From midnight until ten the next morning, even someone made of iron like Bai Qiu felt an indescribable exhaustion.
The moment he closed his eyes, he quickly fell into a deep sleep.
He didn't know that, while he was resting, countless players were circling like sharks in the ocean — drawn by the scent of blood.
In the Cross-Zone Chat channel for areas 2200–2250, a group of night owls were still chatting idly.
In truth, the chat channels were most active twice a day — when the sun first rose, and again when night completely fell.
At those times, hundreds of messages would appear every second.
After all, with fifty zones and a total population of at least half a million players, a few hundred messages per second only meant that most people were silently watching instead of talking.
By midnight, the number of messages had dropped significantly, though the chat still maintained a pace of a dozen or so per second.
Many people were still awake — or simply couldn't sleep — quietly scrolling through the feed.
Suddenly, a message appeared before all the silent onlookers:
"Trade ID — selling area-exclusive healing potions. Come quickly if you need them!"
Then, a golden pinned broadcast message popped up at the top of the channel.
"Dear big brothers and sisters! I'm selling enhanced healing potions that can treat wounds — only ten regular Dragonfangs per bottle! Limited stock, once they're gone, that's it!"
"Oh, and I've got other supplies too — bread, milk, tents, and daily necessities — all at the lowest prices! Come trade now! Trade ID: [player name] — 'WantToBeAsBraveAsBigBrother.'"
The two announcements instantly blew up the Cross-Zone Chat, stirring all the lurking spectators into activity.
MoonlightIsBeautiful: "Whoa, who's this person? They bought two broadcast horns in a row? Where'd they get that many Sanctum Coins?"
LookAtMe: "Dragonfang Soldiers start dropping them after level ten, but that was pretty late last night. I only managed to kill one."
LookAtMe: "Nighttime visibility sucks, the monsters are tougher, and they get more aggressive! If I wasn't wearing thick armor, I'd be dead or skinned alive by now!"
SharkArm: "Yeah, level 10 Dragonfang Soldiers can already bite through E-grade armor. You need D-grade armor just to tank them now. I got surrounded by three tonight — wounds still hurt like hell!"
SheSaidIt'sATan: "+1. I'm supposed to be one of the top-tier tanks, but those things tore me apart tonight! Had to run back to the safe zone with my tail between my legs. Worst part — didn't even manage to kill one, so no Sanctum Coins to buy healing potions! I'm in too much pain to sleep!"
AnOrangeCat: "That player using the horn seems to be from Zone 2233. I think she's selling healing potions. Why don't you go buy from her? That zone's taking Dragonfangs as trade."
The chat went quiet for a few seconds — then erupted again.
SheSaidIt'sATan: "Damn it! Those bastards are fast! Everything's sold out already!"
ImAnHonestGuy: "Hey bro, need healing potions? I've got small ones for just 300 Dragonfangs each. Guaranteed to help you sleep and wake up good as new tomorrow!"
SheSaidIt'sATan: "She sold them for ten Dragonfangs each and you're reselling for thirty times the price? Are you even human?!"
"Scammer!"
"Bastard!"
After the brief uproar, someone finally asked about the effect.
AnOrangeCat: "How good are those healing potions, anyway? Anyone tried them yet?"
LookAtMe: "Hey SharkArm, didn't you get some? How are they?"
SharkArm: "Top quality, no joke. I used two bottles — one to drink, one on my wound — and the pain stopped instantly. You can literally see the wound healing. Feels warm all over. I bet it'll fully close up in five minutes. Without it, it'd probably take ten days or more!"
SheSaidIt'sATan: "Bro, how many do you have left? Help me out — I'll pay double!"
SharkArm: "I only managed to grab five bottles of small healing potion, and even that's not enough for me! You'd better keep an eye on the trading post. Maybe that player from Zone 2233 will list more."
AnOrangeCat: "@SheSaidIt'sATan She just restocked! Hurry and grab some!"
After some time...
SheSaidIt'sATan: "Damn it! I missed it again! I don't believe this—I'll just camp here and wait! @AnOrangeCat, thanks bro!"
A player who suddenly appeared in the Cross-Zone Chat using a loudspeaker to advertise caught the attention of countless others.
Soon, her "brand" — Minor Healing Potion, Medium Healing Potion, and Major Healing Potion — brought enormous benefit to everyone.
This player, showered with praise from all sides, quickly became a sensation.
Those who didn't manage to buy her potions began browsing through her other listed goods.
Bread ×2
Price: 10 Dragon Fangs (default quality: Normal)
Milk ×2
Price: 10 Dragon Fangs
Camping Tent ×1
Price: 100 Dragon Fangs
"Whoa! Her other stuff is way cheaper than the market too!"
"She's basically the living saint of Zone 2233!"
"Everyone, go, go, go!"
"I'm going!"
"Charge!"
——
Swish! Swish! Two arrows flew out, piercing through the air and striking down two Dragonfang Soldiers fifty meters away.
As they dissolved into white light, the dropped items automatically floated into the girl's inventory — the Kill Looting skill!
That's right — after seeing how Bai Qiu could kill enemies from hundreds of meters away and have all the drops fly straight into his bag, Zhang Shiyao instantly realized that, while other skills were optional, this one was absolutely essential!
It saved both time and effort.
"The amount of Sanctum Coins dropped is about the same as Dragonfangs… The stuff I listed on the trading hall is sold out too… I'll farm twenty more before heading back to restock." Zhang Shiyao murmured to herself, emerald light flickering in her eyes.
——
Many zones exploded with chatter.
What started as idle talk among night owls and lurkers turned into chaos as the news spread.
Upon confirming the information in chat, countless players rushed to wake their sleeping teammates to share it.
Even so, after Dragonfang Soldiers had grown strong enough to pierce through iron armor, only the elite — and the reckless — dared to venture beyond the safe zones at night to hunt them.
But no matter what, the player known as "WantToBeAsBraveAsBigBrother" left behind an unforgettable mark in the Cross-Zone Chat.
And that mark… would not be easily surpassed by anyone who came after.
"Hey, do you guys think that player who keeps selling healing potions is the strongest person among all fifty zones? I just checked — she's level 12 already!"
"I think so. Healing potions cost Sanctum Coins to buy, and barely anyone even has those right now!"
"That's what they call hidden in plain sight, huh? Never said a word in chat before — then suddenly, bam! Absolute legend!"
While everyone in the chat buzzed with excitement…
Level 15 Bai Qiu was fast asleep, snoring soundly in his bed.