Chapter 29: Are You Certain You Can Clear the Level Faster Than I Can?

The gear and skill books just retrieved were merely drops from two Silver-tier bosses. The real treasures were still resting quietly in his backpack. Su Mubai certainly wouldn't sell the Level 10 Dark Gold gear and that skill book dropped by Reggie; such items would only fetch their true value after leaving the新手 village. However, the few Level 5 Gold-tier items he had upgraded could definitely be sold to Wealthy World.

But Su Mubai’s goal was not merely gold coins.

"Since Brother Bai Ye is so straightforward, I won't beat around the bush. How much for everything? Name your price!"

Learning that any shortfall could be settled tomorrow, Wealthy World instantly regained his confidence.

"30 gold for the weapon, 40 for the plate armor, 20 per piece for the other gear, and 100 gold each for these four skill books. As for this one..." Su Mubai pulled out a single skill book and continued, "I’ll give you a discount: 500 gold."

"That expensive?" Even for someone as wealthy as Wealthy World, the quote was staggering. Logically, Level 5 Gold-tier gear and C-rank skill books would only fetch such high prices from him; other players simply couldn't afford them. Yet, this was a matter of supply and demand. They needed these items right now, so it wasn't a question of who was taking advantage of whom. Anyone who had played games understood that the sooner one acquired top-tier gear and skills, the greater the advantage. In a little while, Level 5 Gold-tier gear wouldn't even be worth giving away. Everyone had entered the game at the same time; there would be no new players coming later.

He could accept the other prices, but the last one was truly steep. 500 gold? And that was a "discount"? Was he really being treated like a sucker?

Wealthy World’s thoughts shifted instantly upon seeing the skill description:

[Resurrection]: (C) No level requirement, active skill. Can revive a target player out of combat and reduce death penalties by 50% (excluding lifespan). Casting range: 50 meters, cast time: 5 seconds, cooldown: 60 seconds, mana cost: 300. Requirement: Priest class.

It was Resurrection! Even if it couldn't be used in combat, it was still Resurrection. Was 500 gold expensive? It was a bargain! After level 5, leveling up became increasingly difficult, and dying meant losing a level. With Resurrection, the losses would be much smaller.

Cotton Candy’s eyes lit up at the sight of the skill. As a Priest, learning this would instantly elevate her status in the team.

Wealthy World waved his hand: "1080 gold in total, right? I'll take them all!" He initiated a trade with Su Mubai, placing 580 gold into the window. "Brother Bai Ye, I’ll pay 580 gold now, and the remaining 500 tomorrow. That’s fine, right?"

*Hum~*

A contract appeared between them. Su Mubai reviewed it and nodded slightly.

[System Notification: You have successfully signed a contract with player "Wealthy World." The other party promises to complete the remaining payment within 24 hours. Failure to comply will result in a 10% daily penalty fee on the contract amount until fulfilled.] (Penalty fees will be deducted directly from the player's backpack; the system charges a 50% processing fee.)

Once the trade was complete, Wealthy World began distributing the gear and books on the spot. He did this intentionally to show Su Mubai that joining his team would not be a loss.

Su Mubai looked at Wealthy World with interest. If he remembered correctly, the first effect of the "God of Wealth" talent was the ability to shake a money tree once a day to randomly obtain 1–999 gold coins. Was this guy so certain he’d shake out over 500 gold tomorrow? It must be the other two effects of the talent giving him that confidence.

Soon, the group received their suitable gear and skills, their excitement impossible to hide. Wealthy World turned to Su Mubai with his signature smile: "Thanks, Brother Bai Ye. With these, our chances of clearing the Nightmare-level Mist Forest are much higher."

"Oh? Is that so?" Su Mubai revealed a meaningful smile. "Are you sure you can clear it faster than me?"

???

This question made the smiles on the faces of Wealthy World and his team stiffen.

A second ago: *Hehe.*
A second later: *Not so hehe.*

How could they have forgotten this! Although Bai Ye had already taken the first clears for Hell and Disaster difficulties, he could easily take the first clear for Nightmare difficulty as well. What did they have to compete against him for the first clear?

Thinking of this, their expressions soured, feeling as if they’d been toyed with. The hot-tempered "Rising Difficulty" glared at Su Mubai, but before he could speak, Maple Leaf Xiaoxiao grabbed him and shook her head. Wealthy World recovered, staring straight at Su Mubai, and laughed dryly: "Brother Bai Ye, that joke isn't funny at all. Tell us your conditions."

Hooked!

Su Mubai had no intention of entering the Mist Forest again. He had already reached level 8, while the mobs and bosses in the Nightmare-level dungeon were only level 7. Not only would there be no level-gap bonus, but the experience gained would also be reduced by 50%. It was better to grind elsewhere than to waste time in that dungeon. However, he didn't want to give up the Primary Soul Stone rewarded for the first clear.

"The condition is simple: all the Primary Soul Stones from the first-clear reward go to me."

Maple Leaf Xiaoxiao was a player who had triggered a system announcement, so Su Mubai was certain they knew what a Soul Stone was. Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly realized what was going on. So, the Soul Stones were Bai Ye's true target.

For a moment, Wealthy World and the others were conflicted. To anyone other than Su Mubai, a Primary Soul Stone only added thirty days of lifespan. The oldest among them, Wealthy World, looked to be about forty. In the short term, their need for Soul Stones wasn't as urgent as Su Mubai's. But these were items that could increase one's lifespan! Although they wouldn't get the first-clear reward without agreeing, what point was there in taking the first clear if all the stones went to Su Mubai?

Su Mubai anticipated this. His gaze fell on Maple Leaf Xiaoxiao, and he suddenly asked: "How many Soul Stones did you get for the first kill of the Bronze-tier boss?"

Maple Leaf Xiaoxiao was slightly taken aback, not expecting the question, but she answered: "Two."

"Did you absorb them?"

"Not yet."

"I see..." Su Mubai’s eyes brightened. He stroked his chin and continued: "Let’s make another deal. I will guarantee that you can secure the first clear of the Nightmare-level Mist Forest, and you'll even have the strength to tackle the Hell-level difficulty. The condition is to add those two Soul Stones to the deal. How about it?"

Facing Su Mubai’s escalating demands, Wealthy World and Maple Leaf Xiaoxiao were not angry; instead, they spoke impatiently: "Deal!"

Because Su Mubai had once again taken out five pieces of gear.

Five pieces of Dark Gold-tier gear!