Lin Yi's gaze lingered on Wu Renxin for a moment, the surprise in his heart difficult to conceal.
According to his memories of his previous life, Wu Renxin had only entered this monster-infested area a week later.
Yet now, just four days after the servers opened, he was already here.
That meant...
My rebirth has already caused a butterfly effect and changed the course of history!
But there's nothing I can do about that!
I can't endure humiliation and hardship for another ten years, waiting for everything to happen on schedule.
There's no need!
Every unfavorable factor in this world stems from the person involved lacking sufficient ability.
And now, as long as I level up once, I can become ten times stronger!
Every unfavorable factor will tremble before my terrifying combat power!
Besides!!!
As an information broker, I only need to be able to recognize people and treasures!
As for predicting the future?
I don't need to!
I, Lin Yi, am the future!
While Lin Yi was briefly lost in thought, Wu Renxin spotted him approaching, a warm smile spreading across his face.
He waved the flaming staff in his hand and called out loudly to Lin Yi:
"Hey, brother!"
Lin Yi gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.
But he did not stop, making to continue onward.
Wu Renxin, however, seemed unwilling to let him leave just like that. He quickly caught up, gratitude shining in his eyes:
"Brother, thank you for teaching me how to play this game."
Lin Yi smiled and shook his head:
"We're all beginners, really. I just figured out how the game worked based on the information available."
With that, Lin Yi did not wait for Wu Renxin's reply and continued east on his own.
Unexpectedly, Wu Renxin matched Lin Yi's pace, a hint of cunning flashing through his eyes:
"Brother, I actually followed you after you left."
"I also saw you kill that slime."
"Your combat power... should be pretty low, right?"
Lin Yi raised an eyebrow slightly, glanced at the combat power of over twelve million in his stats panel, and sneered inwardly.
But he showed none of it on his face, instead nodding with a wry smile:
"That's right!"
"But there's nothing I can do about it. After all, in this game..."
"There's a gap between people!"
Wu Renxin seemed about to pat Lin Yi's shoulder, but then something occurred to him. He paused and said with a smile:
"You must be joking, brother!"
"I also saw how you used the game mechanics to outwit that burly guy!"
"I can say for certain that you're no ordinary person, brother!"
"You're bound to accomplish great things in this game!"
Lin Yi paused slightly, then nodded with a smile:
"Thank you for your kind words, Brother Renxin!"
Regarding Wu Renxin's assessment, Lin Yi could only say:
What a good judge of character!
With this four-star talent, even if you brought a dog here...
It wouldn't be an ordinary dog!
Accomplishing great things would be as easy as turning over its paw!
Lin Yi glanced at Wu Renxin again and asked, looking slightly puzzled:
"Brother Renxin, what brought you here?"
Wu Renxin gave a hearty smile, then furrowed his brow slightly:
"You've heard the name [Return to Zero], haven't you, brother?"
Lin Yi glanced at his own in-game nickname and nodded without betraying anything.
"The day after [Return to Zero] unlocked the South Pole teleportation array, I took it there."
"But there was just one big dumb bear there, with hardly any loot to be had!"
"And a gate I couldn't enter!"
"Then that same day, [Return to Zero] unlocked the North Pole teleportation array too!"
"So I figured he'd definitely come east today!"
"I can't keep picking up his leftovers, so I decided to come compete for some opportunities!"
Wu Renxin paused, then asked Lin Yi with a smile:
"Oh, right, brother, I haven't asked your name yet?"
Lin Yi likewise smiled and nodded. "My name is Lin Yi."
"Brother Lin Yi, why don't we travel together?"
"I have a lot of faith in your unparalleled strategic mind!"
"And I didn't misspeak last time, either. My combat power really is one million!"
"My combat power plus your brains-one plus one will definitely be greater than two!"
Lin Yi swept his gaze over Wu Renxin, then activated [Eye of Illusion Breaking], instantly seeing through his stats.
Character: Wu Renxin Race: Human Class: Warrior Level: 6 Lifespan: 428 years Talent: Transcendent Evil (SSS-rank) Reputation: 0 Combat power: 1836823 HP: 1836823 MP: 1836823 Attack speed: 4 attacks/second Movement speed: 28 m/s Pet: None Skills: [Backstab Smash (K)], [Merciless Combo (H)] Items: [Bear Fang Blade (S)], [Blazing Long Staff (H)], [Hungry Wolf Leather Armor (G)] [One-Glance Detection (J)] ×3, A-rank Cloth Pants, A-rank Straw Sandals Faction: None [Transcendent Evil] talent effects: 1. Each creature killed permanently increases combat power by 1. 2. When killing a player, gain 80% of the lifespan they lose as your own lifespan.
After reading Wu Renxin's stats, Lin Yi understood, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly:
"Brother Renxin, listen to yourself!"
"This game is just about killing monsters and leveling up. What need is there for any battle of wits?"
"My combat power is so low, I really can't be much help to you!"
Wu Renxin put away the two short staffs in his hands, draped his right arm over Lin Yi's shoulder, and spoke with easy familiarity:
"Brother Lin Yi, don't stand on ceremony!"
"You were my guide to this game. How could I be such an ungrateful person?"
"The monsters along this road aren't very strong, but there are so many of them that they're quite a nuisance."
"I can cover you along the way!"
"Once we reach the final stage, we might well have to rely on you, Brother Lin Yi!"
Lin Yi fell silent for a few seconds, seemingly giving it some thought. Finally, he turned toward Wu Renxin beside him and laughed heartily:
"With such a gracious invitation, Brother Renxin, it really would be unreasonable for me to keep refusing."
"Then..."
"I'd better accept than stand on ceremony!"
Wu Renxin nodded and grinned:
"Brother Lin Yi!
"Let's go!"
"I'll clear the way for you!"
With that, Wu Renxin quickly moved about two meters ahead of Lin Yi, drew his twin staffs, and began killing the locusts in front of them.
"Thank you for the effort, Brother Renxin!"
Watching Wu Renxin clear the way ahead, Lin Yi followed close behind.
The locusts filling the sky formed a dark mass, completely blocking the light above, as though draping the world in an oppressive veil.
Viewed from above, two young men were racing along a road through the wilderness, one behind the other.
They were like a beam of light, piercing fiercely through that oppressive veil!
Had these two cheerful young men, who had only just met, already forged a deep bond?
No!!!
The camera slowly drew closer!
Swarms of locusts were knocked down beside Wu Renxin, seemingly not affecting his speed at all.
The corners of his mouth curled up slightly in a sinister smile, a trace of darkness mingling in his expression.
Behind him, cunning flickered in Lin Yi's eyes as he stared fixedly at Wu Renxin's back.
Of course, Lin Yi could have killed Wu Renxin effortlessly now, but he felt that would not be satisfying enough.
You killed me so casually in my previous life, without even knowing who I was?
Fine, fine, fine!
Then in this life, I'll make sure you remember me!
Today, you'll repay the debt from your last life!