Chapter 268 ·Reaching an Agreement

Chapter 268: Reaching an Agreement! A Brand-New Marketplace and Summary of the Event!

“I ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍can join, but I have conditions.”

Upon ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍hearing Hang Yu's words, Beichen Guang not only didn't frown, but instead let out a long sigh of relief.

He ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍wasn't afraid of negotiating conditions.

What ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍he feared was having no room for negotiation at all.

For ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍ordinary lords of lower races, especially human lords, an organization like the Human Dao Alliance was something they dreamed of joining.

But ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍for Hang Yu, it clearly wasn't his only option.

As long as Hang Yu was willing,

he could easily join a faction belonging to another race.

If that happened, then his future growth and all the benefits it brought would have nothing to do with humanity.

From an individual's perspective,

everyone was free to join whichever faction they wished.

But from the standpoint of humanity's collective interests,

it would be a considerable loss.

At this moment,

since negotiations were possible,

there was a chance of success.

Beichen Guang said sincerely, “Any condition is open for discussion!”

Hang Yu was very satisfied with Beichen Guang's attitude.

After all, the other party was a senior, as well as an exceedingly rare Fifth-Order Great Lord among humanity.

Even outside the human race, someone of such strength was an influential figure within Sacred Azure City's lord circles.

For someone of his status to treat a junior newcomer with such humility and respect spoke volumes about his character.

Since that was the case,

Hang Yu didn't hold back.

He decided to put forward his demands.

His conditions consisted of three major parts.

First,

he wanted to ensure the transaction for the Life Spirit Spring blueprint could be completed as quickly as possible.

This facility and its blueprint were extremely important to Hang Yu, so the sooner he obtained them, the better.

Second,

Hang Yu had originally returned to the Land of Stars intending to purchase a large quantity of special materials, items, blueprints, and the like.

Now that time was running short,

he hoped to make use of Beichen Guang's connections.

These supplies mainly included

a batch of six kinds of Second-Order attribute enhancement medicines.

Hang Yu's territory had already mastered the complete production process for all six First-Order attribute enhancement medicines.

However, despite the enormous market for First-Order attribute medicines,

their direct benefits to the territory's inhabitants were now rather limited.

This was because almost all permanent attribute enhancement medicines could only take effect once.

Repeated consumption not only failed to provide additional permanent bonuses,

but even taking another First-Order medicine with the same effect would most likely have no effect.

Even if it did work, it would most likely overwrite the previous medicine's effect.

Take the Dragon Pattern Vital Blood Pill for example.

This pill permanently increased maximum Health.

At present,

most of the Calamity Army's core members and important NPCs had already taken one.

If those players consumed another Dragon Pattern Vital Blood Pill,

at most it would rapidly restore their vitality or temporarily increase their maximum Health.

It would never provide another permanent increase.

Nor had only the Dragon Pattern Vital Blood Pill lost its permanent enhancement effect.

Almost every other First-Order attribute medicine that increased maximum Health would likewise become ineffective.

Even if one happened to work by some small chance,

it would overwrite the Dragon Pattern Vital Blood Pill's effect.

In extreme cases,

the medicinal effects of the two pills might even clash, causing both enhancements to disappear—or worse, permanently reducing the user's attributes.

Under such circumstances,

what should players do if they still wanted to improve their attributes?

The best solution

was to consume attribute medicines of a higher tier.

Hang Yu's territory had already mastered all six First-Order attribute enhancement medicines.

Naturally,

the next thing he needed to consider was upgrading the industry's production capabilities by establishing Second-Order attribute medicine manufacturing.

Compared to First-Order attribute medicines,

Second-Order versions were much rarer.

If the industrial upgrade could be completed successfully,

the competitiveness of the territory's alchemy industry would increase dramatically.

The formulas for Second-Order attribute medicines were far rarer than First-Order ones.

Even Beichen Guang couldn't possibly obtain all six formulas.

And even if he could,

Hang Yu most likely wouldn't be able to afford them.

However,

that wasn't something Hang Yu needed to worry about.

Because he possessed Zhang Zhongjing, the Medicine Sage Through the Ages.

He didn't need the formulas themselves.

As long as he could obtain enough research samples along with the corresponding refining materials,

someone of Zhang Zhongjing's ability would be able to reverse-engineer them before long.

Hang Yu's plan

was to purchase one hundred pills of each of the six Second-Order attribute medicines.

The total cost for all six hundred pills was estimated to be around 180,000 Magic Crystals.

That wasn't a small amount.

However,

it was only a one-time investment.

With that many samples,

it would be enough for Zhang Zhongjing to decipher the formulas,

bringing returns a thousandfold or even ten-thousandfold to the territory in the future.

Besides the six medicines,

Hang Yu also intended to purchase a Third-Order Scroll of Genesis.

This Scroll of Genesis was meant for Dian Wei,

allowing his recruitment success rate to increase even further.

These two requirements were non-negotiable conditions for joining the Human Dao Alliance.

After all,

neither these attribute medicines nor the Scroll of Genesis were easy to purchase,

especially the latter.

But Hang Yu believed

Beichen Guang definitely had the necessary connections.

Not only was he the Vice President of the Sacred Azure branch of the Human Dao Alliance,

he was also a Great Lord with over a century of experience.

Whether in terms of personal connections or marketplace access,

he far surpassed ordinary lords.

Besides the Second-Order attribute medicines and the resurrection item,

Hang Yu was also interested in various artifact-forging secret scrolls and special equipment such as teleportation staves.

If Beichen Guang had ways to acquire them,

Hang Yu certainly wouldn't refuse.

Those, however, depended largely on luck.

All of these conditions

were for the development of the territory.

Besides that,

Hang Yu also made one more request.

This request concerned his status and benefits within the organization.

According to what Hang Yu knew,

although the internal marketplace created by lord organizations possessed many advantages over public markets,

its taxes and fees were also significantly higher.

Ordinary marketplaces also charged transaction fees.

These mainly depended on listing duration and transaction price.

Under normal circumstances,

the average tax rarely exceeded ten percent.

The internal marketplace of a lord organization was different.

When official members conducted transactions,

they not only paid the normal transaction tax,

but also an additional organizational tax.

As a result,

if an official member sold an item worth 10,000 Magic Crystals,

they might ultimately receive only a little over 8,000 Magic Crystals,

with at least 1,000 Magic Crystals going directly to the organization as tax.

That was by no means a small amount.

It was precisely because of this

that prices within internal marketplaces tended to be somewhat higher.

Besides that,

when organization members earned Star Merit,

between five and ten percent of it would automatically become organizational merit.

To Hang Yu,

this represented an additional burden.

He wanted to join the Human Dao Alliance,

gain access to its high-quality marketplace,

yet avoid paying excessive organizational taxes.

Was there a solution?

Naturally,

there was.

The ranks within a lord organization were:

Probationary Member, Official Member, Elder, Vice President, and President.

In fact,

when Hang Yu designed the legion structure for the Calamity Army,

many of its systems had been modeled after Star lord organizations to a certain extent.

If one became an Elder,

more than half of the transaction taxes could be waived.

Hang Yu's final condition was precisely this—

he wanted to become an Elder immediately!

Beichen Guang laughed helplessly.

“Brother Hang Yu, every single condition you've proposed is quite a challenge...”

Was Hang Yu asking for too much?

Not really.

Whether it was purchasing the Life Spirit Spring blueprint or obtaining the resurrection item—the Scroll of Genesis—

although both were rare treasures,

he wasn't trying to get them for free or take advantage of anyone.

He simply needed them urgently.

The Return Day was about to end.

Even someone like Beichen Guang found it difficult to handle such requests within such a short period.

As for becoming an Elder of the Human Dao Alliance—

judging by the qualifications and potential Hang Yu had displayed,

his promotion to Elder was only a matter of time.

There was absolutely no issue with that itself.

But he hadn't even joined the organization yet.

Who had ever heard of someone becoming an Elder the moment they joined?

That would completely violate the organization's traditions maintained for over a thousand years.

These conditions could be accepted.

However,

they still required further negotiation

to reach a more balanced compromise.

…………

In the blink of an eye,

several hours had passed.

While Hang Yu and Beichen Guang negotiated the terms and benefits of joining the alliance,

the Calamity Army players, Jia Xu, and the territory's NPCs wandered throughout the Human Dao Alliance headquarters,

livestreaming their exploration and allowing tens of millions of viewers to experience the unique local customs.

Since a Human Lord Exchange Conference was currently being held,

there was plenty of interesting material to collect.

Some players instantly transformed into food streamers,

moving through the free dining area sampling delicacies—

especially the bizarre foods from all kinds of different planes that they had never seen or even heard of before.

There were Slime Sticky Cakes,

Evil Eye Tentacle Bread,

Roasted Goblin Kidneys,

Nine-Turn Orc Intestines,

Goblin Brain Rice—

all brand-new "delicacies" unlike anything anyone had ever encountered, making the children watching the stream practically nauseous from envy...

Some players slipped into the Human Lord Exchange Conference itself.

There,

they witnessed many bizarre lectures.

【One Hundred Ways for Human Lords to Survive in the Abyss!】

【Tips for the Poor Lord: How to Develop Your Territory While Lying Low!】

【As a Human Lord, Survival Comes First! Eighteen Elegant Ways to Surrender During War!】

【Development Not Going Well? Don't Lose Hope! Don't Despair! My Exclusive Guides: 《The Poor Lord's Money-Saving Method》 and 《The Weakling Lord's Essence Collection Method》 Are Perfect for You!】

【……】

Only then did the players realize

that the lives of lower-race lords—

especially human lords—

could truly be described as surviving against impossible odds.

If they became the dependents or servants of such lords,

there would be no future whatsoever.

Only a bleak road lay ahead.

Sure enough,

without comparison,

there was no appreciation.

Wen Ping, Zhou Cang, and the others finally realized just how fortunate they were.

Although Lord Hang Yu was also human,

he was completely different from every other human—

indeed, from every other lord.

There was probably no second person like him anywhere in the Land of Stars.

As the Star event approached its conclusion,

Hang Yu and Beichen Guang walked out of the Human Dao Alliance headquarters.

From the expressions on their faces,

it wasn't difficult to tell that the negotiations had gone extremely smoothly.

Hang Yu had accepted Beichen Guang's invitation.

After spending 1,000 Star Merit to complete the application,

he officially became a member of the Alliance for Humanity's Rise Through Mutual Assistance.

As for the conditions Hang Yu had proposed,

Beichen Guang had already promised to fulfill them.

Whether it was the blueprints,

the medicines,

or the Scroll of Genesis,

all would be delivered within three days.

As for Hang Yu's request to become an Elder of the Human Dao Alliance,

Beichen Guang had also agreed.

However,

having someone become an Elder immediately after joining the organization really wasn't appropriate.

In the end,

the two reached a compromise.

As soon as Hang Yu successfully advanced to the Fourth Order,

he would automatically be promoted to Elder.

After all,

regardless of how little seniority Hang Yu possessed,

once he reached the Fourth Order,

combined with his terrifying potential,

he would undoubtedly earn the recognition of the other human lords.

As for this,

Hang Yu found it acceptable.

Breaking through to the Fourth Order wasn't difficult for him.

He was absolutely confident that he could achieve it before the next Return Day.

…………

The game's official forum.

Qingchen wrote in the livestream thread:

“This event in the Land of Stars is about to come to an end!”

“Most of us have been online continuously for twenty to thirty hours.”

“Even after being online for so long, not only do we not feel tired, but it actually feels like time flew by. Honestly, it feels like we haven't played enough yet!”

“Sacred Azure is simply too enormous!”

“Since our movements were restricted most of the time,”

“we didn't even manage to explore one-millionth of the map!”

“However, although movement was restricted while we were in the event map, Sacred Azure City, we still managed to gather an enormous amount of information and experience the game's newest mechanics.”

“For me personally, this has been an incredibly interesting and meaningful experience.”

“It has also been a truly wonderful sightseeing journey.”

“...”

“Latest update.”

“The Lord has officially decided to join the Star human lord organization, the Human Dao Alliance!”

“As everyone knows, among the myriad races of the Land of Stars, humans possess neither innate supernatural talents nor inherent supernatural power. Because of their natural weakness, they occupy the very bottom of the racial hierarchy.”

“Our Lord is obviously an exceptionally unique existence!”

“He is not only a perfect leader, but also possesses tremendous abilities that remain unknown to others!”

“All the experts believe that the Lord joining the Human Dao Alliance could become a major turning point!”

“Because based on what we know, with the Lord's strength and potential, he could have easily joined under Principal Long or another even more powerful upper-race faction, thereby obtaining more resources and achieving even better development.”

“However,”

“when faced with the greater cause of his race,”

“the Lord did not make that choice.”

“I believe the Lord is not only the hope of the countless suffering people of the Three Kingdoms plane, but also the hope of all humanity throughout the Land of Stars. He is fulfilling his great mission!”

“I agree with the judgments made by big shots like Chimimei Wangliang and Black Pupil Brother Rui.”

“I think this game probably has two main storylines—one overt and one hidden.”

“The overt storyline is conquering the Abyss. We will follow the Lord, rescue countless people from misery, challenge existences like Zhang Jiao who have already transformed into Evil Gods, and ultimately conquer the dark Abyss completely to bring peace.”

“The hidden storyline is the struggle among the myriad races. We will assist the Lord in leading the humans of the Land of Stars to rise from their humble beginnings and ultimately secure humanity's rightful place among the countless races. As the game's hidden main storyline, it should unlock even more surprising plot developments.”

“Of course,”

“this is purely speculation based on our current understanding.”

“As for what direction the game's story will develop in, or whether there will be even more surprises and changes in the future, it is very difficult for us players to judge at this stage.”

“No matter what,”

“this round of the Star event has concluded perfectly!”

“I think the materials we collected this time are more than abundant.”

“They should be enough to keep millions of Arcane scholars around the world busy researching for quite a long time.”

“We've gained a more concrete glimpse of the tip of this vast world's iceberg, making us even more motivated for the battles ahead!”

“……”

The impact of this Star event was enormous.

The related discussion threads on the official forum alone received over a billion views, while the total number of replies across the major threads exceeded one million—and all of that had accumulated in less than thirty hours.

“What?”

“The event is already ending?”

“That was way too fast! I haven't had enough!”

“The Land of Stars is too vast, and the Star City-States are way too huge. Couldn't the developers have added more content? How is this tiny bit enough for anyone?”

“Exactly!”

“I just love seeing the customs, literature, and culture of the Land of Stars!”

“I graduated from an academy of fine arts and work in concept design. My professor told us to study this game for inspiration. Researching Sacred Azure City these past few days has given me a huge breakthrough in my creative ideas!”

“Come on, that's enough!”

“An event is still just an event!”

“Developing the territory is the real priority!”

“That's right! The larger the territory becomes, the more Calamity Army players the Lord can recruit!”

“The main issue is that Star events have such a long interval. It seems they only happen once every month or so, yet each one only lasts for a single day. That's way too short.”

“Yeah, who knows when we'll get to explore again!”

“I suggest increasing the number of events!”

“This is already plenty!”

“The big shots brought back documents, materials, photographs, videos, and all kinds of intelligence. On top of that, we've been introduced to multiple legendary Star Lords and various Star lord factions. That's enough to keep us researching for a long time!”

“……”

Just as millions upon millions of netizens were discussing this event across the official forums, Weibo, Twitter, YouTube, and other platforms,

and just as Hang Yu was regrouping the eighty-five Calamity Army players and fourteen subordinates in preparation for the return journey,

meanwhile,

inside Sacred Azure City's High Lord Council,

the atmosphere was somewhat solemn.

The High Lord Council was a special assembly attended by the lords—or their representatives—from the eight thousand advanced territories under Sacred Azure City's jurisdiction.

Those qualified to attend

were all outstanding powerhouses of Sacred Azure City.

The council chamber had been created within a separate expanse of the void.

Dozens of palaces floated throughout this void,

with all attending lords gathered inside these palaces of varying sizes.

At the very center of this void conference hall

was a region composed entirely of dazzling starlight.

Floating within it stood a magnificent throne.

Seated upon that Star Throne

was none other than City Lord Yue, who had appeared on Trial Island not long ago.

Of course,

what had appeared on Trial Island

had merely been a projection released by the City Lord.

The methods possessed by a Legendary Lord were beyond the comprehension of ordinary beings.

Creating avatars or projections was but one of countless techniques available to such an existence.

Even the figure seated upon the Star Throne at this very moment,

although hundreds of times more substantial than the projection on Trial Island,

might not necessarily have been the true body of Sacred Azure City's Lord.

“Recently, Sacred Azure City has lost nine thousand lords.”

“In addition, five hundred lords displayed signs of corruption after returning.”

“Furthermore, two nearby star regions have suffered full-scale invasions by multiple Abyssal Evil Gods. Contact has already been lost with one of them, and its current situation remains unknown.”

“……”

An elderly member of the Star Spirit race

was reporting the latest developments beneath the Star Throne.

City Lord Yue said, “Over the past several Star Years, the Abyss has become increasingly active, and its encroachment upon the Land of Stars continues to accelerate. We must all heighten our vigilance!”

The struggle between the Abyss and the Land of Stars

had never possessed a permanently dominant side.

The Will of the Land of Stars continually selected its agents to invade the Abyss and establish territories.

Likewise,

the Evil Gods born from the Will of the Abyss continuously spread chaotic corruption throughout the various regions of the Land of Stars.

Just as there were Abyssal planes that had been completely conquered,

there were also regions of the Land of Stars that had been entirely corrupted.

This meant

that the Land of Stars was by no means absolutely safe.

If invaded by Abyssal Evil Gods,

it too faced the danger of complete destruction.

During the past several Star Years,

more and more signs of corruption had appeared throughout the star region containing Sacred Azure City.

This likely meant that the forces of the Evil Gods were watching covetously, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Because Star City-States such as Sacred Azure City were protected by the Laws of the Land of Stars,

the Evil Gods born from the Abyss found it difficult to enter directly.

Thus,

they instead attempted to corrupt the Star citizens living there.

Lords possessed tremendous strength

and spent their lives battling within the Abyss.

Without question,

they were ideal targets for corruption.

Therefore,

lords fighting in the Abyss had to remain vigilant against the gaze and covetousness of Outer Gods,

while the administrators of the Land of Stars likewise had to remain constantly prepared with every possible precaution.

The High Lord Council

had been established precisely to respond to such threats.

This meeting convened by City Lord Yue

served merely to share routine intelligence,

so it concluded very quickly.

The instant the meeting ended,

the void conference hall automatically dissolved.

City Lord Yue returned to his own palace.

With only the final fifteen minutes remaining before the Star Return ended,

he used that time to summon someone.

That person was none other than

Gu Sheng Cangyue,

who had placed second in the Colossus Labyrinth Trial.

“Father!”

Gu Sheng Cangyue came before the City Lord,

a trace of shame visible on her face.

“Cangyue was incompetent and brought disgrace upon you.”

City Lord Yue comforted her gently.

“There is no need to dwell on it. Failing to claim first place in this trial was merely an accidental coincidence.”

“I personally tested the lord named Hang Yu.”

“His own strength is insufficient to pose any threat to you, so there is no need to pay him too much attention.”

“In this competition, the only ones who may truly threaten you are Bahuang of the Devouring Sun Clan and Yi of the Wind Thunder Clan!”

A human?

So the rumors were actually true!

Gu Sheng Cangyue couldn't understand

why the Colossus Labyrinth had been conquered by a human.

However,

if the other party truly was human,

then they indeed weren't qualified to become her rival.

It seemed this trial had merely been an unrepeatable accident.

Gu Sheng Cangyue said,

“If I encounter Bahuang of the Devouring Sun Clan or Yi of the Wind Thunder Clan in the official competition, I am absolutely confident I can defeat them. This time, I will not lose again!”

City Lord Yue nodded with satisfaction.

Although this competition had produced many upper-race lords with extraordinary potential,

only these few truly deserved attention.

He said,

“Cangyue, although you are the youngest among all my children, you are also the one in whom I place the greatest hopes.”

“This year's Rising Stars Lord Tournament differs from previous ones.”

“You must claim first place.”

“It will provide tremendous assistance to your path as a lord.”

As the City Lord of Sacred Azure City,

he was the existence closest to the Will of the Land of Stars within the entire Star City-State.

Therefore,

he possessed intelligence advantages that no other force could match.

Cangyue herself wasn't particularly interested in the rewards and blessings bestowed by the Will of the Land of Stars.

As one of the strongest races in existence,

the Star Spirit race already possessed sufficiently powerful innate talents,

allowing them to dominate the overwhelming majority of Abyssal planes.

So rather than desperately wanting to win,

what she truly couldn't accept

was losing.

After all,

she belonged to the proud and perfect Star Spirit race!

Cangyue refused to accept any defeat.

To fail to become number one

was itself a defeat.

Before she could say anything else,

【The Star Return has ended!】

【Please prepare to return to your territory!】

A mighty power descended from the Will of the Land of Stars.

The allotted time had run out.

Although Gu Sheng Cangyue was already a Fourth-Order Lord,

she still lacked the ability to travel freely between the Land of Stars and the Abyss.

She too was now forced to return to the Abyssal plane where her territory was located.

City Lord Yue nodded slightly.

“I shall watch over you from the Land of Stars.”

Cangyue bowed respectfully to her father.

Then she disappeared.

……

Meanwhile,

within the Three Kingdoms Abyssal Plane,

inside the human territory's Falling Water Main City,

Hang Yu appeared within the Lord's Hall.

“Finally back!”

Hang Yu let out a long breath.

“Although this return was pressed for time and there were many things I didn't manage to accomplish, I still achieved most of my objectives!”

The Star Return had ended.

But the territory's development continued.

Hang Yu knew

that he would be extremely busy for quite some time.

The territory was about to undergo a massive round of updates,

and the number of tasks awaiting him would only continue to grow.