Infinite Fighting

Although he has the skill that can be farmed, Zhang Ji cannot farm it indefinitely.

He also needs to eat in the game to meet his basic physical needs.

So during the day, I have to work as a waiter to earn the basic necessities for survival, and only when the shop is closed at night can I have some time to practice my skills.

Fortunately, Fangyuan Restaurant is not open at night. It usually closes around 6 p.m., which is the third quarter of the hour of You (5:45 p.m.).

After dinner, clean up a bit, and then you'll have plenty of free time.

The other two waiters in the shop, Shi Feng and Yan Hao, would often go out together and not return until after midnight.

I don't know what they went to do.

The accountant, Yuan Shaojie, was rather simple. He spent all day reading a book, seemingly planning to take the entrance exam for the Divine Mechanism Hall as an apprentice.

The Divine Machine Hall was also an official organization of the Tianyin Kingdom.

There are no talent requirements for Star Warriors; the only hard requirements are knowledge in the areas of "physical investigation" and "mathematics and physics."

As for Zhang Ji, he usually goes out when he's not working.

Firstly, to explore the map, and secondly, to find a suitable place to practice skills.

There aren't many good spots inside the city, but the area outside is quite nice. There's a small hill with beautiful scenery, and no one will bother him while he's AFK training. It only takes him half an hour to walk there.

Since Zhang Ji found this place, he has been AFK grinding skills here for the past three days.

The process of improving skills cannot be accelerated, but Zhang Ji can pass the time by watching videos online.

Suddenly, a special message appeared in front of Zhang Ji's eyes.

[Hint: You have obtained 1 "Spirit Pig Leading Stars Technique" (Normal) combat skill essence, which can be extracted to your Limit Space for storage.]

"Finally, I've farmed my first essence!" Zhang Ji exclaimed.

He calculated that if he had about twenty more days, he could max out his (normal one-star) combat skill proficiency.

By then, he would have basic combat capabilities, his map exploration speed would be much faster, he could expand his exploration range slightly, participate in some story events, and do some cool tricks.

On the seventeenth day, Fang Yuan handed Zhang Ji a money pouch.

"Xiao Zhang, here's your wages. Keep it safe. The restaurant hasn't been as busy these past few days, so you can take a break tomorrow," Fang Yuan said.

He originally thought that Zhang Ji would come here for a couple of days to solve his immediate problem, and then he would fire Zhang Ji.

Who knew that Zhang Ji never mentioned wages or becoming a permanent employee, and just worked diligently until now.

This made Fang Yuan feel a little embarrassed.

Now he's subtly suggesting that Zhang Ji rest, which means he can leave.

How could Zhang Ji not understand his implied meaning?

But Zhang Ji can't leave. How can he survive here without a job?

He needs a meal ticket right now!

Although being a waiter and delivering food isn't very fun, stealing food can fill you up.

"Shopkeeper, what are you saying? I've only been working here for a few days, I'm not worth your wages, and there's no need for me to rest, I have plenty of strength and energy!"

Zhang Ji refused to accept Fang Yuan's money and didn't mention taking a break.

Fang Yuan then understood Zhang Ji's meaning.

"Here you go." Fang Yuan forcefully handed the wages to Zhang Ji and said, "Work hard, I've never shortchanged my workers."

"The shopkeeper is kind," Zhang said, feigning gratitude.

With this, Zhang Ji's job finally stabilized.

He found it quite interesting.

Interacting with these NPCs can sometimes lead to unexpected results.

For example, Fang Yuan, the shopkeeper, had previously acted somewhat stingy, but at this moment he became generous.

The time was pushed back two days.

It has been twenty-two and a half days since Zhang Ji created his account.

Outside the city of Daqi.

[Hint: You have obtained 1 "Spirit Pig Leading Stars Technique" (Normal) combat skill essence, which can be extracted to your Limit Space for storage.]

"That's enough!"

Zhang Ji's face lit up with joy. He had been grinding skills every day for the past few days, and finally he had enough.

Now all that's left is to synthesize it.

With a thought, the surroundings transformed into a black background, within which ten pure white crystal fragments floated.

These are the essence of skills.

It can be synthesized directly using [Limit].

Without a second thought, Zhang Ji proceeded with the synthesis.

These fragments coalesced into a complete crystal, its pure white light not dazzling, but still quite full.

[Note: Successfully synthesized 1 "Spirit Pig Leading Stars" (Normal) combat skill crystal.]

"extract!"

Zhang Ji extracted the fighting crystal directly onto his body.

[Hint: Gained +100 proficiency in "Spirit Pig Leading Stars Technique", current proficiency is (100/100). Strength attribute has been greatly improved, currently at D-. Constitution attribute has also been greatly improved, currently at D-.]

In an instant, Zhang Ji's physical and strength attributes rose to the [D-] level. This kind of improvement, which exceeded his basic attributes by more than 80%, was recognized by the system as a huge boost.

This level of ability is already outstanding in the current environment.

Yang Yu's strength and physical attributes are probably only around [E+].

He possesses at most the strength of seven essences of the "Spirit Pig Leading Stars Technique".

Zhang Ji tried out the current state.

Don't be fooled by its [D-] strength attribute; with a sudden burst of force, it can easily lift three or four hundred pounds overhead.

Furthermore, the force attribute represents the power released.

This means that Zhang Ji's running speed has also increased significantly.

It's much, much faster than before.

Physical strength has also improved significantly, and even after a long period of high-intensity exercise, fatigue will not occur.

It used to take Zhang Ji half an hour to get here, but now it only takes ten minutes. He can run here in one go without getting tired.

"You can participate in the story now!"

With basic strength and a new weapon, you can get involved in some plot developments.

Even though I have it equipped, if I keep grinding for skills like this, it'll probably take forever to reach the top level.
We still need to find resources.

I need to utilize all kinds of rare and precious materials, elixirs, secret martial arts manuals, and sacred cultivation sites to level up faster.

Kyoto, the capital of the Great Qi Dynasty, may not have much else, but it certainly doesn't lack events.

With more people, there will be more things to do, and more storylines to participate in.

Zhang Ji has recently heard at least a hundred stories in the restaurant.

There were notices about which village had a dead person, where martial arts masters were fighting, and which brothel had a beautiful girl. But what attracted him most were the wanted posters on the city walls.

From the players' perspective, those are the side quests they can complete.

"Let's find someone who looks lucrative but weak to test our skills first." Zhang Ji's gaze fell on one of the wanted posters named Dong Sanshi.

The reward wasn't high. His original job was as a "waiter" in a gambling den, which was essentially a thug. The crime he committed was murder and fleeing with the money. The capital city was very large, and there were many official matters to attend to. For the time being, no one knew where he had fled to, and it was even possible that he had left the city.

"Hmm, around thirty-three years old, average combat strength, not a Star Warrior, parents are still alive, what's his daily life like? Please help analyze it."

[Analyzing in progress]

After providing the data to the AI, Zhang Ji waited for the results.

The AI ​​quickly provided several possible hiding places for him, as well as some information details that Zhang Ji had completely overlooked.

That's right, he doesn't investigate cases. In fact, not many players are willing to play the detective. In the game, apart from those who just play the role, very few people actually play without using AI assistance at all.

"Xiuhualou, Tudan, south of the Daqi River."

The AI ​​suggested several locations, including a brothel where Dong Sanshi had a former lover, a slaughterhouse where food was readily available, and a slum.

Of the several locations, AI thinks the most likely is south of the Daqi River, which is close to the water source and easy to hide in, and also seems to be the location of the black market.

Zhang Ji decided to get a new outfit before taking any action.

He needs a set of night clothes, a mask, and a weapon, since he doesn't yet have the ability to match metal weapons with his bare hands.

His wages weren't much, but they were more than enough to get these things done.

But he can't reveal his identity, otherwise if he causes trouble later, people can easily trace him back to where he came from.

This is where the benefits of exploring the map come in; Zhang Ji knows how to minimize his presence.

Under the cover of night, Zhang Ji, dressed in a black hooded long shirt that covered his entire body and with a face mask covering his face, arrived at a special branch of the Hundred Industries Alliance in a small alley.

【Hundred Industries Alliance】is a non-governmental organization, but it should also have official backing.

It was originally a union-like force organized by some laborers, but it gradually expanded to cover an area of ​​thousands of miles around the capital region.

All workers can register here to obtain an identity, pay a certain fee each year to receive asylum, and if they have any issues with not receiving their wages, they can help them resolve the matter.

Similarly, shops can also register and be listed, and they will help with all related matters.

They also operate numerous shops, selling everyday goods and even black market shops that specialize in selling stolen goods.

Zhang Ji arrived at one of their black market shops for selling stolen goods.

The shop was completely empty, with hardly any goods, only a dimly lit window through which one could not see inside, and next to it was a sealed iron gate.

What would you like to buy, sir?

A voice came from inside the small window.

“A sword,” Zhang Ji said.

What are your requirements, sir?

“It’s cheap,” Zhang Ji replied.

Without a word, the other party disappeared for a while, and then a slightly rusty short sword appeared by the small window.

"One hundred coins."

Zhang paid the bill quickly, picked up his sword, and left.

The metallurgical technology in this society is quite good. A sword like this would sell for at most twenty coins outside, which is equivalent to ten meals for an average person.

Here, it has increased fivefold.

The reason is simple: the things you buy here are all stolen goods, but the authorities won't trace them back to you; all the evidence has been erased.

Of course, if someone with truly powerful connections wants to investigate, they can find out.

But to be treated like that, he deserved to fall.

Holding the sword, Zhang Ji casually brandished it a couple of times.

Although it was stolen goods, the quality of the items was not bad.

It's very handy, and the blade isn't damaged too much; it's at least good enough for cutting people.

With his current strength, he could kill an ordinary person in one move.

Inside a dilapidated house south of the Daqi River.

Dong Sanshi, covered in filth, was sleeping, but he wasn't in a deep sleep; the slightest noise would wake him.

Even now, he still thinks about the day he took action.

It's really not his fault.

Having never seen so much money in his life, with a whole chest of silver laid out in front of him, anyone would be tempted.

He took a few, but the person in charge discovered him.

Gambling dens have their own rules; this kind of thing can result in your hand being chopped off.

He was forced to kill someone, and relying on his familiarity with the city, he escaped all the way here. He hid at the bottom of the well for a few days before finally coming out recently.

Now he's thinking of finding a chance to sneak out of the city, but he learned from a local child that he's wanted by the authorities and it might not be easy for him to get out.

Suddenly, a sound startled Dong Sanshi, who was already fast asleep.

His first instinct was to reach for the short knife beside him, then lean against the wall and look toward the door.

The next instant, a dark figure walked in.

"Who are you?" Dong Sanshi asked Zhang Ji, raising his knife.

"The one who'll take your life," Zhang Ji said.

"Qiang~!"

Under the cover of night, sparks flew as the dagger slipped directly from Dong Sanshi's grasp.

The man opposite him was so strong that Dong Sanshi's palms cracked, his arms went numb, and blood dripped down.

But he didn't have time to think too much and immediately flipped over to dodge the next sword strike.

However, it was all in vain; the two sides were simply not on the same level.

"Pfft~!"

The blade severed his throat and lodged in his neck.

Zhang Ji stepped forward and kicked out, smashing his head off with a crack.

The gushing blood looked incredibly real, but Zhang Ji wasn't afraid.

This wasn't the first time he'd experienced something like this.

He was covered in stains, but Zhang Ji didn't care and started searching the spot.

He touched the body and searched the house, but found nothing. Then he found a well nearby that had been buried and sealed off; it was almost invisible unless you looked closely.

He threw a stone to test the depth; it wasn't too deep, about three to five meters, and there was no water. As he entered, a foul stench hit him. Dong Sanshi had been there for several days, so the smell was naturally unpleasant. However, Zhang Ji could downgrade his sense of smell to counteract this negative effect.

Using a makeshift tinderbox for light, Zhang Ji dug out a cloth bag from a pile of dirt. There was a metallic clanging sound inside. When he opened it, he found a dozen or so silver ingots.

"Those who run gambling dens deserve to die!!"

This large silver ingot is equivalent to Zhang Ji's wages for ten years as a waiter.

That's a lot of money; an ordinary person probably couldn't earn that much in a lifetime.

So, should those who run gambling dens die?
You wouldn't be wronged even if you died a hundred times!

With the money in hand, Zhang Ji quickly climbed to the top of the well and then quietly disappeared.

At times like these, one has to appreciate how convenient this unmonitored society is for players; they don't have to worry about causing too much trouble and alerting local authorities. (End of Chapter)