As Nie Yan arrived, Niao Busheng Dan hurried to greet him. He was wearing a silver-white pharmacist’s robe, with an exquisitely embroidered golden pattern of a blooming tree on the collar. Across it lay a silver feather, the symbol of an intermediate pharmacist.
“Boss, you’re here,” Niao Busheng Dan said joyfully.
“You’ve advanced to an intermediate pharmacist?” Nie Yan asked in slight surprise. Niao had been busy managing the pharmacy lately, yet still found time to level up.
“I’m already halfway to becoming a full intermediate pharmacist. In the entire Xingkong Pharmacy, only three pharmacists have higher skill proficiency than me,” Niao said proudly. Despite spending far less time making potions than other pharmacists in the store, he had kept pace in terms of pharmacist level. This was quite an achievement.
Yaowang was finally about to unleash his potential; perhaps he would soon surprise Nie Yan.
“Looks like business is booming,” Nie Yan remarked. The Xingkong Pharmacy was bustling with at least hundreds of customers inside.
“Alchemy sales have been particularly hot recently, yielding a daily net profit of about 300 gold. Additionally, we’ve supplied over 600 gold worth of potions to the Niuren Tribe. The three branches in Karol City have started generating profits, earning over 100 gold daily. As per your request, we’ve opened thirty-two branches across six cities. We’ve interacted with local leaders who’ve assured us they won’t interfere with the branches’ operations for now. We’re currently recruiting pharmacists, though profitability might take some time,” Niao summarized the situation of Xingkong Pharmacy.
Nie Yan nodded approvingly. “Not bad.” He was very satisfied with Niao’s work.
“With such a generous salary from the boss, of course I must give my best,” Niao said earnestly. Thanks to Nie Yan, he had completely turned his life around—from a dismissed apprentice pharmacist of the Dark Ranger Guild to now a sought-after intermediate pharmacist. He felt immense gratitude toward Nie Yan for this transformation. Just days ago, the Dark Ranger Guild leader had approached him, offering a large sum to return, but he had refused without hesitation. One must never forget those who helped them in hardship.
Nie Yan asked, “How many intermediate pharmacists do we have now?”
“Eleven. From my count, there are only about sixteen intermediate pharmacists in the entire Karol City, two-thirds of whom are with us,” Niao replied. Karol City was currently the most populated and active trading area in the entire Granlan region. Indeed, across all Granlan, Xingkong Pharmacy was the undisputed leader in the potion industry! “Would you like to meet some of the intermediate pharmacists? They’ve been curious about our mysterious boss.”
“Not yet,” Nie Yan replied. Niao’s management was excellent. As long as he and the Niuren Tribe collected more advanced potion recipes and sent them to Xingkong Pharmacy, it would continue developing. He could meet them when he had more free time later.
“Alright then,” Niao agreed.
After chatting for a while, Nie Yan left the Xingkong Pharmacy and collected 200 gold from the Assassin Alliance. Then he headed to Tesoyi Village to purchase a thousand Fragmentation Magic Bombs and some Mist Dust. This time, he expected to level up comfortably in Eternal City.
“Damn it! That Bad Guy Who Can’t Be Killed dropped the Maniac Killer Medal! Why is my luck so bad!” Tang Yao messaged Nie Yan, frustrated. He had farmed for so long without getting a single Maniac Killer Medal, while Bad Guy Who Can’t Be Killed got one immediately.
“Maybe you haven’t killed enough players. Bad Guy Who Can’t Be Killed has over 100 kills,” Nie Yan replied. He had finally confirmed that one needed over 100 kills to drop the Maniac Killer Medal, although luck also played a role.
“I should have killed a few more people from Triumph back then,” Tang Yao said. His kill count had been close to 100 at that time. Thinking back now, he regretted it deeply.
“Send me the attributes of the Maniac Killer Medal,” Nie Yan requested. The attributes of the Maniac Killer Medal varied by class. The one dropped by Bad Guy Who Can’t Be Killed should be magic-based.
“Okay,” Tang replied and sent the attributes.
Maniac Killer Medal (Special Item, Magic): Basic level. Can only advance to Intermediate by killing 1000 players who are two levels higher.
Item Description: The owner of the Maniac Killer Medal can increase its level through player kills, but will also suffer a curse, reducing defense.
Item Attributes: Attack +20%, Defense -20%, Will +5, Ignore Level +3, Piercing Damage. Skills: Basic Elemental Explosion, launches an elemental missile dealing 300% of the caster’s magic damage, with a 10-minute cooldown. Basic Elemental Drain, extracts mana from an enemy at 60 points per second, up to a maximum of 50% of the enemy’s total mana, with a 3-minute cooldown.
Restrictions: Bound upon pickup, non-tradable, non-droppable, can be discarded.
The Maniac Killer Medal was an accessory occupying one accessory slot. It was excellent, considered top-tier for its basic level.
“Such a crazy item! 5 Will and Ignore Level +3, plus Piercing Damage, dealing 120% damage against light armor. Two amazing skills, especially mana drain. I feel so regretful,” Tang lamented.
The Maniac Killer Medal for rogues was different from the magic version. Nie Yan checked his own kill count, which was definitely enough. He should go to the Lianwa spawn point to try for a Maniac Killer Medal.
“You can join your guild members and kill more Triumph Empire players to try for a Maniac Killer Medal. Killing Triumph Empire players is easy for you, and we shouldn’t let Zongheng Tianxia have it easy either. We should keep killing until their guild members quit!” Nie Yan suggested. The Maniac Killer Medal was quite useful, especially the Ignore Level attribute, which was crucial for Tang.
If Tang obtained more Ignore Level items, they could challenge higher-level monsters in the future.
“That could work. Anyway, I don’t think Paitian will catch up with my level soon,” Tang said. The Maniac Killer Medal was indeed tempting.
“Then be careful. I’ll also try for a Maniac Killer Medal.”
“Your kill count is enough?”
“I’ve killed over 150 in the Magma Forest!”
“You’re really strong. I didn’t participate, so I missed out,” Tang complained bitterly.
Nie Yan chuckled. “That was for safety. We still need to complete another task,” referring to the task requiring Divine Arbitration and the Pickpocket skill. He had planned it for a long time, and now with the Magma Core, his chances were even better. It was also a fragment of a legendary item, even better than the Sogoth Shadow, which he absolutely couldn’t miss.
As for the quest related to the Ten Holy Knights legend in Silent Bay, he would do it later when his level was higher. Attempting it now would be suicide.
Nie Yan left the city, heading toward the Lianwa spawn point.
Soon, his voice chat rang. It was from Ban Xing De Hu Li.
“You caused quite a stir this time. You’re amazing, wiping out over 20,000 players from the Triumph Empire in the Magma Forest,” Ban Xing De Hu Li exclaimed. He had thought the Niuren Tribe would face suppression after the Magma Forest incident, as the advantage had been on Triumph’s side. Unexpectedly, Nie Yan had somehow summoned a Lava Golem, killing over 20,000 Triumph players, instantly reversing the situation. Triumph Empire had since become quiet, while the Niuren Tribe thrived.
“Just lucky timing,” Nie Yan smiled faintly.
“It’s not just luck. I admire you, especially that part where you killed Heizhuo. That was truly a godlike move,” Ban Xing De Hu Li sincerely said. He wasn’t just flattering Nie Yan; he believed there was no other thief capable of effortlessly killing an opponent in a group of 500-600 players.
“You’re complimenting me like this; you must have some ulterior motive,” Nie Yan laughed. Ban Xing De Hu Li was a cunning character; he wouldn’t come without a reason.
Ban Xing De Hu Li blushed slightly, coughed to hide his embarrassment, and said, “I’m here to give you a friendly warning. According to the intelligence I gathered, the Triumph Empire and Guang Ming Sheng Yan have been very active recently. Their leaders have been in frequent contact, and there might even be some connection with the Angelic Dominion from the Sarten Empire. Don’t underestimate the Triumph Empire too much.”
Upon hearing Ban Xing De Hu Li’s words, Nie Yan furrowed his brow. He wasn’t too worried about the Angelic Dominion, as the distance from the Sarten Empire to the Granlan Empire was vast, making it unlikely for them to come over. However, Guang Ming Sheng Yan was indeed a concern. It was another major guild rivaling the Holy Roman Empire and the Triumph Empire.
“I’m here to discuss an alliance. If Triumph Empire and Guang Ming Sheng Yan take action, we can unite and advance together,” Ban Xing De Hu Li finally got to the point.
“Advance together, huh?” Nie Yan’s eyes flashed with cunning. “You’re not saying you’ve had some conflicts with Triumph Empire and Guang Ming Sheng Yan and want the Niuren Tribe to join you?”
Ban Xing De Hu Li’s intentions were exposed. He smiled awkwardly. “Just a minor disagreement. The Niuren Tribe can’t keep defending passively, right? I heard there will be a small fortress opening soon. Aren’t you interested?”
Ban Xing De Hu Li seeking cooperation with Nie Yan proved that the Holy Roman Empire had started to take the Niuren Tribe seriously.
Nie Yan’s mind raced. “I agree to cooperate between the Holy Roman Empire and the Niuren Tribe, but you need to provide a concrete cooperation plan.”
Although the Niuren Tribe was rising, it was still relatively weak. Gaining reliable allies would benefit the morale of the Niuren Tribe’s players and its future development.
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