Chapter 53 (1/2)

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.