Chapter 256 So You Think You’re the Only One Who Can Shoot?

Unfortunately, she could only complain inwardly in the end.

After all, maintaining the persona required some sacrifices.

Moreover… she realized that her dilemma seemed to have shifted from the question of kissing to something else entirely.

It’s a rather sad fact.

Ling Mo didn’t feel he had done anything wrong; seeing Xia Xinyan’s lack of reaction led him to believe she tacitly accepted his behavior, which inadvertently brightened his mood a bit.

With this logic… could it mean he could take things a step further?

Ahem, but now wasn’t the time to rush into that; the dungeon was the priority for the moment.

“Let’s find the others first,” he said, taking Xia Xinyan’s hand softly.

Xia Xinyan paused for a moment, then nodded, “Mm.”

Forget it, whatever will be, will be; she decided to lie back.

Being a salted fish wasn’t too bad.

Ling Mo quickly exchanged information with the fatty regarding their location. They moved swiftly; even after retreating to the city center before, they had started to make their way here after the explosions subsided.

Eventually, the two teams met in a not-so-distant street.

Ling Mo surveyed the group, confirming everyone was unhurt, but noticed Tang Chong’s team was missing and couldn’t help but ask, “Where’s Tang Chong?”

“They?” The fatty shrugged. “Their mission is complete—the one you just blew up was it, and then they left the dungeon.”

Ling Mo: “…”

“But don’t worry, I’ve already added them as friends. Once we finish the dungeon, I’ll talk to him about joining the organization,” the fatty said, stroking his chin, then tilted his head to look at Lin Nan. “I recognize you; you’re connected with some big shots, right? We’re all on the same side—don’t keep a close eye on us. We’re just a little organization, more like a kids’ playhouse in your eyes, poses no real threat.”

Lin Nan smiled and nodded, “I know.”

Ling Mo stared at Lin Nan for a while.

Another big figure, huh…

He began to wonder just how much the fatty knew about all these matters.

The more he looked, the more he felt this guy had an incredible intel network.

It seems he should find a chance to have a chat with the fatty.

Xia Xinyan didn’t pay any mind to that: “Since the danger has been resolved, how about we exchange some intel? I doubt anyone wants to fight right now, right?”

Almost as soon as she finished speaking, a loud voice suddenly echoed from nearby, “Haha! I’m willing!”

Simultaneously, a transparent barrier sprang up around everyone, enclosing them like a soap bubble, appearing somewhat illusory from the inside out.

At this moment, everyone’s attention was entirely drawn to the three men who suddenly burst onto the scene in front of them.

These three guys wore fierce expressions, with a hint of a rogue smile at the corners of their mouths—like lewd men approaching a girl in a narrow alley, they possessed freedom, longing, but more so, an internal release.

Such a stance could only be shown with absolute confidence from within.

“It’s simply heaven rewarding the diligent! Finally found us some people, and quite a few too! Hahaha, who knew we could score so many heads in the first round? It must be the divine will making us win this competition!” The leader, Yellow Hair, laughed arrogantly, sounding like a victorious proclamation after the villains’ entrance.

The two underlings laughed along: “Hahaha, it seems the first position is locked in! Boss is mighty!”

Ling Mo and the others: “…”

Even the fatty couldn’t help but look a bit uncomfortable: “These guys seem to think they have a huge advantage?”

“Tch, I wonder where their courage comes from,” Murong Yue glanced at the people around.

Anyone drawn from this group had over a fifty percent chance of competing for the title of strongest, yet these guys seemed to have incredible luck.

An Xiao felt a bit uneasy: “They might have some tricks up their sleeves? Could it be related to that barrier? Like it might lower our powers or something?”

“Nope,” Bai Yu quietly reassured, “I just tested it with a mechanical bee; it’s just a regular barrier.”

“So they’re also strong?” An Xiao frowned slightly, puzzled, “But I don’t recall them.”

Plus, from what she knew, true strong ones rarely had such arrogance.

Stronger people understand that there’s always a bigger fish in the sea; they might be confident in their strength, but few would present themselves as the best in the world.

Still, every rule has its exceptions; she dared not be certain.

Maybe this bunch really had the means to defeat anyone? Otherwise, why would they be so cocky?

Even Xia Xinyan was momentarily intimidated by the trio’s aura, studying them seriously for a few seconds, only to find they exuded a far weaker vibe than herself, leaving her puzzled.

Where did this pack of confidence come from?

And soon enough, they gave an answer—

“You sure are acting like a romantic, huh? Trying to show off in front of your girlfriend? Fine, you’re the target!” Once he noticed his entrance had seemed to intimidate everyone, Yellow Hair nodded in satisfaction, then pointed at Ling Mo. “No choice, just blame yourself for standing too close and for me taking a dislike to you.”

Ling Mo: “…”

Oh.

He was merely instinctively shielding Xia Xinyan behind him, unrelated to the enemy’s strength. This had almost become a subconscious behavior for him; in his mind, protecting Xia Xinyan held the highest priority over anything else.

And as for these three? He truly didn’t regard them at all.

After all, he was currently ranked fourth, and one should at least have confidence that befitted their level—confidence in their own strength.

Unless it was an attack that could instant-kill him, he couldn’t think of a way to resolve it in a short span.

Moreover, with his current combat style, anyone facing him would at least have to shed a layer of skin.

Of course, even though he was confident in defeating the opponent, he wouldn’t underestimate them; Ling Mo was already prepared for battle, ready to counter at a moment’s notice.

He didn’t easily take offense with others, but he wouldn’t hold back against those with hostile intentions.

Then…

They watched as the leader, Yellow Hair, pulled out a pink bow and arrow from his spatial watch.

Xia Xinyan recognized it well.

“Hahahaha! Let me show you what a real divine artifact looks like!” Yellow Hair got even more arrogant, “I just bought this super divine artifact for a high price! Perfect timing to try it out on you! Just one arrow, and whoever gets hit will have to obey my command! Even gods have to kneel and call me daddy!”

With that, he loosed an arrow at Ling Mo.

“Get down! Call me daddy!” he shouted immediately.

Ling Mo: “…”

He silently manifested a tactical stun-destroyer bow.

So you think you’re the only one who can shoot, huh?