Chapter 151: What Has Become of This World

After ending the call, Zi Shu glanced at the other members.

"Our new recruit seems to be a beautiful girl. All of you, behave yourselves and show some composure; don't act like you've never seen a woman before."

"Boss, that’s rich coming from you! We already have four beauties in this group; what kind of beauty could possibly make us lose our composure?"

"Exactly! And Boss, have you seen a photo of her? How do you know she’s a great beauty?"

"I haven't, but her voice was lovely. I have a feeling she’s quite a stunner."

Lin Xiao did not join the conversation. He had developed an allergy to beautiful women lately and had no desire to get entangled with any of them.

Just as they were chatting, Luo Yao finally arrived.

Lin Xiao had been keeping an eye on the entrance, and the moment he saw Luo Yao, his mood plummeted.

Why did this woman show up here, too?

Could she possibly be the new member they were expecting?

It was exactly what he had feared.

After entering, Luo Yao walked straight toward them. Lin Xiao stumbled, nearly losing his footing. What kind of bad karma had he brought upon himself?

Fortunately, Lin Xiao was standing at the back of the group, and the eyes of the War Wolf Mercenary Group were all fixed on Luo Yao. Everyone was stunned by her appearance. Even the female members, like Mao Tu, had to admit that compared to Luo Yao, they were clearly lacking.

When Luo Yao reached the group, she didn't know how to start. Finally, she summoned her courage and stammered, "H-hello, everyone! M-may I ask if you are the War Wolf Mercenary Group?"

Internally, Luo Yao was constantly berating her secondary personality. Previously, it was that personality that had taken control to track Lin Xiao. Now that she couldn't find him, she had shoved her out to deal with this, without giving her any chance to refuse. Why was she the one left to clean up the mess her other self had created?

Zi Shu was the first to regain his composure. "Hello, we are. You must be our new recruit, right? Welcome, welcome!"

Although he spoke the words, Zi Shu felt a lingering doubt. What was going on? Even though the voice was the same as the one on the phone, why did it feel like two completely different people? She hadn't stuttered at all before, so why was she so shy now? Was this what they called social anxiety?

Seeing that the new member was Luo Yao, the other men in the group couldn't stay calm. They started hooting and hollering.

"Wow, miss, you’re so beautiful! Compared to you, the girls in our squad are a bit lackluster!"

"What do you mean 'a bit'? They’re far behind!"

"Are you looking to die? If you are, just say the word, and I won't mind giving you a push!"

"You bunch of fickle-minded jerks! That’s not what you were saying a moment ago. Only little brother Hai Zhu is good; he hasn't said a word."

Lin Xiao: (o(′^｀)o) *Invisible mode! Don't call on me! Thanks!*

Although he was confident in his disguise, he felt inexplicably guilty.

Zi Shu cut off the chatter. "Everyone, be quiet! What kind of behavior is this? Alright, now that we’ve met, let’s follow the usual routine. Let’s introduce ourselves."

"Zi Shu, A-rank mercenary, Level 5 SS-grade Wind element."

...

"Xiao... *ahem*, Hai Zhu, C-rank mercenary, Level 2 SS-grade Strength element."

As Luo Yao listened to the introductions, she was filled with shock. They were all Level 5 SS-grade fighters; her father hadn't lied to her—this mercenary group really was impressive.

It was only when Lin Xiao introduced himself that the pattern was broken, which made Luo Yao glance at him twice. Among so many Level 5 powerhouses, a Level 2, even if he were SS-grade, stood out quite awkwardly.

When she saw Lin Xiao, she paused. She did have two personalities, but their memories were shared. She recognized him instantly—wasn't this the guy she had encountered once in the parking garage?

Seeing Luo Yao’s gaze fixed on him, Lin Xiao could only force himself to remain calm and offer her a faint smile. "Hello, we meet again."

Lin Xiao even began to reflect—had he been overthinking things? Given the current situation, it seemed Luo Yao didn't recognize him. Was it possible she hadn't been tracking him at all, but had just been going the same way? Otherwise, the current situation was hard to explain.

Luo Yao didn't speak; she blushed and simply nodded.

The others were unsettled by Lin Xiao’s comment. "Hai Zhu, do you two know each other?"

Lin Xiao quickly shook his head. "No. We just bumped into each other in the underground parking lot once. Such a beautiful girl leaves a deep impression, that’s all. I just didn't expect her to be our new recruit."

Hearing him compliment her, Luo Yao’s face turned even redder. This surprised Lin Xiao; it seemed the Luo Yao standing before him was her primary personality. For him, this was good news—at least the version of Luo Yao in front of him wouldn't do anything outrageous or try to tease him.

Zi Shu looked at Luo Yao, waiting for her to speak, but she only blushed and said nothing.

"Ahem, well, I’m the leader of the mercenary group. Aren't you going to introduce yourself?"

Luo Yao finally realized everyone else had finished and it was her turn. "Um... I... my name is Luo Yao, Level 5 SSS-grade Light and Dark dual element. P-please take care of me!"

Luo Yao’s introduction was like dropping a bomb on the War Wolf Mercenary Group. Everyone looked at her in disbelief. They hadn't realized it, but she looked younger than them, at most about the same age as Lin Xiao. Yet, what level did she just claim to be? The same Level 5 as them? How did this girl train? Was she cheating?

"Luo Yao, if you don't mind me asking, how old are you?"

"Eight... eighteen."

Another silence descended upon the group. An eighteen-year-old Level 5 powerhouse! SSS-grade! Dual Light and Dark elements! What were they supposed to do now that they’d been crushed?

Even Lin Xiao stared at Luo Yao in complete shock. What the hell? Wasn't Luo Yao a Level 4 powerhouse? How did she become a Level 5 in just two days? It seemed he would have to stay even further away from her in the future. He might not have been a match for her before, and now it seemed even less likely. She was trouble! Too much trouble!

Finally, Zi Shu regained his composure. He had thought the new recruit would be a burden, but it seemed that wasn't the case at all. He looked at Luo Yao, then at Lin Xiao. Although Lin Xiao’s level was low, after their last expedition to the secret realm, he knew that Lin Xiao might be the most terrifying one in the group. If he remembered correctly, Lin Xiao was also eighteen.

What was the world coming to? Why did he feel so old, even though he was only in his early twenties?