Bai Pu perked up, combining the words "thank you" and "rare" always arouses great anticipation.

"Qingyun, show that item to Gangxin," the Wushan Divine Lady said with a smile.

Blood Spider's face inexplicably turned red, and her eyes sparkled as she presented an item to Bai Pu.

It was three arrows tightly bound together by some mysterious force. Even if the arrows broke, they couldn't be separated.

[Three Arrows Oath: A-level team-building item. After use, it can establish a fixed squad with a maximum of (3) people.]

[Members of the same squad can use the same ticket to enter the Spirit Realm; main and side tasks transform into team tasks (within reasonable limits).]

[Members of the same squad can activate team communication, secretly relaying messages without outsiders knowing (within reasonable limits).]

[Members of the same squad enjoy a shared storage space. The shared storage space is by default bound to the team leader, and other members can freely store or retrieve items from the public space (within reasonable limits).]

[Three Arrows Oath Squad Bonus Ability: Unity: When two or more squad members fight side by side, all squad members receive a fixed (5) point physical damage reduction. This skill can be upgraded as the squad level increases.]

[Explanation: One arrow is easily broken, but three arrows are hard to sever. This is the advice of the unparalleled strategist, Mori Motonari, to his descendants and retainers on his deathbed.]

The Wushan Divine Lady smiled and said, "Gangxin, are you satisfied with this item? Before the Spirit Realm war started, someone offered 300,000 Spiritual Points, and I didn't sell it.

"Now that the Spirit Realm war has come, the cost of temporary teaming among the Awakened is almost zero. The demand for team-building items has greatly decreased. However, fixed squads still have convenient functions such as encrypted voice and a shared storage space, and the 'Unity' bonus ability which has strong growth potential, is still quite valuable."

Bai Pu looked at the team-building item, then at Blood Spider, whose face was as red as a teapot.

He suddenly felt that this team-building item was a bit hot to touch.

"Senior, I'm used to exploring the Spirit Realm alone, and this team-building item is not of much use to me," Bai Pu said.

The Wushan Divine Lady, who was originally smiling, had her smile falter.

Beside Bai Pu, Blood Spider's face instantly turned pale.

"You don't want this thank-you gift?" The Wushan Divine Lady frowned, looking at Bai Pu.

Bai Pu coughed, choosing his words carefully, "I mean, can it be converted into cash?"

The Wushan Divine Lady squinted her eyes, a dangerous gleam flashing in her eyes. Her tone turned cold as she said, word by word, "No, I'm poor and have no money."

With a snap, the Wushan Divine Lady ended the video call.

Bai Pu wiped away cold sweat. In the final seconds, the dangerous aura of the Wushan Divine Lady seemed to transmit through the video light screen, giving Bai Pu the chilling illusion of having cold chills down his neck, unsure if it was psychological.

Bai Pu turned back to find Blood Spider only to discover that she had already quietly slipped away.

"Alas, this can't be helped."

Bai Pu can guess why the Wushan Divine Lady gave him the team-building item and insisted that Blood Spider hand it to him personally.

If Bai Pu readily accepted the team-building item and established a fixed squad, he would certainly have the desire to recruit team members, and Blood Spider, who was close by, would naturally be the first choice.

It seemed like Bai Pu had gotten a team-building item and even a complimentary follower with an Agility Type Hero Profession. In reality, it was the Wushan Divine Lady finding Blood Spider a Spirit Realm guide + human shield...

Because Bai Pu would be responsible for Blood Spider's safety, if something happened to her, he couldn't explain it to the East Sea Witch Family.

Another reason is that Bai Pu has always had a psychological rejection of Awakened teammates, perhaps due to his upbringing of being abandoned by society as a child.

Although Li Ling, Chi Li, and others helped Bai Pu let down some of his guard, Awakened like Crazy Zen and Cyan Sheep, with ulterior motives, only strengthened Bai Pu's wariness.

Now that Bai Pu has rejected the team-building item, it essentially means he tactfully declined to establish a long-term fixed team with Blood Spider.

Although this act might displease the Wushan Divine Lady, it wouldn't offend her too much, given that there's the connection of helping Blood Spider transition professions.

If Bai Pu accepted the team-building item but refused to invite Blood Spider to join, that would truly offend her.

Bai Pu returned to the guest team's players' lounge. He glanced around but did not see Blood Spider.

She was probably feeling upset.

"Where's Blood Spider? You two went out together; why didn't you return together?" Teacher Cai Cai was very perceptive.

"...I don't know; she might be a little upset," Bai Pu said.

"Ah? We're about to compete; hopefully, Blood Spider won't miss the match," Teacher Cai Cai jolted with a sense of foreboding.

"It shouldn't come to that."

Bai Pu spoke nonchalantly.

Blood Spider is not some adolescent girl who gives up at the slightest setback; she has ventured into the Spirit Realm over fifty times in the past two years and is quite the Emperor Gan.

Based on her behavioral patterns, she shouldn't abandon the competition.

Of course, the reason it's called speculation is precisely because small probability situations can occur. Bai Pu could only predict Blood Spider's actions with ninety percent confidence.

At this point, some people couldn't help but feel annoyed with Bai Pu, and began to whisper among themselves.

"What a big shot, not training usually, and now even angered the main force away."

"Our school is said to have the best hope this year... Even with some ability, being unsociable doesn't help; can't unite the teammates."

"How could Junior Sister Blood Spider, with such a good nature, be angered away?"

The gossip was loud, seemingly intentional for Bai Pu to hear.

Bai Pu stood with arms crossed like an unmoving monk, indifferent to the discussions.

He was long accustomed to being maliciously speculated on and treated by others—especially those two years before he finished junior high, where a gaunt Bai Pu in a wheelchair was regarded as a monster by other students and ostracized.

"Perhaps this is the reason I want to transcend," Bai Pu thought to himself.

Toward the world of ordinary people, Bai Pu always maintained a faint detachment and vigilance; his ideal was to transcend the mundane and ascend the Divine Throne.

Beyond the Awakened is the Evolver.

An Evolver has already transcended the ordinary world; their ever-persistent goal is greater power, to become an "Extraordinary," stepping into the domain of demigods!

Teacher Cai Cai sent substitute players to look for Blood Spider, but she couldn't be found.

"Isn't it unnecessary to look for her?"

Senior Xuan Pin scratched his head and said, "Listening to Junior Brother Gangxin, Junior Sister Blood Spider is hiding because she's upset. She's a Level 6 Agility Type Hero; if she hides intentionally, who can find her?"

Bai Pu gave Senior Xuan Pin another look, unexpectedly finding that this senior is really wise beneath his bean-shaped brows, proving that one shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

The time had already reached seven o'clock, and the competition was about to start.

Because it was a "friendly exchange," it wasn't as formal as the official matches, skipping pre-match pleasantries or trash talk.

Without options, Teacher Cai Cai had to arrange the formation without Blood Spider.

"Gangxin, you take the lead, Xuan Pin will go second; at least secure two victories so the opponent can't end the match directly in the duel phase... I hope Blood Spider can return by the team battle phase."

"No need, I'll go first."

A cool voice echoed from the doorway.

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