Approaching the Instance

Xia Yuwei widened her eyes in surprise, while Zhang Zibo, Zheng Yuan, and the other 20-plus members of the team were completely stunned.

Lu Yang was the number one player on the Level Rankings, the world's top expert at level 8. Compared to him, they were only level 3, like children facing an adult.

In the early stages, level was the deciding factor. If Lu Yang wanted to kill them, he could wipe out their entire team of 20-plus people without any problem.

Because when they attacked Lu Yang, they were under the system's mechanics, where a level 3 attacking a level 8 had a high probability of missing. But when Lu Yang attacked them, a level 8 killing a level 3, it was practically one Fireball per person.

Recalling the times Zheng Yuan had offended Lu Yang, Xia Yuwei's face showed a worried expression. She approached Lu Yang and nodded slightly, saying, "Mr. Lu Yang, I'm truly sorry for what happened before. I hope you won't mind."

Lu Yang's lips curved into a smile. To think, the Lord of Nine Cities from my past life, the famous Rose Queen, is actually apologizing to me. I'm truly honored.

"It's okay, I'm not a petty person," Lu Yang said, glancing at Zheng Yuan.

Xia Yuwei breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That's great. Let's start the group."

"Sure."

Lu Yang opened the 20-person team mode and said to everyone, "I'll invite you to the team one by one. When you join, tell me your class and stats."

He first selected Xia Yuwei.

"Berserker, level 3, damage 31, Blood Essence 144," Xia Yuwei said. Her stat allocation was full strength, but unfortunately, she didn't have good equipment. She was holding a level 1 weapon - a Crude Dagger.

Lu Yang selected Lan Yu second.

"Priest, level 3, magic damage 29, Blood Essence 208," Lan Yu said. The Priest's stat allocation was 3 magic and 2 constitution, and with the Silver-grade staff Lu Yang gave her, her stats were much better than Xia Yuwei's.

Lu Yang selected Zhang Zibo third.

"Defense Warrior, level 3, defense 73, Blood Essence 352," Zhang Zibo said.

After adding 19 people, only one person remained. Lu Yang looked at Zheng Yuan and asked, "Your stats."

"Mage, level 3, magic damage 28, Blood Essence 112," Zheng Yuan said with a displeased expression.

Lu Yang added Zheng Yuan to the team and frowned, saying, "Your stats aren't very good. Warriors and Rogues, go to the auction house and buy whetstones to increase physical damage by 5. Mages, buy magic damage potions to increase magic damage by 5."

These items were products of basic life skills and were widely traded in the auction house. They were all available for purchase, but the prices were a bit expensive for novice players.

A whetstone cost 10 copper coins, and a magic damage potion cost 20 copper coins. For their team of 19 people, it would cost more than 2 silver coins, which was equivalent to Xia Yuwei's entire fortune.

"Is it necessary to spend this money?" Xia Yuwei asked.

Lu Yang nodded and said, "You have to buy them, or you won't be able to clear the dungeon."

"Okay, let's go buy them then," Xia Yuwei said through gritted teeth, sending Zhang Zibo to the auction house.

While everyone was waiting, Zheng Yuan suddenly walked up to Lu Yang and asked, "You're telling us to buy them, but why aren't you buying them yourself?"

Everyone in the team looked at Lu Yang curiously, wanting to know why Lu Yang wasn't buying them.

"You don't want us to buy them for you, do you, expert?" Zheng Yuan said mockingly.

Xiao Liang had already seen that Zheng Yuan was targeting Lu Yang. He stood in front of Lu Yang with his large shield, blocking Zheng Yuan, and said, "My boss probably doesn't need to buy them. If his magic damage is any higher, I won't be able to hold the monsters."

"How is that possible?" Zheng Yuan didn't believe it.

Lan Yu asked curiously, "Expert, what's your magic damage?"

Lu Yang said, "137."

Everyone: "..."

The players in Xia Yuwei's team were already collapsing inside. Zheng Yuan was speechless. He felt that his 28 magic damage was already hard-earned, but compared to Lu Yang's magic damage, they weren't even a fraction of his.

"How is your magic damage so high? It's four times ours," Lan Yu asked in surprise.

Lu Yang said, "Because I'm an expert."

Lan Yu pouted, dissatisfied with Lu Yang's answer. She wanted to hear the story of how Lu Yang killed those bosses to obtain equipment, not just a simple sentence.

Fierce Wine Clear Wind gave Lu Yang a thumbs up and said, "As expected of an expert. None of the mages in our guild have even half your damage."

Lu Yang shrugged his shoulders.

Just then, Zhang Zibo ran back and said, "I bought the potions and whetstones. Everyone, come here to get them."

When Lu Yang waited for Lan Yu and the others to return to him, the expression on his face became serious.

"Alright, from now on, this dungeon team is officially established. I am your leader, Lu Yang, and now I have a few requirements," Lu Yang said.

Xia Yuwei, Zhang Zibo, and the other team members all looked at Lu Yang.

Lu Yang continued, "First, during my command, you must absolutely obey. Whatever I tell you to do, you must do. If anyone disagrees, settle the score with me after the monsters are defeated. But during the monster fights, if anyone disobeys, don't blame me for kicking them out of the team immediately."

Everyone nodded, this requirement was reasonable.

"Second, if the dungeon fails because of my command, I will compensate you, one silver coin per person. If the dungeon is cleared, as I discussed with Xia Yuwei, I get to choose the Mage equipment first, and the final drops from the boss are also mine. Does anyone have any objections?"

As Lu Yang spoke, his eyes swept across everyone present like an eagle, with a leader's aura. Except for Xia Yuwei, no one dared to meet his gaze.

"Don't worry, we will abide by our promise," Xia Yuwei said on behalf of everyone. Then she turned to Zhang Zibo and the others and said, "From now on, everything Lu Yang says represents everything I say. If anyone doesn't comply or causes trouble, they won't be in our team anymore."

Everyone in the team fell silent. Xia Yuwei's orders were very strict to them. Zhang Zibo and the others were classmates with Xia Yuwei and knew that Xia Yuwei always meant what she said. The others who were hired had finally found such an easy and profitable job, and no one wanted to ruin it.

Only Zheng Yuan had a resentful expression on his face. He was about to speak when he saw Xia Yuwei's sharp eyes, and the words he was about to say were swallowed back.

Fierce Wine Clear Wind saw everything and sneered, saying, "Don't worry, expert brother. I will 100% follow your command in the dungeon. If anything happens, I'll support you."

Fierce Wine Clear Wind's words had a double meaning. He believed Lu Yang could understand. He had already reported the relationship between the Black Armored Warrior and Lu Yang to Chi Mu, and Chi Mu had given the order to fully assist Lu Yang.

Lu Yang knew what Fierce Wine Clear Wind meant and patted him on the shoulder, saying, "Thanks, buddy."