"Drip, drip!"
Approximately a dozen minutes later, Dragon Soars a Thousand Miles sent a message: "My friend overseas told me that the current highest-level player is a mage from the Meria region, level 44!"
Level 44?
Quite formidable, just six levels lower than me!
Receiving this information, Jiang Han remained calm. If the other player could level up by six levels in one or two days, he would accept losing the rewards for being the first second-transformation player without complaints.
"These poisonous snakes seriously affect the indigenous people's activity area. Since I am benevolent, I must help them. Let's grind for a few more hours..." Jiang Han gazed into the depths of the Purple Flame Bamboo Forest, where numerous poisonous snakes were still present. He decided to focus on leveling first, then tackle the quests.
The poisonous snakes raised their heads. As Jiang Han approached, they entered a state of alert, cold eyes staring at him with sharp, menacing fangs exposed.
"Hiss!"
Jiang Han remained unfazed, and the Bloodthirsty Sword swept across its forehead, saying, "What are you looking at? Haven't seen a handsome guy before?"
"Hiss..."
Suddenly, the hissing intensified. The "charisma" of the handsome guy had captivated them, and they immediately pounced.
In the next moment, the self-proclaimed handsome guy turned to attract other Purple Flame Poisonous Snakes without hesitation, showing that he was, indeed, a scum.
A few minutes later...
"Boom!"
War Tread descended, trampling the Purple Flame Poisonous Snakes wildly writhing on the ground. Along with the ground shaking, bamboo leaves fluttered, marking the beginning of another round of monster respawn.
"Swoosh!"
In less than an hour and a half, golden light scattered, and Jiang Han smoothly reached level 51!
"This leveling speed is simply outrageous!" Jiang Han's excitement surged. He picked up the silver coins scattered on the ground and stored them away.
Whether in group battles or single-target control and output, War Tread was truly deserving of its SS-level skill status. It was not only powerful but also straightforward and brutal.
Persisting until nine in the evening, Jiang Han reached level 51 with 89% experience. Unable to endure his hungry stomach any longer, he temporarily logged out. As for his equipment, he had long buried it outside the Purple Flame Bamboo Forest, recorded the coordinates, and Dragon Soars a Thousand Miles would naturally send someone to retrieve it.
...
Taking off the game helmet, Jiang Han had a bit of bread and a cup of milk to fill his stomach. Hesitating for two seconds between the bed and the game, he ultimately succumbed to impulse and chose the game.
Sleep?
What sleep? Playing games is more interesting than sleeping!
Of course, Jiang Han would never utter such absurd statements. Sleep is essential, and it's better not to stay up late if not necessary. However, nine o'clock in the evening was a bit early, so he decided to play for another two hours.
Eleven o'clock!
He must log off and sleep on time at eleven!
Jiang Han secretly made a promise and then, with a clear conscience, put on the game helmet.
...
"Swoosh!"
Dazzling white light flashed, and Jiang Han reappeared in the Purple Flame Bamboo Forest.
Holding the Bloodthirsty Sword, he continued his leveling journey until precisely eleven in the evening, reaching level 52 with 96% experience!
"Just one more round, and I should reach level 53. Level up first, then sleep!" Jiang Han decided to delay a few minutes.
A wave of monster pulling and killing wouldn't take much time, and in his opinion, it wouldn't significantly impact overall sleep quality.
In just a short fifteen minutes, golden light soared from Jiang Han.
Log off!
Jiang Han, a person of self-restraint, wouldn't lack discipline. When he said he would log off, he meant it, without any hesitation.
"Hiss!"
Suddenly, a strong hissing sound came.
"Ding!~"
System prompt: Your wanton slaughter of Purple Flame Poisonous Snakes has angered the [Purple Flame Poisonous Snake King]!
Hearing the system alert, Jiang Han immediately understood that the boss had arrived!
"Ssh, ssh..."
In the thicket of weeds, a rustling sound could be heard.
Jiang Han focused his gaze and saw a boss, several times thicker than the ordinary Purple Flame Poisonous Snakes, resembling a python, winding its way on the ground. Wherever it passed, it left deep tracks. Its snake skin was crimson, fangs pitch-black, and its sharp eyes emitted an exceptionally dangerous aura —
[Purple Flame Poisonous Snake King] (Dark Gold-level boss)
Level: 68
Health: 7,500,000
Attack: 11,500-12,000
Defense: 5,000-5,350
Skills: [Swift], [Venomous Snake Kiss], [Poison Mist Diffusion], [Super Bloodthirst]
Introduction: The king of the Purple Flame Bamboo Forest, standing out from thousands of poisonous snakes, powerful and massive. It is believed that it can swallow you whole in one gulp.
...
Dark Gold-level?!
Jiang Han's fighting spirit instantly dissipated.
The difference between Dark Gold and Golden was too vast. His attacks would barely scratch its defense, coupled with the level suppression, making it impossible to defeat.
"I'm feeling drowsy and physically drained. You're lucky this time." Taking advantage of the fact that the opponent had not yet approached, Jiang Han chose to log out without a second thought, turning into a white light and disappearing into the bamboo forest.
He was in no hurry.
At this stage, no one could kill this boss, and he had already claimed the first kill of the Dark Gold.
...
The next day, at eight in the morning.
Jiang Han went downstairs to the breakfast shop, bought some steamed buns, fried dough sticks, soy milk, and had a simple meal. Then, he logged in again.
"Swoosh!"
In the dazzling white light, he reappeared where he had logged out. However, the Purple Flame Poisonous Snake King was already gone.
It was time to do quests.
After some thought, Jiang Han decided to give up on continuous monster grinding. With his current condition, if he continued for two more rounds, the Purple Flame Poisonous Snake King would likely reappear, affecting his quest progress.
But...
How to explore the secret realm?
Jiang Han furrowed his brows slightly, looked around, and felt nothing unusual. He didn't know where to start.
Actually, he had observed his surroundings while grinding monsters, but there was no harvest.
"Sheryl said this quest is difficult for a reason."
Since he had killed the nearby Purple Flame Poisonous Snakes, they hadn't respawned yet, allowing him to search freely without worries. Occasionally encountering a few ignorant snakes, he could easily deal with them.
If it's a secret realm, there should be an entrance, right?
Insightful Eye!
Jiang Han tried to use the reconnaissance skill on the nearby trees.
Generally, secret realms were mostly located on a large tree or an object high enough for a person to pass through, just like how it was set in movies —
[Zhang Tree]
Introduction: Why investigate an ordinary camphor tree? I don't understand.
...
Jiang Han never thought of finding the secret realm easily. He continued to use Insightful Eye, trying not to miss any area that looked somewhat like an entrance to a secret realm.
Wandering aimlessly in the Purple Flame Bamboo Forest, he kept using the Insightful Eye without cooldown, attempting to rely on luck.
After more than an hour...
"Ding!~"
System prompt: Through Insightful Eye, you have sensed a trace of residual energy from the secret realm. Current progress: 48%!
"!!"
Jiang Han's spirit shook. What did I do? Suddenly, I'm at 48% progress?
"Ding!~"
System prompt: Due to your high-level reconnaissance skill, progress doubles, reaching 96%!
"Ding!~"
System prompt: Thanks to your sharp Insightful Eye ability, you receive additional progress as a reward. Currently, it's at 99.8%!
"Ding!~"
System prompt: Congratulations, with only 0.2% progress remaining, you can find the entrance to the secret realm. You have surpassed 99.9% of players. Invite more friends to explore the secret realm in the Purple Flame Bamboo Forest, and the speed will be even faster!