Faced with the kidnappers from the Grounded Gang, a glint of murderous intent flashed in Lu Ming's eyes.

  There were twelve of them, all at level 50 with six class advancements.

  But if Lu Ming wanted to kill them, it would be as easy as crushing a group of ants.

  Yet, he couldn't make a move.

  Because he wasn't as fast as the Grounded Gang players!

  But paying the ransom would cost a million!

  Even if Lu Ming sold his house, he couldn't come up with that much money!

  Just as Lu Ming was weighing his options, a voice suddenly whispered in his ear, "Need my help?"

  "Who?"

  "Who's speaking?!"

  At these words, the surrounding Tianxuan players shuddered.

  They looked around but couldn't see the speaker!

  It was as if the voice had appeared out of thin air!

  At that moment, the voice sounded again in Lu Ming's ear, "I can help you save her."

  Lu Ming could clearly feel that the person was right in front of him!

  Yet, he couldn't see them!

  At this moment, Lu Ming's heart skipped a beat, and even his breathing became rapid.

  Even an assassin's stealth could be detected.

  But now, Lu Ming only knew they were in front of him, yet he couldn't sense a trace of their presence!

  "I must ensure her safety."

  As soon as Lu Ming finished speaking, the voice disappeared.

  The next second.

  Whoosh!

  A silver-glowing rift in space appeared in front of the Tianxuan players.

  Then, a mysterious figure in a black cloak emerged from the rift.

  The sudden appearance of the black cloak clearly alerted the Grounded Gang players to the threat.

  "Damn it! Do you really think I won't kill the hostage?"

  The leader, Cyclops, glared angrily, shouting as he prepared to slice the knife across Lin Youwei's neck.

  At that moment, with a thought from the black cloak.

  [Time Freeze]—

  Crack!

  Centered on the Grounded Gang players, a transparent energy shield with a 50-yard radius instantly unfolded.

  In that moment, time seemed to stand still within the energy shield's area.

  All the Grounded Gang players froze, maintaining their positions without moving, not even blinking!

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  Except for Lin Youwei.

  She was the only one unaffected!

  Lin Youwei, with her eyes tightly shut, thought she was doomed.

  But suddenly, noticing the silence around her, she opened her eyes to find that those holding her couldn't move!

  She quickly took the opportunity to slip through the gap between the knives.

  Her legs seemed to have motors attached as she dashed behind Lu Ming to hide.

  At that moment.

  Whoosh!

  The energy shield contracted and disappeared.

  Everything returned to normal.

  The Grounded Gang players could move again, only to be shocked to find the hostage gone!

  Turning around, they saw the hostage now standing behind Lu Ming.

  For a moment, Cyclops and his players were dumbfounded.

  "Damn it! What happened?"

  "What just happened?!"

  "When did she escape??"

  As they were bewildered, they realized: disaster was imminent!

  Looking up at Lu Ming, the Grounded Gang players showed panic.

  "Retreat!"

  "Run!"

  Having done their homework, the Grounded Gang players knew very well the level of Lu Ming's strength.

  Without a hostage, they were just lambs to the slaughter before Lu Ming.

  So, they turned to flee.

  But it wasn't going to be that easy.

  After ensuring Lin Youwei's safety.

  The murderous intent hidden in Lu Ming's eyes erupted instantly.

  "Kill."

  With a thought from Lu Ming.

  Dozens of Death Lords were summoned from all directions, charging forward under the combined formations of War Tread and Wind Rush.

  Amidst screams.

  In an instant, the Grounded Gang players were effortlessly executed by the Death Lords!

  At this moment, Lu Ming turned his attention back to the black cloak.

  "Thanks, name your reward."

  The black cloak turned to face Lu Ming, speaking in a deep voice, "No reward needed, but I have one condition.

  "I need you to cooperate with me."

  Before Lu Ming could respond.

  The figure continued, "You don't need to agree or refuse right away."

  "Time will tell me your answer."

  After speaking.

  Whoosh!

  A spatial rift appeared in front of the black cloak.

  The next second, the figure stepped into the rift and vanished.

  The Tianxuan players looked around, astonished.

  "Whoa! Where did they go?"

  "What kind of skill is this? Spatial teleportation?"

  For a moment, the identity of the black cloak caught everyone's attention.

  "In the Sky Abyss world, even a return scroll has a mandatory 10-second casting time! This kind of instant teleportation defies logic,"

  Qing Yan analyzed while researching online, "And the spatial confinement ability used earlier has no historical record of any related skills or talents!"

  Tianxuan·Shadow was also astonished, "I couldn't detect any information with my reconnaissance! Is this guy a player or an NPC?"

  Tianxuan·Eternal's eyes glimmered slightly.

  Just like the first time seeing Lu Ming.

  "This person is extraordinary, we must find a way to recruit them to our Tianxuan Team!"

  Although Lu Ming found it surprising.

  He didn't dwell on it.

  Because right now, he had something more important to do!

  Checking the time, it was already half-past six.

  "Only half an hour left before the goblin leaves the black market, I need to hurry!"

  Thanks to the Tianxuan people, Lu Ming was informed.

  After expressing his gratitude to Qing Yan and the others, Lu Ming hurriedly left with Lin Youwei.

  On the way to the black market.

  Lu Ming's expression was grim.

  Lin Youwei knew she had caused trouble, making Lu Ming upset.

  "Nether brother..."

  Lin Youwei was about to apologize.

  Lu Ming suddenly turned to her, angrily shouting:

  "Didn't I tell you to stay offline? Why didn't you listen?"

  "Why did you have to go out alone?"

  "If you want to die, don't drag me down!"

  Lin Youwei quickly explained:

  "I... I just wanted to earn more copper coins, save more money..."

  "I'm sorry, Nether brother, I was wrong, I won't go out alone anymore, I'll listen to you from now on! Please don't be mad..."

  "Money! You'd risk your life for money, is that it?" Lu Ming shouted at Lin Youwei, "If I had to spend a million to ransom you, could you earn that in a lifetime?"

  Lin Youwei, who had never seen Lu Ming so angry, was terrified.

  Her small hands clutched her clothes, tears falling uncontrollably.

  Lu Ming wanted to continue scolding, but seeing Lin Youwei so aggrieved, as if another harsh word would break her heart.

  He held back.

  "Forget it..."

  "Don't run around next time, I can't always be there to protect you when you're in danger."

  When Lin Youwei realized Lu Ming was only angry because he was worried about her safety.

  She nodded vigorously, saying, "I... I won't run around anymore!"

  Lu Ming said no more, turning to continue to the black market.

  Lin Youwei wiped her tears and silently followed Lu Ming.

  When they arrived at the black market, it was exactly 6:50.

  Only ten minutes left before goblin Avani left the black market.

  Lu Ming quickly verified his assets and entered the black market.

  Upon stepping into the primary black market, he immediately spotted the goblin with large ears, green skin, and only 1.2 meters tall!

  A line of red ID above its head—

  [Goblin Avani] (Lv50·Gold-level BOSS)!

  Decades ago, when this goblin first brought a golden scroll to the black market, it was like a national treasure, surrounded by players every day.

  Until players realized: no matter who spoke to him, he wouldn't respond, and no one could obtain the golden scroll from him.

  Gradually, players began to ignore the goblin.

  At this moment, the surrounding players acted as if they couldn't see the goblin, each busy with their own affairs.

  Avani, as usual, wandered aimlessly in the black market, occasionally raising his head to use [Golden Divine Eye] to scrutinize passing players.

  Lu Ming eagerly approached goblin Avani, crouching down.

  The passing players couldn't help but mock Lu Ming.

  "Another newbie trying to get a scroll for free!"

  "Don't waste your time, buddy, this goblin won't talk to you!"

  Lu Ming was unfazed.

  Because it was the same in his past life.

  Avani ignored everyone, except when Lu Ming approached him, he responded and assigned Lu Ming a bounty quest!

  So this time, Lu Ming was confident he could get goblin Avani to talk.

  So, Lu Ming greeted, "Hello, little Ni."

  Unexpectedly, after scrutinizing Lu Ming with [Golden Divine Eye], Avani ignored him and walked past!

  Amidst the laughter around him, Lu Ming was momentarily petrified...

  He tried several more times, but Avani still ignored him!

  "That's strange, what's going on?"

  "Could it be because I changed identities, and he doesn't recognize me?"

  Just as Lu Ming was puzzled.

  Lin Youwei bent down, her big, watery eyes blinking as she softly greeted Avani, "Hello..."

  Lu Ming glanced at the innocent Lin Youwei and shook his head.

  The next second.

  Avani scrutinized Lin Youwei with the Golden Divine Eye.

  And spoke, "Hello, my destined girl!"

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