Chapter 15: New Task

The leveling systems for players and NPCs are completely different.

NPCs have no such thing as leveling up by killing monsters; they can only painstakingly cultivate their techniques, accumulating bit by bit, to reach the next realm.

However, doing so is not without benefits; depending on individual aptitude, their strength may vary, but overall, each level they gain increases their attributes more than a player's.

Because players level up by killing monsters, the attributes at each tier are capped at the minimum requirement of their cultivation method.

Pick any NPC at random, even the worst aptitude; at the same level, a player's stats cannot exceed theirs, so they must rely on equipment and skills to make up the difference.

But none of this concerns Chen Shicheng.

With the boost of five attribute-increasing elixirs, his attributes are basically comparable to those of NPCs with better aptitude—not top-tier, but decent.

Plus, with a skill raised to the break-limit level using Merit Points, he can one-shot wild monsters that have only attributes and few skills.

Of course, this advantage will gradually diminish as his level rises, but as long as he keeps earning Merit Points, he will eventually surpass even the most talented NPCs in strength.

By then, he won't just be a small-fry killer—'Though, is the density of these wild monsters a bit too sparse?'

Recalling the scattered wild monsters he'd encountered along the way, Chen Shicheng was utterly baffled.

According to the maid, the density of wild monsters in the forest is astonishing, with varying levels, and a slight mistake by an NPC would almost certainly leave no bones left.

Yet in the three hours he'd walked, he'd only encountered about a dozen wild monsters, most of them low-level Soulless Mountain bandits; otherwise, he might not have gathered enough experience to level up.

Although he was advancing through the woods beside the official road, this differs greatly from what the maid said.

I don't get it; on this point about wild monsters, she shouldn't be lying to me, right?

Unable to figure out why, Chen Shicheng lifted his gaze to the hazy village with cooking smoke at the end of the official road, preparing to turn back toward the county seat.

However, upon catching a glimpse of his Tang Sword in his peripheral vision, he slightly furrowed his brows: 'This sword feels a bit light.'

It's not that he dislikes the sword; rather, after leveling up, his strength is now enough to lift about 900 catties at his limit, and swinging a hundred-catty grindstone for training is no problem.

But the Tang Sword given by the game weighs only a little over three catties at most.

Using it doesn't hinder him from exerting his strength, but it feels discordant, like wielding a paper napkin to cleave someone—physically and psychologically, there's a strange sense of disconnection.

Looks like I'll have to check out the weapon shop when I go back; maybe, like the clothing shop, they have some hidden treasures.

He casually put the Tang Sword back into his storage slot, and Chen Shicheng set off toward the county seat in the evening glow.

Rushing along, without fighting monsters, he eventually took about an hour and a half to make it back to the county seat before the city gates closed.

He didn't have time for his growling stomach or the La Tiao begging to be eaten; he immediately went to the blacksmith shop that was about to close and walked straight in.

'Master, I want to pick a handy weapon to go kill monsters; I don't know if you have anything good here.'

The blacksmith, already packing up, glanced at Chen Shicheng and said lightly, 'Feel free to look at whatever you want; this is all the weapons we have.'

As he spoke, a panel unfolded before Chen Shicheng. He examined the ordinary weapons listed, then asked expectantly, 'Besides these, do you have any hidden items like the clothing shop does, preferably a magic‑weapon‑grade sword?'

The blacksmith glanced at his plain cloud‑bat patterned outfit and his callus‑free palms, chuckled and shook his head: 'No, clothes can be sewn from demon‑beast pelts, but weapons can't be forged from flesh and blood.'

Bullshit!

Demonic cultivators, hear me out! Not to mention flesh and blood, they don't even spare souls! Chen Shicheng also knows that holding a county blacksmith to cultivator standards is a tall order, so he settles for second best: 'Then do you know where I can find a good weapon?'

'Can't find any.'

Chen Shicheng's words seemed to stir the blacksmith's sorrow; he sighed deeply and said in a low voice, 'Four hundred years ago, a huge ore vein was discovered in Bu Xian Shan; besides supplying the nation with iron ore, countless precious ores were unearthed.'

'Back then, our ancestors, with their peerless craftsmanship, forged many divine weapons—not just magic‑weapon grade, but even magic‑treasure grade existed—unfortunately.'

'Unfortunately what?' Hearing there was equipment above magic‑weapon grade, Chen Shicheng hurriedly asked.

'Unfortunately, with the passage of time and the vein's exhaustion, aside from iron ore, the other precious ores have vanished completely.' The blacksmith stared blankly at the furnace, 'If this continues, not only will magic weapons and treasures disappear, but even the ancestral craftsmanship may soon be lost.'

'I see,' Chen Shicheng said, momentarily disappointed, 'Is there really no other way?'

'Of course there is a way; if you can find the materials for forging, I can make you a custom weapon for free, with its grade determined by the ore you bring.'

'Can it be magic‑treasure grade?'

'Sure!'

【Discovered Quest: Legacy】

【Quest Description: The blacksmith of Huangchi County Town needs an ore that can bring out his ancestral craftsmanship, to continue his family's legacy.】

【Quest Reward: Free custom‑made weapon (grade depends on ore quality)】

【Accept Quest?】

No need to think—of course I accept! This quest isn't necessarily hard or easy; the important part is that there's no time limit and no penalty for failure, so it's basically a free opportunity to get a custom weapon.

Moreover, the blacksmith said there is an ore vein in Bu Xian Shan; although he thinks the precious ores capable of forging magic treasures have long vanished, Chen Shicheng, as a player, doesn't think so.

Since the quest has appeared, it definitely means there's something to be found in that vein.

Sometimes what NPCs can't do doesn't mean players can't!

Although he didn't buy the equipment he wanted, Chen Shicheng didn't come for nothing; aside from taking the quest, he also spent ten copper to maintain his Tang Sword.

Only when it grew dark did he leave the blacksmith shop with his La Tiao, heading to the inn in the county seat said to have the best reputation, following the spot he'd scouted earlier.

(End of Chapter)