Otherworldly Skeleton Evolution

“How’s the Legendary equipment drop rate?” Jiang Cheng asked A Silly Cutie after finishing his upgrades.

“As for Legendaries, Demon Fiend Commander dropped 3, all level 60 and unusable, with no Epics. Purple Fiend dropped a level 40 light armor for archers and a few Rare-grade level 40 armors too,” A Silly Cutie replied, somewhat exasperated.

“Skeleton Big Brother, aren’t we progressing too fast? At this rate, the dropped equipment will only get higher level, but without the levels to wear it…”

“It’s fine, we must prepare for a rainy day. To stay ahead, we need powerful equipment. We can quickly raise our levels.”

“Oh.” A Silly Cutie nodded obediently, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“So what about these Blue and White equipment? I have 316 pieces in my bag now.”

Common monsters naturally dropped equipment too, just of lower quality that she hardly cared about anymore.

In ordinary players’ eyes, Blue equipment was a luxury. But 316 pieces had accumulated in her inventory. If not sold soon, they would gradually lose value as player levels rose.

She felt it was time to find a guild to consume them.

“Find Fist Sage. His Fist Dominates Mountains and Rivers guild has high demand. It just so happens I need to go to the Blood Hell Forbidden Land with them.”

Jiang Cheng strategized. If in his previous life, his closest disciple was Little Xue, his best confidant was Lan Xingyue, then his best friend was undoubtedly Fist Sage.

Fist Sage’s real-world background and financial strength couldn’t compare to Xia Dongli, Lan Xingyue, Xie Changkong, or Nian Cangsheng.

But he was the most loyal.

They had a 12-year age gap but shared the same hobbies and pursuits.

Both men of few words, they had an exceptional rapport.

When Jiang Cheng went to research integrating martial arts into games, the first place he visited was the Eight Great Families of the imperial capital. But upon learning he wasn’t there to learn martial arts, they refused to even meet him.

Later, he could only attend a martial arts convention held by enthusiasts to meet the eight grandmasters.

Regrettably, they dismissed his ideas with disdain, believing he had come to disrupt their event and insisting he be removed.

It was then that Fist Sage stepped in to help, and the two met for the first time.

Fist Sage was very interested in his concepts. They hit it off and talked nonstop for three days and three nights, becoming kindred spirits.

In the following days, Jiang Cheng learned Bagua Palm and Swimming Dragon Steps from Fist Sage.

To help him realize his dream of integrating martial arts into games and creating divine skills, Fist Sage invited many fellow martial artists to spar with him while Jiang Cheng observed.

However, at that time, although Fist Sage’s Bagua Palm was formidable, he didn’t have high seniority in martial arts circles.

Inviting those experts to spar required a hefty price. Each session cost at least 100,000 yuan.

Back then, Fist Sage was in dire financial straits.

Or rather, both of them were a bit poor.

But without hesitation, Fist Sage secretly sold his family’s ancestral martial arts school.

He took Jiang Cheng on trains crisscrossing half of China, even visiting other countries to spar with karate, judo, and Muay Thai masters, letting him observe and learn.

To save on travel expenses, the two often slept on the streets, eating compressed biscuits when hungry, all so Jiang Cheng could collect more information.

Those days were hard, but sharing the same goal, they didn’t feel it and even enjoyed the experience.

Jiang Cheng never forgot Fist Sage’s loyalty in selling the school.

While both men struggled to openly express such sentiments, that loyal bond remained steadfast in their hearts.

Jiang Cheng didn’t seek out Fist Sage right away, fearing he would implicate him. He didn’t want to owe the guy too much.

If not for the real world being too dangerous for A Silly Cutie, he wouldn’t have had Sword Hero send Fist Sage a message.

“Wow, Skeleton Big Brother thinks the same as me, hehe.” A Silly Cutie said happily.

In fact, in the short half-day, she got along exceptionally well with the people at Shanhe Club.

Especially Yun Xiang, who took great care of her like a big sister. A Silly Cutie really liked Yun Xiang’s considerate personality.

It was precisely because Yun Xiang and the others treated her so well that she always felt indebted.

Just as she was thinking of how to repay them, Jiang Cheng made this suggestion. She felt she and Skeleton Big Brother were so in sync.

Seeing A Silly Cutie’s smile up close, Jiang Cheng was somewhat infected too. Opening his jaw, he said:

“Seems like you had a good time at the club.”

“Hehe, of course. Sister Yun Xiang treated me so well. She not only showed me around the whole club but invited me to eat, helped tidy my bed, and even when I got my period these past few days…”

“Uh…” At this point, A Silly Cutie’s face suddenly turned crimson. She subconsciously shut her mouth.

“She told you to drink more hot water?”

A Silly Cutie: “…”

“No way! Hmph, Skeleton Big Brother, that’s such a guy thing to say.” A Silly Cutie pouted.

“She helped me… never mind, I’m not telling you! It’s my little secret, not sharing it with you.”

Jiang Cheng smiled knowingly and helped smooth out her messy bangs.

“Take good care of yourself.” His tone suddenly became much more solemn. Remembering his past grudges with the Temple, he couldn’t help but look up at the sky and sigh.

“Because the winds are about to change.”

“The weather’s changing? What do we do? I didn’t bring an umbrella. Skeleton Big Brother, should we hide in Purple Fiend Castle for a bit?”

A Silly Cutie looked at the cloudless sky, a little confused, but she trusted Jiang Cheng two hundred percent and naturally wouldn’t doubt him.

In the game, aside from Hunger and Thirst values, there was also a Health value.

Rain, snow, and other harsh weather conditions could affect health if you got soaked for too long.

Once health got too low, it triggered a Debilitated state, greatly reducing defense and weakening damage dealt.

So she felt it necessary to take shelter in Purple Fiend Castle.

But upon hearing her words, Jiang Cheng was a bit speechless.

“That’s not what I meant by winds…”

*Boom!*

Before he could finish, a sudden clap of thunder sounded in the sky.

In an instant, dark clouds shrouded the heavens, stunning Jiang Cheng.

“Wow, the weather really did change! Skeleton Big Brother, you’re too godly!”

A Silly Cutie excitedly stomped her feet, her big eyes full of admiration.

Jiang Cheng: “…”

“Let’s go take cover from the rain.”

“Master, Master’s Wife, please follow me. I know that damned Demon Fiend built a nice place just for admiring the rain,” Blood Fiend suddenly stepped forward and knelt.

“You… what did you just say?”

Master’s Wife?

A Silly Cutie’s face instantly flushed pink, her heart pounding wildly.