There were twenty-one top-tier professional players present, and altogether, they had opened no more than five Legendary Treasure Chests in total. The items dropped from these chests included legendary gear, pets, and more—an impressive variety.
Legendary Treasure Chests were not easy to find, so each of them valued every opportunity to open one.
Everyone looked at each other in silence.
“What do we do? There are so many Lords here.”
“Regardless of how many Lords there are, we absolutely cannot give up this chest.”
As top-tier players, they had faced more difficult situations before. They had no choice but to rise to the challenge. If they gave up at the first sign of difficulty, the chest would simply be left for someone else to claim.
“Even with so many Lords, we will definitely find a way.”
“It’s too late to do anything today. Let’s think about the chest tomorrow,” Nie Yan said, checking the time. They needed to plan carefully. No matter what, they couldn’t afford to risk a wipe just for a Legendary Treasure Chest. They had no experience fighting groups of Lord-level bosses. Normally, even a single Lord-level boss would take them a while to defeat, let alone so many.
“I think so many Dark Druids are really scary,” Hei Se Di Yu (Black Hell) remarked.
Everyone nodded in agreement. If these Lords were other classes, like mages or warriors, it wouldn’t be a problem. But they were Druids—Druids and Paladins were known as the ultimate all-around classes, capable of healing, melee combat, and support. A large group of Druids or Paladins fighting together was a terrifying tactic.
A group of Lord-level monsters alone was terrifying enough. It would be extremely difficult to wear them down. Facing opponents who could heal each other made the challenge even greater. How could they possibly defeat them?
“When you made contact with them earlier, what was the safe distance?” Nie Yan asked Xiao Rong Bu Shi Wei Wo (Smile Not For Me), who had just returned.
“The safe distance was about thirty yards. I was watching their movements closely. They reacted as soon as I entered a thirty-yard range,” Xiao Rong Bu Shi Wei Wo replied. This was the first time he had been so flustered since advancing to Shadow Dancer.
Nie Yan frowned slightly. He knew Xiao Rong Bu Shi Wei Wo’s abilities well. If Xiao Rong’s safe distance was around thirty yards, Nie Yan estimated his own to be about sixteen or seventeen yards.
In other words, Nie Yan would be detected if he approached within sixteen or seventeen yards of them.
With such a short safe distance, it was impossible for Nie Yan to sneak past and open the chest.
“Druids have too strong perception abilities.”
“Alright, let’s grind some mobs for now and think about it tomorrow.”
The group moved toward another street. As they left, Nie Yan glanced back at the five stone pillars in the center. From afar, he could see a chest, but it was too far away to make out clearly. How could he retrieve it?
After grinding mobs for a while, it was time to log off. Nie Yan disconnected from the game and stepped out of the game pod.
Nie Yan and Xie Yao walked out of the room together.
“I’ll go cook dinner,” Xie Yao said. She was gentle and graceful like a young wife, wearing a pink spaghetti-strap mini-dress, cute with a touch of allure.
“Okay,” Nie Yan nodded. He suddenly remembered that today was the day he had agreed to meet with Guo Huai. He had many things to attend to.
Xie Yao entered the kitchen. Moments later, Guo Huai called Nie Yan.
“How’s everything going on your end?” Nie Yan asked.
“Everything is ready. As you said, the headquarters is in Huanghai, and we already have more than 3,000 members from the Bull Man Tribe joining us. I bought a villa near the First Military Academy as the activity location for Blue Bell, which can be considered our branch. We currently have around 300 members,” Guo Huai said. He had invested heavily, but with the Bull Man Tribe’s current financial strength, whether in-game gold or credit points, they were well-funded. Buying a villa was just a small expense.
“Where is the villa located?”
“It’s not far from your place, number 785.”
“I’ll come and take a look later,” Nie Yan said. Guo Huai’s efficiency was quite impressive, having gathered so many people in such a short time.
“Alright, I’ll have everyone gather there.”
The Bull Man Tribe was officially transitioning into a professional gaming studio, which was undoubtedly a positive development for its growth. The members joining the God of War Studio were all elites from the Bull Man Tribe. Once gathered, they would be easier to manage, enhancing the tribe’s cohesion.
“I want to divide the Huanghai headquarters into five groups and set entry requirements for each group,” Nie Yan said. This was an idea he wanted to implement to select true elites.
Guo Huai thought for a moment and said, “That’s a good idea, just like our elite and rogue groups in the Bull Man Tribe.”
“Thanks for handling all of this,” Nie Yan said. Guo Huai had been busy with many tasks recently and must have been quite exhausted.
“Don’t mention it,” Guo Huai laughed. After all, the Bull Man Tribe was also his own venture, and he owned shares in it. The Bull Man Tribe was practically a money-making machine, generating substantial profits for them.
They discussed the future development of the God of War Studio. Nie Yan checked the Bull Man Tribe’s account. Since the game’s launch, they had received nearly 500 million credit points from dozens of financial groups, including the Longyue Financial Group, Zhengrong Financial Group, and Tianxia Group. They had distributed nearly 300 million credit points in salaries, bonuses, and wages to players, leaving them with 200 million credit points to invest in the God of War Studio as its development fund. Additionally, Nie Yan had transferred some funds from the Tianxia Group to avoid any financial strain.
Nie Yan’s goal was to develop the God of War Studio into a large-scale professional gaming studio with 50,000 members, including 20,000 combat players and 30,000 production players. In addition to recruiting from the Bull Man Tribe, they would also launch large-scale recruitment campaigns targeting professional gamers in society. Naturally, the Bull Man Tribe’s elites would receive slightly higher salaries, while the lowest-level professional gamers would earn relatively less.
“Who are the current members at the Huanghai headquarters?” Nie Yan asked.
“Chuxuezhe (Beginner), Xihuan Jiangnan (Like Jiangnan), Bilu Sha (Green Gossamer), Wu Dao (Without Dao), Qishi De Wang Ge (Knight’s Elegy), and others have all joined. I’ll send you the list. Most of the Bull Man Tribe’s elite groups have arrived, and many are still on their way. What frustrated me the most was that Sun, that little guy, actually came with a backpack, saying he wanted to join the God of War Studio. I told him to go back and finish school first, but he stubbornly refused. I’ve temporarily added his name and will officially accept him into the God of War Studio once he completes his studies,” Guo Huai said with a mix of amusement and frustration.
Nie Yan chuckled, “That kid.”
A while later, Nie Yan received an email with the list of all members of the God of War Studio.
Nie Yan browsed through it. The first few hundred names were familiar to him; they occasionally chatted in the guild chat group.
Nie Yan then inquired about the branch’s situation at the First Military Academy before ending the voice call.
After handling some matters, Nie Yan went to the dining room, where Xie Yao had already prepared breakfast. They sat down at the table together.
“Do you have any plans for today?” Xie Yao had overheard part of Nie Yan’s conversation with Guo Huai while she was in the kitchen.
“Yeah, first, I’ll accompany you to a nearby place,” Nie Yan said. He wasn’t sure which location Guo Huai had mentioned and needed to find it.
They continued chatting while eating breakfast.
Xie Yao rested her delicate wrist on the table, picking up a piece of bread to eat. Although her posture was casual, it exuded an indescribable elegance. Her slender, jade-like fingers resembled intricately carved jade, making Nie Yan unable to help but steal glances at her.
“Why are you staring at me like that?” Xie Yao’s cheeks flushed slightly.
“Who asked you to dress so seductively? I couldn’t help myself,” Nie Yan smiled, casting a teasing gaze up and down Xie Yao’s body, his eyes lingering on her chest.
Her pink spaghetti-strap top left her arms completely exposed, accentuating her delicate shoulders and graceful curves. She wasn’t wearing a bra, and her silk dress was filled with her fair, soft bosom, revealing a deep cleavage that made it hard for anyone to look away after a single glance.
When she was outside, Xie Yao usually dressed more conservatively. But at home, she always chose the most seductive outfits, constantly tempting Nie Yan with the urge to throw her onto the bed.
Feeling Nie Yan’s intense gaze, Xie Yao blushed and felt a strange sensation rising in her heart. She slightly puffed out her chest, feeling a bit of smug satisfaction.
Nie Yan felt a surge of desire but knew this was not the time to let lust cloud his judgment. He still had important matters to attend to.
After a while, they finished their meal and tidied up.
Nie Yan playfully patted Xie Yao’s round, perky butt and teased, “Go change clothes faster.”
Xie Yao’s heart fluttered at Nie Yan’s touch. She couldn’t quite describe the feeling—partly embarrassed, she stomped her foot lightly and ran back to her room.
After changing clothes, the two left together, heading toward the other side of the villa district.
After wandering around the villa area for about twenty minutes, Nie Yan finally found number 785, as Guo Huai had described.
“Is this the place?” Xie Yao asked.
“Yeah,” Nie Yan pressed the doorbell.
After a while, someone came to open the door. Seeing Nie Yan’s face, he was momentarily stunned before excitedly shouting inside, “Boss Nie Yan has arrived!”
“Boss Nie Yan is here! Hurry up and tidy up!”
“Quickly, come over here!”
A cacophony of voices erupted from inside, as if a significant event had occurred.
“Boss Nie Yan, please come in,” he awkwardly opened the door.
Nie Yan stepped inside. The entrance opened up into a spacious hall where about two to three hundred people had assembled. Among them were clearly visible figures such as Sha Bu Si De Huai Dan (Undead Bad Guy), Yu Wang Ran Zhi Qing Chun (Desire Touched Youth), Hei Bai (Black and White), Wu Feng (No Edge), and others. Spotting Nie Yan, they all shouted in unison, “Hello, Boss Nie Yan! Hello, Madam!” Their voices were loud and perfectly synchronized.
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