Chapter 183: The Vassals' Tributes

Deep in the Beifeng Mine, in the depths of the gloomy and dark cave, sat a towering underground palace.

This was the audience hall built by the little spiders of the Shadow-Weaving clan for the Demon King.

Just as the little players from Earth were busy outside the Beifeng Mine, the children of Queen Arachnos were not idle either.

After paying the price of tens of thousands of lives, they used their strong and powerful forelimbs and mouthparts to carve this magnificent and imposing palace out of the hard mountain.

What a remarkable sacrifice.

Luo Yan was very satisfied with this gift, specially rewarding Lady Arachnos with twenty cows that hadn't survived the winter, letting her taste the flavor of beef.

I believe that after tasting the deliciousness of beef, this emotionally unstable lady should gradually lose her craving for human flesh.

For the Shadow-Weaving Lair, which had always been unable to integrate into the new era, this could be considered a not-so-small progress.

In addition, the reason why this palace could be built so imposingly was not entirely due to the efforts of the Shadow-Weaving Lair, but also had a contribution from the players.

Especially since there were quite a few modelers from other games among his players, who provided many useful suggestions to his number one mount and chief foreman of the Necropolis, Arachdo, during construction.

Otherwise, given the taste of those little spiders, it would be absolutely impossible to build this palace so much to his liking.

The only flaw was that Luo Yan always had a feeling after staying here for a long time that this place was full of déjà vu everywhere.

It wasn't until a certain player let it slip while having an audience with him that he suddenly realized it was the same style as in Azeroth.

Of course.

Unlike the Lich King's, his seat didn't have a cooling function, and it wasn't that hard on the butt.

On the point of user experience, his little players were still quite thoughtful.

Much more thoughtful than him, the behind-the-scenes planner.

Once this audience hall was completed, it was soon put to use. Luo Yan first summoned Cici from the Nightmare Land, Zhuangzhuang from Iron Yacheng, and Zelik from the Palace-Guarding Clan to show off, accepting the flattery and bootlicking of a group of "lackeys," and then summoned the vassals of the lower labyrinth one by one, smilingly accepting the congratulatory gifts they sent.

Especially the latter was the key point.

Among them, Glack of the Blood Blade Clan contributed a ton of gold to him!

If all these gold coins were used to mint the gold coins of the Aosi Empire, without any adulteration, it would be enough to mint thirty thousand!

Considering that the Empire itself also adulterated copper in gold coins to harvest the leeks of its vassals, it wouldn't be a problem for him to be a bit conservative and mint one hundred thousand!

And upon learning of Glack's grand gesture, Branshia of Desperate City was not to be outdone, offering the treasures in her treasury—

A dragon skin of a young dragon!

This young dragon skin was about three meters long and wide, and only tools made of diamond could cut it. The soft armor made from it was said to be able to resist the sword energy of a Platinum-tier practitioner!

Considering the rarity of dragons, this thing was much more valuable than gold. Luo Yan was so overjoyed that he almost accepted the marriage proposal of this Pain Demon.

And it was fortunate that it was only "almost."

In Hell, Pain Demons were even more "S" than Fear Demons. If the latter only fed on the fear of others, then the former simply enjoyed the pleasure of torture.

By comparison, the little demons who liked pranks were like pure little white rabbits, and even the goblins full of bad water seemed kind and benevolent.

Luo Yan wasn't worried that Branshia would do anything to him, it was purely for the sake of the players in the Necropolis and his own court.

In short, after obtaining this dragon skin, Luo Yan immediately sent it to Iron Yacheng, letting the mole-man craftsmen there forge a piece of soft armor that fit him closely.

As for the City Lord of Desperate City, Lady Branshia, Luo Yan treated her the same way he treated Glack, warmly inviting her to a dinner.

During the entire banquet, that elegant noble lady looked at him with a resentful face, not knowing whether she was regretting not fighting for an opportunity for progress for Desperate City, or feeling sorry for the price of this dinner.

If it weren't for the fact that he really couldn't find a suitable reason, and was worried that "extortion" would affect the loyalty of the vassals, Luo Yan even wanted to invite them to dinner a few more times.

Besides Glack and Branshia, "Shadow Demon General" Thanos and "Cold Iron Demon General" Valgull also successively sent congratulatory gifts for the completion of the Demon King's audience hall. As for the value of the gifts, it was roughly on the same level as Glack's.

Of course, Valgull didn't visit in person.

After all, if that guy wanted to squeeze into his palace with his size, he would probably have to dig a big hole under his audience hall.

And it was too expensive to invite him to dinner.

It was enough that the gifts arrived.

Excluding the gifts sent by the vassals, Luo Yan also unexpectedly received gifts from the Demon Capital.

One of them was from classmate Mi Ya, and the other was from Vivian.

The former had frequent correspondence with him due to work.

Upon learning that Luo Yan finally possessed a decent palace, she first expressed her congratulations in her recent letter sent to the Necropolis in her own "unique and twisted way," and then attached a congratulatory gift.

That was a blood-red scarf.

The material of the scarf was probably yarn spun from the fluff of a blood-sucking demon beast, and judging from the rough craftsmanship, it should be a masterpiece of someone personally getting involved.

I don't know whose instigation this was.

An additional postcard was attached to the scarf, with a beautiful signature on it.

【I heard it snowed on the northeast coast of the Whirlpool Sea, I hope this scarf can bring you the warmth of the Demon Capital. Of course, it doesn't matter if you don't like it and throw it away, anyway, I bought it casually from a grocery store on the side of the road, hehehe.

——Mi Ya】

Luo Yan had no doubt that if he really lost this thing, someone would probably cry out loud.

Although this scarf wasn't a particularly valuable gift, it was quite appropriate for the identity of a classmate and friend, but the heart in it was full.

Luo Yan didn't actually care about the value of the gift, as long as the heart was there, he would gladly accept even a beetle.

Especially for Mi Ya, who had helped him many times.

If she really sent him another very valuable gift, he would have a headache about how to return the gift.

After all, she was different from those "rebels" in the lower labyrinth who had turned over a new leaf; she didn't owe him anything, and he couldn't take advantage of her with peace of mind.

He could only take advantage of her with a thick skin.

As for Vivian.

That little girl's behavior was still full of confusion.

Luo Yan didn't expect at all that she, who had nothing to do with the Necropolis, would join in the fun, but unexpectedly received a magic wand from her.

That wasn't an ordinary magic wand, but a masterpiece forged by the famous gnome craftsman of the Imperial Capital, Genuo Nuo Silverhand, equivalent to a golden legend in the magic wand world!

The entire magic wand not only condensed the ingenuity and design of top craftsmen, but the material was also cast from priceless mithril, and the most critical inner core was a phoenix feather!

A small inscription was printed on one side of the magic wand, written in the oldest language in the world with the name "Bai Yin Thorn."

That was the name of the magic wand itself, and also an exclusive spell attached to the magic wand, which could be released instantly just by injecting magic power!

Luo Yan had once seen that magic wand in a display case, but gave up after counting the zeros on the label, but didn't expect to get it in this way.

It was no exaggeration to say that the value of this magic wand could even rival the dragon skin that Branshia contributed to him.

It was just that most of the former's value was a premium.

To be honest, Luo Yan didn't want Vivian to spend so much, especially since he could feel that she was doing this with a mentality of indebtedness and compensation.

He didn't feel that he was pitiful, nor did he feel that the kind of love that turned from extreme hatred was a healthy emotion.

Perhaps compared to himself, she needed her father's love more.

Luo Ke Sai Prince Prince Kelin's indebtedness to his family might even outweigh his indebtedness to himself, this illegitimate son.

However, considering that Vivian's pocket money might far exceed his imagination, Luo Yan finally accepted the gift silently and replaced the magic wand that had accompanied him through his entire student days.

What if this was just her living expenses saved up by scrimping and saving for a month?

Wouldn't that make him look too pretentious.

Moreover, once he thought that it was the Prince Prince Kelin family's money being spent, Luo Yan immediately felt at ease, and didn't feel embarrassed at all.

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 time, Luo Yan wasn't always entertaining guests, occasionally dealing with the Demon King's work, and by the way, studying how to "create humans" with the ancestor of the Dark Elves, Gray Wind.

Especially the latter, it could be said to be the focus of his work during this period.

It was no exaggeration to say that the progress of this research was directly related to the progress of the closed beta and the players' gaming experience!

Although there had been no effective progress yet, Luo Yan had already found a feasible train of thought.

That was grafting.

Speaking of which, this was thanks to the life-profession players in his territory.

Seeing them cooperate with the Dark Elves to fiddle with those flowers and plants, Luo Yan suddenly had a flash of inspiration, and then grafted the plants brought over from the planet Kao onto the new sprouts deployed by Gray Wind on the fifth floor of the labyrinth.

Of course, to prevent Chaos pollution, he specifically instructed Gray Wind to take preventive measures, such as cutting off the energy supply to the new branches when risks occurred, etc.

However, fortunately, the situation he was most worried about didn't happen. The "Kao Mushrooms" transplanted to the fifth floor of the labyrinth through grafting grew well, neither appearing in a situation where they couldn't survive, nor showing signs of losing control and spreading to other floors of the labyrinth.

The entire experiment was proceeding in an orderly manner.

In addition, Luo Yan also discovered an interesting thing.

Although those "Kao Mushrooms" came from a planet corrupted by Chaos, they themselves did not contain Chaos pollution.

Not only did they not contain it, but the spores they produced also did not carry Chaos corruption!

And this was also the point that made Luo Yan feel most incredible.

He originally thought that Chaos corruption had already penetrated to the genetic level of the creatures on that planet, but found that things were not as desperate as he thought.

There might be brutal and murderous factors in the genes of those creatures, but Chaos itself was not included in them.

The latter was more like something fused into the cultural bloodline, which needed to be cultivated acquiredly to be inherited, rather than being born with it!

In other words—

They had the potential to be assimilated into civilized people!

Upon realizing this, Luo Yan immediately instructed Sano Blackhand to capture some Kao people who had just been born in the mushroom forest, and kept them in a breeding farm near the outpost fortress for observation.

There were also brutal and bloodthirsty factors in the genes of Orcs, but this didn't prevent Orcs from having their own culture and establishing a unique order suitable for themselves.

Considering the proximity of the two, Luo Yan wanted to try to assimilate them using the order of the Orcs.

This matter could be carried out simultaneously with the proselytizing of the acolytes.

Excluding the "artificial human" project and the "Kao people transformation" project, another thing worth mentioning had happened to Luo Yan recently.

That was his capable subordinate, Sarah, finally returning from the front line of the planet Kao.

After more than a month of training and fighting side-by-side with the players, her strength finally successfully upgraded from Bronze to Steel, and she officially began to sprint for Bai Yin!

Luo Yan could clearly feel that after more than a month of tempering, the temperament on her had undergone earth-shaking changes, not only becoming more steady and confident, but that pair of eyes that were clear with a hint of stupidity also had a few more points of the sharpness of a Maine Coon.

Audience hall of the Demon King's Palace.

Luo Yan, sitting on the throne, received Sarah who had just returned from the teleportation array, and confirmed her attribute panel through You You.

【

ID: Sarah

Race: Demon Human

Soul Level: Bai Yin (Level cap LV50)

Level: LV. 31 (Steel)

Constitution: 25

Strength: 30

Agility: 41

Intelligence: 15

Spirit: 15

】

"Not bad."

Looking at the data on the panel, Luo Yan nodded approvingly, and a look of gratification couldn't help but appear on his face.

Even by the standards of players, such data could be promoted to the ranks of the T1 echelon.

However, Sarah's growth trajectory was not comparable to that of players.

He basically let the latter roam free, letting them explore and develop on their own.

And Sarah was cultivated by him personally—whether it was taking her to level up or guiding her combat skills.

Luo Yan's mood at this moment was roughly like seeing the cat he raised learn a backflip plus flash; this huge sense of achievement couldn't be compared to any gift.

Seeing the appreciative smile of the Demon King, a smile of heartfelt joy couldn't help but appear on Sarah's face.

It was just that not long after, that joyful smile turned into a bashful expression.

Seeing her hesitation, Luo Yan said.

"Is there anything?"

"No, it's just..." Sarah hesitated for a moment, and finally said embarrassedly, "I heard Arachdo say that everyone gave you gifts... and I didn't prepare anything."

Actually, before coming back, she had thought about preparing a gift for the Demon King, but the problem was that the planet Kao was too desolate, with nothing but sand and corpses.

She couldn't just pick up a few corpses and send them to the Demon King.

Even if he was a necromancer, I believe he wouldn't like receiving such a gift.

While speaking, Sarah secretly glanced at the Demon King sitting on the throne, but accidentally met his gaze, and quickly ran away with a blushing face.

Watching Sarah's tangled appearance, Luo Yan laughed out loud.

"Arachdo, that big-mouthed guy... you don't need to take that stupid spider's words to heart, he just wants to show off his presence in front of you. In addition, paying tribute to the lord is the obligation of a vassal, not the obligation of a retainer. Speaking of which, it is I who should reward you."

Hearing the word "retainer," Sarah was stunned for a moment, and then a trace of moving light couldn't help but flicker in those bright eyes.

"How could that be—"

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about, I've received a bit too many gifts recently, and I feel uncomfortable if I don't send some out."

Watching the restless Sarah, Luo Yan snapped his fingers.

Immediately after, a Palace-Guarding clan acolyte wearing a robe respectfully stepped forward, holding a dark purple dagger with both hands and handing it to her.

That was a dagger with a unique shape, just like a purple crescent moon, with a polished beast tooth embedded at the end of the handle.

Looking at this special gift, a look of surprise appeared on Sarah's face.

After obtaining the Demon King's permission, she couldn't wait to pick it up, changing her forward and reverse grip and waving it in her hand.

"So light!"

Just by trying it a few times, Sarah immediately felt the uniqueness of this dagger, and a look of surprise instantly rose in those bright eyes.

"Not only is it light, but its sharpness far exceeds that of ordinary steel, and the teeth of the Frost Wolf and the Nether-script of the Necropolis have endowed it with unparalleled penetrating power and the extraordinary power of releasing cold poison."

Watching the joyful Sarah, Luo Yan asked knowingly and continued to smile.

"How is it, do you like it?"

With a joyful blush on her face, Sarah put the dagger on her waist, nodded slightly, and said respectfully.

"I like all your rewards."

"I am very happy that you think so," Luo Yan nodded and continued, "From today on, you will continue to serve as my guard."

"In addition, the safety inside and outside the Demon King's Palace is also handed over to you."

With Sarah's keen sense of smell and intuition for danger, he believed she was fully capable of this job.

Seeing the Demon King trust her so much, the expression on Sarah's face was also slightly moved, and she respectfully nodded and accepted the order.

"Please leave it to me with peace of mind... if anyone dares to try to hurt you, unless they step over my corpse."

Luo Yan nodded with a smile, and just as he was about to say something, footsteps came from outside the audience hall, and an acolyte knelt on one knee and reported.

"Respected Demon King, your servant Priest Ma Te requests an audience, he said he has important matters to report to you... in addition, he asked me to pass this letter to you."

Luo Yan raised his eyebrows slightly, the magic wand in his sleeve tapped lightly, and the letter held in the acolyte's hand floated up on the spot, flying into his hand like a paper airplane.

He opened the envelope and took a look, it was indeed Charles's handwriting, and the content inside didn't exceed his expectations.

As early as a month ago, he had heard from Sheriff Adlai that Princess Ailin Campbell was coming to Lei Ming County.

If it was just because of this, Priest Ma Te didn't need to come here in person.

Obviously, he had other things to report.

Luo Yan put the letter aside, signaled Sarah to stand in the position next to him, and then looked at the acolyte kneeling at the door and ordered.

"Let him in."

The acolyte nodded slightly and respectfully accepted the order.

"Yes." ===== CHAPTER 184 =====