Chapter 161: World Guardian

"Come, sit down quickly, don't just stand there!" After greeting Lingyun and the others, Asuna invited everyone to sit down.

"Yuuki, how come you came with Lingyun?" Kirito asked with some curiosity.

"Because we were worried about Yuuki's sister, so we went to the hospital first!" Luo Yexi explained.

"Then how is Yuuki's sister doing now?" Asuna asked.

"Rest assured, I have already checked on the condition of Yuuki's sister. As long as Yuuki cooperates when the time comes, there will be no problem!" Lingyun nodded with a smile.

Just as everyone sat down, an invisible ripple spread out from Luo Yexi, enveloping the table.

Although the strength of Kirito and the others had been sealed, their keen perception still existed. They noticed this faint ripple immediately and looked at Luo Yexi with some confusion.

"I just set up a small Concealment Array; after all, we have so many beautiful girls here, it's very easy to attract the attention of others!" Luo Yexi explained with a smile.

Sure enough, with the appearance of this array, the situation where almost everyone in the coffee shop had their eyes gathered on this spot gradually vanished.

Without those strange gazes gathering here, Kirito and the others breathed a sigh of relief and soon began to chat happily.

"Oh, right, Lingyun, you mentioned earlier that you wanted to solve the problem with our powers—do you have any leads now?" During the conversation, Kirito suddenly asked.

"As for that, of course I've found a way!" Lingyun said with a smile.

"What kind of way?" Asuna asked.

"The way is this!" Lingyun smiled and spread his hands; hovering in his palms were four Light Balls of different colors.

If it were normal times, this phenomenon would certainly have caused exclamations from people in the coffee shop, but because of the concealment of the array, no one paid attention to this unscientific phenomenon appearing here.

"What is this?" Kirito asked with some curiosity.

"This is the mark of a World Guardian!" Lingyun said.

"World Guardian?" Asuna asked, feeling a bit strange. "Does that mean someone who guards this world?"

"That is indeed one way to put it. World Guardians are those who have been entrusted with a special mission by the world to protect it!" Lingyun said. "Under normal circumstances, many World Guardians are no different from ordinary people; only when the world encounters a crisis will they step out to protect the world they reside in!"

"That sounds quite amazing!" A trace of envy flashed in Suguha's eyes.

"That's not right. If this world has a World Guardian, why didn't the guardian step in when that Underworld King of the end invaded this world?" Yuuki raised a very important question.

"Because this world didn't have a guardian at the beginning!" Ruoxi suddenly appeared beside Lingyun.

Regarding Ruoxi's god-like ability to appear and disappear, Kirito and the others were quite astonished at first, but after seeing it more often, they gradually got used to it.

"Do you think World Guardians are like Chinese cabbage? You must know that every World Guardian is an extremely precious existence to the world itself. Some weaker worlds cannot even possess a guardian! Moreover, becoming a guardian is not an easy task; everyone who can become a guardian is a rare existence seen once in ten thousand years!" Ruoxi said. "So, never underestimate the position of a World Guardian!"

"Lingyun, do you mean you want us to become the World Guardians of this world?" Kirito quickly saw through Lingyun's intentions.

"Yes. Right now, the World Consciousness of this world has fallen into a deep sleep due to the invasion of Moqi's power. This is the moment when the world is at its most fragile. If you can become the guardians of the world, then this world will undoubtedly be much safer!" Lingyun nodded. "Besides, you wouldn't want the power you worked so hard to cultivate in SAO to just disappear like that, would you?"

"Can you let us think about it?" Kirito pondered for a moment before speaking slowly.

"Hmm, that's no problem. After all, it's not an easy thing for you to make a decision on such a big matter in such a short time!" Lingyun put away the Light Balls in his hands.

"Let's talk about other things for now!" Busujima Saeko said. "By the way, now that you have returned to the real world, what are your plans?"

"What plans?" Kirito said. "I heard from my grandfather earlier that someone has decided to establish a school for those of us who were trapped in that world for so long to attend. We have already agreed to go to that school together when the time comes!"

"Going to school together? That's a pretty good idea! After all, you have stayed in SAO for such a long time, it is time to make up for the knowledge you've missed!" Lingyun said.

"Asuna, is there something on your mind? Why do I keep seeing you looking a bit unhappy?" Busujima Saeko said while looking at Asuna.

"Well, I have indeed encountered some problems recently, but don't worry, I will get this sorted out soon!" Asuna said with a forced smile.

"Asuna, we are comrades who fought together in SAO. If you really have encountered any troublesome matters, you can tell us, and we can see if we can come up with any feasible methods together!" Kirito said.

Asuna sighed, then told them about the things she had encountered recently.

"Marriage?" Hearing Asuna's account, Yuuki couldn't help but exclaim.

"Sugou Nobuyuki? This guy is no good!" Luo Yexi frowned slightly. Through the information about this world she saw before entering, she knew this guy was a complete hypocrite!

"That's right. Although I didn't feel anything more than three years ago, ever since I came out of SAO, every time I see him, I have a feeling that this guy is hiding some unspeakable conspiracy against me and my parents!" Mentioning this person, Asuna also frowned slightly; it was clear she had no good feelings toward him.

"Do you need our help?" Lingqi, who was on the side, asked.

"No need. I am not the Yuuki Asuna I was back then! If he really has any unspeakable conspiracy, I will let him know that there are some things that absolutely cannot be done!" Asuna said with a smile, her eyes flashing with a brilliance that made people dare not look directly at her.

Indeed, having experienced so much time in SAO, Asuna's life experience was definitely not something the version of her from three years ago could compare to.

"Regardless, if there is anything you need, call us directly, and we will definitely provide you with help!" Busujima Saeko said.

"Hmm, if there is a need, I will definitely seek help from you all!" Asuna looked at everyone present, smiled, and nodded firmly.

"There is one more thing you shouldn't forget! You are currently a reserve for a World Guardian. Although you cannot be counted as a true World Guardian yet, you can still obtain some help from the world. If you need to, just call upon the world!" Lingyun said.

"Alright, we are at an offline gathering now, let's not talk about those buzzkill things! Let's talk about some happy things now!" Asuna quickly changed the subject.

"Fine, we won't mention that buzzkill guy anymore!" Lingyun also said.