Chapter 39 Gu Yunqing's Guild
Gu Yunqing's pupils contracted slightly.
This means that on Earth, right next to him, there may be nearly five thousand "kindred spirits" like him who have experienced or are experiencing bloody dungeons and possess various bizarre abilities or powerful items.
They could be convenience store clerks on the street corner, white-collar workers in office buildings, or even high-ranking officials.
A hidden web of supernatural entities has formed beneath the surface of the water.
He processed the information quickly, accepting reality with astonishing speed.
After all, having personally experienced transmigrating into a book, a system, and a godhood, a real world with a hidden player group doesn't seem so hard to accept.
This completely changed his perception of security in the "real world".
This place is no longer the safe haven where he could recuperate in peace, as he remembered it.
It may involve conflicts and power struggles between players, and even dangerous events beyond the norm may occur due to player behavior or unexpected events in the instance.
That vaguely defined "foundation" may be one of the official or non-official organizations that deal with such incidents.
At the same time, this also brings new opportunities.
The existence of the player community means that this is also a place where one can acquire resources, intelligence, and even develop power.
While the points and rewards from the Pure White game may not be directly exchangeable for the currency of this world, the knowledge, skills, and even enhanced physical attributes that players possess can be converted into advantages in reality.
He needs to rethink his plans.
Gu Yunqing quickly defined the real world as: a rest base, a resource reserve, an intelligence outpost, and a potential area for expanding power.
He shut down his computer, no longer wasting his energy browsing those online rumors that were difficult to verify.
With the system confirmed, the direction is now clear.
Gu Yunqing no longer hesitated.
While rest in the real world is necessary, the pure white world is the foundation and stage of his power.
He needs resources, intelligence, and a deeper understanding of the dynamics of this player group.
With a slight thought, his consciousness seemed to pass through an invisible film of water, leaving the tranquility of the villa in the real world and returning to that familiar yet unfamiliar pure white space—his personal system space.
The 30-square-meter space was still spacious, but it no longer seemed shabby; instead, it felt like an absolutely private and safe room.
He didn't act immediately, but first carefully sensed the state of the two aliases.
The Zhuge Jin card (A-grade) and the Qiu Zang Xue card (B+-grade) floated quietly in the system space, emitting stable and powerful energy fluctuations.
Having undergone the baptism of the Ragnarok dungeon and the fusion of divinity and core, the foundations of both identities are now vastly different.
“System,” Gu Yunqing commanded in his mind, “Authorize the basic behavior patterns of the alternate accounts ‘Zhuge Jin’ and ‘Chou Zangxue’. Objective: Follow me out of the personal space and into the player marketplace, maintaining their basic personality and ability characteristics.”
[Command received. The alternate accounts 'Zhuge Jin' and 'Chou Zangxue' have entered system-managed mode.]
A flash of pure white light appeared, and the prophet with silver hair and white gauze, possessing an ethereal and ancient aura, and the Asura in black with bloodshot eyes and a chilling aura, appeared simultaneously beside Gu Yunqing's true form.
Looking at the two "works" beside her, which she had created herself and which were now able to move independently, Gu Yunqing felt a strange sense of satisfaction and control.
But this time, he decided to try a different approach.
While staying behind the scenes and observing the world through an alias may be safe, it also means missing out on the fun and realism of being "hands-on".
He needs to occasionally step into the spotlight, to feel, experience, and establish his own "sense of existence" as the real "Gu Yunqing," rather than relying on a pseudonym.
"Let's go." Gu Yunqing said, his voice was his natural tone, clear and peaceful, completely different from Zhuge Jin's ethereal voice and Qiu Zangxue's hoarse voice.
He was the first to touch the teleportation point in his personal space.
The system-managed Zhuge Jin and Qiu Zangxue, like the most loyal guards and companions, walked calmly alongside him, stepping out of the pure white space.
The light and shadow shifted, and the noise was overwhelming.
Player Marketplace.
This is not a neatly planned area, but a huge trading plaza spontaneously formed by players.
The ground is rough rock, and above is an unchanging dome that emits a soft white light.
Looking around, one sees a sea of people, shoulder to shoulder.
Players of all kinds roam among them, mostly in human form, but also including orcs, elves, and even some mechanically modified or energy-based beings.
The sounds of vendors hawking their wares, haggling over prices, greetings from acquaintances, and strange noises from skill or item demonstrations...
Mixed together, they form a vibrant and bizarre symphony.
On both sides of the road were simple stalls, some simply laid out a cloth on the ground, while others used energy to construct temporary display cases.
The goods displayed on it were incredibly diverse: from the most common potions, low-level weapons and armor, and basic skill scrolls, to some unknown materials that shimmered with strange light and oddly shaped props.
There are even crystals that seal weak spirits or jade slips that record incomplete cultivation techniques.
The air was filled with the residual scents of various energies, a mixed and chaotic mix.
The appearance of Gu Yunqing and her two companions attracted a lot of attention almost instantly.
Zhuge Jin, with his silver hair and white veil, possesses an ethereal and otherworldly air, while Qiu Zangxue, dressed in black with bloodshot eyes, exudes a menacing aura.
These two characters were already somewhat famous in previous instances, especially Qiu Zangxue's terrifying "headless Asura" reputation, which made many people wary.
Among them, the young man with black hair and black eyes, a handsome and gentle face, dressed in ordinary casual clothes, and with an unremarkable aura, stood out.
"Look! It's that prophet Zhuge Jin and the red-eyed madman Qiu Zangxue!"
"Who's that guy in the middle? I've never seen him before."
"Looks so ordinary... Is she a newcomer? Wait a minute, would a newcomer be accompanied by these two?"
"This combination... is a bit strange. Two big shots protecting a pretty boy?"
"Shh, keep your voice down! Do you want to be targeted by that red-eyed guy?"
Whispers spread through the crowd as curious, inquisitive, wary, and somewhat unfriendly speculative glances fell upon the three.
The gazes that fell on Gu Yunqing, in particular, were full of meaning.
Gu Yunqing calmly accepted these gazes, and even somewhat enjoyed the feeling of being hidden behind the scenes, observing the reactions of others to the "big boss" persona she controlled.
He was like a master walking two fierce wolves, seemingly ordinary, but in reality, he wielded absolute power.
His gaze swept calmly across the stalls along the way, searching for what he might need.
Zhuge Jin, managed by the system, quietly followed slightly behind him, occasionally tilting his head very slightly, as if "listening" to the silent commands of Gu Yunqing's main body.
Qiu Zangxue was also managed by the system, half a step behind Gu Yunqing. Her scarlet eyes coldly scanned everyone who tried to approach or lingered for too long. Her undisguised murderous aura made many ill-intentioned people subconsciously look away, not daring to meet her gaze.
This subtle relationship and interaction, as observed by onlookers, has sparked countless speculations.
"Hiss... Look at the positions of that prophet and the red-eyed madman, it seems like they're both centered around that ordinary young man in the middle?"
"It's not...that kind of relationship, is it?"
"What kind of relationship? Explain yourself!"
"Is it... a mistress kept by a big shot? Or a young master from some hidden power?"
“Possibly! Look how respectful the prophet seemed to him. It wasn’t obvious, but that subconscious gesture couldn’t lie.”
"That red-eyed madman is more like a bodyguard. With that look in his eyes, who would dare to get close to the person he's protecting?"
"Tsk tsk, I didn't expect these two big shots to be into this kind of thing... They're quite the experts."
Whispers and speculations about the ambiguous relationship between the three began to circulate among some players.
Gu Yunqing's hearing had been enhanced, and he could vaguely hear some of it, but he didn't care and even found it a little funny.
These unfounded speculations, ironically, became his best cover.
He focused his attention on procurement.
He needs some practical life-saving items, such as one-time teleportation scrolls, potent healing potions, and talismans to conceal his presence.
Some resources that can assist in cultivation or recovery are also needed. Although the power feedback from the vest can slowly improve the main body, certain energy crystals or pills can accelerate the process.
In addition, intelligence is of paramount importance.
He walked up to a stall selling all kinds of scrolls and talismans. The stall owner was a player wearing a hood, whose face was obscured.
"What's the price for a one-time random teleportation scroll?" Gu Yunqing picked up a scroll that emitted a faint spatial fluctuation and asked in a calm tone.
The stall owner looked up, his sharp gaze from under his hood quickly sweeping over Zhuge Jin and Qiu Zangxue. He shrank back, especially under Qiu Zangxue's cold gaze, before turning to Gu Yunqing, his tone unconsciously becoming more polite:
"Uh, well... one hundred achievement points for one, or exchange it for materials of equal value."
Gu Yunqing did not immediately bargain, but instead glanced at the other items on the stall.
Zhuge Jin transmitted a message via a faint mental link that only Gu Yunqing could sense:
"The three scrolls on this stall have unstable spatial fluctuations and are of poor quality. The stack of 'Concealing Breath Talismans' on the left has pure energy and is worth buying."
Gu Yunqing understood and pointed to the stack of concealment talismans and several other teleportation scrolls with stable spatial fluctuations: "Pack these up, two hundred achievement points."
The stall owner tried to bargain: "This is too low, it doesn't even cover the cost..."
Before he could finish speaking, he felt a cold, piercing gaze fall upon him, as if he were being stared at by a bloodthirsty beast, and he swallowed the rest of his sentence.
Oh well, the cost is only 50 anyway, he'll still make a profit.
Although Qiu Zangxue did not speak, her silent intimidation was more effective than any bargaining.
The stall owner nodded quickly: "Sure! Deal!"
Having completed the first transaction, Gu Yunqing stored the items in her system space and continued forward.
He enjoyed the feeling of leading transactions in his true identity while having powerful backers supporting him.
It allows you to experience the atmosphere of the market firsthand, avoids the hassle of arguing with lower-level players, and efficiently obtains what you need.
He didn't even need to ask any more questions. Based on the deductive abilities of the Fuxi Godhead, Zhuge Jin would naturally select items with pure energy and high value, and avoid inferior items that contained hidden traps.
The existence of Qiu Zangxue eliminates the possibility of most people trying to bully newcomers or engage in forced sales.
As they traveled, their unique trio attracted more and more attention and discussion.
The ambiguous rumors about "two big shots jointly protecting a handsome young man" spread like wildfire in parts of the market.
Gu Yunqing ignored this and carefully purchased supplies while keenly observing the players' activities in the market and gathering scattered intelligence.
He heard rumors about the new dungeon, news about conflicts between certain guilds, and even vaguely heard the names "Elena, the Holy Maiden of Light" and "Pantheon" being mentioned in some corner.
He silently kept all of this in his heart.
He walked up to a stall selling various energy crystals and unidentified minerals, and picked up a crystal that emitted a gentle white light to examine it closely, feeling the energy contained within that had a slight nourishing effect on mental strength.
Zhuge Jin stood quietly to his side a little behind. No one could see where his gaze was through the white veil, but the slight tilt of his head toward Gu Yunqing revealed a silent obedience, or rather, concern.
Qiu Zangxue stood half a step behind on the other side, his scarlet eyes coldly sweeping over every passing figure. Any gaze that lingered too long with a hint of inquiry or malice would draw his undisguised, bloody warning in return.
This strange yet harmonious scene constitutes a striking landscape in itself.
Just then, two familiar figures appeared in front of another stall not far away.
It was Jun Xiangbei and Su Meichuan.
Jun Xiangbei still had that aloof and detached appearance, but his brows seemed less tense and more peaceful, like in everyday life, compared to when he was in the dungeon.
He was examining a longsword with an antique design, seemingly assessing its material and enchantment effects.
Su Meichuan, meanwhile, was fiddling with several pieces of jewelry that shimmered with iridescent light, her eyes sparkling with charm.
He occasionally exchanged a few words with the stall owner, his voice soft and charming, which made the stall owner blush slightly and speak frankly.
Almost simultaneously, Jun Xiangbei seemed to sense something and raised his head.
His gaze first swept over the surroundings as usual, then it was immediately drawn to the peculiar trio not far away.
Jun Xiangbei's cool eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a hint of surprise and inquiry.
He could clearly see that the unfathomable Zhuge Jin was standing slightly behind, and the white veil covering his eyes seemed to be "watching" the young man in front of him, as if waiting for instructions.
And Qiu Zangxue, who became famous in the Battle of Ragnarok and was infamous, was like the most loyal guard, half a step behind, protecting the young man.
All the focus was on the young man in the middle who had his back to him and was looking down at the crystal.
Black hair, casual clothes, slender figure, and from behind, his aura was so calm it was almost... weak.
This is the kind of person who can make people like Zhuge Jin and Qiu Zangxue simultaneously show that they are subtly in a position of leadership.
A surge of immense curiosity welled up in Jun Xiangbei's heart.
He put down his longsword and whispered to Su Meichuan beside him, "Meichuan, look over there."
Su Meichuan followed his gaze, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, which quickly turned into intense interest.
"Huh? It's Mr. Zhuge and Mr. Qiu? They're... with that person?" Su Meichuan's voice carried a hint of amusement.
"That young man looks unfamiliar. He must be quite something to have these two accompanying him."
Jun Xiangbei nodded, his gaze remaining fixed on Gu Yunqing's retreating figure.
He rarely showed such strong interest in strangers.
But what he was seeing was far beyond his usual logical understanding.
He had witnessed Zhuge Jin's wisdom and mystery, and Qiu Zangxue's power and madness firsthand, and secretly assessed them as "special beings" who needed to be treated with utmost seriousness.
Would two people like these both condescend to follow behind a seemingly ordinary young man like servants?
What makes this young man so special? Is it his strength? His background? Or something else...?
An impulse to understand and explore drove Jun northward.
He has always followed his own rational judgment and curiosity.
"Let's go take a look," Jun Xiangbei said, and walked towards Gu Yunqing's stall.
Su Meichuan naturally followed along out of curiosity, a bright and expectant smile on her face.
Gu Yunqing was probing the light-attribute crystal in her hand with a wisp of spiritual energy, carefully sensing its internal energy structure and assessing its actual effect on restoring her own spiritual energy.
Zhuge Jin transmitted a calm message through the mental link: "Energy purity 73%, with many impurities, weak nourishing effect, and lower cost-effectiveness than the 'Heart-Clearing Grass' purchased before."
Gu Yunqing understood and was about to put down the crystal when he caught a glimpse of two people walking towards him out of the corner of his eye.
Jun Xiangbei and Su Meichuan?
He was slightly surprised, not expecting to run into them here.
In the instance, he had always interacted with the two through the perspectives of Zhuge Jin and Qiu Zangxue. This was the first time he had faced them directly in his true form.
However, Gu Yunqing's ability to adapt to changing situations was already superb.
He instantly suppressed his surprise, revealing just the right amount of astonishment on his face, and put the crystal back on the stall.
At the same time, through a mind link, he issued the instruction to the two accounts managed by the system to "remain normal and do not need to react in any special way".
Zhuge Jin continued to face Gu Yunqing, as if everything outside was irrelevant to him.
Qiu Zangxue's crimson eyes swept over Jun Xiangbei and Su Meichuan, recognizing them as "acquaintances" she had worked with in the dungeon. Her cold, murderous aura subsided slightly.
However, it still maintains its usual vigilance and distance, only without any targeted hostility.
Jun Xiangbei stopped in front of the stall. His gaze first fell on Zhuge Jin and Qiu Zangxue. He nodded slightly as a greeting: "Mr. Zhuge, Mr. Qiu."
Zhuge Jin tilted his head slightly, the white veil facing Jun Xiangbei, his ethereal voice calm and even: "Mr. Jun."
Qiu Zangxue responded with a barely audible hum from her nose.
After a brief greeting, Jun Xiangbei's gaze returned to Gu Yunqing, his cool eyes carrying a straightforward yet not offensive inquiry.
Su Meichuan also spoke with a smile, her voice soft and charming: "What a coincidence, Mr. Zhuge, Mr. Qiu, I didn't expect to meet you two here."
His gaze shifted between Gu Yunqing and the two "guardians," filled with undisguised curiosity.
Gu Yunqing took a small half step back, giving the "home field" to the two "big shots" behind her, appearing as if they were in charge.
Jun Xiangbei did not take his gaze off Gu Yunqing. He looked at Gu Yunqing and spoke calmly, with a hint of inquiry: "And this is...?"
His question was direct and his goal was clear: it was aimed at Gu Yunqing.
Gu Yunqing thought to himself, Jun Xiangbei was indeed attracted. This suited him perfectly.
He took a half step forward and introduced himself in a humble tone: "Hello, Mr. Jun, Mr. Su. My name is Gu Yunqing."
His voice was clear and bright, his attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, and he had the clean temperament unique to young people, but he was neither overly ingratiating nor fearful, as if he were just making an ordinary introduction between strangers.
“Gu Yunqing…” Jun Xiangbei repeated the name in a low voice, his cold eyes scrutinizing her even more.
He quickly searched his mind for information about the name, but found nothing in either the list of famous players or the list of core members of major guilds.
A completely unfamiliar name.
No, that's not right. Jun Xiangbei suddenly remembered that he had heard this name from Xin Yuan'er.
A guild inspector?
You looked north as if deep in thought.
Su Meichuan blinked her beautiful eyes and smiled as she replied in a friendly tone, "So it's Mr. Gu. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"I am Su Meichuan, and this is Jun Xiangbei. I saw you two gentlemen accompanying you from afar just now, and I was wondering who they were."
Gu Yunqing maintained a gentle smile on her face, but in her mind she was quickly analyzing Jun Xiangbei's reaction.
Jun Xiangbei's undisguised probing gaze told him that he had already achieved half of his goal.
He successfully piqued the interest of the original protagonist, and in the name of "Gu Yunqing".
"I've long heard of Mr. Jun and Mr. Su's reputations. As for me, I'm just an ordinary person," Gu Yunqing replied politely, her tone sincere.
“Mr. Gu is too modest,” Jun Xiangbei said, looking at Gu Yunqing. “To have Mr. Zhuge and Mr. Qiu traveling with you, Mr. Gu must have some extraordinary abilities.”
His words remained direct, carrying an earnestness that demanded no perfunctory treatment.
He seemed convinced that Gu Yunqing was not as simple as she appeared, and he was determined to find out the truth.
Su Meichuan chimed in, her gaze sweeping over Gu Yunqing with a mixture of admiration and curiosity.
"Yes, Mr. Gu has a unique air about him; one look at him and you know he's no ordinary person. May I ask which area Mr. Gu usually frequents? Or... which guild does he belong to?"
This is already quite a thorough investigation.
Gu Yunqing smiled inwardly, knowing that the time was almost right.
Continuing further would only appear suspicious.
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