The fact proved that Han Yuze, this free labor force, is indeed very reliable.
The third transition task, difficult to say, is not simple either. The main trouble lies in the cumbersome process of repeatedly clearing monsters and collecting items.
After a full three hours, Jiang Shi successfully completed all the third transition phases. Upon opening his personal system panel, he finally unlocked the level cap that was stuck at level 75. At the same time, the remaining one or two days of the regression buff on his body disappeared completely.
Unconsciously, it had been almost a month since the return.
If the previous period was basically just casual playing around, then the next step should enter the formal upgrading rhythm.
Jiang Shi looked at the several runemaster skills waiting to be learned after the third transition, feeling somewhat eager:
Level 80 Skill [Replication]: The next rune used within 10 seconds will have the “Replication” effect, simultaneously constructing three identical rune area effects.
Level 95 Skill [Soul Array]: Can interchange the positions of any two rune areas on the field, able to perform two consecutive operations.
Level 110 Skill [Rune World]: Within 15 seconds, based on the speed of rune stone usage, it can construct a maximum of 15 rune areas, creating a rune world linked to the areas.
Each generation has its unique wonders. Although not personally tested yet, based on his understanding of this profession, after experiencing the lows of version 20, it was time for people to feel the era of the runemaster.
Jiang Shi carefully studied the complete descriptions of the new skills. When he looked up, he noticed Han Yuze standing there, attentively watching him.
He blinked and had a thought: “I noticed you haven’t been leveling much lately. Want to team up?”
Because the recently ended Century Cup required a certain fairness, all professional players participating in the competition were capped at level 80.
Now that the competition had ended for some time, Han Yuze had been busy with the paladin matters and hadn’t been in the mood for leveling up. He was still stuck at level 83, a few levels lower than those Deep Well Ice Player who completed the third transition directly upon their return. Even Jiang Shi, after retrieving the experience shares from Deep Well Ice Player and Gentleman Fan within the system upon his return, had already soared to level 80.
It had to be admitted that the benefits of this recall event were indeed very good.
When Han Yuze suddenly heard Jiang Shi’s question, he didn’t overly self-flatteringly think the other was concerned about him.
With his understanding of Jiang Shi, he knew very well that this was another attempt to utilize him as a free labor force.
However, for him, there was no reason to refuse.
He nodded knowingly, without explicitly stating it: “Of course. But it’s quite late today. I’ll log off and rest first. See you tomorrow.”
Jiang Shi: “Alright, see you tomorrow. I’ll go home and take a look, and I’m also preparing to log off soon.”
Having spent the whole day outside, Jiang Shi did feel a bit tired. However, due to his status as a returning player, he had been forced to use temporary storage points for managing items. Now, with the completion of the third transition and the disappearance of the return buff, his locked home system was reopened, prompting him to return and take a proper look.
With the cancellation of temporary storage points, the steward NPC, Si Heng, also returned to the estate.
As soon as Jiang Shi entered the residence using his former residential address, he saw a young man standing not far from the door bowing respectfully to him: “Welcome back, sir.”
This residence might not be particularly stunning by current standards, but from the perspective of the first season, it could definitely be called a mansion.
Glancing around, Jiang Shi sincerely remarked, “You’ve managed this home so well over these years, Si Heng. I appreciate your hard work.”
“Not hard at all. I extract my service fees punctually from your treasury,” Si Heng replied in his usual meticulous tone. “Considering it’s been five years since you last returned to this home, please allow me to briefly explain some adjustments made during this time. Firstly, some expired items have been separately stored in the third warehouse. Please decide whether to submit them for system recycling or use them for other purposes promptly. Please do not continue to occupy valuable storage space. Organizing it is quite laborious.”
Jiang Shi: “Let’s do it the day after tomorrow. I’ll take a good inventory of the warehouse then.”
“Understood, sir.” Si Heng nodded and continued, “Secondly, the usage right of this property has expired for two years. You should be thankful that there has been enough balance in your treasury automatically deducting fees. However, please decide promptly whether to continue renewing it. The land prices in the first district have recently increased significantly. But if you want to highlight your distinguished status, I suggest purchasing new properties in the eighth, ninth, or tenth district’s main city. However, I must remind you that the prices in those three districts have soared completely. If you indeed choose to make a purchase at this time, be prepared to be seen as a ‘fool.'”
Jiang Shi: “… Your warnings always hit the nail on the head.”
“Thank you for the compliment, sir,” Si Heng replied. “Lastly, after the implementation of the first two points, I hope you can allocate some funds to me to select some furniture from the furniture market for decoration. You also know that the furniture at home is all outdated from five years ago and can no longer keep up with trends.”
At this point, he smiled faintly. “As a steward, I have high standards for my work.”
“Yes, I know. Your compulsiveness and cleanliness have always been very severe,” Jiang Shi remarked while looking at the pristine home after five years. “That’s why I instantly spotted you in the market back then.”
Si Heng stood there with a straight face, neither confirming nor denying such praise.
However, Jiang Shi didn’t make this trip specifically to chat with his excellent steward.
He went upstairs, opened all five warehouses, searched for a while, and finally dug out two sets of equipment.
Si Heng recognized it at a glance. “Isn’t this the…”
Jiang Shi: “Yes, the pants were custom-made for me back then.”
Si Heng furrowed his brows and cautioned, “This is equipment from five years ago.”
The implication was straightforward: the attributes of early equipment were significantly weaker compared to those from the current two seasons.
Of course, Jiang Shi was well aware of this.
But sometimes, the actual effects of a complete set of equipment were far more important than the inherent attributes.
The passive effects of these two sets of equipment were respectively “increased range of rune area effects” and “extended duration of rune area existence.“
Although the individual benefits of each piece weren’t significant, when combined into a set of five, they often played a crucial role in actual combat.
All he could say was it’s fortunate they weren’t lost. It remained to be seen if they would be useful when new activities emerged.
Contentedly folding the sets neatly and returning them to the warehouse, Jiang Shi closed the door, feeling a bit nostalgic for his old buddy.
With the synchronous promotion of the official online and offline activities of <Genesis> the new activities quickly became a hot topic of discussion on the continent.
Not just among players, but sometimes passing by on the road, one could overhear many indigenous NPC conversations about the legend of the underwater city of Moni Ankeqi.
Meanwhile, in several cities near the coastline, various peculiar events began to occur: mysterious travelers’ attire, strange commotion on the sea, lingering night songs… in just a few days, all expectations were heightened to the extreme.
In a way, this major move by the officials could also be considered a side relief for the Crusader Guild.
With the inclusion of the Seven Silver Coins in the Crusaders’ allied guild, it inevitably sparked another intense discussion outside. However, the launch of the new expansion of activities somewhat diverted the attention of the onlookers.
Naturally, the Crusaders were eager to settle things down, but suddenly, the management of the Seven Silver Coins became busy – there were indeed too many people applying to join their guild!
In just a few days, a large batch of people flooded in.
Without surprise, most of these people were either those who had just left the Crusaders or had come over from the forums out of curiosity after witnessing the commotion. The number of these people, compared to the previous batch that had been pushed out by the Crusaders, was unprecedented, causing this leisurely retirement guild to be fully occupied!
Island Forest clearly hadn’t anticipated such an outcome. They could only increase the options for membership review while preparing to wait for the activity threshold to be met. Once that happened, they planned to utilize the portion of guild supplies supplemented by the Crusaders for a guild expansion.
In recent days, Han Yuze had been sticking with Jiang Shi, either immersed in dungeons or grinding monsters together in the wilderness, enjoying their time immensely.
Since re-adding each other as friends, he no longer needed to make an effort in the guild channel to increase his favorability. Naturally, he hadn’t been paying attention to the situation within the guild.
It wasn’t until the Green Fanatic came over that he realized the guild’s number had reached the limit, forcing them to seek out long-time offline members to make room.
Before Han Yuze went to find the Green Fanatic, he had informed Jiang Shi, who paused his leveling activity to wait for him and noticed the new guild entry system prompt.
Upon reflection, he vaguely remembered something about this Green Fanatic. “Is this Green Fanatic your apprentice?”
Han Yuze replied, “Yes.”
Just as he was about to introduce them, his adorable little apprentice, without considering himself an outsider, initiated a message in the guild channel.
[[Guild] Green Fanatic: Master, I’m here!]
[[Guild] Green Fanatic: By the way, where’s my master’s wife? Where’s my dear master’s wife?]
Without checking Jiang Shi’s expression, Han Yuze swiftly opened the friend interface: [Still haven’t caught up! Shut up!]
The next second.
[[Guild] Green Fanatic: Ahaha, wishing everyone an early Happy April Fools’ Day next year!]
Han Yuze: “.”
You really know how to fill in the gaps.
Jiang Shi remarked, “Your apprentice seems quite humorous.”
Han Yuze hesitated, “Sometimes I think so too.”
Jiang Shi glanced at their current experience situation. “Still grinding?”
Naturally, Han Yuze hoped he wouldn’t pursue this topic further and promptly agreed, “Grinding.”
They had been grinding monsters in the wilderness today like this.
Although Han Yuze had returned the top-tier equipment set when he left the guild, the market-based general equipment he was using unquestionably ensured a high damage output. So, with him as the free labor force, all Jiang Shi needed to do was casually cast minor healing spells when idle. The rest of the time, he relaxed by watching the trees, mountains, and the sky.
After acquiring another healing skill, Jiang Shi casually opened a newly received message from a friend he had recently added – his young apprentice.
[Serious Young Man: Master, latest news. A new event begins in three days, involving both PvE and PvP, but the core activity is the most interesting.]
[Serious Young Man: A large-scale survival game event, with participation reaching the entire server. I’m sure you’d be very interested.]
Jiang Shi’s eyebrows raised slightly.
A large-scale survival game? He would indeed be interested in that.