Since Qi Xu's vehicle was upgrading and she couldn't go anywhere else, she simply taught Battle Wolf 009 the tricks and techniques for using Crimson Strike.
Then, after having him copy Crimson Strike, they went straight into sparring.
Battle Wolf 009 had only just awakened and it was his first day using the skill, so he was completely outmatched. After taking a beating for half an hour, the skill's effect wore off, and he took the initiative to go find Dongfang Yuan and Little Song.
He changed venues just to continue getting beaten up... The joy of his recent awakening was significantly dampened by one beating after another...
Battle Wolf 009 looked up at the sky in melancholy. If he remembered correctly, he used to be the absolute ceiling of combat power in District 666.
It was also at this time that Qi Xu saw another message sent by Shadowkill.
"If you're willing to come, I'm only short one person on my end. Do you have any recommendations? This Treasure Map Realm is a 5-person team mode, and I hope everyone can be relatively strong."
Invincible Black Whirlwind: "If you can't find anyone, I'll look for someone."
Shadowkill: "Alright, thanks for the hard work."
Shadowkill truly couldn't find anyone else. He had used region-transfer cards to search through the districts one by one, but couldn't find a suitable candidate.
If he hadn't happened to run into Invincible Black Whirlwind in the last dungeon, he would still be short two people right now.
Naturally, Qi Xu wouldn't use such a clumsy method. Instead, she messaged the monster merchants directly.
"It's the end of the month, and you guys need to boost your performance metrics. Remember to contact me! Master Chef has prepared a delicious meal here tonight. It's been a long time since we last met, so come over for a gathering."
The three monster merchants received the exact same message and, without a second word, rushed straight to the Chinese Master Chef.
Master Chef loved seeing the impulsive excitement people had for his food, and he happily laid out a table full of delicacies.
It wasn't until they had eaten and drunk their fill that evening that Qi Xu casually brought it up. "By the way, would it be convenient for you to ask the other monster merchants if there are any exceptionally strong players in other major regions? For example, someone who takes first place on the monthly leaderboards every time."
Ah Zi was usually the most aloof of the bunch, but she had eaten so well today that she agreed immediately, saying, "I'll help you ask in our monster merchant group chat."
Qi Xu tactfully handed over 200 survival coins. "Don't just ask. Send a red packet in your group chat too."
Ah Zi was suddenly even more satisfied. When interacting with smart players, they never made you feel uncomfortable.
It didn't take long for Ah Zi to receive replies from the monster merchants in other major regions.
"In Major Region 999, District 999, there is a player named Wang Buyu who seems to fit your requirements. That's the only information I've gotten so far. I'll let you know when I find out more."
Qi Xu knew it. None of these monster connections were made in vain. To think she obtained useful information so quickly!
After the monster merchants left, Qi Xu used a cross-region communication card to contact Wang Buyu in Major Region 999, District 999.
Just from the region and district numbers, one could tell that this player was no simple character.
Invincible Black Whirlwind: "Hello, do you want to participate in a Treasure Map Realm together? This Treasure Map Realm is a 5-person cooperative type, and it requires 5 players who have taken first place on all monthly leaderboards to open."
Qi Xu asked directly and sincerely, without beating around the bush. If they could cooperate, they would; if not, she would simply look for other targets.
With so many major regions and districts, Qi Xu refused to believe that only a handful of people had taken first place on all the monthly leaderboards.
The reply from the other side came quite quickly.
Wang Buyu: "Hello, hello! I am truly sorry, and I feel really bad about this. Thank you so much for the invitation, but due to special circumstances, I am unable to engage in any form of teaming up or combat. I am telling the truth. The specific reasons are not very convenient to discuss. I am really, really sorry for wasting your time. I apologize, I'm so sorry!"
Qi Xu was slightly taken aback. She truly hadn't expected this response. Wasn't this a bit too polite?
Unable to engage in any form of teaming up or combat—was this a personal restriction or some other situation?
Qi Xu was curious, but she didn't press the matter. Everyone had their own secrets.
"It's alright, there's no need to apologize or feel burdened. I'll go ask someone else. I hope you are happy every day and that everything goes smoothly for you."
Wang Buyu: "Thank you for your blessings. I hope I didn't cause you any trouble. If you need any supplies, I can trade with you, but teaming up is a bit difficult on my end. I really have no way to cooperate. I'm sorry."
Invincible Black Whirlwind: "No trouble at all. ✌︎(ᐛ)✌︎"
Wang Buyu: "Okay, okay, thank you! Thank you for understanding. I wish you smooth sailing every day and long-lasting good luck."
Qi Xu didn't reply again. She felt that no matter what she replied, this player would respond even more politely, and going back and forth was truly unnecessary.
As for the Treasure Map Realm, there was no rush anyway. She would just wait for the monster merchants to send more information.
With a full 128 hours, Qi Xu simply couldn't stay idle.
Unfortunately, most of her teammates needed to grind mileage, as they still wanted to exploit the benefits of other districts at the end of the month.
On Qiuqiu's side, it had received a notice about a new regulation and, without hesitation, came straight back to tell Qi Xu.
"Boss, many of the little Qiuqius from different districts jointly reported to the higher-ups, saying that a lot of players come over on the last day to freeload on the rewards and leave right after. So now, a new rule has been issued.
"You must stay in a district for a full 5 days before you can participate in that district's monthly rankings. During these 5 days, those little Qiuqius will definitely try all sorts of ways to bewitch our people. You absolutely cannot let our people out!"
Qi Xu's eyes lit up even more upon hearing this. "Qiuqiu, when I went to Major Region 01, District 01 back then, that silly ball insisted I sign an agreement to stay in Major Region 01 forever. Are all Qiuqius qualified to have players sign this agreement?"
"Of course not, that's an illegal agreement! No Qiuqiu is allowed to interfere with a player's choice in any form, but Major Region 01, District 01 is indeed quite special. If you confirm you are staying there, you cannot leave."
Back when it was just a district little Qiuqiu, it had no way of knowing so much, but the current Qiuqiu had learned a lot of details.
Qi Xu understood now and came up with a great idea, immediately calling everyone over for a meeting.
"After the meeting, everyone needs to quickly head to other districts. You must stay for 5 days to participate in the monthly rankings. Here, two refueling cards per person, all bought with our team funds..."
Hearing this, Qiuqiu was incredibly anxious at first, but its mindset slowly changed. From initial confusion, helplessness, and worry, upon hearing the end... it suddenly felt that being the boss's Qiuqiu was true happiness.
At the very least, it wouldn't be treated like this by the boss. Thinking about the ordeal its peers were about to experience, Qiuqiu expressed from the bottom of its heart... Hahaha.
...........
