Chapter 80

No matter how well-prepared a magician's mental defenses are, in times of crisis or near death, they will inevitably reveal a sliver of their true nature.

Treating numerous patients with mutated diseases, coupled with his status as a "Chief Physician" recognized by the First Hospital's rules, allowed Xie Xubai to rapidly improve his ability to perceive changes in others' emotions to a highly refined level.

You can get a general sense of a person's true emotions just from the subtle details of their body language.

In that brief moment, which was only about a hundredth of a second, he did indeed feel a strong, primal fear emanating from the magician, a fear that made him want to retreat and run away.

Then came the suspicious and wary scrutiny, and the hidden fighting spirit.

Xie Xubai didn't know how to trigger the player's death condition, but this time he accidentally shocked the other party.

In fact, the magician's surprised stare lasted only a moment. He hid it quickly and well, so much so that even the viewers watching the live stream didn't notice.

Because of Xie Xubai's unexpected appearance, everyone's attention was focused on this suddenly appearing NPC.

With the small tentacles huddled in Xie Xubai's shadow and the gold-rimmed glasses given to him by Yan Shuo, the audience didn't recognize Xie Xubai, only seeing him as another person with glasses.

Holy crap! Holy crap!

Are you kidding me? They're out right at the start?

So Xie Xubai isn't the only special NPC in this game?

Something's fishy. Look, the magician isn't out at all. The opponent might be a player!

How did you manage to recognize the magician right from the start? Did you use some special prop?

Magicians realized this possibility even faster than they did.

He stopped pretending to be a spoiled rich kid, gave a nonchalant smile, and stared at Xie Xubai with a dangerous look in his eyes: "So, what do you want from me?"

The magician speaks in a high-pitched voice with sharp eyes. He sits with his legs propped up, looking lazy, but he gives the impression of a cheetah ready to pounce.

This shows that he is very confident in his own strength, and his question also carries a layer of aggressive intent: Give me a reason why you dare to provoke me so openly.

Xie Xubai glanced at the magician's playing card earring. Just now, when this person tried to turn and run away, he seemed to have intentionally touched the earring.

He carefully considered his words, and following the other party's train of thought, calmly said, "I'm here to seek cooperation. But if you have any issues with me, we can have a fight first and then talk."

The viewers in the live stream were greatly provoked by this straightforward statement, and the number of comments exploded!

The magician's strength goes without saying; he's ranked fifth on the overall combat power list! The other player's appearance is unknown, and he seems to have used some kind of concealment tool. The fact that he dared to approach the magician with such confidence shows that his strength is equally unfathomable!

The fight scene between these two is definitely worth watching!

Compared to the audience who enjoy watching the excitement, the magician has many more things to consider, such as the earring that Xie Xubai has spotted as his final trump card.

He had never worn earrings in front of a live broadcast camera, so everyone thought it was just an accessory to match his style. However, he never expected that a stranger would see through his disguise at a glance, which must have startled the magician.

Moreover, Xie Xubai remained calm and composed, even when facing his own renowned fifth place on the combat power ranking.

The magician couldn't see through Xie Xubai's hand at all and was a little wary. The opponent's challenge left him speechless for a moment: "I have a problem with you, so let's have a fight first. Listen to the logic behind that?"

Xie Xubai said, "Because for the mission ahead, I must ensure that everything goes perfectly. In other words, even if the two of us cooperate, I must take the lead."

Magicians crave the spotlight and can't stand anyone showing off in front of them. Xie Xubai's words hit a nerve, and even though he was wary, he couldn't help but want to punch that calm and handsome face.

Besides, he was live-streaming. If the audience saw him swallowing his anger like a steamed bun, what would become of the magician's reputation?

The magician's smile deepened, and with a flick of his fingers in mid-air, a vibrant red rose appeared in his hand before Xie Xubai, whom he presented with great flair: "You speak with such confidence, sir, that I can't help but offer you a flower."

The comments section erupted in shouts and screams.

Here it comes, the Magician's Death Rose! It is said that anyone who takes it will be poisoned and die from festering flesh. If you refuse, the rose will instantly turn into a man-eating flower and devour you. It is one of the Magician's signature skills!

Huh? Isn't this a healing rose? I've personally witnessed a magician use roses to revive the dead and heal wounds!

The two types of roses mentioned earlier both exist; it mainly depends on which type the magician gives out.

If it's the Death Rose, it's deadly whether you accept it or not. Does this count as a challenge and exchange of blows?

Oh my god, this is so exciting!

Xie Xubai looked at the red rose in front of him. The petals were delicate and tender, covered with crystal-clear dew, like bright red blood flowing on them.

"If you can accept this rose, we'll cooperate." Seeing that Xie Xubai didn't move, the magician feigned innocence and said, "You can't say you want to dominate the whole game, but then not even dare to take on your teammate's things, can you?"

Xie Xubai lifted his eyelids and reached for the flower.

But just as he was about to take it, he suddenly stopped, his fingertips hovering a distance from the red rose, seemingly touching nothing in the air.

A miraculous scene unfolded! The red rose spontaneously combusted from its base, the golden-red flames gradually licking at the rose itself.

Seeing that the fire was about to burn his palm, the magician was slightly startled and threw the rose into the air.

But the rose, now without support, did not fall from the sky; it seemed to be held aloft by the flames until it was completely burned away. A business card emerged from the scattered ashes, floated down, and landed in the magician's hand, bearing two large, powerful characters.

——【Pei Yu】

Xie Xubai said calmly, "This is my business card; it's just a courtesy exchange."

From the moment his identity was revealed upon meeting him, to the moment his props were easily replaced by the young man, the magician's expression grew increasingly strange, and his face twitched slightly.

Xie Xubai sensed that same bluster and cowardice emanating from the man again. The magician's tense muscles seemed to scream, "This guy is terrifying! I want to run! I want to run! I want to run!"

But for some reason, the other party forced himself to hold back and forced a smile, saying nonchalantly, "That's indeed a good technique. How did you do that? Is it one of your personal skills?"

Personal skill? I guess so. Using mental power to destroy the magician's rose, and then using mental power to construct a personal business card.

Xie Xubai caught a glimpse of Pei Yuheng's figure flashing past the alley entrance out of the corner of his eye and quickly chased after him: "Follow me."

Before the magician could even ask what trap the business card had set for him, he watched helplessly as Xie Xubai abandoned him and ran away. Inadvertently, he squeezed the paper business card and crushed it.

Oh no! His pupils contracted slightly, and he instinctively reached for his earring.

The result wasn't a killer move.

The shimmering golden spiritual energy flowed through the magician's fingers, spreading out with a warmth that seeped into the skin, dazzlingly bright in the cold night.

The magician was stunned for a few seconds, his mind filled with mixed feelings. Was Pei Yu toying with him? He didn't know this man well enough to be sure.

In their first exchange, he was clearly at a disadvantage. Thinking about the audience's possible reaction, the magician's eyes darkened. He shrugged at the camera and smiled confidently: "What bad luck to run into a fellow magician! Everyone, please calm down and consider this an appetizer. The real show is about to begin!"

He bowed gracefully and caught up with Xie Xubai in a few steps.

Pei Yuheng had arrived at the bar entrance, looking hesitantly at the sign with its colorful LED lights hanging at the entrance.

Xie Xubai hid in the corner and did not step forward. He waited until the magician came in before speaking: "If I am not mistaken, our mission should be to help Pei Yuheng improve the settings."

Hearing Xie Xubai's serious tone, the magician never expected that this person wasn't even a player.

With the role and mission laid out before him, and his eagerly awaiting supportive fans and teammates scattered across the land, even if he couldn't trust Xie Xubai and wanted to continue competing with others, he had to temporarily put aside his competitive spirit.

The problem is that Xie Xubai is not in the mission footage. He is wearing a white coat. Could he be playing the role of a doctor?

The magician stroked his chin: "It's my OCD caused by psychological trauma. If he can't get over it, he might develop severe depression. These rich kids all seem to be petty and vindictive. Even if he manages to escape this time, he'll probably be tormented by the subsequent attacks and retaliations. Poor thing."

He sighed and spread his hands: "But we are the ones who are more pitiful. According to the nature of the system, he will definitely turn evil and become a big BOSS later. Those who have harmed him will be tortured to the point of wishing they were dead."

Even if Xie Xubai hadn't appeared, the magician wouldn't have planned to harm Pei Yuheng. The man was good-looking, but the ordeal he was about to face made him hallucinate about those people in the company... Even with his original personality influencing him, he couldn't muster any interest.

The magician spoke so much in one breath, but Xie Xubai didn't say a word, leaving him with a feeling of being in the middle of a monologue.

Just as he was about to ask Xie Xubai for his opinion, he saw the other party suddenly look up, take a step forward, and pull him back with his hand.

Suddenly, not only did Xie Xubai appear in front of Pei Yuheng, but the magician was also exposed.

Pei Yuheng stopped in his tracks, took a step back, and became visibly wary: "...Young Master Xu?"

Xu Shao, also known as Xu Yang, is the role the magician is playing.

The magician responded, regaining his composure, and was about to have a serious talk with Pei Yuheng when he saw the person in question decisively shift his gaze to Xie Xubai beside him, his expression softening: "And this gentleman is?"

Magician: "..." Why does Pei Yuheng's tone suddenly sound so much better? Is he so superficial?

It's no wonder Pei Yuheng treated them differently. He didn't have a good impression of these arrogant and domineering young masters to begin with. He only nodded and greeted them out of politeness and because he needed their help.

Xie Xubai's calm and gentle demeanor immediately reminded Pei Yuheng of a learned professor and scholar.

Arriving alone in this chaotic neighborhood, Pei Yuheng breathed a sigh of relief upon finally spotting a respectable person, his tense mood relaxing slightly.

Who knew that Xie Xubai would meet his gaze and immediately launch into a tirade: "Judging from your attire, do you think this is an amusement park?"

Pei Yuheng was taken aback and looked at his white shirt. Everyone in the lab wore the same shirt and didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

The next second, Xie Xubai said to the magician, "Take off your clothes and let him put them on."

magician:"???"

"..." Pei Yuheng stared at the magician's golden orange leopard print cardigan, twitched his forehead with a complicated expression, and politely declined, "No need, thank you for your kindness, but I'd rather wear my own clothes."

Xie Xubai pushed up his glasses and said calmly, "No, this is not a discussion."

"I'm only giving you two choices: either you change into this outfit, or you leave."

Sensing the unquestionable tone, Pei Yuheng's lips, which had been slightly upturned when facing Xie Xubai, slowly tightened.

"Why are you acting like you can't accept it?" Xie Xubai said. "I thought you already knew that I, him, and everyone who invited you here are not good people. Didn't you come prepared at all, yet you expected to receive VIP treatment?"

The magician's eyebrows twitched wildly. Why did you drag me into this when you're hurting yourself so badly?

The key issue is that Pei Yuheng was truly angered by these words, and his eyes turned cold! What would happen to their mission if he were to turn around and leave in anger?

However, it turns out that Pei Yuheng has an extremely strong ability to endure pressure. Otherwise, he would not have been able to withstand the pressure alone for so many years without mentioning it to anyone. He immediately took a deep breath and looked at the magician.

Xie Xubai also looked at him.

The magician couldn't believe they were serious: "What kind of looks are those? What, you think I'll just take my clothes off like that? No way!"

Two minutes later, the player who had been called downstairs for a break was forced to take off his clothes with tears in his eyes. Compared to the leopard-print cardigan, the black jacket was obviously more acceptable to Pei Yuheng.

The jacket was quite large, covering Pei Yuheng's body completely, with the collar turned up so that even his face was obscured in the dim light.

Being forced to change clothes left Pei Yuheng feeling bewildered.

Previously, when he went to the meeting alone, he only vaguely felt unsafe. Xie Xubai's difficult behavior suddenly made him feel a real sense of crisis. He frowned throughout and exuded a dark aura that kept others at bay.

The magician suddenly remembered that Pei Yuheng was likely spied on by others when he entered the bar because his appearance was too clean and his expression too innocent.

If someone walked in dressed like this, it's hard to say whether they would attract attention.

But this also raises a question: without the stimulation of those guests, how exactly will Pei Yuheng aggravate his psychological trauma?

The magician's question was quickly answered.

After Xie Xubai carried Pei Yuheng to the private room, he asked the cleaning staff for cleaning tools and said, "Let's begin."

Pei Yuheng didn't react: "What?"

"A thorough cleaning." Xie Xubai pushed up his glasses and said matter-of-factly, "I don't want to see a single stain, inside or out, in every corner and crevices."