Nie Yan walked closer. Within the lava stood a giant cross, upon which an NPC was nailed. He was much taller than an average person, wearing only a simple loincloth made of beast hide. His upper body was bare, covered with bulging, powerful muscles that gave off an aura of immense strength, like a fierce beast.
From his features, this was a barbarian!
Barbarians were one of the human races. They did not understand any magic, but possessed only some close-combat fighting skills. Constantly fighting beasts in the jungle, they had developed formidable combat techniques. Fighting was practically their instinct.
Barbarians were also a legendary group. Their population never exceeded two thousand, yet they had produced countless mighty divine warriors, some even becoming mythical figures—for example, the War God Kro.
Nie Yan stood about thirty yards away from this barbarian. The barbarian was in his prime, his long hair cascading down, covering his face so that Nie Yan couldn’t see his features clearly.
In his previous life, Nie Yan had encountered several barbarians. They were all extremely powerful NPCs, respected individuals who had played pivotal roles in many wars, slaying countless dark creatures. Their legends were widely spread, such as those of the barbarians at Hilton Fortress.
Nie Yan noticed that this barbarian was bound to the cross with steel spikes piercing through his palms and muscles, preventing him from moving. Additionally, his wrists and ankles were locked with metal chains.
Under such circumstances, escape was impossible.
Suddenly, the barbarian seemed to sense something and looked up toward Nie Yan. His deep black eyes were sharp and penetrating, as if they could pierce into one’s soul.
Nie Yan cast a Super Insight ability on the barbarian.
Barbarian Krojets: Level 360 Lord.
A level 360 lord! Nie Yan was startled. Usually, NPCs above level 300 were already legendary figures, like Kars. Perhaps even Kars wasn’t as high level as this one.
“Young man, why have you come here?” Barbarian Krojets asked in a low, hoarse voice, his tone calm.
“I’m just an adventurer,” Nie Yan replied, unafraid of the barbarian’s piercing gaze. Krojets’ eyes were as sharp as blades, making Nie Yan feel as if his soul had been pierced.
Even bound to the cross, Krojets exuded an incomparable aura of power.
Looking at Nie Yan, the barbarian even showed a hint of appreciation.
“Adventurer, you are weak, but you possess strong will,” Krojets said, glancing around the lava-filled area with boredom. “This damned place—I’ve been here for nearly a thousand years.”
Hearing this, Nie Yan felt a spark of hope. This barbarian might offer a quest.
“Would you like my help?” Nie Yan asked, looking directly at Krojets.
Their eyes met.
Krojets looked at Nie Yan with a faint smile. “Young man, you’re too weak. You can’t possibly free me. Only the one who possesses the Sacred Spirit Heart and wields the Sword of Zaenard can sever my chains.”
Upon hearing this, Nie Yan’s mind raced. In his previous life, some players might have come here, heard Krojets’ words, and spread the legend.
But even later, these legends were never officially confirmed.
Perhaps this quest required a very high level and involved some hidden secrets, so the official site never released any related information.
“How can I obtain the Sacred Spirit Heart?” Nie Yan asked. In his previous life, the Sacred Spirit Heart was merely a distant legend—very few had ever obtained it.
“The Sacred Spirit Heart is usually possessed only by holy paladins. For other classes to obtain it is as difficult as climbing to the heavens,” Krojets replied. Looking at Nie Yan’s determined gaze, he suddenly chuckled bitterly. “I don’t know why, but I feel you might actually obtain the Sacred Spirit Heart. Maybe it’s because I’ve been trapped here for too long and desperately want to escape. Young man, are you willing to retrieve the Sword of Zaenard, unlock its seal, and help me break these cursed chains?”
System: Do you accept the mission entrusted by Barbarian Krojets? Time limit: five months. Failure penalty: lose 10 levels.
Nie Yan thought for a moment and confirmed. To him, the penalty wasn’t too severe, so accepting the mission was fine. He still had some questions about the Sword of Zaenard. Would he be able to retrieve it?
Even if he had to die dozens of times, it would be worth it to obtain such a legendary treasure as the Sword of Zaenard!
The Sword of Zaenard was such a rare treasure that it would be a great pity not to obtain it.
System: You have accepted the mission entrusted by Barbarian Krojets.
System: You have received the Blessing of Barbarian Krojets.
Blessing of Barbarian Krojets: Grants the power to suppress evil. Duration: five months.
What kind of status effect was this blessing?
Nie Yan was momentarily stunned, then his heart stirred. He looked up at the Sword of Zaenard at the top. The legendary sword floated in the sky, suspended there eternally, exuding a mysterious force that seemed to transcend time and space. The power to suppress evil—could it refer to this sword?
“May I ask how I can obtain the Sacred Spirit Heart?” Nie Yan asked. That was the key.
“Don’t rush,” Krojets said with a smile. He chanted a long incantation, and a beam of white light descended from the sky, enveloping Nie Yan. “I was once blessed by the Father God. I am the only barbarian who can wield magical power, so I can bestow this blessing upon you. As for whether you can obtain the Sacred Spirit Heart, that depends on yourself.”
The white light faded. Nie Yan checked his status and noticed a new skill added to his skill list.
Purification Aura: Purify the corpses of evil creatures within five yards to gain the power of light.
The Sacred Spirit Heart could only be obtained by purifying a certain number of evil creatures. Nie Yan didn’t know the exact number, but it must be enormous—otherwise, in his previous life, only three paladins would have possessed the Sacred Spirit Heart.
“Respected Mr. Krojets, thank you for your blessing,” Nie Yan said. It seemed he would have to wait a long time before he could return to rescue Krojets.
After casting the blessing, Krojets looked slightly exhausted. “Remember my request. If you ever wish to leave this place, I can open a portal for you.”
“Wait, Mr. Krojets, may I ask if I can take the Sword of Zaenard with me?” Nie Yan asked, looking toward the distant sword.
“If you can take it,” Krojets replied. It was extremely difficult for ordinary players to reach such a height. After returning, players usually tried to find items like floating rings to retrieve the sword.
“I can go up there,” Nie Yan said excitedly upon hearing that he could take the Sword of Zaenard.
“The Sword of Zaenard was sealed after Zaenard’s death. Its attributes are no longer as powerful as they were before the seal,” Krojets explained.
Based on Nie Yan’s experience, even sealed equipment of such renown must still possess formidable attributes.
He guessed that the blessing Krojets had given him—the suppression of evil—was precisely to enable him to wield this Sword of Zaenard!
Thieves could use daggers, but they could also wield short swords.
Thinking of this, Nie Yan became impatient. He checked the cooldown status of the skills on his Climber’s Ring. After such a long time, the skills were now ready.
Nie Yan bid farewell to Krojets and walked toward a distant statue. Activating the skill on his Climber’s Ring, he leaped and climbed rapidly up the statue. A few minutes later, Nie Yan climbed from the statue’s feet to its chest. He shot a strand of web from his left hand, sticking it onto the statue’s arm. With a strong pull, he flew more than ten yards, sticking his limbs onto the statue’s arm and quickly climbing toward the hand.
After a while, Nie Yan reached the palm of the statue. Standing on a relatively flat area of the palm, the Sword of Zaenard was now within reach. The sword was surrounded by black flames, constantly flickering.
The slender short sword floated silently, about a yard long, entirely black. Its hilt was carved with a lifelike serpent, as if it were about to leap out. The blade resembled black crystal, translucent, with two backward-curved barbs. Its edge was gleaming and exuded a chilling aura.
System: You have discovered the Sword of Zaenard, King of the Dragons. This sword carries immense evil power and supreme strength. Legend says that anyone who wields the Sword of Zaenard and fails to suppress its evil power will be consumed by it.
Exactly as Nie Yan had guessed, players needed the blessing of Barbarian Krojets to suppress the evil power before they could even touch the Sword of Zaenard!
Nie Yan approached the Sword of Zaenard and reached out to grasp its hilt. A surge of dark energy surged through his palm into his body, making him shiver. But immediately afterward, brilliant white light radiated from his body. A warm force rushed toward his right hand, forcefully suppressing the evil power of the sword.
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