Chapter 28: The Twenty-Eighth Cup

Chapter 28: The Twenty-Eighth Cup

In the dense rainforest, the ground suddenly trembled. Monsters hiding in tree trunks and grasses swiftly retreated, insects and birds cried out in alarm, and leaves rustled.

Looking up through the gaps in the lush foliage, one could vaguely see the rough bark of a tree that seemed etched with the passage of time, along with eerie human faces on it—this was a moving tree.

A Level 15 wilderness BOSS, the Tree Demon.

This new monster only appeared after the update. With thick health and high defense, many players entering the rainforest for leveling were intercepted by it. According to eyewitness reports, it seemed to grow taller every day, and its abilities also seemed to strengthen, much like a real tree growing.

To prevent it from becoming an unmanageable monster, the officials organized a Tree Demon hunting event led by the Combat Department, inviting some capable players to join forces and kill the Tree Demon.

Beside a milk tea cart camouflaged with branches and leaves, He Wuning and Yi Luo stood side by side. In front of their line of sight, a fierce-looking young man with a buzz cut—Combat Department Team One Captain Xing Yue—sat among a group of people.

They had brought a player with the ability "Mimicry Field," which allowed them to remain undetected by monsters within his range.

This temporary team was squatting not far from the Tree Demon, holding their final pre-action meeting.

Xing Yue's expression was serious, and his tone was solemn. "We've already divided into groups before coming here. Everyone knows their best attributes. Remember, don't be reckless. If your health drops below 800, retreat immediately for healing."

He Wuning, with barely 400 health: "……"

Yi Luo chuckled, and He Wuning rolled his eyes.

Several players with heart symbols on their sleeves raised their hands, and Xing Yue nodded at them. "Remember their faces. If you're injured, come back for healing. Healers stay in the safe zone and do not leave."

"Let me remind you, these healers have good physical constitution but low healing abilities. They can't pull you back from the brink of death instantly, so be careful during combat."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

He Wuning and Yi Luo had just reached Level 10, barely qualifying them for this hunt, but they were clearly not the main attackers.

The main attackers were not players but the new flame cannons created by the Tech Department—based on the simple understanding of the five elements, the Tree Demon was likely afraid of fire.

He Wuning glanced at the high-damage weapon draped in black cloth behind the crowd, stroking his chin with interest. Just as he was about to say something to Yi Luo, a shiny head flashed in front of him.

He Wuning: "……"

His gaze slightly lowered, meeting a pair of intimidating eyes—Master Zhi Yin, who was squatting on the ground. It seemed he had moved closer to avoid drawing attention.

But his presence was bound to attract notice.

He Wuning instinctively straightened his relaxed stance, standing upright and lowering his voice. "What is it?"

Yi Luo remained casual. "Hey, Master Zhi Yin is here too?"

The master nodded, looking at He Wuning and speaking softly. "Mr. He, stand behind me later."

He Wuning was puzzled. "Huh?"

The master reminded him, "Don't you have 300 health?"

He Wuning frowned. "It's 400 now!"

He had reached Level 10 and changed his equipment, increasing his health and defense. At least he could withstand one attack from the Tree Demon.

But thinking of the master's health, he kept quiet.

Yi Luo, leaning against him, tried to stifle his laughter, trembling slightly. He Wuning couldn't help giving him an elbow. Yi Luo, caught off guard, exclaimed, "Ouch."

"Based on current intelligence, the Tree Demon's attacks carry two special negative effects. Powder-like spores cause paralysis, and vine attacks that break the skin cause poisoning," Xing Yue continued sharing the known information about the Tree Demon. In the tense silence, Yi Luo's "Ouch" drew everyone's attention, and all the players turned to look at him.

Even Yi Luo, with his thick skin, felt a bit embarrassed.

"Cough!" He pretended to follow Xing Yue's lead. "Everyone, stay safe."

With a composed demeanor and a calm attitude, he had a thick face indeed.

Unfortunately, Xing Yue wasn't buying it. He raised an eyebrow provocatively. "Special Combat Department, Yi Luo, do you have any questions?"

He Wuning sensed a hint of tension.

Yi Luo smiled brightly, turning to He Wuning. "Do I?"

"Yes." He Wuning looked up, meeting Xing Yue's somewhat surprised gaze. "Wait for me a moment."

Xing Yue furrowed his brow but didn't confront He Wuning directly. "Why?"

He Wuning had already opened the car door. "Developing a new product to resist paralysis and poisoning. I can handle these two attributes."

He got into the car, and Yi Luo quickly followed, closing the door behind him.

Xing Yue: "……"

He blinked. "Where was I?"

His deputy immediately responded, "The Tree Demon's two types of attacks carry special negative effects."

"Oh." He withdrew his gaze. "Then let's continue. We currently know the Tree Demon's attack patterns include..."

Inside the milk tea van, He Wuning opened his skill tree and unlocked two new recipes, "Taro Ball Milk Tea" and "Pudding Milk Tea." He then looked at Yi Luo. "Why did you come up here?"

"I was stirring things up down there," Yi Luo said matter-of-factly, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "I can help up here too."

Q Sauce landed on He Wuning's shoulder. "Sweetheart, making a double-flavored one? Pudding and taro balls?"

"Yeah," He Wuning replied, glancing sideways at Yi Luo. "What help can you provide?"

Yi Luo took a seat with his long legs crossed and said boldly, "Taste test."

After a moment's thought, he added, "I can also help cheer you on."

He Wuning glanced at him. Unexpectedly, he didn't ask him to leave but instead asked, "Do you know him?"

Yi Luo laughed from behind him, "Of course I do. Who don't I know?"

He Wuning wasn't fooled, "Any grudges?"

"Not really," Yi Luo propped his chin, "It's just that he doesn't like me very much."

Once he started talking, he would continue without needing He Wuning to ask.

"He's the captain of Team One in the Combat Department. As for me, I'm directly under the Command Center in the Special Combat Department. Whenever there's an issue, we're always the first ones to respond."

"Most of the intelligence they have now about the tree demons was verified by our Special Department."

Yi Luo looked at him with a smile, "Back then, I always thought you'd be a good fit for our Special Department. Too bad Xue Xun asked you several times, but you never agreed."

"We're around the same age, so we were part of the same batch. Our initial aspiration was the Special Department, and during the final selection, we sparred against each other."

He Wuning raised an eyebrow, "Didn't beat you, so he held a grudge?"

"It's not that he couldn't beat me." Yi Luo had a hesitant look, but then he continued, "Mainly because... he's a bit unlucky."

"While sparring, the sole of his combat boot split, and he ended up fracturing his toe."

He Wuning: "..."

"So he held a grudge over that?"

"I don't think it was that." Yi Luo admitted, "Probably because I laughed too loudly back then."

He Wuning looked at his face and turned away speechlessly.

Q-jiang flew up angrily, "You deserve it!"

Yi Luo pressed him down, "Later, everyone awakened their abilities. His ability wasn't bad; he could transform into a werewolf. To me, he looked more like a husky, but he insists he's a wolf."

"I think it's the world compensating for his luck."

Someone knocked on the car window. He Wuning put down the tray, and Xing Yue stood outside, "I've finished briefing. Are you done here?"

He Wuning placed the milk tea on the tray.

Xing Yue's gaze passed over He Wuning's shoulder and landed on Yi Luo behind him, "We need someone for close combat. Can you fill in?"

Yi Luo nodded, "As you command."

He Wuning was a bit surprised, "You can handle close combat?"

"Don't I still carry a shield?" Yi Luo stood up, stretched, and showed off a Level 10 snake-skin dagger identical to He Wuning's, "Versatile skills, proficient in all."

He Wuning narrowed his eyes, "So you usually only fight from a distance to slack off?"

"No way." Yi Luo ruffled his hair, and He Wuning shook him off with disdain. Yi Luo continued, "That gun is made by the Technical Department. It can increase its attack power as my level rises. It's a growth-type weapon, and I find it convenient to use."

He Wuning tossed him several cups of milk tea. Yi Luo sighed, "When will you unlock the ultimate combo? We'll need to drink a barrel of milk tea before every fight."

He Wuning rolled his eyes, "Drink if you want; otherwise, give it back."

Yi Luo quickly stuffed the milk tea into his mouth.

The temporary tree demon hunting team gathered to finish their milk tea. Xing Yue fiercely threw the empty cups into a black garbage bag, mimicking the gesture of smashing a bowl after drinking.

"Ready?"

"Safety first, fire!"

The gunner beside the cannon immediately pulled off the black cloth, adjusted the cannon's aim toward the slowly moving tree demon, and fired without hesitation!

The cannon shot out a straight beam, and the compressed flame round exploded into a massive burst of high-temperature flames upon hitting the tree demon, spreading down the dry trunk like wildfire.

"Roar—"

The tree demon let out a deafening roar, causing the entire rainforest to tremble. He Wuning looked up, squinting. The flame cannon worked well, but...

The tree demon suddenly stopped, its thick roots digging deep into the ground. Simultaneously, the burned wounds began oozing a sticky sap that was not flammable, causing the flames to quickly die out.

Someone cursed, "Damn it, it's not that easy!"

"Stop it from getting near the cannon! Everyone, move! Xiaojie!"

The slender girl named Xiaojie ran in the opposite direction of the cannon, shouting back at the tree demon, "Come get me! Come fight me!"

The tree demon, seemingly losing control, turned laboriously and chased after Xiaojie.

He Wuning: "..."

This was actually a taunt skill.

He Wuning drove up next to her, "Can you drive?"

After running such a short distance, Xiaojie was already out of breath—this game indeed didn't give players suitable skills, and she was likely lacking in stamina.

Her eyes lit up, and she nodded vigorously, her face flushed as she struggled to catch her breath. She climbed into the driver's seat, pulling the tree demon away from the cannon.

He Wuning picked up a Level 10 snake-skin dagger identical to Yi Luo's, taking a fighting stance, "How should we divide it?"

Yi Luo suggested, "I'll take the left, and you take the right?"

"No." He Wuning rushed out first. "You take the left, and I'll take the right."

Yi Luo sighed in exasperation, "Tsk, rebellious."

Author's note: Tomorrow, there will be a double update after 23:00, thanks to the clamp! This is an additional update due to the clamp and does not count as a nutrient solution update. Thank you for supporting the official release!

Thank you to the little angels who voted for me with overlord tickets or watered nutrient solutions from 20:53:12 on August 19, 2021, to 20:49:05 on August 20, 2021.

Thank you to the little angel who cast a landmine: Bai Qingning (1).

Thank you to the little angels who watered nutrient solutions: Wei Zishu, Bai Qingning (20 bottles); Sizhi (13 bottles); Logo Fengyu (10 bottles); Fang Kong Damaoshou Huo Kuai Le (8 bottles); 00000 (7 bottles); Xingxingzhi (2 bottles); Tianertf (1 bottle).

Thank you very much for your support; I will continue to work hard!