Because of Zhang Yingluo's insistence, the group of four ultimately followed the unnamed stream downstream, leaving Wu Ke where he was.
In Zhang Yingluo's words, she had already notified the police. Whether he could hold on until the ambulance arrived depended on his own luck.
This decision gave Xu Nan a new understanding of his senior.
Before today, even knowing that she was a professional, Xu Nan would never have thought she was particularly different. But tonight, he could clearly sense Zhang Yingluo's decisiveness and confidence. Compared to modern society, she seemed to have quickly developed a new set of principles better suited to the age of great upheaval.
Neither such principles nor the ability and mindset to handle matters could be cultivated overnight. Xu Nan, for one, knew he could not bring himself to leave Bald Head Boss there to fend for himself.
And wanting to challenge professionals the moment one heard of their movements was even less like normal thinking.
Xu Nan guessed that Zhang Yingluo's social standing and background had probably allowed her to learn much more information in advance, enabling her to undergo an entirely new transformation before Pro World descended.
What surprised him even more was Senior A-Kun. This unremarkable-looking senior's calm composure truly earned Xu Nan's admiration.
Even though he was not a professional and clearly knew a great deal about their power, he still agreed with Zhang Yingluo's idea and chose to accompany them.
That kind of mindset and bearing did not seem like something an ordinary person from a normal era could possess.
Then Xu Nan looked at Qin Lele, who was hopping along at the front and was supposedly serving as their scout, and could not help feeling a little depressed.
After the initial shock and doubts, had everyone accepted something as absurd as the invasion of a fantasy world so quickly?
So he was the only weakling here!
The atmosphere along the way was somewhat gloomy. Qin Lele was responsible for scouting and leading the way, so she walked at the very front.
Zhang Yingluo, on the other hand, was visibly much more excited. She took a weapon from her backpack. Under the moonlight, Xu Nan saw it clearly: it was a folded blade, exquisitely made. He had no idea how she had gotten her hands on it.
A-Kun was very quiet. He walked shoulder to shoulder with Xu Nan, who could only see the resolute expression on his profile.
If we really run into professionals, what do we do? Start fighting without a word?
As Xu Nan thought this, a dialog box suddenly flashed before his eyes—
Bloodline Awakening Optional Quest
Quest Name: First Blood!
Quest Description: People regard killing as shameful; we shall do the opposite. Kill any one human to complete the quest.
Quest Reward: 5 Shame Points; Beginner Cloud-Ascending Shoes x1
Quest Progress: Completed!
You killed Black Knife Warrior Wu Ke and gained 1 Slaughter Point.
You gained 5 Shame Points!
You obtained a pair of Beginner Cloud-Ascending Shoes.
Xu Nan was somewhat surprised, but he quickly understood.
Bald Head Boss had died after all. It looked like he had bled to death from all the stab wounds Xu Nan had inflicted, so the system had judged that he had once again completed a Bloodline Awakening Optional Quest through instinctive understanding?
Still, this method of getting his first blood was a little awkward. His first blood had actually been a bald guy.
Xu Nan, who had thought he would feel intense discomfort, suddenly found that it was not such a big deal.
Perhaps it was not just the others. Perhaps he himself had already begun changing slowly, only the change was not obvious enough yet.
No matter what, Xu Nan was naturally happy to receive free Shame Points. As for the so-called Slaughter Points, this was the first time he had seen them. He carefully questioned the system, only to find that all knowledge and information on the matter was zero. He would have to figure out the purpose of Slaughter Points himself.
The pair of Beginner Cloud-Ascending Shoes also made Xu Nan curious. If they were not hurrying along, he would have wanted to take the pair of Beginner Cloud-Ascending Shoes that had appeared out of thin air from his Storage Bag and try them on.
This was also the first time a quest had rewarded actual equipment.
Cloud-Ascending Shoes could greatly increase Xu Nan's speed when fleeing for his life. They were far more effective than Expeditious Retreat.
He figured he absolutely had to find an opportunity to change into those shoes before the fighting began.
At the thought of a battle breaking out at any moment, Xu Nan once again had the urge to cast Shield Spell and Mage Armor on himself.
I'm just a college student who came camping. How did I somehow end up going on an adventure?
Fighting and killing are so boring. Why is my senior so interested in this sort of thing?
Xu Nan could not help complaining wildly to himself.
As if noticing Xu Nan's anxiety, A-Kun patted him on the shoulder. "No need to be nervous. Things aren't as complicated as you imagine. Professionals aren't necessarily all bad people. The Vice President merely wants to cross swords with them and assess her own strength."
"As for that mage who opened the door, he just wants to make a quick profit. How can there be so many desperadoes in this society? Everyone suddenly gained power, but that doesn't mean every person will become uncontrollable."
"Everyone is simply curious about the new world. Junior Xu Nan, do you know what the Pro World that is about to descend will be like?"
Xu Nan fell silent. He did know, because when he inherited the Ron Sorcerer Bloodline, he had already seen everything clearly.
Pro World was a world where gods ruled all. The major churches controlled almost all resources on the prime material plane.
Wars of faith and wars between good and evil ran throughout the history of Pro World's prime material plane. Whether self-proclaimed benevolent gods or sinister, cunning evil gods, they all frantically plundered planar resources. So-called believers were resources gradually drained dry by them. And the ten-thousand-year blood war between the heavens, the Abyss, and hell had claimed countless lives.
Xu Nan, who had grown up in peaceful times, had no interest in a world plagued by endless war.
Moreover, humanity in Pro World was extremely weak. Though there had once been the glorious Arcane Empire, it had ultimately been permanently exiled because it was too powerful and encroached upon the domain of the gods.
The current Pro World appeared to be a place where all races flourished, but in truth, it was merely the result of the World God Kingdom, the Abyss, and hell manipulating one another.
Xu Nan believed that no Earthling who had received a modern education could endure that kind of oppression.
The two worlds were bound to erupt into grave contradictions and conflicts, and the crushing superiority of the fantasy world's planar laws might ultimately cause Earth to completely become another Pro World.
That was not something Xu Nan wanted to see.
But he could not say any of this. It was the bloodline secret of the Ron Sorcerer. If it were exposed, he would inevitably suffer a bloodline backlash.
Looking at the eager Zhang Yingluo and A-Kun, he could only smile bitterly. "I'm not very interested in fighting and killing."
A-Kun nodded and sighed. "Junior, you truly have a kind heart."
Zhang Yingluo and Qin Lele wore strange expressions upon hearing this, as if they had recalled the scene under the moonlight earlier.
Was this junior seriously saying that?
Fortunately, the silence was finally broken at that moment.
Xu Nan sensed intense magical fluctuations, while Qin Lele discovered traces of professionals passing through a valley.
"Everyone, be careful! If I'm not mistaken, that door is inside the canyon."
Zhang Yingluo held the folding blade in her palm, and a stunningly bright radiance suddenly emanated from her entire body.
A strange blood-red mark faintly appeared on her forehead.
"The God of Truth. Vice President, you truly have a fortunate encounter."
"According to the information I investigated in secret, the God of Truth is one of the few ancient gods in Pro World. It is not very active now, but it still possesses formidable divine power."
A-Kun's eyes were filled with envy.
Inside the valley, a flock of crows suddenly flew past. Dawn was approaching when a voice laughed. "Among the four professionals who bought tickets from me, there were no followers of the God of Truth."
"Everyone, let's mind our own business. Go back where you came from."
"Or if you want to buy tickets now, that can be discussed too."
The voice sounded both male and female as it echoed through the valley entrance.
The four tried to look inside, but they could see only a thin layer of mist. Xu Nan knew this was the effect of Misty Step.
That Magician Apprentice was quite capable, and his skill at putting on airs was also masterful.
"Your asking price is too high."
Zhang Yingluo held her folding blade horizontally. Her expression was solemn as she muttered an incantation. Before long, at least three different red lights flashed across her body in succession!
They were all divine arts of the God of Truth!
Xu Nan could clearly feel that her aura had grown much stronger!
"Let us pass. I have no interest in your items or your portal. I only want to challenge those powerful people preparing to head to Pro World!"
Zhang Yingluo's fighting spirit surged.
A cold laugh came from the valley. "What if I say no?"
Zhang Yingluo said nothing and pointed her long blade directly at the entrance shrouded in mist.
"What a stubborn temper." A thin figure suddenly appeared within Misty Step.
"A Templar of the God of Truth, a weak female thief, oh, and an ordinary person."
The figure looked at Xu Nan. "Hm? What profession are you? Why can't I appraise you?"
Qin Lele interjected, "He's a Bard."
The figure said disdainfully, "So he's useless trash."
"What the hell? Just a bunch of brats, and you dare interrupt my business."
The staff in the figure's hand began glowing green as he muttered an incantation. His chanting was especially long and resonant, echoing throughout the entire valley!
"Not good! He's chanting a fourth-level spell, Greater Lightning Storm!"
A-Kun cried out.
Zhang Yingluo's figure became like a phantom as she charged into Misty Step, but her blade struck only a straw dummy!
Xu Nan watched in alarm. This Magician Zhao's level was rather high. If he completed Greater Lightning Storm, Zhang Yingluo's Divine Art Aura might not be able to withstand it!
At once, Xu Nan could no longer worry about concealing his identity. He spread his hands and prepared to chant a spell.
In that instant, the Quest Card refreshed again—
Bloodline Awakening Optional Quest
Quest Name: Deceive the Heavens and Cross the Sea
Quest Description: One lie always requires countless lies to sustain it. Since you became a Bard by a twist of fate, then protect the people you like in the manner of a Bard! Defeat Magician Zhao in the guise of a Bard!
Quest Reward: 5 Shame Points; 1 Free Attribute Point
At the sight of the Free Attribute Point, Xu Nan nearly stopped breathing!
In that instant, he had a flash of inspiration and immediately came up with a solution.
Just then, Qin Lele ran over!
"Xu Nan! What are you standing around for? Aren't you a Bard? Hurry up and recite a poem to give her some buffs!"
She was extremely anxious. Before changing into an assassin-type profession, a thief's combat power was truly weak. In a battle at this level, she could not help at all.
Xu Nan nodded. "Then I'll recite one!"
The next second, he spread his arms and recited loudly, "Suddenly, like a spring breeze arriving overnight..."
At the same time, he secretly activated the Ron Sorcerer's secret art.
Silent Wail!
Before you continue