Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Peaceful Town
Zhao Yan wiped his face, shaking off the alcohol sprayed from Cotton, and grabbed Cotton’s collar with a fierce look:
"You damn thing, what have you done!"
Cotton, now drenched in sweat, muttered softly to himself, "Impossible, it doesn’t make sense."
"Stop pretending!" Zhao Yan disregarded their shared organization and threw a punch.
Cotton remained in a daze, but his body suddenly expanded twice, like a fluffy cotton ball, nullifying all the force from Zhao Yan’s punch.
After landing several punches with no effect, Zhao Yan persisted and ignited a faint flame on his fist, aiming a heavy uppercut at Cotton’s abdomen.
With the fire attribute power boosting him, he broke through Cotton’s protective ability, landing the punch solidly.
Cotton cried out in pain, the agony snapping him back to his senses. As soon as he recovered, he grabbed Zhao Yan’s fist.
Zhao Yan sneered, "You brat, daring to fight back, you..."
Before he could finish, Cotton suddenly hugged him tightly, as if grabbing onto a lifeline.
"Brother Fire, I’ve messed up big time, you have to help me, or I’m done for!"
Cotton’s grip was strong, almost pulling Zhao Yan into his expanded body.
Zhao Yan used all his strength to barely escape and, sensing the power gap between them, didn’t attack further but questioned:
"I knew none of you could be trusted, what’s your scheme with upgrading my people to a reward dungeon?"
Upon hearing the query, Cotton’s frantic gaze wandered as he looked aside and whispered, "I can’t say."
Seeing Zhao Yan about to explode, Cotton quickly added, "But I can swear I didn’t tamper with permissions, nor did I intend to send them into a C-Level dungeon."
"Fire bro, we’ve got to figure out how to rescue them. I know your Order Sect can send people into a dungeon midway, you have to help me."
Amused by Cotton, Zhao Yan laughed, "Joining midway, temporary players can’t exceed the dungeon’s suggested level cap and only one person can join. Are you going, or am I?"
"Have you forgotten why Peaceful Town is on the special focus list?"
Cotton said frantically, "I’m panicking because I know. Generally, a C-Level... as long as it’s not this dungeon, there’s a chance with others."
Peaceful Town appeared recently, with low presence, only showing up once on the dungeon danger index, ranking twenty-eighth.
Its short appearance meant few details, leading to sparse external discussions.
But insiders would never underestimate this newly appeared C-Level dungeon, with the Management Bureau marking Peaceful Town as a special focus dungeon, ensuring all members take note of it.
The concern stemmed from five days ago, when a second-tier organization named Deep Water Society attempted to tackle Peaceful Town.
Deep Water Society, hell-bent on a breakthrough, targeted Peaceful Town’s true dungeon coordinates, dispatching an entire B-Level exploration team for the offensive.
A B-Level exploration team, as the name implies, is capable of exploring and opening B-Level dungeons, with team members at least level 18, highly coordinated and experienced.
For a typical C-Level dungeon, it’s a breezy affair.
However, Peaceful Town still stands intact, indicating the outcome of the offensive.
A whole team of ten players, only three left the dungeon alive.
One of them suffered a will collapse and is still under critical care.
Two were severely shocked, their will reduced below 3, losing expression ability and all memories, showing extreme aggressiveness, attacking all members within view.
These two caused multiple indiscriminate assault cases upon returning to reality, leading the Management Bureau to trace to Deep Water Society, uncovering Peaceful Town’s existence.
The official suggested exploration level for a C-Level dungeon is 10-20.
Meaning even if the Order Sect can send someone midway, the joiner’s level can’t exceed 20.
With an entire B-Level exploration team trapped, leaving none intact, sending a single level 20 player in, won’t that be sending them to their death?
Moreover, needing them to play nanny, rescuing a bunch of under-level 10 rookies.
No sane player would take on such a wreck of a task.
Zhao Yan felt his scalp tingle; this matter had exceeded his capacity. He had to blow it up to turn the tide.
On a personal level, Meng Yawen had just asked him to look after Wu Chang, and now Wu Chang had been coaxed into a C-Level dungeon, betraying Meng Yawen’s trust.
Officially, he was everyone’s instructor, failing to protect newcomers was his failing; if word got out, who would trust the Management Bureau’s promise for newcomer training?
This was more shameful than losing to Wu Chang in the arena or the chief streaking by tenfold!
He hurriedly informed Meng Yawen, then furiously shouted at Cotton:
"You Evolution Sect really are something, scheming against your own! You want chaos? We’ll help you blow the sky apart, and let’s see who’ll end up in shambles when it all collapses!"
The Bureau moved quickly; within minutes, responsible figures from both sides were present.
From Wanghai City’s side came Lei Huo and Meng Yawen, both fiery tempered and uncompromising.
Sending them to resolve the issue indicated the attitude of Wanghai City Management Bureau, even the Order Sect.
If an explanation wasn’t given, they’d take action on the spot.
Contrary to Order Sect, the usually assertive Evolution Sect sent a composed, graying-haired middle-aged man.
The man held notable seniority, even Wanghai Branch’s Director Gao must lower his head and greet him as senior.
However, Lei Huo and Meng Yawen, too, came from influential backgrounds, showing no courtesy, clearly defying him.
The middle-aged man signaled Cotton, directing him to step forward and said;
"If mistakes were made, they must be acknowledged. Continued cover-up will thoroughly damage both sides’ relations. Just tell it as it is."
Standing in the center, Cotton took a few deep breaths and slowly began to speak.
"Actually..."
Peaceful Town Dungeon.
On the beach, following initial anger and confusion, everyone accepted reality.
At this point, even if seeking Cotton for revenge, surviving and leaving was the priority.
During the pre-dungeon safety period, the players who entered gathered together.
Including Wu Chang’s True Self, twelve players were present.
Five were Wanghai City’s new helpers, two from Dongyang City, it was these seven under-level 10 rookies who initiated the team dungeon.
The remaining five, besides Wu Chang’s True Self, were system-inserted players due to the original players’ inadequacy compared to the dungeon’s difficulty.
Wu Chang was displeased by this.
The system sure did its job here; why hadn’t he received such treatment when matched for his own dungeon?
The four inserted players divided into two groups.
Among them, a young man dressed in a black trench coat, with an artistic melancholy vibe, stood alone afar, eyeing Wu Chang’s True Self, seemingly contemplating to approach.
The other three formed a group, with fine equipment and fierce demeanor, clearly seasoned players.
The trio exchanged glances, taking a triangular stance, showing hostility as they semi-enclosed Wu Chang and the others.
While controlling True Self, Wu Chang coldly dismissed the artistic man’s approach, observably watching the three inserts.
Oh boy, the dungeon hadn’t started yet, but internal conflict was brewing.