After lunch, Zhang Pingfan returned to the game.
Since the village expansion had only recently begun, its current state was not yet apparent.
As soon as he logged in, his foolishly cute disciple, Dou Youyou, came looking for him again.
"Master~"
The coy voice gave Zhang Pingfan goosebumps.
"What is it? Speak properly!"
"They all have missions, why don't I?"
Zhang Pingfan shook his head helplessly.
"Of course you have a mission. After all, you are my only disciple!"
Upon hearing Zhang Pingfan say this, Dou Youyou's expression changed faster than flipping a book. She immediately adopted a fawning demeanor.
"Master, what kind of mission is it? I'm so looking forward to it!"
[Ding! System prompt: The Village Chief has issued you a new mission. Please select players from Novice Village No. 88 as the main force to build a guard of Novice Village No. 88, with an initial target of 100 people. Upon completion, you will be rewarded with 10 free attribute points and a special appearance item!]
10 free attribute points were naturally good, but what was this special appearance item?
"Master, this special appearance item isn't by any chance in your preferred style again, is it?"
Having experienced the stockings last time, Dou Youyou couldn't help but think in that direction.
Zhang Pingfan's face darkened. Did he seem like that kind of person?
"Cut the crap. I really don't know what's inside. But you must do this mission well. You know this village belongs to me, your master. Make sure there's no one with ill intentions among the people you recruit, like those from major guilds. Don't bring them in!"
Dou Youyou nodded. This mission was not difficult for her, as the players in the novice village were all very willing to do things for Zhang Pingfan.
If they could become the guards of the novice village, it wouldn't be a bad thing for these players.
However, Zhang Pingfan added another condition.
"Remember, once they join the guard, they cannot join any other guilds. From now on, they are my people. There will be a one-month cooldown period for leaving the guard, during which they are prohibited from joining any guilds!"
"Ah, Master, your conditions are too harsh!"
Zhang Pingfan couldn't help it; these were the detailed mission prompts he had received.
If Dou Youyou went to recruit members, she would eventually receive these prompts as well. It was better to tell her in advance to avoid embarrassment.
"Ahem, if you want to join my team, shouldn't there be some strict conditions! Hurry up with this mission. After all, the village upgrade can only take up to a day! If you don't complete your mission within a day, then your mission will fail!"
The conditions were indeed harsh, just like when Dou Youyou first apprenticed herself to Zhang Pingfan. She could only apprentice herself once and could not learn from anyone else.
Of course, Zhang Pingfan was a bug in this regard. Everything here was decided by him.
After dismissing Dou Youyou, Zhang Pingfan went to the medicinal field being cultivated by Hei Huang.
After a few days, the seeds in the medicinal field had sprouted and taken shape.
Hei Huang, standing nearby, respectfully said to Zhang Pingfan as he approached.
"Master, as per your instructions, the medicinal seeds have been largely sown. We are just waiting for the herbs to mature. It should only take a few more days for all the medicinal ingredients to be fully ripe!"
Zhang Pingfan nodded. Currently, only the names of these medicinal herbs could be seen. As they were still in their seedling stage, their effects were not visible at all.
"Good, you've done well. Continue to take good care of them, and make sure none of them wither. I'm still waiting to make a fortune with these medicinal ingredients!"
"Yes, Master!"
Novice Village No. 88 was continuously and busily expanding.
While players in other places were desperately leveling up and fighting monsters, the players in Novice Village No. 88 were particularly unusual.
Some were clearing wasteland, some were making furniture, and others were building houses.
In short, there were all sorts of activities, but no one was fighting monsters.
Many players were complaining on the forum.
"What is this? Are we playing the same game?"
"We're fighting and grinding for our lives, and sometimes we even have to fight over monsters. How can the people in Novice Village No. 88 live so peacefully?"
"Look at these screenshots. This is the life we aspire to. I'm increasingly envious of the players in Novice Village No. 88!"
"Building houses, what boy doesn't want to have a house he built himself? It's a shame I can't go to Novice Village No. 88!"
Inside the novice village, everyone was busy with their own tasks. Zhao Xin, who had finally found some free time, was just about to relax when Dou Youyou appeared before him.
"Sister Youyou, what do you need me for? And I have to thank you for giving me such a good mission!"
Dou Youyou didn't dwell on these things.
"Master gave me another mission: to select 100 players from our Novice Village No. 88 to be the guard members of the novice village. You were the first person I thought of!"
Zhao Xin chuckled naively.
"Sister Youyou, how can I possibly deserve this? I'm afraid I don't have the ability!"
Dou Youyou turned around and said, "If you don't have the ability, then I'll find someone else!"
Seeing Dou Youyou about to leave, Zhao Xin dared not be humble any longer. He immediately called out.
"I'll join! Why aren't you playing by the rules?"
Dou Youyou smiled and said, "I was mainly afraid that you wouldn't want to join after knowing the detailed information. But it's too late to say anything now, you've already agreed!"
Indeed, Zhao Xin's expression changed a moment later.
However, it wasn't the kind of outburst and cursing he might have expected.
"Is the Village Chief trying to build his own faction?"
Dou Youyou hadn't thought that far. She only knew that her master had given her a mission, and she just had to do it. As for the reason, she hadn't really thought about it.
"I don't know. Anyway, he just wants me to recruit 100 guard members!"
Zhao Xin nodded and said, "Alright, I pretty much understand what the Village Chief means. Let's go, I'll help you with this mission. I estimate it might be difficult for you to complete it alone!"
Dou Youyou was delighted to have someone help her share the task.
"Great! I didn't even know how to ask others, and Master's disliked guys, definitely don't bring them in!"
Zhao Xin: "Don't worry, I'm aware of that. The fact that they can't join other guilds after joining the guard is indeed a bit difficult to accept. However, I think they won't refuse the temptation of the Village Chief!"
"Yes, as long as Master is here, everything is easy!"
Zhao Xin thought to himself: Isn't that obvious? Don't you see your current achievements? Your current capabilities have already far surpassed everyone's expectations.
Dou Youyou's combat power has already reached over 3000, still more than 1000 more than the second place.
With the boost from late-stage equipment, Dou Youyou's combat power can only go up!
In a deserted corner of the novice village, a figure flashed past quickly.