Volume One, Chapter 33: Heading to a Mysterious Laboratory to Kill Those...

Li Chuan narrowed his eyes.

"Are you sure you want to take on today's daily mission? This is a high-level one."

The young girl pouted.

"I’d love to do a low-level mission, but I have to survive long enough to do it. I was waiting for you to return from the mission space yesterday so you could guard my Spirit Plant while I went on my mission, but by the time you got back, the light curtain had already vanished. Honestly."

Li Chuan looked at the girl, his eyes filled with confusion.

"So, you started waiting for me yesterday? You trust me that much? I’m notorious in this channel as a murderer."

Lin Yaoyao nodded and placed the White Crane Spirit into Li Chuan’s hand.

"Didn't you say it yourself? Birds of a feather flock together. Because I’m a murderer too! Tee-hee."

*Because you’re a murderer too? Hah, as if anyone would believe that.*

The tiny dandelion touched Li Chuan’s palm, and its roots burrowed into his skin. However, Li Chuan felt no pain, and there wasn’t even a scratch on his hand.

[Buff status acquired: Agility x2, Mana x2, Minor Life Recovery, Minor Mana Recovery.]

Li Chuan stared in shock at the Spirit Plant slowly winding around his wrist.

"What an insane buff! I want it..."

Suddenly, Little Green’s flower bud leaned over, swaying back and forth near Li Chuan. It looked as if it were... jealous!

Li Chuan: "Little Green, don't get the wrong idea. I’m just playing with it."

...

[Daily Mission: I'm craving some goblin dried fruit. Who’s willing to steal a little bit for me?]

[Mission Difficulty: High]

[Travel to the depths of the Forbidden Land and steal some sun-dried fruit from the goblin settlement. I will provide generous rewards upon completion.]

[Mission Rewards: 300 Copper Coins, 300 EXP, 1 Silver Treasure Chest, 1 Temporary Photosynthetic Sealed Cabin (Blue).]

[Mission Progress: Siro Fruit Strips 38/20, Dried Raspberries 46/20, Dried Huangyizi 42/20, King’s Dots 0/10]

[Mission Penalty: Loss of return access, exposure to the sight of all goblins.]

[Time Remaining: 39 minutes]

"What the hell is a 'King’s Dot'? Can these ugly green-skinned frogs even name things properly?"

*Chitter-chatter! Rumble-rumble!*

*Chitter!*

*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—*

"You can't catch me, you can't catch me."

The petite figure darted through the forest like a butterfly, flickering in and out of sight. Yet, despite her incredible speed, goblins were on her tail every single second.

"Almost there, it’s inside this big, ugly house."

*Whoosh—Bang—*

"Damn it, why are there mages among the goblins too!"

...

"Leap Strike! Jungle Stealth! Fire Elemental Enchantment! Side-roll, side-roll, side-roll!"

With the mana boost from the White Crane Spirit, Li Chuan’s proficiency at grinding skills had increased significantly. He was in the middle of an intense training session when—

*Swish!*

A petite figure suddenly appeared in the tent and collapsed onto the ground with a thud. Li Chuan immediately performed three side-rolls to reach her.

"Back so soon?"

Lin Yaoyao’s chest heaved as she tilted her head and gave him a sidelong glance.

"Huh? Why do I sense a hint of disappointment from you?"

Li Chuan quickly shook his head in denial.

"Impossible. Where’s the treasure chest? Let me open it."

The faintly glowing White Crane Spirit detached itself from the back of Li Chuan’s hand and flew back into the girl’s long hair. Li Chuan wanted to stop it, but he had no way to do so. Since they were teammates, they couldn't attack each other.

A few minutes later, the silver-glinting chest appeared in the tent. Li Chuan stared silently at the changing numbers on the lock.

[Silver Treasure Chest: Up to Lv15 Blue-quality item. No key required. Open?]

56, 87, 45, 1, 12.

97!

"Open!"

Li Chuan clicked decisively. The chest burst open. A blue light and several green lights erupted from within. Li Chuan was quick; he snatched the blue light and shoved it into his inventory.

"Alright, the rest is yours."

The girl widened her eyes.

"Blue? Did I just see blue?"

Li Chuan grinned triumphantly.

"Whatever it is, it belongs to me now."

The girl pouted her cute lips while collecting the remaining items.

"You hateful guy!"

"Brother Zhan-Hua, if you give me that blue item, I’ll sleep with you once, okay? Won’t you?"

Li Chuan: "I told you, I don't like flat chests."

Lin Yaoyao puffed out her cheeks.

"You should change things up once in a while. That woman might be 'big,' but her proportions aren't necessarily better than mine."

Li Chuan was speechless.

"Enough. We have two hours left in our party. I'm in a good mood—I'll treat you to lunch. Want some?"

The girl’s eyes lit up, and she immediately pulled a small wooden stump over to sit beside the large one.

"Sure! I have some extra dried fruit I grabbed, want to try some?"

...

"This dried fruit is pretty good. Why didn't you grab more?"

"Are you kidding me, brother? That was a high-level mission! There were level 35+ goblins everywhere. It’s a miracle I made it back alive."

"How do you know their levels? Did you run into them?"

"No, but I bought 'Focus Goggles' from the system shop. They let me see monster names and levels."

...

The next day, the sun rose early, leaving the snow-covered ground muddy. In the player encampment, everyone looked up at the sky in unison, like tourists waiting for a sunrise at a scenic spot. Most of them were praying—praying that today’s daily mission would be below intermediate difficulty. It was their only hope of surviving to the next stage.

[Aman Forest, Forbidden Land Central Light Curtain.]

[Today’s Weather: Scorching]

[Daily Mission: Those filthy bugs have dirtied my laboratory. Is anyone willing to help me clean up?]

[Mission Difficulty: Low]

[Travel to a mysterious laboratory and kill the monsters wandering inside.]

[Mission Rewards: 200 Copper Coins, 200 EXP, 1 Black Iron Treasure Chest, 1 Temporary Photosynthetic Sealed Cabin (Green).]

[Mission Penalty: Loss of return access, become a test subject!]

[Time Remaining: 1 hour 59 minutes]

"Thank goodness!"

"Oh god! We’re saved!"

"Our kindness must have moved the system!"

...

The snowy field was filled with cheers and excitement. Li Chuan stood outside his tent, looking up at the light curtain.

"These guys are really lucky."

However, if the mission is only low-level, should I join in? I could level up faster and equip my level 15 gear sooner.

Li Chuan was currently level 12 with 400 EXP. He had already collected four pieces of the high-level combat set: trousers, belt, tunic, and the combat boots he’d won from Lin Yaoyao’s chest yesterday. He only needed the shoulder guards to complete the set and unlock the full set bonuses.

But, as the saying goes, it’s not the thief you fear, but the one who keeps you in their sights. The three schemers from the Three Heroes Guild had been eyeing his Spirit Plant. If he left, would Little Green be in danger?

Li Chuan felt a vague sense of unease. He wished he could jump straight to level 15, put on his high-level combat set, and crush those three vermin once and for all so he wouldn't have to worry anymore.

After thinking for a while, Li Chuan opened his friend list and sent a voice call request to Black Friday.