C15 Cloud Feather.
The system alert chimed in, "The Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish has unleashed its Solo Dancing under Moonlight skill. Players, be on high alert for your safety."
"During the Solo Dancing under Moonlight phase, all players within the arena will see their defenses drop to zero. The attack damage of the Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish will surge by 2.5 times, lasting until the onset of the next phase."
"Here's a friendly heads-up: Players who survive an attack by the Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish will receive a 50% boost to their attack damage, with no upper limit. This bonus persists until the battle concludes."
Lin Bei muttered under his breath in frustration, "Seriously? This Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish's skill is downright dirty. Forcing everyone's defense to zero? Even the players with top-notch defenses will barely scrape by, relying on skills to mitigate incoming damage. And the weaker ones? If they take a hit from that thing, they're as good as maimed—or worse. Dreaming of a 50% damage boost is just that, a dream. Only a complete fool would let the Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish strike them."
Without hesitation, Lin Bei closed in on the Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish.
As it descended from the void, the creature noticed someone approaching and let out a series of excited cries. It brandished its ribbon-like tentacles and lashed out at Lin Bei.
Lin Bei saw the tentacles coming but didn't flinch. He took the hit head-on.
The Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish's strike slashed his HP by 900 points.
Lin Bei was just relieved that the attack wasn't a Critical Hit.
Otherwise, he would have been the biggest fool alive.
With only 50 HP remaining, another hit from the Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish would spell instant death.
"Congratulations, you've earned a 50% increase in damage. This effect will last until the end of the battle."
With the notification ringing in his ears, Lin Bei didn't gamble any further. He quickly distanced himself from the Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish and took out the potent Blood-recovery Medicine he'd prepared before setting out. He downed it desperately.
Each bottle of Blood-recovery Medicine cost three silver coins, and Lin Bei felt like he was literally drinking his money away.
If not for the substantial gold coin bonus from a World Announcement, he might not have been able to afford it.
Once the medicine took effect, Lin Bei's HP was significantly restored.
He tossed the empty bottle aside and promptly activated the Full of Vigour skill.
Lin Bei then juggled his magical power and HP, skillfully evading the Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish's onslaught.
As the skill's effect wore off, he seized the moment to summon the Bunny Girl and resumed the battle, sticking to the original strategy.
This time, however, Lin Bei's damage had increased by 50%, accelerating the depletion of the Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish's HP.
Lin Bei also noticed that this damage boost affected the Bunny Girl's output as well. He couldn't have been more pleased.
Having taken a risk once, Lin Bei was not about to do so again.
The Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish had already inflicted 900 points of damage without a Critical Hit. There was no telling what might happen if it landed one.
So Lin Bei opted for caution over recklessness. Staying consistent with his attacks was his priority.
The Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish's HP continued to plummet under the relentless assault.
Lin Bei's strategy was paying off.
At this critical juncture, with its HP down to 1%, the Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish radiated an invincible golden glow and repelled Lin Bei and the Bunny Girl.
It then reconstituted its form.
Lin Bei and the Bunny Girl caught sight of a scarlet eye beneath the creature's skirt turning pitch black.
The eye darkened to an inky abyss, and a torrent of ink flowed forth, engulfing the entire realm.
The world was shrouded in darkness, and Lin Bei, along with the Bunny Girl, found themselves in a vast expanse of shadow.
Then came another system alert.
"The bonus from Solo Dancing under Moonlight has ended!"
"The Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish is casting Death Shadow. Upon entering this state, it will drag all enemies into the Death Space. Players, exercise extreme caution!"
"Remember: In the Death Space, players must vanquish all shadows lurking within the darkness. Fail, and the darkness will consume you!"
Upon hearing the alert, Lin Bei scanned the oppressive darkness around him.
Then, from the shadows, emerged over a dozen blood-soaked walking dead.
Some were missing limbs, others were eyeless, and many bore gaping, bloody wounds.
It was a scene of utter despair.
Yet Lin Bei recognized these figures—they were the Empire's special transport team.
These were the very people the Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish had slain.
"These are my targets! I must act swiftly to secure the item!" Lin Bei resolved.
Lin Bei swiftly swung the Blade of God in his hand, charging headlong into the throng of enemies.
Next, he unleashed the Blazing Fire Blade, striking all the walking dead with precision.
-116!
-116!
-116!
As the damage numbers appeared, a 1200-point HP bar materialized above each of the walking dead, accompanied by a 20-second countdown timer.
A time limit was in play. Lin Bei had to eliminate all these walking dead within 20 seconds.
But for Lin Bei, this was hardly a challenge!
Particularly after deploying the Blazing Fire Blade, the walking dead's HP had been slashed by half!
With the Bunny Girl's Charm, Lin Bei's Elemental Trap, and their combined Normal Attacks, Lin Bei released another Blazing Fire Blade!
By the 19th second, all the walking dead had perished, turning to dust and dispersing.
Then, the endless darkness crumbled away!
The figure of the Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish emerged, its final skill failing to best Lin Bei, leaving its HP bar completely drained!
Ultimately, the Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish's form collapsed onto the earth, a lifeless husk swallowed by a relentless white glow.
"Congratulations! You have successfully vanquished the Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish, earning 5000 Experience Points!"
"Congratulations! You've ascended to Level 7, with all Attributes increasing by 2 and an additional Free Attribute Point!"
"Congratulations! Your All Things Psychic ability has activated. You've acquired a Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish Devour Gene, now adapted for use with Charm Rabbit Summoning!"
"Congratulations! Your Devouring Progress has increased by 10%!"
"Congratulations! You've gained 3 points of Strength!"
Not only had Lin Bei leveled up, but his HP cap had also soared to 1000 points!
Crucially, the Charm Rabbit Summoning was a mere 1.72 away from an upgrade in quality!
Moreover, Lin Bei was just a few percentage points shy of unlocking a second summoning slot!
"Let's check out the loot I've scored. I'll level up shortly and then log off for a meal!"
Once composed, Lin Bei's face broke into a smile of delight.
He allocated 1 Freedom Point to his Intelligence Attribute and approached the radiant pile to inspect the battlefield's bounty.
The haul from this skirmish was quite the catch—three items in total, two of which were gear!
Feather Moon Belt
Quality: Silver
Category: Leather Armor Belt
Attributes: Constitution +10, Agility +8
Effect: Restores 2 HP per second.
Requirement: Level 15, Leather Armor Class
Description: A wondrous belt crafted from the tentacles of the Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish.
Heavenly Jellyfish Helmet
Quality: Silver
Category: Heavy Armor Helmet
Attributes: Constitution +10, Intelligence +5, Constitution +3
Effect: Restores 3 Magical Power Points per second.
Requirement: Level 15, Heavy Armor Class
Description: Forged from the Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish's translucent skull, this helmet boasts formidable defense.
Lin Bei hadn't yet come across these two pieces of equipment!
Unconstrained by class restrictions, Lin Bei donned both items without hesitation.
Instantly, his HP surged past 1500 points!
The prowess of Silver Level armor was undeniable!
Now, Lin Bei was only missing wrist guards, rings, and a necklace to complete his arsenal, aside from his existing weapon, helmet, clothes, belt, shoes, and leggings.
Of course, a trip to the Level 4 City might grant him a chance at a cape and mask.
But for now, Lin Bei was bound to the Beginner Village.
Overwhelmed with excitement, Lin Bei examined the last item.
It was a pristine white feather.
Seemingly ordinary, this unblemished feather concealed an immeasurable force within.
It was shrouded in mystery!
Eagerly, Lin Bei checked its properties.
Item: Cloud Feather
Quality: Unknown
Type: Unknown
Effect: Unknown
Description: Legends speak of a Cloud City above the clouds, elusive to all. Perhaps one day, you'll uncover its whereabouts.
Lin Bei squinted thoughtfully.
He recalled Wan Dao's tales of the ancient Cloud City.
In those years, relentless wars ravaged many races—a dark epoch for the Eon Realms.
Yet, a figure claiming to hail from Cloud City quelled the turmoil with his might, ushering in an era of peace.
But once tranquility was restored, the hero from Cloud City vanished without a trace.
No one knew where he went.
Lin Bei hadn't anticipated the Cloud Feather's deep connection to Cloud City.
Moreover, he sensed an odd link—perhaps between Cloud City and the Nether Phoenix Clan.
But this was mere speculation.
"No matter. The Cloud Feather's secrets remain enshrouded in the unknown. For now, the mystery stays unsolved. After I switch professions, I'll visit Wan Dao's former home," Lin Bei mused.
"If I'm lucky enough to cross paths with him, maybe after we get acquainted, I could bring up the subject," Lin Bei mused.
With a shake of his head, Lin Bei cast aside all his worries and focused on the task at hand.
He then carefully stowed the Cloud Feather away for safekeeping.
"I seem to recall the Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish's profile mentioning its penchant for collecting items. Could its nest be filled with treasures?" Lin Bei's eyes twinkled at the thought. He was eager to explore the lair of the Moon Feather Heavenly Jellyfish!
With the creature no longer among the living, Lin Bei saw no reason not to investigate its dwelling.
Besides, in the vast Eon Realms, there were Bosses known for hoarding treasures. In his past life, many had struck it rich by uncovering such caches!
With this in mind, Lin Bei hastened to the edge of Shallow Water Lake and dove in without hesitation.
He made a beeline for the lakebed.
The crystal-clear waters allowed Lin Bei to glimpse the lake's bottom through the shimmering surface. Scattered across the silty floor were numerous items, including several heaps of gold coins.
"I'm about to strike it rich again!" he thought, excitement coursing through him as he dove deeper.
Approaching the treasure, Lin Bei began frantically gathering the gold coins within reach.
"Congratulations, you have obtained 8,888 gold coins!"
"Congratulations, you have acquired two Illusion Attribute Immune Crystals!"
"Congratulations, you've secured a fragmented map of the Legend of the Cloud!"
