The trio soon arrived near the teleportation array, where a group of more than ten people had gathered. Like stars surrounding the moon, they formed a circle around a beautiful woman wearing blue armor, her figure stunning and eye-catching.
“Big sis Yulan, they’re here,” Yaoyao said, approaching the woman’s side.
The two beautiful women complemented each other, forming a moving scene.
“Have I been incredibly lucky today? I keep running into beauties—what a feast for the eyes,” Tang Yao muttered softly. This guy was a shameless flirt by nature, always appreciating beautiful women, though he knew well that most of them probably looked down on him. He was content just to admire them from afar.
“Hello,” Yulan greeted Nie Yan and Tang Yao, glancing at Nie Yan. Though Nie Yan’s appearance was slightly youthful, he carried himself with composure and calmness, exuding decisiveness. Yulan, experienced as she was, recognized these traits as those of a top-tier player. As for the fat guy beside Nie Yan, she couldn’t quite tell much about him.
“Hello,” Nie Yan nodded. Yulan wore a deep blue armor that perfectly accentuated her model-like figure. The cleavage revealed by the cutout on her chest added a hint of seduction, and her overall aura exuded a dangerous allure. Undoubtedly, Yulan was the most physically attractive woman Nie Yan had ever seen, further enhanced by her beautiful face, which could charm anyone effortlessly.
However, Nie Yan himself held no particular interest in her.
Tang Yao, on the other hand, couldn’t seem to pull his eyes away. Compared to Yaoyao, Yulan clearly better matched his taste.
“Be careful, this beauty is someone even I wouldn’t dare provoke,” Nie Yan privately messaged Tang Yao.
“Y-You… hello,” Tang Yao greeted Yulan somewhat awkwardly.
Nie Yan was shocked. Tang Yao usually couldn’t contain himself around women, naturally making himself at home. For him to act shy today was truly a first—was the sun rising from the west?
“Let’s get ready and head to the instance together. We can talk on the way,” Yulan, always valuing efficiency, didn’t want to waste time here.
“As previously agreed, I’ll be the team leader. Everyone follows my instructions,” Nie Yan looked at Yulan, his gaze sharp and determined.
“Right,” Yulan nodded, turning to the team members. “I’ll disband my current team. In a moment, Nieyan will form a new team. He’ll be the leader, so follow his arrangements!”
The team members murmured among themselves. They were somewhat unfamiliar with Nie Yan and felt reluctant to take orders from a stranger.
“Yulan, why should we listen to him? What if he doesn’t know anything and we all wipe in the instance?” Chen Bo spoke up, feeling a sense of crisis from Nie Yan’s close relationship with Yaoyao, which had sparked strong hostility toward Nie Yan.
Nie Yan wasn’t unfamiliar with Chen Bo. It was said that Chen Bo was Yulan’s classmate and quite close to her, having pursued her for a while. Later, he met Yaoyao and became even more confused, liking all beauties indiscriminately and unsure whether to pursue Yaoyao or Yulan. He treated both Yaoyao and Yulan as his personal possessions, disliking anyone approaching them. However, neither Yaoyao nor Yulan liked him, leaving him empty-handed. He was merely a playboy with no real ability.
In Nie Yan’s previous life, this guy had been a tragedy. In this life, meeting Nie Yan again, he seemed destined to remain one.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Chen Bo.”
“Chen Bo? Oh, so it’s you, Brother Morning Erection,” Nie Yan dragged out his tone, feigning sudden realization.
“I said my name is Chen Bo, Chen with the ear radical, and Bo meaning vast,” Chen Bo replied somewhat impatiently.
“I did say Morning Erection, didn’t I say it wrong?” Nie Yan innocently looked at Tang Yao beside him.
Tang Yao clearly saw that Nie Yan was trying to tease Chen Bo. Suppressing his laughter, he replied, “Right, you didn’t say it wrong. It’s Morning Erection.” Tang Yao especially emphasized the term.
However, the obvious amusement in Nie Yan and Tang Yao’s eyes indicated they were referring to a different “Morning Erection.”
Even the densest person would have understood by now. Yaoyao blushed, giving Nie Yan a reproachful glare. This guy was too naughty, teasing others like that.
Most people were very reserved in front of Yaoyao and Yulan, but Nie Yan’s straightforwardness didn’t provoke Yulan’s dislike. Instead, she felt Nie Yan wasn’t like Chen Bo and others, who were insincere and hypocritical.
Yulan also seemed to be trying hard not to laugh. Seeing Chen Bo about to get angry, she quickly acted as a mediator, saying, “Alright, it’s just a joke. Nie Yan, you form the team.”
Nie Yan sent team invitations to all members, including Chen Bo.
Chen Bo showed signs of anger.
Nie Yan composed his expression, turning serious. “From now on, I’m the team leader. During my leadership, you must absolutely obey my orders. Those who disagree can settle accounts with me afterward. Anyone unwilling to join can leave anytime—we can find others. If you sabotage or secretly defy orders during the team period, even if we wipe in the instance, the loss will be yours. Losing 20% experience might take a while to recover.”
As Nie Yan spoke, his sharp gaze swept across everyone, exuding a leader’s aura. No one dared to meet his eyes. After some discussion, the team members clicked ‘confirm.’
System: Yulan has joined your team.
System: Yaoyao has joined your team.
System: Evian has joined your team.
…
Nie Yan exuded confidence. Yulan looked at him approvingly, perhaps Nie Yan could indeed lead them through the Treant Grove instance.
Yulan turned serious. “From now on, Nieyan’s orders are my orders. Anyone who disobeys or leaves will no longer be part of our team.”
The team immediately quieted down. Yulan’s decree was extremely harsh for them. After a long time of teaming together, they had become very familiar with each other, forming good friendships. If they left the team, where would they go? Even if they found a new team, finding a 20-man team capable of handling the Treant Grove instance would be extremely difficult!
Chen Bo’s expression was slightly dissatisfied as he prepared to speak.
Yulan shot him a sharp glance, causing Chen Bo to swallow his words.
System: Chen Bo has joined your team.
“Now that everyone has joined the team, don’t blame me if anyone disobeys orders and I kick them out directly. Our goal is the same—we all want to clear the instance together, mainly for those few pieces of equipment. If everything goes smoothly, we might get more equipment. If problems arise, everyone will lose 20% experience. If anyone secretly sabotages, the entire team’s losses will be on that person’s head. Remember, the people around you are your teammates! There’s no need to fight against your own people. If I give wrong commands and make mistakes, I’ll pay ten silver coins as compensation to you all!” Nie Yan scanned the crowd, staring at Chen Bo.
If it weren’t for the Featherfall Gem dropped by the Treant King in the expert-level instance, Nie Yan wouldn’t have bothered coming here.
Many players in the team were quite dissatisfied with Nie Yan, but they had to admit his words made sense. If they insisted on opposing Nie Yan, it would be like fighting against themselves—hurting others without benefiting themselves. It was better to follow Nie Yan temporarily. If Nie Yan made mistakes in command, he had already promised to compensate ten silver coins, which was already very considerate.
“We’ve already wiped twice in Treant Grove. Wiping in instances isn’t unusual. Even elite teams from big guilds often wipe. Going to Treant Grove is a process of exploration. As for those ten silver coins, how could we possibly let Brother Nieyan pay?” Bai Kaoshui, the team’s main shield warrior, spoke up fairly.
The other team members also expressed agreement, their impression of Nie Yan somewhat improved.
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