Li Wu's eyes welled up with tears of envy as he glanced at Bai Dabao's long, fair legs partially exposed. He pondered for a moment and then asked seriously, "Miss Bai, is there room for another accessory on your leg?"

Bai Dabao looked Li Wu up and down with equal seriousness and replied with some difficulty, "I prefer the tough guy style."

"Damn! So we're not getting past this name thing, huh?"

"Hehe!"

Bai Dabao's female housekeeper walked over from the village and handed Bai Dabao a few bottles of potions.

"This is all I could buy; the rest were snatched up."

Li Wu recognized them quickly as instant recovery potions, having just drunk one himself that morning.

Though they were good items, Li Wu didn't have the nerve to ask for any. Instead, he looked at the female housekeeper with curiosity.

"Do we have a lot of level 10 players in our village?"

It was normal for Bai Dabao to be level 10, but he hadn't expected her subordinates to be level 10 as well.

"I'm not sure of the exact number, but I estimate there are at least a hundred."

"So many level 10 players, and no one has reached the main city yet. Is the main city not open?"

"I don't know. The officials still haven't released any information about the game content. Some speculate on the forums that it might be related to a level 10 boss. Logically, if the main city were accessible, everyone at level 10 would have gone there to continue leveling up. What's the point of designing such a difficult beginner village boss otherwise? So maybe only after defeating all the beginner village bosses will the main city open."

"Makes sense!"

Bai Dabao gradually assembled a party of eight people, and with Li Wu and the female housekeeper, they formed a group of eleven. The group quickly gathered at the beginner village.

"Alright, the other boss said they encountered a leader monster. They'll come over after dealing with it, so let's head out now."

Along with the party, there were seven burly men carrying shields. Li Wu found them familiar and soon realized they were Bai Dabao's bodyguard team.

The bodyguards were all level 9 and hadn't been added to Bai Dabao's party.

With so many people in the village, no one noticed, but once they left the village, Li Wu's level 5 character stood out.

The occasional glances from the party made Li Wu a bit uncomfortable. Though no one said anything, those looks carried a hint of emotion.

Li Wu understood; after all, he was only level 5. Anyone would think he was just a freeloader, and others might worry that his lack of strength would affect the party's gains.

Li Wu wanted to say he might not be worse than them, but he hesitated. What if they asked him to try fighting a small monster? He didn't have high damage against small monsters.

Bai Dabao was oblivious to this, but the female housekeeper, being attentive, casually mentioned in conversation with Bai Dabao that Li Wu's talent was unique and his output was on par with the others.

This not only avoided Li Wu's embarrassment but also reassured the others.

Li Wu glanced at the female housekeeper, wondering, "I wonder if this lady can cook?"

The group walked and fought for over an hour before finally reaching the meeting point Bai Dabao had arranged with other expert players.

Li Wu had been slacking off the whole way, gaining over 8,000 experience points, more efficient than farming spiders. The rewards for fighting higher-level monsters were truly enticing.

The meeting point was at the entrance of a valley, where many players had already gathered.

Li Wu scanned the area and spotted Hao Jianjun, who had apparently come directly after defeating the Electric Zombie King.

However, Hao Jianjun had brought fewer people this time. Out of the hundred or so military-looking subordinates, only about 30 had come, with levels split between 9 and 10.

Li Wu looked around carefully and confirmed that he was the only player below level 9 present.

To avoid unnecessary ridicule and trouble, Li Wu quietly moved to stand among Bai Dabao's bodyguards, who shielded him comfortably and completely.

As more players arrived, the other boss who had said they would come after defeating the leader monster also showed up.

Bai Dabao quickly started forming a party, only to find an extra person. She tilted her head and counted.

"Wolf Knight, didn't you say one of your people couldn't make it? How come they're here now?"

Wolf Knight was a young man in his twenties, holding a broad, conical sword.

Li Wu immediately recognized it as the Silver Wolf Fang, a golden weapon produced by the Silver Wolf King. He wondered if it was the one he had sold.

"We thought they couldn't make it, but they did."

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"So what now? I'm already full. How about letting your friend join my bodyguards?"

"No way, that's my wife. How can I let her mix with seven big guys?"

"Then have one of your other friends leave."

"Leave? We ten stick together through thick and thin. Just kick one of yours."

"No way. They came all this way with me, wasting over an hour. I, Bai Dabao, keep my word and won't do such a thing!" Bai Dabao's tone was firm, exuding a heroic aura.

Wolf Knight frowned, somewhat displeased. "You women are so troublesome. How about letting one of your hired hands leave, and I'll compensate them with 2 gold? Fair enough?"

"No!"

"Bai Dabao! Aren't you giving me any face? Our families are old friends, after all."

"Let's stick to the matter at hand. I can't break my word!"

"Damn! Are you implying I'm untrustworthy?"

"I'm not!"

"You are!"

"..."

Bai Dabao and Wolf Knight seemed to be old family friends, bickering until their faces were red, but they didn't seem truly angry.

However, both valued face highly, and neither was willing to back down.

"Um... how about adding a bit more?"

A sudden voice interrupted their argument. They turned around in confusion to see Li Wu, who had somehow emerged from behind the bodyguards.

"Add a bit more what?" Bai Dabao looked at Li Wu, puzzled.

Li Wu grinned at Bai Dabao, then turned to Wolf Knight and said with a smile, "Add a bit more to the pay, and I'll leave right away!"

Wolf Knight was amused and tilted his head at Bai Dabao before turning to Li Wu. "I'll pay you as if you got the boss, 4 gold!"

"Deal!" Li Wu agreed immediately, clapping his hands, afraid Wolf Knight would change his mind.

"Uh~"

Li Wu's quick agreement left Wolf Knight feeling a bit dissatisfied. Though he wasn't short on money, he felt he might have offered too much!

Wolf Knight took out 4 gold coins to hand to Li Wu, but stopped midway, staring at the top of Li Wu's head. "You! Level 5! Asking me for pay? And double?"

Before Li Wu could respond, Bai Dabao, though a bit annoyed at Li Wu's betrayal, stood with her hands on her hips and said, "My! Friend! Is awesome!"

"How awesome can a level 5 be?" Wolf Knight retorted irritably.

"Soloing..."

"Miss Bai, stop!"

Bai Dabao was about to boast for Li Wu but was interrupted by him. She turned to look at him.

Li Wu gestured with his mouth towards the distance, smiling silently.