Flipping through the rankings, although I leveled up two times in one afternoon, I still didn't reach the top of the leaderboard.
Currently, the world's number one spot has been taken by a Chinese Thief named Power Hotpot, who is level 21.
My ranking hasn't entered the top ten yet, but it's not far, precisely eleventh, just missing the Heavenly Rankings.
The city's ranking had no suspense; Kuang Zhan held second place at level 18, followed closely by Ye Qiu, also at level 18.
Lu Xuehan and Murong Shanshan were fourth and fifth respectively, both at level 17.
Even Xu Lin and Xin Yu entered the city's top ten this time, both at level 16.
Although they were at the bottom, I could imagine they must be in a very good mood right now.
I logged off, took off my helmet, and heard laughter from outside in the distance.
Xu Lin, radiant, said, "Lin Fan, Xin Yu and I also made it into the town's top ten! Did you see?"
"Of course, I saw! Congratulations to you both!"
Xin Yu smiled, "It's all thanks to the bow you gave me. Without it, I definitely wouldn't have leveled up so fast. And Sister Lin's area-of-effect magic is also incredibly powerful; a group of monsters is burned to ashes in just a few hits."
"Oh, if Xue Han hadn't been healing me, I don't know how many times I would have died!"
Lu Xuehan smiled as she watched everyone.
In the kitchen, Li Qing was bringing out the finished dishes one by one.
Xin Yu also mysteriously ran back to her room, not knowing what she was doing, and when she returned, she was holding a small pot of orchids.
I was instantly dumbfounded.
Xin Yu plopped down next to me, pointed at the orchid, and said, "Starting today, I've decided to grow flowers!"
Xu Lin's mouth dropped open, saying, "No wonder you logged off half an hour early; you went to buy orchids."
Xin Yu looked smug, and I immediately advised, "Xin Yu, you're growing orchids too?"
"What, can't I?" Xin Yu looked a bit displeased.
I quickly explained, "I think you'd be better off growing a cactus; they don't die easily..."
"Lin Fan! You're looking for trouble!"
"..."
Lu Xuehan smoothed things over, "Alright, alright, everyone, let's eat first. After dinner, we'll practice a bit more and then rest."
Xu Lin nodded and said, "Exactly. Rest early, and wake up early tomorrow to level up; that's the right way.
From now on, no one should stay up late.
Let's just make it a rule to rest from 6 AM to 11 PM every day.
If there's a task that absolutely must be completed, then staying up late can be an exception.
Did everyone hear clearly? This is how it's going to be from now on."
"En."
After dinner, everyone went back to their rooms to level up.
As for me, the intensity of leveling up all day was too much, so I sat on the sofa to rest for a while.
Then I saw Xin Yu come over with a teapot and pour a cup of tea on the coffee table.
The entire living room was immediately filled with the fresh scent of jasmine.
"Have a cup of tea to cleanse your stomach. Leveling up is important, but don't push yourself too hard; after all, your body is your own," Xin Yu said with a sweet smile.
I stared at her flawless, snow-white face and quietly said, "I wish you would learn to care about yourself that much someday."
Xin Yu paused, and her beautiful eyes sparkled with captivating charm.
She gently sat down next to me and whispered, "I will."
Seeing Xin Yu's gentle and tender demeanor, my heart ached.
This feeling was indescribably complex.
Would I like Xin Yu?
Probably not. I am a very traditional man and would never tolerate my girlfriend not being pure, even if she truly repented, it would be useless.
After a moment of silence, Xin Yu hadn't spoken.
The tea had grown a bit cold.
I stood up and said, "I'm going to level up.
I'll go to bed early tonight; I'm really too tired lately."
Xin Yu nodded and silently walked back to her room, her graceful figure carrying a hint of disappointment...
I returned to my room, put on my helmet, and entered the game.
I checked the durability of my equipment, which was already low, and I also needed to go to the trainer to see if there were any skills a Swordsman could learn at level 20.
Heavy Strike and Combo had both reached level 3 with my repeated use.
Heavy Strike's effect increased to a 25% single-attack enhancement, while Combo showed no change.
After level 20, neither skill gained further proficiency, likely due to a level restriction.
I used a Return City Scroll and went directly to the Exchange to consign the three high-level white equipment I had acquired.
Each was priced at RMB 200.
Considering that most players are currently around level 13, these level 15 white equipment still have a large market.
The previous batch of consigned equipment had all sold out.
A total of a little over 2000 yuan had been transferred to Xu Lin's account.
Including my commission, I received another 700.
It seemed that this was indeed much faster money than attracting customers.
However, Xin Yu and the others weren't so lucky; currently, only Xu Lin had sold a green Knight's Leggings for 800 RMB.
The Warrior Training Hall was next to the central church in the city, with small warriors in tattered clothes constantly coming and going.
Although I only had three green items, standing among them, I looked like a nouveau riche.
I spoke to the trainer, but instead received a quest: "Brave warrior, it seems you are already strong enough.
Would you like to learn about the past of Swordsmen?"
I immediately chose yes, and he continued, "The great kingdom has an excellent tradition.
Our Swordsman Alliance was originally a brave guard unit of the former king.
During the kingdom's turmoil twelve years ago, the great Royal Guard Captain Reinhardt led his guard to rescue our king from powerful villains and helped the king reclaim our territory.
Therefore, he was thereafter hailed as the kingdom's foremost warrior.
Sadly, he mysteriously disappeared five years ago in another upheaval.
Thanks to the new Knight Captain Palukis bravely leading the cavalry, the turmoil was quelled, but our Swordsman Alliance has been in decline ever since."
The trainer paused, then continued, "Young warrior, are you willing to use the sharp sword in your hand to cut through thorns and find a new future for Swordsmen?"
I immediately chose "Yes" again!
"Very well, take this letter and go find a new path!"
"Ding~!"
System message: You have accepted the Swordsman Promotion Quest.
Go to the port north of Hurricane City, where a ship will take you to the city in the sea—Via Village.
Speak with the village chief, Yeka; he will guide you on a new journey!
...
I was overjoyed.
I looked through the professions on the level rankings; all those ahead of me were Mages and Thieves, not a single Warrior...
This meant I was the first player to reach level 20 and receive the Warrior promotion quest.
Why was there no reward?
Even a level 20 green item would be nice...