Chapter 658: The Ring of Sensitivity

The Shadow Assassin cast a scouting spell on the Lich Mage Bodeman.

Bodeman: Legendary Lich Mage, Level ???

The Lich Mage Bodeman’s level was too high; the Shadow Assassin couldn’t even detect his level.

If the Shadow Assassin actively attacked the Lich Mage Bodeman, eliminating him would be practically impossible.

Once the ritual the Lich Mage Bodeman was performing was completed, the Shadow Assassin would definitely have no chance of survival, so speed was essential.

Nie Yan maneuvered the Shadow Assassin around the Lich Mage Bodeman. On a nearby shrine were some items used by the Lich Mage Bodeman. Nie Yan had the Shadow Assassin take a few of them as evidence, including bone fragments used by the Lich Mage Bodeman to summon a bone dragon.

After acquiring these items, Nie Yan prepared to withdraw the Shadow Assassin.

The Shadow Assassin passed about five yards away from the Lich Mage Bodeman.

Seeing the Lich Mage Bodeman still standing motionless, Nie Yan suddenly had an idea, an impulse that grew uncontrollably in his mind.

Have the Shadow Assassin steal from the Lich Mage Bodeman!

The Shadow Assassin slowly crept closer to the Lich Mage Bodeman, the distance between them decreasing steadily.

Nie Yan held his breath, his heart involuntarily quickening. If the Lich Mage Bodeman awakened, it would be troublesome.

The Shadow Assassin approached the Lich Mage Bodeman, now within arm’s reach.

Nie Yan commanded the Shadow Assassin to act decisively, and the Shadow Assassin extended his hand to use Pickpocket.

System: Pickpocket failed.

It failed, and Nie Yan’s heart tightened. The Lich Mage Bodeman continued chanting, paying no attention to the Shadow Assassin, so Nie Yan relaxed slightly.

Since his Pickpocket skill advanced to level 16, it rarely failed, and he could steal from higher-level monsters. Perhaps the Lich Mage Bodeman’s level was just too high.

Try again!

Nie Yan had the Shadow Assassin attempt Pickpocket once more.

System: You obtained an Obsidian Dragon Crystal.

Nie Yan raised his eyebrows, unsure what the Obsidian Dragon Crystal was.

The Lich Mage Bodeman remained still.

This guy was truly focused while chanting, so why not take advantage!

The Shadow Assassin used Pickpocket several more times, obtaining three Dragon Crystals and one Fusion Gem.

While the Shadow Assassin was stealing from the Lich Mage Bodeman, Nie Yan remained highly focused, not daring to make any mistakes. If the Lich Mage Bodeman awakened and he wasn’t fast enough to react, not only would the Shadow Assassin be in danger, but he himself would also face an extremely dangerous situation.

Just then, the Lich Mage Bodeman suddenly opened his eyes, his eye sockets glowing with fierce red flames.

Nie Yan’s heart tightened instantly; the guy had awakened!

He quickly maneuvered the Shadow Assassin to activate Dash, fleeing into the distance.

Nie Yan himself retreated in the opposite direction, disappearing into a shadowy corner. Within half a minute, the system delivered a message: the Shadow Assassin had been eliminated.

The Lich Mage Bodeman was truly a terrifying opponent!

Nie Yan hid in a shadowy corner and activated a Recall Scroll from his hiding spot. A flash of white light, and when he opened his eyes again, he was back in Emerald City. Checking the final moments of the Shadow Assassin, he saw the Lich Mage Bodeman had used Shadow Bind on him, causing him to explode.

This guy’s killing method was ruthless, decisive, and extremely fast.

Back in Emerald City, Nie Yan examined his loot. Among the three Obsidian Dragon Crystals, two were level eight and one was level nine, similar to ordinary crystals. Seeing these crystals, Nie Yan smiled slightly. This time, Dark Winged Dragon would benefit. With these crystals, Dark Winged Dragon might advance to level eight, and perhaps even have a chance to reach level nine.

Normally, after consuming a large number of crystals, Dark Winged Dragon would need to sleep for at least half a month. Since Nie Yan would need to use Dark Winged Dragon in the near future, he decided to save the Obsidian Dragon Crystals for later.

Besides the Obsidian Dragon Crystals, there was also a Fusion Gem. Using a Fusion Gem with a craftsman or Pandora’s Box could fuse three pieces of jewelry equipment together, with the limitation that rings could only be fused with rings, and necklaces with necklaces.

Nie Yan immediately thought of several rings in his inventory. Since he only had two ring slots, he had to frequently switch rings to use their skills, which was very inconvenient. Sometimes in emergencies, he didn’t even have time to switch rings. With this Fusion Gem, if he could fuse Crawler’s Ring, Weaver’s Ring, and Jumper’s Ring together, it would be much more convenient.

Thinking this, Nie Yan took out Pandora’s Box, placed Crawler’s Ring, Weaver’s Ring, Jumper’s Ring, and the Fusion Gem inside, and initiated the fusion. A dazzling light flashed, and the four items fused into a very delicate silver-white ring. Its front was carved into an intricate spider shape, entwined with vines, with every detail of the spider’s expression clearly visible.

System: Please name this item.

Nie Yan thought for a moment and decided to name it Ring of Agility.

System: Naming successful.

Nie Yan equipped the Ring of Agility.

After synthesizing the Ring of Agility, Nie Yan headed toward the headquarters of the War Alliance, meeting with Love Injury to discuss the current situation in Emerald City. If the Lich’s Vengeance wasn’t handled properly, the War Alliance would face a devastating disaster.

Love Injury had already started arranging defenses for all the strongholds after receiving funds from the Cowherd Tribe. After hearing Nie Yan’s report, he understood the seriousness of the situation and immediately began using his influence to prevent players in Emerald City from heading east. Although he couldn’t stop all players, he managed to halt some.

After handling affairs in Emerald City, Nie Yan teleported back to Carol City.

Guo Huai had already learned some of the details and was busily arranging defenses. Nie Yan inquired about the specifics, and Guo Huai’s arrangements were quite satisfactory.

Nie Yan headed toward the Elder Council of the Greelan Empire. Now, only by mobilizing the NPC forces could they resist the Lich’s Vengeance.

The Elder Council of the Greelan Empire was an extremely ancient and timeworn structure situated in the southern district of Carol City. The edifice was built with emerald-green stone quarried from the Ganges Valley—a material renowned for its exceptional durability and crystalline purity, which bestowed upon it an understated aura of nobility.

At the entrance of the Elder Council stood two high-ranking guards, both level 180, clad in full dark golden armor, each wielding a greatsword, standing on either side.

These two guards were Holy Swordsmen. In the previous life, few players dared to come here. Anyone who attempted to forcefully enter the Elder Council would face severe consequences. In the past, even top-tier players who clashed with these Holy Swordsman guards, whose levels were even higher than the guards, still ended up being overwhelmed.

Generally, without sufficient titles, one wouldn’t even have the qualification to speak with the guards. Nie Yan was somewhat special; whether as a Scholar, Shadow Dancer, or Advanced Demon Hunter, he could converse with these guards.

Seeing Nie Yan approach, the two Holy Swordsmen guards blocked his path.

“Respected Mr. Nie Yan, the Holy Shadow Dancer, Scholar, and Advanced Demon Hunter, may we ask what brings you here?” one of the Holy Swordsmen, who looked about forty years old with a beard, asked.

“I wish to request an audience with the Elders,” Nie Yan stated his purpose.

“Please wait a moment while I seek permission from the Elders,” the Holy Swordsman said and walked inside.

Time passed slowly, with no response from within. Nie Yan couldn’t help but feel anxious.

After a while, the Holy Swordsman finally returned. He shook his head and said, “Elder Redwin says the Elders are in a meeting and will not see anyone. Therefore, Mr. Nie Yan, please return. If you have anything to say, I can relay the message to Elder Redwin on your behalf.”

Nie Yan had some impression of Elder Redwin mentioned by the Holy Swordsman. That guy was a Duke with high status in the Greelan Empire, but he was also notorious for being stingy and mean-spirited. He was unpopular among players. At the thought of having to convey the message through such an Elder, Nie Yan couldn’t help but feel disheartened.

Nie Yan shook his head and said, “No need.”

Nie Yan looked up at the building before him. Though separated by just a single door, he couldn’t enter. The Elder Council was truly arrogant!

After hesitating for a moment, Nie Yan thought of someone suddenly—Kars from the Holy Temple!

Kars held a relatively high status in the Greelan Empire. If he knew the news, he could directly approach the Elders of the Greelan Empire.

Thinking this, Nie Yan headed toward the Holy Temple.

Entering the Holy Temple, he met Kars at the usual spot.

“Respected Mr. Kars, hello,” Nie Yan greeted politely.

“Hello, Mr. Nie Yan. Is there anything I can assist you with?” Kars asked, his tone very kind and approachable.

“Respected Mr. Kars, I have come to inform you of something,” Nie Yan said, explaining what he had seen at Broki Stronghold and the Lich Mage Bodeman’s plans, and presented the evidence he had obtained.

“The Lich Mage Bodeman, that despicable fellow. I didn’t expect him to have revived again. I’ll take you to see the Elders of the Elder Council. Come with me,” Kars said, rushing with Nie Yan toward the Elder Council.

Nie Yan followed behind Kars, arriving at the entrance of the Elder Council.

Seeing Kars, the two Holy Swordsmen guards didn’t dare to utter a word and immediately let them pass.

Only then did Nie Yan realize the stark class differences in the Greelan Empire. In other parts of Carol City, his status was already quite high, but it wasn’t enough to grant him direct access to the Elder Council.

Passing through corridor after corridor, in the grand hall at the center of the Elder Council, Nie Yan finally met the seven most powerful individuals in the Greelan Empire. Seated at the head of the hall was the legendary Emperor Jobiah.