Murphy wasn’t clear about Ah Feng’s offline situation as a unique player, but he didn’t need to understand it, because within his actual jurisdiction, this lost soul from another realm was now safe.

Although only temporarily safe.

“I must pessimistically inform you that my previous inference about this soul was correct.”

The Corpse Mage Bella quickly completed his spiritual examination of the little player “Pants Stripping Demon”, explaining in his uncomfortable voice:

“This fellow’s soul was somehow lured out of his body, and he can no longer return to his shell through normal means, which means he must continue to exist in this dangerous world in his current fragile state as a spirit energy projection.

However, he understands nothing.

If he wants to survive, if you want him to survive, then he must start learning death knowledge from the Netherworld from me now.”

“So, you want to take an apprentice?”

Murphy asked with interest from the shadows:

“I thought you didn’t have such deep feelings for us.”

“I have no feelings for you, nor for the world of the living. I simply witnessed a modest miracle and don’t wish to see it dissipate before it has a chance to shine.”

Bella made no attempt to hide his disgust for the living, saying:

“Although I’ve never been to the source of all death mysteries, never personally witnessed that legendary Moon Holy City of eternal tranquility, I can be certain that this spirit would be considered extremely rare and uncommon even in the Sanghai Empire.

His very existence represents an elegant possibility of death essence interfering with the material world. Just symbolically speaking, this fellow is an invaluable test subject.

As for apprenticeship

How could a pitiful Corpse Mage like me be qualified to take apprentices?

But if your warriors can really snatch back that ghost grimoire from the flesh-ripper, then perhaps I could use it to complete the knight transformation of this spirit, thereby completing the mystery trials bestowed upon me by death, taking the first step toward becoming an immortal lich.

Ah, the legendary transformation ritual…”

At this point, Bella’s voice, filled with some kind of twisted desire, also became more moderate. He tapped his decaying bone staff on the ground and said:

“This is something that would do no harm to either of us, Lord Murphy. Perhaps we can cooperate! I mean start a real cooperation.

However, before that, I have a small question I need to ask you.”

His eyes burning with blue spirit fire stared at Murphy as she said:

“What exactly do you plan to do about little Adele’s future?”

“Why do you ask?”

Murphy said in surprise:

“Hasn’t Adele told you? I’ve already given her the source blood that can break the bloodline contract. The power of freedom is in her hands.

I’ve never interfered with her choices.”

“Ah, if that’s the truth, then the situation is even worse.”

Bella said regretfully:

“It seems what binds poor little Adele is not violence and intimidation, but her already changing heart. The poor child has inherited her mother’s sensitivity and impulsiveness in matters of emotion.

This is truly a tragedy. Mother and daughter stepped into the same river and stumbled on the same stone twice, but Mona’s impulsiveness ultimately won her the man who loved her most in the world. Whether fate will continue to favor her daughter remains unknown.”

At this point, Bella asked:

“So Lord Murphy, how do you view little Adele? I mean… well, I’m already dead, the rules of the living no longer bind me, so let me be more direct.

My little Adele may have come to see you as her life’s destination.

I know this is the damned bloodline contract working in the shadows, but her choice not to take the source blood already speaks volumes about this terrible situation. I don’t know how you view her.”

“I can only tell you that she is free.”

Murphy said softly:

“As for me… I already have someone in my heart.”

“Tragedy! An utter tragedy! Why doesn’t Mona’s child deserve a perfect ending? What makes her unworthy of such a gift?”

Bella rebuked:

“You are a vampire, Lord Murphy, you have no moral standards to speak of, nor do you need to be bound by foolish fidelity. If you’re willing, you can have many lovers.

I experienced these things somewhat when I was alive. Let me impart some experience to you as someone who’s been through it, young vampire.

Some men have small hearts, with little tenderness to give, not enough even when given entirely to one person.

But other men have big hearts, their tenderness is enough to make multiple companions feel warm and happy even when divided among many.”

“You, a henpecked Corpse Mage, dare lecture me?”

Murphy retorted ungraciously:

“Adele told me everything about you and Lady Bernice, Bella. When you were still alive, you were dominated by the forceful Lady Bernice in the Shadow Elf arena until you both died in battle. Adele says you had a good relationship, but from my perspective, Lady Bernice was always in control of that relationship.

You have the nerve to advise me to start a harem?

You’re already dead as a Corpse Mage, how is your heart still so wicked? Are you trying to get me to fulfill some regrettable pursuit from your life that you couldn’t achieve?”

“Cough cough cough, it was just a small suggestion about relationships. If you don’t wish to accept it, that’s your business. Please don’t speak to me so harshly.

This current situation isn’t my fault.”

The Corpse Mage quickly changed the subject when his old history was exposed. Pointing his withered finger upward, she said:

“Just a few hours ago I sensed an abnormal convergence of death energy. If I’m not mistaken, a true wielder of death power has emerged among your warriors.

How remarkable!

So you also possess secret texts that can grant others mastery over death?”

“You must be referring to the grimoire in Tris’s possession.”

Murphy waved his hand saying:

“It can allow beginners to become Tricksters or Coffin Bearers. There are already several Tricksters, and now it seems this unpleasantly named Coffin Bearer also has its inheritance. Just don’t know which lucky one received this power.

Nevermind them for now.

Let’s talk about this warrior.”

The vampire lord looked at Ah Feng lying on the stone platform and said to the Corpse Mage:

“I need to talk with him. How long until he wakes up?”

“You’d better let him rest longer in this place filled with Netherworld energy, it’s very helpful for his weakened spirit.”

Bella said softly:

“7 days, or longer. I need at least 7 days to stabilize and heal his spirit to ensure he won’t scatter at direct sunlight.

After this series of examinations and treatments, I will wake him.

Please wait patiently.

After all, time is so generous to you, just as it is utterly harsh to me.”

————————

“Damn! How is this Coffin Bearer job transfer so terrible?”

At this time in the camp at Crimson Citadel, in the student party’s camp, the new player “Honest Dog Egg” who had just entered the game was looking at his newly completed “Coffin Bearer” job transfer with despair.

From his appearance, he definitely went down the Spirit Mage path.

This guy was one of the rare players with the 【Spatial Perception】 talent, he could have become an excellent teleporter, and that was his plan when he was browsing the forums, but for some reason after making a confused trip to Tris he became a Coffin Bearer.

The Spirit Mage “seniors” Leading Pigeon and Invincible Tyrannosaurus Cheche next to him were also staring wide-eyed at their good brother.

The problem was that their Blood Inquisitor understanding of death spirit energy was probably not as good as the skeleton sticks in the Smuggler’s Woods, so they couldn’t give any good suggestions either.

Speaking of Honest Dog Egg…

This guy was a “legendary figure” among the student party. He, Cheche and Brother Pigeon were classmates who entered school together, but while others were almost ready for internships in their third year, Brother Dog Egg’s total attended classes in these three years didn’t exceed 10, and there were even embarrassing situations where he repeatedly skipped class until he made the attendance-taking teacher cry.

With such performance, passing exams or graduating smoothly was definitely unrealistic, but what made Brother Dog Egg legendary was that although he didn’t attend classes, he had a very clear plan for his future.

He wanted to be a mathematician

Well, that sounds a bit too formal. More precisely, Brother Dog Egg wanted to make mathematical research his life’s pleasure.

What about work?

Tch, he had already received an offer from some civilian scientific research organization while skipping classes in his sophomore year. He wasn’t the kind of genius like in Lumina’s little team, but Brother Dog Egg definitely had his own talents.

For example, among his three character specialties in the game, besides 【Spatial Perception】 which increased spatial spirit energy knowledge, he also had 【Photographic Memory】 and 【Artist】. No exaggeration, just these two talents were enough to ensure Dog Egg would never worry about food and clothing in the real world.

One can only say that heaven truly plays favorites, some people have to struggle to find ways to make a living, but others have heaven personally shoving food into their mouths with a spoon.

However, this legend of the student party was now very anxious.

Because he felt there was something wrong with this profession he had transferred to under Lady Tris’s suggestion or rather “enticement”. Coffin Bearer was an entry-level profession in the death spirit energy system, but the biggest problem with this profession was that it specialized in undead manipulation.

Therefore, the prerequisite for Dog Egg to practice skill proficiency was that he must find himself an undead servant.

But the next problem was that the only undead left near Crimson Citadel were the ghouls in the sewers, which were “high-level monsters” – sending the current Dog Egg up against them would just be suicide.

“Damn, this damn game really can’t reset points?”

Dog Egg desperately covered his face and screamed at Cheche and Brother Pigeon:

“Should I just suicide and restart?”

“What suicide nonsense!”

Brother Pigeon shouted:

“Even if you die you’ll have to wait 3 days to revive, okay? You’re really something else, told you to go to the young lady for Spirit Mage job transfer, how could you run to Lady Tris?

The two places are worlds apart.

You lurked in the forums for so long, don’t you know Lady Tris is a famous troublemaker of Crimson Citadel?”

“Ahem, I found her by accident.”

Dog Egg coughed awkwardly a few times, really too embarrassed to tell his brothers that he was attracted by Lady Tris’s “beauty”.

Can’t help it, the character model was just too bewitching.

“So what do we do now?”

Cheche had played with Brother Dog Egg for a while before, they often played ranked games together, and he was one of the closest to Dog Egg among the student party.

Now he was anxiously scratching his head and said:

“How about dropping the main profession first? Go get a sub-profession first, level up to pass the Black Iron trial and then catch a ghoul to slowly practice your skills?”

“That’s an idea too.”

Brother Pigeon nodded and said:

“How about going down the hunter path? Let me tell you, based on our current observations, the hunter profession is super strong in the early game, especially after Miaomiao Shark developed the hyena taming technique plus Chief Hog opened up the hyena pup reputation quest, hunters’ spring has arrived.

Now going out with 4-5 dogs is basically invincible in single combat, steamrolling everything.”

“But I don’t have any relevant specializations! Neither beast taming nor shooting, and I’ve never touched these things in real life.”

Dog Egg said with a worried face:

“And if I switch to hunter, wouldn’t my spatial perception talent be wasted? I was planning to become a first-class teleportation master in the game.”

“That’s true… Rather than being a mediocre hunter, it’s better to put effort into this main profession. The officials said there are no trash professions.”

The two students hesitated for a moment, had a private discussion, and Cheche said:

“How about asking Sister Lumina? She has lots of tricks up her sleeve, maybe she can find a path for Dog Egg.”

“Ask ask.”

Brother Pigeon waved his hand, then took out his spirit bag to give Dog Egg the Spirit Mage equipment he had used before to complete his outfitting.

Although the student party wasn’t very large in numbers, they were probably the most united group in the game right now, and very pure.

When other guilds had already started preparing for the Black Plague, only the student party paid no attention to this matter, because being all vampires meant they were constantly farming reputation with the Blood Vulture Clan and the other two vampire clans as well as the Blood Claw Gnolls.

They firmly believed that the main NPC Lord Murphy wouldn’t abandon them.

As for Murphy, the lord also enjoyed dealing with the student party. These guys were pure and passionate, very useful little players.

“Hey, don’t you know a lot of girls?”

In the tent, while helping Brother Dog Egg change equipment, Brother Pigeon quietly said:

“Why not invite some girls to join? It’s not much fun with just a bunch of guys teaming up.”

“Women are so annoying, no no.”

Dog Egg waved his hand impatiently and said:

“Once they gather in groups, there’s just so much drama.

Hot-blooded men gathering to play games has nothing to do with them, and you don’t know that I’ve even heard about your dorm’s gaming situation spreading around.

Want to know how those girls initially evaluated you guys, and how their attitudes changed after learning you made money?

Let me tell you, today’s students aren’t pure anymore, they’re just young so they dare to do and say anything, relying on good looks to think the whole world should make way for them.

Superficial!

Too superficial, I can’t be bothered to group with them.”

“Tsk tsk, the master of romance is indeed different.”

Brother Pigeon grinned and didn’t mention this matter anymore. A few minutes later, a happy-looking Cheche walked back into the tent, snapped his fingers and said to Dog Egg:

“Let’s go! We’re going to Smuggler’s Woods to find Hog. The Blood Claw Clan has a way to help you get an undead servant. Sister Lumina has arranged everything for us.

Just need to help Hog deal with some skeleton soldiers in the woods to exchange for assistance. She said Hog has secret methods that can bring you a completely obedient undead servant.

You won’t even need to use spirit energy techniques to subdue it, ready to use anytime, and there are even ‘high-end units’ like skeleton cavalry and skeleton mages for you to choose from.

Hey, you lucky dog.”

Cheche patted the confused Dog Egg’s shoulder and said:

“The undead servants Hog can provide have the 【Elite】 tag, high-grade stuff. Although not legendary, I estimate they have great potential for development!”

Meanwhile, in the Blood Claw Clan’s main camp, Chief Hog had just put down his computation bead. He had received a request from his “dog-headed advisor” Little Ashina to help one of Lord Murphy’s warriors obtain his own undead servant.

Hog knew why this matter fell to him.

The cunning small Gnoll chief grabbed the command scepter emanating a cold aura beside him, gave it a light wave, and a skeleton sword-and-shield soldier wearing armor covering its bone body came before him with a clattering sound.

Blue spirit fire danced in the black eye sockets of that ghastly white skull, waiting for orders from its “master”.

Hog had previously thought that getting the command scepter meant the Blood Claw Clan had additional elite forces at their disposal, over 200 elite skeleton soldiers would be enough to sweep through the entire Smuggler’s Woods and advance into the Foul Swamp.

But now, Hog discovered that this scepter could perhaps bring him more than just pure power…

“I can sell them!

If followers of death power have already appeared among Lord Murphy’s subordinates, it means such inheritance will take root in Crimson Citadel. People with similar needs will only increase, and in all of Transia, currently only I can provide them with obedient and useful undead servants!

This is the ‘location advantage’ that Lord Murphy has been emphasizing! Ah, I understand now, unique resources need to be properly utilized.”

The small Gnoll wagged his mangy tail and cackled:

“Those warriors thirsting for power will bring everything I need to pay for this. This skeleton army can bring more rich rewards for my clan.

Hmm, just having skeleton soldiers isn’t enough, I should capture more strange undead from the swamp to satisfy the warriors’ various odd pursuits.

Ha!

Best of all, such things are really abundant near Plague Town… I need to go ‘stock up’!

Yes!

That’s exactly what I should do.”