As curiosity peaked about the nature of the Legendary Testimony, the system wasted no time in clarifying:
"Some trial challengers possess a unique strength that transcends levels. Even among the mighty immortals and buddhas, they stand out as the favored children of the heavens."
"They are known as Legends!"
"To recognize these Legends, the system has unveiled the Legendary Testimony, a leaderboard that ranks them. The Legendary Testimony is, in essence, the leaderboard for Legends!"
"Those who ascend to the Legendary Testimony will be bestowed with the honorary title of Legend. Legends are more likely to embark on legendary adventures—a risk, certainly, but also an opportunity!"
"The ability to sidestep danger and seize the moment is a testament to the Legends' prowess. Let's extend our congratulations to the current top three Legends!"
Following the announcement, all players noticed a golden leaderboard occupying the most prominent spot on the existing rankings.
Its golden glow was unmistakable, a beacon of extraordinariness.
Truly, a leaderboard befitting Legends, exuding prestige.
At that moment, the Legendary Testimony bore only three names.
In first place, Explorer?? with a combat strength of 99,999...
In second place, Explorer Lei Kun, with a combat strength of 71,111...
In third place, Explorer Blues, with a combat strength of 54,123...
This fresh leaderboard sent shockwaves through the community.
"The system's assessment is accurate; with such combat strength, they truly deserve the title of legendary!"
"One legendary individual outmatches ten thousand of us!"
"Let's reach out to Lei Kun and Blues. Boss Guangcheng may be a solitary figure, but Lei Kun and Blues might not be! If we can persuade them to join our ranks, our prospects are boundless!"
"The system's endorsement of these Legends signifies their exceptional nature, promising even greater feats in the future. We should forge alliances with these Legends. Even the elusive top-ranked boss is someone we could approach, offering goods to earn his favor!"
With the unveiling of the Legendary Certificate, these three trial challengers, each with a combat strength exceeding ten thousand, found themselves thrust into the limelight.
...
Upon his arrival at the City Lord's Mansion, Chen Guo was astonished to discover he had been named a Legend and granted the prestigious title.
This turned out to be an unexpected delight.
Chen Guo donned the prestigious title of a legendary trial challenger and, without overthinking, confidently marched into the City Lord's Mansion.
The City Lord's Mansion was renowned as the most perilous spot in all of Doonatel, prompting Chen Guo to save it for his final conquest.
The once resplendent City Lord's Mansion, though not in ruins, was shrouded in a dense, deathly aura. Above all, the sky was heavy with a particularly intense malevolence that cast a shadow over the mansion, exuding an eerie and indescribable terror.
"Level 10, Mystic Armor Guard, combat strength: 2100..."
Inside the mansion roamed the Level 10 Mystic Armor Guards, resembling an elite troop of soldiers with a formidable combat strength of over two thousand.
Chen Guo quickly understood the source of their impressive combat strength. These guards had preserved their pre-mortem prowess, clad in their thick Mystic Armor and wielding superior weapons, silent and austere.
Their approach to combat was not a simple, head-on assault. Instead, they operated in strategic formations, working in unison.
In life, they had been the cream of the crop among soldiers; in death, transformed into demons, their might remained undiminished, functioning as a disciplined military unit.
Had Chen Guo faced these elite monsters at the outset, he likely would have met his match.
But now, Chen Guo's own combat strength was so immense that these formidable monsters posed no real threat. To him, they were as insignificant as ants.
"Heavenly Master Talisman!"
"Yellow Turban Warrior, strike!"
"Flame Curse!"
With a flick of his wrist, Chen Guo unleashed the Mount Maoshan Dao Arts, carving a path through the monsters with ease, reminiscent of the legendary warrior Lu Bu in battle, leaving them disarmed and defeated.
"You have slain the Mystic Armor Guard, earning 2100 Slaughter Points..."
After clearing the courtyard of its monstrous inhabitants, Chen Guo ascended to level 16. Yet, neither his combat strength nor his attributes saw any increase.
The stagnation of his combat strength was due to an identity restriction that prevented the full display of his capabilities. While others perceived his combat strength to cap at 99999, the truth was that his actual combat strength exceeded that figure—it just couldn't be fully displayed as anything beyond 99999.
Although his attributes didn't seem to increase on the surface, in reality, they had significantly improved. The catch was that attributes were now measured in dragons.
For every 10,000 points in an attribute, only one dragon's worth of power was gained, making it imperceptible on the display.
But as for feeling stronger, that was like drinking water; one knows for oneself whether it's cold or warm.
After clearing out the common monsters in the courtyard, Chen Guo entered the grand hall of the City Lord's Mansion. There, an elderly man with snowy white hair stood resolutely.
Clad in armor and wielding a great saber, the old man stood within a magical formation, immovable.
"City Lord Dugu, Level 15 Rare Elite, Combat Strength: 9999. Former ruler of Doonatel, now its prisoner."
Yet another Rare Elite.
Chen Guo was about to engage when, to his surprise, City Lord Dugu caught his eye and spoke.
"Have you dealt with the soldiers outside, those possessed by the Fiend Demon?" inquired City Lord Dugu.
Startled, Chen Guo responded, "Yes, I've taken care of them, for the most part..."
City Lord Dugu observed, "Your strikes are exceedingly fierce, bearing the hallmarks of Mount Maoshan Dao Arts. Are you a disciple of Mount Maoshan?"
Chen Guo was utterly astounded; this was his first encounter with a creature that seemed genuinely human.
This wasn't the cunning of a monster, but the rational thought of a person. City Lord Dugu was, astonishingly, a normal human being!
"You actually possess true sentience?" Chen Guo exclaimed.
City Lord Dugu explained, "All the people in this city have become senseless, succumbing to the Fiend Demon, but I remain lucid. I understand your astonishment. Let me tell you, I am the sole sane individual in Doonatel, though inherently, I am not quite normal myself."
Chen Guo conceded, "Well, I've slain innumerable monsters, but you're the first normal person I've come across. To answer your question, I am not a Mount Maoshan disciple; I've merely mastered some of the Mount Maoshan Dao Arts, among other skills. You're likely no match for me."
City Lord Dugu declared, "You're certainly formidable, but if you're thinking of killing me, you'll likely find it impossible. Many outsiders have tried to take my life before, some far stronger than I, yet here I stand, alive. Do you know the reason for that?"
Chen Guo inquired, "Why?"
City Lord Dugu explained, "It's because my fate is tied to Doonatel. I've been cursed by your Fiend Demon to engage in endless battle with them. I've longed for release, but even after a century, I remain bound. If you doubt my words, go ahead and try to kill me. I won't resist!"