"So that locks in two 'teammates' and one 'enemy.'"

After recognizing the three of them, Lin Yu continued observing the remaining four.

One was a middle-aged woman who radiated wealth, with a somewhat plump figure, adorned in glittering jewelry, her hair elaborately dyed and styled.

One was a young man with headphones hanging around his neck, dressed in sporty casual wear, sporting a pair of trendy sneakers.

One was a plain-looking girl in simple attire, but coiled around her body was an alert, massive white snake.

And there was a figure wearing a gas mask, clad head-to-toe in military uniform.

Judging by appearances alone, Lin Yu couldn't readily identify which organizations these five belonged to.

As for the airship itself, although everyone here was only First-Tier or not particularly strong Second-Tier, the fact that their respective organizations had sent them here was proof enough that they were all elite, reliable operatives within that "bracket."

So, everyone realized just as Lin Yu did that this enclosed airship's "opening" instantly made the atmosphere among these rivals from hostile factions extremely tense.

How was this any different from an airborne octagonal cage?

Everyone was silently observing one another, trying to confirm the identities of the other players.

Even someone as lively and impulsive as Fu Luo had fallen into deep, brooding silence.

In fact, he had locked eyes with Lin Yu several times, recognizing this "Old Yao," yet he didn't rush to greet him.

And amidst those intersecting glances...

Before long, the first person unable to hold back emerged.

The young man with headphones around his neck shot up from his seat, stepped onto his chair, and spread his arms wide.

"Hello there, all you big bros and sis, uncles and aunties, dear friends from every organization!" he announced, sounding like an emcee delivering opening remarks at some variety show, his Tianjin accent adding a hilarious touch. "Didn't expect such an awkward opening, so let's not waste any time. Let me introduce myself, I'm with the Marauders, just call me Nineteen."

"Which one of you is Chlorpromazine from the Psychological Society? Raise your hand so I can see!"

"Unless I'm mistaken, friends from Order and the Night Watchmen should be here by now. So Chlorpromazine, buddy, if the two of us don't team up, things might get pretty tough."

From the corner, Chlorpromazine, who Lin Yu had already identified, raised his hand.

"Marauders, huh? Then shouldn't you keep a lower profile?"

"Being low-key isn't really my style," Nineteen said with a laugh. "So, the rest of you, where are you all from? You'd better follow suit and divide yourselves by faction!"

"Here, I'll start things off. That guy over there is Furbollo, I know you."

As Nineteen spoke, Fu Luo slowly rose to his feet.

"You actually recognize me?"

Seeing Fu Luo's exasperated expression, Nineteen laughed.

"Who in this world doesn't know your name?"

Fu Luo nodded, striking the pose of a master as he spoke: "For you to jump out on your own even after recognizing me, that takes some guts."

"That's right, I am Furbollo, here representing Order on the Misty Islands, ready to take over the legacy of the First Generation Freud."

Nineteen narrowed his eyes: "Ha, just as the rumors say. Not promoting for so long, deliberately avoiding fights with other players, it was all an act."

"But ever since your true combat power was exposed in Sleepless City in the Wasteland Realm, you stopped pretending, Fu Luo."

Fu Luo spoke proudly: "Fancy that, your Marauders can't even access the forum, yet your intel is pretty impressive."

Hearing Fu Luo's words, Lin Yu almost lost his composure.

He never expected Fu Luo to be so good at this game. It seemed he had not only maintained his reputation as a master in Sleepless City, but had directly leveraged it to expand that influence across the entire player community.

No wonder Order had chosen him!

After all, the only ones who knew the truth were himself and Senior Shen Bingmiao.

Team Leader Gao understood some of it, but not much. As long as he hadn't specifically reported Fu Luo's situation to Order, then no one would truly know Fu Luo's actual capabilities now.

With Zhu Rong as a witness, plus the players who had fought him, and the resounding reputation in Sleepless City, those "lavish battle records" that only true "masters" could produce would seriously make people overestimate Fu Luo's strength once spread around.

But even so, Lin Yu couldn't help but marvel that, in a sense, Fu Luo really did have some skills.

After all, those battle records were ultimately "fake," and being able to build a reputation without being exposed at all was Fu Luo's genuine ability in itself.

Though his direct combat capability was indeed a bit lacking.

But his talent for leveraging momentum to build fame was in no way inferior to his detective skills.

He probably never displayed this strength before because his reputation as a cowardly dog was too loud, leaving him with no "momentum to leverage."

"In a sense, this is 'a chance encounter with wind and cloud, transforming into a dragon'..."

Lin Yu mused inwardly.

Meanwhile, as he mused, Fu Luo's confidence not only reined in the arrogant Nineteen from the Marauders, but also gave the remaining players a great deal of confidence.

After Fu Luo stood up, the wealthy woman also rose.

"I'm from the Player Mutual Aid Association, Katy. Your Excellency Furbollo, I will assist you."

Then, the girl with the white snake coiled around her raised her hand.

"Night Watchmen, Wang Jiu."

She briefly announced her name.

Lin Yu quickly seized the opportunity to speak: "Jiang'an Hall, Old Yao."

The three of them also took the chance to move to Furbollo's side.

The only ones left seated on the airship were the unidentified person in the gas mask and full gear, and Fern, who was equally unidentified to everyone except Lin Yu.

However...

Looking at the tense, ready-to-strike atmosphere between both sides, the fully-armed figure in the gas mask spoke up.

"I say... you people aren't seriously thinking of fighting here on this 'sky airship,' are you?"

"Do you really think this place allows guests to throw down?"

Nineteen looked at him and shot back: "What happens if I do start something?"

"The airship is the only legal 'mode of transport' on the Misty Islands, and all airship operation rights belong to the successor of the 'Misty Islands Master.' If you want to provoke that person, be my guest," the gas-masked figure said in a low voice. "But kindly stay far away from me when you do. I'd hate for your blood to splatter on me."

Nineteen listened to the half-threat, half-advice and frowned, seemingly about to flare up.

But in the end, he looked toward Furbollo instead.

"Seems like... someone here isn't too keen on us throwing down."

"What's your take on this, Your Excellency Furbollo?"

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