The Keluke Plains — a paradise for Level 6 Grassland Lion Cubs. At this stage, very few players came here to grind.
The level requirement was high, and the monsters were extremely numerous and tightly packed, making them difficult to deal with.
The Grassland Lion Cubs hunted in packs of three to five, sometimes led by an adult Elite Grassland Lion. They were a real pain to fight.
Yet across these plains, a six-person team was battling a pride of lions. A woman in azure-blue armor swung a greatsword, facing the Elite Grassland Lion head-on. She effortlessly dodged its razor-sharp claws and seized openings to strike at its vitals — her valiant, graceful figure captivating enough to entrance any woman who watched.
This woman was none other than the Ice Goddess, Bai Qingxue. She had already reached Level 5, clad in a full set of Level 4 Bronze Equipment, the Azure Trace set, and wielding the Iron Rank Conqueror's Sword. Compared to before, her strength had increased tremendously.
A Shield Warrior held the aggro of four lion cubs without breaking a sweat, while the healer Xiaoyue'er chanted prayers, her small hands inscribing divine script in midair. She healed the Shield Warrior on one side and kept Bai Qingxue topped up on the other, maintaining both their HP within a safe range.
Scarlet Flame Witch Zhao Yueru, also wearing the Level 4 Phantom Fire set, continuously launched massive fireballs from her hands. Terrifying damage numbers popped up above the lions' heads one after another.
In less than a minute, the entire pride led by the Elite was wiped clean.
Bai Qingxue picked up the lion's drops and found a Skill Book — no equipment. She looked toward Xiaoyue'er and said, "Xiaoyue'er, it's your Holy Light Shield. Learn it quickly. After a short rest, we'll go find the next Grassland Lion. We have to get a Resurrection skill to drop."
"Great! With this skill, healing won't be nearly so tense anymore," Xiaoyue'er said happily, accepting the Skill Book.
Sitting down to eat and drink, Zhao Yueru suddenly asked curiously, "Qingxue, Yichui Maimai has already built up a huge reputation. Shouldn't we at least send someone to recruit him? Getting him on board would boost the guild's fame, and his forging skills are pretty solid. It'd be a real shame if another guild snatched him up."
"There's no need. Level 3 Bronze Equipment won't be worth much before long. All he can forge is Level 3 Bronze — he doesn't have design sheets for any higher-tier gear. What use is paying a fortune to bring him in now? He'd just earn us a bit of pocket change. Besides, we don't even know when we'll be able to produce high-level Bronze Equipment design sheets ourselves. What would we need him for?" Bai Qingxue shook her head, showing little interest in Yichui Maimai. Instead, she said, "What actually catches my interest is that Black Flame Blacksmith — especially his moves. I can't read his intentions at all."
"If he wanted to attract the attention of a first-tier guild and make a name for himself, there'd be no need to hide his identity. Plenty of major guilds would've reached out. But he concealed his name, making it impossible for anyone to contact him — that means he doesn't want people to know who he is. Yet he picked a fight with Yichui Maimai, drove equipment prices down, made himself a household name again, and landed squarely in our sights. Then, right when things were at their hottest, he abruptly pulled out of the competition and faded from view once more."
"Three different forged items introduced in succession, that many Bronze Equipment design sheets obtained — it shows real skill. But why would he suddenly bow out? What is this Black Flame Blacksmith after? Or did he already achieve his goal, which is why he stepped back?"
"Even now, I still have no idea what this Black Flame Blacksmith is trying to do. There's an air of mystery about everything he does."
"Qingxue, why don't I have someone investigate this blacksmith? Listening to your analysis, even I'm dying to know who he is."
After hearing Bai Qingxue's breakdown, Zhao Yueru came to a sudden realization and found herself intrigued by this Black Flame Blacksmith. She agreed he was no ordinary character. The thought of unmasking the Black Flame Blacksmith's identity sent a little thrill of excitement through her.
Meanwhile, on the second floor of the Forging Association — an intermediate-grade Forging Room.
"So, gentlemen, have you all made up your minds?" Yichui Maimai leaned back with his legs crossed, squinting his small eyes as he looked at the representatives of the first-tier guilds seated around him, looking thoroughly at ease.
However, the terms Yichui Maimai had laid out left those first-tier guilds in heavy silence.
His demands were far too steep. Setting aside the requirement that all resources be given priority to him, just the villa in his city alone — not to mention an annual salary tentatively set at five million Credit Points — was enough to make anyone blanch. That kind of compensation was something only a Guild Master or Vice Guild Master could expect to enjoy. If this Yichui Maimai wanted the same treatment, wasn't he essentially trying to put himself on equal footing with the guild's top leadership?
"You need to think carefully. I didn't build this kind of reputation for nothing. The moment I join your guild, our popularity will skyrocket past every other guild. Add in my forging skills and you'll never be short on Bronze Equipment. On top of that, I'll make a fortune for the guild. The price I'm asking is hardly unreasonable," Yichui Maimai said with a grin, radiating the unmistakable air of a man who knew that if these guilds wouldn't bite, someone else would — and they'd regret letting him slip away.
At this point, Yichui Maimai had every first-tier guild exactly where he wanted them. Each of them was desperate to get ahead of the others, believing that controlling a virtual city's wealth was well worth far more than five million Credit Points and a villa. His asking price, if anything, was low.
As he gazed at the representatives of each first-tier guild — faces marked with hesitation but eyes burning with unwavering determination to recruit him — Yichui Maimai suddenly felt that staking his entire fortune on this competition had been an absolutely brilliant move. If he hadn't been ruthless enough to borrow from loan sharks at the last moment, he never could have weathered the pressure from that Black Flame Blacksmith. Thank heavens the Black Flame Blacksmith had crumbled first, leaving him to claim the final prize.
Just as Yichui Maimai was basking in his triumph, the expressions on the faces of the many representatives at the negotiating table shifted all at once — shock and wild elation breaking across every one of them.
"Brother Yichui Maimai, I'm truly sorry, but our guild has decided to withdraw from this round of competition. We'll leave it to the other guilds — we won't be participating. I have matters to attend to, so I'll be taking my leave," the Star River Federation's representative announced abruptly.
"This price is too high. Our guild can only pass as well. We'll just have to look forward to cooperating with you in the future."
…
In a matter of moments, every single guild representative had departed — and every one of them was in a tremendous hurry, as though desperate to sprint somewhere immediately, unwilling to waste even a second more.
"What's the meaning of this? We're not negotiating anymore? Don't come crawling back to me later. I'm a Blacksmith who can forge Bronze Equipment! When you come begging, I won't come," Yichui Maimai gaped in disbelief, unable to comprehend what had just happened. It was as though they'd all reached the same conclusion behind his back. Then he slammed the table and roared, "Forge Bronze Equipment isn't impressive enough for you? The Auction House is selling Bronze Equipment design sheets right now! With design sheets, we can train our own — no need to pay five million!" one representative shot back, glancing coldly at Yichui Maimai before striding out of the Forging Room.
"What did you say? Say that again before you leave!" Yichui Maimai shot to his feet, certain he'd misheard.