Fa Biao De Wo Niu

Chapter 116 The Lame In塞莱斯

Chapter 1 Down the Cliff

Nie Yan came down from the cliff and started collecting his loot.

Five pieces of equipment dropped from the Boar Leader, all Silver-grade. There were pieces for Warriors, Thieves, and Holy Knights, but they all required level twenty. By the time Nie Yan reached level twenty, would Silver-grade equipment even catch his eye?

He tossed the equipment into his backpack and gathered all the coins the boars had dropped on the ground, making sure nothing was missed. After counting them, he found there were twelve silver coins, a considerable amount.

His main purpose for coming here was to level up. After using the Thunderfire spell, Nie Yan took off all the intelligence-boosting items and put his original equipment back on. He took out a Return Scroll and began casting it.

A white light flashed, and Nie Yan returned to the city. He glanced at the level rankings. The highest-level player was only level nine, barely keeping pace with Nie Yan.

Most players hadn't leveled up yet. Nie Yan wasn't in a rush to grind. It was time to get the other Chapter of Order.

Nie Yan received a message from Niao Bu Sheng Dan.

"Boss, I..."

"What's wrong?"

"I concocted all the herbs you gave me into potions. But..." Niao Bu Sheng Dan hesitated.

"How did it go?"

"I estimate...I can sell them back for three silver coins. I'm sorry, my success rate is too low." Niao Bu Sheng Dan said awkwardly. He knew that Nie Yan had given him items worth more than ten silver coins. Yet in less than a day, the potions he made could only be sold back for three silver coins. Even if Nie Yan was rich, he probably couldn't afford to keep him around.

"Go to the Apothecary Guild and wait for me at the entrance." Nie Yan said. Hearing Niao Bu Sheng Dan's reply, he gasped. This guy's skill success rate was far too low. Ten silver coins worth of materials, if given to an ordinary apothecary, wouldn't necessarily yield much profit, but they shouldn't lose money. How could Niao Bu Sheng Dan lose so much?

"Okay." Niao Bu Sheng Dan was anxious and even despairing. This time, Nie Yan would probably fire him.

At the entrance of the Apothecary Guild, Niao Bu Sheng Dan paced back and forth restlessly. He had already accepted his fate. He was definitely going to be kicked out by Nie Yan.

People came and went, players in various apothecary robes moving in and out. Most of them were still Apothecary Apprentices wearing Silver Moon Badges. Occasionally, he could see a Primary Apothecary wearing a Gold Moon Badge. Niao Bu Sheng Dan looked at them with envy.

That Gold Moon Badge represented their noble status. These apothecaries were well-respected in the guild because the potions they made were crucial to the guild.

As an Apothecary Apprentice in a guild, the guild would provide you with a large amount of herbs to practice your skills. There was basically no profit; you were simply acting as free labor for the guild. If you could level up your apothecary skills quickly, you would be set. The guild would give you considerable benefits to cultivate you, and the salary would be about the same as a white-collar worker in real life.

Once upon a time, Niao Bu Sheng Dan had also dreamed of becoming an apothecary affiliated with a guild, leisurely collecting his salary. But now, he no longer had such extravagant hopes.

Dark Ranger Guild was a famous old guild. Before Faith, they had moved between several games. After Faith launched, they had settled in. Although it wasn't a large guild, its cohesion was strong. Niao Bu Sheng Dan was specially recruited because he had a special apothecary skill, but he was kicked out in a few days. Why? Because his potion-making success rate was too low. With that kind of success rate, the Dark Ranger Guild didn't know how much they would lose trying to nurture Niao Bu Sheng Dan. Although the Dark Ranger Guild had a lot of money, it wasn't like it fell from the sky.

So many people had struck gold in the game, so why was he still a failure?

Niao Bu Sheng Dan felt inexplicably irritated. The money he had in real life was only enough to last him a few months. He had finally found a patron willing to nurture him, but he had messed it up. Logically, every Apothecary Apprentice should have a similar potion-making success rate. Why was his success rate so low?

Pacing restlessly, Niao Bu Sheng Dan looked up and saw Nie Yan walking in from the entrance of the Apothecary Guild.

"Boss." Niao Bu Sheng Dan didn't know what to say, feeling embarrassed.

"Let's talk inside. Did you rent a private laboratory?" Nie Yan asked. The Apothecary Guild had many private laboratories. Players could rent one for thirty copper coins a day, so they wouldn't be disturbed by outsiders while making potions. As for those who couldn't afford to rent a private laboratory, they could only make potions in the Apothecary Guild's main hall, where it was noisy and could easily affect the success rate.

"No, renting a private laboratory is too expensive..." Niao Bu Sheng Dan replied. He couldn't bear to spend so much money just to open a private laboratory.

Nie Yan walked towards the Apothecary Guild's counter. The counter was made of pine wood with wavy wood grain, simple and elegant. The NPC beauty in charge of apothecary affairs was named Solanya, wearing a light blue floral dress, with curved eyebrows, sapphire eyes, a high nose, and two strands of hair falling from her shoulders, adorned with rubies, full of rich Greenland style. Virtual technology perfectly interpreted the word perfection.

"Hello, what do you need?" Solanya asked, her voice as sweet as a nightingale.

Such beauty made people's hearts beat faster.

Nie Yan was already used to it and didn't think much of it, saying, "I need a private laboratory."

"What level do you need? Our private laboratories are divided into ordinary, exquisite, and deluxe. The rental fees are thirty copper coins a day, five silver coins a day, and sixty silver coins a day, respectively." Solanya said.

"I need an ordinary private laboratory." Nie Yan said. At the current level, this ordinary private laboratory was enough.

"Isn't that too wasteful?" Niao Bu Sheng Dan, following behind Nie Yan, felt a tremor in his heart. Another thirty copper coins. He had spent so much of Nie Yan's money, but hadn't produced anything for Nie Yan, feeling very guilty.

"Just thirty copper coins." Nie Yan opened a private laboratory, paid thirty copper coins, and turned to Niao Bu Sheng Dan, saying, "Let's go."

Niao Bu Sheng Dan followed Nie Yan into the private laboratory.

Nie Yan glanced around the laboratory. The space wasn't very large, about 5x5 yards. With fewer materials in the early stages, this much space was more than enough to make potions. On the left side of the room were two cabinets filled with many potions, red, blue, and green liquids in delicate crystal bottles of various colors. Each crystal bottle had a white label with the item name and price. These potions were provided by the Apothecary Guild, but they weren't free to use. If you used these potions, they would be settled when you checked out of the laboratory.

In the center of the private laboratory was a rectangular workbench with various tools.

"When you're making potions, are you unable to concentrate?" Nie Yan glanced at Niao Bu Sheng Dan and asked.

Niao Bu Sheng Dan recalled the previous potion-making process. He had too many worries in real life, making him quite impetuous, so eager to achieve something that his restlessness affected his potion-making success rate, resulting in a success rate only about 30% of the average player.

"It seems so."

"Making potions requires first and foremost a calm mind, forgetting external things, and focusing all your attention. Only then can the success rate reach a normal level, which is about 60%. The remaining tools and equipment can increase the success rate to about 90%. From now on, abandon the distractions in your heart and focus on making potions. Try it again." Nie Yan said. There were still very few high-level apothecaries at the moment. These experiences were summarized by many apothecaries in his previous life. Nie Yan unceremoniously used them.

Nie Yan placed several sets of materials on the table.

"Okay." Niao Bu Sheng Dan nodded, picked up a set of materials, and began to process the herbs as Nie Yan had instructed.

Perhaps it was because Nie Yan was standing next to him, but Niao Bu Sheng Dan was a little nervous, and his movements were clumsy when processing the herbs.

Was this really the future Potion King? Nie Yan frowned. It didn't make sense. That Potion King was indeed named Niao Bu Sheng Dan. But then again, the Potion King wasn't born that way, but through hard work.

"You must be absolutely calm in everything you do, and don't be disturbed by external things. If you are as clumsy as you are now every time you make potions, get lost early and stop embarrassing yourself here." Nie Yan said mercilessly. He had given Niao Bu Sheng Dan a chance, and it was up to Niao Bu Sheng Dan to seize it. If it really didn't work, he would have no choice but to kick Niao Bu Sheng Dan out. Even if he had more money, he didn't need to support a useless apothecary.

Hearing Nie Yan's reprimand, Niao Bu Sheng Dan's heart felt like it was pricked by needles. Did Nie Yan have any reason to unconditionally support his potion-making? No! If he really didn't work out, he had no doubt that Nie Yan would kick him out like the Dark Ranger Guild did. Even if Nie Yan didn't kick him out, he wouldn't have the face to stay. He had finally gotten such an opportunity, and he didn't want to give it up!

Niao Bu Sheng Dan took a deep breath, slowly calmed his mind, and focused all his attention on the potion bottle in his hand, watching the potion inside the porcelain bottle shake, displaying a riot of colors. Then, those colors dimmed.

System: Potion creation failed.

Still not working. Niao Bu Sheng Dan didn't look up at Nie Yan. There were more than a dozen sets of materials placed on the workbench, a little dazzling in the blur. He had more than ten chances. If he didn't improve the success rate of potion-making and stayed the same, he would have to leave after using up these dozen sets of materials.

If I still fail, then I may not be suitable to be an apothecary. Maybe I should delete my account and reroll a combat class.

Niao Bu Sheng Dan thought, feeling determined.

"Hold the neck of the crystal bottle and rotate it at a uniform speed! Don't use too much force..." Nie Yan had never been an apothecary and could only guide Niao Bu Sheng Dan based on things he had heard.

Niao Bu Sheng Dan understood that this was his last chance and began to concentrate on making potions, shaking the potion bottle in his hand, completely forgetting himself.

System: You have created a bottle of Low-Grade Paralysis Relief Potion.

Success! Niao Bu Sheng Dan's heart trembled. He exhaled a breath of stale air, and his mood was much lighter, continuing to make potions.

Niao Bu Sheng Dan seemed to have completely forgotten that Nie Yan was by his side, staring intently at the potion bottle in front of him, completing one step after another. This focused expression made Nie Yan's heart stir. At this moment, he confirmed that the person in front of him was undoubtedly the future Potion King.

One bottle of potion after another was made by Niao Bu Sheng Dan. The failure rate was about 50%. Although the success rate was only slightly lower than other players, it was a huge improvement for him.

He seemed to have found the trick to making potions in an instant.

Niao Bu Sheng Dan had realized it, and becoming the Potion King was only a matter of time. Nie Yan quietly withdrew, and Niao Bu Sheng Dan didn't even notice.

Niao Bu Sheng Dan turned all the dozen sets of herbs into potions, successfully making a total of five bottles. This success rate made him ecstatic. When he turned around to look for Nie Yan, Nie Yan had already left.

"Boss, I successfully made five bottles." Niao Bu Sheng Dan said ecstatically, wanting to pour out his emotions all at once. He had failed too many times, almost despairing, and now, he seemed to see the light of dawn.

"Not bad, I know. The success rate is less than 50%, still far from enough. Keep making potions." Nie Yan said. In fact, regardless of the profession, as long as you find the knack, the rest is just a matter of personal effort and talent.

"Yes, I understand." Niao Bu Sheng Dan said happily. This success rate was beyond his imagination. In the past, he could only succeed once or twice out of eleven times. As long as Nie Yan didn't kick him out, he would still have time to slowly improve his potion-making success rate.

"I'll go to the auction house to buy some materials and mail them to you. Hurry up and become a Primary Apothecary. Don't sell the finished potions, keep them for now. I plan to open a potion shop, and you'll be the manager." Nie Yan said. He had so much land, upgrading one or two shops was definitely not a problem. Those plots of land were relatively remote, so upgrading the shop would be relatively cheap. He estimated it would cost two or three gold coins to upgrade a level 1 shop. If he waited until the prosperous area of the city center shifted there, it would cost even more to upgrade the shop. Nie Yan's first goal was to upgrade a potion shop.

"Shop manager? Me?" Niao Bu Sheng Dan asked excitedly. He also longed to have his own shop, but he didn't have that much money at all, so he could only think about it. Being the manager of a potion shop, the daily income must be quite high.

"Work hard, I won't mistreat my own people."

"Yes, I will definitely work hard." Niao Bu Sheng Dan couldn't describe his current mood. He was about to give up before, but unexpectedly finally found the feeling. He felt like he had finally seen the light after waiting for the clouds to clear, and the future was bright. Niao Bu Sheng Dan took a deep breath, so excited that he couldn't control himself. His hand shook, and the potion in his hand failed again. Misery follows extreme happiness. "Damn!"

Nie Yan pondered for a moment. Since he had decided to upgrade the potion shop, there was no rush to sell the Black Phenol potions. Using the Black Phenol potions to increase the popularity of the potion shop would also be good.

How much popularity would selling a large number of Black Phenol potions that were in high demand on the market bring to his potion shop?

Nie Yan had a plan in mind. He went to the auction house in the city center and bought almost ten silver coins worth of materials, mailing them to Niao Bu Sheng Dan to let Niao Bu Sheng Dan concentrate on making potions. He also sold some Black Phenol potion materials and Black Phenol potions, raising three gold coins, and then headed east of the city, where the plots of land he bought were located.

At this time, the eastern part of Carol City was still a slum, with all kinds of NPCs in tattered clothes passing through the streets and alleys. The dilapidated houses built of trees on both sides of the street swayed in the wind.

No one could have imagined that this poor slum would become the most prosperous commercial area of Carol City in the future.

All the prosperous areas nearby were firmly held in Nie Yan's hands. This would become Nie Yan's home base in the future. Cao Xu, who created a commercial myth here, get lost!

According to the future layout, the potion shop was best placed at the intersection. He selected the most suitable location from the 12 plots of land.

System: Do you want to upgrade the shop? This upgrade costs 2 gold coins.

Yes!

System: The shop has been successfully upgraded.

A building rose from the ground on the plot of land that Nie Yan had chosen. It was a one-story house made of white stone, exquisite and beautiful, with a counter and rows of shelves inside. Even the corners were carved with delicate decorative runes, full of rich Greenland atmosphere.

System: Do you want to hire shop assistants?

Nie Yan glanced at the list of available employees, a row of listed names with the employees' information, employment prices, and so on for reference.

Shop assistants could manage the shop on behalf of the players and sell items on consignment, but shop assistants could only sell items according to the prices set by the shop owner and had no autonomy. They only had low-level intelligence.

Kaladi: Gender, male, age 30, credibility 30, skill, quick run, employment price 20 silver coins/month.

Tesla: Gender, male, age 26, credibility 28, skill, strength amplification. Employment price 18 silver coins/month.

...

Nie Yan browsed through the lists, looking for suitable people. Their skills were all strange and varied, including agility, intelligence, and strength, and the employment prices were also different.

What was the name of the shop assistant hired by Century Potion Shop in his previous life? Nie Yan had a vague impression that he was a cripple, what was his name, Les?

Nie Yan continued to browse the list and found a slightly familiar name in the back.

Lame Incelles: Gender, male, age 56, credibility 37, skill, ??. Employment price 50 silver coins/month.

Nie Yan remembered, it was him! Although the price was a bit expensive, he hired him without hesitation.

An NPC shop assistant with an unknown skill and a limp, asking for 50 silver coins, was obviously strange. Century Potion Shop had always kept Lame Incelles a secret, but later, Incelles' skill was revealed. It was the rare Diplomacy skill, a skill that could smoothly communicate with all NPCs and create a favorable impression!

Fa Biao De Wo Niu