Chapter 7: Peers
So soon
Players regrettably jumped countless times, yet no one ever found these secret techniques, instead meeting a tragic end in blinding light time and again. It was only when the system intervened that it was clarified that one cannot obtain secret techniques merely by jumping off cliffs; any secret technique must be triggered by a quest. As for the conditions to trigger the quest, players must explore on their own; in short, it is not as simple as just jumping down barefoot. From that point on, the craze for jumping off cliffs began to wane, remaining only in the memories of the first generation of players.
The outlaws of the Jianghu are indeed ungrateful! Now, whenever he goes to the shop to spend money, he has to pay double what an ordinary person would. While others only need 10 taels of silver to buy a healing potion, Ah Fei needs 20 taels. When others are thirsty and order a cup of tea, it costs a mere 100 copper coins, but for him, it is also doubled. What is even more infuriating is that when he wanted to buy a bun on the street, he was rejected by the NPC selling buns. The reason is that the bun-selling NPC is a quest NPC, who is also a figure from the Jianghu, specifically tasked with issuing quests to uphold justice. Naturally, upon seeing Ah Fei, he looked down on him. If Ah Fei's reputation were to drop even lower, he wouldn't hesitate to issue a quest against Ah Fei as well.
I ... ... '', tears streamed down A Fei's heart, leaving him unable to speak due to the choking sensation
This is something that veteran players are all aware of, but for the novice Ah Fei, it is the first time hearing about it, which makes him feel quite curious and increasingly aware of the unique design of this game. As a fan of martial arts, he prides himself on being very familiar with the plots of novels, believing that he would have an advantage in the game based on this knowledge. However, it seems that this is not the case. The world is vast, and there are countless talented individuals; many who are well-versed in martial arts narratives still find themselves at a loss in the game. How could a mere novice like Ah Fei be exempt from this?
The coachman, having seen much of the world and having pulled countless skilled individuals from the rivers and lakes, coldly regarded the unfortunate A Fei and the novice sword in his hand, uttering a single phrase: "You carry too much banditry about you"
"Brother, what is going on? Why is your reputation so low? Have you engaged in murder and trade?" Jin Huandao said with a smile
The Great Sword God and others found it amusing, but the Golden Ring Blade laughed and said: "Little brother, do you perhaps have no money? Let me help you..."
A Fei remembered the warning of the setting sun and resolutely refused to reveal that he was a traitor of Mount Hua, only saying: "It is hard to explain, I was deceived by an NPC."
A Fei had just dismounted from the carriage, but outside was a completely different scene. Here, people came and went, but there were many more players on horseback, whizzing by on the streets. Jin Huan Dao patted A Fei and praised, "There are some sects in the game that allow horseback riding, mostly concentrated in the Mo Shan sect, and your Long Qiang sect is one of them. This is to compensate for the shortcomings of lightness skills, so hurry and report to your sect, brother!"
A Fei felt grateful in his heart and repeatedly thanked the four individuals. However, the Great Sword God smiled and said, "Hurry up and go, or else the disciples of Mount Hua might arrive soon, and it would not be a good thing to be caught in a cleanup."
A Fei was puzzled, but Jin Huan Dao and the other three were already laughing so hard they were on the ground. Chasing Cloud's face was a mix of red and green, quite a sight to behold. After a long while, Jin Huan Dao finally explained to A Fei that Chasing Cloud had jumped off a cliff back in the day. He was one of the many who had boldly leaped off cliffs when the game first started. When players first arrived, they knew nothing and, thinking they understood the novel, specifically sought out caves, cliffs, and blessed lands that contained unique skills. The Beiming Divine Skill was in a cave, the Jiuyang Divine Skill was with the monkeys at the valley's bottom, and the Dugu Nine Swords were buried deep in the valley. New players had nothing to cling to anyway; if they jumped and died, they died, and if they didn't die, it was considered good fortune. Thus, during that time, the famous mountains and rivers were filled with brave souls shouting slogans as they jumped down, which was quite a spectacle.
A Fei has not yet agreed, and beside him, Chasing Cloud kicked over, sending Qing Feng to the side
Certainly, not all plot elements have been altered haphazardly by the game designers; some remain faithful to the original work. Within the Sutra Repository of the Shaolin Temple are hidden seventy-two ultimate skills, along with a book known as one of the five great teachings, the Nine Yang Manual. This is not merely the players' claim, but a statement released by the system, explicitly stating that players with the ability should attempt to steal it. However, no one dares to do so; those brave enough to try have turned into white light, for in the courtyard of the Sutra Repository stands an old monk, hunched over, slowly sweeping the ground with a tattered broom, surrounded by a barrier of over three zhang. Players of lower levels cannot even enter the courtyard, while a few high-level players who force their way in are swept away into white light by the broom. Judging by the old monk's nonchalant demeanor, it seems that even a sneeze could easily eliminate a player. Yet, no one dares to approach; those who have attempted have turned into white light, for in the courtyard of the Sutra Repository stands an old monk, hunched over, slowly sweeping the ground with a tattered broom, surrounded by a barrier of over three zhang. Players of lower levels cannot even enter the courtyard, while a few high-level players who force their way in are swept away into white light by the broom. Judging by the old monk's nonchalant demeanor, it seems that even a sneeze could easily eliminate a player.
I consider myself fortunate, having acquired a broken bowl. Others have done the same, spending their entire fortune to obtain a pair of beggar's straw sandals. It is said that wearing these sandals allows one to visit the headquarters of the beggar's guild in Hangzhou for free, but they can only be worn once; after the visit, they become damaged beyond repair. Some have also received a beggar's dog-beating stick, but this stick is not meant for beating dogs; rather, it can be used to stand and heal when injured. As you know, healing requires one to sit cross-legged to activate internal energy. With this stick, you can stand while healing, but it is somewhat useless; when one is injured, what is the point of just standing there... Therefore, in this game, encountering a senior expert while walking or learning unparalleled martial arts by jumping off a cliff is absolutely impossible. So, I must emphasize, do not engage in such foolish actions," Qingfeng concluded, inadvertently glancing at Chasing Cloud.
That is a broken bowl. The system reminds players that possessing this bowl grants the right to beg anywhere in the novice village. Begging is also permitted in the game and has its unique characteristics; only players from the Beggar's Sect can beg. However, begging must occur in designated areas, as many places in the city do not allow setting up stalls. Otherwise, the constables have the authority to confiscate the earnings from begging and impose imprisonment. ... Just like the relationship between city management and street vendors in reality ... ... Beggars must squat or sit; in any case, they cannot stand. Other players can give beggars a certain amount of money, with a certain probability of receiving a reputation compensation. However, begging must occur in designated areas, as many places in the city do not allow setting up stalls. Otherwise, the constables have the authority to confiscate the earnings from begging and impose imprisonment. ... Just like the relationship between city management and street vendors in reality ... ... Beggars must squat or sit; in any case, they cannot stand. Other players can give beggars a certain amount of money, with a certain probability of receiving a reputation compensation. It is said that this probability is extremely low, and regardless of how much you give each time, the maximum reputation gained is only two points, and the minimum is one point. Additionally, one cannot donate multiple times in a day to prevent someone from exploiting this method to farm reputation.
Ah Fei listened with great interest, when suddenly the golden ring knife called out, saying: "We have arrived at Moliang."
A Fei had finally found someone who shared his plight and quickly inquired about Qing Feng's past. It turned out that Qing Feng was born in a small mountain village within the game. During a quest, he had inadvertently encountered a beggar. By giving the beggar 100 copper coins, the system would notify him that his intimacy level with the beggar had increased. This piqued his interest; as a gamer, he easily thought of various possibilities, such as reaching an intimacy level of 100 to obtain some information or quests from the beggar. Qing Feng seemed to see a unique skill beckoning to him, and the beggar transformed into an unparalleled master hidden in the small mountain village. Thus, he became intrigued, and as a gamer, he easily envisioned certain outcomes, like obtaining information or quests from the beggar upon reaching an intimacy level of 100. Qing Feng seemed to see a unique skill beckoning to him, and the beggar transformed into an unparalleled master hidden in the small mountain village. Consequently, Qing Feng continued to give the beggar 100 copper coins without pause, and after exhausting all his savings, the system notified him that his intimacy level with the beggar was maxed out. The beggar was greatly moved, stood up, and handed him an item.
Afei was greatly astonished, secretly wondering how this great sword master knew anything about his past when he had not revealed a single thing about it
Afei immediately became interested and said, "Could it be that all newcomers go through this trial? Do they all lose reputation?"
Qingfeng looked at the object in his hand, tears streaming down his face
Ah Fei was greatly surprised; the speed of this horse-drawn carriage was truly astonishing. The journey from Xiangyang to Maling spans over a thousand miles, and we have arrived in such a short time? The Golden Ring Blade, well aware of Ah Fei's confusion, explained: "This carriage is essentially a teleportation point. It is said that the game is vast, allowing one to travel from all corners of the world in an instant. If we were to rely on the speed of a horse, it would be better to use lightness skills to run. Get off the carriage, brother!" It is said that the game is vast, allowing one to travel from all corners of the world in an instant. If we were to rely on the speed of a horse, it would be better to use lightness skills to run. Get off the carriage, brother!
"Why do they only need 4 taels of silver, while I have to pay 8 taels?" A Fei shouted angrily at the coachman
"It's nothing, really, no need for that," Ah Fei said to himself, feeling a deep sorrow as he took out his money pouch and counted out 8 taels of silver, trembling as he handed it to the coachman. This money pouch was given to him by the setting sun before they parted ways, containing only 100 taels. At this rate, he would have to use it sparingly. Once inside the carriage, Ah Fei was filled with emotions and let out a deep sigh.
This is not the system playing tricks; this sweeping monk is intentionally released by the system to annoy players
Haha! This time, it is not the Golden Ring Blade that is laughing, but a person named Qingfeng. He pointed at Afei and said: "Fellow traveler, I too have been deceived by an NPC!"
Then Qingfeng was taken aback for a moment, but shook his head and said, "As for reputation, that has not diminished. However, during my novice period, I was once completely swindled out of all my silver. Hehe, the designer of this game is quite unscrupulous!"
"How many times have I said it? Do not mention the words 'jump off a cliff' in front of me," Chasing Cloud said coldly
Begging anywhere in the novice village, this reward is simply... ? ... One must understand who resides in the novice village, novice players. Do novice players have money? ? Qingfeng used all his savings to exchange for this broken bowl, and he clearly sees the malicious intent of the game designers... They use bloody facts to clearly tell players not to expect too many fortuitous encounters; the game is fair to everyone, and anything requires effort to reap rewards... They use bloody facts to clearly tell players not to expect too many fortuitous encounters; the game is fair to everyone, and anything requires effort to reap rewards...