Groups with fixed members had already begun to depart, while there were still several thousand players in the square. Some had already joined teams, while others were still waiting to form or join a group.
Nie Yan scanned the crowd and checked the system announcements, looking for any teams seeking a rogue.
Soon, Nie Yan noticed a player named Su Youyou recruiting rogues. Their requirements were for rogues at level 100 or higher, with at least 8,000 hit points.
It was rare for teams to require hit points for rogues, as rogues were naturally low on health. Rogues with over 8,000 hit points were uncommon. Nie Yan speculated that perhaps there was a mission related to the Black Elf tribe that required higher health, and that Su Youyou might be a more professional player.
Thinking this, Nie Yan sent a voice message to Su Youyou.
“Where are you?” Nie Yan asked.
“Did you reach 8,000 hit points?” Su Youyou asked in surprise, her voice sweet.
“Yes,” Nie Yan replied. Thanks to his equipment and various attribute bonuses, his health had long exceeded 20,000, which was unimaginable for ordinary players.
“Come to the central square coordinates 392.280.280.”
Nie Yan glanced at his current coordinates and walked toward the center of the square. Scanning the area, his gaze eventually landed on a seven-member team. Their composition was unusual: three orc warriors, one shaman, one elven mage, and one elven demon hunter.
Nie Yan focused on the elven demon hunter. Using his Super Insight ability, he discovered that the demon hunter was Su Youyou herself. She appeared to be around twenty years old, tall at about 1.7 meters, with a well-proportioned figure. She wore deep blue leather armor that accentuated her curves. Her top was tight-fitting, clearly filled out, her bare stomach showing off a sexy navel. Her lower body wore a flared skirt, revealing long, fair, and shapely legs. Her face was stunning—delicate features like carved jade, with no flaws. Her pointed ears did not detract from her beauty but instead added a touch of cuteness. She held a blue longbow in her right hand.
Although elves’ appearances were typically enhanced by 10%-30%, Nie Yan was certain that even without the enhancement, Su Youyou would still be beautiful. She was the most elven-looking player Nie Yan had ever seen.
Of course, Nie Yan merely admired her beauty and only looked a few times before shifting his gaze to the other members. They were all above level 110, with one even at level 121—a male elven mage. Like many elves, he was overly handsome, bordering on effeminate, which Nie Yan disliked.
As for the orc warriors and tauren shaman, no matter how well they dressed, they were still unattractive.
“He’s human. No wonder he has 8,000 hit points. I thought he was an elven rogue,” the male elven mage muttered somewhat impatiently. Humans had balanced innate abilities, including higher health compared to elven rogues.
Hearing the mage’s muttering, Nie Yan furrowed his brows and asked, “Do you not need a human rogue?”
“Human rogues have poor stealth,” the elven mage shook his head.
“What level of stealth do you require?” Nie Yan asked calmly.
“At least 300. Anything below 300 is trash,” the mage glanced at him.
Hmph, only 300? Nie Yan thought disdainfully. Without using any skills or buffs, his stealth was over 1,000—partly due to his top-tier class. Even ordinary Shadow Dancers rarely exceeded 600. If he told this elf his stealth was over 1,000, would he be so shocked he’d soil himself? At over 1,000 stealth, Nie Yan could sneak up and strip his underwear without him even noticing.
Nie Yan decided not to bother explaining his stats.
Su Youyou blinked her eyes, examining Nie Yan. Her eyes were large and expressive, like mesmerizing glass orbs.
“If you don’t want a human rogue, I’ll leave,” Nie Yan said calmly.
“Wait, sorry. My friend isn’t very polite. Don’t take it seriously. You’re welcome to join our team,” Su Youyou smiled warmly.
“He’s called Ziye. He’s just like that. Don’t take it too seriously. I’m Sanjiebuliu, the team leader,” said a tall orc warrior stepping forward. He was significantly taller and more muscular than the other two warriors, appearing honest but imposing.
“Sanjie, why include this human rogue? I think any elven rogue would be better than him,” Ziye coldly glanced at Nie Yan.
What an ignorant fool, Nie Yan thought with a smirk. He suddenly decided to stay—not only because he found Su Youyou and the tall orc warrior intriguing, but also because this Ziye elf annoyed him. If he left now, it would be like backing down.
“Yoyo, what do you think?” Sanjiebuliu sent a private message to Su Youyou.
“He’s definitely an expert. Seems very low-key,” Su Youyou replied.
“I think so too. But I’ve never seen him before,” Sanjiebuliu nodded.
Sanjiebuliu sent Nie Yan a party invitation.
System: Do you accept the party invitation from Sanjiebuliu?
Yes!
System: Party successfully formed. You have joined Sanjiebuliu’s team.
When joining the team, Nie Yan set his name to hidden.
“May I ask how to address you?” Su Youyou looked at Nie Yan with bright eyes, as she couldn’t see his name in the party info.
“Just call me Tianyuan,” Nie Yan made up a name casually.
Seeing that Nie Yan still joined their team, Ziye seemed annoyed and muttered, “Acting all mysterious.”
Both Su Youyou and Sanjiebuliu understood this was a fake name, but since Nie Yan didn’t want to reveal his real name, there was nothing they could do.
Though Ziye and Nie Yan had a tense moment, neither of them showed any support for Ziye. In their hearts, they somewhat looked down on him. However, Ziye seemed to consider himself Su Youyou’s suitor.
“Now that we’ve got the person, let’s go,” Sanjiebuliu said.
“Just the eight of us?” Nie Yan asked in slight confusion.
“Yes, eight should be enough. But be prepared—you might face some challenges. Your role will be important,” Sanjiebuliu smiled.
Looking at Sanjiebuliu, Nie Yan sensed a hidden meaning behind his smile.
It seemed their mission was different from ordinary players’. From the moment Nie Yan met these players, he felt the names Su Youyou and Sanjiebuliu were somewhat familiar, though he couldn’t recall where he had heard them before.
Nie Yan didn’t know many famous players from the previous era in the Empire of Saturn, only a few well-known ones. The familiarity of these two names suggested they might have some background.
“I’ll explain the mission details to Tianyuan once we leave the town. From now on, we must work together. Even if there are disagreements, we must put them aside. If anyone doesn’t give their best effort, don’t blame me for being harsh,” Sanjiebuliu coldly glanced at Ziye.
Ziye muttered something but did not argue. He had a slight fear of Sanjiebuliu.
The eight of them were ready to depart. Nie Yan looked toward the center of the square. Most of the crowd had already left, leaving only a few players still seeking teams—mostly those with lower stats, rejected by other groups. They had come here hoping to gain some experience or gear, perhaps lucky enough to be taken along by a team, but lacked the strength to form their own.
Ziye smirked at these players, feeling a sense of superiority.
Pushing through the crowd, the eight of them exited the town together.
Su Youyou’s sharp gaze continuously examined Nie Yan, making him slightly uncomfortable. Thinking that he had changed his appearance, Nie Yan felt more at ease—he shouldn’t be easily recognized.
Seeing Su Youyou’s continuous attention on Nie Yan, Ziye felt a surge of jealousy.
Su Youyou opened the conversation casually, “Why did you come to the Empire of Saturn?”
“Probably couldn’t make it in the Empire of Greenland,” Ziye interjected mockingly.
Su Youyou slightly frowned, clearly annoyed by Ziye.
“Chased by enemies, couldn’t survive there, so I ran to Saturn,” Nie Yan didn’t refute, smiling faintly.
“Exactly as I thought,” Ziye said smugly.
Su Youyou didn’t fully believe Nie Yan’s words. Remaining so calm after Ziye’s mockery, without retaliating, showed admirable composure. Compared like this, the difference between Ziye and Nie Yan became obvious.
Nie Yan’s mystery intrigued Su Youyou, making her want to know more.
The group exited Keren Town, passed through a dense jungle, and arrived at a clearing in the woods.
“Let’s stop here for a moment,” Sanjiebuliu halted and turned to Nie Yan. “We’re here to investigate the Black Elf tribe. Although I don’t know who you really are, I believe you can be trusted. Therefore, both I and Youyou have decided to tell you the mission details, hoping you’ll choose to participate. If you decide not to, please keep it confidential.”
“Captain…” Ziye was taken aback, not expecting the leader to reveal everything to Nie Yan. He wanted to stop Sanjiebuliu.
Sanjiebuliu glanced at Ziye and waved him off, “I make the decisions here.”
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