Jiang Chen looked at A Niu and said, "I'll come back for the equipment later. Don't mess it up!"

A Niu patted his chest confidently. "No problem!"

Immediately, Jiang Chen quickly left the blacksmith shop.

Soon, he used the teleportation array at the Main City Square to arrive at the East City Gate.

...

A few minutes earlier.

Eastern Swamp.

Qing Ying and Tao Xiaoyao were doing a quest here.

This was a vast area of low-lying, waterlogged, and weed-infested marshland.

On the soft, black soil were numerous blue frog-like wild monsters, each about half a person's height—Giant Thunder Frogs.

Because it wasn't far from the main city, many people came here to farm mobs.

Most players formed groups of three or four, scattered across the swamp, engaging in close combat with the Giant Thunder Frogs.

Qing Ying and Tao Xiaoyao were also rapidly farming the wild monsters.

To improve their aggro pull efficiency, the two of them chose relatively less crowded areas and teamed up for solo farming.

After all, Qing Ying and Tao Xiaoyao were already at level 18, with attributes far higher than the average player.

These level 13 Giant Thunder Frogs posed no threat to them.

In front of Tao Xiaoyao to the left was a Big Yellow Dog, fighting a Giant Thunder Frog.

The Big Yellow Dog's impressive speed and agile movements made it look more skilled than most players!

To the right, there was also a Gray Bear. Its massive paws seemed to carry the weight of a thousand pounds as they slammed down on the Giant Thunder Frog.

Moreover, this Gray Bear could also maneuver!

However, it wasn't as nimble as the Big Yellow Dog; its speed was a bit slower.

In fact, as summoned beasts, both were acting under Tao Xiaoyao's commands.

If left to fight freely, they would be much clumsier.

"The Gray Bear was exchanged for a two-star skill in a server-wide quest. Its health and attack are indeed stronger than the Big Yellow Dog, but it's a bit clumsy. Truly a big dumb bear."

Tao Xiaoyao murmured softly as she brushed aside the hair blocking her view, looking at the two summoned beasts.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Her clear, water-like eyes were exceptionally focused, giving her a unique aura that belied her age.

Her delicate and beautiful face appeared particularly tender.

It was as if two different styles of scenery were presented on the same canvas, making it increasingly captivating the more one looked.

Suddenly!

Tao Xiaoyao frowned slightly and took two steps forward.

Then, a voice came from behind her to the left. "Hello, may I get to know you?"

A mage in a white robe, looking quite handsome, walked over.

His ID was "Lonely at the Top."

Tao Xiaoyao glanced at him and politely replied, "Do you need something?"

"No, I just thought you were special and wanted to get to know you."

Despite Tao Xiaoyao's attitude, the mage didn't seem discouraged. Instead, he wore a confident smile.

He believed she was just playing hard to get, so he continued, "How about adding me as a friend and farming mobs together?"

"No need."

Tao Xiaoyao shook her head. This time, she didn't even look at him, her eyes fixed on the two summoned beasts not far away.

To be fair, this mage named "Lonely at the Top" was indeed quite handsome, comparable to many celebrities.

An ordinary person would definitely take a second look.

But Tao Xiaoyao felt nothing.

Having been by Jiang Chen's side for so long, her standards had unconsciously risen.

For a moment, the smile on Lonely at the Top's face became somewhat stiff.

He hadn't expected this girl to be so dismissive of him.

It was hard for him to accept.

"Other women are eager to please me, and you're acting all high and mighty?"

Lonely at the Top sneered silently in his heart.

But he maintained his smile and said warmly, "Don't worry, I mean no harm. If you let me join your team, we can farm mobs faster, right?"

Lonely at the Top deliberately lowered his stance, saying "let me join your team" to show his gentlemanliness and humility.

"No need."

Tao Xiaoyao still shook her head.

"Are you worried I lack strength? Don't worry, I'm not just a pretty face."

"Although many people misunderstand me because of my looks and family background, thinking I'm all show and no substance, my strength matches my appearance!"

Lonely at the Top continued to talk endlessly.

But Tao Xiaoyao's frown deepened.

She quietly moved a few steps to the side.

At this moment, the Giant Thunder Frog in front of the Gray Bear had already fallen, and it was moving towards its next target.

Seeing this, Lonely at the Top's expression turned cold. He said in a deep voice, "You don't believe me?"

With a wave of his staff, a sharp ice spike shot towards the Gray Bear's target.

Boom!

-185

The ice spike hit the Giant Thunder Frog, pulling its aggro.

The Gray Bear roared in anger as its prey was stolen.

Tao Xiaoyao pouted slightly in frustration and said softly, "Gray Bear, let's find another one."

She commanded the Gray Bear to move towards another nearby mob.

However, Lonely at the Top cast another fireball, pulling that mob too.

Seeing this, Tao Xiaoyao knew she couldn't farm here anymore and led the Big Yellow Dog and Gray Bear to another area.

But Lonely at the Top's speed was surprisingly fast.

He easily pulled two mobs and followed Tao Xiaoyao, a mocking smile on his face.

"Let's see how many you can pull!"

Even with her gentle nature, Tao Xiaoyao was getting angry.

She quickly maneuvered towards a densely populated mob area.

"Heh, I'll play along!"

Lonely at the Top sneered and followed her without a care.

Tao Xiaoyao moved swiftly past each mob without attacking.

Although her speed wasn't fast, her movements were exceptionally agile.

Moreover, she maintained a perfect distance.

Like a butterfly flitting through a garden, she didn't pull aggro from a single mob!

But Lonely at the Top, following her, noticed something was wrong.

All the mobs' aggro was on him.

Not a single one was missed!

Even though he followed the same path as Tao Xiaoyao, the mobs turned and closed the distance, pulling aggro onto him!

Now, at least ten mobs were chasing Lonely at the Top!

Predicting the movement of one or two mobs was understandable.

After all, by observing carefully, one could remember the fixed paths of each mob.

But to observe so many mobs simultaneously, remember all their paths, and predict them?

This was too much!

Even multitasking didn't cover it.

It was like multi-threading!

Lonely at the Top was struggling, with mobs closing in and forming a surround.

Suddenly!

Tao Xiaoyao stepped forward, then sidestepped to the right, seemingly retreating safely.

Lonely at the Top's eyes lit up. He saw that Tao Xiaoyao's path could break the encirclement!

He followed her, preparing to sidestep as well.

But two mobs ahead suddenly turned towards him.

"Damn..."

Lonely at the Top's face turned pale, sweat beading on his forehead.

He realized he was completely surrounded by mobs!

Soon, over ten Giant Thunder Frogs surrounded him.

Even though only seven or eight could reach him, each hit drained his health rapidly.

In less than two seconds, his health was almost gone!

Before dying, he glared viciously at Tao Xiaoyao and cursed, "You bitch, just wait!"

Meanwhile.

Several figures rushed over, shouting from a distance, "Young Master Han!"

They couldn't believe their boss's precious son had gotten himself killed trying to hit on a girl!

By the time they reacted, Lonely at the Top was already down.

Leaving Fire City respawn point.

A white light shone beneath a pure white angel statue.

A sullen-faced Lonely at the Top emerged, quickly opening his friends list and sending a group message to those marked as [Lackeys]:

"No matter what, kill that bitch Tao Xiaoyao. I want to see her at the respawn point!"