Chapter 33: You kid... you really know how to play the game.

Chen Jiaojiao looked left and right, realizing that things were not at all as she had imagined.

"Aren't you afraid?" she couldn't help but ask. She had expected everyone to be terrified, but instead, they all seemed eager to jump into action.

"What's there to be afraid of?" the group replied, clearly puzzled. "These things look so beautiful, why would we be afraid?"

"They look so delicate; I could handle them with one hand!" Although they were not students of the combat department...

When the sizzling sound of the roasting meat arose and a faint, savory aroma drifted out—laced with the scent of cumin and honey from the "Jade Fat" spice, a private reserve of Ning Jue—it finally snapped Yu Man out of her petrified state.

The man spoke with an accent from outside the region; it was neither from Shanggang City nor the AOS zone. Could he be from Donghuang City?

"No, I haven't been involved in this circle, nor have I done these kinds of things before. But as long as the pay is decent, I'm willing to learn anything—as long as you don't send me to a debt collection agency, anything else is fine," I replied.

Fearing that I might startle the other guests in the restaurant, I turned quickly to leave. In my haste, I crashed straight into another patron.

As usual, Fang Kuai woke up early to prepare breakfast for Feng Zikai, leaving it ready for him to eat after his morning exercises.

Jin Zhi felt a wave of emotion wash over her and remained silent. Even Zhuang Chong seemed affected by the man's mood, lifting his head to gaze at the dark, distant mountains.

"What do you mean?" Yan Jiaorao blinked at him, momentarily stunned, unable to process his words.

Zi Bingxin leaned back in her chair, her mind filled with images of the dark room and the bodies that had been dismantled.

"Old Zhao, this is, after all, a matter concerning Haoqi's father. I feel terrible troubling you with it," Dong Xiaoyun said apologetically.

The question reminded me of the events of the past two days. Feeling unsettled, I shared a portion of the truth with Xu Jing. Of course, as her older brother, I found the more shameful parts difficult to voice; I spoke of how I plotted to steal Pang Fumin's ledger and how I manipulated him into killing the man with the glasses and parted hair.

Still, it highlighted the true value of this blueprint. If Li Wei had tried to upgrade Mie Tang City on his own, there was no telling how long it would have taken; now, it could be achieved with ease.

"Tsk tsk, there were quite a few formidable characters in that valley just now. If that force existed within the cultivation world, it would rival a major sect. Even the Nine Dragon Sect wouldn't dare provoke the Crocodile Dragon Clan!" the Cauldron Spirit exclaimed in awe.

"Haha, alright, I'll come over to your place tomorrow to take care of that stone," Jin Haotian said with a smile.

Her eyes, brimming with tears, suddenly snapped toward Yan Qingcheng, who lay on the bed. Something flickered through Taozi's mind, and she pointed a trembling, slender finger at the stunned Yan Qingcheng.

Dao Feng reacted purely on instinct, but a moment later, he realized his actions had been entirely unnecessary.

Zhong Hao paid no further mind to Mu Lingyun. After surveying his surroundings, he locked his gaze directly toward the direction of the guest rooms.

A palm print followed closely, striking the snake's head while simultaneously leaving a deep mark on Yi Ming.

"I am leaving. Take care of yourselves!" With that, the Ancestral Dragon transformed into a bolt of green lightning and vanished.

Even Zhuo Yu's Five Profound Heavenly Fire could barely withstand the chill here. If someone without the protection of the Heavenly Fire were to come, wouldn't they surely perish?

Glancing at Feng Lai, Li Wei wore an expression of "as I suspected." Hearing him address him as "Lord Elder" was enough for Li Wei to confirm that the man had seen him in the game world.

Zhong Lingyu couldn't be bothered to look at the lively comments anymore. After breakfast, he felt that Su Rui was in a good mood today. Though the sky remained overcast, as long as some practical problems could be solved, it was still a pretty good day.