"Thank you, boss!" Kun Shao said, smiling broadly and cupping his hands in a gesture of gratitude.
Xu Que nodded slightly and asked, "You haven't cultivated any martial techniques?"
"Martial techniques?" Kun Shao appeared puzzled for a moment but soon understood. "Are you referring to martial arts skills?"
Xu Que thought for a moment before replying, "Yes, more or less."
Kun Shao gave an awkward smile, looking somewhat embarrassed. "To be honest, I've only practiced martial arts for two and a half years. Apart from the breathing method you taught, my master never taught me any martial skills…"
Upon hearing this, Xu Que froze, staring at the young man in front of him with incredulity.
What Xu Que didn't realize was that, because of his early involvement, many things had already changed. The trajectory of events in Magic City was now veering in a new direction.
Noticing Xu Que's stunned expression, Kun Shao continued, "Boss, which sect did you learn your breathing method from? How is it that it seems to incorporate techniques from all our martial clans?"
Xu Que replied, "My sect... well, I don't really know. I learned it from an old beggar."
In fact, Xu Que had already prepared this excuse when he first shared the method. After all, he was an orphan and had encountered all sorts of people in his life. This explanation was entirely plausible.
The truth was, the breathing method he had given them was, indeed, an amalgamation of the breathing techniques from all the martial arts families. However, it wasn't fully complete until six months after the fall of Heaven's Abyss.
"Could it be the legendary Nine-Fingered Divine Beggar?" Kun Shao speculated wildly.
Before he could continue his musing, Zhao Xian swiftly smacked the back of Kun Shao's head.
"You're watching too many martial arts dramas!" Zhao Xian scolded, then kicked Kun Shao lightly. "I told you to practice more, but you wouldn't listen. If it weren't for Xu Que, we'd all be dead by now."
Kun Shao rubbed his head, muttering under his breath, clearly used to being scolded.
"Xu Que, there's something I've always wanted to ask. I don't know if you'll answer..." Zhao Xian began, but Xu Que interrupted him before he could finish.
"I know what you're about to ask, but there are some things, even if I tell you, you might not believe. As for the question about the 'user panel'... I'm still researching it myself."
Hearing this, the group was somewhat disappointed. They had hoped Xu Que might reveal something beyond their understanding, but it seemed to all circle back to the idea of spiritual energy revival.
"Boss, what do you mean when you say we wouldn't believe it?" Kun Shao asked eagerly.
Xu Que smiled and replied, "Haven't you noticed? Our Blue Star has been trapped in something that resembles a game world?"
"Impossible…" Kun Shao waved his hand, unwilling to accept it.
But then, as if struck by a sudden realization, his eye twitched. Could it really be true? Was this really a game world? He, a living, breathing person with emotions, now found himself inside a world that felt like a game?
At that moment, everyone understood why Xu Que had adapted so quickly to this strange new reality—after all, he had brought them into the game world.
"Uh… Do monsters drop loot?" Kun Shao asked, almost meekly.
Xu Que smiled and revealed the equipment he was wearing to the group.
"Whoa! It really is a game!" they exclaimed in shock.
"Bang!"
Zhao Xian struck Kun Shao again with a heavy smack. "Watch your language. If you keep this up, don't ever say you're with us. You'll disgrace us."
"I was just surprised..." Kun Shao mumbled, his face flushed.
"Xu Que, is that 'Avenger' you?" Huang Bo asked, a pivotal question.
"No," Xu Que immediately shook his head in denial.
"Then, are you the one called 'Ya Zi'?" Zhao Xian asked, testing the waters.
"Yes," Xu Que nodded affirmatively.
There was no need for Xu Que to hide his identity as 'Ya Zi.' After all, he would be working with the authorities in the future, so revealing certain things now was the best way to signal his intentions.
Hearing Xu Que confirm this, Zhao Xian and the others were stunned. They had never imagined that the one who had reached the 'Territory Leader Rankings' would be standing right before them!
In an instant, Zhao Xian and Huang Bo both had the same thought. Without missing a beat, they asked in unison, "The anomaly that appeared at the East Suburb Metro Station, was that caused by you?"
"That wasn't an anomaly," Xu Que clarified. "That's my territory. The territory gains resources every day, but I'm unable to collect them right now."
"Why not?" Kun Shao quickly interjected.
"The trade hall hasn't been opened yet, so for now, I can only watch." Xu Que feigned helplessness.
The group was speechless. So the game world still had bugs?
Seeing their confused expressions, Xu Que shook his head and smiled bitterly. He had no intention of explaining the trade hall issue yet—everyone would see it in time, so for now, they would just have to wait.
Zhao Xian looked toward the dark, looming tunnel and asked, "What should we do now? Stay here or find another way out?"
"This is the only passage. How else are we supposed to leave?" Qi Shan, the burly man, asked.
"Shall we try moving further in?" Huang Bo suggested cautiously, looking around at the group.
He noticed everyone was waiting for Xu Que's response.
"Right now, the dimension is unstable, so there's no way out." Xu Que explained.
"What? We can't leave?" Kun Shao exclaimed in shock. "Does that mean we're stuck here forever?"
Zhao Xian, however, did not respond to Kun Shao but instead turned his gaze toward Xu Que. He didn't think Xu Que was a fool. If there was no way out, why would Xu Que have come here in the first place?
Seeing Zhao Xian's serious expression, Xu Que smiled. "There's only one way to leave for now."
Upon hearing this, Kun Shao and Huang Bo eagerly looked at Xu Que.
"Kill the ultimate boss here."
The moment these words left his mouth, Kun Shao and the others were dumbfounded. They knew their own abilities, and after barely surviving the battle with the shadow leopards, they didn't think they stood a chance against a boss.
"Do you have a plan to kill the boss?" Zhao Xian asked cautiously.
"I think so," Xu Que replied.
"What do you need from us?" Zhao Xian pressed.
"By now, you should have guessed what I want," Xu Que said, smiling at Zhao Xian.
"We have a martial hall, we can't just leave…" Zhao Xian began, but Xu Que interrupted him.
"I don't need you to abandon your forces. What I'm starting is a company, one that's unique to this world. I want you all to join my company."
Upon hearing this, the group was stunned. They all imagined themselves wearing suits and ties, heading to work in a company.
"Boss, do you want us to be security guards?" Kun Shao asked in a low voice.
Xu Que stared at him, immediately realizing that they had misunderstood. So, he laid out the actual vision for the company he wanted to create.
As Xu Que explained, Zhao Xian and the others gradually understood what kind of company he had in mind.
"Boss, don't worry. As soon as your company is up and running, I'll lead them to join!" Kun Shao said, slapping his chest proudly.
Xu Que smiled at Kun Shao, feeling as though the man was completely out of his element. Gone was the ruthless figure from his past life—now, he seemed more like a fool.
What Xu Que didn't know was that the cold and indifferent Kun Shao of the past had been shaped by the deaths of his friends, such as Zhao Xian.
Xu Que turned to Zhao Xian, waiting for his answer.
Zhao Xian exchanged a glance with Huang Bo, then nodded in agreement. "Since you've told us so much, we can tell you don't see us as outsiders. So, we'll join your company."
Xu Que stood up and extended his hand. "Welcome aboard!"
Zhao Xian placed his hand on Xu Que's, followed by Huang Bo, Qi Shan, and the others, with Kun Shao flashing a wide grin as he placed his hand atop theirs.
What Xu Que didn't know was that this bold move would be the foundation for the immense power his company would eventually wield.