Chen Tian watched the NPC fall unconscious and decided to wait there for them to wake up, as they had a quest. In the game "Epoch of Time," NPCs with quests would have a halo above their health bar, with more halos indicating a higher-level quest and greater rewards.
The young NPC girl in front of him had a full four halos, and Chen Tian, of course, wouldn't miss any quest opportunities. Who wouldn't want to level up quickly? The rewards for this quest were bound to be generous, and Chen Tian had no intention of refusing.
Thus, Chen Tian guarded the girl. He opened his interface, and a table appeared, upon which food materialized. Chen Tian needed to replenish his stamina.
Unfortunately, NPCs couldn't enter Chen Tian's personal space. Otherwise, he would have taken the NPC inside to rest with him, but the game's mechanics didn't allow for it.
Chen Tian waited for the girl to wake, resting and occasionally fending off numerous monsters that discovered him. As evening fell, Chen Tian's azure blades dissipated. The giant tiger before him fell to the ground, and Chen Tian remarked, "I've killed so many monsters, and only gained 2% experience. This is so slow!"
Since the girl had fallen asleep, Chen Tian had slain over a hundred monsters, most of them level sixty or seventy. This was on the outskirts of the plains, yet Chen Tian's experience bar had barely moved.
Chen Tian noticed the girl stirring. She slowly wiped her eyes and looked around, surprised to be alive. "How is this possible?"
Chen Tian then appeared before her. The girl looked nervous, so Chen Tian said, "Don't be afraid. Think back, it was me who saved you earlier."
Xue Yun thought back and recalled a figure helping her block the beasts' attack before she lost consciousness. In Xue Yun's memory, that figure perfectly matched Chen Tian.
Xue Yun then spoke, "Thank you, big brother! My name is Xue Yun. Thank you for saving me."
Chen Tian asked, "Xue Yun, why are you here? Where are your family?"
Mentioning her family, tears welled up in Xue Yun's eyes. "Big brother, can you please help Xue Yun!"
Chen Tian, who hated seeing girls cry, readily agreed, "Yes."
Chen Tian then listened to Xue Yun's story. Afterward, Xue Yun pleaded, "Big brother, can you liberate the four guardian halls and restore my family, *wuwuwu*!"
A quest interface appeared before Chen Tian. He looked at it, his expression shifting, as this quest was different from others. However, Chen Tian did not refuse; the quest rewards were astonishing.
Chen Tian clicked "yes," and Xue Yun smiled brightly, "Thank you, big brother!"
Her tearful demeanor vanished. Chen Tian patted her shoulder and said, "Wait here for me. I'll come back to get you when I'm done."
"Okay!"
Chen Tian then slowly left the plains, heading deeper inside. Both Chen Tian and Xue Yun displayed peculiar smiles, as if they each had their own hidden agenda.
Chen Tian walked along the plains, his destination being the sealed guardian hall in the center of the plains. However, reaching the center itself was an incredibly difficult task.
As Chen Tian traversed the outer region, the ground suddenly trembled, and the surrounding grass was tossed about by a strong wind. Chen Tian sensed the flow of the wind and knew a colossal creature was approaching him.
Instantly, a figure appeared directly above Chen Tian. He looked up as the figure descended, and then a form materialized before him.
Before Chen Tian stood a black and white tiger. It possessed black and white wings on either side, its massive claws black in the front and white in the back. Its eyes blended black and white, and a character for "king" was emblazoned on its forehead. Its fur was neatly integrated black and white, with sharp fangs protruding.
Chen Tian looked at the colossal beast before him. The tiger then spoke, "Boy, is it you who killed my offspring?"
Chen Tian was stunned. Offspring? When did he kill its kind? He hadn't killed any of its kin at all!
Just as he was about to explain, a roar accompanied by a sonic wave attacked him.
Chen Tian somersaulted in mid-air, dodging the attack. He commented, "Attacking immediately? Such a fiery temper!"
Then, azure energy swirled around his hands, forming blades. He swung his arm, and a blue blade energy shot out – the Wind Element Blade.
The Wind Blade flew towards the black and white tiger. The tiger opened its mouth and let out a skyward roar, sending surrounding winds and shockwaves towards Chen Tian's blade.
Chen Tian's Wind Blade, after breaking through several shockwaves and gusts of wind, finally dissipated.
Chen Tian looked at the black and white tiger before him, activating his Divine Eye. Information appeared in his mind.
Just as Chen Tian was about to attack again, a new message instantly appeared. It was from another player. Chen Tian looked around but saw no one. How was this message possible?
His Divine Eye would never lie to him. Chen Tian examined the message closely. The black and white tiger was about to attack when Chen Tian spoke, "You've got the wrong person. I didn't kill your offspring. I'll help you find them. If I find them, you'll let me go."
"You wish to deceive me, human! You reek of his scent!"
The black and white tiger opened its mouth, leaving Chen Tian speechless. He then said, "Give me some time, and I'll find them for you!"
His Divine Eye then focused on the player's professional characteristics. The player was not visible before him, implying their profession or traits made them invisible.
Chen Tian then looked at the profession's information, which appeared in his mind.
Chen Tian suddenly understood. "So that's how it is!"
Seeing that Chen Tian seemed to have some insight, the black and white tiger watched silently. It wanted to see what tricks this human could pull.
Chen Tian's Divine Eye scanned the grass at his feet, and then he looked further. A figure appeared within his Divine Eye's vision, lying on the grass. However, Chen Tian could not see anyone.
Chen Tian then conjured a cyan whirlwind in his hand, transforming it into a scythe. He appeared instantly, and a scream echoed.
"Ah!"
"You, you, you!"
A figure sprang from the grass. Chen Tian looked at the youth before him and said, "Framing me, you wish! You're dreaming!"
"Here, is this the one?"
The black and white tiger looked at the young man who had emerged from the grass. Their eyes met, and the tiger let out a roar. The youth, seeing himself exposed, desperately tried to flee.
But would the black and white tiger let him escape? It opened its mouth, and the youth was swallowed whole.
Chen Tian felt no pity. Laughable! A level sixty player provoking a level eighty-nine lord-class boss and killing its offspring. Chen Tian would not intervene to save him; that would be provoking the boss.
Moreover, this individual had tried to frame Chen Tian. Chen Tian would never forgive him. If his Divine Eye hadn't detected it early, he would have been ensnared. Chen Tian could defeat the tiger, but it would take time, and he didn't want to waste it on such matters.
Just as Chen Tian was about to leave, the black and white tiger blocked his path.