Chapter 980: Team Reward Distribution Plan
Games typically distribute clearance rewards based on players' performance in the instance and their class traits. Compared to individual rewards, the number of clearance rewards isn't large, but every single one is a top-tier item.
Everyone present was a C-grade player. The best they could get from a single instance was C-grade items, with B-grade items being rare, let alone A-grade items. After viewing the rewards, even Kuang Wenjun and Pan Qiao showed a hint of regret.
"Since none of you want to speak up, I'll be the villain," Zhu Feiyun said directly to Xu Huo. "How do you want to split them?"
"I'll take the A-grade item and the primary trait upgrade. You all divide the rest," Xu Huo said.
In the eyes of Shangguan Xi and the others, this wasn't excessive. After all, he had been the main force behind this clearance. Zhu Feiyun and his group had left midway and only rejoined later. Throughout the process, uncovering the truth, triggering side quests, discovering the Bird Tower, and arranging the antidote were mostly his accomplishments.
"Brother Xu, you're being too generous," Shangguan Xi said with a grin. "Why don't you take one more item? The rest will be hard for us to split anyway."
Three items and a two-cubic-meter luggage compartment space—of course it was hard to split. Whoever took the luggage compartment space would be at a loss.
"As I said earlier, Pan Qiao and I won't take any team rewards," Kuang Wenjun reiterated. "A promise is a promise. Our shares go to Brother Xu. You two have no objections, right?"
She didn't ask Xu Huo but directly addressed Shangguan Xi and Zhu Feiyun. She and Pan Qiao were willing to give up their rewards solely because of Xu Huo, and naturally didn't want the benefits to fall into the hands of these two.
"I don't mind," Shangguan Xi shrugged. "I'm fine with just my share."
Zhu Feiyun wanted to argue, but noticing Xu Huo glance at him, he swallowed his words—let alone a four-on-one fight, he might not even win a one-on-one. He didn't want to end up having to forfeit and leave empty-handed.
In the end, he took "Stillness Approach," Shangguan Xi chose "Big Face Plant," and the remaining special item "Lifelike Wax Figure" along with the two-cubic-meter luggage compartment space went to Xu Huo.
The remaining tickets, potions, and coupons were split three ways, while all the white notes were given to Kuang Wenjun and Pan Qiao. After reading the special item's description, Xu Huo additionally compensated each of them with five hundred thousand white notes.
"Brother Xu, you really don't need to do this. Our personal rewards this time are already generous," Pan Qiao declined.
Xu Huo smiled and said, "The special item you gave up is quite good. I think its value exceeds my A-grade item. I'd feel bad if you didn't get something in return."
His frank admission surprised the group, but upon reflection, since no one present dared to scheme against him, they understood.
Zhu Feiyun said with a hint of sourness, "Special items are like opening blind boxes. If you're unlucky, you get something almost useless. You're lucky."
"Can't handle that?" Shangguan Xi slapped her thigh and stepped onto the chair, pointing at him. "Guess what my 'Big Face Plant' does!"
Zhu Feiyun didn't want to take the bait. He stood up and walked toward the liquor cabinet, but after just two steps, he tripped over a fallen bottle and fell flat on his face, his face smacking solidly against the floor!
"Shangguan Xi!" he gritted his teeth as he got up.
Shangguan Xi jumped behind Xu Huo, laughing gleefully. "This item restricts flight. In other words, next time I see someone flying around showing off, I can immediately make them faceplant!"
Zhu Feiyun's face twisted with rage, and he was about to make a move when Xu Huo timely interrupted them. "Since we've cleared the instance, when are you leaving?"
"We're leaving now," Kuang Wenjun said. "The base city is probably sending a lot of people to find us. Better leave early to avoid complications."
A faint smile appeared on her pale face. "This instance really opened my eyes. I hope we can cooperate again in the future."
"If Brother Xu needs someone to clear an instance with, you can find us on Under Dimension," Pan Qiao added.
Xu Huo nodded in agreement. "Safe travels."
After saying their goodbyes, the two vanished from their seats.
Xu Huo turned around. Zhu Feiyun had also left, leaving only Shangguan Xi, who hesitated and said, "Brother Xu, are you planning to find that Dr. Zhang?"
"Seeing how badly Luo Changren was tricked, that doctor isn't a legitimate one either. It might be tough to find Dr. Wu through him."
Xu Huo raised an eyebrow. "What are you trying to say?"
"I actually know a place where people might have leads on Dr. Wu." Shangguan Xi hesitated before handing him a business card. "At this place, showing the card will get you reception."
Xu Huo looked at the card. It had a specific wormhole point, a district, and an address, but no name or contact information.
"E20-002, what a coincidence. Same district as Dr. Zhang."
"Yeah, quite a coincidence, but mine is definitely more reliable than that so-called doctor." Shangguan Xi patted her chest confidently. "Go there and you'll see... Brother Xu, don't worry. I'm counting on you to take me through instances in the future. I'd never harm you!"
Xu Huo folded the card. "I'll take it. Thanks."
"No need to be polite." Shangguan Xi glanced outside the shop. "Brother Xu, I'm off."
Once she left, only Luo Changren remained. Realizing the enforcement team had already found this place, he smiled bitterly. "I haven't had time to buy a non-player ticket yet."
Xu Huo placed one on the table. "I bought it casually. Take it if you need it."
Luo Changren looked at him hesitantly, once again suspicious of his intentions. "I've told you everything valuable I know."
Xu Huo poured himself another drink, took a sip, and said, "Can't it be because I'm in a good mood?"
Luo Changren really couldn't tell, but opportunity wouldn't wait. He took the ticket and said, "That's even harder to believe than you saying you're a good person."
Xu Huo genuinely laughed. "I am in a good mood right now. Gao Xiaoyan is about to arrive. Aren't you leaving?"
Luo Changren gripped the ticket tightly, wanted to say something, but only nodded slightly before leaving.
Now Xu Huo was the only one left in the shop. The recovered owner, watching him drink, quietly reminded him, "Better leave quickly."
"No rush. Bring me a clean glass."
The owner complied.
As Xu Huo poured the wine, Gao Xiaoyan pushed the door open and walked in.
She went straight to sit beside Xu Huo, downed the glass in one gulp, wiped her mouth, and said, "I've lived thirty years, and I've never seen someone meddle in so many damn things!"
Xu Huo refilled her glass. "Mind your image, Mayor Gao."
Gao Xiaoyan snorted lightly. "Expecting a woman in power to be a prim and proper lady? That's as ridiculous as expecting men not to be lecherous."
"You saved so many people. Your instance rating must be high, right? Time to fulfill our agreement?"
(Chapter End)