Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!

As they approached, Yafei pushed Wang Wenbo from behind, causing the youngster to stagger right in front of Kuang Xin and his group.

After steadying himself, Wang Wenbo touched the back of his head and looked at Kuang Xin with a beaming smile, "Um... folks, good day. We... we're the two fellas you just saved. Got too nervous and ran off, but now, we brought our sister over to thank you."

With Wang Wenbo's introduction, Yafei smoothly made her entrance.

With her hands clasped behind her back and a bright smile on her face, "Yes sir, these two kids just lose their heads and run when they get nervous. They don't even think to thank their saviors."

"It was nothing," Dai Lian said, approaching from the side and casually waving his hand, "What were you trying to do before, going up the mountain?"

Knowing nothing about the place, Dai Lian cautiously tried to pry information out bit by bit.

"Them?" Yafei glanced at her two brothers behind her, explaining with a bitter smile, "We're not much capable, so we risk our lives looking for scattered minerals near those vents to exchange for meager funds. The vents near the city side of the volcano are pretty much cleaned out, and we dare not venture higher, so we thought to try our luck on this shadow side of the mountain. Running into those fire sprites was just plain bad luck."

Guessing that these folks might be powerful NPCs from other regions, Yafei proactively revealed information, trying to see if she could trigger some pivotal quest keywords.

"..." Dai Lian squinted, his brain rapidly analyzing.

The limited information he had gathered was that in this city, abilities were solely determined by surgeries, and those who were struggling often had no surgeries or had failed surgeries. Only these people were less regulated by the city's control.

But it wasn't guaranteed that these people wouldn't try to accomplish great deeds hoping for better treatment because of their low status.

If they truly appeared like clueless newcomers from outside the city, they could easily be tricked and exploited by others.

Although with their cleverness it was unlikely they'd fall for it, wasting time was unnecessary either.

So, it was better to maintain a sense of mystery, play it safe. If the others had ulterior motives, they'd surely make the first move.

"A small deed, done in passing, not worth mentioning," Dai Lian said airily, his calm demeanor unshakable.

"Um... folks~" Yafei's spirited eyes flicked to the huge pile of boulders scattered around from being shot through, "The combat skills you used just now, we've never seen 'em before... they don't seem to be a trademark of our city?"

Dai Lian's lips curved into a smile, full of mystery, "Oh? You've seen a lot?"

"Seen a lot... it's decent," Yafei giggled, "If you're not familiar with the city, perhaps we could show you around? Where would you like to go?"

"..." Dai Lian didn't say anything, just calmly watched the young girl in front of him.

This was something he had learned from his own superior... the demeanor of a powerful figure.

Sure enough, Yafei immediately took a half step back and just waved her hand, "Of course... if you need privacy, we can leave right away, we'll never breathe a word about you!"

"That won't be necessary." Gu Lan knew it was time for him to chime in, working in sync with Dai Lian. He strode forward with a cheerful smile, "Are you familiar with this city?"

"Of course!" Yafei stood tall and proud, "Whatever you wish to do, I can find a way for you."

"Is this your way of repaying us?" Gu Lan's lips curved slightly.

"Um..." Yafei giggled as she pinched her fingertips, "It would be even better if you all would help us out with a little favor."

"Speak up, what do you need?" Dai Lian asked in a level tone.

"We are just some nobodies who aren't qualified for surgery..." Yafei said pitifully, "It seems like you didn't get your strengths through surgery either, so if it's convenient… we were hoping you could teach us, the methods of cultivation."

Of course, it's important to seek a benefactor, but it was also essential to gain some power for oneself.

NPCs have their combat narratives; however, the decisive factor in victory might still rely on the confrontations between players.

Rat Camp was full of people who had undergone successful surgeries, whereas they had either not had surgery or had failed surgeries, and there was a natural gap in power. If they couldn't find another way to bridge this overall disparity, it was highly likely they wouldn't stand a chance against their rivals.

Therefore, to overthrow the heinous rule of this city, not only did they need a leading figure to charge, but they also needed other underground professional mentors beyond the path of surgery.

Perhaps these gentlefolk before them...

"Teach you?" Gu Lan chuckled and shook his head, "No way, you couldn't learn it." Read latest stories on My Virtual Library Empire

"We're all quick learners." Hearing a glimmer of hope, Yafei said anxiously, trying to persuade.

Could their, the players', understanding ever be poor?

If the NPCs were willing to teach, they simply had to spend experience points to learn.

Having been in this game world for quite a while, Yafei knew a fact—sometimes you have to take the initiative to gain something.

"..." Dai Lian's eyes sharpened with clever thought, and he instantly considered a possibility.

Quick to understand, doing poorly, yet so spirited and vivacious...