Chapter 127: Dividing the Spoils After the Battle

"This situation is rare."

Once the group had retreated from the Cursed Fortress to a safe distance, Lei Ming spoke with a grave expression.

"Most of the time, the battle follows a standard procedure: first, we surround and kill the Death Knight, then wipe out the remaining undead in the fortress, and finally assault the Necromancer's Spire where the Necromancer is entrenched."

"However, in very rare cases, if the Death Knight falls, the Necromancer will recall all remaining undead, sacrifice the majority of them using the Necromancer's Spire, and convert them into death mana."

"With enough death mana support and the remaining elite undead, the Necromancer becomes nearly invincible."

"Then how do we fight that?"

"We can only force a frontal assault."

"The Necromancer hides inside the Necromancer's Spire; there's no way to sneak in for an assassination. A frontal assault is the only way."

"Is the risk high?"

Lei Ming replied seriously, "Extremely high. With sufficient mana support, the Necromancer can continuously cast war spells. You all experienced the power of those spells earlier. If a dozen or so are unleashed in succession, someone will inevitably fail to withstand them and die."

The group looked at each other, and it was clear that some were already having second thoughts.

At this moment, Su Beisheng, the Red-Robed Mage and leader of the other team, stepped forward and said, "If that's the case, we’re pulling out."

Lei Ming sighed, "We'll have to give up as well."

Silence fell over everyone. After a moment, Su Beisheng said, "Since that’s how it is, let’s auction the loot."

"Agreed."

Lei Ming quickly produced a pile of loot chests. Ninety percent were basic white chests, there were over twenty green loot chests, seven blue, two red, and one that radiated an alluring purple light. He opened them one by one in front of everyone, laying all the spoils out for display.

"Everything is opened; it’s all here."

"One epic-grade piece, two rare-grade pieces. No need to look at anything below blue; we'll convert those into cash. Soul Shards come in stacks of 50, while Soul Essence and Necrotic Essence are in stacks of 20."

Lei Ming organized the loot and said in a deep voice, "There are 16 stacks of Soul Shards, 150 silver per stack. Anyone interested?"

This price was the market rate. Even if they took them to a private buyer at Crusader Fortress, they would only make a few extra silver—hardly worth the effort.

Chu Cheng didn't bid, watching as others did. Soon, 24 gold was collected.

Next were 6 stacks of Soul Essence at 4 gold per stack, totaling another 24 gold.

Then 9 stacks of Necrotic Essence at 2 gold per stack, totaling 18 gold.

Following that were the green and blue items. These were auctioned at about 20% below market price. Green gear above level 30, which usually goes for 30 silver, sold for around 25 silver, totaling 14 gold. Blue gear above level 30, with a market value of 2 gold, sold for about 1 gold and 60 silver, totaling 20 gold and 80 silver.

As university students, they didn't need these low-quality items. Usually, they would be dismantled for materials or sold to ordinary "descenders" outside the school.

The two rare-grade pieces—a plate armor and a cloak, both level 35—sold for 18 gold and 15 gold respectively, matching market value. High-quality gear was highly contested, so it was impossible to sell below market price.

The final epic-grade item was the Death Knight’s lance, a level 35 purple epic weapon. Lei Ming immediately posted its stats.

Death Knight’s Lance (Epic/Purple)
Equipment Type: Polearm
Requirements: Level 35, Constitution 100, Strength 100
Base Damage: 305 Piercing
Bonus Attribute: Constitution +20
Bonus Attribute: Strength +20
Bonus Attribute: Power of Death. Each attack inflicts an additional 50 points of death damage and corrodes 15 points of physical defense for 5 seconds.
Bonus Trait: Death Strike. When activated, the next attack deals 4x critical damage to the target and instantly kills any target with less than 50 Constitution. Cooldown: 15 minutes.
Sockets: 4
Description: The power of death entwines the shaft, granting the enemy a taste of the afterlife.

"You've all seen the stats. It’s an absolute masterpiece. Starting bid is 120 gold. I’ll start with 120 gold."

The bald man, Wang Xinzhu, immediately followed up: "130 gold."

"140 gold."

"150 gold."

"160 gold."

The bidding was fierce, but Lei Ming just smiled slightly. "200 gold."

The voices instantly died down. Two people fell silent immediately, and only Wang Xinzhu, looking somewhat unwilling, offered one more bid: "205 gold."

"210 gold."

"You win."

"My thanks!"

Lei Ming laughed, pocketed the gear, and handed it to a member of his team, who took the weapon and equipped it with a joyful expression. This was the nature of a team; when gear that was desperately needed by a member appeared, they could pool their resources to secure it.

"The lance sold for 210 gold. Combined with the previous auctions, the total income is 343 gold and 80 silver."

"Seven people opened the city gates; 5 gold subsidy each, totaling 35 gold."

"Additionally, as discussed for the joint siege, the tank and caster classes each get a 10 gold subsidy, with a 5 gold bonus for significant contributions. However, since the objective wasn't fully completed, the subsidies are halved to 5 gold each. Five tanks and five casters, totaling 50 gold."

"Also, Student Chu Cheng saved Li Bin’s life. A 5 gold reward is requested, which Li Bin must pay out of pocket. Do you have any objections?"

Li Bin nodded quickly and clasped his hands toward Chu Cheng in gratitude: "Thank you for saving my life, brother. I’ll cover that."

Lei Ming nodded, double-checked the numbers, and said, "Total subsidy expenditure is 85 gold. Those receiving subsidies, come forward."

"Heh, I’ll take my 5 gold."

"Zhang Chaosheng, 5 gold."

"Feng Lingxing, 5 gold."

"Chu Cheng, 10 gold."

One by one, they stepped forward to receive their payments. Chu Cheng received the 5 gold from Li Bin, bringing his total to 15 gold.

Once everyone was paid, Lei Ming continued, "After subsidies, there is 258 gold and 80 silver remaining. Divided among 15 people, that’s 17 gold and 25 silver each. Come and collect."

"Whoo!"

The group excitedly went up to collect their shares.

"One soul gem and 55 gold and 82 silver in cash. This run was quite profitable."

Once everyone had finished, Lei Ming clasped his hands toward Su Beisheng and the others. "This cooperation is over. Let's work together again if the opportunity arises."

"Looking forward to it." Su Beisheng and his team bid them farewell and left.

Chu Cheng also clasped his hands, then turned and opened his attribute panel. He saw the latest notification: "You have killed the Death Knight Rum. Based on your performance, you have gained 4 Free Attribute Points and 4 Skill Points."

"Haha, nice!"

University dungeons were simple and straightforward. Every major boss provided free attribute points and skill points, and as long as your performance was good, you would receive them.

As Su Beisheng’s team departed, Chu Cheng closed his panel with satisfaction and turned to Lei Ming. "Let’s go."

Lei Ming asked curiously, "Go where?"

"Aren't we going to find the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?"

"Yes, but before that, we need to take down the Cursed Fortress first."

"Huh?"

"What's with the 'huh'?"

"I thought you said we couldn't beat it?"

Chu Cheng suddenly realized something and asked in surprise, "Don't tell me you have a way to handle it without them?"

Lei Ming laughed heartily. "Of course. I only said that because I didn't want to share the loot with them. Our team can handle the method I have in mind."

"6."

Lei Ming waved them over and said, "Before we start, one thing must be clear. My method relies on an item—a War-Grade Magic Suppression Scroll—which can suppress both the Necromancer and the Necromancer's Spire. The scroll cost me 50 gold. I need a 60 gold reimbursement after the battle. Any objections?"

"Of course not."