Chapter 196: Dragon Taming

“Are you sure the members of the Bull Tribe will come?” Hei Zhuo turned to look at several people from Triumph Empire and asked.

Three people from Triumph Empire had come, in charge of directing operations. Triumph Empire had already made preparations. Once members of the Bull Tribe appeared, whether in the hundreds or thousands, several times their number from Triumph Empire would immediately surround and kill them all.

If the Bull Tribe didn’t come, they could spread rumors everywhere, making it impossible for the Bull Tribe to ever recover their reputation. If the Bull Tribe did come, no matter how many arrived, Magma Forest would become their graveyard, and the Bull Tribe’s prestige would still suffer a heavy blow.

Therefore, the Bull Tribe had no way to retreat!

Among the three from Triumph Empire, the leader was a paladin named Yu Long, wearing a radiant level 25 paladin set, giving an impression of heroism. His calm expression revealed nothing of his inner thoughts.

Even Hei Zhuo, the president of Zongheng World, dared not treat him carelessly.

He was the second-in-command of Triumph Empire. Originally the leader of Yu Long Studio, he later had Triumph Empire invest in his studio, bringing it under their umbrella. However, Yu Long still held a 20% stake in Triumph Empire. It was the elite members of Yu Long Studio who supported the entire Triumph Empire, propelling it to the pinnacle. Thus, even Po Tian himself treated Yu Long with respect.

In terms of skill, Po Tian was slightly inferior to Yu Long. Po Tian wasn’t a professional gamer, and his understanding of the game mostly came from Yu Long’s teachings. To maintain his authority within Triumph Empire, Po Tian had to maintain a higher level than Yu Long. Yu Long naturally understood his position and always stayed one level behind Po Tian. How strong Yu Long really was, even Po Tian didn’t know. He only knew that every time Yu Long dueled him, he would always hold back just enough to let Po Tian win. Po Tian naturally understood his intent and never exposed it. The two maintained a delicate relationship. In the eyes of guild members and outsiders, Yu Long was far less famous than Po Tian.

“What difference does it make whether they come or not?” Yu Long smiled slightly. “But the Bull Tribe probably won’t just sit there waiting to be beaten. If they don’t come, they’ll be called cowards. If they do come, even if they’re surrounded and killed by Zongheng and Triumph, they can still claim honor in defeat. If I were their leadership, I would choose the second option.”

Hei Zhuo naturally understood this principle, but currently, the Bull Tribe showed no signs of movement, leaving him puzzled about their intentions.

“Be patient and wait. They definitely won’t make it through today. Even if the Bull Tribe’s leaders can endure it, their subordinates won’t, and they’re bound to stir up trouble. Let’s see how they deal with it then!” Yu Long said. The situation was clear, and everything was under control.

Their targeting of the Bull Tribe had its reasons. The Bull Tribe’s growth rate had surpassed his expectations. Both he and Potian had begun to feel uneasy about this suddenly emerging rival. At this pace, if left unchecked, the Bull Tribe would soon catch up to Triumph. Moreover, the Bull Tribe was growing increasingly close to the Holy Roman Empire, along with the Garam Guild and the War Alliance from the distant Emerald City. Should these four guilds unite, even if the Triumph Empire and the Radiant Holy Flame Guild formed an alliance, they might still be forced to retreat in apprehension.

However, the Bull Tribe was too low-key, making it hard to find any leverage. Their guild members never wore guild badges when training, giving people a sense of helplessness. This time, they finally got a chance. They carefully designed a trap, forcing the Bull Tribe into a dilemma, and had already succeeded halfway. Now it was up to the Bull Tribe to respond.

He had developed some curiosity about the Bull Tribe’s leader, Yazi. What exactly made the Bull Tribe rise so quickly? Triumph Empire had shifted focus across various virtual games, developing for five or six years, to achieve their current status and impressive foundation, becoming the undisputed hegemon. Yet this Bull Tribe, previously unheard of, suddenly gained so many experts just because Yazi climbed to the top? Even forming an elite team capable of clearing over ten instances in two days?

Yu Long shook his head. This Yazi was definitely not that simple. He had a premonition that the Bull Tribe would become the biggest enemy for Triumph Empire’s quest for dominance.

Nie Yan and his team members moved through the dark lava caves. Swarms of venomous snakeflies rushed toward Nie Yan and his companions. These dark creatures hiding in the shadowy caves attacked Nie Yan and his group.

The cave was densely packed with these creatures.

“So many monsters!” Sha Budaide Han cried in alarm.

Just as they prepared a defensive formation to resist these snakeflies,

Intimidation!

Nie Yan used the Intimidation skill, causing the venomous snakeflies to retreat, clearing a path and daring not to approach Nie Yan and his companions again.

“What skill is this? So amazing?” Bi Lusha, Xia Chong Yubing, and others looked at Nie Yan beside them, discovering that Nie Yan always had endless surprises.

“Intimidation, an ability attached to the Demon Hunter title,” Nie Yan smiled.

A title?

They hadn’t even obtained the lowest titles, let alone advanced, impressive titles like Demon Hunter.

“Nie Yan and Brother Yazi level up too fast. After this matter, we must have Nie Yan and Brother Yazi take us leveling!”

“Exactly!” Wu Feng and others also agreed.

Wu Feng was a relatively silent Berserker, usually not talkative, but gradually integrating into this group. In his past life, Wu Feng’s name was thunderous, one of the most powerful Paladins!

These team members were all the future backbone of the guild!

Nie Yan thought for a moment and said, “After this matter is resolved, I’ll go all out and take each of you to level thirty! After reaching thirty, you’ll have to level up on your own.”

“Long live Brother Nie Yan!” Everyone cheered.

Following Nie Yan and Tang Yao to level up wasn’t just leveling; it was racing levels! Who could imagine rising from level 26 to 28 in less than half an hour? But Tang Yao and Nie Yan did it!

As the conversation went on, Nie Yan gradually realized that he had unwittingly become the revered and beloved leader of this group. He was deeply moved by their support. These individuals would grow into future Shadow Dancers, Guardian Knights, Holy Swordsmen, and Magisters…

These were titles that ordinary people could hardly achieve, titles that were dizzying!

Nie Yan suddenly had an idea—why not mobilize these elite members who had signed agreements to level up together in Eternal City? This would undoubtedly help Tang Yao quickly gather Energy Crystals. Then, the names on the level leaderboard would be filled with a series of Bull Tribe tags—how spectacular that would be!

These players who had signed agreements were closely related to the Bull Tribe’s interests, so they were quite reliable. As long as they kept it secret, they probably wouldn’t leak Eternal City as a leveling spot.

However, the problem was that even if Nie Yan used all the cash from Starry Pharmacy, he couldn’t raise enough money to level up these members. Thus, he could only let them figure it out themselves, forming teams to share costs. Selling the loot to fund their leveling.

By the time they leveled up, they would probably all be broke.

Thus, this plan could only remain a thought for now. First, solve the current issue.

Nie Yan and his companions finally reached an exit. Everyone exited the lava cave, hiding behind blocks of lava.

There were many players moving in the distance, probably members of Zongheng World training in various places.

“Sun and I will go check first!” Nie Yan said. Scouting was naturally left to him and Sun, the two thieves.

“Be careful, Brother Nie Yan, be careful, Sun.”

Nie Yan nodded with a slight smile, gradually vanishing from sight, moving toward the distance.

Sun moved toward the other side.

The jungle was silent as usual. Zongheng World players had no idea that Bull Tribe members had stealthily entered. In their opinion, this was the heart of Magma Forest. Even if war broke out with the Bull Tribe, the first signs would definitely be at the forest’s edge. They were absolutely safe.

Yet Nie Yan and his companions silently appeared around them.

There were at least two hundred plus Zongheng World players nearby, divided into three teams, each training in different places. One team had over a hundred, the other two around fifty each.

Nie Yan and Sun scouted further, spending about sixteen or seventeen minutes to fully understand the surrounding situation. Players from other areas would take at least five minutes to arrive upon noticing any activity.

They had to finish the battle within five minutes and withdraw!

Nie Yan and Sun returned to their original position.

“Boss, how is it?”

“Prepare to attack first, solve the eastern hundred-man group quickly!” Nie Yan said. Ten people killing a hundred might be a bit difficult, but definitely not impossible. The ten who came were elite among elites, while the opponents were just ordinary Zongheng players, with the highest level probably around 20!

Even so, careful planning was necessary. They had to maximize the area attack magic of the two mages to end the battle as soon as possible.

“Are you all prepared for red names?” Nie Yan scanned the faces of his team members. Some were young, some mature, but all expressions were firm.

“Just red names? With Brother Nie Yan as our backing, we’re not afraid!” Wu Feng said cheerfully.

“Right! Since we eat Brother Nie Yan’s food and drink Brother Nie Yan’s drinks, what do we have to fear?” Sha Budaide Han’s words caused laughter among the team members.

“Alright, stretch your limbs. Prepare to fight!” Nie Yan said calmly, a flash of killing intent in his eyes. “Whoever offends the Bull Tribe shall be killed!”