Intimidation.
Xu Lang had never heard of this attribute before. He immediately focused his mind on it and instantly understood its meaning.
Intimidation was an aura-type attribute similar to Charm.
People with high Charm were like celebrities when they appeared.
But those with high Intimidation came across as the domineering protagonist—or a major villain.
With high Intimidation, even fate would make way for you. It could also enhance Vitality intensity and skill power.
Xu Lang's first thought was that this thing could elevate one's status.
Both of his dual attributes had been boosted by twelve percent, yet this only provided five percent. That alone showed how valuable it was.
In the end, Xu Lang focused his attention on the first option.
The Endless Challenge to the King had a serious drawback: as long as he wore the Black Crown title, the "Endless Challenge to the King" was permanently active and couldn't be turned off.
"He who would wear the crown must bear its weight."
Xu Lang made his choice.
A ten-kilometer Blood Grudge range was far too tempting. And its attraction seemed even stronger than Blood Grudge itself. The thought of monsters' SAN values hitting zero was amusing.
He had obtained the key component. Wasn't this the culmination of the Blood Grudge playstyle?
The moment Xu Lang made his choice, an extra fine crack appeared on the Black Crown, making it seem even more imposing.
Next, under the eager gazes of the women, Xu Lang revealed the title's information.
"Oh? It's a unique title! I've never heard of one before! And it looks like it's a growth-type title too!" Tong Qi exclaimed in surprise.
Senior Sister Red Butterfly murmured, "The Endless Challenge to the King... has that ability already been condensed into the crown? A ten-kilometer range? That's so wide!?"
None of the women had ever seen such a special title. They all focused intently.
Suddenly, Sherry spoke hesitantly, "Does this title have any restrictions at all?"
"Sherry, what do you mean?" Jinsha asked.
"This title might be able to work outside the Dorm Survival Game as well." Sherry's eyes held a strange glint.
Wang Yazhi stood up abruptly. Ayiguli and the others also burst into commotion.
"Is that true, Xu Lang?" Wang Yazhi stared at him intently and asked.
"There's no regional restriction indeed." Xu Lang spoke slowly, his own heart heavy.
If the Black Crown's effects could work elsewhere...
Then they could attack other dormitory buildings in the future.
No.
Why was he always thinking about attacking other dorms?
"We can try it out in the Blood Mist," Han Zhixiu suggested.
"No!" Sherry immediately rejected the idea, absolutely firm in her refusal.
All the women looked at her in surprise.
Sherry's expression was grave, her tone heavy:
"I once read a short story. Humans stole divine sparks from the gods and created civilization. They thought their houses, castles, and weapons were all products of their own wisdom. But they didn't know that their intelligence, their vitality, even the mountains and rivers were all part of the gods."
"And so, in that story, human civilization was wiped out."
"Even if that story isn't true, it's still a warning and a prophecy."
"The earth, the air, and even the Blood Mist in the Blood Mist World might all be part of some great existence. The moment the Black Crown appeared, Xu Lang might be killed!"
Everyone's heart tightened. They really hadn't thought of that.
"It can't be that exaggerated, can it? The Black Crown is just a title after all. It shouldn't be enough to disturb an existence of that level," Yinsha swallowed hard.
No one responded.
Everyone knew Yinsha was just being stubborn.
This was the Dorm Survival Game, not a children's game. Even though they were living in the Demon King Castle, they never let their guard down.
The Blood Mist was a clear warning sign.
Forget the Blood Mist World; they couldn't even deal with the four Forbidden Lands within the Safe Zone.
Every time the Dorm Survival Game was in session, they always managed smoothly, but they never truly relaxed the way Xu Lang did—sleeping all the time. They maintained extremely high vigilance.
Xu Lang had hundreds of thousands of Nightmare Coins and felt completely secure, but they didn't.
If the dorm door was breached one day, they would only have death awaiting them.
In truth, Wang Yazhi and the others had top-tier physical combat prowess. They could fight through hordes of monsters seven times without issue.
But the Mad King Building was a special case.
Here, there were seas of monsters, not groups.
"Don't be so tense. If there's a risk, then we won't go." Seeing everyone looking so serious, Xu Lang couldn't help but smile.
With the Dream Simulation, he wasn't in a rush.
Seeing that Xu Lang wasn't being stubborn, the women all relaxed.
Sometimes Xu Lang was overly cautious, and sometimes he was exceptionally reckless.
"I'll rest for a while, then I plan to head to the Supermarket. Who's coming with me?" Xu Lang leaned back in his chair and asked instead.
"I can't. I still have things to handle in the Inspection Department," Wang Yazhi shook her head.
"I'll need to check on the Monster Factory later. Ten new card types have refreshed today," Ayiguli raised her hand.
The other women either had things to do or didn't want to go.
In the end, only Tong Qi agreed to go to the Supermarket with Xu Lang.
Xu Lang just sat there with his eyes closed, listening to the women's chatter and the sound of Mary clearing the dishes. He soon sank into a deep dream.
...
[Simulating venturing out with the Black Crown title equipped. Requires 1,000 Nightmare Essence. Simulate?]
The dream shifted.
Xu Lang's consciousness arrived on a simulated timeline.
He moved like a black lightning bolt, dashing out of the Demon King Castle. As he leaped over the guardrail, electromagnetic force gathered beneath his feet, generating a slight buoyancy. Using this barely perceptible lift, he glided through the air.
Within the Safe Zone, players looked up one after another.
Dormitory 400—any dormitory with the means always kept someone on watch. The slightest movement would spread to small chat groups and then to the main chatroom.
"Is that the Dorm Owner?!"
"So fast!"
"Is that a flying ability? The Dorm Owner has flight abilities too? I've never seen that before!"
"Is that a hidden card, or did the Dorm Owner gain that ability after digesting the gains from the last game cycle?"
"The Dorm Owner just entered the Blood Mist World! That's toward the First Sports Field!"
"There's a one-shot monster there! Why is he going there!"
The players' chatter didn't reach Xu Lang's ears, nor could it penetrate the Blood Mist World.
"The Forbidden Land monsters aren't moving. They're not an enemy faction... but neutral... or even friendly?"
Xu Lang landed and thought to himself.
This dream simulation seemed quite worthwhile. It had given him such secret intelligence right from the start.
While thinking about these things, his gaze swept across the surrounding environment.
This was a giant sports field, more than ten times larger than the original Qingkong University's field.
"Thump, thump, thump~"
Xu Lang's heartbeat began to feel abnormal.
This was the special buff of this location. All players who came here would have their Blood Qi thrown into chaos.
Aside from a few martial arts-style players, almost no one could resist this effect. That was why this area had barely been explored.
"Ha!"
Xu Lang let out a low shout. His Seven Killings Blood Qi sank, suppressing all discomfort.
"This domain buff is truly ridiculous. It must be at least level thirty. My Constitution is nearly 500 points, and with such high resistance, I'm still being affected."
The moment Xu Lang had this thought, the thumping heartbeat sound came again!
In an instant, his expression darkened. He expanded his perception to its fullest and quickly sensed something wrong!
The thumping heartbeat grew louder, coming from far in the distance.
And as that heartbeat sound drew nearer, his own heart began to thump wildly, uncontrollably.
If it was just an abnormal heartbeat, that would be fine—a single heart was no big deal.
But the key problem was that his entire Blood Qi was starting to go out of control!
Thump!
Suddenly, all the heartbeat sounds merged into one, exploding beside Xu Lang's ears.
At the same time, a figure in a basketball jersey slammed toward him!
The figure was incredibly fast. Without a blade or armor, Xu Lang could only sidestep to dodge.
However, the figure was extremely vicious. In that split second, he extended his elbow and struck Xu Lang right in the chest.
Tch—!
In an instant, Xu Lang was sent flying backward, his feet plowing deep furrows into the earth.
"Why are you hitting me with your chest? You're breaking the rules, you know?" The figure kept tapping his feet in place, turning his head to stare at Xu Lang as he taunted.
This figure had a completely bald head, and his face was a shifting illusion—seemingly made up of countless faces merged together.
[Nightmare Eye: Godly Athlete—A flame-burning spirit born from the deep wish of the collective consciousness. Possesses unmatched passion and fighting spirit. Runs day and night on the sports field, dreaming of one day representing the nation in competition.]
