Qi Xu, for easier identification, specifically added Warwolf 007 and nine others to the cross-region challenge group chat.
Warwolf 007 quickly sent a message—a photo of a hot pot feast.
"Hahaha, what luck on the first day! Even the losers get hot pot. Boss Whirlwind, you’re not half bad!"
"Invincible Black Whirlwind" replied, "That’s an official reward, nothing to do with me."
Warwolf 007: "The officials are just heartless, always pitting us against each other. You’re the real MVP."
Qi Xu chuckled and responded, "Let me tell you a secret."
"Awesome! I love secrets!"
"Experiments show the officials can monitor all player chats. If they catch you badmouthing or insulting them, they might not punish you outright, but it could affect your loot luck in the coming days."
Warwolf 007 immediately backtracked. "Thank you, officials! Thank you, survival game, for bringing us together with Boss Whirlwind. We’ll be counting on you from now on!"
Warwolf 007 had a sharp eye. Even Old Nine had acknowledged Qi Xu as the boss, and that guy, though seemingly straightforward, was shrewd.
He knew better than to misstep—playing it safe and latching onto the right ally was the way to go.
"Melon Lover" chimed in: "Yeah, we’re all counting on Boss Whirlwind now. Just say the word if you need help, hehe."
"Spicy Beauty" added: "Totally! Boss Whirlwind, I’m the one who fought you this morning with the meteor hammer. Need anything? DM me—I’m Spicy. [shy]"
Qi Xu’s lips twitched involuntarily.
If his memory served him right, the person he’d fought that morning... was a two-meter-tall tough guy. Why was the tone so... cutesy?
Then he recalled how "Spicy" had shyly stomped their feet after surrendering. Ah, must be one of the sisters. No big deal—as long as they were decent and easy to get along with, the rest didn’t matter.
It took Qi Xu a moment to remember what he’d meant to do. He quickly opened a private chat with Warwolf 007.
Just as he was about to type, Warwolf 007 beat him to it—sending a message along with... 100 survival coins.
"Thanks for not taking my precious sniper rifle, Boss! Take these coins—I’d feel bad if you lost out because of me."
Qi Xu had no intention of accepting, but he had to admit, the gesture was a nice touch.
After refunding the coins, he said, "I don’t need the coins. But I noticed you had a 'Universal Axis' in your inventory earlier. Mind trading it to me? I’ll swap you anything for it."
Without hesitation, Warwolf 007 sent the item over.
"No problem! It’s just some upgrade material—I don’t even know what it’s for. If you need it, it’s yours."
Qi Xu smirked. This guy had a way with words—asking indirectly, playing it smart. Seemed sharper than Warwolf 009.
Still, he clarified upfront: "This is a core material for upgrading to a Tier 7 vehicle. Sure you’re okay parting with it?"
"Absolutely! I just bankrupted myself getting to Tier 5—Tier 7’s a pipe dream. Need anything else? Just ask!"
Knowing Warwolf 007 wouldn’t accept anything too valuable, Qi Xu sent a fruit platter instead.
"Try it. Homegrown."
"Holy—!!! Boss, you’re a lifesaver! Got any dragon fruit or bananas? I’d love to trade for more."
Qi Xu checked his stash. Dragon fruit was running low (and all A-grade), but bananas? He had plenty—69 bunches stocked in his backpack.
He sent over five more bunches, each neatly packed with 10 bananas.
Warwolf 007: "Thanks a ton! Let me trade you these upgrade cards."
Five vehicle upgrade cards popped up in the chat.
"Invincible Black Whirlwind": "This is too much in return."
Warwolf 007: "Honestly, all ten of us are badly constipated. Fruits and veggies are scarce, so our health stats are tanking. I wanted extras to share with the team."
Then, as if reconsidering, he added: "Well, not exactly a 'team'—just folks I chat with, did one group dungeon together.
"Don’t worry, Boss, we’re not cliquey. Everyone’s their own person. And with Old Nine in the mix, we’re practically friends now. We lost fair and square—no hard feelings.
"Frankly, after the crap we dealt with in our old region, a fresh start’s a relief. Let’s all push forward together."
Qi Xu grinned. Warwolf 007 was overthinking it—he hadn’t even been bothered. Forming groups in a new environment was natural.
Still, the explanation warmed him further. This guy had a knack for reading people.
"No need to overexplain. If I get along with Warwolf 009, you know what kind of crowd I roll with."
As for the constipation... this round of the game had been so comfortable, Qi Xu had nearly forgotten his own struggles in the last round.
Back then, after finally eating his fill, he’d been just as blocked up—his stomach hard as a rock.
But what could you do? Being fed at all was a luxury, let alone balanced nutrition.
Plant growth boosters were rare. Without them, growing fruit took ages.
And seeds for fruits and veggies? Even harder to come by, hardly ever dropping.
So players hoarded whatever fruit they had—no one sold it lightly, since everyone was desperate for it.
Qi Xu accepted the five upgrade cards and said generously, "If you ever need fruit, just ask. But next time, no gifts."
Warwolf 007 knew exactly how to bridge the gap between people.
Without missing a beat, he replied, "You got it, Boss!"
Qi Xu tsked. Judging by the chat logs, he almost seemed closer to Warwolf 007 than to Warwolf 009.
That "Boss" rolled off the tongue a little too smoothly...
To his surprise, Qi Xu realized he’d effortlessly won over all ten of Warwolf 007’s group without much effort.
Soon, the others chimed in with gratitude:
"Thanks for the bananas, Boss Whirlwind!"
......
