"The dungeon detection department of the Hall discovered familiar energy fluctuations in the Divine Revelation World. After verification, they confirmed it to be the Nether Trial dungeon.
"This is an important dungeon marked as red-tier internally by the Hall. So, as soon as it was confirmed, I came to report to you."
The Hall staff member responsible for the report stood trembling before Ji Ruoxu's desk. After finishing his words, he caught a glimpse of the wet book on the desk from the corner of his eye and couldn't help but wipe a drop of non-existent cold sweat from his forehead.
Fortunately, he had a legitimate reason. The last poor bastard who interrupted Vice Hall Master Ji's reading had already been reassigned to the Antarctic Sub-Hall to keep the penguins company.
"The Nether Trial..." Ji Ruoxu lacked the energy to care about his ruined book. He tapped his knuckles lightly on the desk, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.
Players who could obtain the [Nether Trial Invitation Letter] and open the Nether Trial dungeon weren't necessarily those with SSS-level talents. In the past, quite a few powerful SS-level talent players had also managed to achieve this. However, at this specific time, the one most likely to open this dungeon was that mysterious player with the SSS-level talent, [Open and Aboveboard].
"What rank is [Open and Aboveboard] on the Talent Leaderboard now?" Ji Ruoxu suddenly asked.
"Currently still at 93rd... Wait, no, it has already risen to 89th." The subordinate casually checked and revealed a look of surprise.
Ji Ruoxu nodded. The rankings on the Talent Leaderboard were primarily based on dungeon combat records. Previously, this mysterious player was still in the novice phase and had never entered a dungeon, which was why their ranking remained dead last among the SSS-level talents. Now that the ranking had begun to shift, his theory was proven correct.
The person who entered the Nether Trial dungeon was precisely this player.
However, to jump four spots among the SSS-level talents shortly after entering the dungeon was remarkable. This [Open and Aboveboard] talent was quite extraordinary.
"Alright, you may leave. I'll keep an eye on this personally."
Ji Ruoxu waved his hand, gesturing for his subordinate to exit. He opened the Talent Leaderboard and stared at [Open and Aboveboard] sitting at the 89th spot, deep in thought.
Although SS-level talent players had a chance to enter the Nether Trial, as of now, only fifty players—including those who kept their identities hidden—had ever cleared the eleventh floor and claimed the first major milestone reward.
According to past patterns, if [Open and Aboveboard] could ride their battle record from the Nether Trial dungeon straight into the top eighty of the Talent Leaderboard, it would essentially confirm that they had obtained that specific title.
And if they could breach the top fifty...
Ji Ruoxu shook his head with a smile. That was highly unlikely.
-----------------
Nether Trial, Fifth Floor.
"Stepping up the difficulty?" Yu Zhun raised an eyebrow as he watched five figures emerge from the darkness.
On the first four floors, Yu Zhun had respectively encountered a Demonized Orc Archer, Warrior, Assassin, and Mage. Now, one of each opponent from the previous floors had appeared, and standing at the very back of the formation was a Priest holding a Priest's Book.
All five professions were present. And it was a 1v5.
Without the slightest hesitation, Yu Zhun stomped on the ground. His body shot forward like an agile cheetah, heading straight for the Demonized Orc Mage among the five.
The standard combat logic would have dictated killing the Priest first. But Yu Zhun wasn't standard. He completely ignored the non-combatant Demonized Orc Priest and targeted the Demonized Orc Mage, who posed the greatest threat to him.
The Demonized Orc Warrior, clad in Leather Armor and wielding a Long Sword, charged right at him. The beast bared its fangs and opened its mouth wide, clearly about to use the Warrior's [Taunt] skill. Yet, Yu Zhun expertly raised a finger and pointed.
"Shut your mouth!"
Equipment effect, [Imprisoned Dragon], activated!
The Demonized Orc Warrior froze in place with its mouth wide open, unable to utter a single sound. Taking advantage of the opening, Yu Zhun brushed past it. His raised dagger gleamed with a dark light as it thrust straight toward the Demonized Orc Mage.
"Every debt has its debtor, remember the name Yu Zhun!"
[HP -20,000]
Demonized Orc Mage, eliminated!
Taking a fireball and an arrow head-on, Yu Zhun's health dropped by half. Yet, in the next instant, he was fully restored. Acting as if nothing had happened, he spun around to slaughter the Demonized Orc Warrior.
Before the [Imprisoned Dragon] effect wore off, it was time to kick his ass!
"Don't be so impatient, it's your turn now, isn't it?"
[HP -32,000]
Demonized Orc Warrior, eliminated!
Enduring a second arrow, Yu Zhun's lost health was instantly healed back by [Bloodthirst]. He turned to look at the female archer, whose expression had drastically changed. Chuckling, he lunged directly at her. "Did you enjoy shooting me?
"Now, it's your turn!"
[HP -20,000]
Demonized Orc Archer, eliminated!
Having swiftly killed three Demonized Orcs, Yu Zhun looked around.
The Demonized Orc Assassin who had first appeared was nowhere to be seen. Well, it was an Assassin, after all. Those who knew, knew. At this moment, the creature was likely hiding in some dark corner.
While fighting on the third floor earlier, Yu Zhun had encountered three Assassins in a row. They had all hidden silently, giving him a massive headache. However, he had now figured out how to deal with them.
"Since your Assassin is playing hide-and-seek, you can die first." Looking at the weak and helpless Demonized Orc Priest, Yu Zhun raised his hand and struck.
[HP -24,000]
Demonized Orc Priest, eliminated!
With only the Assassin left, Yu Zhun quickened his pace and dashed straight toward the pillar of light. Just as he was about to enter the illuminated area, a cold gleam slashed toward him.
The Demonized Orc Assassin had finally struck!
The enemies on every floor of the Nether Trial would do everything in their power to stop the player from advancing to the next level. Thus, seeing Yu Zhun about to step into the light, the Demonized Orc Assassin hiding in the dark could no longer sit still.
Yu Zhun flashed an "as expected" smile. Empowered by [Sword Dance], he directly executed a swift turnaround strike with his dagger.
"Die!"
[HP -28,000]
Demonized Orc Assassin, eliminated!
Confirming that there were no other enemies left on this floor, Yu Zhun calmly walked toward the Teleportation Array. "I'm betting the rewards for this floor will be even better."
The rewards for the first four floors had been identical: 1,000 experience points, one Lv5 Outstanding Level Equipment of choice, and 10 Equipment Enhancement Stones.
The Equipment of choice could be selected from a pool of fifteen items: weapons for the five professions, five types of Armor with different focuses, and accessories with varying attributes. Being able to pick whatever he wanted was nice, but the level was too low for Yu Zhun to use, making it somewhat mediocre.
The Equipment Enhancement Stones were used to enhance existing Equipment. Players could ask others with the Life Profession [Enhancer] for help with the Enhancement. For Yu Zhun, they were useless for now, but he could hoard them for later.
As a side note, Life Professions were unlocked at Lv15.
On the fifth floor of the Nether Trial, he had to face five professions simultaneously. The difficulty of a 1v5 was significantly higher than before, so the rewards naturally ought to be greater.
Stepping onto the Teleportation Array, the floating text proved Yu Zhun's hypothesis correct.
[Congratulations! You have successfully passed the fifth floor of the Nether Trial!]
[Current Stage Rewards: EXP +2000, Lv5 Master Level Equipment of Choice x1, Equipment Enhancement Stone x20!]
[All stage rewards can be claimed upon leaving.]
[Leave] [Proceed to the Next Floor]