The Invincible Young Miss Has Fallen Again!

Triss, who Murphy had carried on his back, drank several bottles of wine on the road to suppress the pain from her injuries. As a result, she was still somewhat dazed when they reached the "safe zone" outside the city.

Sensing the decrease in Astral Energy concentration, Triss struggled to open her eyes and looked at the Little Players beside Murphy with confusion. She couldn't help but ask:

"Little Murphy, who are these people?"

"They are my Servants. I'll explain the specifics to you later," Murphy whispered to Triss. He then instructed her:

"I'll have my assistant take you to a safer place now. Wait for me there and tend to your wounds. I'll meet up with you after I've dealt with the trouble here."

Triss looked around.

She noticed the dazed survivors crying and wailing after escaping the city, and assumed Murphy was staying in this dangerous place to rescue more people.

This made Triss feel that her Little Murphy was indeed a kind Vampire. She didn't try to stop Murphy's plan, but she refused to leave.

She said to Murphy:

"I'm staying here. Don't rush! Listen to me! You have no idea about the dangers of the Astral Plane. I've seen a bit, and I can tell you that the situation in Cadman City right now is very, very special.

It's so special that nothing similar has happened on the entire continent for the past thousand years. You have no experience to draw upon, Murphy.

If you're going to enter the city again, you'll have to improvise. As for my injuries... I'm a Vampire, and you've just rescued so many people."

Triss blinked her eyes and said:

"It's only reasonable for them to pay a little 'Blood Tax,' right? Don't worry, I only need a little blood to recover, and at the very least, I won't be a burden to you."

"This..."

Murphy felt Triss's persistence. He hesitated for a moment, but instead of refusing, he handed Triss over to Mirian to help her go and collect the "Salvation Blood Tax" from the survivors.

The commoners who had lived in Cadman City for a long time were already accustomed to the demands of Vampires. Especially now, when they had to rely on Murphy and the Blood Servant army to survive, when Triss asked for virgins in the crowd to offer her blood, several young girls were immediately pushed forward.

No one dared to resist Triss at this time.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Murphy also cast his reconnaissance skill on his Trash Progenitor.

He intended to take this chance to satisfy a long-standing doubt in his heart: what was Triss's actual strength level?

He hadn't forgotten that when he rescued Triss from the ruins of the manor earlier, there was the corpse of an Astral Great Monster beside her, one that looked like a powerful BOSS in both size and aura.

This fully proved that Triss was definitely not as useless as she appeared.

When Murphy's reconnaissance skill landed on Triss, she immediately noticed it. Triss, who was currently holding a young girl and drawing blood to recover, turned her head sharply. Seeing that it was Little Murphy staring at her, she flashed a friendly yet seductive smile. Coupled with the bloodstains around her mouth, she looked extraordinarily alluring.

Just like a Vampire Witch from the legends.

The Little Players nearby were all stunned.

They had already noticed this female Vampire, who was clinging to their NPC's shoulder and was very intimate with Murphy, and were speculating about Murphy and Triss's relationship.

But when they saw this, almost all the Little Players were instantly captivated by Triss's alluring and mature demeanor.

"Damn! This woman is too seductive. Her model... sigh, I have a feeling the 3D Zone is about to see some bloodshed."

Brother Wu Miao sighed in a low voice, and the other Little Players nodded in agreement.

As frequent visitors and "Art Appreciators" of the 3D Zone, they fully agreed with Brother Wu Miao's assessment. The only pity was that the horrific scars extending from Triss's neck downwards severely marred her otherwise astonishing beauty.

At this moment, Murphy also received the specific feedback information about Triss. A semi-transparent information tag appeared beside Triss:

Name: [Scarlet Witch] Triss Cardentina Jia Lorraine Lasombra

Tier: Level 40 · Golden Body · Normal Template [Lost Elite Module due to dried-up Blood Essence]

Profession: Level 30 Psionic Master · Darkness / Level 30 Alchemy Master / Historian · Theology Specialization

Status: Soul Weakness · Severely Wounded · Ominous Aging

Character Evaluation: Dangerous · Friendly and Intimate [Dependent]

"?!"

Murphy's pupils contracted at this moment. Triss was actually a Gold Tier Vampire? And these two professions sounded incredibly powerful.

No wonder she used to be an Elder of the Blood Vulture Clan and always claimed to be the most talented Elder. When she got drunk, she would reminisce about her glorious past, saying she used to chat with a bunch of important figures in the Bloodkin.

Murphy had previously thought that these were just the idle fantasies of Triss, the alcoholic with no taste.

But now, from the identity information he had glimpsed, Triss probably wasn't bragging. She truly had a past as mysterious as a fog, and a life filled with secrets.

However, the three severe debuffs in Triss's status bar alone showed how bad her current condition was. Let alone comparing her to the previous Jopann, Triss's current true combat power probably wouldn't exceed the upper limit of a Black Iron Rank Vampire.

Calling her a cripple wasn't entirely wrong.

Meanwhile, the Little Players took this opportunity to approach Maxim, who was resting by the formation, and quietly inquire about Triss's identity.

Upon hearing that this mature lady, who possessed beauty, sexiness, and allure, was Murphy's legendary Progenitor, their exchanged glances became even stranger, and they began to whisper amongst themselves.

"No wonder our NPC risked his life rushing into the city. He was bringing his beloved back!"

"That's where you're wrong. In Vampire culture, Progenitor means parent. So, Madam Triss is actually our NPC's mother.

Don't overthink it, guys."

"You don't know anything! They aren't related by blood! This is at most an adoptive mother. Damn it! Isn't this just the most popular 'Step-Mom Literature' right now?

Even though we NPCs look all serious and upright, you people are actually playing the wildest games."

"It's more than that! I think this is the Little Dragon Girl version of the plot. Relying on each other, inseparable in life and death, a teacher and mother, a sister and wife! Slurp slurp, the Damn Planner really knows what they're doing! I'm shipping this couple, you guys do whatever you want."

The Little Players thought their dirty jokes were only understood by themselves, but they didn't notice Murphy's increasingly subtle gaze.

Damn it!

So it was you guys making all these lewd jokes, right!

Fine, I've made a note of it!

If I let you guys play the game comfortably, I'll write my name backward, Murphy!

Shipping any CP will only harm you, you bunch of little idiots.

Murphy decided to show the Little Players a little something, and also to provide a reasonable explanation for his next move of occupying the "monster grinding spot."

So, his eyes rolled, and he pulled a large bag of Silver Coins he had just looted in the city from his Psionic Bag, tossing it at the Little Players' feet.

This was the reward for the first stage of their series of quests.

"Ahem, my Warriors, you have all seen the dire situation Cadman City is in. My Progenitor has told me that this city is being pulled into the mysterious and dangerous Astral Plane, and the entire process will take no more than a week."

Murphy put on a pained expression and said to his Little Players:

"In this situation, we should leave this place. But there are still many innocents in the city, and Miss Femis is nowhere to be found. I find it difficult to make a decision.

Therefore, I seek your wisdom.

Should we stay here, contribute what little we can to this city that is destined to perish, and risk danger to search for our friend?

Or should we evacuate this place now in the name of safety?"

He looked at the players.

The Little Players immediately became noisy. They had encountered such a question before in the Smuggler's Woods, so they naturally knew another branching plot choice was before them.

But this time, the players made their decision much faster. With almost no communication or hesitation, they babbled at Murphy:

"Of course, we're staying! We're going to loot... uh, save people! This is a Warrior's journey."

"That's right. We finally got here, so why just turn around at the city walls and leave? There are so many monsters here, it's a rare chance to level up freely."

"We wish to contribute to your cause, Lord Murphy. If we back down at the slightest difficulty, how will we carry out our grand plans in the future?"

Seeing their unified opinion, Murphy nodded, a grin spreading across his face.

Alright, you chose this yourselves, so don't come crying to the forums later saying I pushed you into the fire!

"Very good, you are indeed the Warriors I have chosen."

Murphy nodded.

He took out a map of Cadman City from his Psionic Bag and spread it on a nearby stone. With the help of Triss, who had recovered some strength after feeding on blood, he divided the map into three tiers of areas and explained to the surrounding Little Players:

"The outskirts of Cadman City are still relatively safe. Astral Psionics are spread here like a deep shadow, hiding foreign creatures from the Astral Plane, but they are not difficult to deal with.

Heading to the city center means great risk. Astral Rifts are opening there, and dangerous Dimensional Meteorites are crashing down beneath the earth. Whatever is there is not something you can handle right now.

So you can only operate in the outer areas. Do not cross that rift."

He emphasized:

"I will remain by this safe passage with my Progenitor and Servants. You must search for survivors as much as possible and bring back all sorts of supplies we need. And you must be fast!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the players' Computing Orbs emitted a soft "ding," indicating a quest update:

[Prologue: The Last Night of Cadman City

Quest Two: Day of Disaster!

Description: Warriors from Another World have decided to save the innocents in Cadman City before it is dragged into the Astral Plane and have persuaded Murphy to assist them. However, your actions must be swift, as the situation is constantly deteriorating.

Objective: Save innocent civilians and salvage/collect all necessary items.

Requirements: Rescue at least 600 survivors. Collect at least 200 pounds of food, medicine, ammunition, and valuable miscellaneous items per person.

Time Limit: 72 hours.

Reward: Several Portia Gold Coins, unlock the next quest stage.]

The Little Players who accepted the quest didn't delay. They immediately departed in squads. The Dormitory Six Brothers and Niu Niu were naturally in one group, Brother Wu Miao and his Two Great Vajras went another way, and Brother Bang belonged to their "Accessory."

It was clear that even though the game had just started, different groups with distinct styles had already formed among the Little Players.

"Do you have any thoughts on this quest?"

The Electronic Succubus sidled up and asked. Brother Wu Miao thought for a moment and said:

"Don't waste time on the streets. Let's go to those luxurious-looking residences. The environment in this game isn't just for show; in reality, the better the residence, the more valuable the items inside.

We're definitely going to find hidden good equipment and such things in those places.

We're a small group, we can't compete with the Student Faction in numbers. We need to go for the Efficiency Style. What do you say, Brother Bang?"

"You've already said it all, what do you want me to say?"

The Happy Stick rolled its eyes and said:

"This is as far as we go. Don't push any further. I'll find a vantage point to keep watch for you all. Hurry up and scavenge for items. Remember to find some handcarts or something; you can't carry much on your shoulders or by hand.

We'll split the profits equally in the end?"

"No problem! Let's move out!"

Brother Wu Miao waved his hand, and with the Two Great Vajras, they spotted the most luxurious and tallest house on the street, smashed open the gate, and charged in.

Compared to their small group's clear objective, the student faction, which had more numbers, didn't have many specific plans. They headed straight down the main road towards the city center.

They chatted and laughed along the way, as if on an excursion. They were having a blast.

These guys, though a bit foolish, were genuinely reckless.

After the Leading Big Pigeon suggested taking a stroll near the dangerous Astral Rift, they quickly reached an agreement. They passed through collapsed houses, picked up some coins and light supplies along the way, and soon arrived at the great rift that Murphy had explicitly forbidden them from crossing.

"It's so spectacular! Just like a sky pit!"

A Cha exclaimed, and the other Little Players seized the moment to take pictures.

The great rift before them, forcefully created by a Dimensional Meteorite, cut across the entire city. It was nearly a hundred meters wide, and the opening below wasn't just a dark chasm. Looking down from the edge, one could see what looked like a "Milky Way" hidden within.

No one knew what those specks of light were, but they flickered with a mysterious, deep purple glow against the dim background, like some dangerous radiation.

Che Che stood at the edge of the rift, peering down. He could even hear unsettling roars emanating from below.

"This is definitely a high-level map!"

Che Che turned to his good buddies and said with certainty:

"I bet we won't be able to come back and explore this until we're at least level 20."

"Someone! Look, there are people on the other side of the rift! Lots of people!"

The Bionic Snail, short in stature but sharp-eyed, pointed with its finger.

All the students turned their heads to look across. In the environment, obscured by black smoke and sandstorm-like conditions, they could vaguely make out some strangely shaped, stiff wandering figures.

A few seconds later, a dark figure shot out from within. To the stunned gazes of the players, it drew a diagonal line and then plunged headfirst before them.

"What the heck?"

The players were startled, and they all took a step back, forming a circle. The bravest among them, Niu Niu, stepped forward and poked the mass enveloped in black smoke with his spear.

After the smoke surrounding it dissipated, Niu Niu saw two people embracing each other like a mother and daughter and immediately exclaimed:

"It's the Young Miss! And her Butler! Huh, didn't we leave this Butler in the handcart? How did she get here? They're both so badly injured."

"Quick! This must be a plot trigger! Let's take them back to Lord Murphy!"

The Leading Big Pigeon said triumphantly, whistling.

"See? I told you! Wandering around and exploring the map before doing quests definitely leads to good things!"