Custom Equipment

When Night Rain Misty stepped aside, Ye Luo left and headed straight for Aunt Li's place.

Watching Ye Luo walk away, anger flashed in Night Rain Madman's eyes. Then he looked at Night Rain Misty. "Second Miss, I know you're worried about us offending someone, but I've been watching that guy for a long time. He's always been alone."

"Yeah, Ye Luo Zhi Qiu. I've never heard that name before. I've heard of Yi Ye Zhi Qiu, who has some reputation, but she seems to be a female player." Night Rain Mad Song took over, thinking for a long while. "I know all the notable people, so he..."

"How could someone who got three or four pieces of equipment by himself in the early stages be an ordinary person? You all know how low this game's drop rate is." Night Rain Misty interrupted Night Rain Mad Song. Her previous gentleness was gone, replaced only by calmness and wisdom. "I think he may be an expert who entered the game under a hidden old ID, so don't provoke him if we can avoid it."

"Even if he isn't from one of the major factions, we shouldn't offend him if we can help it. Our Ye Yu Gang is still in its growth phase, so don't create unnecessary trouble. Besides, killing him would be useless. Players below level 10 in the Novice Village don't drop equipment or lose experience when they die, so there's no need to waste time."

"But what about that level 10 little boss in the Novice Village? We worked so hard to find it, but with our current equipment..." Night Rain Madman said, his face full of reluctance at the mention of that boss.

Night Rain Misty frowned slightly, her expression also somewhat unwilling. She gently shook her head. "Let's build up some equipment and levels first. Going now would be no different from courting death. It's a pity that potions in the Novice Village are too expensive, and Real Currency can't be exchanged for game currency in the early stages. Otherwise, we could wear it down even if we lost some people."

With a sigh, Night Rain Misty left with Night Rain Madman and Night Rain Mad Song, continuing their hard grind.

Ye Luo entered the South Gate of the Novice Village and soon noticed that it had changed somewhat.

The previously crude dwellings had become larger, and the fences around the village had grown sturdier. There were more native residents in the Novice Village now, making it look livelier and more prosperous. The biggest change was that there were now four patrolling guards in the village. Ye Luo glanced at them and found that they were all level 20 swordsmen, though he couldn't inspect their attributes.

Looking at their full sets of black armor and such high levels, Ye Luo knew that players at their current strength were no match for them at all.

"The Novice Village can actually change. That's pretty interesting." Ye Luo muttered. After pondering for a moment, a thought occurred to him. Could the Novice Village level up as players complete quests or something?

Thinking about this, Ye Luo arrived at Aunt Li's house. After handing over twenty pieces of Mountain Chicken Meat, he received 2,000 Energy Experience, five silver coins, and 50 Novice Village Favorability. What pleased him most was that the quest also rewarded him with a piece of equipment:

Heirloom Amulet (Amulet—Common Equipment)

Attack: 10-12

Equipment Durability: 100/100

Required Level: 5

It was a powerful amulet, and exactly what Ye Luo lacked. He hurriedly equipped it, raising his attack power to 56-60. It was a significant increase, and he was now confident that taking on level 7 monsters would be no problem.

Just as he was about to leave, Aunt Li called him back. The weather was getting cold, and she wanted to collect some wool to make clothes for Uncle Li and Mao Tou. In short, she had another quest for Ye Luo:

Collect Wool (Novice Village Quest, Difficulty: F+)

Quest Details: Kill Demonic Mountain Antelopes on Antelope Slope outside the South Gate of the Novice Village and obtain 100 bundles of wool.

Quest Requirement: Within 1 day.

Quest Method: No restrictions.

Quest Reward: Generous experience and money upon completion.

When Ye Luo had been killing Demonic Wild Monkeys, he had seen players killing Demonic Mountain Antelopes. They were level 8 and 9 monsters, and killing them with his current attributes would be somewhat difficult. He would need some pills for support. More importantly, Antelope Slope was now packed with players, and he didn't want to go there to compete. After all, he couldn't contend alone against those in parties.

I'd better deal with Tailor Zhang's quest and take up the post of alchemist before going to trouble the Demonic Mountain Antelopes. Ye Luo thought. After bidding Aunt Li farewell, he headed straight for Tailor Zhang's shop.

On the way, Ye Luo passed by a hotel that had already taken shape. He traded away his remaining Mountain Chicken Meat and Monkey Meat, receiving more than ten silver coins and ten Steamed Buns.

Steamed Bun (Tier 1 Food)

Effect: For one hour after consumption, the player's Health Recovery Speed increases by 3 points per second.

Usage Interval: One hour.

Seeing the Steamed Buns' attributes, Ye Luo was overjoyed. With 3 points of recovery per second, plus the Battle Soul Crystal's recovery of over 1 point per second, he would hardly need to stop and rest unless he faced particularly powerful monsters. This would greatly increase his monster-killing efficiency. More importantly, the Steamed Buns lasted an entire hour, giving far more total healing than Minor Blood Recovery Pills.

After asking the person in charge of the small hotel, Ye Luo learned that each Steamed Bun cost 50 copper coins, an exorbitant price. However, he now had 58 silver coins, so he could afford them.

He asked some more questions and learned that there were other foods besides Steamed Buns, with even better effects, though their prices were also higher. With Ye Luo's current finances, he could only barely afford them.

I still don't know how much money I'll need to learn skills after taking up a post. Better save some. These Steamed Buns will last me a long time already. Ye Luo thought. Then he left the hotel and continued toward Tailor Zhang's house.

When he arrived at Tailor Zhang's house, Ye Luo handed over 100 Toad Skins. He received 1,000 Energy Experience, 30 Villager Friendliness, and five silver coins. The reward was far inferior to Aunt Li's quest, but he was quite lucky to receive another piece of novice equipment, one he had not equipped before:

Heirloom Leather Hat (Helmet—Novice Equipment)

Defense: 8-10

Equipment Durability: 100/100

Required Level: 5

Ye Luo excitedly equipped it, and his Defense became 27-30, another considerable increase. He now had some confidence in killing Mountain Antelopes. Then he remembered the Toad King Skin and hurriedly took it out.

When Tailor Zhang saw the Toad King Skin, his eyes lit up. He praised, "Tsk, tsk, young hero, I didn't expect you to kill the Toad King. This Toad King Skin is good stuff, something we tailors dream of obtaining. Tell me, how much do you want to sell it for?"

Seeing Tailor Zhang's expression, Ye Luo knew that the Toad King Skin was precious, but he had no intention of selling it. He said apologetically, "Uncle Zhang, I don't want to sell it. I want you to make a piece of equipment for me. Is that possible?"

"Haha, you're a smart kid. Hide like this should naturally be made into equipment. Increasing your strength is what matters most." Tailor Zhang laughed, then muttered to himself, "For us tailors, being able to sew powerful equipment from precious hide is an immense honor. Fine, I agree. Tell me, what type of equipment do you want? I can make leather hats, cloaks, clothes, shoes, shoulder guards, and bracers."

"I can choose any type, all of them?" Ye Luo was delighted. After checking his Equipment Slot, he hesitated. I'm only missing a cloak right now, but the Novice Clothes have terrible Defense and should be replaced too. Still, they're better than nothing. Which should I choose?

After a long while, Ye Luo still couldn't make up his mind. Finally, he looked at Tailor Zhang. "Uncle Zhang, I'm currently missing a set of clothes and a cloak. Which do you think this Toad King Skin is better suited for?"

"This hide is suitable for either kind of equipment. It mainly depends on your preference," Tailor Zhang said. Then his tone changed. "Of course, I'm better at making cloaks, so I suggest making a cloak. I guarantee I'll make you a powerful piece of equipment."

Hearing this, Ye Luo made his decision. "All right, Uncle Zhang, make it a cloak. When can I come collect it? Also, how much is the crafting fee?"

"Using Toad King Skin, I can make Bronze Grade equipment. With my current ability, it will take twelve hours. Come collect it in twelve hours," Tailor Zhang said. Then he chuckled. "As for the crafting fee, equipment of this grade normally costs one Gold Coin. But you're a regular customer here, so I'll give you a twenty percent discount. Eighty silver coins will do."

In the Heavenly Tribulation Game, equipment came in many grades. From low to high, they were Novice Equipment, Common Iron, Bronze Grade, Silver Grade, Gold Grade, Dark Gold Grade, Immortal Artifact, Divine Artifact, and so on. As for anything beyond that, players would have to explore it themselves.

Additionally, according to official information from the Heavenly Tribulation Game, there were also some special grades of equipment. As for what those categories were, players would have to discover that themselves.

When Ye Luo heard the word "Bronze," he was ecstatic. After all, in a Novice Village where most people had no equipment, Novice Equipment, or Common Iron equipment, Bronze Grade equipment was practically a divine weapon. But when he heard the crafting fee afterward, he was stunned. So far, he only had 63 silver coins, still some distance away from 80.

Though embarrassed, Ye Luo remained composed. He smiled and said, "Uncle Zhang, can I pay the crafting fee when I come to collect the equipment?"

"Of course." Tailor Zhang nodded. Then, half-joking and half-serious, he said, "But take note. Once custom equipment is completed, if you don't come collect it within a day, it will be considered a breach of contract. After that, a storage fee will be charged at intervals. Of course, you're a regular customer, so the storage fee will be waived. I don't think you'd be willing to leave such equipment unclaimed anyway."

After hearing this, Ye Luo had a plan. He thanked Tailor Zhang with a smile and was about to find Doctor Hua to begin his money-making plan, but Tailor Zhang stopped him and gave him a quest.

Collect Wolf Skin (Novice Village Quest, Difficulty: F+)

Quest Details: Kill Young Demon Wolves in Demon Wolf Valley outside the North Gate of the Novice Village, then bring 20 Wolf Skins back to Tailor Zhang.

Quest Requirement: Within 2 days.

Quest Method: No restrictions.

Quest Reward: Generous experience and money upon completion.

Quest Hint: Young Demon Wolves are level 10 monsters and quite ferocious. Please proceed with caution.