261: Chapter 261 Did you do this on purpose?

After nearly two months, the levels of the six team members had all risen by several levels. Yun Ge was now level 103, Ma Sai and He Xin were level 99, Ye Zi and Xiao Xue were level 98, and Su Lei was level 97.

Everyone was only about a month away from reaching level 100.

Even Xiao Yan, whose level far exceeded the others, had gained two levels just by leeching experience during this time. There was no helping it; since Xiao Yan had the highest level, he took the largest share of experience.

"We're finally here! Let's hurry up and fight. Once the BOSS is dead and the treasure chest is open, Boss Xiao, please leave and stop taking our experience."

Su Lei plopped down on the ground and wailed. If Xiao Yan hadn't been dragging them down, Ma Sai and He Xin would likely have reached level 100 by now, and Ye Zi and Xiao Xue would have had a chance too. If Xiao Yan kept following them, they really wouldn't be able to level up at all.

"Tsk, you little brats, don't forget that I'm the one who told you about this place."

"Where's Yun Ge? Don't just stand there, get up and kill some mobs. Hurry up, I've got an appointment with A-Tang to eat roasted camel in a bit. Quick, quick, quick!"

Xiao Yan ruthlessly roasted Su Lei while simultaneously nagging Yun Ge to get to work. Yun Ge was speechless as he continued to carefully observe their surroundings.

This valley was massive. Rather than a valley, it was more like a basin situated in the middle of a continuous mountain range. The seven of them were currently at the outermost edge, and it would still take several days to reach the cliff where the BOSS resided.

The reason they could see the BOSS's dark silhouette from here was simply because it was too massive, giving Yun Ge a bad premonition.

Could this guy be a clone of the Abyssal Demon God?

After all, there was already a precedent for the Abyssal Demon God arranging clones to guard legendary treasure chests. Especially now that two divine artifacts had appeared, the Abyssal Demon God would never allow humans to act so brazenly.

"Su Lei has the lowest level, still three levels away..."

Yun Ge looked back at the rest of the team. At this point, they were only a tiny bit away from reaching level 100 and being able to equip their legendary gear. Normally, Ma Sai and He Xin would only need about a week, Ye Zi and Xiao Xue would need over half a month, and Su Lei, who lagged behind the most, would take a full month.

"We can't wait that long..."

The seven of them had been killing trash mobs for too long now. They had finally made it here with the chest right before their eyes; even Ma Sai, who was anxious to level up, wouldn't delay any further, especially since everyone was very confident in their own Talents.

However, Yun Ge still felt somewhat uneasy. After thinking for a moment on the spot, he made a decision.

They would grind mobs first to get Ma Sai and He Xin to level 100. That way, even if the BOSS was powerful, Ma Sai could Tank it and He Xin could switch to healing.

As for Ye Zi and Xiao Xue, there probably wouldn't be enough time.

Thus, Yun Ge specifically sought out areas with high monster density, even going through places that were completely unnecessary. It was fine for a day or two, but after nearly a week of fighting, Xiao Yan—who was anxious to open the legendary treasure chest—finally realized something was wrong.

"I say, Yun Ge, how are you leading the way? The BOSS is over there, you're going the opposite direction."

"Wait, are you doing this on purpose?"

Yun Ge chuckled inwardly. Boss Xiao was a bit slow; so many days had passed and Ma Sai and He Xin were almost ready to level up before he finally noticed.

"Oh? Then I must have taken a wrong turn. Boss Xiao, you didn't remind me either."

"I'll just change direction."

Yun Ge felt much more at ease now. Ma Sai's experience was basically full. By the time they cleared the mobs at the base of the cliff, Ma Sai and He Xin would definitely level up.

Yun Ge's goal had been achieved.

Xiao Yan looked suspiciously at Yun Ge as he turned around, feeling that something was off but unable to put his finger on it. He kept urging Yun Ge forward, and the team's pace quickened significantly.

"The number of Elite Monsters seems to be increasing..."

At the foot of the mountain, the monster levels had reached a terrifying level 260. Yun Ge was struggling under the heavy level suppression, but fortunately, the divine artifact in his hand was quite effective, so the team's progress wasn't too slow.

At this point, Xiao Yan finally made his move. The strength of a level 140+ Awakened was truly different; Xiao Yan could mow down a group of level 260 mobs in just two moves. Occasionally, they would encounter remnants—Elite Monsters with millions of HP.

"Something's not right."

This time, it wasn't just Yun Ge; even Ma Sai and Xiao Yan at the front noticed the issue. The number of Elite Monsters had quietly increased, and some of these nearly level 300 Elite Monsters had health reaching as high as ten million!

The battle became difficult. These Elite Monsters were a major headache for the team; they had high health and defense, taking a long time to kill, yet the loot was unsatisfying. Ma Sai had picked up plenty of level 100 Gold equipment lately, but they weren't even selling in the Trading House.

At this point, no one was in the mood to pick up loot. As one wave of Elite Monsters was killed, another rushed forward. Ma Sai had to focus on tanking, while Su Lei and He Xin protected Ye Zi and Xiao Xue. Xiao Yan was now the main damage dealer, working with Yun Ge to quickly resolve the battles.

Yes, quickly.

If ordinary people encountered this many Elite Monsters, they would have no choice but to run. There were too many; without recovery, even if they could kill one group, another would follow immediately. What could they do?

Yun Ge had a way.

"Mass Mana Bomb!"

At this moment, Yun Ge's ultra-high damage, rapid attack speed, and massive area of effect once again opened Xiao Yan's eyes. Often, before Xiao Yan could even finish off one Elite Monster, a barrage of skills from Yun Ge would rain down, and large swathes of Elite Monsters would collapse.

Long ago, before Yun Ge had Gods Withering, low-health monsters were quite troublesome for him. Now it was different; Yun Ge maintained high output throughout. Under the damage of the Mana Bomb, Elite Monsters only lasted a few more hits than normal mobs.

"This place is strange. Be careful."

Yun Ge looked up at the entity atop the cliff. They were very close now, and the massive black figure was clearly visible. Yun Ge had an illusion that this figure was even taller than the cliff itself!

"I know. Don't worry, leave their safety to me."

Ma Sai gave his dark-gold shield a heavy thump. His experience was already on the verge of leveling up, and this sudden large wave of Elite Monsters pushed his experience bar to the limit. Almost there—just one more wave like this and he'd reach level 100!

Yun Ge killed all the surrounding monsters, and the world finally fell quiet. A path appeared ahead, leading up the cliff.

"We've finally made it here. Everyone must be extremely careful from now on. Move steadily. I suspect the BOSS up there is over level 1000!"

Level 1000!

Everyone couldn't help but gasp. What did level 1000 even mean? The highest-level BOSS they had encountered before was only the level 800 Sky Demon. If this BOSS was over level 1000, it would likely be incredibly difficult to fight.

Ma Sai slowly walked to the very front and said unhurriedly:

"Therefore, the following moments are for you to witness the birth of the number one Tank!"