This was the first time in this battle that Zhang Pingfan discovered someone he couldn't instantly kill with a single strike.
Similarly, the overlord before him realized his abilities had surpassed the world's apex. Yet, why did such a freak still exist?
Crucially, this guy's lightning power possessed an absolute restraint over his body.
"Damn it, who the hell is this human!"
"System, why are there still such tough nuts to crack? Can it be just mist, or is there something inside? It just won't die no matter how I hit it!"
[Ding! I don't know how he evolved into this state either. Some things indeed exceed my expectations, but I believe you can do it!]
"Is this even a game you control? I feel like you're playing a joke on us. If you can't control it, how can I? Besides, this bone is too hard, I can't chew it!"
[Ding! You have to chew it even if you can't. This is your task. I've helped you so much, isn't it only right for you to help me clear out some memory!]
"Uh, so be it, but isn't this virus a bit too powerful? I feel like I can't win!"
[Ding! The system has issued you a mission: defeat the overlord before you within one day to receive a super reward. Failure will result in the confiscation of all acquired abilities and rewards!]
"Holy cow, you're going to burn the bridge after crossing the river!"
[Ding! Is 'burning the bridge after crossing the river' the right idiom here? I don't care. If you don't help me clean it up, I'll confiscate your earnings!]
"Why are you throwing a tantrum? Fine, fine. But you don't need to threaten me with what I've already gained. You know I can't leave them now!"
While speaking, his hands didn't stop. He swung his greatsword, chopping at the black mist, strike after strike.
The black mist felt like cotton, offering no resistance no matter how he looked at it.
You might say he wasn't exerting force, but the overlord in the black mist was yelping in pain from Zhang Pingfan's attacks. Yet, you couldn't see any real suffering. Instead, the more he was hit, the more energetic he became.
After fighting for a long time, Zhang Pingfan discovered a problem: he genuinely couldn't kill it. His current abilities were insufficient to defeat it, which made Zhang Pingfan feel rather ashamed.
He, the chosen one, wielded the system.
Yet, he was being challenged by a boss in a game world.
At this moment, the overlord wasn't faring any better.
Although his durability was high, his attacks on the human before him were negligible.
He wanted to escape, but the other party wouldn't allow it.
However, he couldn't kill the opponent. If they continued to stalemate, he would be the one to fall eventually, as the greatsword in the human's hand was far too effective against him.
He had initially believed nothing could harm him, but after encountering this greatsword, he abandoned that notion.
"I've finally evolved to this point, how can I possibly fall here today? Even if it means a mutual destruction, I will drag you down with me!"
His intentions were good, but Zhang Pingfan wouldn't agree.
However, the overlord's sudden surge in power did inflict significant damage on Zhang Pingfan in a short period.
He even managed to suppress Zhang Pingfan, leaving him struggling to breathe.
"What's going on? This overlord is so powerful, our master seems to be struggling to hold on!"
"Nonsense. They should be on the same level. The overlord's strength suddenly surged, likely due to some secret technique. Once time passes, master will surely turn the tide!"
Dou Youyou watched Zhang Pingfan's appearance with great concern, as this was the first time Zhang Pingfan had encountered such a situation in the game.
"Master, you must be alright. You are the spiritual leader of all of us players."
The 5,000 elite players were also closely monitoring Zhang Pingfan's battle. In their minds, the village chief was omnipotent, an invincible being. But now, doubt began to creep into their hearts.
The village chief was clearly struggling against the powerful boss.
"Do you think our village chief can win? Looking at the situation, it seems a bit dangerous!"
"What are you talking about? Our village chief is invincible! This boss is indeed powerful, but the final victory can only belong to the village chief!"
"What are you looking at? The boss is for the village chief, and we handle the grunts. This is our mission. If you don't want to complete the mission, if you don't want to stay in the elite group, get out!"
As the overlord's power suddenly surged, Zhang Pingfan indeed found it difficult to cope. However, as time went on, Zhang Pingfan adapted to the intensity of the attacks.
Zhang Pingfan didn't know why.
Initially, facing the enhanced overlord, Zhang Pingfan felt a bit overwhelmed. But after a minute or two, Zhang Pingfan's body actually adapted to the intensity of the attacks.
Once Zhang Pingfan adapted, it was his chance to counterattack.
He swung his greatsword without hesitation.
The overlord was also a bit bewildered. He had clearly used a secret technique to boost his abilities, but only a few minutes had passed, and his power seemed to have decreased. Yet, he could still feel that the duration of his secret technique was ongoing.
Facing the swinging greatsword, the overlord dared not be careless and directly used his secret treasure.
A massive turtle shell appeared before Zhang Pingfan. Zhang Pingfan's greatsword struck the turtle shell fiercely.
With a clang.
The turtle shell did not crack. Instead, Zhang Pingfan's greatsword cracked.
"Nani???"
Zhang Pingfan could hardly believe that his peerless, indestructible greatsword had actually cracked, and the cracks were gradually spreading.
"No way, don't joke with me, this is the most crucial moment!"
Seeing this, the overlord let out a triumphant, mocking laugh.
"Haha, without your weapon, how are you going to fight me? Die!"
The players were also dumbfounded. The village chief's invincible greatsword had cracked.
"What's going on? The village chief's weapon, even with a low evaluation, should be better than ours, at least divine-grade, right? How could it crack!"
"Is the system wrong? Making such a mistake at this crucial moment is life-threatening!"
Chang Sheng roared.
"Master, I'll lend you my weapon!"
Zhang Pingfan shook his head.
"No need. It's just a weapon. I have others!"
The greatsword cracking was indeed beyond Zhang Pingfan's expectations.
But Zhang Pingfan didn't only have this one weapon.
Helplessly, Zhang Pingfan had to put the cracked greatsword back into his inventory. From a corner of the inventory, he found the cleaver he had long forgotten.
He had apparently given the earlier axe to the Lord of Pingjiang City, but this cleaver would suffice.
As Zhang Pingfan took out the cleaver, the overlord's mocking laughter echoed through the heavens.