Absolute Death Game

Xiao Buli had also considered which group he would be assigned to. The Vermilion Bird Group was Xiao Buli's ideal choice since, although the Green Dragon Group and the White Tiger Group might be allocated more resources and receive better treatment, the casualty rate was estimated to be quite high.

Moreover, the Vermilion Bird Group, specializing in espionage, would certainly be privy to information that members of other groups did not know.

Xiao Buli did not plan to stay with this company indefinitely. If he could obtain the game client, he would look for an opportunity to leave.

Unfortunately, getting hold of the game client was not so easy. He had tried to copy the client before but completely failed. He hadn't even been able to find any files on his computer that remotely resembled the client—it was as if the game were an absent ghost.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

After all, Xiao Buli had experience creating game cheats, writing autofarm scripts, and even playing with computer hacking as a nearly professional hacker. However, despite his computing skills, trying to understand how this game operated was still utterly baffling.

It seemed the only option would be to move the entire computer out, but taking such a large object from the company was not going to be easy.

Therefore, after considering the possibility of failure, Xiao Buli secretly decided that if he could not learn any spells or the like tomorrow at the Mystic Hollow Palace, he would try to change his occupation to something like an assassin or thief. That way, his chances of being distributed into the Vermilion Bird Group would greatly increase.

The next day, Xiao Buli, as usual, arrived at the computer room on time. After logging into the game, he prepared to continue searching for opportunities to increase his Prestige Points. Although yesterday's efforts had proven fruitless, as long as there was a glimmer of hope, he did not intend to give up.

However, he had not gone far when a white figure descended from the sky and landed in front of him.

"You're here; come with me," Gu Yuexuan said nonchalantly, though his words made Xiao feel anything but casual.

Xiao thought there might be a chance; Gu Yuexuan would not have sought him out for no reason, likely because of the Tai Chi Sword Skills. With this in mind, he followed his senior disciple brother into the bamboo forest.

Once they reached the bamboo forest, Gu Yuexuan stopped, turned around, and spoke earnestly, "I took your swordplay technique back with me yesterday and studied it carefully. Although the moves are still rough and quite unnatural in places, the swordplay concept is extremely profound. I pondered over it for half a day and also grasped some sword principles myself. I've always disliked owing favors.

Although you came to me for guidance, I indeed benefited from it."

"I've revised the swordplay technique once over, enhancing its power and its special effects to a greater extent. While it can't be considered a peerless martial art, it is certainly a decent technique. If you are willing, I can teach it to you, and then we'll be even," Gu Yuexuan offered.

System notification: Gu Yuexuan wants to teach you Tai Chi Sword Skills (True). Do you wish to learn?

Xiao's heart leaped with joy. Tai Chi Sword Skills (True) was an excellent find—if it was as powerful as the legends said, it would surely be an unrivaled technique in the real world. Just as he was about to accept, he suddenly stopped.

In a matter of mere seconds, he rapidly analyzed the potential consequences of his next decision.

If he chose to accept, it was clear that he would obtain the Tai Chi Sword Skills (True). Yet Gu Yuexuan mentioned he did not like to owe favors; learning this technique would mean they were square, probably implying that he might not increase Xiao's favorability with him anymore. Although it was only a possibility, such an outcome could signify the end of his journey at the Mystic Hollow Palace.

All the Attribute Points and efforts he had spent would be in vain.

But what if he refused? He would then owe a favor to Gu Yuexuan, who, from their previous conversation, obviously appeared to be a very proud and arrogant individual. Such people can hardly stand being in someone else's debt. Perhaps by leveraging this owed favor to ask for his help to join the Mystic Hollow Palace, Xiao could succeed.

With this in mind, Xiao steeled his heart despite the pain of his decision. The primary goal was still to increase his Prestige to a friendly level; even if there was only a partial chance of failure, he could not afford to learn Tai Chi Sword Skills (True).

He then slowly moved the mouse over 'No' and firmly clicked it.

"To be frank, I do not have much interest in the art of killing that swordplay is. I study it occasionally only for self-defense. What I truly wish to learn are the skills to heal and save lives. If Gu can teach me some healing spells, I would be immensely grateful," Xiao said.

Gu Yuexuan fell silent at once. Xiao was genuinely worried the other might have such skills and would just casually teach him one to send him on his way. But it seemed that, just as he had guessed, Gu Yuexuan, being a combat-oriented NPC with Sword Control Technique as his main skill, likely did not possess such abilities.

Gu Yuexuan: "I do know a few spells like that, but they require prerequisite skills to learn, which you can't possibly have."

Xiao Buli breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, "But I don't know what the prerequisite skills are?"

Gu Yuexuan said impatiently: "It's no use telling you, these prerequisite skills can only be learned by joining the Mystic Hollow Palace."

"Is that so? Then could Gu help me out and speak on my behalf, so I can become a disciple of Daoist Master Xuanxu Zi? As long as Gu speaks for me, even if Daoist Master Xuanxu Zi refuses, I will have no regrets," Xiao Buli said with utmost sincerity. Gu Yuexuan seemed quite troubled by this request, but after thinking it over, he still nodded, "Alright, I'll make an exception and help you out."

System prompt: You have gained Gu Yuexuan's approval, your Prestige in Mystic Hollow Palace has increased by 100 points, but Gu Yuexuan's favorability towards you has decreased by 20 points.

WHAT? Xiao Buli thought he had read it wrong and carefully examined it again, finding out that he really hadn't made a mistake. The Prestige had reached a friendly 20/1000, but his favorability with Gu Yuexuan indeed had decreased by 20 points.

It seems that rewarding kindness with ingratitude wasn't very honorable after all. Although the Prestige Points increased, the favorability decreased. However, no matter what, things had ultimately worked out. With this, he should be able to join the Mystic Hollow Palace.

Seeing the time steadily approaching noon, with the time limit of his three-day stay at Mystic Hollow Palace almost up, Xiao Buli no longer hesitated and headed straight for the main hall of Mystic Hollow Palace. Before he reached the entrance, he saw Qingfeng Mingyue approaching him.

"Your timing is perfect, the Palace Master is looking for you. Come with me."

Following Qingfeng Mingyue, they arrived at the main hall. Upon entering, he found not only Xuanxu Zi but also Jingci and Ji Xiangyun present, seated on either side of Xuanxu Zi.

"Three days have passed, and it is time for you to leave. I will send Jingci to escort you out of the valley. After you leave the valley, do not come back. I have reset the Ninety-Nine Linked Rings Formation outside. If you fall into it again, you are guaranteed to have no chance of surviving," said the old Daoist as he flicked his whisk, seemingly entering a meditative state once more.

Before Jingci could step forward, Xiao Buli quickly blurted out the reasoning he had prepared: "Daoist Master Xuanxu Zi, the world is now fraught with danger, and dark forces are gradually enveloping the earth. Humanity faces an unprecedented crisis. I genuinely wish to learn some skills to roam the world as a chivalrous defender and eradicate this evil. I beseech you to grant me this favor."

It wasn't clear if it was Xiao Buli's persuasive words or his friendly Prestige that had an effect, but Xuanxu Zi opened his eyes, looked at the others, and asked, "What do you think?"

Jingci said, "I think this Xiao brother is quite decent; let's accept him."

Ji Xiangyun also said, "Though he seems a bit slow and foolish, he isn't too bad. I don't see a big problem with it."

"How about you, eldest senior brother?"

"I have no objections." A voice suddenly came in from outside the door; it was Gu Yuexuan's voice, yet he didn't even show his face.

After considering for a while, Xuanxu Zi, inscrutable, nodded, "Since that's the case, you may stay. However, learning the spells of Mystic Hollow Palace won't be easy. Starting from today, every afternoon you will learn the basic principles of Taoist Arts from me. Only if you prove your talent will you be able to further learn the Taoist magic of our Mystic Hollow Palace."

System prompt: You have received Xuanxu Zi's approval and joined the organization—Mystic Hollow Palace. You received the title—Mystic Hollow Palace Entry-level Disciple (Complete advancement tasks to earn the Mystic Hollow Palace Disciple title).

PS: Not feeling too well today, will continue tomorrow