Chapter 114: The Lame Inselles

Nie Yan descended from the cliff and began collecting the loot.

Five pieces of equipment dropped, all from the porcupine leader, all of them silver-grade gear. There were items suitable for warriors, rogues, and paladins, but all required a level 20 character. By the time Nie Yan reached level 20, would silver-grade equipment even be worth his attention?

He tossed the equipment into his backpack and collected all the coins scattered on the ground from the defeated porcupine monsters. After making sure nothing was left behind and counting carefully, he found he had collected 12 silver coins—an impressive amount indeed.

His main purpose for coming here was still to level up. After using Thunder Flame, Nie Yan removed all his intelligence-boosting gear and switched back to his original equipment. He then took out a recall scroll and began reading it.

A flash of white light enveloped Nie Yan as he returned to the city. He glanced at the level rankings. Currently, the highest level on the leaderboard was level 9, which was roughly on par with Nie Yan’s level.

Most players hadn’t leveled up much yet, so Nie Yan wasn’t in a hurry to level himself. It was time to obtain another piece of the Order’s Chapter.

Nie Yan received a message from Bu Lian Dan Niao (Bird Without a Single Egg Left).

“Boss, I…”

“What’s wrong?”

“The herbs you gave me, I made them all into potions. But…” Bu Lian Dan Niao hesitated.

“How did it go?”

“I think… I can only sell them back for three silver coins. I’m sorry. My success rate was way too low.” Bu Lian Dan Niao said awkwardly. He knew the herbs Nie Yan had given him were worth more than ten silver coins. Yet in less than a day, the potions he made could only fetch three silver coins. Even if Nie Yan was rich, he probably couldn’t afford to keep him around.

“Go to the Alchemist Guild and wait for me at its entrance,” Nie Yan replied. Hearing Bu Lian Dan Niao’s report, Nie Yan sucked in a breath. This guy’s success rate must be really low. With ten silver coins worth of materials, even an average alchemist wouldn’t make much profit, but at least wouldn’t suffer a loss. How did Bu Lian Dan Niao manage to lose so much?

“Okay,” Bu Lian Dan Niao thought anxiously, nearly despairing. Nie Yan was probably going to fire him this time.

At the entrance of the Alchemist Guild, Bu Lian Dan Niao paced back and forth restlessly. He had already accepted his fate—he was definitely going to be fired by Nie Yan.

People came and went, with players clad in colorful alchemist robes entering and exiting. Most of them were still alchemy apprentices wearing silver moon badges, and occasionally one or two junior alchemists adorned with golden moon badges could be spotted. Bu Lian Dan Niao gazed at them with envy.

That golden moon badge represented their noble status. These alchemists were highly respected in the guild because the potions they made were crucial to the guild’s operations.

As an apprentice alchemist in the guild, they would provide you with a large amount of herbs to improve your skills, but you would gain almost no profit. You were essentially free labor for the guild. However, if you could push through and raise your alchemy level, then you’d be set. The guild would invest in your development, offering generous benefits, with salaries comparable to white-collar workers in real life.

Once upon a time, Bu Lian Dan Niao had also dreamed of being a guild-employed alchemist, leisurely collecting a salary. But now, he had given up on that hope.

The Dark Ranger Guild was a very famous and established guild. Before Faith was released, it had participated in several other games. After Faith was launched, they entered Faith. Though not a large guild, it had strong cohesion. Bu Lian Dan Niao had been specially recruited into the guild because he had obtained a unique alchemy skill. However, he was soon kicked out—not because of anything else, but because his potion-making success rate was too low. To cultivate Bu Lian Dan Niao to a proficient level, the Dark Ranger Guild would suffer countless losses. Although the guild was wealthy, their money didn’t fall from the sky.

So many people had struck gold in this game, but why was he still achieving nothing?

Bu Lian Dan Niao felt an inexplicable frustration. His real-life funds were barely enough for a few more months. He had finally found a wealthy patron willing to support him, but he had messed it up again. In theory, the potion-making success rate for every alchemy apprentice should be roughly the same. Why was his success rate so low?

As he paced restlessly, Bu Lian Dan Niao looked up and saw Nie Yan walking toward the entrance of the Alchemist Guild.

“Boss,” Bu Lian Dan Niao awkwardly didn’t know what to say.

“Let’s go inside first. Did you rent a private lab?” Nie Yan asked. The Alchemist Guild had many exclusive laboratories. Players could pay thirty copper coins to rent one for a day, where they could make potions without being disturbed. Those who couldn’t afford a private lab had to make potions in the main hall of the guild, which was noisy and easily affected the success rate.

“No, renting a private lab is too expensive…” Bu Lian Dan Niao replied. He couldn’t bear to spend so much money just for a private lab.

Nie Yan walked toward the counter of the Alchemist Guild. The counter was made of pine wood with wavy grain patterns, ancient and simple. The NPC in charge of alchemy affairs was a beautiful woman dressed in a light blue floral dress named Solanya. She had curved eyebrows, sapphire-like eyes, a high nose, and two strands of hair hanging from her shoulders, adorned with rubies, exuding a strong sense of Greenlan style. Virtual technology perfectly portrayed the word “perfection.”

“Hello, how may I assist you?” Solanya asked. Her voice was as melodious as a nightingale’s.

Such beauty naturally quickened one’s heartbeat.

Nie Yan was already used to it and didn’t think much of it. He said, “I need a private lab.”

“Which level do you need? Our private labs are divided into three categories: common, exquisite, and luxurious. The rental fees are thirty copper coins per day, five silver coins per day, and sixty silver coins per day, respectively,” Solanya replied.

“I need a common-level private lab,” Nie Yan said. At his current level, this common-level private lab was sufficient.

“Isn’t it too wasteful?” Bu Lian Dan Niao, following Nie Yan, felt a tremor in his heart. Another thirty copper coins! He had spent so much money from Nie Yan without producing anything in return, feeling deeply guilty.

“Just thirty copper coins,” Nie Yan said as he rented a private lab and paid thirty copper coins. He then turned to Bu Lian Dan Niao and said, “Let’s go.”

Bu Lian Dan Niao followed Nie Yan into the private lab.

Nie Yan surveyed the laboratory. It wasn’t particularly spacious, measuring roughly 5 by 5 yards. Given the limited materials available at this stage, the space was more than adequate for potion-making.

On the left side of the room stood two cabinets filled with numerous potions. Each exquisitely crafted crystal bottle contained liquids of varying hues—red, blue, and green among them. Every bottle bore a white label detailing the item’s name and price.

These potions were supplied by the Alchemist Guild, but they weren’t complimentary. Any usage would be accounted for and charged accordingly upon vacating the lab.

In the center of the private lab was a rectangular workbench with various tools placed on it.

“When you make potions, are you unable to concentrate?” Nie Yan glanced at Bu Lian Dan Niao and asked.

Bu Lian Dan Niao recalled his previous potion-making process. He had too many troubles in real life, making him restless and eager to achieve something. His agitated mind affected his potion-making success rate, which was only about 30% of an average player’s.

“It seems like it.”

“Potion-making requires calmness, forgetting external distractions, and focusing fully. Only then can the success rate reach a normal level, around 60%. The remaining tools and items can increase the success rate to around 90%. From now on, discard all distractions and focus on potion-making. Try again,” Nie Yan said. At this time, there were very few high-level alchemists. These experiences were summarized by many alchemists from his past life, which Nie Yan shamelessly adopted.

Nie Yan placed several materials on the table.

“Okay,” Bu Lian Dan Niao nodded, picked up a material, and began processing the herbs according to Nie Yan’s instructions.

Perhaps because Nie Yan was standing beside him, Bu Lian Dan Niao felt nervous, his herb-processing technique was clumsy.

Could this really be the legendary potion master from back then? Nie Yan frowned slightly. It didn’t make sense. The legendary potion master was indeed named Bu Lian Dan Niao. Thinking about it, a potion master wasn’t born but cultivated through effort.

“Do anything with absolute calmness, without being disturbed by external factors. If every potion-making attempt is as clumsy as this one, you’d better quit early and stop embarrassing yourself here,” Nie Yan said harshly. He had given Bu Lian Dan Niao a chance, but Bu Lian Dan Niao had to seize it himself. If he truly couldn’t do it, Nie Yan would have no choice but to fire him. Even if Nie Yan had more money, there was no need to keep a useless alchemist around.

Hearing Nie Yan’s reprimand, Bu Liandan Niao felt as if his heart were being pricked by needles. Did Nie Yan have any obligation to unconditionally support his potion-making? No! If he truly couldn’t deliver, he had no doubt Nie Yan would cast him out just like the Dark Ranger Guild had. Even if Nie Yan didn’t expel him, he wouldn’t have the dignity to stay. He had worked so hard to seize this opportunity—how could he bear to let it slip away!

Bu Lian Dan Niao took a deep breath, slowly calming his mind, fully focusing on the potion bottle in his hand, watching the potion inside sway, displaying a kaleidoscope of colors. Then, the colors dimmed.

System: Potion creation failed.

Still no good. Bu Lian Dan Niao didn’t look up at Nie Yan. On the workbench were more than ten sets of materials, which seemed slightly glaring. He had more than ten chances. If he couldn’t improve his potion-making success rate and remained the same, once these materials were used up, he would have to leave.

If he still failed, maybe he wasn’t suited to be an alchemist and should consider deleting his character and re-rolling a combat class.

With such thoughts, Bu Lian Dan Niao resolved to make a final effort.

“Hold the crystal bottle’s neck and rotate it at a constant speed! Don’t apply too much force…” Nie Yan, not being an alchemist himself, could only guide Bu Lian Dan Niao based on hearsay.

Bu Lian Dan Niao understood this was his last chance. He began concentrating on potion-making, shaking the bottle in his hand, completely absorbed.

System: You have crafted a bottle of low-level paralysis removal potion.

Success! Bu Lian Dan Niao’s heart trembled slightly. He exhaled heavily, feeling much relieved, and continued making potions.

Bu Lian Dan Niao seemed to completely forget Nie Yan was beside him, staring intently at the potion bottle, completing each step. This focused expression stirred something in Nie Yan. At this moment, he was convinced that this person was indeed the legendary potion master.

One bottle after another was crafted by Bu Lian Dan Niao. The failure rate was around 50%. Although the success rate was only slightly lower than other players’, for him, it was a huge improvement.

He seemed to have suddenly found the key to potion-making.

Bu Lian Dan Niao had realized it. Becoming a legendary potion master was only a matter of time. Nie Yan quietly stepped out, and Bu Lian Dan Niao didn’t even notice.

Bu Lian Dan Niao transformed more than ten sets of herbs into potions, successfully creating five bottles. This success rate made him ecstatic. When he turned to look for Nie Yan, Nie Yan had already left.

“Boss, I successfully made five bottles!” Bu Lian Dan Niao exclaimed joyfully, eager to pour out his emotions. Having failed so many times, he had almost given up hope. Now, he seemed to see the dawn’s first light.

“Not bad, I know. But a success rate of less than 50% is still far from enough. Keep making potions,” Nie Yan said. In fact, for any profession, once you grasp the technique, the rest is just a matter of personal effort and talent.

“Yes, I understand,” Bu Lian Dan Niao replied happily. This success rate exceeded his expectations. Previously, when he made potions, succeeding once or twice out of ten attempts was already quite good. As long as Nie Yan didn’t fire him, he still had time to gradually improve his potion-making success rate.

“I’m heading to the auction house to purchase some raw materials and send them to you. Quickly advance to the rank of Junior Alchemist. Don’t sell the finished potions yet—hold onto them for now. I plan to open a pharmacy, and you’ll be the manager,” Nie Yan said. He had several plots of land at his disposal, so upgrading one or two shops was entirely feasible. Those plots were located in a relatively remote area, making the cost of upgrading the storefronts cheaper—estimated at just two or three gold coins to upgrade a shop by one level. If he waited until the city center’s bustling areas expanded in that direction, upgrading the shop would become even more expensive. Nie Yan’s first goal was to upgrade a pharmacy.

“Manager? Me?” Bu Lian Dan Niao asked excitedly. He had always longed to own a shop of his own, but he didn’t have nearly enough money, so he could only dream about it. Being a pharmacy manager, the daily income must be quite substantial.

“Work hard. I won’t let down my own people.”

“Yes, I’ll definitely try my best.” Bu Liandan Niao couldn’t quite describe his current emotions. He had nearly given up earlier, yet unexpectedly found his rhythm in the end, experiencing that profound relief of finally seeing the light after enduring hardships. The future suddenly seemed bright with possibilities.

Bu Liandan Niao took a deep breath, so overwhelmed with excitement that his hands trembled uncontrollably—and just like that, the potion he was working on failed again. Extreme joy turned to sorrow in an instant. “Damn it!” he cursed.

Nie Yan pondered for a moment. Since he had decided to upgrade the pharmacy, there was no rush to sell the Black Fen potions. Using Black Fen potions to increase the pharmacy’s popularity was also a good idea.

Selling a large number of highly sought-after Black Fen potions in the shop would bring how much popularity to his pharmacy?

With this thought in mind, Nie Yan made his decision. He went to the central city auction house and bought nearly ten silver coins worth of raw materials, which he mailed to Bu Lian Dan Niao, instructing him to focus on potion-making. He also sold some Black Fen potion ingredients and potions, gathering enough to make three gold coins. Then, he headed eastward in the city, where he owned several plots of land.

At this time, the eastern part of Carol City was still a slum. Various NPCs wearing tattered clothes passed through the streets and alleys. On both sides of the streets, dilapidated wooden houses swayed precariously in the wind.

No one could have imagined that this poor slum would one day become the most prosperous commercial district in Carol City.

All the nearby prosperous areas were firmly in Nie Yan’s grasp. In the future, this place would become Nie Yan’s exclusive domain. As for Cao Xu, who had created a commercial legend here in the past, he could just get lost!

According to the future layout, it would be best to place the pharmacy at a street corner. From the 12 plots of land, he selected the most suitable location.

System: Are you sure you want to upgrade the shop? This upgrade will cost 2 gold coins.

Yes!

System: The shop has been successfully upgraded.

On the plot of land selected by Nie Yan, a building emerged from the ground. It was a single-story house constructed from white stone, elegant and refined, featuring a counter and rows of shelves inside. Even the corners were adorned with intricately carved floral runes, radiating a strong Greenlan aesthetic.

System: Would you like to hire an employee?

Nie Yan scanned the list of available employees. Names were listed one after another, with employee details and hiring prices provided for reference.

Employees could manage the shop on behalf of the player, handling consignment sales. However, employees could only sell items based on the prices set by the shop owner, without any autonomy. They only had basic AI.

Karadi: Gender, male, age 30, reputation 30, skill, quick running. Hiring price 20 silver coins/month.

Tesla: Gender, male, age 26, reputation 28, skill, strength enhancement. Hiring price 18 silver coins/month.

Nie Yan flipped through the list, looking for suitable candidates. Their skills were all sorts of oddities—agility, intelligence, strength, etc.—with varying hiring prices.

Which employee had the prosperous pharmacy hired in his past life? Nie Yan vaguely remembered something. It was a disabled person named Les?

Nie Yan continued flipping through the list and found a somewhat familiar name at the bottom.

Lame Inselas: Gender, male, age 56, reputation 37, skill, ??. Hiring price 50 silver coins/month.

Nie Yan remembered now! It was him! Although the price was a bit high, he hired him without hesitation.

An NPC shop employee with an unknown skill and a limp, demanding 50 silver coins per month, was obviously unusual. Back then, Shengshi Pharmacy had always been secretive about Lame Inselas. But later, Inselas’s skill was eventually uncovered—it was the rare Diplomacy skill, which allowed smooth communication with all NPCs and gained their favor!