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

"All three attributes are increased by 25, and there's also a life-saving effect?" Li Wu was somewhat surprised.

This ring has excellent stats, especially its passive effect, which can be a lifesaver in crucial moments. For players at this stage, it's definitely a dream item.

He glanced at the second ring he was wearing, [Dim Longing]. This item was a quest item from Barton's quest chain, and its stats were pitifully low. It was a good time to replace it!

Without hesitation, Li Wu immediately equipped the [Guardian's Ring], and the numbers on the attribute panel jumped up again.

He looked at Hua Zitong, who also took out an item—a heart-shaped crystal that emitted a soft glow.

【Guardian's Heart (Rare)】

【Type: Special Jewelry】

[Level Requirement: LV20]

[Class Requirement: Warrior]

[Attribute: All attributes +15]

[Special Effect: Unyielding (Passive): For every 10% decrease in your health, your physical and magical defense increase by 5%.]

"All attributes +15, and a defense growth effect too?" Li Wu was surprised again.

Hua Zitong's accessory is even better than his ring! It grants +15 to all attributes, which is equivalent to gaining several levels of base attributes.

That indomitable special effect makes her tougher the lower her health is, it's practically a god-tier skill.

"A rare reward, indeed, it lives up to its reputation," Li Wu exclaimed.

"It's alright." Hua Zitong equipped the Guardian's Heart, but her tone was very flat, as if she was not particularly satisfied with this top-quality equipment.

Li Wu noticed the subtle change in her emotions and couldn't help but ask:

"What? Not satisfied? This equipment is already very good."

"It's good, but not enough." Hua Zitong shook her head, her gaze fixed on the teleportation array leading to the third floor, her expression becoming more serious than ever before.

"Compared to the rewards of the third level, these are all just trash."

"Trash?" Li Wu was taken aback by her choice of words.

A level 20 rare-grade top-quality ring and a special accessory were described as "trash" by her.

"What exactly is the reward for the third level?" Li Wu's curiosity was completely piqued.

"Something unique, something that can't be measured in money." Hua Zitong's voice was low, carrying a hint of excitement and longing that she herself didn't even realize.

"The only way to obtain this in the entire game is by clearing the third level of this trial. Once you miss it, you'll never have another chance."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Li Wu smiled. "Let's go see the 'one-of-a-kind' reward you mentioned."

"Yes." Hua Zitong nodded heavily, her expression more serious than ever before.

"The third level is completely different from the first two. It doesn't test combat strength, but rather the understanding and execution of the rules. Once inside, follow my instructions completely; you can't make a single mistake."

"Understood," Li Wu replied readily.

Without further delay, the two stepped into the teleportation array leading to the third floor.

As the light illuminated, their figures disappeared into the arena.

Li Wu's heart was filled with anticipation for the unknown.

He was eager to see what kind of reward could make the usually calm and composed Hua Zitong show such a longing expression.

Passing through the teleportation light curtain, Li Wu felt the scene before him suddenly open up.

The space on the third floor is even more vast than the first two floors combined.

They were standing on a narrow bridge of light suspended in the void, which stretched endlessly into the distance.

On either side of the bridge of light lies unfathomable darkness, occasionally punctuated by enormous, unidentified celestial bodies that glide slowly through the darkness, creating an indescribable sense of oppression.

Above the bridge of light, at regular intervals, floats an area emitting different colored light.

"This is the third level?" Li Wu frowned. "Where's the path?"

Although the light bridge in front of them kept moving forward, it was cut off by a huge blue light field not far away.

"The path lies within these domains of light," Hua Zitong said solemnly, pointing to the blue domain of light ahead.

"There are no monsters on the third level, only rules. Each area of ​​light represents a rule, which we must strictly abide by in order to pass through safely."

"What if it's violated?" Li Wu asked.

"It's considered a failure. You've been teleported out and can no longer enter this place." Hua Zitong's answer sent a chill down Li Wu's spine.

That means each person here only has one chance!

"Look at that." Hua Zitong pointed to the entrance of the first blue light field.

At the edge of the light domain, a stone tablet floats, with a line of words inscribed on it in ancient script.

Li Wu couldn't understand, so Hua Zitong explained:

Rule 1: Silence. Within this area, the use of any active skills and the making of any sound are prohibited.

"Skills are prohibited, and we can't make any sounds?" Li Wu instantly understood the difficulty of this level.

This is no longer just a game; it's more like an exam that tests patience and discipline.

"This is just the simplest one," Hua Zitong said. "The further we go, the more complex the rules will become, and there may even be situations where multiple rules overlap. We must be careful."

"I understand." Li Wu nodded.

The two exchanged a glance and then cautiously stepped into the silent blue light domain.

The area of ​​light was small, only thirty meters in length. The two held their breath and moved forward step by step.

The whole process was eerily quiet; the only sound I could hear was my own heartbeat.

Soon, they passed through the first light domain unharmed.

As soon as he stepped out of the light domain, Li Wu couldn't help but cough twice.

"How are you feeling?" Hua Zitong asked.

"It's alright, just a little stuffy." Li Wu stretched her body. "What's next?"

Not far ahead of them was a second field of light, radiating a yellow glow.

The rules are also engraved on the stone tablet at the entrance.

Rule Two: Slow Down. Within this area, you must maintain a steady pace of walking; running and stopping are prohibited.

"You can't run, and you can't stop?" Li Wu found the rules increasingly interesting.

This tests the player's ability to control their own speed.

The two stepped into the light domain once more. This time, they needed to move forward at an absolutely synchronized pace, like robots, neither too fast nor too slow.

This might be a bit difficult for ordinary players. But for people like Li Wu and Hua Zitong, who have strong mental power and exquisite control over their bodies, it's nothing.

They quickly passed through the second area.

Next, they passed through several more light domains.

[Rule 3: No Air Jumps. Within this area, both feet cannot leave the ground simultaneously.] (Tests timing of jumps)

Rule 4: Go in reverse. Within this area, all directions are reversed. (Tests your sense of direction and coordination)

Rule Five: Darkness. In this area, all sight is denied. (Tests hearing and memory)

Each time, Hua Zitong could accurately state the core of the rules and the corresponding solutions, leading Li Wu through the ordeal without any major incidents.

Just then, they arrived in front of a complex field of light interwoven with red, yellow, and blue colors.

At the entrance to the realm of light, three stone tablets float.

Rule Six: Healing Prohibited. The use of any healing abilities or items is prohibited within this area.

[Rule Seven: Burn. Within this area, you lose 1% of your maximum health per second.]

Rule 8: Disorder. All platforms within this area will randomly move their positions every ten seconds.

Upon hearing these three rules, Li Wu's expression finally changed.

Healing is disabled, you're constantly losing health, and you have to jump between randomly moving platforms?

When these three rules are combined, the difficulty increases exponentially!

"How are we going to get through this?" Li Wu frowned. "The platform moves randomly, and we have no way of predicting where we should go next. And with the continuous loss of health, even if we have a lot of health, we won't last long."

"This is the real challenge of the third level." Hua Zitong's expression was more serious than ever before. "From here on, it's no longer about simply following the rules, but about finding the only 'way out' while still adhering to the rules."

She took a deep breath and pointed to the countless floating platforms in the light field, saying:

"Look, although those platforms are moving randomly, their trajectories are not entirely disordered. Every ten seconds, one platform will move to the position where we should go next. We must jump precisely onto that one and only 'correct platform' within ten seconds."

"What if I jump the wrong way?"

"fail!"

Li Wu's gaze swept over the rapidly moving, dazzling platforms in the light field. He tried to find a pattern in them, but a wave of dizziness washed over him.

There are too many platforms, and they move too fast. Trying to find the one and only correct platform in ten seconds is like finding a needle in a haystack.

"How do you know which one is correct?" Li Wu asked Hua Zitong.

"I don't know." Hua Zitong shook her head and said something that surprised Li Wu.

"you do not know?"

"Yes," Hua Zitong nodded, "All I know is that the correct platform will be slightly brighter than the other platforms for a fleeting moment in the last second before it moves into place. It's very faint, almost imperceptible."

She looked at Li Wu, her eyes filled with expectation and inquiry: "Can your dynamic vision and reaction speed keep up?"

Li Wu understood.

This test will no longer focus on Hua Zitong's intelligence, but rather on his personal abilities.

He closed his eyes, then suddenly opened them again.

The whole world seemed to slow down in his view.

"You can give it a try."