Chapter 26: Forging Equipment

At the same time.

Players on the Pride server were also eager to get in on the action.

In order to secure resources from the ruins, players began forming parties left and right. Even Dao Shan — the self-proclaimed lone-wolf Rogue streamer — accepted a generous invitation from a guild and joined a team.

The forum was flooded with party recruitment posts and trade listings. Everyone wanted to grow as strong as possible within these three days.

"Truly a scene of vitality — all things striving to flourish..."

Xia Er was currently posting on the forum at a furious pace.

Among the items players had given him, many were things he couldn't use himself. This was the perfect opportunity to put up anonymous trade listings and sell them off, making a tidy profit from the coming war.

Pure profit!

"Still, the party recruitment posts up here are pretty run-of-the-mill. The real top players have probably already made arrangements in private — no need to bother with the forum."

After browsing through most of the posts, Xia Er closed the forum.

It was time to improve himself as well.

In terms of levels, since players were currently busy preparing for the ruins, there was no way to gain experience for now. He could only focus on his equipment.

He currently had four pieces of equipment equipped.

[Arcane Power Ring · Orange], [Lia's Necklace · Purple], [Uriel's Resentment · Purple], [Energy-Saving Robe · Blue], and a cloak that granted a small movement speed bonus.

Looking at his [Mage] stat panel, he still had two empty slots.

A pair of shoes, and a crown.

Setting aside the absurd bonus from the orange-quality Arcane Power Ring, the overall quality of Xia Er's current gear was actually not that impressive — he was mostly carrying himself on raw strength alone, and he didn't even have a single [Set] piece.

He'd have to pay the goblin blacksmith a visit.

Gathering his materials, Xia Er quickly made his way to the smithy.

The goblin blacksmith, who had been lazily slacking off, immediately stood up when he saw who had arrived. A flattering smile spread across his face. "Lord Xia Er, what brings you here this time?"

Xia Er said coolly, "You look pretty free."

"Good timing. I have something for you to do."

With that, Xia Er dumped all the materials he had accumulated over the past few days directly in front of the goblin.

"I need you to use these to forge two pieces of equipment for me — a pair of shoes and a crown. It has to be done within three days."

"As for the quality..."

"About the same as the staff I have in hand will do."

The goblin blacksmith: ……

Upon hearing those words, he fell completely silent.

Three days. Two pieces of equipment.

And they had to match the quality of Uriel's Resentment.

After finishing that piece, the goblin blacksmith had been flat on his back for half a day before he recovered — and now, before he'd even had a proper rest, another round of high-intensity work had arrived.

You're trying to kill me!

Noticing the faint resentment in the goblin's gaze, Xia Er frowned slightly. "What's this? You have a problem with that?"

The goblin blacksmith: ……

"To serve Lord Xia Er is my honor. How could I possibly say such a thing?"

Under the threat of Xia Er's overwhelming combat power, the goblin blacksmith submitted.

His life was definitely more important.

Satisfied, Xia Er gave a nod. "Last time I charged you a residency fee. This time, I won't."

"After deducting the Magic Crystals needed for the equipment, you can keep the rest for yourself. But if the quality falls short, it won't just be a matter of money."

"Understood!"

After this friendly exchange with the blacksmith, Xia Er went to find Avril and called a meeting.

After waiting a short while in the castle, all four lieutenants arrived.

This time, Xia Er didn't give Tienu a chance to speak. He went straight to the point. "Just now, the Witch of Pride's Priest came to the domain and told me something."

"In three days, an ancient ruin will open."

"To prevent players from obtaining the [Ancient Adventurer] Inheritance, the Priest will select five Domain Lords who meet the requirements to enter. I am one of them."

"Due to certain necessary circumstances, I did not consult with you beforehand and accepted on the spot."

With that, Xia Er lowered his head sincerely. "I apologize to all of you."

Seeing their lord so genuinely contrite, Tienu immediately couldn't hold himself together. "Lord Xia Er, why are you apologizing to us?"

"As subordinates, following our lord's orders is only natural — especially when you've treated us so well."

Tienu was deeply grateful for everything this Undead Domain Lord had done.

These past few days, he hadn't needed to do anything, yet resources and equipment had come to him freely. His strength had grown enormously.

All they had to do was defend a territory — how hard could that be?

The other lieutenants echoed his sentiments. Seeing this, Xia Er gave a nod.

Plan successful!

He had half-expected the lieutenants to object. He hadn't anticipated they'd be this loyal.

Clearing his throat with a couple of coughs, Xia Er said, "Things aren't as simple as they seem. This time, the adventurers we'll be facing are the very best — nothing like the ones who've been delivering supplies to us."

"We can't overpower them by brute force, but we can use the advantage of entering the ruins first to set things up in advance."

Avril seemed to understand. Her eyes lit up. "Lord Xia Er, you mean... since a direct fight won't work, we play dirty?"

Xia Er: ……

Did she have to put it so bluntly?!

After giving her a look that said "you're a quick learner," Xia Er nodded. "More or less."

"Edward, I need you to mass-produce a batch of potions — ones that inflict all sorts of debuffs. Make those adventurers feel absolutely miserable."

"Tienu, take this pouch of Magic Crystals and go purchase traps — iron spikes and the like. If you can hire a few trap specialists, even better."

"Avril, study how to set up a large-scale confusion array. Make good use of your skills as a Succubus."

"As for Little Ghost..."

Xia Er looked at the young vampire lady before him, who was half-asleep and barely keeping her eyes open as she waited for her orders. He let out a sigh and waved his hand. "Never mind, there's nothing for you."

"Go back to your coffin and lie down."

Little Ghost: ……

Seriously, Buddy.

Feeling slighted, Little Ghost was about to open her mouth to protest — but after thinking it over carefully...

Hmm...

It seemed like there really wasn't anything she could help with.

Might as well go back to sleep.

* * *

The Terminal City. The high tower.

The Priest stood at the foot of the stairs, head bowed, and slowly recounted everything that had happened during his outing.

After hearing the full account, Ilya couldn't help but furrow her brow. "Unexpected. This Undead Domain Lord is remarkably loyal."

Ever since the adventurers began their resistance, the border regions had fallen, and quite a few Domain Lords had written to her — all requesting that she release them from their Soul Contracts so they could relocate to the central regions.

Ilya had dismissed every one of those cowardly pleas without a second thought.

As the embodiment of Pride, one of the Seven Deadly Sins, she would not tolerate her Domain Lords being so afraid of death.

Now, after finally developing a rare appreciation for talent, this Undead Domain Lord had chosen to hold his ground and refused to come to the central regions.

"Since he wishes to remain in his domain, let him stay there."

Ilya's pride would not allow her to extend an invitation to the same person twice — even if it had been handled through a subordinate.

She tapped the armrest of her throne. "Regarding the ancient ruins — have you finalized the candidates?"

The Priest nodded. "Yes. All are capable lieutenants of Domain Lords from the central regions."

"Additionally..."

"I also gave the Undead Archmage one opportunity to enter the ruins. That was a personal decision on my part."

Ilya didn't seem to mind. "It's fine."

"Having held out in the border regions for this long, he must have some ability. There's no harm in letting him try."