The Mage’s Quest and a Calculated Risk

Lin Shenyue and Ye Jue journeyed into the forest, where a few sparse adventurers were also attempting to explore. However, encountering the fierce tigers proved fatal for most, as the majority were only Level 7, with a rare few at Level 8.

Players with less than 500 health would perish after just three attacks from a tiger. Given the beasts’ swiftness, escape was virtually impossible. After suffering significant losses, all but the most powerful teams retreated to hunt hornets instead.

As Lin Shenyue and Ye Jue prepared to delve deeper, they noticed a figure approaching them.

The man, clad in a mage’s robe, observed them for a moment before hesitantly asking, “Excuse me, could you possibly lend me a hand?”

Ye Jue, typically preferring to avoid unnecessary trouble, had been about to decline. Yet, seeing Lin Shenyue speak, he remained silent.

Lin Shenyue inquired, “What kind of assistance do you require? Tell us, and we’ll consider it.”

The man’s gaze lingered on Lin Shenyue, a flicker of admiration in his eyes, though he quickly composed himself. “My name is Shifting Winds and Clouds,” he began. “I’m a mage, and I’ve come to this forest for a quest that requires a specific herb. I was hoping you could help me acquire it.”

Ye Jue paused at the man’s name. Shifting Winds and Clouds was a renowned secondary profession player in the future, his name widely known despite his infrequent public appearances. Only a handful of individuals reached the pinnacle of secondary professions, often supported by major guilds after advancing their skills through immense effort in the later stages of the game.

Shifting Winds and Clouds had initially belonged to a smaller guild before being poached by the Heaven Guild. While the exact circumstances remained unclear, rumors suggested less than honorable methods were employed. As a blacksmith, Shifting Winds and Clouds was famous for his crafted weapons, even rumored to have forged a legendary-tier item.

After a moment of contemplation, Ye Jue glanced at Lin Shenyue, who had turned to gauge his thoughts. He finally agreed, “Very well. What do you need?”

Shifting Winds and Clouds eagerly replied, “It’s a small, purplish-red flower called Purple Yan Flower.”

Ye Jue frowned slightly, unfamiliar with the herb. “Do you know its location?” he asked.

Shifting Winds and Clouds shook his head. “I don’t know the exact spot, but the person who gave me the quest said it’s guarded by an elite monster.”

Upon hearing this, Ye Jue recalled the two elite tigers guarding the entrance to the Tiger King’s cave. He surmised these must be the elite monsters Shifting Winds and Clouds spoke of. “I know where those elite monsters are,” Ye Jue said, his brow still furrowed. “However, it’s a bit troublesome. We’ll need to clear another group of monsters first, or they’ll likely interfere.”

Shifting Winds and Clouds accepted this without suspicion. “Are those monsters difficult to deal with?”

Lin Shenyue responded, “They’re not easy, possibly even quite challenging. However, we were planning to take them on anyway, so you can wait a little while.”

Shifting Winds and Clouds nodded. “I appreciate your trouble. I’ll wait here for you. Shall we add each other as friends first?”

Lin Shenyue tilted her head, looking at Ye Jue and gesturing for him to add the friend. Ye Jue nodded, sending a friend request to Shifting Winds and Clouds.

After accepting and seeing Ye Jue was Level 8, Shifting Winds and Clouds chuckled. “I didn’t expect to run into such a formidable expert. I’d almost given up hope on this quest for now.”

Ye Jue waved a dismissive hand. “Hardly an expert, just leveled up a bit faster. We’ll go deal with those monsters now, but it might take some time. You should probably find something else to do in the meantime.”

Shifting Winds and Clouds acknowledged this with a nod. He bid farewell to Lin Shenyue and departed.

Lin Shenyue followed Ye Jue deeper into the forest. Along the way, she couldn’t help but ask, “You seemed reluctant to help him at first. Why did you change your mind?”

Ye Jue scanned the surrounding trees as he replied, “I sensed he was a person with potential.”

Lin Shenyue found this perplexing. If he possessed potential, why hadn’t Ye Jue sensed it immediately, only to realize it after hearing his name? She felt a vague intuition, a fleeting grasp of something significant, but it eluded her.

Sensing her inner turmoil, Ye Jue calmly stated, “I’ll tell you when the time is right, if you’re willing to trust me.”

Lin Shenyue ceased her pondering and simply hummed in agreement.

****

Without further conversation, Lin Shenyue and Ye Jue arrived back at the front of the camp. Ye Jue observed the lazily standing figure, then mused, “It would be best to lure them out and defeat them one by one.”

Lin Shenyue nodded in agreement, then asked, perplexed, “How should we do that?”

Ye Jue looked at Lin Shenyue, who was tilting her head and gazing at him with curiosity. His expression momentarily softened once more. The unconscious display of her cute, playful side revealed a different Lin Shenyue to him. Typically, she maintained a cold demeanor, rarely showing other emotions to anyone.

Seeing Ye Jue lost in thought again, Lin Shenyue took a deep breath and stepped squarely on his foot.

Ye Jue felt the sharp pain and was about to cry out, but remembering they might be discovered, he forcibly swallowed his groan.

Ignoring Ye Jue’s mournful gaze, Lin Shenyue redirected her attention to the guard. Seeing his silent plea for sympathy ignored, Ye Jue also focused on the camp.

Ye Jue pondered for a moment, then picked up a stone and tossed it to the side.

The sudden sound in the silent forest caused the black-robed figure’s expression to turn serious. He looked towards the source of the noise.

A hoarse voice called from inside the building, “What happened?”

The black-robed figure respectfully replied, “I’m not sure, perhaps just a small animal.”

The voice from inside grew impatient. “Go check quickly. Make sure no one has snuck in.”

The black-robed figure swiftly assented and cautiously moved towards the sound.

Ye Jue made a ‘be quiet’ gesture, then picked up another small stone. He crept along the black-robed figure’s path, with Lin Shenyue quietly following behind him. Just as the black-robed figure, having found nothing, was about to return, Ye Jue threw the stone even further, successfully drawing the guard’s attention once more.

After repeating this three times, the black-robed figure was quite far from the camp. Ye Jue then charged out directly.

The black-robed figure was momentarily stunned upon seeing Ye Jue, then sneered, “So a little bug really did sneak in.” With that, he unleashed a black fireball that struck Ye Jue, dealing nearly 200 damage.

Lin Shenyue gasped slightly, quickly casting a Healing Spell on Ye Jue, which restored 96 health per second. Simultaneously, she cast a Scrutiny spell.

[Fallen Human (Elite): Level: 9. Health: 3000/3000. Magic Attack: 230-240.]

Lin Shenyue felt a surge of worry upon seeing this. This was merely a guard, yet its magic attack power exceeded 200. If a large number of such monsters emerged, they might be overwhelmed.

Ye Jue’s attacks dealt around 80 damage to the monster. Combined with Cleave, he instantly shaved off 200 of its health.

Despite the monster’s formidable attributes, it faced the equally potent duo of Lin Shenyue and Ye Jue, and thus, its health quickly dwindled.

When its health dropped below 500, the black-robed figure clearly panicked and attempted to flee. However, Lin Shenyue immediately cast a Healing Spell. Since the monster possessed a dark attribute, Lin Shenyue’s Healing Spell inflicted nearly 800 damage, instantly vanquishing it.

The monster yielded only some gold coins upon its death, nothing else. However, the experience gained was substantial—a full 1000 points. Compared to other monsters that gave around 100 experience, or even ordinary elite monsters that only provided 300-400, this was indeed a significant amount.

After defeating the monster, Ye Jue considered their options for a moment, eventually conceding with a hint of helplessness, “We don’t have much time to strategize. We’ll just have to adapt as we go and hope there aren’t too many black-robed figures.”

Lin Shenyue also found no better solution. The uncertainty of the situation was too great, so she simply nodded, following Ye Jue as they once again stealthily approached the camp.

[Cleave: The Warrior releases their rage, dealing 120% physical damage to a single enemy in front. If the Warrior’s rage is at maximum, it deals 150% physical damage. Rage Cost: 10 points. Cooldown: 5 seconds.]

[Sweep: The Warrior releases their rage, dealing 110% physical damage to enemies in a frontal fan-shaped area. Rage Cost: 20 points. Cooldown: 20 seconds.]

[Earthquake Strike: The character leaps high and descends with force, striking the ground. Deals 80% physical damage to enemies within a 3-meter radius and stuns them for 1 second. Rage Cost: 30 points. Cooldown: 30 seconds.]