Chapter 24: Getting Ready to Climb the Rankings!

Compared to the lively atmosphere of other discussion groups, group 107 seemed a bit strange.

That was the Dusk Mercenaries discussion group.

In the group, a Survivor named Vulture asked, "Captain, this time, do you think you have a chance at first place?"

Meanwhile, on a certain Sky Island Territory, a man dressed in full Stalker Equipment with a gloomy expression stopped in his tracks.

He was the one in second place on the Points leaderboard, Black Eagle.

Seeing the message in the discussion group, he didn’t immediately reply but responded tersely, "Difficult, will try my best."

Others said incredulously, "Captain, even you have no confidence in taking the top spot from that Star River? You are, after all..."

Black Shadow was silent for a moment before replying again, "He’s strong, I can’t see through him."

"But I will try my best."

...

Han Xing climbed out of bed, re-energized.

Seeing the chat on the local network, the enthusiasm among the Survivors in Channel 107 was high.

"Great, it seems everyone is in high Spirit!"

Han Xing stretched out his body and clenched his fist, "I should also start pushing for the leaderboard!"

"But before hitting the leaderboard, there are some things I need to do first."

He opened the blueprint tab and made over five hundred Fine Iron Arrows in one go.

It consumed over a thousand pieces of Refined Iron, but with his current material reserves, it wasn’t a big deal.

Then, Han Xing started mass-producing containers, the relevant blueprints were in the furniture encyclopedia.

He made glass bottles in large, medium, and small sizes, with the small bottles holding 100ml, medium ones 500ml, and large ones 1000ml.

As they were made from special materials, the glass bottles were quite resistant to dropping and impact.

He collected all the Spiritual Spring Water from the pool on the ground and put it into the Storage Box, clapping his hands as he stood up.

"Great, now I don’t have to worry about monsters rushing into my Territory and destroying the Spiritual Spring Water reserves during battle."

After finishing all this, Han Xing pondered for a moment and joined the discussion group of the three of them.

Han Xing: "Guys, did you see the announcement? Want to give it a shot and aim for the top ten?"

Cheng Jianyong: "Brother Xing... you have too much faith in us, don’t you? My Territory Points just reached 12, not even in the top 100... Brother Yun might have a chance, he’s got 20 Points now, ranked 91st."

Han Xing was a bit surprised to hear that, "Already in the top 100? Not bad, Xiaoyun!"

Shen Yun also replied, "It’s alright, mostly thanks to that Skill Book you gave me, Brother Xing. It has been very helpful, allowing me to venture into places I dared not explore before. With ’Holy Light Healing’, I’ve been able to challenge more and recover from multiple injuries."

"In the early stages, a Skill Book really makes a big difference!"

Cheng Jianyong listened enviously, and somewhat resentfully said, "I’m so envious... Brother Xing treats you so well. If I had a Skill Book too, I might have made the top 50 by now."

Shen Yun retorted disdainfully, "Keep dreaming, there are nearly ten thousand people in Area 107, many hidden masters for sure, don’t underestimate them."

But Cheng Jianyong wasn’t convinced, "Give me a Skill Book, and I’ll definitely make the top 50!"

Then he said rather dramatically, "Emperor Jianyong, I am not inferior to others!"

Han Xing: "..."

Shen Yun: "..."

Han Xing said exasperatedly, "Cheng Jianyong, stop with the cringe."

Cheng Jianyong laughed sheepishly.

At this point, Han Xing continued, "Seriously, if I gave you a Skill Book, could you really make the top 50?"

Cheng Jianyong realized something instantly and said excitedly, "Brother Xing, is it...?"

Han Xing smiled.

Cheng Jianyong eagerly asked, "Brother Xing, do you really have it? Let me see what a Warrior Skill Book looks like!"

His tone was full of longing, but Han Xing said, "Wait a minute, I haven’t finished speaking."

"You just said, one Skill Book could get you into the top 50, what if I gave you two?"

Cheng Jianyong paused for a second and then cautiously said, "Two... two books! Then... top 20?"

"Three books!"

"Gasp..."

This time, not only Cheng Jianyong was unsettled, even Shen Yun’s breathing quickened.

Both of their eyes were filled with desire, and Cheng Jianyong eagerly exclaimed, "Brother Xing, from now on, you’re my real brother!"

"I’ll do whatever you ask, go wherever you want me to, I’m your biggest fan!"

Based on their understanding of Han Xing, they knew he wouldn’t joke about non-existent things. Since he said it, it meant he really had them.

At this moment, Shen Yun also spoke in a sharp voice, "Brother Xing, I want it too..."

The sound made their skin crawl.

Cheng Jianyong cursed, "Damn, Shen Yun, you’re disgusting, losing face for a Skill Book."

But Shen Yun quickly retorted, "Cheng Jianyong, you’re one to talk, you’re just as bad!"

"You’re disgusting!"

"You’re shameless!"

"..."

Hearing them bicker, Han Xing laughed, "Alright, stop messing around."

"Both of you will get one, not just Skill Books but also Green Equipment, Weapons, I have them all, I’ll trade them to you now."

Han Xing initiated a trade request with them.

As they watched the trading window fill with Skill Books covering all early-stage Professions, followed by Armor and Weapons...

Shen Yun and Cheng Jianyong both felt a sense of unreality.

"Brother... Brother Xing, are these really for us?"

Both of them were unsure, knowing the value of these items all too well.

But before they could recover from the shock, they saw an additional 20 liters of Spiritual Spring Water in the trade window.

Shen Yun and Cheng Jianyong’s incredulous eyes turned vacant.

They weren’t fools. After seeing so much precious Spiritual Spring Water and recalling what had been happening on the chat channels lately, they guessed Han Xing’s identity.

Cheng Jianyong tentatively asked, "Brother... Brother Xing, the one currently ranked first, Star River, that’s you, isn’t it?"

"That’s right."

Han Xing openly admitted it, telling them his virtual name wasn’t a big deal.

"Gasp..."

Hearing Han Xing’s admission, both simultaneously gasped.

Shen Yun also said, "I had guessed before, but I never dared to be sure, but it turns out, it’s really you, Brother Xing!"

Cheng Jianyong said with a hint of resentment, "So Brother Xing is Star River God. I was wondering who had the ability to gather so many water resources so quickly!"

Han Xing laughed, "You guys never asked!"

"Alright, hurry and accept it all, we need to push for the leaderboard."

"Feel free to drink the Spiritual Spring Water; if it’s not enough, I have more, just don’t die."

Han Xing closed the discussion group.

At this point, Cheng Jianyong and Shen Yun were still chatting.

Cheng Jianyong said, "It’s incredible that Brother Xing gave us so much, there’s no way we can avoid making a push now."

Shen Yun agreed, "With this Equipment and Skills, climbing to the top ten should be no problem. You better work hard; don’t shame Brother Xing."

"Haha, I definitely won’t, Shen Yun, I’ll tell you, within two days, I’ll surpass you!"

"Heh... anyone can brag, you’ll never surpass me."

"Let’s see then!"

Spurred on by confidence, Shen Yun said before exiting chat.

"By the way, don’t tell anyone about Brother Xing’s identity."

"Don’t worry, I’m not stupid."

...

At this time, Han Xing maneuvered the Sky Island Territory forward.

The nearby clouds within tens of kilometers were all of similar size.

The smallest ones were about ten cubic meters, the largest were comparable to the Dark Elf Camp, around thirty cubic meters.

For Han Xing, the monsters inside these clouds posed no threat.

He approached a cloud mass and started to engage, with a system prompt coming through.

"There seems to be a cold presence within, do you wish to enter?"

Han Xing clicked enter directly.

...