Chapter 182 Tributes from the Vassals
Deep in the Beifeng Mine, deep in the gloomy and dark cave lies a majestic underground palace.
This is the audience hall built by the little spiders of the Shadow Weaver clan for the Demon King.
While the little players from Earth were busy outside the Beifeng Mine, the children of Queen Arachnos were not idle either.
After spending tens of thousands of lives, they used their strong forelimbs and mouthparts to dig out this magnificent palace from the hard mountain.
What a remarkable sacrifice.
Luo Yan was very satisfied with this gift, and specially rewarded Mrs. Arachinos with twenty cows that had not survived the cold winter, allowing her to taste the beef.
I believe that this emotionally unstable lady will gradually lose her desire for human flesh after tasting the deliciousness of beef.
For Shadow Weaver's Nest, which has never been able to integrate into the new era, this can be considered a big improvement.
In addition, the reason why this palace can be built in such a grand manner is not entirely due to the efforts of Shadow Weaver's Lair, but also due to the contributions of the players.
Especially because among his players there are many model masters from other games, who provided a lot of useful suggestions to his number one mount and the chief contractor of the necropolis, Arakdo, during the construction.
Otherwise, with the taste of those little spiders, it would be absolutely impossible to build this palace to his liking.
The only fly in the ointment is that after staying here for a long time, Luo Yan always feels that everything here is full of déjà vu.
It wasn't until a player spilled the beans when meeting him that he suddenly realized that it was the same model in Azeroth.
Of course.
Different from the Lich King, his seat does not have a cooling function, and it is not so uncomfortable on the buttocks.
In terms of user experience, his little players are quite considerate.
Much more thoughtful than his behind-the-scenes planning.
The audience hall was quickly put into use as soon as it was completed. Luo Yan first summoned Sissy from the Nightmare Land, Zhuang Zhuang from the Iron Fang City, and Zelik from the Gonggong Clan to show off, and accepted the compliments and flattery from the "doglegs". Then he summoned the vassals from the lower levels of the maze one by one, and accepted the gifts they sent.
Especially the latter is the key point.
Among them, Grak of the Bloodblade clan paid him a ton of gold as tribute!
If all these gold coins were used to mint the gold coins of the Aussie Empire, a full 30,000 coins could be minted without water!
Considering that the empire itself also mixed copper into gold coins to cut the leeks of its vassals, it would not be a problem for him to be a little more conservative and make 100,000 coins!
After learning about Grak's generosity, Brancia of Impasse City was not to be outdone and donated the treasure in her treasure house——
A baby dragon skin!
This baby dragon's skin is about three meters long and wide. It can only be cut with tools made of diamonds. The soft armor made of it is said to be able to withstand platinum-level sword energy!
Considering the rarity of the dragon, this thing is much more valuable than gold. Luo Yan was so excited that he almost accepted the proposal of marriage from the pain demon.
It’s a loss, just a little bit worse.
In hell, the Pain Demon is a more "S" existence than the Terror Demon. If the latter only feeds on the fear of others, then the former simply enjoys the pleasure of torture.
In comparison, the little devil who likes to play pranks is like a pure white rabbit, and even the bad-tempered Goblin looks kind-hearted.
Luo Yan is not worried about what Brancia will do to him. He is purely thinking about the players in the necropolis and his court.
In short, after getting this dragon skin, Luo Yan immediately sent it to Iron Fang City and asked the mole man craftsmen there to build a close-fitting soft armor for him.
As for Ms. Brancia, the city lord of Desperate City, Luo Yan treated her to a dinner as enthusiastically as he entertained Gerak.
Throughout the banquet, the elegant lady looked at him with a resentful look. She didn't know whether she was regretting that she didn't get the chance to improve for Juji City, or she was feeling sorry for the cost of this dinner.
If he couldn't really find a suitable reason and was worried that "excessive taxation" would affect the loyalty of his vassals, Luo Yan would even want to treat them to dinner a few more times.
In addition to Grak and Brancia, "Shadow Demon General" Thanos and "Cold Iron Demon General" Vargul also sent congratulatory gifts to celebrate the completion of the Demon King's Palace's audience hall. As for the value of the gifts, they were about the same level as Grak.
Of course, Valgur did not visit in person.
After all, with that guy's size, if he wanted to squeeze into his palace, he would have to open a big hole under his audience hall.
And it’s too expensive to treat him to dinner.
As long as the gift arrives.
In addition to the gifts sent by the vassals, Luo Yan also unexpectedly received a gift from the Magic City.
One of them is from classmate Mia, and the other is from Vivian.
The former often exchanged letters with him because of his work.
After learning that Luo Yan finally owned a decent palace, she first expressed congratulations in her "unique and twisted way" in a recent letter sent to the necropolis, and then attached a congratulatory gift.
It was a blood-red scarf.
The scarf is probably made of twisted wool from the vampiric monster's down, and judging from the rough workmanship, it should be someone's personal masterpiece.
I don’t know whose instigation this is.
The scarf comes with an additional postcard with a signature written by Juan Xiu on it.
I heard that it’s snowing on the northeastern shore of the Whirlpool Sea. I hope this scarf can bring you the warmth of the Magic City. Of course, it doesn't matter if you don't like to throw it away. Anyway, I bought it casually from the grocery store on the roadside.
—Mia】
Luo Yan had no doubt that if he really lost this thing, someone would probably cry out.
Although this scarf is not a particularly expensive gift, it is appropriate for a classmate and a good friend, but it is full of thoughts.
Luo Yan actually doesn't care about the value of the gift. As long as it comes to his heart, he will happily accept a beetle.
Especially for Mia, who has helped him many times.
If she really gave him another expensive gift, he would have a headache on how to return the gift.
After all, she is different from the "rebellious thieves" in the lower levels of the labyrinth who turned back. She doesn't owe him anything, and he can't take advantage of her with peace of mind.
He can only shamelessly take advantage.
As for Vivian.
The little girl's behavior was still full of confusion.
Luo Yan never expected that she, who had nothing to do with the necropolis, would join in the fun, but he unexpectedly received a wand from her.
That is not an ordinary wand, but a masterpiece made by Genono Silverhand, a well-known goblin craftsman in the imperial capital, which is equivalent to a golden legend in the wand world!
The entire wand not only embodies the ingenuity and design of top craftsmen, the material is also made of priceless mithril, and the most critical inner core is a phoenix feather!
There is a small inscription printed on one side of the wand, and the name "Silver Thorn" is written on it in the oldest language in the world.
That is the name of the wand itself, and it is also the exclusive spell attached to the wand. It can be released instantly by just injecting magic power!
Luo Yan once saw the magic wand in the window, but gave up after counting the zeros on the label, but he did not expect to get it in this way.
It is no exaggeration to say that the value of this wand is even comparable to the dragon skin that Brancia paid him as tribute.
It's just that most of the value of the former is a premium.
To be honest, Luo Yan didn't want Vivian to spend so much money, especially since he could feel that she was doing this with a debt and compensation mentality.
He doesn't feel that there is anything pitiable about himself, nor does he feel that the kind of love that turns from extreme hatred is a healthy emotion.
Perhaps she needs her father's care more than herself.
Roxey Colin may owe more to his family than to his illegitimate son.
However, considering that Vivian's pocket money may be far beyond his imagination, Luo Yan finally accepted the gift silently and replaced the wand that had accompanied him throughout his school days.
What if this is just the living expenses she saved for a month through frugality?
Wouldn’t that make you look too pretentious?
Moreover, when he thought that it was the Colin family's money that was spent, Luo Yan instantly felt at ease and no longer felt the least bit embarrassed.
The completion of the audience hall and "taking the opportunity to squeeze the vassals" were just a small episode in the Demon King's daily life. During this period, Luo Yan was not always entertaining guests. He would occasionally handle the Demon King's work and study how to "create humans" with Gray Wind, the ancestor of the night elves.
Especially the latter, it can be said to be the focus of his work during this period.
It is no exaggeration to say that the progress of this research is directly related to the progress of the closed beta and the game experience of the players!
Although no effective progress has been made yet, Luo Yan has found a feasible idea.
That is grafting.
Speaking of which, this is also thanks to the professional players in his territory.
Seeing them cooperating with the night elves to play with the flowers and plants, Luo Yan suddenly had an idea, and then he grafted the plants from the planet Kaa onto the new shoots that Gray Wind had deployed on the fifth floor of the maze.
Of course, in order to prevent the pollution of Chaos, he specifically asked Gray Wind to take preventive measures, such as cutting off the energy supply to new branches and buds when danger occurs.
Fortunately, what he was most worried about did not happen. The "Kao Mushroom" transplanted to the fifth floor of the maze through grafting grew well. It neither became unable to survive nor showed any signs of out-of-control spread to other floors of the maze.
The entire experiment was conducted in an orderly manner.
In addition, Luo Yan also discovered an interesting thing.
Although those "Kaos mushrooms" come from planets corrupted by Chaos, they themselves do not contain the pollution of Chaos.
Not only do they not contain it, the spores they produce do not carry the corruption of Chaos either!
And this is what makes Luo Yan most incredible.
He originally thought that the corruption of Chaos had penetrated into the genetic level of the creatures on that planet, but found that things were not as hopeless as he thought.
Those creatures may have cruelty and killing factors in their genes, but chaos itself does not include them.
The latter is more like something that is integrated into the cultural bloodline and needs to be cultivated to be passed on, rather than something that is innate!
In other words——
They have the potential to be assimilated into civilized people!
After realizing this, Luo Yan immediately instructed Sano Blackhand to capture some Kaa people who had just been born in the mushroom forest, and kept them in captivity in a breeding farm near the outpost fortress for observation.
Orcs also have elements of cruelty and bloodthirsty in their genes, but this does not prevent the orcs from having their own culture and establishing a unique order suitable for themselves.
Considering the closeness of the two, Luo Yan wanted to try to assimilate them with the order of the orcs.
This matter can be carried out at the same time as the acolytes' preaching.
In addition to the "artificial human" project and the "transformation of the Kaor people" project, something worth mentioning happened recently to Luo Yan.
That is his capable subordinate Sarah, who finally returned from the front line of the planet Kaa.
After more than a month of experience and fighting side by side with the players, her strength has finally been successfully upgraded from bronze to stainless steel, and she has officially begun to sprint towards silver!
Luo Yan could clearly feel that after more than a month of hard work, her temperament had undergone earth-shaking changes. Not only had she become more calm and confident, but her clear eyes with a hint of stupidity were also a bit more fierce than a Maine Coon cat.
The audience hall of the Demon King's Palace.
Luo Yan, who was sitting on the throne, met Sarah, who had just returned from the teleportation array, and confirmed her attribute panel through Yuyou.
> Physique: 25
Strength: 30
Dexterity: 41
Intelligence: 15
Spirit: 15
"Not bad."
Looking at the data on the panel, Luo Yan nodded approvingly, with a relieved smile on his face.
Even by player standards, such data can be promoted to the T1 echelon.
However, Sarah’s growth trajectory is not comparable to that of players.
The latter is basically left alone, allowing them to explore and develop on their own.
And Sarah was cultivated by him personally - whether it was taking her to level up or guiding her in fighting skills.
Luo Yan's mood at this moment was probably like seeing his cat learn to do backflips and flashes. No gift could compare to this huge sense of accomplishment.
Seeing Lord Demon King's appreciative smile, Sarah couldn't help but reveal a smile of sincere joy on her face.
But not long after, the happy smile turned into a shy expression.
Seeing that she was hesitant to speak, Luo Yan spoke.
...But I didn't prepare anything."
Hum actually before she came back, she had thought about preparing a gift for Lord Demon King, but unfortunately, the Kao planet was too desolate, with only sand and corpses.
She can't pick up a few corpses and send them to the devil.
Even a necromancer would not like receiving such a gift.
While speaking, Sarah secretly glanced at the Demon King sitting on the throne, but accidentally caught her eye and quickly ran away with a blushing face.
Looking at Sarah's troubled look, Luo Yan laughed out loud.
"Arakdo, this talkative guy... you don't need to take what that stupid spider says to heart, he just wants to show off his presence to you. In addition, it is the vassal's duty to pay tribute to the lord. It is not the obligation of a retainer. Speaking of which, I should reward you."
When Sarah heard the word retainer, she was stunned for a moment, and then a hint of emotion flashed in her bright eyes.
"Then why are you so embarrassed——"
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. I've received a lot of gifts recently, and I feel uncomfortable if I don't give them out."
Looking at Sarah who was embarrassed, Luo Yan snapped his fingers.
Immediately afterwards, an acolyte from the palace guard clan in a robe came forward respectfully, holding a dark purple dagger in both hands and handed it to her.
It was a dagger with a unique shape, like a purple crescent moon. The end of the handle was inlaid with a polished tooth of a monster.
Looking at this special gift, Sarah's face suddenly showed an expression of surprise.
After receiving the Demon King's permission, she couldn't wait to pick it up, holding it in her hands and waving it in different positions.
"So light!"
After just a few tries, Sarah immediately felt the difference of this dagger, and a look of surprise instantly appeared in her bright eyes.
"Not only is it light, it is also sharper than ordinary steel. The teeth of the frost wolf and the inscriptions on the necropolis give it unparalleled penetrating power and the extraordinary power to release cold poison."
Looking at Sarah with a happy face, Luo Yan smiled knowingly and continued.
"How is it, do you like it?"
Haired with joy, Sarah put the dagger in her waist, nodded slightly and said respectfully.
"I like all your rewards."
"I'm very happy that you think so," Luo Yan nodded and continued, "From today on, you will continue to be my guard."
"In addition, the security inside and outside the Demon King's palace is also entrusted to you."
With Sarah’s keen sense of smell and instinct for danger, he believed she was qualified for the job.
Seeing that Lord Demon King trusted her so much, the expression on Sarah's face was slightly moved, and she nodded respectfully.
If anyone try to hurt you, unless they step over my body. Luo Yan smiled and nodded. When he was about to say something, there were footsteps outside the audience hall, and an acolyte knelt down on one knee and reported.
"Dear Lord Demon King, your servant, Father Matt, asked to see you. He said he had something important to report to you... In addition, he asked me to forward this letter to you."
Luo Yan raised his eyebrows slightly, tapped the wand in his sleeve, and the letter held in the acolyte's hand floated on the spot, flying into his hand like a paper airplane.
He opened the envelope and took a look. Unsurprisingly, it was Charles's handwriting, and the content inside did not surprise him.
As early as a month ago, he heard from Sheriff Adlai that Princess Irene Campbell was coming to Thunder County.
If it was just because of this matter, there was no need for Father Matt to come here in person.
Obviously he has other things to report.
Luo Yan put the letter aside, motioned Sarah to stand next to him, then looked at the acolyte kneeling at the door and gave instructions.
"Let him in."
The acolyte nodded slightly and respectfully took the order.
Yes.