Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Taking the first step, the wind came blowing strongly, it was sharp like a blade and cut Lin Jie’s face. Blood oozed out and flew with the wind, like paint in the water, one strip by one strip.
Taking the second step, a warm breeze appeared and healed the wound. The breeze allowed people to feel refreshed and comfortable, soothing one’s mind and forgetting the pain just now.
Taking the third step, the vortex of wind went so hot as though it was in an oven, scorching the skin like a stream of fire.
That was the Hall of the Wind Spirit.
Elements made up a huge portion in the land of The New Age. They existed in every space but could not be seen nor could they be touched. However, players could feel them.
One kind of element would only produce one intelligent body, which was called the Elemental Spirit. Following its appearance, many living elements would appear in this part of the land. The power of those elements would be the same as the Elemental Spirit.
In the current stage, the level of players was still very low, but those spirits had a power that was beyond their level. As time progressed, those elements would evolve. In the later stage of the game, the leaders of each element would be in charge of their own region and rule with the other races.
Lin Jie drank a bottle of Slow Restoring Potion. Each step would face a different type of winds, and the health points would decrease more or less. If he was killed by the wind, it would really be a waste.
Whoosh-
A wind vortex appeared, and a Wind Element slowly took shape in front of Lin Jie. It was about the height of a man and looked like a tornado. The eye of the storm stared at Lin Jie.
Rage Wind Element, Level 15 Elemental Creature. Immune to all controlling effect and Wind elemental attacks. (Neutral)
Lin Jie opened his mouth, and a weird vibration came out from his throat, making a howling sound. That was the language of Wind Element. “Hello. You look like the most handsome guy among the Wind Elements.”
If Lin Jie did not have the memories of his previous life, he would have died many times before finding this method. If one tried to communicate it without an Elemental Communication Scroll (Wind), the shy Wind Element right now would not be shown as Neutral. It would turn to a level 15 boss. In the early stage of the game, it was said to be invincible and could kill anyone who dared to approach it.
The eye of the storm shivered, and the wind on the outside weakened instantly. There was only a breeze around it now, maybe it was very shy?
“Human looks weird, but turns out to be cute,” said the Wind Element with joy.
It had to be mentioned that the Wind Element was genderless.
“I’m here to find someone.” Lin Jie expressed his intentions. His aim was to find the Wind Rider Sword Saint. That Orc, who admired strong wind, had been searching everywhere for methods to recover his lost strength because of the seal. As a Wind Rider Sword Saint, it was only natural for him to be in Hall of the Wind Spirit.
“Cute human, come with me.” The Wind Element went on and led the way. The IQ of those elements was about the same as a human kid’s, so it was still pretty easy to communicate with them. However, normal people would probably be beaten to death by those Wind Elements. The reason was that those creatures would greet one politely because they came as a human. However, due to the language barrier, those elements could not understand human speech and they would interpret it as that the humans were looking down on them on purpose. That was why they would kill people.
Lin Jie followed the Wind Element closely and came to a shabby palace, where the blessing of Goddess of Elements was nowhere to be seen. The old Orc was wearing a vicissitudes hide and carried the rusty sword Lin Jie gave him. He was praying piously, trying to feel the power of the wind.
It was Wind Rider Sword Saint, Carsey Meyer!
Lin Jie’s eyes lit up and said politely, “Respectable warrior, what a coincidence to meet you here.”
Sword Saint turned around and look at Lin Jie in surprise. The hideous mouth of the Orc gave a nasty smile and said, “Oh I remember you. You are the guy who gave me this sword. Not bad, you have grown.”
Lin Jie smiled shyly and sighed. “I promised to be the best warrior when I choose the way of the warrior. Now my dream came true, and I’m qualified for the Job-Changing trial. However, my mentor only gave me a normal-level mission. What an insult to a warrior!”
“Then I heard that the hero of warriors, Wind Rider Sword Saint, who possesses strong abilities, was training in the Hall of the Wind Spirit. As such, I rushed here. It seems like he is not here anymore.” Lin Jie sighed. “The Wind Rider Sword Saint is my biggest idol. The main reason why I chose to become a warrior is due to his selflessness, strength and the handsome look when he swings his sword.”
After saying all these, Lin Jie looked up piously and said, “Oh… Wind Rider Sword Saint…”
Was that an act? Of course, it was! After the passionate speech about admiration, Lin Jie felt so disgusted by himself.
—-‘Your favorability in the eyes of the Anonymous Swordsman has increased by 50.’
It seemed like the speech was working well.
Sword Saint laughed unfathomably and said, “Young man, don’t be disheartened. Maybe I can help you.”
“You, you don’t happen to be…”
“No, I am just a disciple of the Sword Saint.” Sword Saint waved his hand and interrupted Lin Jie’s guess. The action caused Lin Jie to feel very helpless, as Sword Saint still did not reveal his identity.
“The purpose of the trial is to let a warrior understand the real path of the warrior. Beginner level allows them to have better equipment. Intermediate level allows them to be physically tough and the advanced level allows them to be mentally tough.”
“Your trial is to be approved by 3 Followers.”
—-‘You accepted an expert-level Job-Changing trial: Trial of Priesthood.’
Mission difficulty: ★★★★
Mission description: You have found an Anonymous Swordsman who claims to be the disciple of Sword Saint. The Job-Changing trial will be completed if you get approved by 3 Followers.
It was a four-starred mission!
Since the job change, the mission difficulties had been clearly graded. The four-star mission represented the extremely difficult mission. It required not only good equipment, skills, and levels, but also the players’ IQ.
Missions below three stars could be easily accomplished directly by external hardware, such as equipment, skills and so on. But from the beginning of the four-stared mission, it was indeed a test to the wisdom of the players. And those missions were very unique most of the time, even if one tried Baidu or Google, they would not get a clue. That was the case with many players in Lin Jie’s previous life. Even after receiving the four-star mission, they could not finish it in the end, full of regret.
There were three Followers in The New Age: Church staff, Missionaries, and Pagans. Lin Jie took a look at his red-purple game name and swallowed secretly.
“Thank you! Honorable warrior! I’ll go to the job-changing trials right now. I promise to follow the path of Wind Rider Sword Saint!” Lin Jie happily took the task, with a look of righteousness.
“Go forth, may the light of God of War shine on you forever.” Sword Saint waved his hand comfortably.
…
City of Light, Holy Light Church
As a holy place for paladins and priests, the first impression of the church to the common people was often selflessness, kindness, and greatness. But the reborn Lin Jie knew that there were still many dark secrets behind the seemingly bright church. Just like the Chinese state officials in the real world.
The bishop in white, Ernest, a high-ranking holy priest, walked about every half hour. Players and civilians praying at the church entrance were rewarded with a small amount of experience and full status. At this stage, skills such as the reduction of max health point were unsolvable, and only NPC could release them.
Over time, even players from other cities would come to pray, and the church was full of people.
After returning from the Hall of the Wind Spirit, Lin Jie went into Castle Wood, got a curse on himself, lowered the max health point by one third, and then went to pray before the church, trying to reach the bishop and get approval.
He had made up a story. In order to save a little girl named Little Red Riding Hood who was captured by a big gray wolf, he had gone into Castle Wood alone and was besieged by thousands of werewolves. Only with the help of Seven Gourd Kids could he escape…
“Here comes the bishop!”
“Fast, fast. Pray, quickly take my negative buff away so that I can do my missions.”
“F*ck you. Don’t push.”
…
The white bishop’s face was kind and light emanated at the top of the scepter to soothe the players’ pain.
Slowly, it was Lin Jie’s turn.
“Sinful man, you seem to be punished by someone.” Ernest, the bishop in white, smiled and lightly touched the scepter on Lin Jie’s forehead.
“Thank you, Bishop, for saving me… What the…!” Lin Jie stared as his max health points did not recover and there was an additional halo.
Strict Punishment Halo: All your negative statuses are boosted for 200%. It lasts for one natural day.
Lin Jie almost vomited blood. ‘Screw him!’
Just then, a follower behind the white bishop suddenly winked at Lin Jie and stuffed a note. Inside, it read: Morin’s Bar.
“What’s the meaning of this? Does this NPC like my handsome face? Anyway, what could be worse than now?”
Lin Jie left the church full of thoughts and went to the Morin Bar. He ordered a glass of ale and sat quietly.
‘A minstrel with accordion, a yelling gambler, a drunken drunkard, and a trading businessman who pretends to be chatting….’ The bar was a place where one could see all walks of lives.
Suddenly the door was opened, and a believer in a pure white robe came in. It was the priest Aubrey, level 25 elite, who had given Lin Jie the note.
“You seem to have a problem?” Aubrey was a blond young boy, but the flirty smile on his lips made him look a lot more indecent. “Maybe I can help you.”
Lin Jie smiled and asked, “Are you a Follower?”
“Sort of,” said Aubrey, “Ernest is my cousin, and I am equally qualified to be a bishop.”
Lin Jie was excited and said, “I want to be recognized by the Followers, can I?”
Aubrey blinked and shook his empty glass. “Sure, it’s a trifle… But I’m thirsty. I can’t do it when my mouth is dry.”
‘Oh?” Lin Jie smiled.
