“Those gray-clad pagans are level 32 elites,” Nie Yan said, stealthily returning and appearing before Tuoba Shi and Shifen Haoshuang.
“Three level 32 elites—we definitely can’t handle them,” Tuoba Shi frowned. With their current strength, they were no match for three level 32 elites. They would probably be wiped out after a few rounds of magical attacks.
“Should we call a few teammates over?” Shifen Haoshuang asked, sheathing his greatsword.
“Forget it. Those fair-weather friends won’t come anyway. The team from Kuye Studio is all grouping up for dungeons and won’t be free until the day after tomorrow. We only have thirty minutes left before logging off. Let’s just call it a day today and come back with more people next time,” Tuoba Shi said, checking the time.
“Yeah, we really don’t have enough time today,” Nie Yan agreed. With only thirty minutes left, it was no longer suitable to enter the central hall. They should find a place to log off instead.
“Are you heading back to town?” Tuoba Shi glanced at Nie Yan and asked.
Nie Yan shook his head. “I’ll go take a look inside.”
“You still want to go in?” Shifen Haoshuang asked in surprise. Going inside alone was practically suicide!
Tuoba Shi was also puzzled. Although Nie Yan was quite strong, there was no way he could defeat these elites.
“Don’t forget, I’m an assassin,” Nie Yan said.
Tuoba Shi paused, then laughed out loud. “I almost forgot.”
Assassins had innate advantages, allowing them to reach places other classes couldn’t. Ordinary assassins would never dare to enter such dangerous areas, but he shouldn’t judge Nie Yan by ordinary standards.
Nie Yan’s skills had already impressed Tuoba Shi and Shifen Haoshuang. He might actually be able to sneak into the central hall using his abilities.
“If there’s any equipment suitable for a paladin, save it for me,” Tuoba Shi said. He somewhat admired Nie Yan for daring to enter such a dangerous place.
“Don’t forget me! I want warrior gear!” Shifen Haoshuang chimed in.
“I’m just going to take a look. I can’t guarantee any loot,” Nie Yan replied. He was primarily after the Chapter of Justice. As for other items, it was hard to say. However, there might be some valuable treasure chests inside the Monastery of Light.
“Then we’ll head back first,” Tuoba Shi said. They had nothing else to do here.
“Yeah, okay,” Nie Yan nodded. Tuoba Shi and Shifen Haoshuang couldn’t advance further unless they found more people to help clear the area.
“Bro, remember to get me some warrior gear,” Shifen Haoshuang grinned.
“Don’t worry, if there’s any warrior gear, I’ll definitely save it for you,” Nie Yan smiled. Shifen Haoshuang lived up to his name—straightforward and genuine. Nie Yan had a good impression of both Tuoba Shi and Shifen Haoshuang; they were friends worth getting to know.
Although he had been reborn, Nie Yan didn’t think his skills alone could surpass everyone. However, rebirth had a significant advantage—he could recruit talented individuals and make them his allies. With Tuoba Shi and Shifen Haoshuang joining, the Niuren Tribe gained two more experts.
Tuoba Shi and Shifen Haoshuang began reading their recall scrolls. Two beams of white light flashed, and they disappeared from the spot.
Nie Yan looked at the beam on the corridor’s ceiling, about five yards from the ground. The beam was intricately carved, looking very elegant. He wanted to bypass the three gray-clad pagans below and could only rely on these beams. However, time was already insufficient. Logging off inside the central hall was too dangerous. Nie Yan killed some monsters outside for a while, then found a safe place to log off.
After taking off the helmet, Nie Yan walked out of his room and found several packed boxes by the hallway. Many items had already been packed.
Nie Yan’s mother came from the kitchen, saw him, and said, “Xiaoyan, we’re moving to the provincial city in a couple of days. Your father just registered a company, and we’re planning to transfer you to a noble school there. The teaching quality is better. If you have time these days, go say goodbye to your classmates.”
“Okay, I know, Mom. Let me help you pack,” Nie Yan replied. His mother’s words reminded him that in his previous life, after his parents returned for a few days, the whole family moved to the provincial city around this time.
While Nie Yan and his mother were organizing things, his father was busy writing something in his study, probably working on the company.
The summer vacation was almost over, and the new semester was about to begin. Nie Yan thought of Xie Yao and was finally going to see her again. He wondered how she was doing lately. Thinking of her pure smile, he felt a strong sense of longing, as intoxicating as wine.
After ten years and a lifetime apart, Nie Yan still couldn’t suppress the feeling of his heart fluttering.
Back in senior year, his heart was filled only with that graceful figure. Back then, he was undoubtedly a failure, humble enough to only secretly watch her from a corner. Just seeing her every day made him feel satisfied.
In this life, Nie Yan would never repeat the mistakes of the past.
Nie Yan helped his mother organize various items and packed the necessary ones.
“Mom, you don’t need to bring these things anymore. They’re useless,” Nie Yan pointed at some old items in the box. He remembered from his previous life that these items were stored in the basement of the villa and had never been used, taking up a lot of space.
“It’s okay, just bring them. We can store them in the basement. If we think of them later, we can take them out to look at,” Nie Yan’s mother smiled slightly, looking at these somewhat worn items with nostalgia and happiness.
When his mother smiled, Nie Yan could clearly see the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. A sudden feeling of sighing welled up in his heart. Without realizing it, his mother had already grown old. She followed his father in her twenties, gave birth to Nie Yan, and his father served in the military for five years, but she never complained. Later, after the family reunited, they were forced to live a nine-to-five life for a living, their youth quickly fading away. Despite the hardships, she remained uncomplaining and content.
Even after they became wealthy, his father and mother still had a good relationship.
His father, although quiet and reserved, was a man of deep feelings, which was the part Nie Yan respected most about him.
His mother bringing these items allowed her to occasionally take them out and reminisce about the days they struggled together. Although it was hard, there was a kind of simple happiness. Nie Yan understood his mother’s feelings. These items carried their memories; the deep bond between a couple who had gone through hardships together was invaluable.
Thinking back to his previous life, Nie Yan felt a sense of bitterness as his mother had hardly lived a few comfortable days. A strong sense of responsibility and crisis surged from the bottom of his heart. Whoever dared to threaten his parents’ happiness, he would make sure that person would disappear from this world forever.
“Uncle Lin and the others will also move over. We bought a piece of villa in the suburbs. There’s plenty of space to live,” seeing Nie Yan’s silence, his mother smiled and explained.
“I understand,” Nie Yan nodded with a smile, carefully packing his mother’s belongings to prevent any damage.
“The new company will have shares for Uncle Lin, Uncle Liu, Uncle Xiao, and Achen. Although our family is doing well now, we must not forget our roots. Without the care of Uncle Lin, Uncle Liu, Uncle Xiao, and Achen, our family would not have known what would happen,” Nie Yan’s mother said emotionally.
Nie Yan’s father was a man of deep feelings. He always remembered those who were good to him. Back then, Uncle Lin, Uncle Liu, Uncle Xiao, and others lent money to their family without asking for interest, or only a small amount as a token. As for Achen, there was no need to mention it. He ran around tirelessly for Nie Yan’s family, contributing the most to the company’s establishment, thus receiving the largest share. As for his uncle and aunt’s bunch, when Nie Yan’s family borrowed money, they were no different from loan sharks, charging high interest and repeatedly demanding repayment. Having such relatives was truly heartbreaking.
Just then, the door knocked loudly.
Nie Yan’s mother had just stood up when Nie Yan quickly said, “Mom, no need. I’ll go open it.”
Nie Yan was much more considerate now, and his mother showed a gratified smile.
Nie Yan opened the door and saw a face he disliked. Who else could it be but Luo Ming?
“Xiaoyan, are your parents home?” Luo Ming’s smile was awkward and somewhat fawning.
“Get lost,” Nie Yan’s face darkened. It was precisely because of their persistent begging that his father had given them a portion of the company’s shares. But later, they colluded with the outsider Cao Xu and turned against them, causing the company’s control to fall into outsiders’ hands, leading to his father’s death from depression. Nie Yan would absolutely not let such things happen again in this life.
“How dare you talk to me like that? I’m your uncle!” Luo Ming tried to use his status to pressure Nie Yan, but seeing Nie Yan’s icy glare, his last bit of courage disappeared.
Nie Yan was about to close the door when his mother’s voice came from behind, “Xiaoyan, who is it?”
“It’s me, sister. Xiaoyan won’t let me in. Let me talk to you for a moment, and I’ll leave,” Luo Ming stubbornly insisted.
Nie Yan’s mother frowned and said, “Xiaoyan, let him in.”
Nie Yan hesitated but dared not defy his mother’s words, stepping aside.
Luo Ming squeezed in, followed by his wife, his aunt, and others.
Luo Ming glanced at the study and forced a laugh, “Your brother-in-law is busy in there.”
“What do you want?” Nie Yan’s mother asked, recalling the cold treatment they had received when they borrowed money from them, her expression darkening.
“We were wrong before. Sister, you and your brother-in-law, don’t be angry. We came to apologize,” Luo Ming’s wife spoke with a shrill voice, grating on the ears.
“Although we were a bit cold to you back then, we did lend you money. Now that your family has become successful, you’ve left us behind. There’s no such thing. This is unreasonable anywhere,” Nie Yan’s aunt sneered.
“What my sister-in-law said was a bit harsh, but it’s also reasonable. One shouldn’t forget one’s roots,” Luo Ming’s wife said. They took turns playing the good cop and bad cop.
Nie Yan’s mother’s expression darkened, and she retorted, “You lent us high-interest loans. Did you ever consider family ties when we borrowed money from you?”
Luo Ming’s wife and Nie Yan’s aunt quickly showed embarrassment.
“With your family’s financial situation back then, who would dare to lend you money? Even loan sharks were afraid of not getting their money back. Now that you’re rich, you turn your back on us?” Nie Yan’s aunt said bitterly.
“Exactly, let’s ask anyone for justice. There’s no such reason in the world,” Luo Ming’s wife shouted.
“You’re opening a company. Why can outsiders like Old Lin and Old Liu get shares, but we don’t?” Luo Ming was red-faced and furious.
Nie Yan’s mother was a gentle person. In an argument, she was no match for Luo Ming’s wife and Nie Yan’s aunt, her eyes reddening, almost in tears: “You should ask yourselves, have you ever treated our family as well as Old Lin and Old Liu?”
Nie Yan clenched his fists, looking at their ugly faces, almost rushing forward to fight them.
“You let your brother-in-law come out and talk. If he gives each of us 3% of the shares, we’ll let it go. If not, we’ll go find someone to reason with,” Luo Ming shouted toward the study.
Nie Yan’s father came out of the study and coldly scanned Luo Ming and the others.
Luo Ming immediately fell silent. He still had a bit of fear toward his ex-soldier brother-in-law.
“Are you done? If you are, leave. Wanting shares? Impossible.” He walked to Nie Yan’s mother and patted her back. His mother suddenly found an outlet for her emotions, tears streaming down like pearls.
“Brother-in-law, we came here today to talk things through, but you’re being too harsh,” Luo Ming frowned.
“Get out! If you don’t leave, I’ll make you!” Nie Yan’s eyes locked onto Luo Ming.
“Look at your son. How can a kid talk like that!” Luo Ming’s temper flared, raising his hand to slap Nie Yan’s head. He seemed to have forgotten that Nie Yan was no longer the same Nie Yan as before.
Nie Yan grabbed Luo Ming’s incoming hand and twisted it backward.
Luo Ming screamed in pain: “Let go! Let go quickly!”
Nie Yan lifted Luo Ming, opened the door, and threw him out.
“Either you leave on your own, or I’ll throw you out,” Nie Yan’s eyes flashed with cruelty. Since he shot Cao Xu, he was no longer the weak Nie Yan of the past.
Luo Ming’s wife and the others were frightened by Nie Yan and grumbled as they left.
Nie Yan slammed the door shut.
“Mom, don’t cry. It’s not worth it for them,” Nie Yan comforted his mother.
Although Nie Yan’s father was a bit upset about Nie Yan’s previous aggressive actions, he thought about it and understood. After they left, Nie Yan must have endured a lot of bullying from Luo Ming and the others at home.
Nie Yan’s mother felt helpless about having such a brother, only sulking silently.
Nie Yan spent the whole day helping his mother pack. In the evening, his mother came back with groceries and prepared a table full of delicious dishes. The whole family enjoyed a warm and happy dinner.
“They say the noble school there is great, but the teaching quality in the provincial city is better. Xiaoyan, you must keep up with your studies and not fall behind,” Nie Yan’s father patted his shoulder. Compared to the past, he was more affectionate now.
“Well, I’ll do my best.” Nie Yan just wanted to please his parents, as the high school curriculum posed no challenge to him.
“I heard from someone while buying vegetables that Xiaoyu has been badmouthing us, saying we’re ungrateful and forget our roots now that we’re successful,” Nie Yan’s mother said. This really upset her.
“Let them talk. The clear will remain clear, and the muddy will remain muddy. Anyone with common sense can see what kind of people they are,” Nie Yan’s father said nonchalantly.
“Mom, Dad is right. Why bother getting upset over such things?” Nie Yan comforted them.
After dinner, Nie Yan chatted with his parents for a while. He would head to the provincial city in two days, settle in, and then school would start in a few more days. Thinking that he would soon see Xie Yao again made Nie Yan’s heart race with excitement, and memories flooded back. At this time, Xie Yao should still be single. Their relationship supposedly started after entering college when they happened to attend the same university.
In other words, Nie Yan still had a chance.
Thinking of this, Nie Yan calmed his restless heart, walked into his room, and put on the helmet.
Re-entering the game, the nearby Crimson Heretics had already respawned. Nie Yan used the brief period of invisibility upon logging in to find a safe spot to gradually materialize.
Glancing at the distance, the three Gray Heretics were still guarding the entrance to the central hall.
Nie Yan entered stealth mode and crept toward them. Upon reaching the corridor’s crossbeam, he shot out a strand of silk, sticking it to the beam. With a strong pull, his body flew into the air and landed on the beam. Activating the skill from the Ring of the Crawler, he stuck to the beam like a spider.
Nie Yan concealed himself behind the beam, clinging to the ceiling. He activated Vanish and swiftly crawled forward, passing right above the Gray Heretics.
The Gray Heretics were still wandering around, completely unaware of Nie Yan.
Passing above the Gray Heretics, Nie Yan entered the central hall. A vast and magnificent chamber appeared before his eyes. On both sides stood rows of massive pillars spaced about five to six yards apart, numbering in the hundreds. A red carpet stretched down the middle of the hall, leading into the distance.
Inside the hall, some humanoid monsters wearing silver armor were patrolling around. They wielded greatswords and were melee-type enemies.
In the far corners of the hall, on both the left and right sides, sat two chests. They gleamed with a dim golden metallic luster.
Nie Yan’s heart skipped a beat—it was an elite rare treasure chest!
He hadn’t expected to find an elite rare treasure chest in this hall. This was the benefit of being one of the first players here. Once a chest was opened, it would disappear. Gold, silver, and common chests would eventually respawn at unpredictable intervals, but elite rare chests would never respawn again.
However, each of these elite rare chests was guarded by more than ten humanoid monsters.
Nie Yan hid in a corner and cast a scan on one of the armored humanoids nearby.
Fallen Silver Knight: Level 33 Elite, HP 5000/5000.
Seeing the stats of the Fallen Silver Knight, Nie Yan sucked in a breath sharply. Was this hall filled with more than thirty of these Silver Knights, all level 33 elites?
If that were the case, this might be a bit difficult to handle. As paladin-type humanoids, they had high HP and strong attacks. They often possessed abilities specifically designed to detect stealth. And they were level 33 elites—Nie Yan had no chance of defeating them directly.
Frowning, Nie Yan was at a loss. Sneaking past them was practically impossible, as these paladins would definitely detect him.
Looking at the towering pillars ahead, he suddenly had an idea. Why not use these pillars!
Realizing this, Nie Yan smiled slightly. Such a simple method—why not use it!
Nie Yan used the Ring of the Crawler to climb onto one of the pillars. Then, using the Ring of the Weaver, he hung himself at about five yards above the ground. Drawing his Sanguine Crossbow, he aimed at one of the Fallen Silver Knights. Whoosh! Three bolts flew through the air and struck the target.
Thud! Thud! Thud! The three bolts simultaneously hit the Fallen Silver Knight, and three damage numbers of approximately -30 floated above his head.
Nie Yan’s attack power had indeed increased significantly compared to before.
The Fallen Silver Knight noticed Nie Yan and rushed toward him.
But circling around the pillar, the knight couldn’t reach Nie Yan and was helpless.
Nie Yan continued to hang at a height of over five yards, far beyond the knight’s jump range, leaving the knight to just pace around the pillar in frustration.
Nie Yan fired more bolts, each hitting the Fallen Silver Knight. Since the knight was within the aura range of Nie Yan’s Intermediate Demon Hunter, each bolt dealt around 50 damage, which was quite significant. Occasionally, a critical strike would deal over 150 damage.
Nie Yan kept shooting. The Fallen Silver Knight’s HP dropped quickly, reaching only 30% in just five minutes.
The Fallen Silver Knight swung his greatsword, releasing a gray beam that instantly restored his HP to full.
These Fallen Silver Knights had healing abilities, which was quite frustrating. Nie Yan continued shooting arrows. Usually, these creatures had very limited mana, enough for only two or three healings at most. He needed to deplete their mana first before he could bring their HP down.
It would be great to have equipment with mana-drain properties—each attack would drain not only HP but also mana, making it a killer against casters and paladins. However, mana-drain properties were usually found only on sub-legendary-grade gear.
The Fallen Silver Knight’s HP continued to drop. Soon, it was nearly depleted again, and he cast another healing spell, restoring his HP to around 50%.
It seemed that the Fallen Silver Knight could only perform one major healing, and the remaining mana was only sufficient for minor heals.
Nie Yan maintained a steady pace of shooting. The Fallen Silver Knight’s HP steadily decreased until finally, it was completely depleted, and he collapsed on the ground.
Successfully defeating one Fallen Silver Knight!
Nie Yan leaped down from the pillar, landing steadily, and picked up the item dropped by the Fallen Silver Knight.
It was a rather special item.
Fragment of the Severing Blade: Quantity 1/20.
Nie Yan’s heart pounded. Was the Severing Blade actually dropping here? No one understood the Severing Blade’s power better than him. In his previous life, after obtaining the Severing Blade, he had used it all the way until level 60 without replacing it. One reason was that he couldn’t find suitable gear, but the main reason was that the Severing Blade was just too powerful.
The Severing Blade was known as the ultimate weapon before level 50!
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