Flexing Muscles

The trading lasted for a full day.

It was only when night fell that the bustling safe zone finally returned to quiet.

After dinner, Cheng Shuili found a rare moment of leisure to lie down in her own vehicle.

Although the safe zone had plenty of space, it was crowded with people; nothing could compare to the comfort of her own little vehicle nest.

As for Su Rui, she had spent the last few days selecting a small cabin within the safe zone and was already in the process of moving.

Previously, when this safe zone was merely Cheng Shuili’s territory, Su Rui lacked access permissions. Now that it had become a full safe zone, Su Rui, as Cheng Shuili’s servant, naturally held the rights to enter and exit.

Once Su Rui finished moving, she would only need to work twelve hours a day, from eight to eight.

For both Cheng Shuili and Su Rui, this was a positive change.

Cheng Shuili shifted her position, reached out to grab a strawberry from the side of the sofa, and popped it into her mouth. The sweet and tart juice spread across her palate.

She squinted her eyes in satisfaction, savoring the taste for a moment before a smile spread across her face.

Having rested for a while, Cheng Shuili pulled up her panel. At first, she kept her eyes closed, afraid to look. Only after taking a deep breath did she open a small slit in her eyes. Upon catching a glimpse of the number, she couldn't help but sigh.

There was still over three million in debt.

Cheng Shuili’s mood dipped, but then a second thought occurred to her, and she felt something was off.

The safe zone’s dozen-plus shops had been selling goods all day long!

Coupled with her little trick of limiting every player to one purchase, prohibiting proxy buying, and requiring every customer to pay an entry fee to the safe zone, how could she have earned so little?

The more she thought about it, the stranger it seemed. She narrowed her eyes and stared intently.

She sat bolt upright, her eyes wide as she fixed her gaze on the string of numbers on the panel.

Game Coin Balance: 3,184,527

It wasn't negative; it was positive!

Over three million!

A positive three million!

Cheng Shuili rubbed her eyes and carefully counted the digits again. Once she confirmed it was correct, an indescribable wave of ecstasy instantly washed away her previous depression and exhaustion.

"Paid off... it's really paid off!" she whispered to herself, her voice filled with incredulous joy: "And I even earned so much! So much!"

Cheng Shuili stood up and hopped around the vehicle’s living room several times. Only after checking the numbers behind the game coin column repeatedly did she feel the joy in her heart gradually settle.

She had money; she finally had money.

Cheng Shuili’s hands slowly clenched. Within those three million and the now-cleared debt, a significant portion had come from the safe zone entry fees.

No wonder the system’s protection fee cost a full million; what was a million anyway?

As this thought surfaced, Cheng Shuili couldn't help but chuckle.

People really do change once they have money. Just a few days ago, she had been worrying over a million game coins; now, she could say things like "what was a million anyway."

However... times change.

The benefits promised by the Rat King, plus the stable income of the safe zone...

Cheng Shuili’s account only held three million right now, but she knew this number would continue to grow!

Four million, five million... perhaps even reaching the tens of millions!

After daydreaming for a bit, Cheng Shuili curled her lips and lay back down on the sofa.

At eight o'clock the next morning, the safe zone opened once again.

With the morning light just beginning to break, the Black Feather safe zone was already bustling with activity.

A crowd, even larger and denser than the day before, gathered at the shops, anxiously waiting for the barriers to open.

In the regional channel, messages from players who hadn't managed to line up, those who had finally scraped together enough money, or those bringing their families to beg for help were scrolling by rapidly.

Cheng Shuili stood at a high vantage point, overlooking the sea of heads below with a calm expression.

After yesterday’s adjustment period, the operation of the trading point had become much smoother. The newly added Watching the Great Wall squad worked in perfect harmony with the original Black Feather personnel, keeping order well-maintained.

The medicine supply had also been adjusted based on yesterday’s consumption to ensure there would be no shortages.

Cheng Shuili stood on the balcony watching for a while. Just as she turned around, she saw Xinxue running over in a hurry. As soon as their eyes met, Xinxue’s eyes lit up.

Something was up.

Cheng Shuili noticed the beads of sweat on Xinxue’s forehead, stepped forward to meet her, and asked, "What is it? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Xinxue caught her breath and lowered her voice: "Boss, the system just pushed a full-server regional connection announcement. It says that in twenty-four hours, there will be a brief cross-region connection test lasting ten minutes."

"At that time, players from different grand regions will be able to make temporary contact and exchange information through specific regional connection points!"

Cheng Shuili’s eyes narrowed: "Regional connection?"

"Yes! And the most important thing is," Xinxue said, speeding up her words, "the announcement mentioned that during the connection, temporary cross-region trading permits will be opened! Although there are many restrictions, such as only being able to trade through connection points, limits on the quantity and value of traded items, and it seems there will be high transaction fees!"

"Also, this time is just a test. There will be another test next week, and the week after that, the official merger will happen! A full-server merger!"

Full-server merger!

These four words exploded in Cheng Shuili’s ears like a thunderclap!

Her pupils contracted sharply. The hint of leisure on her face vanished without a trace, replaced by rapidly spinning thoughts.

"Is the news accurate? What about the original text of the announcement?" Her voice dropped, carrying a trace of tension she hadn't even noticed herself.

Xinxue didn't waste a second, opening the grand region channel right in front of Cheng Shuili.

This time, there was no full-server notification, just this pinned notice.

Cheng Shuili read it carefully. The last few lines of the notice were particularly eye-catching:

【...The first test will begin in 24 hours (on the fifth day of the plague) and will last for 10 minutes.】

【The second connection test is expected to start next Friday, lasting approximately 30 minutes.】

【If the test results meet expectations, the official 'full-server merger' process will begin at 0:00 on the day after next week. At that time, all existing grand region barriers will be lifted, and all players will enter a brand new phase.】

【Special Note: Cross-region connection and merger will bring new opportunities and challenges. Please prepare in advance.】

"The week after next... official merger..." Cheng Shuili repeated in a low voice, each word like a murmur.

Too fast!

This timeline was far earlier than she had anticipated.

The cross-region trading test was the first step of probing.

Those factions in other grand regions, filled with suppressed anger, would absolutely not let these ten minutes go to waste.

They would try every possible way to contact Black Feather, set conditions, or flex their muscles.

However...

Cheng Shuili curled her lips. Flexing muscles? She wanted to show off a little, too.

Especially that White Eagle!

Didn't they always cause trouble? She finally had the chance for revenge.

Cheng Shuili kept her head lowered, so Xinxue didn't see her expression and assumed the boss was as anxious as she was, asking: "Boss, what should we do now?"

"Once the announcement was released, the regional channel went completely haywire! Players from other grand regions inside the safe zone are acting like they've found a backbone, saying they'll talk to us properly once the connection opens. Others are saying our previous pricing was regional discrimination and demanding we adjust immediately, or else they'll make us regret it after the merger..."

"Even within our Dragon Country grand region, some people are wavering. There’s a lot of negative talk about us in the regional channel. The worst part is that those factions that were especially enthusiastic about us before have all changed their faces. It’s as if we won't be Black Feather anymore after the merger!"

Xinxue spoke with righteous indignation, but Cheng Shuili showed no extra expression.

She waved her hand dismissively: "I know. There's no need to worry about them right now."

Cheng Shuili pondered for a moment and asked: "Do you know about Watching the Great Wall sending gifts yesterday?"

Xinxue nodded. Although she had a time difference with everyone, she was still very well-informed.

"I know. They sent two elite squads over to assist us."

Cheng Shuili nodded: "Now, go contact Undying War Wolf Soul. Tell him I’m inviting him... no, invite the leaders of Watching the Great Wall, Yanhuang, and all other top-ranked Dragon Country grand region factions in the name of Black Feather. The meeting is in three hours, to be held in our Black Feather conference hall for negotiations."

Xinxue was stunned: "Boss, are you planning to..."

"Time waits for no one." Cheng Shuili’s gaze was firm: "If we don't bring the people inside to heel now, how can we deal with the factions outside?"

The more Xinxue listened, the more excited she became. Hearing that phrase "bring to heel" made her eyes light up. With the boss’s aura and confidence, she didn't need to worry at all!

"Understood!" Xinxue’s back straightened: "I’ll go send the invitations now! I guarantee the message will be delivered!"

Watching Xinxue’s hurried back as she left, the curve of Cheng Shuili’s lips rose a little higher.

It was a good thing to have subordinates with drive.

She turned around, took one last look at the busy yet orderly safe zone below, and left the balcony.

Cheng Shuili sat down in the conference room. Before the chair beneath her could even warm up, she heard 001 report receiving a message from Undying War Wolf Soul.

Undying War Wolf Soul was the leader of the second-largest faction in the Dragon Country grand region and was naturally on 001’s whitelist.

【Undying War Wolf Soul】: Crow, excuse the intrusion. You’ve likely seen the announcement. I have a few things I need to clarify regarding Watching the Great Wall.

Cheng Shuili’s eyebrows lifted slightly. Her fingertip slid gently across the smooth panel to pull the message interface before her eyes.

To reach out so quickly and get straight to the point...

It seemed this "Brother Wolf" was even more sharp and urgent than she had estimated.

She didn't reply immediately, waiting quietly for the rest of his message.

【Undying War Wolf Soul】: First, the Mountain squad is yours to command. How you use them and for how long is up to you. You can be absolutely certain of their loyalty and discipline, but please also grant them the corresponding trust and respect. This isn't a bargaining chip attached to a trade, but a personal investment from me, and from Watching the Great Wall, in your ability and character.

That was stated very clearly.

If Cheng Shuili had previously thought she could send those two squads back once the mission ended, there was now truly no need to do so.

【Undying War Wolf Soul】: Secondly, regarding the full-server merger. Time is pressing; the Dragon Country grand region cannot fall into chaos, and we certainly cannot continue fighting among ourselves or engaging in internal friction like before. We have been in communication with Yanhuang; they share our views completely. Since we are merging, we must unite! We need a spearhead that is strong enough, clear-headed enough, and bold enough!

Cheng Shuili’s mouth curled upward; the last sentence might as well have been the name Black Feather.

And... her gaze shifted to the words "must unite." She understood Undying War Wolf Soul’s concerns.

The Dragon Country grand region wouldn't violate any heavenly laws by not uniting, but the premise was that these factions had to be able to bear the cost of fighting alone!

If factions from other grand regions banded together and declared a joint war against a single faction...

Not every faction had the pressure-bearing capacity that Black Feather possessed!

For Black Feather, if these Dragon Country factions were all wiped out, it would be a case of "when the lips are gone, the teeth are cold."

Cheng Shuili continued reading.

【Undying War Wolf Soul】: During the ten-minute cross-region connection test, those factions that are hostile or covetous toward us... especially toward you and Black Feather... will definitely use those ten minutes to stir up trouble. Probing, intimidation, trading, or even using group duel cards to gang up on you...

【Undying War Wolf Soul】: We must unify our stance in advance and formulate accurate response plans. I suggest that before contacting any faction from other grand regions, the top powers of the Dragon Country must first reach a consensus.

The information was clear and organized; he might as well have asked, "Do you have anything you need to say?"

Cheng Shuili read it again. Undying War Wolf Soul’s words lacked insincere pleasantries or condescending guidance, instead honestly laying out his stance, worries, and willingness to cooperate.

Especially that last bit about unifying the stance, which almost explicitly handed the initiative and the position of initiator to Cheng Shuili.

Cheng Shuili looked at these lines of text, pondering for a moment.

Undying War Wolf Soul... he was truly someone who could bend and stretch, possessed long-term vision, and had immense drive.

He had sent blades yesterday, and today he came directly to talk about how to swing them together.

Such a collaborator was far more valuable than those allies who were full of pride but blind to the situation.

【Angry Crow Takes Flight】: Message received. I basically agree with your views. In three hours, at the Black Feather conference hall, I will convene the leaders of all top-ranked factions in the Dragon Country grand region in the name of Black Feather to negotiate. The topic is responding to the merger. Please be sure to attend.

Almost the moment the message was sent, the reply came.

【Undying War Wolf Soul】: I will definitely arrive on time. Also, do you need me to talk to Yanhuang and the others in advance? To ensure meeting efficiency.

This was proactively helping to pave the way, reducing the resistance or friction she might encounter.

Cheng Shuili’s mouth curled.

【Angry Crow Takes Flight】: Much appreciated.

Peace of mind.

After closing the panel, the feeling Cheng Shuili had was one of peace of mind.

Time flew by in tense and orderly preparation.

Three hours passed in the blink of an eye.

Black Feather safe zone, Conference Hall No. 1.

The long table was filled with people. In addition to those who arrived early, such as Undying War Wolf Soul and Qingping Le from Yanhuang, seven or eight others arrived one after another.

Once the table was full, a glance revealed that almost all the top twenty players currently on the Dragon Country grand region leaderboard, whether they had factions or not, were there.

No one whispered to each other. The leaders’ gazes were focused on the empty main seat, each with a complex expression.

The lone wolves who hadn't joined any factions were much more relaxed.