Chapter 518: Phoenix

If a specific task must be completed to open this treasure chest, certain conditions must be met to unlock it. Without fulfilling these conditions, the chest cannot be opened. Moreover, the chest often contains task-related items.

Nie Yan was about to give up and think of other ways when he suddenly remembered the Magic Key in his backpack. He wondered whether it would work.

He took out the Magic Key from his backpack and aimed it at the lock. The key emitted a blinding light, automatically changing its shape and gradually shrinking to fit the lock’s size.

The Magic Key accurately inserted itself into the keyhole.

Seeing this, Nie Yan’s heart leapt with joy. The Magic Key might actually open this chest!

After about thirty seconds, a crisp system notification sounded.

System: Opening treasure chest… 8%… 12%…

Nie Yan was ecstatic that the Magic Key actually worked. This was an epic-level chest, locked with a high-level lock. The contents inside must be extraordinary.

He hoped it wouldn’t be another task item!

With a click, the chest opened. A wave of scorching heat erupted from inside, nearly knocking Nie Yan off his feet.

Nie Yan steadied himself. The chest radiated a fiery red glow, emitting a powerful aura that sent chills down his spine. He reached inside and pulled out a large egg. The egg was engulfed in flames, glowing red-hot, yet Nie Yan could feel a strong, steady heartbeat in his palm. He was certain there was a living creature inside.

-320, -316…

Flame damage numbers floated above Nie Yan’s head.

System: Are you willing to accept the task of reviving the Flame Phoenix?

Nie Yan glanced at the system prompt, stunned. Was there really a phoenix inside the egg?

It was a flying mount. Nie Yan felt a surge of excitement. He had obtained another flying mount.

“I got a pet egg. You can keep it,” Nie Yan said to Xie Yao. The task of reviving the Flame Phoenix must be quite challenging, requiring considerable skill to complete. Moreover, items like pet eggs must be entrusted to reliable people.

In his previous life, Nie Yan had never heard of anyone obtaining a phoenix. This map had been available since players reached levels 80-90. It seemed this epic chest had been added after the flying mount system was introduced.

Nie Yan immediately began to speculate. If he could obtain a flying mount pet egg, surely many other players could as well. The proliferation of flying mounts was inevitable.

“Don’t you want it?” Xie Yao asked.

“I already have the Dark-winged Dragon. Each person can only have one pet,” Nie Yan explained. This Flame Phoenix egg could not be wasted.

“Oh, I see. Then I’ll take it,” Xie Yao nodded and accepted the Flame Phoenix egg. As soon as she touched the egg’s flames, damage numbers exceeding 600 floated above her head. She quickly accepted the task to revive the Flame Phoenix.

Once she accepted the task, the egg’s intense flames no longer harmed Xie Yao.

“After accepting the task, my fire resistance increased by over 80 points,” Xie Yao told Nie Yan. Her current fire resistance had reached over 160. With a high-grade fire resistance potion, it could exceed 200, which was astonishing at this level. Even if hit directly by a Fire Giant’s magic, she would only take about 20% damage.

The Flame Phoenix was a fire-type creature!

Nie Yan continued to search inside the chest and pulled out a silver-white necklace. Amidst the scorching red-hot chest, the moment he touched the necklace, a cool, soothing sensation spread through his body, calming his mind instantly.

Nie Yan’s heart tightened. From the mere tactile sensation in his hand, he could tell this item was extraordinary.

As soon as he removed the necklace, the chest disintegrated into flames and vanished.

He checked the necklace’s attributes.

Necklace of Serenity (Epic): Special item.

Attributes: Wearing this necklace grants immunity to mental controls such as charm, fear, and demon voice within level 8.

Restriction: Can only be used by players with a spirit value below 1500.

“What’s your spirit value?” Nie Yan asked Xie Yao. This was the first time he had encountered equipment with such requirements. Players with excessively high spirit values couldn’t use it, while those with lower spirit values could.

When a player’s spirit value dropped below a certain threshold, the spirit imprint on the Necklace of Serenity could affect them. However, if the spirit value was too high, the necklace’s spirit imprint would be ineffective.

“What is your spirit value, Xie Yao?” Nie Yan asked again. The presence of this necklace might be related to the Phoenix revival task. If Xie Yao could use it, it would be better to give it to her.

“My spirit value is already 2300,” Xie Yao checked her attributes and replied.

“That high!” Nie Yan gasped in astonishment. For an average player at Xie Yao’s level, a spirit value of around 1200 was already impressive. A value of 2300 was unimaginable. With such a high spirit value, even without the Necklace of Serenity, she could partially resist mental controls like charm, fear, and demon voice within level 8.

“My legendary set includes three pieces that boost spirit value,” Xie Yao explained. Wearing three legendary pieces that enhanced spirit value naturally resulted in a high spirit value.

“I see,” Nie Yan suddenly recalled that the Christie set’s spirit value boost was exceptional, far surpassing similar equipment.

Since Xie Yao couldn’t use the Necklace of Serenity, Nie Yan stored it away. The necklace’s effects were still very practical, especially for melee units. Melee players generally had lower spirit values, making them susceptible to mental magic. Mental magic was a crucial method for spellcasters to counter melee units.

Their loot was quite substantial, especially the Phoenix egg in Xie Yao’s hands. If successfully hatched, the Bull Tribe would gain another flying mount.

“Let’s continue farming Fire Giants,” Nie Yan suggested.

“Okay.”

They resumed farming Fire Giants to level up. Their contribution values were increasing rapidly. After a few days, Xie Yao’s contribution should be enough to purchase a plot of land.

They needed to quickly secure more plots in Hilton Fortress, especially the prime locations. These plots would become golden geese in the future!

Nie Yan went to lure more Fire Giants, and they continued their monotonous monster farming. Using the terrain, killing Fire Giants wasn’t difficult, especially with Xie Yao’s significantly increased fire resistance, making her less vulnerable to their magical attacks.

After about five hours, a system notification sounded. Nie Yan had leveled up to level 94. After collecting the additional experience reward at Hilton Fortress, he estimated he would reach around 50% of level 94.

“How much contribution do you have now?” After defeating another Fire Giant, Nie Yan asked Xie Yao. In the narrow tunnel, Xie Yao’s lashes lifted high, her black eyes shining like black gems, exuding a captivating glow. From the side, her alluring profile was clearly visible.

“Let me check,” Xie Yao lowered her head slightly under Nie Yan’s gaze. “About 20,000.”

Xie Yao’s contribution value accumulated rapidly. For ordinary players farming monsters in groups, at least five players were needed to safely defeat a monster. The contribution gained from defeating a monster was divided among the group, leaving each player with minimal rewards. However, Nie Yan and Xie Yao farming monsters together meant the contribution from defeating Fire Giants was split only between the two of them, resulting in a considerable amount.

The contribution Xie Yao and Nie Yan earned from each Fire Giant was over fifty times that of ordinary players participating in a group kill. Combined with their efficient farming speed, their contribution value skyrocketed.

“By tomorrow, you should be able to purchase a plot of land in Hilton Fortress,” Nie Yan remarked. Each purchased plot meant a significant financial gain.

“I’ll go collect the loot from the Fire Giant,” Xie Yao said, walking ahead. She had to pass by Nie Yan, and the narrow passage made turning difficult, making some physical contact inevitable.

A faint, delicate fragrance subtly entered his nose. Looking at the charming Xie Yao beside him, Nie Yan felt a surge of affection. Through her thin robe, he could almost feel Xie Yao’s smooth skin.

This was a virtual world, not reality. In this virtual world, wearing a light blue robe, Xie Yao exuded a dreamlike beauty.

Nie Yan reached out and held Xie Yao’s hand. Uncontrollably, his mind drifted back to the dungeon chamber from his past life. He wondered how it was now, whether it remained the same as before.

In the narrow corridor, Xie Yao could hear Nie Yan’s heavy breathing, her heart suddenly racing. In her world, Nie Yan had increasingly occupied an important place. Their relationship had been established, but every time she was close to Nie Yan, she couldn’t suppress her nervousness.

Xie Yao’s flawless, delicate face was inches away, her uneven breathing revealing her inner tension.

“Nie Yan…” Xie Yao softly scolded, trying to avoid falling into his arms by supporting herself against the rock wall. However, the sensation from her chest still made her body stiffen.

Nie Yan’s right hand rested unsteadily on Xie Yao’s chest. The soft, smooth silk robe transmitted an unusual sensation. Xie Yao’s ample bust meant her bra was merely a thin piece of fabric, giving a firm, smooth feeling when touched.

This was the first time Nie Yan had been so intimately close to Xie Yao in the game, creating a unique sensation. Standing before him now was both Xie Yao and Yaoyao.

They were the same person, yet had experienced different stories with Nie Yan.