Chapter 424: Precipice-Hanging Ladder
Chapter 424: Precipice-Hanging Ladder
During early May, Xiao Tan spent minimal daytime hours leveling up and wasn’t particularly active at night either. As a result, his level had become the lowest among the Hell Front members.
Currently, Feng Bu Jue remained the guild’s top-level player at level 30, 7. Despite wasting numerous experience-gathering opportunities feeding his useless pet, Zero Magic Crusher, he still reached this height. This was the benefit of having free time—he’d completed his work deadlines early last month, giving him ample gaming hours recently.
Si Yu ranked second-highest at level 30, 6. Her capabilities required no explanation; her scenario-clearing efficiency was consistently high, and she occasionally used Double Experience Cards.
Bei Ling and Xiao Tan shared the same level—35—but Bei Ling had logged in more frequently lately, gaining a significant experience lead and nearing level 36. Xiao Tan still needed nearly two million experience points to level up.
In the fiercely competitive world of Cocoon War, level 30, 5 offered little advantage. By now, most players advancing to the playoffs had reached level 35 or higher. While there were a few above level 30, 8, they were relatively rare.
However, Terrifying Paradise wasn’t a game where levels alone determined strength. Proficiency, titles, skills, equipment, tactics, technique, and adaptability all played critical roles in determining outcomes.
Before the playoffs began, let’s review Xiao Tan’s current character attributes:
ID: Wang Tan Zhi, Level: 35
Title: Gale Phantom, Title Ability: Nightmare Trail
Experience: 1,580,000 / 3,500,000, Skill Points: 10,100, Game Currency: 37,650,000
Proficiencies: Universal Class C, Mechanics D, Scouting C, Martial Arts B, Shooting D, Medicine E, Spirit Arts E, Summoning N/A
Satchel (10/20): Miner’s Helmet, Winchester Shotgun Shells, Debris Crystal, Large Survival Supplement x5, Medium Survival Supplement x5, Hemostatic Bandage x5, Antidote Compound x5, Antifreeze x5, Burn Ointment x5, Heaven-Earth Reversal Mantra
Equipment: Energy-Storing Tri-Edged Bayonet, Cat Fury, Wilted Armor, Deerskin Boots, Wolf Mane Greaves, Sleeve Sword, Sleeve Dart
Storage Room (2/10): Double Experience Card (24-hour) x30, Double Game Currency Card (24-hour) x30
Skills Inventory (5/12): Demon Bat Phantom, No Root, No Worry, Wind Stops, Dust Scent Fades, Reverse Blade Whirlwind, Terrifying Shadow Soul Chase
This was the setup of a wealthy player. Whether necessary or not, the satchel had been upgraded to its maximum 20 slots. Inside were consumables to counter various status effects—all store-bought, restocked as needed.
Notably, both the Double Experience Card and Double Game Currency Card were special items. They could stack infinitely in storage—3,000 copies of the same type would occupy just one inventory slot.
One item in Xiao Tan’s satchel stood out—Heaven-Earth Reversal Mantra. Unlike ordinary skill cards, this artifact resembled a martial cultivation manual. Its prerequisites were stringent: Martial Arts proficiency B, Spirit Arts proficiency C-rank, and character level 30+.
Nearly a month had passed since obtaining this untradeable skill in the Cangling Debate of Swords scenario. Thanks to his expanded satchel, he’d carried it instead of storing it away.
In the past fifty Bug Arena matches, Xiao Tan had finally raised his Martial Arts proficiency to B. However, his Spirit Arts proficiency remained stagnant. This wasn’t surprising—without a single Spirit Arts skill, there was no path to improvement. His current E-rank Spirit Arts proficiency had been painstakingly accumulated through ghost-encounter experiences in horror scenarios…
Feng Bu Jue had previously advised boosting his Spirit Arts proficiency, but Spirit Arts skills shared the same rarity issue as Summoning-type abilities. The auction house offered only overpriced, useless options. The Scare Box’s Spirit Arts techniques were equally impractical—balancing cost, compatibility, and level requirements made finding a suitable skill nearly impossible. Skill points weren’t something money could buy; spending them carelessly would be counterproductive. Unlike Feng Bu Jue, Xiao Tan couldn’t afford to spend hours scrutinizing Scare Box listings, memorizing equipment details, and methodically selecting the perfect item…
Ultimately, Xiao Tan’s lack of Spirit Arts capability rendered the seemingly powerful Heaven-Earth Reversal Mantra nothing more than an ornamental paperweight—like a manga heroine within reach yet forever unattainable. Neither discardable nor usable, it lingered in his inventory as a bittersweet reminder of his limitations.
Still, even without this skill, Xiao Tan remained an exceptionally capable player. Though he possessed few skills and no flawless-grade equipment, his ability to advance to the playoffs showcased his innate combat talent.
……
[Cocoon War Round One begins shortly. Your data will load in thirty seconds—please remain in the login space.]
[Ten-second countdown before loading: 9, 8, 7… 2, 1.]
As the system voice’s countdown ended, the elevator beneath Xiao Tan began moving.
“Dark Forest’s Threefold Silken Cocoon, Softness Through Ten Thousand Forges.” Unfamiliar opening words echoed in his ears.
[Loading Complete. You are now entering Summit Confrontation - Cocoon War.]
[This mode contains no scenario overview, side quests/hidden tasks, or special world views.]
[Scenario Victory Reward: Advancement to the Winners’ Bracket]
[Main Quest Triggered]
[Eliminate the Opponent]
Clang—whirr—
As the system announcements ceased, the elevator emitted two strange noises, followed by an eerie tremble.
Xiao Tan stumbled back two steps but quickly steadied himself. His footwork had refined to silent, fluid movements—graceful yet precise. Even atop a storm-battered raft in raging seas, he’d stand firm. A mere elevator’s shake couldn’t unsettle him.
Hiss—the elevator door slid open.
A frigid gale burst through like a bone-scraping knife. Outside, a frost-white expanse stretched endlessly.
Xiao Tan swiftly pulled his hood (his assassin’s coat featured a hood at the collar) over his head and peered outward…
The scenario’s environment lay atop a snow-capped mountain. Jagged peaks pierced the horizon beneath a sky howling with blizzards. A violent, invisible gale raged like a feral beast, unleashing its fury at this 2,000-meter-altitude wasteland.
Xiao Tan activated his camera system—confirmation came instantly. As expected, his elevator hung suspended midair.
Without hesitation, he gripped the elevator’s upper rim, performed a backward flip, and landed atop it. Crouching, he scanned the surroundings.
An eerie sight met his eyes—a thick, black steel cable as wide as a bowl’s mouth stretched across the snow-covered terrain. Two elevators hung from it: his own and another fifty meters distant. Both swayed like bells dangling from a string, buffeted by the howling wind.
The cable’s ends vanished into the storm’s haze, their destinations unclear. One thing was certain: a fall from this height meant certain death, whether landing on snow or shattering against glacial rocks.
“Are we actually supposed to fight on this steel cable…?” Xiao Tan mused. “This is ridiculous…”
At that moment, a figure emerged from the distant elevator. Just like him, the opponent had flipped to the top of their elevator. Their exit was slightly delayed—probably hesitating, fearing ambushes like gunfire upon exiting.
Xiao Tan didn’t consider such scenarios. Upon realizing the elevators’ suspended state, he’d deduced his opponent couldn’t be a player relying on Shooting proficiency. The logic was simple: if either player possessed flight, gliding, or powerful ranged capabilities, the system wouldn’t generate such a map.
Now, two players stared across the chasm from their respective elevator platforms, sharing identical thoughts: “That guy over there… he’s obviously a close-combat player too…”
(End of Chapter)
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