Nie Yan flipped to the fourth page. On the thick page made of some unknown material, were densely packed ancient Common script. It introduced techniques for advancing to the Thief Lord and Shadow Dancer classes, cultivating a thief’s awareness, and training skills. The level of detail was rarely seen. Whoever possessed these techniques could, to a certain extent, unleash several times their original combat strength. Many of these techniques couldn’t even be found in official videos from Nie Yan’s past life, and some were techniques even Sun and Shadow Kill hadn’t mastered.
This was truly the most complete guide to becoming a Thief Lord or Shadow Dancer!
Now, there was no need to grope in the dark any longer. The list contained over a hundred techniques in total, including Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Shadow Dance Steps, Death Dance Steps, and more. Mastering just two or three of them would enable one to move freely without restraint, while mastering five or six would render one peerless in the martial world.
Nie Yan didn’t even consider learning all of them; having five or six skills would suffice. Some of the techniques were just too difficult.
He flipped to the fifth page, which contained various oddities and secrets, such as the whereabouts of the Divine Mage Grant Set, the origin of the Somodo Greatsword, and mentions of other items like the Elixir of Life, the Sacred Blood Vial, and the Spell Magic Bottle.
Each item, previously only legendary, was described in detail here.
After skimming through, he continued flipping pages.
On the sixth page was a magical star pattern glowing with radiant light. As the pattern entered Nie Yan’s mind, countless memories from ancient times flooded his brain unexpectedly.
He could only passively accept all the information. After quite some time, he finally absorbed everything.
System: You have acquired the skill “Erudite Insight.”
System: You have received the title “Scholar of Great Learning.”
A skill and a title? Nie Yan quickly checked his skill list and found the passive skill “Erudite Insight.” This skill was comprehensive, granting a +200% intelligence bonus to the player. It would be a dream come true for a mage to learn “Erudite Insight,” but unfortunately, Nie Yan was a thief. The “Erudite Insight” skill enabled Nie Yan to instantly learn Elvish, Orcish, and all other lawful good languages.
It also came with a Divination ability, allowing him to cast a prophecy once every ten days, capable of revealing major changes in his current nation, such as upcoming historical events. Additionally, the “Scholar of Great Learning” title increased Nie Yan’s reputation by 50 in all lawful good nations and cities, granted free use of city portals, allowed him protection from nearby guards within a 50-yard radius, and permitted horseback riding in cities. As a scholar, he had the authority to command city guards to deal with any NPCs of Baron rank or lower!
All NPCs and players of Duke rank or lower in Carol City would have to treat Nie Yan with utmost respect. Any verbal insult would result in being taken into custody by guards, with detention lasting from one to five days depending on the severity of the insult and Nie Yan’s reputation in Carol City. During this time, the player would be unable to level up and could only stay in jail.
This was the power of a Scholar of Great Learning—an ultimate authority!
From now on, Nie Yan would become a true privileged noble, unlike many other titles whose privileges were limited to specific cities or nations. Nie Yan’s privileges as a Scholar were valid in both the Granland Empire and the Saturn Empire.
Even city governors would not dare to offend a Scholar, for Nie Yan possessed a powerful Divination ability!
Reading the final item, which allowed him to imprison players, Nie Yan felt a surge of satisfaction. He could use this skill to get back at Break Sky. As long as Break Sky insulted Nie Yan first, the guards would drag him away.
Unfortunately, he could only use this trick once, but it was enough. The psychological impact would be far greater than any punishment Break Sky might receive.
If Nie Yan successfully predicted several major battles as a Scholar, preventing losses to Granland and Saturn, he could advance to the rank of Great Prophet!
He flipped to the seventh page, which contained a summoning circle for summoning a warhorse, complete with an illustration. Nie Yan looked at the illustration. It depicted a tall, handsome warhorse clad in metal armor, appearing fierce and robust.
Seeing the illustration, Nie Yan’s heart raced—Falkner Warhorse! The Falkner Warhorse was one of the most prestigious breeds of Granland horses, produced in the Finas Grasslands and known as Royal Sky Horses. They provided a 300% speed bonus while galloping like the wind. In Nie Yan’s previous life, even the cheapest of these horses sold for dozens of gold coins, while the Falkner Warhorse was outrageously expensive, selling for over 50,000 gold coins at Royal Stables. However, even with enough money, one might not be able to purchase one, as buying a Falkner Warhorse required a Marquis title and a reputation of at least 50 in Carol City.
These requirements were daunting. Even the leaders of several major guilds in Nie Yan’s previous life could only sigh in resignation before such expensive horses.
Nie Yan was curious to see what the summoned Falkner Warhorse would look like, but he couldn’t summon it here.
He glanced at the Order Chapter and noticed one more page remaining.
He flipped to the eighth page, and a brilliant light radiated from the book.
In the light, Nie Yan saw ancient battlefields filled with clashing swords and galloping horses, magnificent buildings standing tall, and demons and angels dancing in the sky. Scene after scene flashed by, bringing a heavy sense of history. It was as if an ancient and distant history was being told—lonely and desolate.
All of it had long since vanished.
System Announcement: The first volume of the Order Chapter has been opened. The sacred light shines, and the “Forgotten History” expansion has begun.
System Announcement: A system update will occur in one hour. All players must prepare to log off within the hour.
Following this were lengthy descriptions about the co-governance era. The human nations of Granland and Saturn would soon face a historical turning point, with land mounts becoming fully available across the nations. Imperial knights would sing triumphant songs, driving away all evil creatures.
Moreover, with the launch of the “Forgotten History” expansion, some adjustments will be implemented. To assist new players in leveling up more quickly, experience requirements will be significantly lowered, while drop rates for low-tier golden gear, dark golden gear, skill books, and in-game currency will be increased.
Additionally, beginner strongholds will be progressively unlocked, starting with five initial strongholds. Each stronghold will be defended by malevolent creatures, and the conqueror will claim ownership. Elemental temples and sanctuaries will also introduce advanced magic training, with a slight reduction in the trial difficulty required to learn advanced spells—though these trials will remain formidable.
A series of expansions tied to the “Forgotten History” storyline will be rolled out gradually, corresponding to levels 60 and 120. Even with the accelerated progression, reaching these levels will still demand considerable time and effort.
Nie Yan hadn’t expected that opening this page would trigger an expansion. By initiating the “Forgotten History,” he had once again altered history, which made him feel quite uneasy. He wished he had postponed opening the final page, as it would have made controlling history easier. He had assumed that collecting the first volume of the Order Chapter would eventually lead to the opening of the “Forgotten History,” but he hadn’t expected it to require opening the final page!
This seemingly simple action was about to influence the entire game!
As Nie Yan opened the Shadow Stalker, an earthquake occurred outside.
“Damn, who opened the Order Chapter?”
“Don’t know.”
“The system is going to update. I heard leveling up will become easier. Not sure if it’s true.”
Players were shocked by the sudden system update and began discussing who had triggered the expansion. Teams preparing to enter dungeons abandoned their plans and returned, while those already in dungeons accelerated their progress. However, an hour was more than enough time.
Crowds filled the cities as everyone discussed the upcoming expansion. Knowing that leveling up would become much easier after the expansion, they had stopped leveling up and were instead wandering around the cities.
“Nie Yan, did you cause this system update?” Guo Huai messaged, knowing Nie Yan had the Order Chapter but not the specifics.
“It was me. Get all the top players in the guild online tomorrow. I need six hundred people,” Nie Yan replied. Since the system update was unavoidable, he might as well seize the opportunity to gain an advantage.
“Okay, no problem,” Guo Huai responded, realizing Nie Yan might be planning something big.
“Also, find out where Break Sky is. Is he in the city? Report back immediately! It would be best if you could find out where Night Breaker is too,” Nie Yan added. He was about to start his scheme. Given Break Sky’s fiery temper, it would be strange if he didn’t fall into Nie Yan’s trap. As for Night Breaker, based on Nie Yan’s previous understanding of him, the guy wouldn’t be easily tricked.
“What are you planning to do with him?” Guo Huai asked in surprise. There was no way to confront Break Sky in the city. Was Nie Yan planning to negotiate?
“I’ll make sure he suffers a major setback. Just watch,” Nie Yan said with a slight smile. With the system update coming up, it was a golden opportunity for all guilds to expand. Especially in a few days, when the Light Holy Flame and the Holy Roman Empire would compete for stronghold control, sending Break Sky to jail would greatly benefit their chances.
“Alright, I’ll look into it right away,” Guo Huai replied. Although he didn’t know exactly what Nie Yan was planning, seeing Nie Yan’s mysterious expression, he guessed it was another scheme against Break Sky. Based on Nie Yan’s character, he wouldn’t act without a mature plan. Guo Huai felt excited—Break Sky was about to be tricked.
After a while, Guo Huai sent another message: Break Sky and a group of people were at the central auction house in Carol City.
“Shadow Kill seems to be there too!” Guo Huai added, surprised by the news.
Nie Yan narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled faintly: “Might as well go and pay him a visit.”
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