Chapter 80: Chapter 80: First Player Meetup (Five Updates)
Cui Shengshu led his men to Dafang Mansion’s Xiao Nanyu.
Meanwhile, Xu Nian and Junlin’s team of five were temporarily staying at the Nine Heavens Alliance.
It was just a matter of waiting for a few days. Xu Nian didn’t particularly mind, as he had long given up on the idea of taking action himself. Why risk his neck when he could obtain the Red Dragon Sword through other means?
Although they were staying there, Cui Shengshu had arranged for someone to keep an eye on them before he left. They were not allowed to leave the estate and could only remain within the mountain villa during this time.
Junlin and his team had initially planned to venture out and try their luck with tasks. However, they had no choice but to go offline and join the group chat.
「In the First Test Players’ Main Group Chat.」
Junlin: "This task is really dull; it lacks the danger of the Blood Demon Sect incident."
Thirty Years Monk: "Are you guys still out doing tasks? I’m envious of those who have tasks."
Nine Billion Girls’ Dream: "Envious +1."
Waverider: "I’ve been digging stone ore all night, I’m completely wiped. When will I ever have assets worth 500 Contribution Points again?"
Flourishing Flowers: "Junlin, where are you guys doing tasks?"
Poisonous Panda: "Next door at the Nine Heavens Alliance in Celestial Origin Mansion. There’s a super huge Boss."
Chaotic Dance Steps: "Black man question mark.jpg."
Poisonous Panda: "We can’t handle it. The NPC Sect Leader is railroaded by the plot; we’d probably get killed in one hit."
Junlin: "This task is genuinely boring. We have to stay here for a few days. Bros, anyone want to meet up offline? Let’s do it!"
Abbess, Don’t Love Me: "Can I bring family members?"
Junlin: "Come to Demon City. I’ll arrange your food, clothing, accommodation, and travel. It’s a good opportunity for all of us to gather and discuss the Second Test."
Flourishing Flowers: "Already booked the flight. Send the address!"
Thirty Years Monk: "Really, food and accommodation included? Then I’m definitely coming. The high-speed rail takes at most two hours."
Poisonous Panda: "I’ll bring my girlfriend too; I’ve got some money lately anyway."
Chaotic Dance Steps: "Thanks for the invite. I’m in Demon City, waiting for the exact location."
Junlin: "Eiffel Grand Hotel. Bring your gaming Equipment as proof of identity to avoid impersonators."
Flourishing Flowers: "Got it."
Little Boss: "Ticket booked. picture.jpg."
「...」
With Junlin’s call, the first offline meetup for the First Test Players officially began.
Players were mostly in a downtime period anyway, just doing daily life tasks at the Profound Yellow Sect. Besides, from the previous few tasks, they had all earned a considerable amount of money, more or less. They could certainly afford the plane tickets.
Su Bei logged out and was, in fact, sitting on the toilet relieving himself when his phone buzzed. He picked it up for a look.
Demon City? Eiffel Grand Hotel? Damn, a six-star hotel! Is Junlin being that generous?
Su Bei checked the location on his phone. It really was the Eiffel Grand Hotel in Demon City. The most crucial part was that he was already in Demon City. Junlin is actually in the same city as me! If only I had known, I would have met up with him ages ago. Clinging to the Captain’s thigh—wouldn’t that make logging off and soaring in real life a piece of cake? Just this morning, didn’t Junlin say he had that kind of medicine? I’ll get some this time too. After that, I’ll head to a club tonight and enjoy life a bit. I can’t keep cooping myself up in this rental. As a worker, I have to change my current situation. This game has brought me a lot of benefits; it’s time to turn over a new leaf and start fresh!
He quickly wiped himself clean, took a shower, and changed into a fresh set of clothes. He put on a short-sleeved shirt with a Morgana print from "Super God Academy," which, combined with his somewhat long hair, made him look quite flashy. He couldn’t help it; he just liked Morgana. Others didn’t need to understand his love for the ACG world.
After an hour stuck in traffic, Su Bei arrived at the entrance of the Eiffel Hotel.
Gazing at the magnificent, resplendent hotel with luxury cars coming and going at the entrance, he was utterly stunned. How long would I have to slave away before I could afford to stay here for one night? What kind of family business did Junlin, this rich second-generation guy, even have? Choosing such a fancy place for a gathering!
As he stood there dazed, a slightly arrogant voice sounded from behind him, "Su Bei?"
Hearing his name, Su Bei turned to look, and his expression darkened. Did I forget to check the almanac before leaving home today? I’ve really stepped in shit this time!
The person calling him was a university classmate, Zhao Shuai, who had been the student council president of their year. Back then, Su Bei was into anime and related things. Consequently, Zhao Shuai had often looked down on him and had even issued a public criticism against him once.
After graduation, Su Bei had become a worker. Meanwhile, Zhao Shuai, thanks to his family’s circumstances, had already started two of his own companies and was a genuine small boss.
Zhao Shuai had just stepped out of a luxury car, with several pretty female students standing beside him.
Beast! Su Bei cursed inwardly.
Then, from the passenger seat, a familiar figure emerged. It was Li Baona, Su Bei’s girlfriend during university—indeed, his only girlfriend from college! Unfortunately, Li Baona had kicked Su Bei to the curb and thrown herself into Zhao Shuai’s arms after he merely beckoned.
But... what’s the situation now? Zhao Shuai is with several pretty female students, and Li Baona is with him too? Is he playing the field this much?
"Well, well, isn’t it Su Bei? Why are you still wearing such shabby clothes? It’s been two years since graduation; don’t you know how to get some new ones?" Li Baona glanced at Su Bei, tilted her chin up arrogantly, and walked straight to Zhao Shuai’s side.
She must have been blind back then to date Su Bei just because he was good-looking. Unfortunately, Su Bei could never give her what she wanted. That’s just how society is these days!
"I heard from classmates that you’re making money playing games now? What are you doing here?"
"This is a high-class establishment. Staying one night would probably require you to sell all that game equipment. Why bother putting on an act here?"
"We’re all former classmates. Can’t you find a decent job? Why waste your time playing games, you bunch of pathetic losers!" Li Baona said with a disdainful expression, pushing aside the other female students who were trying to get closer to Zhao Shuai.
Zhao Shuai, standing nearby, said nothing, merely watching with a smile, seemingly very pleased with this scene.
Zhao Shuai had come here today precisely to show off, aiming to enact a ’one dragon sporting with many phoenixes’ scenario tonight. He’d even prepared the drugs! Normally, he wouldn’t spend money in a place like this.
Su Bei remained silent, not knowing what to say. Many people had told him that gaming wasn’t a proper occupation. However, in his view, he was already a great success. He was earning enough money to support himself without relying on his parents and could even send money home. Everyone has their own way of living; why bother pursuing impractical things?
Just then, a roaring sound approached.
A silver-white Porsche 911 pulled up smoothly in front of everyone.
A young man wearing the latest Armani summer collection got out of the car. A cigarette dangled from his lips as he tossed his keys to the doorman at the entrance.
"Damn, Junlin looks richer than Flourishing Flowers," the young man said. "I need to give Flourishing Flowers a heads-up."
With that, he took out his phone to start sending a message, while also grabbing a backpack from the passenger seat.
Inside the backpack was his exclusive Game Helmet!