"Snow Emperor, wait!"Seeing Lin Tianhao about to log off, Floating Mountain quickly called out to him."Something else?""Snow Emperor, I'm the young master of the Floating Mountain Guild. I'd like to invite you to join us. How about a ten million annual salary?"Floating Mountain had a keen understanding of gaming. Lin Tianhao's skills were extraordinary, surpassing any professional player he had ever seen.That level of skill alone was worth a multi-million salary. And that was before considering Lin Tianhao's incredible stats."Sorry, I've already formed my own team," Lin Tianhao shook his head. "Thank you for the offer.""Oh? I see. But we could still become long-term partners," Floating Mountain suggested."No problem," Lin Tianhao agreed, then paused. "You said you're the young master of the Floating Mountain Guild?""Yes, why?""Since we've met, I'll give you a piece of advice: watch out for your sister."In his previous life, news broke three months after the launch of Twilight of the Gods that the Floating Mountain Group was undergoing a major reshuffle.The Floating Mountain Group's young master had been in a car accident due to brake failure, leaving him crippled. Six months later, it was revealed that his own sister was behind the sabotage."Watch out for my sister?" Floating Mountain frowned. "What do you mean?""Just remember what I said," Lin Tianhao replied, waving his hand dismissively. Since they'd met, he felt obligated to offer a warning. What Floating Mountain did with that information was his own business.This time, Lin Tianhao didn't log off where he stood. He returned to the newbie village before logging out, wary of the assassin. Logging off in the wilderness would be too risky.After logging out, Lin Tianhao checked the time.Eight in the morning.Zhou Xiaopang was still in-game.Lin Tianhao didn't disturb him. He opened the refrigerator and made breakfast.As a revolutionary online game, Twilight of the Gods had a remarkable feature: players' bodies received adequate rest in-game, and their minds even became more refreshed.Later, experts explained that this was because being in the game was similar to sleeping.This wasn't entirely accurate. It was only discovered later in the game's life that leveling up and increasing stats in the game could enhance one's soul, leading to improved mental well-being in reality."Fatty, log off and eat," Lin Tianhao called out.Due to budget constraints, they were using standard game pods, not the advanced nutrient pods. The highest-grade nutrient pods, filled with specialized nutrient solutions, could supposedly keep players online for up to half a month without needing to log off.Zhou Xiaopang just logged off and grinned at Lin Tianhao. "Brother Hao, you were right. Going solo is a great way to make money.""I got a level seven piece of equipment today and sold it for twelve thousand. There are so many rich players in this game," he exclaimed.Lin Tianhao chuckled noncommittally. It wasn't just that there were many rich individual players.The real drivers of equipment and skill book prices were the guilds, conglomerates, and even the government.The guilds, recognizing Twilight of the Gods' immense popularity, knew it was a goldmine. The traditional gaming industry was worth billions; Twilight of the Gods' market would be worth hundreds of billions, even trillions.The conglomerates and the government, understanding the true nature of Twilight of the Gods, knew the importance of becoming stronger in the game.Lin Tianhao knew why Zhou Xiaopang was doing so well in the early game. He had chosen the Warrior class and, after leaving the newbie village, had encountered a bard. After hearing the bard recite terrible poetry, Zhou Xiaopang had impressed him with classical Chinese poems.This had not only pleased the bard but had also earned Zhou Xiaopang his admiration. The bard had even offered to become his disciple.The apprenticeship gift was three passive warrior skills: Double Armor, Double Shield, and Double Slash.Their effects were:
Double Armor: Reflects a percentage of all damage received back to the attacker. Double Shield: Grants a shield equal to a percentage of the user's health whenever a crowd control skill is used. Double Slash: Every attack (including skills, equipment effects, and potion effects) has a chance to trigger multiple hits.
These skills provided a balance of damage reflection, defense, and damage output.Most importantly, they were all passive skills, triggering endlessly.Double Slash and Double Shield could even stack. For example, the Warrior's Charge skill, a crowd control skill, would trigger Double Shield. If Double Slash triggered multiple hits, the shield would also stack multiple times."Brother Hao, I'm already level nine and have gotten three passive skills," Zhou Xiaopang said excitedly. "I'm sure I'll find even better equipment later."Lin Tianhao nodded. "Fatty, there's no rush. I've already paid for my sister's surgery.""You have?""Yeah." Lin Tianhao showed him the payment receipt. "I got even luckier than you. I farmed a boss.""Holy crap, Brother Hao, you're Snow Emperor?"Lin Tianhao nodded and told Zhou Xiaopang, "Let's eat. I'll put together a newbie village guide for you later. There are a lot of hidden rewards there.""I see. Brother Hao, you're amazing. If Li Haitao knew what you've accomplished, he'd be green with envy."While eating, Lin Tianhao recalled the newbie village guides.Each class had hidden rewards tailored to them."Fatty, go to the newbie village tavern, buy two bottles of the most expensive liquor, and take them to the blacksmith. Ask him to forge the strongest warrior weapon he can," Lin Tianhao instructed."He'll give you a series of quests. The more quests you complete, the greater the rewards.""Got it." Zhou Xiaopang agreed without questioning Lin Tianhao's source of information.After breakfast, Lin Tianhao gave Zhou Xiaopang two more guides, one for Monkey and one for Glasses."Fatty, you go into the game. I'll go check on Qingqing.""Let's go together," Zhou Xiaopang suggested, accompanying Lin Tianhao to the hospital.Because Lin Tianhao had already paid, the hospital was arranging the surgery.In the ward, Lin Tianhao looked at the unconscious Lin Qingqing, his expression softening. "Doctor, when will my sister's surgery begin?" he asked."We're making arrangements now. The surgery can be performed this afternoon. You can sign here," the doctor replied."Okay." Lin Tianhao nodded and signed the consent form.After that, Lin Tianhao returned to his rented apartment and logged back into the game.