168: Chapter 169 Poor Indian guy got robbed again

Lin Muyang looked at Su Zongming's somewhat sneaky, hesitant appearance and felt a bit strange. Why was this Xia Country Vice Minister, who usually seemed free and easy, acting like a thief today? He stood up, made a "please" gesture to Su Zongming, and led him into the living room.

The living room on the first floor of the villa was spacious and bright. Elf Princess Lilia was sitting in a rocking chair by the window reading a book, Nine-Tailed Fox Su Daji was humming a song while preparing tea and snacks at the open kitchen island, and Angel Maid Head Elena stood quietly to the side. Seeing guests, especially a male guest, the girls only cast curious glances before continuing their tasks without much attention.

Su Zongming quickly scanned the scene inside the house, especially the girls whose appearances and temperaments were far from ordinary. A flash of undisguised amazement crossed his eyes, but he quickly composed himself, clearly not entirely unprepared for this. He simply gave Elena a gentle nod and, at Lin Muyang's indication, sat down on the sofa, though only on the edge with his back straight, appearing somewhat stiff.

Elena had already brewed two cups of clear tea. She placed them elegantly on the coffee table in front of the two men, then bowed slightly and retreated to the side, entering the kitchen with Su Daji to leave the space to them.

“Minister Su, please have some tea.” Lin Muyang made a gesture of invitation, picked up a cup himself, gently blew away the steam, and then looked at Su Zongming, asking directly: “Is there something urgent that brought Minister Su here in person?”

Su Zongming also picked up his teacup but didn't drink immediately. Instead, he rubbed the warm surface of the cup, seemingly organizing his words. He glanced toward the study where Shen Muyao was still inside, then looked at the kitchen to confirm no one else could hear their conversation. Only then did he lower his voice, his tone carrying a rare gravity and a hint of subtle embarrassment.

“Student Lin Muyang, let's not beat around the bush. I've come this time in a private capacity with an audacious request... I want to ask for your help.” After Su Zongming finished, even he felt a bit embarrassed. Given his status and position, asking a youth who had just made a name for himself and hadn't even officially graduated from high school for help would likely be unbelievable to anyone else.

Lin Muyang raised an eyebrow, set down his teacup, leaned back slightly, and said calmly: “If it's truly troublesome, I'm afraid I won't be able to help. My own time is very tight.”

His words were very blunt, even a bit cold. But this was Lin Muyang's style; he didn't like convoluted talk or wasting time pointlessly. If it were a simple matter, he might do it for Su Qingyue's sake. But if it were truly troublesome, it was out of the question. What he lacked most right now was time, and what he needed most was to quickly increase his and his companions' strength. Anything that might slow down that process required careful weighing.

Su Zongming was choked by these words, his expression becoming even more awkward. As a dignified Vice Minister and an SS-Rank Talent powerhouse, how many people usually tried to curry favor with him without even finding a way in? When had he ever been dismissed like this? But he also knew that the youth before him couldn't be judged by common logic. The potential Lin Muyang displayed and the power he already possessed had long surpassed the scope of a "talented newcomer"; his future achievements were limitless. Building a good relationship with him could bring immeasurable benefits to Su Zongming personally and even to the faction behind him.

“Ahem, it can't entirely be considered asking for help; we can view it as a transaction.” Su Zongming quickly adjusted his mindset, his tone becoming more sincere. “I know what you need most right now. Resources, especially high-level Dungeon and secret realm resources, right?”

Lin Muyang remained noncommittal, just watching him quietly, waiting for him to continue.

“I happen to have a batch of high-quality Dungeon and secret realm scrolls in my hands. The quantity is quite large, and the grades are high enough.” Su Zongming threw out his bargaining chip, his eyes fixed on Lin Muyang. “My request is that when you run these scrolls... you bring my daughter, Qingyue, along. Help her boost her level and experience.”

Carrying Su Qingyue to level up?

Lin Muyang was indeed a bit surprised. He hadn't expected Su Zongming to go to such lengths to visit him personally just for this. Lin Muyang's mind stirred, and Divine Sight quietly activated. His invisible perception instantly pierced through the walls and landed on Su Qingyue, who was working at her desk in the neighboring villa.

Level 71, s-rank talent. Su Qingyue's level was considered very good among ordinary Class Transferees, but on a national or even global scale, it certainly wasn't top-tier. As a father, Su Zongming wanting to pave the way for his daughter by hiring an expert for power-leveling was reasonable. However...

“Carrying someone to level up splits the experience in half. For me, the efficiency will decrease significantly,” Lin Muyang said bluntly. “It depends on whether the scrolls you provide are worth that price in terms of quantity and quality. If it's only a small amount, I'm afraid...”

He didn't finish, but the meaning was clear: the price had to be raised, significantly.

Hearing this, Su Zongming didn't get angry; instead, he felt relieved, a "just as I thought" smile appearing on his face. He was only afraid that Lin Muyang wouldn't discuss terms at all; that would be the real trouble. Discussing terms meant there was room for negotiation.

“Rest assured, the quantity is definitely enough, and the quality will definitely satisfy you.” Su Zongming regained some of his confidence, his body relaxing as he leaned back against the sofa. “To be honest, I suspect your level is about to catch up to my daughter's, right? After all, your leveling speed is terrifying. This might be the last chance; once your level exceeds hers by too much, you won't be able to carry her even if you want to.”

His words were a fact. Entering a Dungeon or secret realm in a party had strict requirements for the level difference between members, usually not exceeding 5 levels. Once the gap was too large, the lower-level person could not gain experience.

“No need to guess.” Lin Muyang shook his head and said directly, “I am already Level 75.”

“Pfft—!”

Su Zongming had just taken a sip of tea, and upon hearing this, he nearly sprayed it all out! He forced himself to hold it back, coughing repeatedly as his face turned red. He stared at Lin Muyang with wide eyes as if looking at a monster.

“How... how much? Level 75?!” His voice changed pitch, filled with disbelief. “Student Lin Muyang, this... this is no joking matter!”

He knew Lin Muyang leveled up fast, but this was too fast! How long had it been since the Provincial Tournament ended? At most a day or two! He had jumped from the low seventies to Level 75? Even a rocket wouldn't be this fast! In the history of human Class Transferees, there had never been such a terrifying leveling record! This could no longer be described as "genius"; it simply defied common sense!

“I'm not joking.” Lin Muyang's expression was calm, as if he were speaking of a trivial matter. “So, if I am to carry Teacher Su, it must be done quickly. Moreover, only Dungeons and secret realms between Level 72 and Level 75 will allow us both to enter and gain experience.”

He paused and added: “Of course, if you provide enough scrolls, the level range can be widened. As long as you can provide the scrolls, I can bring Teacher Su along. Even if they are Level 80 or higher, as long as I can clear them, I can take her. She won't get experience, but the gains like equipment, materials, and skill books can be distributed as needed.”

Lin Muyang's meaning was clear: as long as there were enough scrolls, carrying someone wasn't an issue. He didn't care about the experience because with many scrolls, the total amount would be high; even if split in half, it would be faster than him slowly looking for Dungeons himself. What he valued were the other resources produced during the clearing process and establishing a more stable relationship with Su Zongming and the official power behind him through this transaction. After all, Su Zongming's ability to produce a large number of high-level scrolls at once showed that his influence and connections were not to be underestimated; there might be more opportunities for cooperation in the future.

Su Zongming finally recovered from the shock of "Level 75." Hearing Lin Muyang's subsequent words, his eyes grew brighter and brighter. He had originally only thought of having Lin Muyang carry his daughter when the level was appropriate, but from Lin Muyang's meaning, even higher levels could be carried if there were scrolls? Didn't that mean that even if his daughter's level couldn't keep up for the time being, she could experience and even get a share of the outputs from high-level Dungeons in advance? This would have immeasurable benefits for broadening her horizons, accumulating high-end resources, and even for future class advancements!

“Good! Excellent!” Su Zongming slapped his thigh excitedly, forgetting his image as a Vice Minister. “Student Lin Muyang—no, Brother Lin Muyang, it's a deal! I'll provide the scrolls, and you carry my daughter! You two split the experience and discuss the other outputs; I just want my daughter to be safe and gain something!”

He immediately took out his phone, opened an encrypted document, and handed it to Lin Muyang: “Look, this is my inventory list. Take a look first and see if there's anything you're interested in. The quantity and quality are definitely sincere!”

Lin Muyang took the phone, his gaze falling on the detailed list on the screen.

With just one glance, his pupils contracted slightly.

The Dungeon and secret realm scrolls listed numbered over a hundred and thirty! Moreover, the lowest grade was Sovereign-rank, with epic-grade making up thirty percent, legendary-grade having over a dozen, and even two scrolls marked as "mythic grade (Fragmented)"! The level span went from Level 55 all the way to a staggering Level 177!

This inventory... was almost comparable to the strategic reserve of a small country! Could Su Zongming, a Vice Minister, personally mobilize so many high-level resources? It seemed the "External Operations Department" he mentioned had even more authority and power than imagined.

“The source of these scrolls...” Lin Muyang looked up, giving Su Zongming a meaningful glance.

Su Zongming chuckled and lowered his voice, with a hint of pride and mystery: “A while ago, our department executed a special operation abroad and conveniently took down a transnational black market trading post that wasn't following the rules, right on the border of India. These are part of the seized spoils. After turning them in according to regulations, I used internal contribution points and some resources to exchange for a portion... Ahem, just so you know, no one outside knows we did it.”

India? India again? Lin Muyang's lip twitched imperceptibly. What kind of bad luck had India run into lately? First, their national Magic Crystal Bank was robbed by him, and now their black market post was taken down by Xia Country officials? Talk about being unlucky.

However, this did explain why Su Zongming could produce so many high-level scrolls at once. Official operations, especially transnational crackdowns on black markets, naturally yielded a massive amount of materials. Su Zongming, being in a favorable position, used his position and contributions to exchange for a portion; although it was a bit of a gray area, it was within the rules. This also reflected the fierce internal competition within the Xia Country government and the abundance of resources held by these high-level figures.

Lin Muyang asked no more and continued browsing the list. His eyes quickly scanned the scroll information, evaluating their value and how well they matched his current needs.

Suddenly, his gaze fixed on a description in the middle-latter part of the list.

【purgatory demon sea (epic-grade secret realm scroll)】

Scale: 32-person Raid

Level: 165

Attributes: Fire, Destruction, Demon

“purgatory demon sea...” Lin Muyang whispered the name, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

Although this secret realm was Level 165.

For the current Lin Muyang, it was definitely something he could clear easily!

“This secret realm is large in scale; it should be able to drop over fifty pieces of fire-attribute legendary-grade equipment, right?”

“That way, I can let Feng Ling undergo Nirvana once more!”