"Didn't our second in command chase after the Giant-tailed Scorpion?"

In a temporary camp on the outskirts of the Demon Forest, a middle-aged man in a purple magic robe stood before the camp, looking gravely into the depths of the forest and said:

"Why hasn't he returned yet?"

The most striking thing about this man was the special badge on his chest, featuring a Magic Staff inlaid with five five-pointed stars.

In the Nine Netherworld Continent's magic level system, this badge represents that its owner holds the Fifth Transformation Dharma King's rank.

Clearly, this man was the leader of this camp, and the captain of the renowned Grey Raven Mercenary Corps of the Jialan Empire, Zhong Qitai.

At this moment, a man with a sharp nose and monkey-like cheeks walked over and said:

"How about I lead a team to check it out?"

The purple-robed man Zhong Qitai hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said:

"Alright."

"See what kind of trouble that guy has stirred up for me again."

The man with the sharp nose and monkey-like cheeks was also the strategist of the Grey Raven Mercenary Corps, Aiken.

With Zhong Qitai's consent, Aiken quickly gathered a group and said:

"Third squad, follow me."

Immediately, about a dozen people left the camp.

These people hadn't walked far when they saw a figure approaching from afar.

The person had an ordinary appearance, probably in his twenties, dressed in a martial artist's attire, and carried a rare rapier on his back.

Aiken quickly gave a signal with his eyes to those around him, and a group of people rushed forward to surround him:

"Stop!"

Aiken stood in front of the man arrogantly and said:

"When you came from over there,"

"did you see a squad or a Tier Four Demon like the Giant-tailed Scorpion?"

The man immediately looked surprised and said:

"Giant-tailed Scorpion?"

Then he pointed deep into the dense forest and said:

"I can't be sure if it's a Giant-tailed Scorpion."

"But I did see a group chasing a demon in that direction on my way here."

Upon hearing this, several people around exchanged glances.

Aiken looked at the badge on the man's chest representing the Tier Four Grandmaster Swordsman level and said fiercely:

"Kid, you better not be lying."

"Or you're dead meat."

As he spoke, he gave the man's shoulder a rough push, then waved toward the direction the man pointed and said:

"Let's go."

Watching the group run away, Lin Yi playfully patted the Swordsman Badge he had 'picked up' on his chest and continued to walk outward.

...

As Aiken pursued the direction Lin Yi pointed out, he suddenly stopped and his expression changed:

"Something's wrong!"

Someone beside him asked curiously:

"What's wrong? What happened?"

Aiken recalled a detail on the badge worn by the man and suddenly felt a chill, saying:

"That badge belongs to the second commander."

Realizing this, his face twisted into a grimace as he said:

"Damn it, we've been fooled."

...

...

To the south of the Jialan Empire, there lies a city known as Celestial Feather City.

Due to its proximity to the Demon Forest, this city frequently welcomes a continuous stream of adventurers and merchants.

Adventurers are responsible for entering the Demon Forest to hunt demons, acquiring Demon Crystals and materials.

They then sell them to these merchants in exchange for necessary supplies and money.

One could say.

In the Nine Netherworld Continent, hunting demons has already become an indispensable industry.

It's also an important economic source many rely on for survival.

Celestial Feather City, because of its natural advantages, has become one of the most prosperous cities at the border of the Jialan Empire.

At sunset on this day, a small caravan slowly entered through the west gate of Celestial Feather City.

As they entered the city, the leading driver called to the carriage behind him:

"We've arrived at Celestial Feather City."

A violent shake suddenly woke Lin Yi up.

When Lin Yi opened his eyes, he saw a stranger facing him and saying:

"Brother, we've arrived at Celestial Feather City."

"We've arrived?"

Lin Yi quickly realized and awkwardly smiled at the person:

"Sorry."

Standing by the exotic and bustling street after disembarking from the beast vehicle, Lin Yi suddenly felt bewildered.

Did I fall asleep just now?

After leaving the Demon Forest and asking passersby, Lin Yi learned that the nearest city to the Jialan Imperial Capital was Celestial Feather City.

So, he found a small caravan on the way and hitched a ride all the way here.

It's worth noting that the Gold Coins used on the Nine Netherworld Continent are exactly identical to those of the Rafam Continent.

Lin Yi wasn't sure why, unsure if there was any necessary link between them.

However, Lin Yi knew that with nearly two million Gold Coins in his backpack, at least he wouldn't worry about Gold Coins for the time being.

From where Lin Yi boarded the vehicle to arriving at Celestial Feather City, it cost him 20 Gold Coins.

When Lin Yi got on the beast vehicle, the sun in the sky was supposed to be around two o'clock in the afternoon.

And now the sky was already nearing dusk.

This meant it took about three to four hours to get from there to here.

What shocked Lin Yi the most was that he actually fell asleep on the ride!!!

Fell asleep!!!

This is in the game.

How did he fall asleep? This point puzzled Lin Yi greatly.

At this point, Lin Yi attempted to log out, but the system prompt surprisingly stated:

"Are you sure you wish to abandon the task '[Plane Task] Open Paradise Island' and disconnect to log out? Please choose:"

[Abandon Task and Log Out][Cancel]

Lin Yi quickly chose: [Cancel].

Then in disbelief, 'Does this mean I can't log out until I complete this task?'

This sudden outcome completely caught Lin Yi off guard.

At this moment, a commotion suddenly erupted from the crowd on the street.

Someone shouted on the street:

"The Celestial Thunder Mercenary Corps has captured a Rare Elemental Spirit in the Demon Forest, and it will be auctioned at Linlang Pavilion in an hour. Come and take a look, everyone."

"The Celestial Thunder Mercenary Corps has captured a Rare Elemental Spirit..."

Elemental Spirit?

Still shocked by his inability to log out, Lin Yi heard this and was jolted:

"Aifula?!"

The following system prompt shocked Lin Yi even more:

"Trigger side quest [Rescue Elemental Spirit], please choose:"

[Accept][Decline]

...

Binhai City, Lin Yi's villa courtyard.

It was noon, and a group of people sat around the dining table.

Heaven-Gifted Ouyang Hao couldn't help but ask curiously: 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Where's Feng, still doing the instance?"

Zhang Xinying said:

"We don't have to wait for him."

"He said the instance is a bit difficult, might take some time."

"I'll refill his game pod with nutrient solution later; let's eat first."

At this point, Ouyang Hao turned his gaze to Aifula, who was happily eating grapes, and Jade Qilin, who was gnawing on roast chicken, asking:

"What kind of instance is it that even you can't go?"

Jade Qilin, while stuffing meat into his mouth, mumbled:

"We don't know the exact task either."

"But this task can't be completed in a short time by our master..."

"Mm, this is really delicious, yum!"