The third-floor boss offered three choices, but Bai Ye's target was already set.
The master of the demon tower, the great demon from the Hundred Ghost Night Parade—Nuehime!
The reason?
What reason was needed?
Nuehime, everyone knew, was definitely a fire-attributed boss. Facing Nuehime, Bai Ye wouldn't even need to activate his domain to trigger the "Blaze of Glory" physique.
While the Rumble-Rumble Fruit's abilities were Bai Ye's primary combat power, his Phoenix ability, after reaching golden quality, was actually stronger.
The reason was simple: the Rumble-Rumble Fruit's mastery was only half-filled.
Therefore, when he could trigger "Blaze of Glory," Bai Ye was actually more formidable.
Unsurprisingly, Nuehime was no match for Bai Ye.
A fire-attributed boss facing Bai Ye was a tragic fate. Bai Ye could directly ignore all flame damage while simultaneously being empowered by the opponent's flames.
What could be done?
Nothing but accept it!
Gao Ming, however, felt a prickle of anticipation. If the third-floor boss was dealt with so easily, what about the fourth floor?
Bai Ye glanced at Gao Ming and said, "The fourth-floor boss, I can indeed kill it, but the fourth floor has a chance to drop golden-quality items. Pay attention to the word 'chance.'"
Bai Ye could help, but he wouldn't do charity work.
Did he also have to collect items for them?
What was the point of him bringing a dozen freeloaders then?
Furthermore, "items" was a keyword. If they were purely after golden-quality items, the fourth floor was the most lackluster. As for items, those who understood would understand; whether they were useful or not was debatable, but most were consumables, and their value wasn't that great.
When should they tackle the fourth floor?
It should be when they were gathering specific items, for example, Bai Ye would go for the Two-Yin Wheel, but the fourth floor only had a chance to produce golden-quality items.
Wasn't a daily free golden item from Bai Ye's gacha machine more appealing?
Bai Ye said, "Besides, do you think the Hidden Dragon Society will abandon this forbidden zone? I can't protect you forever, can I?"
Gao Ming sighed, "Alright!"
Bai Ye was now very glad he hadn't joined the Evil Spirit Legion impulsively, otherwise, wouldn't he have become a workhorse?
Gao Ming said, "You pick, what do you want."
Bai Ye replied, "Nuehime."
The Nuehime Bai Ye mentioned wasn't the boss, but an item.
Nuehime (Item) (Red): Fire-attribute ability effect increased by 10%, speed of condensing flames when using fire-attribute attacks increased by 10%, chance of triggering burning effect increased by 10%.
This wasn't a consumable but a passive item. Bai Ye didn't need to do anything; he just had to keep it in his inventory for it to take effect.
The effect itself was average, a lower-middle tier enhancement for a red-quality item, but not having to manage it was nice, so he decisively took it.
Gao Ming nodded, handed the item to Bai Ye, then distributed the remaining loot before choosing to leave the virtual game forbidden zone.
As he took off his game helmet, Gao Ming felt a touch of emotion.
A problem that had troubled him for two to three days was resolved by Bai Ye in one day, and in less than twenty-four hours at that.
This stirred a ripple in Gao Ming's heart.
Reform was necessary!
The Evil Spirit Legion's development was indeed rapid, but everything was too ephemeral, too fleeting.
The current Evil Spirit Legion appeared formidable, but sheer numbers were useless. Like a pyramid, you couldn't expect everyone to stand at the apex.
The foundation at the bottom was essential, but what was the point of just a foundation without a cap?
No peak to the pyramid?
It was like instant noodles without the flavor packet!
Lacking any soul.
Or even worse, just the flavor packet? What use was that?
Bai Ye was unaware of Gao Ming's inner turmoil, but this was good news. While the Evil Spirit Legion appeared glorious now, it lacked competitiveness compared to the Hidden Dragon Society.
"By the way," Bai Ye said, "are you still keeping an eye on Liu Shiyue?"
Gao Ming replied, "We are. He's gone out to sea."
Bai Ye asked, "The specific sea area?"
Gao Ming said, "That's a bit difficult. It's the vast ocean, how can we track him? We don't have any moles among Liu Shiyue's retinue."
Bai Ye then asked, "So there's a mole within the Hidden Dragon Society?"
Gao Ming chuckled. As close as they were, some things couldn't be spoken of carelessly.
Bai Ye said, "If you don't know, you don't know. Can you give me a sea chart of that area? And can I borrow the Nine Revolutions Universe Wheel?"
"Sure." Gao Ming handed the items to Bai Ye and asked, "Are you going now?"
Bai Ye replied, "I need to figure out how to prepare for the sea voyage. A ship or a beast tamer, I haven't decided yet."
Gao Ming said, "What kind of ship do you need when you're alone? It's cumbersome to operate. The Nine Revolutions Universe Wheel has a coordinate for a beast tamer area. You can go there first. Liu Shiyue caught his beast tamer there to go out to sea."
Bai Ye nodded and asked, "Any recommended beast tamers? Does your Evil Spirit Legion have people there too?"
Gao Ming answered, "Wailords and Gyarados. The Hidden Dragon Society mainly captures these two. But they use them to pull ships. Actually, if you're alone, you can get Dragonite, Charizard, and Aerodactyl. These three beast tamers can fly."
Bai Ye blinked in surprise, "Aerodactyl can be ridden for flight?"
Gao Ming asked, "Yes, why?"
"Nothing!"
Bai Ye gritted his teeth. Should he just let Jin Sha's revenge go?
Why didn't that damned woman tell him that Aerodactyl could be ridden for flight? Such beast tamers were extremely valuable, allowing for faster regional transfers. Less time wasted on travel meant accumulating an advantage.
Time was the most precious resource, after all.
Of course, Jin Sha might not have known its value either. For Jin Sha at that time, it was the early days of the world war, and everything needed to be figured out.
Besides, she was already gone, why dwell on it?
What a pity. Bai Ye could only say to Aerodactyl now: The beauty of having possessed you, I didn't know to cherish.
Gao Ming continued, "However, I think it's too early for you to go there now."
Bai Ye asked, "Why?"
Gao Ming replied, "Didn't I tell you about the Summit War?"
Bai Ye nodded, "Yes."
Gao Ming explained, "The location of the Summit War is called Marineford. Currently, Liu Shiyue is wandering at sea, but it's certain he has no intention of heading to Marineford for now. I think he hasn't completed his prerequisite quests."
Bai Ye thought for a moment, then nodded, "No rush. I still need to go to Fanghu, the place you mentioned."
Gao Ming nodded, "I'll have someone draw you a sea chart for that area as well. That Turtle Rider I mentioned, you can attack him, but if you can't beat him, just run. He doesn't chase, otherwise, my men would have turned into bones long ago."
"Okay! Noted," Bai Ye said. "I'll take my leave."
As Bai Ye spoke, he spun the Nine Revolutions Universe Wheel. Soon, accompanied by the rotation of the wheel, a large area of light appeared, enveloping Bai Ye. Then, Bai Ye's figure gradually dissipated.
...