A Foot in the Door at the Mitier Branch

A Foot in the Door at the Mitier Branch

The next morning.

The Qingfeng Bird started chirping like a crowing rooster.

The Qingfeng Bird was in a terrible mood.

Though it laid eggs every year, this time the egg had been rather large.

It had struggled terribly to lay it, even paying the price of an anal fissure! Even now, it would often spray a little blood whenever it relieved itself.

Yet the egg it had worked so hard to lay had been stolen yesterday by a group of suicidal First-Order Green Bamboo Snakes.

They had even taken the nest with them! It had been forced to sleep standing on a branch last night, and today it still had to gather branches everywhere to build a new nest.

Perhaps its throat could no longer take all that chirping.

After resting for a while, the Qingfeng Bird flapped its wings and began selecting branches for its new nest.

It had not flown far before spotting a rather good dead branch on the ground.

After landing, the Qingfeng Bird picked up the dead branch in its beak and was about to fly back when it suddenly froze.

This dead branch smelled like its egg!

This was clearly a dead branch from its old nest!

"Chirp chirp chirp, caw caw."

The Qingfeng Bird's eyes instantly turned red.

The hatred of stolen eggs and a ruined nest was irreconcilable! The Qingfeng Bird quickly found a second dead branch not far away.

Then a third, then a fourth. The Qingfeng Bird headed north without looking back.

Yang Shan had dismantled the bird's nest under cover of night yesterday and deliberately laid this trap for the Qingfeng Bird.

What was building a nest compared to revenge?

After all, it was only a Second-Order Magical Beast. Its intelligence was limited.

Having finally found traces of the egg thief, the Qingfeng Bird was completely worked up.

Meanwhile, Yang Shan had already arrived beside the century-old tree.

A great battle had taken place here yesterday, leaving behind at least four hundred Green Bamboo Snake corpses.

If a magical beast's death was not caused by a Player, then its corpse followed the respawn rule of "the new replacing the old."

In other words, once Green Bamboo Snakes respawned in their habitat, the dead Green Bamboo Snakes would disappear at the same time.

Generally speaking, elite magical beasts took at least two in-game days to respawn.

If Yang Shan delayed another day, all his efforts would have been for nothing.

Yang Shan had no way of estimating when the Qingfeng Bird would return, so he had to move fast! Since the snakes had not been killed by a Player, their corpses had no "drops."

Players had to cut them open by hand to obtain materials.

Fortunately, the Qingfeng Bird had been powerful enough that these Green Bamboo Snake corpses were riddled with holes, making it easy to extract their gallbladders.

Green Bamboo Snake meat and fangs could have sold for a little money too.

But time was limited.

For the sake of his life, Yang Shan took only one hundred Bamboo Snake Galls before grabbing his bundle and fleeing at top speed.

By the time Yang Shan returned to Cloud Frost City, it was already the fourth day of game time.

Compared to its desolation four days ago, Cloud Frost City was now full of Players.

Of course, even more Players were still in the Novice Realm.

After all, the Novice Realm was simply too comfortable.

Many enthusiastic Players had already shared guides on the forums about what to do after leaving the Novice Realm.

The Mercenary Guild had become one of the shortcuts for early development.

Players still focused primarily on quests from NPC families.

But if they could check the Mercenary Guild for quests in the same location while accepting family quests, they could make one trip for two rewards.

Though Mercenary Guild quest rewards were relatively meager, every little bit counted.

As a result, the Cloud Frost City Mercenary Guild was now packed to the brim.

A row of muscle-bound guards stood at the entrance.

Every one of them was at the peak of the Dou Zhe realm! The Guard Captain leading them was a Two Star Dou Shi!

The Guard Captain roared, "Young heroes! I know you're all fired up, but you still need to follow the rules and line up properly!"

The line of Players outside the doors already stretched halfway down the street.

The Mercenary Guild's hall was only eight hundred square meters. It would be impressive if it could hold six hundred Players at once.

But Tian Yao Company had prepared for this long ago.

The space within the Mercenary Guild could be "replicated in layers."

No matter how many Players came, they could all fit inside.

But the entrance was only so large and could accommodate at most ten people side by side.

They still had to queue, though they would not have to wait too long.

Yang Shan had originally wanted to keep a low profile, but he had been logged in for far too long this time. Fifteen hours had already passed in the real world.

He needed rest.

So Yang Shan bypassed the long queue and strode forward.

Seeing this, the Players in line began chattering all at once.

"Hey, buddy, where are your manners? Get in line!"

"Damn it, cutting the line is shameful!"

"This is going to be good! I just saw some guy with no self-awareness try to cut in line. The guards threw him aside on the spot."

"This kid clearly doesn't know his own limits. Oh, he's even daring to approach the Guard Captain. Heh heh, perfect. We can see just how strong a Dou Shi is in this game."

Yang Shan turned a deaf ear and walked straight up to the Guard Captain.

The Guard Captain frowned deeply, just about to teach this troublemaker who refused to queue a lesson.

But Yang Shan beat him to it by producing a golden token.

This token was the proof for the golden quest, "Qingfeng Bird Egg."

Yang Shan said, "Brother, I'm here to turn in a quest. Could you make an exception?"

The Guard Captain immediately went from anger to a smile, his face-changing skills truly peerless. "This young hero is remarkably capable, to have even completed a golden quest! Come, come, please go inside! Master Yao happens to be on the second floor. I'll take you there!"

The Guard Captain personally led Yang Shan into the Mercenary Guild.

Countless Players stared wide-eyed.

"WTF? Why does he get to do that?"

"What was that golden token? An imperial decree?"

"Could that guy not be a Player? Is he a prince of the Gama Royal Family?"

"Possible!"

"Possible my ass! Are you blind? Isn't he wearing beginner gear just like us?"

Seeing an opening, another Player immediately rushed to the entrance, lifted his chin, and pulled out a blue token. "Let me in."

A guard beside him frowned.

"Get lost!"

The Player snapped angrily, "Why could that guy go in, but I can't?"

The guard said matter-of-factly, "He completed a golden quest, so naturally he qualifies to skip the line!"

The Player froze. "What golden quest? When I checked yesterday, weren't there only blue, green, and white quests?"

The guard sighed.

"Young man, you really haven't seen much."

The Mercenary Guild's entrance erupted in commotion, while Yang Shan had already followed the Guard Captain to the second floor.

The second floor was completely different from the first, more like a place to drink tea.

At a tea table in the southeast corner sat a portly, broad-bodied middle-aged man in his fifties, drinking tea.

This man was Master Yao! The Guard Captain led Yang Shan before Master Yao and lowered his head slightly.

"Master Yao, this young hero has completed the quest you posted."

"Oh?"

Master Yao set down his tea, raised his brows, and gave Yang Shan a once-over. "A hero indeed emerges in youth."

There was one subtle detail.

The Mercenary Guild held an extremely high status among the Jia Ma Empire's civilian organizations. As the Guard Captain of the Cloud Frost City Mercenary Guild and a Two Star Dou Shi, his status was no less than that of an ordinary Seven Star or even Eight Star Dou Shi.

Yet before Master Yao, he appeared utterly respectful.

Yang Shan knew why.

Master Yao was the Appraisal Director of the Mittel Yunshuang Branch!

His status was second only to the branch manager and the head of security.

He was truly one of the Mittel Yunshuang Branch's upper echelon! Yang Shan had dealt with Master Yao in his previous life.

But by then, he had already joined the Pang Family first.

Moreover, in Version 1.1.

The Mittel Yunshuang Branch had been jointly squeezed out by the Pang Family and the Chai Family, and its days had been utterly miserable.

Of course, the more miserable things were, the more Yang Shan needed to join them.

The returns from offering help in a snowstorm and adding flowers to brocade were on entirely different levels.

Would the Mite'er Family lack good things? Master Yao was an important channel for joining the Mittel Branch! But he still needed a foot in the door.

Yang Shan placed the large bundle on his back onto the table.

Though the Qingfeng Bird Egg and Bamboo Snake Gall quests had been posted separately by Madam Yao and Master Yao.

Master Yao handled the turn-in for both.

There was also a guard standing behind Master Yao.

Yang Shan used the system's built-in inspection, but it revealed nothing.

The difference in level was too great.

This guard possessed at least the strength of an Eight Star Dou Shi!

The guard stepped forward, opened the bundle, checked its contents, then nodded to Master Yao.

Master Yao urged, "Go back first. Hand the snake galls to the physician and hurry up to brew my medicine!"

After giving the order, Master Yao looked at Yang Shan.

"The items are correct. According to the quest, young hero may choose one Yellow Rank High-Level Cultivation Method and one Fine Weapon. Have you made your selection?"

Yang Shan smiled.

"Master Yao, there is no rush. I have something else of value here. I wonder if Master Yao might be interested?"

Master Yao smiled.

"This master has seen countless good things."

The Guard Captain also reminded him from the side.

"Young hero, Master Yao is the Appraisal Director of our Cloud Frost City Mitier Auction House! What could a Dou Zhe like you possibly bring out that Master Yao would value? Better not make a fool of yourself."

Without changing expression, Yang Shan took out a dark green Magic Core from his sleeve.

Master Yao merely glanced at it and nodded.

"A Wood Attribute Magic Core from a First-Order King of Beasts. Young hero is indeed quite capable!"

Yang Shan smiled.

"I wonder whether this Magic Core could persuade Master Yao to raise the quest reward just a little?"

Yang Shan did not directly bring up joining the Mittel Yunshuang Branch.

Because for this sort of event, the NPC had to be the one to propose it.

So Yang Shan intended to first build a relationship with Master Yao, while also using the Magic Core to exchange for some good things that were not yet available on the market.

Once he raised their affinity high enough, Master Yao would have to beg him to join! Faced with Yang Shan's proposal, Master Yao was not particularly interested.

"I'm afraid that would be inappropriate. A quest is a quest. You can take this Magic Core to the Mitier Auction House and exchange it for Spirit Stones."

"Ah, Spirit Stones are easy to earn, but good items are hard to find!"

As he spoke, Yang Shan took out the Green Bamboo Python Gall from a smaller bundle. "As it happens, while killing the Green Bamboo Python, I also cut out its gallbladder. I know Master Yao is enjoying a second spring. With a strong body, you can always enjoy yourself a little longer."

The gallbladder was far less valuable than the Magic Core.

Yet Master Yao's reaction was clearly far more excited than when he saw the Magic Core. "Th-this thing is truly quite good."

Yang Shan said, "Master Yao has gone to great trouble preparing my reward, so this item is my gift to you!"

Master Yao said, "Young friend, this old man hasn't agreed yet!"

Hearing the change in how Master Yao addressed him, Yang Shan knew this was promising! NPCs, especially those from righteous factions, generally would not cheat Players.

If they did not agree, they would generally return the item to the Player.

But Master Yao had already seized the gallbladder in his hand!

Ding! The Player's gift struck right at Master Yao's heart, gaining 10 Affinity with Master Yao.

Ten points of Affinity made this gallbladder an incredible bargain!

After pondering for a moment, Master Yao said, "Very well. This master will temporarily alter the quest terms and add an extra First-Order King of Beasts Magic Core. As for the reward—"

"Since I see that young friend uses a bundle to store items, I shall give you an Elite Storage Ring. How about it?"

Yang Shan was delighted. "Thank you, Master Yao!"

Using affinity with NPCs to obtain greater rewards was in line with real-world logic, and it was something Battle Through the Heavens had long since fully designed.

But generally speaking, the rewards Players received would only be slightly greater than what they gave up.

Although storage rings were storage tools, their difficult production process and scarce materials meant that they often cost far more than equipment of the same grade.

Moreover, high-grade storage rings were not something one could buy just by wanting them.

At present, Players could only purchase ordinary storage rings through normal channels.

Elite Storage Rings were currently "not for sale"! Their value was probably half again as high as a first-tier King of Beasts magic core.

That extra half was the effect of 10 Favorability points.

Master Yao said, "Young friend, have you decided on the original reward for the quest?"

Yang Shan replied, "A Thunder-element skill. As for the weapon... a blade."

Master Yao rose to his feet. "All right. Please wait a moment, young friend. This old man must return to the manor first. Someone will deliver the items."

Even the quest description had made it clear: Master Yao was a bona fide old lecher.

Now that he had snake gall to use as medicine, Master Yao definitely wanted to test its effects on the spot after taking it! Master Yao was truly straightforward and generous in business. Trading the favor of one snake gall for the right to exchange for an Elite Storage Ring—where else could he find a deal like that? Seeing Master Yao about to leave, Yang Shan actually felt a little reluctant. He subconsciously called out, "Take care, Master Yao!"

Before long, the Yao Mansion Guard who had left earlier returned and handed Yang Shan an elite-grade storage ring.

Azure Wood Ring

Quality: Elite

Storage Space: 10 cubic meters
Maximum Storage Quality: Tier 4

Ten cubic meters of space was already enough for Yang Shan in the early stages.

As for this maximum storage quality, there was more to it.

Storage rings varied in quality. On one hand, it depended on the size of the space; on the other, it depended on the stability of that space.

Placing items into a storage ring put a burden on its storage space.

The Azure Wood Ring could only store items up to Tier 4. So if Yang Shan obtained a fifth-tier magic core or fifth-grade medicinal herbs in the future, he would not be able to put them inside.

Yang Shan opened the storage list and found that it contained not only a skill manual and a weapon, but also one hundred Spirit Stones.

The guard explained, "Our master is a senior member of the Mitier Auction House. He does business, so naturally he would not take something for nothing. Our master has taken the python gall. These hundred Spirit Stones are a token of his appreciation."

Yang Shan smiled. "Please help me thank Master Yao."

The guard spoke to Yang Shan in a formal, rigid manner. "Master has instructed that if you have nothing to do, young friend, you may visit our Yunshuang Branch. Our branch also has many quests available."

Ding! Congratulations, Player! You have obtained the qualification to accept quests from the Mittel Yunshuang Branch!

Yang Shan had thought he would need to raise Master Yao's Favorability a little higher before unlocking that qualification.

It seemed the snake gall had indeed delighted Master Yao beyond measure.

Quests that appeared within game factions were generally issued by NPCs within those factions according to their needs.

After completing such quests, there was also a chance to gain Favorability with the corresponding NPC.

As for the Pang Family and the Chai Family in Cloud Frost City—

For quite some time to come, countless Players would probably be fighting to accept quests from the two NPCs, Pang Yan and Chai Wenjing.

Yang Shan took the blade and the Secret Manuals out of the storage ring.

He first drew the blade from its sheath.

It was a Side Blade, usable one-handed, with a faint cold gleam flashing along its edge.

Refined Cold Blade

Quality: Elite (Purple)

Attack: 30
Durability: 80/80

Description: A Fine Weapon forged by the Old Master of the blacksmith shop once each month. It is far more powerful than ordinary standard-issue weapons! Its simple, direct attributes displayed the most straightforward killing power.

Ordinary standard-issue weapons increased Attack by around 10 points.

White Fine Weapons could increase Attack by as much as 20 points.

But this Refined Cold Blade provided 30 points! From Dou Qi Stage One all the way to One-Star Fighter, even with all attributes added to Bone Root, Yang Shan's Attack had only increased by 30 points! With the Refined Cold Blade equipped, Yang Shan's Attack reached an exceptionally lucky number:

88!

Of course, compared to a purple Fine Weapon, the skill was the true priority!

"Thunderclap Skill"

Rank: Yellow Rank High-Level (Gold)

Cultivation Requirement: 5 Thunder Spirit Root
Dou Qi Intensity Increase: 20
Total Dou Qi Increase: 100

Description: "Thunderclap Skill" was created eight hundred years ago by a Dou Wang powerhouse of the Jia Ma Empire specifically for the cultivation of his clan's younger generation. The intricacy of its circulation was nearly at the pinnacle of the Yellow Rank!

Though the Thunderclap Skill only increased Dou Qi Intensity by 20 points, Dou Qi had a far wider range of applications than weapons!

Attack, defense, even movement.

Any action could be enhanced with Dou Qi.

It was also an important foundation for the power of Dou Skills.

It was an all-around improvement!

Yang Shan left the Mercenary Guild, found a passable inn, spent two Spirit Stones to check in, then admired his attribute panel one more time before finally logging off in satisfaction.

With one blade and one skill, Yang Shan would be able to dominate the early version even without any Dou Skills!