Along the way, Jiang Chen encountered many guards.
He killed Underworld Guards one by one, venturing deeper.
At that moment, Jiang Chen was dumbfounded.
Another three-way fork.
Damn it... Is this never-ending or what!
Jiang Chen just wanted to curse out loud. Who the hell designed this?
With no other option, Jiang Chen entered the first fork.
[Underworld Toad Monster]
[Level: 10]
[HP: 3,000/3,000]
[Physical Attack Power: 20-30]
[Physical Defense: 20-30]
[Magic Defense: 20-24]
Jiang Chen saw a group of Toad Monsters and quickly charged, his Sword Qi flaring...
"Die, Toad Monsters!"
[+60 Experience]
[+60 Experience]
[+60 Experience]
[+60 Experience]
...
After killing the Toad Monster boss, a key dropped.
[Key, 1/6]
Looking at the key, Jiang Chen understood. He needed to gather six keys. When facing the Underworld King, he would insert the keys into an altar. This would destroy the Underworld King's protective shield. Six keys meant three were in the caves to the left and three in the caves to the right. There were six mini-bosses in the entire Underworld Altar. After killing the six mini-bosses, he would obtain all the keys, allowing him to face the main boss.
It really is a game mechanic!
Jiang Chen couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and exasperation.
Jiang Chen looked at the equipment:
[Underworld Robe (Black Iron)]
[Level: 10]
[Wearable by: Magician, Archer, Swordsman]
[Physical Defense Power: 10-15]
[Magical Defense Power: 10-15]
[Constitution +1]
[Spirit +1]
[Underworld Suit Part One: Collect all six pieces of the set to activate the following abilities.]
[Physical Defense Power: +30]
[Magical Defense Power: +30]
[Constitution +15]
[Spirit +15]
[Agility +2]
Jiang Chen smiled. This is an Underworld Set! Indeed, there's equipment, and this gear is pretty good too!
Now that there was a mechanism, things were much simpler. Jiang Chen headed back and entered the second cave to the left. Just as he expected, a mini-boss was hidden deep within.
After killing it, he obtained another key.
He also acquired the Underworld Boots.
[Underworld Boots (Black Iron)]
[Level: 10]
[Wearable by: Magician, Archer, Swordsman]
[Physical Defense Power: 10-15]
[Magical Defense Power: 10-15]
[Agility +1]
Jiang Chen cracked a slight smile.
He pressed on.
I was just worried about not having any equipment, and here it is, like a pillow for a sleepy head. This Underworld Altar is clearly a place that produces equipment—an entire set, no less! If this set were taken to the market, it would probably sell for several million.
Jiang Chen continued killing monsters and collecting the set pieces.
The third cave on the left.
[Underworld Magic Guard]
[Level: 14]
[HP: 5,000/5,000]
[Physical Attack Power: 20-30]
[Physical Defense: 20-30]
[Magic Defense: 20-24]
[Description: An Underworld Magic Guard possessing magical abilities. Its flames are exceptionally strong...]
For Jiang Chen, this was all too simple.
With a flash of Sword Qi, Jiang Chen swiftly slew the Magic Guard.
His quest to collect the equipment began...
Underworld Robe, Underworld Boots, Underworld Pants, Underworld Ring, Underworld Bracelet, Underworld Belt...
Jiang Chen looked at his status panel.
[Name: Jiang Chen]
[Occupation: Swordsman]
[Level: 15]
[Experience: 0/20,000]
[Constitution: 33]
[Strength: 10]
[Spirit: 34]
[Agility: 6]
[Equipment: Blood Long Sword (Silver), Underworld Robe, Underworld Boots, Underworld Pants, Underworld Ring, Underworld Bracelet, Underworld Belt...]
[Space: 7]
[Skill:
Basic Swordsmanship: Concentrate all inner strength to unleash a beam of sword light forward, attacking the enemy. Attack range: 40 meters. Concentration time: 0.3 seconds. MP Cost: 1.
Basic Footwork: Temporarily increases Agility to dodge enemy attacks. Duration: 500 seconds. MP Cost: 1.
Sword Qi Surging: Condenses one hundred Sword Qi that circle around, actively attacking enemies. Duration: 100 minutes. Attack frequency: 0.1 seconds. MP Cost: 2.
Passive Skill Meditation: While standing still, spiritual power is slowly recovered. Recovery Rate: 1 point every 0.1 seconds.]
Total Set Attributes:
Physical Defense Power +100
Magical Defense Power +100
Physical Attack Power: 120
Magic Attack Power: 120
Constitution +40
Strength +20
Spirit +40
Agility +10
These were the attribute bonuses provided by the equipment. Jiang Chen had now completely passed the novice period. After reaching Level 10, one could equip gear, and this gear brought extremely powerful attributes. The difference between a player wearing a set and one without was at least tenfold. This was why the time before Level 10 was considered the novice period. After Level 10, one was no longer a novice—that was the distinction. After Level 10, players could wear sets and receive attribute bonuses.
The importance of equipment was self-evident.
And this was just a Black Iron Grade set. If it were a Silver-grade Suit, or even a Legendary Set, the bonuses would be exponentially greater.
Most people, after passing the novice period, if they came from influential clans, would have sets customized for them. That was the disparity. Ordinary individuals faced great difficulty in acquiring sets and could only progress by grinding monsters and leveling up step by step.
Even in these different worlds, one couldn't escape capitalism.
After killing the six mini-bosses, Jiang Chen had obtained all the keys.
[Key: Insert into the Underworld King's Altar, and the Underworld King's magic shield will disappear...]
A very simple explanation.
Jiang Chen took a deep breath. Now he could finally kill the Underworld King.
Jiang Chen retraced his steps.
He had cleared all the lesser monsters along the way. They wouldn't respawn unless he exited the Underworld Altar, which would also reset the instance.
Jiang Chen, familiar with the path, easily found the Underworld King.
The Underworld King stood up.
Jiang Chen buffed himself. This time, with the set bonuses, his Constitution, Strength, spiritual power, and Agility had all significantly improved—by at least tenfold. Moreover, wearing the set granted him considerable defensive power.
Facing the Underworld King now, Jiang Chen felt sufficiently confident. He had the keys, after all.
The Underworld King rose, sword in hand, and advanced towards Jiang Chen. Jiang Chen casually slashed with his sword...
-1...
Damn... Still no damage! It seems I can only defeat the Underworld King by inserting the key.
Jiang Chen retreated, luring the Underworld King away. Once the Underworld King was a good distance from the altar, Jiang Chen swiftly dashed towards it.
Seeing the deep red keyhole, Jiang Chen no longer hesitated and inserted the key.
CLICK! CLICK!
Instantly, the shield around the Underworld King vanished. With an enraged roar, the Underworld King charged at Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen smirked. Underworld King, the real battle has just begun...
"Face my wrath!"
Jiang Chen struck casually with his sword.
-1,000...
Jiang Chen laughed heartily. Dealing 1,000 damage per hit meant it would only take 24 strikes to kill the Underworld King. But for me, he thought, why would I even need that many?