At this moment, inside Novice Village, [Ding! You have completed the "Physician's Task," reward: +200 experience, +20 Gold Coins.]
[Ding! You have completed the "Pawnshop Owner's Task," reward: +200 experience, +10 fixed attribute points.]
[Ding! You have completed the "Private Tutor's Task," reward: +500 experience, +100 skill attribute points.]
[Ding! You have completed the "Chef Zhang Agui's Task," reward: +1000 experience, +100 Gold Coins, +Roast Meat*10.]
…
Ye Qiu worked tirelessly, handing all task items to the designated NPCs.
Then, his experience points soared!
Until—
[Ding! Your Level has increased by 1, health increased, attributes increased, and corresponding fixed attribute points rewarded.]
"Damn, finally leveled up!"
Ye Qiu complained in his heart.
In his previous life, these tasks' experience rewards could directly raise a Level 0 player to Level 10!
But now, they only raised Level 11, Ye Qiu to Level 12—just barely!
Miss one task, and no leveling up!
"Level 12, with quite a few attribute points gained."
Ye Qiu took two deep breaths.
"Time to face Split Fiend!"
Being below Level 15 meant nothing against a demon.
Level 12 or Level 15—no difference at all!
Forget Level 12 vs. 15, even Level 20 players were mere appetizers to demons!
Because demons were not monsters!
They were even more intelligent than some demon-spirits!
Ye Qiu took out the "Secret Realm Treasure Map."
[Secret Realm Treasure Map (Legendary Tier): Direct access to the secret realm inside Novice Village.]
He crushed it.
A shimmering light wrapped around Ye Qiu's body.
Space twisted.
His vision darkened, and he disappeared from sight!
Shortly after Ye Qiu vanished, dozens of figures appeared at his spot—Village Chief Uncle Xu, Blacksmith Zhang Tie, Herbalist Lady, Chef Zhang Agui, and others…
"Not sure if this will succeed this time,"
Uncle Xu murmured, then took a gulp of wine.
A scholar-like NPC looked grim, "That's an alien demon!
We've trained many young talents, but in the end… they all died, forever trapped in the secret realm!"
No one contradicted him.
Because it was true!
And demons could grow!
Years ago, the Split Fiend was already Level 15!
Now, years later, its level has only increased!
"That undead is only Level 12, sending him on this mission is a joke!"
Chef Zhang Agui snorted, displeased.
"So what if Level 12?
Back when Brother Xu cut through the sky with one sword, he was only Level 5!
Believe in miracles!"
A younger NPC retorted.
"That's nonsense and misdirection!
Brother Xu was injured and dropped to Level 5, but his realm remained.
That's totally different from this undead!"
Chef Zhang Agui corrected.
The "Brother Xu" they spoke of was Village Chief Uncle Xu himself!
Herbalist Lady, twisting her enchanting figure, walked to Uncle Xu, snatched his wine gourd, and frowned, "You gave the Secret Realm Treasure Map to my disciple.
Say something now!"
Uncle Xu was momentarily stunned, then laughed lightly, "You actually took him as a disciple?
What do you want to use him for?"
Herbalist Lady was annoyed, "How dare you doubt me?
I officially accepted him as my disciple—no ulterior motives!"
Everyone exchanged looks, clearly doubting her.
They seemed to know her well.
Uncle Xu chuckled, "This time I believe you.
That undead youth has unending luck and even got the 'Timid War Cloak' left by that person.
Seems choosing him is fate!"
Chef Zhang Agui was surprised, "Brother Xu, you really think highly of that undead youth?"
Uncle Xu neither nodded nor shook his head, "We… are out of options.
Since fate chose this blue planet, we must follow destiny and hope for a glimmer of life!"
Everyone fell silent.
Indeed, they were at their wits' end!
Over time, the alien demons in the secret realm had grown so powerful that even the talents they trained couldn't confront them simply, let alone kill them!
Now, they had to try anything, even desperate measures.
This was their last chance!
Uncle Xu slowly said, "Out of 3,000 villages in the Eastern Continent, only this undead youth from 'One Leaf Heralds Autumn' perfectly meets the criteria.
Others fall far short.
This is why I finally chose him!"
But just then, Uncle Xu's expression suddenly changed.
His wine gourd shattered with a loud bang, wine splashing everywhere.
Everyone's faces turned pale.
"The Heavenly Mechanism Gourd is broken?!"
someone exclaimed.
Uncle Xu looked very ill, then clasped his fingers together.
Moments later, he spat out a mouthful of blood, his face several years older.
"Brother Xu!"
"Old Xu!"
"Senior!"
The NPCs panicked and rushed forward.
Uncle Xu steadied himself, waved them off, then said with a deathly pale face, "A very bad omen!"
Everyone froze.
Uncle Xu continued, "That alien demon has consumed human essence and evolved!"
As he finished, some NPCs began to cry.
It was over!
All those sent to kill the alien demons had become their nourishment instead!
Demons scheming?
That was the scariest part!
…
Inside the secret realm of Novice Village, the dizziness faded.
Ye Qiu gradually regained consciousness.
The spinning ceased.
He focused his eyes and found himself in a paradise.
Trees flourished all around, leaves drifting gently in the breeze.
The air was fresh, sunshine warm, light filtering through leaves and warming his skin.
"Are there demons here?"
[Ding! You discovered "Novice Village Secret Realm," +100 Fame Points.]
Ye Qiu took out a prepared compass, picked a direction, and kept walking, changing directions when reaching edges, until—
"This is the way!"
He headed north.
Finally, he emerged from the woods.
The environment shifted.
The sky darkened suddenly, light rain began to fall.
Not far away, a massive stone fortress appeared.
It had only one arched gate.
Ye Qiu approached, felt a terrifying aura.
He quickly donned his bulletproof vest, insulated suit, lightning rod, and helmet—fully armored.
Finally, he pulled out a bottle with a cloth wick dangling, half-filled with liquid—a Molotov!
Exhaling sharply, Ye Qiu kicked down the wooden gate.
"Boom!"
The door hit the ground.
Inside, a damp, foul stench hit his nose.
Ye Qiu stepped cautiously inside.
Suddenly, a ghostly figure appeared before him.
Young, around fifteen or sixteen, with pale skin and lifeless eyes.
"Holy crap! A ghost!"
Ye Qiu was startled, ready to throw the Molotov.
The ghostly figure hurriedly said, "I'm human, not the Split Fiend..."
Ye Qiu paused.
He noticed the figure was floating.
The ghost looked miserable and said, "I was the last person who entered the secret realm to kill the Split Fiend.
But… I failed, and died here."
Calming himself, Ye Qiu used "Heaven's Eye."
Soon, the ghost's information appeared…
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