Chapter 2

As Meteor left, it seemed as if his entire person was "floating" in mid-air.

After he dazedly said goodbye to Zhou Xian, he regretfully realized that he had forgotten to add Zhou Xian as a friend.

On the other side, Zhou Xian had no time to pay attention to the other party.

He was currently crafting some consumables that would be useful in competitive matches at the Flowing Cloud Temple.

In competitive mode, players' abilities are restricted, and the strength gap brought by equipment is reduced to a maximum of 20%. Therefore, the significance of equipment in the arena is not as important. Of course, the difference between a good set of equipment and a powerful holy weapon is still significant. For battles between experts, a 20% gap can be enough to become a crushing advantage.

"Enhanced Talisman *10 creation successful."

With the system's prompt, Zhou Xian's hand now held a stack of talismans specifically for Taoists.

"Although I was already prepared, for some reason, I still feel uneasy..."

Zhou Xian rubbed his head.

In the game, Zhou Xian was a player who was almost at level 70, a professional player. He was the owner of a city and also managed an organization called "Flowing Cloud Temple." He possessed the powerful demon race holy weapon, the "Black Gold Heavenly Chief Sword," and the ancient "Dragon Transformation Puppet Armor." His items and equipment were incredibly strong. However, for some reason, Zhou Xian always felt uneasy.

"Whatever, I'll take a break for now."

Zhou Xian sat down and opened the built-in browser, preparing to browse the school forum and chat rooms.

"Predictions for the top four in this year's High School Cup!"

"The competition is about to start, and this year's number of participants is more than double last year's!"

"Damn, I think I messed up my final exams..."

On the school forum, most of the discussions were about the competition, while a few people were lamenting their performance on last week's final exams.

"Investigating the identity of the mysterious eighth Earth player, is there a connection to the owner of Hundred Flowers City?"

Suddenly, Zhou Xian saw a post that shook him.

He couldn't help but click on it.

"As everyone knows, a few months ago, the eighth Great Emperor player appeared in the game, following the seven Great Emperors. Unlike the other Great Emperor players who have already formed their own guilds or joined large guilds, this player has remained elusive and very mysterious. Not long ago, in the original Hundred Flowers Valley region, another player advanced the regional event quest. What is the relationship between this player and the eighth Great Emperor player? Let me explain..."

"First, let me give you some background: A Great Emperor player is one who has received the unique super quest in the game, the Great Emperor quest. The probability of receiving the Great Emperor quest is only one in ten billion. Of course, compared to our population, eight Great Emperor players are still quite few (laughs)."

"While a Great Emperor player is on the quest, they are not allowed to die in any form, or the quest will fail. When a Great Emperor player is killed, there is a certain probability that the Great Emperor quest will be transferred to someone else. Therefore, it is understandable for a Great Emperor player to be low-key before completing the quest. However, as a Great Emperor player with world-class luck, is it really that easy to hide among the crowd? I don't think it's that simple..."

The poster went on with a lot of analysis.

"I didn't expect someone to investigate this far..."

The Great Emperor quest was indeed as this person said.

The Great Emperor quest is the highest-level quest automatically generated by the system in the game "Legendary World" to promote the development of the game world. The quest level is marked as SSSSS, with five S's, and the conditions for triggering the quest are unknown.

In the entire game world, with over ten billion players, only a few hundred people have ever received this quest. During the quest, players receive many benefits. If completed successfully, they will obtain the level and equipment of a Great Emperor.

However, since the game's inception, only seven people have successfully completed the Great Emperor quest, while the others failed halfway. This is largely due to the extreme difficulty of the quest, with a high failure rate, and also because some Great Emperors have tried to prevent others from completing the quest.

Players who complete this quest are known as the Seven Great Emperors in the game world. They are extremely powerful, often the supreme and symbolic figures in top-tier guilds, dominating a part of the game world.

A Great Emperor can eliminate hundreds of ordinary players with a single wave of their hand, with astonishing attack output, defense, and health, making them completely invincible. In the game, they are legendary-level players, highly revered by millions.

Zhou Xian opened his quest panel.

At the top of the quest panel, in a different color from other quests, was:

Great Emperor Quest: Dragon Tomb!

Indeed, Zhou Xian was the Great Emperor player who appeared a few months ago.

As this person said, after Zhou Xian received the quest, his luck soared, and he quickly became a strong player in the game. He also became more proficient in the competitive mode, which he was not originally good at.

"Bound User ID: Zhou Xian

Level: LV68

Held Identities: Master of Flowing Cloud Temple, Owner of Hundred Flowers City, Innkeeper of Tongfu Inn, Apprentice of White Crane Mountain Craftsmen Academy, Citizen of Vermilion Bird Kingdom

Faction Reputation: Adored by Flowing Cloud Temple, Adored by Hundred Flowers City, Adored by Tongfu Inn, Friendly with White Crane Mountain Craftsmen Academy, Respected by Vermilion Bird Kingdom, Hostile to Black Tortoise Kingdom, Enemy of Seven Cultivations Sea, Enemy of Netherworld Mountain

Weapon: Black Gold Heavenly Chief Sword (Legendary Equipment, Forced Equipment State)

Held Abilities: Three Meridians Complete, Seven Wheel Holy Body (3/7 Completion), Dragon Flame Power, Four Holy Powers

Secondary Profession Status

Blacksmith: Advanced Craftsman (Pending Breakthrough), Breakthrough Directions: Dragon Craftsman, Puppet Craftsman, Swordsmith, Each complete meridian allows one breakthrough direction. After breakthrough, can advance to Grand Craftsman.

Blacksmithing: Level 13

Gathering: Level 12

Mining: Level 6

Skinning: Level 12"

The character attributes in the game are very complex. Zhou Xian simply glanced at his attributes and then closed the panel.

"Now, I'm just one step away from becoming a professional player."

He sighed.

To ordinary players, Zhou Xian's current status is like that of a "chosen one." Being able to own a city and possess a legendary weapon is something that most people can't achieve.

And the reason for all this is the Great Emperor quest that Zhou Xian received.

Players who receive the Great Emperor quest are immediately blessed with luck, essentially becoming a "main character" in the game.

—And Zhou Xian is now one of the lucky ones who received the Great Emperor quest.

It can be said that Zhou Xian's current achievements are almost entirely due to the Great Emperor quest he received a few months ago.

However, Zhou Xian did not become blindly happy. Receiving the Great Emperor quest does not guarantee that one will become a true Great Emperor. The hundreds of people who failed before him are the best proof.

In fact, Zhou Xian's view of his Great Emperor quest is different from others.

This is because the way Zhou Xian received the Great Emperor quest was different.

"Son, happy 14th birthday! Because the development of 'Legendary World' is very busy, I sent your birthday gift via a timed delivery package so I wouldn't forget. In the future, if Dad is busy, this thing will tell you stories! Hehe, Dad loves you!"

This is the story that began with the birthday gift Zhou Xian received a few months ago, when he was still in junior high school.

Zhou Xian received a bound game helmet, and the Great Emperor quest was "attached" to it.

In other words, Zhou Xian's Great Emperor quest was not issued by the "system" but obtained through a method almost akin to "cheating"!

"But Dad, you're not that kind of person, are you..."

Zhou Xian's father had passed away several years ago—overwork led to heart failure, and he died at his workstation. This package was delivered two years after it was stored.

Of course, if it were just that, Zhou Xian would have thought it was just a small privilege his father used.

But Zhou Xian knew that things were far from that simple.

"But, Dad, you didn't give me this helmet hoping I would become the top player in the game or dominate the game. So why did you give it to me?"

Full of doubts, Zhou Xian knew that there was one person who might be able to help him understand.

"Log out of the game."

Following Zhou Xian's command, he temporarily left the game world. The next moment, everything in front of him returned to his room.

But immediately, Zhou Xian put on the helmet again and closed his eyes.

This time, Zhou Xian did not enter the game but a local mini-game.

"Flowing Cloud Ancestor?"

"Flowing Cloud Ancestor!"

Zhou Xian called out twice, and a phantom suddenly appeared from the darkness.

"Little Zhou Xian, it's quite late. Is there something you need?"

Flowing Cloud Ancestor is the founder of Flowing Cloud Temple, a legendary figure in the game world.

No one would have thought that this "legendary figure" would appear in his helmet. Without needing an internet connection, he could simply enter a mini-game to call him. Zhou Xian had also received much guidance and help from him during the quest.

"Flowing Cloud Ancestor, I've had a question for several months that I want to ask you," Zhou Xian said respectfully.

"Go ahead."

"…Why are you in my helmet, and what is the connection with my father?" Today, Zhou Xian finally asked the question that had been on his mind for a long time.

"Hehe, I've been waiting for you to ask this question," Flowing Cloud Ancestor suddenly laughed.

Zhou Xian looked up curiously.

At this moment, Flowing Cloud Ancestor looked at Zhou Xian and said, "I am here at your father's request. The matter your father wanted to tell you should be clearly indicated in your Great Emperor quest."

"Great Emperor quest… Dragon Tomb?"

Dragon Tomb, the legendary tomb where dragons go when they die, is where Zhou Xian's Great Emperor quest took him. His Black Gold Heavenly Chief Sword was also obtained from the Dragon Tomb.

"That's right. 'Legendary World' is not just a game. This secret is hidden in your helmet, but it is a gift from your father, and you need to explore it yourself."

"…"

Hearing Flowing Cloud Ancestor's words, Zhou Xian was somewhat surprised.

"…By the way, today is your father's birthday, isn't it?" Flowing Cloud Ancestor suddenly said.

"…Yes." Zhou Xian nodded.

"Check your mail. It should be today."

Mail?

"Enter the game and you'll see."

"…Alright." Zhou Xian took a deep breath and then exited the mini-game.

"It seems it's finally time, my old friend…" Flowing Cloud Ancestor chuckled and then disappeared into the void.

On the other side, Zhou Xian logged back into the game.

"Mail?"

Zhou Xian glanced at his mailbox, which was empty.

No, there was a system mail.

"…"

In 'Legendary World,' system mails are very rare. To enhance the immersion, players in the game must use "appropriate IDs." This is a highly realistic MMORPG, very different from traditional games.

For this reason, system mails are also very rare, which is why Zhou Xian was stunned.

In fact, the "official" rarely appears in the game.

He opened the mail.

"Son:

When you read this letter, it should be July 4, 2034. I hope you like the birthday gift I sent you. I received the birthday cake you sent me today, and I'm very happy. Dad is busy with work all day, and when I heard your wishes, I felt very guilty. I don't know what kind of expression I should have to face such a well-behaved son. I slightly abused my authority to help my shy dad express his gratitude through this letter… By the way, the birthday gift I gave you is not just an ordinary virtual helmet. I think you should have understood by now. Ha, but to be honest, this thing is something that can change the world. Life is a game, and a game is life. I hope you enjoy this game called life.

Father

July 4, 2030."

"Dad's letter…?"