I was so scared that I put all my points into health.

Taking advantage of the relatively ample time in the evening, Wang Xiaoyi's mind was buzzing with excitement, like a cheerful little bird fluttering its wings. His head was filled with thoughts of the network research that the Elf King Dragon had mentioned. "Now that it's already come up with the idea of ​​networking, I can't let this golden opportunity slip by. I have to get to work on it right away!"

Just imagine, if this online system really works, it would mean we could trade Pokémon with Alpha and Allen, satisfying the Pokémon King Dragon and accumulating a lot of gratitude points. Plus, we could play Animal Crossing together! Imagine everyone working together to build a beautiful island, strolling around, collecting seashells on the beach, digging for honey in the trees, and sharing their carefully crafted little trinkets—how joyful that would be!

However, after Wang Xiaoyi listened carefully to the Elf King Dragon (in human form)'s description of the network connectivity, he realized it wasn't as easy as he had initially thought. It was like building a magnificent castle; it wasn't just about throwing together a bunch of bricks. It involved many complex structures and intricate mechanisms. The mention of constructing several network signal facilities seemed like an incredibly difficult puzzle to Wang Xiaoyi.

The Elf King Dragon (in human form) was very enthusiastic. It asked for several NDS consoles, saying it was for testing and that it would try to get the online function working in the next few days. Wang Xiaoyi also gave the Elf King Dragon (in human form) several extra NDS cartridges he had recently acquired, such as Kitchen Mama and Fishing Master DS, as well as Animal Crossing cartridges. He let the Elf King Dragon (in human form) take them all. Recently, he had tried the Gratitude Points lottery system several times, and each time he felt he was very close to getting the Switch and the cool mount he wanted, but fate seemed to be playing tricks on him, and he couldn't get them no matter what. He thought that this lottery was like a mysterious journey, and he had to take it slowly. He couldn't use up all his Gratitude Points at once; he had to save some to exchange for existing items. He also had to wait for the Lucky Day 3UP to try again. If he didn't have any Gratitude Points by then, he would never have the chance to draw those dream items again.

The day's fatigue piled up amidst these thoughts, and Wang Xiaoyi felt his eyelids growing heavier and heavier until he was so exhausted that he simply collapsed into bed. He had thought that the Elf King Dragon (human form) would stay with him. But the Elf King Dragon (human form) shook its head and said goodbye, turning back as it walked away, "I have to go back. My mom's cooking is absolutely amazing, I can't miss it. And I need to hurry back and get back to work on the internet so we can play games together online soon." With that, it transformed into its parrot form in a flash and disappeared into the darkness.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the streets and alleys of El Paran. Wang Xiaoyi, Alpha, and Allen decided to have breakfast together at the market. The market was bustling with activity, filled with a dazzling array of food stalls, their aromas enticing the air. They strolled along, savoring the delicious food, chatting and laughing, enjoying this rare moment of relaxation.

Just then, Guild Master Winnie used telepathy to notify everyone: "Gather directly at the quest board on the first floor; there are new quests to be assigned." Hearing this, the three couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. They were worried that Guild Master Winnie might be in a bad mood because of some minor incidents during yesterday's adventure.

When they arrived at the quest board on the first floor, they saw Guild Master Winnie already standing there, exuding her usual captivating charm. She glanced around, then cleared her throat and announced, "No more B-rank quests for today or tomorrow. Leave them all to me. If you have any complaints, feel free to duel me anytime. If you win, I'll give them to you."

Upon hearing Guild Master Winnie's words, everyone gasped. They all knew that Guild Master Winnie, as the branch guild leader, possessed the strength of a level 70 Archmage. Even with class advantages and disadvantages, defeating her under such a powerful level advantage was virtually impossible.

Just then, Guild Master Winnie saw a quest notification for an abandoned castle on her quest log. Without hesitation, she accepted the quest. She turned to Wang Xiaoyi and the other two and said, "Let's go."

The four rode griffins, flying towards the castle mission location. The griffins soared through the air, overlooking the beautiful landscape below. Wang Xiaoyi and Allen, still somewhat afraid of heights, dared not look at the ground, while Alpha excitedly discussed the upcoming adventure, and Guild Master Winnie calmly controlled the direction.

Soon after, they arrived at the valley where the castle was located. Hidden deep within a dense forest, the castle exuded an air of mystery. President Winnie led the group cautiously into the castle, preparing to face a new challenge.

This castle mission was fraught with unknowns and dangers, but with President Winnie leading the way, Wang Xiaoyi and his two companions were filled with confidence. They believed that under President Winnie's guidance, they would definitely be able to successfully complete the mission and obtain generous rewards.

Mission Name: Castle Romance

Task background:

On the edge of El Parlan stands an ancient and mysterious castle—Shadow Keep. This castle was once one of the most magnificent buildings in the land, witnessing countless historical changes and vicissitudes. Every stone, every carving seems to tell a story of past glory and prosperity. However, with the relentless passage of time, its owners and its former splendor have vanished into the annals of history, leaving only this lonely castle to gradually crumble under the erosion of time.

The owner of Shadow Keep was once a handsome and wealthy nobleman named Adrian. He met and fell in love with a beautiful bride named Elina, and on their wedding day, the entire city of Elparan cheered for their love. However, happy times are always short-lived. In an accident, Elina mysteriously disappeared, and Adrian, in despair, exhausted his life force, becoming a ghost and remaining forever in the ancient castle.

Now, Shadow Keep is shrouded in a mysterious magic, seemingly stemming from Adrian's endless longing for Elina. Every nightfall, a thick fog rises around the castle, forming a vast, perpetual mist that acts as a natural barrier, isolating the castle from the outside world.

In the mist, the whispers of ghosts often drifted. These voices, sometimes clear, sometimes indistinct, seemed like calls from another world. Some said these ghosts were the spirits of the castle's former masters and servants, trapped within its walls, unable to find release. However, the truth was that Adrian was searching for his lost bride, Elina. His soul wandered the castle, calling her name, hoping she would return to him.

The castle gates were tightly shut, covered in rust and vines. The surrounding trees and plants were also unusually lush and eerie, as if under a magical influence. Strange animals and insects occasionally passed by the castle, their eyes revealing awe and fear towards it.

Mission Difficulty: B

mission target:

1. Explore the Castle: Brave the fog to find the castle entrance and enter. Carefully explore every room, noting all the details and discoveries.

2. Unravel the Mysteries: Based on the clues found within the castle, unravel the mysteries surrounding its history, the identity of its owner, and its enigmatic magic. Reveal the origins of the ghostly whispers and the stories behind them.

3. Gather Clues: During the exploration, search for clues related to Alina's disappearance. These clues may be hidden in various corners of the castle, such as diaries, portraits, and personal belongings.

4. Find Baron Adrian's Bride or Kill Baron Adrian: Depending on the mission progress, players can choose to find Baron Adrian's lost bride, Elina, or choose to kill Baron Adrian. Killing Baron Adrian requires players to use their wisdom and courage to find his weaknesses and devise effective combat strategies.

Quest Rewards: Players who successfully complete the quest will receive a large amount of experience points and gold. They may also obtain rare equipment or special items to enhance their strength. Successful completion of the quest will increase the player's reputation within Elparan City.

Castle Romance was supposed to be a level 50 dungeon filled with mystery and puzzle-solving elements, but Guild Master Winnie completely defied expectations. Standing before the castle's eerie gates, her eyes held an undeniable coldness, she simply uttered "Follow me," and then dashed inside like a whirlwind. She was like a goddess of war descending, conquering every territory she touched.

As soon as they stepped into the castle, a swarm of small bats swarmed around them. Guild Master Winnie remained calm, holding her staff in her left hand and gracefully raising her right. Without needing to chant, she immediately cast a fireball. A massive fireball appeared before her, roaring outwards and instantly engulfing the monsters in its path, emitting painful howls. The intense heat of the flames seemed to distort the surrounding space.

Immediately, she switched to ice magic. A ghostly blue light emanated from beneath her feet, and ice rapidly spread outwards from her. The gargoyles that hadn't yet had a chance to attack were frozen solid by this sudden ice spell, their bodies stiffening as they struggled on the ice. Then, Guild Master Winnie lightly waved her wand, and lightning suddenly descended from the ice, striking the frozen surface with tremendous force. The gargoyles struck by the lightning instantly turned to dust.

Her Nen magic was even more mysterious and unpredictable. She closed her eyes, concentrated her mental energy, and an invisible Nen wave spread outwards from her. The large spiders hidden in the shadows were hit by the Nen Blast and their bodies were flung away like puppets with broken strings, crashing heavily into the wall and turning to ashes.

They continued deeper into the castle and soon encountered a mid-level boss—a Frankenstein's monster. This mid-level boss was enormous, wielding a giant axe, and charged menacingly at President Winnie. President Winnie, however, remained calm and composed, deftly wielding her long whip. The whip drew graceful arcs through the air, each swing accompanied by a whistling sound. When the whip struck the mid-level boss, it was like a bolt of lightning, leaving bloody welts on its skin. It angrily swung its giant axe, but President Winnie skillfully dodged each attack.

President Winnie used a freezing spell to immobilize the mid-boss, then waved her magic wand, chanted briefly, and unleashed a high-level spell—Thunder Strike. A massive magic circle appeared beneath Frankenstein's monster's feet, countless bolts of lightning crackling and popping like tiny snakes. The mid-boss was slain, vanishing into the air as a puff of black smoke.

When they encountered a locked door in the castle, Alpha stood by, eager to try and figure out how to unlock it. President Winnie, however, didn't even glance at him. She stepped forward, raised her high-heeled foot, and with a crisp "clink-clink-clink," the heels struck the ground. With a slight incantation, a large fireball shot out, and the sturdy door instantly cracked under her magical attack before collapsing with a deafening roar.

During this time, Guild Master Winnie unleashed magic to slay any monsters she encountered, her momentum unstoppable. On the path to the BOSS room, she created patches of ice. The smaller monsters that tried to block her way slipped on the ice, unable to get close. She also periodically released pillars of fire, instantly killing any monsters that approached.

And so, President Winnie strolled to the entrance of the BOSS room, her high heels jingling. A thick, dark aura permeated the room, and eerie runes flickered on the walls. In the center of the room, a tall figure gradually appeared—the Ghost Lord Adrian. His eyes revealed endless sorrow and rage, and he gripped a ghostly axe that gleamed with a cold light.

President Winnie showed no fear. She first unleashed a series of fire spells at the BOSS. The flames burned on the BOSS, causing it to roar in pain. The BOSS swung its claws and lunged at President Winnie, but she dodged and simultaneously wrapped her whip around the BOSS's claws, pulling hard, causing the BOSS to stagger forward.

Then she swiftly switched to telekinesis, unleashing a powerful mental shockwave directly into the BOSS's brain. It felt as if countless steel needles were piercing the BOSS's mind; it shook its head, a look of confusion appearing in its eyes. Guild Master Winnie seized this opportunity, casting ice magic again, freezing the BOSS's feet to the ice, rendering it immobile.

With a slight wave of her wand and a brief incantation, President Vinnie conjured a large magic circle above Baron Adrian's head. A blizzard descended from the circle, completely freezing Baron Adrian. Then, after a short while of chanting, an even larger magic circle appeared in the sky, from which several meteorites descended, striking Baron Adrian with pinpoint accuracy. In no time, Baron Adrian was obliterated by President Vinnie, reduced to countless specks of starlight.

The quest notification sounded, indicating the quest was complete. From level 21 onwards, the experience points required to level up skyrocketed. Take the jump from level 19 to 20, for example; it only required 1210 experience points, as easy as crossing a small hill. However, from level 20 to 21, the gap widened dramatically, requiring experience points. Why is this? Is it because the second job advancement occurs after level 20? After the second job advancement, players can learn more powerful and potent skills, like opening a door to higher combat abilities.

For Wang Xiaoyi, even after successfully completing his second job advancement at level 20 and learning those supposedly more powerful second job skills, he was still a weakling who could only allocate attribute points to increasing his health, and could only rely on his teammates. Without a powerful player to guide him through the challenges, leveling up was like slowly making his way through a thicket of thorns—a long and arduous process. Now that he has Guild Leader Winnie, hopefully nothing else will go wrong so he can level up steadily.

The level 50 Castle Romance dungeon they participated in this time offered a whopping 80,000 experience points as a reward—a number they couldn't possibly earn by grinding slimes to death. These experience points instantly leveled him up two and a half levels, and Alvin and Allen also gained experience. The three of them were overjoyed.

Guild Master Winnie dusted off non-existent dust, displaying a nonchalant air of accomplishment after completing her mission, and turned to leave the castle instance she had ruthlessly conquered. Once outside the castle, she took out a crystal—a teleportation crystal—mounted a griffin, and immediately used it to return to town, saving a significant amount of time. She glanced at her quest log, selected a B-rank quest, accepted it, and headed in that direction with swift and decisive action.