Chapter 2: The Hidden Valley

This is a game! The setting sun disdainfully reminded, "The system has notified me that I have discovered a new map. As the first discoverer, I have been rewarded with 5 points of reputation. My current reputation is now that of a hero."

The Moon in the Water smiled and said: "A Lei often says that you are busy with work. However, games are merely a form of entertainment; coming online after work to unwind can be considered a way to relieve stress. Moreover, I have known A Lei for quite some time and have often heard about his friends. I have already met the setting sun, but I have had fewer encounters with you. Why not come to the game more often? This way, we can all meet and chat with each other."

The figure in the mirror hanging nearby sighed and spoke in a serious tone: "Fei Ge, you are not young anymore. Look around you, your friends are getting married, having children, and it’s just you and the setting sun who are still single. But the setting sun has a girlfriend, even if he changes her every now and then..."

These few words are strikingly "the hidden valley"

"Go to hell, who is your spouse?" Shui Zhongyue laughed and scolded from the side

A Fei was stunned for half a day, yet murmured: "For no reason, how could there be bandits in an uninhabited valley? Who are they robbing? They must have starved to death long ago"

A loud sound echoed, causing both individuals to sway slightly. The setting sun had already mastered intermediate martial arts and possessed a signature advanced technique, making it a top-tier player among its peers. It immediately spun around with - Tu - Shu, continuously striking at the bandits, the dazzling sword light surprisingly encircling the bandits. Meanwhile, the Mirror Person and the Water Moon did not intervene, standing at a distance to observe the setting sun. It seems they were also aware of the abilities of both the bandits and the setting sun, believing that the setting sun could handle the situation alone. Therefore, their primary concern was to prevent any unforeseen incidents and to ensure the safety of A Fei.

This is merely an advanced sword technique, so visually appealing, but what about the ultimate skills? What about the legendary Dugu Nine Swords? He felt a moment of yearning and involuntarily followed Luori and the others deeper into the valley. After walking for a while, some mountain bandits suddenly appeared, but they were all swiftly dealt with by Luori and the other three. The valley originally had a small number of players, so the NPC monsters that respawned were also few. Among them, Jingzhongren and Shuizhongyue frequently took action, employing a dual martial arts technique, combining a sword and a saber, which indeed had considerable power. The valley originally had a small number of players, so the NPC monsters that respawned were also few. Among them, Jingzhongren and Shuizhongyue frequently took action, employing a dual martial arts technique, combining a sword and a saber, which indeed had considerable power. A Fei inquired about the name of their martial arts, asking if it was the legendary "Couple's Saber Technique," which made both of them burst into laughter.

Before the words were finished, he was struck on the head by a hidden weapon thrown by the setting sun. Ah Fei did not know any martial arts, and naturally could not throw hidden weapons, but that did not prevent him from raising his middle finger and gesturing fiercely. The person in the mirror felt helpless; it was always like this whenever the topic came up. Being a matchmaker is not easy, and bitter medicine is even harder to swallow. Thus, the four of them chatted intermittently, when suddenly the setting sun raised a hand and said, "Stop, pay attention!"

Learning both the Quanzhen Sword Technique and the Jade Maiden Sword Technique would be sufficient, as the combination of the two swords would render one invincible in the world. Unfortunately, it requires joining two different sects, the person in the mirror sighed and said, "Neither of us wishes to be apart."

This is an old man. He has an ordinary face, wears ordinary clothes, and speaks the typical dialogue of a non-playable character. In short, at first glance, he appears to be an ordinary person, and extraordinary martial arts have nothing to do with him, as the three characters "Gatekeeper" are written on his chest

At this moment, everyone tacitly shielded A Fei behind them, brandishing their weapons with righteous indignation as they faced the enemy... There was no other choice; A Fei possessed no martial arts skills, no levels whatsoever. Not to mention stepping forward to lend a hand, even a careless brush against the hammer's wind could result in serious injury, and he might very well turn into a white light and return to the city. The setting sun charged ahead, its long sword already darting out like lightning, transforming into a long streak of bright light that collided with the hammer.

A Fei did not directly refuse, but instead said: "Let me take a look. I am mainly not interested in the game, as I have been quite busy with work."

Ah Fei soon became the unfortunate Ah Fei, pulling a long face and addressing the moon reflected in the water: "Why does this sound like Ah Lei's tone? He must have told you to say this, right?"

A Fei glanced sideways at the three individuals, snorted through his nose, clearly still displeased with the earlier incident of falling into the water: "How do you know that this place is the first one you discovered? Perhaps others have been here before, and the task has already been completed."

As they walked and paused, they finally stopped in front of a sheer cliff. The cliff was covered with mountain vines, obscuring its appearance. The setting sun approached, and with a magnificent Huashan sword technique, it shattered the flowers and grasses, revealing the true form of the cliff. Upon seeing it, A Fei was left speechless, unable to help but admire the creativity of the game designer

The moon reflected in the water over there is quite interesting, he said: "A Fei, when you first enter the game, your reputation is zero, just like it is now, with your reputation as a newcomer in the martial arts world. I heard that you don't play games much. The scenery and feel of this game are quite nice, why not come and play with everyone?"

A rustle came from the grass ahead, and suddenly a person sprang out. Tall and robust, he held a large iron hammer in his hand, with a prominent character "Thief" written across his chest, clearly marking his identity as a game character bandit. This bandit displayed a strong sense of professionalism; upon seeing the player, he must have been filled with excitement, shouting, "Robbery!" as he charged forward, swinging his hammer.

The four of them sat in silence for a while. Even though it was not their first time seeing the setting sun, they still mourned the depth of the designer's thoughts. After a while, the setting sun took the lead and knocked on a stone beside the opening. After a hollow sound, a person poked their head out, looking at the four in surprise, and said: "It's you guys again https : / / m.hetushu .com com"

A Fei was taken aback for a moment, and with a twitch of his lips said: "In reality, you are just a fool, yet you have become a hero in the game?"

There was a cave opening on the sheer cliff, which was clearly the entrance to the hidden valley. Above the entrance, a few words were simply and clearly inscribed, filled with insights about life and a heart that yearns for a return to simplicity.

A Lei is the name of the person in reality who appears in the mirror. A Fei smiled and did not respond

This is the ordinary intermediate martial art of the Snow Mountain Sect, called the Fusion of Sword and Blade, which together possesses the power of advanced martial arts, Shui Zhongyue explained. The Couple's Sword Technique is a unique skill that has appeared in the Mandarin Duck Sabers, which we cannot learn. Such unique skills are not available in the Snow Mountain Sect and require undertaking other tasks to acquire. If the two of us were to learn the Couple's Sword Technique, we would be able to traverse this martial world with ease.

"Only a few taels of silver, truly impoverished!" The setting sun painted a graceful sword flower, and the long sword was sheathed.

The figure in the mirror spat out blood and no longer paid him any attention, abandoning the idea of further enticing A Fei into the game. Unbeknownst to him, A Fei was also greatly astonished by the deadly Three Immortal Swords he had just witnessed, though he chose not to express it. This game indeed possesses some intricacies; the martial arts from the novel are vividly brought to life, undoubtedly dazzling to behold. The Three Immortal Swords should be an advanced sword technique from Mount Hua. I recall from the novel that during the conflict between the Qi Sect and the Sword Sect of Mount Hua, the Sword Sect used this technique to kill numerous members of the Qi Sect. This game indeed possesses some intricacies; the martial arts from the novel are vividly brought to life, undoubtedly dazzling to behold. The Three Immortal Swords should be an advanced sword technique from Mount Hua. I recall from the novel that during the conflict between the Qi Sect and the Sword Sect of Mount Hua, the Sword Sect used this technique to kill numerous members of the Qi Sect.

The moon in the water originally came with a purpose, and under the hint of the gaze of the person in the mirror, continued: "I have several other sisters who also want to join in the game. How about I introduce you to each other then, which would add some fun..."

For a brief moment, the mountain bandit's hammer dance was vigorous and fierce, yet the setting sun quickly vanished from sight. The sword light crisscrossed, enveloping the mountain bandit. Suddenly, the setting sun's long sword flickered continuously, drawing a bright line in the air, and swiftly struck the bandit's chest. Taking advantage of the momentum, the setting sun leaped backward, while the bandit let out a loud roar, his body swaying slightly. Moments later, he fell powerless, transforming into white light, with some scattered items dropping from him.

"More than a month ago, we stumbled upon this place and knew there must be something here," said Luori, drawing out a long sword and leading the group in a certain direction. "We explored for several days and finally found traces in one of the valleys. Hey, there aren't many monsters along the way, but you still need to be careful. Right now, you have no martial arts skills, so you cannot die here."

"Has your deadly Three Immortal Swords skill improved?" The figure in the mirror praised, and with Shui Zhongyue and A Fei following closely behind, he turned back to the dazed A Fei and said: "So, this is the advanced sword technique of Mount Hua. Seeing it in person is truly different, isn't it? Isn't it much more exhilarating than reading about it in a novel? If you put in the effort, you will definitely be able to learn it and experience it for yourself."