I am the Arcane Archer, and all my skills are self-created.

The moment Li Wu stepped into the teleportation array, he felt himself enveloped by a gentle yet irresistible force.

The scene before me was no longer the familiar Awakening Square, but had transformed into a dazzling, chaotic expanse. Countless ribbons of light flashed past me, as if I were traveling through a time tunnel.

This feeling only lasted for a few seconds.

When Li Wu felt a solid touch under his feet again, he realized that he and Hua Zitong were in a completely different space.

This was the interior of a tower, but it didn't resemble any building he had ever seen.

There was no ceiling above, but a deep starry sky, with stars slowly turning and emitting a cool glow.

Beneath their feet was a smooth, mirror-like black floor that clearly reflected the starry sky. There were no walls around them, only endless emptiness, as if they were standing on a floating island at the center of the universe.

"Is this the first floor of the Tower of the Lost?" Li Wu looked around, feeling somewhat curious about this strange sight.

"Hmm," Hua Zitong's voice sounded calm, but her eyes kept scanning the surrounding void, maintaining a high level of vigilance.

"The trial dungeons outside the village are completely different on each level, so don't be fooled by appearances."

As soon as she finished speaking, the black floor beneath their feet began to shake.

In the void, clusters of pitch-black shadows appeared out of thin air. They had no fixed shape and were like pools of wriggling ink, with only vague human-shaped outlines that could be barely discerned.

The Lost Shadow

[Level: LV20]

【HP: 800】

[Note: The basic guardians of the Tower of the Lost are composed of fragments of souls lost in this place, and possess a strong desire to attack.]

Almost at the same time they appeared, these lost shadows let out a silent roar and surged toward the two from all directions, numbering as many as thirty or forty.

"Prepare for battle!" Hua Zitong shouted, immediately stepping forward to protect Li Wu behind her, the Hydra Barrier in her hand glowing faintly.

She was prepared for the impact.

However, Li Wu was faster than her.

He simply stood there calmly, raising the rare-grade [Arcane Bow] in his hand.

[Explosive Burning Arrow]!

boom!!!

Two enormous mushroom clouds of fire exploded in the center of the monster horde!

-655!

-600!

-637!

-1243 (Critical Hit)

A series of damage numbers flooded the screen like a waterfall. Those seemingly menacing Lost Shadows were as fragile as bubbles in front of Li Wu, bursting at the slightest touch.

Hua Zitong, who was originally prepared for a tough battle, could only stand there dumbfounded, holding her shield and watching Li Wu put on his own personal show.

She realized that her only role now seemed to be... shouting "666" from the sidelines.

In just a few seconds, the first wave of thirty or forty Lost Shadows was wiped out by two Explosive Burning Arrows.

Li Wu only consumed a few hundred points of mana, but this was insignificant compared to his current total of over four thousand.

"Looks like I'm not needed anymore," Hua Zitong said with a self-deprecating smile.

"Don't get distracted, there's more," Li Wu reminded him.

As he spoke, more lost shadows appeared in the void, this time doubling in number to nearly a hundred.

Furthermore, surrounded by these ordinary shadows, a larger and darker shadow slowly coalesced and took shape.

[Elite Lost Shadow]

[Level: LV20]

【HP: 5000】

[Skills: Shadow Bolt, Shadow Bind]

"Leave it to me."

Before Hua Zitong could speak, Li Wu calmly said something.

He took two steps forward and stood in front of Hua Zitong, raising the arcane bow in his hand once more and aiming it at the elite monster.

It's still [Explosive Burning Arrow]!

Although there were many monsters this time, it wasn't enough to warrant him using the [Burning Star Return Arrow]!

The elite Shadow of the Lost seemed to sense a deadly threat as well. It let out a sharp screech, abandoned Li Wu and Hua Zitong beside it, and turned to try to escape back into the void.

"Trying to run away?"

Li Wu's voice was soft, but her movements were as fast as lightning.

The moment he finished speaking, the energy arrow, condensed to its maximum, was suddenly shot out!

boom!!!

Two enormous mushroom clouds of fire exploded in the center of the monster horde!

A scorching shockwave swept across the entire platform, and the raging flames instantly engulfed nearly a hundred lost shadows.

-665!

-700!

-657!

……

A series of identical, massive damage numbers appeared above the monster's head, along with the subsequent continuous burning damage. Those ordinary Lost Shadows with only 800 health points didn't even have time to scream before they were reduced to ashes in the flames.

The elite monster with 5000 health points was also hit squarely by the blast, and its health bar dropped rapidly.

Li Wu continued to draw his bow and shoot arrows!

-1345 (Weakness Critical Hit)

-1413 (Weakness Critical Hit)

Two basic attacks ended the battle.

The entire platform fell silent once more, with only the lingering heat in the air and the black remains of the monsters that had died scattered across the ground.

Hua Zitong silently lowered her shield, staring at the scene before her, speechless for a long time.

She now finally understood why the Blood Wolf Guild and so many players felt such a desperate fear of Li Wu.

This unreasonable, overwhelming power is enough to destroy anyone's will to fight.

Congratulations to players 'Seeing Flowers in the Mist' and 'Searching for Mist Among Flowers' for successfully clearing the first floor of the Tower of the Lost!

[Rewards are being processed...]

Congratulations on obtaining: Trialer's Bracers (Fine)

Congratulations on obtaining: Trialer's Boots (Fine)

As the system notification sounded, two beams of light fell into Li Wu's and Hua Zitong's backpacks respectively.

Li Wu took it out and glanced at it.

Trialer's Bracers (Fine)

Type: Wristband (Leather Armor)

[Level Requirement: LV20]

[Required Occupation: None]

[Attributes: Agility +20, Constitution +15]

[Special Effect: Attack speed increased by 5%.]

Its attributes are average, making it a decent transitional piece of equipment for ordinary players, but for Li Wu, the improvement is limited.

Most of his current equipment is level 15 rare and excellent. This level 20 excellent equipment doesn't offer much advantage except for its higher level.

He looked at Hua Zitong, who also took out her reward... a pair of plate armor boots with similar attributes.

"The reward is so-so," Li Wu commented.

"The first level is just an appetizer, so the reward is rather ordinary." Hua Zitong put away her boots, seemingly unconcerned. "The real reward is on the third level. Let's go to the second level."

Li Wu nodded, and the two walked together to the center of the platform.

After all the monsters were cleared out, a teleportation circle leading to the next level slowly appeared.

"What's the second layer?" Li Wu asked before stepping into the magic circle.

"A BOSS." Hua Zitong said succinctly.

"learn."

Li Wu asked no more questions and stepped into the teleportation array with her.

A flash of light, and the two figures disappeared from the first floor.