
Thinking of Su Ming, Xiao Chen remembered he still owed a skill book worth over a thousand gold. Perhaps thinking of Su Ming's actions, or maybe wanting to enhance the team's overall strength, Xiao Chen made a somewhat unwise decision.
"You've all reached level 20, hurry and change your equipment to level 20 black iron gear."
"Leader, a piece of black iron gear costs fifty to sixty silver coins, we can't afford it yet."
"There are ten of you, I can lend each of you 500 silver coins. After changing your gear, let's see if we can take down some more valuable targets."
The five gold lent out had a high chance of not being returned. But thinking of Su Ming's actions, Xiao Chen suddenly wanted to do something for his teammates too.
When Chuan Mufeng killed a boss, he gave each team member a gold coin. Xiao Chen himself had received the grace of many people, and if possible, some things could be passed on.
"Leader, are you really that rich?"
"Leader, you're like my own brother."
"I can finally have a full set of black iron gear?"
"Don't worry, leader, I'll definitely pay you back."
"Leader, I'll make sure to perform well, I'll pull all the nearby monsters for you to kill."
Xiao Chen was speechless; these guys were nice, just a bit talkative.
"Wang Zhen, I'll give you a gold coin, change your weapon to black iron too."
"Wow, leader, are you really planning to take on high-tier monsters?"
"Better be prepared, just in case. With your health and defense up, the whole team will be safer."
Among several Tanks, Xiao Chen could only support one. With the level up and gear change, Wang Zhen finally looked like a Tank.
[Wang Zhen, Level 20, Health 8600, Defense 465]
If his health could break ten thousand, it would be ideal. However, with his current health, the team members felt very secure.
Xiao Chen was quite satisfied; perhaps they could really run dungeons together in the future. After all, he had a summoned beast sharing experience, and his level might be surpassed by a few teammates.
[Ding, Kill +1, Silver Coins +4.]
This sound never got old, and Xiao Chen tirelessly farmed monsters every day.
"All ranged attackers with over four thousand attack, head to coordinates 112, 156 immediately. A level 45 Undying Lord has been pulled back, let's take it down together."
The voice of the team leader, Chen Zhan, suddenly rang out. Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen rushed to the target location without hesitation. Many people, like Xiao Chen, abandoned the monsters they were fighting.
A level 45 boss, extremely powerful, needed to be killed quickly to avoid serious consequences. Of course, everyone also wanted to earn some contribution points.
From hundreds of meters away, Xiao Chen saw a giant skeleton three meters tall. It looked just like Xiao Qiang, only several times larger. The Divine Soul Flame in Xiao Qiang's skull was just a tiny bit, but this giant skeleton's flame was blazing intensely. Such a boss would surely drop an Undying Crystal Core, right?
"Undead Skeleton, Level 45, Health: 367516, Defense 2025."
Over three hundred thousand health and more than two thousand defense. Xiao Chen's attacks on it only dealt around two thousand damage. Its health wasn't particularly high, but it had a skill that doubled its defense when its health dropped below half. At that point, Xiao Chen's attacks would only deal a few hundred damage. Considering its regeneration rate, it was still a bit tricky.
"Roar!"
Even without a mouth, the Death Lord let out a roar. In front of the Death Lord stood a Sword and Shield Warrior holding a giant shield.
"Why does that person look so familiar?"
A scene flashed in Xiao Chen's mind, of Sun Jian charging at a boss when he was just a few levels. "Wow, Sun Jian can actually withstand a level 45 boss now?"
Xiao Chen knew there was already a significant gap between him and Sun Jian, but he didn't expect it to be this vast.
"Attack from the maximum distance, be careful of the boss's skills!"
"In the final phase, it will summon twenty level 30 skeleton clones, clear them as quickly as possible. Otherwise, it can devour the clones to heal rapidly."
"Dispel on Sun Jian, his defense is reduced."
Chen Zhan was clearly very familiar with this boss, fighting it with no pressure. The boss had a lot of health, but it couldn't withstand so many people.
"-2891"
"-2713"
***
After a few hundred ranged attackers fought for over ten minutes, the boss was worn down.
[Ding, you gained Experience +4000 (800).]
Xiao Chen's damage accounted for only 0.4%, yet he received so much experience. The biggest contributor this time was naturally Sun Jian, who risked entering the monster horde to pull this big guy over. An outstanding Tank could benefit the entire team.
Sun Jian leveled up with a flash of golden light, reaching level 44. "These once-starting-together companions have now become the backbone of Tiannan City."
Many professionals congratulated Sun Jian, while Xiao Chen quietly left the team to continue farming monsters.
A quick look at tinyurl.com/2p9emv8w will leave you more fulfilled.
"Xiao Qiang, when will you grow to this level?"
A level 45 big guy, that's damn impressive. Xiao Qiang obviously didn't understand what Xiao Chen was saying, just looking up at him.
"Ding, you received a team distribution of 200 silver."
An unexpected windfall. This was a team tradition; whoever picked up high-tier gear from a team-killed boss would share a bit. "When will I have the chance to give out money too?"
To secure a kill, you needed strong damage output, which he couldn't achieve yet. Sun Jian was indeed an excellent Tank, and after succeeding once, he occasionally pulled back a high-tier boss. Other high-tier Tanks did similar things, benefiting the entire team greatly.
Xiao Chen took the opportunity to earn a lot of experience and occasionally received a share of the profits.
***
After farming small monsters for over ten days, Xiao Chen leveled up to twenty-seven. Other team members reached around level twenty-three.
With enough money saved for a ring, Xiao Chen immediately bought another piece of equipment.
[Spirit Link Ring, Bronze Level, Equipment Level: None
Strength +20, Agility +20, Constitution +20, Critical Hit Chance +3%, Attack Range +5]
For Xiao Chen, this was a top-tier piece of equipment, with the best attributes, plus critical hit and attack range. Courage equipment cost only 10 gold per piece, but this ring cost Xiao Chen 40 gold, four times the price, similar to a weapon.
"Just one more ring, and I'll have a full set of bronze gear."
Bronze gear held its value well, and it wouldn't depreciate much after being replaced. "Leader, did your attack range suddenly increase?"
"Yes, your observation is sharp. I bought a ring that added five to my attack range."
"Leader, you're awesome."
"Haha, I think I'm pretty awesome too."
Even with all this awesomeness, killing level twenty monsters still felt lacking. With his increased attack range, Xiao Chen occasionally had Xiao Qiang move to pull some small monsters. Several times, he helped other teams clear level 25 elite monsters, saving a few lives and earning gratitude.
[Ding, you triggered One in a Million, Random Attribute +10.]
With a bit more power, Xiao Chen decided to explore further.
"Wang Zhen, I'm planning to move forward. Do you want to come along?
Forget it, you guys better not go, it's a matter of life and death after all."
"Don't worry, leader, we can handle these spiders easily now, you go ahead."
"What do you mean by 'go ahead,' that sounds weird."
Xiao Chen left Xiao Qiang behind and used his agile movements to weave through the small monsters. After advancing a hundred meters, Xiao Chen saw a giant Abyssal Demon Spider the size of an elephant, driving its kind forward.
"A level 30 elite monster, you'll do."
High-level ones were untouchable, low-level ones were beneath him. Level 30 was just right.
[Elite Demon Spider, LV:30
Attack 1600, Health 250000, Defense 615.]
This monster was still quite strong; Xiao Chen's attacks only reduced its health by four thousand. Considering its regeneration ability, it might take over ten minutes to wear it down. After all, moving affected his attack speed.
"Maintaining an attack distance of over thirty meters should do the trick."
Level 30 elites could release venom and summon numerous clones instantly. But Xiao Chen had Quadruple Shot, so the surrounding small monsters posed no threat. With his current health and defense, even if attacked by small monsters, he'd only lose a bit of health.
Practicing in the dungeon had paid off. Attacking, moving, positioning, finding angles, Xiao Chen was surprisingly skilled. Seeing no other big guys around, Xiao Chen decisively attacked.
"-4013"
"-4126"
"It's not that hard, just like in the dungeon."
Quickly moving and attacking, he even pulled a level 25 elite monster along. In less than ten minutes, Xiao Chen heard two notifications:
[Ding, you killed a level 25 elite demon spider, Silver Coins +40, Spider Silk +1.]
[You killed a level 30 elite demon spider, Silver Coins +100, Experience +2000.]
[You obtained a Bronze Dagger!]
Hearing the notification, Xiao Chen was overjoyed. Not only did he get equipment, but it was a level 30 Assassin weapon.
"Haha, I've got the money for the last ring, and more."
Xiao Chen's level 20 bronze bow cost sixty gold, and level 30 gear would fetch dozens more. Xiao Chen was extremely satisfied, immediately selling the equipment for gold, then quickly buying another Spirit Link Ring.
"All geared up, completely satisfied."
With this, Xiao Chen's attack range reached 40 meters, which was excellent. Even more pleasing was having an 80 gold balance.
"With all the gear, I'll need to save the rest. There are many big expenses ahead, possibly buying a skill book, upgrading equipment, and if conditions allow, upgrading Xiao Qiang's tier."
A full set of bronze gear was already luxurious, more than enough for farming here. Occasionally triggering One in a Million, Xiao Chen was in high spirits while farming.
"Leader, did your attack range increase again?"
"I got another nice ring."
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan