Bai Yue Ling chuckled softly.
Why did she know about the dragon graveyard?
Of course, because in a past cycle, another big sister had told her about the dungeon.
She’d even ventured into it herself during her third cycle.
[White: That dungeon’s difficulty is Brutal-tier. I suggest you level up to 20 and form a solid team before trying it.]
[Crimson: But what if you’re lying?]
Crimson was still wary, understandably so, since she couldn’t immediately verify Bai Yue Ling’s information.
At that moment, the group leader, Ming Die, stepped in to mediate:
[Black: If White is found to be lying, I’ll personally see to her punishment.]
[Crimson: How would you punish her?]
[Black: I have my ways.]
Punishment… Bai Yue Ling instinctively pressed her thighs together, the glossy black stockings rubbing nervously.
Ming Die, that mature, sultry big sister type—if she decided to punish her… Bai Yue Ling would surely be cranked to her feet!
Phew… But her intel was genuine, so there was no way she’d face punishment.
[Crimson: Alright, since Miss Black says so, I’ll check it out after hitting level 20. But if I find out you’re lying, hmph…]
[White: What’s the big deal if I lied?]
Meanwhile, Crimson typed furiously in the chat box: [If you lie, I’ll whip you with my big tail!]
But after a moment’s thought, she deleted it and wrote instead:
[Crimson: Whatever. I’ll tell you everything I know about the black-clad figures…]
[Crimson: Honestly, I don’t know much. I only overheard them say they came from the Royal Capital. They seem to know a lot about the secrets of the major churches and are really skilled with Holy Light.]
Holy Light? Bai Yue Ling’s delicate brows furrowed. The black-clad figures hadn’t used Holy Light during their ambush.
[White: How did they use Holy Light?]
[Crimson: Well… I’m usually pretty aloof, so when they came to me, they were all using Holy Light to keep warm.]
[White: …?]
[Amethyst: Pfft…]
[Indigo: Is that what ‘aloof’ means?]
Crimson’s phrasing was odd, but Bai Yue Ling got the gist: she lived in a high, freezing cave.
If those black-clad figures really used Holy Light… why didn’t they use it in combat?
Were they hiding their identities from Aiya?
Bai Yue Ling suspected they might be from the Judgment Church. Based on Aiya’s memories, the Judgment Church was certainly capable of such ruthless acts.
[White: Thanks, I get it now.]
[Crimson: Hmph, no need for thanks. It’s just an info trade. I still don’t fully trust you! |ω・)]
[Indigo: White, are you heading to the Royal Capital to track down those black-clad figures? I’m there too. Wanna meet up and form a team?]
Team up? Bai Yue Ling paused. She already had Ying Ye by her side.
[White: I’ll pass on teaming up. I’ve got a fixed teammate already.]
[Indigo: At least meet up, then. We’re the only two in the group in the Royal Capital. We could look out for each other.]
[White: …I’ll think about it once I’m in the Royal Capital.]
Bai Yue Ling was reluctant to reveal her identity.
For one, the Priest Hero’s reputation was too big and could attract unwanted trouble.
For another, there might be big sisters in the group who had cranked her feet in past cycles—she wanted to steer clear of those dangerous women.
Brushing off Indigo for now, Bai Yue Ling closed the group chat and quietly reviewed the group members’ info.
Ming Die’s original intent in creating the Dark Players Mutual Aid Group was likely to let promising Dark Faction players connect early for future cooperation.
It was working—they were getting to know each other—but the chat was increasingly becoming a hub for info trading.
Everyone was cautious, playing the game while quietly guarding against each other.
Crimson, for instance, clearly didn’t want to reveal she was a red dragon.
Another thing… the group was awfully quiet! Aside from herself and Ming Die, only three of the remaining seven members had spoken.
Crimson, a juvenile red dragon, likely spent most of her time in the wild, avoiding major cities since her dragon horns and tail were too conspicuous.
Indigo seemed to have real-world connections, even knowing people in the Federation’s review board, and was currently in the Royal Capital.
Amethyst, meanwhile, came off as a veteran gamer, probably active on forums.
So, Indigo was the group member Bai Yue Ling needed to watch.
They were both in the Royal Capital, and if needed, they could make some PY trades for help.
But she didn’t want to reveal herself as the Priest Hero. What to do?
Bai Yue Ling’s face clouded with worry. Just then, a gentle voice sounded by her ear:
“Little White, why do you look so down?”
She turned to see Ying Ye, who had sidled up at some point, looking at her with concern. “I saw your face go from silly grins to shock to fear. Are you feeling okay?”
Bai Yue Ling waved it off. “Hahaha, no, I’m fine! Just thinking about some funny stuff.”
Had Ying Ye been watching her the whole time? How embarrassing! She’d have to control her facial expressions better next time.
Suddenly, Ying Ye’s eyes narrowed. She grabbed Bai Yue Ling’s left hand, gently pinching her ring finger.
“Little White… who gave you this ring?”
She was pointing at the Ring of the Dead, which Bai Yue Ling used for the group chat.
Bai Yue Ling’s heart skipped a beat. “Th-this is a ring from Ming Die. It was a reward for leaving the novice village…”
She tried to sound calm, knowing she absolutely couldn’t let Ying Ye discover the Ring of the Dead’s secret—or Ming Die would definitely come to crush her!
“A novice village reward?” Ying Ye’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“I came from Novice Village #4444 too. Why didn’t Ming Die give me a reward?”
Because you were too weak to even beat a level 5 treant… Bai Yue Ling thought, but didn’t dare say it aloud.
“M-maybe because I’m the master of White Night Castle?”
“Then why is the reward specifically a ring?”
“Uh… well… because rings are super common gear in MMOs, right?”
Bai Yue Ling looked up at her, feigning nonchalance.
“If Ming Die didn’t give me a ring, what was she supposed to give me? A fox tail?”
At that, Ying Ye fell silent.
Until a system prompt broke the eerie stillness:
[Player “Ying Ye”’s Dark Corruption Value has increased by 3%.]
[Current “Ying Ye” Dark Corruption Value: 75%.]
Bai Yue Ling’s body trembled. How did that increase her Dark Corruption Value? She was just trying to explain!
“Little White…” Ying Ye gazed at her, her voice soft and haunting. “You know, a ring can also be worn there, like a tail.”
Bai Yue Ling: “???”