Elder Xuan, having joined the fray, also got a treasure. Holding a willow core, he remarked, "This can enhance one's physical abilities, advancing their skill level. It truly is a gem, though such wonders might not exist in reality."

"Check the leaderboard! Brother Shao and Brother Zhou are ranked, sixth and seventh! We'll break into the top ten soon. With our numbers, we'll dominate it. Just imagine the spectacle!"

(After writing over 10,000 words yesterday, my shoulder aches today. I'm getting old...)

Chapter 129: The Wang Family Feast (Part 1)

Every day, many study the top ten on the leaderboard, trying to discern identities. Even with changed IDs and avatars, with diligence, one can deduce who's behind the screen.

For instance, the top-ranked player, a gun expert, a loner who never engages others, always soloing since entering the game. He doesn't carpool but rides a motorcycle. After witnessing his gunplay, many believe he's Tang Lian of the Extreme Exploration Team.

Tang Lian is the face of the Extreme Exploration Team. Despite his youth, he's believed to be a junior martial general. The military and other forces have tried recruiting him multiple times, but he's always declined, owing to a debt of gratitude to Sang Liwu.

In the training grounds of the Extreme Martial Arts School, Tang Lian quietly sits in a corner, cleaning a gun passed down from his grandfather. It's said that his granddad wielded this gun in battlefields. After the apocalypse, Tang Lian found it in their old mansion and practiced with it, guided by memories of his grandfather's teachings. What once felt challenging now flowed effortlessly, and he even innovated several gun techniques.

"I told you long ago that you should replace this gun. With all the advanced materials available now, you can get a much better weapon. Why are you so attached to this old thing?"

"Because it was handed down by my grandfather. He told me since I was a kid that our Tang family lineage once had a great general. This gun might be old, but it has a soul."

"Alright, but the day it breaks, you'll have to fix it. By the way, congratulations on securing the top spot. If you keep it up, you'll be the top player this month."

"Captain Sang, that's because you guys didn’t play. Many still haven't grasped the rules. The game's primary purpose is to eliminate mutated beasts. They play for fun, but I play to kill those beasts."

Sang Liwu nodded, "Previously, Elder Tong gathered the heads of various sects, including us, for a meeting. He mentioned that we should give the younger generation a head start in the game, letting them understand the rules. But I've noticed that many experts have entered the arena."

Tang Lian paused, asking with a puzzled look, "Are you talking about the team that defeated the top ten threats twice? Their skills are indeed formidable; I believe they'll surpass me soon."

"If I'm not mistaken, they are the recent talk of the town, the group that purchased the Litchi Manor. They're outsiders and weren't informed. Once everyone realizes such a powerful group is in the competition, many will be eager to join."

"Then I must work even harder."

"Master, here's today's leaderboard. I've listed the top 100 names, followed by their real identities. Most are as we suspected." The senior disciple of Yueyang Sect handed a list to Tong Liwei.

Tong Liwei glanced at the list. The top ten were indeed familiar names, including Shao Qi and Zhou You, who are currently popular figures.

"Have we verified the backgrounds of these individuals?" Tong Liwei had been investigating ever since he learned about Zhou You. On his turf, he needed to know the details, especially since Zhou Yichen is his prized disciple.

"Apart from Zhou You, most were easy to check, as they're in the system. However, a few have encrypted identities. They're likely military personnel."

Tong Liwei was already aware of this from the Zhou family. "I heard Zhou You hasn't been certified. Go personally to invite him for a martial arts association test tomorrow. We need to understand his skill level."

"Yes, Master. About their ranking..."

Tong Liwei sighed, "I initially held back the top players in our base to give the younger generation a chance. I heard that the government wanted to use this game to train the next generation. I thought our disciples could gain some fame. But now, with this new group, things have changed. You'll see; the top players will soon be restless."

"Of course, with only ten major bosses in the game, if they defeat them all, where's the opportunity for others? But their skill level is genuinely impressive."

"Hmph, they haven't met worthy opponents yet. It's disappointing that the best rank you've achieved is only tenth. Don't tell me you're my disciple, Tong Liwei's!"

"You're right, Master. We'll double our efforts."

"Take this seriously. This is more than just a game. Also, your junior disciple just started playing; guide him more."

On weekends, they usually log out, ensuring they don't miss meals or training. They're not deeply committed to the game. They give their all while playing, but once offline, they barely think about it.

"I've just realized that the secret manuals we obtained in the game actually work in real life. Have any of you tried them?" Zhou You wondered aloud one evening during his practice, having found the moves from a manual he remembered to be particularly smooth.

He quickly posted this revelation in their group chat and mentally reviewed another manual he had obtained earlier that day. Since he could choose, he naturally gravitated towards the inner energy techniques, and surprisingly, they were all feasible.

Soon, everyone gathered in the living room. Each recounted their respective manuals, and those with diagrams did their best to sketch them out.

The second stage of physical evolution not only transformed their bodies but also enhanced their cognitive abilities. Now, everyone boasted impressive memory, able to recall entire manuals after a single reading.