Chapter 17: Massive Gains​​

​​Shadow Lance (Bronze)​​ Damage +140 Attack Speed +10% Durability 100/100

​​Skill:​​ ​​Shadow Pierce:​​ Deals two consecutive piercing strikes to the target, inflicting damage equal to 5 times your Stamina.

​​Bloodeye Pendant (Bronze)​​ Damage +150 Dark Element Affinity +10 Durability 100/100

​​Skill:​​ ​​Bloodguard:​​ Creates a shield with defense equal to 5 times your Spirit, negating incoming damage.

Wang Kong stared at the stats of the two bronze-tier items. For someone before their first Class Advancement, bronze equipment was practically a minor artifact before Level 10 – boasting extremely high damage modifiers. Even post-Level 10, it was considered top-tier gear.

He could use the Bloodeye Pendant himself; the damage boost wasn't insignificant for him at this stage.

Shoving aside the crude iron gear, his gaze locked onto the ​​Rune Diagram: Essence Water Protection​​. This item's worth eclipsed even that of the bronze weapons by a significant margin.

Then there were the ​​Prodigy Pavilion Trial Invitations x5​​.

These could be farmed within the Corrupt Manor dungeon, so their rarity wasn't exceptionally high... but if one actually passed the trial...

Right. This is Snowfall Empire’s method of selecting prodigies. Passing grants entry into the Prodigy Pavilion (House of Heavenly Talents), plus a shop property within the Imperial City. A single city shopfront starts at at least 2 million Gold Coins. Selling it and converting to real-world currency... that’s over 200 million.

And that's just part one. Step two: being officially acknowledged as a Prodigy Disciple by the Snowfall Empire grants access to exclusive quests unavailable to commoners, a 10% discount on teleportation arrays, and numerous other hidden benefits. Kong mused silently.

Such outlandishly rich rewards naturally came with notoriously high trial difficulty and a perilous mortality rate. Yet, the Prodigy Rankings were universally recognized as the peak list of top-tier powerhouses.

In his previous life, he hadn’t joined the Prodigy Pavilion until his third year. Back then, the entire Pavilion only housed two hundred members.

Surveying the massive haul, Wang Kong felt profound satisfaction. With a focused thought, he exited the dungeon.

​​"Leader! Leader!"​​

​​"Leader!"​​

The instant he reappeared, Old Hu, Yao Yi, and the others surged forward, eyes burning with fervor.

"Leader! You... you actually took down the entire Manor Lord's family?!" Jingshan blurted out, unable to contain himself.

"They were moved by my sincerity," Wang Kong replied coolly, shifting his gaze across the group. "I claimed all the Essence Power and equipment from the dungeon. Taking you guys through it was my responsibility."

He gestured dismissively. "Hand over the party emblem."

"Ah, Leader," Jingshan stammered, reluctance thick in his voice, "Couldn't we... join your party? Stick with you from now on?"

"You aren't qualified," Kong stated flatly.

His gaze moved to Old Hu and Yao Yi. "However, joining my squad comes with its own requirements."

"What requirements? Leader, would I qualify?" Yao Yi asked, her voice betraying a hint of nerves as she looked at him.

Wang Kong couldn't help but smile upon hearing her question.

Yao Yi, the future Lightning Queen – naturally she qualified. Old Hu, the founder of a super guild – naturally he qualified too.

"First: Upon joining [GODS SPEAK], you cannot join or form any other party.

Second: Unless absolutely critical, squad missions take precedence.

Third: As squad members, you must each contribute a minimum of 100,000 Reputation Points annually."

He listed the three conditions firmly, concluding, "Everything for the GODS SPEAK Squad."

Old Hu raised an eyebrow. These terms were lighter than he'd expected. The focus was on the squad, not solely on the Leader. And undertaking squad missions to earn Reputation? That was a core responsibility. Higher squad tiers bestowed bonus buffs that actually enhanced the members' combat power. Their [GODS SPEAK] squad Reputation had already hit 80,000 points. Reaching 100,000 would rank them as an Elite Squad.

An Elite Squad conferred a 5% damage boost to all members. The higher the squad tier, the greater the bonuses.

"Brother Kong," Old Hu began, his tone shifting to an offer, "I plan to establish a guild. Any interest? We partner up. I'll cover the entire investment – I've got billions ready. I can give you 50% equity right away."

Wang Kong shook his head, declining the opportunity to become the future massive shareholder of the Sky Tiger Super Guild, destined to number in the millions. It wasn't that he wouldn't join a guild. Someone else needed him.

Seeing Wang Kong utterly unmoved by billions, Old Hu inwardly marveled. Regret mixed with a deepened awe – their 'Leader' was clearly no ordinary man.

"If I do establish the guild, Leader, could I still join your squad?" Old Hu inquired.

"Absolutely," Wang Kong confirmed. "No conflict."

"Could my daughter and I still join?" Old Hu pressed.

"You can," Kong replied without hesitation, then shifted focus. "Still buying gear?"

"Always, Leader! I'll take every piece you've got!" Old Hu's eyes lit up instantly.

"Fourteen Iron pieces. One Bronze," Wang Kong stated, bringing the items out. "And two special items as a bonus. Can you handle it?"

"Hah! Bronze gear?! Yes! All of it!" Old Hu gasped, his expression etched with shock. In these past two weeks, no one had reported acquiring bronze equipment yet.

"The Manor Lord's Shadow Lance," Wang Kong said, handing it directly to Yao Yi. "Suits you. You're tall – a good fit for the spear."

Lightning Spear, Peerless Yao Yi!

"Whoa!" The typically strong-willed Yao Yi actually looked giddy like a girl given an amazing gift. "This spear is... insanely cool!" Her bright eyes flickered as she looked at Kong. "Leader... am I really suited for the spear in the future?"

Wang Kong smiled and nodded at her. He turned back to Old Hu. "Just charge me market rate, minus the standard broker fee."

"Done, Leader! I'll need to log out briefly," Old Hu agreed, nodding vigorously. "For safety, the coins I stockpile are kept offline at home." His avatar slowly faded.

Watching him vanish, Wang Kong couldn't help but acknowledge Old Hu's staggering wealth – and his keen eye for investment, willing to commit so heavily. Hoarding this much gold coin, this early...

Kong's items alone were worth over 200,000 Gold Coins.

Old Hu logged back in swiftly. Wang Kong sold him the lot for 260,000 Gold Coins (factoring in the discount), throwing in two Prodigy Pavilion Trial Invitations for free.

"Leader," Old Hu said, buzzing with energy after the trade, "With this firepower, we're majorly boosted. If I grab another tank... care to hit another run?"

"Logging off now," Wang Kong answered. "Tomorrow. For future runs, I take half the proceeds."

"Alright then. See you tomorrow, Leader," Old Hu accepted.

Yao Yi waved as she watched Wang Kong's figure gradually disappear from the game world.

"Ahem... Little Daughter," Old Hu cleared his throat softly, placing a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "There are many fine young men out there, really. Not as bad as you think... no need to prefer women exclusively..."

"Are there many?" Yao Yi murmured, her eyes fixed on the Shadow Lance in her hands, thoughts shimmering like distant lightning. "So far... I've only seen one truly worth it..."

She paused, her voice dropping to a near whisper filled with complex reverence.

"Yet he... he stands so far above me..."

"...that I can only gaze up in awe."