North of the city, Liang Family.
Liang Shaoyu's father, Liang Tai, belongs to the Celestial Path Alliance just like Qin Lie.
However, Qin Lie is the Grand Steward of the Celestial Path Alliance's branch, while Liang Tai is just an ordinary member.
As a member of the Celestial Path Alliance, one naturally holds a noble status in the eyes of ordinary people, but in front of Qin Lie, one has to bow and scrape.
It is due to Liang Tai's status and abilities that the Liang Family has been developed quite well by him.
"Level eight..." Liang Tai sipped from a teacup he held to his lips.
Finding it a bit cool, he frowned and put it down.
The maid beside him understood and immediately brewed fresh tea.
"That's right, it's level eight. The rookie leaderboard wouldn't make a mistake." Liang Shaoyu said through gritted teeth.
Evidently, the humiliation from mocking Lu Ran and being turned on left him stuck with that bitterness.
Instead of leveling up immediately, he came to Liang Tai to complain.
Simultaneously, he exaggerated today's events when recounting them.
"Over the years, Qin Lie has continuously overshadowed me in the Celestial Path Alliance's branch. He never even looks me in the eye. Now Qin Wuyao is getting close to Lu Ran; this isn't good." Liang Tai said with a frown.
"Father, do you mean Qin Wuyao is trying to win over Lu Ran?" Liang Shaoyu asked.
"No, a mere Undead Mage who is still a newcomer, I don't pay attention to. Qin Lie having Qin Wuyao get close to Lu Ran must be due to some piece of equipment Lu Ran has." Liang Tai analyzed.
A piece of equipment?
Liang Shaoyu was a bit perplexed: "But Lu Ran comes from the slums, how could he possibly have any good equipment?"
Liang Tai glanced at Liang Shaoyu.
He explained, "Reaching level eight in a day, regardless of the method, is impossible. Even if you find the four most suitable, fastest monster-clearing profession combination to team up and reduce the experience penalty, it's still impossible, unless..."
Liang Tai paused in his speech.
He continued, "Unless Lu Ran has some equipment that can increase experience gain efficiency. That's the only possibility!"
Hence, Liang Tai was not concerned about Lu Ran himself but rather the equipment Lu Ran wore.
Because only this can explain why Lu Ran could level up to level eight within a single day.
There is no other possibility!
Liang Shaoyu's heart tightened, and he immediately asked again, "But he's not even level ten, and setting aside that equipment that increases experience gain efficiency is extremely expensive, he doesn't have the level for it!"
Liang Tai sneered coldly, "Unless that equipment is levelless."
Speaking this, even Liang Shaoyu couldn't help but swallow his saliva.
Currently, equipment that increases experience gain efficiency is extremely expensive in the market!
But the levels are generally very high. If Lu Ran could equip it, it means it must be without level restriction!
Levelless equipment with experience gain efficiency, although unseen yet, if it exists, its value would be simply immeasurable!
For any faction to obtain it, it would be an overwhelming tool to cultivate newcomers!
"Father, we... can't just sit and wait. If Qin Lie gets the equipment from Lu Ran, whether he contributes it to the Celestial Path Alliance or the Qin Family uses it themselves, the Liang Family would be far behind!" Liang Shaoyu said anxiously.
"That's also my concern, but fortunately, there's still time." A trace of murderous intent flashed in Liang Tai's eyes.
"Father, what are you planning to do?" Liang Shaoyu asked cautiously.
"I'll make arrangements. Kill him, the equipment must be in our Liang Family's hands!" Liang Tai said decisively.
As the patriarch of the Liang Family, Liang Tai was much more decisive and ruthless than his useless son!
"Good! Kill him!" Liang Shaoyu's eyes lit up.
However, what excited him was not the equipment but rather the chance to kill Lu Ran!
Over an hour later.
Outskirts, Temple King Village.
This place was in ruins, said to be a village from before global digitization. After digitization, wild monsters rampaged, and everyone gathered at main cities like Black Fire City.
Main cities are generated by world rules, as are dungeon halls, teleportation arrays, and other such features from data.
Meanwhile, villages or even towns from the old world in the wild are almost entirely abandoned.
"Nearby is the region of level 13 monsters, the Illusion King Butterflies. Shall we still continue? If we go any further, it'll be dangerous." Qin Wuyao said, her face turning pale.
She kept a close watch on her surroundings.
Scattered around, a few flitting butterflies the size of millstones could be seen wandering about.
The active trigger range of Illusion King Butterflies is 15 meters. Qin Wuyao remembered this and weaved around them, avoiding fights with the Illusion King Butterflies.
After all, she was only level five, and Lu Ran was level eight.
The two of them would barely manage to take on one Illusion King Butterfly, and if they were unfortunate to attract several more, they might just die here today.
She regretted impulsively coming out with Lu Ran.
For the sake of a Rift Dungeon, one they might not even be able to defeat, they ventured here, which was too risky!
In contrast, Lu Ran remained calm.
He glanced around and tightened his grip on the Frost Wolf Magic Staff in his hand, pondering, "It's around here."
The location marked on the Rift Contract was nearby, no more than fifty meters away.
As long as they found the exact spot, the option to activate the Rift Dungeon would appear.
But at this moment.
Not far from the two, three figures emerged, twisting like specters.
It turned out to be three assassins revealing themselves from stealth!
The two were startled.
The three people then looked at Lu Ran and Qin Wuyao with smirking faces.
"Initially, when we took the mission, we thought it would be difficult. After all, rookies who've just awakened their professions usually either grind outside the city or tackle level 5 dungeons, making it hard to find an assassination opportunity. We never expected you'd just venture out of the city; what a rare chance." The leading young man chuckled and said.
The three approached step by step.
Lu Ran and Qin Wuyao felt a tension in their hearts.
"What do you mean?" Lu Ran asked, frowning.
He slowly raised the Magic Staff in his hand.
The young man looked around, ensuring no other professionals were nearby before saying, "There's no harm in telling you. There's a piece of equipment on you that the Liang Family is interested in. They specifically named you for assassination and to acquire that piece of equipment. You can only blame your bad luck. Us guys have been short on cash lately, so we took up the job."
After saying this, the three of them drew their daggers.
Lu Ran was somewhat puzzled.
The Liang Family? Isn't that Liang Shaoyu? They've had conflicts, but it doesn't warrant a death penalty, does it?
Moreover, the Liang Family's reason for wanting him dead seemed unrelated to Liang Shaoyu and was, instead, about some piece of equipment?
Lu Ran looked down at the Frost Wolf Magic Staff in his hand. This thing, even though it's a purple rare item, is low-level and not of high value. Liang Shaoyu's father, Liang Tai, is a High Combat Professional and a member of the Celestial Path Alliance, so he shouldn't be interested in this Frost Wolf Magic Staff, right?
Furthermore, setting aside the Frost Wolf Magic Staff, even better ones could be afforded by the Liang Family!
There's no reason they'd hire someone to assassinate him over a Frost Wolf Magic Staff.
Besides the Frost Wolf Magic Staff, all of Lu Ran's equipment was blue-grade, and that's even less valuable!
Though Lu Ran was confused.
Facing three assassins clearly much higher-leveled, the murderous intent in Lu Ran's heart began to rise.
If you wish to kill me, then I shall kill you. It's as simple as that!