Chapter 121: Green Bag Alchemist, Mohist Civil Engineer

Xuanhu Xiaoyao becoming an Alchemist happened by pure coincidence. In real life, he was an intern doctor at a small clinic. Back in the Starter Village, he encountered a destitute, nearly starving wandering physician and impulsively bought him two steamed buns out of pity.

To his surprise, the physician stood up, asked him a few medical questions, and then handed him a medical scripture. Just like that, Xuanhu Xiaoyao blunderingly became an Alchemist.

According to the personal attributes Xuanhu Xiaoyao revealed, he belonged to the Green Bag School of Alchemists. All Qi and Blood recovery pills he crafted gained a twenty percent effectiveness boost, and his crafting success rate increased by five percent.

Ye Rong was no longer a newbie. He intimately understood the classifications of Life Professions—

This Green Bag School Alchemist, much like his own Brewer profession, represented a special school offering additional bonuses in specific areas. Not every Life Profession player possessed such distinctions; half were ordinary Alchemists with no extra attributes.

The remaining half had the potential to become one of the special schools—Green Bag Alchemist, Cold Damage Alchemist, Apricot Grove Alchemist—each excelling in different specializations.

“Good. From now on, all formulae related to Alchemy we acquire will go to Xuanhu Xiaoyao. Inform Pecking Chicken, Hengheng Haha, or me about any materials you need. They’ll help gather resources. We’ll fully support your profession leveling.”

The Green Bag Alchemist title cemented Ye Rong’s decision. Even a complete novice deserved cultivation. As Chief of Tianshu Hall, couldn’t he nurture one Alchemist?

“Chief, take a look at the contract I drafted?”

Pecking Chicken handed over a silk document itemized with Xuanhu Xiaoyao’s rights, obligations, and penalties for betrayal—every clause meticulously detailed.

Ye Rong cast a deep look at Pecking Chicken. His efficiency was unexpected; drafting such contracts usually required modifying templates sourced online. Producing it instantly meant he’d prepared earlier or acted swiftly.

Hengheng Haha wore an expression of annoyance—likely angered by his own oversight.

After years of development, online games had established corresponding regulations, especially given the substantial interests involved. Talented Life Profession players like Xuanhu Xiaoyao received superior treatment but were heavily restricted regarding freedom of movement. Otherwise, a faction could pour resources into nurturing a high-level Alchemist, only for them to quit and leave without recourse.

Over a decade ago, ordinances classified such players as special employees bound by contracts akin to real-world corporate agreements, enforced through real-world law.

Pecking Chicken’s Cloud Dragon Contract was a document exclusive to the Far Shore System. Once signed by both parties, it became legally binding.

Ye Rong skimmed the contract—standard for Life Profession players. He passed it to Xuanhu Xiaoyao for review.

“Chief Yijian,” Jiafang Yifang interjected urgently, noting Ye Rong’s focus on Xuanhu Xiaoyao. “I’m a Mohist Civil Engineer. I specialize in repairing and modifying walls. Structures I build have twenty percent higher defense than ordinary Civil Engineers. As my profession level rises, I can install Divine Thunder Towers at our guild stronghold, ensuring it becomes an ironclad fortress!”

Surprisingly, he too was a unique Life Profession player—belonging to the Mohist school, renowned for fortifications.

The Civil Engineer profession stood peculiar. Individually or in small groups, it seemed useless early on. Yet later, for constructing guild strongholds or modifying town walls, it became indispensable.

“You can build Divine Thunder Towers? Impressive! What’s your current level as a Mohist Civil Engineer?”

Ye Rong’s interest spiked. Both Life Profession players held immense potential. Towers like the Taiyi or Yuanyang Divine Thunder Towers were stronghold-level magic treasures, requiring installation in faction bases for maximum effectiveness, unleashing waves of devastating divine thunder.

A line of eighty to a hundred such towers could shield an entire stronghold, impervious even to flies. Attackers, even seven or eight times the defenders, would struggle against this thunder net.

Although constructing these towers was distant, knowing Jiafang Yifang possessed the skill sparked Ye Rong’s ambition.

“Once he masters it, I’ll have him build hundreds of Taiyi Divine Thunder Towers around my Golden Cabinet Water Manor. Let’s see who dares target it then!”

“Umm… Chief Yijian, I haven’t actually used this skill yet.”

Jiafang Yifang’s voice dwindled to a mosquito-like whisper, his earlier confidence deflating.

After hearing his explanation, Ye Rong realized the Mohist Civil Engineer truly had nowhere to apply his craft—a useless skill rivaling dragon-slaying tactics.

Civil Engineers only mattered for strongholds and villages, yet the Far Shore had only one established faction: the Shushan Sword Alliance. They easily recruited their own Civil Engineers. Why seek Jiafang Yifang from afar?

Each main city region hosted numerous villages, some starter hubs, others pure NPC settlements.

Idle players might wander these villages, chatting with NPCs to uncover minor quests—like finding Widow Wang’s lost dog, Yellow Flower, or emptying Granny Li’s spittoon. Hopes of epic quests soon faded after a few attempts.

Some creative players imagined slaughtering all NPCs to claim a village as a base—a gathering spot for pre-faction groups.

Alas, killing non-combat NPCs reduced Karma Points, and the System refreshed them rapidly—making occupation impossible.

Around Qingcheng lay only Endless Forest Seas or treacherous mountains—no villages or towns. Traveling miles to distant settlements offered Jiafang Yifang no opportunity; lacking System-recognized jurisdiction barred even minor wall repairs.

“That’s a thing? Requiring territorial authority first? Does one literally need to become village chief?”

Ye Rong shook his head. Recognizing Jiafang Yifang’s potential, he saw it would take even longer for him to contribute than Xuanhu Xiaoyao.

He accepted an identical Cloud Dragon Contract from Pecking Chicken and handed it to Jiafang Yifang after a cursory glance.

Jiafang Yifang signed emphatically with a vermilion brush, barely skimming the text.

“Not reading carefully?”

“Heh, why bother? It’ll be forever before this Mohist Civil Engineer role proves useful. Chief Yijian giving me this contract lets me gain far more than I lose now—no reason to hesitate.”

Ye Rong smiled, signing his name. Jiafang Yifang saw things clearly.

Upon mutual signatures, the contract glowed golden, a tiny dragon coiling skyward. Recognition solidified its legal validity.

Separated copies drifted to each party.

Inspired by Jiafang Yifang’s decisiveness, Xuanhu Xiaoyao quit scrutinizing clauses. Rapidly signing his contract, Ye Rong endorsed it—generating the second binding agreement.

“Chief, let me introduce everyone. They’re all your admirers.”

Perhaps spurred by losing earlier initiative to Pecking Chicken, Hengheng Haha intensified his efforts, introducing each accompanying player individually.

Ye Rong observed silently. Competition between the two was beneficial—total unity would worry him more.

Pecking Chicken’s classmates; Far Shore veterans previously of Shushan Sword Heroes; Qingcheng Disciples befriended by Hengheng Haha. Unnoticed by Ye Rong, their group had reached nearly a hundred players.

These ten were key members—among the highest leveled and most competent present.

“Competent” meant relative to average Qingcheng Disciples, but their overall caliber heartened Ye Rong.

One standout hailed from Quanzhou City. Before joining Qingcheng, he’d encountered a Rogue Cultivator who gifted him a monster pet—a colossal, ten-meter-long walrus.

With this walrus, he thrived while leveling in Dujiangyan Waters, becoming a core member of the team.