Chapter 141: The Lich's Grand Hall

Killing Feng Wuxue and causing him to lose three levels brought a surge of satisfaction to Ye Chen. Since he had vowed to crush and dismantle the Spirit Fox Studio, it was only natural to start with their upper management, and Feng Wuxue was at the very top. Stripping him of three levels would undoubtedly deal a significant blow to Spirit Fox’s morale.

As for the secret of the Silver-tier set, Ye Chen was not worried about Feng Wuxue discovering it. At most, the man could only guess. Even if he did figure it out, he would surely keep it under wraps rather than shout it from the rooftops. Would the top Rogue of Lieshan City really go around telling everyone he had been one-shot by Ye Chen? Feng Wuxue couldn't afford that loss of face, and neither could Spirit Fox. They would only try their best to cover it up.

Kang Fu and Feng Wuxue had dropped four pieces of equipment in total. Feng Wuxue dropped two miscellaneous Bronze-tier items, while Kang Fu dropped a ring and an axe, both Silver-tier. Since Ye Chen was the one who had killed them both, he claimed all four pieces without hesitation, and Leng Yueshuang raised no objections.

After a quick glance at the stats, he saw that Feng Wuxue’s drops were standard Bronze equipment. However, the axe from Kang Fu was decent, with an 8% increase to physical critical hit rate—it would certainly fetch a good price. More importantly, the ring Kang Fu dropped possessed an incredibly powerful bonus skill called "Stone Demon Possession." The item itself was named the Stone Demon Ring, and it was the only piece among the four that caught Leng Yueshuang’s eye and made her covet it.

Ye Chen’s heart raced as he looked at the Stone Demon Ring; he knew he had struck gold. Kang Fu was probably weeping internally right now, as this ring was undoubtedly his greatest asset as the top tank of Storm City. Without the Stone Demon Possession skill, his status as the top tank would drop by several tiers.

Zhuifeng Shaonian had dropped a piece of rare equipment, but its stats were mediocre. Ye Chen no longer cared for gear of that quality, though it would still serve as decent pocket money.

Once the battlefield was cleared, Ye Chen drank potions to restore his mana while channeling the Ring of Undead Souls to summon the fallen. After another ten minutes, he had converted all the spirits in the hall into his own spectral thralls. Twenty-four elite-level monsters now stood behind him. The sheer power of that formation made even Leng Yueshuang gasp, thinking to herself that even if the top player of the Five Districts came, they would surely perish if surrounded by these twenty-four fierce spirits.

"Let’s go, to the third floor," Ye Chen said, placing ten soul crystals around the blood-red magic array. Leng Yueshuang followed him into the formation. With a flash of light, they arrived in another hall—one far grander and more luxurious than the last. Magic crystals were embedded in the walls, and the floor was made of solid gold. At the far end of the hall stood a high platform with a black crystal throne large enough for someone to recline upon. A grey, semi-translucent spiritual entity lay there.

[Lich Tris] (Semi-Spirit Grade)
Health: 1,000,000
Level: 40
Skill: Master of Dark Magic

Seeing the Lich’s stats, Leng Yueshuang’s expression changed drastically. She gasped, almost moaning, "How can it be this strong? How is this possible? A two-player quest shouldn't have such a powerful monster. Even with a full set of Golden gear and no Saint Priest, no one could withstand this. Is this an impossible quest?"

"There is no such thing as an impossible quest. Since this mission requires two people, there is naturally a way for two people to complete it," Ye Chen said calmly, glancing at the clearly shaken Leng Yueshuang. With the complete strategy for the Blood-Red Witch Palace, he had every reason to be confident.

Leng Yueshuang’s eyes brightened. Recalling Ye Chen’s performance along the way, it was clear that her teammate had profound knowledge of this map. She couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "You have a way?"

Ye Chen nodded. "I do, but it requires your cooperation, and I want all the equipment the Lich drops."

"All the equipment?!" Leng Yueshuang’s expression shifted slightly. This was a Semi-Spirit grade creature. If they could actually kill it, it might drop something unimaginable. Even if it didn't drop Spirit-tier items, Golden-tier equipment was guaranteed. Golden gear—even she, the top Rogue of Tunyun City and a top-ten player in the Five Districts, only possessed one such item. This was a massive prize.

"Don't think you’re losing out. To put it bluntly, you're just tagging along. If this quest didn't require two people, I wouldn't have grouped with you at all. Completing this task and gaining two rare skills is already a huge win for you," Ye Chen said calmly.

"Don't you still need my cooperation? Besides, you said it yourself, this task requires two people. Since that's the case, I demand a share," Leng Yueshuang argued.

"Your cooperation is merely luring monsters. Are you not satisfied with getting two rare skills? You must understand, without my guide, you wouldn't get anything at all. If you don't agree, I’d rather give up!" Ye Chen stared intensely at her; he didn't believe she would be willing to walk away from two rare skills.

"You..." Leng Yueshuang choked. She wasn't sure if Ye Chen would truly walk away from the rare skills, but she certainly wasn't willing to. Being held hostage by her own desire was frustrating. She bit her lip and said firmly, "If the Lich drops Rogue equipment, I can pay to buy it from you. You must sell it to me. If not, then I’d rather give up too!"

"No problem, but first, you must transfer the party leadership to me." Ye Chen was no fool. If he weren't the leader, she could just grab the loot and run. Only the party leader held the authority to distribute equipment.

"I can set the loot mode to party distribution," Leng Yueshuang suggested, still uneasy.

"I want the leadership," Ye Chen insisted. Ever since his fragmented memories had awakened, he preferred to keep the initiative. He did not like leaving his fate in others' hands.

"Fine. I hope you won't break your word." Leng Yueshuang stared at him for a moment and sighed, transferring the leadership. She didn't like leaving her fate in someone else's hands either, but the situation forced her hand. Deep down, she held no grudge; if the roles were reversed and she possessed the guide, she would likely be even more demanding. She had initially chosen Ye Chen because he seemed like the biggest novice, thinking he would be easy to control. She never expected the roles to reverse so completely. Sometimes, the turns of fate were truly ironic.

"I have no reason to break my word. If Rogue gear drops, you can buy any quality you want. I won't turn away money." With the initiative secured, a smile appeared on Ye Chen’s face. He truly had no need to lie. If the Lich dropped high-quality Rogue gear—Golden, Dark Gold, or even Spirit-tier—he would sell it anyway. If the value were that high, he wouldn't be able to keep it, and the Rogues in his own studio wouldn't dare to accept it either.

"That's good. The price won't leave you at a loss." Leng Yueshuang sounded confident; it seemed she was another player who wasn't short on money.

Ye Chen nodded. "Then let's get started."

"You have the guide, so you tell me what to do. I’ll follow your lead," Leng Yueshuang said.

Ye Chen nodded but didn't look at her. His attention was fully focused on Lich Tris, who had opened his eyes and was staring coldly at them.

"Foolish mortals. Was it those idiots from the Professional Guild who sent you? Ha! Let me see... a low-level Shadow Priest who hasn't even had his second awakening, and a barely capable little Rogue. Do you really think the two of you can challenge the great Tris? You disappoint me; I expected two familiar old farts. Since that is the case, let my little darlings send you to meet the great God of Liches! Heh heh, once you die, I will turn your corpses into new undead warriors. Scream in terror!"

The Lich Tris on the black crystal throne shrieked and extended his right hand. He gestured as if grabbing something and pulled upward, roaring, "Come forth, my little darlings!"

*Hum—*

The entire Witch Palace trembled. A massive, blood-red magic array appeared in the center of the hall. As the light from the array intensified, a swordsman wreathed in flames appeared in the center. The fire burned so intensely that his features were obscured.

[Guardian of the Sword Hall — Flame Sword Spirit] (Spirit Grade)
Health: ???
Level: ???
Skills: ???

"Heaven, a high-level Spirit-grade creature."

Looking at the Flame Sword Spirit’s stats, Leng Yueshuang couldn't help but gasp, her face turning pale. She was already level 40; the fact that she couldn't see the monster's stats meant it was at least 15 levels higher than her. A Spirit-grade creature at minimum level 55—how terrifying was that!?

She instinctively looked at Ye Chen, who claimed to have the guide, and was surprised to find that this Shadow Priest, who was even lower level than her, showed no fear. Instead, he looked excited—almost exhilarated.

"Ha! Hahaha! You’re scared, aren't you? Tremble, foolish mortals! Scream! Do you know why those old farts from the Professional Guild dared not trouble me even when they knew I was injured? It is because of this Sword Spirit! Though it is only a Spirit-grade creature, its sword techniques are divine. Even in my prime, I had to avoid its edge. With just the two of you? Ha! Go to your deaths!" Lich Tris looked exceptionally excited, shrieking and dancing about.

"But I won't let you die too quickly. I want to hear your screams of terror. Let my ghouls join in the fun. Tremble, mortals!" Lich Tris waved his hand again, and a group of monsters with massive fangs and rotted flesh crawled up from beneath the hall, gathering around the magic array.