Chapter Thirty: Rumors and Reality

“I wonder where these rumors came from. Those people really have no brains. Do they even consider how easy it would be to get the Guild Creation Token?”
“So tell me, how did Falling Moon and her group get it then?”
“Well…who knows!” The person replied, somewhat flustered.
“Hmph! If you ask me, maybe the rumor is true. Haven’t you noticed that the administrators haven’t come forward to clarify?”
“Even if it’s true, so what? With our level and gear, we shouldn’t be thinking about such things.”
“It’s all your fault! You don’t look for good places to level up. After all this time, we’re still just level 30. Hurry up and go grind! So annoying…”

Li Ren listened to their conversation, watching the couple walk away, and shook his head with a smile. As expected, the power of rumors was frightening. Even players at level 30 were already tempted by the idea. The potential influence was truly terrifying.

Who knew how many people, with what motives, were secretly stirring up trouble behind the scenes? Otherwise, it wouldn’t have escalated to the current situation so easily.

This was in Selan City, where Li Ren had naturally met with Falling Moon.

As for what they discussed, no one else knew—not even the members of Falling Moon’s newly established guild, Violet Mist Pavilion.

All they knew was that afterward, Falling Moon issued a guild directive: there was no need to pay attention to the Guild Creation Token issue or avoid suspicion. For now, their sole focus should be on completing the first stage of the guild mission and securing their first stronghold.

Of course, the twenty people who participated that day received a separate explanation. Without revealing the details, they could acknowledge, when appropriate, the monster-slaying event in the Woma Temple.

Falling Moon herself remained unclear about her conversation with Li Ren. But facing this mysterious man, she managed to control herself well. Whatever they discussed was known only to the two of them.

Li Ren no longer felt much interest in the affairs of the player world. Helping Falling Moon and her group establish a guild had merely been a whim. His real purpose here was to try his luck and see if he could learn anything about Mo Ran.

But after so long, the first player to enter the server, Mo Ran, seemed to have vanished. Aside from the distinction of being the first, nothing else was heard.

It was as if she had disappeared from the players’ sight.

Li Ren sighed. Clearly, achieving everything in one stroke was impossible, and his current actions seemed a little childish. Even if he managed to find Mo Ran, what could he do? Without enough strength, encountering her would only bring humiliation and regret.

Added to that were the events in the Woma Temple—the sudden acquisition of the temple, the inexplicable appearance of Zhao Yun, and the mysterious altar. The complex fog behind this game gave him a headache.

At least Falling Moon’s guild was thriving, offering another avenue to search for the ever-missing Mo Ran in the future.

“Brother Bones! Are you there?” A sudden system message appeared before him.

His friends list only existed because he wore the Ring of Deceit, and he hadn’t added many people. The sender was one of Falling Moon’s companions—Soft Water.

“Yes, I’m here. What’s going on?”
“Hurry over! We’re surrounded. Sister Falling Moon and the others have already engaged in battle, and we were the ones to strike first. These people are way out of line!”
“Alright, give me your coordinates. I’ll be there right away,” Li Ren responded quickly.

A series of numbers followed. Li Ren checked the map and saw that the location was just outside Selan City. Likely, they’d been ambushed on their way back to town.

Li Ren rented a mount from the system stables and sped toward them.

“Well, Guild Leader Falling Moon’s temper has grown, hasn’t it? We nobodies don’t even matter to you anymore, huh? You just trample us at will?” said a voice dripping with sarcasm.

Before him stood Cang Yue and Falling Moon, with a player lying dead at their feet. Looking at Cang Yue’s furious expression, it was clear the other side had been provoking her until she couldn’t take it anymore and struck back.

This meant the others were justified in self-defense; killing Falling Moon’s group would lower their levels.

“You lot can only bring so many to surround us women. Want to know where the Guild Creation Token came from? Ha! Not a chance!” Cang Yue sneered coldly.

As a shield warrior, she had already assumed an attack stance.

Soft Water, standing behind, grew anxious. Seeing the situation on the verge of eruption, she silently prayed for the owner of that godlike silhouette to arrive soon.

Minute by minute, the situation shifted.

“To tell you the truth, I didn’t come here for you girls. You know who I’m after.”

Falling Moon suddenly felt a bad premonition. She glanced back at the group, and Soft Water nodded in panic.

As expected, the ambush was meant for that man!

Enough time had passed that, by the distance, Li Ren should be arriving soon. If the enemy could say such things, it meant they had information about Li Ren.

Still, things hadn’t become uncontrollable. They didn’t know the true strength of the man, and with the current group, they couldn’t possibly handle him.

Across from them stood a thin, gloomy man named Daily Pleasure, who scrutinized Falling Moon’s expression.

He laughed, his face smug. “So you did call for help. Mizuhara was right. You thought we’d only bring a handful of people? Ha! You really underestimate us!”

He paused, his face growing darker. “Because of you, our status with the young master has plummeted. Do you realize the trouble you’ve caused? We’ve expended considerable resources because of you! If you honestly tell us where the Guild Creation Token came from, we might let you go.”

Falling Moon’s face was pale with anger. But against those who used their real-world backgrounds to interfere in the game, she had no power to resist.

In both level and numbers, they were at an absolute disadvantage.

Just then, the sound of galloping horses reached both groups. Mizuhara, beside the thin man, exclaimed, “That’s him! The Guild Creation Token definitely came from him!”

Daily Pleasure smiled maliciously. “Excellent. If things are as you say, there will be rewards for you.”

Mizuhara nodded and bowed, his face blooming with a radiant smile.

Li Ren first glanced at Falling Moon’s group, relieved to see no one had been killed. Falling Moon looked at him bitterly, about to apologize, but Li Ren, as if anticipating her words, shook his head and waved her off.

“Now that I’m here, you no longer need to worry. These troubles caused by the Guild Creation Token—I’ll handle them for you, at least until you’re strong enough to protect yourselves.”

“Well, kid, you don’t look like much, but you talk big. Where does your confidence come from?” Daily Pleasure said disdainfully.

Falling Moon calmly retreated to the back, while Li Ren turned and smiled at her group. Soft Water stuck out her tongue, her adorable gesture making Li Ren laugh heartily.

His carefree laughter enraged Daily Pleasure. To be so ignored by an unknown nobody, who even had the leisure to joke with the girls!

Falling Moon smiled slightly as well. With him here, these enemies were nothing. Unconsciously, she had begun to accept Li Ren’s presence, even to rely on him a little.

Not just her—the other girls were infected by his strong confidence and carefree demeanor. No matter what, this reserved guy could be quite lovable at times. The girls thought this, and inadvertently ignored the surrounding danger.

To Li Ren, these players were insignificant. Since Zhao Yun’s appearance and the sword techniques he brought, Li Ren had realized that this game was fundamentally different. He couldn’t say exactly how, but a sense deep within told him that what was happening to him was no longer false. Now, he sought only the elusive truth, only the power to ensure his life was no longer a sham.

“Send out your real fighters. I have no time to waste on trash like you. Anyone who bullies my friends will die!” Li Ren did not take them seriously at all.

“Kid, don’t be stubborn. If you tell us where the Guild Creation Token came from, we’ll let you go, maybe even be friends. It’ll benefit you greatly,” Daily Pleasure forced himself to say, despite his anger. But even if Li Ren revealed the source, they would still kill everyone here to vent their fury.

“Is this guy an idiot or what?” Li Ren asked the girls with exaggerated seriousness, earning a chorus of bright laughter. “Trash!” Li Ren turned back, stating his position with just two words.