Level Grinding

Blackwind Fortress Dungeon, Nightmare Difficulty (Level 16–20, 1–10 players).

Tang Xuan led Wang Yajun, Luo Qingqing, Qin Yanran, Li Weiwei, Jiang Wanwan, and several other women into the dungeon together.

“Halt! Who dares trespass here?”

The familiar line marked the beginning. A dozen bandit lackeys from Blackwind Fortress—humanoid monsters—charged at them.

This time, Tang Xuan did not intervene. The women had already rushed forward.

Wang Yajun had reached level 16. As an inner disciple of Mount Hua Sect, she cultivated the Mount Hua Orthodox Inner Skill (third-tier internal skill), and had made some progress recently. Her palm technique was the third-tier Tiger Subduing Palm, and her lightness skill was the Mount Hua Entry-Level Lightness (second-tier), which included moves like Giant Roc Spreads Wings and Wind Sends Purple Clouds. She had practiced both skills to a fair proficiency, reaching level two or three.

Yet her highest-level skill was the Lady’s Swordplay, a superior third-tier sword technique she learned from Ning Zhongze. Wang Yajun had diligently honed it, now at level four.

At this moment, she wielded a sharp sword—a green equipment with +40 attack, gifted by her master Ning Zhongze, a renowned weapon in the martial world. As she unleashed the Lady’s Swordplay, sword gleams swiftly cut down the Blackwind Fortress bandit lackeys.

These bandits at the entrance were merely level 5, 6, or 7 humanoid monsters, no longer a match for the women.

Luo Qingqing brandished the Tiger Fang Saber, the very blade Tang Xuan had given her. As an inner disciple of the Five Venoms Sect, she had learned their superior internal skill, with modest progress. Luo Qingqing focused mainly on poison arts, gu cultivation, and medicine-making; her saber and lightness skills were only second-tier, not particularly powerful.

But by coating her weapon with poison, she greatly boosted its lethality.

Qin Yanran was a disciple of Emei Sect’s Head Mistress, Abbess Miejue. Her internal skill was the Fourth-tier Three Yang Art, and she had the Four-tier Divine Dragon Three Manifestations lightness skill. She had mastered the basics, and also learned the Flowing Cloud Swordplay from Abbess Miejue—a second-tier sword technique, graceful and agile.

Her sword, too, was a green-class weapon bestowed by Abbess Miejue. Although her attack wasn’t as potent as Wang Yajun’s Lady’s Swordplay, her lightness skill was superior.

Li Weiwei cultivated the Quanzhen Heart Method, a fourth-tier internal skill, and had the fourth-tier Golden Wild Goose Skill for lightness. Her swordplay was the Quanzhen Entry Swordplay, a second-tier technique.

Her sword was another green equipment, gifted by Sun Buer, the “Serene Wanderer.” Li Weiwei had made steady progress in internal and lightness skills, and her swordplay had reached level seven. Once she reached level ten mastery, she could learn the complete Quanzhen Swordplay—a fourth-tier technique—from Sun Buer.

This was the superior swordplay used by Yelü Qi in the past; at full mastery, she could spar even with Li Mochou!

Wang Yajun, Luo Qingqing, Qin Yanran, and Li Weiwei often tackled dungeons together, training their skills and leveling up. For them, dealing with Blackwind Fortress lackeys was effortless.

Even the level 20 boss, the Third Commander of Blackwind Fortress, was easily defeated when they joined forces.

As for the level 25 boss, the Second Commander of Blackwind Fortress—the hard difficulty dungeon—they had already conquered it several times together.

Yet the nightmare-level dungeon’s 30-level boss, the Chief Commander of Blackwind Fortress, was beyond the four women’s confidence.

They planned to train their skills and recruit other players to form a strong ten-person party before attempting the nightmare difficulty.

But unexpectedly, Tang Xuan summoned them. With this expert leading, they had no worries about the nightmare-level dungeon.

After all, Tang Xuan had once soloed the nightmare-level first kill!

The four women were all skilled heroines at level 16.

Jiang Wanwan was no less accomplished. She, too, had reached level 16, cultivating the South Sea Coconut Flower Island’s Swallow Gathering Skill—a fourth-tier superior martial art combining internal skill and lightness.

Tang Xuan had also gifted her the Jade Maiden Pure Heart, Scarlet Remnants move, a four-tier Emei thrusting technique.

She wielded a pair of green-class Split Water Daggers, each adding 25 attack points—fifty in total!

Thus, among all the women, Jiang Wanwan had the highest internal skill, lightness, and attack.

All her skills—internal, lightness, attack—were fourth-tier, and her weapons were paired green equipment!

Yet Jiang Wanwan was ostracized at the Dynasty Club. Despite her powerful stats, she had not completed the nightmare-level Blackwind Fortress dungeon and was still at level 16.

Until Tang Xuan invited her to join the dungeon run.

Jiang Wanwan, a famed goddess in the online gaming world, was intimately connected to the former top player and “textbook” of gamers.

Wang Yajun and her companions, as fans of Tang Xuan, were naturally familiar with Jiang Wanwan—she was half an idol to them!

Jiang Wanwan found it amusing; their true idol was right before them, yet these beauties failed to recognize him.

Tang Xuan led the group, advancing through Blackwind Fortress.

Along the way, the bandit lackeys’ levels gradually rose from 5, 6, 7 up to 8, 9, and 10.

Still, they were no match for the women.

Tang Xuan observed, not intervening. His skills were already perfected; he didn’t need to train, so he let the women use this opportunity to raise their skill levels.

Eventually, they reached the pass, where two level 15 elite bandit leaders, with their lackeys, were vanquished by the group.

After entering the pass, Tang Xuan encountered a familiar tool character—the Third Commander of Blackwind Fortress.

This level 20 boss would be considered a third-rate martial artist in the rivers and lakes, proficient in the lost Five Tigers Gate Severing Sabre, with passable internal and lightness skills.

Yet the women possessed superior martial arts and had reached level 16, with skills at decent levels. Joined together, they swiftly defeated the level 20 boss.

Crossing the flagstone plaza, they entered the main hall.

There awaited the Second Commander of Blackwind Fortress, with a dozen level 15 elite bandit leaders.

The women unleashed their martial arts, charging into battle.

With their skills, dealing with the elite bandit leaders was not difficult—only the Second Commander required caution.

After a hard-fought battle, the level 25 Second Commander, along with the elite leaders, were defeated.

“Vile invaders! How dare you slaughter within my Blackwind Fortress? Prepare yourselves!”

At that exact moment, a sharp shout rang out. A figure flew in from the hall’s entrance, launching himself at the women.

It was the level 30 boss—the Chief Commander of Blackwind Fortress!

The women had already steeled themselves. Thanks to Tang Xuan, they knew the crucial point of this nightmare dungeon.

After defeating the Second Commander and the elite leaders, the level 30 Chief Commander would immediately attack, giving players no respite!

That was why they never had confidence in conquering the nightmare dungeon.

After a grueling fight, five players united to defeat the Second Commander and his elite minions, but their condition was poor.

At this moment, they had little strength left to face the level 30 Chief Commander!

They would likely be eliminated one by one after only a few moves.

If they formed a ten-person party, dealing with the Second Commander and his elites would be easier, and they’d be in better shape to challenge the Chief Commander.

That was why Wang Yajun and the others intended to recruit more experts for a ten-person team to tackle the nightmare dungeon.

Now, with the women in poor shape and the Chief Commander charging at them—

Tang Xuan smiled faintly, his figure flickered, and he stepped forward.

Shaolin Arhat Fist!

His fists crashed like mountains and waves.

The Chief Commander of Blackwind Fortress took a heavy blow, blasted away as if struck by a massive hammer!

Tang Xuan lunged forward, delivering two more punches mid-air!

The Chief Commander crashed to the ground, lifeless.

[Defeated level 30 boss, Chief Commander of Blackwind Fortress. Gained 1400 experience.]

[Congratulations! You have completed the Blackwind Fortress Nightmare Difficulty Dungeon. Reward: 5000 experience.]

Even though the women knew Tang Xuan’s prowess, they stared in shock and awe.

Tang Xuan curled his lips; this time, the level 30 boss dropped nothing at all.

Due to the party system, the experience he received was only a fraction of what he’d earned solo.

But with these beautiful fans and tenants—his future wives—Tang Xuan was satisfied to share the experience.

The group left the dungeon and selected Blackwind Fortress, Nightmare Difficulty, to continue their runs.