Absolute Destiny Game-Chapter 852 - 65: Duel, Planting Trees

High noon.

An abandoned temple.

The inky clouds cast pitch-black shadows on the ground.

The chilly wind was soughing, wild grass like mounds.

A swordsman stood with his sword on his back, his gaze like stars beneath his bamboo hat, staring into the distance.

He had not moved, yet his sword intent had already soared into the clouds.

On the distant black horizon, a blurry figure gradually appeared, approaching slowly.

The person was cloaked in a black robe that covered their entire body, with no legs underneath the robe, but rather floating in mid-air like a ghost.

A white mask was worn on the face, with chilling features painted on it.

The figure in the black robe came closer and stood at the gate of the abandoned temple, confronting the swordsman in blue across the air.

"You have come." The swordsman in blue said coldly.

"I have come." The eerie figure in the black robe said sinisterly.

"You should not have come."

"Oh, why?"

"Your coming only brings death."

"Hehehe, none shall die today, for I shall make you my puppet, to serve me for life."

"Last time I fell for your evil technique, this time, it won’t be so easy."

"Hehehe! Using spells against you is merely to save trouble; do you think without spells I can’t deal with you?"

"Less talk, let’s fight!"

In an instant, sword light shot forth like a rainbow, icy glints illuminated the surroundings, as the swordsman in blue unleashed a big move upon striking, his sword qi cutting, instantly causing a wave of damage.

The Puppet Master’s eyes showed a bit of surprise, but he immediately waved his hand, causing a few papermen to float to the ground. They twitched their limbs, their bodies swelling as though inflated, and in the blink of an eye, transformed into lifelike figures, both male and female, all dressed as warriors, each holding weapons, charging forward to attack.

Paper Puppet·Brave Warrior (Puppet Master’s servant): Level 33.

Paper Puppet·Red Heroine (Puppet Master’s servant): Level 34.

Paper Puppet·Fierce General (Puppet Master’s servant): Level 35.

Paper Puppet·Jianghu Guest (Puppet Master’s servant): Level 34.

These papermen were evidently victims of the Puppet Master’s past crimes, now turned into his subordinates.

The four summons, each possessing over thirty levels of strength and skilled in martial arts, launched their deadly attacks from all sides, seeming no different from living people.

Yet the swordsman in blue showed no fear, moving like the wind, while dodging attacks, his sword swept toward the Puppet Master like a breeze.

Meanwhile, not far away, a group of players was lurking in hiding.

"Hey Feng, are we sure we’re not stepping in? With so many of us, why don’t we just go in and wipe him out?"

"Yeah, with a scoundrel like this, no need for chivalry, let’s just gang up on him."

Xiao Jie was slightly helpless, "Of course I know, but Xia insisted on a solo duel."

This Xia Yi the Unrivaled is quite a character, adamant about soloing this duel task, claiming soloing is the only way to earn full reputation, repeatedly instructing us not to intervene unless absolutely necessary.

We had to respect our teammate’s choice.

Fortunately, Xia Yi the Unrivaled’s strength had greatly increased since unlocking the Demon Slaying Sword, successfully holding his own in this one against five fight.

However, being outnumbered, it still seemed unfavorable to drag it out, fearing that his Inner Strength might run out first.

Clang, clang, clang!

The sound of clashing weapons echoed continuously. Xia Yi the Unrivaled used an area attack to repel enemies, surrounded by four paper puppets with the Puppet Master gloating outside the circle.

"See, no matter how skilled you are, you can’t escape my grasp. Bow to me and become my puppet, and you won’t suffer the pain of mortality, isn’t that good?"

Xia Yi the Unrivaled snorted coldly, "Even a dead man talks so much, within three moves, I’ll take your life."

The Puppet Master laughed instead of getting angry, "Hahaha, such bravado, begs you to be my slave—attack!"

At the Puppet Master’s command, the four paper puppets assumed positions, launching a full-scale attack with their fierce killer moves.

Blades sliced toward his face, a long spear pierced his body, sword shadows pierced his heart, a great axe hacked at his chest, each move was lethal.

Xia Yi the Unrivaled, however, raised his long sword in front of his face, assuming a stance that made no sense.

Secret Technique—Wanxiang Wuji!

Swish, swish, swish, swish!

The four killing moves all cut through air, as if Xia Yi the Unrivaled’s figure was a slideshow or like bullet time from The Matrix, each slash would instantly transform into another gesture, easily dodging the attacks of the four paper puppets, instantly returning to the original posture.

Then he suddenly moved.

A sword pointed straight at the Puppet Master.

Demon-slaying Heart Method—Sword Out Shadowless Suppressing Evil!

The Puppet Master was instantly in shock, feeling enveloped by an immense force, his mind in turmoil, he found his body unable to move.

Xia Yi the Unrivaled calmly wielded his Two-Handed Greatsword, a giant sword shadow gradually forming above the Puppet Master’s head.

Secret Technique—Pride Nine Layers Divine Sword!

Boom!

When the dust settled, the Puppet Master was already beheaded.

The crowd rushed out from their hiding place.

At this moment, the four paper puppets deflated like punctured balloons, collapsing on the ground.

Xiao Jie looked at the Puppet Master’s corpse in amazement—wow, he really soloed successfully!

Seems like the teammates are growing too.

You know, this Puppet Master was a Level 48 Elite Monster, not a Boss, but still with high level and Blood Volume, plus four bodyguards, probably harder to defeat than a normal over Level 30 Boss.

Since Xia Yi the Unrivaled unlocked the Demon Slaying Sword, looks like he’s really taking off.

"Haha, Xia is awesome," I Want to Be Immortal exclaimed.

"Just average," Xia Yi the Unrivaled feigned modesty, though his voice betrayed his pride.

Jiu Jianxian couldn’t help but ask, "What was that move you used earlier? Never seen it before, was it the Weapon Effect of the Demon Slaying Sword?"

```

"That’s right," Xia Yi the Unrivaled said, but didn’t reveal the specific effects of the weapon.

However, being able to paralyze a Level 48 Elite Monster in place, it’s obviously a treasure sword left by an Immortal.

Xiao Jie judged that the level of this weapon effect’s determination might not be inferior to his Yin Yang Soul Suppressing Mirror.

At this moment, Xia Yi the Unrivaled casually searched the body of the Puppet Master.

Xia Yi the Unrivaled wasn’t stingy and directly posted the loot in the team channel.

Since it was only an Elite Monster, only three items dropped.

The first item was a paper dummy that looked lifelike, depicting an image of a Jianghu Blade Man.

[Paper Puppet·Jianghu Guest (Special Talisman/Epic)

Usage: Summon a puppet named Jianghu Guest to fight for you (Usage times: 3/3).

Item Introduction: A special paper puppet created by the Puppet Master through the combination of human souls and the Spiritual Painting Technique, capable of summoning sealed puppets to fight for it. Each time the paper puppet goes to battle, it consumes soul power, eventually dissipating, turning into an ordinary paper figure.]

The second item was a white mask.

[Iron Rod Silver Hair (Judge’s Pen/Excellent)

Attack Power: 27 Stab.

Equipment Effect 1: God-like Penmanship. Increases your painting, calligraphy, and talisman making level by 1.

Equipment Effect 2: Silver Needle Acupoint. Fires a silver needle hidden in the Judge’s Pen, shooting an enemy, causing 1 point of damage and paralyzing them for 1 second (Cooldown time 30 seconds).

Item Introduction: A rare exotic weapon in the worldly society, it’s said that there’s a hidden sect unknown to the world that uses pens as weapons, able to transform painted objects from illusion to reality with godlike and unpredictable power. However, the legends of the worldly society are mostly bizarre, making it difficult to distinguish truth from fiction.]

The third item was a strange thing, seemingly a corner fragment of an ancient painting, faintly showing some ink lines depicting mountains and waters.

[Mountain and Sea Painting Realm Fragment (Trash)

Item Introduction: A fragment of the edge of an ancient painting, seemingly without any special features.]

Mountain and Sea Painting Realm?

Seeing this item, Xiao Jie immediately associated it with the strange world within a painting that Gu Feiyu entered yesterday. Could this Mountain and Sea Painting Realm be a similar world?

"Damn, what kind of junk did it drop?"

Seeing the loot, Xia Yi the Unrivaled was speechless. Except for the paper puppet being somewhat useful, the other two items had no use.

Judge’s Pen is such a niche weapon that no one uses it, can’t even sell it.

The Mountain and Sea Painting Realm Fragment was even more speechless, with item attributes of [Trash], if it were a Task Item, it might have some use.

Seeing Xia Yi the Unrivaled’s reaction, Xiao Jie was intrigued.

"Speaking of which, Brother Xia, how about selling me this Mountain and Sea Painting Realm Fragment?"

"What, do you know what this thing is for?"

"I have some guesses, but whether I can figure it out depends on luck."

"Don’t talk about selling, I’ll give it to you. But if it turns out useful, just let me know what it is then."

Xia Yi the Unrivaled didn’t say much and directly traded it to Xiao Jie.

Xiao Jie didn’t refuse either, unsure if he could figure out this thing.

With the matter concluded, Xiao Jie planned to continue with his tasks.

"By the way, does anyone else need help with tasks?"

Everyone remained silent, it seemed besides Hao Mie’s Dragon Slayer profession task and An Ran’s demon beast advancement, no one else needed help.

"Then, everyone should go back and continue preparing. Try to improve your level and equipment as much as possible. In a few days, the final battle will likely begin, and we’ll rely on everyone then."

"Don’t worry, Brother Feng, with our lineup, no boss stands a chance."

"Exactly, exactly, when the time comes, the boss kills will definitely be easy."

Seeing everyone’s high spirits, Xiao Jie still reminded, "Everyone, don’t be careless. There are always stronger opponents, and there are many experts in this game. Being a bit stronger is always beneficial."

As Xiao Jie spoke, he glanced at Ye Luo and I Want to Be Immortal. Both of them had reached Level 34, it seemed they gained a lot of experience from yesterday’s three battles.

Though they didn’t challenge the World Boss with him yesterday, it was clear they had achieved good results.

"By the way, Cheng Xian, this is for you." Xiao Jie traded the Dragon Bone Hammer·Shattering Star over.

"Holy crap, Brother Feng, this, this, this..." I Want to Be Immortal was stunned at the weapon appearing in the trade window, a Legendary weapon.

Even the president of a major guild might not own such a thing.

Just giving it to me like that?

Xiao Jie calmly said, "Take it if I give it to you. We will need your help later, and among us, only you can use it. Who else would I give it to?"

Just like swords and knives can be interchanged, heavy weapons like hammers and axes can also be used interchangeably.

"Why are you so excited, Cheng Xian? What good stuff did Brother Feng give you?" Jiu Jianxian couldn’t help but ask.

When I Want to Be Immortal equipped the weapon, everyone was stunned.

Even Orange Weapons are given away, Brother Feng is too much, everyone was shocked and envious.

Jiu Jianxian exclaimed, "Brother Feng, you’re amazing! Is there anything for us?"

Xiao Jie replied irritably, "Come on, you think Orange Weapons are like cabbages? I don’t even have one myself. This was given to me by Yide Fu Ren, and since I can’t use it, only Cheng Xian can."

"But well, no Orange Weapons, but there is something else good. Who knows Grandmaster Level Planting Skill?"

"I do," Bai Ze immediately said.

Bai Ze had done plenty of Spirit Grass planting tasks while farming reputation at Xuanxu Palace, so his Planting Skill successfully reached Grandmaster Level.

"Alright then, come with me later, I’ll get us some good stuff."

Xiao Jie planned to plant that Primordial Seed today.

As for where to plant it, he already had a destination in mind: Xuanming Mountain in Canglin State.

This Xuanming Mountain, like Konglao Mountain, was also a dojo of Ancient Qi Refiners, often with traces of spiritual energy lingering.

Actually, Konglao Mountain would be more suitable, but unfortunately, there’s Master Hongchen there, can’t let him see this tree planting. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

Everyone was quite eager for the good stuff Xiao Jie mentioned.

But Xiao Jie wasn’t too sure about what would actually be planted, so he didn’t overpromise.

Luckily, An Ran needed to go to Canglin State to find demons for evolution, so the three of them set off together.

The three, two transformed into birds, and one used Sword Flight, all flew towards the direction of Canglin State.