127 Holy Shield Paladin

The next day, Jiaojiao came online. Li Yi called Chen Yang and the rest over, gathering ten people to initiate the Curse Book quest.

The drop rate of Curse Book Part One, Part Two and Part Three was more scarce than rare. There were some large-scale guilds that sent out several hundred of their members to farm for months yet came up empty.

The Curse Book quest could be shared with members and the limit was ten people. There was no time restriction upon acceptance of quest. There was also no need to form a party and could be completed at will.

Jiaojiao logged out after accepting the quest while Li Yi went on his way to clear Curse Book's initial quest, Root of the Fall.

As the races differed in acceptance of the quest, the content was not similar. Amongst the ten, only Li Yi was of the human race. So naturally, he could only go about the initial quest alone.

The initial quest, Root of the Fall was simple. First, he needed to go through ten human cities and hear about the black and white bosses' history from the NPCs. He then just needed to continue on with the hints received on the way.

The history of Maseru and Margaret was never forgotten. Upon receiving this quest and conversing with NPCs regarding the names, the NPCs would inform so many of their deeds prior to their fall.

At least more than a hundred NPCs needed to be searched to pry on the history in these ten cities. Moreover, there was no notification of any kind once you left for another city. In other words, if you have forgotten to speak with an NPC, you would have to return to the city to do so.

The annoying thing about this quest was that if you forget to speak with one of the NPC, then you needed to make trips back and forth. Of course, this to Li Yi was nothing. As a famous solo player in his past life, he was quite familiar with the locations of the NPCs.

It had been two days and a half when Li Yi finally completed this initial quest.

System Notification: [You are now familiar with Maseru and Margaret's history. What do you think of their fall?]

Two options appeared before him.

[1. Idiots who betrayed God]

[2. Lovers who stopped at nothing]

With the difference in choice, came the difference in quest progression.

Li Yi chose the second option, lovers who stopped at nothing and obtained 1,000 points in Cursing Sect's Reputation Value.

If the first option was chosen, it would increase the Reputation Value of the Light Path. The quests that followed would consist mostly of vanquishing the cult. Choosing the second option would run the complete opposite route.

[A new quest, Darwin, the Hypocrite, has emerged.]

[Quest content: Head to Church of Holy Light in search of Light Priest, Darwin and ask him the final story of Maseru and Margaret.]

[Quest reward: 30,000 EXP, Maseru's Beloved Ring (Physical), Margaret's Silk Clock (Spell) (Pick one out of two items), and 1,000 Points of Cursing Sect's Reputation Value.]

The Church of Light was situated at the Western Continent and the Abyssal Canyon Crevice was in the way.

He had already passed over 100 new Universal Keys to Fatty. Fatty had set out to Western Continent two days earlier to rummage through treasure chests in the world.

Li Yi rode on Crimson Tiger King to Abyssal Canyon. He then switched to Ice Toad King's powered-up super jump to leap over Abyssal Canyon's forty over meter-wide crevice.

Base on the legends, the Western and Eastern Continents used to be conjoined. During Ancient God Wars, Dragon Rider, Lord Augustus slew a foreign Devil General, causing the creation of this tens-of thousand-meter bottomless abyssal crevice. 

The continents of North, South, East, and West were broken due to the battle and no longer connected. If Li Yi did not have Ice Toad King as a mount, he would not be able to leap over a crevice as long as this.

As the territories differed, players from the four continents experienced the game differently. The Pinnacle of the Fire was a specialty of the Eastern Continent. The other three continents would not possess this but rather a similar Instance Dungeon to Pinnacles of the Fire.

As he rode Crimson Tiger King on the Western Continent, Li Yi constantly kept guard.

The reason was simple. Currently, he was a foreigner in the eyes of the Western Continent players. No matter, if the person was famous or not, attacking him, would subject no punishment and instead be awarded Meritorious Value.

The Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Continents, apart from the North Pole (Northern Continent) being a public map, the remaining three continents were opposing player camps in Pantheon.

Different from Chen Yang rummaging through treasure chests, the treasure chest location map that Li Yi handed over to Fatty were remote places. Fatty needed to watch out when making leaps whereas he was faced with players from the Western Continent.

The Western Continent, The Land of Light. A milky white church appeared before his eyes. He had arrived at the Church of Light!

"A foreigner, kill!"

Li Yi had not set foot into the Church of Light yet when he heard a piercing scream. Over ten foreign players dashed out from the church. Blazing in Holy Light, countless Light Balls flocked towards him. These players were of Priest class.

Li Yi turned to retreat Crimson Tiger King yet the foreign players unyieldingly went after him.

"Pfft! Pfft!"

Li Yi fought back with a beautiful Chained Arrow Skill, killing one foreigner instantly and obtaining 1 Meritorious Value point. 

"Man, this guy is good. Call more to come, call more."

The foreigner players yelled out while continuing to charge at him. Their reaction had Li Yi between laughter and tears.

Judging by their equipment, their highest level was not even at Level 30. It was impossible to inflict damage on him, even with group attacks.

Swoosh swoosh swoosh swishh—

A Penetrating Arrow move was struck and took down eight. These noob players must think that hiding behind each others' back was safe yet they did not expect an Archer's Penetrating Arrow could specifically tackle this.

The remaining few tried to flee but Li Yi caught up to them and strung a few shots, taking them down.

The top of his head displayed, 16 combo!

"I'm only doing a quest, was there a need for this?"

Taking this opportunity, Li Yi rode on his Crimson Tiger King to Church of Light.

The Land of Light in the Western Continent was a dangerous place for foreigners. There were three nearby human cities with at least several million players hanging by. He would not be able to resist if even a small portion of them were to gang up on him.

The quest has to be completed as soon as possible!

"The Light is my life. Honor the Light, believe in the Light and the Light shall grant you power!"

Light Priest, Darwin devotedly kneeled before the church and prayed to the Light.

This was his daily task.

Three female players stood behind Darwin in the Church of Light, listening to his preaches. Li Yi wasted no time and used only three shots to take them to the ground.

Upon killing them, Li Yi realized that there was no Meritorious Value. This meant that they were all beneath Level 10.

"Er... Sorry about that."

Li Yi walked up and started conversing with Darwin.

The danger of this quest did not lie on battling with Darwin but rather, the harassment from foreign players.

"Margaret? That stupid woman. She was willing to forgo the treatment I have for her in the name of chastity. She suffered a deadly fate in the end, sigh... Stupid woman."

This background story of this quest was that Darwin, the Hypocrite fancied the beautiful and kind Margaret. Hence, he cast a forbidden Curse Spell on Margaret, forging a false front of being terminally ill. He then snuck into Margaret's room with perverted intentions. Margaret refused to comply and Darwin killed her in the heat of fury.

This led to the event of Maseru betraying the Light and joining the Cursing Sect.

"How did you find out about this? Are you trying to avenge that stupid woman? Dream on!"

Darwin flew into a rage. His pure white robe was enveloped with a layer of darkness as he struck an attack at Li Yi.

Darwin's true identity was a Curse Priest!

Darwin, the Hypocrite was a Level 30 quest boss. He was not an elite monster. With a mere fifty thousand HP, defeating him was not difficult.

Violent Bear King lunged forward while Li Yi launched Rapid Shooting. He consumed Fury Potion, accelerating at the fastest speed to kill Darwin.

The quest boss was easy to defeat but the foreigners were a trouble. Staying here for long increased the risk of danger.

Li Yi's damage was around 1,600. Together with Violent Bear King, the ATK took a few seconds to reduce the fifty thousand HP.

"Damn! Even if I die, you will not be spared."

Prior to his last dying moment, Darwin hurled a black ball at Li Yi, instantly causing him to feel dizzy.

[Life Sacrificial Curse]

[Effect: Target's level will temporarily drop 5 levels and class skills cannot be used for 12 hours.]

This move could not be evaded. It was a compulsory hit.

Darwin fell onto the ground. Li Yi immediately went ahead to loot and obtained Darwin's Diary.

The quest was over. Time to head back!

Li Yi stormed out of the Church of Light and summoned Crimson Tiger King to return using the original route.

Return City Stone could not be used in foreign continents. Only when he was near the Abyssal Canyon Crevice, that it could be used.

There were already many foreigners running towards the Church of Light but Li Yi's Crimson Tiger King was so quick, regular mounts could not catch up.

It was quite dangerous to execute quests in places where foreigners populated.

Seeing no one hot on his trail, Li Yi was finally at ease. He was just contemplating about fooling around with a few foreign Instance Dungeon when a gold-colored shield swept in from the side, smashing onto him.

[Holy Shield's Pursuit: Holy Shield Paladin's specialty. A long-range attack by tossing their shield on target. It can inflict damage and throw target into a 5-second Dizzy mode. Skill cool down for 5 minutes.]

A Paladin beaming in sparkling gold came out from the dark, swinging his hammer about.

"Dark Devour!"

Although Li Yi was under Life Sacrificial Curse and could not use any class skill, the special skills from his accessories were not under this restriction. He immediately dispelled the Dizzy mode and leaped away while firing an arrow at the Holy Shield Paladin.

Miss!

Li Yi landed and took another jump, firing another arrow.

Miss!

"F*ck!"

With two continuous misses, the Holy Shield Paladin returned the favor. Li Yi's feet had not even touch the ground when he was hit with Holy Shield Paladin's Shield Impact.

[Shield Impact: Similar to Warrior's Muscle Rupture, a 50% SPD deceleration is applied to the target, in addition to damage. Skill cooldown period of 20 seconds.

"Clang!"

Li Yi was smacked three to four meters away by Shield Impact. His SPD was reduced to half. He was moving as slow as a snail.

"I have long heard of an Archer who rides a Crimson Tiger King in the Eastern Continent. And today I learned that he is just trash that kills alt accounts."

Holy Shield Paladin snorted, lunging forward while swinging his hammer.

Li Yi was finally able to take a good look at this Holy Shield Paladin. His heart sank.

F*ck, how did he cross paths with him!