45: fierce woman

Lin Du pushed through the crowd and arrived at the entrance of the Bronze Gate.

Squeezed into the innermost circle were some high-level players from various major factions, and Lin Du's old acquaintance, Shameless Cao Thief, was prominently among them.

Besides Shameless Cao Thief, Lin Du also saw two unexpected people.

Their in-game names were "Sanjiu Fengnian" and "Heavenly Longevity."

It was Ning Fengnian and Zhao Yunsou!

Although both had slightly altered their appearances, it didn't prevent Lin Du from recognizing their identities.

Especially the angry expression on Zhao Yunsou's face—Lin Du was all too familiar with it, as he was the one who provoked it... Numerous high-level players surrounded the two.

Ning Fengnian was surrounded by people from Rule the World, while Zhao Yunsou was surrounded by players from the new faction, Heaven and Earth Share Longevity.

Lin Du's previous guess was correct; Zhao Yunsou was indeed the guild leader of Heaven and Earth Share Longevity.

Lin Du intentionally moved closer to the two, just enough to hear their conversation.

Nearly three hours had passed since the kitchen battle, but the anger in Zhao Yunsou's heart had not subsided; he was plotting to kill Lin Du.

"Fengnian, I really can't swallow this insult."

"These past few days, find an opportunity to lure that scoundrel out of the villa!" Zhao Yunsou said viciously.

Ning Fengnian raised an eyebrow. "Do you have a good plan?"

Zhao Yunsou sneered.

"I've placed people near the villa. As long as he steps out, whether he lives or dies won't be up to him."

Ning Fengnian nodded thoughtfully.

Ning Fengnian had always disliked Lin Du. If he could use Zhao Yunsou's hand to eliminate Lin Du, it wouldn't be a bad choice.

"Lin Du will definitely be on guard during this time, and Short for Ning Fengya isn't as simple as you think."

"I'll try my best. If there's an opportunity, I'll definitely get Lin Du out of the villa!"

At the mention of Short for Ning Fengya, Zhao Yunsou's gaze heatedly turned to the Qin Kings Underground Palace Instance record on the wall.

Ember Eyes, by herself, was impressively ranked fourth on the record board.

"If I can marry Short for Ning Fengya, the Zhao family's influence will definitely rise another great level," Zhao Yunsou secretly thought... "Boss, Night Ember, the player who opened the instance, is nearby. Would you like to meet him?" A subordinate ran over from behind, interrupting Zhao Yunsou's thoughts.

"Night Ember? Quickly take me to see him!"

Zhao Yunsou was preparing to develop his influence in Yunlong City, and this was a time when he was eager to recruit talented individuals.

With a player who consistently broke instance records right in front of him, how could Zhao Yunsou not be tempted?

Upon hearing the name "Night Ember," Ning Fengnian immediately followed Zhao Yunsou.

Night Ember was a talent Ning Tianxiong had specifically instructed him to recruit, and Ning Fengnian wanted to see if he could find an opportunity to take advantage... The two, with their subordinates, quickly arrived in front of Lin Du.

Zhao Yunsou was indeed a scion of a great family; his ability to change expressions was remarkable. In just a few steps, he had completely transformed his demeanor.

"Is this Brother Ye, who broke three instance records in one day?" Zhao Yunsou's face was plastered with an exaggerated smile.

"It is my great honor to meet Brother Ye here!"

Zhao Yunsou lowered his posture significantly, completely shedding any pretense of being a guild leader.

Ning Fengnian stood in a prominent position beside Zhao Yunsou, smiling and nodding at Lin Du.

Since Zhao Yunsou had spoken first, if Ning Fengnian were to step forward and introduce himself now, it would inevitably seem like he was trying to poach someone from Zhao Yunsou, so Ning Fengnian remained silent... With two big suckers delivering themselves to him, Lin Du naturally had no reason to let them go.

Since he couldn't do anything to them in reality, he might as well have a match in the game.

Lin Du cupped his fist towards Zhao Yunsou.

"Guild Leader Zhao, you're too kind."

"The four young masters of the divine dragon country are famous, it should be my honor!"

As soon as these words were spoken, a hint of pride immediately appeared in Zhao Yunsou's smile, and his gaze towards Lin Du became a bit more approving.

"Brother Ye, I didn't expect you to recognize my identity. I suppose your background must also be quite extraordinary!"

"I've recently started a guild, and there's an open elder position. I wonder if Brother Ye would be interested in helping me manage the guild?"

Zhao Yunsou immediately offered an important position, showing full sincerity!

Ning Fengnian frowned as he listened from the side, worried that Lin Du might be tempted by Zhao Yunsou's offer... Lin Du neither agreed nor directly refused.

This kind of ambiguous relationship was the most effective way to captivate someone's heart.

The value Lin Du currently displayed was relatively limited. To completely control Zhao Yunsou and Ning Fengnian, Lin Du had to significantly increase his own value.

The higher the value he displayed, the more likely these two would fall into his trap!

"Guild Leader Zhao, let's discuss these matters later. A new instance has appeared, I'm going to join the fun." Lin Du looked up at the Bronze Gate.

Zhao Yunsou exclaimed, "Brother Ye, you want to challenge the instance?"

Lin Du nodded.

Zhao Yunsou immediately said, "The difficulty of this new instance is very high, Brother Ye, you must be cautious. At the very least, you should find two powerful teammates!"

Lin Du shook his head.

"No need!"

With that, Lin Du pushed through the crowd and walked towards the Bronze Gate... On the stone wall next to the Bronze Gate, five instance records were currently displayed.

First place: 1:20:19, Zijin Zhi Dian Team (Qilin Immortal Venerable, Nine Year Cicada, Hong Jiu'er)

Second place: 1:21:03, Yuan Shu

Third place: 1:25:08, Rule the World Team (Ning Zhi Tian Xia, Hundred Flowers Withered)

Fourth place: 1:25:17, Ember Eyes

Fifth place: 1:26:55, Three Kingdoms Squad (Zhang Fei Who Can Sing Karaoke, Lu Bu Riding a Donkey, Second Master Guan Riding Dian Wei)

The Qin Kings Underground Palace Instance was of great importance, so much so that even Qilin Immortal Venerable, who rarely appeared, personally took action.

The Zijin Zhi Dian Team, with their dominant presence, directly claimed the top spot!

What surprised Lin Du was that Yuan Shu and Short for Ning Fengya had managed to forcefully enter the rankings by themselves.

Especially Yuan Shu!

Her score was very close to that of the Zijin Zhi Dian Team. If she had teamed up with the Three Kingdoms Squad, ranked fifth, perhaps the first place wouldn't have belonged to the Zijin Zhi Dian Team.

"What a fierce woman!"

On Rule the World's side, Short for Ning Fengya's level had some gap compared to Ning Tianxiong, so they couldn't team up.

For Short for Ning Fengya to solo it, this achievement was enough to make jaws drop... Lin Du was about to step into the instance when a large hand suddenly pressed on his shoulder.

Slap—

"Kid, are you looking for death?!"

"This instance is not comparable to the Heavenly Wolf Dungeon. Are you going in alone like this?"

Shameless Cao Thief appeared behind Lin Du.

Perhaps their previous interactions had fostered some feelings, as Shameless Cao Thief subconsciously worried about Lin Du's safety.

Lin Du smiled and removed the hand from his shoulder.

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Cao Thief!"

"Did you forget that I'm the one who opened this instance?"

...