Blade of Tyranny

After reverting to human form, Nie Fan promptly casted Bloodthirsty Vines, Toxic Miasma, and every other skill he had to farm monsters.

Meanwhile, Xue Yu and Lin Suyue had returned to Tajit Village and sold off some of their unused items, gathering other equipment while recruiting other players.

“Recruiting one Mage and one Warrior to join a party heading into the Heartlands of the Wood Nymphs’ Forest. Requirements: Level twenty to twenty-five, good equipment and amicable personality.”

The ‘Heartlands of the Wood Nymphs’ Forest’ and other keywords written in the zonal shoutouts that Xue Yu sent away quickly drew the attention of various players. It took a certain key to enter that area—not only was that key worth a lot of money, but it could also only be used just once.

Soon, Xue Yu’s message bar began to jingle repeatedly as many players came forward with their inquiries.

“Can I join? Warrior, level twenty, 320 defense.”

Xue Yu frowned at the message. “I’m sorry, but your defense is too low.” He replied.

The player could only leave unhappily.

There weren’t many suitable candidates either since there were too few solo players whose standards reached what Xue Yu needed. As others with fixed parties naturally wouldn’t split from their group to party with them, Xue Yu was left a little troubled, but there was no way they would be happy if they settled for weaker players. Either way, they could only do their best, even if it was uncertain that they could get the right people before Nie Fan reached Level 25.

Still, after a dozen minutes of shouting away and turning down a dozen other players, Xue Yu finally found a rather reliable player.

“I’m Shadow Sadwind. Could you check if I would fit your party?” Shadow Sadwind had just finished leveling, and had returned to Tajit Village for replenishing consumables before going out again to farm Black Nymphs.

That was when he stumbled on Xue Yu’s party request—he was quite interested in the Heartlands of the Wood Nymphs’ Forest himself, and it was rumored that the Boss in that area was a Level 25 Nymph King which had a certain chance of dropping a Level 25 Dark Enchanted Bronze Staff. It was also very difficult to enter that area under most circumstances as well, with the required permit being hyped up until its price reached three thousand bronze coins.

Either way, he wanted to give it try since there was telling what else the Heartlands of the Wood Nymphs’ Forest held.

Xue Yu’s brow lifted at the sight of Shadow Sadwind’s level and equipment data. He was already Level 25 which fits the requirements of entering the Heartlands of the Wood Nymphs’ Forest, and his equipment were quite good as well: with one Level 20 Cyan Bronze item and three other Level 25 Copper items. Moreover, there definitely wouldn’t be that many solo Mages hanging around Tajit Village who were better than him.

“Okay, but let’s add each other on our friend list first since we still need a Warrior. I’ll add you to our party when we have everyone we need, so you could go for a little leveling before that. That said, don’t level beyond Level 26 or you won’t be able to join us.” Xue Yu replied while sending Shadow Sandwind a friend request.

[System: Shadow Sadwind has added you as a friend.]

After recruiting a Mage but still needing a Warrior, Xue Yu continued putting out his request everywhere. With no suitable candidate coming forward however, he could only wait patiently.

***

Meanwhile, Nie Fan was still farming Windwalk Polyps when his System rang crisply, and he could see that he was now Level 25.

Finally! He could barely hold back his excitement—although the Gauntlet Swords were Soulbound to himself, he could not use them due to the level requirement.

And now he can.

[Assala’s Judgement (Gauntlet Swords): Dark Enchanted Bronze grade, Upgradable.]

[Item description: A weapon blessed by Assala the Phoenix Goddess that possesses the power of judgement’s will.]

[Attack +176, Agility +23, Strength +32, Lycanthropy +1 (weapon becomes claw in Morphing), +50% Attack in Morphing]

[Level 25 required, limited to Druid-class.]

The gauntlets, to be worn on both hands had one blade apiece, and Nie Fan’s attack stat immediately leaped up a notch just by equipping it—it was his second Dark Enchanted Bronze item after all! Normal weapons wouldn’t buff a Morphed Druid, and yet these were buffing him even when he was Morph.

It could well be a divine relic for Druids below Level 60!

For close-ranged weapons, the Gauntlet Swords were quite short and was probably just seven inches. There was also purple gleam on its arched sharp edge, with guards at the hilt forged from Dark Enchanted Bronze that protected the grips, whereas the various runes inscribed all over it gave it a mysterious appearance.

Still, its shortness meant its range wasn’t wide, although it had another distinct advantage in its nimbleness and quick attack speed. Aside from the daggers that Thieves used, no other weapon could match the Gauntlet Swords in speed.

With his dual-handed weapon—the best weapon available at the moment—equipped, his preparations would be perfect after he returned to Tajit Village and swapped into a full set of Cyan Bronze equipment.

Nie Fan hence started to dash towards the village.

***

Kaz, captain of Tajit Village’s militia was standing guard to the west of the village. An NPC in his thirties, he had a robust figure resembling a steel tower and the muscles all over his body were bulging and firm. He was also in charge of selling Honor point items, which players could purchase from when their points reached certain amounts. Following the recent village defense, most players who were promoted to Second-class Citizens had purchased full sets of Copper equipment from him. Although the items he sold were almost equal to normal market prices, each were Soulbound immediately upon purchase and could not be traded.

Nie Fan walked up to him.

“Revered Brave Warrior. What do you need?”

“I want to but some equipment.” Nie Fan said.

“These are the items available for your purchase. Please select the item you desire.”

A list displaying hundreds of items immediately appeared in front of Nie Fan, most of which were grey and unavailable to him. Still, he could purchase a Level 10 Dark Enchanted Bronze equipment set, Level 20 Copper or Cyan Bronze equipment sets, Level 25 Cyan Bronze equipment sets and the like.

The one set which was best for him was naturally the Level 25 Cyan Bronze equipment set which includes gauntlets, spaulders, greaves, steel armor, a helm, boots, and a cape: a total of seven items.

Nie Fan estimated that such an equipment set wouldn’t be available without at least eighty thousand bronze coins on the market. There were few players who could afford such an astronomical price, and not to mention that the markets didn’t have full equipment sets available which would provide additional stat buffs.

On the other hand, the Cyan Bronze equipment set only cost little over nine thousand bronze coins here with each item costing slightly above one thousand apiece, which was around one-tenth of the market price and naturally quite worthwhile.

Nie Fan bought all seven items and equipped them, finally replacing his peashooters for some actual firepower and improving his armaments overall.