Chapter 15: Uncle, Why Did You Stop Smiling?

Level 5 Monster Zone.

The Fortune Masters squad had now pushed their way to this point.

Unlike Grand Ambitions, which sought to build a vast guild, Fortune Masters aimed to create a small but elite team.

Currently, the squad consisted of only four members, but each was a top-tier expert.

Aside from Maple Leaves Xiao Xiao, who possessed an S-level talent, the other two members were among the best with A-level talents.

According to Fortune Masters’ plan, once they left the newbie village, the recruitment baseline for the team would rise to S-level!

With his immense financial resources, he was confident he could forge the most elite team across the multiverse.

Every member who joined the team had to sign a contract.

This contract was generated by the multiverse game system and was binding on all players.

That was why Fortune Masters spared no effort in investing in all his teammates.

Though his own talent was at the SSS level, it currently offered no direct combat boost.

In the early stages of the multiverse, establishing oneself required building a strong team.

Among the targets in newbie village 9527, Bai Ye, who had triggered a system announcement, was the prime candidate Fortune Masters wanted to recruit.

After sharing part of his talent’s benefits with Bai Ye, Fortune Masters narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips.

He was confident that revealing his talent would attract Bai Ye.

After all, no matter how powerful the talent, money was still necessary.

Talents of the same level grew much faster when backed by solid financial support.

The only price to pay was joining his team — such a profitable deal, who could possibly refuse?

Yet, in the next moment, Fortune Masters’ smile froze.

[Bai Ye]: Sorry, I prefer to act on my own.

The youngest and only female member of the squad tilted her head and asked curiously, “Hey, mister, why aren’t you smiling anymore?”

“Cotton Candy, heal him.”

The shield-bearing warrior Ah Wei twitched at the corner of his mouth and quickly changed the subject.

Maple Leaves Xiao Xiao sheathed her weapon and walked over to Fortune Masters, frowning. “He refused?”

“Yeah.”

Fortune Masters nodded bitterly.

He couldn’t understand how, after revealing an SSS-level talent, Bai Ye could possibly decline.

Unwilling to accept this, Fortune Masters was about to question further when Bai Ye sent another message.

[Bai Ye]: Interested in a trade?

[Fortune Masters]: What kind of trade?

This immediately piqued Fortune Masters’ interest.

He was now broke except for money.

His first shake of the money tree had yielded over 500 gold coins.

Such a vast fortune had nowhere to be spent at this stage.

Though newbie village 9527 had some NPC shops,

the strongest items they sold were only ordinary-grade equipment and common consumables.

Bai Ye had soloed a Silver-level boss, surely dropping some valuable loot.

[Bai Ye]: I have a batch of equipment and skill books I don’t need. Your team might be interested.

“A batch?!” Fortune Masters’ pupils constricted sharply as he quickly replied.

[Fortune Masters]: How many? I want them all!

[Bai Ye]: More than you think. I’ll notify you when I’m done and ready to trade.

[Fortune Masters]: Great! I’ll be waiting for your message, brother Bai Ye.

Closing the chat window, Fortune Masters’ smile returned.

To him, familiarity bred opportunity — as long as Bai Ye logged in first, there would be plenty of chances to win him over.

He refused to believe anyone could truly reject money.

Even in this data-driven multiverse game world, money was still king.

“Maple Leaves, soon you’ll have some top-notch gear.”

Suddenly, Fortune Masters patted Maple Leaves Xiao Xiao on the shoulder.

Xiao Xiao blinked in surprise and was about to speak when Cotton Candy’s excited shout rang out.

“Big Brother Maple Leaves, quick! A boss has respawned here!”

“A Bronze-level one!”

Ah Wei also spoke eagerly.

Not far off, a bulky wild boar appeared, noticeably larger than the surrounding beasts.

[Wild Boar Chief]

[Level 5]

[Bronze-level Boss]

[HP: 23,800/23,800]

[Attack: 205]

[Physical Defense: 81]

[Magic Defense: 62]

[Skills: Tear, Savage Charge, Wild Stomp]

(This guy’s no pushover.)

Fortune Masters’ eyes lit up instantly as he turned to Maple Leaves Xiao Xiao. “Confident?”

“Should be fine.”

A spark of excitement flashed in Xiao Xiao’s eyes as he fixed his gaze on the Wild Boar Chief, eager to engage.

Having seen Bai Ye appear on television, he too desired that kind of dazzling spotlight.

No matter what, this boss had to be taken down!

“Trade all healing potions to Maple Leaves.”

To be safe, Fortune Masters instructed the others to hand over the potions to Xiao Xiao, then nodded at him.

“You can leave the team.”

Turning to Ah Wei, his expression grew serious.

“Ah Wei, keep watch. Don’t let anyone disturb Maple Leaves. We must secure this system announcement.”

“Don’t worry, I understand.”

Ah Wei nodded firmly, raising his shield to survey the area.

Beside him, Cotton Candy gripped her staff tightly, her expression tense.

Bang!

Maple Leaves Xiao Xiao transformed into a streak of light, his spear like a dragon’s strike, immediately engaging the Wild Boar Chief.

-986!

A massive critical hit appeared.

The Wild Boar Chief howled in pain, baring a pair of gleaming tusks as it lunged at Xiao Xiao.

Unfazed by the boss’s counterattack, Xiao Xiao sidestepped and spun, thrusting his spear once more.

Besides his awakened S-level talent, it was Xiao Xiao’s rich combat experience that made Fortune Masters value him so highly.

Man versus boar, the fierce battle erupted instantly, while the other three took up positions nearby.

Meanwhile, in the Level 4 monster zone, another boss had spawned.

In just a few minutes, Grand Ambitions guild had recruited hundreds of members, most still within Level 1 to 3 zones.

But Grand Ambitions didn’t care; they recruited freely and wildly, never stopping until full.

“Guild Leader! There’s a boss here!”

A guild member shouted, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.

“Don’t attack yet, wait for me!”

Grand Ambitions’ leader’s eyes gleamed as he rushed to the coordinates.

[Bobcat Leader]

[Level 4]

[Black Iron-level Boss]

[HP: 10,500/10,500]

[Attack: 132]

[Physical Defense: 63]

[Magic Defense: 48]

[Skills: Pounce, Sharp Claws]

(Be careful of its claws.)

“The guild leader’s here!”

Seeing Grand Ambitions’ leader arrive, the guild members turned their gaze.

Grand Ambitions’ leader basked in the spotlight, smiling as he greeted everyone.

“Brothers, hold the perimeter. I’ll take this one on solo.”

“If Bai Ye can trigger a system announcement, so can we!”

Confident with his greatly enhanced stats, Grand Ambitions’ leader drew his sword and charged at the Bobcat Leader.

This battle was his chance to assert his authority!