Chapter 30: Trading a White Longevity Pill for a Green Roulette?

As the explanation was being given, the figure riding the Cloud-Leopard arrived from the distance. The crowd finally got a clear look: the rider atop the beast was indeed a human player. Moreover, she was a strikingly heroic female player. In this doomsday game, there are few female players who can maintain such a dignified appearance. Guan Ling, while perhaps not breathtakingly beautiful, possessed a formidable aura, carrying the air of a valiant heroine.

Her well-defined physique, perched upon such a majestic Cloud-Leopard and clad in tight-fitting black attire, made her look like the strongest liquor and the wildest horse in the world. To the men watching, it ignited an overwhelming desire to conquer. Her sheer presence and method of entrance caused many players to swallow hard and whisper among themselves:

"Holy crap! Is this for real? Is she actually a woman?"
"Is that Wang Xueyan out of her mind? Passing up a woman this cool to pine after some pretty boy?"
"Wait, the leader of the Blood Swallow Club is a woman, and this core member is a total stunner. Could the entire club just be a group of beauties?"
"Damn! I suddenly want to join the Blood Swallow Club! Do they accept male members?"
"I'm so jealous of Zhou Yiming! I want to be a kept man too! Hey, beautiful, look at how fair my skin is—come step on me!"
"Could such an awesome woman actually be a mindless fan of Zhou Yiming?"
"Impossible! A woman with that aura is driven by ambition. She definitely wouldn't be love-struck!"

It was evident that many men were looking at Guan Ling with the hunger of wolves eyeing their prey—a raw, unconcealable desire to dominate. Yet, Guan Ling was clearly no shrinking violet. Faced with their brazen stares, her expression remained utterly impassive. With a single leap, she vaulted off the Cloud-Leopard, landing firmly on the grass.

Jiang Yi, standing in the crowd, heard several men gulping in silent desperation and shook his head in amusement. Such a "poisonous flower" would truly consume anyone who underestimated her.

Guan Ling was clearly a woman of decisive action. Her gaze, sharper and more imposing than Liao Yuanfeng’s, swept across the assembly. The entire field fell instantly silent; no one dared to make a sound. Having seized control of the situation, she spoke in a piercing voice:

"The bounty from the Blood Swallow Club has been posted in the trading zone. Those of you who are registered players can check your Life Wheels."

"Furthermore, as for the details of this search mission, Captain Liao of the Le-Tian Club should have already briefed you, right?" She scanned the crowd, quickly identifying Liao Yuanfeng. "Are you Captain Liao?"

Liao Yuanfeng, usually quite imposing himself, felt a shiver of intimidation before this powerful woman. He didn't lose his composure entirely, though he nodded somewhat stiffly: "Yes, Captain Guan, I am Liao Yuanfeng."

"Sister Wang mentioned you." Guan Ling nodded slightly and tossed a small jade bottle toward him. "This is the reward from Sister Wang for your help in locating Zhou Yiming."

Liao Yuanfeng caught the reward firmly and thanked her repeatedly. Guan Ling nodded again and addressed the crowd:

"The situation is critical. Every minute we delay entering the Qin Lake Beast World, the chances of Zhou Yiming's survival decrease. So, without further ado: members of the Blood Swallow Club will stand guard at the edge of the lake. Anyone willing to enter the Qin Lake Beast World to help search will receive a white-grade Longevity Pill."

"Of course, those who accept the pill must enter the beast world within two minutes! If anyone takes our pill but reneges on the mission..."

Guan Ling raised a hand, and suddenly, a crimson spear appeared in her palm. She twirled the weapon with effortless grace, looking even more formidable. She scanned the crowd again, her tone harsh: "I will personally break their legs and throw them into the Qin Lake Beast World by force!"

"Also, unless Zhou Yiming is found, anyone who accepts this mission must remain in the beast world for at least eight hours. If anyone dares to return early as a deserter..."

"I will break their legs all the same and throw them back into the Qin Lake Beast World!"

"Now, think it over. If you decide to accept the mission, you can go to the lakeshore and collect your Longevity Pill from the Blood Swallow Club members."

Some who had been blinded by their lust were still hesitant to leave, but those who knew what they wanted moved toward the lake without delay. Veterans like Fan Hu, who had made a name for themselves in the suicide squads, were not easily swayed by beauty. He greeted Liao Yuanfeng and headed toward the lake.

Luo Shan, watching from the side, was also tempted. He spoke to Liao Yuanfeng, "Captain, if we enter the beast world through the same portal, will we be separated?"

Liao Yuanfeng nodded: "Of course. If we weren't, there would be no pressure in finding Zhou Yiming. But don't worry too much. For a lake of this size, the connected beast world isn't that vast. You still have a chance of crossing paths."

"But let me warn you: when you encounter other human players in the beast world, don't expect some tearful reunion of long-lost kin. Once human hearts turn malicious, they are far more dangerous than the beasts themselves! I shouldn't need to teach you how to handle people, should I?"

Luo Shan nodded thoughtfully and thanked Liao Yuanfeng again. Despite knowing they would be separated, he and his suicide squad teammates headed toward the lake.

On the way, Jiang Yi leaned toward Luo Shan and suggested, "Didn't you just acquire a green-grade turntable? I’d like to trade you the white-grade Longevity Pill I'm about to get for it. What do you say? Interested?"