4. Trigger hidden quest: The Old Mage's Invitation
Because there were simply too many players in the novice village, the wizard’s hut was set up as an independent dimension.
Pushing open the heavy oak door, Su Yu stepped inside to find only an old wizard with graying beard.
“Master, I want to purchase magical potions,” Su Yu said, tapping the table.
At that moment, the old wizard was stirring a cauldron filled with a green liquid.
Hearing Su Yu, he glanced up briefly, then turned away coldly. “Go away! Is this the place for you? Even my lowest-grade potion costs at least five spirit coins. Can you afford that? Newbies should honestly do their tasks and clear out monsters instead of aiming too high!”
In Evolution, NPCs had highly advanced AI and distinct personalities.
Seeing Su Yu’s novice robe and staff, the old wizard assumed he was poor and ignored him.
Su Yu smiled faintly.
He said nothing in response but materialized spirit coins from his backpack.
Clatter! Clatter! Clatter!
A cascade of crystal-clear spirit coins poured out, covering the entire wooden table.
At first glance, there were thousands of them!
The old wizard turned toward the sound.
Seeing the table covered with spirit coins, his stirring hand froze, eyes wide with astonishment.
What’s going on? Why is this novice wizard so wealthy?
Even as a level 30 wizard and part-time alchemist, it was hard for him to produce such a sum easily!
Instantly, his attitude did a complete 180-degree turn.
“Heh heh, little brother, it was all a misunderstanding! What do you need? My stock is the most complete around!”
The old wizard changed to a warm smile and leaned closer to Su Yu, rubbing his hands eagerly as he looked at the pile of spirit coins.
The wizard’s sudden change reminded Su Yu of an old saying: “First haughty, then humble; thinking of it makes one laugh.”
But he wouldn’t stoop to argue with an NPC.
Taking the “exchange list” the wizard handed over, Su Yu began ticking items:
“[Basic Mana Recovery Potion] 300 bottles, [Basic Wisdom Potion] 100 bottles, [Fireball] magic scrolls 300, [Ice Arrow] magic scrolls 100...”
Each stacked item in the backpack had a limit of 100.
So Su Yu purchased many batches of potions and scrolls in groups of 100 to fill his backpack until there was no more room.
As for health recovery potions, he didn’t buy any, since monsters in the novice village moved clumsily and those potions would be useless, only taking up backpack space.
...
Seeing Su Yu buy so many valuable items at once, the old wizard scurried back and forth, all arrogance gone.
This shopping spree cost Su Yu 5,000 spirit coins—an amount no other player in the novice village could likely gather together.
Yet Su Yu didn’t even blink; once the transaction was complete, he turned to leave immediately.
The old wizard called out hurriedly, “Wait, little brother!”
“Something wrong?” Su Yu turned back.
“Heh heh, well...” the old wizard explained quickly, “I see you’re gifted, surrounded by elemental aura—an uncommon magical prodigy...”
“Get to the point.”
“Alright... I want to ask if you’d be willing to join my faction—the Scholar’s Sanctuary? It’s one of the top powers on the entire continent! Other wizards would kill to get in!”
The old wizard’s face shone with enthusiasm.
Seeing Su Yu lavish thousands of spirit coins in such a short time, he knew this newcomer must be rich!
Recruiting a wealthy player would bring generous rewards from his superiors.
“Ding! Hidden outstanding task triggered: [Join the Scholar’s Sanctuary].”
“Task requirement: Agree to wizard Pism’s request, join the faction—Scholar’s Sanctuary.”
“Task reward: [Scholar’s Sanctuary Invitation] x1, 200 experience points.”
On the Forgotten Continent, various factions big and small existed for players to join.
Su Yu was familiar with the Scholar’s Sanctuary; joining would indeed bring considerable benefits.
In his previous life, a player had to reach level 20 and complete more than 30 quests to gain recognition and join the Scholar’s Sanctuary.
But Su Yu wasn’t interested.
A smirk curled his lips: “You think I don’t know? The Scholar’s Sanctuary is just a third-rate faction on the continent, far behind first-tier powers like Silverpine Spire and the Elemental Dome!”
He didn’t accept the quest and turned to leave.
The old wizard Pism was stunned. How did this newcomer know about Silverpine Spire and Elemental Dome? How could a newbie possess such knowledge?
Still, he knew Su Yu was no fool.
With one foot already beyond the threshold, the wizard hurriedly called him back again:
“Wait! I haven’t finished! I’m willing to trade my prized possessions for your favor!”
“Ding! Task updated. You triggered hidden rare task: [Join the Scholar’s Sanctuary (Revised)].”
“Task requirement: Turn in the level 5 boss drop, [Silver Serpent Leader’s Gallbladder].”
“Task reward: [Scholar’s Sanctuary Invitation] x1, skill scroll [Chain Lightning (Excellent)] x1, 500 experience points.”
Su Yu paused at the reward: the [Chain Lightning] skill scroll.
Chain Lightning was an area-of-effect attack spell, extremely rare during the novice phase.
If he recalled correctly, in his previous life, this scroll could only be obtained by triggering a hidden quest with the old wizard and then completing 30 high-difficulty quests.
Now, all he had to do was hand over the [Silver Serpent Gallbladder]?
...
The old wizard smiled ingratiatingly:
“You’re so wealthy, just collect one [Silver Serpent Gallbladder] from adventurers later. This task shouldn’t be difficult for you.”
But as he spoke, he felt uneasy.
No, this isn’t right!
I’m supposed to invite him to join the faction for everyone’s benefit, so why does it feel like I’m begging him now?
Su Yu smiled: “In that case, I’ll reluctantly accept. Wait for good news from me!”
He accepted the task and strode out of the wizard’s hut.
Though the Scholar’s Sanctuary was only a third-rate faction, it was very open-minded and flexible; leaving after joining posed no obstacles, making it ideal for early anchoring.
Moreover, obtaining an area attack skill early on would greatly aid him, and Su Yu was very pleased.