Chapter 707: NPC Companion!

Yaluo’s gaze remained as sharp as a blade, staring at Sampul as if he wanted to carve a piece of flesh from him.

“Kneel!” A guard of Kawanasi stepped on Yaluo’s right knee, attempting to force him to kneel before Sampul.

Yaluo suffered a heavy blow and nearly fell to his knees, but he managed to stand back up.

“Sampul, the warriors of Kawanasi will never kneel to anyone,” Yaluo said in a low voice, his eyes filled with defiance.

A flash of killing intent flickered across Sampul’s eyes, but he eventually replied calmly, “Yaluo, you’re free.”

“Sampul, give it up. Do you really think I’d believe you’re doing this out of kindness?” Yaluo sneered.

“Grand Prophet Nieyan is now the lord of Abernathy Grassland, and he has decided to release you. Therefore, you’re free. However, from now on, you are no longer a warrior of Kawanasi—you have been exiled,” Sampul said coldly.

Upon hearing Sampul’s words, Yaluo was momentarily stunned. He then turned his gaze toward Nieyan, finally understanding why Sampul suddenly decided to release him—it was Nieyan who had saved him. A flicker of hope reignited in his heart, which had previously felt as lifeless as ashes. He clenched his fists tightly, his bulging veins revealing his inner turmoil.

He looked like a wild beast ready to tear Sampul apart, but after a fierce internal struggle, his violent emotions gradually calmed down and his veins flattened. He realized that attacking Sampul wouldn’t only fail to kill him but would also cost Yaluo his own life, betraying Nieyan’s kindness.

Yaluo ignored Sampul and turned to Nieyan, placing his right hand on his chest and kneeling on one knee.

“Yaluo, didn’t you just say that a warrior of Kawanasi would never kneel to anyone?” Sampul sneered.

“From this day forth, Yaluo is no longer a warrior of Kawanasi, but the slave of Grand Prophet Nieyan!” Yaluo looked up at Nieyan, his eyes filled with determination. “Revered Grand Prophet Nieyan, please allow me to become your slave. In the name of the god of the grasslands, Becapein, Yaluo pledges his life in loyal service!”

Nieyan was still lost in thought when he suddenly received a system message.

System: Do you wish to accept the berserker Yaluo as your slave?

Seeing this message, Nieyan couldn’t help but feel ecstatic. He hadn’t expected such a reward today, but slavery was a status of extreme subordination.

Suddenly recalling something, Nieyan clicked “No.”

“I’m sorry, Yaluo. I don’t wish to accept,” Nieyan shook his head.

Yaluo showed a hint of confusion and helplessness. “Revered Grand Prophet Nieyan, am I not worthy of being your slave?”

If Nieyan refused to take Yaluo away from here, even if Yaluo left this territory, he would face endless pursuit and assassination from Sampul. Although it was humiliating, the circumstances forced him to do so. He hadn’t expected Nieyan to refuse.

“Mr. Yaluo, I think the term ‘slave’ is a desecration for a warrior. From now on, I will free you from the status of slavery. If you’re willing, I can accept you as my follower,” Nieyan said.

Yaluo had already felt despair, but upon hearing Nieyan’s words, his eyes lit up again with a spark of hope. Looking at Nieyan, he was filled with gratitude.

Seeing the sincerity in Yaluo’s eyes, Nieyan realized that Yaluo was genuine. What Nieyan wanted wasn’t a compliant slave, but a loyal servant.

Under normal circumstances, a player must become the leader of an eighth-tier major guild to have three followers. However, as a Grand Prophet, Nieyan had no such restrictions and could currently recruit five servants. Once Bullmen Tribe upgraded to an eighth-tier guild, Nieyan, as its leader, would gain an additional three recruitment slots.

System: Do you wish to accept the berserker Yaluo as your follower?

“Yes.” Nieyan clicked confirm, and a system message appeared.

System: The berserker Yaluo has become your follower.

Nieyan checked Yaluo’s attributes. Yaluo was an elite berserker at level 180, unfortunately not a Holy Swordsman or Divine Warrior. In Faith, the follower system was a unique feature. As Nieyan’s follower, Yaluo could assist Nieyan with many tasks, but the experience he gained wouldn’t be shared with Nieyan. He had his own mind, with only a certain level of loyalty to Nieyan. If his loyalty dropped below a certain value, he might leave or even betray Nieyan. Yaluo could level up, learn skills, and wear equipment, but if he died, unless resurrected by a special resurrection magic within half an hour, he would be permanently lost.

Nieyan looked at Yaluo’s health and loyalty. Since Yaluo was a tank-type warrior, his health was as high as 300,000. Currently, his loyalty to Nieyan had reached 80. Normally, a follower with loyalty reaching 70 was already considered good, so reaching 80 was quite rare. It was probably because Nieyan’s previous actions had moved him.

Looking at Yaluo again, Nieyan noticed the slave brand on Yaluo’s left cheek gradually fading. It turned out that the brand was a blood contract. After Nieyan accepted Yaluo as his follower, the blood contract disappeared.

Yaluo was a head taller than Shaise Yan Tou and Cui Can Daoguang, as strong as a bull. He currently had no equipment, so Nieyan planned to get him a full set of metal armor to make him even more formidable.

Among all the followers, Yaluo’s strength was relatively low. For example, Qin Han’s follower, the undead mage Bodeman, was a powerful legendary-level existence. However, such legendary-level followers were extremely rare. Strength alone wasn’t enough; one also needed great luck. Nieyan had previously received a quest to rescue a paladin, and the final reward was making Kars loyal to him. However, with their current strength, that was completely impossible.

Still, acquiring his first NPC follower was a cause for celebration.

“Abernathy Grassland is a perilous place, where various tribes have never ceased their warfare. Revered Grand Prophet Nieyan, please be cautious in the future to avoid being caught in the chaos,” Sampul said in a sinister tone.

“Thank you, Mr. Sampul. I’ll be careful. We have other matters to attend to, so we won’t stay any longer,” Nieyan replied. He had detected the threat in Sampul’s words. Having just recruited a follower, he was in a good mood, and there was no point in lingering at this place any further.

“Grand Prophet Nieyan, have a safe journey,” Sampul said coldly.

Nieyan, Cui Can Daoguang, and others turned and left.

Yaluo, like a quiet lion, cast one last glance at the land where he had grown up, then followed Nieyan away.

When they reached outside the tribe, Nieyan realized that unlike the paladin Livers or other flying mounts that could be stored, Yaluo couldn’t be hidden. Thinking for a moment, Nieyan summoned the Darkwing Dragon, which could carry many people anyway.

Everyone mounted their flying mounts and soared into the sky.

They flew higher and higher, and the tents below became smaller and smaller.

Standing on top of the Darkwing Dragon, Nieyan looked back at Yaluo, who was standing on its back, gazing thoughtfully at the ground below.

“Yaluo,” Nieyan called.

“At your service,” Yaluo replied respectfully.

“Follow me, and one day you will crush Kawanasi and reclaim what was rightfully yours,” Nieyan said.

“Revered Grand Prophet Nieyan, Yaluo will loyally serve you until death,” Yaluo said, unable to suppress his excitement, his voice trembling slightly.

Nieyan checked Yaluo’s loyalty, which had risen to 92. To increase a follower’s loyalty, one must understand what they desire.

The meaning of Yaluo’s life was revenge—Nieyan had given him hope!

They flew for a long time until Nieyan finally found a suitable place to build a city. This location was right at the center of Abernathy Grassland, making it ideal for controlling the entire region.

Nieyan spoke in the group chat to Cui Can Daoguang, Shaise Yan Tou, and others. “We’ll build it here. Let’s go down and clear the monsters first.”

The group slowly descended from the sky and landed on the grassland.

They needed to clear all nearby monsters before they could build the city.

Nieyan glanced at Yaluo beside him. Yaluo was wearing only pants, his upper body bare. Yaluo needed a set of equipment before he could fight monsters.

“Have someone below send over a few thieves to deliver a dark gold warrior set above level 100, preferably the best equipment suitable for level 180. Also, send a team of 500 people to coordinates 1239.2385.1285 in Abernathy Grassland,” Nieyan sent a message to Guo Huai.

“Got it,” Guo Huai nodded and immediately set about fulfilling the request.

“All the monsters around here are level 100. Further away are maps ranging from level 100 to 160. This place has great potential for future development,” Cui Can Daoguang said. Spotting a level 100 black lion, he immediately swung his greatsword and charged forward.

A level 100 black lion with nearly 100,000 health was considered quite formidable among ordinary monsters.

A group of large black lions approached, and just as Nieyan and others were about to attack, Yaluo let out a low roar and charged toward the lions.

“Can he handle this bare-handed?”

“He’s an elite at level 180, so he should be fine.”

At that moment, Yaluo punched one of the lions, sending it flying and crashing heavily onto the ground. A damage number over 50,000 floated above the lion’s head.

That was a powerful attack, especially considering Yaluo wasn’t using any weapon!

Another lion leaped forward and clawed at Yaluo. With a dull thud, the lion’s claw struck Yaluo as if hitting steel, bouncing off and sending the lion flying back. A large “MISS” floated above Yaluo’s head.