Chapter 459: Expelled by the Hero Party, I Become the True Hero
Not to mention the female archer, even Lance, who had known Jiang Li for half a day, couldn’t understand what Jiang Li was talking about.
What was this about the Immortal Realm’s plan, and destroying the world? What did it all mean?
For Lance and the female archer, it was all too distant. Jiang Li didn’t intend to explain any of it to them.
“The plan stays the same: first gather the full set of four items, then head to the Demon King’s castle.”
Breaking through the dungeon was no challenge for Jiang Li. Along the way, he encountered slimes of various colors, skeleton soldiers wearing worn-out armor and wielding rusty machetes, a Minotaur named Minos, and cyclopes, among others.
“As expected, species diversity is rich.” Jiang Li observed these new and strange creatures with great interest.
In the Immortal Realm described by Immortal Elder Changcun, such monsters didn’t exist, which meant these demons had not ascended to the Immortal Realm. They were unique species native to this world.
“Semi-transparent forms with no consciousness, only basic feeding responses. Slimes resemble paramecia enlarged countless times.”
“Skeleton soldiers aren’t skeletons gaining spirit and intelligence. Instead, they’re small insects with collective will that hollow out bones, hide inside, and control the bodies.”
“Minotaurs and cyclopes seem to be hybrids between demon tribes and humans. From their bloodlines, traces of human ancestry can be faintly recognized. Strictly speaking, these two species belong to demons, and unless they reach Spirit Transformation stage — called the fifth level in the Ayla World — they cannot develop intelligence.”
Along the way, Jiang Li also casually saved many reckless adventurers.
The deeper they went, the fewer demons appeared, but the strength of individual demons multiplied.
However, this change had no effect on Jiang Li; a single thought was enough to resolve any threat.
Finally, Jiang Li led Lance and the female archer to the lowest level.
“Guarding the last level of the dungeon is a demon statue personally created by the Demon King. It’s a legendary-tier entity. Countless people have died beneath its massive body. So far, no adventurer who has reached here has escaped unscathed.”
“Can’t believe my first dungeon crawl would get me this far.” The female archer was excited, crediting the powerful expert leading them.
Lance felt something was off. Rather than ‘crawling through,’ it felt more like ‘strolling.’ A dungeon full of dangers seemed like his own backyard before this expert.
Lance estimated that if he and his original Hero Party attempted this dungeon, it would take ten to fifteen days to reach the last level safely.
But with Jiang Li, it only took one hour total.
This expert’s arrival time at the last dungeon level didn’t depend on demon numbers, but on his walking speed.
After all this, not even the hem of his clothes was dirty.
Jiang Li pushed open the door and saw the legendary stone statue. It was towering, over ten meters tall, made from a mixture of clay and bronze, with moss growing on it. Around it lay countless skeletons—adventurers who had died to the statue.
“So this is legendary-tier?” Jiang Li was a bit disappointed. The terrifying statue rumored outside was, to him, barely on the edge of the Unity Stage.
“Too weak.” With a single thought, Jiang Li shattered the statue and retrieved the Hero’s Sword hidden inside it.
The Hero’s Sword looked like it was cast from gold, shining brilliantly.
Jiang Li flicked it with his fingertip, and the sword emitted a metallic humming vibration.
“Not bad.” Jiang Li lightly swung it, careful not to use too much force, fearing the sword might break.
He recalled the legend that the Hero’s Sword could cut through anything, so he tried to trim his fingernails with the sword’s tip.
As expected, the Hero’s Sword couldn’t even trim his nails.
“You can have it.” Jiang Li tossed the Hero’s Sword to Lance.
The sword was so weak that even Jiang Li thought it took up too much space in his storage ring. Leaving the legendary sword here was also not ideal, so it was better to give it to Lance.
Lance’s heart jolted as he gripped the Hero’s Sword.
The Hero’s Sword was a symbol of the hero; he never expected it to fall into his hands.
What took up space for Jiang Li was a divine treasure to Lance and the female archer.
Lance felt like he was dreaming today: expelled by the Hero Party in the morning, then meeting Jiang Li, who taught him how to cast magic and learn skills that morning, dungeon crawling at noon, and acquiring the legendary Hero’s Sword.
He could hardly believe how rapidly life’s ups and downs had occurred—all within half a day.
Obtaining the Hero’s Sword meant the demons lost control of the dungeon. Countless demons fled back to the demon base camp.
Adventurers fighting in the dungeon noticed the monsters trembling in fear and immediately fled in panic.
“This is the sign of successfully clearing the last level—liberating the dungeon?” One adventurer was shocked.
This dungeon was different from others; the demons on the lowest level possessed the Hero’s Sword.
“Someone defeated the legendary statue and obtained the Hero’s Sword!”
“The prophesied hero has appeared. Who is it?”
Everyone fighting in the dungeon realized this and gathered at the entrance, eager to see who the hero was.
Then they saw Lance holding the Hero’s Sword, the female archer wanting to touch the sword, and Jiang Li’s calm face.
Compared to Jiang Li’s peculiar appearance, Lance drew more attention.
Just as people were about to rush forward to ask Lance questions, the three suddenly vanished without a trace.
“Half a day left to clear the remaining three dungeons.”
“By the way, do you two need lunch?” Jiang Li suddenly remembered. Although he was on a fasting regimen and didn’t need food, these two—a human and an elf—still needed to eat.
“No, no, we don’t need lunch. Please continue leading us through the dungeon,” the two said in unison.
No kidding—they were about to see the remaining three legendary items soon; who would waste time eating?
“Then let’s move quickly. Maybe we can finish clearing the Demon King and still make it in time for dinner.” Jiang Li said casually as he leisurely walked into the dungeon.
Knowing Jiang Li’s strength, the human and elf didn’t think he was joking and hurriedly followed behind, ready to witness history.
Or rather, they were witnessing history.
Two more statues fell one after another. Jiang Li threw the Hero’s Shield and Hero’s Ring he had obtained to Lance.
Jiang Li didn’t even try the Hero’s Shield’s strength, fearing it would become a one-time-use item.
As for the Hero’s Ring, its spiritual energy barely supported a few Unity Stage cultivators; Jiang Li’s single hair contained more spiritual energy than the ring.
“Can you defeat the Demon King with this junk? This Demon King must be weak.”
Jiang Li stretched and returned to the city to buy a string of candied hawthorns before heading to the last dungeon.
Lance wore the Hero’s Ring, held the shield in his left hand, and the sword in his right.
“I don’t have to be a mage. Being a magic swordsman isn’t bad either,” Lance murmured softly.