Chapter 64: Virtual World Trial Level
"That's right, Douluo Coins are the currency of the virtual world. They're useful in the real world too—you can trade them for stuff. Come on, I'm sure with your help, we'll make a killing!"
Lan Mengqin wrapped her arm around Gu Xun's and began coaxing him. Unable to resist her charm, Gu Xun finally agreed.
Seeing his agreement, Lan Mengqin immediately beamed. Soon, the morning's theory class concluded, and Gu Xun, Dong Qianqiu, and Lan Mengqin entered the virtual world's lobby.
"The lobby is this way."
Lan Mengqin beckoned, and Dong Qianqiu and Gu Xun promptly followed. Before long, the trio arrived at the front desk lobby.
"Hello, we'd like to participate in the beginner trials."
"Certainly. Participating in the beginner trials requires one Douluo Coin."
The receptionist nodded promptly. Upon entering the virtual world, each player received one Douluo Coin as startup capital—otherwise, earning money would be impossible.
Lan Mengqin handed over her last remaining Douluo Coin, her expression immediately twisting with pain.
"My Douluo Coin..."
Lan Mengqin watched her interface display the Douluo Coin count drop from one to zero, instantly feeling miserable.
But there was no choice. As the team leader, she had to set an example. One Douluo Coin was nothing.
She could win it back later, Lan Mengqin thought, and immediately relaxed. Soon, Gu Xun, Dong Qianqiu, and Lan Mengqin formed a party and arrived at the Beginner Trial Grounds.
"Chiiing!"
Gu Xun immediately activated his enhancement. Lan Mengqin and Dong Qianqiu instantly stiffened, both staring fiercely toward the gate opposite them, waiting for their enemies to appear.
Gu Xun quickly arranged his reclining chair, donned his sunglasses, grabbed some snacks, and settled in for a laid-back attitude.
Meanwhile, Lan Mengqin and Dong Qianqiu were itching to fight. Empowered by Gu Xun's enhancement, they now radiated an aura of awesomeness, ready to unleash an equally spectacular attack.
Soon, a hundred meters ahead, the cage doors burst open. First to emerge were five ten-year-old Lava Dogs.
"This is the beginner trial? I thought it'd be tougher."
Lan Mengqin was stunned by the remark, then waved her hand, unleashing her first soul skill.
A blizzard instantly swept through, instantly killing the five ten-year-old Lava Dogs. Next came a hundred-year-old Lava Dog and ten more ten-year-old Lava Dogs.
The ten-year-olds were instantly killed by Lan Mengqin, while the hundred-year-old was frozen into an ice sculpture, which Dong Qianqiu finished off with an ice spike.
"The beginner level is so easy! Qianqiu, Gu Xun, why don't we save up ten Douluo coins and challenge the intermediate trial?"
Watching their group wipe out another wave, Lan Mengqin immediately turned to Gu Xun and Dong Qianqiu with her suggestion.
"Sis Mengqin, let's not. The intermediate trial is designed for Spirit Elders and Spirit Ancestors. We should stick to the second stage of the beginner trial."
Dong Qianqiu immediately cautioned against it. The intermediate trials were designed for Spirit Eldera and Spirit Ancestors—failing there would be disastrous.
"Hmm... Fine, let's take it slow. Failing would be embarrassing."
Lan Mengqin agreed it made sense. Failure would indeed be problematic. As she and Dong Qianqiu chatted, the trial arena spawned its final wave.
Two century-old monsters and fifteen ten-year-old Lava Dogs appeared. The ten-year-old Lava Dogs were instantly wiped out by Lan Mengqin's Blizzard.
The century-old monsters were finished off by Dong Qianqiu. Lan Mengqin excelled at clearing minor monsters, while Dong Qianqiu specialized in main attacks. Their complementary skills made them a well-rounded team.
[Congratulations on clearing the first stage of the Basic Trial]
As the system notification sounded, a teleportation portal appeared, and Gu Xun and the others immediately stepped through.
Soon they arrived in the main hall. After passing the Basic Trial, not only were the Douluo Coins Lan Mengqin had submitted returned, but Gu Xun, Dong Qianqiu, and the others each received one Douluo Coin as well.
Between the three of them, they now had six coins. Lan Mengqin looked at the two Douluo Coins in her hand and thought, making money was surprisingly easy.
"We're challenging the second stage of the Basic Trial!"
Lan Mengqin swept her hand dramatically, sliding her last two Douluo Coins toward the front desk. The receptionist responded.
"Insufficient funds. Participating in the second stage of the Basic Trial requires three Douluo Coins. Please obtain sufficient funds first."
Lan Mengqin froze instantly, awkwardly scratching her head as her dainty feet, encased in white stockings, curled up inside her shoes.
"Use mine."
Just as Lan Mengqin awkwardly reached to retrieve her coins and opt for the first stage of the Basic Trial, Gu Xun produced a Douluo coin and slid it beside hers.
"Alright, proceed to the second stage of the Basic Trial."
Gu Xun helped break the awkward tension, and Lan Mengqin exhaled in relief before patting his shoulder.
"That's loyal of you. Consider it borrowed—I'll pay you back once I get the money."
Lan Mengqin patted her own small chest. Gu Xun genuinely worried she might pat it flat.
"Stop patting it. It's already uncomfortable enough. Keep it up and you'll dent it."
Gu Xun said to Lan Mengqin. She froze upon hearing this, then looked down at her own tiny feet. Instantly, a wave of shame and anger surged to her forehead.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?!""That's right, Douluo Coins are the currency of the virtual world. They're useful in the real world too—you can trade them for stuff. Come on, I'm sure with your help, we'll make a killing!"
Lan Mengqin wrapped her arm around Gu Xun's and began coaxing him. Unable to resist her charm, Gu Xun finally agreed.
Seeing his agreement, Lan Mengqin immediately beamed. Soon, the morning's theory class concluded, and Gu Xun, Dong Qianqiu, and Lan Mengqin entered the virtual world's lobby.
"The lobby is this way."
Lan Mengqin beckoned, and Dong Qianqiu and Gu Xun promptly followed. Before long, the trio arrived at the front desk lobby.
"Hello, we'd like to participate in the beginner trials."
"Certainly. Participating in the beginner trials requires one Douluo Coin."
The receptionist nodded promptly. Upon entering the virtual world, each player received one Douluo Coin as startup capital—otherwise, earning money would be impossible.
Lan Mengqin handed over her last remaining Douluo Coin, her expression immediately twisting with pain.
"My Douluo Coin..."
Lan Mengqin watched her interface display the Douluo Coin count drop from one to zero, instantly feeling miserable.
But there was no choice. As the team leader, she had to set an example. One Douluo Coin was nothing.
She could win it back later, Lan Mengqin thought, and immediately relaxed. Soon, Gu Xun, Dong Qianqiu, and Lan Mengqin formed a party and arrived at the Beginner Trial Grounds.
"Chiiing!"
Gu Xun immediately activated his enhancement. Lan Mengqin and Dong Qianqiu instantly stiffened, both staring fiercely toward the gate opposite them, waiting for their enemies to appear.
Gu Xun quickly arranged his reclining chair, donned his sunglasses, grabbed some snacks, and settled in for a laid-back attitude.
Meanwhile, Lan Mengqin and Dong Qianqiu were itching to fight. Empowered by Gu Xun's enhancement, they now radiated an aura of awesomeness, ready to unleash an equally spectacular attack.
Soon, a hundred meters ahead, the cage doors burst open. First to emerge were five ten-year-old Lava Dogs.
"This is the beginner trial? I thought it'd be tougher."
Lan Mengqin was stunned by the remark, then waved her hand, unleashing her first soul skill.
A blizzard instantly swept through, instantly killing the five ten-year-old Lava Dogs. Next came a hundred-year-old Lava Dog and ten more ten-year-old Lava Dogs.
The ten-year-olds were instantly killed by Lan Mengqin, while the hundred-year-old was frozen into an ice sculpture, which Dong Qianqiu finished off with an ice spike.
"The beginner level is so easy! Qianqiu, Gu Xun, why don't we save up ten Douluo coins and challenge the intermediate trial?"
Watching their group wipe out another wave, Lan Mengqin immediately turned to Gu Xun and Dong Qianqiu with her suggestion.
"Sis Mengqin, let's not. The intermediate trial is designed for Spirit Elders and Spirit Ancestors. We should stick to the second stage of the beginner trial."
Dong Qianqiu immediately cautioned against it. The intermediate trials were designed for Spirit Eldera and Spirit Ancestors—failing there would be disastrous.
"Hmm... Fine, let's take it slow. Failing would be embarrassing."
Lan Mengqin agreed it made sense. Failure would indeed be problematic. As she and Dong Qianqiu chatted, the trial arena spawned its final wave.
Two century-old monsters and fifteen ten-year-old Lava Dogs appeared. The ten-year-old Lava Dogs were instantly wiped out by Lan Mengqin's Blizzard.
The century-old monsters were finished off by Dong Qianqiu. Lan Mengqin excelled at clearing minor monsters, while Dong Qianqiu specialized in main attacks. Their complementary skills made them a well-rounded team.
[Congratulations on clearing the first stage of the Basic Trial]
As the system notification sounded, a teleportation portal appeared, and Gu Xun and the others immediately stepped through.
Soon they arrived in the main hall. After passing the Basic Trial, not only were the Douluo Coins Lan Mengqin had submitted returned, but Gu Xun, Dong Qianqiu, and the others each received one Douluo Coin as well.
Between the three of them, they now had six coins. Lan Mengqin looked at the two Douluo Coins in her hand and thought, making money was surprisingly easy.
"We're challenging the second stage of the Basic Trial!"
Lan Mengqin swept her hand dramatically, sliding her last two Douluo Coins toward the front desk. The receptionist responded.
"Insufficient funds. Participating in the second stage of the Basic Trial requires three Douluo Coins. Please obtain sufficient funds first."
Lan Mengqin froze instantly, awkwardly scratching her head as her dainty feet, encased in white stockings, curled up inside her shoes.
"Use mine."
Just as Lan Mengqin awkwardly reached to retrieve her coins and opt for the first stage of the Basic Trial, Gu Xun produced a Douluo coin and slid it beside hers.
"Alright, proceed to the second stage of the Basic Trial."
Gu Xun helped break the awkward tension, and Lan Mengqin exhaled in relief before patting his shoulder.
"That's loyal of you. Consider it borrowed—I'll pay you back once I get the money."
Lan Mengqin patted her own small chest. Gu Xun genuinely worried she might pat it flat.
"Stop patting it. It's already uncomfortable enough. Keep it up and you'll dent it."
Gu Xun said to Lan Mengqin. She froze upon hearing this, then looked down at her own tiny feet. Instantly, a wave of shame and anger surged to her forehead.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?!"