Chapter 1012: Like Stepping into a Wolf's Den
Anyone who had spent time in Tianhe City knew exactly what those eerie smiles meant.
Especially from these savage-looking adventurers—it was clear from their murderous auras that they had already taken many lives, and their hostility level must be sky-high.
Although Tianhe City's urban area was a safe zone, once you stepped outside, all bets were off.
Outside the city, danger could strike at any moment.
Right now—
There were ten Professionals following behind Ling Zhan and his group.
Their clothes were rugged, their physiques varied, and they came from different races.
Tall, short, fat, thin—all types.
The one thing they had in common was the fierce and menacing aura radiating from them.
Naturally, Ling Zhan and his team had concealed their class information.
But due to their striking looks and elegant demeanor, it seemed like a rich and handsome young noble was heading out of the city with three beautiful maidens for a stroll.
It made them look like easy targets.
"Hey kid, keep going out of the city!"
At that moment—
The burly man in the lead smiled at Ling Zhan and said with squinty eyes, "Want to hire us as bodyguards? Don't worry, we only charge ten thousand Sacred Crystals a day. We'll guarantee your safety."
"Heh!"
Upon hearing that, Yun Man let out a cold laugh. "Hire you as bodyguards? We'd probably be in even more danger with you! What if you turn on us?"
"Relax! As long as you pay, we'll definitely protect you!"
"You know this place has been chaotic lately. All sorts of riffraff are showing up. If you go out of the city like this, you're bound to run into danger!"
The burly man continued with a smile.
His lackeys around him were all wearing mocking, playful expressions.
And of course…
Their eyes were gleaming with killing intent.
Ling Zhan gave these ten Professionals a glance but couldn't even be bothered to respond. He turned and said to his divine beasts, "Let's go. Time to head out."
Yun Man and the others nodded gently.
Then, carrying Little Holy Dragon and Little Golden Crow, they walked out of the city.
"Heh! Ungrateful bastards!"
The burly man sneered.
"Boss, let's go. Let's show them why the roses are red."
"All these young nobles and heiresses coming to sightsee lately think they're safe just because they bring a few guards. They really underestimate this place."
"Didn't over a dozen rich young masters get killed just yesterday and end up strung up on Opportunity Island?"
"Looks like it's these guys' turn next."
A nearby werewolf lackey chuckled mockingly.
"Let's rob them before someone else does."
"Don't let those lunatics get all the loot."
Someone proposed.
"Good idea!"
"Let's go, let's go!"
In fact, these shady adventurers actually were bodyguards for hire.
All of them were over Level 180.
The burly man himself was already Level 190.
And the fact he had survived in this area for so long showed he wasn't like those who just grinded their level through time.
The guy had real skills.
Tianhe City was different from other places.
In other cities, rich kids could bring a few thugs and bodyguards and be safe.
But Professionals who dared come here were at least Level 170 or higher.
Anyone under that level coming here was basically asking to die.
Only high-level Professionals had the right to scavenge for opportunities here.
If you were too weak, you'd be killed just trying to collect resources.
Lately, many tourists had arrived in Tianhe City.
They all came to witness the spectacle of top-tier powerhouses ascending.
It was said that when one succeeded, the entire sky would burst into seven-colored brilliance.
And holy light would descend in waves.
Most importantly, rare treasures would spawn on Opportunity Island.
So whether the ascension failed or succeeded, Opportunity Island always drew crowds.
Tourists came to marvel at the ascenders' grace.
But they had no idea how dangerous this place really was.
If they dared set foot on Opportunity Island, they'd be devoured by those selfish, greedy Professionals.
No joke.
The murderous auras on these ten Professionals didn't mean they were serial killers—it just meant they'd taken a ton of bodyguard gigs lately.
To protect their employers, they had no choice but to kill other Professionals trying to harm them.
Maybe they'd killed too many. That's why their aura was so sinister now.
Meanwhile—
On the other side…
Ling Zhan had already taken Yun Man, Chang Yue, and Meng Shuang out of the city gate.
As they left, a guard at the gate kindly reminded them,
"Folks, things have been chaotic lately. All sorts of weirdos and lunatics are roaming around. Once you leave the safe zone, please be extra careful."
It seemed this soldier was well aware of the current turmoil in Tianhe City.
"Got it. We'll be careful."
Chang Yue nodded with a gentle smile.
That gentle, moon-goddess-like smile made the guard dazed.
Chang Yue was long used to this kind of reaction.
Inside, she felt a bit conflicted.
Her beauty could enchant other men, but what good was that?
She only wished her master would love her—even just glance at her more.
In a way, like mother, like daughter.
Chang Yue's mother, Chang Xi, had been a hopeless romantic.
It seemed Chang Yue had inherited that trait.
But Ling Zhan didn't really notice.
The moment they left the city—
"Just as expected..."
"Lots of eyes are already on us..."
Yun Man squinted her fiery red eyes.
"Are they going to attack?" Meng Shuang asked.
"They're probably just scouts," Yun Man replied.
"This is too close to the city. It's not convenient for them to make a move."
"The city guards could still intervene."
Yun Man shook her head.
These scouts were likely reporting to their boss.
They spotted lambs ripe for slaughter.
Now their boss could get ready to hunt.
There were a lot of scouts.
At least dozens of pairs of eyes were locked on Ling Zhan and the others.
"It's supposed to be Tianhe City... but why does it feel like we're walking into a den of wolves..."
Chang Yue frowned.
It wasn't that she feared these shady people.
It was just frustrating. After finishing a tough war, they had hoped to relax and enjoy some sightseeing.
But these bastards were ruining everything.
It was exhausting.
"Doesn't matter. I hope they come."
Yun Man clenched her soft, pale hand.
A flash of killing intent crossed her expression.
If they really dared show up—
Then don't blame her for going on a killing spree.