A Twist of Fate

[ Jiang Li: @Heaven and Earth Infinite Borrowing Method, Spirit Realm World, your world is a fusion of wuxia and mythology, though it leans more toward wuxia. It just has a few mythological techniques!]

[Inviting Moon: The group owner really knows a lot! Mythological techniques... Looks like the newcomer is a big shot too!]

[Peach Blossom Island Little Chef: Whoever the newcomer is, Jiang Li is still the strongest in my heart!]

[Zixia Gentleman Sword: Why isn't the newcomer saying anything?]

[I Am Spider-Man: Maybe he's scared. He's probably still trying to wrap his head around all this!]

[Zixia Gentleman Sword: @I Am Spider-Man, you've been lurking for too long, haven't you?]

[I Am Spider-Man: Haha, I just became Spider-Man, so I'm still getting used to it. Besides, the group is full of cultivation techniques. They're not really suitable for me.]

[Long Bo: Who are you? Why are you appearing in my mind?]

Spirit Realm World.

The Tong Clan's hidden retreat.

Young Long Bo stared around him in astonishment.

A moment ago, a voice had suddenly spoken in his mind, asking him to join some chat group. He'd agreed without thinking.

The next instant, a virtual screen had appeared before his eyes, with people talking inside it.

Even more astonishingly, the thoughts in his mind had appeared on the screen too.

[Heaven and Earth Infinite Borrowing Method: Haha, I thought I'd run into a thousand-year-old demon too. I even slashed at the air a few times!]

[Little Li Flying Dagger: @Long Bo, don't be afraid, newcomer. This is the Myriad Worlds Chat Group. We're all from different worlds.]

[Zixia Gentleman Sword: @Long Bo, this is a great opportunity. In the chat group, you can buy powerful techniques from different worlds, or upload your own techniques to earn points!]

[Peach Blossom Island Little Chef: I recommend checking out the Points Mall first!]

[Long Bo: You scared me half to death! I thought I'd run into some monster or demon! I'll go take a look. Thanks for the advice, everyone!]

Jiang Li didn't say anything. Instead, he quietly watched the chat.

Long Bo possessed the Dragon God Art, and the Tong Clan stood behind him. His foundation was beyond what any of the others in the group could match.

If Jiang Li learned the Dragon God Art and transformed into a dragon, could he take on the Golden Horned Beast?

Chapter 19: A Twist of Fate

Before long, the day they'd agreed to head into the Wilderness Zone arrived.

"Honey, you're leaving today?"

Ling Ling took a deep breath, her eyes full of reluctance.

Jiang Li ran a hand through her hair and gently pulled her into his arms. He nodded. "Stay home and be good. I'll be back soon."

"Jiang Li! Brother Jiang!"

Chen Gu and Luo Feng called from outside. "Ah, hello, sister-in-law!"

"Mm."

Ling Ling waved goodbye as Jiang Li, dressed in a white combat suit, left with Luo Feng, Chen Gu, and the others. After thinking it over, she went to the Limit Martial Arts Hall again.

Jiangnan Base City was one of the Six Great Base Cities of the Hanxia Kingdom.

In the main urban district stood an eighty-eight-story skyscraper, its facade emblazoned with two dazzling English letters: "HR."

Most people never set foot inside the building in their entire lives.

"Beep!"

An electronic voice sounded.

The soldiers on guard duty immediately stepped aside, and a military off-road vehicle bearing the "HR" logo drove in.

The doors opened, and four fighters climbed out. Some carried guns and swords, while others had blades and shields strapped to their backs...

"Jiang Li, Luo Feng, let's wait for the captain and the others at the bar over there."

Chen Gu led them to a sofa nearby.

"Gentlemen, what would you like to drink?"

A server hurried over and bowed as he asked.

"Longjing, with a hint of jasmine!"

"Da Wu Ye."

"Tieguanyin."

"Can't drink alcohol when we're heading into the Wilderness Zone!"

Zhang Ke, another fighter with Chen Gu, grinned. "Once the mission's done, we'll go back and have a proper drink."

"Jiang Li, Luo Feng, the first floor is for welcoming guests and resting. The mall starts on the second floor."

Knowing this was their first visit, Chen Gu carefully explained what was around them. "The best thing about the HR Alliance Mall is that we can sell them the body parts of the monsters we hunt. The HR Alliance pays quite a bit more."

"If you sell to the martial arts hall, the price will be lower, but you'll earn Contribution Points."

"It's up to you which one you choose."

The two nodded.

Just then—

"Brother Wang, go get some rest. I can handle things here."

A clear, gentle voice rang out. Luo Feng, who'd been holding a teacup, jolted and whipped around to look.

Chen Gu and Zhang Ke both stared at him, taken aback by his reaction.

"Hm?"

Jiang Li glanced over too. A pretty young woman was standing there in a white shirt and black suit pants.

"Luo Feng, what's wrong?" Zhang Ke asked curiously.

"Nothing, Deputy Captain. Brother Jiang, Brother Zhang, I'll go over there for a moment."

A flicker of panic crossed Luo Feng's eyes. He set down his backpack, shield, and blade, then hurried toward the bar.

"Jiang Li, what's gotten into him?" Chen Gu asked, full of curiosity.

"Speaking from experience..." Jiang Li smiled. "That's the look of a first love."

Chen Gu: "..."

Zhang Ke: "..."

"Chen Gu! Zhang Ke!"

A booming voice rang out. A hulking man strode over, two black great hammers strapped to his back. Two men who looked almost exactly alike followed behind him.

"Jiang Li, this is our Fire Hammer Squad captain, Gao Feng, the 'Double Wind Hammer.' These two are the Wei Brothers, Wei Tie and Wei Qing."

Chen Gu smiled as he made the introductions. "In this part of the fighters' circle, their Double Moon Curved Sabers are famous."

"Captain Gao, Brothers Wei!"

Jiang Li greeted them with a smile.

"Haha, Chen Gu told me you and Luo Feng are both talented new fighters. When we enter the Wilderness Zone, make sure you learn from our experience. I'm sure you'll get used to it soon enough."

Gao Feng grinned. "Hm? Where's Luo Feng?"

Zhang Ke gave a mischievous chuckle. "Jiang Li says he went off because his heart's fluttering..."

!!!

"Brother Zhang!"

Luo Feng came hurrying back, looking embarrassed.

"Haha, what's the big deal? Luo Feng, let me introduce you..."

Zhang Ke laughed heartily.

Once the seven of them had gotten acquainted, they set off. "Come on, let's head to the Wilderness Zone!"

"Luo Feng!"

Another voice rang out. It was the young woman from earlier. She seemed to gather all her courage before speaking. "I'm starting university in a few days, but I'll be working here as a manager during the day on Saturdays and Sundays..."

"Make sure you come by!"

The girl's face flushed as she called after him.

"Jiang Li, your experience wasn't very accurate. Luo Feng isn't the only one with a fluttering heart!"

Chen Gu slapped Jiang Li on the shoulder and laughed.

"It's great being young. Beautiful women are lining up wherever you go!"

Captain Gao Feng sighed wistfully too.

Since they were all in the same squad, they'd be risking their lives together in the Wilderness Zone. They felt free to joke around.

"Captain, it's got nothing to do with being young. You have to be handsome!"

Zhang Ke chuckled and pointed at Jiang Li. "Jiang Li, I just counted. At least nine beautiful women have looked at you three times or more..."

Jiang Li: "..."

Gao Feng: "..."