Your Lord Has A Screw Loose?

On the sixth day, having stayed indoors for two days, Qin Muye came out with Demon Blood to fight monsters. Well, it wasn't exactly fighting, as long as he stayed put everything would be fine.

This time, he had brought out 10 Spirit Monsters specifically to protect Qin Muye.

These Spirit Monsters had enjoyed the attribute bonuses from Demon Blood.

3rd level Demon Blood, coupled with equipment, Attack Power 22, defensive power 18, a 10% attribute bonus granted the Spirit Monsters an additional 2 points of attack and 2 points of defense, enough to act as cannon fodder for Qin Muye should any danger arise.

Moreover, it wasn't just a 2-point increase in Attack Power, but also the enhancement from Demon Blood's intermediate offensive skill and basic tactical skill, with which they could take on a wave of any troops below elite level within the 1st rank.

However, there was no expectation for the Spirit Monsters to fight; leaving the task of monster killing to Demon Blood was sufficient, as a 3rd level Demon Blood was even more powerful than when at Champion Level.

Especially since last night, it had gained an additional skill; however, this skill was a bit peculiar. It wasn't like an offensive skill or tactical skill that could be shared with troops, but rather an active skill similar to magic.

[Blood Frenzy: Once activated, reduces Life Value by 1% every minute, increases Attack Power by 2%, lasts for 15 minutes, and the duration resets after Life Value reduction.]

This ability was that of a Blood Warrior, coupling well with Bloodbath, thus exchanging 1% of Life Value for 3% of Attack Power.

Qin Muye understood that the tricks within the Reclassification Certificates could also be turned into hero abilities. He could learn them himself, but he felt that an increase of 2%, even 200%, on 0 Attack Power would still be 0.

This skill was suited to Demon Blood's blood-consuming style. Later on, if he could find a piece of equipment that could heal, that would make fighting quite interesting.

So far, whether it was Bloodbath or Blood Frenzy, both involved trading health for increased attack, albeit with a limit. At most 300%, and if Demon Blood reached that, it would be dead.

Generally speaking, maintaining around 150% attack bonus would be best, leaving a 50% Life Value cushion.

Currently, Qin Muye hadn't activated it, as there was no enemy they couldn't defeat. To permanently activate it, they would need to find a treasure with healing properties.

However, such treasures were hard to come by. Most of the treasures obtained so far mainly increased Attack Power and defensive power, with those increasing Knowledge and Magic Value being relatively rare.

[A crushing victory, you've gained 82.5 experience.]

[You've scoured the area and obtained]

[...]

Demon Blood killed 10 gnolls, and since the experience was split between him and Demon Blood, he received 50 experience points and Demon Blood got 50 experience points. However, thanks to his intermediate Enlightenment and Learning Ability, he gained an additional 32.5 experience points. The resources were just some Basic Resources, with no Special Resources present.

The journey was quite dull overall; if it hadn't been for the requirement to level up the territory, he wouldn't have wanted to come out at all. It was almost like a spring outing.

"Lord, there seems to be a merchant caravan ahead," Demon Blood suddenly spoke.

Only then did Qin Muye perk up, looking intently into the distance. Indeed, there was a caravan. Yet, he was a bit perplexed, unsure if it was just a projection or an avatar similar to the Wisdom Tree.

"Let's make contact," Qin Muye said immediately.

Although approaching an indigenous caravan could be dangerous, it was an opportunity.

[You have encountered a merchant caravan.]

Following the prompt, Qin Muye saw the caravan come to a halt, seemingly aware of his arrival.

A dwarf squinted at Qin Muye and then hopped down from the wagon.

"Let's see, a Lord with the Gift, what do you need?" the dwarf asked immediately.

[Molik Copperbeard]

[Profession: ???]

[Talent: ???]

[Attribute: ???]

[Skill: ???]

[Magic: ???]

The Reconnaissance Skill revealed nothing but question marks to Qin Muye, apart from the name. He thought he needed to upgrade from the temporary Reconnaissance Skill to the official one soon, or else he wouldn't be able to inspect across ranks.

Obviously, this dwarf named Molik Copperbeard was stronger than him, having reached the 2nd tier.

"This is very rude, but since it's our first meeting, I will forgive your indiscretion," Molik said with a hint of dissatisfaction.

Qin Muye just smiled, "I apologize, it's my first time meeting a dwarf, and a hero at that."

Molik was able to use the Reconnaissance Skill to find out names, but the Wisdom Tree seemed like just a rock, completely unable to activate this skill.

"Alright, old Molik has other places to be. Damn these rules. See what you need, just be ready with Gold Coins," Molik's tone softened a bit, but not by much, yet it also revealed some insights about the natives' situation.

Like being bound by rules.

"Do you have the building blueprints for the Spirit Monster Workshop, related modification Knowledge, and Magic knowledge?" Qin Muye didn't bother to check the so-called caravan interface but asked directly.

This made Molik look a bit weird, but he replied directly, "Spirit Monster Workshop building blueprints, 1000 Gold Coins; Spirit Monster Factory building blueprints, 5000 Gold Coins, and I'll gift you a Spirit Monster Magic Energy Manual."

"There is also a set of Basic Illustrated Explanations for Elemental Mage apprentices, but that would cost 10000 Gold Coins. It includes all the basic Magic, which you call Earth, Fire, Water, Wind, all 1st tier Basic Magic."

"As for anything more advanced, you can't afford it."

Molik's tone carried a hint of anger, apparently irritated with Qin Muye for wasting his time.

"Okay, I'll take the blueprints for the Spirit Monster Workshop and Factory, and as for the Magic Manual, I really can't afford it. May I know when Lord Molik will be passing by here again?" Qin Muye went through with the transaction on the interface, paying out 6000 Gold Coins – he hadn't anticipated that the building blueprints would be so expensive.

There were actually many other building blueprints that tempted him, but he couldn't afford them. His Gold Coins were only enough to purchase these two blueprints.

[You have spent 6000 Gold Coins to purchase building blueprints: Spirit Monster Workshop, Spirit Monster Factory]

[You have received the advanced Spirit Monster Experiment Manual gifted by Molik Copperbeard]

[Advanced Spirit Monster Experiment Manual]

[Research requirements: Tier 2 Lordship, Magic Guild/Mage Tower or similar building]

[After use, you will gain Spirit Monster Magic research technology: Luck, Spirit Monster Spirit: Revitalization, Spirit Monster Physique: Magic Power]

"Next time? If you don't use these damned rules to hold me back, I'll probably be back in a month," Molik muttered, but still managed to give an honest reply.

"In that case, I look forward to the honor of Lord Molik's next visit," Qin Muye said as he stepped back and closed the shop interface.

"If you have a tavern or a market in your territory, I would be happy to trade with you. I hope you have it built by the time I return." Without another word, Molik left, feeling quite vexed.