Chen Tian approached the others, and Hong Mo stared at him in shock before exclaiming, "Are you a monster? Chen Tian, you can actually contract a god-level existence. That's too terrifying."
Hong Mo found the thought chilling. Chen Tian's intervention had instantly made him the focus, a dark horse in the entire competition. Cai Ling's level and rank were simply too eye-catching.
Chen Tian paid no mind. The next match was in two days, and he already had plans for those days.
"Let's go back! We still have training tomorrow!" Chen Tian said.
The others looked bewildered. Training? What training? They hadn't heard him mention anything about it before.
But Chen Tian was the captain, and they respected him. Whatever he said, they would follow. Chen Tian then led them away.
The broadcast of Chen Tian's fight was playing across the skies of Yuan City, with countless players discussing it fervently.
Chen Tian was unaware of how many people he had stunned with this display. But that wasn't something he concerned himself with.
The five of them returned to the inn. The match had concluded as night was falling. Although Cai Ling had achieved a one-hit kill, the match had lasted until dusk, and night had naturally descended afterward.
Chen Tian looked at his map interface, swiped across it, and fell into deep thought.
Qing Ling and Hong Mo were eating, watching Chen Tian in his contemplation without disturbing him. Chen Tian had been staring at the map for over ten minutes. What was he planning?
They were very curious but didn't want to interrupt him.
Then, Chen Tian drew a circle on the map. "This is it," he decided, pointing to a spot on the map.
"We'll gather here tomorrow morning for training!" he announced.
"Alright!"
"Alright!"
Qing Ling and Hong Mo nodded. The five of them then went to rest.
Dawn broke once more, sunlight filtering through the gaps of the inn. Chen Tian and the others appeared before the inn's entrance. "Training begins. This is where we train!" Chen Tian declared.
He projected the map, and the other four were stunned. Shu Zi asked, "Chen Tian, can we actually beat this?"
Ge Zi also showed some concern. Chen Tian, seeing their lack of confidence, said, "This training is to help you understand each other better and to improve your team's coordination and synergy. Ge Zi, you mentioned participating in the professional competition two years from now and forming a team. You're still looking for players, but a team needs cooperation, synergy, and understanding to truly be a team.
"This is a level seventy-five guild map, designed as your training ground. You need to defeat the opposing targets using just the four of you to complete it. Throughout this, you must understand each other, communicate, and cooperate. I've simulated this map; as long as you achieve optimal team synergy, completing it is not out of the question.
"I will be watching from the side. I will not intervene. I understand you all best; I don't need to cooperate with you!"
Chen Tian said this with great significance. Shu Zi and Ge Zi exchanged glances. Hong Mo and Qing Ling nodded. Then, Hong Mo spoke up, "Ge Zi, you said you'll participate in the competition in two years. Can you take me with you?"
"This..."
Ge Zi couldn't make a decision.
The competition in two years required a team of eight. Currently, the assembled players were Ge Zi, Shu Zi, Wu Que Nan, Chen Tian, Qing Ling, and Huo Mie – six people. Two more spots would meet the requirement, but teaming up wasn't something to be taken lightly.
Chen Tian interjected, "Let's count him in, Ge Zi. Bring Teacher San along too. That makes eight, and we can proceed directly to the second phase."
"Alright! You're the captain; we'll listen to you!"
Ge Zi had no objections. Why would he? This was the legendary figure from four years ago. He would be wise to heed Chen Tian's advice regarding the competition.
Chen Tian then said, "Get to know each other's professions and abilities. We'll depart soon!"
Shu Zi spoke first. "I'll go first. I am a Demon God Swordsman, one of the hidden professions in the Swordsman class. I can imbue my sword energy with both demonic and divine power. My style is bold and fiery!"
Ge Zi followed. "I am a hidden profession, a Sky Shield Knight, a type of Knight. My main abilities are defense, offense, and protection. I master the Light of Healing. My playstyle is quite conservative."
Hong Mo spoke timidly. "I am a Weapon Master, a hidden profession, a branch of the Weapon class. I can randomly wield weapons from any profession and use their inherent skills. However, the weapon selection is random; it's not something I can control."
Shu Zi and Ge Zi were shocked. "What? Wielding weapons from all professions? Wait, if you consider races, there are hundreds of professions in this game, Chronos Era!"
Shu Zi swallowed hard. "Hong Mo, does that include racial professions?"
Hong Mo nodded. Since they were teammates now, there was no need to hide anything. He stated it plainly.
"My goodness," Shu Zi thought, "our team... Holy crap, it feels like they're all monsters!"
Qing Ling spoke up. "I am Qing Ling, a Mage. I've mastered all Mage professions, meaning I can use skills from any Mage subclass. My playstyle is gentle and obedient to your commands!"
"!!!"
The other three's faces turned grim. Hong Mo thought he was already monstrous, but here was someone even more so. Chen Tian's sister was a master of all Mage professions, meaning all subclasses were included.
"Heavenly goodness! Unimaginable! Just how terrifying is this team?"
Shu Zi and Ge Zi quickly recovered. "Minor issue! If Hong Mo knew Chen Tian was a master of all professions, he'd probably faint from shock!"
Hong Mo suddenly recalled something and asked, "Chen Tian, you were clearly a dual-speed assassin before. Why did you become a Summoner?"
Chen Tian remained silent and replied, "You'll know soon enough. Let's go, to the Purgatory Valley!"
"But it's too far, and there's no teleportation array here. It will take us half a day to walk there."
Hong Mo looked at the map. Chen Tian shook his head and said, "No need to walk. We'll fly. It should only take a few hours."
Then, four pairs of pure white wings sprouted from Chen Tian's back, and a sacred radiance enveloped him. A halo appeared above his head. Spreading his wings, he grabbed Shu Zi, Ge Zi, Qing Ling, and Hong Mo and tossed them onto his wings. A protective shield encased them.
With that, Chen Tian soared into the sky, leaving Yuan City behind.
Hong Mo was even more astonished. An Angel race? "Heavens, what is Chen Tian's profession? I can't figure it out anymore."
Shu Zi and Ge Zi, the other two, were remarkably calm. They were used to it.
Purgatory Valley. This was a guild boss map, but any player in a party could enter. Guild boss maps weren't exclusive to guilds; ordinary players could enter as long as they formed a party, effectively making them a small guild.
Chen Tian's figure appeared here, and he retracted his wings. The four looked at the Purgatory Valley before them. This was a level seventy-five map. All the monsters here were level seventy-five and were pack animals.
The four showed some apprehension. If they died here... Chen Tian said, "Go in! This is for your training. As long as you cooperate well, your current lineup can defeat the bosses inside.
"I won't make any judgment on who will command. It's up to you. I'll be watching from above."
With that, Chen Tian's figure shot up into the clouds, heading towards the sky above Purgatory Valley. He activated his Divine Eye, constantly monitoring the four. If the situation turned dire, he would intervene.
Shu Zi, Ge Zi, and the others exchanged glances. Captain? Commander? No one spoke. Then, Qing Ling said, "How about we don't need a commander and just act based on our own instincts? That way, it'll be easier to develop synergy and understanding, which is what a team is all about."
The four nodded and entered combat readiness, preparing to enter Purgatory Valley. Hong Mo spoke up first, "Wait, let me see what weapon I can randomly get. Don't rush!"
An interface appeared and began to scroll rapidly. A pair of purple dual blades materialized in Hong Mo's hand. "Trash!" he declared.
He tossed them aside and continued scrolling. Suddenly, a pair of dual guns made of starlight appeared in his left hand, shimmering with silver light. Hong Mo was satisfied. "Not bad, not bad!"
He then checked the weapon's information. It was a weapon from the Gunner profession's branches, a specific weapon for a Gunner.
Satisfied with the information, he said, "This will do. This will be my first weapon for today."
Hong Mo then shared his weapon's information with the others. They understood. Ge Zi took the lead, raising his shield to block for everyone. Shu Zi stood behind Qing Ling and Hong Mo.
He protected the rear while Ge Zi handled the front defense. Chen Tian watched their formation from the sky. "Good. This is the most stable formation."
They then entered Purgatory Valley. The Purgatory Valley map was a vast valley with black flames covering the rocky walls. As the four entered, the terrifying heat was palpable. This place was not simple.
Ge Zi appeared vigilant. The moment they stepped into Purgatory Valley, swarms of crows made of black flames charged at them.
"Combat!" Ge Zi commanded.
Dense flocks of fiery crows, enveloped in black flames, descended. Qing Ling quickly scanned the information of the approaching monsters.
Inferno Hawk
Level: Seventy-five
Health: 236987
Constitution: 98887
Strength: 75412
Skill Mastery: 6510
Weapon Mastery: 8100
Armor: 1600
Speed: 9100
Traits: Flying, Elemental!
Skills: Flame Bullet, Feather Shot, Eagle Strike, Peck, Blaze Claw, Sky Roar, Wing Blade, Group Formation!
Qing Ling looked at the Traits section and immediately her magic staff glowed with starlight. Illusory wings sprouted behind the group. Qing Ling's face broke out in a sweat.
Magician Profession: Flight!
Magicians enhance various player stats with buffs, and flight magic was naturally included.
Qing Ling said, "Their flying trait allows them to completely evade ground attacks. I'll provide buffs for you. Deal with them quickly; I can only sustain this for thirteen minutes!"
"Alright! Shu Zi, protect Qing Ling. Hong Mo and I will go, you're behind me, I'll protect you, go all out!"
Ge Zi flew into the air alongside Hong Mo, charging towards the flock of crows. Chen Tian nodded at Qing Ling's decision, recognizing her excellent judgment.
Ge Zi's shield appeared before him, with Hong Mo following closely behind.
The countless black crows saw the charging shield. Terrifying fireballs were continuously shot towards Ge Zi.
But as they struck Ge Zi's golden shield, they caused no waver. Hong Mo's dual guns appeared, and he gripped their handles, opening fire.
Instantly, starlight bullets shot from the starlight dual guns, flying towards the crows. Bang, bang, explosions echoed, and some crows fell to the ground.
Shu Zi acted decisively. Flashes of sword light appeared, repelling the crows in the sky once more. Hong Mo aimed his guns at the attacking crows, and bang, bang, bullets pierced their bodies.
Then, the swarm of crows seemed to ignite with fury. Killing their kin right before their eyes? Did they think they were easy prey?
The crow flock charged directly at Ge Zi and Hong Mo. Hong Mo saw his chance and raised his spear, aiming towards Ge Zi's head as if that were his target. But Ge Zi showed no sign of evasion.
A vortex began to charge in the starlight dual guns, immense starlight pouring into the barrels. Ge Zi raised his shield high, and with a tremor, a terrifying shield aura enveloped the two of them.
The Inferno Hawks' assault was blocked by the shield aura, but Ge Zi was sweating profusely, struggling to maintain it.
Two sounds of bang, bang, and two vortex bullets shot from the gun barrels directly towards Ge Zi's head. But Ge Zi still didn't move.
The moment the bullets reached Ge Zi's forehead, they strangely curved. The vortex bullets split left and right, rushing into the faces of the Inferno Hawks.
With a loud boom, the two starlight vortexes merged into one massive starlight vortex. The vortex made of starlight bullets spun faster, inflicting more damage. Qing Ling raised her magic staff, inscribing a magic array onto the starlight vortex.
The Inferno Hawks were unable to escape the vortex's range. The faster the bullets spun, the more damage they dealt.
Shu Zi knew this was his opportunity. He nodded to Ge Zi, and they both attacked together.