In that ancient world, NIE Yan could feel himself improving every day, gradually forming a new combat awareness. The deeper he understood, the more reverence he felt. Whoever had created this vast system and world of Faith truly possessed extraordinary intelligence.
After realizing the concept of combo attacks, NIE Yan continued to practice his combo techniques against second-tier creatures. His monster-killing efficiency increased significantly. Soon, he had completed 56% of the task requirement to kill 500 second-tier creatures, and he estimated that he would finish the second phase of the task in no more than two and a half days.
While grinding monsters, another system notification sound rang out. NIE Yan checked his status and found that his title had upgraded.
After defeating wave after wave of demon-type and undead-type creatures, NIE Yan’s Demon Slayer title had advanced from Intermediate to Advanced.
The Advanced Demon Slayer title added nearly 10% more health to NIE Yan’s attributes, and the title’s display color had changed from green to red.
Red represented a very high-end title, now on par with the Scholar title.
Looking at the experience bar of the title, he could still level it further.
He wondered what title would come above Advanced Demon Slayer, and a strong sense of anticipation arose within him. He was certain that the title above Advanced Demon Slayer would be extremely powerful.
A day passed quickly.
In the morning, NIE Yan and XIE Yao went to class together.
In the Command class, XIA Tianyu, FEI Zhe, and XU Yan were anxiously waiting, frequently glancing toward the classroom door. Why hadn’t NIE Yan arrived yet?
Finally, amid their anxious anticipation, a figure appeared at the classroom door. Who else could it be but NIE Yan?
NIE Yan approached his seat and looked at XIA Tianyu, FEI Zhe, and XU Yan. “Have you all received the equipment? How is it?” he asked.
“That equipment is amazing, beyond our expectations. NIE Yan, thank you,” FEI Zhe said gratefully.
“Boss NIE Yan, that equipment is so cool. I’ve never seen a set of dark gold gear at this level before,” XU Yan said excitedly, his face turning purplish-red with excitement.
“NIE Yan, we all want to know—who exactly are you?” XIA Tianyu looked at NIE Yan earnestly.
“Boss NIE (Nieyan)?” XU Yan looked at NIE Yan.
“Even if you’ve guessed it, please don’t tell anyone. Otherwise, I’ll face a lot of trouble,” NIE Yan replied with a bitter smile.
“We understand,” FEI Zhe nodded.
XU Yan and XIA Tianyu exchanged glances and also nodded. “Don’t worry, we won’t say anything,” they said.
They had already guessed that NIE Yan was Kuang Zei Nieyan, but they had no intention of revealing it, considering it understood between friends. Among the three, XU Yan was the most excited, repeatedly calling him “Boss” nonstop. In the game, he had always admired Kuang Zei Nieyan the most, and now that the real person was beside him, how could he not be thrilled?
“NIE Yan, I’m really bored in Zhu Shen Zhi Jian. They usually don’t take me along when they do dungeons. I want to quit Zhu Shen Zhi Jian and join Niu Ren Tribe. I think I can pass their test,” XIA Tianyu said, looking at NIE Yan. If NIE Yan agreed, joining Niu Ren Tribe wouldn’t be a problem.
Friends like them, whom he knew well, were relatively reliable. XIA Tianyu’s loyalty wouldn’t be questioned if he joined Niu Ren Tribe. However, at this moment, NIE Yan had a better idea.
“How long have you been in Zhu Shen Zhi Jian?” NIE Yan asked.
“Zhu Shen Zhi Jian originally was an online gaming studio, with professional players scattered all over the world. The only similarity to a gaming studio was that they had unified rules and regulations, just like ordinary studios. I worked part-time there during high school and became a member of Zhu Shen Zhi Jian even before it joined Faith. Now, it’s been nearly three years. However, my status in Zhu Shen Zhi Jian isn’t high—I’m just a second-tier member. The first-tier members in Zhu Shen Zhi Jian are all extremely arrogant, so I don’t have much affection for the guild,” XIA Tianyu replied honestly, thinking NIE Yan was inquiring about his background to assess his eligibility for joining Niu Ren Tribe.
“Does anyone know your real identity in the real world?” NIE Yan asked, which was a very important and critical question.
“No. In Zhu Shen Zhi Jian, we don’t report our real identities. That’s how Zhu Shen Zhi Jian gathers people. The guild is full of all kinds of people, some even with criminal records, who don’t want to reveal their information,” XIA Tianyu replied, feeling puzzled by NIE Yan’s questions.
NIE Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly. XIA Tianyu’s answers unavoidably triggered a thought in his mind—he wanted to obtain information about Zhu Shen Zhi Jian, and XIA Tianyu was definitely the best candidate.
“As classmates, I believe in your character and am willing to accept you into Niu Ren Tribe. However, you can’t join now. I have a very important task to entrust to you,” NIE Yan said, glancing around to ensure no one was nearby.
“Just tell me, I’ll do my best,” XIA Tianyu said, happy that NIE Yan was willing to accept him.
“I want you to continue staying in Zhu Shen Zhi Jian,” NIE Yan said.
“Why?” XIA Tianyu looked at NIE Yan in confusion.
NIE Yan looked directly into XIA Tianyu’s eyes. “Are you sure you want to leave Zhu Shen Zhi Jian and join Niu Ren Tribe?”
“Yes, I’m very sure. Anyway, I have no affection for Zhu Shen Zhi Jian. Zhu Shen Zhi Jian has only exploited my efforts without giving me any favors. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. If I hadn’t been unable to find a suitable alternative, I would have left the guild long ago,” XIA Tianyu said earnestly. He was puzzled—weren’t Niu Ren Tribe and Zhu Shen Zhi Jian rival guilds? Why did he still have to stay in Zhu Shen Zhi Jian?
It seemed that XIA Tianyu indeed didn’t like Zhu Shen Zhi Jian much. NIE Yan’s request for him to stay there made him feel a bit disheartened.
“If you’re willing to follow me and help me, then stay in Zhu Shen Zhi Jian. I’ll give you a certain amount of gold and equipment. You need to try your best to gather more people around you, climb higher, and strive to enter the core of Zhu Shen Zhi Jian. However, from now on, you can’t interact with XU Yan anymore to avoid suspicion,” NIE Yan said. This was his real plan. Since XIA Tianyu had been in Zhu Shen Zhi Jian for so long, they definitely wouldn’t be suspicious of him. Once his strength improved and he maneuvered a bit, he could enter the core of Zhu Shen Zhi Jian.
“I understand!” XIA Tianyu suddenly realized that NIE Yan was asking him to be a mole. “I think I can handle this task well.” If NIE Yan wanted to infiltrate the core of Zhu Shen Zhi Jian, XIA Tianyu was indeed the best candidate, as he was already one of the oldest members of Zhu Shen Zhi Jian and least likely to raise suspicion.
To destroy a guild, one must first start by dividing it from within! Although Zhu Shen Zhi Jian was still far from being a match for Niu Ren Tribe at the moment, NIE Yan had already sensed some signs and considered Zhu Shen Zhi Jian a potential strong rival in the future. He had to start preparing now!
“What about me? Can I do something too?” FEI Zhe asked from the side. As a citizen of the Sa’thern Empire, he couldn’t join Niu Ren Tribe, and he didn’t want to be left out.
“If possible, infiltrate into Angel Dominion. If not, then forget it,” NIE Yan said. If FEI Zhe could get into Angel Dominion, it would be easier.
“That’s not hard. Angel Dominion has the most lenient recruitment. I know several people in charge of recruitment there. As long as I give them a little something, I can get in immediately. It’s just a bit difficult to climb up the ranks,” FEI Zhe said.
NIE Yan was silent for a moment before saying, “I’ll have my people contact you. They’ll help pave the way for you. From now on, if you have anything to do in the game, contact them.”
GUO Huai had already placed many people inside Angel Dominion. If FEI Zhe could find a good way in, Niu Ren Tribe could help him get started.
NIE Yan reminded XIA Tianyu and FEI Zhe about some precautions before contacting GUO Huai and handing them over to him. GUO Huai would handle the rest. NIE Yan instructed GUO Huai to provide them with sufficient funds. Niu Ren Tribe had no shortage of money, and it was worth spending some if XIA Tianyu and FEI Zhe could deliver results.
As for XU Yan, since he was already a member of Niu Ren Tribe, there was nothing more needed for him.
“Tomorrow night is a class reunion. Boss NIE Yan, we want to teach Fu Guangtao, Bai Jun, and Zhao Shiyu a lesson in the game. We’d like to hear your opinion,” XU Yan looked at NIE Yan, hoping for an affirmative response.
“You don’t need to ask me about these things. Make your own decisions,” NIE Yan said. He also disliked Fu Guangtao, Bai Jun, and Zhao Shiyu a bit. Letting XU Yan, XIA Tianyu, and FEI Zhe teach them a lesson would prevent these annoying guys from buzzing around like flies anymore.
Receiving NIE Yan’s approval, XU Yan excitedly clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. “This time, I’ll definitely give Fu Guangtao a good lesson. Damn it, I’ve wanted to get back at him for a long time!”
Another day of classes followed, although somewhat boring, NIE Yan studied diligently. Having experienced his past life, he no longer wanted to waste his days idly. He would never miss any opportunity to improve himself, including academics.
There was a mock exam in the afternoon. NIE Yan unsurprisingly came in first place, scoring over twenty points higher than the second-place student. Fu Guangtao, Bai Jun, Zhao Shiyu, and others were envious and secretly spread rumors to discredit NIE Yan, calling him a bookworm who only knew how to fight and study, clueless about anything else, and claiming he had a very low level in Faith. They dared not challenge NIE Yan directly, so they ostracized him behind his back, and some people actually believed them.
A classmate relayed Fu Guangtao’s derogatory remarks about NIE Yan to XU Yan and the others. Unable to contain themselves any longer, XU Yan and the others stood up from their seats and walked toward the back of the classroom where Fu Guangtao and his group were sitting.
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