Just fusing those dozen or so pieces of gear took quite some effort. By the time Jiang Bai impatiently placed the newly fused blue Rare weapon into the secondary slot, about two minutes had passed.

“Here it comes! It's coming, it's coming!”

Jiang Bai carefully placed his existing Rare longbow into the main slot and, with immense anticipation, pressed the "Fusion" button.

This time, a dazzling purple light flashed momentarily. Immediately after, an exquisitely crafted purple longbow floated silently before Jiang Bai.

[Abyssal Longbow] (Epic) Attack: +10 Agility: +2 Strength: +2 [Cutting]: Attacks inflict an additional 20 points of True Damage. Required Level: 1

“Awesome!”

“F*cking amazing!”

“Even the name changed!”

“Attacks actually deal True Damage! That's too domineering!”

Jiang Bai wiped the drool from his mouth and equipped the longbow directly. Of course, as usual, he hid the equipment's glow—otherwise, how much jealousy would this purple item attract?

After the longbow came the cloth armor. Following the same procedure, five minutes later...

Simultaneously, an abrupt system announcement echoed across the entire server.

[Player 'Old Dream of Empty City' is the first player on the server to equip an Epic-quality item, achieving the server-unique achievement "I Am Strong".]

The public chat channel instantly erupted.

[IAmAChicken]: "Epic gear? Purple? For real?!" [EarthsOnlyMaleGod]: "Damn! I'm still using novice gear! Someone already got Purple gear?" [AsiaUncensored]: "Hello everyone, let me explain what Epic gear is. Epic gear, as the name implies, is equipment of Epic quality. Do you understand?" [ObedientLittleBunny]: "Calling 'Old Dream of Empty City' big bro server-wide! 173cm, dance major, youthful beauty seeking carry and power-leveling! Can satisfy any request, big bro~ 😉" [OnlyLovesWhiteSilk]: "@Above, I want..." ...

“Got an achievement!”

Amidst his shock, Jiang Bai quickly opened his achievement interface. Official guides before the game launch had mentioned players could obtain various special achievements while exploring the continent of "Genesis"—it seemed this was true.

[I Am Strong] (Epic) Requirement: Be the first player on the server to possess an Epic-quality item. (Achieved) Strength: +1 Agility: +1 Intelligence: +1 Spirit: +1 Constitution: +1 Effect: Player Critical Hit Rate +1%.

"+1 to all stats, and increased Crit Rate! What a top-tier title!"

Jiang Bai vaguely felt that his path as a gold farmer might not be so ordinary after all.

Thinking this, Jiang Bai had a flash of inspiration and quickly fused the cloth armor pieces in his bag. Soon, a brand-new piece of purple cloth armor was ready.

[Abyssal Cloth Armor] (Epic) Defense: +10 Constitution: +2 Agility: +2 [Damage Reduction]: When attacked, nullify 10 points of final damage.

“Invincibly strong!!!!”

“Directly nullifies 10 damage! That's even better than 10 points of Defense!”

Amidst his amazement, it was a pity this purple cloth armor didn't grant Jiang Bai another achievement. Still, there was nothing to be discouraged about.

“Alright, I guess that's how it is.”

Jiang Bai smacked his lips thoughtfully. "Seems the Epic gear achievement is a one-time thing, no wonder it's server-unique. The system is a bit domineering though, broadcasting my name without even asking."

Jiang Bai looked at his private messages, which had instantly exploded. As the saying goes, 'people fear fame like pigs fear getting fat'—this was the side effect.

“Luckily, I can choose to hide my info.”

Jiang Bai immediately activated the hide name function, then opened his private messages.

“Bro, how much for the gear? Name your price!” “Bro, no nonsense. I'll trade 100,000 RMB for one piece of Purple gear. Add me directly if you agree.” ...

It was all useless spam. Jiang Bai directly chose to block all incoming messages.

After Jiang Bai equipped both purple items, his personal stats changed dramatically once again.

[Old Dream of Empty City] Level: 2 Class: Archer Race: Human HP: 150 MP: 60 P.ATK: 55 M.ATK: 3 Attack Power: 10 Defense: 20 Attributes: Constitution: 6 Spirit: 3 Strength: 6 Intelligence: 3 Agility: 11 Skills: Concussive Shot Title: I Am Strong

“55 P.ATK, plus Attack Power makes it basically equivalent to 65 Attack! And there's the weapon's 20 True Damage!”

Jiang Bai stared at his panel, drooling. "A normal full-offense player at Level 2, even with gear, would have around 25 P.ATK at most. I'm nearly three times stronger! Of course, that doesn't count those with Talents..."

“Time to hunt boars!”

Full of confidence, Jiang Bai embarked on his boar-hunting journey.

Ironback Wild Boars were Level 4 monsters. By the time he neared their territory, there were basically no other players around. After all, the main player base was still struggling in the Level 1 and 2 monster zones; even the Level 3 area was sparsely populated.

As an Ironback Wild Boar came into view, Jiang Bai stopped.

“This damn thing has 300 HP and 15 Defense. My P.ATK is 55 and AP is 10. One shot deals 50 damage [55 + 10 - 15 = 50], plus 20 True Damage makes 70 total damage. 5 hits should be enough!”

“It hits me for 20 damage. I have 150 HP, so I can tank 7 hits. Plus the slow from Concussive Shot, soloing should be no pressure at all!”

If other players knew Jiang Bai's thoughts right now, they would probably die of shock.

A Level 2 player actually intended to solo a Level 4 monster!!!

Just as Jiang Bai finished his calculations and prepared to engage, he suddenly felt an inexplicable chill from behind.

“Brother, what are you doing running off to this high-level area all alone?”

Suddenly, a somewhat sarcastic voice sounded out.

Jiang Bai turned his head and saw a team of three standing behind him, having appeared without him noticing.

[Yuncheng GuTianle] [Yuncheng WuYanzu] [Yuncheng ChenGuanxi]

“Yoho? Your names are quite distinctive.”

Jiang Bai scrutinized the three. All Level 2, all wearing basic white vendor gear.

The leader, [Yuncheng GuTianle], was eyeing him maliciously.

“What's the matter?”

Jiang Bai frowned.

“Of course, there's a matter.”

Yuncheng GuTianle stepped forward, his eyes fixed greedily on the longbow on Jiang Bai's back. "Let's speak plainly. You got that Purple gear from a hidden quest, right?"

“I won't waste words. Sell the equipment to me.”

“Not selling!”

Jiang Bai refused curtly.

“I'm afraid that's not your choice to make.”

As he spoke, the three slowly surrounded Jiang Bai in a triangular formation.

“Either the three of us kill you back to the safe zone and camp you until your equipment drops, or you sell it to me.”

“Oh, how domineering.”

Jiang Bai raised an eyebrow.

“Sorry, that's just how we operate.”

Yuncheng GuTianle threatened further, "Don't think we're just a three-man team. Our entire Yuncheng guild has tens of thousands of players. I doubt you have the guts to oppose us, right?"

“Heh.”

Jiang Bai gave a cold laugh and drew his longbow.

“The weapon is right here. Take it if you have the skill!”