Woke Up to Find the Game I Made Came True

With satisfactory gains in hand, Ye Bai left the Magic Academy of Merlin City.

When stepping out of Grant's office, her footsteps were swift and purposeful.

As Grant handed over the document bearing the magical insignia, Ye Bai noticed the old mage's hesitation—his fingers instinctively tightened around the parchment, reluctant to let go.

[Deception I] increased the likelihood of a lie being accepted by the target by 40%, but it couldn’t be used on the same target again within 30 minutes. If the "hair-washing" effect wore off and Grant changed his mind, all her efforts would be for nothing.

Clutching Grant’s document, Ye Bai headed to the Elemental Magic Academy’s archives to submit it. Once the White Night Town completed its [Expanded Library Collection] project in ten days, the foundational knowledge of the magical schools would automatically be delivered there.

Securing the knowledge from the most challenging Elemental Magic School was done. In comparison, obtaining the basics from the Alchemy and Chaos Schools would be easier.

Unlike the Magic School, which prized reputation and theory, the Alchemy School was highly "commercialized," focusing on practical applications. As long as one provided sufficient sponsorship funds, acquiring knowledge didn’t come with steep prestige requirements.

The Chaos School, which researched bloodline modifications and enhancements, demanded vast amounts of biological experimental materials. The legendary fish materials Ye Bai possessed held far greater value there, making the exchange for knowledge much more feasible.

Even if complications arose during the exchange, she could always rely on her grand deception skills—no, her [Deception] ability—during negotiations with the person in charge.

There was no rush to secure the first-tier knowledge from the other two schools. After all, White Night Town’s library hadn’t even finished its first expansion. Even if agreements were reached, she’d still have to wait another ten days for each subsequent expansion.

With the library matters settled, Ye Bai left the Magic Academy of Merlin City.

Her steps didn’t slow as she exited the academy, crossing two main streets in the inner city before finally stopping in front of a rather quiet building.

Entering, she first passed through a long corridor adorned with walls covered in all kinds of fish specimens—some rare and exotic, others unusually large.

As Ye Bai walked down the corridor, her gaze swept over the displays. A few particularly massive or mutated specimens made her pause briefly to take a closer look.

But that was all. Truly precious, high-tier fish—the kind spoken of in legends—were something she had seen far too many of. And, well… eaten far too many of as well.

Beyond the specimen-lined hallway was a spacious hall, filled with an assortment of fishing gear. At its center stood a massive glass tank housing a sleek and rare Silver-Striped Eel, gracefully displaying itself to visitors.

A quick [Insight] scan confirmed that this eel had indeed reached legendary tier—no wonder it was kept here with such care.

In the quiet hall, a middle-aged man sitting behind a counter noticed Ye Bai’s arrival. Rubbing his bleary eyes, he asked in a drowsy tone:

"This is the Anglers' Association. Are you here to buy something? We sell fishing gear and fish materials, and we also purchase fish—but we have quality standards. Anything below D-grade won’t be accepted."

Ye Bai nodded and pressed further, "Do you buy processed fish materials?"

"Materials? Already processed?" The staff member’s expression dimmed slightly as he slumped back into his seat. "We do, but the same rule applies—minimum requirement is fine-grade materials."

He then added, almost as an afterthought, "Honestly, if you just have common or fine-grade stuff, you’re better off selling it to a regular shop. Our prices here might not even be higher."

Though the Anglers' Association in Merlin City seemed deserted, it was actually quite exclusive—operating on a high-end, professional level. As the staffer said, if Ye Bai only had ordinary materials, selling them elsewhere would be far more profitable.

Just as Ye Bai was about to speak, hurried footsteps echoed from the entrance.

The player who walked in paused briefly upon seeing Ye Bai standing at the counter before striding over.

Players looking to level up their fishing skill could purchase specialized gear here, sell rare catches, or—with enough reputation and levels—take on fishing-related quests for rewards.

But the association’s emptiness spoke volumes about the skill’s lack of popularity. Of course, another reason was that true fishing enthusiasts wouldn’t waste good weather loitering around the association—they’d be out casting lines in prime spots.

"Mr. Colin, I’ve brought the Sunfish weighing over 5 kilograms that the association requested."

This was a player here to turn in a quest. The Anglers' Association frequently held internal events and bounties, usually requiring specific fish species of certain quality grades.

The player couldn’t tell if Ye Bai was an NPC or another player, but with her [Insight] ability, she could easily discern his identity.

Of course, even without special skills, the stark contrast between interstellar players’ attire and behavior and the world’s natives made them easy to distinguish.

"Oh?" The drowsy staffer, Colin, perked up at the player’s words. "Let’s see what grade it is."

The player named Xing Xie shot a glance at Ye Bai, who stood quietly nearby with a curious gaze, then proudly pulled out a still-flopping Sunfish weighing a full 7 kilograms from his inventory and handed it over.

Even if his initial motivation hadn’t been a love for fishing, anyone who stuck around the Anglers' Association long enough inevitably became a true angler—and catching a big fish was something worth bragging about to anyone in sight.

P​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‍lop.

The Sunfish, caught at peak freshness, twitched its tail against the counter when placed down.

Though Xing Xie had caught it for the association’s event, this was the highest-quality fish he’d ever reeled in.

Colin hefted the fish in his hands, then placed it on a scale. "7.5 kilograms, B-grade quality! Impressive! This could even compete for a bronze prize in the event!"

"Really? Hah, that’s great!" Xing Xie beamed.

"Head back for now. I’ll report this submission."

After placing the sunfish he had caught into a dedicated fish tank behind the counter and labeling it with a name, Colin stood up and noticed Ye Bai, realizing he had unintentionally overlooked the visitor. With a hint of apology, he said, "My apologies, what materials were you looking to sell?"

Hearing that Ye Bai was here to sell materials, Xing Xie, who had been about to leave, slowed his steps and curiously glanced over.

Ye Bai thought for a moment, recalling the silver-striped eels he had seen in the hall, and figured the Fishing Enthusiasts Association here must favor this type of fish. He pulled out a piece of eel skin with beautiful silver patterns from his backpack.

At first, Colin didn’t pay much attention, but when his gaze swept over the shimmering eel skin that reflected light differently from every angle, his eyes suddenly widened, and he shuddered involuntarily.

Instinctively, both Colin and Xing Xie, who had also widened his eyes in shock, turned their gazes toward the nearby fish tank after a few seconds of stunned silence—where a silver-striped eel swam leisurely, its skin gleaming with the same iridescence.

Thankfully, this piece of eel skin didn’t come from the association’s so-called "treasured centerpiece."

Once they regained their composure, their attention snapped back to the eel skin Ye Bai had placed on the counter.

The fine texture, mesmerizing sheen, and flawless condition—every angle suggested that this silver-striped eel had been at least half again as large as the one kept in the tank before it was skinned.

While atop the Kraken’s head in the deep sea, Ye Bai hadn’t just improved his fishing skills. Thanks to the doubled proficiency gains, his cooking and skinning skills had also soared, reaching the fourth tier—just shy of the fifth-tier Master level. As a result, the eel skin was in near-perfect condition, a true masterpiece among legendary-grade materials.

Colin practically leaped forward, examining the intricate patterns of the skin with meticulous care, his breath so light it seemed a single exhale might disturb the delicate texture.

Xing Xie, too, could no longer maintain his pretense of casual curiosity—his gaze was now firmly glued to the material.

Seeing their reactions, Ye Bai smiled.

Good things should go to those who appreciate them—that’s how you maximize profits.

With the Kraken’s help, Ye Bai’s deep-sea haul was enough to drive any angler mad with envy. Even after exchanging for the advanced knowledge of the three major schools and keeping a portion for crafting materials, he still had leftovers—after all, the only master craftsman in his territory capable of processing such materials was the tailor, Dilina.

Under these circumstances, selling a portion was the natural choice.

Selling to other high-end NPC shops would mean limited quantities per transaction, and flooding the market would inevitably lead to price suppression. The Fishing Enthusiasts Association was the optimal choice.

"Flawless… absolutely flawless…" Colin murmured in awe after thoroughly inspecting the silver-striped eel skin.

Snapping out of his reverie, Colin suddenly remembered something and turned to Ye Bai.

"You—" His expression froze mid-sentence as he seemed to realize something, and he quickly apologized, "My deepest apologies, Master! I failed to recognize your status earlier!"

After a slight delay, Colin—both a member and administrator of the Fishing Enthusiasts Association—finally identified Ye Bai’s identity.

The [Master Angler] title not only provided fishing bonuses but also granted a base reputation of 3000 with all angler associations. With this title in effect, Ye Bai was treated as an honored guest in any Fishing Enthusiasts Association.

—Master? What master?

Hearing the title, Xing Xie snapped out of his daze and tore his gaze away from the eel skin on the counter.

Watching Colin bow and apologize profusely to Ye Bai, Xing Xie quickly put two and two together—the only person who could command such reverence from a high-level angler like Colin was a Master Angler, the pinnacle of the fishing profession!

This hooded figure was a Master Angler?!

Colin then recalled Ye Bai’s earlier words: "You mentioned you wanted to sell some materials, correct?"

Receiving Ye Bai’s confirmation, Xing Xie was still processing the revelation when Colin swiftly sent a magical message to notify the association’s senior members.

Colin eagerly invited Ye Bai to the VIP lounge, while Xing Xie opened his mouth, itching to follow and witness the spectacle. But in the next moment—

A ripple of spatial distortion shimmered through the quiet hall as a portal opened. Before anyone stepped through, a voice rang out:

"Colin, where is this two-meter silver-striped eel skin you mentioned? And which master are you referring to?"

A robed archmage, still wearing a fishing hat, teleported into the room.

Xing Xie took a sharp breath, immediately recognizing him as Archmage Merlin. From a past quest, he knew Merlin was not only a senior member of the Fishing Enthusiasts Association but also a high-ranking figure in Tute City’s Mage Guild—one of the most influential individuals in the capital.

At this stage, players had generally come to understand the importance of "connections." Xing Xie had initially frequented the Fishing Enthusiasts Association precisely because he’d stumbled upon the fact that many of its senior members were high-profile figures in Tute City’s various organizations.

One after another, spatial ripples signaled more arrivals.

Seven or eight men and women of varying appearances teleported into the hall, making a beeline for the largest VIP lounge to see the silver-striped eel skin—and the Master Angler whose face Xing Xie hadn’t even gotten a proper look at.

Alongside those who teleported in, other senior members began streaming through the main entrance upon receiving the news.

As a junior member, Xing Xie had no access to the senior VIP lounge and could only watch helplessly as the big shots he’d been trying to network with disappeared inside.

What gnawed at him most was his missed opportunity to connect with the Master Angler earlier. Now, he had no choice but to comply when Colin politely asked him to leave—the association was about to host an auction exclusive to senior members.

In such a situation, Xing Xie knew better than to linger. Players who pestered high-ranking NPCs in the inner city risked being blasted out of town with a high-level spell—straight to the respawn point.

As he reluctantly exited the association, Xing Xie could still hear exclamations erupting from the now-auction-hall lounge:

"Is that… the blood of a blazing sunfish?!"

"The golden koi's skeleton—I never thought I'd live to see a fish that only exists in legends!"

Just hearing these words made Xing Xie's heart itch with curiosity. Based on past experience, he was certain that the cloaked figure had to be some high-level NPC! What an incredible connection to miss out on!

As for the possibility that the person was a player? Xing Xie didn’t even consider it.

Currently, apart from players from the ancient Yin civilization—who had reached Level 4 in Cooking due to their sharp senses—no other players in the interstellar community had managed to level their life skills to Tier 4. It wasn’t just a matter of time or grinding proficiency; the materials available to players simply weren’t high-level enough yet.

Frustrated, Xing Xie lingered around the Anglers' Association for a long time afterward. But even as the auction ended and the other members left, he never caught another glimpse of that mysterious master angler.

…

Around the same time, the teleportation array in Landu City shimmered with light.

At dusk that day, Ye Bai and Autofis stepped out of the array and into this Blue Star server’s main city of the Chaos Faction.

Back in Meiluo City, Ye Bai hadn’t expected things to escalate into an auction. But during that impromptu event, she sold a total of fifteen materials, each fetching between two to three hundred gold coins. By the end, she had earned a staggering 4,100 gold coins from the Anglers' Association members.

Even as she left, she managed to squeeze a little extra benefit—those mages who had teleported in using space magic were kind enough to send her straight to the Meiluo City teleportation point, saving her some travel time.

With over 4,000 gold coins in her pocket, Ye Bai solidified her position as the wealthiest player not just on Blue Star but arguably across all servers. Along with her newfound riches, she also received a new system notification:

[You have completed the achievement ‘Clinking Gold.’ You have obtained the title ‘Aura of Wealth.’]

The ‘Clinking Gold’ achievement is unlocked when a player’s total in-game earnings exceed 5,000 gold coins. The accompanying title, ‘Aura of Wealth,’ activates an effect when the player carries more than 1,000 gold coins.

The specific effect? "You look very rich."

This influences how NPCs perceive the player. In safe environments, it’s highly beneficial—much like fashion stats on clothing—granting preferential treatment in many scenarios.

However, in the wilderness, it also increases the likelihood of encountering bandits and robbers. If killed by these special faction enemies, players can actually lose their carried wealth.

To avoid the title’s downside, players could deposit their gold in a city bank. But for Ye Bai, that wasn’t necessary.

This trip to Landu City was primarily for her third class advancement.

While it was highly likely that another player had already unlocked this hidden first-tier profession on Blue Star, the server’s player base wasn’t as large as those of other core civilizations. There was still a slim chance that some obscure quests remained undiscovered.

Besides, Ye Bai also planned to establish a trade route between this Chaos Faction city and White Night Town. Checking for the class advancement was just a side objective.

If she confirmed that the questline was no longer available on Blue Star, she would simply seek out a less populated server—one with fewer high-level players, increasing her chances of completing the advancement.

Landu City shared the same architectural style as Tute City, once the hub of the Marcus Group.

The buildings here were predominantly shades of red, purple, and black, constructed from massive stone blocks and whole giant trees, adorned with intricate carvings of mystical totems that exuded an air of ancient mystery.

Ye Bai made her way through the inner city and headed straight for the outer districts, following the murky, blood-like river downstream.

Coincidentally, the first step of this hidden profession quest required fishing for a specific item in Landu City’s "Blood River."

The drop rate was abysmally low, but Ye Bai was confident. Not only was she a Master-level angler, but she also possessed a legendary set of fishing gear—she had even hooked the Kraken before. What couldn’t she catch?

Admittedly, the constant praise from the anglers in Meiluo City had gone to her head a little.

Ready to show off her skills, Ye Bai arrived at the designated bend in the Blood River—only to be met with an unexpected sight.

Night had fallen in the outer city, a time when most players would be grinding levels. Yet, in this area devoid of monster spawns, dozens of players were gathered, with more trickling in.

This kind of congregation was highly unusual for players.

From a distance, Ye Bai paused, considering the situation. After instructing Autofis to stay hidden, she approached the crowd alone.

Her current identity, "White Night," was already associated with a donkey. Bringing Autofis along would risk exposing her, especially among observant players who might notice something off about the creature.

As for why so many players were gathered here, Ye Bai could only think of two possibilities: a quest or a boss.

But this was supposed to be a fishing spot in Landu City, with no monsters. The only related quest or boss she could think of was tied to her third advancement. Had that many players triggered the same quest?

Yet she quickly dismissed the idea. For other players, this was just a first-tier profession. If so many had unlocked it, surely someone would have completed it by now.

Ye Bai walked to the riverbank. The nearby players barely glanced at her, though someone muttered under their breath:

"Lots of people farming the boss today."

Boss?

Her confusion deepened. Scanning the area, she noticed most players were in pre-formed parties, clearly prepared for something. Lone players like her were rare.

This seemed to be common knowledge among Landu City’s players. It was too late to log out and check the forums now, so Ye Bai decided to stay and observe.

Time passed minute by minute, and before long, the night completely descended upon the roaring Blood River.

Not long after the night fell, Ye Bai noticed the river begin to glow from its depths. The sound of rushing water grew louder, and a luminous mass, faintly pink against the hue of the river, gradually expanded beneath the surface. Its shape was indistinct, like a strange cloud slowly rising from the depths until it broke through the water.

At that very moment, a system prompt echoed in Ye Bai’s ears:

[You have discovered ‘the secret buried within the Blood River.’]

Ye Bai’s pupils constricted sharply—

What had appeared here was indeed her third-class advancement quest, and it had already progressed to the final stage: the battle against the ‘Class Mentor’!