Afternoon.

The number of players online was relatively sparse compared to other times, but still considerable.

Following the map's guidance, Lu Ming and Lin Youwei were on their way to the Lv30-Lv31 [Western Farm].

As they passed through a ruin, a sudden cry for help echoed nearby.

"Help! Is anyone there to save us?"

Looking towards the source of the sound, they saw three female players around level 15-16 being attacked by two mutated octopods of level 20, trapped in a crisis.

Seeing this, Lin Youwei anxiously said to Lu Ming, "Nether brother, those sisters over there seem to be in danger. Should we help them?"

Lu Ming kept his eyes straight ahead, not slowing his pace, "No need to bother."

Though worried, Lin Youwei followed Lu Ming's lead.

Meanwhile, in a concealed spot nearby, the warrior Orient Loong God, knight Basalt, assassin White Tiger, and mage Rosefinch silently observed the scene.

At this moment, [White Tiger] nodded, showing appreciation, "Not bad, this guy isn't overly sentimental, not a saint, and not easily swayed by beauty!"

"His character checks out, okay, he passes my test!"

Just as White Tiger finished speaking.

One of the distressed girls shouted, "Is anyone there to save us? Whoever saves me, I'll give them ten thousand yuan!"

Hearing this, Lu Ming, who hadn't gone far, stopped abruptly as if he had stepped on a landmine!

He turned to look at the three girls.

At that moment, an octopod leaped into the air, lunging towards the girls.

Within a 50-yard attack range, in the blink of an eye.

Swish!

As Lu Ming drew his sword, a shadow of the blade pierced through the octopod.

-6113!

The massive damage instantly emptied the octopod's health bar, which had just over 5000 Health Points.

Instant kill.

Seeing Lu Ming take action, Lin Youwei, who had been eager to help the girls, immediately raised her staff.

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Boom!

A fireball spell slammed into the other octopod.

The next second, a weak damage number floated above the octopod's head: -398!

The brilliance that Lu Ming had always shown made Lin Youwei forget her own potential.

A hint of embarrassment flashed in Lin Youwei's eyes.

At that moment, she realized deeply: without Lu Ming's formation boost, she was just a small fry...

However, the octopod was smart.

Although Lin Youwei hadn't inflicted much damage, seeing its companion get instantly killed by Lu Ming, it fled in fear.

Meanwhile, the three rescued girls hurried over.

The leading girl, a level 16 archer named [Qinqin], was full of gratitude towards Lu Ming, "Thank you, handsome, thank you for saving us!"

The other two girls, equally attractive, looked at Lu Ming with admiration, "Do you have a girlfriend, little brother? Can we add you on WeChat?"

Without saying much, Lu Ming simply showed a QR code.

The three girls excitedly scanned it, only to be disappointed...

Fing hell, it was a payment code!

The lead archer girl Qinqin reluctantly transferred ten thousand yuan to Lu Ming.

Receiving the money, Lu Ming didn't spare the three girls a glance and immediately left with Lin Youwei.

Seeing this, the four hidden observers, Orient Loong God, Basalt, White Tiger, and Rosefinch, fell silent.

Just then, White Tiger received a WeChat message from "Darling Qinqin": "Honey, I lost ten thousand yuan, it hurts so much!"

Without hesitation, White Tiger transferred 13,140 + 5,200 yuan back to her.

And sent a voice message, "No worries, darling, I'll cover it for you, it's on me! Love you, muah!"

Despite his words, White Tiger felt his heart bleeding, "Fing hell! Testing this guy cost me half a month's salary!"

The three companions were dumbfounded.

"Wait, Tiger, this Qinqin... is your girl? You used your own girl to bait another man?"

"Whoa, Tiger bro! You've got some nerve!"

White Tiger chuckled, "Isn't this just the perfect way to test her loyalty? She doesn't know I'm in Jiang Province; she thinks I'm still in Shanghai! From what I saw, it seems Qinqin is still very loyal to me!"

"At least this guy isn't overly sentimental! Who doesn't love money? Being faithful in a relationship is what matters most, okay, he passes my test! Now it's your turn!"

Meanwhile.

Just as Lu Ming had walked a short distance, a group of players suddenly approached!

Their levels ranged from 25 to 30, with IDs all prefixed with [Invincible].

They charged aggressively towards Lu Ming!

In the shadows, White Tiger was surprised, "Did any of you arrange this? Such seamless transition! Starting the second round of testing so soon?"

Orient Loong God frowned, "I did arrange for some players to test his strength, but they haven't arrived yet, these aren't my people."

"Is this an extra event?" Mage Rosefinch observed the [Invincible] players thoughtfully, "Invincible seems to be one of the top five city-level teams in Linhai City, Jiang Province. And these guys average level 25-30, isn't it too challenging to test Nether with them?"

"No worries, let's watch and see. If things go south, we'll step in to ensure his safety! If we accidentally get him killed, with Ranran's temper, we'll be in big trouble!"

On the field, dozens of [Invincible] players charged aggressively.

The leading level 28 third-tier archer, [Invincible Loneliness], glanced at [Qinqin] behind him, then glared at Lu Ming, cursing, "Fing hell! You dared to ask my woman for money? Who the hell are you?"

The sudden turn of events left the four hidden observers speechless.

"Tiger bro, did you just... get cuckolded?"

Even White Tiger was a bit suspicious when [Darling Qinqin] sent another WeChat message: "Honey, a guy who's been pestering me just showed up, should I continue testing Nether?"

Seeing this, White Tiger was reassured, "No worries, just a random guy, it shows my darling is quite popular!"

So, White Tiger replied without hesitation, "Test!"

The next moment, on the field, Qinqin pointed at the Invincible team players and said to Lu Ming, "Handsome, help me drive them away, and I'll give you another ten thousand!"

Upon hearing this, Invincible Loneliness was confused, "Qinqin, what do you mean? I just thought this guy asked you for money, and I wanted to stand up for you!"

Qinqin confidently replied, "He saved me, it's my rightful reward to give him, why do you care, you random guy?"

"I already told you I don't like you, I have a boyfriend! He's the only one in my heart! Stop pestering me!"

Qinqin's words brought immense comfort to White Tiger, who had just lost tens of thousands.

White Tiger's heart was bleeding, yet he was deeply moved, "Qinqin, I'll marry no one but you in this life!"

However, Invincible Loneliness was relentless.

"Stop using that excuse to fool me, if you have a boyfriend, why have I never seen him with you?"

"Or is your boyfriend just a useless nobody? Can he compare to me, an elite of the city-level fifth Invincible team?"

Hearing this, White Tiger in the shadows instantly lost his cool, "What the hell! Calling me, the national server's 98th assassin, a nobody? I'll show you who's the nobody!"

"Fing hell, where's my knife?"

"Let's focus on the test first, see how that guy's strength is before acting!"

If not for Orient Loong God's persuasion, White Tiger would have already charged out.

On the field.

Hearing there was another ten thousand yuan to earn, Lu Ming naturally reached behind to draw his sword.

After all, easy money shouldn't be left unclaimed!

Seeing this, Invincible Loneliness's face turned fierce.

"Like to meddle, do you?"

"Then let me show you the consequences of meddling!"

"Get him! Kill him!"

Hey, y'all! If you're into this novel, do come to Pawread to give me a hand and I'll be able to update it quicker over there. Thanks a bunch!