Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Serene Blossom

Quest accepted: The Gravekeeper’s Request.

Quest details: Help the gravekeeper collect twenty Tranquil Flowers. These delicate plants grow atop skeletal remains, and great dangers often lurk nearby—be very careful! If you complete this quest, the gravekeeper will reward you handsomely!

...

I organized my inventory; the skeleton warriors I had just slain had dropped quite a few scraps of “Cloth Remnants from Lesser Undead.” I wasn’t sure what use they’d have, but at the very least, I could sell them for some coins.

Glancing at a nearby graveyard, I noticed the skeleton warriors still wandering aimlessly. Though I sensed something odd, I couldn’t quite put my finger on what was different.

After luring and dispatching a few small groups, I finally discovered the anomaly: aside from the skeletons on the outermost edge, the other skeletons patrolled in regular patterns, as if guarding something.

I studied them carefully and soon realized that what they protected was a small cluster of white flowers. Bathed in the moonlight, the translucent petals shimmered—this had to be the Tranquil Flower, the one required for my quest. It seemed my quest had triggered a change in the NPC monster distribution here; perhaps this quest was unique.

I watched for a full five minutes before I fully grasped the skeletons’ patrol routes and rhythms.

I slid a step forward and quickly retreated. As expected, two skeleton warriors charged at me, while the others continued to patrol around the Tranquil Flower.

With swift strokes, I dispatched the two monsters. Using the same method, I drew the remaining ones one by one. By the time I felled the last pair, it was already eleven o’clock. My level had risen to 17, with 72% experience—just another hour and I’d reach 18. The highest level in the world was only 18.

A small patch of graveyard was now cleared. The Tranquil Flower stood in stark contrast to the dark earth.

Unlike my previous mining expedition, this time harvesting a Tranquil Flower yielded only a single blossom. This meant I would need to clear twenty patches like this to finish the quest. Who knew how long it would take for the flowers to respawn.

It was almost noon; lunchtime was approaching. I hurried to clear another graveyard patch, successfully gathered a second Tranquil Flower, and leveled up to 18. Checking the rankings, I found the previous top player had already shamefully reached level 19. At level 18, I was only ranked in the eight hundreds.

“Lin Fan, lunch is ready. I have something to talk to you about afterward.” Xin Yu sent me a message before logging off.

Second page

I checked the others’ levels: Xue Han was the highest at 15, with Xu Lin and Xin Yu both at 14. While not top-tier, they were certainly among the top hundred players in this city.

Logging off, I found everyone gathered around the dining table in the hall. As soon as I entered, Xu Lin asked in surprise, “Lin Fan, what happened earlier? We saw Kuang Zhan gathering people in town, saying he was going to kill you and Murong Shanshan’s group back to level zero. What did you do to offend him?”

Xin Yu grinned, “Yeah, what happened? Don’t tell me you were flirting with someone else’s girlfriend?”

“Come on, don’t imagine things. I’m much more innocent than that. I just had a small conflict with Kuang Zhan’s crew, nothing more.”

Xu Lin nodded, “As long as it’s just a minor conflict. Kuang Zhan is the boss of a small group in our city. He contacted me in-game earlier—said if you weren’t associated with our guild, he wouldn’t show mercy. And if you are, he might not go easy on any of us in the future.”

Xue Han’s eyes widened in shock, “Who is this guy, anyway? Why’s he so arrogant? Do we really need to be afraid of him?”

Xu Lin considered, “I know Kuang Zhan—he’s nothing good. Years ago, he did time for assault, and he hasn’t really changed since. His family has some money, so he runs around with a bunch of cronies acting like thugs. He probably bought his way to the top spot in the city’s rankings. In reality, he’s nothing but a show-off; a skilled player could easily take down three of him in-game.”

Relief washed over me. No wonder Kuang Zhan didn’t dare challenge me directly—he knew he wasn’t skilled enough.

Xu Lin’s slender, fair fingers toyed with her chopsticks. “Still, it’s best not to provoke him. Even if we’re not afraid of him in-game, in real life he could cause trouble. If he comes knocking, what could we do—rely on Lin Fan?”

Xin Yu glanced at me and shook her head, “If we count on him, we’re doomed.”

Xue Han laughed, “Don’t say that—I think Lin Fan could protect us.”

“You’re too naïve...”

“...”

I took a deep breath and looked up, “Enough arguing. I’ll just steer clear of Kuang Zhan from now on. Besides, in a week, city teleportation will open and we can all head to the four major new cities to level up. The world’s a big place—running into Kuang Zhan again won’t be so easy.”

Third page

“Let’s eat,” someone suggested.

“Oh, right, Xin Yu—you said you wanted to talk after lunch. What is it?”

Xin Yu glanced furtively at Xu Lin and Xue Han before whispering, “Come with me to the market to pick up some fresh fruit for everyone, okay?”

“Fine, just don’t take too long. I still have quests to do this afternoon.”

“Okay.”

Xue Han’s beautiful eyes darted between me and Xin Yu before she lowered her head to eat. Xu Lin also cast a sharp glance at us, her pretty face frosty. “You two... making progress lately, aren’t you?”

Xin Yu straightened her chest and laughed softly, “Not at all—don’t get the wrong idea, we’re perfectly innocent~”

With her explanation, I felt there was no need to add anything. I quickly finished my meal, greeted everyone, and left with Xin Yu.

On the bustling street, Xin Yu was dressed strikingly—a low-cut T-shirt revealing a swath of fair skin and an enticing cleavage that nearly made passing schoolboys drool.

As a normal man, my eyes couldn’t help but be drawn to her.

Xin Yu glanced at me, slipped her arm through mine, and said, “Lin Fan, do you want to...”

“Want what...!!” I stammered in panic.