Chapter Forty-Six: Ready and Prepared

As Zhao Bai spoke, he became increasingly excited. Back when he first started playing the toxic MMORPG, he was nothing but a noob, but after some time—and spending money—he finally became one of the top players.

Mo Mo, however, looked helpless. “What you mentioned, I thought about it just now, but it won’t work! Doing that would also get us penalized by the system. Plus, it would lower the team’s level.”

Imagine an A-rank team dropping to B-rank; they’d lose a lot of privileges. If the penalty instance was B-rank or lower difficulty, they might get lucky. But if the next forced instance is A-rank or higher…

A team already lowered to B-rank would be forced into an A-rank instance, with participant numbers restricted! If key members can’t join due to the limit, the team can’t perform at full strength; in a high-difficulty instance, the danger rises, along with the likelihood of failure and death!

If they fail or die, the team’s rank drops even further. The team keeps getting weaker.

Moreover… only high-level instances yield high-level rewards.

Low-level instances… maybe you can coast through, but the gains are small, and the team’s strength doesn’t grow much. If you run into real danger… well, I don’t need to spell it out.

I saw in the system that there’s an explanation under the team instance options: periodically, the system randomly selects some teams to participate in an event called “Mythical Instance.” It ignores team rank differences!

If your strength isn’t enough and you enter such a world full of experts… it’s like a lamb among wolves.

This system won’t let us exploit loopholes.”

At this point, Xiao Zhang spoke up, “Is there a limit on team members? If being in a team lets you avoid solo instance draws, then if a member skips every instance, wouldn’t that person always be safe?”

“There are limits,” Mo Mo replied with a bitter smile. “If a team member skips two consecutive instances, the third time they’ll be forcibly thrown into an instance regardless of rank, and that slot will count against the team’s numbers.”

Zhao Bai scratched his head. “Damn, this really doesn’t let slackers survive—even coasting isn’t an option.”

Xiao Zhang said, “I actually think having some leeway is already pretty good. At least, once you join a team, every member gets up to two exemptions. If an instance isn’t suitable or is too hard, weaker members can skip the suicide missions. With three rounds, you’re bound to get a low-difficulty instance where weaker members can coast.”

So, thinking long-term, Xiao Zhang was preparing to establish his own organization.

Mo Xiaoxiao glanced at Xiao Zhang and asked, “Can you check what you can exchange in your current team?”

“Hold on, let me look!” Xiao Zhang checked the team exchange system and found he could actually use it.

Turns out, special team equipment exchanges weren’t restricted by the system’s limitations!

“Damn, I can’t exchange anything—I don’t have any team points.”

Mo Xiaoxiao recalled, “It works like contribution points for organizations; you only earn them by completing tasks within a team.”

Xiao Zhang thought for a moment. “If you’re not in a team, will random instance entry locations be together?”

“Maybe yes, maybe no~”

As she spoke, Xiao Zhang gently pulled Tu Shanbai over, stroked Tu Shanbai’s nose, and smiled, “Baibai, are you going to be scared following sister and Brother Zhao Bai?”

Tu Shanbai shrank back a bit, glanced at Xiao Zhang, then at Mo Xiaoxiao, then at Zhao Bai, and finally took a deep breath and looked at Xiao Zhang. “Brother, I won’t be scared.”

“Don’t be afraid, Baibai, I’ll definitely protect you,” Mo Xiaoxiao said gently, stroking Tu Shanbai’s little head.

“Oh, right—while you were away, Xiao Zhang, I made a lot of preparations. When we come out of the instance, if we run into danger—like other awakened ones with ill intentions—no matter which exit we meet at, there are vehicles ready for a quick escape!”

With that, Mo Xiaoxiao took out a prepared map of the scenic area, marked with black pen showing every exit.

“I rented cars at each location,” Mo Xiaoxiao said, handing out several keys.

“Do you run away often?” Zhao Bai asked, puzzled, as he looked at the keys in his hand.

Mo Xiaoxiao laughed awkwardly. “It’s to keep my identity hidden.”

Xiao Zhang looked at the two and said, “I have an idea.”

“Go ahead,” Mo Xiaoxiao replied.

Xiao Zhang thought for a moment: “Originally, I wanted you two to form a team, but now it seems unnecessary. Since Xingba has already been chosen for an instance, joining a team is pointless for him, and it doesn’t benefit him at all. Joining your team or Dragon Five’s would just expose our connections and identities.

My suggestion: let Zhao Bai enter the instance solo. That way, we’ll all be in the instance, openly or secretly, and can look out for each other. If something happens to one group, the others can rescue them, so we won’t all be caught in one net.”

“But—” Xiao Zhang paused and said to Zhao Bai, “But entering alone is dangerous, and without teammates, the risks are much higher.”

Zhao Bai nodded without hesitation. “Why are you being so fussy, Doggie? Remember when we used to play together—whenever I couldn’t win, I’d always play it safe and grow stronger.”

Mo Xiaoxiao then took out several walkie-talkies. “Alright, it’s settled. When we enter the instance, we’ll use these to test the connection first. If anyone’s in danger, communicate immediately.”

“What if the devices don’t work?” Zhao Bai asked.

Mo Xiaoxiao was already prepared and took out two butterfly-shaped items. “If you’re in danger and need help, release this—I’ll receive it.”

Xiao Zhang looked at the butterfly in his hand. “Alright, I’ll go now. I’m off to meet Qi Guanbei.”

Zhao Bai glanced at Xiao Zhang. “Doggie, you should play it safe too.”

Xiao Zhang patted Tu Shanbai’s head. “Stick close to sister, okay?”

“Mm-hmm.” Then Tu Shanbai stuffed a pile of spicy snacks into Xiao Zhang’s hands. “Brother, for healing.”

Xiao Zhang forced a casual smile. “Alright, Baibai, be good. Mo Mo, you be careful too.”