Meeting the Dragon Knight for the first time
Jiang Han wore a bewildered expression.
"This old man seems quite reasonable, but he's actually the seventh-ranked demon on the Dark Camp's strength ranking?!"
"It appears you know who I am now." Raelph noticed Jiang Han's change of expression, understanding it well. "This struggle between light and darkness is a case of making a mountain out of a molehill. As a Dark Swordsman, don't disgrace the Dark Camp."
The reason he appeared not far from Tianhai Town at Pacifying Lake was to witness this confrontation. Otherwise, no matter how fortunate Jiang Han was, he wouldn't have encountered him for no reason.
Making a mountain out of a molehill?
Jiang Han increasingly felt that the exclusive main storyline struggle between light and darkness was extraordinary. "What do you mean? Are you demons going to support me?"
"We won't actively intervene," Raelph gently shook his head. "Whether you can win or not depends on your abilities. We're just here to observe the process."
"Since demons can't make a move, then the powerful individuals on the side of the Bright Camp should just be spectators, right?" Jiang Han got to the point.
What he feared the most was the "plot kills"!
If a powerful figure appeared at this stage, beyond his current capabilities, all his efforts would be in vain.
"Well..." Raelph furrowed his brow, his aged face carrying some concern. "It's not certain."
If Jiang Han were to die at other times, he wouldn't care, but death during the struggle between light and darkness would undoubtedly severely damage morale.
On the contrary, a Dark Swordsman representing the Dark Camp killing the divine beings summoned by the Holy See of the Bright Camp held significant meaning.
His concern lay in the outcome of the struggle, not in Jiang Han's personal safety.
"Not certain?" Jiang Han couldn't help but smile bitterly.
Are you saying that even if I defeat Ulysses, powerful figures from the Bright Camp may still appear?
"You need to understand, you've offended the entire Holy See. This isn't just a personal grievance between you and Ulysses. In other words, the Holy See is qualified to take action against you." Raelph stated solemnly.
Jiang Han furrowed his brow, understanding his explanation.
Without a certain level of "grievance," intervention wouldn't be possible...
"Consider the Azure Water Fish as my personal support to you," Raelph turned around, preparing to leave. "I hope this generation of Dark Swordsman won't meet an early demise. Farewell!"
"Wait!"
Jiang Han spoke up to stop him.
"What is it? Do you have more to say?" Raelph turned around, wearing a puzzled expression. "I've said what needs to be said. I can't truly help you; you'll have to overcome this calamity on your own."
"I don't expect the old man to lend a helping hand. I just hope you can deliver something for me to someone else. In return, I'm willing to share the Thunderous Turtle with the old man!"
Raelph: "..."
...
Later, Jiang Han watched as Raelph flew into the sky and disappeared into the distance.
"Ding!~"
System prompt: The third round of "World Martial Arts Tournament" is about to begin. Would you like to be transported to the competition venue immediately?
"Yes!"
After a fishing competition, with only five minutes left until the start of the World Martial Arts Tournament, Jiang Han had no time to delay.
"Swoosh!"
The scene changed, and he appeared in the bustling venue of the World Martial Arts Tournament. Looking around, each arena was larger than the previous rounds, offering more space for players to showcase their skills.
"Ding!~"
System prompt: Please note that the third round is the Top 100 match. According to the system's calculation, winning eight matches alone will qualify you for advancement!
The opponents in the World Martial Arts Tournament were still randomly assigned, with no changes. This was normal, as randomness did have an element of luck, but everyone had ten chances to fail, significantly reducing the luck factor.
In addition, straightforward rules were easier for people to accept. If the rules were complicated, requiring patience to read, it would likely decrease player engagement.
The five-minute preparation time quickly passed...
"Ding!~"
System prompt: The third round of the "World Martial Arts Tournament" is officially beginning!
"Swoosh swoosh swoosh..."
For a moment, white light appeared below the arenas, and many players stepped onto the stage, using various skills to greet their opponents.
Still awaiting his turn, Jiang Han opened his inventory. His gaze fixed on a light green fish pattern—a prize from the confrontation with the seventh demon, Raelph. He immediately checked the details:
[Azure Water Fish](S-grade)
Introduction: A small fish condensed from the essence of water, its flesh possesses extraordinary healing abilities.
Effect: Restores 10% of health per second, lasting for ten seconds.
Additional Effect: +100,000 to base health.
Restriction: Additional effect only works once.
...
The demon was indeed generous. The health restoration effect of 10% per second for ten seconds could turn the tide in critical moments. Moreover, the increase in base health was substantial, adding to percentage bonuses, title final health bonuses—likely starting in the millions, surpassing the Elf Springwater he saw in the demon's treasure trove!
"Swoosh!"
At a certain moment, Jiang Han was forcibly transported to the stage by the system, facing an opponent—a slightly chubby mage with the game ID "Lang Li Bai Piao" (Waves White Freeload).
"Jiang Han?" Seeing that his opponent was the currently popular player in the game, Lang Li Bai Piao's expression slightly changed. Without hesitation, he cast a flame shield to protect himself.
"Ding!~"
System prompt: Lang Li Bai Piao uses the skill [Flame Shield], gaining a shield equivalent to 80% of his health!
Seeing this, Jiang Han rushed forward.
"Whoosh!"
The next moment, Lang Li Bai Piao used the mage's life-saving skill, Blink, appearing ten meters away.
However, this was just delaying death. Jiang Han unleashed the Death Grip skill, a large hand formed from dark purple energy firmly controlling him. Death Strike followed, severing both the person and the shield.
"Damn!"
Returning to the stage, Lang Li Bai Piao's face turned pale, frightened. "Is it so brutal?"
With his equipment, even an ordinary swordsman couldn't break through it with ten slashes. However, the opponent shattered the shield and killed him in a single strike—a ruthless act.
"Otherwise?" Beside him, a blue-armored swordsman named "Leopard Head Zero Top-Up" laughed. "Do you really think Jiang Han's popularity is just hyped up by the media and netizens?"
"Ah, no wonder he became the final boss in the siege of Tianhai Town. Indeed, not something a single player can contend with."
"Well, maybe the guild leader has never revealed his true strength before. Perhaps he can compete with Jiang Han."
...
"Swoosh!"
Soon, Jiang Han was forcibly moved to the stage by the system again, still carrying his opponent away with a single sword.
Until he accumulated six victories, in the seventh match, he rarely encountered a player with a hidden profession:
[Wei Qian
Duo Er](Dragon Knight)
Level: 53
Health: 303,700
Attack: 5,100-5,370
Defense: 2,005-2,220
Skills: [Dragon Soar Secret], [Shield Break Strike], [Dragon Shadow Combo], [Unyielding Aura]
...
Dragon Knight!
This was undoubtedly a legitimate rare profession, likely to make countless players envious. After all, as a Dragon Knight, they would eventually have a dragon as a mount through their relationship with a mentor.
Seeing his opponent as Jiang Han, the tall and burly Wei Qian Duo Er showed no fear. Instead, he revealed a hint of fighting spirit, wielding a long spear and charging over without hesitation. "Even my mentor says that the potential of Dark Swordsman, a hidden profession, is limitless. I want to see how strong you are!"
"Hiss!"
As the spear turned into a cold glow, Jiang Han ducked low, then extended his right foot, kicking heavily on the opponent's knee. With a "crack," the opponent's bone snapped, and he awkwardly fell forward.
"Ding!~"
System prompt: You used the skill Bone Breaker, dealing 134,887 damage to the adventurer Wei Qian Duo Er and triggering the Bone Break effect, reducing movement speed by 20% for thirty seconds!
"Oh damn!"
Wei Qian Duo Er quickly got up, his face turning pale at the system information.
A 20% reduction in movement speed for thirty seconds—wasn't this duration a bit too outrageous?