I immediately used the Dreamwalk skill to set up a teleport point on the first floor of Blackstone Tower. I camped right there – no matter where I am, as long as I use the Dreamwalk skill, I can teleport back here.
For the next three days, I grinded on the first floor of Blackstone Tower. I only went back to Sky Dragon City to buy health potions, otherwise endlessly fighting skeleton soldiers and the Skeleton Captain boss over and over.
The Skeleton Captain is the most common mini-boss, respawning once every two hours.
Bosses in 《Dominion》 respawn at different times based on their abilities and characteristics. Low-level ones respawn every few hours, Silver-level bosses respawn the next day, Golden bosses respawn the next week, and stronger ones respawn the next month. There are also some unique bosses that only respawn once – once killed by players, they never respawn again.
Of course, the longer the respawn time, the stronger the boss, and the more likely it is to drop good equipment.
“Ding-dong, congratulations player Stone City on leveling up. You are now level 20. Health +10, Mana +10, Luck +1, and 5 attribute points to distribute.”
After three days of effort, I finally reached level 20. I couldn't help but sigh： equipment is hard to drop, gold is hard to get, and levels are hard to earn.
Equipment is hard to drop. In three days, I fought through hordes of skeleton soldiers and managed to get at least 50 pieces of white gear for levels 15 and 20. But I only got 23 blue pieces for level 15, and just 8 blue pieces for level 20.
Considering my high Luck stat, which gives me a much higher drop rate than others, and I still only got this much gear in three days – you can imagine how it is for other players.
Thinking of this situation, it's really a far cry from the newbie village; I guess higher-level gear is even harder to come by.
Gold coins are hard to come by—in three days, fighting back and forth among the swarms of skeleton soldiers, and even with the Ring of Greed that has a drop rate ×2 for gold coins, I still only managed to collect 1,326 gold coins.
Leveling up is tough—in three days, fighting back and forth among the swarms of skeleton soldiers, I only managed to reach level 20, averaging just 2 levels per day.
But even so, not only do I feel no fatigue or frustration, I feel like I've fallen in love with "King" and have become part of it. The real experience brought by "King"'s virtual world makes me feel like I'm exploring something I've never known before, bringing a real thrill to life.
Whatever, I'm finally level 20—that's some progress. It's time to push into the second floor of Blackstone Tower and reveal the mystery of that floor.
I entered the second floor of Blackstone Tower when I was level 18, but the zombies and black mages there are level 25 monsters, and they're all aggressive. So even though I'm tough and freakish, because my level was too low, I couldn't withstand their crazy attacks and had to back out.
Now I'm level 20. I'll head back to town, equip my level 20 gear, charge into the second floor, and get my revenge—I've got a few golden pieces of equipment at level 20.
Just as I was about to use a town portal scroll to return to town, suddenly a doorbell rang, and I had to exit the game to answer the door.
"Who is it？ Nobody said they were coming over," I muttered to myself.
"Big bro, I'm back."
The moment I opened the door, a slender figure suddenly threw herself into my arms. A pair of jade-white hands quickly wrapped around my neck, and a stunning face, flawless and outshining frost and snow—like a piece of meticulously carved jade that makes people lose themselves—was now swaying right before my eyes.
Suddenly, a refreshing, heart-soothing fragrance rushed straight over me, making me involuntarily spread my arms and gently embrace the delicate jade-like body nestled tightly against my chest, through a waist as slender as a willow branch.
"Little sister, why are you back so early?" I asked in surprise.
No one else could make such intimate movements with me except my little enchantress, my little sister, Lin Yuxin.
"What's wrong? Are you that surprised that I'm back? Don't you miss me?"
Little sister couldn't help twisting in my arms, wanting to shake my head with her jade-like hands to protest.
"Of course I do. Of course I miss you."
Though I answered little sister, my gaze was suddenly completely captivated, and I was already distracted and absent-minded from her question.
Right now my eyes are filled with infinite tenderness, staring dazedly at the beautiful sight like a lily in a secluded valley.
An incomparably beautiful jade-like face, exquisitely carved delicate features, a fair and snow-white slender neck, warm and soft shoulders, the slight swell of her bosom, a waist slender enough to be circled by one hand, a tall and graceful figure, and a loose and soft casual outfit—all together form a perfect silhouette.
Suddenly, my heart is filled with boundless longing and affection, mingled with an intoxicating warmth. All at once, I felt as if I was burning up, filled with the taste of happiness.
"Li Tong, why are you back so soon? Didn't we agree I would pick you up at the airport?"
"Hmm, I had nothing to do at home, so I came back a bit earlier."
What caught my gaze was Li Tong, as quiet as a lily and as warm as a spring breeze.
Li Tong watched me staring at her with a dazed infatuation, unashamed and completely unlike my usual self. Her heart was filled with boundless warmth and happiness. But suddenly, she felt an unprecedented shyness at being stared at so brazenly and eagerly by a man, even if that man was the love of her life. Though she had longed for such a gaze many times, she couldn't help but blush now, lowering her jade-like face that could put all flowers to shame, a faint flush rising on her fair cheeks.
Seeing Li Tong's shyness, I suddenly realized how forward I had been. Quickly coming to my senses, I put down the little demoness Lin Yuxin in my arms and took the suitcase from Li Tong's hand, saying, "Let me take that. Come on in."
"Weren't you supposed to wait until school started to come back? Why are you back so many days early? What's wrong, is something the matter?"
"What could be the matter? It's all big brother's fault."
Hearing my question, my little sister immediately stepped forward to answer.
"My fault？ Are you kidding me？ I don't think I did anything wrong." I was genuinely surprised and a little aggrieved.
"Of course it's your fault. You have no idea how much fun Tong-jie and I were having. But because of just one phone call from you, Tong-jie couldn't stay still and urged me to come back early."
"That's not true. Don't listen to little sis's nonsense. I was bored at home anyway, and I had some things to take care of before school starts, so I came back a bit early."
Li Tong understood our strange relationship very well. Hearing my sister's answer, she quickly stepped in to explain, though I could clearly see that she didn't dare to meet my eyes. She looked a little embarrassed, and also carried a hint of grievance and anticipation.
"Li Tong, I've really wronged you," I thought silently, a storm of emotions surging within me.
Li Tong always put me first, never wanting to add any pressure on me.
Suddenly, I felt incredibly foolish. A deep wave of regret washed over me, but more than that, I felt an extra layer of affection and responsibility toward Li Tong.
"Big brother, don't you have anything to say？"
Seeing that I was dumbstruck and silent, my little sister hurriedly urged me on, with a look of utter exasperation that I was letting her down.
“After three hours on the plane, I'm starving. Lin Feng, what do you want to eat? I'll cook.”
Just as I was about to speak, Li Tong cut in ahead of me, but disappointment was clearly visible on her face, to the point where her warm and brilliant smile seemed to dim somewhat.
“Li Tong, I……”
“Lin Feng, don't overthink it. It hasn't been easy without anyone cooking these past few days, has it? Today I'll make a delicious meal and let you really enjoy yourself.”
Just as I was about to say something, Li Tong cut in ahead of me again, breaking my train of thought.
“Little sister, I'm ordering now. What do you want to eat?”
Hearing Li Tong's question, my little sister knew that the opportunity she had created today was already gone, and couldn't help but glare fiercely at me.
“Braised eggplant, dry-fried shredded potatoes.” My little sister called out her favorites.
“Lin Feng, what about you? Yu-shiang shredded pork, tomato and egg soup, and maybe add some kung pao diced pork?”
“Mm.” Li Tong knew all of my favorites inside and out, and decided for me.
“Big brother, go buy groceries. Sister Tong, I'll help you.” My little sister naturally wouldn't miss such a good opportunity to learn how to cook.
No way, my little sister wants to cook? Under no circumstances should my little sister be allowed in the kitchen—that was my first reaction.
“Little sister, I'll help with the cooking. You go buy the groceries.” I quickly stopped my little sister as she was heading for the kitchen.
As for my little sister, she's an intelligent, youthful, and lively girl, with a delicate and lovely appearance, a pair of spirited and clever phoenix eyes, flawless white jade-like skin, a beautiful nose and cherry lips, bright eyes and white teeth—truly a little beauty, one who will surely grow up to be a breathtaking beauty who could topple cities.
But I just can't praise my little sister's cooking skills; her so-called “delicious food” is nothing short of absolute torment for me. And that's exactly why, after she had cooked a few times, I hired Mrs. Zhang, our nanny.
Of course, this was also because little sister had never been in the kitchen before. When our parents were alive, she was a pampered young lady who never had to deal with housework.
Mother was in charge of everything at home, and everything was arranged so methodically that there was never any chance for me or little sister to get involved.
After mother passed away, although little sister insisted on being responsible for the daily meals and wanted to study cooking, I realized that if little sister learned to cook, I would definitely be the one tasting her experiments. So I nipped that idea in the bud. Besides, little sister was preparing for the college entrance exam at the time and was very busy with her studies. I couldn't let other trivial matters distract her.
Now that she had the chance to learn from a cooking expert like Li Tong, little sister naturally wouldn't let it go, so she was very proactive.