Chapter Forty-Eight: What Do You Think Gambling Is?

Ye Yu and the other five made their way toward Heroes’ Town. Along the journey, Ye Yu received a message from a friend. His expression froze in surprise when he saw the sender: “Warm Chill.”

Without hesitation, Ye Yu opened the message.

Warm Chill: “Liang Ye, which year are you in at Qingcheng University?”

Liang Ye: “Why do you ask?”

The question caught Ye Yu off guard, and he answered in surprise. Still, he wasn’t entirely shocked. In fact, he was a little taken aback—Warm Chill already knew he was a student at Qingcheng University, and Ye Yu hadn’t thought much of it.

Liang Ye: “A freshman.”

Ye Yu replied straightforwardly. On the other side, Xiao Mo’s eyes widened in astonishment.

Liang Ye… he’s a freshman at Qingcheng University? That means we’re in the same year?

Thump, thump—

Xiao Mo’s heart began to race, her cheeks flushing. Such an extraordinary person was also studying at Qingcheng University? Who was he, really?

Warm Chill: “Really? I’m a freshman at Qingcheng University too.”

Ye Yu’s eyes narrowed slightly at this. He was surprised by Xiao Mo’s message, though not as dramatically as Xiao Mo herself. He hadn’t expected to meet a fellow student here—let alone a young woman.

Liang Ye: “What a coincidence.”

Warm Chill: “What’s your real name? Can you tell me? [Impish face]”

Liang Ye: “Me…”

Warm Chill: “Yes, can you tell me?”

Liang Ye: “Ye Yu.”

Clang—

When Xiao Mo saw the two characters appear before her eyes, her expression froze. Disbelief flickered in her gaze.

Warm Chill: “Ye Yu? The youngest champion of the 2017 CGFC competition in Gangcheng, Nanyue Province?”

Ye Yu’s lips curled into a faint smile as he replied.

Liang Ye: “Seems you know quite a bit about me. Yes, that was me.”

At this, Xiao Mo fell silent. She had developed subtle feelings for Ye Yu since the day they met. In the world of gaming, where she possessed remarkable talent herself, she found a newfound desire to compete.

But Ye Yu’s reputation was formidable, with glowing reviews circulating online. That year’s CGFC competition was no simple affair—in fact, it was a year that marked the rise of several prodigies, cementing their potential as extraordinary players.

Ye Yu was undoubtedly among them.

Seeing that Warm Chill hadn’t replied, Ye Yu wasn’t bothered. He murmured softly, “Could it be that she knows me?”

Ye Yu harbored no doubts or surprise about this. In fact, he had already learned from Ye Lingsnow that his name had long circulated among the upperclassmen.

After all, he had a famous elder sister; the impact she had left was something Ye Yu had grown accustomed to, for better or worse.

“Third Brother, we’re still three levels away from forty. Reaching level forty won’t be easy,” Luo Feng said, his face grave.

Ye Yu nodded, pondering for a moment before answering, “The server level mechanism in ‘Divine Desolation’ only unlocks the next level cap when at least ten players reach the current cap. Otherwise, forcing a breakthrough comes with a price.”

If a player tried to exceed the server’s level cap, they’d need double or triple the usual experience points. For those who obsessively grind, forcing a level breakthrough might seem appealing.

But Ye Yu saw no need for this. Unlike other games, ‘Divine Desolation’ would soon introduce a ‘limitless freedom’ system, as well as a ‘custom skill and combo’ mechanic. When these features came to light, raw level wouldn’t be the sole determinant of strength.

Of course, if a player’s skill matched their level advantage, the outcome was clear. But…

…if an opponent relied solely on a level advantage without the matching skill, the result would be uncertain. That was the beauty of these new mechanics—they brought the world of martial chivalry, with all its blades and vendettas, vividly to life.

“So my plan is to reach level forty and wait for at least ten players to unlock the next cap. There’s no need to force it. If we rush, we’ll lose the joy of experiencing the game itself.”

Ye Yu shrugged indifferently, a response that surprised his companions.

The six of them returned to Heroes’ Town and continued with their next quest.

Upon arrival, they entered the best inn in town and immediately noticed a new golden exclamation mark—the starting point of the next main storyline quest.

Before them stood a plump NPC dressed in plain clothes, but with a lavish, mismatched belt adorned with a brilliant jade at its center—clearly of the highest quality.

Quest Level: 34
Quest NPC: Shangguan Kaicheng
Quest Description: What do you believe is gambling?
Quest Objective: Seek out the peddler in Jiushan Village at Jiushan Hill
Quest Turn-in NPC: Jiushan Village Peddler

“My young friends, since you’re here, you don’t look like you’ve come just for a meal. If that’s the case, would you mind doing me a favor?” the rotund man said, smiling with an entreating gleam in his eyes.

“What is it?” Ye Yu asked directly.

Hearing Ye Yu’s question, Shangguan Kaicheng looked at the six with teary eyes, then replied with a hopeful smile, “Heroes, could you please go to Jiushan Hill and find the peddler in Jiushan Village? Ask her if she still has any figs and tea eggs for sale. I’m in urgent need of both.”

Naturally, the six accepted the quest, though they hadn’t expected to be sent all the way back to Jiushan Hill. Luo Feng and Qu Zheng both grumbled under their breath.

Seeing this, Shangguan Kaicheng let out a wry smile, his expression so vivid it could rival a real person’s. In a hushed tone, he added, “If you can help me, I promise you’ll be handsomely rewarded.”

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