The level three floor boss offered three choices, but Bai Ye's target was already set.
The master of the Demon Tower, the great demon of the Hundred Ghosts Night Parade—Hu Zhi Huo!
The reason?
What reason was needed?
Hu Zhi Huo, anyone with half a brain knew it was a fire-attribute boss. Facing Hu Zhi Huo, Bai Ye could trigger his Fiery Rebirth ability without even activating his domain.
Although the Goro Goro no Mi was Bai Ye's main combat power, his Phoenix ability, after reaching golden quality, was actually stronger.
The reason was simple: his familiarity with the Goro Goro no Mi was only half maxed out.
So, when he could trigger Fiery Rebirth, Bai Ye was actually more formidable.
Unsurprisingly, Hu Zhi Huo was no match for Bai Ye.
A fire-attribute boss facing Bai Ye was a tragedy. Bai Ye ignored all fire damage and could even use the opponent's flames to strengthen himself.
What could be done?
Nothing but accept it.
Gao Ming, however, felt a stir of impatience. If the level three boss was so easily dealt with, what about level four?
Bai Ye glanced at Gao Ming. "The level four boss, I can kill it, but level four has a *chance* of dropping golden-quality items. Note the word 'chance'."
Bai Ye could help, but he wasn't a charity.
Did he have to collect items for them too?
What was the point of him bringing a dozen or so leeches then?
Secondly, "items" was a keyword. If the sole purpose was to obtain golden-quality items, level four was the most useless. As for items, those who knew, knew. Whether they were useful or not was debatable, but most were consumables with limited value.
When should they tackle level four?
They should go when collecting specific items, for instance, Bai Ye might go for the Two Elements Wheel. But level four only offered a chance at golden-quality items.
Wasn't Bai Ye's gacha machine offering one golden item a day, which was far more appealing?
Bai Ye continued, "Furthermore, do you think the Cang Long Society will just abandon this forbidden zone? I can't protect you forever, can I?"
Gao Ming sighed, "Alright!"
Bai Ye was now very grateful he hadn't impulsively joined the Evil Spirit Group, otherwise, wouldn't he have become an emperor of labor?
Gao Ming said, "You pick, what do you want."
Bai Ye replied, "Hu Zhi Huo."
The Hu Zhi Huo Bai Ye mentioned wasn't the boss, but an item.
Hu Zhi Huo (Item) (Red): Fire attribute ability effects are increased by 10%. When fire attribute attacks condense flames, condensation speed increases by 10%. The chance of triggering the burn effect increases 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 mid-to-low-tier enhancement for a red quality item. But the fact that it was passive made it quite good, so he promptly 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 sense of awe.
A problem that had troubled him for two or three days was resolved by Bai Ye in one day, and it hadn't even been a full twenty-four hours.
This stirred a ripple in Gao Ming's heart.
Reform was necessary!
The Evil Spirit Group's development was indeed rapid, but it was all too ephemeral, like a fleeting blossom.
The current Evil Spirit Group seemed wild and crazy, but simply having a large number of people was useless. It was like a pyramid; you couldn't expect everyone to be at the apex.
The foundation was essential, but what was the point of having only a foundation without a capstone?
A pyramid without a peak?
Wasn't that like instant noodles without the seasoning packet?
It lacked soul.
Even worse, if it only had the seasoning packet? That would be utterly useless.
Bai Ye was unaware of Gao Ming's internal monologue, but this was good news. While the Evil Spirit Group appeared glorious, they lacked competitiveness compared to the Cang Long Society.
"By the way," Bai Ye said, "are you still keeping an eye on Liu Shi Yue?"
Gao Ming replied, "We are. He's gone out to sea."
Bai Ye asked, "Specific sea area?"
Gao Ming responded, "That's a bit difficult. It's the vast ocean, how can we track him? We don't have any moles around Liu Shi Yue."
Bai Ye probed, "So, there's a mole within the Cang Long Society?"
Gao Ming chuckled vaguely. While they were friends, some matters couldn't be casually discussed.
Bai Ye conceded, "If you don't know, then you don't know. Can you give me a map of that sea area? And could I borrow the Nine Revolutions Universe Wheel?"
"Certainly." Gao Ming handed the items to Bai Ye. "Are you going now?"
Bai Ye replied, "I need to figure out how to prepare for the sea journey. A ship or a spirit beast, I haven't decided yet."
Gao Ming suggested, "Why would you need a ship by yourself? It's troublesome to operate. The Nine Revolutions Universe Wheel has a coordinate for the spirit beast area. You can go there first. Liu Shi Yue caught his spirit beasts there to go out to sea."
Bai Ye nodded. "Do you have any spirit beast recommendations? Does your Evil Spirit Group have people there as well?"
Gao Ming said, "Wailmer, Gyarados. The Cang Long Society primarily catches these two, but they use them to pull ships. In fact, if you're alone, you could get a Dragonite, Charizard, or Aerodactyl. These three spirit beasts can fly."
Bai Ye blinked in surprise. "Aerodactyl can be ridden for flight?"
Gao Ming asked, "Yes, why?"
"No reason!"
Bai Ye gritted his teeth. Should he just let Jin Sha off the hook for this revenge?
That damned woman had never told him that Aerodactyl could be ridden for flight. Such spirit beasts were extremely valuable, allowing for faster regional transfers and reducing travel time, thus accumulating an invisible advantage.
Time was the most precious resource.
Of course, Jin Sha might not have known its value either. After all, back then, Jin Sha was in the early stages of the World Arena, and everything needed to be explored.
Besides, she was already gone; why dwell on it?
It was a pity. Bai Ye could only say to Aerodactyl now: "The beauty of having you once, was not cherished by me."
Gao Ming continued, "However, I think it's still too early for you to go."
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 Marinford. Liu Shi Yue is currently wandering aimlessly at sea, but it's certain he has no intention of heading to Marinford for now. I suspect he hasn't completed his prerequisite missions."
Bai Ye pondered for a moment, then nodded. "No rush. I still need to visit Fang Hu, the place you mentioned."
Gao Ming nodded. "I'll have someone draw you a sea chart of that area as well. Regarding that turtle rider I mentioned, you can attack him, but if you can't win, just run. He won't pursue you, otherwise, my men would have turned into bones long ago."
"Okay! Noted." Bai Ye said, "I'll be going ahead."
As Bai Ye spoke, he spun the Nine Revolutions Universe Wheel. Soon, with the rotation of the wheel, a large expanse of light appeared, enveloping Bai Ye. Then, Bai Ye's figure gradually faded away.
…