Han Lei was deeply moved. This is what a true friend should be like, just like Nie Yan.
“You guys go ahead and level up first. If you need anything, just contact me directly,” Nie Yan said, setting Han Lei and the others as his close friends so they could private message him anytime.
“Okay,” Han Lei nodded.
Nie Yan walked toward the distance, gradually disappearing at the end of the street.
Han Lei and the others watched Nie Yan leave, only coming back to their senses after he was gone, feeling as if they had just awoken from a dream.
They looked at the equipment in their hands—Akduo’s Magic Robe level 110, Lasos’ Radiant Armor level 115… Each piece of equipment felt surreal.
These items usually dropped from level 100+ dungeons, which were extremely difficult to access. Only those who met exceptionally high standards in defense, health, and other attributes could enter. The gear that dropped from these instances was considered treasures by Han Lei and his group, but to Nie Yan, they were nothing more than trash.
Nie Yan probably wouldn’t even bother glancing at these items if they were dropped on the ground.
“Boss, tell us how you met Kuangzei Nieyan,” the spicy girl asked curiously.
The fat guy and the doctor immediately turned their attention to Han Lei, also eager to hear the story.
“When we were in elementary and middle school, the three of us were known as the Three Musketeers. We did everything together—ate, drank, even went to the bathroom together. Later, I transferred schools,” Han Lei replied with a nostalgic tone.
“Three people? Which three?”
“One of them is Kuangzei Nieyan, whom you just met. The other is Ya Zi, who has been at the top of the level leaderboard for over half a year.”
Hearing Han Lei’s words, the spicy girl and the others gasped in shock. These two were truly formidable.
“Embarrassing, I’m the only one who’s become a burden, such a shame,” Han Lei said, clenching his fists. He was determined to catch up. His two former brothers had already risen to prominence, while he remained unknown. If he continued like this, he’d end up despising himself. He silently made a decision in his heart.
Nie Yan walked along the street, passing through narrow alleys, finally arriving at a shop located in a remote corner of Okolen City.
The shop was extremely simple and low-key, with two tall NPC guards at the entrance.
Nie Yan glanced at these two NPCs. They were generally consistent with the descriptions Guo Huai had given. These characters reminded him of the imprisoned God of War, Kro. They shared many similarities with Kro and were clearly barbarians.
The shop’s door was closed, with no sign or anything indicating its presence.
Under normal circumstances, these mysterious shops exuded a sense of “good wine needs no bush.” They were located in very remote places and sold expensive items with strict requirements for players. Yet, many players still visited, and the business was surprisingly good. The reason was simple—they sold unique items that were highly tempting to players.
The fact that such a mysterious shop had opened in Okolen City made Nie Yan feel very excited. Such shops often attracted many players from other cities, increasing the city’s popularity. The longer players stayed in Okolen City and the more they spent, the greater the boost to the city’s commerce and trade.
Outside the mysterious shop, more than a dozen players lingered. Most of them wore cloaks, concealing their identities. Those without cloaks were wearing excellent gear, including many sub-legendary items.
The group whispered among themselves.
Nie Yan casually glanced at them. Many of these players didn’t wear guild badges, making it hard to tell which guilds they belonged to. One was from the Bull Man Tribe, and another from the Ji Lan Temple. Clearly, they were all elite players.
“The rank required to purchase items from this mysterious shop is too high. Does anyone among you have a Marquis title?”
“No, I’m still a Baron, far from a Marquis.”
“If anyone has a Marquis title, I’m willing to pay a 30% premium to buy items inside.”
Several people offered high prices to commission purchases, clearly wealthy individuals. However, the tragedy was that none of them had reached the Marquis rank.
Thus, even though they all knew there were great treasures inside the mysterious shop, they couldn’t buy anything. Words couldn’t describe their frustration.
More people continued to arrive.
“I refuse to believe that not a single person among so many has reached the Marquis level. Let’s wait a bit longer.”
“There should still be many who have reached the Marquis rank.”
Nie Yan approached the two barbarian guards at the shop entrance, wearing a loose black robe and without a guild badge, making it impossible for anyone to recognize him.
When the two barbarian guards saw Nie Yan, they immediately displayed a respectful demeanor and welcomed him inside.
The group outside the mysterious shop noticed the guards’ respectful treatment of Nie Yan and felt hopeful.
They quickly surrounded the shop entrance, peering inside.
Under their watchful eyes, Nie Yan walked up to the counter, where an elderly barbarian stood behind it. The old barbarian was the highest-ranking person in this mysterious shop. Upon seeing Nie Yan, he showed an excited expression and respectfully bowed to Nie Yan.
Nie Yan cast Detect on the old barbarian.
Barbarian Priest Vaygurs: Level 180, Lord.
To the barbarians, priests held a very high status, usually held by the elders of the tribe.
Seeing the old barbarian priest’s extraordinary respect towards him, Nie Yan felt quite surprised. The attitude of the old barbarian priest and the two barbarian guards towards him seemed somewhat different.
“Respected Great Prophet Nieyan, I have a very bold request. May I take a look at your left arm?” Vaygurs said, his tone very sincere.
His left arm? Nie Yan suddenly thought of the Holy Spirit Mark on his left arm, which was related to the God of War Kro. Perhaps it was some special symbol of the barbarian tribe.
Vaygurs seemed to sense the Holy Spirit Mark.
“Of course, respected elder,” Nie Yan extended his left hand and removed his gauntlet.
When Vaygurs saw the Holy Spirit Mark on Nie Yan’s left hand, he showed an expression of excitement and joy, murmuring to himself with tears streaming down his aged face: “It’s already 96% complete. We’re finally going to witness the arrival of the Saint. The great God of War Kro once said that the Saint will lead us to glory.”
Vaygurs’ words were somewhat fragmented, but Nie Yan managed to understand the general idea. Indeed, it was related to the God of War Kro.
Nie Yan wondered if Vaygurs would provide any quest clues.
“Respected Great Prophet Nieyan, thank you. When the God of War Kro departed, he left us with a final decree: whoever possesses the Holy Spirit Heart will be the leader of our barbarian tribe, and we must obey his commands. Before the completion of the Holy Spirit Heart, we have the duty to assist those who bear the Holy Spirit Mark in completing it.” Vaygurs bowed again respectfully, his attitude very sincere.
Upon hearing Vaygurs’ words, Nie Yan suddenly understood. He hadn’t expected such a story. Perhaps during his battle against the Dragon King Zennad, the God of War Kro realized he couldn’t defeat Zennad, but at the same time, Zennad couldn’t eliminate him either. Kro might have foreseen the outcome and devised a plan. Beforehand, he left a decree for the barbarian tribe. When he needed someone to rescue him, he would mark that person with the Holy Spirit Mark. Worried that the person might not complete the Holy Spirit Heart quest, he instructed his descendants to assist that person.
Nie Yan happened to be the chosen one.
“Then can I request you to help me with something?” Nie Yan asked, curious about the barbarian tribe’s strength. Judging from the three individuals in this mysterious shop—one level 180 lord and two level 180 elites—he could imagine the barbarian tribe’s strength was not weak. After all, they were a renowned warrior race, and the strongest warriors on the continent were born from the barbarians.
“Yes, as long as it doesn’t violate justice and morality, we can help you with anything, even at the cost of the entire barbarian tribe.” Vaygurs said solemnly.
Nie Yan nodded and asked, “How many people are there in the barbarian tribe?”
“We have a total of five hundred warriors and twelve hundred elderly, women, and children.” Vaygurs replied.
Five hundred barbarian warriors—this was a great temptation for Nie Yan.
“Let them all come to Okolen City. I will provide free housing and food for them, helping them settle down here in Okolen City.” Nie Yan said.
“Thank you, kind lord.” Vaygurs appeared very excited. The area they lived in was the most barren part of the Abernathy Grasslands, where their food supply was even insufficient. However, they firmly remembered their ancestral teachings—not to bully the weak—and had not seized others’ lands. For Nie Yan to invite them to relocate to Okolen City was undoubtedly a great favor for them.
Nie Yan smiled slightly. Allowing the barbarians to settle in Okolen City was completely beneficial for him, as he could integrate the barbarian warriors into Okolen City’s city guard.
“I need some things.” Nie Yan looked at the items displayed behind the counter, his gaze locked on them and unable to move away.
Only then did he understand why the people outside were so excited!
Many items were sold here, all of very high quality, such as totems, rune stones, gems, and so on—rare and valuable treasures. This shop also sold many high-level materials and blueprints, including beast skins and blueprints for crafting sub-legendary or even legendary equipment. For players, these items were absolutely highly tempting.
Among the many items, a peculiar object caught his attention. It was actually a finger bone, carved with some unique inscriptions, very exquisite.
He used Super Insight to examine it. The name of this finger bone was indeed: Lich King Einsol’s Finger Bone.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage