The Price of Sabotage and an Unexpected Reunion

After completing her task, Lin Shenyue immediately followed Chris back to her home. Chris’s residence was already tidied, and the alchemy room had been set up, allowing Lin Shenyue to temporarily borrow it.

Since she had no immediate plans, she decided to continue refining potions.

Having just acquired two new potion recipes—one for a Strength Potion and another for a Tranquility Potion—she intended to craft these two elixirs.

As time elapsed, Lin Shenyue successfully advanced to a High-level Alchemist. By then, the game had reached its fifth day.

****

After Xu Linglong instructed her teammates to directly attack the Tiger King, those lurking in the shadows could no longer resist revealing themselves. Some aimed to cause trouble, while others merely wanted to identify the attackers for future tracking.

The immediate sabotage led to a significant increase in the Tiger King’s attributes, and it even gained area-of-effect skills. Moreover, the five friends who had been drawing aggro for Lin Shenyue’s team perished, causing many players to scatter.

However, some individuals began to suspect that this entire situation might be a deliberate ploy.

The team that had respawned in the Newbie Village then issued a stern warning: “If you refuse to open the teleportation array, then none of you will ever leave the Newbie Village.” After delivering this ultimatum, they logged off directly.

The Newbie Village erupted in an instant. Everyone had initially dismissed it as a mere threat, but after two hours of waiting, the team still hadn’t logged back in. Panic completely engulfed the entire Newbie Village.

After all, their intention had only been to hinder, not to be permanently trapped. Faced with this predicament, they flooded the forums with messages, pleading for the team’s return.

Yet, as those staking out the area failed to spot the team’s presence, the Newbie Village residents finally realized they had truly angered them. The team, having accepted the quest, hadn’t even logged on.

Still, a few clever individuals recognized that this was likely a calculated move. The orchestrators of this action had subtly conveyed a clear message: continued interference would result in them abandoning the quest, condemning everyone to die of old age in the Newbie Village.

Consequently, those who understood the implications dared not voice their suspicions, choosing instead to quietly withdraw from the Tiger King’s vicinity.

****

With the crowds around the Tiger King dispersing, Xu Linglong, Embracing the Moon, Clear Breeze, and their five-person party began their assault on the beast. Despite having three novices in their ranks, they were well-prepared.

On one hand, the Tiger King’s attributes and a detailed strategy for defeating it had already been posted on the forums. On the other, Xu Linglong and Embracing the Moon, Clear Breeze possessed formidable strength.

After a grueling fifteen-minute battle, they successfully slayed the Tiger King, obtaining its inner core (or so it seemed) and activating the teleportation array. Most of the acquired equipment was distributed among the remaining three party members.

Both Xu Linglong and Embracing the Moon, Clear Breeze were confident they could acquire superior gear through the professional challenge later on.

The experience gained from activating the teleportation array brought them to 9th level, 60% progression. After clearing the Hell-difficulty Level 5 dungeon three times, both successfully reached Level 10.

The other three teammates, however, only reached just over Level 9. Therefore, Xu Linglong and Embracing the Moon, Clear Breeze proceeded to Vermilion Bird City alone.

The moment they arrived via the Vermilion Bird City teleportation array, Xu Linglong was momentarily stunned by the magnificent architecture surrounding them. She quickly recovered and immediately sent a message to Lin Shenyue.

Lin Shenyue had just finished crafting a Tranquility Potion when she saw Xu Linglong’s message. After a brief moment of surprise, she sent her current location to Xu Linglong.

Ordinarily, she would go out to guide a friend arriving in Vermilion Bird City for the first time. However, for Lin Shenyue, attempting to find someone herself would likely lead to disaster.

Xu Linglong was not at all surprised by Lin Shenyue’s actions, though Embracing the Moon, Clear Breeze seemed a little confused and inquired about it.

Xu Lingong chuckled softly. “My best friend is an absolute directionally challenged person,” she explained. “So, no matter when, someone always has to lead her, otherwise she’ll end up God knows where.” This wasn’t a secret, and anyone spending time with Lin Shenyue would naturally discover it.

Embracing the Moon, Clear Breeze was a little bewildered. He had imagined that the “great expert” he had never met before would be someone formidable, only to discover she was a complete scatterbrain with directions. His mouth twitched involuntarily, the gap between his ideals and reality leaving him momentarily speechless.

Xu Linglong shot him a glance, a cold smile playing on her lips. “Did your image of her shatter?”

Embracing the Moon, Clear Breeze gave an awkward laugh, stating helplessly, “There’s no need to be so blunt about it.” Then, as if something suddenly occurred to him, he chuckled. “So, during the time you were away, your best friend found someone else?” He emphasized the last four words, causing Xu Linglong to grit her teeth, wishing she could tear Embracing the Moon, Clear Breeze’s mouth apart. Of course, what Xu Linglong hated most was the person who had supposedly ‘stolen’ her best friend; if she ever saw them, she wouldn’t let them off easily.

Observing Xu Linglong’s darkening expression, Embracing the Moon, Clear Breeze, after having spent several days with her, clearly understood that she was not to be provoked at this moment. Otherwise, even as her teammate, she would chase him for thousands of miles.

Xu Linglong declared fiercely, “I’ll make that scoundrel who ‘stole’ Yue’er suffer, sooner or later.”

Listening to Xu Linglong’s tone, Embracing the Moon, Clear Breeze couldn’t help but shiver. Her voice carried the weight of a blood feud, like avenging a parent’s murder. He truly wondered who had unwittingly provoked this formidable woman, and hoped they would meet a good end.

Completely oblivious to the fact that he had been designated as a target, Ye Jue was currently reviewing his textbooks. After all, five years had passed, and he had largely forgotten most of the knowledge. Nevertheless, his foundational understanding remained, requiring only a refresher.

****

Upon arriving next to their destination via the teleportation array, Xu Linglong and Embracing the Moon, Clear Breeze were astonished to find that the location was a luxurious residence. They exchanged bewildered glances; at this stage of the game, who could possibly afford such a mansion?

Xu Linglong sent a message to Lin Shenyue. After consulting with Chris, Lin Shenyue stepped out. To her surprise, the moment she exited and before she could utter a word, a figure lunged at her. More accurately, the person buried her head between two surging, bountiful spheres, nearly knocking the wind out of Lin Shenyue.

Xu Linglong hugged Lin Shenyue tightly, exclaiming excitedly, “Yue’er, I finally get to see you!”

Lin Shenyue’s expression was one of helplessness, and she struggled to catch her breath. This game was incredibly realistic; if you couldn’t breathe, your health would continuously drop. While the health loss was secondary, the suffocating sensation was truly agonizing for Lin Shenyue.

She flailed her small hands, attempting to escape the suffocating embrace, but she was merely a Priest, while Xu Linglong was a Warrior. Regardless of her efforts, Lin Shenyue couldn’t break free from Xu Linglong’s hold.

Embracing the Moon, Clear Breeze, standing nearby, found himself unable to watch any longer. “Hey, hey,” he interjected, “you’re going to suffocate your Yue’er!”

Xu Linglong paused, then quickly released Lin Shenyue. Seeing Lin Shenyue’s flushed, crimson face, Xu Linglong offered an embarrassed smile. She had forgotten that after five years, her chest had also grown. In the past, such an incident would never have occurred.

Upon clearly seeing Lin Shenyue’s face, Embracing the Moon, Clear Breeze was momentarily stunned, then somewhat dumbfounded. Of course, with Xu Linglong constantly by his side, even the more exquisite Lin Shenyue only shocked him for a moment. However, he had never imagined that the ‘great expert’ he had once fantasized about was actually a young萝莉 (loli)?