Chapter 24: Preparing to Climb the Rankings!

Compared to the lively atmosphere in other discussion groups, another group in District 107 seemed somewhat peculiar.

That was the Dusk Mercenary discussion group.

Within the group, a survivor named Vulture asked, "Captain, do you have any hope of taking first place this time?"

At the same time, on a certain sky island territory, a man dressed in a full set of prowler gear with a gloomy expression stopped in his tracks. He was Black Eagle, the player currently ranked second on the leaderboard.

Seeing the message in the group, he did not reply immediately, instead offering a characteristically brief response: "Difficult. I will do my best."

Others expressed disbelief, saying, "Captain, do you mean even you don't have the confidence to snatch the top spot from that 'Galaxy'? You are..."

Black Eagle remained silent for a moment before replying again: "He is very strong. I cannot see through him. But, I will try my best."

...

Han Xing climbed out of bed, feeling re-energized. Seeing the activity in the local network, the survivors of District 107 were filled with high spirits.

"Very good, it seems everyone is in high spirits!" Han Xing stretched his body and clenched his fists. "I need to start pushing for the leaderboard too!"

"However, before I start, there are a few things to do."

He opened the blueprint menu and crafted over five hundred fine iron arrows in one go. It consumed over a thousand pieces of fine iron, but given his current material reserves, it was not even worth mentioning.

Next, Han Xing began mass-producing containers, the blueprints for which were found in the Furniture Encyclopedia. He made glass bottles in three sizes: small (100ml), medium (500ml), and large (1000ml). Because they were made from special materials, even though they were glass, they possessed impressive shatter-resistant and impact-resistant properties.

After scooping up all the spirit spring water from the pool on the ground and placing it into storage boxes, Han Xing clapped his hands and stood up. "Great, now I don't have to worry about monsters rushing into my territory and destroying the spirit spring water reserves during a battle."

Having finished this, Han Xing pondered for a moment and entered the group chat with the other two.

Han Xing: "Hey guys, did you see the announcement? Do you want to make a push and try to get into the top ten?"

Cheng Jianyong: "Brother Xing... aren't you overestimating us? My territory points are only at 12; I haven't even made it into the top hundred... Brother Yun might have a chance; he's already at 20 points and is ranked 91st."

Han Xing was surprised. "Already in the top hundred? Not bad, Little Yun!"

Shen Yun replied: "It's alright. Mostly thanks to that skill book you gave me, Brother Xing. It's been a huge help. There were places I didn't dare to explore before, but with 'Holy Healing,' I'm confident enough to challenge them now. I've relied on this skill to recover from injuries several times. In the early stages, a skill book is a massive help!"

Cheng Jianyong listened with envy and then said quite plaintively, "I'm so jealous... Brother Xing is so good to you. If I had a skill book, I might have made it into the top fifty by now."

Shen Yun retorted dismissively, "Keep dreaming. There are nearly ten thousand people in District 107. There are hidden talents everywhere; don't underestimate others."

However, Cheng Jianyong argued, "Give me a skill book, and I'll definitely make it into the top fifty!" He added quite dramatically, "Emperor Jianyong, second to none!"

Han Xing: "..."

Shen Yun: "..."

Han Xing said speechlessly, "Cheng Jianyong, stop being so cringey."

Cheng Jianyong laughed sheepishly.

Han Xing continued, "Seriously, if I gave you a skill book, could you really make it into the top fifty?"

Cheng Jianyong immediately realized what he meant and exclaimed in surprise, "Brother Xing, could it be..."

Han Xing smiled.

Cheng Jianyong asked eagerly, "Brother Xing, do you really have some? Let me see what a warrior's skill book looks like!" His tone was filled with longing, but Han Xing said, "Wait, I haven't finished yet."

"You said earlier that one skill book would get you into the top fifty. What if I gave you two?"

Cheng Jianyong’s breath hitched, and he asked cautiously, "T-two? Then... the top twenty?"

"Three!"

"Hiss..."

At this, not only was Cheng Jianyong unsettled, but even Shen Yun’s breathing quickened. Both of their eyes were filled with desire. Cheng Jianyong said excitedly, "Brother Xing, from now on, you’re my own brother! Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it. If you tell me to head east, I won't head west. I’m your chief fanboy!"

Given their understanding of Han Xing, they knew he wouldn't joke about things that didn't exist. Since he dared to say it, it meant he really had them.

At this point, Shen Yun also pitched in, "B-Brother Xing, I want some too..."

Hearing that voice, both of them instantly got goosebumps.

Cheng Jianyong scolded, "Damn, Shen Yun, you’re so disgusting. For a skill book, you’ve thrown your shame away."

Shen Yun immediately countered, "Cheng Jianyong, you have the nerve to say that? Aren't you doing the exact same thing?"

"You're disgusting!"

"You're shameless!"

"..."

Listening to their bickering, Han Xing laughed. "Alright, I'll stop teasing you. I have them for both of you—not just skill books, but also green-tier equipment and weapons. I have everything. I'm sending them over now."

Han Xing initiated the trade.

Watching the skill books appear in the trade window—covering almost every skill for their respective starting professions—followed by armor and weapons, Shen Yun and Cheng Jianyong felt as if they were in a dream.

"B-Brother Xing, these are all for us?" Both of them were uncertain; they knew full well the value of these items.

Before they could even recover, they saw 20 liters of spirit spring water appear in the trade window. Shen Yun and Cheng Jianyong were stunned into silence. They weren't stupid; after seeing so much precious spirit spring water and connecting it to recent events in the chat channel, they had already guessed Han Xing’s true identity.

Cheng Jianyong asked tentatively, "B-Brother Xing, that 'Galaxy' in first place on the leaderboard... that’s you, isn't it?"

"That's right."

Han Xing admitted it generously. Telling them his virtual name wasn't a big deal; it wasn't anything important.

"Hiss..."

Hearing Han Xing admit it himself, both of them gasped.

Shen Yun said in shock, "I had guessed it before, but I didn't dare to be sure. I never expected that person to really be Brother Xing!"

Cheng Jianyong added plaintively, "So Brother Xing is the great god Galaxy. I was wondering who was capable enough to come up with so much water!"

Han Xing laughed, "You never asked! Alright, hurry up and accept them. We need to hurry and climb the rankings. Don't worry about drinking the spirit spring water; I have plenty more, so just don't die."

Han Xing closed the discussion group.

Cheng Jianyong and Shen Yun were still chatting. Cheng Jianyong said, "It's terrifying. Brother Xing gave us so much stuff at once. Now I really have no choice but to push for the top."

Shen Yun agreed, "With this equipment and these skills, getting into the top ten shouldn't be a problem. You better work hard too; don't embarrass Brother Xing."

"Haha, I definitely won't. Shen Yun, let me tell you, in two days, I will definitely surpass you!"

"Heh... talk is cheap. You won't be able to surpass me."

"Then let's see!"

Both were filled with confidence. As they were about to log off, Shen Yun added, "By the way, don't tell anyone about Brother Xing's identity."

"Don't worry, I'm not that stupid."

...

At this time, Han Xing began to maneuver his sky island forward.

The clouds in the surrounding dozens of kilometers were roughly the same size. The smallest were a dozen cubic meters, while the largest were about thirty cubic meters, similar to the Dark Elf camp. For Han Xing, monsters within clouds of this size no longer posed any threat.

He approached a cloud mass and made contact; a system notification appeared.

"It seems to be brewing a cold aura inside. Do you wish to enter?"

Han Xing clicked enter without hesitation.