Chapter 1 The Crook Plains

Crook Plains was a paradise for level 6 Prairie Lion Cubs, and few players at this stage would come here to level up and kill monsters.

Because the level here was high, and there were so many monsters, too concentrated, making them difficult to kill.

These Prairie Lion Cubs hunted in groups of three or five, sometimes accompanied by an adult elite-level Prairie Lion, making them very difficult to deal with.

But on this prairie, a six-person team was fighting a group of lions. A woman in sky-blue armor wielded a greatsword, fighting the elite-level Prairie Lion head-on. She could not only easily dodge the Prairie Lion's claws but also take the opportunity to attack its vital points. Her heroic bearing was captivating even to other women.

This woman was none other than the Ice Snow Goddess, Bai Qingxue, who had already reached level 5. She wore a set of level 4 Bronze equipment, the Azure Mark, and held a Profound Iron-grade Conqueror's Sword. Compared to before, her strength had improved too much.

In addition, a shield warrior was holding off four lion cubs without losing ground. The healer, Xiaoyue'er, chanted prayers, her small hands writing divine characters in the air, taking care of the shield warrior on one side and healing Bai Qingxue on the other, keeping both of their health points at a safe level.

The Scarlet Flame Witch, Zhao Yueru, was also wearing a level 4 Illusion Flame set. The large fireballs in her hand kept shooting out, and terrifying damage numbers popped up above the Prairie Lions' heads.

Before long, a group of lions led by an elite was wiped out.

Bai Qingxue picked up the Prairie Lion's loot and found it was a skill book. No equipment dropped. She looked at Xiaoyue'er and said, "Xiaoyue'er, it's your Holy Light Shield. Hurry up and learn it. After we rest, we'll look for the next Prairie Lion. We have to get a resurrection skill."

"That's great. With this skill, I won't have to be so nervous about healing," Xiaoyue'er said happily, taking the skill book.

Zhao Yueru, who was sitting down eating and drinking, suddenly asked curiously, "Qingxue, that One Hammer Deal has already gained a lot of fame. We should at least send someone to recruit him, right? Recruiting him would also increase the guild's popularity, and his forging skills are not bad. It would be bad if other guilds snatched him away."

"No need. Before long, level 3 Bronze equipment won't be worth much. He can only forge level 3 Bronze equipment. He doesn't have higher-level equipment designs. What's the use of us spending a lot of money to snatch him over now? It's just to earn a little money. And we don't know how long it will take for our guild to get high-level Bronze equipment designs. What's the use of him?" Bai Qingxue shook her head, not very interested in the person One Hammer Deal. Instead, she said, "I'm a little interested in that Black Flame Forger, especially this Black Flame Forger's actions. I can't see through his intentions."

"If he wanted to attract the attention of first-rate guilds and make a name for himself, he wouldn't have to hide his name at all. Many big guilds would definitely contact him. But he hid his name, making it impossible for people to contact him, which means he doesn't want people to know his identity. But he fought with One Hammer Deal, lowering equipment prices, making him famous again and entering our sights. But when he was at his hottest, he suddenly withdrew from the fight and faded out of our sight again."

"He continuously took out three different pieces of forged equipment. Being able to get so many Bronze equipment designs means he's very strong. But why did he suddenly withdraw? What is the Black Flame Forger's purpose? Or has he already achieved his goal, so he withdrew?"

"Until now, I don't know what that Black Flame Forger wants to do? Everything about him is mysterious."

"Qingxue, why don't I have someone investigate this forger? After hearing what you said, I want to know what kind of person he is."

After hearing Bai Qingxue's analysis, Zhao Yueru also suddenly understood and became interested in this Black Flame Forger. She also felt that this Black Flame Forger was not simple. She was very interested in the Black Flame Forger's identity. Just thinking about being able to reveal the Black Flame Forger's identity made her a little excited.

On the other side, in the intermediate forging room on the second floor of the Forging Association.

"Everyone, how have you all considered it?" One Hammer Deal crossed his legs, squinting his small eyes, and looking at the representatives of the first-rate guilds present, very leisurely.

However, the conditions offered by One Hammer Deal made these first-rate guilds silent.

The conditions One Hammer Deal offered were too harsh. Not to mention that all resources would be prioritized for him, but just a villa in the city where he was located, plus an annual salary of five million credit points, was too much for people to bear. This kind of treatment was probably only enjoyed by the guild leader and vice guild leader, and One Hammer Deal wanted to get the same treatment, wouldn't that mean he wanted to be on equal footing with the guild leader and vice guild leader?

"You have to think clearly. It wasn't easy for me to earn such a big reputation. As long as I enter your guild, popularity will soar immediately, surpassing other guilds. Plus, with my forging skills, you won't lack Bronze equipment. In addition, I can also earn a lot of money for the guild. The price I'm asking for isn't anything, right?" One Hammer Deal said with a smile, acting as if if you don't recruit me, others will, and you'll regret it then.

One Hammer Deal was certain that these first-rate guilds were desperate. Now, all the first-rate guilds wanted to be one step ahead of the other guilds, so there was a greater chance of taking down the city and controlling the wealth of a virtual city, which was definitely not something that could be compared to a mere five million and a villa. The price he was asking for was already low.

Looking at the faces of the representatives of the first-rate guilds, hesitating, but with a firm belief in recruiting him shining in their eyes, One Hammer Deal suddenly felt that taking out all his wealth to invest in this competition was really too wise. If he hadn't been ruthless and borrowed some money from loan sharks in the end, he probably wouldn't have been able to withstand the pressure from the Black Flame Forger. Fortunately, the Black Flame Forger died first, which allowed him to obtain the final fruits of victory.

Just when One Hammer Deal was feeling smug, the expressions of the many representatives on the negotiating table changed, and they all revealed shocked and ecstatic expressions.

"Brother One Hammer Deal, I'm really sorry, our guild plans to withdraw from this competition. Let's leave it to other guilds. Our guild won't participate. I have something to do, so I'll leave first," the representative of the Star River Federation suddenly said.

"This price is too high, our guild can only give up. We can only look forward to the next cooperation with you."

...

For a time, all the guild representatives left, and everyone was very anxious, wishing they could run to some place immediately, not wanting to waste any time.

"What do you mean? Are we not talking anymore? You'll regret it. I'm a forger who can forge Bronze equipment! When you beg me then, I won't go," One Hammer Deal was first dumbfounded, not understanding what was wrong with these people, as if they had all discussed it. Then, he slammed the table and said angrily.

"Is forging Bronze equipment so amazing? The auction house is selling Bronze equipment design drawings now. With the design drawings, we can train our own, and we don't need five million at all," one representative said, glancing at One Hammer Deal before leaving the forging room with a sneer.

"What did you say? Explain yourself before you leave!" One Hammer Deal heard this and stood up abruptly, thinking he had misheard.