Kited? Sophie gasped, completely baffled. All unarmed players have an attack range of 1, which is roughly one step. Since everyone’s attack range is the same, how could the fat guy hit her while she couldn’t hit that damn fatty?

This was where the girl’s lack of experience showed. Yes, barehanded attack range is indeed 1. But that “1” is actually an average. Strictly speaking, the hand’s attack range is only 0.9, while the foot’s attack range is 1.1.

If one player uses their hands and the other uses their legs, there’s a 0.2 distance difference.

Such a subtle distance is something most people wouldn’t notice, but the reason top players stand at the pinnacle is because they explore these game details and make use of them.

The fat guy’s fondness for low kicks isn’t without reason.

The man once hailed as the best in the world didn’t earn his reputation for nothing. With Brian the Great’s skills, he could easily kite an opponent within that tiny 0.2 distance, driving anyone who relied on punches to the brink of collapse.

Take the recent health trade, for example—he perfectly controlled the distance, and Sophie just couldn’t hit him.

“—6...”

The third damage number floated up. Out of her original 30 HP, Sophie was left with only 12.

Sophie’s heart sank to rock bottom. She realized her biggest mistake wasn’t falling for his cute act or misjudging the range in the health trade. Her real tragedy was getting pulled into his rhythm.

Years ago, a legendary player named Butcher's Blade left behind a famous saying: Pro players must have their own rhythm.

Many pros have their own personal style, but few can control the tempo. Once you pull your opponent into your rhythm, it’s easy to gain the upper hand. Conversely, if you fall into your opponent’s rhythm, you’ll be on the back foot and the match will be tough.

For example, if an aggressive, sharp player gets dragged into a soft, evasive guerrilla rhythm, he’ll feel endlessly frustrated, unable to use his strength, a hero with nowhere to shine, and eventually be whittled down to death. Conversely, if a player skilled at kiting gets forced into a head-on health trade from the start, he’ll definitely suffer.

Sophie realized she was trapped in the black fatty’s rhythm and couldn’t break free. That damn fat guy, with his flashy little steps, kept targeting her lower body, constantly keeping just the right distance to kick her below the waist. If this kept up and she got hit two more times, Sophie would have to kneel.

Could she have run into a top player?

Sophie’s mind was in chaos. Over the past year, she’d often sparred with first-string pro players as part of the reserve team. Even the star players of the Xingluo team couldn’t pull her into their rhythm within 30 seconds. Yet this shameless fat guy had managed to do it in the very first second.

If that’s the case, Wandering Lady was probably a smurf account for some top player.

Just thinking that her opponent might be a pro, Sophie already lost half her momentum.

When two experts meet, the brave one wins. In a clash of masters, losing your momentum is as good as losing the match.

Volume 1 【007】The Shaolin Temple’s Big Staff

“Shaolin, Shaolin, how many heroes come to admire you. Shaolin, Shaolin, how many legendary tales are told about you everywhere. Superb martial arts, unmatched in the world, Shaolin Temple’s might shakes the land. A long history, stretching far and wide, Shaolin Temple’s glorious name shines... A thousand-year-old temple, a mysterious place. The secluded valleys of Song Mountain, a place everyone yearns for. The birthplace of martial arts, a charming land...”

At the foot of Song Mountain, a short, chubby black guy was humming as he headed straight for the Shaolin Temple gate.

This black fatty, of course, was none other than Wandering Lady, here to become a disciple.

Not long ago, Brian the Great had defeated strong opponents one after another, achieving nine consecutive wins in the Sword Duel Arena. Along with 9 points of internal energy, he also gained 9 points of reputation. Plus, the 1 point of reputation from the 【First Sword Duel Victory】 achievement, giving him a total of 10 reputation points—enough to qualify for apprenticeship.

Reputation and titles in the Wuxia World are easy to calculate and are tied to skill points.

0 reputation points gives you the first-tier title 【Newcomer to the Jianghu】, and the system gives you 1 free skill point. 10 reputation points gives you the second-tier title 【Somewhat Famous】, and adds 1 skill point. At 100 reputation points, you get the third-tier title 【Rising Star】, another skill point, and you can recruit companions to fight alongside you. At 1000 reputation points, you reach the fourth-tier title 【Martial Arts Expert】. At this level, you’re like two little cows standing butt to butt—pretty damn awesome.

Reputation is extremely important in “Wuxia World” and is needed in many places.

As the old saying goes, a person’s name is like the shadow of a tree.

If you’re famous, people will naturally give you some respect.

On the other hand, if you have no reputation, who would bother with you?

In the game, you need reputation to become a disciple.

Without 10 reputation points, you’re not qualified to join any sect.

To achieve ten consecutive wins in the Sword Duel Arena and claim the rich rewards, Charles Green decided to become a disciple first. He figured that in the tenth match, he’d definitely face another top player who’d also achieved nine wins. And that opponent had probably already become a disciple. If our chubby friend hadn’t, he’d be at a huge disadvantage.