Arrogant Before, Fawning After (Part 1)

The appearance of Xiaoyuer had already shocked everyone present.

Everyone knew who Xiaoyuer was; after all, she was the teammate of the "Goddess," and being pure and beautiful herself, she was someone people would firmly remember.

Yet, a dignified, pure beauty would actually go to invite a "noob." Even more unexpected was that... the one inviting the noob wasn't her, but the Goddess Bai Qingxue herself.

Who was Bai Qingxue?

She was the universally acknowledged Ice Goddess of the virtual gaming world, a target countless rich and handsome men wanted to approach. One wealthy second-generation heir had even declared that if Bai Qingxue would just have dinner with him, he would give her ten million credits. The result, however, was a single word.

"Scram!"

The heir was naturally furious and tried every means to retaliate, wanting to get his hands on Bai Qingxue. But within a few days, the heir was left dumbfounded; his father, a self-made billionaire, had suddenly become a pauper. All the company's assets had become someone else's overnight. Upon finding out, the father had nearly beaten his son to death.

From then on, everyone realized how terrifying Bai Qingxue was. Yet, after this incident, her fan base only grew, as she truly seemed like a legendary goddess—sacred and inviolable.

And now, this goddess was taking the initiative to invite a noob. How could it not be shocking?

At this moment, no one felt like mocking; there was only jealousy and annoyance. What right did a mere noob have to be chatting with the goddess?

"Damn, this noob really got lucky. I'm so handsome, yet the goddess won't even say a word to me. What does he have?"

"I am dashing and a master in God's Domain. Why won't the goddess ask me to talk about life? Is it because I'm too handsome, or does she like the wilder type?"

"She must want to learn about the Hell-mode dungeon, that's why she's looking for him. I didn't expect a noob to have such perks. If I'd known, I would've run the Hell-mode Dead Silence Forest too."

Everyone chattered incessantly, glaring fiercely at Shi Feng. They were filled with disdain and jealousy, wishing they could strangle him right then and there.

"Boss Tian Wang, I didn't hear that wrong, did I? That noob actually got invited by the goddess. I must have misheard." Bu Yu Xia Ye pinched his own thick-skinned face and said blankly.

"It shouldn't be wrong, but she probably just has something she wants to ask. He's just lucky," the arrogant Tian Wang Hui Hui concluded that it was just luck; otherwise, how could he explain Shi Feng being able to talk to the goddess?

Beside him, Yi Zhan Dao Di nodded, fully agreeing with Tian Wang Hui Hui's assessment.

Bai Qingxue was a figure they looked up to from afar, someone from a completely different world. Even being able to be in the Dead Silence Forest at the same time as her made them feel lucky, let alone being able to chat with her.

Just as everyone assumed Shi Feng would eagerly agree, Shi Feng gave them an answer they never expected.

"Not interested. I'm in a hurry." After saying this, Shi Feng turned and left, not caring about Xiaoyuer in front of him, let alone Bai Qingxue's invitation.

He had the design in hand now; all that was missing was the ore. The sooner the Guardian Armor appeared, the higher his income would be. If he missed the best window of opportunity, he would lose a large sum of money. He had no spare time to chat; he had to forge the Guardian Armor quickly to resolve the imminent debt.

Heizi had been incredibly excited about the prospect of getting close to the goddess, but Shi Feng's answer nearly drove him crazy. He couldn't understand which wire in Shi Feng's brain had crossed to make him refuse.

It wasn't just Heizi who was dumbfounded; even Xiaoyuer was stunned. It was the first time she had met a man who would refuse Sister Qingxue's invitation—an invitation countless men would beg for. Was this guy a fool?

"Let's go, what are you spacing out for?" Shi Feng noticed no one was following him and turned to ask his teammates, who were rooted to the spot.

"Brother Feng, this is an invitation from the Ice Goddess! Won't you reconsider?" Heizi was so anxious he was nearly frantic, reminding him while silently praying for Shi Feng to hurry up and agree. Such a golden opportunity might never come again.

"I said I don't have much time." Seeing Heizi's pleading eyes, Shi Feng said speechlessly. Heizi was great in every way, but his worship of the goddess never changed.

At this moment, Bai Qingxue and Zhao Yueru walked over. Clad in silver-white armor, Bai Qingxue undoubtedly became the focal point of the Dead Silence Forest. Everyone stared at her perfect curves, drooling.

No one expected Bai Qingxue to come out in person.

The crowd became even more jealous and envious of Shi Feng.

"Don't worry, I won't waste too much of your time. Let this Bronze Equipment serve as compensation." Bai Qingxue looked at Shi Feng from up close and realized he was indeed different from the others. Although his appearance was plain, he gave off a calm and collected feeling, and he radiated a faint aura of slaughter—a special temperament that could only be cultivated after countless life-and-death battles.

"Qingxue." Zhao Yueru looked surprised. She hadn't expected Bai Qingxue to think so highly of Shi Feng. Her beautiful eyes turned toward the plain-looking Shi Feng, her brows furrowing slightly as she said with disdain, "I don't think this guy is worth a piece of Bronze Equipment. A piece of gray-quality trash would be more than enough."

Inviting Shi Feng over to chat was already giving him immense face, yet not only did he not appreciate it, he had rejected her outright. If anyone else had been invited, they would have rushed over to curry favor. This was the first time she had encountered such an unremarkable man acting this way, and she concluded he must have ulterior motives and was no good.

"The Bronze Equipment won't be necessary. I have Bronze Equipment of my own," Shi Feng waved his hand, not caring. He didn't have a high opinion of this "witch" to begin with, and he hadn't expected her to say such things. However, he wasn't a pauper; he didn't need charity.

Zhao Yueru's beautiful eyes sized Shi Feng up, and she couldn't help but smile playfully. "Quite the backbone, aren't you? You clearly want it badly, but you're just being stubborn. Qingxue, this guy is being very dishonest."

"Yueru." Bai Qingxue glared at her, signaling her not to go too far. After all, they were the ones who took the initiative; looking down on others now was not a good thing.

Zhao Yueru pouted, glanced at Shi Feng, and puffed out her proud chest. With no other choice, she turned her head away; she didn't believe this poor kid had anything they wanted.

"I'm sorry. Please accept this equipment as an apology." Bai Qingxue took out a Level 0 Swordsman's Bronze belt and offered it to Shi Feng, hoping to let the matter rest.

Seeing Bai Qingxue's sincerity, Shi Feng didn't refuse. If he did, it would prove he was a petty man, and it would also make Bai Qingxue think he didn't want to reconcile. He couldn't just reject someone's good intentions.

Besides, he didn't have a Bronze belt, and it would be of some use.

"Heh, and here I thought you had some real ability. In the end, you still need it," Zhao Yueru whispered disdainfully from the side, feeling a pang of regret over the Bronze Equipment.

This piece of equipment had been obtained with great difficulty after their team killed a rare elite; giving it to Shi Feng now was a huge loss.

Shi Feng frowned slightly. Being looked down upon with such cold sarcasm was something no man could tolerate, let alone him—a reincarnator.

"Since Miss Bai has given me a piece of Bronze Equipment, I should return the favor. Take this little thing as a gift in return."