Chapter 15, Passing the Underworld Altar_1

Chapter 15: Chapter 15, Passing the Underworld Altar_1 Activate Sword Qi Cross Mode. A hundred Sword Auras spun around Jiang Chen. He didn’t hesitate to launch an attack, charging toward the Underworld King. The Underworld King watched Jiang Chen approach and quickly executed "Sweep Thousands of Troops." A massive wave of sword qi swept through the area. DING! DING! DING! Ten layers of the magic shield disappeared. Is that all? Feel the fury of "Thousands of Swords Piercing Heart"! -888 -999 -1000 ... The hundred Sword Auras swiftly penetrated the Underworld King. At that very moment, the Underworld King’s health bar plummeted with the speed of lightning. He fell to the ground before he could even react. [Experience +1,000] DING! DING! DING! Jiang Chen eyed the equipment dropped by the Underworld King: a book and a rune. He looked at the book. [Potential Points +5] After killing a Boss, Potential Points would drop. Each of these points was an invaluable treasure. Potential Points were used to enhance basic attributes: Constitution, Strength, spiritual power, and Agility. The higher the basic attributes, the higher the offensive power unleashed. And Potential Points only dropped from killing Bosses. Even if equipment was lost, these points would not disappear. Jiang Chen pondered. What does a Swordsman need? With Hundred Times Amplification, my strength is already freakish. Those five points of offensive power aren’t crucial, nor is spiritual power. The only thing lacking is Agility. Only with increased Agility and speed can I have a means to save my life. Jiang Chen unhesitatingly allocated all the Potential Points to Agility. Jiang Chen examined the rune. [Ghostly Rune (Silver-grade) Unique] [All basic attributes +10] [All resistances +10] [The only key to open the Underworld. Can unlock the Underworld after the First-stage.] [Activation Condition: First-stage] [Bonuses against Underworld monsters: Experience +20%, Drop Rate +20%, Attack +20%, Resistance +20%] Jiang Chen was flabbergasted. This rune is so heaven-defying! All basic attributes +10, plus resistances +10... This must be the most powerful treasure in the Underworld Altar, capable of unlocking the Underworld after the First-stage. The entire world had countless fissures. Behind these fissures lay other worlds, filled with Demonic Beings. Take Tattens Hills, where Jiang Chen was, for example. To its northwest, there was a fissure leading to another world. This attracted many Heroes to Tattens Hills, who would enter the fissure to fight monsters and level up. This fissure was coded 014, known as Naga Fissure. Inside were Goblins and other monsters, all above Level 20. From the Ghostly Rune’s description, the monsters inside were formidable. They were likely meant to be challenged only after the First-stage. To reach the First-stage, one had to be Level 50 or above. I’m still far from Level 50! Jiang Chen took a deep breath. It’s time to leave this place. [Congratulations on clearing the Underworld Altar! Level increased by 1. Gained Experience +20,000... Rating: S-grade. Do you wish to broadcast your name to the world?] "No need." [Global Announcement: Nightmare-level Underworld Altar cleared! Rating: S-grade...] [Global Announcement: Nightmare-level Underworld Altar cleared! Rating: S-grade...] [Global Announcement: Nightmare-level Underworld Altar cleared! Rating: S-grade...] The entire world was stunned. "Who is the powerhouse that cleared the Underworld Altar?" "Wow, too scared to reveal their name, huh?" "Underworld Altar? What kind of altar is that? Why have I never heard of it before?" "Is this a newly emerged altar? I heard that the first clearance of an altar drops a Rune, and that Rune is a treasure!" "Who was it? Who exactly cleared the altar?" "Buying the altar Rune! Offering over ten million!" "Get real! That Rune is worth at least several hundred million. Ten million is peanuts!" 「Tattens Hills Village.」 The entire village was swarming with people. Countless Heroes poured into the village, all searching for the Underworld Altar. Every altar had something special: a Rune. Once obtained, a Rune could grant an advantage in another world. These Runes were unique; there would be no second of the same kind. Just then, the global announcement sounded again. The Heroes in Tattens Hills Village were flabbergasted. "What’s going on? It’s only been a day and a night. How did they clear it so quickly?" "Someone capable of clearing the Underworld Altar can’t be ordinary. Investigate immediately! We must find out which team they belong to." "Those who can clear the Underworld Altar are definitely not acting alone. It’s very likely a guild." "Damn it! I just arrived, and it’s already been cleared? What a wasted trip!" "This Rune is crucial. We must find out who has it." "How could it be cleared so fast?" Everyone in Tattens Hills Village heard the announcement. It was too fast. How long had it actually been? Normally, the fastest record for clearing an altar was at least three days, but this one was cleared in just a day and a night. These people had come intending to wait for the initial explorers to fail, then enter the altar themselves. If an altar attempt failed, it would reopen and refresh. As long as it wasn’t cleared, the Rune would still be inside. Jiang Chen walked out of the altar. Looking at the sky, he was immediately bewildered. Why is it still morning? Jiang Chen checked his phone. Huh? Has it really been a day and a night already? He hurried back to the hotel to catch up on sleep. Drowsiness was overwhelming him; he couldn’t hold on any longer. Back in Tattens Hills Village, as Jiang Chen walked towards his hotel, he saw countless people. Why are there so many? The Heroes were gathered in groups, all discussing the location of the Underworld Altar. Jiang Chen pondered inwardly, It seems they’re all here for the Underworld Altar. I mustn’t expose my identity, or it could be dangerous. 「Inside the hotel.」 "Hello, brave Hero. The price for a room has increased to three thousand a night. Do you wish to extend your stay?" Bloody capitalism... "I’ll extend." "Very well, Hero. Please come this way to make the payment." Jiang Chen lay on the bed and slept soundly. By the time he woke up, it was already evening. [Name: Jiang Chen] [Occupation: Swordsman] [Level: 17] [Experience: 200 / 70,000] [Constitution: 37] [Strength: 15] [Spirit: 38] [Agility: 11] [Equipment: Blood Long Sword (Silver), Underworld Robe, Underworld Boots, Underworld Pants, Underworld Ring, Underworld Bracelet, Underworld Belt...] [Space: 7] [Skills: Basic Swordsmanship: Concentrate all your inner strength to unleash a sword light, attacking an enemy up to 40 meters away. Concentration time: 0.3 seconds. MP Cost: 1. Basic Footwork: Temporarily increase Agility to dodge enemy attacks. Duration: 500 seconds. MP Cost: 1. Sword Qi Surging: Condense one hundred Sword Auras that circle around you, actively attacking enemies. Duration: 100 minutes. Attack Frequency: 0.1 seconds. MP Cost: 2. Passive Skill Meditation: While standing still for 0.1 seconds, slowly recover spiritual power. Recovery Rate: 1 point per interval.] Jiang Chen was originally Level 15. After clearing the altar, he was rewarded with a level-up and gained 20,000 experience points. This boosted him another level, bringing him to Level 17. This leveling speed...