MMORPG: Birth of the World's Luckiest Player

Cloud Mist Mountain lay deep within the territory of the Elven Kingdom’s Forest City. The mountain was perpetually shrouded in dense fog, where visibility was so poor that monsters could easily hide within it, waiting to ambush unsuspecting travelers.

But Marcus’s newest passive ability changed everything: his vision would never be obstructed by mist.

’Heh heh...’

A grin spread across his face. The monsters lurking on Cloud Mist Mountain had just lost their greatest advantage.

Behind him, the three Mist Stone Pillars, now freed from the burden of nurturing the Illusion Mist Stones, continuously poured out streams of dense white mist that fed the enormous Illusion Mist Palace. The fog thickened with every passing moment, and the maze itself became increasingly difficult to navigate.

Marcus estimated that in another two minutes, even with the Seven-Colored Divine Eagle’s Eagle’s Vision, he wouldn’t have been able to see through the granite walls without the blessing he’d just received. The fully restored formation would simply have been too powerful to perceive.

That realization finally answered a question that had been bothering him ever since entering the maze. The Seven-Colored Divine Eagle was only Level 43, so even if it was a Divine Beast, how had it been able to see through a formation designed to trap players below Level 80?

Now the answer was obvious. The three Illusion Mist Stones had been continuously draining the pillars’ power for centuries, weakening the formation enough for Eagle’s Vision to pierce through it.

’Lucky...’ Marcus couldn’t help smiling to himself.

If the formation had been operating at full strength from the beginning, he never would have wandered off the treasure map’s intended route. He would have headed straight for the destination, missing this hidden area entirely along with every reward it contained.

Now things were completely different.

After receiving the blessing from the white mist, not only was he immune to ordinary fog, but any formation built upon Illusion Mist would no longer hinder his sight. Even with the Illusion Mist Palace restored to its full power, Eagle’s Vision now revealed the maze with remarkable clarity, and on top of that, he’d even learned the Illusion Mist Array himself.

Marcus looked ahead. A faint red arrow hovered over the correct path, shifting directions at every intersection and marking the exact route through the labyrinth. To his eyes, it might as well have been painted directly onto the walls. There was no chance of getting lost anymore.

As they walked, Marcus explained everything the white mist had done for him. The girls listened with growing excitement, genuinely delighted by the unexpected reward.

Anya smiled warmly before giving Firebrand’s hand a gentle squeeze. "Marcus, we really have Firebrand to thank for finding this place. Without her, we never would have discovered any of this."

"Heh..." Marcus scratched the back of his head with an awkward laugh.

Whatever unpleasantness had existed between him and Firebrand had long since disappeared. He wasn’t someone who held grudges, especially after everything she’d contributed.

Icefall remained as expressionless as ever, but Firebrand herself had changed noticeably since joining the team. The sharp edges she’d once carried had softened, and her bright, carefree smile had become surprisingly infectious.

Even so, thanking her outright in front of everyone still felt a little embarrassing. Fortunately, Firebrand was busy clinging to Anya’s arm, her head lowered as she happily chatted away without so much as glancing in Marcus’s direction. ’Well... that saves me from an awkward conversation.’

After making one final sweep of the area and confirming there was nothing left besides the three Mist Stone Pillars, Marcus led everyone deeper into the Illusion Mist Palace, following the glowing red arrows toward the destination marked on the ancient treasure map.

With the correct route guiding them, what had once been an impossible maze took only a little over an hour to cross.

About a hundred meters beyond the maze stood an enormous pair of ancient wooden doors.

"Marcus! It’s the Crescent Moon Immortal Palace!" Amber’s sharp eyesight caught the inscription first.

Marcus had already read it himself. Thanks to the enhancement from Eagle’s Vision, his eyesight now rivaled hers.

The ancient words carved into the plaque matched those engraved on the stone monument outside. This was the true entrance to the Crescent Moon Immortal Palace.

Marcus approached until Insight reached its effective range before activating the skill.

—

Crescent Moon Immortal Palace: The secluded cultivation residence of Lamp-Lighter Daoist on Crescent Island. Within lies a paradise of singing birds, blooming flowers, lush greenery, drifting white clouds, and exceptionally rich spiritual energy.

Restriction: Before departing, Lamp-Lighter Daoist sealed the palace with supreme magic. Only players above Level 85 or those possessing the palace key may enter.

—

’...Damn.’ Another seal. This island seemed determined to lock away every worthwhile treasure behind impossible requirements.

Marcus stepped up to the gate and shoved it with all his strength. Nothing.

He activated Quadruple Surge, then Holy Shield Charge, then Dragon-Roar Critical Strike. One powerful skill after another slammed into the ancient wooden doors.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The echoes rolled across the courtyard.

The gate didn’t even tremble. Not a scratch. Even Eagle’s Vision couldn’t penetrate the barrier, and whatever seal Lamp-Lighter Daoist had left behind blocked everything.

There were only three possible ways inside: find the key, discover the method to break the seal, or reach Level 85.

It was frustrating, but Marcus quickly calmed himself. Fortunately, according to the treasure map, A Rich Man’s Wish wasn’t hidden inside the palace itself. Otherwise, he would have left here furious.

Even so, he couldn’t help feeling disappointed. The description alone painted a picture of an incredible paradise overflowing with spiritual energy. If he could one day claim the palace as his own, Alana, his Grandmaster Alchemist, would finally have the perfect place to cultivate all the rare herbs she’d been wanting to grow. What a shame.

Marcus unfolded the ancient treasure map once more, carefully compared the landmarks, confirmed their location, then abruptly turned to the right.

Without the slightest hesitation, he walked straight toward the solid granite wall.

"Marcus?" The girls stared at him in bewilderment.

The next moment, something unbelievable happened. As soon as Marcus’s hand touched the stone, the granite rippled like the surface of a calm lake, and blue waves spread across the wall as though it had become liquid instead of solid rock.

Without slowing his pace, Marcus stepped straight through and vanished from sight.

A second later, his amused voice echoed through the mercenary chat. "Come on in, ladies. The treasure’s this way."

The girls hurried over in surprise. Only that single section of the granite wall reacted to their touch, and realizing it was a concealed entrance, they exchanged excited looks before following Marcus through the hidden passage, one after another.