Nie Yan never expected to see Ai Qing Shas here. Could it be that Kuang Zhan Lian Meng and the Holy Roman Empire had formed an alliance? Recalling his past life, several guilds like Triumph and Guang Ming Sheng Yan were indeed fighting on multiple fronts, battling both Kuang Zhan Lian Meng and the Holy Roman Empire, as well as other guilds. Perhaps Kuang Zhan Lian Meng and the Holy Roman Empire had secretly allied. Nie Yan knew little about these matters. In his previous life, he was merely a casual player. Even during the peak of Zhan Shen Bu Luo, he only enjoyed the title of young master without ever considering leading the tribe to dominate the world.
As Nie Yan was lost in thought, an elderly man dressed in a mage’s robe, appearing nearly fifty years old, approached Ban Xing De Hu Li and Ai Qing Sha. Were it not for his mage robe and player attire, some players might have mistaken him for an NPC.
The old man had a somewhat gaunt face with sunken cheeks, yet he appeared energetic and kind-hearted.
Nie Yan vaguely remembered something about this person. It seemed he was the guild leader of Jia Lan Shen Dian. Although Jia Lan Shen Dian couldn’t rival Triumph and the Holy Roman Empire, it was still a well-known major guild, not far behind in strength. In Nie Yan’s previous life, Jia Lan Shen Dian was a temple for mages, producing as many as three magisters. During wartime, each magister was a strategic force; having three would be enough to deter any opponent. Thus, even at Triumph’s peak, they dared not declare open war on Jia Lan Shen Dian, precisely because of those three magisters, which added significant uncertainty to any potential conflict.
Nie Yan remembered his name, apparently called Falan. Despite his age, he later advanced to become a grand mage, maintaining formidable strength.
“Why are you here too?” Ban Xing De Hu Li asked. In terms of age, the old man should be his senior, but as leaders of two major guilds, he refused to lose face, unsure how to address him. He inwardly grumbled, thinking that Xue Ying was over fifty but still acted like a restless youth.
“I’m just here to blend in,” Falan smiled. “What, not happy to see me? You should thank me today. If I hadn’t come, the Holy Roman Empire and Triumph would have really started a fight.”
Ban Xing De Hu Li thought for a moment and understood. Jia Lan Shen Dian was also a significant force. As long as Falan himself appeared here, the Triumph Empire likely wouldn’t dare take any action, thus naturally averting the war.
“Why did you help me? Wouldn’t Jia Lan Shen Dian benefit from the Holy Roman Empire and Triumph fighting each other?”
“Nonsense! If they really fought, Guang Ming Sheng Yan would join in. You’d be at a disadvantage unless you’re lucky,” Falan replied. There was a saying, “When lips are gone, teeth feel the cold.” He was also considering Jia Lan Shen Dian’s interests.
“Is the information reliable?”
Ban Xing De Hu Li was startled. Had Triumph and Guang Ming Sheng Yan really allied? This was shocking news. Thinking further, it explained why Triumph had been so aggressive, even risking war, likely because of Guang Ming Sheng Yan.
“If the information weren’t reliable, would I be here?”
Nie Yan hadn’t expected that so soon after the server opened, Triumph and Guang Ming Sheng Yan had already begun cooperating.
Upon hearing Falan’s words, Ban Xing De Hu Li was alarmed. If Guang Ming Sheng Yan really joined the battle, they would face serious trouble.
Nie Yan suddenly spotted another familiar face: Xing Zhi Hui Huang had also arrived.
“What do you think, Fox? Need help?” Xing Zhi Hui Huang asked. After the incident with the Order Keeper, he had become quite close with Ban Xing De Hu Li. He was a loyal friend, coming to support Ban Xing De Hu Li despite the danger.
These were all figures who could shake the world in Nie Yan’s previous life. Unexpectedly, they had all gathered here—a true gathering of legends.
As the Holy Roman Empire’s members grew in number, Triumph’s players anxiously awaited Po Tian’s orders. However, Po Tian’s eyes were fixed on the few people conversing with Ban Xing De Hu Li. Though not intimately familiar, he had seen them a few times and recognized them: Falan, Jia Lan Shen Dian’s leader; Ai Qing Sha, Kuang Zhan Lian Meng’s leader; and Xing Zhi Hui Huang, Hui Huang Shen Dian’s leader. It seemed he had underestimated the Holy Roman Empire’s influence.
Kuang Zhan Lian Meng’s territory wasn’t in Carol City, so it could be ignored. However, Jia Lan Shen Dian was a force Po Tian couldn’t overlook.
“Leader, let’s attack!”
“Yeah, Leader, they’ll get more people soon. Should we call more guild members?”
Po Tian shook his head, darkly saying, “We’re leaving!”
“Leaving? Why?”
“Yeah, Leader?”
Po Tian’s cold gaze swept over the discontented guild members nearby, who immediately fell silent. Po Tian always stuck to his decisions, and no one dared defy him.
Triumph’s members gradually withdrew. Under Ban Xing De Hu Li’s restraint, the Holy Roman Empire didn’t pursue. Thus, the impending war was averted by Falan’s appearance.
“I’ll have someone escort you out,” Ban Xing De Hu Li told Nie Yan, Tang Yao, and Yao Yao.
“Alright, thank you,” Nie Yan nodded. They needed to leave quickly so Ban Xing De Hu Li could relax.
Ban Xing De Hu Li arranged for two hundred hooded cloaks from Carol City, which could conceal their faces. He had Nie Yan and the other players wear them and split into several groups heading in different directions.
Two hundred hooded players disappeared in various directions.
“Fox, why did you save them?” Ai Qing Sha asked, watching Nie Yan’s retreating figure, puzzled.
“We made a deal,” Ban Xing De Hu Li replied. “You haven’t explained how you met him. How did he end up in Emerald City? Don’t tell me it’s just another quest.”
“I met him briefly at the Emerald City’s administration hall. He secured the best plot of land there,” Ai Qing Sha said, annoyed, as it had been his choice.
“He grabbed a plot in Emerald City? Why? Carol City has many affordable plots in the east, while the west and south still have some available. Why waste so much teleportation fee to snatch a plot in Emerald City? Two gold coins could buy a smaller, less desirable plot here.”
“That might not be the case. In the future, Carol City’s land won’t be as valuable as Emerald City’s. Carol City has many plots, but Emerald City has only a few,” Ai Qing Sha shook his head. In his view, Nie Yan’s purchase would surely appreciate.
As the game’s currency exchange approached, land became increasingly crucial for major guilds. However, the establishment of guild warehouses and daily expenses had already overwhelmed guild leaders. Although they invested in some land, the amounts were minimal. For example, the Holy Roman Empire recently acquired six plots in Carol City, all at low prices. Triumph, being wealthier, purchased the most valuable plot in the south for over thirty gold coins.
Recently, due to the popularity of Star Pharmacy, land in eastern Carol City became highly sought after. Yet, guild leaders visiting the administration hall were shocked to discover that all eastern plots had been snapped up—an unusual and puzzling occurrence.
Nie Yan even had spare funds to buy land in Emerald City, indicating astonishing financial resources.
Ban Xing De Hu Li pondered the clues pointing to Star Pharmacy. He roughly estimated that Star Pharmacy earned more than twenty gold coins per day, an achievement few major guilds could rival. Only Star Pharmacy had the financial capacity to purchase land on such a large scale. Could Nie Yan be the owner of Star Pharmacy? Considering Nie Yan’s low-profile demeanor, his concealed high ranking, and mysterious background, it seemed highly plausible. He might very well be the mastermind behind Star Pharmacy.
Ban Xing De Hu Li was secretly alarmed. If Nie Yan truly owned Star Pharmacy, how much financial power did he command? He might have acquired far more land than any major guild. Thus, not only should they cooperate with Nie Yan, but they should also deepen the partnership. Nie Yan appeared too profound and unfathomable.
Seeing Triumph’s retreat, the Holy Roman Empire members received Ban Xing De Hu Li’s orders and dispersed. They felt disappointed about not fighting, being ordinary members unaware of the stakes. But Ban Xing De Hu Li understood that a real battle would be devastating for the guild.
Under the escort of several Holy Roman Empire players, Nie Yan, Tang Yao, and Yao Yao reached a forest’s edge. This area was a spawn point for level thirteen monsters. Triumph couldn’t send large forces here to ambush them, ensuring their safety.
“You can go back now. Thank you,” Nie Yan said to the Holy Roman Empire players who escorted them.
“Don’t mention it. You’re our leader’s friends, so of course we must help,” the players replied.
Their expressions showed Ban Xing De Hu Li’s strong authority among them.
The Holy Roman Empire players bid farewell and returned using recall scrolls.
“Nie Yan, where should we go now?” Yao Yao asked. They weren’t safe even in low-level monster zones, easily targeted, forcing them to head to higher-level areas, often dangerous.
“We’ll farm high-level monsters to clear our red names. Wait here first; I’ll have someone bring us some supplies,” Nie Yan decided.
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