Wearing a straw hat and riding a Red Deer Horse, Wang Zhifan slowly made his way through the bustling Pingwu City. He watched men and women dressed in ancient Xia Country-style clothing coming and going on the streets, admired this scene that was hard to encounter in the real world, and then dismounted. He unsummoned the Red Deer Horse and found a lively-looking tavern nearby to enter.
The tavern he entered had a rather ordinary name, "Drunken Immortal Tower." In the lobby on the first floor of the tower, he took a seat on a bench at an empty table and called the waiter. He ordered some steamed buns, meats, and tea, specifying that he would take all these ingredients with him.
The waiter did not dare neglect this customer with a tall stature and a black veil straw hat who appeared to be a martial artist. After listening to his instructions, the waiter nodded and hurried away. Not a single subsequent guest chose to sit at his table, leaving him alone while waiting for the food.
However, given Wang Zhifan’s current abnormal physical qualities, although no one was nearby, he could easily hear the conversations of all the guests in the tavern’s lobby, and he could even catch whispers from a few upstairs private rooms.
"Mr. Hu, have you heard about what happened yesterday afternoon on Wuji Mountain, southeast? It’s unbelievable that Wuji Sect actually managed to annihilate the Demon Sect that attacked them!"
"Heh... who in this city doesn’t know about such a big event now? But it’s truly surprising when you think about it—consider the numerous experts of the Demon Sect, far stronger than the now declining Wuji Sect by a good margin. The result is that thousands from the Demon Sect attacked Wuji Mountain, yet none escaped. It seems Wuji Sect has an unknown depth of strength, contrary to many beliefs."
"Haha... You’re not well-informed on that front, Mr. Hu. Let me tell you; I have reliable insider information. During yesterday’s battle, the Wuji Sect didn’t reveal any unforeseen cards. The reason behind the Demon Sect’s severe setback is that they recruited a high-skilled martial hero from somewhere to aid them."
"Wuji Sect recruited a high-skilled martial hero? Are you sure they recruited only one person? If one person could help Wuji Sect annihilate the entire Demon Sect, how strong would that person have to be?"
"Let me tell you, that is exactly the real situation I uncovered. Originally, the helpers invited by Wuji Sect numbered several dozen, but those people were intimidated by the Demon Sect’s tyranny; they all fled before the Demon Sect arrived. Only a daring young hero stayed, unleashed his prowess when the Demon Sect descended, and single-handedly killed over a thousand from the Demon Sect, including renowned experts like the Bloodthirsty Demon Saber and the Black-White Twin Swords!"
"One person killing a thousand, including numerous Demon Sect experts? That young hero must be a prodigy from a prestigious sect or school! I never thought even at present Wuji Sect could still invite such figures; it’s truly incredible!"
"Cough... about that, I’m not too clear, but I reckon it’s something similar. After all, young individuals with such power probably only exist in a few top sects and schools in this world..."
...
"Mr. Liu, I heard the Demon Sect and Wuji Sect fought yesterday. Although Wuji Sect won, the Demon Sect is vast and always takes revenge. Should we leave Pingwu City for now to avoid getting caught in the crossfire?"
"Haha, boy, you’re overthinking this. The world isn’t as it used to be. Even if one day the Demon Sect annihilates Wuji Sect, Pingwu City would simply switch its offerings to the Demon Sect. Those who fly higher just don’t have the leisure to hassle small households like ours. Besides, I heard Wuji Sect recently recruited a very skilled Honored Guest Elder. Perhaps they’ve already aligned with those big sects and schools, so it’s doubtful Pingwu City would change hands so easily. Just stay put..."
...
Sitting at the table bench with a black veil straw hat, Wang Zhifan quietly listened for a while to the conversations in the tavern lobby. He discovered that many talkative subjects were connected to him, primarily discussing how he assisted Wuji Sect in annihilating the Demon Sect Flying Ship yesterday. This made him feel the vitality and realism of this copy world, realizing these beings regarded by players as NPCs were not so different from real people.
"Sir, the steamed buns, cured beef, roasted chicken, and clear tea you ordered are packed, totaling 1 tael and 6 silver coins."
Before long, the waiter approached Wang Zhifan’s table with a large tray in both hands, placing the assorted items packaged with oil paper, gauze, wooden boxes, and water bags in front of him, reporting the cost.
"Hmm, here’s 2 taels, no need for change."
Wang Zhifan glanced over the presented food, casually opened several gauze oil paper wraps and boxes for inspection, confirmed everything was correct, and handed over 2 taels of silver coins to the waiter. Then he acted like he was packing them into a cloth bag under the table, when he in fact transferred everything into his personal space.
"Thank you, sir! Take care!"
Before long, amid the waiter’s cheerful call, Wang Zhifan departed the tavern.
"Time to start the dungeon."
Having secured food and tea, Wang Zhifan wasted no more time. He soon made his way to a deserted alley, pulled up the player panel, and chose to enter the dungeon.
This was sort of a small test, to see if he could transfer from one copy world to another.
But as a familiar wave of spirit-induced dizziness washed over him, he knew he successfully entered the dungeon.
Before long, as the scenery before Wang Zhifan’s eyes swiftly clarified, he realized he was on a rather desolate and rundown modern concrete street.
Apart from the three teammates still in a daze beside him, there were no other pedestrians and not a single vehicle passed. Only in the doorway and windows of a seven or eight-story apartment building before him could he see some silhouettes curiously peering out at them.
"Apartment 444? That name... also why does the building’s plaque look as red as blood?"
Wang Zhifan then noticed the signage name of the apartment before him wasn’t very auspicious, and the plaque’s color was abnormal—a kind of blood-red hue that, at a glance, seemed like a row of scarlet wicked eyes penetrating into the soul.