At this moment, players were likely busy with quests and leveling up, so the Regional Chat Channel was initially quiet. However, it exploded with activity following an unexpected message from Zhang Yi—

[Ominous Sign] (Male, Level 16 Assassin): "Wow, it's my first time seeing Yinuo Qingcheng speak in the channel. Gotta hold onto this thigh tight! (wink)(wink)"

[I Want to Become Heaven] (Male, Level 15 Warrior): "The top player in Zone 886's Heaven Ranking leading a raid on Undead City? Wow, I want in, I want in!"

[Mouse Loves Cat] (Female, Level 15 Priest): "Brother Qingcheng, please take me along. I've got plenty of healing to offer! (cute)"

Dozens of messages suddenly flooded the chat channel, and Zhang Yi felt a slight sense of satisfaction. It seemed that his deliberate efforts to make a big splash over the past few days, with two announcements not hiding his ID and openly challenging King's World, had indeed boosted his reputation in Zone 886.

Just as Zhang Yi was about to pick a few players from the channel to join his team, an annoying ID suddenly appeared in the chat—

[King's Glory] (Male, Level 15 Archer): "Listen up, everyone in Zone 886! Anyone who dares to team up with Yinuo Qingcheng is an enemy of King's World. From now on, don't expect to survive in Zone 886!"

A quick look at "pawread.com" will leave you more fulfilled.

[King's Glory]: "I mean what I say. If I find out anyone is getting close to Yinuo Qingcheng, they won't live to see tomorrow!"

King's Glory spammed seven or eight threatening messages, scaring players into silence. Those who had privately messaged Zhang Yi to join his team quickly withdrew their requests!

Zhang Yi frowned slightly: Are they all so afraid of King's World?

But then again, considering his smooth sailing in this life, Zhang Yi had no fear of King's World. However, in his previous life, he would have avoided them at all costs.

After a pause, Zhang Yi continued in the chat channel: "Don't worry, join the team, and I'll protect you."

No sooner had he said this than King's Glory responded: "Protect my ass! You can't even protect yourself, and you want to protect others? Yinuo Qingcheng, I'm telling you, the next time I see you will be your last!"

At this point, Zhang Yi couldn't be bothered to argue with King's Glory. The most important task was to quickly form a team, as the quest would disappear if not accepted by 12:30!

Ignoring King's Glory, Zhang Yi continued to send team-up messages in the chat channel.

To his surprise, no one dared to contact him for quite a while.

Ordinary players were one thing, but Zhang Yi thought that if the Storm Family saw his team-up message, they would definitely assist him. Yet, even the Storm Family remained silent.

He felt a bit disappointed.

Just then, a notification sounded, and Zhang Yi received a friend request—

"Ding~ Player [Yaru] (Female, Level 15 Priest) has requested to add you as a friend!"

This ID sent a jolt through Zhang Yi's heart.

After a moment's hesitation, Zhang Yi accepted the friend request.

Ding~ You have received a new friend message!

Yaru: "Where... are you?"

Before Zhang Yi could reply, Yaru sent another message: "I saw you speaking in the regional channel just now, so... you'd rather shout for people in the channel than team up with us?"

Zhang Yi hesitated, checked the time—it was already 12:10—and replied to Yaru: "I'm in the Safe Zone, near the Blacksmith Shop."

Yaru replied almost instantly: "Okay, wait there, we're also in the Safe Zone and will be there soon."

Zhang Yi didn't respond further to Yaru's message, as he wasn't sure how to face this girl now.

As a friend or... an ex-girlfriend?

Zhang Yi's memories drifted back to three years ago.

Or for the reborn Zhang Yi, eleven years ago.

Back then, Han Yaru, the recognized top beauty of Linhai High School, was in a relationship with Zhang Yi. They were each other's first love, a perfect match.

Despite often skipping classes to play games with Guan Hao and Liu Xing, Zhang Yi's academic performance was always among the top in his grade.

Han Yaru, although an average student, stood out with her looks and demeanor. Her family was also quite wealthy, with her father being the CEO of a listed company, and their assets exceeding a billion.

Those high school days, with the company of Guan Hao, Liu Xing, and Han Yaru, were truly unforgettable for Zhang Yi.

But later, due to certain events, Zhang Yi had to leave Han Yaru, his first love with whom they had vowed to be together forever. This event also led to his sudden departure from Guan Hao and Liu Xing.

"Sigh..."

Zhang Yi sighed, realizing that fate was inescapable.

Even though he had made things clear when they met before.

Clearly, Han Yaru wanted to use the opportunity of Zhang Yi's team-up message to get close to him again.

And Zhang Yi couldn't refuse her, because without Han Yaru's help in forming a team, he couldn't complete the [Hunt Skeletons] quest, which was crucial for the massive reward of being the first to kill the Apocalypse world Boss!

So, after closing the chat interface, Zhang Yi headed to the Blacksmith Shop in town.

Ili had mentioned earlier that the staff would be ready around noon, so it was about time to collect the equipment from him.

After spending so much time completing a ten-part quest and painstakingly acquiring a Tier 1 Energy Crystal to forge a weapon, it had to be at least 2-star quality!

If it ended up being a 1-star staff, Zhang Yi swore he'd send Ili back to the Doomsday Factory...

Finding Ili, who was still engrossed in forging equipment, Zhang Yi initiated a conversation.

"Young man, you're here!"

Seeing Zhang Yi, Ili immediately stopped what he was doing and smiled at him, saying, "I've been waiting for you for a long time. You've finally arrived."

Zhang Yi's heart leaped with joy: "Does that mean Master Ili has finished crafting my equipment?"

"It's been ready for a while now, though I'm not sure if it meets your expectations."

With that, Ili returned to the shop and soon came out holding a silver staff.

Taking the silver staff from Ili, Zhang Yi was stunned when he saw its stats—

[Glowing Staff] (Level 18, 3-star quality)!