C21 Ghost Toad King

As Lin Bei entered the second level, he finally discovered the source of the snoring that had eluded him!

Directly ahead, in the center of the vast expanse, a giant black toad lay in deep slumber.

Despite Lin Bei's arrival on the second level, the toad remained undisturbed, its only movement the rhythmic inflation and deflation of a massive snot bubble with each breath it took.

Oddly enough, protruding from the creature's head was a glowing bulb-like appendage, within which floated a purple-golden key shaped like a sword.

Lin Bei quickly surmised that this key was likely the means to unlock the third level's door.

"Could the challenge of this level be to retrieve the key from the bulb?" he pondered, a plan forming in his mind as he moved forward.

However, just then, the system's alert chimed in with an urgent message:

"System Notification: Retrieve the key without alerting the Ghost Toad King and proceed to open the entrance to the third level. The Ghost Toad King's sensory range extends to a five-meter radius—exercise caution!"

"Warning: Disturbing the Ghost Toad King will trigger its Berserk State, resulting in the death of all entities within its proximity!"

"Helpful Hint: Should you secure the key but also alarm the Ghost Toad King, it will still enter the Berserk State. Nevertheless, you will have a five-second window of free action. After five seconds, you will perish alongside the Ghost Toad King!"

The announcement halted Lin Bei in his tracks.

"A boss that operates on specific mechanisms? Fascinating!" he mused, his eyes twinkling with intrigue.

In the Eon Realms, many bosses were designed with unique mechanisms.

These bosses shared a common trait: they were impervious to conventional attacks and could only be overcome by engaging with the designed system.

Failure to do so would send the boss into a Berserk State, obliterating everything in its vicinity, rendering even the activation of the Golden Body futile.

Confronted with the current predicament, Lin Bei knew he had a solution.

Without making a sound, he stealthily positioned himself a mere five meters from the Ghost Toad King.

After ensuring the Ghost Toad King remained undisturbed, Lin Bei immediately initiated the Charm Rabbit Summoning!

A constellation pattern emerged, revealing the Bunny Girl.

Lin Bei inhaled deeply and exchanged a knowing glance with the Charm Rabbit.

She instantly grasped Lin Bei's strategy!

Facing the Ghost Toad King, she conjured a luminous circle at her feet and vanished.

Reappearing beneath the Ghost Toad King's light bulb, she seized the moment of its awakening to snatch the key with a powerful leap!

The Charm Rabbit touched down just as the Ghost Toad King startled awake, bellowing furiously, its roar sending Lin Bei and the Charm Rabbit reeling.

The Ghost Toad King thundered, "Curse you, daring to filch my possessions—you're all doomed!"

Its body flared red and searing hot.

Lin Bei and the Charm Rabbit exchanged a quick look and dashed for the exit.

With only five seconds of free movement left and two already spent, they raced to unlock the third floor's door.

Three seconds to go, Lin Bei was still halfway there, but Charm Rabbit had made it; he quickened his pace with a Z-shaped Step.

With two seconds remaining, Lin Bei reached the door, taking the key from Charm Rabbit.

One second left, Lin Bei thrust the key into the lock and gave a forceful twist.

In the final moment, Lin Bei and Charm Rabbit shoved the door open and charged through.

As the Ghost Toad King on the second floor detonated, the heavens and earth convulsed in a violent tremor.

Dust and smoke swirled, waves crashing like a tempest, flinging Lin Bei and Charm Rabbit through the air.

Miraculously, they were unscathed by the debris and managed to escape unharmed.

"Congratulations on successfully navigating the second floor's challenge!"

Lin Bei exhaled with relief, then helped Charm Rabbit to her feet.

This victory belonged to Charm Rabbit—without her, Lin Bei doubted he could have conquered this trial, no matter his strength.

After the Charm Rabbit executed its Teleportation ability, it could cover a distance of eight meters in just one second!

This allowed Charm Rabbit to effectively overpower the Ghost Toad King!

Lin Bei let out a sigh of relief and then chuckled, "Let's head to the third stage!"

Subsequently, a person and a pet ascended the staircase together, reaching the third level!

The layout of the third level was identical to the first two!

But this time, they were met by a formidable group of Level 16 Goblins!

No matter; it wasn't a big issue!

Armed with the Blazing Fire Blade, Lin Bei was fully capable of defeating them all!

Without hesitation, Lin Bei licked his lips and charged into battle alongside Charm Rabbit.

And then, he vanquished every last monster!

"You have slain the Goblin Warrior, earning 77 Experience Points!"

"You have slain the Goblin Mage, earning 88 Experience Points!"

"You have slain the Goblin Archer, earning 99 Experience Points!"

Outside the Seal Tower, footsteps drew nearer.

In a moment, a crowd converged at the entrance.

Leading them was none other than Cai Xukun!

This time, he had brought a contingent of over fifty people!

They halted at the base of the tower, standing before the swirling vortex.

With a dark scowl, Cai Xukun demanded, "Are you sure about your intel? Is that guy really in there?"

Recently, his punishment had been cut short due to the disappearance of his corpse, prompting him to log back in posthaste!

Yet, his animosity toward One More Life was ingrained to the core!

So, without a second thought for leveling up, Cai Xukun summoned the core members of Dragon Whistle from Misty Village, intent on pursuing One More Life!

Moreover, their Scout had recently tracked Lin Bei's departure from Beginner Village, heading toward South Stream Valley. Thanks to the announcement system, they could pinpoint Lin Bei's whereabouts!

And so, they had raced here without pause!

A bowman by the ID of Dragon Whistle in North and South stepped forward, stating gravely, "Young Master, we've nearly confirmed his location!"

"Good! Today, I'll ensure he's expelled from the Eon Realms!"

"And in the real world, I'll make sure to catch him and give him the punishment he deserves!"

Cai Xukun, seething with rage, had a vicious gleam in his eyes.

Then, he stepped right into the vortex!

Seeing this, the other players around him didn't hesitate to follow suit, plunging into the swirling portal.

In a mere second, the team of over fifty players vanished neatly into the mouth of the whirlpool!

At this moment, Lin Bei was unaware of the looming crisis, as he was deeply engaged in battle on the eighth floor.

Aside from his encounter with the Ghost Toad King on the second floor, he hadn't come across any formidable monsters on the other levels!

The eighth floor presented him with only about three hundred minor monsters.

But it was this very fact that allowed Lin Bei to breeze through the challenges.

After all, taking down these lesser creatures was a walk in the park for him!

Moreover, Lin Bei's loot from this venture was substantial!

He had amassed a trove of equipment, including Blue Medicine, Red Medicine, and Resistance Medicine, as well as forty to fifty pieces of Bronze equipment!

While these items were merely Bronze Level, they were all Level 15—a significant detail.

Such gear was bound to be hot commodities, selling like hotcakes in future Dungeon forays!

The thrill of such a haul was indescribable!

Before long, Lin Bei had slain every Level 19 Snake Man on the eighth floor.

"Congratulations on your successful passage through the eighth floor!"

"The system is now awarding you the Eight Slashes Treasure Chest!"

With the chime of the system alert, the gateway to the ninth floor creaked open!

Simultaneously, a gleaming golden treasure chest rose from the ground before Lin Bei!

"A reward for reaching the eighth floor?" Lin Bei's eyes narrowed, ignoring the vanishing corpses of the Snake Men as he eagerly approached.

He then promptly opened the chest.

"Congratulations on unlocking the Eight Slashes Treasure Chest. Your spoils include: 2333 gold coins, 5 Experience Pills, and 1 random piece of Silver Equipment."

With the sound of the system alert, these items seamlessly transferred into his inventory.

The chest was now empty.

Lin Bei quickly examined the first item.

Experience Pill

Quality: Silver

Type: Growth

Effect: Upon consumption, you gain 2000 Experience Points.

Restriction: Effective for adventurers below Level 20!

Cooldown: 1 second.

Quantity: 5 / 99

Description: Crafted from special materials, this pill enables rapid growth for any adventurer!

"This is a gem!" Lin Bei's eyes sparkled as he swiftly downed all five Experience Pills at once!

A cascade of system alerts followed.

"You have consumed 5 Experience Pills and gained 10,000 Experience Points!"

"Congratulations, you've advanced to Level 12. All Attributes increased by 6, Free Attribute Points by 3!"

Lin Bei shot up three levels in an instant!

He was now surpassing the average player level!

Moreover, just three more levels and he could unlock the prerequisite mission for the dungeon!

His goal of leaving the village was now within closer reach!

With his spirits lifted, Lin Bei pulled out another piece of equipment.

It was the very item he had been lacking!

Eight Slashes Chain

Quality: Silver

Type: Necklace

Attributes: All Attributes + 6

Effect: Attack Effect + 3%

Description: Awarded randomly to players who reach the eighth floor of the Seal Tower.

As Lin Bei lacked this equipment, he put it on without hesitation!

Instantly, his Attack Effect soared to 13%!

"With this latest boost, my attack power has hit 350 points!"

"I'm significantly more powerful than those players who focus solely on strength!"

Overcome with excitement, Lin Bei shut off his panel.

Once he regained his composure, Lin Bei's gaze fixed on the door ahead.

"This is the final challenge. Let's do this!"

"I'm hoping for a few surprises on the ninth floor!"

Taking a deep breath, Lin Bei ascended to the ninth floor!

To his astonishment, the ninth floor of the Seal Tower was engulfed in flames!

The abrupt wave of heat made it impossible for Lin Bei to see.

Then, the system alert chimed in.

"You have entered the ninth floor and are now in a fiery state. You will lose 1% of your HP every second until the battle concludes."

Such fearsome Physical Damage sent a jolt of alarm through Lin Bei.

Thankfully, he came prepared with a stockpile of potions to restore HP. Without them, he might not have made it to the end.

As Lin Bei's eyes adjusted to the fiery environment, the surroundings came into focus.

Amidst the inferno, a man with flaming red hair sat cross-legged on the earth.

His hair, wild as the fire itself, billowed around him, exuding a lethal aura of heat.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, ablaze with a fire that swirled into a scorching vortex, fixating deeply on Lin Bei.

A bizarre voice then reverberated through the air.

"Has someone finally come forth? I, Yao Yan, have awaited this glimmer of hope at last."

"Yet, I am uncertain if you are the one destined to carry on the legacy."