The Chen Army and Glory Guild members avoided logging in and were clearly playing a war of attrition.
They were waiting.
After all, Zhang Yue was from Zhejiang. He would eventually have to return and couldn't stay in Tianjing forever.
But little did they know, Zhang Yue had already seen through Chen Jun's petty schemes.
"If they want to drag this out, then I'll play along."
After breakfast, Zhang Yue logged into The Otherworld and selected the Eighth World to enter.
Switching login locations in The Otherworld would reset progress and data for the current world.
For Zhang Yue, this meant that starting over in the Eighth World from Tianjing was no big deal. He could just clear it here before heading back to Zhejiang.
Or maybe... he wouldn't go back at all.
He could settle in Tianjing, establish a permanent base for Heavens Hall, and continue his journey here.
After all, people aim higher just as water flows downward.
Thanks to the generous donations from the Chen Army, Zhang Yue estimated that a few hundred thousand could establish a guild base in a second-tier province like Zhejiang.
In Tianjing, even if it cost two or three million, it would be more than manageable.
Then, turning Heavens Hall into the top guild in Tianjing would be an exciting possibility.
Besides, historical records indicated that the Eighth World, Ghost Domain, accessible from Tianjing, housed a legendary ghost.
It was said to be a beautiful female ghost whose looks rivaled Xishi, one of China's Four Beauties, and who had enchanted countless adventurers.
If he hadn't come here, Zhang Yue wouldn't have considered this.
But now that he was in Tianjing, he thought, why not take the chance to see this Ghost Beauty for himself?
Others sought her out for her beauty, longing for a romantic encounter.
But for Zhang Yue?
Emotions were a luxury he couldn't afford.
"Let's see if I can kill her and make a fortune out of it."
———
[Ding~ Welcome to The Otherworld's Eighth World: Ghost Domain. You are currently in the Safe Zone: Divine City]
As the system notification ended, a white light enveloped Zhang Yue, and he descended into a ruined city shrouded in red light, like something out of hell.
Upon entering the Eighth World—
WHOOSH!
Two beams of golden light cascaded down from above, and Zhang Yue leveled up from 50 to 52.
This came from the SS-tier rewards he earned after clearing the Snow King Palace dungeon, now released.
Zhang Yue then opened the world's background description:
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[Eighth World: Ghost Domain]
Background: Darkness blankets the land, and ghosts roam the night. Fallen human souls from battles of past have turned into vengeful spirits that haunt the outskirts of Divine City. Your mission is to kill these ghosts to prevent them from invading the city. If they breach the gates, they will devour the entire city.
World Mission 1: Kill eight different types of ghosts with varying soul purity levels (Progress: 0/8).
World Mission 2: Kill at least 100 ghosts with a soul purity level higher than five (Progress: 0/100).
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According to strategy guides, ghosts in the Eighth World are ranked by soul purity, which determines their strength and drop rates.
Level 1 purity ghosts are the most common, with standard drop rates.
Level 2 purity ghosts drop items at double the rate of Level 1.
Level 3 purity ghosts triple that of Level 1, and so on.
Higher purity levels mean stronger ghosts and better rewards.
Ghosts with Level 3 or higher purity have a chance to drop rare [Demon Set] equipment, which is crucial for encountering the "Ghost Beauty."
Zhang Yue's broader goal was to reach Level 70 as soon as possible.
At Level 70 and Third Advancement, all his skills would be upgraded to SS-tier.
Additionally, he could use his Evolution Scroll to evolve his Shadow Predator into a Legendary-grade pet, and then upgrade it further to Mythic-grade using Void Stone.
His Demonic Contract would also advance from Epic to Legendary-grade.
Reaching Level 70 promised an explosive increase in power for Zhang Yue.
To speed up his progress, Zhang Yue accepted a quest from an NPC shaman, Spirit Lady, in Divine City.
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[Exorcism] (Ordinary Quest)
Difficulty: 1030
Description: Recently, malevolent spirits in the Haunted Dormitory north of Divine City have become rampant, threatening the city. Please eliminate the ghosts inside.
Quest Progress: Kill 5 malevolent ghosts (0/5).
Rewards: 5 million XP, 80 gold, 3 million energy points, one 6–7-star item (Level 50)
Time Limit: 12 hours.
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While this quest only required killing five ghosts, it wasn't as simple as it appeared.
Zhang Yue chose it because it aligned well with the World Mission objectives.
———
Exiting Divine City through the northern gate, Zhang Yue encountered a desolate cemetery stretching endlessly into the horizon.
Chilling wails and eerie cries echoed from all directions, enough to paralyze most people with fear.
But not Zhang Yue.
A single man feared nothing.
Following his map, he soon arrived at the Haunted Dormitory—a dilapidated building surrounded by faint blue ghost flames.
As Zhang Yue approached, one of the flames floated towards him.
Moments later, the flame transformed into a vengeful ghost, clad in black, with disheveled hair, a bloodied face, and clawed hands.
The ghost brandished a scythe wreathed in blue fire and screamed, "I died so miserably!" as it charged at Zhang Yue.
Unfazed, Zhang Yue gripped his 7-star Void Staff.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Combining Heavenly Firestorm, Frozen Earth, Thunderbolt, and Heaven-Slaying God Curse, he unleashed an SS-tier skill combo that obliterated the ghost.
-45,592!
-47,258!
-44,369!
-102,579!
In total, over 240,000 damage instantly wiped out the 51-level ghost's 150,000 HP.
"Yeah, you definitely died miserably," Zhang Yue commented, glancing at the ghost's lifeless body.
[Ding~ You have slain a Level 51 Vengeful Ghost (Soul Purity Level 1) XP +2200]
Zhang Yue picked up a silver coin and a black key fragment dropped by the ghost.
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[Key Fragment] (Special Item)
Description: Collect 100 fragments to assemble a complete key, which can unlock the Haunted Dormitory.
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To complete the quest, Zhang Yue needed to collect key fragments by killing ghosts outside the dormitory to unlock its doors and release the malevolent spirits inside.
Summoning the Skeleton King, Zhang Yue sent it to aggro twenty nearby vengeful ghosts at once.
Supported by his Extinction Dragon and Shadow Predator, Zhang Yue launched an array of devastating AOE attacks.
Judgment of Hell!
Necromantic Storm!
Thunderstorm!
Dragonflame Apocalypse!
Void Breath!
The powerful barrage decimated the ghost horde, leaving Zhang Yue's summoned beasts to clean up the stragglers.
[Ding~ You have slain a Level 51 Vengeful Ghost (Soul Purity Level 1) XP +2200]
[Ding~ You have slain a Level 52 Vengeful Ghost (Soul Purity Level 2) XP +4800]
[Ding~ You have slain a Level 52 Vengeful Ghost (Soul Purity Level 5) XP +12,000]
"Huh, a Level 5 ghost snuck in? The drop rate seems decent," Zhang Yue muttered as he noticed something shiny drop to the ground.
Walking closer, he picked up a pair of black shoes.
It was part of the [Demon Set]
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