Chapter 1 A Change of Heart

Seeing Shi Feng turn around to leave, the members of Snake Worship were stunned. How could any man treat Bai Qingxue like this, rejecting a cooperative opportunity with Snake Worship without a second thought?

Zhao Yueru was very anxious, hesitating to speak. She wanted to step forward and persuade Hei Yan, but even Bai Qingxue, known as the “Female Zhuge,” hadn't spoken or acted. If she stepped forward, it would probably make the situation worse, so she tugged at Bai Qingxue's arm, reminding her in secret.

But Zhao Yueru didn't know that Bai Qingxue was also momentarily stunned.

She hadn't expected Shi Feng's initial goal to be anything other than joining Snake Worship. An equal partnership? Did Shi Feng even qualify?

Snake Worship was not as simple as it seemed. It was a behemoth in the virtual game world, with resources that ordinary players couldn't imagine. To be an equal partner with Snake Worship, one had to be at least an equally powerful first-rate guild.

Yet the man before her took it for granted that he could cooperate with Snake Worship on equal footing.

Could it be that behind this man was a vast force hidden in the shadows, giving him such confidence?

This wasn't impossible. Considering everything he'd done, plus Hei Yan's equipment, it was impossible for one person to accomplish it all in such a short time. He must have the support of a large force, which created the current vicious competition. According to the guild's statistics, Hei Yan's total income from selling design drawings exceeded sixty gold coins, while the current liquid funds of a first-rate guild were only about three gold coins. If this money was used well, it could instantly allow a first-rate guild to surpass other first-rate guilds and become a super guild.

Suddenly, Bai Qingxue felt a chill run down her spine. As the vice president of Snake Worship, she hadn't realized until now that there was such a hidden power.

However, the fact that she hadn't noticed such a power meant that it was hidden very deeply. Fortunately, it had been discovered now. The only question was whether it was friend or foe.

"Hold on," Bai Qingxue said, trying to salvage the situation. "You should know that we, Snake Worship, are also a first-rate guild. Not many forces are qualified to cooperate with us on equal terms. If you can prove that you have the strength and capital, and if the cooperation you propose can bring great benefits to Snake Worship, I can agree to it."

"Hmph, Snake Worship has a big mouth. You should know that I have more than just you as a potential partner among the first-rate guilds." Shi Feng turned to look at Bai Qingxue, showing that he didn't take Snake Worship seriously at all. Then, he took out a Level 10 Mysterious-Iron-grade equipment forging design from Blackbeard’s store from his backpack, shook it in front of Bai Qingxue, and sneered, "I wonder what you think when you see this? Do you think I'm qualified enough?"

"How can this be!" Bai Qingxue couldn't believe her eyes, and she was even more shocked in her heart. "A Level 10 Mysterious-Iron-grade equipment design? How did you get it?"

Even Level 3 Bronze Gleam designs were being snatched up like crazy right now. The value of this design was unimaginable.

The Level 3 Gleam designs weren't very useful for the guild's elite members. They were mainly for making money, cultivating blacksmiths, and expanding the guild's advantage, but compared to this design, they were not worth mentioning at all.

One step ahead, step by step ahead. This was the natural law of virtual games. All guilds knew that if their main force could equip themselves with Level 10 gear, their efficiency in leveling and dungeon raiding would be greatly improved. It would be easy to widen the gap in level and strength between their main force and the main forces of other guilds.

"Business secret, you can forget about it." Shi Feng put away the design. "If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving."

Bai Qingxue couldn't bear to watch someone with a Level 10 Mysterious-Iron-grade equipment design leave, perhaps to cooperate with other first-rate guilds. This was absolutely not allowed. If other first-rate guilds got it and mass-produced these equipment, equipping every elite member, there would be no need to even compete for the royal city.

"Alright, I agree. Tell me how you want to cooperate," Bai Qingxue said, gritting her silver teeth, finally giving in.

"Hehe, but now I don't want to cooperate with you anymore," Shi Feng said in a deep voice.

"You!" Bai Qingxue's face suddenly turned cold, but she quickly calmed down, no longer with that high and mighty attitude, revealing a faint smile. "I apologize for my previous impoliteness. I wonder if you can reconsider? Snake Worship is willing to pay twice the price of other guilds."

Shi Feng nodded and smiled. "Alright, seeing how sincere you are."

Everyone else thought they had misheard. The proud Ice Goddess had actually given in and apologized for her previous attitude. Just how terrifying was this Hei Yan?

At this time, Zhao Yueru's eyes lit up, and she admired Hei Yan a little. She knew very well how proud and intelligent Bai Qingxue was. She had never seen Bai Qingxue utter the words "I apologize" since she had known her.

"I wonder how you want to cooperate?" Bai Qingxue glared at Zhao Yueru, who was secretly laughing behind her, and then looked at Hei Yan and asked.

"It's very simple. I want to create a loose life-occupation organization called the Sky Union, recruiting all kinds of lifestyle players. You help me publicize and build momentum, and I will give you an internal price, even equipment and props that are not sold to the public," Shi Feng said slowly.

"You really want to create such an organization?" Bai Qingxue was slightly surprised. Although she didn't think highly of Shi Feng, Shi Feng's conditions were very attractive.

Zhao Yueru blinked her big eyes, looking at Shi Feng in disbelief, feeling that Shi Feng was too crazy.

Everyone else thought that Shi Feng had too much money and didn't know what to do with it, actually wanting to create such an organization.

This plan was too bizarre. It was impossible to unify all the life players. The financial resources, materials, and manpower required were too great. All the guilds were cultivating life players, and only recruiting elites to avoid wasting resources. The remaining rabble had no great use even if they were gathered together. To cultivate these life players, the resources required were even greater. No guild could afford it.

Of course, if it succeeded, the benefits would be unimaginable.

"You don't have to worry about this. When the time comes, I will naturally notify you to publicize and build momentum. Anyway, you won't lose anything. Of course, I will give you some rewards in advance. Ten Gleam Armor designs are enough for your guild to cultivate many blacksmiths." If Shi Feng publicized it himself, it would be too time-consuming, and the effect would not be great. It would take time to accumulate, but with Snake Worship's publicity, it could almost instantly cover the entire Star-Moon Kingdom, greatly reducing the accumulation process for him.

Bai Qingxue thought about it. It was true that having them publicize didn't cost much effort, and they could now get ten Gleam designs. This would allow them to widen the gap with other guilds during this period, cultivate more blacksmiths, and earn more game coins. As for establishing such a life alliance and cultivating life players on a large scale, it was a continuous money-losing process and would collapse in no time. Cultivating life players was very hard work. If there was no support from big guilds' resources and funds later, it would be difficult to achieve anything.

Afterwards, Bai Qingxue and Shi Feng signed a contract, agreeing to help Shi Feng fully promote the Sky Union throughout the Star-Moon Kingdom. In return Shi Feng would pay one hundred pieces of Level 10 Mysterious-Iron-grade equipment, and Snake Worship could purchase the produced equipment and props at internal prices.

Bai Qingxue was quite happy to receive the ten Gleam designs and asked an assassin to take the designs back to the guild. Then, she looked at Shi Feng and invited, "I think there are quite a lot of monsters here. Although their levels are a bit high, it's also a good leveling spot. Why don't you level up with us? It's much faster than leveling up alone."