Chapter 395: Experience Shop
"Experience Shop?"
"What is this?"
"Spend experience to exchange for skill proficiencies, combat techniques, and even spells?"
In the square of Northwind Fortress, players crowded around the Ember Kingdom's bulletin board, raising a clamor of heated debates.
"Who the heck brought a wyvern here?"
"I swear, what is this?"
"Mantou, you thief, stop squeezing me!"
"Damn it, this is cheating! Get in line!"
"What do you mean cheating? As a sheriff, it's my responsibility to disperse the crowd and prevent accidents. That's called having a sense of duty, okay?"
"Let me see, let me see."
Mantou, leading "Noodle," squeezed through the crowd. With the sheer size of his bipedal wyvern, he pushed aside the players clustered around the bulletin board, forcing a path through.
"Experience Shop."
"Looks like something worth checking out."
Mantou rubbed his chin thoughtfully, only to be lifted out of the way by a burly man from behind.
"Stop blocking the way!"
"Damn."
"Well done!"
The crowd erupted into cheers.
In the public test version, the level cap was set at Level 8. Most casual players were still hovering below Level 4, with some new players not even reaching Level 2.
However, among the elite players from top guilds and professional solo players, many were already approaching the cap.
It was unclear how long it would be until the next major update, but by then, there would undoubtedly be surplus experience points.
Currently, the Experience Shop was available at locations such as [Tower of Great Wisdom], [Crimson Scale Garrison Post], [Imperial Military Training Camp], [Wasteland Shooting Range], and [Lizardmen Wasteland Hunting Ground].
At these locations, players could learn skill proficiencies like magic, riding, military training, hunting, and ruling, as well as various combat techniques and even browse some of the materials from the Kingdom's Grand Library.
However, there was a strict requirement to access the Experience Shop—you had to be an imperial subject and possess a certain degree of dragon bloodline.
"With this new system, Singo will definitely release a guide."
Mantou opened the forum.
Sure enough, there were already several guides.
As soon as Mantou learned about this, Singo had already visited all the open Experience Shop locations and quickly compiled a guide with astonishing efficiency.
"Experience Shop Guide (Beginner's Edition)"
"In "Erezaghe", leveling up is undoubtedly crucial, but for early-stage players, utilizing the [Experience Shop] to exchange for abilities might help you develop faster in the initial stages."
"Even if you level up to a Level 4 Warrior and gain higher base stats and skills, it's still hard to perform well without combat techniques."
"Skill proficiencies like [Swordsmanship], [Riding], and [Athletics] at the [Imperial Military Training Camp] can provide great benefits. With proper allocation, just around 1,000 experience points can yield greater gains than merely leveling up."
"Additionally, if you're a casual player, I recommend heading to places like [Northwind Fortress Technical Workshop] to learn a trade."
"Whether it's [Crafting Artifacts], [Forging Armor], or [Potion Making], these skills can generate decent income and ensure a relatively prosperous lifestyle."
Reading this, Mantou nodded in agreement.
Although this guy had a few screws loose, he was still quite professional in the field of game guides and trustworthy at the very least.
However, these guides were geared towards new and casual players.
For a seasoned player like Mantou, with the advanced class [Crimson Scaled Conqueror] and having consumed a dragon blood potion, they were of little use.
He kept scrolling and, sure enough, found a new post.
"Experience Shop Guide (Advanced Edition)"
"With the current level cap at 8, slightly more professional players should already be maxed out. By the way, I've accumulated 4,500 surplus experience points."
Mantou spat quietly.
"Damn, even writing a guide has to flex. Hopeless."
He turned to glance at his level panel, feeling slightly self-conscious.
Level 7 (28,800/34,000 XP)
"That's odd."
"Where did he get so much experience?"
Mantou thought he had worked hard enough to earn experience.
During the recent war, he rode his bipedal wyvern across the northern kingdoms, conducting countless dive-bombing raids and killing at least several hundred Northland soldiers by conservative estimates.
Just three days ago, he accepted a bandit extermination quest and thoroughly burned down a hidden bandit camp in the forest—though he kept all the looted supplies for himself.
"Damn it, it must be the perks of being a Viscount."
Mantou fumed inwardly.
He had attended the coronation ceremony, a spectacle filled with dazzling special effects, but had only received the title of Baron, still outclassed by Singo.
Although he enjoyed faction contributions, gold stipends, and dividends from Claudious Military Industrial stocks, he had spent most of his savings buying shares. The monthly dividends were substantial, though.
Mantou continued scrolling through the guide.
"Based on the interval of the last beta test, the next major update is likely a year away—this is the best time to widen the gap with other players."
"Currently, "Erezaghe" has 110,000 players, and this number is growing. To secure the best resources, we must create a gap between ourselves and others."
"Don't hesitate to use your experience points, and don't save them for the next version. Experience points will devalue."
"Five thousand experience points were astronomical during the beta, but now they're just a few side quests' worth."
"Experience points are a resource. If you don't use them, it's a waste. Use them early to reap the benefits."
"Next, I'll list recommended exchanges from the [Experience Shop] for the major professions."
"By the way, the newly built [Tower of Infernal Fire] offers a faction sub-class, [Dragon Pact Sorcerer ], which is an incredibly strong magic class. However, its class transfer quest is extremely demanding, so weigh the pros and cons carefully."
"For [Crimson Scaled Conqueror], I recommend exchanging for [Riding], [Marksmanship], [Reconnaissance], and [Archery]. Try to max out Riding to at least 10 for optimal results."
"For [Dragon-Oath Paladin], I recommend exchanging for [Swordsmanship], [Shield Techniques], [Military Tactics], and [Athletics]."
"Also, I suggest everyone buy a portrait of the Emperor to hang at home. Every morning, salute the portrait and shout 'Loyalty'—it's said that high faith enhances Dragon-Oath spells."
"You have to admit, Singo's guides are packed with useful information."
Mantou carefully read through the guide.
He noted down the key points related to [Crimson Scaled Conqueror], then patted Noodle's neck.
"Noodle, let's go!"
The bipedal wyvern obediently lowered its head, allowing Mantou to leap onto its back.
"Roar—"
"Noodle" let out a raspy roar, flapping its wings. Under the envious gazes of new players, it carried Mantou confidently toward the Crimson Scale Garrison Post.