C21 Seeing the Boss for the First Time

The introduction of the arena sparked a frenzy among players, driving them to game with unbridled enthusiasm. Those with a passion for martial arts from a young age found themselves particularly captivated, forsaking monster farming to spar with others daily, honing their real-world combat skills.

Naturally, the experience gained in the arena wouldn't translate to the outside world. After all, it was just a game, and while everyone's strength was balanced within it, they were still considerably more powerful than the average person. For instance, each player could effortlessly leap seven or eight meters high, a feat that would make them seem superhuman in reality. Thus, there was no concern about players applying lethal skills learned in the game to nefarious ends in the real world.

Lin Tian saw the players' gaming obsession as beneficial, yet the exclusive focus on arena battles, neglecting monster farming, troubled him. In just half a day, he had distributed numerous weapons, all energy-crafted, and it pained him to part with them.

Despite the heartache, Lin Tian knew these items were essential to keep players engaged. Without them, how could he attract a significant number of players to tackle the multitude of monsters before him? With only the Lava Small World creatures currently invading, he faced mounting pressure to clear them out before the arrival of the next small world's inhabitants.

"What's that? The humans outside are growing stronger?" Bamote lamented, his headache worsening as the game found its stride. He had once believed humans, stripped of their ancient might, were easy prey. Initially, this seemed true, with humans falling easily to their slaughter. But over time, their strength surged, as if divinely inspired, to the point where even his ordinary warriors were no match for them. This alarming trend suggested that soon, his forces would be decimated, leaving him a solitary commander, powerful yet unable to alter the inevitable.

"No, I must find out who the mastermind is," Bamote declared, squinting his eyes as he resolved to uncover the identity of the individual capable of wielding the power of the rules.

Before anyone from the High Level World arrived, he needed to ensure that his warriors suffered minimal losses. It had been quite some time since he had last engaged in combat, and now he decided to visit the human gathering places to gauge their capabilities.

With a swift whoosh, Bamote, who had been sitting comfortably, suddenly soared into the sky. Onlookers were awestruck by the sight of magnificent, fiery wings unfurling behind his rocky form, a truly imposing vision.

Meanwhile, the players were unaware that the first disaster since their arrival in the game was about to befall them. Although, calling it a disaster might be a stretch since they faced no real threat of death.

"Wahahaha, this Martial Arts Competition is incredibly entertaining. I've already scored 200 points. I reckon in another three or four days, I'll reach the next level and claim my new rewards," one player exclaimed with glee.

"The drop rate for green weapons is ridiculously low, but once I level up, I'll get a random green weapon as a reward. It's exhilarating! Come on, don't miss out—this place is perfect for farming equipment," another advised eagerly.

Qi Tian and Chung Tianya were also gathered around the arena, animatedly discussing the new mode that had captured everyone's interest. It was clear that they had all given it a try.

"I'm not into this sort of thing. I prefer the thrill of battling monsters, so I'll leave the point-scoring to you," Chung Tianya said to an enthusiastic Qi Tian, shaking his head in resignation. He wasn't fond of human combat; monster battles were more his style. After all, it's a matter of preference—some enjoy PVP, while others favor PVE.

"You two have already hit Level 4. With a bit more effort, you can reach Level 5 by tomorrow and unlock your new abilities. Don't slack off now," he encouraged.

"The top-ranked Enforcing Justice for Heaven has reached Level 7 already. He's incredibly fast, and I can't afford to fall too far behind. After I help you level up tomorrow, you'll need to help me catch up with him," Beiming Xue said, her voice as cool as ever. Yet, her words betrayed a competitive streak that didn't quite align with her aloof demeanor. It was clear she was eager to close the gap with Enforcing Justice for Heaven.

It was clear that Beiming Xue's competitive spirit was intense; she wasn't as detached from worldly desires as she seemed.

While the group enjoyed some rare downtime, chatting away, a massive red cloud drifted across the sky, bringing with it a scorching wave of heat.

Everyone instinctively turned to find the source of the sudden warmth.

"Holy smokes, what's happening? Look, is there someone standing on that cloud?"

"You're kidding, right? That's not a person; it definitely looks more like a monster."

"What's going on? Could it be a high-level monster launching a surprise attack? But we're in Beginner Village; how could a high-level monster show up here?"

The crowd buzzed with excitement, all eyes drawn to the unexpected sight. Beiming Xue and her companions were no exception. They gazed at the approaching red cloud, overwhelmed by the intense presence that made it hard to catch their breath.

"Wow, what is that? Such powerful energy. But it looks like it's heading for Beginner Village. Should we go check it out?"

Qi Tian gulped, eager to witness the commotion, though he had no idea what was unfolding. There was certainly a spectacle to be seen.

"Okay, let's go have a look. For all we know, that monster could be the Lava Ruler, Bamote, mentioned in the announcement."

Beiming Xue was quicker on the uptake than the rest, immediately considering the monster's potential identity.

Upon further reflection, it did seem plausible. Aside from Bamote, who else could emanate such an imposing aura?

"Bamote? Then we must go see for ourselves. We need to gauge this Boss's strength to better prepare for future encounters. Our ultimate quest is to defeat him and claim the title of Lava Ruler."