Chapter 53: The Test of the Four Guardian Kings, Lu Ming Stands Guard!

In the afternoon.

Active online players were relatively sparse compared to other times of the day, yet there were still quite a few.

Following the guidance of the map, Lu Ming and Lin Youwei were on their way to the Lv30-Lv31 [Western Farm].

As they passed through a patch of ruins, cries for help suddenly echoed from nearby.

"Help! Is anyone there to save us?"

Following the direction of the source of the sound, they saw three female players around levels 15 to 16 in the ruins not far away, being attacked by two mutated giant octopuses as high as level 20, plunging them into a crisis.

Seeing this, Lin Youwei said anxiously to Lu Ming, "Brother Nether, those big sisters over there seem to be in danger. Should we go help them?"

Lu Ming looked straight ahead, his pace in walking unstopped. "No need to pay attention."

Although worried, Lin Youwei still obeyed Lu Ming's words.

Meanwhile, in a concealed spot not far away, four individuals—the Warrior Azure Dragon, the Knight Xuanwu, the Assassin White Tiger, and the Mage Vermilion Bird—were silently watching this scene.

At this moment, [White Tiger] nodded, a look of appreciation on his face as he said, "Not bad, this kid isn't overly sentimental, nor is he a holy maiden, and he doesn't let lust sway him at sight!"

"His character checks out, OK, he passes my test!"

Just as White Tiger finished speaking.

One of the three endangered girls cried out, "Can someone save us? Whoever saves me, I'll give him ten thousand yuan!"

As soon as those words were uttered, Lu Ming, who had not yet walked far, stopped in his tracks as if he had stepped on a landmine!

He turned to look at the three girls.

Right at that moment, an octopus leaped up into the air, lunging fiercely toward the three girls.

Well within the 50-yard attack range, faster than it takes to tell, it happened in a flash.

Swish!

The moment Lu Ming drew his sword, a flash of sword light pierced right through the body of the octopus.

-6113!

The astronomical damage instantly emptied the health bar of the octopus, which only had 5000+ health points.

One-hit kill.

Seeing Lu Ming make a move, Lin Youwei, who had long wanted to help the three girls, immediately raised her staff.

Boom!

A fireball slammed fiercely into the other octopus.

The next second, however, a feeble damage number popped up above the octopus's head: -398!

The constant spotlight bestowed upon her by Lu Ming had made Lin Youwei forget her own actual strength.

Lin Youwei stuck out her tongue, a flash of embarrassment crossing her eyes.

At that moment, she deeply realized that without Lu Ming's formation buff, she was simply a total noob...

However, the octopus was smart.

Although Lin Youwei hadn't dealt much damage to it, seeing its companion instantly killed by Lu Ming, it was frightened away on the spot.

At the same time, the three rescued girls hurried over.

The 16-year-old archer girl leading them, who possessed a fiery figure, [Qinqin], expressed boundless gratitude to Lu Ming, "Thank you, handsome! Thank you for saving us!"

The other two girls, equally attractive in appearance, gazed at Lu Ming with eyes full of adoration. "Little brother, do you have a girlfriend? Would you mind adding me on WeChat?"

Without wasting words, Lu Ming directly displayed a QR code.

The girls excitedly scanned the code, only to discover with disappointment...

This damn thing was actually a payment receiving code!

The leading archer girl, Qinqin, had no choice but to dejectedly transfer ten thousand yuan to Lu Ming.

Upon receiving the money, Lu Ming didn't even glance at the three women and immediately left with Lin Youwei.

Seeing this, Azure Dragon, Xuanwu, White Tiger, and Vermilion Bird in the shadows fell into silence.

Just then, White Tiger received a WeChat message from "Baby Qinqin": "Darling, I lost ten thousand yuan, my heart hurts so much!"

Without a second thought, White Tiger immediately sent her two transfers totaling 13140 and 5200.

He replied with a voice message: "It's nothing, baby. I'll cover it for you, put it on my tab! Love you, muah!"

Despite saying that, White Tiger felt as though his heart was bleeding: "Damn it! Just to test this kid, I lost half a month's salary!"

Suddenly, the other three companions looked at him with sheer incredulity.

"Wait, Tiger, this Qinqin... is your chick? You use your own chick to fish for other men?"

"Holy crap, Tiger! You've got nerve!"

White Tiger chuckled. "Isn't this a great way to test her loyalty? Besides, she doesn't know I came to Jiang Province; she thinks I'm still in Modu!"

"Did you see that? Those two other girls were throwing themselves at the kid, but Qinqin remained completely indifferent! It seems Qinqin's feelings for me are still very devoted!"

"At least this kid isn't promiscuous! Who doesn't love money? Being devoted in relationships is the most important thing. OK, my test is passed, passed, passed! Now it's up to you guys!"

As they spoke.

Ahead.

Just after Lu Ming had walked a short distance, a group of players suddenly walked toward them from the opposite direction!

They ranged from level 25 to 30, and their IDs all uniformly had the prefix [Invincible].

Brashing with arrogance, they headed straight for Lu Ming!

Meanwhile, in the shadows.

White Tiger asked in surprise, "Which of you arranged this? Seamless integration! You started the second round of tests just like that?"

Azure Dragon frowned and said, "I did arrange a batch of players to test his strength, but they haven't arrived yet. These aren't the people I found."

"Then is this an extra program?" Mage Vermilion Bird observed the group of [Invincible] players and said thoughtfully, "Invincible seems to be a top-five guild in Jiang Province's Linhai City. Plus, these guys average levels 25-30. Using them to test Nether, isn't the difficulty a bit too high?"

"No matter, let's watch and see. If it doesn't work out, we'll step in. We must ensure his safety! If he accidentally gets killed, based on Ranran's temper, she'll probably make us pay dearly!"

In the arena, dozens of [Invincible] players approached aggressively.

The leading archer player, a 28-year-old third-transfer male [Invincible Loneliness], glanced at [Qinqin] in the back, then glared at Lu Ming and cursed outright, "Damn it! You dare ask my woman for money? What kind of piece of shit are you?"

The sudden turn of events plunged the four hiding in the shadows into silence once again.

"Tiger, are you... being cuckolded?"

Even White Tiger was feeling a bit doubtful when [Baby Qinqin] sent him another WeChat message: "Darling, a guy who's been pestering me relentlessly just showed up. Should I continue testing that Nether guy?"

Seeing this, White Tiger instantly felt reassured: "It's fine, just some pathetic loser. This only proves how exceptional my baby is!"

Without hesitation, White Tiger replied: "Test him!"

The next moment, in the arena, Qinqin pointed at the players from the Invincible Guild and said to Lu Ming, "Handsome, if you help me drive them away, I'll give you another ten thousand!"

Upon hearing this, Invincible Loneliness looked bewildered. "Qinqin, what do you mean by this? I saw this guy extorting money from you and wanted to seek justice for you!"

Qinqin retorted righteously, "He saved me, so this is the reward I rightfully owe him. What business is it of yours, you loser?"

"I already told you I don't like you, I have a boyfriend! He is the only one in my heart! Stop pestering me from now on!"

Qinqin's words provided White Tiger, who had just lost several thousand yuan, with immense psychological comfort.

While his heart bled, White Tiger was moved to tears: "Qinqin, I will never marry anyone else in this lifetime!"

However, Invincible Loneliness refused to let the matter rest.

"Don't keep using that excuse to brush me off. If you have a boyfriend, why have I never seen him appear by your side?"

"Or could it be that your boyfriend is just a trashy good-for-nothing who can't be shown in public? How could he possibly compare to me, an elite from the city's fifth-ranked Invincible Guild?"

Hearing this, White Tiger in the shadows went berserk: "What kind of dogshit is this? Calling me, the server's top 98 assassin, trash? I'll show you who trash is!"

"Damn it! Where is my blade?"

"Prioritize the test first, let's see what that kid's strength is like!"

Were it not for the restraint of Azure Dragon and the others, White Tiger would have already charged out.

In the arena.

Hearing that there was another ten thousand yuan to be made, Lu Ming naturally reached behind his back and prepared to draw his sword.

After all, free money shouldn't be refused!

Seeing this, Invincible Loneliness wore a ferocious expression toward Lu Ming.

"Liking to meddle in other people's business, are you?"

"Then I'll let you know the consequences of meddling!"

"Brothers, get him! Hack him to pieces!"